Absorbent article having a weak path and a waste feature part

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a diaper pant having a first belt and a second belt with one or more weak paths. The weak path may extend between an inner edge and an outer edge of the belt. A grip region including an accessible opening may be disposed between the inner edge and the outer edge of the belt. The weak path may comprise a first tear zone and a second tear zone extending from the accessible opening to a distal end portion and a proximal end portion. Such a configuration of the weak path provides a feature that enables the belt of the diaper pant to be relatively easily torn along the weak path. When torn along the weak path, the diaper pant may be removed from the wearer and rolled up for disposal. A fastening component may be connected to another portion of the diaper pant to assist in maintaining the diaper pant in a disposal configuration.

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 configured to define a disposal feature portion.

Background Art

[0002] Some absorbent articles have components including an elastomeric laminate. Such an elastomeric laminate may include an elastic material bonded to one or more nonwoven fabrics. The elastic material may include an elastic film and / or elastic strands. In some laminates, multiple elastic strands are joined to the nonwoven fabric while the 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 stretched by the undulations.

[0003] Also, absorbent articles in the form of diaper pants may be constructed using an absorbent chassis connected to front and rear elastic belts, and the opposing end regions of the front and rear belts are connected to each other at the side seams. In some cases, 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 abdominal elastic cutting.

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

[0005] To avoid having to remove soiled diaper pants from the wearer by slipping them off the wearer's legs or by tearing the joined side seams, some diaper pants can be configured to have a tear line in the front or rear belt. Such a tear line may include a stitch that allows the 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 form. Additionally, the pant-type diaper may include some type of disposal feature, such as a hook or tape, that allows the caregiver to maintain the soiled diaper in a rolled-up disposal configuration. Some current disposal features may not provide the user with the ability to more fully enclose and / or encapsulate the soiled diaper pants. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0006] As a result, disposable pants having a tear line in one or more belts serve to ensure a comfortable diaper fit for the user while also serving to ensure the user's ability to more completely wrap and / or more completely enclose the bundled, soiled disposable pants for disposal, which in turn can serve to protect against unwanted leakage of urine and / or BM and / or can serve to reduce odors associated therewith, would be beneficial.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0007] In one form, the absorbent article is a chassis comprising a first belt including an inner wearer-side surface and an outer garment-side surface, the first belt 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, the laterally opposing end portions of the second belt being connected to the laterally opposing end portions of the first belt 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 laterally separated from the first side edge by the first end edge and a second end edge longitudinally separated from the first end edge, the chassis having a chassis width W between the first side edge and the second side edge CHincluding a chassis having end regions facing each other in the longitudinal direction of the chassis, the end regions being connected to the first belt and the second belt, a weak path within the first belt extending between the inner edge and the outer edge of the first belt, and a fastening component positioned on the inner wearer side surface of the first belt and positioned laterally between the weak path and the first side seam, the first belt being separable along the weak path so as to define a first belt zone and a second belt zone, the first belt zone including a portion of the first belt positioned laterally between the first side seam and the second belt zone, the first belt zone having, in a fully extended state, an extended first belt zone width W from the first side seam to the outer edge of the fastening component positioned furthest from the first side seam FBZE defining, the fastening component being adapted in a disposal configuration to re - connect the first belt zone to at least one other component of the absorbent article, the second belt extending in a fully extended state between the first side edge of the chassis and the side seam, defining an extended second belt extension width W SBEE1 defining a second belt extension portion, the first belt zone width W FBZE being greater than the second belt extension width W SBEE1 and less than the sum of the extended second belt extension width W SBEE1 and the chassis width W CH the disposal wrap being defined by a combination of the second belt extension portion and the first belt zone, the disposal wrap having, in a fully extended state, a disposal wrap width W extending between the first side edge of the chassis and the outer edge of the fastening component DWE1 defining, the disposal wrap width W DWE1 being greater than the chassis width W CH and greater than the chassis width W

[0008] In another form, the absorbent article is a first belt including an inner wearer-side surface and an outer clothing-side surface, the first belt 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 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: the chassis having a first side edge extending in the longitudinal direction; and a second side edge extending in the longitudinal direction, the second side edge being laterally separated from the first side edge by the first edge and a second edge longitudinally separated from the first edge, the chassis including a chassis width W CH therebetween, end regions of the chassis facing each other in the longitudinal direction being connected to the first belt and the second belt, a chassis; a weak path within the first belt extending between the inner edge and the outer edge of the first belt; and a fastening component positioned on the inner wearer-side surface of the first belt and positioned laterally between the weak path and the first side seam, the first belt being separable along the weak path so as to define a first belt zone and a second belt zone, the first belt zone including a portion of the first belt positioned laterally between the first side seam and the second belt zone, the first belt zone having an extended first belt zone width W from the first side seam to an outer edge of the fastening component positioned farthest from the first side seam in a fully extended state FBZEDefine, and the fastening component is adapted to releasably connect the first belt zone to at least one other component of the absorbent article in the disposal configuration, and the second belt, in the fully extended state, extends between the first side edge of the chassis and the side seam, and the extended second belt extension width W SBEE1 Define a second belt extension that defines a second belt extension, and the first belt zone width W FBZE Is greater than the second belt extension width W SBEE1 And is less than the sum of the extended second belt extension width W SBEE1 And the chassis width W CH The first belt has a longitudinal length L1 extending between the first edge and the second edge, and the fastening component has a longitudinal length L FC With, L FC Is less than about 0.80 times L1.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

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Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Definitions The following glossary of terms may be useful in understanding the present disclosure.

[0011] "Absorbent article" refers to an implement for absorbing and containing body exudates, and more particularly, an implement that is placed in contact with or in proximity to the body of the wearer to absorb and contain 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.

[0012] "Body-facing" and "garment-facing" refer to the relative positions of an element, or the surface of an element, or a group of elements, respectively. "Body-facing" indicates that an element or surface is closer to the wearer during use than some other element or surface. "Garment-facing" indicates that an element or surface is farther from the wearer during use than some other element or surface (i.e., the element or surface is in proximity to the wearer's clothing that can be worn over the discarded absorbent article).

[0013] The terms "elastic," "elastomer," or "elastomeric" refer to a material exhibiting elastic properties, including 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 include elastomeric films, scrims, nonwovens, ribbons, strands, and other sheet-like structures.

[0014] As used herein, the term "joined" encompasses a configuration in which one element is directly affixed to another element by attaching the one element directly to the other element, as well as a configuration in which one element is attached to an intermediate member(s) and the intermediate member is attached to the other element such that the one element is indirectly affixed to the other element.

[0015] 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.

[0016] As used herein, the term "substrate" is mainly two-dimensional (i.e., within the XY plane) and is used to describe a material having a relatively small thickness (i.e., 1 / 10 or less) compared to its length (X direction) and width (Y direction). Non-limiting examples of substrates include webs, layers (one or more) or fibrous materials, nonwoven fabrics, polymer films or films and foils such as metal foils. These materials may be used alone or may include two or more layers laminated together. Thus, a web is a substrate.

[0017] As used herein, the term "nonwoven" refers to a material made from continuous (long) filaments (fibers) and / or discontinuous (short) filaments (fibers) by processes such as spunbonding, meltblowing, carding, etc. Nonwovens do not have a woven or knitted filament pattern.

[0018] 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. It should be noted that the relative arrangement 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 the process.

[0019] In this specification, the term "cross direction" (CD) is used to refer to a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the machine direction.

[0020] "Pre-strain" refers to the strain imposed on an elastic or elastomeric material before it is combined with another element of the elastomeric laminate or absorbent article. The pre-strain is determined by the following equation: pre-strain = ((elongated length of the elastomer - relaxed length of the elastomer) / relaxed length of the elastomer) * multiplied by 100.

[0021] "Decitex", also known as Dtex, is a measurement used in the fiber industry to measure yarns or filaments. 1 decitex = 1 gram per 10,000 meters. In other words, if a yarn or filament has a weight of 500 grams for 10,000 linear meters, then that yarn or filament will have 500 decitex.

[0022] The term "taped 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 taped diaper may be folded around the lateral center line with the inner surfaces of one waist region in contact with the inner surfaces of the opposite waist region without integrally fastening or connecting the waist regions. Examples of taped diapers of various suitable configurations are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,167,897; 5,360,420; 5,599,335; 5,643,588; 5,674,216; 5,702,551; 5,968,025; 6,107,537; 6,118,041; 6,153,209; 6,410,129; 6,426,444; 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 hereby incorporated by reference.

[0023] As used herein, the term "pant" (also referred to as "training pant", "pre-closed diaper", "diaper pant", "pant diaper", and "pull-on diaper") refers to a disposable absorbent article designed for an infant or adult wearer and having a continuous waist opening at the outer periphery and continuous leg openings at the outer periphery. The pant 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 pant may be preformed or pre-fastened by various techniques including, but not limited to, using any re-fastenable and / or permanent closure member (e.g., seams, heat seals, pressure welds, adhesives, adhesive bonds, mechanical fasteners, etc.) to integrally connect a portion of the article. The pant may be preformed at any location along the outer periphery of the article in the waist region (e.g., the sides are fastened or joined, the front waist is fastened or joined, the back waist is fastened or joined). Examples of diaper pants of various configurations are disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,940,464, 5,092,861, 5,246,433, 5,569,234, 5,897,545, 5,957,908, 6,120,487, 6,120,489, 7,569,039, and U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2003 / 0233082(A1), 2005 / 0107764(A1), 2012 / 0061016(A1), 2012 / 0061015(A1), 2013 / 0255861(A1), 2013 / 0255862(A1), 2013 / 0255863(A1), 2013 / 0255864(A1), and 2013 / 0255865(A1), all of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

[0024] "Closed-form" means that, during packaging, the waist regions on opposite sides are joined either permanently or releasably to form a continuous waist opening and leg openings.

[0025] "Open-form" means that the waist regions on opposite sides are not joined in an initial state to form a continuous waist opening and leg openings, but include closing means such as a fastening system for joining the waist regions before or during application of the article to a wearer to form a waist opening and leg openings.

[0026] The present disclosure relates to an absorbent article including an elastic laminate, and more particularly to an absorbent article having an elastic laminate in a front waist region and / or a rear waist region with a weak path. In some configurations, the absorbent article may include a first belt and a second belt, each belt 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.

[0027] 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 belt and / or the second belt may extend between a proximal end portion on the inner edge of the first belt and a distal end portion on the outer edge of the first belt. A gripping region with an accessible opening may be positioned between the outer and inner edges of the first belt and / or the second belt. Next, the weak path may comprise a first tear zone extending from the accessible opening to the distal end portion, and a second tear zone may extend from the accessible opening to the proximal end portion. Such a weak path configuration provides the feature of allowing the elastic belt of the diaper pants to be relatively easily torn along the weak path when removing the diaper pants from the wearer, thereby avoiding the need to remove the diaper pants by sliding them over the wearer's legs. The weak path may also be configured and / or positioned to provide access and / or functionality to other features, such as a disposal feature, that may be configured as a fastening component.

