Absorbent article having waist gasket element

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an absorbent article having a waist gasket element, the gasket element having an adhesive zone and one or more adhesive-free zones, at least a portion of the waist gasket element being adhesively attached to a chassis of the absorbent article, and a portion of the waist gasket element being mechanically attached to a portion of the absorbent article.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates to disposable absorbent articles having waist gasket elements, and more particularly to waist gasket elements having adhesive-free zones and adhesive zones. [Background technology]

[0002] Various types of articles, such as diapers and other absorbent articles, have components that include elastic portions, such as waistbands. 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. Providing an elastic waistband at the top edge of a disposable absorbent article can improve fit and containment. The elastic waistband can help contain exudates by increasing pressure between the skin and the article to form a seal that helps prevent exudates from escaping the product in the waist region. In addition, the elastic waistband can physically close gaps that would otherwise form as the wearer transitions between positions, such as bending forward at the waist.

[0003] Waistbands can be located at one or both of the front and back edges of the absorbent article, and in closed-form "pant" articles, they can be continuously formed to provide a waistband around the entire top edge of the article. In some articles, the waistband may be located only at the back and spaced downward from the edge of the article to close the gap at the back of the article. Articles with waistbands spaced downward from the edge typically exhibit larger pleats at the top edge of the product compared to articles with waistbands that are adjacent to the edge of the article. These pleats may appear to caregivers as gaps through which body exudates can leak, even though the waistbands may close the gap directly below this area. Therefore, articles with waistbands that are adjacent to the edge of the article may be preferred. However, some caregivers perceive waistbands that are spaced downward from the edge of the article as a better leakage barrier.

[0004] Elastic waistbands can include a variety of elastic materials, such as twisted elastics, films, elastic nonwoven materials, elastic adhesives, etc. These materials can have a high coefficient of friction and / or can be tacky. The elastic portions of such materials can be laminated to another material with a lower coefficient of friction, such as a polypropylene nonwoven, to protect the wearer from direct contact with the elastic material. These materials can be laminated together by various means, including adhesive bonding, mechanical bonding, thermal bonding, or other suitable techniques. In some absorbent articles, the material laminated with the elastic material is a material already present in the absorbent article for another reason, such as a topsheet, or in other absorbent articles, the material laminated with the elastic material can be a material specifically designed to cover only the elastic in the waistband region. Thus, for waistbands externally attached to the inner surface (i.e., the body-facing side) of the article, a material specifically designed to cover the elastic material can be used. Therefore, it can be beneficial to provide a waistband that is covered with a material and is provided along the longitudinal edges of the article.

[0005] Waistbands attached to the outer, inner surface of the article can be attached using a variety of means, including mechanical attachment, adhesive attachment, thermal attachment, and co-forming. The most typical industry method for attaching waistbands to outer surfaces is adhesive bonding. The application of adhesive devices is typically less costly than comparable mechanical applications, is well known in the industry, and works well for most waistband applications, especially for waistbands that are positioned (i.e., sandwiched) on the inner surface of the diaper by existing materials such as the topsheet and / or backsheet. Sandwiching the waistband ensures that any adhesive applied to attach the waistband is covered and does not come into direct contact with the user.

[0006] However, externally attached waistbands can present problems that impair the effectiveness of the absorbent article and are not completely resolved in high-speed absorbent article manufacturing applications. In most cases, a portion of the adhesive is exposed to the user's surface of the article and can stick to the user during use and removal of the product; otherwise, preparing the product for application to the user can be difficult. The adhesive can be exposed in a variety of ways. For example, variations in waistband attachment can involve folding or rolling up the lateral edges (i.e., the left and right edges), thereby exposing the backside and adhesive of the waistband. Furthermore, adhesively attached waistbands can become entangled with various components of the equipment during subsequent manufacturing or can become trapped in various processes. Additionally, the adhesive can take time to solidify during the manufacturing process. If other processes exist downstream of the waistband attachment process, the adhesive may not have enough time to solidify, and therefore the waistband can easily be pulled away from the article during processing with very little force. Additionally, the multiple applications of adhesive to layers of an article, such as a topsheet, and the variability associated with attaching waistbands, especially in high speed manufacturing processes, can lead to edges of the adhesive being exposed on one side or the other.

[0007] One approach to addressing the problems caused by adhesive bonding of externally applied waistbands is to mechanically attach them. The mechanical attachment process allows the waistband to be immediately bonded to the article, thereby reducing the risk of the waistband falling off during subsequent processing. In addition, the mechanical attachment is not adhesive and therefore does not adhere to the user even if a portion of the waistband is rolled up. Nevertheless, mechanical attachment presents several other problems, particularly in the central absorbent region of the article, especially when the waistband is attached to the chassis after the absorbent core and chassis are already assembled. For example, the mechanical attachment can result in the formation of holes that can lead to leakage of body exudates through the outer cover of the absorbent article. Variations in process or equipment manufacturing can also make it difficult to create a suitable bond. In addition, mechanical bonds on the absorbent core of an absorbent article can be ineffective if they come into contact with airfelt or absorbent gel material (AGM) distributed within the absorbent core. Airfelt is based on wood pulp and does not melt or bond well to the rest of the polymer in the article, leading to adhesive failure. AGM can burn and darken when subjected to mechanical bonding processes and does not chemically pair well with other polymers, such as polypropylene. This can result in poor bonding or non-bonding. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] Therefore, it would be advantageous to have an externally applied waistband that addresses the problems associated with adhesive bonding at the edges, i.e., exposed adhesive, and premature fall-off in the process. It would also be advantageous to have an externally applied waistband that addresses the problems associated with mechanical bonding near the absorbent core, i.e., holes and burn spots in the outer cover. Furthermore, it would be even more advantageous to have an externally applied waistband that is attached at or near the longitudinal edges of the article to prevent large gathers that may be perceived as gaps, and that is laminated to a nonwoven material to protect the user from the high friction properties of elastomeric materials. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In one embodiment, a disposable absorbent article includes a front waist region, a back waist region, and a crotch region disposed between the first and second waist regions, a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis, a front waist edge, a back waist edge, a first longitudinally extending side edge, and a second longitudinally extending side edge, a chassis including a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. The disposable absorbent article also includes a waist gasket element including a proximal end edge, a distal end edge, a first side edge, a second side edge, and an elastic material. The disposable absorbent article also includes a proximal end edge, a distal end edge, a first side edge, a second side edge, and a leg gasket element including an elastic material. At least a portion of the waist gasket element is adhesively attached to the chassis, and at least a portion of the waist gasket element is mechanically attached to the chassis, the waist gasket element comprising an adhesive zone, a first adhesive-free zone, and a second adhesive-free zone.

[0010] In another embodiment, a disposable absorbent article includes a front waist region, a back waist region, and a crotch region disposed between the front and back waist regions, a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis, a front waist edge, a back waist edge, first longitudinally extending side edges, and a chassis including an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. The disposable absorbent article also includes a waist gasket element having a proximal end edge, a distal end edge, a first side edge, a second side edge, and an elastic material. The disposable absorbent article also includes a proximal end edge, a distal end edge, a first side edge, a second side edge, and an elastic material. At least a portion of the waist gasket element is adhesively attached to the chassis, and at least a portion of the waist gasket element is mechanically attached to a portion of the leg gasket element, the waist gasket element comprising an adhesive zone, a first adhesive-free zone, and a second adhesive-free zone. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway plan view of an absorbent article in the form of a tape-type absorbent article that may include one or more waist gasket elements according to the present disclosure, with the portion of the absorbent article facing away from the wearer oriented toward the viewer. [Figure 1B] 1B is a plan view of the absorbent article of FIG. 1A, which may include one or more waist gasket elements according to the present disclosure, with the portion of the absorbent article facing the wearer oriented towards the viewer. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the rear waist region of an absorbent article, with the wearer-facing portion of the absorbent article oriented towards the viewer. [Figure 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent article taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 1 shows waist gasket elements positioned within the front and back waist regions of an absorbent article, with the wearer-facing portions of the absorbent article oriented towards the viewer. [Figure 5]5 is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent article taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a plan view of the rear waist region of an absorbent article according to another embodiment, with the wearer-facing portion of the absorbent article oriented towards the viewer. [Figure 7] 1A and 1B schematically illustrate a cross-sectional view of a waist gasket element attached to a topsheet taken along the lateral axis of an exemplary absorbent article. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a schematic top view of a laminate that can be cut transversely to form waist gasket elements. [Figure 9] 9 shows the laminate of FIG. 8 after knife cuts in the cross direction, thereby forming waist gasket elements, shown spaced apart in the machine direction. [Figure 10] 1A and 1B illustrate schematic diagrams of an exemplary waist gasket laminate prior to separation at a cutting location. [Figure 11] 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an exemplary waist gasket element taken in the machine direction. [Figure 12] 12 shows the waist gasket element of FIG. 11 in a relaxed contracted state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The following terminology may be useful in understanding this disclosure.

