Absorbent article having a weak path with a tear zone

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an absorbent article including a first belt and a second belt, wherein the first belt and / or the second belt has one or more weak paths. The weak path may include a first tear zone and a second tear zone extending between an inner edge and an outer edge of the first belt. The diaper pants are configured such that the tearing strength of the belt is greater than the tearing strength of the weak path, whereby a first tear line propagating along the first tear zone and a second tear line propagating along the second tear zone are inclined to be torn along the weak path rather than in an unintended tearing direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to absorbent articles, and more particularly to absorbent articles having a front and / or rear waist region including 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 multiple strands are in an extended state, such that when the elastic strands relax, the nonwoven fabric forms pleats, thereby forming undulations and wrinkles. The resulting elastomeric laminate is stretchable to the extent that the elastic strands can be extended 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, extended elastic strands are adhered between two continuous nonwoven webs to form an elastic laminate. Next, each region of the elastic strands may be intermittently deactivated along the length of the elastic laminate by cutting the elastic strands in the area 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 enable 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 allow feces to soil the user's legs. In other instances, a caregiver may 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] In order to avoid having to remove soiled diaper pants from the wearer by slipping the soiled diaper pants off the wearer's legs or by tearing a joined side seam, some diaper pants may be configured to have a tear line in a front belt or a rear belt. Such a tear line may include a stitch that allows a caregiver to more easily separate the belt along the stitch line. When the belt is separated, the diaper pants can be more easily removed from the wearer without having to slip the diaper pants off the wearer's legs, similar to a conventional open-tape-type diaper configuration. However, due to the wearer's posture, a caregiver may not assume a posture of tearing along such a tear line such that the belt is cut along the tear line. Thus, there is a possibility that the caregiver may inadvertently tear the belt and tear the belt at a position other than along the stitch line. This can make it more difficult to remove the product. For example, when it is difficult to remove the diaper, a caregiver may need to use both hands to initiate and complete the tearing operation. For example, some tear lines may require a caregiver to grip the belt on both sides of the tear line and pull in opposite directions to initiate and complete the tearing process. As a result, the need to tear such a belt with both hands can make the process of removing diaper pants from an infant or child who is moving or attempting to move during the diaper removal process more difficult. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0006] As a result, it would be beneficial to create a pant-type article that provides a caregiver with the ability to remove and discard soiled products in a manner similar to conventional open diaper configurations. Additionally, it would be beneficial to provide diaper pants having a weak path configured such that the tearing action can be initiated and completed so that the belt separates only along the weak path and not at other locations on the diaper. MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS

[0007] In one form, the absorbent article is a first belt including an inner wearer-side surface and an outer clothing-side surface, further comprising a laterally extending inner edge and a laterally extending outer edge, the outer edge being positioned longitudinally outside of the inner edge, a first belt, a second belt, wherein an end portion of the second belt facing laterally is connected to an end portion of the first belt facing laterally at the first side seam and the second side seam to form a waist opening, a second belt, a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet, a chassis comprising a 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, an end region of the chassis facing longitudinally being connected to the first belt and the second belt, and a portion of the chassis overlapping the inner wearer-side surface of the first belt to define a chassis overlap region, a chassis, a first belt inner weak path extending between the inner edge and the outer edge of the first belt, the first belt having a belt tear strength by a material tear strength test method, the weak path having a path tear strength by a path tear strength test method, and the path tear strength of the weak path being less than the belt tear strength of the first belt, a weak path.

[0008] In another form, the absorbent article is a first belt including an inner wearer-side surface, an outer garment-side surface, a laterally extending inner edge, a laterally extending outer edge, and a lateral center line, wherein the outer edge is positioned longitudinally outside the inner edge, a first belt; a second belt including laterally opposed end portions connected to end portions of the first belt that oppose laterally at the first side seam and the second side seam to form a waist opening; a topsheet; a backsheet; and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet, a chassis comprising a first longitudinally extending side edge, a second longitudinally extending side edge laterally separated from the first side edge by a first edge, and a second edge longitudinally separated from the first edge, wherein end regions of the chassis that oppose longitudinally are connected to the first belt and the second belt, a chassis; a first belt inner weak path extending between the inner edge and the outer edge of the first belt, the weak path including a first tear zone and a second tear zone, a portion of the first tear zone extending at a first angle of less than about 90 degrees from the lateral center line of the first belt, a portion of the second tear zone extending at a second angle of less than about 90 degrees from the lateral center line of the first belt, a portion of the chassis overlapping the inner wearer-side surface of the first belt to define a chassis overlap region, a portion of the weak path extending within the chassis overlap region, the weak path being configured to be torn along the first tear zone and the second tear zone, providing a path tear strength by a path tear strength test method, the path tear strength for tearing along the weak path including the first tear zone and the second tear zone being from about 2 N to about 16 N, a weak path.

[0009] In yet another form, the absorbent article comprises a first belt including an inner wearer-side surface and an outer garment-side surface, having a laterally extending inner edge and a laterally extending outer edge, the outer edge being positioned longitudinally outward of the inner edge, a first belt; 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 second belt; a topsheet; a backsheet; and an absorbent core positioned 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 by a first end edge and a second end edge longitudinally separated from the first end edge, wherein end regions of the chassis facing each other in the longitudinal direction are connected to the first belt and the second belt, and a portion of the chassis overlaps the inner wearer-side surface of the first belt to define a chassis overlap region, a chassis; fastening components disposed on the first belt; a first weak path within the first belt, the first weak path including a first tear zone and a second tear zone, the first tear zone including a first initial tear zone and a first secondary tear zone, the first initial tear zone extending from a first transition zone towards the fastening components, the first secondary tear zone extending from the first transition zone towards the laterally extending outer edge, the second tear zone including a second initial tear zone and a second secondary tear zone, the second initial tear zone extending from a second transition zone towards the fastening components, the second secondary tear zone extending from the second transition zone towards the laterally extending inner edge, each of the first tear zone and the second tear zone included in the weak path having a path tear strength by a path tear strength test method, the first tear zone and the second tear zone being torn substantially simultaneously, and the path tear strength being from about 2 N to about 16 N, a weak path.

[0010] 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 positioned longitudinally outward of the inner edge, a first belt; 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 second belt; a topsheet; a backsheet; and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet, a chassis comprising a first side edge extending in the longitudinal direction, a second side edge extending in the longitudinal direction separated from the first side edge by a first end edge, and a second end edge separated from the first end edge in the longitudinal direction, end regions of the chassis facing each other in the longitudinal direction being connected to the first belt and the second belt, and a portion of the chassis overlapping the inner wearer-side surface of the first belt to define a chassis overlap region, a chassis; a weak path in the first belt extending between the inner edge and the outer edge of the first belt, the first belt having a belt tear strength by a material tear strength test method, the weak path having a path tear strength by a path tear strength test method, and a difference between the path tear strength and the belt tear strength exceeding about 8 N, a weak path.

[0011] In yet another form, the absorbent article is a first belt including an inner wearer-side surface, an outer clothing-side surface, a laterally extending inner edge, a laterally extending outer edge of the inner edge, and a lateral center line, wherein the outer edge is positioned longitudinally outside of the inner edge; a second belt, wherein end portions of the second belt facing laterally are connected to end portions of the first belt facing laterally at a first side seam and a second side seam to form a waist opening; a chassis including a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet, the chassis including a first longitudinally extending side edge, a second longitudinally extending side edge laterally separated from the first side edge by a first end edge, and a second end edge longitudinally separated from the first end edge; and a vulnerable path within the first belt, wherein end regions of the chassis facing longitudinally are connected to the first and second belts and extend between the inner and outer edges of the first belt, the vulnerable path including a first tear zone and a second tear zone and being configured to be torn along the first and second tear zones, the first belt having a belt tear strength according to a material tear strength test method, the vulnerable path having a path tear strength according to a path tear strength test method, the belt tear strength - standard deviation coefficient × belt standard deviation being greater than the path tear strength + standard deviation coefficient × path standard deviation, and the standard deviation coefficient being at least 2.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

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

[0014] "Absorbent article" refers to an implement for absorbing and confining bodily 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 pant-type diapers (i.e., diapers having pre-formed waist openings and leg openings as shown in U.S. Patent No. 6,120,487), re-fastenable diapers or pant-type diapers, incontinence briefs and underwear, diaper holders and liners, panty liners, absorbent inserts, feminine hygiene garments such as menstrual pads, and the like.

[0015] "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 wear than some other element or surface. "Facing the clothing" indicates that an element or surface is farther from the wearer during wear 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).

[0016] The terms "elastic", "elastomer", or "elastomeric" refer to a material exhibiting elastic properties, which includes any material that, when a force is applied to its relaxed initial length, can stretch or elongate to an extended length exceeding 10% of the initial length and, when the applied force is released, will substantially recover to approximately the initial length. Examples of elastomeric materials can include elastomeric films, scrims, nonwovens, ribbons, strands, and other sheet-like structures.

[0017] As used herein, the term "connected" encompasses configurations in which one element is directly secured to another element by attaching the one element directly to the other element, as well as configurations in which one element is attached to an intermediate member and the intermediate member is attached to another element such that the one element is indirectly secured to the other element.

[0018] 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.

[0019] As used herein, the term "substrate" is mainly two-dimensional (i.e., in the XY plane), and is used to describe a material whose thickness (Z direction) is relatively small (i.e., 1 / 10 or less) compared to its length (X direction) and width (Y direction). Non-limiting examples of substrates include films and foils such as webs, layers (one or more) or fibrous materials, non-woven fabrics, polymer films or metal foils. These materials may be used alone or may include two or more layers laminated together. Thus, a web is a substrate.

[0020] As used herein, the term "non-woven fabric" refers to a material made from continuous (long) filaments (fibers) and / or discontinuous (short) filaments (fibers) by processes such as spunbonding, meltblowing, carding, etc. Non-woven fabrics do not have a woven or knitted filament pattern.

[0021] As used herein, the term "machine direction" (MD) is used to refer to the direction of the 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 the upstream to the downstream of the process as it passes through a process.

[0022] As used herein, the term "cross direction" (CD) is used to refer to a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the machine direction.

[0023] "Pre-strain" refers to the strain imposed on an elastic material or elastomeric material before being combined with another element of the elastomeric laminate or 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) * 100.

[0024] "Decitex", also known as Dtex, is a measurement used in the fiber industry for measuring yarns or filaments. 1 decitex = 1 gram per 10,000 meters. In other words, if a yarn or filament has a weight of 500 grams for 10,000 linear meters, then that yarn or filament has 500 decitex.