[0028] Figures 1 through 2B show an example of an absorbent article 100 in the form of diaper pants 100P that may include components constructed according to the configurations disclosed herein. Specifically, FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of diaper pants 100P in a pre-fastened configuration. FIG. 2A shows a plan view of diaper pants 100P with the portion of the diaper facing away from the wearer facing the observer, and FIG. 2B shows a plan view of diaper pants 100P with the portion of the diaper facing the wearer facing the observer. Diaper pants 100P include a chassis 102 and an annular elastic belt 104. As 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.

[0029] 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 and second waist regions. 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.

[0030] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 2B, the diaper pants 100P may include an inner body side surface 132 and an outer garment side surface 134. The chassis 102 may include a backsheet 136 and a topsheet 138. The chassis 102 may also include an absorbent assembly 140 that includes an absorbent core 142 disposed between a portion of the topsheet 138 and the backsheet 136. As will be described in more detail below, the diaper 100P may also include other features such as leg elastic members and / or leg cuffs to enhance the fit around the wearer's legs.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 2A, the peripheral edge of the chassis 102 may be defined by a first longitudinal side edge 128, a second longitudinal side edge 130, a first laterally extending edge 144 disposed within a first waist region 116, and a second laterally extending edge 146 disposed within a second waist region 118. Both side edges 128 and 130 extend longitudinally between the first edge 144 and the second edge 146. As shown in FIG. 2A, the laterally extending edges 144 and 146 may be located longitudinally inward from a front waist edge 121 that extends laterally in the front waist region 116 and from a rear waist edge 122 that extends laterally in the rear waist region 118. In some configurations, the laterally extending edges 144 and 146 may be adjacent to or located longitudinally outward from the front waist edge 121 that extends laterally in the front waist region 116 and the rear waist edge 122 that extends laterally in the rear waist region 118. When the diaper pants 100P are worn on the lower torso of the wearer, the front waist edge 121 and the rear waist edge 122 may surround the portion of the wearer's waist. At the same time, the side edges 128 and 130 may surround at least a portion of the wearer's legs. Also, the crotch region 119 may generally be disposed between the wearer's legs, and the absorbent core 142 extends from the front waist region 116 through the crotch region 119 to the rear waist region 118.

[0032] As described above, the diaper pants 100P may include a backsheet 136. The backsheet 136 may also define the outer garment side surface 134 of 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 mils). Further, the backsheet 136 can prevent excrement from passing through the backsheet 136 while allowing vapor to escape from the absorbent core (i.e., the backsheet is breathable).

[0033] 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 inner wearer side surface 132 of the chassis 102. The topsheet 138 is liquid permeable, and liquid (e.g., menstrual blood, urine and / or liquid feces) may penetrate through its thickness. The topsheet 138 can be made from a wide range of materials such as woven and non-woven materials, perforated or hydroformed thermoplastic films, perforated non-wovens, porous foams, reticulated foams, reticulated thermoplastic films, and thermoplastic scrims. The woven or non-woven material may include natural fibers such as wood fibers or cotton fibers, synthetic fibers such as polyester, polypropylene or polyethylene fibers, or combinations thereof. If the topsheet 138 includes fibers, the fibers may be treated by a spunbond method, a carding method, a wet method, a meltblown method, a hydroentanglement method, or another method known in the art. The topsheet 138 may be selected from a bulky non-woven topsheet, a perforated film topsheet, and a perforated non-woven topsheet. Exemplary perforated films may include those described in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,628,097, 5,916,661, 6,545,197, and 6,107,539, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0034] As described above, the diaper pants 100P may also include an absorbent assembly 140 joined to the chassis 102. As shown in FIG. 2A, the absorbent assembly 140 may have a front edge 148 that extends laterally in the front waist region 116, and may also have a rear edge 150 that faces longitudinally and extends laterally in the rear waist region 118. The absorbent assembly may have a right side edge 152 that extends longitudinally, and may also have a left side edge 154 that is on the opposite side in the lateral direction and extends longitudinally. Both 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.

[0035] Some absorbent core embodiments may include a fluid storage core containing a reduced amount of cellulosic airfelt material. For example, such a core may include less than about 40%, 30%, 20%, 10%, 5%, or even less than about 1% cellulosic airfelt material. Such a core may primarily include an absorbent gel material in an amount of at least about 60%, 70%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, or even about 100%, in which case the remainder of the core includes 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.

[0036] As described above, the diaper 100P may also include an elastic leg cuff 156. The leg cuff 156 can be a leg band, a side flap, a barrier cuff, an elastic cuff, or a gasketting cuff, and it should be understood that it may be referred to as such in some cases. The elastic leg cuff 156 may be configured in various ways to help reduce leakage of body exudates in the leg region. Exemplary leg cuffs 156 may include those described in U.S. Patent Nos. 3,860,003, 4,909,803, 4,695,278, 4,795,454, 4,704,115, 4,909,803, and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2009 / 0312730(A1), all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0037] As described above, the diaper pants are manufactured to have an annular elastic belt 104 and may be provided to the consumer in a configuration where the front waist region 116 and the rear waist region 118 are connected to each other during packaging before being applied to the wearer. 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 re-closable fastening system disposed on or adjacent to the sides of the belt that face each other in the transverse direction.

[0038] 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 108 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 as well as the waist opening 110 and the leg openings 112. It should be understood that the first belt 106 and the second belt 108 may be connected to each other permanently or reattachably at the first side seam 178 and the second side seam 180. The side seams 178, 180 may include a permanent connection such as heat bonding, pressure bonding, or adhesive bonding, or may be a releasable connection such as a mechanical fastener or an adhesive fastener.

[0039] 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 may also define the front waist edge 121 and the laterally extending rear waist edge 122 of the diaper pants 100P.

[0040] 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 may define a curved profile. For example, the inner lateral edges 107b, 109b of the first elastic belt and / or the second elastic belt 106, 108 may include non-linear or curved portions in 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. The elastic belts 106, 108 may still have a curved profile and may include elastic strands 168 that extend along a non-linear or curved path that conforms to the curved profile of the inner lateral edges 107b, 109b.

[0041] Figure 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 Figure 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. Note that 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.

[0042] 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, Figure 2D shows a configuration in which the first elastic belt 106 defines a generally rectangular shape as described with reference to Figure 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 Figure 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.

[0043] In some configurations, both the first elastic belt 106 and the second elastic belt 108 may include laterally extending edges having different lengths. For example, FIG. 2E shows a configuration in which the laterally extending outer edge 107a and the laterally extending inner edge 107b of the first elastic belt 106 have different lengths, and the laterally extending outer edge 109a and the laterally extending inner edge 109b of the second elastic belt 108 have different lengths. As shown in FIG. 2E, the laterally extending outer edge 107a of the first elastic belt 107 may include the lateral width of W1D, and the laterally extending inner edge 107b may include the lateral width of W1P, where W1D is greater than W1P. The laterally extending outer edge 109a of the second elastic belt 108 may include the lateral width of W2D, and the laterally extending inner edge 109b may include the lateral width of W2P, where W2D is greater than W2P.

[0044] 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.

[0045] 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 surface 115a of the first elastic belt 106 and the garment side surface 117a of the second elastic belt 108, and the second substrate 164 may be oriented to define at least a portion of the wearer side surface 115b of the first elastic belt 106 and the wearer side surface 117b of the second elastic belt 108. The first substrate 162 may extend over a maximum length L1 from the proximal edge 162b to the distal edge 162a, and the second substrate 164 may extend over a maximum length L2 from the proximal edge 164b to the distal edge 164a. It should be understood that the distal edge 162a and / or the proximal edge 162b of the first substrate 162 may be linear and / or curved, and and / or may be parallel or non-parallel to each other. Also, it should be understood that the distal edge 164a and / or the proximal edge 164b of the second substrate 164 may be linear and / or curved, and and / or may be parallel or non-parallel to each other. Thus, the maximum length L1 refers to the longest distance extending longitudinally between the distal edge 162a and the proximal edge 162b of the first substrate 162, and the maximum length L2 refers to the longest distance extending longitudinally between the distal edge 164a and the proximal edge 164b of the second substrate 164. In some configurations, L1 may be equal to, less than, or greater than L2. In some configurations, L1 may be less than or equal to LT1, and L2 may be less than or equal to LT2. In some configurations, the distal edge 162a of the first substrate 162 may define at least a portion of the front waist edge 121 and / or at least a portion of the rear waist edge 122, and and / or the distal edge 164a of the second substrate 164 may define at least a portion of the front waist edge 121 and / or at least a portion of the rear waist edge 122. Thus, in some configurations, the distal edge 162a of the first substrate 162 and / or the distal edge 164a of the second substrate 164 may define at least a portion of the waist opening 110.

[0046] 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.

[0047] 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 a first longitudinal edge 162e and a second longitudinal edge 162f to define a first lateral width W1, and the second substrate 164 may extend laterally between a first longitudinal edge 164e and a second longitudinal edge 164f to define a second lateral width W2.

[0048] In some configurations, the proximal edge 162b of the first substrate 162 and / or the proximal edge 164b of the second substrate 164 may extend laterally across the backsheet 136. As shown in FIGS. 2A - 3, the first substrate 162 includes a garment-side surface 162c and an opposite wearer-side surface 162d, and the second substrate 164 includes a garment-side surface 164c and an opposite wearer-side surface 164d.

[0049] 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. In some configurations, the folded portion 162g of the first substrate 162 may be connected to the wearer-side surface 162d of the first substrate 162. In some configurations, a portion of the folded portion 162g of the first substrate 162 may be left unconnected to the chassis 102 and / or the second substrate 164 to form a pocket having an opening oriented toward the lateral centerline 162c of the chassis 102. In another example, the first elastic belt 106 and / or the second elastic belt 108 may include a folded portion of the second substrate 164 that extends longitudinally between the fold and the lateral edge of the second substrate 164. Thus, the folded portion of the second substrate 164 may be connected to the clothing-side surface 162c of the first substrate 162. Thus, in some configurations, the fold of the first substrate 162 and / or the fold of the second substrate 164 may define at least a portion of the waist opening 110. It should be understood that various waist configurations may be utilized. For example, as shown in FIG. 3A1, the folded portion 162g may be sandwiched between the second substrate 164 and the backsheet 136. In another example shown in FIG. 3A2, the second substrate 164 may be sandwiched between the folded portion 162g and the backsheet 136. FIGS. 3A1 and 3A2 show the configuration of the first belt 106, but it should be understood that such a configuration may be applied to the second belt 108.

