Method for producing a panty-type article

Abstract

A method for continuously producing disposable pant-type articles (190) from a web moving in a machine direction (MD), comprising attaching a non-elastic crotch web (118) between a tensioned elastic front panel web (101) and a tensioned elastic back panel web (108) to form a coherent chassis web (130) of interconnected precursor articles (131a, 131b, 131c), attaching pairs of stretched crotch elastic members (141, 142) with the crotch elastic members arranged in a cross machine direction (CD) to the chassis web (130) in each precursor article (131a, 131b, 131c), thereafter leg cuts (170) are made in the precursor articles (131a, 131b, 131c) to form a coherent chassis web (130) of interconnected precursor articles (131a, 131b, 131c), the chassis web (130) is folded along fold lines (Lv) extending in the machine direction (MD), first and second side seams (181, 182) are formed in each precursor article (131a, 131b, 131c), and along parting lines (Ld) between the precursor articles (131a, 131b, 131c), the side seams (181, 182) are formed from the aligned waist edges (102, 109) of the precursor articles (131a, 131b, 131c) to the leg cuts (170), and finally, cutting individual pant-type articles (190) from the chassis web (130).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method of producing disposable pant-type articles, the method advancing a continuous elastic front panel web, a continuous elastic rear panel web, and an inelastic continuous crotch web in a machine direction, attaching the crotch web along crotch edges of the front panel web and the rear panel web to form a continuous composite chassis in which leg cuts are formed, and then the chassis web is folded along a fold extending in the machine direction, side seams are formed to separate precursor articles within the chassis web, and individual pant-type articles are cut from the continuous chassis web. The present disclosure further relates to disposable pant-type articles produced by this method.

Background Art

[0002] In the technical field of disposable pant-type articles, and particularly those intended for use by adult users, these articles should meet high requirements for fit and comfort, have an appearance like that of custom-made underwear, and at the same time meet equally high requirements regarding absorbency and leakage prevention. Disposable absorbent articles are articles intended to be discarded after a single use and not to be restored by washing or otherwise reused.

[0003] This type of pant-type article is a relatively complex product with a plurality of components that are combined to form the final absorbent article. Such components can include nonwoven components, barrier components, elastic components, and an absorbent core, usually provided in the form of an absorbent assembly that includes a barrier layer and a liquid-permeable topsheet that together surround the absorbent core.

[0004] The production of pant-type articles involves handling components having different physical forms, such as flat webs, elongated elastic elements, loose fibers, particles, or components in a fluid form such as adhesives, and further components having different physical properties such as stretchability, rigidity, thickness, porosity, etc. Some components may require an elevated application temperature, for example, a thermoplastic binder. The manufacture of pant-type articles involves an intricate and complex process that requires process equipment and procedures that enable all the different components to be processed and combined to produce the final article, and there is a constant need for a cost-effective way to produce high-quality disposable pant-type articles.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] The present disclosure aims to provide an improved, economically feasible and efficient method for producing pant-type articles comprising a plurality of components.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] According to the method of claim 1, disposable pant-type articles having good functionality with respect to leak safety as well as appearance, fit, and comfort can be produced. Modifications of the present disclosure are described in the dependent claims.

[0008] Disclosed herein is a method for producing a disposable pant-type article, the method comprising - Advancing a continuous elastic front panel web in a machine direction, wherein the front panel web is tensioned in the machine direction and has a front panel waist edge and an opposing front panel crotch edge; - Advancing a continuous elastic rear panel web in a machine direction, wherein the rear panel web is tensioned in the machine direction and has a rear panel waist edge and an opposing rear panel crotch edge, the rear panel web is spaced from the front panel web in a cross-machine direction perpendicular to the machine direction, and there is a gap in the cross-machine direction between the front panel crotch edge and the rear panel crotch edge; - Advancing a non-elastic continuous crotch web in a machine direction; - Attaching a crotch panel web to the tensioned front panel web and the tensioned rear panel web, thereby filling the gap between the front panel web and the rear panel web and forming an intimate chassis web of interconnected precursor articles; - Providing a pair of crotch elastic members, the pair of crotch elastic members comprising a first crotch elastic member and a second crotch elastic member; - Extending each crotch elastic member in a longitudinal direction of the crotch elastic member and aligning the longitudinal direction of the crotch elastic member with the cross-machine direction; - Attaching each extended crotch elastic member to the crotch web while maintaining the crotch elastic member in an extended and cross-machine direction-aligned state, wherein the first crotch elastic member is spaced from the second crotch elastic member with a crotch spacing in the machine direction, and the pair of crotch elastic members of a subsequent precursor article is spaced from the pair of crotch elastic members of a preceding precursor article with an article spacing in the machine direction, the article spacing corresponding to a pitch length of the precursor article in the chassis web of the interconnected precursor articles; - Forming a leg cut in the chassis web between precursor pant-type articles, each leg cut having a closed-loop configuration and forming a first leg edge of a preceding precursor article and a second leg edge of a subsequent precursor article; - folding the chassis web along a fold extending in the machine direction and aligning the waist edge of the front panel web with the waist edge of the rear panel web; - forming first and second side seams within each precursor article, the side seams being formed in an intersecting machine direction along a dividing line between the precursor articles from the aligned waist edges of the front and rear panel webs to the leg cuts; - cutting individual pant-shaped articles from the chassis web.

[0009] The inelastic non-stretch continuous crotch web may be a crotch web having a first side edge and an opposing second side edge. Attaching the crotch web to the tensioned front panel web and the tensioned rear panel web may - include attaching the first side edge of the crotch web to the tensioned front panel web along the front panel crotch edge, such as in an overlap seam extending along the front panel crotch edge, and attaching the second side edge of the crotch web to the tensioned rear panel web along the rear panel crotch edge, such as in an overlap seam extending along the rear panel crotch edge.

[0010] Alternatively, the inelastic non-stretch continuous crotch web may be an outer or inner cover web extending across the entire distance in the intersecting machine direction or over at least 75% of the distance between the front waist edge and the rear waist edge.

[0011] The elastically stretchable front panel web and / or the elastically stretchable rear panel web may be or comprise an elastic laminate, the elastic laminate including at least a first layer of fibrous material and an elastic layer.

[0012] The elastic laminate may include a second layer of fibrous material, and the elastic layer may be an intermediate elastic layer disposed between the first and second layers of fibrous material.