[0025] The term "tape diaper" (also referred to as "open diaper") refers to a disposable absorbent article having an initial front waist region and an initial rear waist region that are not fastened, pre-fastened, or connected to each other during packaging before being applied to the wearer. The tape diaper may be folded around the lateral centerline with the inner surface of one waist region in contact with the inner surface of the opposite waist region without integrally fastening or connecting the waist regions. Examples of tape diapers of various suitable configurations are disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,167,897; 5,360,420; 5,599,335; 5,643,588; 5,674,216; 5,702,551; 5,968,025; 6,107,537; 6,118,041; 6,153,209; 6,410,129; 6,426,444; 6,586,652; 6,627,787; 6,617,016; 6,825,393; and 6,861,571, and U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2013 / 0072887 (A1); 2013 / 0211356 (A1); and 2013 / 0306226 (A1), all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0026] As used herein, the term "pants" (also referred to as "training pants", "pre-closed diaper", "diaper pants", "pant-type diaper", and "pull-on diaper") refers to a disposable absorbent article designed for infant or adult wearers and having a continuous waist opening at the outer periphery and a continuous leg opening at the outer periphery. The pants may be configured to have a continuous or closed waist opening and at least one continuous closed leg opening before the article is applied to the wearer. The pants may be preformed or pre-fastened by various techniques including, but not limited to, using any re-fastenable and / or permanent closure members (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 incorporated herein by reference.

[0027] "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.

[0028] 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 to form the waist opening and leg openings.

[0029] 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 one or more weak paths. In some configurations, the absorbent article may include a first belt and a second belt, each belt including a first end region and a second end region laterally separated from the first end region by a central region. The first end region of the 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 including a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. The chassis may further include 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 further include a laterally extending inner edge and a laterally extending outer edge, the outer edge being positioned longitudinally outside of the inner edge.

[0030] As discussed in more detail below, the first belt and / or the second belt may comprise one or more weak paths. For example, a weak path in the first and / or second belt may extend between an inner edge of the first belt and an outer edge of the first belt. The weak path may extend to a proximal end on the inner edge of the first belt and a distal end on the outer edge. The weak path may then comprise a single tear zone or a first tear zone that extends to the distal end and a second tear zone that extends to the proximal end. Such a weak path configuration provides a feature that enables the elastic belt of the diaper pants to be relatively easily torn along the weak 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 tear strength required to tear along the weak path can be made significantly less than the tear strength for tearing the belt, such that the tear propagates only along the weak path and not to other regions of the belt. Additionally, the weak path may be configured to enable a caregiver or the wearer to begin and / or completely tear the first belt with one hand when removing the diaper pants from the wearer.

[0031] Figures 1 - 2B show an example of an absorbent article 100 in the form of diaper pants 100P that may include components constructed in accordance with 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 diaper portion facing away from the wearer facing the observer, and FIG. 2B shows a plan view of diaper pants 100P with the diaper portion facing the wearer facing the observer. Diaper pants 100P include a chassis 102 and an annular elastic belt 104. As will be described in more detail below, a first elastic belt 106 and a second elastic belt 108 are integrally joined to form the annular elastic belt 104.

[0032] 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 extending horizontally in the front waist region 116 and a rear waist edge 122 facing longitudinally and extending 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.

[0033] 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 portion of the topsheet 138 and the backsheet 136. As will be described in more detail below, the diaper 100P may also include other features such as leg elastic members and / or leg cuffs to enhance the fit around the wearer's legs.

[0034] 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 a portion of the wearer's waist. At the same time, the side edges 128 and 130 may surround at least a portion of the wearer's legs. 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.

[0035] 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 steam to escape from the absorbent core (i.e., the backsheet is breathable).

[0036] Also, as described above, the diaper pants 100P may include a topsheet 138. The topsheet 138 may also define all or a part of the surface 132 facing the wearer inside the chassis 102. The topsheet 138 is liquid-permeable, and liquids (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-woven fabrics, porous foams, reticulated foams, reticulated thermoplastic films, and thermoplastic scrims. The woven or non-woven material may include natural fibers such as wood or cotton fibers, synthetic fibers such as polyester, polypropylene, or polyethylene fibers, or combinations thereof. When 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. Patent Nos. 5,628,097, 5,916,661, 6,545,197, and 6,107,539, which are all incorporated herein by reference.

[0037] As described above, the diaper pant 100P may also include an absorbent assembly 140 joined to the chassis 102. As shown in FIG. 2A, the absorbent assembly 140 may have a front edge 148 that extends 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 may also have a left side edge 154 that is on the opposite side laterally and extends longitudinally. Both of the 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 at least partially disposed between the topsheet 138 and the backsheet 136, and may be formed in various sizes and shapes that are compatible with the diaper. Exemplary absorbent structures for use as the absorbent core of the present disclosure are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,610,678, 4,673,402, 4,888,231, and 4,834,735, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0038] Some absorbent core embodiments may include a fluid storage core containing a reduced amount of cellulosic airfelt material. For example, such a core may contain less than about 40%, 30%, 20%, 10%, 5%, or even less than about 1% cellulosic airfelt material. Such a core may primarily contain an absorbent gel material in an amount of at least about 60%, 70%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, or even about 100%, in which case the remainder of the core contains a microfiber adhesive (where applicable). Such cores, microfiber adhesives, and absorbent gel materials are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,599,335, 5,562,646, 5,669,894, and 6,790,798, and U.S. Patent Publications 2004 / 0158212 (A1) and 2004 / 0097895 (A1), all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0039] 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 that 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.

[0040] As described above, the diaper pants are manufactured to have an annular elastic belt 104, and before being applied to the wearer, the front waist region 116 and the rear waist region 118 may be connected to each other and provided to the consumer in a packaged configuration. Thus, the diaper pants may have a 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 at or adjacent to the sides of the belt that face laterally.

[0041] 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 opening 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 thermal bonding, pressure bonding, or adhesive bonding, or may be a releasable connection such as a mechanical fastener or an adhesive fastener.

[0042] As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the first elastic belt 106 also defines a laterally extending outer edge 107a and a laterally extending inner edge 107b, and the second elastic belt 108 defines a laterally extending outer edge 109a and a laterally extending inner edge 109b. The outer edge 107a of the first belt 106 is positioned longitudinally outside the inner edge 107b, and the outer edge 109a of the second belt 108 is positioned longitudinally outside the inner edge 109b. In this way, as shown in FIG. 1, the outer peripheral 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 peripheral 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.

[0043] It should be understood that the first elastic belt 106 and the second elastic belt 108 can define different sizes and shapes. In some configurations, the first elastic belt 106 and / or the second elastic belt 108 can define a curved profile. For example, the inner lateral edges 107b, 109b of the first and / or second elastic belts 106, 108 can include non-linear or curved portions at the first and second opposing end regions. Such a curved profile can help define a desired shape for the leg openings 112, such as relatively rounded leg openings. In addition to having a curved profile, the elastic belts 106, 108 can include elastic strands 168 that extend along a non-linear or curved path that can coincide with the curved profile of the inner lateral edges 107b, 109b.

[0044] 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.

[0045] 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.

[0046] 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. 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. W2D is greater than W2P.

[0047] Referring to FIGS. 2C-2E, the first elastic belt 106 may define a longitudinal length LT1 extending 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 extending 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.

[0048] Referring to FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 3, the first elastic belt 106 and the second elastic belt 108 may each also include a first substrate 162 and a second substrate 164. The first substrate 162 may be oriented to define at least a portion of the garment side surfaces 115a and 117a of the first elastic belt 106 and the second elastic belt 108, and the second substrate 164 may be oriented to define at least a portion of the wearer side surfaces 115b of the first elastic belt 106 and 117b of the second elastic belt 108. The first substrate 162 may extend over a maximum length L1 from 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 / or may be parallel or non-parallel to each other. Also, it should be understood that the distal edge 164a and / or the proximal edge 164b of the second substrate 164 may be linear and / or curved and / or may be parallel or non-parallel to each other. Thus, the maximum length L1 refers to the longest distance extending longitudinally between the distal edge 162a and the proximal edge 162b of the first substrate 162, and the maximum length L2 refers to the longest distance extending longitudinally between the distal edge 164a and the proximal edge 164b of the second substrate 164. In some configurations, L1 may be equal to, smaller than, or larger than L2. In some configurations, L1 may be less than or equal to LT1, and L2 may be less than or equal to LT2. In some configurations, the distal edge 162a of the first substrate 162 may define at least a portion of the front waist edge 121 and / or at least a portion of the rear waist edge 122, and / or the distal edge 164a of the second substrate 164 may define at least a portion of the front waist edge 121 and / or at least a portion of the rear waist edge 122. Thus, in some configurations, the distal edge 162a of the first substrate 162 and / or the distal edge 164a of the second substrate 164 may define at least a portion of the waist opening 110.

[0049] 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 the 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.

[0050] 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.

[0051] 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 surface 162c facing the garment and a surface 162d facing the opposite wearer, and the second substrate 164 includes a surface 164c facing the garment and a surface 164d facing the opposite wearer.

[0052] 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 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-facing 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.

[0053] It should be understood that the first elastic belt 106 and the second elastic belt 108 may include the same material and / or may have the same structure. In some embodiments, the first elastic belt 106 and the second elastic belt may include different materials and / or may have different structures. It should also be understood that components of the first elastic belt 106 and the second elastic belt 108, such as the first substrate 162 and / or the second substrate 164, may be constructed from a variety of materials. For example, the first and / or second belt may include the first substrate 162 and / or the second substrate 164 made of materials such as plastic film; perforated plastic film; natural materials (e.g., wood fibers or cotton fibers), synthetic fibers (e.g., polyolefin, polyamide, polyester, polyethylene or polypropylene fibers), or a woven or non-woven web of natural and / or synthetic fiber combinations; or a coated woven or non-woven web. In some configurations, the first and / or second 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 fabric material and an outer hydrophobic non-elastic non-woven fabric 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.

[0054] One or more substrates of the belt may include fibers. The properties of these fibers may be the same or different on the outer garment side surface and the inner wearer side surface of the belt. Further, the properties of these fibers may be present in one or more substrate layers forming the belt. Those fibers may be spunbond fibers, carded fibers, wet-laid fibers, meltblown fibers, hydroentangled fibers, water-jet spun fibers, or fibers treated by other methods known in the art. The nonwoven fabric may be a composite material such as a spunbond-meltblown-spunbond (SMS) material. For example, at least one of the outer garment side surface and the inner wearer side surface of the substrate may include a carded nonwoven fabric material. At least one of the outer garment side surface and the inner wearer side surface of the belt may include a substrate having a plurality of fibers that have been hydroentangled or subjected to a water-jet process. Additionally, the substrate may include a plurality of fibers having a denier of less than about 1.5, or less than about 1.3, or less than about 1.2, or less than about 1, specifically including all 0.1 increments within the above ranges, and all ranges formed therein or thereby.