[0050] It should be understood that the first elastic belt 106 and the second elastic belt 108 may include the same material and / or may have the same structure. In some embodiments, the first elastic belt 106 and the second elastic belt may include different materials and / or may have different structures. It should also be understood that components of the first elastic belt 106 and the second elastic belt 108, such as the first substrate 162 and / or the second substrate 164, can be constructed from a variety of materials. For example, the first belt and / or the second belt may include the first substrate 162 and / or the second substrate 164, which may be made from materials such as plastic film, perforated plastic film, natural materials (e.g., wood fibers or cotton fibers), synthetic fibers (e.g., polyolefin, polyamide, polyester, polyethylene or polypropylene fibers), or a woven or non-woven web of natural and / or synthetic fibers, or a coated woven or non-woven web. In some configurations, the first belt and / or the 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 constructed 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.

[0051] The elastic material 167 can be positioned between the wearer-side surface 162d of the first substrate 162 and the garment-side surface 164c of the second substrate 164. It should be understood that the elastic material 167 can include one or more elastic elements extending along the length of the elastic belt, such as strands, ribbons, elastic films, or panels. As shown in FIGS. 2A and 3, the elastic material 167 can include a plurality of elastic strands 168. In some configurations, the elastic material 167 can be bonded to one or more nonwoven layers and then the nonwoven layer(s) is / are weakened to undergo sufficient mechanical deformation or activation to allow the laminate to elastically stretch and recover, and can be an elastic film used to form a zero-strain elastic laminate including the elastic film.

[0052] It should also be understood that the first substrate 162, the second substrate 164, and / or the elastic material 167 of the first elastic belt 106 and / or the second elastic belt 108 can be bonded together and / or to other components such as the chassis 102 by adhesives and / or mechanical couplings. It should be understood that the adhesive and mechanical joining methods can be used alone or in combination with each other.

[0053] In some configurations, when combined to form the first elastic belt 106 and / or the second elastic belt 108, an adhesive can be applied to at least one of the first substrate 162, the second substrate 164, and / or the elastic material 167. In some configurations, when combined to form the first elastic belt 106 and / or the second elastic belt 108, a mechanical coupling device can apply a mechanical coupling to at least one of the first substrate 162, the second substrate 164, and / or the elastic material 167. Such mechanical joining can be applied with heat, pressure, and / or ultrasonic devices. In some configurations, the mechanical coupling device can apply a coupling that bonds the first substrate 162, the second substrate 164, and / or the elastic material 167 together, and / or can act to capture or immobilize separate lengths of the contracted elastic strands within the first elastic belt 106 and / or the second elastic belt 108.

[0054] The first substrate 162, the second substrate 164, and / or the elastic material 167 can all be combined with 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 / 0282797 (A1), and 2021 / 0275362 (A1), which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0055] It should also be understood that the components of the first elastic belt 106 and / or the second elastic belt 108 can be assembled in various ways and in various combinations to create various desirable features that can vary along the lateral width and / or the longitudinal length of the first elastic belt 106 and / or the second elastic belt 108. Such features can include, for example, Dtex value, joining pattern, hole arrangement, elastic positioning, average Dtex value, average pre-strain value, wrinkle frequency, wrinkle wavelength, height value, and / or contact area. It should be understood that different features can be imparted to various components, such as the first substrate 162, the second substrate 164, and the elastic material 167, before and / or during the assembly stage of the first elastic belt 106 and / or the second elastic belt 108.

[0056] It should be understood that the first elastic belt 106 and / or the second elastic belt 108 may include belt elastic materials 167 of various configurations arranged relative to each other and relative to the first substrate 162 and the second substrate 164. As described above, the elastic material 167 may include a configuration of one or more elastic elements such as strands, ribbons, films, or panels positioned in various arrangements. In some configurations, the elastic material 167 is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2018 / 0168889(A1), 2018 / 0168874(A1), 2018 / 0168875(A1), 2018 / 0168890(A1), 2018 / 0168887(A1), 2018 / 0168892(A1), 2018 / 0168876(A1), 2018 / 0168891(A1), 2019 / 0298586(A1), 2019 / 0070042(A1), 2018 / 0168878(A1), 2018 / 0168877(A1), 2018 / 0168880(A1), 2018 / 0170027(A1), 2018 / 0169964(A1), 2018 / 0168879(A1), 2018 / 0170026(A1), 2019 / 0070041(A1), 2021 / 0282797(A1), and 2021 / 0275362(A1), 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.

[0057] In some configurations, the elastic material 167 may be configured as elastic strands 168 disposed longitudinally at regular intervals. In other embodiments, the elastic strands 168 may be disposed at different intervals longitudinally. In some configurations, the Dtex value of the elastic strands 168 may be constant or may vary along the longitudinal direction. In some configurations, the elastic material 167 in the stretched state may be sandwiched and joined between the non-shrunk substrate layers. When the elastic material 167 is relaxed, the elastic material 167 returns to the non-stretched state and causes the substrate layer to shrink. The elastic material 167 may provide a desired change in the contraction force within the area of the annular elastic belt. It should be understood that the chassis 102 and the elastic belts 106, 108 may be configured in a manner different from that depicted in the accompanying figures. It should also be understood that the elastic material 167 material may be joined to the substrate continuously or intermittently along the interface between the elastic material 167 material and the substrate. In some configurations, the elastic strands 168 may be in the form of extruded elastic strands, which may also be joined to the first substrate 162 and / or the second substrate 164 in a pre-corrugated configuration, as disclosed, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 5,681,302, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0058] 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 such elastic strands 168 can be utilized with other elastic strands to create the first and second elastic belts 106, 108 including elastic strands 168 in various combinations of Dtex values, strand spacing values, and pre-strain values. For example, in some configurations, the average Dtex of one or more elastic strands 168 can be greater than 500. In some configurations, the average Dtex of one or more elastic strands 168 can be from about 10 to about 1500, specifically listing all 1 Dtex increments within the above range and all ranges formed therein or thereby. In some configurations, the plurality of elastic strands 168 can include an average strand spacing of 4 mm or less. In some configurations, the plurality of elastic strands 168 can include an average strand spacing from about 0.25 mm to about 4 mm, specifically listing all 0.01 mm increments within the above range and all ranges formed therein or thereby. In some configurations, the plurality of elastic strands 168 can include an average strand spacing greater than 4 mm. In some configurations, the average pre-strain of each of the plurality of elastic strands can be from about 50% to about 400%, specifically listing all 1% increments within the above range and all ranges formed therein or thereby. In some configurations, the elastic strand 168 includes an average strand spacing from about 0.25 mm to about 4 mm and an average Dtex from about 10 to about 500.In some configurations, the elastic strands 168 may have an average pre-strain of from about 75% to about 300%.

[0059] In some configurations, the first plurality of elastic strands may include a first average pre-strain of from about 75% to about 300%, and the second plurality of elastic strands may include a second average pre-strain greater than the first average pre-strain. In some configurations, the first plurality of elastic strands may include an average strand spacing of from about 0.25 mm to about 4 mm, and an average Dtex of from about 10 to about 500, and the second plurality of elastic strands may include an average strand spacing greater than about 4 mm, and an average Dtex greater than about 450.

[0060] In some configurations, as shown in FIG. 2A, the elastic strands 168 may be referred to herein as outer waist elastic members 170 and inner waist elastic members 172. The elastic strands 168 (e.g., outer waist elastic members 170) may extend continuously laterally between the opposing first end regions 106a and second end regions 106b of the first elastic belt 106, and between the opposing first end regions 108a and second end regions 108b of the second elastic belt 108. Some of the elastic strands 168, such as the inner waist elastic members 172, may be configured with discontinuities, for example, within an area where the first and second elastic belts 106, 108 overlap a portion of the chassis 102, such as the absorbent assembly 140.

[0061] 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 imparted with elasticity by an elastic material 167 such as elastic strands 168, 172, and the low-elongation zone 701 may include a cut line that separates the elastic material 167 such as elastic strands 168, 172. In some configurations, the elastic material 167 may be cut in an unbonded region where the elastic material is not bonded to the first substrate 162 and the second substrate 164. Thus, the elastic material 167 retreats from the unbonded region to form the low-elongation zone 701. In some configurations, the elastic material 167 may be cut into several separate pieces. Next, the low-elongation zone 701 defines a region of the first elastic belt 106 and / or the second elastic belt 108 that has a relatively lower elasticity than the high-elongation zone 703. The separate elastic material 167 that is cut and elastically contracted does not add a significant amount of elasticity to the low-elongation zone 701. Thus, when a force is applied, the high-elongation zone 703 extends longer than the low-elongation zone 701. As defined above, the terms “elastic,” “elastomer,” or “elastomeric” refer to a material that exhibits elastic properties, which includes any material that, when a force is applied to its relaxed initial length, can elongate or stretch to an elongated length that exceeds 10% of the initial length and, when the applied force is released, substantially returns to 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.”

[0062] As described above, the diaper pants 100P described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3C may include one or more weak paths within the first belt 106 and / or the second belt 108. For example, FIGS. 4A to 4C show an exemplary diaper pants 100P having a first belt 106 that includes a weak path 700. The weak path 700 may be configured to enable the first elastic belt 106 to be relatively easily torn along the weak path 700, such as when removing the diaper pants 100P from the wearer. FIG. 4B shows a view of the diaper pants 100P from FIG. 4A, showing the first belt 106 after being torn along the weak path 700 through both the outer longitudinal outer lateral edge 107a and the inner lateral edge 107b extending in the lateral direction of the first belt 106. Thus, the first elastic belt 106 shown in FIG. 4B is separated by opposing tear lines 705. It should be understood that the first elastic belt 106 may be torn along both weak paths 700 in FIG. 4B. For example, FIG. 4C shows the diaper pants of FIG. 4A showing the front belt torn along two weak paths 700. As shown in FIG. 4C, the central region 106c of the first elastic belt 106 may remain coupled to the chassis 102 even after separating the first and second opposing end regions 106a, 106b from the central region 106c by tearing the elastic belt 106 along the weak path 700.