[0013] In the laminate disclosed herein, the elastic layer may comprise a layer of elastic film or consist of a layer of elastic film.

[0014] In the laminate disclosed herein, the elastic layer may comprise a layer of elastic nonwoven material or consist of a layer of elastic nonwoven material.

[0015] The front and rear panel webs may be of the same type or different types of webs.

[0016] One or both of the front panel web and the rear panel web may comprise or consist of a three-layer laminate web including two outer nonwoven layers and an intermediate elastic layer between the outer nonwoven layers. The three-layer laminate of the front panel and / or the rear panel may be formed together with an outer or inner crotch web adhered to the elastic front and / or rear panel web by a two-layer front web laminate and / or a two-layer rear web laminate.

[0017] The three-layer nonwoven-film-nonwoven laminate provides an elastic panel having a smooth, soft, skin-friendly fabric-like surface. This laminate can be produced by known methods or combinations of methods such as the stretch bonding method, methods involving incremental stretching, etc.

[0018] The three - layer elastic panel web can be formed by stretch - bonding the first surface of an elastic layer, such as an elastic film or an elastic non - woven fabric, or by stretch - bonding a plurality of parallel elastic elements, such as strings or long fibers, to a first non - woven fabric layer and then bonding a second non - woven fabric layer to the second surface of the elastic layer, or by bonding a second non - woven fabric layer so as to cover a plurality of parallel rubber strings on the first non - woven fabric layer. Stretch - bonding means that the elastic layer or elastic elements are stretched, for example, by 50 - 600% in the machine direction MD in order to retain the elastic properties of the elastic film layer in the composite base web. The bonding can be carried out by any suitable technique such as ultrasonic bonding, adhesive bonding, thermal bonding, etc.

[0019] In a method as disclosed herein, when using a laminated elastic panel web that includes one or more non - elastic layers, non - stretchable layers, such as an elastic layer or elastic elements bonded by stretch - bonding and one or more non - stretchable non - woven fabric layers, the web is held under tension throughout the process up to the final step of cutting individual pant - type articles from the chassis web. This generally means that the web is stretched in the machine direction to the maximum extent allowed by one or more non - stretchable layers.

[0020] The crotch web as disclosed herein can be any suitable non - elastic non - stretchable web material, such as a non - stretchable non - woven fabric web, a non - stretchable polymer film, etc. Laminates including one or more non - woven fabric webs as well as laminates including one or more non - woven fabric webs and polymer films are also contemplated.

[0021] In the method disclosed herein, the crotch elastic member may be a strip-shaped crotch elastic member. The strip-shaped crotch elastic member can be an elongated piece of an essentially elastic material such as an elastic film or an elastic non-woven material, or a prefabricated elastic member including one or more layers of a non-elastic web to which one or more elastic elements are adhesively bonded in a tensioned state. Such elastic elements are applied parallel to each other in the length direction of the crotch elastic member corresponding to the cross machine direction of the method of the present invention and spaced apart in the width direction of the crotch elastic member corresponding to the machine direction of the method of the present invention, and may be a plurality of rubber strings, stretchable threads, or rubber bands applied. Laminates of elastic films and one or more non-elastic non-woven webs are also contemplated for use as crotch elastic members as disclosed herein.

[0022] In the method as disclosed herein, it may be preferable for the crotch elastic member to include or consist of an elastic film.

[0023] The stretched crotch elastic member can have a width measured in the machine direction within a range of 15 mm to 50 mm, such as 20 mm to 40 mm, or 25 mm to 35 mm, and a length measured in the cross machine direction within a range of 150 mm to 350 mm, such as 170 mm to 320 mm, or 200 mm to 310 mm.

[0024] The method disclosed herein may further include applying and attaching an absorbent assembly including an absorbent core between the first and second leg edges of each precursor article in the chassis web, and the absorbent core of the absorbent assembly is enclosed between a liquid-impermeable backsheet and a liquid-permeable topsheet. The absorbent assembly has a side edge extending in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent assembly corresponding to the cross machine direction of the method and an end edge extending in the cross direction of the absorbent assembly corresponding to the machine direction of the method. The absorbent assembly may further include additional elastic elements such as raised elastic barriers or shaping elastomers.

[0025] The absorbent assembly can be applied to cover the extended and attached crotch elastic member. In this way, the absorbent assembly will overlay the crotch elastic member on the inner surface of the final pant-like article, where the inner surface is the surface intended to face the wearer when the pant-like article is being worn. The inner surface of the absorbent assembly is formed by a liquid-permeable topsheet and may optionally include a barrier cuff extending along the side edges of the absorbent assembly.

[0026] The topsheet of the absorbent assembly and any barrier cuff are preferably formed from a fibrous web material, such as a nonwoven material, which may impart a fabric-like property to the inner surface of the absorbent assembly.

[0027] A portion of each leg cut extending into the crotch web is cut through the crotch web, through the corresponding crotch elastic member, and through the peripheral edge portion of the absorbent assembly, where the peripheral edge portion of the absorbent assembly is formed by one or both of the liquid-impermeable backsheet and the liquid-permeable topsheet of the absorbent assembly, and the peripheral edge portion of the absorbent assembly is disposed outwardly from the peripheral edge of the absorbent core of the absorbent assembly. In an absorbent assembly as disclosed herein, the topsheet and the backsheet both extend beyond the periphery of the absorbent core and may be joined to each other at an edge seal extending along the periphery of the absorbent core outwardly from the peripheral edge of the absorbent core. The final pant-like absorbent article produced in this way has smooth, non-wrinkled elastic leg edges that fit comfortably to the wearer's crotch.

[0028] The method as disclosed herein may further include stretching a continuous reinforced leg elastic member in the machine direction before forming the leg cuts in the chassis web and attaching the stretched continuous reinforced leg elastic member in a curved configuration along the crotch edge of the panel web after being tensioned. The continuous leg elastic member may include a plurality of individual elastic elements, such as from 2 to 15 elastic elements, from 3 to 12 elastic elements, or from 4 to 10 elastic elements.

[0029] The plurality of individual elastic elements may be rubber strings, stretchable threads, or rubber bands that are applied spaced apart in the machine direction.

[0030] The continuous leg elastic member can be applied with different tensions along the continuous leg elastic member, such as the tension in the portion extending between the first and second leg openings, which is lower than the portion of the leg elastic member arranged to extend along the leg edge. The lower tension can be achieved by different elongations of different portions of the leg elastic member and / or by neutralizing the elasticity of the leg elastic member in the selected portion.