[0055] The fibers of the substrate of the present disclosure may include single component fibers or multicomponent fibers, such as, for example, bicomponent or tricomponent fibers. As used herein, multicomponent fibers refer to fibers that include two or more chemical species or materials (i.e., multicomponent fibers). The fibers may include petroleum-derived resins, recycled resins, and / or bio-derived resins, such as polylactic acid from Nature Works and / or polyethylene from Braskem, and polybutylene terephthalate from Lanxess. The fibers may have, for example, circular, triangular, trilobal, or other shaped cross-sections. In many cases, different polymer components have different melting temperatures, viscosities, glass transition temperatures, crystallinity, and / or crystallization rates. Multicomponent fibers, such as bicomponent fibers, may include sheath / core, side-by-side, sea-island, and / or eccentric configurations, or other configurations. As an example, in the context of bicomponent fibers, a fiber comprising a core / sheath configuration may be composed of a first polymer that forms the core of the fiber and a second polymer that partially or completely surrounds the first polymer and forms the sheath of the fiber. For example, the substrate may comprise polypropylene-polyethylene side-by-side bicomponent fibers.

[0056] The fibers of the substrate of the present disclosure may include crimped fibers. These crimped fibers may be included on at least one of the outer garment side surface and the inner wearer side surface of the belt. Crimped fibers can result when different polymer components of a multi-component filament have different melting temperatures, viscosities, glass transition temperatures, crystallinities, and / or crystallization rates and are arranged in an eccentric sheath / core or side-by-side configuration within the fiber. When the multi-component fiber cools after formation, the first polymer component may solidify and / or shrink at a faster rate than the second polymer component, while the second polymer component may have sufficient rigidity to resist compression along the longitudinal fiber axis. The continuous fibers may deform and curl up when the strain on the fibers is released, thereby causing what is known as "crimp" within the fibers. The crimp of the fibers aids in the flexibility and loft of the nonwoven web, which is desirable for the consumer. Further details of suitable fibers for inclusion in the substrates discussed herein are disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2020 / 0337910, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0057] The elastic material 167 may be positioned between the surface 162d of the first substrate 162 facing the wearer and the surface 164c of the second substrate 164 facing the garment. It should be understood that the elastic material 167 may include one or more elastic elements extending along the length of the elastic belt, such as strands, ribbons, elastic films, or panels. As shown in FIGS. 2A and 3, the elastic material 167 may include a plurality of elastic strands 168. In some configurations, the elastic material 167 may be bonded to one or more nonwoven layers and then used to form a zero-strain elastic laminate including an elastic film that undergoes sufficient mechanical deformation or activation to weaken the nonwoven layer and allow the laminate to elastically stretch and recover.

[0058] 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 combined together and / or with other components such as the chassis 102 by an adhesive and / or a mechanical connection. It should be understood that the adhesive and the mechanical joining method can be used alone or in combination with each other.

[0059] In some configurations, an adhesive can be applied to at least one of the first substrate 162, the second substrate 164, and / or the elastic material 167 when combined to form the first elastic belt 106 and / or the second elastic belt 108. In some configurations, 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 when combined to form the first elastic belt 106 and / or the second elastic belt 108. Such mechanical joining can be applied with heat, pressure, and / or an ultrasonic device. In some configurations, the mechanical coupling device may apply a coupling that joins the first substrate 162, the second substrate 164, and / or the elastic material 167 together, and / or may act to capture or immobilize discrete lengths of the contracted elastic strands within the first elastic belt 106 and / or the second elastic belt 108.

[0060] 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.

[0061] It should be understood that the components of the first elastic belt 106 and / or the second elastic belt 108 can be assembled in various ways and in various combinations to create various desirable features that can vary along the lateral width and / or the longitudinal length of the first elastic belt 106 and / or the second elastic belt 108. Such features can include, for example, Dtex value, bonding pattern, pore arrangement, elastic positioning, average Dtex value, average pre-strain value, wrinkle frequency, wrinkle wavelength, height value, and / or contact area. It should be understood that different features can be imparted to various components such as the first substrate 162, the second substrate 164, and the elastic material 167, for example, before and / or during the assembly stage of the first elastic belt 106 and / or the second elastic belt 108.

[0062] 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 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), including 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.

[0063] In some embodiments, the elastic material 167 can 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 vary along the longitudinal direction. In some configurations, the elastic material 167 in the extended state can 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-extended state and causes the substrate layer to shrink. The elastic material 167 can 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 can be configured in a manner different from that depicted in the accompanying figures. It should also be understood that the elastic material 167 can be joined to the substrate continuously or intermittently along the interface between the elastic material 167 and the substrate. In some configurations, the elastic strands 168 may be in the form of extruded elastic strands, which may also be 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.

[0064] For example, as described above with respect to the embodiments with reference to FIGS. 2A - 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 it should also be understood that such elastic strands 168 can be utilized with other elastic strands to create the first and second elastic belts 106, 108 that include elastic strands 168 in various combinations of Dtex values, strand spacing values, and pre - strain values. For example, in some configurations, the average Dtex of one or more elastic strands 168 may be greater than 500. In some configurations, the average Dtex of one or more elastic strands 168 may be from about 10 to about 1500, and specifically enumerate all 1 Dtex increments within the above - mentioned 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, and specifically enumerate all 0.01 mm increments within the above - mentioned 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%, and specifically enumerate all 1% increments within the above - mentioned 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 strands 168 may have an average pre-strain of from about 75% to about 300%.

[0065] 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 that is 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.

[0066] 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, in an area where the first and second elastic belts 106, 108 overlap a portion of the chassis 102, such as the absorbent assembly 140.

[0067] 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 a non-bonded 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 non-bonded 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 be stretched or extended 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 low-elongation zone 701 that is not elastic or "non-elastic".

[0068] 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. 4, 5A, and 5B 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 enable the first elastic belt 106 to be relatively easily torn along the vulnerable path 700 when, for example, removing the diaper pants 100P from the wearer. FIG. 5A shows a view of the diaper pants 100P from FIG. 4, showing the first belt 106 after being torn along the vulnerable path 700 through both the outer longitudinal outer lateral extending edge 107a and the inner lateral extending edge 107b of the first belt 106. Thus, the first elastic belt 106 shown in FIG. 5A 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 of FIG. 5A. For example, FIG. 5B shows the diaper pants of FIG. 4 showing the front belt torn along two vulnerable paths 700. As shown in FIG. 5B, 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.

[0069] As will be described in more detail below, the frangible path 700 may include a plurality of frangible lines 704 configured such that all of the elastic strands 168 within the first elastic belt 106 are severed at least once within the frangible path 700. Severing the elastic strands 168 within the frangible path 700 helps to relatively easily tear the first elastic belt 106 along the frangible path 700. For example, when the elastic strands 168 are severed, the first substrate 162 and the second substrate 164 of the first elastic belt 106 only need to be torn, and the uncut elastic strands 168 do not need to be torn. It should be understood that the diaper pants 100P may 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 is greater than, equal to, or 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.

[0070] 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. 4, 5A, and 5B, the weak path 700 may extend so as to overlap the chassis 102. In some configurations, the weak path 700 may extend linearly and / or may be curved and / or may have curved portions. In some configurations, the weak path 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 path 700 may be positioned partially or entirely laterally between the first and second side seams 178, 180 and the chassis 102.

[0071] In some configurations, the weak path 700 may be configured and / or positioned to provide access to and / or function with other features such as disposal features. For example, the diaper pants 100P shown in FIGS. 4, 5A, and 5B include a fastening component 707 positioned on the wearing-side surface 115b of the first elastic belt 106. In some configurations, the fastening component 707 may be positioned between the first elastic belt 106 and the chassis 102. The fastening component 707 may be configured to releasably connect to other parts of the diaper pants 100P, such as 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 pants 100P may be removed from the wearer and wound or folded for disposal, and the fastening component 707 may be connected to another part of the diaper pants 100P to help maintain the diaper pants 100P in a disposal configuration.

[0072] 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. 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.

[0073] As described above, the fastening component 707 may include a hook material that can releasably engage a substrate, such as a non-woven fabric, on the outer surface of the diaper pants 100P. For example, the fastening component 707 may include a substrate that includes hooks, and the substrate may be 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 single material or a combination of two or more materials arranged in a configuration where they at least partially overlap. In some configurations, the fastening component 707 may be able to include other types of fasteners known in the art.

[0074] It should be understood that the fastening component 707 can include any of a wide variety of shapes, including rectangular or other polygonal, circular, elliptical, 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 arrangement of two or more spaced fastening elements. The fastening component 707 may have a color that is visible through any layer of the elastic belts 106, 108 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.

[0075] 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 may include 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.

[0076] As described above, an absorbent article 100 such as the diaper pant 100P may be configured to include a frangible path 700 including frangible lines 704 configured in various ways to assist in improving the ability of a caregiver to remove a soiled diaper pant 100P from a wearer without having to slide the soiled diaper pant off the wearer's legs. As described above, the frangible path 700 may be configured such that the first elastic belt 106 and / or the second elastic belt 108 can be relatively easily torn along the frangible path 700 when removing the diaper pant 100P from the wearer, for example. Additionally, the frangible path 700 may also be configured to provide access to a fastening component 707 that can be used to help hold the soiled product in a disposal configuration. The following provides a discussion of exemplary embodiments of the frangible path 700 on the diaper 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.

[0077] The frangible path 700 may be positioned at various locations and / or orientations relative to 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 that extend between a distal end 808 on the outer edge 107a of the first belt 106 and a proximal 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 include a frangible line 704 as described above.

[0078] 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.

[0079] It should also be understood that the first proximal end 810a and the second proximal end 810b can be arranged at various lateral positions on the inner edge 107b of the first belt 106. For example, in some configurations, the first proximal end 810a and / or the second proximal end 810b may be positioned in the central region 106c of the first belt 106. In some configurations, the first proximal end 810a and / or the second distal end 810b may be laterally positioned 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 laterally positioned between the first longitudinal edge 128 of the chassis 102 and the first side seam 178, and / or may be laterally positioned 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 laterally positioned 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 laterally positioned between the second longitudinal edge 130 of the chassis 102 and the second longitudinal side edge 111b of the first belt 106.

[0080] It should be understood that the first distal end 808a and the second distal end 808b may be disposed at various longitudinal positions between the outer edge 107a and the inner edge 107b of the first belt 106. Also, the first proximal end 810a and the second proximal end 810b may be disposed at various longitudinal positions between the outer edge 107a and the inner edge 107b of the first belt 106. For example, in some configurations, for example, the first distal end 808a and / or the first proximal end 810a may be disposed on the first side seam 178 at a position longitudinally inside the outer edge 107a and longitudinally outside the inner edge 107b of the first belt 106. Also, the second distal end 808b and / or the second proximal end 810b may be disposed on the second side seam 180 at a position longitudinally inside the outer edge 107a and longitudinally outside the inner edge 107b of the first belt 106. Thus, completing the tearing process of the first belt 106 may also require tearing each part of the first and / or second side seams 178, 180.

[0081] 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 extend through some or all of the layers of the first belt 106. It should be understood that such a slit or opening may be curved and / or linear. The accessible opening 802 may also be considered a part of the weak path 700.