[0013] The term "absorbent article" is used herein to refer to consumer products whose primary function is to absorb and contain soils and exudates. Absorbent articles may include sanitary napkins, tampons, panty liners, interlabial devices, wound dressings, wipes, disposable diapers, including tape diapers and diaper pants, diaper inserts with reusable outer covers, adult incontinence diapers, adult incontinence pads, and adult incontinence pants. The term "disposable" is used herein to describe absorbent articles that are generally not intended to be laundered or otherwise regenerated or reused as absorbent articles (e.g., they are intended to be discarded after a single use and may be configured to be recycled, composted, or otherwise disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner).

[0014] The term "feminine hygiene article" refers to disposable absorbent articles used by women for menstrual protection. Such feminine hygiene articles can include sanitary napkins, tampons, interlabial products, incontinence devices, and panty liners. Non-limiting examples of panty liners and sanitary napkins include those disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,324,246, 4,463,045, 4,342,314, 4,556,146, 4,589,876, 4,687,478, 4,950,264, 5,009,653, 5,267,992, and 6,004,893, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0015] "Elastic," "elastomer," or "elastomeric" refers to a material that exhibits elastic properties, including any material that can be stretched or extended when a force is applied to its relaxed, initial length to an elongated length that is greater than 10% of its initial length, and that substantially recovers to about its initial length after the applied force is released.

[0016] As used herein, the term "joined" encompasses a configuration in which an element is directly secured to another element by directly attaching the element to the other element, and a configuration in which an element is indirectly secured to another element by attaching the element to an intermediate member(s) and then attaching the intermediate members to the other element.

[0017] The term "substrate" is used herein to describe a material that is primarily two-dimensional (i.e., in the XY plane) and whose thickness (Z direction) is relatively small (i.e., 1 / 10 or less) compared to its length (X direction) and width (Y direction). Non-limiting examples of substrates include webs, one or more layers of fibrous material, nonwoven fabrics, and films and foils, such as polymeric films or metal foils. These materials may be used alone or may include two or more layers laminated together. Thus, a web is a substrate.

[0018] As used herein, the term "nonwoven" refers to materials made from continuous (long) filaments (fibers) and / or discontinuous (short) filaments (fibers) by processes such as spunbonding, meltblowing, and carding. In some configurations, nonwovens may include polyolefin-based nonwovens, including, but not limited to, nonwovens having blends of polypropylene and / or polyethylene fibers, and / or bicomponent fibers containing polyolefins, and / or fibers containing cotton or other organic materials. Non-limiting examples of suitable fibers include spunbond, spunlaid, meltblown, spunmelt, solvent-spun, electrospun, carded, film-fibrillated, melt-film-fibrillated, airlaid, dry-laid, wet-laid staple fibers, hydroentangled, and other nonwoven web materials formed in part or entirely of polymeric fibers known in the art, as well as processable combinations thereof. Nonwovens do not have a woven or knitted filament pattern. It should be understood that nonwovens having a variety of basis weights may be used in accordance with the present disclosure. 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 from about 8 gsm to about 65 gsm, specifically recited in 1 gsm increments within the above ranges and all ranges formed by or within the ranges.

[0019] It should be understood that films having a variety of basis weights can be used in accordance with the present disclosure. 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 from about 8 gsm to about 60 gsm, specifically as recited in the above ranges and all ranges formed by or within the ranges, all in 1 gsm increments.

[0020] Components of the disposable absorbent articles (i.e., diapers, disposable pants, adult incontinence articles, sanitary napkins, panty liners, etc.) described herein may be prepared using any of the methods disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007 / 0219521(A1) to Hird et al., published September 20, 2007; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2011 / 0139658(A1) to Hird et al., published June 16, 201 ... U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2011 / 0139657(A1), Hird et al., published June 23, 2011, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2011 / 0152812(A1), Hird et al., published June 16, 2011, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2011 / 0139662(A1), Hird et al., published June 16, 2011, and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2011 / 0139659(A1), Hird et al., published June 16, 2011. These components include, but are not limited to, topsheet nonwovens, backsheet films, backsheet nonwovens, side panel nonwovens, barrier leg cuff nonwovens, superabsorbents, nonwoven acquisition layers, core wrap nonwovens, adhesives, fastener hooks, and fastener landing area nonwovens, and film bases. In at least one embodiment, the disposable absorbent article component comprises a biobased content value of about 10% to about 100% using ASTM D6866-10, Test Method B, in another embodiment, about 25% to about 75%, and in yet another embodiment, about 50% to about 60% using ASTM D6866-10, Test Method B. To determine the biobased content of any disposable absorbent article component using the ASTM D6866-10 method, a representative sample of the disposable absorbent article component must be obtained for testing. In at least one embodiment, the disposable absorbent article component can be ground to fine particles of less than about 20 mesh using known grinding methods (e.g., a Wiley® mill), and a representative sample of a suitable mass can be removed from the randomly mixed particles.

[0021] The term "machine direction" (MD) is used herein to refer to the direction of material flowing through a process. Additionally, the relative placement and movement of material can be described as flowing in the machine direction through a process from upstream in the process to downstream in the process.

[0022] The term "cross direction" (CD) is used herein to refer to a direction generally perpendicular to the machine direction.

[0023] The term "taped diaper" (also called "open diaper") refers to a disposable absorbent article having initial front and rear waist regions that are not fastened, prefastened, or joined together when packaged prior to application to a wearer. A taped diaper may be folded about a lateral centerline with the interior of one waist region in surface-to-surface contact with the interior of the opposing waist region without fastening or joining the waist regions together. Exemplary tape diapers are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,167,897, 5,360,420, 5,599,335, 5,643,588, 5,674,216, 5,702,551, 5,968,025, 6,107,537, 6,118,041, 6,153,209, 6,410, and the like, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. ,129, 6,426,444, 6,586,652, 6,627,787, 6,617,016, 6,825,393 and 6,861,571, and U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 2013 / 0072887(A1), 2013 / 0211356(A1), and 2013 / 0306226(A1).

[0024] The term "pants" (also referred to herein as "training pants," "preclosed diapers," "diaper pants," "pant diapers," and "pull-on diapers") refers to a disposable absorbent article designed for an infant or adult wearer, having a continuous waist opening at its perimeter and continuous leg openings at its perimeter. Pants may be constructed with 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 preformed or prefastened with various techniques, including, but not limited to, joining portions of the article to one another using any refastenable and / or permanent closure member (e.g., seams, heat bonding, pressure welding, adhesives, cohesive bonds, mechanical fasteners, etc.). Pants may be preformed anywhere along the perimeter of the article in the waist region (e.g., side fastened or seamed, front waist fastened or seamed, back waist fastened or seamed). Exemplary diaper pants of various configurations are disclosed in U.S. Pat. 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 Publication Nos. 2003 / 0233082(A1), 2005 / 01077, and the like. 64(A1), 2012 / 0061016(A1), 2012 / 0061015(A1), 2013 / 0255861(A1), 2013 / 0255862(A1), 2013 / 0255863(A1), 2013 / 0255864(A1), and 2013 / 0255865(A1), all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0025] For illustrative purposes, Figures 1A and 1B show an example of an absorbent article 100 according to the present disclosure. In particular, Figure 1A shows an example of a plan view of the absorbent article 100 configured as a taped diaper 100T, with the portion of the absorbent article facing away from the wearer oriented toward the viewer. Figure 1B shows a plan view of the absorbent article 100, with the portion of the absorbent article facing the wearer oriented toward the viewer. The taped diaper 100T shown in Figures 1A and 1B includes an absorbent chassis 102, first and second rear side panels 104 and 106, and first and second front side panels 108 and 110.

