阅读说明：本技术 具有区域化弹性的束带的吸收制品 (Absorbent article with zoned elastic belt ) 是由 G.拉冯 森本广一 程淳民 同玲 于 2017-05-18 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种吸收制品(20),具有至少第一束带(40),所述第一束带包括第一区域(43)、第二区域(44)和第三区域(45)。至少第一束带(40)在穿着者的低运动区中提供改善的贴合性,同时能够容易地适应于穿着者在低运动区之外的运动。(An absorbent article (20) having at least a first belt (40) comprising a first zone (43), a second zone (44) and a third zone (45). At least the first belt (40) provides improved fit in low motion zones of the wearer while being able to readily accommodate movement of the wearer outside of the low motion zones.)

1. An absorbent article (20) comprising longitudinal and lateral dimensions, said absorbent article (20) comprising a front waist region (36) having a front waist edge (31) and a rear waist region (38) having a rear waist edge (32), a crotch region (37) extending between said front waist edge (36) and said rear waist edge (38), said absorbent article (20) comprising a central chassis (22) and a first belt (40);

Wherein the central chassis (22) comprises a first transverse edge (14), a second transverse edge (15), a first longitudinal side edge (12) and a second longitudinal side edge (13), a liquid permeable topsheet (24), a liquid impermeable backsheet (26) and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet (24) and the backsheet (26);

The first belt (40) is provided in the rear waist region (38) and comprises a first belt layer (41) disposed on an inner surface of the first belt (40), a second belt layer (42) disposed on an outer surface of the first belt (40), and elastic strands (200) extending substantially in the transverse direction disposed between the first belt layer (41) and the second belt layer (42);

The first belt (40) comprises a first region (43), a second region (44) and a third region (45); the first region (43) being provided adjacent to and including the rear waist edge (32), and the second region (44) being provided between the first and third regions in the cross direction of the absorbent article (20),

Wherein the elastic strands (200) of the first regions (43) comprise a plurality of first elastic strands (46) attached to one or both of the first and second belt layers (41, 42) at or adjacent to laterally opposite ends of the plurality of first elastic strands (46);

Wherein the first belt layer (41) and the second belt layer (42) are joined to each other between pairs of a plurality of first elastic strands (46) in the first region (43);

Wherein the elastic strands (200) of the second regions (44) comprise a plurality of second elastic strands (48) that are not attached to one or both of the first belt layer (41) and the second belt layer (42) substantially along the full length of the elastic strands;

Wherein the elastic strands (200) of the third regions (45) comprise a plurality of third elastic strands (49) attached to one or both of the first and second belt layers (41, 42) at or adjacent to laterally opposite ends of the plurality of third elastic strands (49);

Wherein the first belt layer (41) and the second belt layer (42) are joined to each other between pairs of a plurality of third elastic strands (49) in the third regions (45).

2. the absorbent article (20) of claim 1, further comprising a second belt (60), wherein the second belt (60) is disposed in the front waist region (36),

The second belt (60) comprises a third belt layer (61) disposed on an inner surface of the second belt (60), a fourth belt layer (62) disposed on an outer surface of the second belt (60), and elastic strands (200) extending substantially in the cross direction disposed between the third belt layer (61) and the fourth belt layer (62);

the second belt (60) comprising a fourth region (63), a fifth region (64) and a sixth region (65); the fourth region (63) being provided adjacent to and including the front waist edge (31), and the fifth region (64) being provided between the fourth region and the sixth region in the transverse direction of the absorbent article (20),

Wherein the elastic strands (200) of the fourth regions (63) comprise a plurality of fourth elastic strands (66) attached to one or both of the third belt layer (61) and the fourth belt layer (62) at or adjacent to laterally opposite ends of the plurality of fourth elastic strands (66);

Wherein the third belt layer (61) and the fourth belt layer (62) are joined to each other between pairs of a plurality of fourth elastic strands (66) in the fourth region (63);

Wherein the elastic strands (200) of the fifth regions (64) comprise a plurality of fifth elastic strands (68) that are not attached to one or both of the third belt layer (61) and the fourth belt layer (62) substantially along the full length of the elastic strands;

Wherein the elastic strands (200) of the sixth regions (65) comprise a plurality of sixth elastic strands (69) attached to one or both of the third belt layer (61) and the fourth belt layer (62) at or adjacent to laterally opposite ends of the plurality of sixth elastic strands;

wherein the third belt layer (61) and the fourth belt layer (62) are joined to each other between pairs of a plurality of sixth elastic strands (69) in the sixth area (65).

3. The absorbent article (20) of claim 2, wherein the absorbent article (20) is a pant, and wherein the first belt (40) comprises a first longitudinal belt side (55) and a second longitudinal belt side (56), and the second belt (60) comprises a third longitudinal belt side (86) and a fourth longitudinal belt side (87), wherein the first longitudinal belt side (55) of the first belt (40) is joined to the third longitudinal belt side (86) of the second belt (60) to form a first side seam (57), and the second longitudinal belt side (56) of the first belt (40) is joined to the fourth longitudinal belt side (87) of the second belt (60) to form a second side seam (58).