[0031] Attaching the continuous reinforcing elastic element may include forming one or more attachment areas on the panel web after being tensioned by applying an adhesive to the panel web after being tensioned, attaching the continuous reinforcing elastic element to the panel web in the one or more attachment areas after being tensioned, and optionally covering the reinforcing elastic element and the one or more attachment areas with a non-woven cover web.

[0032] The method as disclosed herein may include overlapping the first end portions of each of the first and second crotch elastic members of the pair of crotch elastic members with the panel web before being tensioned and attaching the overlapped first end portions of each of the first and second crotch elastic members to the panel web before being tensioned, and / or overlapping the second end portions of each of the first and second crotch elastic members of the pair of crotch elastic members with the panel web after being tensioned and attaching the overlapped second end portions of each of the first and second crotch elastic members to the panel web after being tensioned.

[0033] Alternatively, or in addition, the second end portion of each of the first and second crotch elastic members is attached overlapping the panel web after being tensioned and further attached overlapping the reinforcing elastic element.

[0034] When applying an extended crotch elastic member onto a chassis web, the end portions of the crotch elastic member can be held by a movable clamp within the extending device. The clamped end portions are not subject to extension and are applied to and attached to the chassis web in a non-tensioned state. The two non-tensioned end portions of each crotch elastic member can have a combined extension in the cross-machine direction (i.e., the length direction of the crotch elastic member) of 10% to 15% of the overall extension of the extended crotch elastic member in the cross-machine direction.

[0035] The first and second crotch elastic members can be attached to the chassis web either before or after attaching the reinforcing elastic element. In an embodiment where the second end portions of the first crotch elastic member and the second crotch elastic member are attached overlapping the panel web after being tensioned and further overlapping the reinforcing elastic element, the reinforcing elastic element may preferably be attached to the second end portion of the first crotch elastic member and the second end portion of the second crotch elastic member.

[0036] In this way, a more secure attachment between the reinforcing elastic element and the crotch elastic member can be achieved, so it can be advantageous for the reinforcing elastic element to be attached to the non-tensioned end portion of the crotch elastic member.

[0037] In the method disclosed herein, the first leg edge of each precursor article within the chassis web is - a front leg edge section extending into the tensioned front panel web, - a crotch leg edge section extending into the crotch web between the front panel crotch edge and the rear panel crotch edge, and - a rear leg edge section extending into the tensioned rear panel web and consists of The second leg edge of each precursor article is - a front leg edge section extending into the tensioned front panel web, - a crotch leg edge section extending into the crotch web between the front panel crotch edge and the rear panel crotch edge, and - A rear leg edge section that extends into the panel web after being stretched It consists of.

[0038] After applying a reinforcing elastic element onto the stretched rear panel web, the method disclosed herein forms the rear leg edge sections of the first and second leg edges and simultaneously cuts off the surplus portion of the reinforcing elastic element, and between the rear point of each leg edge where the leg edge intersects the rear panel crotch edge and the cut point on the leg edge where the reinforcing elastic element is cut off, it may further include leaving the remaining portion of the reinforcing elastic element attached along the rear leg edge sections of each edge of the first and second leg edges. The reinforcing leg elastic member is preferably not attached to the chassis web between the leg edges, is cut, and is enabled to be fastened in a rearward fastening manner in the attachment area arranged and configured at the intersection between the rear leg edge section and the crotch leg edge section, so that it can be made inactive between the leg edges. In this way, the elastic contraction of the absorbent core existing between the crotch region of the article and the leg edges of the article can be avoided.

[0039] Therefore, there may be no reinforcing elastic body in the portion of each rear leg edge section closest to the cut point, between the cut point and the dividing line between adjacent precursor articles. The portion of each rear leg edge section without the reinforcing elastic element may have a length measured along the corresponding leg edge from the cut point to the dividing line closest to the cut point, which is 25% to 75% of the total length of the rear leg edge section.

[0040] A method as disclosed herein may further include attaching a waist elastic member along the waist edge of the front panel web and / or along the waist edge of the back panel web. The one or more waist elastic members may be attached to one or both of the front panel web and the back panel web waist edges before being attached to the crotch web. The waist elastic member may be attached to the front panel web and the back panel web according to a method as disclosed in International Publication No. WO 2017 / 044013 A1 or International Publication No. WO 2017 / 044014 A1, which involves attaching a continuous waistband component to the base web in a defined waistband attachment area and cutting the base web and the attached waistband component along a cut extending through the attachment area in the machine direction, thereby creating a first panel web including a first panel portion to which a first portion of the waistband component is attached and a second panel web including a second panel portion and a second portion of the waistband component attached thereto. After cutting the base web and the elastic waistband component, the two web portions are shifted in the cross-machine direction such that the edges of the web portions to which the portions of the waistband component are attached face away from each other rather than facing each other. The two web portions having the attached portions of the waistband component can be used in a method of producing a disposable pant-like article as disclosed herein having a front panel web with a waist elastic member disposed along the waist edge of the front panel web and a back panel web with a waist elastic member disposed along the waist edge of the back panel web.

[0041] Alternatively, the waist elastic member may be attached to one or both of the front panel web and the back panel web waist edges after attaching the front panel web and the back panel web to the crotch web.

[0042] The waistband member is a component of the chassis web configured to create a distinct waistband within the final pant-like article as disclosed herein. Each waistband member has an outer edge facing away from the crotch edge of the corresponding panel web and an inner edge facing in the direction of the crotch edge of the corresponding panel web. The inner edge of the waistband member constitutes a distinct boundary between the waistband member and the body portion of the corresponding panel web.

[0043] Depending on how the waistband member is applied to the panel web, like the application methods disclosed in International Publication Nos. WO 2017 / 044013 A1 and WO 2017 / 044014 A1, the waistband member may fully overlap the waist edge portion of the panel web or the waistband member may be attached to the waist edge of the panel web with only a slight overlap sufficient to create a joint between the waistband member and the panel web.