[0026] 1A and 1B, the absorbent article 100 and the chassis 102 each include a first waist region 116, a second waist region 118, and a crotch region 119 disposed intermediate the first and second waist regions. The first waist region 116 may be configured as a front waist region, and the second waist region 118 may be configured as a back waist region. In some embodiments, the length of each of the front waist region, the back waist region, and the crotch region may be one-third of the length of the absorbent article 100. The absorbent article may also include a laterally extending front waist edge 120 in the front waist region 116 and a longitudinally opposed, laterally extending back waist edge 122 in the back waist region 118. 1A and 1B is shown with a longitudinal axis 124 and a lateral axis 126. The longitudinal axis 124 may extend through the midpoint of the front waist edge 120 and through the midpoint of the back waist edge 122. And the lateral axis 126 may extend through the midpoint of the first longitudinal or right edge 128 and through the second longitudinal or left edge 130.

[0027] 1A and 1B, the absorbent article 100 includes an interior surface 132 (i.e., facing the wearer) and an exterior, outer surface 134 (i.e., facing the garment). Accordingly, it should be understood that the various components of the absorbent article described below may each include an interior, wearer-facing surface 132 and an exterior, 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 including an absorbent core 142 disposed between a portion of the topsheet 138 and the backsheet 136. As described in more detail below, the absorbent article 100 may also include leg elastics and / or leg gasketing elements, waist gasketing elements, and / or other features, such as flaps, side panels, and / or ears, to improve fit around the wearer's legs and waist.

[0028] 1A and 1B, the periphery of the chassis 102 may be defined by a first longitudinal side edge 128, a second longitudinal side edge 130, a laterally extending first edge 144 disposed in the first waist region 116, and a laterally extending second edge 146 disposed in the second waist region 118. Both side edges 128 and 130 extend longitudinally between the first edge 144 and the second edge 146. As shown in FIG. 1A, the laterally extending edges 144 and 146 may form a portion of the laterally extending front waist edge 120 in the front waist region 116 and a portion of the longitudinally opposed, laterally extending back waist edge 122 in the back waist region 118. The distance between the first lateral edge 144 and the second lateral edge 146 may define a pitch length (PL) of the chassis 102. When the absorbent article 100 is worn on a wearer's lower torso, the front waist edge 120 and the back waist edge 122 may encircle a portion of the wearer's waist. At the same time, the side edges 128 and 130 may encircle at least a portion of the wearer's legs. The crotch region 119 may generally be positioned between the wearer's legs, with the absorbent core 142 extending from the front waist region 116, through the crotch region 119, and to the back waist region 118.

[0029] It should also be understood that portions or the entire absorbent article 100 may be manufactured to have stretchability in the lateral direction. This additional stretchability may help enable the absorbent article 100 to conform to the wearer's body while the wearer is moving. This additional stretchability may also assist a user of an absorbent article 100 that includes a chassis 102 having a particular size before stretching to stretch the front waist region 116, the back waist region 118, or both waist regions of the absorbent article 100 and / or chassis 102, for example, to provide additional body coverage for wearers of various sizes, i.e., to tailor the diaper to an individual wearer. Such stretching of the waist region(s), so long as the crotch region extends to a relatively lesser extent than the waist region(s), may impart a generally hourglass shape to the absorbent article and give the article a individually tailored appearance when the article is worn.

[0030] As mentioned 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 impervious to liquids (e.g., menses, urine, and / or liquid feces) and may be fabricated in part from a thin plastic film, although other flexible, liquid-impermeable materials may also be used. The backsheet 136 may prevent bodily exudates 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 comprise a woven or nonwoven material, a polymeric film such as a thermoplastic film of polyethylene or polypropylene, and / or a multilayer or composite material including a film and a nonwoven material (e.g., having an inner film layer and an outer nonwoven layer). The backsheet 136 may also comprise an elastomeric film. An exemplary backsheet 136 may be a polyethylene film having a thickness of about 0.012 mm (0.5 mil) to about 0.051 mm (2.0 mil). Exemplary polyethylene films are 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 have a matte finish to provide a more cloth-like appearance. Furthermore, the backsheet 136 may allow vapors to escape from the absorbent core (i.e., the backsheet is breathable), while still preventing exudates from passing through the backsheet 136. The size of the backsheet 136 may be determined by the size of the absorbent core 142 and / or the particular configuration or size of the absorbent article 100.

[0031] As also mentioned above, the absorbent article 100 may include a topsheet 138. The topsheet 138 may also define all or a portion of the inner surface 132 of the chassis 102. The topsheet 138 may be compliant, soft-feeling, and non-irritating to the wearer's skin. The topsheet may be elastically stretchable in one or two directions. Additionally, the topsheet 138 may be liquid pervious, permitting liquids (e.g., menses, urine, and / or liquid feces) to penetrate through its thickness. The topsheet 138 may be manufactured from a wide range of materials, including woven and nonwoven materials, perforated or hydroformed thermoplastic films, perforated nonwovens, porous foams, reticulated foams; reticulated thermoplastic films; and thermoplastic scrims. The woven or nonwoven materials can be made from a variety of materials, including natural fibers such as wood fibers or cotton fibers, synthetic fibers such as polyester, polypropylene, or polyethylene fibers, or combinations thereof. If the topsheet 138 comprises fibers, the fibers may be spunbonded, carded, wet-laid, meltblown, hydroentangled, or otherwise processed as known in the art.

[0032] The topsheet 138 may be selected from high loft nonwoven topsheets, apertured film topsheets, and apertured nonwoven topsheets. Apertured film topsheets may be permeable to body exudates but may be substantially non-absorbent and have a reduced tendency to allow fluids to pass back through the topsheet and rewet the wearer's skin. Exemplary apertured films include those described in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,628,097, 5,916,661, 6,545,197, and 6,107,539, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0033] As mentioned above, the absorbent article 100 may also include an absorbent assembly 140 joined to the chassis 102. As shown in Figures 1A and 1B, the absorbent assembly 140 may have a laterally extending front edge 148 in the front waist region 116 and a longitudinally opposed, laterally extending back edge 150 in the back waist region 118. The absorbent assembly 140 may have a longitudinally extending right edge 152 and a laterally opposed, longitudinally extending left edge 154, and both of the absorbent assembly's side edges 152 and 154 may extend longitudinally between the front edge 148 and the back edge 150. The absorbent assembly 140 may additionally include one or more absorbent cores 142 or absorbent core layers. The absorbent core 142 may be at least partially disposed between the topsheet 138 and the backsheet 136 and may be formed in a variety of sizes and shapes for diaper compatibility. Exemplary absorbent structures for use as the absorbent core of the present disclosure are described in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,610,678, 4,673,402, 4,888,231, and 4,834,735, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0034] Some absorbent core embodiments may comprise a fluid storage core containing a reduced amount of cellulosic airfelt material. For example, such a core may contain less than about 40%, 30%, 20%, 10%, 5%, or even less than 1% cellulosic airfelt material. Such a core may comprise primarily absorbent gelling material in an amount of at least about 60%, 70%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, or even about 100%, with the remainder of the core comprising microfiber adhesive (if applicable). Such cores, microfiber adhesives, and absorbent gelling materials are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,599,335, 5,562,646, 5,669,894, and 6,790,798, and U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 2004 / 0158212(A1) and 2004 / 0097895(A1), all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0035] As previously mentioned, the absorbent article 100 may also include elastic leg gasketing elements 156 and waist gasketing elements 158. It will be understood that the leg gasketing elements 156 may be, and are sometimes referred to as, leg bands, side flaps, barrier cuffs, elastic cuffs, leg gasketing systems, or gasket cuffs. The elastic leg gasketing elements 156 may be configured in various ways to help reduce leakage of body exudates in the leg regions. Exemplary leg gasketing elements 156 are described in U.S. Patent Nos. 3,860,003, 4,909,803, 4,695,278, 4,795,454, 4,704,115, and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2009 / 0312730(A1), all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 1B , the chassis 102 may include longitudinally extending, laterally opposed leg gasket elements 156 disposed on the interior surface 132 of the chassis 102 that faces inwardly toward and contacts the wearer. Each leg gasket element 156 may have a proximal edge 182 and a distal edge 184. Each leg gasket element 156 may also have a first side edge 186 and a second side edge 188. The leg gasket elements may also overlap the absorbent assembly 140, with the second side edge 188 extending laterally inward of the respective side edges 152 and 154 of the absorbent assembly. In some configurations, the leg gasket elements 156 may not overlap the absorbent assembly. It should be understood that the leg gasket elements 156 may be formed in a variety of ways, such as by folding portions of the chassis 102 laterally inward, i.e., toward the longitudinal axis 124, to form each leg gasket element 156 and both the side edges 128 and 130 of the chassis 102. In another example, the leg gasket elements 156 may be formed by attaching an additional layer to the chassis at or adjacent each of the corresponding side edges of the chassis. Each of the leg gasket elements 156 may be joined to the chassis and / or the inner surface 132 of the absorbent assembly at a leg gasket element attachment zone in the front waist region 116 and at a leg gasket element attachment zone in the back waist region 118. The leg gasket elements 156 may extend to the same longitudinal extent as the absorbent article 100, or alternatively, the leg gasket elements 156 may have a narrower longitudinal extent than the absorbent article 100.