4. The absorbent article (20) of claim 2 or 3, wherein the second region (44) partially overlaps the fifth region (64) when the first belt (40) and the second belt (60) are placed in an overlapping configuration such that the front waist edge (31) overlaps the rear waist edge (32).

5. The absorbent article (20) of any of claims 2 to 4, wherein the second region (44) is disposed longitudinally offset from the rear waist edge (32) of the absorbent article (20) by a first distance L1, the fifth region (54) is disposed longitudinally offset from the front waist edge (31) of the absorbent article (20) by a second distance L2, and the first distance (L1) is less than the second distance (L2).

6. The absorbent article (20) of claim 5, wherein the third region (45) is disposed longitudinally offset from the rear waist edge (32) of the absorbent article (20) by a third distance L3, the sixth region (65) is disposed longitudinally offset from the front waist edge (31) of the absorbent article (20) by a fourth distance L4, and the third distance (L3) is less than the fourth distance (L4).

7. The absorbent article (20) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first belt (40) has a first transverse belt end region (75) adjacent to the first longitudinal belt side edge (55), a second transverse belt end region (76) adjacent to the second longitudinal belt side edge (56), and a first central belt region (77) located between the first and second transverse belt end regions, wherein elastic strands of the third plurality of elastic strands (49) and at least a portion of the second plurality of elastic strands (48) are severed to form discontinuous elastic strands having a first segment (79) disposed in first transverse belt end region (75) and a second segment (80) disposed in the second transverse belt end region (76), wherein the first central belt region (77) is free of severed second segments (80) from the third plurality of elastic strands (49) An elastic strand and is free of a severed elastic strand of the plurality of second elastic strands (48).

8. The absorbent article (20) of any of claims 2 to 6, wherein the second belt (60) has a third transverse belt end region (81) adjacent to the third longitudinal belt side edge (86), a fourth transverse belt end region (82) adjacent to the fourth longitudinal belt side edge (87), and a second central belt region (83) located between the third and fourth transverse belt end regions, wherein elastic strands of the plurality of sixth elastic strands (69) and at least a portion of the plurality of fifth elastic strands (68) are severed to form discontinuous elastic strands having a third segment (84) disposed in third transverse belt end region (81) and a fourth segment (85) disposed in the fourth transverse belt end region (82), wherein the second central belt region (83) is free of severed elastic strands (69) from the plurality of sixth elastic strands (69) And without the severed elastic strands of the plurality of fifth elastic strands (68).

9. The absorbent article (20) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first region (43) has a first lateral peak extension force, the second region (44) has a second lateral peak extension force, and the third region (45) has a third lateral peak extension force, wherein the lateral peak extension force of the second region (44) is at least 25% higher than the lateral peak extension force of the first region (43) and the third region (45), and wherein the level of lateral shrinkage in the second region (44) does not vary by more than 250% relative to the level of lateral shrinkage in the first region (43) and the third region (45).

10. The absorbent article according to claim 9, wherein the fourth region (63) has a fourth lateral peak extension force, the fifth region (64) has a fifth lateral peak extension force, and the sixth region (65) has a sixth lateral peak extension force, wherein the lateral peak extension force of the fifth region (64) is at least 25% higher than the lateral peak extension forces of the fourth region (63) and the sixth region (65), and wherein the level of lateral shrinkage in the fifth region does not vary more than 250% relative to the level of lateral shrinkage of the fourth region and the sixth region.

11. The absorbent article (20) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first lateral end edge (14) of the central chassis (22) coincides with the rear waist edge (32) of the absorbent article (20) and/or the second lateral end edge (15) of the central chassis (22) coincides with the front waist edge (31) of the absorbent article (20).

12. The absorbent article (20) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein in the first belt (40) the first belt layer (41) and the second belt layer (42) are adhesively bonded to each other between adjacent pairs of elastic strands of the plurality of first elastic strands (46) and the plurality of third elastic strands (49) within the first region (43) and the third region (45), and in an optional second belt (60) the third belt layer (61) and the fourth belt layer (62) are adhesively bonded to each other between adjacent pairs of elastic strands of the plurality of fourth elastic strands (66) and the plurality of sixth elastic strands (69) within the fourth region (63) and the sixth region (65).

13. the absorbent article (20) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein some elastic strands of the first and/or optionally second belts are arranged in one or more groups in one or more concentrated arrays (95), wherein each concentrated array (95) consists of two to four elastic strands, and wherein the elastic strands in the concentrated array (95) are longitudinally spaced apart from each other by a gap (90) of two to four millimeters, and wherein the elastic strands in the first and/or optionally second belts outside the concentrated array (95) are longitudinally spaced apart from the concentrated array (95) and from each other by a gap (90) of 5 to 10 millimeters.

14. The absorbent article (20) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein elastic strands of the second plurality of elastic strands (48) are continuously attached to one or both of the first and second belt layers (41, 42) along the entire length of the elastic strands by adhesive, and elastic strands of the optional fifth plurality of elastic strands (68) are continuously glued to one or both of the third and fourth belt layers (61, 62) along the entire length of the elastic strands by adhesive.