[0044] The present disclosure further relates to disposable pant-like articles produced by a method as disclosed herein, which involves continuously producing disposable pant-like articles from a web moving in the machine direction. The method includes attaching a non-elastic non-stretch crotch web between a stretched elastic front panel web and a stretched elastic rear panel web to form an intimate chassis web of interconnected precursor articles, and then attaching a pair of elongated crotch elastic members to the chassis web of each precursor article with the elongated crotch elastic members arranged in a crossed machine direction configuration. Next, leg cuts are formed in the chassis web between the precursor articles. Thereafter, the chassis web is folded along a fold line extending in the machine direction to align the waist edges of the precursor articles. First and second side seams are formed in each precursor article along a dividing line between the precursor articles, and the side seams are formed from the aligned waist edges of the precursor articles to the leg cuts. Finally, individual pant-like articles are cut from the chassis web.

[0045] The pant-type article disclosed in this specification will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0046]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0047] The method for producing the pant-type article disclosed in this specification will be more fully described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings are schematic views, and different parts and components are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0048] The method is described herein in the context of disposable pant-type articles that include an absorbent assembly. However, it should be understood that this method is equally applicable to the production of absorbent and non-absorbent pant-type articles that do not include an absorbent assembly. The methods disclosed herein are useful for the production of any type of disposable pant-type article, such as adult incontinence products, baby diapers, training pants, swim pants, disposable underwear pants, and feminine sanitary pants.

[0049] A continuous method for producing the disposable pant-type articles disclosed herein will be described with reference to FIGS. 1-7.

[0050] FIG. 1 shows a continuous elastic front panel web 101 that is advanced in the machine direction MD. The front panel web 101 is advanced in the machine direction MD while being stretched in the machine direction MD such that the front panel web 101 is tensioned in the machine direction MD.

[0051] The front panel web 101 has a front waist edge 102 and an opposing front crotch edge 103.

[0052] FIG. 1 further shows a continuous elastic rear panel web 108 that is advanced in the machine direction MD parallel to the elastic front panel web 101. The rear panel web 108 is advanced in the machine direction MD while being stretched in the machine direction MD such that the rear panel web 108 is tensioned in the machine direction MD.

[0053] The rear panel web 108 has a rear waist edge 109 and an opposing rear crotch edge 110. The rear panel web 108 is spaced from the front panel web 101 in a cross machine direction CD perpendicular to the machine direction MD, and there is a gap 115 in the cross machine direction CD between the crotch edge 103 of the front panel web 101 and the crotch edge 110 of the rear panel web 108.

[0054] The front waist elastic member 104 is disposed and configured along the front waist edge 102, and the rear waist elastic member 111 is disposed and configured along the rear waist edge 109. The waist elastic members 104, 111 are already attached to the front panel web 101 and the rear panel web 108 prior to the production steps shown in FIG. 1 by a method such as that disclosed in International Publication No. WO 2017 / 044013 A1 or International Publication No. WO 2017 / 044014 A1. The methods in International Publication No. WO 2017 / 044013 A1 and International Publication No. WO 2017 / 044014 A1 start with a base web to which a continuous waistband component is attached. Thereafter, the base web is cut into two parts along a cut extending in the machine direction, cutting both the base web and the waistband component along the cut. By splitting the base web into two, a first panel web to which a first part of the waistband component is attached and a second panel web to which a second part of the waistband component is attached are formed. Thereafter, the two web parts are shifted in the cross-machine direction such that the cut edges of the web parts to which these parts of the waistband component are attached face away from each other. When the web parts are further processed by the method disclosed herein, as shown in FIG. 1, the cut edge of the first panel web forms the front waist edge 102 of the front panel web 101, and the cut edge of the second panel web forms the rear waist edge 109 of the rear panel web 108. The split waistband components form the front waist elastic member 104 and the rear waist elastic member 111 on the respective front panel web 101 and rear panel web 108.

[0055] In the methods of International Publication No. WO 2017 / 044013 A1 and International Publication No. WO 2017 / 044014 A1, as a result, a front waist elastic member 104 adjacent to the front waist edge 102 of the front panel web 101 and a rear waist elastic member 111 adjacent to the rear waist edge 109 of the rear panel web 108 are obtained. In the examples shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, the front waist edge 102 and the rear waist edge 109 have a matching sinusoidal shape configuration. It should be understood that the waist edges do not have to have a undulating configuration as shown in the figures, and other configurations such as straight edges, zigzag edges, etc. may be used. Further, it should be understood that other methods for attaching the waist band member to the front panel web and the rear panel web may also be used. The front waist band member may alternatively be attached by an edge seam along the front waist edge of the front panel web, and the rear waist band member may be attached by an edge seam along the rear waist edge of the rear panel web. In such embodiments, the waist band member extends in the cross machine direction CD outward from the waist edge of the corresponding panel web. Another possible arrangement configuration of the waist band member is to attach it slightly inward from the waist edge of the panel web. In such embodiments, each waist band member completely overlaps the corresponding panel web, and the small edge portion of the panel web extends outward in the cross machine direction CD at a distance on the order of 2 to 15 mm from the waist edge of the panel web.

[0056] The waist band member attached to the front panel web and the rear panel web by a method other than the methods disclosed in International Publication No. WO 2017 / 044013 A1 and International Publication No. WO 2017 / 044014 A1 may be attached during any suitable stage of the methods as disclosed herein, or may be attached before the stage shown in FIG. 1. It should also be understood that the waist elastic member as disclosed herein is optional for the methods and disposable pant-type articles as disclosed herein.

[0057] The waist elastic member may comprise or consist of any suitable elastic or stretchable material known in the art, including rubber threads, elastic films, elastic nonwovens, and elastic foams. Further, the elastic member may be provided in the form of a plurality of elongated elastic elements, as a single band of elastic or stretchable material, such as an elastic laminate. In all cases, the elastic member is a component of a chassis web or disposable pant-type article as disclosed herein, and is distinct from other stretchabilities of the chassis web of the pant-type article, such as leg elasticity or body elasticity.

[0058] Next, an inelastic and non-stretchable continuous crotch web 118 having a first side edge 119 and an opposing second side edge 120 is advanced in the machine direction MD, and the first side edge 119 of the crotch web 118 is attached at a first overlap seam 121 along the crotch edge 103 of the tensioned front panel web 101, and the second side edge 120 of the crotch web 118 is attached at a second overlap seam 122 along the crotch edge 110 of the tensioned rear panel web 108, as shown in FIG. 2. The crotch web 118 fills the gap 115 between the front panel web 101 and the rear panel web 108 and forms an intimate chassis web 130 of interconnected precursor articles 131a, 131b, 131c separated by a dividing line Ld extending in the cross-machine direction CD, and each precursor article 131a, 131b, 131c has a pitch length Lp in the machine direction MD between the dividing lines Ld. The pitch length Lp of the precursor articles 131a, 131b, 131c remains the same until the final step of the method disclosed herein, at which individual pant-type articles are separated from the chassis web 130.