[0037] The waist gasket element 158 ​​may provide improved fit and containment and may be a portion or zone of the absorbent article 100 that may elastically expand and contract to dynamically conform to the waist of the wearer. The waist gasket element 158 ​​may include a laterally extending proximal edge 174 and a longitudinally opposed, laterally extending distal edge 176. The waist gasket element 158 ​​may also have a first side edge 178 and a second side edge 180. Both side edges 178 and 180 extend longitudinally between the proximal edge 174 and the distal edge 176. The waist gasket element 158 ​​may be constructed in a number of different configurations, including those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,515,595 and 5,151,092, which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0038] It should be understood that the waist gasket elements 158 may be positioned in various locations relative to the various diaper components. For example, the waist gasket elements 158 may be positioned longitudinally inward from the waist edges 120, 122 of the absorbent article and / or toward the lateral edges 148, 150 of the absorbent core 142 ( FIG. 1A ). In some configurations, the waist gasket elements 158 may be positioned with lateral edges adjacent to the waist edges 120, 122, an example of which is shown in FIG. 6 . In some configurations, the waist gasket elements 158 may be positioned such that laterally opposed end regions of the waist gasket elements 158 are positioned laterally inward from the leg gasket elements 156. In some configurations, the waist gasket elements 158 may be positioned such that laterally opposed end regions of the waist gasket elements 158 overlap the leg gasket elements 156. In some configurations, the waist gasket elements 158 may be positioned on the wearer-facing surface 132 of the topsheet 138. In some configurations, the waist gasket elements 158 may be positioned on the wearer-facing surface 132 of the topsheet 138 and on the leg gasket elements 156. In some configurations, the waist gasket elements 158 may be positioned on the wearer-facing surface 132 of the topsheet 138, and laterally opposed end regions of the waist gasket elements 158 may be positioned between the leg gasket elements 156 and the topsheet 138. In some configurations, the waist gasket elements 158 may be positioned on the garment-facing surface 134 of the backsheet 136. The absorbent article 100 may also include two or more waist gasket elements 158 as shown in FIG. 1B, for example, with one waistband 158 positioned in the back waist region 118 and one waistband 158 positioned in the front waist region 116, although other embodiments may be configured with a single waist gasket element 158.

[0039] At least a portion of the waist gasket element 158 ​​may be attached to the chassis 102 by an adhesive 170. The waist gasket element 158 ​​may define at least one adhesive zone 171 of the adhesive 170 on a surface of the waist gasket element 158 ​​that adheres to the chassis 102. It should be understood that the adhesive zone 171 of the adhesive 170 may define various sizes and shapes for the waist gasket element 158. For example, as shown in FIG. 1B , the adhesive zone 171 may extend in the transverse direction CD across less than the entire width W of the waist gasket element 158. In some configurations, the adhesive zone 171 may be located only on the central region 190 of the waist gasket element 158, such that the adhesive 170 is provided only in the central region 190 and other regions of the waist gasket element 158 ​​are not adhesively bonded to the chassis 102. In another embodiment, the adhesive zone 171 may extend in the machine direction along the entire length L ( FIG. 1B ) of the waist gasket element 158 ​​such that the adhesive is adjacent the proximal edge 174 and the distal edge 176. One or more other portions of the waist gasket element 158 ​​may be mechanically attached to one or more substrates of the absorbent article 100 using mechanical bonds 172. For example, each portion of the waist gasket element 158 ​​may be attached to the leg gasket element 156 using a mechanical bond 172. Thus, the waist gasket element 158 ​​can define at least a first adhesive-free zone 173 and a second adhesive-free zone 175, and the mechanical bonds 172 may be positioned within the first and second adhesive-free zones 173 and 175. It should be understood that the first and second adhesive-free zones 173 and 175 may define various sizes and shapes for the waist gasket element 158. 1B, first adhesive-free zone 173 may extend laterally inward from first side edge 178 toward adhesive zone 171 and longitudinally from proximal edge 174 to distal edge 176. Second adhesive-free zone 175 may extend laterally inward from second side edge 180 toward adhesive zone 171 and longitudinally from proximal edge 174 to distal edge 176.In some configurations, the first and second adhesive-free zones 173, 175 may be positioned laterally inward from the first and second side edges 178, 180, and the adhesive zones may then extend laterally outward from the first and second adhesive-free zones 173, 175 to or adjacent the first and second side edges 178, 180. As described in more detail below, the waist gasket element 158 ​​may also define one or more adhesive-free zones that do not include a mechanical bond 172. For example, the adhesive-free zone may extend longitudinally from the proximal end edge 174 of the waist gasket element 158 ​​toward the adhesive zone 171 and extend laterally in the CD across less than the entire width W, thereby forming a pocket between the waist gasket element 158 ​​and the chassis 102. It should also be understood that in some configurations, the waist gasket element 158 ​​may be attached to the chassis 102 using only a mechanical bond without the use of an adhesive.

[0040] The taped diaper may be manufactured and provided to the consumer in a packaged configuration in which the front and back waist regions are not fastened, prefastened, or connected to one another prior to application to the wearer. For example, the taped diaper 100T may be folded about the lateral 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 fastening or joining the waist regions together. The rear side panels 104 and 106 and / or the front side panels 108 and 110 and / or the leg gasket elements 156 may also be folded laterally inward toward the inner surfaces 132 of the waist regions 116 and 118.

[0041] The absorbent article 100 may also include various configurations of fastening elements that allow the front waist region 116 and the back waist region 118 to be fastened together to form a closed waist perimeter and leg openings when the absorbent article is positioned on a 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 the first back side panel 104 and the second back 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.