[0063] As will be described in more detail below, the frangible path 700 includes a plurality of frangible lines 704 configured such that all of the elastic strands 168 within the first elastic belt 106 are severed at least once within the frangible path 700. Severing the elastic strands 168 within the frangible path 700 serves to make it relatively easy to tear the first elastic belt 106 along the frangible path 700. For example, when the elastic strands 168 are severed, the first substrate 162 and the second substrate 164 of the first elastic belt 106 need only be torn, and there is no need to also tear the uncut elastic strands 168. It should be understood that the diaper pants 100P can include various amounts of frangible paths 700 that can be positioned at various locations, define various shapes, and extend to various lengths. For example, the first elastic belt 106 may have a first belt length defined by the longitudinal distance between the proximal edge 107b and the distal edge 107a, and the frangible path 700 may extend over the entire length from the outermost edge of the frangible line 704 closest to the proximal edge 107b of the first belt 106 to the outermost edge of the frangible line 704 closest to the distal edge 107a of the first belt 106. In some configurations, the frangible path 700 may extend over a total length that 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.

[0064] In some configurations, the diaper pants 100P may be configured such that one or both of the first elastic belt 106 and the second elastic belt 108 include one or more weak paths 700. The weak paths 700 may be positioned at various locations on the first and second elastic belts 106, 108. For example, as shown in FIGS. 4A-4C, the weak paths 700 may extend so as to overlap the chassis 102. In some configurations, the weak paths 700 may extend linearly and / or may be curved and / or may have curved portions. In some configurations, the weak paths 700 may extend longitudinally over the entire length or less than the entire length of the first belt 106 and / or the second belt 108. In some configurations, the weak paths 700 may be positioned partially or entirely laterally between the first and second side seams 178, 180 and the chassis 102.

[0065] In some configurations, the vulnerable path 700 may be configured and / or positioned to provide access to and / or function with other features such as the disposal feature. For example, the diaper pant 100P shown in FIGS. 4A - 4C includes a fastening component 707 positioned on the wearer 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 re - connectably attach to other portions of the diaper pant 100P, such as, for example, the clothing side surface of the first elastic belt 106, the second elastic belt 108, or the chassis 102. Thus, when the first elastic belt 106 is torn along the vulnerable path 700, the diaper pant 100P may be removed from the wearer and rolled or folded for disposal, and the fastening component 707 may be connected to another portion of the diaper pant 100P to help maintain the diaper pant 100P in a disposal configuration. For example, FIG. 4C shows the diaper pant 100P after the first elastic belt 106 has been torn along two vulnerable paths. FIG. 5A shows the diaper pant 100P of FIG. 4C with the chassis 102 rolled longitudinally up on itself. Also, FIG. 5B shows the diaper pant 100P of FIG. 5A with the fastening component 707 re - connectably attached to the backsheet 136 of the chassis 102 to maintain the diaper pant 100P in a disposal configuration. In some configurations, when tearing the elastic belt along the vulnerable path 700, the tearing process may begin by tearing from the outer edge 107a or the inner edge 107b of the elastic belt 106. As will be discussed in more detail below, in some configurations, the first elastic belt 106 may also include an opening, such as a slit, positioned adjacent to or in proximity to the fastening component 707 and the vulnerable region 700 to help facilitate starting to tear the vulnerable path 700 in the longitudinal region of the elastic belt 106 between the outer edge 107a and the inner edge 107b.

[0066] It should also be understood that the fastening component 707 may be configured in various ways, such as by hooks, loops, and / or adhesives. For example, the fastening component 707 may include a hook element or an adhesive adapted to releasably connect to another surface of the diaper pants 100P. In some configurations, the fastening component 707 may include a loop element adapted to releasably connect to a hook surface on the diaper pants 100P. In some configurations, the loop element may be configured as a separate patch of loops connected to the belt, and in some configurations, the loop element may be formed from the belt material itself. The fastening component 707 may be a separate element connected to the elastic belt 106 in various ways, such as by 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.

[0067] 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 by 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 an at least partially overlapping configuration. In some configurations, the fastening component 707 may be able to include other types of fasteners known in the art.

[0068] It should be understood that the fastening component 707 can include any of a 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 about 5 mm to about 100 mm, specifically, all in 0.1 mm increments within the above range, and all ranges formed therein or thereby. In some configurations, the fastening component 707 may have a longitudinal length of about 10 mm to about 100 mm, specifically, all in 0.1 mm increments within the above range, and all ranges formed therein or thereby. The fastening component 707 may be aligned parallel to the lateral centerlines 126a, 126b of the elastic belts 106, 108, or may be oriented at an angle of 0 to 90 degrees with respect to the longitudinal centerlines 126a, 126 of the elastic belts 106, 108. The fastening component 707 may include an array of two or more spaced fastening elements. The fastening component 707 may have a color that is visible through any layer of the elastic belts 106, 108 where 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 that attaches 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.

[0069] It should also be understood that the frangible path 700 may be configured in various ways, positioned relative to each other in various positions and orientations, defined by various shapes, and may include a frangible line 704 extending over various lengths. For example, in some configurations, the frangible line 704 includes discrete cut lines that penetrate some or all of the layers of the elastic belt 106. In some configurations, the frangible line 704 includes discrete joints where the materials of the first substrate and the second substrate are fused to each other. In some configurations, the frangible line 704 may be straight or curved, or may have regular or irregular geometric shapes, and may include one or more of mechanically thinned regions of materials such as perforations, joints, apertures, or nonwovens, or combinations thereof. It should also be understood that the frangible line 704 may be formed with different lengths and spacings to achieve different separation forces.

[0070] As described above, an absorbent article 100, such as the diaper pant 100P, may be configured to have a frangible path 700 that includes a frangible line 704 configured in various ways to assist a caregiver in removing a soiled diaper pant 100P from a wearer without the need to slide the soiled diaper pant off the wearer's legs. As described above, the frangible path 700 may be configured to allow the first elastic belt 106 and / or the second elastic belt 108 to be relatively easily torn along the frangible path 700, such as when removing the diaper pant 100P from the wearer. Note that the frangible path 700 may also be configured to provide access to a fastening component 707 that may be used to assist in holding the soiled product in a disposal configuration. The following provides a discussion of exemplary embodiments of the frangible path 700 on the diaper pant 100P in the context of the above detailed description of the various details of the absorbent article 100, the fastening component 707, the frangible path 700, and the frangible line 704. It should be understood that the discussion of the frangible path 700 within the first elastic belt 106 herein may also apply to the frangible path 700 within the second elastic belt 108.

[0071] The frangible path 700 may be positioned at various locations and / or orientations relative to the other components of the absorbent article 100 and / or may be configured to function in various ways to facilitate removal of the diaper pants from the wearer. It should be understood, for example, that the diaper pants 100P shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B may include one or more frangible paths 700 extending between a distal end portion 808 on the outer edge 107a of the first belt 106 and a distal end portion 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 portion 808a on the outer edge 107a of the first belt 106 and a first proximal end portion 810a on the inner edge 107b of the first belt 106. Also, the second frangible path 700b may extend between a second distal end portion 808b on the outer edge 107a of the first belt 106 and a second proximal end portion 810b on the inner edge 107b of the first belt 106. It should be understood that the first frangible path 700a and the second frangible path 700b may include a frangible line 704 as described above.

[0072] It should be understood that the first distal end portion 808a and the second distal end portion 808b may be located at various lateral positions on the outer edge portion 107a of the first belt 106. For example, in some configurations, the first distal end portion 808a and / or the second distal end portion 808b may be positioned in the central region 106c of the first belt 106. In some configurations, the first distal end portion 808a and / or the second distal end portion 808b may be positioned laterally between the first longitudinal edge portion 128 and the second longitudinal edge portion 130 of the chassis 102. In some configurations, the first distal end portion 808a and / or the second distal end portion 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 portion 808a and / or the second distal end portion 808b may be positioned laterally outside the first longitudinal edge portion 128 and the second longitudinal edge portion 130 of the chassis 102. In some configurations, the first distal end portion 808a and / or the second distal end portion 808b may be positioned laterally between the first longitudinal edge portion 128 of the chassis 102 and the first side seam 178, and / or may be positioned laterally between the second longitudinal edge portion 130 of the chassis 102 and the second side seam 180. In some configurations, the first distal end portion 808a may be laterally aligned with the first longitudinal edge portion 128 of the chassis 102 or the first longitudinal side edge portion 111a of the first belt 106. In some configurations, the first distal end portion 808a may be positioned laterally between the first longitudinal edge portion 128 of the chassis 102 and the first longitudinal side edge portion 111a of the first belt 106. In some configurations, the second distal end portion 808b may be laterally aligned with the second longitudinal edge portion 130 of the chassis 102 or the second longitudinal side edge portion 111b of the first belt 106. In some configurations, the second distal end portion 808b may be positioned laterally between the second longitudinal edge portion 130 of the chassis 102 and the second longitudinal side edge portion 111b of the first belt 106.

[0073] It should also be understood that the first proximal end portion 810a and the second proximal end portion 810b can be arranged at various lateral positions on the inner edge portion 107b of the first belt 106. For example, in some configurations, the first proximal end portion 810a and / or the second proximal end portion 810b may be positioned in the central region 106c of the first belt 106. In some configurations, the first proximal end portion 810a and / or the second distal end portion 810b may be laterally positioned between the first longitudinal edge portion 128 and the second longitudinal edge portion 130 of the chassis 102. In some configurations, the first proximal end portion 810a and / or the second proximal end portion 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 portion 810a and / or the second proximal end portion 810b may be positioned laterally outside the first longitudinal edge portion 128 and the second longitudinal edge portion 130 of the chassis 102. In some configurations, the first proximal end portion 810a and / or the second proximal end portion 810b may be laterally positioned between the first longitudinal edge portion 128 of the chassis 102 and the first side seam 178, and / or may be laterally positioned between the second longitudinal edge portion 130 of the chassis 102 and the second side seam 180. In some configurations, the first proximal end portion 810a may be laterally aligned with the first longitudinal edge portion 128 of the chassis 102 or the first longitudinal side edge portion 111a of the first belt 106. In some configurations, the first proximal end portion 810a may be laterally positioned between the first longitudinal edge portion 128 of the chassis 102 and the first longitudinal side edge portion 111a of the first belt 106. In some configurations, the second proximal end portion 810b may be laterally aligned with the second longitudinal edge portion 130 of the chassis 102 or the second longitudinal side edge portion 111b of the first belt 106. In some configurations, the second proximal end portion 810b may be laterally positioned between the second longitudinal edge portion 130 of the chassis 102 and the second longitudinal side edge portion 111b of the first belt 106.

[0074] It should be understood that the first distal end portion 808a and the second distal end portion 808b may be arranged at various longitudinal positions between the outer edge portion 107a and the inner edge portion 107b of the first belt 106. Also, the first proximal end portion 810a and the second proximal end portion 810b may be arranged at various longitudinal positions between the outer edge portion 107a and the inner edge portion 107b of the first belt 106. For example, in some configurations as shown in FIG. 6B1, for example, the first distal end portion 808a and / or the first proximal end portion 810a may be arranged on the first side seam 178 at a position longitudinally inside the outer edge portion 107a and longitudinally outside the inner edge portion 107b of the first belt 106. Also, as shown in FIG. 6B1, the second distal end portion 808b and / or the second proximal end portion 810b may be arranged on the second side seam 180 at a position longitudinally inside the outer edge portion 107a and longitudinally outside the inner edge portion 107b of the first belt 106. Therefore, 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.