15. The absorbent article (20) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein elastic strands of the second plurality of elastic strands (48) differ from elastic strands of the first plurality of elastic strands (46) and/or the third plurality of elastic strands (49) in one or more characteristics selected from the group consisting of: a strain of the elastic strands, a distance between adjacent elastic strands, a number of elastic strands forming the plurality of elastic strands, and a denier of the elastic strands.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to absorbent articles that provide a sustained dynamic fit about the wearer. The absorbent article comprises at least a first belt. The first belt layer includes elastic strands extending in the cross direction and disposed between the first belt layer and the second belt layer. The elastic strands are provided as a plurality of first, second and third elastic strands disposed in the first, second and third zones of the first belt.

Background

Infants and other incontinent individuals wear absorbent articles to absorb and contain urine and other body exudates. Absorbent articles not only serve to contain the exudates, but also to isolate these exudates from the body of the wearer and from the wearer's clothing and bedding.

However, absorbent articles tend to sag or gap away from the wearer's body during use and tend to slide/glide down on the wearer's body. This sagging/play and sliding/sliding is caused by the following factors: relative movement of the wearer as the wearer breathes, moves and changes position; the downward force generated when the absorbent article is loaded with bodily exudates; as well as deformation of the absorbent article material itself when subjected to such movements of the wearer. Such sagging/gapping and slipping/sliding of the absorbent article can result in premature leakage of the absorbent article and poor fit around the wearer.

Conventional absorbent articles are typically designed to fit highly over the abdomen and down the thighs of the wearer such that the article fits in the region of the wearer that is subject to dynamic motion (and thus dynamic forces) during use. These dynamic motions and dynamic forces, especially through abdominal distension and contraction, tend to deform the material from which the article is constructed and tend to push the article away from the body. As a result, the article tends to sag/gap away from the body. The anchoring systems of prior art articles are also typically designed to form waist and leg openings of defined dimensions and a horizontal line of tension (imparting tension along the line) around the wearer to secure the diaper on the wearer. However, the horizontal lines of tension created by prior art articles do not accommodate the changes in body dimensions caused by wearer motion, such that the diaper tends to slide/glide down on the wearer as the dimensions of the wearer's abdomen change. The prior art articles slide/glide down to the abdominal setting under the belt at the area of smaller size, which results in gaps at the waist and legs. Again, the absorbent core and other rigid inelastic elements of the prior art articles disposed in the regions of the abdomen or legs experiencing such dynamic forces are pushed downward or inward by the dynamic forces, resulting in further clearance/slippage of the product on the wearer.

Absorbent articles are generally available as taped and pant articles, as well as inserts. Typically, taped articles are packaged without pre-closing, while pant articles are pre-closed. Pant-type articles are often, but not necessarily, used for potty training. Generally, pants tend to have high forces just above the leg openings and at the waist to anchor the article to the wearer. However, these regions are regions where the wearer's anatomy moves substantially as the wearer moves. Thus, the relatively high forces in these "high motion zones" tend to cause a red marking of the skin and a limitation of the freedom of motion.

Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide an absorbent article that provides better fit, reduced leakage, and wearer comfort. It would also be advantageous to provide an absorbent article that: the absorbent article has reduced sagging and gapping during use, as well as reduced overall slippage of the absorbent article on the wearer.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention relates to an absorbent article comprising a longitudinal dimension and a transverse dimension. The absorbent article has a front waist region including a front waist edge and a back waist region with a back waist edge, and a crotch region extending between the front waist region and the back waist region. The absorbent article includes a central chassis and a first belt.

The central chassis comprises a first transverse edge, a second transverse edge, a first longitudinal side edge and a second longitudinal side edge, a liquid permeable topsheet, a liquid impermeable backsheet and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet.

The first belt comprises a first belt layer disposed on an inner surface of the first belt, a second belt layer disposed on an outer surface of the first belt, and elastic strands disposed between the first belt layer and the second belt layer extending substantially in a cross direction.

The first ribbon comprises a first zone, a second zone, and a third zone; the first region is provided adjacent to the back waist edge, and the second region is provided between the first region and the third region in the lateral direction of the absorbent article.

The elastic strands of the first regions comprise a plurality of first elastic strands attached to one or both of the first and second belt layers at or adjacent to laterally opposite ends of the elastomers of the plurality of first elastic strands. The elastic strands of the first plurality of elastic strands are not attached to one or both of the first and second belt layers substantially along the entire length of the elastic strands.

The first belt layer and the second belt layer are joined to each other between pairs of the plurality of first elastic strands in the first region.

The elastic strands of the second regions comprise a plurality of second elastic strands that are not attached to one or both of the first and second belt layers substantially along the entire length of the elastic strands.

The elastic strands of the third regions comprise a plurality of third elastic strands attached to one or both of the first and second belt layers at or adjacent to laterally opposite ends of the plurality of third elastic strands. The elastic strands of the third plurality of elastic strands are not attached to one or both of the first and second belt layers substantially along the entire length of the elastic strands.

The first belt layer and the second belt layer are joined to each other between pairs of the plurality of third elastic strands in the third region.