[0042] 1A and 1B, each side panel 104, 106 and / or fastening members 162 and 164 may form part of or be permanently bonded, adhered, or otherwise joined, directly or indirectly, to the chassis 102 in one of the front waist region 116 or the back waist region 118, laterally inward from the side edges 128 and 130. Alternatively, the fastening members 162, 164 may form part of or be permanently bonded, adhered, or otherwise joined, directly or indirectly, to the first and second back panels 104, 106 and / or the first and second front side panels 108 and 110 at or adjacent the distal edges of the panels. It should be understood that the fastening members and / or side panels may be assembled in a variety of ways, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,371,302, which is incorporated herein by reference. The fastening members 162, 164 and / or side panels 104, 106, 108, 110 may also be permanently bonded or joined at or adjacent the side edges 128 and 130 of the chassis 102 in a variety of ways, such as, for example, adhesive bonding, sonic bonding, pressure bonding, thermal bonding, or combinations thereof, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,702,551, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0043] 1B, the first fastening member 162 and / or the second fastening member 164 may include various types of releasably engageable fasteners. The first and second fastening members 162 and / or 164 may also include various types of refastenable fastening structures. For example, the first and second fastening members 162 and 164 may include mechanical fasteners 166 in the form of hook-and-loop fasteners, hook-and-hook fasteners, macro fasteners, buttons, snaps, tab-and-slot fasteners, tape fasteners, adhesive fasteners, cohesive fasteners, magnetic fasteners, hermaphroditic fasteners, etc. Some examples of fastening systems and / or fastening members 162, 164 are described in U.S. Patent Nos. 3,848,594, 4,662,875, 4,846,815, 4,894,060, 4,946,527, 5,151,092, 5,221,274, 6,251,097, 6,669,618, 6,432,098, and U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 2007 / 0078427(A1) and 2007 / 0093769(A1), all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0044] As mentioned above, the fastening members 162 and 164 may be constructed from a variety of materials and may be constructed as a laminated structure. The fastening members 162 and 164 may also be adapted to releasably and / or refastenably engage or connect with another portion of the diaper 100. For example, as shown in FIG. 1A , the diaper 100 may include a landing zone 168, sometimes referred to as a landing zone, in the first waist region 116. As such, when the taped diaper 100 is placed on a wearer, the fastening members 162 and 164 may be pulled around the wearer's waist and connected with the connection zone 168 in the first waist region 116 to form a closed waist perimeter and a pair of laterally opposed leg openings. It should be understood that the connection zone may be constructed from a separate substrate that is connected to the taped diaper chassis 102. In some embodiments, the connection zones may be integrally formed as part of the backsheet 136 of the diaper 100, such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,735,840 and 5,928,212, which are incorporated herein by reference, or may be formed as part of the first and second front panels 108, 110.

[0045] Figure 2 is a plan view of the rear waist region of another exemplary absorbent article 200, with the portion of the absorbent article that faces the wearer oriented toward the viewer. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 2 taken along line 3-3. Referring to Figures 2 and 3, and similar to the absorbent article 100 of Figures 1A and 1B, the absorbent article 200 includes a chassis 202 having a rear waist edge 222 and side edges 228 and 230. The chassis 202 may include a backsheet 236 and a topsheet 238, as well as intermediate layers or materials, such as a polymeric backsheet film 235 and an absorbent assembly 240.

[0046] The absorbent article 200 also includes a waist gasket element 258, which is shown schematically as including a laminate of an elastic film 220 bonded to a first nonwoven 216 and a second nonwoven 218. The first nonwoven 216 may be bonded to the second nonwoven 218 by any suitable technique, such as ultrasonic bonding, adhesive bonding, or the like. One or both of the nonwovens 216 and 218 may be, for example, an elastomeric nonwoven or a non-elastic nonwoven. It should also be understood that the first nonwoven 216 and the second nonwoven 218 may be the same size or may have different sizes and may define the same width and / or length or different widths and / or lengths. Furthermore, while the waist gasket element 258 is shown in FIG. 3 as having two layers of nonwoven, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not so limited. For example, the continuous elastic substrate may be configured as a bilaminate having an elastic film bonded to a single nonwoven substrate, such as a bilaminate formed of elastic film 220 and nonwoven 216. Additionally, instead of elastic film 220, waist gasket element 258 may include elastic strands or other suitable materials. The laminate of film 220 and one or more nonwovens may be an extrusion bonded laminate. It should also be understood that the waist gasket element 258 may be assembled in a variety of ways, such as 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.

[0047] Mechanical bonds 272 are shown in FIG. 2 and schematically in FIG. 3 to represent the mechanical connection of the waist gasket element 258 to the chassis 202. However, in some configurations, the mechanical connection is between the waist gasket element 258 and the leg gasket element 256, and thus the chassis 202 is not incorporated into the mechanical bonds 272. Further, in some configurations, the waist gasket element 258 may be mechanically connected to the topsheet 238 but not to the backsheet 236. With reference to FIG. 3, the mechanical bonds 272 in the illustrated example are shown extending from the first nonwoven 216 to the backsheet 236 and intermediate substrates therebetween, such as the leg gasket element 256. A first grouping of mechanical bonds 272 may be located within a first adhesive-free zone 273 (FIG. 2), and a second grouping of mechanical bonds 272 may be located within a second adhesive-free zone 275 (FIG. 2). 2, the first adhesive-free zone 273 and the second adhesive-free zone 275 may each have a width W1 in the cross direction CD. According to various configurations, the width W1 may be up to 75 mm, or in a range of about 5 mm to about 30 mm, or in a range of about 10 mm to about 20 mm, or may be about 15 mm. Each of the first adhesive-free zone 273 and the second adhesive-free zone 275 may extend in the machine direction MD from a proximal edge 274 to a distal edge 276 of the waist gasket element 258. The mechanical bond 272 may extend through multiple absorbent article components to connect the waist gasket element 258 (as shown in FIG. 3), but the mechanical bond 272 may extend only through the waist gasket element 258 and the topsheet 238, or only through the waist gasket element 258 and the leg gasket element 256, or only through the waist gasket element 258, the topsheet 238 and the leg gasket element 256.

[0048] A central portion of this exemplary waist gasket element 258 is attached to the chassis 202 by adhesive 270. The waist gasket element 258 may define at least one adhesive zone 271 of adhesive 270 on the surface of the waist gasket element 258 that adheres to the chassis 202. As shown in FIG. 2 , the adhesive zone 271 may have a width W2 in the cross direction CD and a height H1 in the machine direction MD. According to various configurations, the width W2 may range from about 80 mm to about 260 mm, or from about 90 mm to about 130 mm, or may be about 120 mm. The height of the waist gasket element 258 in the machine direction MD is shown as H3. In some configurations, the adhesive zone 271 may extend from a proximal edge 274 of the waist gasket element 258 to a distal edge 276 of the waist gasket element 258 such that H1 is substantially equal to H3. According to various configurations, H1 may range from about 5 mm to about 35 mm, or from about 25 mm to about 60 mm, or even about 40 mm. According to various configurations, H3 may range from about 10 mm to about 35 mm, or from about 25 mm to about 80 mm, or even about 40 mm. Furthermore, the adhesive zone 271 may be spaced apart from the proximal and / or distal edges 274 and / or 276 of the waist gasket element 258, including being spaced apart from the proximal and / or distal edges 274 and / or 276 of the waist gasket element 258 by 1 mm, 2 mm, 5 mm, 10 mm, or 15 mm.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 2 , this exemplary waist gasket element 258 defines a third adhesive-free zone 275 having a width W2 in the cross direction CD and a height H2 in the machine direction MD. The third adhesive-free zone 277 may be free of any adhesive or mechanical bond and may therefore be cut from the chassis 102. Thus, a pocket may be formed between the waist gasket element 258 and the chassis 102. The pocket may be defined in the machine direction MD by a portion of the proximal edge 274 extending laterally between the first and second adhesive-free zones 273 and 275 and the adhesive zone 271. The pocket may be defined in the machine direction CD by a portion of the waist gasket element 258 extending between the first adhesive-free zone 273 and the second adhesive-free zone 275. According to various configurations, H2 may range from about 10 mm to about 35 mm, or from about 25 mm to about 60 mm, or may be about 30 mm.