[0075] Continuing to refer to FIG. 6B, the first belt 106 may also include a gripping region 801 that provides a location where a user can grip a portion of the first belt 106 and initiate the process of tearing the first belt along the weak path 700. The gripping region 801 may include an accessible opening 802 within the first belt 106 and may also include a fastening component 707 positioned adjacent to the accessible opening 802. The accessible opening 802 may include a slit and / or an opening within the first belt 106 and may penetrate some or all of the layers of the first belt 106. It should be understood that such a slit or opening may be curved and / or linear. The accessible opening 802 may also be considered a part of the weak path 700.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 6B, the diaper pants 100P may include a first gripping area 801a including a first accessible opening 802a and a second gripping area 801b including a second accessible opening 802b within the first belt 106. The first accessible opening 802a and the second accessible opening 802b may be positioned between the outer edge 107a and the inner edge 107b of the first belt 106. The first accessible opening 802a and the second accessible opening 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. Note that the first fastening component 707a may be positioned adjacent to the first accessible opening 802a, and the second fastening component 707a may be positioned adjacent to the second accessible opening 802a. The first vulnerable path 700a may include a first tear zone 813a extending from the first accessible opening 802a to the first distal end 808a and a second tear zone 813b extending from the first accessible opening 802a to the first proximal end 810a. The second vulnerable path 700b may include a first tear zone 813a extending from the second accessible opening 802b to the second distal end 808b and a second tear zone 813b extending from the second accessible opening 802b to the second proximal end 810b.

[0077] It should be understood that the vulnerable path 700 may include one or more functional zones. Next, the vulnerable path may include a transition zone that operably connects such zones so as to facilitate the propagation of tearing along the vulnerable path 700 from one zone to another. The vulnerable lines within the transition zone may be of a particular length and / or angle 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 vulnerable lines.

[0078] 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. Note that the first tear zone 813a of the first vulnerable path 700a may include a secondary tear zone 819a extending from the first transition zone 817a to the first distal end portion 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 portion 810a. The first transition zone 817a can help facilitate the propagation of tearing from the first initial tear zone 815a to the first secondary tear zone 819a along the first vulnerable path 700a by operably connecting the first initial tear zone 815a to the first secondary tear zone 819a. Continuing to refer to FIG. 6B, the first tear zone 813a of the second vulnerable path 700b may include a first initial tear zone 815a extending from the second accessible opening 802b to the first transition zone 817a. Note that the first tear zone 813a of the second vulnerable path 700b may include a secondary tear zone 819a extending from the first transition zone 817a to the second distal end portion 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 portion 810b. The second transition zone 817b can help facilitate the propagation of tearing from the second initial tear zone 815b to the second secondary tear zone 819b along the second vulnerable path 700b by operably connecting the second initial tear zone 815b to the second secondary tear zone 819b.

[0079] As will be described in more detail below, the accessible opening 802 can assist a caregiver or the wearer in accessing and / or gripping the fastening component 707 within the gripping region 801 with a finger or thumb. Next, the caregiver or user may pull on the gripping region 801 to begin tearing the first belt 106 along the vulnerable path 700. In some configurations, the tear lines may propagate simultaneously along the first tear zone 813a and the second tear zone 813b, laterally outwardly from the central region 106c of the first belt 106 toward the distal end portion 808 and the proximal end portion 810. 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 portion 808 and the proximal end portion 810, respectively, 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.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 6B, the vulnerable path 700 may be configured to extend laterally inwardly from the distal end portion 808 and / or the proximal end portion 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 portion 107a and / or the inner edge portion 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.

[0081] As described above, the first elastic belt 106 and / or the second belt 108 can be relatively easily torn along the weak path 700, such as when removing the diaper pants 100P from the wearer. As will be described later with reference to FIGS. 6A to 6F, the weak path 700 may be configured to enable a caregiver or the wearer to start tearing and / or completely tear the first belt 106 and / or the second belt 108 with one hand when removing the diaper pants 100P from the wearer. Note that the first belt 106 may be separable along the first weak path 700a and the second weak path 700b so as to define a first belt zone 831, a second belt zone 832, and a third belt zone 833 positioned laterally between the first belt zone 831 and the second belt zone 832.

[0082] 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 1106 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 in the central region 106c of the first belt 106. Next, as shown in FIG. 6C, the user's first hand may apply a tensile force Fp to the first gripping region 801a of the first belt 106 so as to move away from the wearer in order to start tearing the first belt 106 along the first weak path 700a.

[0083] 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 portion 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, 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 portion 810a within the first end region 106a of the first belt 106.

[0084] 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 portion 808a. Note that 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 portion 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 portion 808a and the first proximal end portion 810a simultaneously or substantially simultaneously, respectively.

[0085] 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 portion 808a and the second tear line 705b propagates to the first proximal end portion 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. Note that 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. Note that the first belt zone 831 may include the first fastening component 707a. As will be described later, the first belt zone 831 may include all or a part of the first fastening component 707a.

[0086] 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 help stabilize 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. Next, as shown in FIG. 6E, the user's first hand may apply a tensile force Fp to the second gripping region 801b of the first belt 106 outwardly away from the wearer to initiate tearing of the first belt 106 along the second weak path 700b.

[0087] 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, partially through and adjacent to the second fastening component 707b in the longitudinal and transverse directions, and then from the central region 106c of the first belt 106 in a generally laterally and longitudinally outward direction D1, toward the second distal end portion 808b within the second end region 106b of the first belt 106. Simultaneously, the second tear line 705b extends from the second accessible opening 802b, partially through and adjacent to the second fastening component 707b in the longitudinal and transverse directions, along the second tear zone 813b of the second vulnerable path 700b, and from the central region 106c of the first belt 106 in a generally laterally outward and longitudinally inward direction D2, toward the second proximal end portion 810b within the second end region 106b of the first belt 106.

[0088] 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 portion 808b. Note that 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 portion 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 can reach the second distal end portion 808b and the second proximal end portion 810b, respectively, simultaneously or substantially simultaneously.

[0089] 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 portion 808b and the second tear line 705b propagates to the second proximal end portion 810b. As shown in FIG. 6F, the first edge 832a of the second belt zone 832 is formed by tearing the second weak path 700b. Note that 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. Note that the second belt zone 832 may include the 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.

[0090] Although the tearing process has been described above with reference to FIGS. 6A-6F as tearing the first belt 106 along the first weak path 700a before tearing the first belt along the second weak path 700b, it should be understood that the tearing of the first belt 106 along the weak path 700 may be performed in various different orders and different ways. For example, the first belt 106 may be torn along the second weak path 700b to define the second belt zone 832 before tearing the first belt 106 along the first weak path 700a to define the first belt zone 831. In another example, the first belt 106 may be simultaneously torn along the first weak path 700a and the second weak path 700b so as to define the first belt zone 831, the second belt zone 832, and the third belt zone 833.

[0091] When the first belt 106 is torn along the vulnerable path 700 to define the first belt zone 831, the second belt zone 832, and the third belt zone 833, the diaper pants 100P can be removed from the wearer in a manner similar to a conventional tape-type diaper. After the diaper pants 100P are removed from the wearer, the chassis 102 may be placed in a disposal configuration as described above with reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B by winding and / or folding itself longitudinally over itself. The first belt zone 831 and the second belt zone 832 may be used to further wrap the diaper pants 100P over itself. Also, the fastening components 707 on the first belt zone 831 and the second belt zone 832 can be connected to another part of the diaper pants 100P to help maintain the diaper pants 100P in the disposal configuration.

[0092] 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 lateral edge 144 of the chassis 102 and the inner edge 107b of the first belt 106, and / or longitudinally between the first lateral edge 144 of the chassis 102 and the outer edge 107a of the first belt 106. In some configurations, the first accessible opening 802a may extend across the first longitudinal edge 128 and / or the first lateral edge 144 of the chassis 102, and / or the second accessible opening 802b may extend across the second longitudinal edge 130 and / or the first lateral edge 144 of the chassis 102.

[0093] 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.

[0094] 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 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 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.

[0095] As described above, the diaper pants 100P may include one or more fastening components 707 adapted to releasably connect to at least one other component of the diaper pants 100P in a disposal configuration. It should be understood that the fastening components 707 may be configured in various shapes and sizes and may be disposed at various positions relative to other components of the diaper pants 100P. For example, as shown in FIG. 8A, the fastening component 707 may include a transverse centerline 126d oriented substantially parallel to the transverse centerline 126a of the first elastic belt 106, and / or the transverse centerline 126b of the second elastic belt 108, and / or the transverse centerline 126c of the chassis 102. The fastening component 707 may include a longitudinal centerline 124d oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal centerline 124a of the first elastic belt 106, and / or the longitudinal centerline 124b of the second elastic belt 108, and / or the longitudinal centerline 124c of the chassis 102.

[0096] As shown in FIG. 7AA1, 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 the region where the first elastic belt 106 and / or the second elastic belt 108 overlap the chassis 102. In some configurations, the fastening component 707 may be sandwiched between the second substrate 164 of the first elastic belt 106 or the second elastic belt 108 and the backsheet 136 of the chassis 102. In some configurations such as those shown in FIG. 7AA1, the fastening component 707 includes a hook 715 protruding from a base 717, and the hook 715 extends from the first belt 106 toward the backsheet 136. The fastening component 707 may be configured as a separate individual element that can be connected to the wearer-side surface 115b of the first belt 106 in various ways. For example, as shown in FIG. 7AA1, an adhesive 716 may connect the base 717 of the fastening component 707 to the wearer-side surface 115b of the first belt 106. It should be understood that the fastening component 707 may be connected to the first belt 106 by mechanical coupling in addition to or instead of the adhesive. It will be recognized that the base 717 can be configured in various shapes. For example, the base 717 can include a thermoplastic film. In some configurations, the base 717 can include a laminate having various layers bonded to each other, as disclosed, for example, in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2021 / 0045931(A1). For example, the base 717 may include a thermoplastic film layer bonded to a nonwoven layer. It should be understood that such layers may be bonded to each other in various ways, such as by adhesive, mechanical joining, and / or extrusion joining. In some configurations, the fastening component 707 may be integrally formed from the material of the first belt 106, or integrally formed from the material and attached to the first belt, as shown, for example, in FIG. 7AA2.

