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: 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: An absorbent article includes a first waist region, a second waist region, and a crotch region disposed between the first and second waist regions. The article also includes a chassis having a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and backsheet; and an ear joined to the chassis. The ear includes a laminate formed from a first nonwoven and second nonwoven and an elastomeric material sandwiched between said first and second nonwovens. The laminate further includes a plurality of ultrasonic bonds.

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. The article also includes a chassis having a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and backsheet; and an ear joined to the chassis. The ear includes a laminate formed from a nonwoven and an elastomeric material sandwiched between said first and second nonwovens. The laminate further includes a plurality of ultrasonic bonds.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to absorbent articles with waist panels forming a pocket and bonding arrangements defining reinforced zones. A waist panel may be connected with an absorbent chassis. The waist panel may be bonded with components in first and second zones of mechanical bonds in first and second lateral end regions. The waist panel may also be bonded with components in first and second zones of adhesive in the first and second lateral end regions. The first and second zones of adhesive may be adjacent the inboard lateral edge and may overlap the first and second mechanical bond zones. In addition, a third zone of adhesive adjacent the outboard lateral edge of the waist panel may bond the waist panel with the chassis. The mechanical bond zones may also overlap with the third zone of adhesive.

Abstract: An absorbent article including a first waist region, a second waist region, and a crotch region disposed between the first and second waist regions. The absorbent article also includes a chassis having a topsheet, backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. An elastic laminate may be joined to the chassis in one of the first or second waist regions. The elastic laminate includes an ultrasonically bonded laminate having a bond pattern. The bond pattern includes a plurality of repeating units and, each repeating unit includes a closed cell unit. The bonds in the bond pattern include a Bond Separation Distance of about 3.5 mm or less.

Abstract: An absorbent article comprising a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core is provided. A hydroentangled outer cover material is joined to the backsheet and forms a portion of a garment-facing surface of the absorbent article. The outer cover material comprises a bond pattern formed of bond elements. The outer cover material has a basis weight in the range of about 20 gsm to about 35 gsm. A garment-facing surface of the outer cover material has a Kinetic Sliding Force in the range of about 6.0 to about 7.5. The absorbent article comprises a hydroentangled cushion material forming at least a portion of a garment-facing surface of the core wrap or positioned intermediate the core wrap and the backsheet. The cushion material has a basis weight in the range of about 20 gsm to about 40 gsm.

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: An absorbent article includes a first waist region, a second waist region, and a crotch region disposed between the first and second waist regions. The article also includes a chassis having a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and backsheet; and an ear joined to the chassis. The ear includes a laminate formed from a first nonwoven and second nonwoven and an elastomeric material sandwiched between said first and second nonwovens. The laminate further includes a plurality of ultrasonic bonds.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to transfer and fold a partially folded absorbent article. The transfer apparatus includes a frame that is rotatable about a first axis of rotation and a transfer member that is rotatable about a second axis of rotation. The transfer member includes a receiving surface. While advancing absorbent article, the transfer member rotates the absorbent article about the second axis of rotation. The partially folded absorbent article is transferred to a folding apparatus. The folding apparatus advances the partially folded absorbent article such that the end regions of the belt of the partially folded absorbent article are directed away from the folding apparatus. The end regions are engaged by a folding assembly. The folding assembly guides and/or pushes the end regions toward the central region of the belt and/or the chassis to form a folded absorbent article.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to transfer and fold a partially folded absorbent article. The transfer apparatus includes a frame that is rotatable about a first axis of rotation and a transfer member that is rotatable about a second axis of rotation. The transfer member includes a receiving surface. While advancing absorbent article, the transfer member rotates the absorbent article about the second axis of rotation. The partially folded absorbent article is transferred to a folding apparatus. The folding apparatus advances the partially folded absorbent article such that the end regions of the belt of the partially folded absorbent article are directed away from the folding apparatus. The end regions are engaged by a folding assembly. The folding assembly guides and/or pushes the end regions toward the central region of the belt and/or the chassis to form a folded absorbent article.

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. The article also includes a chassis having a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and backsheet; and an ear joined to the chassis. The ear includes a laminate formed from a first nonwoven and second nonwoven and an elastomeric material sandwiched between said first and second nonwovens. The laminate further includes a plurality of ultrasonic bonds; and the first nonwoven includes an exterior surface having an average TS750 value of 5 db V2 rms 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. The article also includes a chassis having a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and backsheet; and an ear joined to the chassis. The ear includes a laminate formed from a first nonwoven and second nonwoven and an elastomeric material sandwiched between said first and second nonwovens. The laminate further includes a plurality of ultrasonic bonds; and the first nonwoven includes an exterior surface having an average TS750 value of 5 db V2rms 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. The article also includes a chassis having a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and backsheet; and an ear joined to the chassis. The ear includes a laminate formed from a first nonwoven and second nonwoven and an elastomeric material sandwiched between said first and second nonwovens. The laminate further includes a plurality of ultrasonic bonds; and the first nonwoven includes an exterior surface having an average TS750 value of 5 db V2rms or less.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to transfer and fold a partially folded absorbent article. The transfer apparatus includes a frame that is rotatable about a first axis of rotation and a transfer member that is rotatable about a second axis of rotation. The transfer member includes a receiving surface. While advancing absorbent article, the transfer member rotates the absorbent article about the second axis of rotation. The partially folded absorbent article is transferred to a folding apparatus. The folding apparatus advances the partially folded absorbent article such that the end regions of the belt of the partially folded absorbent article are directed away from the folding apparatus. The end regions are engaged by a folding assembly. The folding assembly guides and/or pushes the end regions toward the central region of the belt and/or the chassis to form a folded absorbent article.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to transfer and fold a partially folded absorbent article. The transfer apparatus includes a frame that is rotatable about a first axis of rotation and a transfer member that is rotatable about a second axis of rotation. The transfer member includes a receiving surface. While advancing absorbent article, the transfer member rotates the absorbent article about the second axis of rotation. The partially folded absorbent article is transferred to a folding apparatus. The folding apparatus advances the partially folded absorbent article such that the end regions of the belt of the partially folded absorbent article are directed away from the folding apparatus. The end regions are engaged by a folding assembly. The folding assembly guides and/or pushes the end regions toward the central region of the belt and/or the chassis to form a folded absorbent article.