[0059] The inelastic and non-stretchable continuous crotch web 118 shown in the figure is a crotch panel web and is applied only to fill the gap 115 between the front panel web 101 and the rear panel web 108. As described herein, the inelastic continuous crotch web may alternatively be an outer or inner cover web that extends across the entire distance in the cross-machine direction or at least 75% of the distance between the front waist edge and the rear waist edge.

[0060] Referring to FIG. 3, a pair of crotch elastic members is provided, which consists of a first strip-shaped crotch elastic member 141 and a second strip-shaped crotch elastic member 142.

[0061] Each crotch elastic member 141, 142 is extended in the longitudinal direction Le of the crotch elastic member, and the longitudinal direction Le of the crotch elastic members 141, 142 is aligned with the cross-machine direction CD of the moving chassis web 130.

[0062] Then, each extended crotch elastic member 141, 142 is attached to the chassis web 130 while being extended and aligned in the cross-machine direction CD. The pair of crotch elastic members is attached to the chassis web 130 with the first crotch elastic member 141 being spaced apart from the second crotch elastic member 142 by a crotch interval SC in the machine direction and symmetrically arranged on each side of the center line Lc of the precursor article extending in the cross-machine direction CD. The pairs of crotch elastic members of the precursor articles 131a, 131b, 131c are spaced apart in the machine direction at an article interval corresponding to the pitch length of the precursor articles 131a, 131b, 131c.

[0063] In the illustrated moving chassis web 130, the first end portions 143, 144 of each of the first and second crotch elastic members 141, 142 are overlapped and attached to the tensioned front panel web 101, and the second end portions 145, 146 of each of the first and second crotch elastic members 141, 142 are overlapped and attached to the tensioned rear panel web 108.

[0064] When stretching and applying the elongated crotch elastic members 141, 142 to the chassis web, the first and second end portions 143, 144, 145, 146 of the crotch elastic members 141, 142 can be held by movable clamps within a stretching device (not shown). The clamped end portions 143, 144, 145, 146 do not undergo stretching and are applied to and attached to the chassis web 130 in a non-tensioned state.

[0065] The elongated crotch elastic members 141, 142 can have a width as measured in the machine direction MD in the range of 15 mm to 50 mm and a length l as measured in the cross-machine direction in the range of 150 mm to 350 mm.

[0066] In a preferred embodiment of the method disclosed herein, the elastic member comprises or consists of an elastic film.

[0067] Referring to FIG. 4, the continuous reinforcing leg elastic member 150 is stretched in the machine direction MD and, in the stretched state, is attached in a configuration curved along the crotch edge 110 of the panel web 108 after being tensioned.

[0068] The reinforcing leg elastic member 150 is attached to one or more attachment areas (not shown) formed on the panel web 108 after being tensioned by continuously or discontinuously applying an adhesive to a selected portion of the panel web 108 after the reinforcing leg elastic member 150 has been tensioned before applying the reinforcing leg elastic member 150. After attachment of the reinforcing leg elastic member 150, the leg elastic member 150 and the exposed adhesive can be covered with a non-woven cover web 151 as shown in FIG. 4.

[0069] The reinforcing leg elastic member 150 intersects and is attached to the preferably non-tensioned second end portions 145, 146 of the first and second crotch elastic members 141, 142.

[0070] As illustrated in FIG. 5, this method may further include applying and attaching an absorbent assembly 160 including an absorbent core 161 to a chassis web 130 that moves the absorbent assembly 160. The absorbent assembly 160 further includes a liquid-impermeable backsheet 162 and a liquid-permeable topsheet 163 that together surround the absorbent core 161.

[0071] The absorbent assembly 160 is applied onto the front body article centerline Lc and covers the crotch elastic members 141, 142 that are stretched and attached.

[0072] The absorbent core 161 is disposed between the topsheet 163 and the backsheet 162 and absorbs liquids such as urine or other body fluids that have passed through the topsheet 163.

[0073] The topsheet 163, the backsheet 162, and the absorbent core 161 may each be made of any material suitable for their intended purpose.

[0074] The absorbent core 161 can be a single-layer structure or a multi-layer structure. The absorbent core 161 can contain a suitable amount of superabsorbent material. Such superabsorbent materials are well known in the field of absorbent articles and are composed of water-swellable and water-insoluble materials that can absorb large amounts of liquid when forming hydrogels. The absorbent core 161 can contain superabsorbent material in the form of fibers or particles of an absorbent polymer material. For example, the superabsorbent material can be a surface-crosslinked partially neutralized polyacrylate. Superabsorbent materials such as superabsorbent fibers or particles can be mixed with other absorbent materials such as cellulose fluff pulp or one or more liquid uptake materials and / or arranged and configured in pockets or layers within the absorbent core 161.

[0075] The absorbent core 161 may further include components for improving the properties of the absorbent core 161, such as integrity and strength. For example, the absorbent core 161 may include one or more binders such as binder fibers. Elastic fibers, chemically cured fibers, etc. may be present in the absorbent core 161 to counter the wet disintegration of cellulose fibers. Such fibers may also be useful for retaining a liquid transport capillary network in the absorbent component so that the absorbent fluid is distributed in the absorbent component and is absorbed by the superabsorbent material even in parts of the absorbent component outside the initial wetting area of the absorbent article.

[0076] The topsheet 163 is the layer facing the wearer and may comprise or consist of a fluid-permeable nonwoven fabric, a perforated polymer film, a mesh or a foam. The topsheet may be made of a thermoplastic material such as thermoplastic synthetic fibers, a film, or a mesh material. The topsheet 163 may be single-layered or may have a laminate structure including multiple layers, for example two or more layers. The layers may be made of the same material or some or all of the layers may be made of different materials.

[0077] Furthermore, the backsheet 162 may be constituted by a liquid-impermeable layer such as a polymer film, for example a film of polyethylene or polypropylene. The backsheet 162 may be breathable. Materials that may be used for the backsheet 162 include thin flexible liquid-impermeable plastic films, or liquid-impermeable nonwoven materials, liquid-impermeable foams, and liquid-impermeable laminates. The backsheet 162 may be formed by a single layer or may have a multilayer structure in which at least one layer is liquid-impermeable.

