Absorbent articles including lumbar panels

Abstract

Aspects of this disclosure relate to an absorbent article having a lumbar panel forming a pocket and a joint configuration defining a reinforcement zone. [Solution] The lumbar panel 158a is connected to the absorbent chassis 102, and the lumbar panel is bonded to components within the first zone 190a and second zone 190b of the mechanical joint 190, and the lumbar panel is also bonded to components within the first and second zones of the adhesive 188 in the first and second lateral end regions, and the first and second zones of the adhesive are adjacent to the inner lateral edge and overlap with the first and second mechanical joint zones, and in addition, a third zone 188c of the adhesive adjacent to the outer lateral edge of the lumbar panel bonds the lumbar panel to the chassis, and the mechanical joint zone also overlaps with the third zone of the adhesive in the absorbent article 100.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This disclosure relates to an absorbent article including a lumbar panel, and more particularly to a lumbar panel having a joint configuration that forms a pocket and defines a reinforcement zone. [Background technology]

[0002] Various types of articles, such as diapers and other absorbent articles, can be assembled by adding components to a continuous, advancing web of material along an assembly line and / or by modifying this web in other ways. For example, in some processes, an advancing web of material is combined with another advancing web of material. In other examples, individual components produced from an advancing web of material are combined with an advancing web of material, and then these are combined with another advancing web of material. In some examples, individual components produced from one or more advancing webs are combined with other individual components produced from other advancing webs. The web and component parts of material used to manufacture diapers may include various types of elastic webs and elastic parts, such as backsheets, topsheets, leg cuffs, waistbands, absorbent core components, front and / or rear ear sections, fastening components, and leg elastics, barrier leg cuff elastics, stretch side panels, and waist elastics. Once the desired components are assembled, the advancing web(s) and components are subjected to a final knife cut to separate the web(s) into separate diapers or other absorbent items.

[0003] Some absorbent articles, such as diapers, have components including a waist panel, which may also be referred to as a waistband. In some configurations, the waistband may be provided as a single layer of elastic material, such as an elastic film. In some configurations, the waistband may be provided as an elastic laminate, which may include an elastic material bonded to one or more substrates, such as a nonwoven fabric, and the elastic material may include an elastic film and / or elastic strands. In some assembly operations, the waistband is bonded to a forward carrier web, such as a continuous top sheet or back sheet web, while the waistband is stretched. Thus, when the waistband relaxes, gathers are formed in the carrier web, creating a corrugated shape. The resulting laminate is stretchable to the extent that the waistband can be stretched by the corrugation.

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

[0005] In some configurations, it may be desirable to provide a diaper having a front and / or rear waistband having a region joined to the top sheet and one or more regions not joined (not attached) to the top sheet, thereby forming a pocket between the waistband and the top sheet. Such a pocket may help contain bodily waste and / or help prevent leakage from the absorbent material. In some configurations, the pocket may be formed by attaching the waistband to the top sheet along three edges of the waistband, with the fourth edge of the waistband remaining unattached to the top sheet.

[0006] The manufacture of absorbent articles with a waistband containing a pocket sometimes presents associated challenges. For example, the intersections between the joining areas along the three edges of the waistband may leave small gaps between the waistband and the top sheet. Such gaps may therefore be prone to undesirable leaks during use. In addition, depending on the specific manufacturing configuration, the unattached edges of the waistband may be positioned to define the front edge of the waistband as it advances through various assembly processes. Thus, in some cases, as the waistband advances through the assembly process, air may be forced into the pocket, causing the waistband to act like a sail or parachute by being repeatedly lifted and / or separated from the top sheet, and / or deforming the shape of the waistband. Such repeated lifting and / or deformation may cause the waistband to be partially or completely detached from the top sheet. In some configurations, frictional forces acting on the diaper components as they advance along various assembly devices such as folding plows may drag or pull the unattached edges, subsequently causing the removal of part or all of the waistband. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] Therefore, it is beneficial to provide an absorbent article having a waist panel configured with edges that are not attached to other diaper components such as a top sheet, so as to form a pocket during use, and the joint area between the waistband and the absorbent article component, such as a top sheet, may include a reinforcing area, which can help prevent and / or reduce the event of the waistband separating from such absorbent article component during assembly and use, thereby helping to reduce the possibility of leakage during use. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In one embodiment, the absorbent article comprises: a front lumbar region, a rear lumbar region, and a crotch region disposed between the front and rear lumbar regions; a chassis comprising a top sheet, a back sheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet; a first leg gasket element and a second leg gasket element connected to the chassis and extending from the front lumbar region to the rear lumbar region; a first lumbar panel positioned within the front or rear lumbar region and comprising an inner lateral edge, an outer lateral edge, a first longitudinal edge, and a second longitudinal edge, further comprising a first lateral end region adjacent to the first longitudinal edge, and a second lateral end region adjacent to the second longitudinal edge, wherein the first and second lateral end regions are separated by a central region; and the first lumbar The panel comprises: a first zone of mechanical bonding in a first lateral end region for bonding the panel to the chassis and at least one of the first leg gasket elements; a second zone of mechanical bonding in a second lateral end region for bonding the first waist panel to the chassis and at least one of the second leg gasket elements; a first zone of adhesive in the first lateral end region adjacent to the inner lateral edge for bonding the first waist panel to the chassis and at least one of the first leg gasket elements; and a second zone of adhesive in the second lateral end region adjacent to the inner lateral edge for bonding the first waist panel to the chassis and at least one of the second leg gasket elements, wherein the first waist panel is not attached to the chassis between the first lateral end region and the second lateral end region.

[0009] In another embodiment, the absorbent article comprises: a front lumbar region, a rear lumbar region, and a crotch region disposed between the front and rear lumbar regions; a chassis comprising a top sheet, a back sheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet; a first leg gasket element and a second leg gasket element connected to the chassis and extending from the front lumbar region to the rear lumbar region; an adhesive zone adjacent to the outer lateral edge, extending laterally through the central region, and connecting the first lumbar panel to the chassis; and a first lumbar panel located within the front or rear lumbar region, comprising an inner lateral edge, an outer lateral edge, a first longitudinal edge, and a second longitudinal edge, wherein the first lateral end region is adjacent to the first longitudinal edge, and the second longitudinal edge is adjacent to the first longitudinal edge. The first lumbar panel further comprises a second lateral end region, the first and second lateral end regions being separated by a central region; a first zone of mechanical bonding within the first lateral end region for joining the first lumbar panel to at least one of the chassis and a first leg gasket element; and a second zone of mechanical bonding within the second lateral end region for joining the first lumbar panel to at least one of the chassis and a second leg gasket element, wherein the first lumbar panel is not attached to the chassis between the first and second lateral end regions and between the inner lateral edge and the adhesive zone, and a portion of the first zone of mechanical bonding and a portion of the second zone of mechanical bonding overlap with a portion of the adhesive zone.

[0010] In yet another embodiment, a method for assembling an absorbent article includes the steps of: advancing a carrier substrate in the machine direction; providing an elastic part comprising a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge separated transversely from the first longitudinal edge, further comprising a first edge and a second edge separated transversely from the first edge by a central region; adhesively bonding each elastic part to the carrier substrate using a first zone of adhesive in the first end region adjacent to the first edge; and the first edge The method includes the steps of: adhesively bonding each elastic part to a carrier substrate using a second zone of adhesive in a second end region adjacent to the part; mechanically bonding the first end region of each elastic part to a carrier substrate using a first zone of mechanical bonding located in the first end region and extending between the first edge and the second edge; and mechanically bonding the second end region of each elastic part to a carrier substrate using a second zone of mechanical bonding located in the second end region and extending between the first edge and the second edge, wherein the elastic part is not attached to the carrier substrate between the first end region and the second end region.

[0011] In yet another form, a method for assembling an absorbent article includes the steps of: advancing a carrier substrate in the machine direction; providing an elastic part comprising a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge separated transversely from the first longitudinal edge, further comprising a first end region and a second end region separated transversely from the first end region by a central region; and adhesively bonding each elastic part to the carrier substrate using a zone of adhesive adjacent to the second edge and extending through the central region, and located in the first end region The method includes the steps of mechanically joining a first end region of each elastic part to a carrier substrate using a first zone of mechanical bonding extending between a first edge and a second edge, and mechanically joining a second end region of each elastic part to a carrier substrate using a second zone of mechanical bonding located in the second end region and extending between the first edge and the second edge, wherein the elastic part is not attached to the carrier substrate between the first end region and the second end region, and between the first edge and the adhesive zone, and a portion of the first zone of mechanical bonding and a portion of the second zone of mechanical bonding overlap with a portion of the adhesive zone. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1A] A partial cutaway plan view of an absorbent article in the form of a tape-type diaper, which may include one or more substrates assembled in accordance with this disclosure, with the diaper portion facing outward from the wearer's perspective facing the observer. [Figure 1B] Figure 1A is a plan view of the absorbent article, which may include one or more substrates assembled in accordance with this disclosure, with the diaper portion facing the wearer facing the observer. [Figure 2] This is a detailed view of the first lumbar panel, showing the diaper portion facing the wearer as if it were facing the observer. [Figure 2A] This is a detailed view of the first lumbar panel in Figure 2, showing the joint configuration. [Figure 2B]Detailed view of the first lumbar panel of FIG. 2A showing the first joining configuration. [Figure 2C] Detailed view of the first lumbar panel of FIG. 2A showing the second joining configuration. [Figure 3] Detailed view of the second lumbar panel with the portion of the diaper facing the wearer turned towards the observer. [Figure 3A] Detailed view of the second lumbar panel of FIG. 3 showing the joining configuration. [Figure 3B] Detailed view of the second lumbar panel of FIG. 3A showing the first joining configuration. [Figure 3C] Detailed view of the first lumbar panel of FIG. 3A showing the second joining configuration. [Figure 4] Schematic side view of an apparatus for joining an elastic part to a moving carrier web. [Figure 4A] Detailed schematic view of a joining apparatus having a pressing surface with an ultrasonic joining device. [Figure 5] View of the carrier substrate along section 5-5 of FIG. 4. [Figure 5A] View of the carrier substrate with a leg cuff along section 5-5 of FIG. 4. [Figure 6] View of the continuous elastic substrate along section 6-6 of FIG. 4. [Figure 7] View of the continuous elastic substrate having separate patches of adhesive along section 7-7 of FIG. 4. [Figure 8] View of a separate elastic part laid flat and having a zone of adhesive on top along section 8-8 of FIG. 4. [Figure 9] View of the cutting device, transfer device, and joining device along section 9-9 of FIG. 4. [Figure 10] View of the transfer device and joining device along section 10-10 of FIG. 9. [Figure 11] Detailed view of the spreader mechanism along section 11-11 of FIG. 10. [Figure 11A] Detailed view of a radially projecting nub on the outer rim of a disk. [Figure 12] This is a diagram of a separate, flattened, and stretched elastic section, having an adhesive zone on top, along cross-section 12-12 in Figure 4. [Figure 13] This is a detailed cross-sectional view of the pattern roll in Figure 9, along line 13-13, showing the joining elements extending radially outward from the outer surface. [Figure 13A] This is a detailed view of a portion of the outer surface of the pattern roll along line 13A-13A, showing the joining element of Figure 13. [Figure 14] This is a diagram of a laminate including an elastic portion and a carrier substrate, along the cross-section 14-14 of Figure 4. [Figure 14A] Figure 14 shows the laminate, including the elastic portion and the carrier substrate, after it has been subjected to a final knife cutting operation in which a cutting line is applied through the carrier substrate and a separate elastic portion. [Figure 14B] This is a diagram of another configuration of the laminate, including the elastic portion and the carrier substrate, along the cross-section 14-14 of Figure 4. [Figure 14C] This diagram shows another configuration of the laminate of Figure 4, including an elastic portion and a carrier substrate, after it has been subjected to a final knife cutting operation in which a cutting line is applied through the carrier substrate and a separate elastic portion. [Figure 15] This is a diagram of a laminate including an elastic portion and a carrier substrate, along the cross-section 15-15 of Figure 14. [Figure 16] This is a diagram of the carrier substrate and adhesive along cross-section 16-16 in Figure 4. [Figure 17] This is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary lumbar panel. [Figure 18] This is a cross-sectional view of the lumbar panel in Figure 17, in a relaxed and contracted state. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] The following glossary of terms may be useful in understanding this disclosure.