[0097] For example, as shown in FIG. 6B, a portion of the chassis 102 may overlap the inner wearer-side surface 115b of the first belt 106 to define a chassis overlap region 850. Thus, the chassis overlap region 850 may extend laterally between the first longitudinal edge 128 and the second longitudinal edge 130 of the chassis 102 and longitudinally between the first lateral edge 144 of the chassis 102 and the inner edge 107b of the first belt 106. To help prevent the fastening component 707 from contacting the wearer's skin while the diaper pants 100P are being worn, the fastening component 707 may be positioned on and connected to the wearer-side surface 115b of the first elastic belt 106 and / or the wearer-side surface 117b of the second elastic belt 108 in the chassis overlap region 850 where the first elastic belt 106 and / or the second elastic belt 108 overlap the chassis 102. For example, the fastening component 707 may be sandwiched between the wearer-side surface 115b of the first belt 106 and the chassis 102. In some configurations, the 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, the fastening component 707 may be positioned laterally between the first longitudinal side edge 128 and the second longitudinal side edge 130 of the chassis 102. The fastening component 707 may also be positioned longitudinally between the first lateral edge 144 of the chassis 102 and the inner edge 107b of the first belt 106. As shown in FIG. 7A, the fastening component 707 may be positioned adjacent to the vulnerable path 700. An accessible opening 802 that can be considered part of the vulnerable path 700 may be positioned adjacent to the fastening component 707. Thus, the vulnerable path 700 can partially surround the fastening component 707. In some configurations such as shown in FIG. 8B, the vulnerable path 700 may extend through the fastening component 707 and effectively divide the fastening component 707 into a first fastening portion 707' and a second fastening portion 707''. As described above, the first fastening portion 707' is separated from the second fastening portion 707'' when the vulnerable path is torn.Upon completion of the tearing operation, the first belt zone 831 and the second belt zone 832 include the first fastening portion 707', and the third belt zone 833 includes the second fastening portion 707'' separated from the respective first fastening portion 707' during the tearing of the vulnerable path 700.

[0098] As shown in FIG. 7A, the fastening component 707 may include a longitudinal length L. FC It should be understood that the fastening component 707 may include various lengths L. FC For example, in some configurations, the longitudinal length L FC may be greater than 0.1 times the first belt length and less than 0.8 times the first length L1.

[0099] In the configurations shown in FIGS. 6A and 7A, both the vulnerable path 700 and the accessible opening 802 may extend through the fastening component, effectively dividing the fastening component 707 into a first fastening portion 707' and a second fastening portion 707''. The accessible opening 802 shown in FIG. 7A may generally comprise a longitudinally oriented slit. Note that the accessible opening 802 may extend through the fastening component 707 and be completely positioned within the outer periphery of the fastening component. It should be understood that such a slit may be linear and / or curved. In some configurations, the longitudinally extending accessible opening 802 may define a length dimension in the range of about 10 mm to about 30 mm, specifically, all in 0.1 mm increments within the above range, and all ranges formed therein or thereby. Note that in some configurations, the longitudinally extending accessible opening 802 may also be curved so as to extend laterally in the range of about 2 mm to about 20 mm, specifically, all in 0.1 mm increments within the above range, and all ranges formed therein or thereby.

[0100] In another configuration shown in FIG. 9, the diaper pants 100P may include one fastening component 707 coupled to the wearer-side surface 115b of the first belt 106 at a position overlapping the longitudinal center line 124c of the chassis 102. The longitudinal center line 124d of the fastening component 707 may coincide with or be in the vicinity of the longitudinal center line 124c of the chassis 102. The weak path 700 can divide the fastening component 707 into a first fastening component 707a and a second fastening component 707b of substantially the same size and shape. The accessible opening 802 may be disposed at or in the vicinity of the longitudinal inner lateral edge of the fastening component 707. Outside the longitudinal direction of the lateral edge of the fastening component 707, the weak path 700 may extend longitudinally and laterally to the waist edge 121 and the inner edge 107b of the first belt 106. A caregiver or a wearer can access and grip the fastening component 707 through the accessible opening 802, and then separate the weak path 700 into the first and second fastening components 707a, 707b.

[0101] 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. For example, the first belt 106 may be separable along the vulnerable path 700 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. Next, after the diaper pants 100P are removed from the wearer by winding and / or folding the chassis 102 longitudinally over itself, they may be placed in a disposal configuration. The first belt zone 831 and the second belt zone 832 may be used to further wrap the diaper pants 100P over itself. Also, the fastening components 707 on the first belt zone 831 and the second belt zone 832 can be connected to another part of the diaper pants 100P to help maintain the diaper pants 100P in the disposal configuration. As will be described in more detail below, configuring the diaper pants 100P with first and second belt zones having widths adjustable relative to the widths of other diaper pant elements serves to ensure that the diaper pants 100P fit comfortably on the user, while also serving to ensure the user's ability to more completely wrap and / or enclose the bundled, soiled diaper pants 100P for disposal. Similarly, relatively more completely wrapped and / or enclosed soiled diaper pants can help protect against unwanted leakage of urine and / or BM, and / or can help reduce associated odors.

[0102] For example, FIG. 10A shows a front plan view of a diaper pant 100P having a front belt separated along a vulnerable path 700 to define a first belt zone 831, a second belt zone 832, and a third belt zone 833 disposed laterally between the first belt zone 831 and the second belt zone 832 as described above. The fastening component 707 may be positioned on the first belt zone 831 and the second belt zone 832. The first belt zone 831 includes a portion of a first belt disposed laterally between a first side seam 178 and the third belt zone 833, and the second belt zone 832 includes a portion of the first belt 106 disposed laterally between a second side seam 180 and the third belt zone 833. Also, as shown in FIG. 10A, the second belt 108 defines a first second belt extension 108E1 that includes a portion of the second belt 108 extending between a first side edge 128 of the chassis 102 and the side seam 178. The second belt 108 also defines a second second belt extension 108E2 that includes a portion of the second belt 108 extending between a second side edge 130 of the chassis 102 and the second seam 180. Next, a first waste lap 835a is defined by the combination of the first second belt extension 108E1 and the first belt zone 831, and a second waste lap 835b is defined by the combination of the second second belt extension 108E2 and the second belt zone 832.

[0103] As shown in FIG. 10A, in a relaxed state without tension applied, the first belt zone 831 may define a relaxation width W between a first edge 128 of the chassis 102 and the first side seam 178 FBZR and the second belt zone 832 may define a relaxation width W between a second edge 130 of the chassis 102 and the second side seam 180. FBZR The width W FBZR and W FBZRIt should be understood that they may be equal or different. Also, in the relaxed state without tension applied, the first second belt extension 108E1 has a relaxation width W between the first side seam 178 and the outer edge 707E of the fastening component 707 located farthest from the first side seam 178. SBER1 It may define a relaxation width W between the second side seam 180 and the outer edge 707E of the fastening component 707 located farthest from the second side seam 180, and the second second belt extension 108E2. SBER2 It may be defined. The width W SBER1 And W SBER2 It should be understood that they may be equal or different. Further, in the relaxed state without tension applied, the first waste wrap 835a has a relaxation width W between the first side edge 128 of the chassis 102 and the outer edge 707E of the fastening component 707 located farthest from the first side seam 178. DWR1 It may define a relaxation width W between the second side edge 130 of the chassis 102 and the outer edge 707E of the fastening component 707 located farthest from the second side seam 180, and the second waste wrap 835b. DWR2 It may be defined. The width W DWR1 And W DWR2 It should be understood that they may be equal or different.

[0104] In some configurations, tension may be applied to the waste wrap 835 to change the components of the diaper pants 100P from the relaxed state to the fully extended state. For example, FIG. 10B shows the diaper pants 100P of FIG. 10A having a fully extended waste wrap 835. As shown in FIG. 10B, in the fully extended state, the first belt zone 831 may define an extension width W between the first edge 128 of the chassis 102 and the first side seam 178. FBZE It may define an extension width W between the second edge 130 of the chassis 102 and the second side seam 180, and the second belt zone 832. FBZE It may be defined. The width W FBZE And W FBZEIt should be understood that they may be equal or different. Also, in the fully extended state, the first and second belt extensions 108E1 define an extension width W between the first side seam 178 and the outer edge 707E of the fastening component 707 that is furthest from the first side seam 178. SBEE1 The second and second belt extensions 108E2 may define an extension width W between the second side seam 180 and the outer edge 707E of the fastening component 707 that is furthest from the second side seam 180. SBEE2 Width W SBEE1 and W SBEE2 It should be understood that they may be equal or different. Further, in the fully extended state, the first waste wrap 835a defines an extension width W between the first side edge 128 of the chassis 102 and the outer edge 707E of the fastening component 707 that is furthest from the first side seam 178. DWE1 The second waste wrap 835b may define an extension width W between the second side edge 130 of the chassis 102 and the outer edge 707E of the fastening component 707 that is furthest from the second side seam 180. DWE2 Width W DWE1 and W DWE2 It should be understood that they may be equal or different. In some configurations, the tension required to extend the first waste wrap 835a and / or the second waste wrap 835b from the relaxed state to the fully extended state may be greater than about 1 N and less than about 10 N, specifically, all in 0.1 N increments within the above range, and all ranges formed within or by that range.

[0105] Continuing to refer to FIGS. 10A and 10B, the chassis 102 may define a chassis width W between the first side edge 128 and the second side edge 130. CH Chassis width W CHIt should be understood that in this specification, it is defined in a fully extended state. It should be understood that the relaxed width and the fully extended width of the waste wrap 835 and its components may have various values relative to each other and relative to the chassis width. For example, in some configurations, the relaxed waste wrap width W DWR1 may be less than the chassis width W CH , and / or the relaxed waste wrap width W DWR2 may be less than the chassis width W CH . In some configurations, the extended first belt zone width W FBZE is greater than the extended first second belt extension width W SBEE1 , and may be less than the sum of the extended first second belt extension width W SBEE1 and the chassis width W CH , and / or the extended second belt zone width W SBZE is greater than the extended second second belt extension width W SBEE2 , and may be less than the sum of the extended second second belt extension width W SBEE2 and the chassis width W CH . In some configurations, the extended first waste wrap width W DWE1 may be greater than the chassis width W CH , and / or the extended second waste wrap width W DWE2 may be greater than the chassis width W CH . In some configurations, the width W FBZE of the extended first belt zone is less than the sum of the extended first second belt extension width W SBEE1 and half of the chassis width W CH , and / or the width W SBZE of the extended second belt zone may be less than the sum of the extended second second belt extension width W SBEE2 and half of the chassis width W CH .

