Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to absorbent articles with front and back waist panels having different stretch characteristics. A first waist panel may be connected with a chassis and positioned in a first waist region, and a second waist panel may be connected with the chassis and positioned in a second waist region. In some configurations, the first waist panel may comprise a first structural feature that is not included in the second waist panel or may comprise a first structural feature is different from a second structural feature included in the second waist panel. As such, the first structural feature provides different stretch characteristics between the first waist panel and the second waist panel.

Abstract: A method for ultrasonically bonding elastic laminates is provided. The method includes attaching a removable shell layer to at least a portion of an exterior surface of a rotating roll, advancing at least a laminate material assembly along a machine direction to dispose the laminate material assembly on the removable shell layer, applying a vacuum pressure to the laminate material assembly, ultrasonically bonding the laminate material assembly, and advancing the elastic laminate including the laminate pattern along the machine direction.

Abstract: Methods and systems for mechanically forming one or more surface protrusions integrally from a garment material, the one or more surface protrusions extending outwardly from a garment surface of the garment material, include pre-heating at least one selected area of the garment material; placing the at least one selected area of the garment surface that is pre-heated against a first surface of a forming die, the first surface having a plurality of openings which have a configuration and orientation corresponding with the configuration and orientation of the one or more surface protrusions of the garment material. The garment surface may be softened by application of a source of energy, at least some of the softened garment surface positioned into at least one opening of the plurality of openings.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to absorbent articles having elastic laminates in front and/or back waist regions with high-stretch zones and low-stretch zones.

Abstract: Methods and systems for mechanically forming one or more surface protrusions integrally from a garment material, the one or more surface protrusions extending outwardly from a garment surface of the garment material, include placing at least one selected area of the garment surface against a first surface of a forming die having a plurality of openings which have a configuration and orientation corresponding with the configuration and orientation of the one or more surface protrusions of the garment material. The garment surface may be softened by application of a source of energy, wherein the source of energy comprises at least two sonotrodes mounted in a rotary drum. At least some of the softened garment surface is positioned into at least one opening of the plurality of openings.

Abstract: Methods and systems for mechanically forming one or more surface protrusions integrally from a garment material, the one or more surface protrusions extending outwardly from a garment surface of the garment material, include pre-heating at least one selected area of the garment material; placing the at least one selected area of the garment surface that is pre-heated against a first surface of a forming die, the first surface having a plurality of openings which have a configuration and orientation corresponding with the configuration and orientation of the one or more surface protrusions of the garment material. The garment surface may be softened by application of a source of energy, at least some of the softened garment surface positioned into at least one opening of the plurality of openings.

Abstract: An absorbent article including a side panel having an ultrasonically bonded, gathered laminate is provided. The laminate has an elastomeric layer and a substrate and is joined to the absorbent article chassis at a chassis attachment bond and positioned in one of a first or second waist region. The ultrasonically bonded, gathered laminate also includes an ear structural feature comprising a surface modification to the substrate and comprising at least one of the following: embossing, apertures, perforations, slits, melted material or coatings, compressed material, secondary bonds that are disposed apart from a chassis attachment bond, plastic deformation, and folds.

Abstract: A method for ultrasonically bonding elastic laminates is provided. The method includes attaching a removable shell layer to at least a portion of an exterior surface of a rotating roll, advancing at least a laminate material assembly along a machine direction to dispose the laminate material assembly on the removable shell layer, applying a vacuum pressure to the laminate material assembly, ultrasonically bonding the laminate material assembly, and advancing the elastic laminate including the laminate pattern along the machine direction.

Abstract: An absorbent article having a chassis and an ear joined to the chassis is provided. The ear includes a laminate having a first nonwoven, a second nonwoven, and an elastomeric material sandwiched between the first nonwoven and the second nonwoven. The laminate further includes a plurality of ultrasonic bonds. The elastomeric material has a maximum dimension, Y, in a stretch direction and defines a primary region including an elastic region and one or more unstretched zones. The elastic region has a maximum dimension, X, in the stretch direction, and the one or more unstretched zones has an aggregate lateral width of Wd. A ratio of Wd to Y is 0.3 or less.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes a first waist region, a second waist region, and a crotch region disposed between the first and second waist regions; and a chassis having a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet. The article also includes a side panel having an ultrasonically bonded, gathered laminate. The laminate has an elastomeric layer and a substrate and is joined to the chassis at a chassis attachment bond and positioned in one of the first or second waist regions. The ultrasonically bonded, gathered laminate also includes an ear structural feature comprising a surface modification to the substrate and comprising at least one of the following: embossing, apertures, perforations, slits, melted material or coatings, compressed material, secondary bonds that are disposed apart from a chassis attachment bond, plastic deformation, and folds.