[0082] 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 lateral edge 144 of the chassis 102. Additionally, the first fastening component 707a may be positioned adjacent to the first accessible opening 802a, and the second fastening component 707a may be positioned adjacent to the second accessible opening 802a. The first weak path 700a 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 weak 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.

[0083] It should be understood that the weak path 700 may include one or more functional zones. Next, the weak path may include a transition zone that operably connects such zones so as to facilitate the propagation of tearing along the weak path 700 from one zone to another. The weak lines within the transition zone may be of a particular length and / or angle with respect to the lateral centerline and column spacing, for example, to serve to 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 weak lines.

[0084] 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. Additionally, the first tear zone 813a of the first vulnerable path 700a may comprise a first 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 include 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 include 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 operably connect the first initial tear zone 815a to the first secondary tear zone 819a to assist in facilitating the propagation of the tear from the first initial tear zone 815a to the first secondary tear zone 819a along the first vulnerable path 700a. Continuing to refer to FIG. 6B, the first tear zone 813a of the second vulnerable path 700b may include a first initial tear zone 815a extending from the second accessible opening 802b to the first transition zone 817a. Additionally, 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 include 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 include 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 operably connect the second initial tear zone 815b to the second secondary tear zone 819b to assist in facilitating the propagation of the tear from the second initial tear zone 815b to the second secondary tear zone 819b along the second vulnerable path 700b.

[0085] 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.

[0086] 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. The portion of the vulnerable path may extend to define an angle of less than about 90 degrees, or less than about 80 degrees, or less than about 75 degrees, or less than about 65 degrees, or less than about 45 degrees, or less than about 35 degrees, or less than about 25 degrees with respect to the outer edge 107a and / or the inner edge 107b of the first belt 106. Thus, 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.

[0087] As described above, the first elastic belt 106 and / or the second belt 108 can be relatively easily torn along the vulnerable path 700, such as when removing the diaper pants 100P from the wearer. In addition, the first belt 106 may be separable along the first vulnerable path 700a and the second vulnerable 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.

[0088] 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. The user's first hand may then apply a tensile force Fp to the first gripping region 801a of the first belt 106 so as to move away from the wearer in order to initiate tearing of the first belt 106 along the first vulnerable path 700a, as shown in FIG. 6C.

[0089] 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, 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, 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.

[0090] 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.

[0091] 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.

[0092] With the first belt zone 831 defined by tearing the first belt 106 along the first weak path 700a, the user may proceed to define a second belt zone 832 by tearing the first belt 106 along the second weak path 700b. Referring now to FIGS. 6D and 6E, the caregiver may insert a finger or thumb through the second accessible opening 802b and grasp the first belt 106 and the second fastening component 707b with the first hand. The second hand on the opposite side of the caregiver may be used to assist in stabilizing the wearer. For example, the second hand on the opposite side of the caregiver may apply a holding or stabilizing force to the wearer in the central region 106c of the first belt 106. The user's first hand may then apply a tensile force Fp outwardly away from the wearer to the second gripping region 801b of the first belt 106 to initiate tearing of the first belt 106 along the second weak path 700b, as shown in FIG. 6E.

[0093] 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 vulnerable path 700b, 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, through and adjacent to the second fastening component 707b in the longitudinal and transverse directions, along the second tear zone 813b of the second vulnerable path 700b, and from the central region 106c of the first belt 106 in a generally transversely outward and longitudinally inward direction D2 toward the second proximal end 810b within the second end region 106b of the first belt 106.

[0094] 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 weak 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 weak 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 weak path 700b may be configured such that the first tear line 705a and the second tear line 705b may reach the second distal end 808b and the second proximal end 810b, respectively, simultaneously or substantially simultaneously.

[0095] 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. 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.

[0096] 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 a variety of different orders and different ways. For example, the first belt 106 may be torn along the second weak path 700b to define a second belt zone 832 before tearing the first belt 106 along the first weak path 700a to define a first belt zone 831. In another example, the first belt 106 may be torn simultaneously along the first weak path 700a and the second weak path 700b so as to define a first belt zone 831, a second belt zone 832, and a third belt zone 833.

[0097] When the first belt 106 is torn along the weak path 700 to define a first belt zone 831, a second belt zone 832, and a third belt zone 833, the diaper pants 100P can be removed from the wearer in a manner similar to a conventional tape-type diaper. After being removed from the wearer, the diaper pants 100P may be placed in a disposal configuration.

[0098] As described above, the weak path 700 may be configured such that the first tear line 705a and the second tear line 705b propagate and reach the distal end 808 and the proximal end 810 simultaneously or substantially simultaneously, respectively. Such simultaneous tear propagation and tear termination can help provide a convenient and reliable caregiver experience for removing the diaper pants. As described above, if one of the first tear line 705a or the second tear line propagates through the distal end 808 or the proximal end 810 significantly ahead of the other tear line, the tensile force required to complete the tear can be reduced. Next, the reduced force can make the caregiver think that the tear is complete and stop the tear process before completion. Therefore, the caregiver may need to initiate a second tearing operation to complete the tearing process.

[0099] As described above, the weak path 700 may include individual weak lines 704. In some configurations, the total length of the weak lines 704 in the first tear zone 813a may be equal to or substantially equal to the total length of the weak lines 704 in the second tear zone 813b. In some configurations, the total length of the weak lines 704 in the first tear zone 813a may be different from the total length of the weak lines 704 in the second tear zone 813b. The total length of the weak lines 704 in the first tear zone 813a may be different from the total length of the weak lines 704 in the second tear zone 813b by about 1% to about 10%.

[0100] As described above, the frangible path 700 may be configured to have first and second tear zones 813a, 813b, and first and second tear lines 705a, 705b propagate to distal end 808 and proximal end 810, respectively. In some configurations, the frangible path 700 may be configured to have first and second tear zones 813a, 813b, and either the first tear line 705a or the second tear line 705b may propagate through the distal end 808 or the proximal end 810, respectively, before the other.

[0101] It should be understood that the frangible path 700 may be configured to have an accessible opening 802, a first tear zone 813a, and a second tear zone 813b arranged such that the lengths of the first and second tear zones cannot be equal or cannot be substantially equal, as shown, for example, in FIGS. 7A and 7B. For example, as will be described in more detail below, the frangible path shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B may be configured to operate in a two-step tearing process that includes a first step of tearing the belt along first and second initial tear zones 815a, 815b to first and second transition zones 817a, 817b and then subsequently simultaneously tearing first and second secondary tear zones 819a, 819b from the first and second transition zones 817a, 817b to the distal end 808 and the proximal end 810, respectively.

[0102] Referring now to FIGS. 7A and 7B, 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. 7B and 7C, 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. As described above, the caregiver's second hand on the opposite side may be used to help stabilize the wearer. Then, as shown in FIG. 7C, the user's first hand may apply an initial tensile force Fit (generally represented by a curved arrow) to the first gripping region 801a of the first belt 106 to start tearing the first belt 106 along the first initial tear zone 815a and the second initial tear zone 815b away from the wearer. As shown in FIGS. 7C and 7D, when the initial tearing force Fit is applied, the first tear line 705a may propagate longitudinally and laterally from the accessible opening 802 along the first initial tear zone 815a, around the first fastening component 707a, and then to the first transition zone 817a. Additionally, the second tear line 705b may propagate laterally from the accessible opening 802 along the second initial tear zone 815b to the second transition zone 817b.

[0103] Referring to FIGS. 7D and 7E, when the first initial tear zone 815a and the second initial tear zone 815b are completely separated, a tensile force Fp (generally represented by an arrow) may 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 tensile force Fp is applied, the first tear line 705a and the second tear line 705b can propagate simultaneously along the first secondary tear zone 819a and the second secondary tear zone 819b, respectively. The first tear line 705a extends generally laterally outwardly and longitudinally inwardly from the first transition zone 817a along the first secondary tear zone 819a of the first vulnerable path 700a, and can propagate in a direction D1 toward the first proximal end 808a within the first end region 106a of the first belt 106. At the same time, the second tear line 705b extends generally laterally outwardly and longitudinally inwardly from the second accessible opening 817b along the second secondary tear zone 819b of the first vulnerable path 700a, and can propagate in a direction D2 toward the first proximal end 810a within the first end region 106a of the first belt 106. As shown in FIGS. 7E and 7F, the second vulnerable path 700b can 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. It should be understood that the vulnerable path 700 can be configured in various ways to have various zones of different lengths and be variously different. The belt may include one or more substrates, the vulnerable path may extend through each of the one or more substrates, and the vulnerable path extending through two or more substrates forming the belt may be aligned such that the vulnerable path of the first substrate is aligned with the vulnerable path of the second substrate. Alternatively, the vulnerable path extending through two or more substrates forming the belt may not be aligned, or may be partially aligned, such that at least a portion of the vulnerable path of the first substrate is offset from the vulnerable path of the second substrate.

[0104] As described above, referring to FIGS. 6C, 7D, and 7E, the tensile force Fp may be applied generally in a direction 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 along the first tear zone 813a and the second tear zone 813b, respectively. However, due to the direction in which the tensile force is applied, the tear can propagate in an unintended tear direction UTD as shown in FIG. 8A. The unintended tear direction UTD is any tear of the belt other than along the vulnerable path when the user is attempting to tear along the vulnerable path. It should be understood that this tear can occur in one or more layers of the belt. If the tear propagates in an unintended tear direction UTD rather than along the vulnerable path, this can have an adverse effect on the removal of the absorbent article. For example, if a portion of the tear extends within a portion of the belt rather than along the vulnerable path, such that one vulnerable path tears significantly earlier than the other vulnerable path, the caregiver may sense or feel a change in force and thus, assuming that the tearing along both tear zones is complete, be able to stop the tearing operation. Recognizing that the tear is not complete, the caregiver may have to re-grasp the belt and complete the tearing of the vulnerable path that was incompletely torn in another step. The initiation, stop, and restart of such a tearing process may require the user to use both hands and may also require additional time to complete the removal of the article from the wearer. In another example, if the tear propagates in an unintended tear direction, the caregiver may not be able to complete the tear and remove the absorbent article as in the case of a tape-type absorbent article, or the absorbent article may have to be removed from above the wearer's legs and the contents of the absorbent article may not be secured and may be adjacent to the wearer's skin during removal. Therefore, it is important to design the vulnerable path such that the tear does not propagate along the unintended tear direction UTD but rather along the vulnerable path.