[0050] Figure 2 shows an exemplary absorbent article 200 in which waist gasket element 258 is positioned such that a distal edge 276 of waist gasket element 258 is adjacent the back waist edge 222. It should be understood that a waist gasket element similar to waist gasket element 258 may optionally be provided in the front waist region of absorbent article 200 and similarly positioned adjacent the front waist edge. However, while waist gasket element 258 is shown in Figure 2 adjacent the back waist edge 222, the disclosure is not so limited. For example, Figure 4 is a plan view of the back waist region 318 and front waist region 316 of absorbent article 300, with the portions of the absorbent article facing the wearer oriented toward the viewer. The front waist region 316 is shown having first and second front side panels 308 and 310, and the back waist region 318 is shown having back side panels 304 and 306. FIG. 4 shows a waist gasket element 358 positioned in the front waist region 316 and the back waist region 318. Similar to the waist gasket elements described above, the waist gasket element 358 is coupled to the chassis 302 of the absorbent article 300 via mechanical bonds 372 located in adhesive-free zones 373 and 375. A central portion of the waist gasket element 358 is attached to the chassis 302 by adhesive 370. The waist gasket element 358 defines at least one adhesive zone 371 of adhesive 370 on the surface of the waist gasket element 358 that adheres to the chassis 302. In this exemplary configuration, adhesive zone 371 extends in the machine direction MD adjacent proximal and distal edges 374 and 376 of waist gasket element 358 .

[0051] Referring now to the rear waist region 318, the waist gasket element 358 is positioned relative to the chassis 302 so as to be offset in the machine direction MD from the rear waist edge 322 by an offset distance OD. The offset distance OD is 0 mm, such that the distal end edge 376 of the waist gasket element 358 positioned in the rear waist region 318 is adjacent to the rear waist edge 322, and the waist gasket element 358 positioned in the front waist region 316 is adjacent to the front waist edge 344. Alternatively, the offset distance OD may be in the range of about 1 mm to about 10 mm, or about 2 mm to about 5 mm, or about 5 mm to about 20 mm, or about 20 mm to about 50 mm, or may be about 10 mm. The waist gasket element 358 may be positioned in the front waist region 316 and offset in the machine direction MD from the front waist edge 344 by the offset distance OD. The offset distance OD may be 0 mm, or may be in the range of about 1 mm to about 10 mm, or about 2 mm to about 5 mm, or about 5 mm to about 20 mm, or about 20 to about 40 mm, or may be about 10 mm.

[0052] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 4 taken along line 5-5. As shown in Figure 5, a central portion of an exemplary waist gasket element 358 is attached to the chassis 302 (Figure 4) using adhesive 370. In the illustrated example, the waist gasket element 558 is shown schematically to include a bilaminate of an elastic film 320 bonded to a nonwoven 319. The absorbent article 300 is shown to include a landing zone 368 that provides a landing zone for the fastening members 362 and 364 (Figure 4). The fastening members 362 and 364 may be pulled around the waist of the wearer and coupled with the landing zone 368 in the front waist region 316 to form a closed waist perimeter and a pair of laterally opposed leg openings. In this exemplary configuration, the mechanical bond 372 extends through the lumbar gasket element 358 and the landing zone 368, as well as various intermediate layers, such as the leg gasket element 356, the polymeric backsheet film 335, and the backsheet 336. Incorporating the landing zone 368 into the mechanical bond 372 can beneficially improve the strength of the mechanical bond, and the overlap between the landing zone 368 and the lumbar gasket element 358 can provide rigidity to prevent or reduce accidental inversion of the lumbar gasket element 358.

[0053] Figure 5 is a plan view of the rear waist region 418 of an absorbent article 400 according to another embodiment, with the portion of the absorbent article facing the wearer oriented toward the viewer. The absorbent article 400 includes a chassis 402 having a first side edge 428 and a second side edge 430. The absorbent article 400 has a width W1 in the cross direction CD measured laterally between the first side edge 428 and the second side edge 430. A waist gasket element 458, shown schematically in Figure 4, is attached to the chassis 402 via mechanical bonds 472 positioned within a first adhesive-free zone 473 and a second adhesive-free zone 475. A central portion of this exemplary waist gasket element 458 is attached to the chassis 402 by an adhesive 470. The waist gasket element 458 may define at least one adhesive zone 471 of the adhesive 470 on a surface of the waist gasket element 458 that adheres to the chassis 402. The waist gasket element 458 may include a laterally extending proximal edge 474 and a longitudinally opposed laterally extending distal edge 476. The waist gasket element 458 may also have a first side edge 478 and a second side edge 480. Both side edges 478, 480 extend longitudinally between the proximal edge 474 and the distal edge 476. The waist gasket element 458 has a width W2 in the transverse direction CD measured laterally between the side edges 478, 480. In this embodiment, the first side edge 478 is adjacent to the first side edge 428 of the chassis 402, and the second side edge 480 is adjacent to the second side edge 430 of the chassis 402. Thus, in this exemplary configuration, the width of the rear waist region 418 is the same as the width of the waist gasket element 458, such that W1 is substantially equal to W2.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 6 , the absorbent article 400 may include a first fastening member 462 and a second fastening member 464, also referred to as tabs, coupled with the first back side panel 404 and the second back side panel 406, respectively. The first fastening member 462 and / or the second fastening member 464 may include various types of releasably engageable fasteners. The first and second fastening members 462 and / or 464 may also include various types of refastenable fastening structures. For example, the first and second fastening members 462 and 464 may include mechanical fasteners 466 in the form of hook-and-loop fasteners, hook-and-hook fasteners, macro fasteners, buttons, snaps, tab-and-slot fasteners, tape fasteners, adhesive fasteners, cohesive fasteners, magnetic fasteners, hermaphroditic fasteners, etc.

[0055] The first fastening member 462 and the second fastening member 464 may define a tab axis 426 extending transversely through a longitudinal midpoint of each of the first fastening member 462 and the second fastening member 464. The tab axis 426 may be parallel to the lateral axis of the absorbent article 400. The waist gasket element 458 may define a waist gasket element axis 424 extending transversely through a longitudinal midpoint of the waist gasket element 458. The waist gasket element axis 424 may be parallel to the tab axis 426. According to various configurations, the waist gasket element axis 424 may be offset from the tab axis 426 in a direction toward the distal edge 476 by an axis offset distance AOD. While FIG. 6 shows the tab axis 426 not overlapping any portion of the waist gasket element 458, the disclosure is not so limited. In some configurations, for example, the tab axis 426 may overlap a portion of the waist gasket element 458 in a region located between the waist gasket element axis 424 and the first side edge 478 .

[0056] When the fastening members 462 and 464 are pulled around the wearer's waist and connected with the front waist region to form a closed waist perimeter, a direct line of tension is formed between the fastening members 462 and 464. By offsetting the waist gasket element axis 424 from the tab axis 426 by a distance AOD, the waist gasket element 458 may beneficially be prevented from aligning with this direct line of tension. Thus, by configuring the absorbent article 400 so that the waist gasket element axis 424 is spaced apart from the tab axis 426, the waist gasket element 458 may be exposed to a lower force level than the fastening members 462 and 464. As a result, the stretchable waist gasket element axis 424 can retain energy that can be used to close gaps as the wearer bends, without affecting the overall span of the user over which the article may fit.

[0057] Referring now to FIG. 7 , a simplified cross-sectional view of a waist gasket element 558 attached to a topsheet 538 is shown. This exemplary waist gasket element 558 is shown to be a laminate of a first nonwoven 516, an elastic film 520, and a second nonwoven 518 formed through an ultrasonic bond 575. While an ultrasonic bond 575 is shown in FIG. 7 , any suitable technique for creating a laminate may be utilized. The bond sites may form a plurality of longitudinal channels 580 defined between the first nonwoven 516 and the elastic film 520. Another plurality of longitudinal channels 582 may be defined between the elastic film 520 and the second nonwoven 518. Further discussion regarding exemplary bond patterns is found below in connection with the bond 675 shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 .

[0058] 7 , the waist gasket element 558 may define a plurality of distinct zones in the cross direction CD, shown as adhesive-free zones AFZ and adhesive zones AZ. The adhesive zones AZ are portions of the waist gasket element 558 that are adhered to the topsheet 538 via adhesive 570. The adhesive 570 may be applied to either the waist gasket element 558 and / or the topsheet 538 in stripes or other arrangements that form lateral gaps or spaces between adjacent stripes of adhesive. A plurality of longitudinal channels 584 may be defined between the topsheet 538 and the second nonwoven 518. The plurality of longitudinal channels 580, 582, and 584, sometimes referred to as microchannels, may be formed when the stretchable waist gasket element 558 is relaxed. The plurality of longitudinal channels 580, 582, and 584 can define an inner opening at a proximal edge of the waist gasket element (such as proximal edge 474 in FIG. 6) and an outer opening at a distal edge of the waist gasket element (such as distal edge 476 in FIG. 6). The plurality of longitudinal channels 580, 582, and 584 can beneficially capture menses, urine, and / or runny feces.

