Abstract: The present disclosure relates to absorbent articles comprising belts comprising one or more pluralities of tightly spaced (less than 4 mm, less than 3 mm, less than 2 mm, and less than 1 mm) and/or low decitex (less than 300, less than 200, less than 100 dtex) and/or low strain (less than 300%, less than 200%, less than 100%) elastics to deliver low pressure less than 1 psi (according to the conditions defined by the Pressure-Under-Strand Test in the Method below) under the elastics, while providing adequate modulus of (between about 2 gf/mm and 15 gf/mm), resulting in a Product Hip-to-Waist Silhouette from about 0.8 to about 1.1 and a Product Waist-to-Crotch Silhouette from about 0.8 to about 2.0 to provide for the advantages described above.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to one or a combination of an absorbent article's chassis, inner leg cuffs, outer leg cuffs, ear panels, side panels, waistbands, and belts that may comprise one or more pluralities of tightly spaced (less than 4 mm) and/or low Average-Dtex (less than 300 dtex) and/or low Average-Pre-Strain (less than 300%) elastics to deliver low Pressure Under Strand (less than 1 psi), while providing adequate Section-Modulus (between about 2 gf/mm and 15 gf/mm) to make the article easy to apply and to comfortably maintain the article in place on the wearer, even with a loaded core (holding at least 100 mls of liquid), to provide for the advantages described above. Further, the elastomeric laminates of the present disclosure outperform existing laminates currently used for disposable absorbent articles as it relates to one or more key parameters.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for assembling elastomeric laminates, wherein elastic material may be stretched and joined with either or both first and second substrates. A first beam is rotated to unwind a first plurality of elastic strands from the first beam in the machine direction. The first plurality of elastic strands are positioned between the first substrate and the second substrate to form the elastomeric laminate. Before the first plurality of elastic strands are completely unwound from the first beam, a second beam is rotated to unwind the second plurality of elastic strands from the second beam. Subsequently, the advancement of the first plurality of elastic strands from the first beam is discontinued. Thus, the elastomeric laminate assembly process may continue uninterrupted while switching from an initially utilized elastic material drawn from the first beam to a subsequently utilized elastic material drawn from the second beam.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to absorbent article's chassis that may comprise one or more pluralities of tightly spaced (less than 4 mm, less than 3 mm, less than 2 mm, and less than 1 mm) and/or low decitex (less than 300, less than 200, less than 100 dtex) and/or low strain (less than 300%, less than 200%, less than 100%) elastics to deliver low pressure less than 1 psi (according to the conditions defined by the Pressure-Under-Strand Test in the Method below) under the elastics. The elastics in the chassis may be oriented parallel or transverse to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for assembling elastomeric laminates, wherein elastic material may be stretched and joined with either or both first and second substrates. First spools are rotated to unwind first elastic strands from a first unwinder in a machine direction. The first elastic strands are positioned between the first substrate and the second substrate to form an elastomeric laminate. Before the first elastic strands are completely unwound from the rotating first spools, second spools are rotated to unwind second elastic strands from a second unwinder. Subsequently, the advancement of the first elastic strands from the first unwinder is discontinued. Thus, the elastomeric laminate assembly process may continue uninterrupted while switching from an initially utilized elastic material drawn from the first spools to a subsequently utilized elastic material drawn from the second spools.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatuses for mechanically bonding substrates together. The apparatuses may include a pattern roll including a pattern element protruding radially outward. The pattern element includes a pattern surface and includes one or more channels adjacent the pattern surface. The pattern roll may be positioned adjacent an anvil roll to define a nip between the pattern surface and the anvil roll, wherein the pattern roll is biased toward the anvil roll to define a nip pressure between pattern surface and the anvil roll. As substrates advance between the pattern roll and anvil roll, the substrates are compressed between the anvil roll and the pattern surface to form a discrete bond region between the first and second substrates. As such, during the bonding process, some yielded substrate material flows from under the pattern surface and into the channel to form a channel grommet region.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatuses for mechanically bonding substrates together. The apparatuses may include a pattern roll including a pattern element protruding radially outward. The pattern element includes a pattern surface and includes one or more channels adjacent the pattern surface. The pattern roll may be positioned adjacent an anvil roll to define a nip between the pattern surface and the anvil roll, wherein the pattern roll is biased toward the anvil roll to define a nip pressure between pattern surface and the anvil roll. As substrates advance between the pattern roll and anvil roll, the substrates are compressed between the anvil roll and the pattern surface to form a discrete bond region between the first and second substrates. As such, during the bonding process, some yielded substrate material flows from under the pattern surface and into the channel to form a channel grommet region.