[0106] It should be understood that the diaper pants 100P of this specification may be configured with the above-mentioned widths having various values. For example, some diaper pants 100P may include a first belt 106 and / or a second belt 108 having a lateral width W1D, W2D of about 325 mm to about 450 mm. Specifically, all values in 1 mm increments within the above-mentioned range, and all ranges formed therein or thereby are included. Some diaper pants 100P may have a chassis width W of about 180 mm to about 230 mm in a fully extended state CH and may include a chassis 102, specifically, all values in 1 mm increments within the above-mentioned range, and all ranges formed therein or thereby are included. Some diaper pants 100P may have a relaxation width W of about 20 mm to about 45 mm SBER1 and / or W SBER2 and may include a first second-belt extension 108E1 and / or a second second-belt extension 108E2 having a width of about 20 mm to about 45 mm. Specifically, all 1 mm increments within the above-mentioned range, and all ranges formed therein or thereby are included. Some diaper pants 100P may have an extension width W of about 60 mm to about 130 mm SBEE1 and / or W SBEE2 and may include a first second-belt extension 108E1 and / or a second second-belt extension 108E2 having a width of about 60 mm to about 130 mm. Specifically, all 1 mm increments within the above-mentioned range and all ranges formed therein or thereby are included. Some diaper pants 100P may have a relaxation width W of about 55 mm to about 90 mm FBZR and / or W FBZR and may include a first belt zone 831 and / or a second belt zone 832 having a width of about 55 mm to about 90 mm. In particular, all values in 1 mm increments within the above range, and all ranges formed therein or thereby are included. Some diaper pants 100P may have an extension width W of about 130 mm to about 200 mm FBZE and / or W FBZE and may include a first belt zone 831 and / or a second belt zone 832 having a width of about 130 mm to about 200 mm. In particular, all values in 1 mm increments within the above range, and all ranges formed therein or thereby are included. Some diaper pants 100P may have a relaxation width W of about 75 mm to about 125 mmDWR1 and / or W DWR2 may include a first waste wrap 835a and / or a second waste wrap 835b including and / or W. Specifically, all values in 1 mm increments within the above range, and all ranges formed therein or thereby are included. Some diaper pants 100P have an extension width W of about 190 mm to about 270 mm DWE1 and / or W DWE2 may include a first waste wrap 835a and / or a second waste wrap 835b including and / or W. Specifically, all values in 1 mm increments within the above range, and all ranges formed therein or thereby are included.

[0107] It should be understood that the chassis 102 and the waste wrap 835 may be operated by the user in various ways to dispose of the diaper pants in a disposal configuration. The embodiments described below with reference to FIGS. 11A - 11F assist in showing how the waste wrap 835 can be extended, folded, and / or otherwise operated by the user to help completely wrap and / or more fully enclose the soiled diaper pants 100P bundled for disposal.

[0108] For example, as shown in FIG. 11A, in the diaper pants of FIG. 10A, the chassis 102 may be wound longitudinally or folded onto itself when the diaper pants 100P are placed in a disposal configuration. FIGS. 11B and 11C show the diaper pants of FIG. 11A with the chassis 102 wound or folded onto itself and a second disposal wrap 835b folded over the chassis 102. The fastening component 707 on the second disposal wrap 835b may be connected to the backsheet 136 of the chassis 102. FIG. 11D shows the diaper pants of FIG. 11C with the first disposal wrap 835a extended and folded over the second disposal wrap 835b and the chassis 102 to dispose the diaper pants in a disposal configuration. FIG. 11E shows the diaper pants 100P of FIG. 11D in a disposal configuration with the first disposal wrap 835a extended and folded over the second disposal wrap 835b and the chassis 102. FIG. 11F shows a side view of the opposite side of the diaper pants 100P of FIG. 11E with the fastening component 707 on the first disposal wrap 835a connected to the backsheet 136 to maintain the diaper pants 100P in a disposal configuration.

[0109] Average decitex (average Dtex) Using the average decitex method, the average Dtex for elastic fibers present in a complete article or in a sample of a target extracted from an article is calculated on a length-weighted basis. The decitex value is the mass in grams of the fibers present in 10,000 meters of that material in a relaxed state. The decitex value of an elastic fiber or an elastic laminate containing elastic fibers is often reported by the manufacturer as part of the specifications of the elastic fiber or elastic laminate containing elastic fibers. The average Dtex can be calculated from these specifications if available. Alternatively, if these specified values are not known, the decitex value of an individual elastic fiber is determined by determining the cross-sectional area of the fiber in a relaxed state via a suitable microscopy technique such as Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), determining the composition of the fiber via Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and then calculating the mass in grams of the fibers present in 10,000 meters of fiber using literature values for the density of the composition. The decitex values for individual elastic fibers removed from a complete article or a sample extracted from an article, provided by the manufacturer or measured experimentally, are used in the equation described below, in which the length-weighted average of the decitex values between the elastic fibers present is determined.

[0110] If the lengths of the elastic fibers present in the article or a sample extracted from the article are known, respectively, the length of the elastic fibers is calculated from the component dimensions of the article having the components or the overall dimensions of the sample, and the elastic fiber pre-strain ratio associated with the components of the article having the components or the sample. Alternatively, if the dimensions and / or the elastic fiber pre-strain ratio are not known, the absorbent article or a 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).

[0111] Calculation of Average Dtex Relaxed length L present in an absorbent article or a sample extracted from the absorbent article i and fiber decitex value d i for each individual elastic fiber f (either obtained from the manufacturer's specifications or measured experimentally), the average Dtex of the absorbent article or the sample extracted from the absorbent article is defined as follows i : [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).

[0112] If the decitex value of any individual fiber is not known from the specifications, it is determined experimentally as described below, and the resulting fiber decitex value(s) are used in the above equation to determine the average Dtex.

[0113] Experimental Determination of Fiber Decitex Value For each of the elastic fibers taken from the absorbent article or a sample extracted from the absorbent article according to the above procedure, for each elastic fiber L k 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., for circular fibers, the diameter; for elliptical fibers, the major and minor axes; and using image analysis for more complex shapes), and the average of the three areas a k of the elastic fibers 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 by d k = 10000m × a k × ρ k × 10 -6 where the unit of d k is grams per 10,000 meters of calculated length, the unit of a k is μm 2 , and the unit of ρ k is grams per cubic centimeter (g / cm 3 ). For any elastic fiber analyzed, the experimentally determined L k value and d k value are later used in the equation for the above average Dtex.

[0114] Average strand spacing Using a gauge accurate to 0.5 mm calibrated against a certified NIST gauge, measure the distance between two distal strands within a section in 0.5 mm increments and then divide by the number of strands in that section minus one. Average strand spacing = d / (n - 1), where n > 1 Report in 0.1 mm increments.

[0115] Average pre-strain Measure the average pre-strain of the sample using a constant speed tensile testing machine with a load cell such that the measured force is within 1% to 90% of the cell's limit. (A suitable instrument is MTS Insight using Testworks 4.0 Software, available from MTS Systems Corp., Eden Prairie, MN). Prior to analysis, condition the article for 2 hours at 23 °C ± 2 °C and 50% ± 2% relative humidity and then test under the same environmental conditions.

[0116] 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.

[0117] Set the nominal gauge length to 40 mm using a calibrated caliper block and zero the crosshead. Insert the sample into this grip so that the center of the test strip is positioned 20 mm below the upper grip. The sample may be folded perpendicular to the tensile axis and placed within the grip to achieve this position. After closing the grip, excess material can be trimmed. Insert the sample into the lower gripping part and close it. Once again, the strip can be folded, but then trimming can be done after closing the grip. Zero the load cell. The sample should have a minimum of slack but a force on the load cell less than 0.05 N. Start the test program.

[0118] From the data, calculate force (N) versus extension (mm). Calculate the average pre-strain from the inflection point of the curve corresponding to the extension when the non-woven fabric in the elastomer is engaged. Plot two lines corresponding to the region of the curve before the inflection point (mainly the elastomer) and the region after the inflection point (mainly the non-woven fabric). Read the extension at which these two lines intersect and calculate the pre-strain % from this extension and the corrected gauge length. Record the pre-strain % as 0.1%. Calculate the arithmetic mean of the three replicate test pieces for each elastomer laminate and the average pre-strain in 0.1% units.