[0059] FIG. 8 is a schematic top view of a laminate 660 that can be cross-cut to form waist gasket elements. FIG. 9 shows the laminate 660 after being cross-cut to form waist gasket elements 658A and 658B, which are shown spaced apart in the machine direction 658 to illustrate the edges 674A and 674B that will be formed after cutting. An exemplary bonding pattern having multiple bond sites 675 is shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. As will be appreciated, the bond sites 675 can be used to bond various layers, such as films, and one or more nonwovens to form the laminate. The arrangement of the bond sites 675 can be configured to reduce the formation of undesirable lips or flanges across the edges 674A, 674B. As shown in FIG. 9, the edges 674A, 674B are shown as having small bond-free portions 670, but such bond-free portions 670 are intermittently disposed throughout the edges 674A, 674B, with other portions of the edges 674A, 674B having bonds.

[0060] The exemplary array of bond sites 675 shown in Figures 8 and 9 generally exhibits a wavy pattern of bond sites 675. Although the bond sites 675 are shown in a wavy pattern, other patterns may be used to provide the same benefits, such as, for example, a zigzag pattern or other suitable repeating pattern having an amplitude of at least about half the distance between successive bond sites in the machine direction MD.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 8 , the bond sites 675 may each extend in the cross direction CD and form a plurality of waves 677 having peaks 680 and valleys 682. The waves 677 may have an amplitude (denoted as wave amplitude WA) slightly less than the MD spacing of the bond sites 675 (denoted as dimension C). In some configurations, the waist gasket element 658A may be attached to the absorbent article in the rear waist region such that one of the peaks 680 is generally centered on the back of a wearer of the absorbent article. The waist gasket element 658B may be attached to the absorbent article in the front waist region such that one of the valleys 682 is generally centered on the front of a wearer of the absorbent article. According to the illustrated embodiment, each peak 680 may include two adjacent bond sites 675 laterally spaced apart in the cross direction along the same lateral axis. Similarly, each valley 682 may include two binding sites 675 that are laterally spaced apart in the transverse direction along the same lateral axis.

[0062] The bond sites 675 connecting each peak 680 and valley 672 may be separated in the machine direction by a distance A. Distance A is in the range of about 0.1 mm to about 1 mm, or in the range of about 1 mm to about 3 mm, or in the range of about 2 mm to about 10 mm. In some embodiments, distance A is about 0.5 mm. Laterally adjacent bond sites 675 within a wave may be separated in the cross direction CD by a distance B. Distance B may be in the range of about 2 mm to about 6 mm. Distance B may be in the range of about 3 mm to about 5 mm, or in the range of about 5 mm to about 15 mm. In some embodiments, distance B is about 4.8 mm. Longitudinally adjacent bond sites 675 within successive waves may be separated in the machine direction MD by a distance C. Distance C may be in the range of about 2 mm to about 10 mm. Distance C may be in the range of about 7 mm to about 20 mm. In some embodiments, distance C is about 4 mm.

[0063] 10 , an exemplary waist gasket laminate 759 is shown schematically prior to separation at cutting locations 760. After separation, waist gasket elements 758A and 758B are formed and may be applied to the chassis of an absorbent article. Similar to the various waist gasket elements described above, the waist gasket laminate 759 may define a number of distinct zones in the cross direction CD. The adhesive zone 771 is the portion of the waist gasket laminate 759 that is adhered to the chassis of the absorbent article via adhesive 770. The first adhesive-free zone 773 and the second adhesive-free zone 775 are portions of the waist gasket laminate 759 that may be coupled to the chassis of the absorbent article via mechanical bonds 772, as described above. However, in this exemplary configuration, the waist gasket laminate 759 also includes a first end adhesive portion 721 and a second end adhesive portion 723. Adhesive 770 may be used at the first end adhesive portion 721 and the second end adhesive portion 723 to adhere them to the chassis of the absorbent article.

[0064] The first end adhesive portion 721 may be positioned in the cross direction CD between the first adhesive-free zone 773 and the adhesive zone 771. The second end adhesive portion 723 may be positioned in the cross direction CD between the adhesive zone 771 and the second adhesive-free zone 775. As shown, the first and second end adhesive portions 721 and 723 may extend in the machine direction MD throughout the longitudinal lengths of the waist gasket elements 758A and 758B. The application of adhesive 770 in the first and second end adhesive portions 721 and 723 may beneficially improve the overall strength of the mechanical bond 772, especially when the mechanical bond 772 is relatively small and has an open pattern.

[0065] In some configurations, the width in the machine direction of the first end adhesive portion 721 and the second end adhesive portion 723 increases with the width of the adhesive-free zone 777, sometimes referred to as a pocket, located therebetween. During production of the waist gasket laminate 759, the adhesive 770 may be applied continuously to the laminate in the first end adhesive portion 721 and the second end adhesive portion 723, although the adhesive 770 applied to the adhesive zone 771 may be applied intermittently. By using two different adhesive delivery assemblies, a small gap G in the cross direction CD may be defined between the adhesive zone 771 and each of the first and second end adhesive portions 721 and 723. However, while gap G is shown for illustrative purposes, this gap may or may not be present as a result of the particular adhesive application used. Furthermore, the adhesive in any of portions 721, 723, and 771 may be applied to the waistband absorbent laminate 759 or to the chassis.

[0066] Referring now to FIG. 11 , a cross-sectional view of an exemplary waist gasket element 858 taken in the machine direction is shown in a fully stretched state. FIG. 12 shows the waist gasket element 858 of FIG. 11 in a relaxed, contracted state. The waist gasket element 858 can be attached to an absorbent article according to the present disclosure using a combination of mechanical bonds and adhesives. The waist gasket element 858 can include an elastic film 820. The elastic film 820 can include a first edge region 820A adjacent the first edge 816A and a second edge region 820B adjacent the second edge 816B. The first edge region 820A is separated from the second edge region 820B in the cross direction CD by a central region 820C. During assembly of the waist gasket element 858, portions of the first and second edge regions 820A and 820B of the elastic film 820 can remain unstretched in the cross direction CD. 11, the waist gasket element 858 includes a first film dead zone F that may correspond to an unstretched region of the elastic film 820. DZ1 and the second film dead zone F DZ2In addition, the waist gasket element 858 may also include a first nonwoven dead zone NW corresponding to an area where the elastic film 820 is not positioned between the first substrate 816 and the second substrate 818. DZ1 and the second nonwoven dead zone NW DZ2 The first nonwoven dead zone NW DZ1 extends from the first longitudinal edge 880 of the waist gasket element 858 to the first film dead zone F DZ1 and a second nonwoven dead zone NW. DZ2 extends from the second longitudinal edge 872 of the waist gasket element 858 to the second film dead zone F DZ2 Thus, the waist gasket element 858 may extend beyond the nonwoven dead zone NW. DZ1 , N.W. DZ2 and film dead zone F DZ1 , F DZ2 In the cross direction CD, the material may not be elastomer.