The first belt of the absorbent article may comprise severed elastic strands, and the number of non-severed elastic strands in the first belt extending across substantially the entire transverse dimension may be higher than the number of severed elastic strands.

The absorbent article may also include a second belt. The second belt of the absorbent article may comprise severed elastic strands, and the number of non-severed elastic strands in the second belt extending across substantially the entire transverse dimension may be lower than the number of severed elastic strands.

The absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein adjacent elastic strands of all of the plurality of elastic strands in the first and optional second belts may be spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article by a gap of from 2mm to 15 mm.

The first and second belt layers and optionally the third and fourth belt layers may comprise apertures.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary absorbent article of the present invention having permanent side seams that are positioned to be wrapped around a wearer.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of an exemplary absorbent article of the present invention in a flat, laid-out configuration.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a pair of first and second straps attached to each other by a side seam plane.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of another exemplary absorbent article of the present invention in a flat, laid-out configuration.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of yet another exemplary absorbent article of the present invention in a flat, laid-out configuration.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of portions of the first and second straps attached to each other by a side seam plane.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of another exemplary absorbent article with only a first belt laid out flat.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the absorbent article shown in FIG. 6 in a fastened configuration disposed about a wearer.

Fig. 9A is a frontal coronal view of a wearer's body showing certain anatomical features and the location of low motion zones.

Fig. 9B is a posterior coronal view of the body of the wearer showing certain anatomical features and the location of low motion zones.

FIG. 9C is a side view of a wearer's body showing the angle of a line of primary tension that may be produced by an absorbent article of the present invention.

Fig. 10 illustrates an exemplary package of a plurality of absorbent articles (taped or pant) of the present disclosure.

Fig. 11 is a schematic view of an example of a hanger type sample fixing jig according to the "full product force value measurement".

Detailed Description

As used herein, the following terms shall have the meanings specified below:

as used herein, "absorbent article" refers to devices that absorb and contain liquid bodily exudates, and more specifically, refers to devices that are placed against or in proximity to the body of the wearer to absorb and contain the various exudates discharged from the body. The absorbent article may comprise a diaper (baby diaper and diaper for adult incontinence), a pant (for babies or adults), an absorbent insert (which is intended to be inserted into an outer cover to form a diaper or pant), a feminine care absorbent article such as a sanitary napkin or panty liner, or the like. As used herein, the term "exudate" includes, but is not limited to, urine, blood, vaginal secretions, perspiration, and feces. Preferred absorbent articles of the present invention are disposable absorbent articles, more preferably disposable diapers and disposable pants.

As used herein, "disposable" is used in its ordinary sense to mean an article that is disposed or discarded after a limited number of uses over different lengths of time (e.g., less than 20 uses, less than 10 uses, less than 5 uses, or less than 2 uses). If the disposable absorbent article is a diaper, a pant, a sanitary napkin, a catamenial pad, or a wet wipe for personal hygiene, the disposable absorbent article is generally intended to be disposed of after a single use.

As used herein, "non-extensible" refers to a material that, when subjected to a force, elongates less than 30% beyond its original length if subjected to the following test: a piece of rectangular material having a width of 2.54cm and a length of 25.4cm was held in an upright position by holding the piece along its entire width along its upper 2.54cm wide edge. A force of 10N was applied to the opposite lower edge along the full width of the material for 1 minute (at 25 ℃ and 50% relative humidity; the sample should be preconditioned for 2 hours at these temperature and humidity conditions before testing). Immediately after this minute, the length of the rectangular piece was measured with the force still applied, and the elongation was calculated by subtracting the initial length (25.4cm) from the length measured after one minute.

As used herein, a material is "extensible" if it elongates more than 30% beyond its original length (if subjected to the test described above).

As used herein, "highly inextensible" refers to a material that, if subjected to the tests described above for "inextensible" materials, elongates less than 15% beyond its original length upon application of a force.

As used herein, "inelastic" refers to a material that does not recover more than 20% if subjected to the test intended to be performed immediately after the test described above for "non-extensible".

After measuring the length of the rectangular piece of material with still 10N force applied, the force was immediately removed and the piece of material was flattened on the bench top for 5 minutes (at 25 ℃ and 50% relative humidity) to enable it to recover. Immediately after 5 minutes, the length of the piece was measured again, and the elongation was calculated by subtracting the initial length ((25.4 cm)) from the length after 5 minutes.

The elongation after one minute with the force applied (as measured with respect to "inextensibility") was compared to the elongation after 5 minutes of the sheet being flattened on the countertop: if the elongation is not recovered by more than 20%, the material is considered "inelastic".

A material is considered "elastic" as used herein if it recovers more than 20%.

As used herein, "highly inelastic" refers to a material that is "non-extensible" or that does not recover more than 10% if subjected to the tests described above for "inelastic".

with respect to the first, second, third or fourth belt layers used in the present invention, extensible, non-extensible, highly non-extensible, elastic, non-elastic and highly non-elastic refers to the dimensions of the materials that are parallel to the lateral centerline of the absorbent article once the materials have been incorporated into the structure. Thus, a sample length of 25.4cm for performing the above test corresponds to the cross direction of the first, second, third and fourth belt layers once the belt has been incorporated into an absorbent article.

as used herein, the term "comprising" refers to an open-ended term in which additional features, components, items or steps may be added. As used herein, the term "comprising" includes the terms "consisting essentially of and" consisting of. "consists of" means including only the features, components, or steps that follow the term "consists of" without including additional features, components, items, or steps.