[0014] In this specification, “absorbent articles” is used to refer to consumer products whose primary function is to absorb and retain soil and excrement. Absorbent articles may include sanitary napkins, tampons, panty liners, interlabial devices, wound dressings, wipes, disposable diapers including tape-style diapers and diaper pants, diaper inserts with reusable outer covers, adult incontinence diapers, adult incontinence pads, and adult incontinence pants. In this specification, the term “disposable” is used to describe absorbent articles that are not generally intended to be washed or otherwise recycled or reused as absorbent articles (for example, they are intended to be discarded after one use and may be configured to be recycled, composted, or otherwise disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner).

[0015] "Elastic," "elastomer," or "elastomerous" refers to a material that exhibits elastic properties, including any material that, when a force is applied to its initial relaxed length, can be stretched or elongated to a length exceeding 10% of its initial length, and which substantially returns to approximately its initial length when the applied force is released.

[0016] "Consolidation," "densification," and "densified" refer to materials that undergo a reduction in elongation from a first elongated length to a second elongated length that is smaller than the first elongated length but greater than zero.

[0017] The "relaxed state" defines the length of a material when it is not being stretched by an applied force.

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

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

[0020] As used herein, the term “connected” includes configurations in which one element is directly attached to another element by directly attaching that element to another element, and configurations in which one element is indirectly attached to another element by attaching that element to an intermediate member and then attaching that intermediate member to another element.

[0021] In this specification, the term “substrate” is used to describe a material that is primarily two-dimensional (i.e., in the XY plane) and whose thickness (in the Z direction) is relatively small (i.e., 1 / 10 or less) compared to its length (in the X direction) and width (in the 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 metallic foils. These materials may be used individually or may consist of two or more layers laminated together. Therefore, a web is a substrate.

[0022] In this specification, the term “nonwoven fabric” refers to a material made from continuous (long) filaments (fibers) and / or discontinuous (short) filaments (fibers) by processes such as spunbonding, meltblowing, and carding. In some configurations, nonwoven fabrics may include polyolefin-based nonwoven fabrics, including, but not limited to, nonwoven fabrics having bicomponent fibers including polypropylene fibers and / or polyethylene fibers, and / or polyolefins. Non-limiting examples of suitable fibers include spunbond, spunlaid, meltblown, spunmelt, solvent spinning, electrospinning, carding, film fibrillation, melt-film fibrillation, airlaid, dry-laid, wet-laid short fibers, and other nonwoven web materials formed in part or in whole of polymer fibers known in the art, as well as processable combinations thereof. Nonwoven fabrics do not have a woven or knitted filament pattern. It should be understood that nonwoven fabrics having various basis weights can be used according to the methods described herein. For example, some nonwoven fabrics may have a basis weight of at least about 8 gsm, 12 gsm, 16 gsm, 20 gsm, 25 gsm, 30 gsm, 40 gsm, or 65 gsm. Some nonwoven fabrics may have a basis weight of about 8 gsm to about 65 gsm, specifically listed in increments of 1 gsm within the above range and all ranges formed within or by that range.

[0023] It should be understood that films having various basis weights can be used in accordance with the methods described herein. For example, some films may have a basis weight of at least about 8 gsm, 12 gsm, 16 gsm, 20 gsm, 25 gsm, 30 gsm, 40 gsm, or 60 gsm. Some films may have a basis weight of about 5 gsm to about 150 gsm, specifically including values ​​in 1 gsm increments within the above range, and including all ranges within or formed by that range.

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

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

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

[0027] The absorbent article components may contain bio-based component values ​​of approximately 10% to approximately 100%, approximately 25% to approximately 100%, approximately 40% to approximately 100%, approximately 50% to approximately 100%, approximately 75% to approximately 100%, or approximately 90% to approximately 100%, for example, using Method B of ASTM D6866-10.

[0028] The components of the absorbent articles described herein may be recycled for other uses, whether or not they are formed at least partially from recyclable materials. Examples of recyclable absorbent article materials include nonwovens, films, fluff pulp, and superabsorbent polymers. The recycling process may involve using an autoclave to sterilize the absorbent articles, after which the absorbent articles may be shredded and separated into different by-product streams. Exemplary by-product streams may include plastics, superabsorbent polymers, and cellulose fibers such as pulp. These by-product streams may be used in the manufacture of fertilizers, plastic manufacturing articles, paper products, viscose, building materials, and absorbent pads for pet or hospital beds, and / or for other uses. Further details relating to absorbent articles that aid recycling, designs for easily recyclable diapers, and designs for diapers with easily recyclable and bio-based components are disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0192723(A1), published on June 27, 2019.

[0029] In this specification, the term “machine direction” (MD) is used to refer to the direction of material flow through a process. In addition, the relative arrangement and movement of materials can be described as flowing in the machine direction, from upstream to downstream of a process.

[0030] In this specification, the term “cross direction” (CD) is used to refer to a direction substantially perpendicular to the machine direction.

[0031] Aspects of the present disclosure relate to an absorbent article comprising a lumbar panel having a joint configuration that forms a pocket and defines a reinforcement zone. As will be discussed below, the absorbent article may comprise an anterior lumbar region, a posterior lumbar region, and a crotch region disposed between the anterior and posterior lumbar regions. In addition, the absorbent article may comprise a chassis comprising a top sheet, a back sheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet. A first leg gasket element and a second leg gasket element may be connected to the chassis extending from the anterior lumbar region to the posterior lumbar region. The lumbar panel may be connected to the chassis and disposed within the anterior or posterior lumbar region. In some configurations, similarly configured or differently configured lumbar panels may be disposed both within the anterior and posterior lumbar regions. The waist panel may comprise an inner lateral edge, an outer lateral edge, a first longitudinal edge, and a second longitudinal edge, and the first waist panel further comprises a first lateral end region adjacent to the first longitudinal edge and a second lateral end region adjacent to the second longitudinal edge, the first and second lateral end regions separated by a central region. The waist panel may be joined to at least one of the chassis and leg gasket elements in first and second zones of mechanical bonding in the first and second lateral end regions. The waist panel may also be joined to at least one of the chassis and leg gasket elements in first and second zones of adhesive in the first and second lateral end regions. The first and second zones of adhesive may be adjacent to the inner lateral edge and may overlap with the first and second zones of mechanical bonding. In addition, a third zone of adhesive adjacent to the outer lateral edge of the waist panel may bond the waist panel to the chassis. The mechanical bonding zone may also overlap with the third zone of adhesive. The waist panel may not be attached to the chassis between the first lateral end region and the second lateral end region, and between the inner lateral edge and the third zone of adhesive, forming pockets.The placement of adhesive zones adjacent to the inner lateral edge, and / or the overlap between adhesive zones and mechanical bonding zones, can help reinforce and / or strengthen the bonding area, and may help prevent and / or reduce instances of the lumbar panel separating from other components of the absorbent article during assembly and / or use. The overlap of adhesive zones and mechanical bonding zones may also help reduce the likelihood of unwanted leakage occurring in the overlapping area during use. The lumbar panel is discussed below in the context of absorbent articles that may be configured as tape-type or pull-up diapers.

[0032] The term "tape-type diaper" (also known as "open-type diaper") refers to a disposable absorbent article having an initial anterior lumbar region and an initial posterior lumbar region that are not fastened, pre-fastened, or connected to each other when packaged and before being applied to the wearer. Tape-type diapers may be folded along the transverse centerline with the inner surface of one lumbar region in contact with the inner surface of the opposite lumbar region, without the lumbar regions being fastened or connected as a single unit. Examples of tape-type diapers of various suitable configurations are U.S. Patent Nos. 5,167,897, 5,360,420, 5,599,335, 5,643,588, 5,674,216, 5,702,551, 5,968,025, 6,107,537, 6,118,041, 6,153,209, 6,410,129, and 6,426,44 Disclosed in U.S. Patent Applications Nos. 4, 6,586,652, 6,627,787, 6,617,016, 6,825,393, and 6,861,571, as well as U.S. Patent Publications 2013 / 0072887(A1), 2013 / 0211356(A1), and 2013 / 0306226(A1), all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0033] In this specification, the term “pants” (also referred to as “training pants,” “pre-closed diapers,” “diaper pants,” “pants-type diapers,” and “pull-on diapers”) refers to a disposable absorbent article designed for an infant or adult wearer, having a continuous waist opening and continuous leg openings on the outer edges. Pants may be constructed to have a continuous or closed waist opening and at least one continuous closed leg opening before the article is applied to the wearer. Pants may be pre-formed or pre-fastened by a variety of techniques, including but not limited to joining parts of the article together using any refastening and / or permanent closing members (e.g., seams, heat bonding, pressure welding, adhesives, adhesive bonding, mechanical fasteners, etc.). Pants may be pre-formed at any location along the outer periphery of the article in the waist region (e.g., sides fastened or joined, front waist fastened or joined, rear waist fastened or joined). Examples of diaper pants in various configurations are given 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, and 7,569,039, as well as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003 / 0233082(A1), This information is disclosed in issues 2005 / 0107764(A1), 2012 / 0061016(A1), 2012 / 0061015(A1), 2013 / 0255861(A1), 2013 / 0255862(A1), 2013 / 0255863(A1), 2013 / 0255864(A1), and 2013 / 0255865(A1).

[0034] For the purpose of providing concrete examples, Figures 1A and 1B show examples of absorbent articles 100 that can be assembled in accordance with this disclosure. Specifically, Figure 1A shows an example of a plan view of the absorbent article 100 configured as a tape-type diaper 100T, with the diaper portion facing outward from the wearer's perspective facing the observer. Figure 1B also shows a plan view of the diaper 100, with the diaper portion facing the wearer facing the observer. The tape-type diaper 100T shown in Figures 1A and 1B includes an absorbent chassis 102, a first rear side panel 104 and a second rear side panel 106, and a first front side panel 108 and a second front side panel 110.

[0035] As shown in Figures 1A and 1B, the absorbent article 100 and the chassis 102 each include a first lumbar region 116, a second lumbar region 118, and a crotch region 119 positioned between the first and second lumbar regions. The first lumbar region 116 may be configured as a front lumbar region, and the second lumbar region 118 may be configured as a rear lumbar region. In some embodiments, the lengths of the front lumbar region, the rear lumbar region, and the crotch region may each be one-third of the length of the absorbent article 100. The absorbent article 100 may also include a first lumbar edge 120 extending laterally within the first lumbar region 116, which may be configured as a front lumbar edge. In addition, the absorbent article 100 may include a second lumbar edge 122 extending laterally within the second lumbar region 118, and the second lumbar edge 122 may be configured as a posterior lumbar edge. To provide a reference framework for this study, the diaper 100T in Figures 1A and 1B is shown with a longitudinal axis 124 and a transverse axis 126. The longitudinal axis 124 may extend through the midpoint of the anterior lumbar edge 120 and through the midpoint of the posterior lumbar edge 122. The transverse axis 126 may extend through the midpoint of the first longitudinal or right-side edge 128 and through the second longitudinal or left-side edge 130.