[0078] After optionally applying and attaching the absorbent assembly 160 to the chassis web 130, a leg cut 170 is formed in the chassis web 130 between the precursor articles 131a, 131b, 131c, and each leg cut 170 has a closed-loop configuration as shown between the precursor articles 131b and 131c in FIG. 6. The leg cut forms a first leg edge 171 of the preceding precursor article 131c and a second leg edge of the subsequent precursor article 131b.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 6, the first leg edge 171 of each precursor article 131a, 131b, 131c within the chassis web is - a front leg edge section 171f that extends into the tensioned front panel web 101, - a crotch leg edge section 171c that extends into the crotch web 118 between the front panel crotch edge 103 and the rear panel crotch edge 110, and - a rear leg edge section 171r that extends into the tensioned rear panel web 108 and consists of.

[0080] The second leg edge 172 of each precursor article 131a, 131b, 131c is - a front leg edge section 172f that extends into the tensioned front panel web 101, - a crotch leg edge section 172c that extends into the crotch web 118 between the front panel crotch edge 103 and the rear panel crotch edge 110, and - a rear leg edge section 172r that extends into the tensioned rear panel web 108 and consists of.

[0081] The reinforcing leg elastic member 150 is not attached to the chassis web 130 in the region disposed between the leg edges 171, 172 where the absorbent core 161 is disposed. The reinforcing leg elastic member 150 is cut at the precursor article center line Lc and is enabled to be fastened in a back-fastening manner in the attachment region disposed and configured at the intersection between the rear leg edge section and the crotch leg edge section, so as to be inactivated within the region between the leg edges 171, 172.

[0082] As shown in FIG. 6, the closed-loop leg cut 170 forms a cutout portion 173 inside each leg cut 170. In FIG. 6, the material in the cutout portion 173 remains inside the leg cut 170, while in FIG. 7, the material in the cutout portion 173 is removed from the chassis web 130. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the cutout portion 173 has an approximately heart shape. However, it should be understood that the shape of the cutout portion 173 may be varied, for example, to adapt the fit of the pant-type article as disclosed herein to the build and shape of a particular category of users. After forming the leg cut 170, the cutout portion 173 is removed from the chassis web and is not part of a further portion of the process as disclosed herein.

[0083] The length of each of the crotch leg edge sections 171c, 172c is measured along the corresponding leg edges 171, 172 from the forward points Pf1, Pf2 on the leg edges 171, 172 where the leg edges 171, 172 intersect the front panel crotch edge 103 to the rear points Pr1, Pr2 on the leg edges 171, 172 where the leg edges 171, 172 intersect the rear panel crotch edge 110.

[0084] The length of the front leg edge section 171f of the first leg edge 171 is measured along the first leg edge 171 from the front point Pf1 on the first leg edge 171 where the first leg edge 171 intersects the front panel crotch edge 103 to the dividing line Ld behind the first leg edge 171 in the machine direction MD, that is, to the dividing line Ld closest to the front point Pf1.

[0085] The length of the rear leg edge section 171r of the first leg edge 171 is measured along the first leg edge 171 from the rear point Pr1 on the first leg edge 171 where the first leg edge 171 intersects the rear panel crotch edge 108 to the dividing line Ld behind the first leg edge 171 in the machine direction MD, that is, to the dividing line Ld closest to the rear point Pr1.

[0086] The length of the front leg edge section 172f of the second leg edge 172 is measured along the second leg edge 172 from the front point Pf2 on the second leg edge where the second leg edge 172 intersects the front panel crotch edge 103 to the dividing line Ld in front of the second leg edge 171 in the machine direction MD, that is, to the dividing line Ld closest to the front point Pf2.

[0087] The length of the rear leg edge section 172r of the second leg edge 172 is measured along the second leg edge 172 from the rear point Pr2 on the second leg edge 172 where the second leg edge 172 intersects the rear panel crotch edge 108 to the dividing line Ld in front of the second leg edge 172 in the machine direction MD, that is, to the dividing line Ld closest to the rear point Pr2.

[0088] After forming the leg cuts, the absorbent assembly 160 is disposed at the center between the first leg edge 171 and the second leg edge of each precursor article 131a, 131b, 131c in the chassis web.

[0089] As shown in FIG. 6, a portion of each crotch leg edge section 171c, 172c can be formed by cutting through the crotch web 118, through the corresponding crotch elastic members 141, 142, and through the peripheral edge portions 164, 165 of the absorbent assembly 160. The peripheral edge portions 164, 165 of the absorbent assembly 160 are portions of the liquid-impermeable backsheet 162 and the liquid-permeable topsheet 163 of the absorbent assembly 160, and are formed by portions that extend outward in the machine direction MD from the corresponding peripheral edges 166, 167 of the absorbent core 161 of the absorbent assembly 160. In the illustrated absorbent assembly 160, both the topsheet 163 and the backsheet 162 extend beyond the peripheral edges 166, 167 of the absorbent core 161 and are joined to each other by an edge seal.

[0090] As can be seen by looking at FIG. 6, the crotch leg edge sections 171c, 172c, as well as the strip-shaped crotch elastic members 141, 142 which initially have a generally rectangular shape, are cut with a slightly concave curvature so as to give a somewhat modified strip shape having a concave cut edge along at least a portion of the crotch leg edge sections 171c, 172c.

[0091] Referring further to FIGS. 6 and 7, when cutting the rear leg edge sections 171r, 172r of the first and second leg edges 171, 172, the surplus portion 150s of the reinforcing elastic element 150 is simultaneously cut off together with the cutout portion 173, leaving the remaining portion 150r of the reinforcing elastic element 150 attached along the respective rear leg edge sections 171r, 172r between the rear points Pr1, Pr2 of each of the first leg edge 171 and the second leg edge 172. The leg edges 171, 172 intersect the rear panel crotch edge 110 and the cut point Pc on the leg edge, where the reinforcing elastic element 150 is cut off. Thereby, a part of each of the rear leg edge sections 171r, 172r between the cut point Pc and the dividing line Ld closest to the cut point Pc has no reinforcing elastic body. The portion of each of the rear leg edge sections 171r, 172r without the reinforcing elastic element 150 may have a length measured along the corresponding leg edges 171, 172 from the cut point Pc to the dividing line Ld closest to it, which is 25% to 75% of the total length of the rear leg edge sections 171r, 172r.