Abstract: A system for ultrasonic bonding of elastic includes a rotating roll. The rotating roll has an exterior surface. A removable shell layer is attached to the external surface. The removable shell layer includes one or more patterned segments. The patterned segments include a shell channels formed through the removable shell layer to form a pattern.

Abstract: A method for assembling elastic laminates includes the steps of stretching an elastic film at a spreader mechanism in the cross direction to a first elongation; advancing the elastic film from the spreader mechanism to an anvil, wherein the anvil comprises an active vacuum zone having a maximum width in the cross direction of Wv. The maximum width is divided into a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is disposed in overlapping relationship with the engagement portion and inboard of the engagement portion in the cross direction and the first portion has a width in the cross direction of VZi and wherein the second portion has a width in the cross direction of VZo, and wherein a ratio of VZi is greater than to VZo is greater than 1.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to absorbent articles having a first belt and a second belt with one or more frangible pathways. A frangible pathway may extend between a proximal terminus on an inner edge of a belt and a distal terminus on an outer edge of the belt. A grip region comprising an accessibility opening may be positioned between the inner and outer edges of the belt. The frangible pathway may comprise a first tear zone and a second tear zone extending from the accessibility opening to the distal terminus and to the proximal terminus. Such frangible pathway configurations provide a feature that allows a belt of a diaper pant to be relatively easily torn along the frangible pathway when removing the diaper pant from a wearer. The frangible pathway may be configured to allow a caregiver to initiate and/or completely tear the first belt with one hand.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to absorbent articles comprising first and second belts. Longitudinally opposing end regions of the absorbent chassis are connected with the first and second belts, and a portion of the chassis that overlaps an inner wearer facing surface of the first belt may define a chassis overlap region. In turn, the chassis overlap region comprises an adherence region, where adhesive is positioned between the chassis and the inner wearer facing surface of the first belt and permanently bonds the chassis with the first belt. The adherence region may comprise a first adherence zone adjacent an inner edge of the first belt, a second adherence zone adjacent a first end edge of the chassis, and a third adherence zone positioned longitudinally between the first adherence zone and the second adherence zone. The adherence region may define a separable region, which may be in the form of a pocket.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to absorbent articles including elastic laminates, and more particularly, to methods and apparatuses for making absorbent articles having elastic laminates in front and/or back waist regions with frangible pathways.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to absorbent articles including elastic laminates, and more particularly, to methods and apparatuses for making absorbent articles having elastic laminates in front and/or back waist regions with frangible pathways.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to absorbent articles including elastic laminates and to methods and apparatuses for making absorbent articles having elastic laminates in front and/or back waist regions with frangible pathways.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to absorbent articles comprise a first belt and a second belt with frangible pathways. An accessibility opening may also be positioned in the first and/or second belt, and a fastener component may be connected with the belt adjacent the accessibility opening. Such frangible pathway configurations provide a feature that allows an elastic belt of a diaper pant to be relatively easily torn along the frangible pathway when removing the diaper pant from a wearer, and the fastener component may provide a feature that helps maintain a used diaper pant in a disposal configuration. An absorbent article may also comprise opening facilitation features, such as opening operational indicia and opening mechanical aids, and combinations thereof. Such opening facilitation features may help a user to successfully determine the location and/or function of the fastener component and frangible pathway and/or successfully complete pant opening operations.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to absorbent articles including a first belt and a second belt, the first belt and/or the second belt comprising one or more frangible pathways. The frangible pathway may comprise a first tear zone extending from an accessibility opening to a distal terminus, and a second tear zone extending from the accessibility opening to a proximal terminus. The diaper pant may also be configured such that a first tear line propagating along the first tear zone and a second tear line propagating along the second tear zone may reach the distal terminus and the proximal terminus, respectively, at the same time or about the same time.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to diaper pants having a first belt and a second belt with one or more frangible pathways. A frangible pathway may extend between inner edge and outer edges of a belt. A grip region comprising an accessibility opening may be positioned between the inner and outer edges of the belt. The frangible pathway may comprise a first tear zone and a second tear zone extending from the accessibility opening to a distal terminus and to a proximal terminus. Such frangible pathway configurations provide a feature that allows a belt of a diaper pant to be relatively easily torn along the frangible pathway. Once torn along the frangible pathway, the diaper pant may be removed from a wearer and rolled up for disposal. A fastener component may be connected with another portion of the diaper pant to help maintain the diaper pant in a disposal configuration.