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

[0037] As shown in Figures 1A and 1B, the outer periphery of the chassis 102 may be defined by a first longitudinal side edge 128, a second longitudinal side edge 130, a first laterally extending edge 144 located within the first waist region 116, and a second laterally extending edge 146 located within the second waist region 118. Both the side edges 128 and 130 extend longitudinally between the first edge 144 and the second edge 146. As shown in Figure 1A, the laterally extending edges 144 and 146 may form a part of the laterally extending front waist edge 120 within the front waist region 116, and a part of the laterally extending rear waist edge 122 located on the opposite longitudinal side within the rear waist region 118. The distance between the first lateral edge 144 and the second lateral edge 146 can define the pitch length (PL) of the chassis 102. When the absorbent article 100 is worn on the lower torso of the wearer, the front waist edge 120 and the rear waist edge 122 may surround a portion of the wearer's waist. At the same time, the side edges 128 and 130 may surround at least a portion of the wearer's legs. The crotch area 119 may also be positioned roughly between the wearer's legs, and the absorbent core 142 extends from the front waist area 116 through the crotch area 119 to the rear waist area 118.

[0038] It should also be understood that part or all of the absorbent article 100 may be manufactured to be laterally stretchable. This additional stretchability may help allow the absorbent article 100 to conform to the wearer's body while the wearer is moving. This additional stretchability may also help a user of the absorbent article 100, which includes a chassis 102 having a specific size before stretching, to stretch the front lumbar region 116, the rear lumbar region 118, or both lumbar regions of the absorbent article 100 and / or chassis 102, for example, to provide greater body coverage for wearers of various sizes, i.e., to tailor the absorbent article to individual wearers. Such stretching of one or more lumbar regions can give the absorbent article a roughly hourglass shape, insofar as the crotch region extends to a degree that is relatively smaller than one or more lumbar regions, and can also give the article a snug, tailored appearance when worn.

[0039] As described above, the absorbent article 100 may include a backsheet 136. The backsheet 136 may also define the outer surface 134 of the chassis 102. The backsheet 136 may be impermeable to liquids (e.g., menstrual blood, urine, and / or liquid feces) and may be partially manufactured from a thin plastic film, but other flexible liquid-impermeable materials can also be used. The backsheet 136 can prevent excrement absorbed and contained in the absorbent core from wetting articles that come into contact with the absorbent article 100, such as bed sheets, pajamas, and underwear. The backsheet 136 may also include woven or nonwoven materials, polymer films such as polyethylene or polypropylene thermoplastic films, and / or multilayer or composite materials including films and nonwoven materials (e.g., having an inner film layer and an outer nonwoven layer). The backsheet 136 may also include an elastomer film. The exemplary backsheet 136 may be a polyethylene film with a thickness of approximately 0.012 mm (0.5 mil) to approximately 0.051 mm (2.0 mil). The exemplary polyethylene film is manufactured by Clopay Corporation (Cincinnati, Ohio) under the product names BR-120 and BR-121, and by Tredegar Film Products (Terre Haute, Ind.) under the product name XP-39385. The backsheet 136 may also be embossed and / or matte to provide a more cloth-like appearance. Furthermore, 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). The size of the backsheet 136 may be determined by the size of the absorbent core 142 and / or the specific structure or size of the absorbent article 100.

[0040] As previously mentioned, the absorbent article 100 may also include a top sheet 138. The top sheet 138 may also define all or part of the inner surface 132 of the chassis 102. The top sheet 138 may be flexible, soft to the touch, and non-irritating to the wearer's skin. The top sheet may be elastically stretchable in one or two directions. Furthermore, the top sheet 138 may be liquid-permeable, allowing liquids (e.g., menstrual blood, urine, and / or liquid feces) to penetrate through its thickness. The top sheet 138 may be made from a wide range of materials, such as woven and nonwoven materials, perforated or hydroformed thermoplastic films, perforated nonwovens, porous foams, mesh foams, mesh thermoplastic films, and thermoplastic scrims. Woven or nonwoven materials 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 top sheet 138 contains fibers, the fibers may be treated by spunbonding, carding, wet processes, meltblown processes, water entanglement, or other methods known in the art.

[0041] The top sheet 138 may be selected from bulky nonwoven fabric top sheets, perforated film top sheets, and perforated nonwoven fabric top sheets. Perforated film top sheets may be permeable to bodily excrement but substantially nonabsorbent and less likely for fluids to pass through the top sheet and return to re-wet the wearer's skin. Examples of perforated films include those disclosed in U.S. Patents 5,628,097, 5,916,661, 6,545,197, and 6,107,539, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0042] As described above, the absorbent article 100 may also include an absorbent assembly 140 connected to the chassis 102. As shown in Figures 1A and 1B, the absorbent assembly 140 may have a laterally extending front edge 148 within the front waist region 116, and a laterally extending rear edge 150 on the opposite longitudinal side within the rear waist region 118. The absorbent assembly may have a longitudinally extending right edge 152, and a laterally extending left edge 154 on the opposite transverse side, and 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 top sheet 138 and the back sheet 136, and may be formed in various sizes and shapes compatible with the absorbent article. Examples of absorbent structures for use as the absorbent core of this disclosure include those disclosed in U.S. Patents 4,610,678, 4,673,402, 4,888,231, and 4,834,735, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

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

[0044] In some configurations, the absorbent assembly 140 may include an acquisition system positioned between the top sheet 138 and the wearer-facing side of the absorbent core 142. The acquisition system may be in direct contact with the absorbent core 142 and may consist of a single layer or multiple layers, such as an upper acquisition layer facing the wearer's skin (also referred herein as the first acquisition layer) and a lower acquisition layer facing the wearer's clothing (also referred herein as the second acquisition layer). In some configurations, the acquisition system may function to receive a sudden influx of liquid, such as a urinary spurt. Thus, the acquisition system may function as a temporary reservoir of liquid until the absorbent core 142 can absorb the liquid. Exemplary acquisition systems and related manufacturing processes are described in U.S. Patent Nos. 8,603,277 and 8,568,566, U.S. Patent Application Publications 2012 / 0316046(A1) and 2014 / 0163504(A1), all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0045] In some configurations, the acquisition system may include chemically crosslinked cellulose fibers. Such crosslinked cellulose fibers may have a variety of absorption properties. Typical chemically crosslinked cellulose fibers are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,137,537. Citric acid is one typical crosslinking agent. In some embodiments, polyacrylic acid may be used. In some configurations, the crosslinked cellulose fibers may be crimped, twisted, or curled, or a combination thereof including crimping, twisting, and curling.

[0046] In some configurations, one or both of the upper and lower acquired layers may include a nonwoven fabric that may be hydrophilic. Furthermore, in some configurations, one or both of the upper and lower acquired layers may include chemically crosslinked cellulose fibers, which may or may not form part of the nonwoven material. In some embodiments, the upper acquired layer may include a nonwoven fabric without crosslinked cellulose fibers, and the lower acquired layer may include chemically crosslinked cellulose fibers. Furthermore, in some configurations, the lower acquired layer may include chemically crosslinked cellulose fibers mixed with other fibers such as natural or synthetic polymer fibers. According to some embodiments, such other natural or synthetic polymer fibers include fibers with a large surface area, thermoplastic bonded fibers, polyethylene fibers, polypropylene fibers, PET fibers, rayon fibers, riocell fibers, and mixtures thereof.

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

[0048] Tape-type diapers may be manufactured and offered to consumers in a configuration in which the front and rear waist regions are not fastened, pre-fastened, or connected to each other when packaged, before being applied to the wearer. For example, a tape-type diaper 100T may be folded around the transverse centerline with the inner surface 132 of the first waist region 116 in surface-to-surface contact with the inner surface 132 of the second waist region 118, without the waist regions being fastened or connected as a single unit. The rear side panels 104 and 106 and / or the front side panels 108 and 110 may also be folded laterally inward toward the inner surfaces 132 of the waist regions 116 and 118.

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

[0050] Referring to Figures 1A and 1B in succession, each side panel 104, 106 and / or fastening members 162 and 164 may form part of the chassis 102 laterally inward from the side edges 128 and 130 in either the front waist region 116 or the rear waist region 118, or they may be permanently joined, bonded, or otherwise connected to the chassis directly or indirectly. Alternatively, fasteners 162, 164 may form a portion of the first rear panel 104 and the second rear panel 106, and / or the first front side panel 108 and the second front side panel 110, or they may be permanently joined, bonded, or otherwise connected, directly or indirectly, at or adjacent to the distal edges of the first rear panel 104 and the second rear panel 106, and / or at or adjacent to the distal edges of the first front side panel 108 and the second front side panel 110. It should be understood that the fasteners and / or side panels may be assembled in various ways, such as those disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 7,371,302, which is incorporated herein by reference. The fastening members 162, 164 and / or the side panels 104, 106, 108, 110 may also be permanently joined or connected to the side edges 128 and 130 of the chassis 102 by various methods, such as adhesive bonding, ultrasonic bonding, pressure bonding, thermal bonding, or a combination thereof, as disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,702,551, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0051] Referring next to Figure 1B, the first fastening member 162 and / or the second fastening member 164 may include various types of removably engaging fasteners. The first fastening member 162 and / or the second fastening member 164 may also include various types of re-fastening structures. For example, the first fastening member 162 and the second fastening member 164 may include mechanical fasteners 166 of the form of hook-loop fasteners, hook-hook fasteners, macro fasteners, button, snap, tab and slot fasteners, tape fasteners, adhesive fasteners, tack fasteners, magnetic fasteners, amphoteric fasteners, etc. Several examples of fastening systems and / or fastening members 162, 164 are discussed in U.S. Patents No. 3,848,594, No. 4,662,875, No. 4,846,815, No. 4,894,060, No. 4,946,527, No. 5,151,092, No. 5,221,274, No. 5,242,436, No. 6,251,097, No. 6,669,618, and No. 6,432,098, as well as U.S. Patent Application Publications 2007 / 0078427(A1) and 2007 / 0093769(A1), and U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 685,230, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0052] As described above, the fastening members 162 and 164 may be constructed from various materials and may be constructed as a laminated structure. The fastening members 162 and 164 may also be adapted to engage or connect with another part of the absorbent article 100 in a removable and / or refastening manner. For example, as shown in Figure 1A, the absorbent article 100 may include a connecting zone 168, sometimes referred to as a landing zone, within a first lumbar region 116. Thus, when the tape-type absorbent article 100 is placed on the wearer, the fastening members 162 and 164 may be pulled around the wearer's waist and connect with the connecting zone 168 in the first lumbar region 116 to form a closed lumbar perimeter and a pair of laterally opposite leg openings. It should be understood that the connecting zone may be constructed from another substrate connected to the chassis 102 of the absorbent article. In some embodiments, the connection zone may be formed as an integral part of the backsheet 136 of the absorbent article 100, such as those described herein by reference in U.S. Patents 5,735,840 and 5,928,212, or it may be formed as part of the first front panel 108 and the second front panel 110.