[0092] After forming the leg edges 171, 172 by cutting out the cutout portion 173 from the chassis web 130 along the cut 170, the chassis web 130 is folded along the fold line Lv extending in the machine direction MD to align the waist edge 102 of the front panel web 101 with the waist edge 109 of the rear panel web 108 as shown in FIG. 8.

[0093] The first side seam 181 and the second side seam 182 are formed within each of the precursor articles 131a, 131b, 131c along the dividing line Ld between the precursor articles 131a, 131b, 131c from the aligned waist edges 102, 109 of the front and rear panel webs 101, 108 to the leg cut 170.

[0094] The first side seam 181 of the leading precursor article 131a and the second side seam 182 of the subsequent precursor article 131b can be formed as a single wide seal extending along the dividing line Ld, as shown in FIG. 8. When cutting individual pant-shaped articles from the chassis web 130 of the precursor articles 131a, 131b, 131c by cutting the chassis web along the dividing line Ld, the single wide seal shown in FIG. 8 is simultaneously divided into two side seams 181, 182 of the interconnected precursor articles 131a, 131b.

[0095] Alternatively, the side seams 181, 182 can be formed as individual seals placed on both sides of the dividing line Ld.

[0096] The side seams can be formed by a method suitable for the purpose, such as using heat welding, ultrasonic welding, or an adhesive. In the case of an adhesive side seam, the adhesive is generally applied before the chassis web is folded along the fold line Lv.

[0097] FIG. 9 shows the disposable pant-shaped article 190 after being cut from the chassis web 130 of the precursor articles 131a, 131b, 131c. The disposable pant-shaped article 190 is illustrated with all elastic elements that were stretched and expanded during production being contracted to a relaxed state and the web material in the pant-shaped article 190 being gathered together.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0098] CD Cross Machine Direction Lc Longitudinal Center Line Ld Dividing Line l Length MD Machine Direction Pc Cut Point Pf1, Pf2 Front Points Pr1, Pr2 Rear Points 101 Elastic Front Panel Web 102 Front Panel Waist Edge 103 Opposing Front Panel Crotch Edge 104 Front Waist Elastic Member 108 Continuous elastic rear panel web 109 Rear panel waist edge 110 Opposing rear panel crotch edge 111 Rear waist elastic member 115 Gap 118 Inelastic non - stretch continuous crotch web 119 First side edge 120 Second side edge 121 First overlap seam 122 Second overlap seam 130 Chassis web 131a, 131b, 131c Precursor articles 141 First crotch elastic member 142 Second crotch elastic member 143, 144 First end portion 145, 146 Second end portion 150 Continuous reinforced leg elastic member 150r Remaining portion 150s Surplus portion 151 Non - woven cover web 160 Absorbent assembly 161 Absorbent core 162 Liquid - impermeable backsheet 163 Liquid - permeable topsheet 164, 165 Peripheral edge portion 166, 167 Peripheral edge 170 Leg cut 171 First leg edge 171c Crotch leg edge section 171f Front leg edge section 171r Rear leg edge section 172 Second leg edge 172c Crotch leg edge section 172f Front leg edge section 172r Rear leg edge section 173 Cut - out portion 181 First side seam 182 Second side seam 190 Disposable pant-type article

Claims

1. A method of producing a disposable pant-type article (190), the method comprising: - advancing a continuous elastic front panel web (101) in a machine direction (MD), the continuous elastic front panel web (101) being tensioned in the machine direction (MD) and having a front panel waist edge (102) and an opposing front panel crotch edge (103); - advancing a continuous elastic rear panel web (108) in a machine direction (MD), the continuous elastic rear panel web (108) being tensioned in the machine direction (MD) and having a rear panel waist edge (109) and an opposing rear panel crotch edge (110), the continuous elastic rear panel web (108) being spaced from the continuous elastic front panel web (101) in a cross machine direction (CD) perpendicular to the machine direction (MD), there being a gap (115) in the cross machine direction (CD) between the front panel crotch edge (103) and the rear panel crotch edge (110); - advancing a non-elastic continuous crotch web (118) in the machine direction (MD); - attaching the non-elastic continuous crotch web (118) to the tensioned continuous elastic front panel web (101) and the tensioned continuous elastic rear panel web (108), thereby filling the gap (115) between the front panel crotch edge (103) and the rear panel crotch edge (110) and forming an intimate chassis web (130) of interconnected precursor articles (131a, 131b, 131c); - providing a pair of crotch elastic members (141, 142), the pair of crotch elastic members comprising a first crotch elastic member (141) and a second crotch elastic member (142); - stretching each crotch elastic member (141, 142) in a longitudinal direction (Le) of the crotch elastic member (141, 142) and aligning the longitudinal direction of the crotch elastic member (141, 142) with the cross machine direction (CD); - Attaching each of the elongated crotch elastic members (141, 142) to the inelastic continuous crotch web (118) while keeping the crotch elastic member (118) in an elongated and aligned state in the cross machine direction (CD), wherein the first crotch elastic member (141) is spaced from the second crotch elastic member (142) with a crotch spacing (Sc) in the machine direction (MD), and a pair of crotch elastic members (141, 142) of a preceding precursor article (131a) is spaced from a pair of crotch elastic members (141, 142) of a subsequent precursor article (131b) with an article spacing in the machine direction (MD), and the article spacing depends on the pitch length (Lp) of the precursor articles (131a, 131b, 131c) in the adhering chassis web (130) of the interconnected precursor articles (131a, 131b, 131c), a step; - Forming leg cuts (170) in the adhering chassis web (130), each leg cut (170) having a closed loop configuration and forming a first leg edge (171) of a preceding precursor article (131a) and a second leg edge (172) of a subsequent precursor article (131b), a step; - Folding the adhering chassis web (130) along a crease (Lv) extending in the machine direction (MD) and aligning the front panel waist edge (102) with the rear panel waist edge (110), a step; - Forming first and second side seams (181, 182) in each of the precursor articles (131a, 131b, 131c), the side seams (181, 182) being formed in the cross machine direction (CD) along a dividing line (Ld) between the precursor articles (131a, 131b, 131c) from the aligned waist edges (102, 109) of the continuous elastic front panel web (101) and the continuous elastic rear panel web (108) to the leg cuts (170), a step; - Cutting individual pant-shaped articles (190) from the adhering chassis web (130), a step; comprising The method further includes applying and attaching an absorbent assembly (160) including an absorbent core (161) to each precursor article (131a, 131b, 131c) within the conforming chassis web (130), wherein the absorbent core (161) of the absorbent assembly (160) is sealed between a liquid-impermeable backsheet (162) and a liquid-permeable topsheet (163). The method, wherein the absorbent assembly (160) is applied to cover the elongated and attached crotch elastic members (141, 142). **Claim 2** The inelastic continuous crotch web (118) is a crotch panel web having a first side edge (119) and an opposing second side edge (120), and the step of attaching the inelastic continuous crotch web (118) to the tensioned continuous elastic front panel web (101) and the tensioned continuous elastic rear panel web (108) is - attaching the first side edge (119) of the inelastic continuous crotch web (118) to the tensioned continuous elastic front panel web (101) along the front panel crotch edge (103) in an overlap seam extending along the front panel crotch edge (103), and attaching the second side edge (120) of the inelastic continuous crotch web (118) to the tensioned continuous elastic rear panel web (108) along the rear panel crotch edge (110) in an overlap seam extending along the rear panel crotch edge (110). The method according to claim 1. **Claim 3** The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the continuous elastic front panel web (101) is constituted by an elastic laminate web including an elastic film and / or an elastic nonwoven web, or is constituted by an elastic nonwoven web, and the continuous elastic rear panel web (108) is constituted by an elastic laminate web including an elastic film and / or an elastic nonwoven web, or is constituted by an elastic nonwoven web. **Claim 4** The method according to claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein the crotch elastic members (141, 142) are strip-shaped crotch elastic members (141, 142). **Claim 5** The method according to claim 4, wherein the elongated crotch elastic member (141, 142) has a width as measured in the machine direction (MD) in the range of 15 mm to 50 mm and a length as measured in the cross-machine direction (CD) in the range of 150 mm to 350 mm.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the crotch elastic member (141, 142) comprises or consists of an elastic film.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the crotch elastic member (141, 142) comprises or consists of an elastic nonwoven fabric.

