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: 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 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: 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: 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.