[0053] Continuing with reference to Figure 1B, the absorbent article 100 may also include a leg gasket element 156. The leg gasket element 156 may be, but may be referred to as, a leg cuff, leg band, side flap, barrier cuff, elastic cuff, or gasket cuff. The leg gasket element 156 may be elasticized in various ways to help reduce leakage of bodily waste in the leg area. Examples of leg gasket elements 156 include those described in U.S. Patent Nos. 3,860,003, 4,909,803, 4,695,278, 4,795,454, and 4,704,115, and U.S. Patent Application Publication 2009 / 0312730(A1), all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0054] As shown in Figure 1B, the absorbent article 100 may include longitudinally extending and laterally opposed leg gasket elements 156, which are disposed on the inner surface 132 of the chassis 102, facing inward toward the wearer and in contact with the wearer. Each leg gasket element 156 may have a first side edge 157 and a second side edge 159, the first side edge 157 being positioned laterally inward of the second side edge 159. The leg gasket elements 156 may also overlap with the absorbent assembly 140, with the first side edge 157 extending laterally inward toward the respective side edges 152 and 154 of the absorbent assembly 140. In some configurations, the leg gasket elements 156 do not need to overlap with the absorbent assembly 140. It should be understood that the leg gasket elements 156 can be formed in various ways, for example, by folding a portion of the chassis 102 laterally and inward, i.e., toward the longitudinal axis 124, thereby forming both the respective side gasket elements and side edges 128 and 130 of the chassis 102. In another example, the leg gasket elements 156 may be formed by attaching one or more additional layers to the chassis, either to or adjacent to each of the corresponding side edges of the chassis 102. Each of the leg gasket elements 156 may be connected to the inner surface 132 of the chassis and / or absorbent assembly 140 in the leg gasket element mounting zone in the front waist region 116 and the leg gasket element mounting zone in the rear waist region 118. The leg gasket elements 156 may extend to the same longitudinal range as the absorbent article 100, or alternatively, the leg gasket elements 156 may have a narrower longitudinal range than the absorbent article 100. In some configurations, the leg gasket element may be configured to define an inner cuff, an outer cuff, or both an inner and an outer cuff.

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

[0056] It should be understood that the waist panel 158 described herein may be constructed in various ways and may include one or more elastic materials, such as elastic films and / or strands. For example, the waist panel 158 may be constructed as a single layer of elastic film. In some configurations, the waist panel 158 may be constructed as a laminate of two or more substrates. For example, the waist panel 158 may be constructed as an elastic film bonded between two or more nonwoven fabric substrates, and / or bonded to one or more nonwoven fabric substrates. For example, the waist panel 158 may be constructed as a two-layer laminate comprising an elastic film bonded to a single nonwoven fabric substrate. In another example, the waist panel 158 may be constructed as an elastic film bonded between two or more substrates, and the substrates may include nonwoven fabrics. It should also be understood that the nonwoven fabric substrates of the waist panel 158 may be the same or different materials and / or basis weights, and may be constructed as elastomer nonwoven fabrics or nonelastic nonwoven fabrics. In some configurations, one or more nonwoven fabric substrates of the waist panel 158 may be the same as or different from the one or more nonwoven fabric substrates of the top sheet 138, back sheet 136, and / or leg gasket elements 156, and / or have a different basis weight.

[0057] It should be understood that the waist panel 158 described herein may be formed in various ways, joined to one another in various ways, and may include various components having different or identical joining patterns. For example, the waist panel 158 described herein may include a laminate of an elastic film joined to at least one nonwoven fabric in a stretched state. For example, Figures 17 and 18 show cross-sectional views of a waist panel 158 configured as a laminate 400 including a first substrate 402, a second substrate 410, and an elastic film 408 placed between the first substrate 402 and the second substrate 410, where the first substrate 402 and / or the second substrate 410 may be composed of a nonwoven fabric as discussed above. In some configurations, the laminate may be joined continuously or discontinuously. In some configurations, the laminate may be joined to a plurality of individual joining sites, which may or may not form a visually identifiable pattern. The first base material 402 and the second base material 410 of the waist panel 158 may be the same type of nonwoven fabric or different types of nonwoven fabric, and / or may have the same basis weight or different basis weights. In addition, the chassis 102 may include one or more nonwoven fabric base materials. Therefore, the first base material 402 and / or the second base material 410 of the waist panel 158 may be the same type of nonwoven fabric or different types of nonwoven fabric, and / or may have the same basis weight or different basis weight as the nonwoven fabric base material of the chassis 102. In addition, for example, the nonwoven fabric base materials of the waist panel 158, such as the first base material 402 and / or the second base material 410, may include nonwoven fabric base materials having the same or different fiber orientation as the nonwoven fabric base material of the chassis 102. Next, the lumbar panel 158 and the top sheet or back sheet within the absorbent article may each contain a nonwoven fabric base material which is the same or a different type of nonwoven fabric, and / or may have the same or a different basis weight, and / or may have the same or a different fiber orientation.

[0058] It should be understood that the components of the lumbar panel 158 can be joined together in various ways, such as by adhesive bonding, ultrasonic bonding, pressure bonding, thermal bonding, or a combination thereof. It should be understood that the components of the lumbar panel 158 can be joined together with adhesives applied in various ways, such as by spray nozzles and / or slot coating devices. In some configurations, the components of the lumbar panel 158 may be joined continuously with adhesive or continuously with patterned adhesive. In some configurations, the adhesive may be applied in accordance with the apparatus and / or methods disclosed in U.S. Patents No. 8,186,296, No. 9,265,672, No. 9,248,054, and No. 9,295,590, and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0148773(A1). All of the above documents are incorporated herein by reference. In some configurations, all components of panel 158 can be mechanically joined (by pressure) by applying pressure (and optionally heat) in various ways, examples of such methods include mechanical joining devices and methods disclosed in U.S. Patents No. 4,854,984, No. 6,248,195, No. 8,778,127, No. 9,005,392, No. 9,962,297, and No. 10,052,237, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. In some configurations, the components of the lumbar panel 158 may be mechanically (by pressure) joined using ultrasonic bonding methods configured in various ways, such as linear or rotary configurations, as disclosed in U.S. Patents No. 3,113,225, No. 3,562,041, No. 3,733,238, No. 5,110,403, No. 6,036,796, No. 6,508,641, and No. 6,645,330.

[0059] In some configurations, the elastic film 408 may be bonded integrally with the first substrate 402 and / or the second substrate 410, or the first substrate 402 may be directly bonded to the second substrate 410 in the area of ​​the waist panel 158. In some configurations, the first substrate 402 and the second substrate 410 may be directly bonded to each other through openings in the elastic film 408, such openings may be formed during the bonding process. In some configurations, the elastic film 408 may be involved in or related to the bonding between the first substrate 402 and the second substrate 410, where “involved” means that the elastic film 408 may be in close contact with one or both of the first substrate 402 and the second substrate 410 to some extent, and may be partially fused. This involvement may result from actual melt bonding around the bonding site, or from mechanical interactions such as entanglement of fibrous elastic layers between fibrous nonwoven layers around the bonding site. It should be understood that the lumbar panel 158 may be formed using various types of joint configurations. Examples of such configurations include, for example, those disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 6,572,595, 6,830,800, 7,087,287, and 7,803,244, and U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 2018 / 0042778(A1), 2018 / 0042787(A1), 2018 / 0042779(A1), and 2018 / 0042780(A1), all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0060] In some configurations, the waist panel 158 may be formed as a zero-strain stretched laminate that can be connected to the chassis 102 in a stretched state. In some configurations, the zero-strain stretched laminate may include at least a layer of nonwoven material and elastomer elements. The elastomer elements may be attached to the nonwoven material layer in a relaxed or substantially relaxed state, but the resulting laminate becomes stretchable (or more broadly stretchable) by subjecting it to an activation process that permanently stretches the nonwoven layer and temporarily stretches the elastomer elements. In some configurations, the nonwoven layer may be a separate component, in which case the elastomer elements are attached to the nonwoven layer to form a laminate, which is then connected to the chassis 102. In some configurations, the nonwoven layer may be integrated with at least a portion of the chassis 102, in which case the elastomer elements may be attached to the nonwoven layer, and then the nonwoven / elastomer laminate is activated. In some configurations, the waist panel may be an extruded laminate. If one or more layers of the waist panel 158 are provided separately, the waist panel 158 may be activated either before or after attachment to the chassis 102. Examples of zero-strain activation processes are disclosed in U.S. Patents No. 5,167,897 and No. 5,156,793, which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0061] It should be understood that the waist panel 158 can be positioned in various locations relative to the clothing-facing surface 132 and wearer-facing surface 134 of the various absorbent article components. In some configurations, the waist panel 158 may be positioned on the wearer-facing surface 132 of the top sheet 138. In some configurations, the waist panel 158 may be positioned on the wearer-facing surface 132 of the top sheet 138 and on the leg gasket element 156. In some configurations, the waist panel 158 may be positioned on the wearer-facing surface 132 of the top sheet 138, and the laterally opposed end regions of the waist panel 158 may be positioned between the leg gasket element 156 and the top sheet 138. In some configurations, the waist panel 158 may be positioned between the clothing-facing surface 132 of the top sheet 138 and the wearer-facing surface 132 of the back sheet 136. In some configurations, the waist panel 158 may be positioned on the clothing-facing surface 134 of the back sheet 136.

[0062] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the first lumbar panel 158a and the second lumbar panel 158b in this specification may each include a first lateral edge 170 and a second lateral edge 172, respectively, wherein the second lateral edge 172 is positioned longitudinally inward relative to the first lateral edge 170. Therefore, the first lateral edge 170 may be configured as an outer lateral edge, and the second lateral edge 172 may be configured as an inner lateral edge. In addition, the first lumbar panel 158a and the second lumbar panel 158b may include a first longitudinal end region 174 adjacent to the first lateral edge 170 and a second longitudinal end region 176 adjacent to the second lateral edge 172, wherein the first longitudinal end region 174 and the second longitudinal end region 176 are separated by a central region 178. The first transverse edge 170 and the second transverse edge 172 may be connected to or separated by the first longitudinal edge 180 and the second longitudinal edge 182. Thus, the first waist panel 158a and the second waist panel 158b may also include a first transverse end region 184 adjacent to the first longitudinal edge 180 and a second transverse end region 186 adjacent to the second longitudinal edge 182, wherein the first transverse end region 184 and the second transverse end region 186 are separated by a central region 178. In some configurations, the first transverse edge 170, the second transverse edge 172, the first longitudinal edge 180, and / or the second longitudinal edge 182 may be defined by folds, but one or more layers of the waist panel 158 may be folded on themselves or on another layer during assembly. In some configurations, the first transverse edge 170, the second transverse edge 172, the first longitudinal edge 180, and / or the second longitudinal edge 182 may be defined by unfolded edges or cutting lines, but one or more layers of the waist panel 158 may be cut or trimmed during assembly.

[0063] As discussed above, the lumbar panel 158 of this specification may be elastic but may include at least one stretching direction. In some configurations, the stretching direction may be oriented transversely between the first longitudinal edge 180 and the second longitudinal edge 182. In some configurations, the first lumbar panel 158a and / or the second lumbar panel 158b may be configured to stretch at least about 10 mm by an applied force greater than 0 to about 3 N. It should also be understood that the first lumbar panel 158a may have the same or different stretching properties as the second lumbar panel 158b. Such stretching properties may include shrinkage or elongation. In some configurations, the stretch characteristics of the first waist panel 158a may be the same or different between the first lateral edge 170 and the second lateral edge 172, and / or between the first longitudinal edge 180 and the second longitudinal edge 182. Also, in some configurations, the stretch characteristics of the second waist panel 158b may be the same or different between the first lateral edge 170 and the second lateral edge 172, and / or between the first longitudinal edge 180 and the second longitudinal edge 182.