Abstract: A stretch laminate is disclosed. The stretch laminate may include a layer of nonwoven material that includes an accumulation of filaments and has an inner surface and an outer surface, the outer surface having an ordered arrangement of zones, each zone having an attenuated region adjacent to a build-up region wherein the attenuated region has a first basis weight and the build-up region has a second basis weight greater than the first basis weight, the difference in basis weights corresponding to disposition of the filaments according to the ordered arrangement. The stretch laminate may include a plurality of elastic strands space apart from each other in a crotch-stretch direction. In some examples the elastic strands may have an Average Strand Spacing no greater than 3 mm and/or an Average Decitex no greater than 300, and/or an Average Pre-Strain no greater than 250 percent.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for making elastomeric laminates that may be used as components of absorbent articles. Aspects of the methods for assembling elastomeric laminates may utilize elastic strands supplied from beams that may be joined with first and second substrates, and may be configured to carry out various types of operations, such as bonding and splicing operations.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to assembling, advancing, reorienting, and/or transferring stretched elastic parts during the assembly of absorbent articles. As described herein, a transfer assembly reorients a stretched elastic part from a first orientation, wherein the direction of stretch is generally parallel to the machine direction, to a second orientation, wherein the direction of stretch is generally perpendicular to the machine direction. The reoriented elastic part is then transferred to a carrier while maintaining the stretched condition of the elastic part. The orientation and/or configuration of vacuum apertures in a carrier surface relative to the direction of stretch of the elastic part and relative to the machine direction helps to prevent the elastic part from contracting, while at the same time helps to allow the elastic part to slide off the carrier surface without snagging and/or sticking to aperture perimeter edges.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatuses for mechanically bonding substrates together. The apparatuses may include a pattern roll having three or more pattern elements protruding radially outward, wherein each pattern element includes a pattern surface. The pattern surfaces are also separated from each other by gaps having minimum widths. The pattern roll may be adjacent an anvil roll to define a nip between the pattern surfaces and the anvil roll, wherein the pattern roll is biased toward the anvil roll to define a nip pressure between pattern surfaces and the anvil roll. As substrates advance between the pattern roll and anvil roll, the substrates are compressed between the anvil roll and the pattern surfaces to form a discrete bond region between the substrates. During the bonding process, some of yielded substrate material also flows from under the pattern surfaces and into the gaps to form gap grommet regions.

Abstract: Disclosed are examples of a system for regulating the longitudinal strain in a longitudinal member being conveyed in a machine direction. The system may include a downstream mechanism that draws the longitudinal member in a machine direction, first and second control points upstream of the downstream mechanism, and a strain control mechanism disposed between the first and second control points. The strain control mechanism may include a strain motor with a drive shaft to which a travel path extension arm is coupled, and a travel path extension guide mounted on the travel path extension arm and in contact with the longitudinal member. The system may be configured and arranged such that rotation of the drive shaft effects rotation of the travel path extension arm and of the guide, thereby altering the distance of a travel path segment of the longitudinal member between the first and second control points.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatuses for mechanically bonding substrates together. The apparatuses may include a pattern roll having three or more pattern elements protruding radially outward, wherein each pattern element includes a pattern surface. The pattern surfaces are also separated from each other by gaps having minimum widths. The pattern roll may be adjacent an anvil roll to define a nip between the pattern surfaces and the anvil roll, wherein the pattern roll is biased toward the anvil roll to define a nip pressure between pattern surfaces and the anvil roll. As substrates advance between the pattern roll and anvil roll, the substrates are compressed between the anvil roll and the pattern surfaces to form a discrete bond region between the substrates. During the bonding process, some of yielded substrate material also flows from under the pattern surfaces and into the gaps to form gap grommet regions.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatuses for mechanically bonding substrates together. The apparatuses may include a pattern roll including a pattern element protruding radially outward. The pattern element includes a pattern surface and includes one or more channels adjacent the pattern surface. The pattern roll may be positioned adjacent an anvil roll to define a nip between the pattern surface and the anvil roll, wherein the pattern roll is biased toward the anvil roll to define a nip pressure between pattern surface and the anvil roll. As substrates advance between the pattern roll and anvil roll, the substrates are compressed between the anvil roll and the pattern surface to form a discrete bond region between the first and second substrates. As such, during the bonding process, some yielded substrate material flows from under the pattern surface and into the channel to form a channel grommet region.