8. A part of each leg cut (170) extending within the inelastic continuous crotch web (118) is cut through the inelastic continuous crotch web (118), the corresponding crotch elastic member (141, 142), and one or both of the peripheral edge portions (164, 165) of the liquid-impermeable backsheet (162) and the liquid-permeable topsheet (163), and the peripheral edge portions (164, 165) are arranged outwardly from around the absorbent core (161) of the absorbent assembly (160). The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the continuous reinforcing leg elastic element (150) is extended in the machine direction (MD) and is attached in a curved configuration along the rear panel crotch edge (110) before forming the leg cut (170) in the close-fitting chassis web (130).

10. The step of attaching the continuous reinforcing leg elastic element (150) includes forming one or more attachment regions on the tensioned continuous elastic rear panel web (108) by applying an adhesive to the tensioned continuous elastic rear panel web (108), and attaching the continuous reinforcing leg elastic element (150) to the tensioned continuous elastic rear panel web (108) in the one or more attachment regions. The method according to claim 9.

11. The method includes the steps of overlapping each of the first end portions (143, 144) of the pair of the first crotch elastic members (141) and the second crotch elastic members (142) of the crotch elastic members (141, 142) with the tensioned continuous elastic front panel web (101), and attaching the overlapped first end portions (143, 144) of each of the first crotch elastic members (141) and the second crotch elastic members (142) to the tensioned continuous elastic front panel web (101), and / or overlapping each of the second end portions (145, 146) of the pair of the first crotch elastic members (141) and the second crotch elastic members (142) of the crotch elastic members (141, 142) with the tensioned continuous elastic rear panel web (108), and attaching the overlapped second end portions (145, 146) of each of the first crotch elastic members (141) and the second crotch elastic members (142) to the tensioned continuous elastic rear panel web (108), the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. The method according to claim 11, when dependent on claim 9 or 10, wherein the second end portions (145, 146) of each of the first crotch elastic member (141) and the second crotch elastic member (142) are attached overlapping the tensioned continuous elastic rear panel web (108) and further attached to the continuous reinforcing leg elastic element (150).

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the first crotch elastic member (141) and the second crotch elastic member (142) are attached to the close-fitting chassis web (130) before or after attaching the continuous reinforcing leg elastic element (150).

14. The first leg edge (171) of each precursor article (131a, 131b, 131c) within the close-fitting chassis web (130) is - a front leg edge section (171f) extending into the tensioned continuous elastic front panel web (101), - a crotch leg edge section (171c) extending into the inelastic continuous crotch web (118) between the front panel crotch edge (103) and the rear panel crotch edge (110), and - a rear leg edge section (171r) extending into the tensioned continuous elastic rear panel web (108) and consists of. The second leg edges (172) of each of the precursor articles (131a, 131b, 131c) are - a front leg edge section (172f) extending within the tensioned continuous elastic front panel web (101), - a crotch leg edge section (172c) extending within the inelastic continuous crotch web (118) between the front panel crotch edge (103) and the rear panel crotch edge (110), and - a rear leg edge section (172r) extending within the tensioned continuous elastic rear panel web (108). The method according to any one of claims 1 to 13. **Claim 15** The method includes forming the rear leg edge sections (171r, 172r) of the first and second leg edges (171, 172) and simultaneously separating the surplus portion (150s) of the continuous reinforcing leg elastic element (150), leaving the remaining portion (150r) of the continuous reinforcing leg elastic element (150) attached along each of the rear leg edge sections (171r, 172r) of the first leg edge (171) and the second leg edge (172). Each rear leg edge section (171r, 172r) has a portion of the continuous reinforcing leg elastic element (150) missing between a cut point (Pc) on the leg edge (171, 172) where the continuous reinforcing leg elastic element (150) is separated and a dividing line (Ld) between adjacent precursor articles (131a, 131b, 131c) located at the position closest to the cut point (Pc). The portion of each rear leg edge section (171r, 172r) without the continuous reinforcing leg elastic element (150) is 25% to 75% of the total length of the rear leg edge section (172r, 172r), having a length as measured along the corresponding leg edge (171, 172) from the cut point (Pc) to the closest dividing line (Ld). The method according to claim 14 when dependent on any one of claims 1 to 10. **Claim 16** The method includes the step of attaching waist elastic members (104, 111) along the front panel waist edge (102) and / or along the rear panel waist edge (109), wherein the one or more waist elastic members (104, 111) are attached before or after attaching the crotch panel web to the continuous elastic front panel web (101) and the continuous elastic rear panel web (108). The method according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

Images