As used herein, "diaper" and "pant" refer to absorbent articles that are generally worn by infants and incontinent persons about the lower torso so as to encircle the waist and the legs of the wearer and that are particularly adapted to receive and contain urine and feces. In a pant, as used herein, the longitudinal edges of the first and second waist regions are attached to each other to pre-form waist and leg openings. A pant is applied to a wearer by inserting the wearer's legs into the leg openings and pulling the pant absorbent article into position about the wearer's lower torso. A pant may be preformed using any suitable method, including but not limited to joining portions of the absorbent article together using refastenable and/or non-refastenable bonds (e.g., seams, welds, adhesives, cohesive bonds, fasteners, etc.). A pant may be preformed anywhere along the circumference of the article (e.g., side fastened, front waist fastened). In a diaper, the waist opening and the leg openings are formed only when the diaper is applied to a wearer by: the longitudinal edges of the first waist region and the second waist region are bilaterally (releasably) attached to each other with a suitable fastening system.

"longitudinal" refers to a direction extending substantially perpendicular from a waist edge to a longitudinally opposing waist edge of an absorbent article when the article is in a flat, uncontracted state.

"transverse" refers to a direction running from a longitudinally extending side edge to a transversely opposing longitudinally extending side edge of the article and generally at right angles to the longitudinal direction.

"proximal" and "distal" refer to the location of an element relatively near or far from the longitudinal or lateral centerline of a structure, respectively (e.g., the proximal edge of a longitudinally extending element is located closer to the longitudinal centerline than the distal edge of the same element is located relative to the longitudinal centerline).

"body-facing" and "garment-facing" refer to the relative position of an element or the relative position of a surface of an element or group of elements, respectively. "body-facing" means that an element or surface is closer to the wearer during wear than some other element or surface. "garment-facing" means that an element or surface is farther from the wearer during wear than some other element or surface (i.e., the element or surface is closer to the garment of the wearer, which may be worn over a disposable absorbent article).

absorbent article

An absorbent article 20 as disclosed herein is exemplarily shown in fig. 1, fig. 2, fig. 4, fig. 5, fig. 7, and fig. 8, fig. 2, fig. 4, fig. 5, and fig. 7 are plan views of the absorbent article laid flat with the body-facing surface facing the viewer; and, fig. 1 and 8 are perspective views of absorbent articles disposed about a wearer. The absorbent article 20 has a longitudinal centerline 100 with a longitudinal dimension and a transverse centerline 110 with a transverse dimension. The article 20 has a front waist region 36 with a front waist edge 31 and a back waist region 36 with a back waist edge 32. The crotch region 37 is disposed between and connects the front waist region and the back waist region. The front waist edge 31 and the back waist edge 32 together form a waist opening to encircle the waist of the wearer when the article is put on the wearer. When the absorbent article 20 is applied to a wearer, the absorbent article also includes a pair of leg openings to encircle the legs of the wearer. If the absorbent article is pant-type, the waist opening and the pair of leg openings will be preformed prior to application of the absorbent article to the wearer.

The absorbent article 20 includes a central chassis 22. The central chassis comprises a liquid impervious backsheet 26, a liquid pervious topsheet 24 and an absorbent core (not shown in the figures) disposed between the backsheet and the topsheet. The central chassis 22 has a first transverse edge 14 and a second transverse edge 15, a first longitudinal side edge 12 and a second longitudinal side edge 13. The first lateral edge 14 is disposed in the back waist region 38 and the second lateral edge 15 is disposed in the front waist region 36.

The absorbent article 20 further comprises a first belt 40 and may optionally comprise a second belt 60. The first belt 40 and the optional second belt 60 may each comprise a first longitudinal belt side 55 and a second longitudinal belt side 56, respectively, and each comprise a first transverse belt side and a second transverse belt side. The first belt 40 may be disposed in the back waist region 38 such that the back waist region 32 of the absorbent article 20 is formed by the first lateral side edge of the first belt 40.

If the absorbent article 20 includes the second belt 60, the second belt 60 may be disposed in the front waist region 36 such that the front waist region 31 of the absorbent article 20 is formed by the first lateral side edge of the second belt 60.

The central chassis 22 may be attached to the first belt 40, for example, by joining the central chassis to the first belt 40 at or adjacent to its first lateral edge 14. If the absorbent article 20 includes a second belt 60, the central chassis 22 may be attached to the second belt 60, for example, by joining the central chassis to the second belt 60 at or adjacent to its second lateral edge 15. The central chassis 22 may be attached to the first belt 40 and the optional second belt 60 by any method known in the art, such as by adhesive, ultrasonic bonding, pressure bonding, thermal bonding, or combinations thereof.