[0064] It should be understood that the lumbar panels 158 of this specification may be composed of various shapes and / or sizes. For example, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the first lumbar panel 158a may include a first width PW1 extending between the first longitudinal edge 180 and the second longitudinal edge 182, while the second lumbar panel 158b may include a second width PW2 extending between the first longitudinal edge 180 and the second longitudinal edge 182. It should be understood that the first width PW1 and the second width PW2 may be equal or different. In some configurations, the first width PW1 and / or the second width PW2 may be approximately 80 mm to approximately 250 mm, specifically listing all 1 mm increments within the above range and any range formed therein. The first lumbar panel 158a may include a first length PL1 extending between the first lateral edge 170 and the second lateral edge 172, while the second lumbar panel 158b may include a second length PL2 extending between the first lateral edge 170 and the second lateral edge 172. It should be understood that the first length PL1 and the second length PL2 may be equal or different. In some configurations, the first length PL1 and / or the second length PL2 may be approximately 5 mm to approximately 80 mm, specifically listing all 1 mm increments within or formed within the above range.

[0065] It should be understood that the lumbar panel 158 can be positioned in various lateral and longitudinal positions relative to various absorbent article components. In some configurations, the lumbar panel 158 may be positioned such that its first longitudinal edge 180 and second longitudinal edge 182 are located laterally inward of the leg gasket element 156. In some configurations, the lumbar panel 158 may be positioned such that its first longitudinal edge 180 and second longitudinal edge 182, as well as its first longitudinal end region 174 and second longitudinal end region 176, overlap with the leg gasket element 156. In some configurations, the first lumbar panel 158a may be positioned longitudinally inward from the first lumbar edge 120 of the absorbent article 100 and / or toward or overlapping with the first transverse edge 148 of the absorbent assembly 140, and the second lumbar panel 158b may be positioned longitudinally inward from the second lumbar edge 122 of the absorbent article 100 and / or overlapping with the second transverse edge 150 of the absorbent assembly 140. In some configurations, the first lumbar panel 158a and / or the second lumbar panel 158b may overlap with the first transverse edge 148 and / or the second transverse edge 150 of the absorbent assembly 140 over a range of approximately 1 mm to approximately 45 mm, specifically including all 1 mm increments within the above range and all ranges formed therein. In some configurations, the first lateral edge 170 of the first lumbar panel 158a may be positioned longitudinally inward from the first lumbar edge 120 by an offset distance OD1 greater than zero. In some configurations, the first lateral edge 170 of the second lumbar panel 158b may be positioned longitudinally inward from the second lumbar edge 122 by an offset distance OD2 greater than zero. In some configurations, the offset distances OD1 and / or OD2 may be at least 5 mm. In some configurations, the first lateral edge 170 of the first lumbar panel 158a may share a boundary with the first lumbar edge 120 such that the offset distance OD1 is zero.In some configurations, the first lateral edge 170 of the second lumbar panel 158b may share a boundary with the second lumbar edge 122 such that the offset distance OD2 is zero.

[0066] It should be understood that the first lumbar panel 158a and / or the second lumbar panel 158b can be joined to the chassis 102 and / or leg gasket elements 156 in various ways, such as by adhesive bonding, ultrasonic bonding, pressure bonding, thermal bonding, or a combination thereof. It should be understood that the first lumbar panel 158a and / or the second lumbar panel 158b can be joined to the chassis 102 and / or leg gasket elements 156 using adhesives applied in various ways, such as by spray nozzles and / or slot coating devices. In some configurations, the first lumbar panel 158a and / or the second lumbar panel 158b can be joined to the chassis 102 and / or leg gasket elements 156 continuously by adhesive, or continuously by patterned adhesive. In some configurations, the adhesive may be applied in accordance with the apparatus and / or method disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 8,186,296, 9,265,672, 9,248,054, and 9,295,590, and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0148773 (A1). All of the above documents are incorporated herein by reference. In some configurations, the first lumbar panel 158a and / or the second lumbar panel 158b may be mechanically (pressure-joined) in various ways by applying pressure (and optionally heat) to the chassis 102 and / or leg gasket elements 156. Examples of such mechanical joining devices and methods are disclosed in U.S. Patents 4,854,984, 6,248,195, 8,778,127, 9,005,392, 9,962,297, and 10,052,237. All of these documents are incorporated herein by reference.In some configurations, the first lumbar panel 158a and / or the second lumbar panel 158b may be mechanically (by pressure) joined to the chassis 102 and / or leg gasket element 156 using ultrasonic bonding methods configured in various ways, examples of such configurations including linear or rotary configurations, and those disclosed in, for example, U.S. Patents 3,113,225, 3,562,041, 3,733,238, 5,110,403, 6,036,796, 6,508,641, and 6,645,330.

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

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

[0069] In some configurations, one or more areas of the waist panel 158 (referred to herein as joining areas 191) may be joined to the chassis 102 and / or leg gasket elements 156, and one or more areas of the waist panel 158 (referred to as non-joining areas 192) may not be joined (attached) to the chassis 102 and / or leg gasket elements 156, thereby forming a pocket 194 between the waist panel 158 and the chassis 102. For example, as shown in Figure 2A, the first waist panel 158a may include a joining region 191a where the first longitudinal end region 174, the first transverse end region 184, and the second transverse end region 186 of the first waist panel 158a are joined to the chassis 102 and / or leg gasket element 156, but the first waist panel 158a may include at least one non-joining region 192a (generally indicated by a rectangle with a dashed boundary line) in which a portion of the second longitudinal end region 176 and at least a portion of the second transverse edge 172 do not need to be attached to the chassis 102 and / or leg gasket element 156. Continuing to refer to Figure 3A, the second waist panel 158b may include a joining region 191b where the first longitudinal end region 174, the first transverse end region 184, and the second transverse end region 186 of the second waist panel 158b are joined to the chassis 102 and / or leg gasket element 156, but the second waist panel 158b may include at least one non-jointed region 192b (generally indicated by a rectangle with a dashed boundary line) where a portion of the second longitudinal end region 176 and at least a portion of the second transverse edge 172 do not need to be attached to the chassis 102 and / or leg gasket element 156.

[0070] It should be understood that the lumbar panel 158 of this specification may be composed of one or more non-jointed regions having various shapes and / or sizes. For example, as shown in Figures 2A and 3A, a first lumbar panel 158a may include a first non-jointed region 192a, and / or a second lumbar panel 158b may include a second non-jointed region 192b. Thus, the first non-jointed region 192a may include a first width UW1 extending laterally and a first length UL1 extending longitudinally, while the second non-jointed region 192b may include a second width UW2 extending laterally and a second length UL2 extending longitudinally. It should be understood that the first width UW1 and the second width UW2 may be equal or different. In some configurations, the first width UW1 and / or the second width UW2 may be approximately 40 mm to approximately 200 mm, specifically listing all 1 mm increments within the above range and any range formed therein. Also, please understand that the first length UL1 and the second length UL2 may be equal or different. In some configurations, the first length UL1 and / or the second length UL2 may be approximately 10 mm to approximately 50 mm, specifically listing all 1 mm increments within the above range and any range formed therein. In some configurations, the first non-jointed area 192a may include the first area A1 and / or the second non-jointed area 192b may include the second area A2, and the first area A1 and the second area may be equal or different. In some configurations, the first area A1 and / or the second area A2 may be approximately 400 mm 2 ~about 10000mm 2 This may also apply, specifically, all 1 mm within the above range and any range formed therein or by it. 2 The increments are listed. It should be understood that the lumbar panel 158 may also be joined to the components of the absorbent article using a permanent and fragile bonding configuration, such as that disclosed in U.S. Patent Application No. 63 / 208,019 (incorporated herein by reference).

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

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

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

[0074] It should be understood that the first zone 188a, the second zone 188b, and / or the third zone 188c of the adhesive 188 may be positioned in various ways relative to the first zone 190a and / or the second zone 190b of the mechanical joint 190. For example, in some configurations, the first zone 188a and / or the third zone 188c of the adhesive 188 may have portions that overlap with the first zone 190a of the mechanical joint 190, and the second zone 188b and / or the third zone 188c of the adhesive 188 may have portions that overlap with the second zone 190b of the mechanical joint 190. In some configurations, the first zone 188a and / or the third zone 188c of the adhesive 188 may be completely separated from or partially adjacent to the first zone 190a of the mechanical joint 190, and the second zone 188b and / or the third zone 188c of the adhesive 188 may be completely separated from or partially adjacent to the second zone 190b of the mechanical joint 190. For example, as shown in Figures 2B and 3B, the first zone 188a of the adhesive 188 may overlap with the first zone 190a of the mechanical joint 190, and the second zone 188b of the adhesive 188 may overlap with the second zone 190b of the mechanical joint 190. In another example, as shown in Figures 2C and 3C, the third zone 188c of the adhesive 188 may overlap with the first zone 190a and the second zone 190b of the mechanical joint 190.

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

[0076] Continuing to refer to Figures 2B and 3B, the first zone 190a of the mechanical joint 190 may include a longitudinal length MZ1L, the first zone 188a of the adhesive 188 may include a longitudinal length AZ1L, the second zone 190b of the mechanical joint 190 may include a longitudinal length MZ2L, and the second zone 188b of the adhesive 188 may include a longitudinal length AZ2L. In some configurations, the longitudinal length MZ1L is greater than the longitudinal length AZ1L, and / or the longitudinal length MZ2L is greater than the longitudinal length AZ2L. In some configurations, the longitudinal length MZ1L may be less than or equal to the longitudinal length AZ1L, and / or the longitudinal length MZ2L may be less than or equal to the longitudinal length AZ2L. In some configurations, the vertical lengths AZ1L and / or AZ2L may be less than or equal to half the length of the first lumbar panel 158a and / or less than or equal to half the second length PL2 of the second lumbar panel 158b. In some configurations, the vertical lengths MZ1L, AZ1L, MZ2L, and / or AZ2L may be less than or equal to the first length PL1 of the first lumbar panel 158a and / or less than or equal to the second length PL2 of the second lumbar panel 158b. The third zone 188c of the adhesive 188 may have a vertical length AZ3L which is less than or equal to the first length PL1 of the first lumbar panel 158a and / or less than or equal to the second length PL2 of the second lumbar panel 158b.

[0077] In some configurations, the first zone 188a and / or the second zone 188b of the adhesive 188 may share a boundary with the inner lateral edge 172 of the waist panel 158 and / or be positioned longitudinally outward from the inner lateral edge 172 of the waist panel 158. In some configurations, the first zone 188a and / or the second zone 188b of the adhesive 188 may share a boundary with the inner lateral edge 172 and / or the outer lateral edge 172 of the waist panel 158. In some configurations, the first zone 188a and / or the second zone 188b of the adhesive 188 may be longitudinally offset from the inner lateral edge 172 and / or the outer lateral edge 172 of the waist panel 158. In some configurations, the first zone 188a of the adhesive 188 and / or the first zone 190a of the mechanical bond 190 may share a boundary with the first longitudinal edge 180 of the waist panel 158, or be offset laterally from it, and / or the second zone 188b of the adhesive 188 and / or the second zone 190b of the mechanical bond 190 may share a boundary with the second longitudinal edge 182 of the waist panel 158, or be offset laterally from it. In some configurations, the third zone 188c of the adhesive 188 may share a boundary with the outer edge 170 of the waist panel 158, or be longitudinally inward, and / or may share a boundary with the first longitudinal edge 180 and / or the second longitudinal edge 182 of the waist panel 158, or be offset laterally from them.