[0119] Combination A1. An absorbent article, comprising: a first belt including an inner wearer-side surface and an outer clothing-side surface, the first belt 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 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 laterally from the first side edge by the first edge and a second edge longitudinally separated from the first edge, the chassis including a chassis width W CH therebetween, and end regions of the chassis that face each other in the longitudinal direction being connected to the first belt and the second belt; a weak path within the first belt extending between the inner edge and the outer edge of the first belt; and a fastening component positioned on the inner wearer-side surface of the first belt and positioned laterally between the weak path and the first side seam, the first belt being separable along the weak path so as to define a first belt zone and a second belt zone, the first belt zone including a portion of the first belt positioned laterally between the first side seam and the second belt zone, the first belt zone having an extended first belt zone width W from the first side seam to an outer edge of the fastening component that is farthest from the first side seam in a fully extended state FBZEis defined, and the fastening component is adapted in the disposal configuration to releasably connect the first belt zone to at least one other component of the absorbent article, and the second belt, in its fully extended state, extends between the first side edge of the chassis and the side seam, with an extended second belt extension width W SBEE1 defines a second belt extension portion that defines a first belt zone width W FBZE is the second belt extension width W SBEE1 is greater than, and the extended second belt extension width W SBEE1 and the chassis width W CH is less than the sum of, and the disposal wrap is defined by the combination of the second belt extension portion and the first belt zone, and in its fully extended state, the disposal wrap extends between the first side edge of the chassis and the outer edge of the fastening component with a disposal wrap width W DWE1 defines, and the disposal wrap width W DWE1 is the chassis width W CH is greater than, absorbent article. A2. The first belt zone width W FBZE is less than the sum of the second belt extension width W SBEE1 and half of the chassis width W CH of the absorbent article according to paragraph A1. A3. In the relaxed state, the disposal wrap defines a relaxed disposal wrap width W DWR1 that extends between the first side edge of the chassis and the outer edge of the fastening component, and the relaxed disposal wrap width W DWR1 is the chassis width W CH is less than, the absorbent article according to paragraph A1 or A2. A4. The tensile force required to extend the disposal wrap from the relaxed state to the fully extended state is greater than about 1 N and less than about 10 N, the absorbent article according to paragraph A3. A5. The first belt includes a longitudinal length L1 that extends between the first edge and the second edge, and the fastening component has a longitudinal length L FC provided with, L FCAn absorbent article as described in any of paragraphs A1 to A4, which is less than about 0.80 times L1. A6.L FC An absorbent article as described in paragraph A5, which is less than about 0.50 times L1. An absorbent article as described in any of paragraphs A1 to A6, further comprising an accessible opening within the first belt, positioned between the outer edge and the inner edge. An absorbent article as described in paragraph A7, wherein a weak path within the first belt extends between a proximal end portion on the inner edge of the first belt and a distal end portion on the outer edge of the first belt, and the proximal end portion and the distal end portion are positioned laterally between the accessible opening and the first side seam. An absorbent article as described in paragraph A7, wherein the accessible opening includes a slit within the first belt. An absorbent article as described in paragraph A7, wherein both the accessible opening and the weak path extend through the fastening component and divide the fastening component into at least two parts. An absorbent article as described in paragraph A7, wherein the accessible opening is curved and extends longitudinally. An absorbent article as described in paragraph A7, wherein the accessible opening extends through the fastening component and divides the fastening component into at least two parts. An absorbent article as described in any of paragraphs A1 to A12, wherein the weak path includes a weak line. An absorbent article as described in any of paragraphs A1 to A13, wherein the fastening component is positioned between the inner wearer side surface of the first belt and the backsheet. An absorbent article as described in any of paragraphs A1 to A14, wherein the fastening component includes hooks that extend towards the backsheet. An absorbent article as described in any of paragraphs A1 to A15, wherein the first belt is a front belt and the second belt is a rear belt. An absorbent article, comprising: a first belt including an inner wearer-side surface and an outer garment-side surface, the first belt 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 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 longitudinally extending first side edge and a longitudinally extending second side edge that is laterally separated from the first side edge by the first edge and a second edge that is longitudinally separated from the first edge, the chassis including a chassis width W CH between the first side edge and the second side edge, and end regions of the chassis that face each other in the longitudinal direction being connected to the first belt and the second belt; a weak path within the first belt that extends between the inner edge and the outer edge of the first belt; and a fastening component positioned on the inner wearer-side surface of the first belt and positioned laterally between the weak path and the first side seam, the first belt being separable along the weak path so as to define a first belt zone and a second belt zone, the first belt zone including a portion of the first belt that is positioned laterally between the first side seam and the second belt zone, the first belt zone having an extended first belt zone width W from the first side seam to an outer edge of the fastening component that is furthest from the first side seam in a fully extended state FBZEis defined, and the fastening component is adapted in the disposal configuration to releasably connect the first belt zone to at least one other component of the absorbent article, and the second belt extends between the first side edge of the chassis and the side seam in the fully extended state, with an extended second belt extension width W SBEE1 defines a second belt extension that defines a first belt zone width W FBZE is greater than the second belt extension width W SBEE1 and less than the sum of the extended second belt extension width W SBEE1 and the chassis width W CH The first belt has a longitudinal length L1 extending between the first edge and the second edge, and the fastening component has a longitudinal length L FC with L FC being less than about 0.80 times L1, an absorbent article. B2.L FC is less than about 0.50 times L1, the absorbent article according to paragraph B1. B3. The absorbent article according to paragraph B1 or B2, further comprising an accessible opening in the first belt positioned between the outer edge and the inner edge. B4. The absorbent article according to any one of paragraphs B1 to B3, further comprising a disposal wrap defined by a combination of the second belt extension and the first belt zone, wherein the tensile force required to extend the disposal wrap from the relaxed state to the fully extended state is greater than about 1 N and less than about 10 N.

[0120] Bio-based components for components The components of the absorbent article described herein may be at least partially composed of bio-based components as described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007 / 0219521 (A1). For example, the superabsorbent polymer components may be made bio-based by deriving them from bio-based acrylic acid. Bio-based acrylic acid and the manufacturing methods are further described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007 / 0219521, as well as U.S. Patents Nos. 8,703,450, 9,630,901, and 9,822,197. Other components, such as nonwoven and film components, may include bio-based polyolefin materials. Bio-based polyolefins are further considered in U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2011 / 0139657, 2011 / 0139658, 2011 / 0152812, and 2016 / 0206774, as well as U.S. Patent No. 9,169,366. Exemplary bio-based polyolefins for use in the present disclosure include polymers available under the designations SHA7260 (trademark), SHE150 (trademark), or SGM9450F (trademark) (all available from Braskem S.A.).

[0121] The absorbent article components may include, for example, bio-based component values of about 10% to about 100%, about 25% to about 100%, about 40% to about 100%, about 50% to about 100%, about 75% to about 100%, or about 90% to about 100% using Method B of ASTM D6866-10.

[0122] Bio-based absorbent article suitable for recycling The components of the absorbent article described herein may be recycled for other uses, whether or not they are at least partially formed from recyclable materials. Examples of absorbent article materials that can be recycled are nonwoven fabrics, films, fluff pulp, and superabsorbent polymers. The recycling process may use an autoclave to sterilize the absorbent article, after which the absorbent article may be shredded and separated into different secondary streams. Exemplary secondary streams may include plastic, superabsorbent polymer, and cellulose fibers such as pulp. These secondary streams can be used in the manufacture of fertilizers, plastic articles, paper products, viscose, building materials, absorbent pads for pet or hospital beds, and / or for other uses. Further details regarding absorbent articles that assist 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.

[0123] 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".

[0124] All documents cited herein, including any patents or patent applications that are incorporated by reference or related, and any patent applications or patents for which this application claims priority or the benefit thereof, are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety to the extent not 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, nor is it to be construed as teaching, suggesting, or disclosing any such invention, either alone or in combination with any other one or more references. 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 given precedence in this document by the meaning or definition given to the term herein.

[0125] Although specific embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, all such changes and modifications within the scope of the invention are intended to be covered by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An absorbent article, comprising: A first belt (106) including an inner wearer-side surface (115b) and an outer clothing-side surface (115a), the first belt further including a laterally extending inner edge portion (107b) and a laterally extending outer edge portion (107a), the outer edge portion (107a) being positioned longitudinally outward of the inner edge portion (107b); A second belt (108), end portions of the second belt (108) facing each other in the lateral direction being connected to end portions of the first belt (106) facing each other in the lateral direction at a first side seam (178) and a second side seam (180) to form a waist opening (110); A chassis (102) comprising a topsheet (138), a backsheet (136), and an absorbent core (140) positioned between the topsheet (138) and the backsheet (136), wherein the chassis (102) has a first side edge portion (128) extending in the longitudinal direction, and a longitudinal direction extending from the first edge portion (144) and the second edge portion (146) longitudinally separated from the first edge portion (144), separated laterally from the first side edge portion (128), a second side edge portion (130) extending in the longitudinal direction, and the chassis (102) has a chassis width W between the first side edge portion (128) and the second side edge portion (130) ＣＨ A chassis (102) including the same, wherein end regions (116a, 118a) facing in the longitudinal direction of the chassis (102) are connected to the first belt (106) and the second belt (108). A weak path (700) within the first belt (106) extending between the inner edge portion (107b) and the outer edge portion (107a) of the first belt (106); A fastening component (707) positioned on the inner wearer-side surface (115b) of the first belt (106) and positioned laterally between the weak path (700) and the first side seam (178); The first belt (106) is separable along the vulnerable path (700) so as to define a first belt zone (831) and a second belt zone (833), the first belt zone (831) including a portion of the fist belt (106) positioned laterally between the first side seam (178) and the second belt zone (833), the first belt zone (831) extending from the first side seam (178) to an outer edge (707E) of the fastening component (707) that is farthest from the first side seam (178), defining, in a fully extended state, an extended first belt zone width W ＦＢＺＥ defining The fastening component (707) being adapted to releasably connect the first belt zone (831) to at least one other component of the absorbent article in a disposal configuration; In a fully extended state, the second belt (108) extends between the first side edge portion (128) of the chassis (102) and the side seam (178) to define an extended second belt extension width W ＳＢＥＥ１ and defines a second belt extension portion (108E1) that defines ＳＢＥＥ１ . The extended first belt zone width W ＦＢＺＥ is greater than the second belt elongation width W ＳＢＥＥ１ and less than the sum of the extended second belt elongation width W ＳＢＥＥ１ and the chassis width W ＣＨ ​ An absorbent article comprising a waste wrap (835) defined by a combination of the second belt extension (108E1) and the first belt zone (831), wherein in a fully extended state, the waste wrap (835) extends between the first side edge (178) of the chassis (102) and the outer edge (707E) of the fastening component (707) with a waste wrap width W. ＤＷＥ１ defining the waste wrap width W ＤＷＥ１ wherein the waste wrap width W ＣＨ is greater than the chassis width W.

2. The first belt zone width W ＦＢＺＥ is smaller than the sum of the second belt elongation width W ＳＢＥＥ１ and half of the chassis width W ＣＨ The absorbent article according to claim 1.

3. In the relaxed state, a relaxed waste wrap width W is defined, where the waste wrap (835) extends between the first side edge portion (178) of the chassis (102) and the outer edge portion (707E) of the fastening component (707). ＤＷＲ１ is defined, the relaxed waste wrap width W ＤＷＲ１ is smaller than the chassis width W ＣＨ The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The absorbent article according to claim 3, wherein a tensile force required to extend the waste wrap (835) from the relaxed state to the fully extended state is greater than about 1 N and less than about 10 N.

5. The first belt (106) includes a longitudinal length L1 extending between the outer edge portion (107a) and the inner edge portion (107b), and the fastening component (707) includes a longitudinal length L ＦＣ where L ＦＣ is less than about 0.80 times L1. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. L ＦＣ The absorbent article according to claim 5, wherein L is less than about 0.50 times L1.

7. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising an accessible opening (802) within the first belt (106) positioned between the outer edge portion (107a) and the inner edge portion (107b).

8. The weak path (700) within the first belt (106) extends between a proximal terminal end (810) on the inner edge portion (107b) of the first belt (106) and a distal terminal end (808) on the outer edge portion (107a) of the first belt (106), and the proximal terminal end (810) and the distal terminal end (808) are positioned laterally between the accessible opening (802) and the first side seam (178). The absorbent article according to claim 7.

9. The absorbent article according to claim 7, wherein the accessible opening (802) includes a slit within the first belt (106).

10. The absorbent article according to claim 7, wherein both the accessible opening (802) and the weak path (700) extend through the fastening component (707) and divide the fastening component (707) into at least two parts.

11. The absorbent article according to claim 7, wherein the accessible opening (802) is curved and extends in the longitudinal direction.

12. The absorbent article according to claim 7, wherein the accessible opening (802) extends through the fastening component (707) and divides the fastening component (707) into at least two parts.

13. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the weak path (700) includes a weak line (704).

14. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the fastening component (707) is positioned between the inner wearer side surface (115b) of the first belt (106) and the backsheet (136).

15. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the fastening component (707) includes hooks, and the hooks extend toward the backsheet (136).

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