[0105] Referring to FIGS. 9A - 9C, the weak path 700 may extend in a first path direction FPD, and the tearing force FT may be in a second direction. The first path direction FPD may be different from the tearing force FT in the second direction. Alternatively, the first path direction FPD may be the same as the tearing force FT in the second direction. When the first path direction FPD is different from the tearing force in the second direction, the tearing is more likely to propagate in an unintended tearing direction UTD. As described above, the substrate having a weak path, also referred to herein as a material, may be weaker in one or more directions due to the properties of the material. For example, the weak path may extend through at least a portion of the non - woven material. The non - woven material may include a plurality of fibers oriented in a fiber - orientation direction and having a bonding pattern that holds the fibers together to form the non - woven. When the force FT that tears the weak path includes a force component in a direction parallel or substantially parallel to the weakest direction of the material or substrate in which the weak path extends, the path tearing strength needs to be sufficiently smaller than the belt tearing strength to prevent tearing in the unintended tearing direction. FIGS. 9A - 9C show various examples of the weak path 700 having a weak path direction and a tearing force FT having a direction, and the tearing force FT has a horizontal tearing force component FT H and a vertical tearing force component FT V each. The tearing force FT having a direction component substantially parallel to the weakest material direction or the weakest substrate direction makes the tearing more likely to propagate outside the weak path.

[0106] It has been found that in order to avoid the one or more layers of the belt and / or substrate being torn in an unintended tearing direction, the tearing strength of the belt must be greater than the tearing strength of the weak path. The difference between the tearing strength of the belt and the tearing strength of the weak path is such that the tearing remains on the weak path.

[0107] The characteristics of the belt determine the belt tear strength. The belts 106, 108 may include one or more substrates such as the first substrate 162 and / or the second substrate 164, and may be composed of various materials. For example, the first and / or second belts 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 web or non-woven web made of a combination of natural fibers and / or synthetic fibers; or a coated woven or non-woven web, etc., and may include the second substrate 164, which can be manufactured from such materials. In some configurations, the first and / or second belts 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. The type of material used for one or more substrates of the belt affects the belt tear strength.

[0108] Furthermore, nonwoven belts are manufactured using various techniques and generally, fibers are placed on a carrier and one or more bonding patterns can be used to secure the fibers of the substrate. The direction in which the carrier moves, i.e., the machine direction MD in which the fibers are placed, is the direction in which most of the fibers of the substrate are oriented and is referred to herein as the fiber orientation direction. The shape and density of the bonding across the entire substrate also affect the strength of the belt. Thus, the belt can be stronger along a particular axis considering the fiber orientation direction and the characteristics of the bonding pattern. Exemplary diaper pants of various configurations are described in U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 2017 / 0000663, 2014 / 0088535, 2016 / 0324698, and 2016 / 0101003, and U.S. Patent Nos. 9,993,369, 10,028,866, and 9,408,761, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. Generally, the greater the open area, i.e., the area without bonding, the lower the material strength. The substrate, which may be the outer garment side surface, the inner wearer side surface, or an intermediate layer of the belt, may include a plurality of fibers having a denier of less than about 1.5, or less than about 1.2, or less than about 1. Specifically, all 0.1 increments within the ranges listed above, and all ranges formed therein or thereby are included.

[0109] Furthermore, the belt and, individually, one or more substrates forming the belt may have a basis weight. Generally, the greater the basis weight of the substrate and / or the belt, the higher the tear strength of the belt and / or the substrate. The basis weight of one or more substrates may be optimized to achieve the desired tear strength without sacrificing too much flexibility. In other words, the greater the basis weight of one or more substrates, the higher the rigidity of one or more substrates. Thus, the basis weight may be selected to provide the necessary strength to the substrate while being flexible against the skin of the wearer during use. The basis weight of the belt may be less than about 60 gsm, or less than about 50 gsm, less than about 45 gsm, or less than about 40 gsm, or less than about 35 gsm, or less than about 30 gsm, or less than about 25 gsm, or less than about 20 gsm, and specifically includes all 0.1 gsm increments within the above ranges, and all ranges formed therein or thereby. The basis weight of the belt is the sum of the basis weights of each substrate layer (which may be one or more substrates) used to form the belt. The substrate may have a basis weight of less than about 30 gsm, or less than about 25 gsm, or less than about 20 gsm, or less than about 15 gsm, or less than about 10 gsm, or less than about 8 gsm, or from about 6 gsm to about 30 gsm, or from about 8 gsm to about 20 gsm, or from about 8 gsm to about 11 gsm, and specifically includes all 0.1 gsm increments within the above ranges, and all ranges formed therein or thereby.

[0110] It should be understood that the substrate may contain a flexibility enhancing additive to enhance the flexibility of the substrate. Thus, in order to achieve greater strength, a material with a greater basis weight can be used, and a flexibility enhancing additive may be used to impart flexibility to the substrate. The flexibility enhancing additive may be added to the composition in neat form, diluted, and / or as a masterbatch in a polyolefin polymer such as, for example, polypropylene, polystyrene, low density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, or a propylene-α-olefin copolymer. The composition suitable for producing the fibers described herein can contain one or more flexibility enhancing additives present in an amount of 0.01 wt% to 10 wt%, or 0.05 wt% to 5 wt%, or 0.3 wt% to 1 wt%, or 0.01 wt% to 1 wt%, or 0.2 wt% to 0.5 wt% of the fibers, specifically including all 0.1% increments within the above ranges, and all ranges formed therein or thereby. Exemplary flexibility enhancing additives are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 9,993,369, which is incorporated herein by reference. The flexibility enhancing additive may be on one side, such as the clothing side surface or the wearer side surface of the belt. The flexibility enhancing additive may be present in different amounts on each of the clothing side surface of the belt and the wearer side surface of the belt.

[0111] At least a portion of the vulnerable path 700 may have a path angle β with respect to the lateral centerline of the resilient belts 126a, 126b along which the vulnerable path may extend. The vulnerable path angle β may be less than 90 degrees, or less than 85 degrees, or less than 75 degrees, or less than 65 degrees, or less than 45 degrees, or less than 35 degrees, or less than 25 degrees, or less than 15 degrees. The vulnerable path angle β may be from 0 degrees to 85 degrees, or from about 15 degrees to about 75 degrees, or from about 30 degrees to about 60 degrees, or from about 30 degrees to about 45 degrees, or from about 0 degrees to about 45 degrees, and specifically includes all 0.1-degree increments within the above ranges, and all ranges formed therein or thereby. For example, as shown in FIG. 8A, the vulnerable path 700 may include a first vulnerable path 700a and a second vulnerable path 700b. Each of the first vulnerable path 700a and the second vulnerable path 700b may form a path angle β with respect to the lateral centerline of the first resilient belt 126a. FIGS. 9A-9C show examples of the vulnerable path 700 having a vulnerable path angle β with respect to the lateral centerline 126a. It should be understood that the vulnerable path angle may apply to the entire vulnerable path, or one or more portions of the vulnerable path may have a vulnerable path angle as described herein.

[0112] Additionally or alternatively, at least a portion of the vulnerable path 700 may be at a path angle α with respect to the fiber orientation direction 720 of the substrate along which the vulnerable path extends. The fiber orientation direction 720 is, as described above, the direction in which the majority of the fibers are oriented and is substantially parallel to the machine direction in which the fibers are placed during the manufacturing process. The path angle α may be less than 90 degrees, or less than 80 degrees, or less than 75 degrees, or less than 65 degrees, or less than 45 degrees, or less than 35 degrees, or less than 25 degrees, or less than 15 degrees, and specifically includes all values in increments of 0.1 degrees within the above ranges, and all ranges formed therein or thereby. The vulnerable path angle α may be from 0 degrees to 85 degrees, or from about 15 degrees to about 75 degrees, or from about 30 degrees to about 60 degrees, or from about 30 degrees to about 45 degrees, or from about 0 degrees to about 45 degrees, and specifically includes all increments of 0.1 degrees within the above ranges, and all ranges formed therein or thereby. For example, FIGS. 9D - 9E show examples of vulnerable paths 700 having a vulnerable path angle α with respect to the fiber orientation direction 720. The fiber orientation direction may be substantially parallel to the lateral centerline 126a of the belt, or may be at an angle with respect to the lateral centerline of the belt. Generally, the greater the vulnerable path angle α with respect to the fiber orientation direction 720, the higher the likelihood that the tear will propagate in an unintended tearing direction, and thus the greater the difference between the path tear strength and the belt tear strength for preventing the tear from propagating in an unintended tearing direction.

[0113] To prevent tearing in an unintended tearing direction UTD, it has been found that the tear strength of the belt, referred to herein as belt tear strength, must be greater than the tear strength of the vulnerable path, referred to herein as path tear strength. In other words, the path tear strength must be less than the belt tear strength. More specifically, the difference between the path tear strength by the path tear strength test method and the belt tear strength by the material tear strength test method may be more than about 3N, more than about 5N, more than about 8N, more than about 10N, more than about 15N, more than about 20N, from about 4N to about 30N, from about 4N to about 25N, from about 5N to about 20N, from about 10N to about 20N, from about 15N to about 20N, and specifically includes all 0.1N increments within the above ranges, and all ranges formed therein or thereby. Generally, the greater the difference between the path tear strength and the belt tear strength, the lower the likelihood of tearing propagating in an unintended tearing direction. However, the strength must be balanced with flexibility and other material properties so that the belt can be comfortably used against the skin of the wearer. Each of the belt tear strength and the path tear strength may be such that the belt maintains the appropriate position of the absorbent article during use, and the path tear strength maintains the ease of closing the belt during use and opening during the removal of the diaper pants. The path tear strength may be more than about 2N, or more than about 3N, or more than about 5N, or more than about 10N, or more than about 15N, or from about 2N to about 20N, or from about 2N to about 16N, or from about 5N to about 10N, or from about 6N to about 8N by the path tear strength test method disclosed herein, and specifically includes all 0.1N increments within the above ranges, and all ranges formed therein or thereby. The belt tear strength may be more than about 4N, or more than about 6N, or more than about 8N, or more than about 12N, or more than about 20N, or more than about 25N, or more than about 30N, or from about 4N to about 40N, or from about 7N to about 25N, or from about 8N to about 20N, or from about 8N to about 15N, or from about 8N to about 10N by the material tear strength test method disclosed herein, and specifically includes all 0.1N increments within the above ranges, and all ranges formed therein or thereby.It should be understood that the vulnerable path may include a first tear zone and a second tear zone as described above. FIG. 10 graphically shows the difference between the belt tear strength and the path tear strength, each of which can be calculated using the material tear strength test method and the path tear strength test method. It should also be understood that the belt may include one or more substrate layers and one or more elastomers. The elastomer is cut in the region of the vulnerable path so as not to prevent tearing along the vulnerable path.

[0114] The difference between the belt tear strength and the path tear strength can also be described with reference to the standard deviation. More specifically, the belt may include the belt tear strength and the belt standard deviation according to the material tear strength test method. Similarly, the vulnerable path may include the path tear strength and the path standard deviation according to the path tear strength test method. At least about 2 standard deviation factor F StDev may be used to sufficiently separate the belt tear strength and the path tear strength. Standard deviation factor F StDev may be at least 4 or at least 6 or about 2 to about 4 or about 2 to about 6, specifically including all 0.1 increments within the above range, and all ranges formed therein or thereby. Belt tear strength - standard deviation factor F StDev × belt standard deviation is greater than the path tear strength + standard deviation factor F StDev × path standard deviation. FIG. 11 graphically shows the difference between the belt tear strength and the path tear strength with respect to the standard deviations of the belt and the path.