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

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

[0080] In the context of previous discussions, various apparatuses and methods may be adapted to assemble an absorbent article 100 onto a first lumbar panel 158a and / or a second lumbar panel 158b having various adhesive zones and mechanical zones. For example, Figure 4 shows a schematic diagram of a conversion process that includes an apparatus or system 300 for joining a separate elastic section 200 to a forward carrier substrate 202 under tension in order to form a laminate 204 during the assembly of the absorbent article 100. Various embodiments of the apparatus 300 and associated assemblies shown in Figure 4 are disclosed in U.S. Patent Publications 2020 / 0375807(A1), 2020 / 0375815(A1), 2021 / 0128366(A1), and 2021 / 0128369(A1), all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0081] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the carrier substrate 202 can advance in the mechanical direction MD at a first speed S1. The carrier substrate has a first longitudinal edge 206 and a width W CS The carrier substrate 202 also includes a first longitudinal edge 206 separated in the transverse direction CD, and a second longitudinal edge 208 separated from the first longitudinal edge 206 in the transverse direction CD, defining the surface. A separate elastic portion 200 is bonded to the first surface 210 of the carrier substrate 202, as will be discussed in more detail below.

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

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

[0084] Referring to Figures 4 and 6, a continuous elastic substrate 200a is advanced in the mechanical direction MD at a second speed S2, where the second speed S2 is slower than the first speed S1. The continuous elastic substrate 200a has a first longitudinal edge 214 and a width W ES The continuous elastic substrate 200a comprises a first longitudinal edge 214 separated in the transverse direction CD by a second longitudinal edge 216, defining the width W of the continuous elastic substrate. The continuous elastic substrate 200a also includes a first surface 218 and an opposing second surface 220. The continuous elastic substrate 200a is stretchable in at least one direction and is oriented so that the continuous elastic substrate 200a is stretchable in the transverse direction CD. Thus the width W of the continuous elastic substrate ES This can be the width when not stretched. In some configurations, the width W of the continuous elastic substrate 200a is... ES This could be the width during partial extension.

[0085] Continuing to refer to FIGS. 4, 6, and 7, the system 300 may include one or more adhesive applicator devices 302 that deposit an adhesive 222 onto a second surface 220 of a continuous elastic substrate 200a. It should be understood that this adhesive applicator device 302 can be configured in various ways, such as, for example, a spray nozzle and / or a slot coating device. In some configurations, the adhesive applicator device 302 can be configured according to the devices and / or methods disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 8,186,296, 9,265,672, 9,248,054, and 9,295,590, and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0148773(A1). All of the above documents are hereby incorporated by reference into this specification.

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

[0087] As shown in Figures 4, 7, and 8, the continuous elastic substrate 200a can advance in the mechanical direction MD from the adhesive applicator device 302 to the cutting device 304, which cuts and separates the separate elastic portion 200 from the continuous elastic substrate 200a. Thus, each separate elastic portion 200 includes a leading edge portion 230 and a trailing edge portion 232, with a length L extending in the mechanical direction MD from the leading edge portion 230 to the trailing edge portion 232. EP The elastic portion 200 also includes a first longitudinal edge 214 and a second longitudinal edge 216, corresponding to the longitudinal edges 214 and 216 of a continuous elastic substrate 200a extending between the leading edge 230 and the trailing edge 232. In addition, the elastic portion 200 includes a first surface 218 and a second surface 220, corresponding to the first surface 218 and second surface 220 of the continuous elastic substrate 200a.

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

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

[0090] In some configurations, the third speed S3 may be equal to the first speed S1 of the advancing carrier substrate 202. In some configurations, the third speed S3 may be less than or greater than the first speed S1 of the advancing carrier substrate 202, and therefore the separate elastic part may be accelerated or decelerated downstream of the anvil roll 308 from the third speed S3 to the first speed S1 before joining with the carrier substrate 202. Since the first speed S1 of the carrier substrate is faster than the second speed S2, the separate elastic part 200 is accelerated from the second speed S2 to the first speed S1 before joining with the carrier substrate 202. By accelerating the separate elastic section 200 from a second speed S2 to a first speed S1, the trailing edge 232 (or leading edge 230) of the continuously cut separate elastic section 200 can be separated from each other in the mechanical direction MD by a pitch distance PD as shown in Figure 14, which may correspond to the pitch length PL described above with reference to Figures 1A and 1B. The anvil roll 308 may also be configured to apply vacuum pressure to the separate elastic section 200 to help hold the separate elastic section 200 on the outer peripheral surface 318 as the anvil roll 308 rotates.

[0091] It should be understood that the cutting device 304 can be configured in various forms. For example, in some configurations, the blade 314 may be configured such that the resulting cutting line and the corresponding leading edge 230 and trailing edge 232 of the separate elastic section 200 can be straight and / or curved. The cutting device 304 may also be adapted to cut the separate elastic section 200 such that the material along the cutting line adjacent to the leading edge 230 and trailing edge 232 fuses and / or pressure-bonds to each other. It should also be understood that the positions of the knife roll 306 and the anvil roll 308 may be opposite to those shown in Figure 4, and therefore the separate elastic section 200 may remain on the outer circumferential surface 312 of the knife roll 306, in contrast to the anvil roll 308. It should also be understood that the cutting device 304 may be configured to transport and / or cut the separate elastic section 200 in different ways.

[0092] Referring to Figure 4, the apparatus 300 may include a rotatable transfer device 322 that transfers a separate elastic section 200 from a cutting device 304 to a joining device 324, which then combines the elastic section 200 with a carrier substrate 202. The transfer device 322 may also be configured to extend the separate elastic section 200 in the transverse direction CD. Thus, the transfer device 322 may be configured as a spreader mechanism 326 as shown in Figures 9 and 10. Continuing to refer to Figures 4, 9, and 10, the transfer device 322 may be positioned adjacent to the anvil rolls 308 so as to define a nip 328 between them. As will be discussed in more detail below, the separate elastic section 200 is received from the anvil rolls 308, and the spreader mechanism 326 operates to extend the separate elastic section 200 in the transverse direction CD. Next, the stretched separate elastic portion 200 is advanced from the spreader mechanism 326 onto the rotating component of the bonding device 324, and then the stretched separate elastic portion 200 is bonded onto the carrier substrate 202.

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

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

[0095] Referring to Figures 4, 9, and 10, the discs 330 and 332 may also be configured to help grip the opposing first end region 234 and second end region 236 of the separate elastic portion 200 during operation. For example, the first disc 330 and the second disc 332 may each be fluidly connected to a vacuum pressure source 334. Vacuum pressure may then be used to help hold the separate elastic portion 200 on the rims 330b and 332b during operation. As shown in Figures 11 and 11A, the discs 330 and 332 may also include a nub 336 projecting radially outward from the rims 330b and 332b. The nub 336 may also help prevent the first end region 234 and second end region 236 of the separate elastic portion 200 from sliding along the rims 330b and 332b while the central region 238 of the separate elastic portion 200 is being stretched. It should also be noted that, since the first end region 234 and the second end region 236 of the separate elastic portion 200 are held on the rims 330b and 332b during the stretching operation, the central region 238 of the separate elastic portion 200 may be stretched, but the first end region 234 and the second end region 236 may not be stretched, or may be stretched to a much smaller extent than the central region 238.

[0096] As discussed previously with reference to Figure 8, the elastic portion 200 may include a zone 240 of adhesive 222 located on the central region 238 of a separate elastic portion 200, and a portion of the first end region 234 and the second end region 236 of the second surface 220 of the separate elastic portion 200 may not contain any adhesive 222 at all. When transported to the transfer device 322, as shown in Figures 4, 9, and 10, the elastic portion 200 may be oriented such that the first surface 218 faces radially outward and the second surface 220 and the zone 240 of adhesive 222 face radially inward. Therefore, the arrangement of the discs 330 and 322 in the spreader mechanism 326 provides the ability to rotatably transport the elastic portion 200 from the cutting device 304 to the joining device 324 using a zone 240 of adhesive 222 facing radially inward, without the adhesive 222 contacting the discs 330 and 332, or with minimal contact between the adhesive 222 and the discs 330 and 332.

[0097] As discussed above, the separated elastic portion 200 is accelerated from a second speed S2 to a third speed S3 on the outer peripheral surface 318 of the anvil roll 308, and in some configurations, the third speed S3 may be slower or faster than the first speed S1 of the advancing carrier substrate 202. Thus, the transfer device 322 may be configured to rotate at a variable angular velocity to accelerate or decelerate the separate elastic portion 200 to the first speed S1. For example, if the third speed S3 is slower than the first speed S1, the transfer device 322 may be configured to receive the separate elastic portion 200 from the anvil roll 308 while the rim 330b of the first disk 330 and the rim 332b of the second disk 332 move through the nip 328 at the third speed S3. Next, the angular velocity of disks 330 and 332 may be modified to accelerate the separate elastic part 200 to a first velocity S1 before transferring it to the bonding device 324. In another example, if the third velocity S3 is faster than the first velocity S1, the angular velocity of disks 330 and 332 may be modified to decelerate the separate elastic part 200 to the first velocity S1 before transferring it to the bonding device 324. In the situation where the third velocity S3 is equal to the first velocity S1, disks 330 and 332 may rotate at a constant angular velocity. It should be understood that the spreader mechanism 326 may be configured in various ways to address the need for rotation at a variable angular velocity, for example, as disclosed in European Patent Publication EP2260813(B1), which is incorporated herein by reference. The ability of the transfer device 326 to rotate at a variable angular velocity may help reduce the need to replace components of the device 300 when assembling smaller or larger absorbent articles 100, which may require a reduction or increase in the pitch distance between the continuously cut separate elastic parts 200.

[0098] As described above, the rotatable transfer device 322 may be configured to transfer a separate elastic section 200 from the cutting device 304 to the joining device 324. As shown in Figures 4, 9, and 10, the joining device 324 may be positioned adjacent to the first disk 330 and the second disk 332 of the spreader device 326 so as to define a nip 338 between them. In some configurations, the first disk 330 and the second disk 332 may be configured to apply positive pneumatic pressure, sometimes referred to as blow-off air, to the separate elastic section 200 adjacent to the nip 338 in order to help detach the separate elastic section 200 from the disks 330, 332 during transfer to the joining device 324. As will be discussed in more detail below, the separate elastic portion 200 is received from the spreader mechanism 326 with its central region 238 stretched in the transverse direction CD, and the bonding device 324 transfers the separate elastic portion 200 in its stretched state to the advancing carrier substrate 202 and bonds it.