[0067] With continued reference to FIG. 11, the waist gasket element 858 includes a nonwoven dead zone NW DZ1 , N.W. DZ2 and Film Dead Zone F DZ1 , F DZ2 The stretch zone S is located between Z The waist gasket element 858 may include a stretch zone S Z 11 and 12, the waist gasket element 858 may have a width W FS (FIG. 10), and the waist gasket element 858 may define a fully relaxed width W FR (FIG. 11) and W FR W FS Similarly, the stretch zone S Z is the width W when fully stretched in the transverse direction CD SZS (FIG. 11) and a stretch zone S Z is the width W when fully relaxed in the transverse direction CD SZR(FIG. 12) and W SZR W SZS In some configurations, the width of the adhesive zone 271 in the cross direction CD at full extension is less than the width W SZS The width W may be less than SZR and width W SZS It should be understood that W may define various relative sizes with respect to one another. For example, in some configurations, W SZS / W SZR The ratio of W may be from about 1.3 to about 4, specifically recited in increments of 0.1 within the above range and all ranges formed therein or thereby. FR and width W FS It should be understood that W may define various relative sizes with respect to one another. For example, in some configurations, W FS / W FR may be from about 1.2 to about 3.5, specifically recited in increments of 0.1 within the above range and all ranges formed therein or thereby.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 11, the first nonwoven dead zone NW DZ1 is the width W in the transverse direction CD NWDZ1 and a second nonwoven dead zone NW DZ2 is the width W in the transverse direction CD NWDZ2 W NWDZ1 W NWDZ2 In some configurations, the width W NWDZ1 and / or width W NWDZ2 may be from about 1 mm to about 5 mm, specifically recited in increments of 1 mm within the above ranges and all ranges formed therein or thereby. NWDZ1 and / or width W NWDZ2 may be from about 0 mm to about 15 mm, specifically recited in 1 mm increments within the above ranges and all ranges formed therein or thereby. DZ1 is the width W in the transverse direction CD FDZ1and a second film dead zone F DZ2 is the width W in the transverse direction CD FDZ2 W FDZ1 is W FDZ2 In some configurations, the width W FDZ1 and / or width W FDZ2 may be from about 7 mm to about 12 mm, specifically recited in 1 mm increments within the above ranges and all ranges formed therein or thereby. FDZ1 and / or width W FDZ2 may be from about 6 mm to about 15 mm, specifically recited in 1 mm increments within the above ranges and all ranges formed therein or thereby. NWDZ1 , W NWDZ2 The width of the film dead zone W FDZ1 , W FDZ2 In some configurations, the width of the first nonwoven dead zone NW DZ1 and the first film dead zone F DZ1 The combination of the first dead zone D of the waist gasket element 858 Z1 and a second nonwoven dead zone NW DZ2 and the second film dead zone F DZ2 The combination of the second dead zone D of the waist gasket element 858 Z2 Therefore, a first dead zone D Z1 is the width W NWDZ1 and width W FDZ1 Width W in the transverse direction CD is equal to the sum of DZ1 and / or a second dead zone D Z2 is the width W NWDZ2 and width W FDZ2 Width W is equal to the sum of DZ2 Additionally, the mechanical couplings 172, 272, 372, 472, 772 described herein may define a width W DZ1 and / or width W DZ2It should also be appreciated that the waist gasket element 858 may extend in the transverse direction CD for a distance less than, equal to, or greater than the first nonwoven dead zone NW. DZ1 and / or second nonwoven dead zone NW DZ2 Therefore, the first film dead zone F DZ1 is the first dead zone D of the waist gasket element 858 Z1 and a second film dead zone F DZ2 is the second dead zone D of the waist gasket element 858 Z2 Therefore, the width W DZ1 is the width W FDZ1 and / or width W DZ2 is the width W FDZ2 may be equal to

[0069] The waist gasket element 858 is located in the first dead zone D Z1 Width W DZ1 is the second zone D Z2 Width W DZ2 It should be understood that the first dead zone D may be configured to be equal to or different from the first dead zone D. Z1 Width W DZ1 and the second dead zone D Z2 Width W DZ2 may each be equal to, less than, or greater than the width of the adhesive-free zone of the waist gasket element 858.

[0070] Dimensions and values ​​disclosed herein should not be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values ​​recited. Instead, unless otherwise indicated, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as "40 mm" is intended to mean "approximately 40 mm."

[0071] All documents cited herein, including any cross-referenced or related patents or patent applications, and any patent applications or patents to which this application claims priority or benefit, are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety, unless expressly stated to the contrary. The citation of any document shall not be deemed to be prior art to any invention disclosed or claimed herein, or to teach, suggest, or disclose such invention, either alone or in combination with any other reference(s). Furthermore, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern.

[0072] While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious 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. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A disposable absorbent article comprising: a front waist region (116), a back waist region (118), and a crotch region (119) disposed between the front waist region (116) and the back waist region (118); a longitudinal axis (124) and a lateral axis (126); a front waist edge (120), a back waist edge (122), a first longitudinally extending side edge (128), and a second longitudinally extending side edge (130); a chassis (102) comprising a topsheet (138), a backsheet (136), and an absorbent core (142) disposed between the topsheet (138) and the backsheet (136); a waist gasket element (158) having a proximal edge (174), a distal edge (176), a first side edge (178), a second side edge (180), and an elastic material (220); a leg gasket element (156) comprising a proximal edge (182), a distal edge (184), a first side edge (186), a second side edge (188), and a resilient material; the waist gasket element (158) comprises an adhesive zone (171), a first adhesive-free zone (173), and a second adhesive-free zone (175), the adhesive zone (171) of the waist gasket element (158) being adhesively attached to the chassis (102), and the first adhesive-free zone (173) and the second adhesive-free zone (175) of the waist gasket element (158) being attached to the chassis (102) by mechanical bonds (172); the first adhesive-free zone (173) is disposed adjacent the first side edge (178) of the waist gasket element (158), and the second adhesive-free zone (175) is disposed adjacent the second side edge (180) of the waist gasket element (158); said first adhesive-free zone (173) extending laterally inward from said first side edge (178) towards said adhesive zone (171); A disposable absorbent article wherein said second adhesive-free zone (175) extends laterally inward from said second side edge (180) towards said adhesive zone (171).

2. 2. The disposable absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the waist gasket element (158) comprises a third adhesive-free zone (275) disposed adjacent to the proximal end edge (174) of the waist gasket element (158) in a central region of the waist gasket element (158), such that the proximal end edge (174) of the waist gasket element (158) in the central region is not attached to the chassis (102).

3. The disposable absorbent article of claim 1 or 2, wherein first and second mechanical bonds (172) attach said waist gasket element (158) to said chassis (102).

4. 4. The disposable absorbent article of claim 3, wherein said adhesive zone (171) does not comprise said first and second mechanical bonds (172).

5. 4. The disposable absorbent article of claim 3, wherein the first and second mechanical bonds (172) extend through the waist gasket element (158), the leg gasket element (156), and the topsheet (138).

6. 6. The disposable absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the waist gasket element (158) comprises a first nonwoven (216), a second nonwoven (218), and a film (220) between the first nonwoven (216) and the second nonwoven (218), and the first nonwoven (216) is ultrasonically bonded to the second nonwoven (218).

7. 7. The disposable absorbent article of claim 6, wherein the first nonwoven (216) and the second nonwoven (218) are connected via the film (220).

8. The disposable absorbent article of claim 1 , wherein said adhesive zone overlaps said leg gasket element (156).

9. 2. The disposable absorbent article of claim 1, wherein said adhesive zone (171) is laterally shorter than the width of said waist gasket element (158) along said lateral axis (126).

10. The disposable absorbent article of claim 1, wherein a plurality of longitudinal channels (580) are formed in said waist gasket element (158).

11. 11. The disposable absorbent article of claim 10, wherein each of the plurality of longitudinal channels (580) defines an inner opening at a proximal end edge (174) of the waist gasket element (158) and an outer opening at a distal end edge (176) of the waist gasket element (158).

12. 11. The disposable absorbent article of claim 10, wherein another plurality of longitudinal channels (584) are formed between said waist gasket element (158) and said chassis (102).

13. 13. The disposable absorbent article of claim 12, wherein another plurality of longitudinal channels (584) are defined at least in part by an adhesive that attaches said waist gasket element (158) to said chassis (102).

14. 11. The disposable absorbent article of claim 10, wherein the waist gasket element (158) is stretchable between a relaxed state and an extended state, and the width of the longitudinal channel (580) when the waist gasket element (158) is in the extended state is wider than the width of the longitudinal channel (580) when the waist gasket element (158) is in the relaxed state.

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