[0115] In addition to having sufficient tear strength, the belt may also be flexible so that the diaper pants are comfortable to wear. The belt is about 10 dB V according to the flexibility test method of this specification 2 rms or less, or about 7 dB V 2 rms or less, or about 5 dB V 2 rms or less, or about 1 dB V 2 rms to about 10 dB V 2 rms, or about 2 dB V 2 rms to about 8 dB V2 It may include one or more surfaces including the average TS7 value of rms. Specifically, all 0.1 dB V within the above range 2 rms increments, and all ranges formed therein or thereby are included. Additionally or alternatively, the belt is about 75 dB V according to the flexibility test method of this specification 2 rms or less, or about 50 dB V 2 rms or less, or about 25 dB V 2 rms or less, or about 15 dB V 2 rms or less, or about 10 dB V 2 rms to about 100 dB V 2 rms, or about 10 dB V 2 rms to about 80 dB V 2 rms, or about 15 dB V 2 rms to about 75 dB V 2 It may include one or more surfaces having the average TS750 value of rms. Specifically, all 0.1 dB V within the above range 2 rms increments, and all ranges formed therein or thereby are included. The base material of the belt is about 11 dB V2 rms or less, or about 10 dB V according to the flexibility test method of this specification 2 rms or less, or about 5 dB V 2 rms or less, or about 1 dB V 2 rms to about 11 dB V 2 rms, or about 1.5 dB V 2 rms to about 6 dB V 2 rms, or about 2 dB V 2 rms to about 4 dB V 2 It may include one or more surfaces having the average TS750 value of rms. For each range, list them for every 0.1 dB V 2 rms increment. Lower TS7 and TS750 values indicate higher flexibility, which is highly desirable in absorbent articles. Consumers may feel discomfort with absorbent articles having high TS7 and TS750 values, and / or may feel a snagging sensation or otherwise undesirable in other respects.

[0116] The following are some exemplary embodiments. The data of Examples 1 to 6 are shown in Tables 1 and 2 below. In addition, FIGS. 12 to 17 show the path tear strength and the belt tear strength for each of Examples 1 to 6. Each of Examples 1 to 6 included a belt having a first substrate and a second substrate. Each of the first substrate and the second substrate had a basis weight as shown in each of Tables 1 and 2 and was made of a specific material. The path tear strength, the belt tear strength, and the standard deviation of each of the belt and the vulnerable path were generated using the path tear strength test method and the material tear strength test method disclosed herein.

[0117] Examples 1 to 3 each included a belt comprising a first and a second substrate each having a basis weight, and the total basis weight was different for each of Examples 1 to 3. The vulnerable path for each of Examples 1 to 3 was the same and had a path angle of 35 degrees. Thus, in Examples 1 to 3, the basis weights were different and the path angles were the same. As outlined in Table 1 and shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, Examples 1 and 2 included belts having sufficiently different path tear strengths and belt tear strengths such that when torn along the vulnerable path, the tear tended to propagate more along the vulnerable path than in an unintended tear direction. Example 3 included a belt having path tear strengths and belt tear strengths that were not sufficiently different such that when torn along the vulnerable path, the tear tended to propagate in an unintended tear direction rather than along the vulnerable path, as shown in FIG. 14.

[0118] Examples 4 to 6 include a belt including a first and a second substrate, and the total basis weight of each of Examples 4 to 6 is the same. Each of Examples 4 to 6 has a different vulnerable path, and the path angle varies from 30 degrees to 40 degrees. In summary, in Examples 4 to 6, the basis weight is the same and the path angle is different. As outlined in Table 1 and shown in FIGS. 15 to 17, Examples 4 to 6 include belts in which the path tear strength and the belt tear strength are sufficiently different such that when torn along the vulnerable path at various path angles, the tear tends to propagate along the vulnerable path rather than in an unintended tear direction. As the path angle approaches the lateral centerline of the belt, the path tear strength decreases and the delta tear strength increases.

[0119]

Table 1

[0120] As described above, the standard deviation is another way to analyze a belt including a vulnerable path to determine whether a break is prevented from propagating along the vulnerable path and into an unintended break direction. For each of Examples 1 to 6, the standard deviation was determined using the path tear strength and the material test strength test methods disclosed herein. As described above, in Examples 1 to 3, the basis weight changes while having a constant path angle, and in Examples 4 to 6, the basis weight is constant and the path angle changes. As described above, the coefficient of standard deviation can be used to determine the difference between the path tear strength and the belt tear strength and ensure that there is a sufficient difference between these tear strengths. The delta tear strength and F StDev The data is determined by the following formula: (belt tear strength - (F StDev × belt standard deviation)) - (path tear strength + (F StDev × path standard deviation)), which relates to the difference between the belt tear strength and the path tear strength using the standard deviation. As described above, the belt tear strength must be greater than the path tear strength to prevent tearing in an unintended tear direction along the vulnerable path. As outlined in Table 2, the belt of Example 1 has F values of 1, 2, and 3 StDevAnd it has a sufficient difference between the belt tearing strength and the path tearing strength. However, for Example 1, at 4 F StDev the difference between the belt tearing strength and the path tearing strength is insufficient, and the belt tends to be torn in an unintended tearing direction. In Example 2, at 1 to 4 F StDev the belt tearing strength is greater than the path tearing strength, and thus the tear tends to propagate along the weak path of the belt rather than in an unintended tearing direction. In Example 3, at 1 to 4 F StDev the difference between the belt tearing strength and the path tearing strength is insufficient, and thus the belt tends to be torn in an unintended tearing direction. In the belt of Example 4, at 1 to 4 F StDev the belt tearing strength is greater than the path tearing strength. The belt of Example 5 is at 1 to 3 F StDev and has a sufficient difference between the belt tearing strength and the path tearing strength. However, in Example 5, at 4 F StDev the difference between the belt tearing strength and the path tearing strength is insufficient, and the belt tends to be torn in an unintended tearing direction. The belt of Example 6 is at 1 and 2 F StDev and has a sufficient difference between the belt tearing strength and the path tearing strength. However, in Example 6, at 3 and 4 F StDev the difference between the belt tearing strength and the path tearing strength is insufficient, and the belt tends to be torn in an unintended tearing direction. Generally, the greater the difference between the belt tearing strength and the path tearing strength, the more inclined the tear remains on the weak path during tearing, and the lower the possibility that the tear propagates in an unintended tearing direction.

[0121]

Table 2

[0122] 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 arranged at various positions within the first end region 106a, the second end region 106b, and / or the central region 106c of the first belt 106. The gripping 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 transverse edge 144 of the chassis 102 and the inner edge 107b of the first belt 106 and / or may be positioned longitudinally between the first transverse edge 144 of the chassis 102 and the outer edge 107a of the first belt 106. In some configurations, the first accessible opening 802a may extend across the first longitudinal edge 128 and / or the first transverse edge 144 of the chassis 102 and / or the second accessible opening 802b may extend across the second longitudinal edge 130 and / or the first transverse edge 144 of the chassis 102.

[0123] 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.

[0124] 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 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 1-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.

[0125] 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. As shown in FIG. 18, in some configurations, 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 second elastic belt 108 in a 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 those shown in FIG. 18, the fastening component 707 includes a hook 715 projecting 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. 18, an adhesive 716 may connect the base 717 of the fastening component 707 to the wearer-side surface 115b of the first belt 106. It should be understood that the fastening component 707 may be connected to the first belt 106 by mechanical coupling in addition to or instead of the adhesive. It will be recognized that the base 717 can be configured in various forms. 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 those disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2021 / 0045931A1. For example, the base 717 may include a thermoplastic film layer bonded to a nonwoven layer. It should be understood that such layers may be bonded to each other in various ways, such as by adhesive, mechanical joining, and / or extrusion joining.In some configurations, the fastening component 707 may be integrally formed from the material of the first belt 106, as shown, for example, in FIG. 19, or may be integrally formed from a material and attached to the first belt.

[0126] The components of the absorbent article described herein may be at least partially composed of bio-based components as described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007 / 0219521 (A1). For example, superabsorbent polymer components may be made bio-based by deriving them from bio-based acrylic acid. Bio-based acrylic acid and methods of manufacture 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.).

[0127] Absorbent article components may include, for example, bio-based component values of from about 10% to about 100%, from about 25% to about 100%, from about 40% to about 100%, from about 50% to about 100%, from about 75% to about 100%, or from about 90% to about 100% using Method B of ASTM D6866-10.

[0128] 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 nonwovens, 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 product streams. Exemplary secondary product streams may include plastic, superabsorbent polymer, and cellulose fibers such as pulp. These secondary product 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 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.

[0129] Test Method Path Tear Strength Test Method In the path tear strength test method, a belt material test piece containing a vulnerable path is torn along the vulnerable path using a tensile testing machine with constant speed extension, and the load during tearing is measured. The material is pre-conditioned at 23 ± 1 °C and 50 ± 2% RH for at least 2 hours before the test, and all test piece preparation and tests are performed under these same conditions.

[0130] Identification and Preparation of Test Pieces The belt side seams are separated by hand. Belts containing a vulnerable path (s) are not separated from the finished product. Any cuts, tabs, or other features that are present along the vulnerable path to facilitate tearing of the vulnerable path are noted since such features are used in the tensile load. If no such features are present along the vulnerable path, the vulnerable path is separated at a 25 mm span at the center of the belt width and, if necessary, a tensile tab lead (such as a tape with a hooked material or an adhesive) is attached to enable the tensile load without separating the tab. When used in this way, the term "laminate width" corresponds to the dimension of the belt that is longitudinal in that orientation on the finished product.

[0131] Prepare replicates of at least three samples. In particular, when two vulnerable paths are present together on either the front or back belt of the finished article, it is acceptable for pairs of samples to be performed on the same belt portion.

[0132] Configuration and Use of the Tensile Testing Machine A constant speed extension tensile testing machine is configured as follows. A 50 or 100 N load cell is used. An air pressure lower grip with a width of at least 6 inches is used. An air pressure upper grip with a width of at least 1 inch is used. The grip surface is selected to minimize slippage and may be surface finished with rubber or sandpaper. The crosshead speed of the tensile testing machine is 8.5 mm / s. The default initial crosshead separation is 55 mm, but this may be adjusted as necessary to securely grip the sample and facilitate the intended tension. The tensile testing machine is programmed for a 250 mm extension stroke. Data is recorded at a frequency of at least 50 Hz.

[0133] Attach each test piece to a tensile testing machine and attach the full width of the belt laminate to the lower grip of the tensile testing machine. The belt is attached such that tearing propagates in the direction of the weak path. One or more tabs, grip features, or attachment leads to facilitate tearing are clamped to the upper grip so as to minimize slack but not apply tension. Then, zero the load cell. Next, perform a tensile test at a speed of 8.5 mm / s up to an extension of 250 mm and capture data at a frequency of at least 50 Hz as specified above.