The center chassis 22 extends through the crotch region 37 of the absorbent article and may extend into the front waist region 36 and the back waist region 38. The longitudinal dimension of the central chassis 22 may be the same as the longitudinal dimension of the absorbent article. The first transverse edge 14 of the central chassis 22 may coincide with the back waist edge 32 of the absorbent article 20 and/or the second transverse edge 15 of the central chassis 22 may coincide with the front waist edge 31 of said absorbent article 20. Alternatively and preferably, the central chassis 22 may have a shorter longitudinal dimension than the longitudinal dimension of the absorbent article 20 such that the first transverse edge 14 of the central chassis 22 is laterally offset from the back waist edge 32 of the absorbent article 20 and the second transverse edge 15 of the central chassis 22 is laterally offset from the front waist edge 31 of the absorbent article 20. In yet another alternative, the central chassis 22 may have a shorter longitudinal dimension than the longitudinal dimension of the absorbent article 20 such that the first lateral edge 14 of the central chassis 22 is laterally offset from the back waist edge 32 of the absorbent article 20 and the second lateral edge 15 of the central chassis 22 coincides with the front waist edge 31 of the absorbent article 20. In yet another alternative, the central chassis 22 may have a shorter longitudinal dimension than the longitudinal dimension of the absorbent article 20 such that the first transverse edge 14 of the central chassis 22 coincides with the back waist edge 32 of the absorbent article 20, while the second transverse edge 15 of the central chassis 22 is laterally offset from the front waist edge 31 of the absorbent article 20 (in this embodiment, the absorbent article would include a second belt).

However, if the absorbent article does not include the second belt 60, the second lateral edge 15 of the central chassis 22 may form a portion or all of the front waist edge 31 of the absorbent article 20. For such absorbent articles 20, the first lateral edge 14 of the central chassis 22 may be laterally offset or not offset from the back waist edge 32 of the absorbent article (however, it is desirable that it be laterally offset from the back waist edge).

generally, if the central chassis 22 is laterally offset from the front waist edge 31 and/or the back waist edge 32, the offset in the front waist edge 31 and/or the back waist edge 32 may be from 3% to 30% of the overall longitudinal dimension of the absorbent article 20, or from 5% to 25% of the overall longitudinal dimension of the absorbent article.

In a preferred embodiment, the central chassis 22 is longitudinally offset from the front waist edge 31 of the absorbent article 20 less than it is offset from the back waist edge 32 of the absorbent article 20. The ratio of posterior to anterior offset may be 1.1 to 5, preferably 1.5 to 3. This offset ensures that the central chassis 22 is primarily located within the low motion zone of the wearer (see below for more details). This is critical because the central chassis may be made of a non-extensible or highly non-extensible material. (notably, here, contrary to the test methods described above, to the extent that the terms "non-extensible" and "highly non-extensible" are used with respect to the central chassis, the direction of extensibility is determined in the machine direction

Fig. 2, fig. 4, fig. 5, and fig. 7 are plan views of an exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of an absorbent article 20 of the present disclosure in a flat, uncontracted state (i.e., without elastic induced contraction). The body facing surface of the absorbent article 20 faces the viewer. The absorbent article 20 includes a longitudinal centerline 100 and a transverse centerline 110. The absorbent article 20 comprises a central chassis 22, a first belt 40, and a second belt 60. A second belt may be provided in the front waist region 36 and is optional. The absorbent article 20 is shown having a front waist region 36, a back waist region 38 opposed to the front waist region 36, and a crotch region 37 positioned between the front waist region 36 and the back waist region 38. The waist regions 36 and 38 generally comprise those portions of the absorbent article 20 which, when worn, encircle the waist of the wearer. The waist regions 36 and 38 contain elastic strands 200 such that they gather about the waist of the wearer to provide improved fit and restraint. The crotch region 37 is that portion of the absorbent article 20 which, when the absorbent article 20 is worn, is generally positioned between the legs of the wearer.

Central foundation structure

The absorbent article 20 includes a central chassis 22. The central chassis 22 comprises a liquid impervious backsheet 26, a liquid pervious topsheet 24 and an absorbent core disposed therebetween. The central chassis 22 has a first transverse edge 14 and a second transverse edge 15, a first longitudinal side edge 12 and a second longitudinal side edge 13. The first lateral edge 14 is disposed in the back waist region 38 and the second lateral edge 15 is disposed in the front waist region 36.

The central chassis 22 has opposing first and second longitudinal side edges 12, 13 that may be oriented generally parallel to the longitudinal centerline 100. However, for better fit, the first longitudinal side 12 and the second longitudinal side 13 may be curved or angled when viewed in plan view to create, for example, an "hourglass" shaped absorbent article. The central chassis 22 has opposing first and second lateral edges 14, 15 that may be oriented substantially parallel to the lateral centerline 110.