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

[0100] As shown in Figure 4, the joining device 324 may be configured as a mechanical joining device including an anvil roll 350. The anvil roll 350 includes an outer circumferential surface 352 and rotates about a rotation axis 354, and the anvil roll 350 may rotate in a fifth direction Dir 5 opposite to a fourth direction Dir 4. The outer circumferential surface 352 of the anvil roll 350 may define a pressing surface 342 that operates together with the pattern roll 340. As shown in Figures 13 and 13A, the outer circumferential surface 346 of the pattern roll 340 may also include one or more joining surfaces 356 defined by joining elements 358 that extend radially outward. As the pattern roll 340 rotates, the separate elastic portion 200 and carrier substrate 200 advance between the joining surface 356 and the pressing surface 342, mechanically joining or welding the elastic portion 200 and carrier substrate 202 together to create a first zone 242a and a second zone 242b of the mechanical joint 242 between the elastic portion 200 and the carrier substrate 202. As described below, the elastic portion 200 may be converted into a waist panel 158 as described herein, and thus the first zone 242a and the second zone 242b may correspond to the first zone 190a and the second zone 190b of the mechanical joint 190 described above, respectively. The heat and / or pressure between the pressing surface 342 and the pattern roll 340 can melt and join the carrier substrate 202 and the elastic portion 200 together in the area supported by the joining surface 356 on the pattern roll 340. As shown in Figure 14, the mechanical joints and / or the mechanical joints 242 of zones 242a and 242b may have a shape that corresponds to and reflects the shape of the joint surface 356.

[0101] Therefore, as the laminate 204 advances through the nip 344, the carrier substrate 202 and the separate elastic portion 200 are mechanically joined or welded together as a whole. It should be understood that the joining device 324 described herein can be configured in various ways, with various features described herein, for joining the separate elastic portion 200 to the carrier substrate 202. Accordingly, the pattern roll 340 and / or anvil roll 350 can be configured to perform mechanical joining by applying heat and pressure in various ways, examples of which include, for example, the mechanical joining devices and methods disclosed in U.S. Patents No. 4,854,984, No. 6,248,195, No. 8,778,127, No. 9,005,392, No. 9,962,297, and No. 10,052,237. Furthermore, the positions of the pattern roll 340 and the anvil roll 350 may be opposite to those shown in Figure 4, and therefore, a separate elastic section 200 may be transferred from the transfer device 322 to the outer surface 352 of the anvil roll 350, in contrast to the pattern roll 340. It should also be understood that one or more components of the bonding device 324 may be configured to operate at a constant and / or variable speed. For example, the pattern roll 340 and / or the anvil roll 350 may be connected to various types of motors, such as servo motors, which can rotate the pattern roll 340 and / or the anvil roll 350 at a constant and / or variable angular velocity.

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

[0103] It should be understood that the bonding device 324 may be composed of various forms, such as heated or unheated pattern rolls, anvil rolls, and / or ultrasonic bonding devices. For example, the bonding device 324 schematically shown in Figure 4A may include a pattern roll 340 and a pressing surface 342 including an energy transfer surface 362 of an ultrasonic bonding device 364. Thus, the bonding device 364 may include a horn 366 and may be configured to impart ultrasonic energy to the combined elastic portion 200 and carrier substrate 202 on the pattern roll 340.

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

[0105] As discussed above, the pattern roll 340 includes a bonding element 358 that extends radially outward to define the bonding surface 356. Next, the bonding portion and / or bonding zone 242 between the separate elastic portion 200 and the carrier substrate 202 may correspond to the bonding surface 356 and have a shape that can reflect the shape of the bonding surface 356. It should be understood that the pattern roll 340 may have bonding surfaces 356 of varying quantities and / or shapes, and such bonding surfaces 356 may be located at various locations on the pattern roll 340. For example, as shown in Figures 13, 13A, 14, and 15, the bonding element 358 and the bonding surface 356 may be positioned to correspond to the first end region 234 and the second end region 236 of the separate elastic portion 200. Therefore, the bonding device 340 can operate to mechanically bond the first end region 234 and the second end region 236 of the elastic portion 200 without mechanically bonding the stretched central region 238. In some configurations, the bonding element 358 and bonding surface 356 may also be arranged so that a mechanical bond 242 is applied to integrally bond the central region 238 of a separate elastic portion 200 to the carrier substrate 202.

[0106] The pattern roll 340 may also be configured to apply vacuum pressure to the separate elastic portion 200 in order to help hold the separate elastic portion 200 on the outer surface 346 as the pattern roll 340 rotates. The vacuum pressure may also help to keep the separate elastic portion 200 in an extended state while it is positioned on the pattern roll 340. In addition, the bonding element 358 and bonding surface 356 may also help to grip the elastic portion 200 and help to keep the elastic portion 200 in an extended state. In addition, the pattern roll 340 may also be configured to apply vacuum pressure through the bonding surface 356 of the bonding element 358. Furthermore, the pattern roll 340 may interface with the first disk 330 and the second disk 332 of the spreader mechanism 326 to help maintain the extended state of the separate elastic portion 200 during transfer from the nip 338 to the pattern roll 340. For example, as discussed above, the discs 330 and 332 of the spreader mechanism 326 may include various amounts of nubs 336 protruding radially outward from the rims 330b and 332b, the nubs 336 which can help prevent the first end region 234 and the second end region 236 of the elastic portion 200 from sliding toward each other along the rims 330b and 332b while stretching the separate elastic portion 200. It should be understood that the nubs 336 may consist of various shapes and sizes, spacings, and may be made of various types of materials. In some configurations, a joining element 358 on the pattern roll 340 may be configured to engage with the nubs 336 protruding from the rim 330b of the first disc 330 and the rim 332b of the second disc 332. The engagement between the nub 336 and the joining element 358 may help maintain the stretched state of the separate elastic portion 200 when the device 300 is transferred from the transfer device 322 to the joining device 324.

[0107] As shown in Figure 4, after a separate elastic section 200 is joined to a carrier substrate 202 to create a laminate 204, the laminate 204 can continue to advance from the joining device 324 in the mechanical direction MD and may be subjected to additional transformation operations such as cutting, folding, and / or packaging. In some configurations, the laminate 204 may define a continuous length of absorbent article, or may be combined with additional substrates and / or components to define a continuous length of absorbent article. The continuous length of absorbent article may then be subjected to a final knife cut to separate the separate absorbent article from the continuous length of absorbent article. As previously stated, the separate elastic section 200 may correspond to a waist panel 158 on the absorbent article 100, while the carrier substrate 202 may correspond to a top sheet substrate 138 or a back sheet substrate 136. In some configurations, the apparatus and methods herein may be configured to apply the separate elastic section 200 as separate front and / or rear waist panels 158. In some configurations, a separate elastic section 200 may be applied to the carrier substrate 202, which is then cut during the final knife-cutting operation into a front waist panel 158a located within the front waist region 116 and a rear waist panel 158b located within the rear waist region 118, as will be discussed further below with reference to Figures 14-14C. It should be understood that such a final knife-cutting operation may be configured to apply linear and / or curved cutting lines through the carrier substrate 202 and the separate elastic section 200. It should also be understood that the carrier substrate 202 may include, for example, parts such as laterally extending side panels attached to the carrier substrate 202 upstream of the joining device 324. Thus, the system 300 may also include devices such as rails and / or conveyors to help guide and control the carrier substrate 202, particularly such laterally extending features, into the joining device 324, thereby helping to prevent unintended joining of such features.

[0108] As discussed above, the separate elastic portion can be combined with carrier substrate adhesion and / or mechanical bonding. It should be understood that the adhesion and mechanical bonding can be configured in various ways. It should also be understood that the zone 240 of the adhesive 222 can be applied to define various different shapes and sizes relative to the separate elastic portion 200 and / or carrier substrate 202. For example, as shown in Figure 14, the first zone 240a and the second zone 240b of the adhesive 222 may extend in the mechanical direction MD, and may share a boundary with one or both of the leading edge 230 and trailing edge 232 of the third zone 240c and / or the elastic portion 200. In some configurations, the first zone 240a and the second zone 240b may be offset from one or both of the leading edge 230 and trailing edge 232 of the elastic portion 200. Furthermore, the third zone 240c of the adhesive 222 may have a length L in the mechanical direction MD. AZ The length L of the third zone 240c of the adhesive 222 can be defined. In some configurations, the length L of the third zone 240c of the adhesive 222 is defined. AZ The total length L of the separate elastic part 200 EP It may extend over a length less than L. In some configurations, the third zone 240c of the adhesive 222 may extend in the transverse direction CD and share a boundary with one or both of the leading edge 230 and trailing edge 232 of the elastic portion 200. In some configurations, the length L of the third zone 240c of the adhesive 222 AZ The total length L of a separate elastic portion 200 extending from the leading edge portion 230 to the trailing edge portion 232 EP It may extend over a certain distance. In some configurations, the first zone 242a and the second zone 242b of the mechanical joint 242 may vary in width along the transverse direction CD. In some configurations, the first zone 242a and / or the second zone 242b of the mechanical joint 242 may be relatively wide transversely adjacent to the adhesive zone 240c. In addition, the first zone 240a and / or the third zone 240c of the adhesive 222 may or may not overlap with the first zone 242a of the mechanical joint 242, and the second zone 240b and / or the third zone 240c of the adhesive 222 may or may not overlap with the second zone 242b of the mechanical joint 242.

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

[0110] Based on the above considerations regarding the various shapes and sizes of the zones 240 of the adhesive 222, it should be understood that the adhesive 222 can be applied to a continuous elastic substrate 200a and / or carrier substrate 202 in various ways so as to define the zones 240 of the adhesive 222. For example, as considered above with reference to Figures 4 and 7, the adhesive 222 can be applied to a continuous elastic substrate 200a so as to define the zones 224 of the adhesive 222 in the mechanical direction MD within separate patches separated from each other on the continuous elastic substrate 200a. In another example, the adhesive 222 can be applied to a second surface 220 of the continuous elastic substrate 200a so as to extend continuously in the mechanical direction MD and / or transverse direction CD. In yet another example, as shown in Figure 16, the adhesive 222 can be applied to a first surface 210 of the carrier substrate 202 within separate zones 240 separated from each other in the mechanical direction MD on the carrier substrate 202. It should be understood that the adhesive 222 can be applied to a continuous elastic substrate 200a, elastic portion 200, and / or carrier substrate 202 in a shape and size that defines zones 240 of adhesive 222 that integrally bond the elastic portion 200 and the carrier substrate 202. The separate patch zones 240 of adhesive 222 can be separated from each other on the carrier substrate 202 by a pitch distance PD in the mechanical direction MD.

[0111] Furthermore, the lumbar panel 158 in this specification is, for example, based on U.S. Patent Nos. 6,572,595, 6,830,800, 7,087,287, and 7,803,244, and U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2018 / 0042778(A1), 2018 / 0042787(A1), 2018 / 0042779(A1), and 2018 / 0042780. It should be understood that continuous elastic substrates and separate elastic parts can be assembled in various ways, as disclosed in (A1), 2020 / 0375807(A1), 2020 / 0375815(A1), 2020 / 0375815(A1), 2021 / 0128366(A1), and 2021 / 0128369(A1). All of these documents are incorporated herein by reference.

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

[0113] Furthermore, it should be understood that the continuous elastic base material 200a and the separate elastic parts 200 can be assembled in various ways, as disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 6,572,595, 6,830,800, 7,087,287, and 7,803,244, and U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 2018 / 0042778(A1), 2018 / 0042787(A1), 2018 / 0042779(A1), and 2018 / 0042780(A1). All of these documents are incorporated herein by reference.