[0134] Analysis and Reporting Plot the data from each of the tensile loads from each sample with load in units of Newtons (N) on the vertical axis and extension (mm) on the horizontal axis. The plot generally shows an increase from a low load when tension starts, a load plateau where the load remains generally constant while fluctuating, and a break where the load drops rapidly. For each sample, average the loads (take the arithmetic mean), calculate the standard deviation in the load plateau region, and record them in N as the average load and standard deviation for that sample, respectively. Next, calculate the average (arithmetic mean) of the sample plateau averages and report it in units of 0.01 N as the path tear strength of the belt. Calculate the average (arithmetic mean) of the sample plateau standard deviations and report it in units of 0.01 N as the path standard deviation.

[0135] Material Tear Strength Test Method In the material tear strength test method, a belt material test piece lacking a weak path is torn using a tensile testing machine with constant speed extension. The intent of this method is to measure the average tear strength of the belt that occurs when a belt without a weak path is torn in the same manner as is intended for a completed belt that often has a weak path and includes a pull tab or some other element to initiate tearing. The material is pre-conditioned at 23 ± 1 °C and 50 ± 2 % RH for at least 2 hours prior to testing, and all test piece preparation and testing is performed under these same conditions.

[0136] Identification and Preparation of Test Pieces Often, only one of the front belt and the rear belt contains a vulnerable path. In this case, it is most preferred to use the belt (front or rear) that does not have a vulnerable path for this method. Alternatively, the belt portion is obtained from a belt laminate roll stock. If the roll stock is not available, performing this method on the area of the belt that is most distal from the vulnerable path is an acceptable final alternative.

[0137] The belt side seams are separated by hand. Both the belt containing the vulnerable path and the belt not containing the vulnerable path are cut from similar finished products. To prepare samples for testing, the belt containing the vulnerable path is laid flat and stretched adjacent to the belt lacking the vulnerable path in the same longitudinal and transverse orientations. Any cuts, tabs, or other features present along the vulnerable path to facilitate tearing of the vulnerable path are replicated on the belt lacking the vulnerable path that is the sample being tested. If no such features are present along the vulnerable path, a simple 25 mm × 25 mm tab (to enable gripping by the tensile testing machine) is cut at the center of the laminate width. When used in this method, the term "laminate width" corresponds to the dimension of the belt that is longitudinal in its orientation on the finished product.

[0138] Prepare at least three replicates of the sample. In particular, if two vulnerable paths are present together in either the front belt or the rear belt of the finished product, it is permissible for pairs of samples to be performed on the same belt portion.

[0139] Configuration and Use of the Tensile Testing Machine The constant-speed extension tensile testing machine is configured as follows. A load cell of 50 or 100 N is used. A pneumatic lower grip with a width of at least 6 inches is used. A pneumatic upper grip with a width of at least 1 inch is used. The grip surface is selected to minimize slippage and may be surface-finished with rubber or sandpaper. The crosshead speed of the tensile testing machine is 8.5 mm / s. The default initial crosshead separation is 15 mm, but this may be adjusted as necessary to securely grip the sample and facilitate the intended tension. The tensile testing machine is programmed for a 250-mm extension stroke. Data is recorded at a frequency of at least 50 Hz.

[0140] Attach each sample to the tensile testing machine and attach the full width of the laminate to the lower grip of the tensile testing machine. The laminate is attached such that the tear generally propagates from the center of the belt towards one of the belt side seams. One or more tab or grip features to facilitate tearing are clamped to the upper grip so as to minimize slack but not apply tension. Then, zero the load cell. Then, conduct the tensile test at a speed of 8.5 mm / s up to an extension of 250 mm and capture the data at a frequency of at least 50 Hz as specified above.

[0141] Analysis and Reporting Plot the data from each tensile load (corresponding to each sample) with the load in units of Newtons (N) on the vertical axis and the extension (mm) on the horizontal axis. The plot generally shows an increase from the low load when tension begins, a load plateau where the load is generally constant while fluctuating, and a break where the load rapidly decreases. For each sample, average the loads (take the arithmetic mean), calculate the standard deviation in the load plateau region, and record them in N as the average load and standard deviation for that sample, respectively. Next, calculate the average (arithmetic mean) of the sample plateau averages and report it in units of 0.01 N as the belt tear strength of the belt. Calculate the average (arithmetic mean) of the sample plateau standard deviations and report it in units of 0.01 N as the belt standard deviation.

[0142] Flexibility Test Method The TS7 and TS750 values are measured using an EMTEC Tissue Softness Analyzer (“Emtec TSA”) (Emtec Electronic GmbH, Leipzig, Germany) connected to a computer running Emtec TSA software (version 3.19 or equivalent). According to Emtec, the TS7 value correlates with the softness of the actual material, and the TS750 value correlates with the felt smoothness / roughness of the material. The Emtec TSA has a rotor with a vertical blade that rotates on the test specimen at a specified calibrated rotational speed (set by the manufacturer) and a contact force of 100 mN. Contact between the vertical blade and the test specimen generates vibrations that produce sounds recorded by a microphone within the instrument. The recorded audio file is then analyzed by the Emtec TSA software.

[0143] Preparation of Test Specimens Substrates and laminates are generally cut out as belts from the finished product. The side seams are first separated by hand, and then the belt portion is separated from the chassis, optionally using a separation aid such as a cryogenic freeze spray. The constituent substrates may be further cut out from the laminate through an additional process in which the substrate layer of the laminate and any elastomer or other elements present are separated, again optionally using a separation aid such as a cryogenic freeze spray. In some cases, substrates and laminates, either with or without a weak path, available as roll stock may be directly tested. Test specimens are prepared by cutting out square or circular samples from the finished product. The test specimens are cut to a length and width (or diameter in the case of a circle) of approximately 90 mm and a dimension of approximately 120 mm or less. If the finished product has a separate section in the elastic region (i.e., the elastic region is shorter than the nonwoven surface layer in one or more dimensions), a set of linear specimens is cut from the product portion with a length of 76 mm ± 3 mm in the main elongation direction and a width of 100 mm ± 3 mm in the perpendicular direction, and the elastic region is placed at the center of the linear specimen, if applicable. The test specimens are selected to avoid wrinkles or folds within the test area, unless they are inherent to the specimen, such as a waveform. For testing, eight substantially similar replicate test specimens are prepared. Prior to conducting the TSA test, all test specimens are equilibrated for at least 1 hour at the TAPPI standard temperature and relative humidity conditions (23°C ± 2°C and 50% ± 2%). The TSA test is also conducted under TAPPI conditions.

[0144] Test Procedure Calibrate the equipment according to the manufacturer's instructions using a one-point calibration method with Emtec reference standards ("Reference 2 specimens"). If these reference specimens are not available, use appropriate reference specimens provided by the manufacturer. Calibrate the equipment according to the manufacturer's recommendations and instructions such that the results are equivalent to those obtained when using a one-point calibration method with Emtec reference standards ("Reference 2 specimens").

[0145] Attach the test piece to the equipment, ensuring that the test piece is properly fixed to the TSA equipment with its first surface facing up. For a test piece having separate sections in the elastic region, ensure that the elastic region is centered under the Emtec vertical blade and then conduct the test according to the manufacturer's instructions. When the test is complete, the software will display the values of TS7 and TS750. Record each of these values in 0.01 dB V 2 rms units. Then remove the test piece from the instrument and dispose of it. Conduct this test individually on the first surfaces of four of the replicated test pieces and on the second surfaces of the other four replicated samples.

[0146] Determine the average of the four test result values of TS7 and TS750 obtained from the first surface (using a simple numerical average). Perform the same procedure for the four test result values of TS7 and TS750 obtained from the second surface. For both the first and second test surfaces of a particular test piece, report the individual average values and standard deviations of TS7 and TS750 in 0.01 dB V 2 rms units.

[0147] Average decitex (average Dtex) Using the average dtex method, the average Dtex for elastic fibers present in a complete article or in a sample of the target extracted from the article is calculated on a length-weighted basis. The dtex value is the mass in grams of the fibers present in 10,000 meters of that material in a relaxed state. The dtex 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 dtex value of an individual elastic fiber is determined by determining the cross-sectional area of the fiber in a relaxed state via a suitable microscopic technique such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), determining the composition of the fiber via Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and then using literature values for the density of the composition to calculate the mass in grams of the fibers present in 10,000 meters of fiber. The dtex 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 dtex values among the elastic fibers present is determined.

[0148] 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 component or overall dimensions of the article having the component or the sample, and the elastic fiber pre-strain ratio associated with the component or the sample of the article having the component. 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).

[0149] 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:

[0150] [Number] where n is the total number of elastic fibers present in the absorbent article or the sample extracted from the absorbent article. The average Dtex is reported as the nearest integer value in decitex (grams / 10,000 m).

[0151] 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.

[0152] Experimental determination of the decitex value of the fiber For each elastic fiber 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 vertically at three approximately equal positions along its length using a sharp blade to create a clean cross-section for SEM analysis. The three fiber sections with these exposed cross-sections are mounted in a relaxed state on an SEM specimen holder, sputter-coated with gold, introduced into the SEM and analyzed, and imaged at a resolution sufficient to clearly elucidate the fiber cross-section. To minimize any oblique distortion in the measured cross-section, 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 × r 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.

[0153] Average strand spacing Using a precision gauge calibrated to the certified NIST gauge in 0.5 mm increments, measure the distance between two distal strands within a section in 0.5 mm increments, and then divide by the number of strands in that section minus 1. Average strand spacing = d / (n - 1), where n > 1 Report in 0.1 mm increments.

[0154] Average pre-strain Measure the average pre-strain of the sample on a constant speed tensile testing machine using 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.

[0155] 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.

[0156] 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. The strip can be folded again, 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 of less than 0.05 N. Start the test program.

[0157] From the data, calculate force (N) vs. elongation (mm). Calculate the average pre-strain from the inflection point of the curve corresponding to the elongation 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 elongation when these two lines intersect and calculate the pre-strain % from this elongation 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.