The central chassis 22 comprises a liquid pervious topsheet 24, a liquid impervious backsheet 26 and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet 24 and the backsheet 26. The absorbent core has a body facing surface and a garment facing surface. The topsheet 24 may be joined to the absorbent core and/or the backsheet 26. The backsheet 26 may be joined to the absorbent core and/or the topsheet 24. The central chassis may have other structures, elements, or substrates that may be positioned between the absorbent core and the topsheet 24 and/or backsheet 26, such as a fluid acquisition system disposed between the absorbent core and the topsheet 24. The central infrastructure 22 may include additional features. Although the topsheet 24, backsheet 26, and absorbent core may be assembled in a variety of well-known configurations, suitable configurations are generally described in the following U.S. patents: 3,860,003; 5,151,092; 5,221,274; 5,554,145, respectively; 5,569,234, respectively; 5,580,411, respectively; and 6,004,306.

the topsheet 24 is generally a portion of the absorbent article 20 that may be positioned at least partially in contact with or in close proximity to the wearer. A suitable topsheet 24 may be manufactured from a wide range of materials, such as porous foams; reticulated foam; perforating a plastic film; or woven or nonwoven webs composed of natural fibers (e.g., wood or cotton fibers), synthetic fibers (e.g., polyester or polypropylene fibers), or a combination of natural and synthetic fibers. The topsheet 24 is generally compliant, soft feeling, and non-irritating to the wearer's skin. Typically, at least a portion of the topsheet 24 is liquid permeable, thereby allowing liquid to readily penetrate through the thickness of the topsheet 24. One topsheet 24 useful herein is available from bba fiber web (Brentwood, TN) under supplier code 055SLPV 09U.

Any portion of the topsheet 24 may be coated with a lotion or skin care composition, as is well known in the art. Examples of suitable lotions include those described in the following U.S. patents: 5,607,760; 5,609,587; 5,635,191; and 5,643,588. The topsheet 24 may be fully or partially elasticized or may be foreshortened so as to provide a void space between the topsheet 24 and the absorbent core 28. Suitable structures including elasticized or foreshortened topsheets are described in more detail in U.S. Pat. nos. 4,892,536; 4,990,147; 5,037,416; and 5,269,775.

The absorbent core may comprise a wide variety of liquid-absorbent materials commonly used in disposable diapers, pants, and other absorbent articles. Examples of suitable absorbent materials include comminuted wood pulp, creped cellulose wadding, meltblown polymers, including coform, which are typically airfelt; chemically stiffened, modified or cross-linked cellulosic fibers; tissue, including tissue wraps and tissue laminates; absorbing the foam; an absorbent sponge; superabsorbent polymers (SAPs); or any other known absorbent material or combination of materials. These absorbent materials may be contained in one or more core wrap layers, which may include a core cover (body facing top layer) and a dusting layer (garment facing bottom layer). The core wrap layer may be a nonwoven web. At least a portion or all of the absorbent core may be substantially cellulose free and comprise less than 10% cellulose fibers, less than 5% cellulose fibers, less than 1% cellulose fibers, no more than an insignificant amount of cellulose fibers or no cellulose fibers by weight. It is understood that insignificant amounts of cellulosic material do not materially affect the thinness, flexibility, and absorbency of the portion of the absorbent core that is substantially cellulose free. Among other benefits, it is believed that when at least a portion of the absorbent core is substantially cellulose free, that portion of the absorbent core is significantly thinner and more flexible than a similar absorbent core comprising more than 10% by weight of cellulose fibers. The amount of SAP in particulate form in the absorbent core may vary and may be greater than about 80 wt% of the absorbent core, or greater than about 85 wt% of the absorbent core, or greater than about 90 wt% of the absorbent core, or greater than about 95 wt% of the core (excluding the core wrap layer, if present, when calculating the percentage). The absorbent core may comprise an adhesive, for example to help secure the SAP within the core wrap layer and/or to ensure the integrity of the core wrap layer.

Exemplary absorbent structures for use as absorbent cores are described in the following patents: U.S. Pat. nos. 4,610,678; 4,673,402; 4,834,735; 4,888,231; 5,137, 537; 5,147,345; 5,342,338; 5,260,345, respectively; 5,387,207, respectively; 5,397,316, respectively; and 5,625,222.

the liquid impervious backsheet 26 is generally positioned such that it can form at least a portion of the garment-facing surface of the absorbent article 20. The backsheet 26 may be designed to prevent the exudates absorbed and contained by the absorbent article 20 from soiling articles that may contact the absorbent article 20, such as bed sheets and undergarments. Suitable backsheet 26 materials include films such as those manufactured by tredegar industries inc. (Terre Haute, IN) and sold under the trade names X15306, X10962, and X10964. Other suitable backsheet 26 materials may include breathable materials that permit vapors to escape from the absorbent article 20 while still preventing exudates from passing through the backsheet 26. Exemplary breathable materials may include materials such as woven webs, nonwoven webs, composite materials such as film-coated nonwoven webs, and microporous films such as those manufactured by Mitsui Toatsu Co, (Japan) under the designation ESPOIR NO and EXXON Chemical Co, (Bay City, TX) under the designation EXXAIRE. Suitable breathable composites comprising the polymer blend are available from Clopay corporation (Cincinnati, OH) under the name HYTREL blend P18-3097. Such breathable composites are described in more detail in PCT application WO 95/16746 and U.S. patent 5,865,823. Other breathable backsheets comprising a nonwoven web and apertured formed film are described in U.S. patent No. 5,571,096. One suitable backsheet is disclosed in U.S. patent No. 6,107,537. Other suitable materials and/or manufacturing techniques may be used to provide a suitable backsheet 26 including, but not limited to, surface treatments, specific film selections and processing, specific filament selections and processing, and the like.