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

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

[0116] combination A1. A chassis comprising: an anterior lumbar region, a posterior lumbar region, and a crotch region disposed between the anterior and posterior lumbar regions; a top sheet, a back sheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet; a first leg gasket element and a second leg gasket element connected to the chassis and extending from the anterior lumbar region to the posterior lumbar region; a first lumbar panel positioned within the anterior or posterior lumbar region and comprising an inner lateral edge, an outer lateral edge, a first longitudinal edge, and a second longitudinal edge, further comprising a first lateral end region adjacent to the first longitudinal edge and a second lateral end region adjacent to the second longitudinal edge, wherein the first and second lateral end regions are separated by a central region; and the first lumbar panel being connected to the chassis and the first An absorbent article comprising: a first zone of mechanical bonding in a first lateral end region that bonds to at least one of the leg gasket elements of; a second zone of mechanical bonding in a second lateral end region that bonds the first waist panel to the chassis and at least one of the second leg gasket elements; a first zone of adhesive in a first lateral end region adjacent to the inner lateral edge that bonds the first waist panel to the chassis and at least one of the first leg gasket elements; and a second zone of adhesive in a second lateral end region adjacent to the inner lateral edge that bonds the first waist panel to the chassis and at least one of the second leg gasket elements, wherein the first waist panel is not attached to the chassis between the first lateral end region and the second lateral end region.

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

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

[0119] A4. An absorbent article as described in any one of paragraphs A1 to A3, wherein a portion of the first zone of mechanical bonding overlaps with a portion of the first zone of adhesive.

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

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

[0122] A7. An absorbent article according to any one of paragraphs A1 to A6, wherein the first zone of adhesive extends longitudinally from the inner transverse edge to the outer transverse edge of the first lumbar panel.

[0123] A8. An absorbent article according to any one of paragraphs A1 to A7, wherein the first lumbar panel has a longitudinal length defined by the distance between the inner transverse edge and the outer transverse edge, and the first zone of adhesive extends longitudinally over a distance of less than half the longitudinal length of the first lumbar panel.

[0124] A9. The absorbent article described in paragraph A8, wherein the first zone of adhesive extends longitudinally from the inner transverse edge.

[0125] A10. An absorbent article according to any one of paragraphs A1 to A7, wherein the first zone of adhesive extends longitudinally offset from the inner transverse edge.

[0126] A11. An absorbent article according to any one of paragraphs A1 to A10, further comprising a first lumbar edge and a second lumbar edge separated longitudinally from the first lumbar edge, wherein the outer lateral edge of the first lumbar panel shares a boundary with the first lumbar edge.

[0127] A12. The absorbent article according to any one of paragraphs A1 to A11, further comprising a second lumbar panel positioned in the anterior lumbar region, wherein the first lumbar panel is positioned in the posterior lumbar region.

[0128] A13. The first lumbar panel is an absorbent article as described in any one of paragraphs A1 to A12, comprising an elastic material.

[0129] A14. The absorbent article according to paragraph A13, wherein the first lumbar panel includes an elastic film bonded to a nonwoven fabric in a stretched state.

[0130] A15. An absorbent article according to any one of paragraphs A1 to A15, wherein at least one of the first zone of mechanical bonding and the second zone of mechanical bonding extends between the outer transverse edge and the inner transverse edge.

[0131] B16. A chassis comprising: an anterior lumbar region, a posterior lumbar region, and a crotch region disposed between the anterior and posterior lumbar regions; a top sheet, a back sheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet; a first leg gasket element and a second leg gasket element connected to the chassis and extending from the anterior lumbar region to the posterior lumbar region; an adhesive zone adjacent to the outer lateral edge, extending laterally through the central region, and connecting the first lumbar panel to the chassis; and a first lumbar panel located within the anterior or posterior lumbar region, comprising an inner lateral edge, an outer lateral edge, a first longitudinal edge, and a second longitudinal edge, wherein the first lateral end region is adjacent to the first longitudinal edge, and the second lateral end region is adjacent to the second longitudinal edge. An absorbent article further comprising: a first waist panel, the first and second lateral end regions of which are separated by a central region; a first zone of mechanical bonding within the first lateral end region, which bonds the first waist panel to at least one of the chassis and a first leg gasket element; and a second zone of mechanical bonding within the second lateral end region, which bonds the first waist panel to at least one of the chassis and a second leg gasket element, wherein the first waist panel is not attached to the chassis between the first and second lateral end regions and between the inner lateral edge and the adhesive zone, and a portion of the first zone of mechanical bonding and a portion of the second zone of mechanical bonding overlap with a portion of the adhesive zone.

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

[0133] B18. The absorbent article according to paragraph B16 or B17, further comprising a first lumbar edge and a second lumbar edge separated longitudinally from the first lumbar edge, wherein the outer transverse edge of the first lumbar panel shares a boundary with the first lumbar edge.

[0134] B19. An absorbent article according to any one of paragraphs B16 to B18, further comprising a second lumbar panel positioned in the anterior lumbar region, wherein the first lumbar panel is positioned in the posterior lumbar region.

[0135] B20. The first lumbar panel is an absorbent article as described in any one of paragraphs B16 to B19, comprising an elastic material.

[0136] B21. The absorbent article described in paragraph B20, wherein the first lumbar panel includes an elastic film bonded to a nonwoven fabric in a stretched state.

[0137] B22. An absorbent article according to any one of paragraphs B16 to B21, wherein at least one of the first zone of mechanical bonding and the second zone of mechanical bonding extends between the outer transverse edge and the inner transverse edge.

[0138] C23. A method for assembling an absorbent article, comprising the steps of: advancing a carrier substrate in the machine direction; providing an elastic part comprising a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge separated transversely from the first longitudinal edge, further comprising a first edge and a second edge separated transversely from the first edge by a central region; adhesively bonding each elastic part to the carrier substrate using a first zone of adhesive in the first end region adjacent to the first edge; and adjacent to the first edge A method comprising the steps of: adhesively bonding each elastic portion to a carrier substrate using a second zone of adhesive in a contacting second end region; mechanically bonding the first end region of each elastic portion to a carrier substrate using a first zone of mechanical bonding located in the first end region and extending between the first edge and the second edge; and mechanically bonding the second end region of each elastic portion to a carrier substrate using a second zone of mechanical bonding located in the second end region and extending between the first edge and the second edge, wherein the elastic portion is not attached to the carrier substrate between the first end region and the second end region.

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

[0140] C25. The method according to paragraph C23 or C24, wherein the step of providing the elastic portion further includes the steps of advancing a continuous elastic substrate and cutting the elastic portion from the continuous elastic substrate.

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

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

[0143] C28. The method according to paragraph C27, wherein the step of applying the adhesive to a continuous elastic substrate further comprises applying adhesive of separate lengths.

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

[0145] C30. The method according to paragraph C29, wherein the step of applying the adhesive to the carrier substrate further includes applying an adhesive of a different length.

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

[0147] C32. The method according to paragraph C31, wherein the first edge includes a leading edge and the second edge includes a trailing edge.

[0148] C33. The method according to any one of paragraphs C23 to C32, wherein the carrier substrate includes a first leg gasket element and a second leg gasket element connected to a top sheet substrate.

[0149] C34. The method according to paragraph C33, further comprising the step of positioning the elastic portion in relation to the top sheet substrate, wherein a portion of the first leg gasket element and a portion of the second leg gasket element are positioned between the elastic portion and the top sheet substrate.

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

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

[0152] C37. The method according to any one of paragraphs C23 to C36, wherein a first zone of mechanical bonding overlaps with a first zone of adhesive, and a second zone of mechanical bonding overlaps with a second zone of adhesive.

[0153] D38. A method for assembling an absorbent article, comprising the steps of: advancing a carrier substrate in the machine direction; providing an elastic portion comprising a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge separated transversely from the first longitudinal edge, further comprising a first edge and a second edge separated transversely from the first edge by a central region; and adhesively bonding each elastic portion to the carrier substrate using a zone of adhesive adjacent to the second edge and extending through the central region; and located in the first end region, A method comprising the steps of mechanically joining a first end region of each elastic portion to a carrier substrate using a first zone of mechanical bonding extending between an edge 1 and a second edge, and mechanically joining a second end region of each elastic portion to a carrier substrate using a second zone of mechanical bonding located in the second end region and extending between the first edge and the second edge, wherein the elastic portion is not attached to the carrier substrate between the first end region and the second end region, and between the first edge and the adhesive zone, and a portion of the first zone of mechanical bonding and a portion of the second zone of mechanical bonding overlap with a portion of the adhesive zone.

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

[0155] The dimensions and values ​​disclosed herein are not to be understood as strictly limited to the exact numerical values ​​listed. Instead, unless otherwise stated, each such dimension is intended to mean both the listed value and the functionally equivalent range encompassing that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as "40 mm" is intended to mean "approximately 40 mm."

[0156] All documents referenced herein, including any patents or patent applications that are cross-referenced or related, and any patent applications or patents on which this application claims priority or benefit thereof, are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety unless explicitly stated to be excluded or limited. No reference to any document shall be deemed to be prior art to any invention disclosed or claimed herein, nor shall it be deemed to teach, suggest or disclose any such invention, either alone or in combination with any other reference. Furthermore, if any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in any document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition given to the term in this document shall apply.

[0157] While specific embodiments of the present 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. Therefore, it is intended that all such changes and modifications within the scope of the invention be covered by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An anterior lumbar region (116), a posterior lumbar region (118), and a crotch region (119) disposed between the anterior lumbar region (116) and the posterior lumbar region (118); A chassis (102) including a top sheet (138), a back sheet (136), and an absorbent core (140) positioned between the top sheet and the back sheet; A first leg gasket element (156) and a second leg gasket element (156) are connected to the chassis (102) and extend from the front waist region (116) to the rear waist region (118); A first waist panel (158a) is positioned within the front waist region (116) or the rear waist region (118) and comprises an inner lateral edge (172), an outer lateral edge (170), a first longitudinal edge (180), and a second longitudinal edge (182), further comprising a first lateral end region (184) adjacent to the first longitudinal edge (180), and a second lateral end region (186) adjacent to the second longitudinal edge (182), wherein the first lateral end region (184) and the second lateral end region (186) are separated by a central region (178); The first waist panel (158a) is joined to at least one of the chassis (102) and the first leg gasket element (156) by a first zone (190a) of mechanical joining (190) in the first lateral end region (184); The first waist panel (158a) is joined to at least one of the chassis (102) and the second leg gasket element (156) by a second zone (190b) of the mechanical joint (190) in the second lateral end region (186); Adjacent to the inner lateral edge portion (172), a first zone (188a) of adhesive (188) in the first lateral end region (184) that joins the first waist panel (158a) to at least one of the chassis (102) and the first leg gasket element (156); An absorbent article comprising: a second zone (188b) of adhesive (188) in the second lateral end region (186) adjacent to the inner lateral edge portion (172) and joining the first waist panel (156a) to at least one of the chassis (102) and the second leg gasket element (156); The first lumbar panel (158a) is an absorbent article that is not attached to the chassis (102) between the first lateral end region (184) and the second lateral end region (186).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

9. The absorbent article according to claim 8, wherein the first zone (188a) of the adhesive (188) extends longitudinally from the inner transverse edge (172).

10. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the first zone (188a) of the adhesive (188) extends with a vertical offset from the inner lateral edge (172).

11. The present invention further comprises a first lumbar edge (120) and a second lumbar edge (122) separated longitudinally from the first lumbar edge (120), The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the outer lateral edge (170) of the first waist panel (158a) shares a boundary line with the first waist edge (120).

12. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising a second lumbar panel (158b) positioned in the anterior lumbar region (116), wherein the first lumbar panel (158a) is positioned within the rear lumbar region (118).

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

14. The absorbent article according to claim 13, wherein the first lumbar panel (158a) includes an elastic film bonded to a nonwoven fabric in a stretched state.

15. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein at least one of the first zone (190a) and the second zone (190b) of the mechanical joint (190) extends between the outer lateral edge (170) and the inner lateral edge (172).

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