[0158] Combination A1. A first belt including 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 positioned longitudinally outside the inner edge; a first belt; a second belt, wherein opposite end portions of the second belt in the lateral direction are connected to opposite end portions of the first belt in the lateral direction at a first side seam and a second side seam to form a waist opening; a second belt; a topsheet; a backsheet; and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet, a chassis comprising a first side edge extending in the longitudinal direction, a second side edge extending in the longitudinal direction separated laterally from the first side edge by a first end edge and a second end edge longitudinally separated from the first end edge, wherein end regions facing each other in the longitudinal direction of the chassis are connected to the first belt and the second belt, and a portion of the chassis overlaps the inner wearer-side surface of the first belt to define a chassis overlap region; a chassis; a weak path within the first belt extending between the inner edge and the outer edge of the first belt, the first belt having a belt tear strength according to a material tear strength test method, the weak path having a path tear strength according to a path tear strength test method, and the path tear strength of the weak path being less than the belt tear strength of the first belt; a weak path; an absorbent article comprising. A2. The absorbent article according to paragraph A1, wherein the weak path within the first belt extends between a proximal end and a distal end. A3. The absorbent article according to any one of paragraphs A1 to A2, further comprising an accessible opening within the first belt positioned within the overlap region. A4. The absorbent article according to paragraph A3, wherein the weak path includes a first tear zone extending for a first length from the accessible opening to the distal end and a second tear zone extending for a second length from the accessible opening to the proximal end, and the difference between the first length and the second length is less than about 10%. A5. The absorbent article according to paragraph A2, wherein the distal end and the proximal end are positioned laterally between the first side edge of the chassis and the first side seam. An absorbent article according to any one of the preceding paragraphs, further comprising a fastening component positioned between the inner wearer-side surface of the first belt and the backsheet. A7. The absorbent article according to paragraph A6, wherein the first belt is separable along a frangible path so as to define a first belt zone and a second belt zone, and the fastening component is adapted in a disposal configuration to reconnect at least one of the first belt zone and the second belt zone to at least one other component of the absorbent article. A8. The absorbent article according to any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein at least a portion of the frangible path is non-linear. An absorbent article comprising a first belt including an inner wearer-side surface, an outer clothing-side surface, a laterally extending inner edge, a laterally extending outer edge, and a lateral centerline, wherein the outer edge is positioned longitudinally outside the inner edge; a second belt including laterally opposed end portions that are connected to end portions of the first belt that oppose laterally in the first side seam and the second side seam to form a waist opening; a topsheet; a backsheet; and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet, the chassis comprising a first side edge extending longitudinally, and a second side edge extending longitudinally that is laterally separated from the first side edge by a first end edge and a second end edge longitudinally separated from the first end edge, wherein end regions of the chassis that oppose longitudinally are connected to the first belt and the second belt; a weak path within the first belt extending between a proximal end on the inner edge of the first belt and a distal end on the outer edge, the weak path comprising a first tear zone and a second tear zone, wherein a portion of the first tear zone extends at a first angle of less than about 90 degrees from the lateral centerline of the first belt, a portion of the second tear zone extends at a second angle of less than about 90 degrees from the lateral centerline of the first belt, a portion of the chassis overlaps the inner wearer-side surface of the first belt to define a chassis overlap region, a portion of the weak path extends within the chassis overlap region, the weak path is configured to be torn along the first tear zone and the second tear zone to provide a path tear strength according to a path tear strength test method, and the path tear strength along the weak path including the first tear zone and the second tear zone is from about 2 N to about 16 N; and a weak path. The absorbent article according to paragraph B9, wherein the first belt has a belt tear strength according to a material tear strength test method, and the belt tear strength is greater than the path tear strength. The absorbent article according to any one of the preceding paragraphs, comprising an accessible opening within the first belt positioned between the outer edge and the inner edge. Absorbent article according to any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the frangible path extends between a proximal end on the inner edge of the first belt and a distal end on the outer edge. Absorbent article according to paragraph B9, wherein the first angle is from 0 degrees to about 45 degrees from the lateral centerline of the first belt. Absorbent article according to paragraph B9, wherein the second angle is from 0 degrees to about 45 degrees from the lateral centerline of the first belt. Absorbent article according to any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the path tear strength of the frangible path including each of the first tear zone and the second tear zone is from about 5 N to about 10 N. Absorbent article according to paragraph B11, comprising a fastening component disposed adjacent to the accessible opening. An absorbent article comprising: a first belt including 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 positioned longitudinally outward of the inner edge; 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 positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet, the chassis comprising a longitudinally extending first side edge, and a longitudinally extending second side edge separated from the first side edge by a first end edge and a second end edge longitudinally separated from the first end edge, end regions of the chassis facing each other in the longitudinal direction being connected to the first belt and the second belt, and a portion of the chassis overlapping the inner wearer-side surface of the first belt to define a chassis overlap region; a fastening component disposed on the first belt; and a first weak path in the first belt comprising a first tear zone and a second tear zone, the first tear zone including a first initial tear zone and a first secondary tear zone, the first initial tear zone extending from a first transition zone towards the fastening component, the first secondary tear zone extending from the first transition zone towards the laterally extending outer edge, the second tear zone including a second initial tear zone and a second secondary tear zone, the second initial tear zone extending from a second transition zone towards the fastening component, the second secondary tear zone extending from the second transition zone towards the laterally extending inner edge, each of the weak paths including the first tear zone and the second tear zone having a path tear strength by a path tear strength test method, the first tear zone and the second tear zone being torn substantially simultaneously, and the path tear strength being from about 2 N to about 16 N. The absorbent article according to paragraph C17, wherein the fastening component is positioned between the inner wearer-side surface of the first belt and the backsheet. C19. The absorbent article according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the path tear strength of the weak path including each of the first tear zone and the second tear zone is from about 5 N to about 10 N. C20. The absorbent article according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an accessible opening in a first belt positioned within the overlap region. C21. The absorbent article according to paragraph C20, wherein the first initial tear zone extends from the accessible opening to the first transition zone, and the second initial tear zone extends from the accessible opening to the second transition zone. D22. An absorbent article, comprising: a first belt including 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 positioned longitudinally outward of the inner edge; a second belt, wherein end portions of the second belt that face each other in the lateral direction are connected to end portions of the first belt that face each other in the lateral direction at a first side seam and a second side seam to form a waist opening; a topsheet; a backsheet; and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet, the chassis comprising a first side edge extending in the longitudinal direction, and a second side edge extending in the longitudinal direction and separated from the first side edge in the lateral direction by a first end edge and a second end edge longitudinally separated from the first end edge, wherein end regions of the chassis that face each other in the longitudinal direction are connected to the first belt and the second belt, and a portion of the chassis overlaps the inner wearer-side surface of the first belt to define a chassis overlap region; a weak path within the first belt extending between the inner edge and the outer edge of the first belt, the first belt having a belt tear strength according to a material tear strength test method, the weak path having a path tear strength according to a path tear strength test method, and the difference between the path tear strength and the belt tear strength exceeding about 8 N. D23. The absorbent article according to paragraph D22, wherein the difference between the path tear strength and the belt tear strength exceeds about 15 N. The absorbent article according to paragraph D22, wherein the difference between the path tearing strength and the belt tearing strength is from about 10 N to about 30 N. The absorbent article according to paragraph D22, wherein the difference between the path tearing strength of the first belt and the belt tearing strength is from about 15 N to about 25 N. E26. An absorbent article comprising: a first belt including an inner wearer-side surface, an outer clothing-side surface, a laterally extending inner edge, a laterally extending outer edge, and a lateral center line, wherein the outer edge is positioned longitudinally outside the inner edge; a second belt, wherein end portions of the second belt facing laterally are connected to end portions 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 positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet, the chassis comprising a longitudinally extending first side edge, a longitudinally extending second side edge laterally separated from the first side edge by a first end edge, and a second end edge longitudinally separated from the first end edge, wherein end regions of the chassis facing longitudinally are connected to the first belt and the second belt; a vulnerable path within the first belt extending between the inner edge and the outer edge of the first belt, the vulnerable path comprising a first tear zone and a second tear zone and being configured to be torn along the first tear zone and the second tear zone, the first belt having a belt tearing strength according to a material tearing strength test method, the vulnerable path having a path tearing strength according to a path tearing strength test method, belt tearing strength - standard deviation coefficient × belt standard deviation being greater than path tearing strength + standard deviation coefficient × path standard deviation, and the standard deviation coefficient being at least 2. E27. The absorbent article according to paragraph E26, wherein the standard deviation coefficient is from about 2 to about 4. E28. The absorbent article according to paragraph E26, wherein the standard deviation coefficient is from about 2 to about 6. Absorbent article according to any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the first belt comprises one or more elastic strands and the one or more elastic strands are deactivated along a weak path.

[0159] The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise indicated, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as "40 mm" is intended to mean "about 40 mm".

[0160] 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 is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed herein, or that it alone or in combination with any other reference(s) teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention. Further, any meaning or definition of a term in this document that conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference shall be governed by the meaning or definition given to the term in this document.

[0161] Although specific embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is intended that all such changes and modifications within the scope of the invention be covered by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An absorbent article, comprising: a first belt including 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 positioned longitudinally outside of the inner edge, the first belt; a second belt, wherein end portions of the second belt that face each other in the lateral direction are connected to end portions of the first belt that face each other in the lateral direction at a first side seam and a second side seam to form a waist opening, the second belt; a chassis comprising a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet, the chassis comprising a first side edge extending in the longitudinal direction, a first end edge, and a second side edge extending in the longitudinal direction and separated laterally from the first side edge by the first end edge and a second end edge longitudinally separated from the first end edge, end regions of the chassis that face each other in the longitudinal direction being connected to the first belt and the second belt; a chassis, a portion of the chassis overlapping the inner wearer-side surface of the first belt to define a chassis overlap region; a weak path within the first belt extending between the inner edge and the outer edge of the first belt; the first belt having a belt tear strength according to a material tear strength test method; the weak path having a path tear strength according to a path tear strength test method; the absorbent article comprising a weak path, the path tear strength of the weak path being less than the belt tear strength of the first belt.

2. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the weak path of the first belt extends between a proximal end and a distal end.

3. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 or 2, further comprising an accessible opening within the first belt positioned within the overlap region.

4. The absorbent article according to claim 3, wherein the weak path includes a first tear zone extending for a first length from the accessible opening to the distal end and a second tear zone extending for a second length from the accessible opening to the proximal end, the difference between the first length and the second length being less than about 10%.

5. The absorbent article according to claim 2, wherein the distal end and the proximal end are positioned laterally between the first side edge of the chassis and the first side seam.

6. The absorbent article according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a fastening component positioned between the inner wearer-side surface of the first belt and the backsheet.

7. The first belt is separable along a frangible path so as to define a first belt zone and a second belt zone, and the fastening component is adapted to releasably connect at least one of the first belt zone and the second belt zone to at least one other component of the absorbent article in a disposal configuration. The absorbent article according to claim 6.

8. The absorbent article according to any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein at least a portion of the frangible path is non-linear.

9. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the path tear strength is from about 2 N to about 16 N.

10. The absorbent article according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the difference between the path tear strength and the belt tear strength exceeds about 8 N.

11. The absorbent article according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the frangible path extends at a path angle, and the path angle is less than about 90 degrees from the lateral centerline of the first belt.

12. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the difference between the path tear strength and the belt tear strength exceeds about 15 N.

13. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the difference between the path tear strength and the belt tear strength is from about 10 N to about 30 N.

14. The absorbent article according to claim 3, comprising a fastening component disposed adjacent to the accessible opening.

15. The absorbent article according to claim 14, wherein the fastening component is positioned between the inner wearer-side surface of the first belt and the backsheet.

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