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for loading material may utilize an unwind apparatus and a loading apparatus. The unwind apparatus may include a frame and a mandrel. The mandrel may be adapted to receive a spool including a core and a strand of material. The mandrel may be associated with a mandrel support member, which provides support. The loading apparatus includes a base member and a loading shaft having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The proximal end portion may be connected with the base member and the distal end portion may be configured to engage the mandrel. The loading shaft may support a replacement spool including a core and a strand of material wound around the core. When the loading shaft is engaged with the mandrel, the core of the replacement spool is movable from the loading shaft to the mandrel.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for assembling elastomeric laminates, wherein elastic material may be stretched and joined with either or both first and second substrates. A first beam is rotated to unwind a first plurality of elastic strands from the first beam in the machine direction. The first plurality of elastic strands are positioned between the first substrate and the second substrate to form the elastomeric laminate. Before the first plurality of elastic strands are completely unwound from the first beam, a second beam is rotated to unwind the second plurality of elastic strands from the second beam. Subsequently, the advancement of the first plurality of elastic strands from the first beam is discontinued. Thus, the elastomeric laminate assembly process may continue uninterrupted while switching from an initially utilized elastic material drawn from the first beam to a subsequently utilized elastic material drawn from the second beam.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to absorbent articles comprising belts comprising one or more pluralities of tightly spaced (less than 4 mm, less than 3 mm, less than 2 mm, and less than 1 mm) and/or low decitex (less than 300, less than 200, less than 100 dtex) and/or low strain (less than 300%, less than 200%, less than 100%) elastics to deliver low pressure less than 1 psi (according to the conditions defined by the Pressure-Under-Strand Test in the Method below) under the elastics, while providing adequate modulus of (between about 2 gf/mm and 15 gf/mm), resulting in a Product Hip-to-Waist Silhouette from about 0.8 to about 1.1 and a Product Waist-to-Crotch Silhouette from about 0.8 to about 2.0 to provide for the advantages described above.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to absorbent articles comprising belts comprising one or more pluralities of tightly spaced (less than 4 mm, less than 3 mm, less than 2 mm, and less than 1 mm) and/or low decitex (less than 300, less than 200, less than 100 dtex) and/or low strain (less than 300%, less than 200%, less than 100%) elastics to deliver low pressure less than 1 psi (according to the conditions defined by the Pressure-Under-Strand Test in the Method below) under the elastics, while providing adequate modulus of (between about 2 gf/mm and 15 gf/mm), resulting in a Donning-Ratio from about 1.0 and about 3 to make the article easy to apply and to comfortably maintain the article in place on the wearer.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to one or a combination of an absorbent article's chassis, inner leg cuffs, outer leg cuffs, ear panels, side panels, waistbands, and belts that may comprise one or more pluralities of tightly spaced (less than 4 mm, less than 3 mm, less than 2 mm, and less than 1 mm) and/or low Average-Dtex (less than 300, less than 200, less than 100 dtex) and/or low Average-Pre-Strain (less than 300%, less than 200%, less than 100%) elastics to deliver low Pressure Under Strand (less than 1 psi according to the conditions defined by the Pressure-Under-Strand Test), while providing adequate Section-Modulus (between about 2 gf/mm and 15 gf/mm) to make the article easy to apply and to comfortably maintain the article in place on the wearer, even with a loaded core (holding at least 100 mls of liquid), to provide for the advantages described above.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for making elastomeric laminates that may be used as components of absorbent articles. In particular, discrete mechanical bonds are applied to a first substrate and a second substrate to secure elastic strands therebetween, wherein the discrete bonds are arranged intermittently along the machine direction. During the bonding process, heat and pressure are applied to the first substrate and the second substrate such that malleable materials of the first and second substrates deform to completely surround an outer perimeter of a discrete length of the stretched elastic strand. After removing the heat and pressure from the first and second substrates, the malleable materials harden to define a bond conforming with a cross sectional shape defined by the outer perimeter of the stretched elastic strand.