The backsheet 26 may also consist of more than one layer. The backsheet 26 may comprise an outer cover layer and an inner layer. The outer cover layer may be made of a nonwoven material. The inner layer may be made of a film. The backsheet 26 may include a graphic patch layer. At least one of the layers may comprise a single or multi-color print on one or more of the surfaces. The inner layer may be made of a substantially liquid impermeable film. The outer cover and the inner layer may be joined together by adhesive or any other suitable material or method. A particularly suitable outer cover may be obtained from Corovin GmbH of Peine, germany, as supplier code a18AH0, and a particularly suitable inner layer may be obtained from RKW Gronau GmbH of Gronau, germany, as supplier code PGBR4 WPR.

The absorbent article 20 may include a leg gasketing system 120. The leg gasketing system 70 may comprise an inner leg cuff that includes an inner cuff folded edge and an inner cuff material edge. The leg gasketing system 120 may further comprise an outer cuff that includes an outer cuff folded edge and an outer cuff material edge. The leg gasketing system 120 may be a component of a central infrastructure.

The leg gasketing system 120 may include only the inner leg cuff.

The inner leg cuff and the outer leg cuff may be formed of a film and/or a nonwoven and may be joined using an adhesive. In one embodiment, the leg gasketing system 120 comprises one web of material. In another embodiment, at least a portion of the leg gasketing system 120 may be formed from a separate web of material, a portion of the topsheet 24, and/or a portion of the backsheet 26.

The outer leg cuff may comprise elastic members 121 positioned in a transverse array between the outer cuff folded edge and the outer cuff material edge; the outer leg cuff optionally comprises at least two elastic members, or at least three elastic members, but may comprise no more than five elastic members. In one embodiment, the elastic member may be disposed between the outer cuff folded edge and the inner cuff material edge.

The leg gasketing system 120 may have an inner leg cuff that is constructed from an inner cuff folded edge and an inner cuff material edge and one to four elastic members 122. The leg gasketing system 120 may further comprise an outer cuff that includes an outer cuff folded edge and an outer cuff material edge.

Low motion zone

Fig. 9A and 9B show front and rear views of a wearer showing the location of a low motion zone of the wearer. The shaded areas in the figure depict low motion areas. As defined by the anatomy of the wearer, a "low motion zone" is defined to mean a region or area of the body that remains substantially undeformed or undergoes minimal motion when in dynamic motion. As shown in fig. 9A, the low motion zone is defined by an arcuate line in the lower abdominal region of the stomach connecting each anterior superior iliac spine "S", passing through a crease or fold formed by the rectus abdominis muscle, hereinafter referred to as the abdominal crease "T". The abdominal fold is typically a fold or flex fold of the skin or muscles created by the abdomen when the wearer enters a sitting position. The low motion zone is bounded on each lateral side by an arcuate line connecting the anterior superior iliac spine to the periphery of the posterior inferior iliac spine, hereinafter referred to as the leg creases "L", through the perineum along the inguinal ligament below the gluteus maximus (along the hip folds). As shown in fig. 9B, the low motion zone is defined on the wearer's posterior hip by a line connecting the posterior inferior iliac spine along the dorsal lumbar curvature "R" (lumbar back) above the gluteus maximus. For purposes of the present invention, the low motion zone also includes a region or area of the gluteus maximus (although not shown in shadow in fig. 9B), regardless of the fact that the gluteus maximus undergoes some dynamic motion, as the forces generated in this region due to the wearer's motion tend to push the article up over the buttocks and into the lumbar curvature to enhance the fit of the article rather than reduce this fit.

The first belt and optional second belt of the absorbent article of the present invention may provide the article with an "anchoring system" for anchoring the article around the wearer during use of the entire absorbent article, such that the absorbent article has a reduced likelihood of sagging/gapping and slipping/sliding during use. The anchoring system provides one or more lines (zones) of tension (hereinafter referred to as primary lines of tension) substantially around the perimeter of the low motion zone that impart an anchoring force to maintain the position of the absorbent article throughout wear. As shown in fig. 9C, the primary power line is placed on the wearer's body at an angle a from horizontal (the angle from the transverse direction of the absorbent article) such that the primary power line extends from around the lumbar curvature of the back above the iliac crest of the buttocks to the abdominal crease. Thus, the main force lines are disposed in the regions of least change in body dimension (i.e., the main force lines are not disposed over the abdomen or gluteus maximus muscles that increase and decrease in size during movement) such that the main force lines stabilize and maintain an anchoring force that maintains the position of the absorbent article on the wearer such that the absorbent article is less likely to slide or glide downward during use due to the force of the wearer's movement or due to the increased weight of the absorbent article when it is loaded. The angled primary claims line created by the anchoring system also imparts an upward anchoring force to the absorbent article, which tends to pull the absorbent article upward onto the body and thus counteract the weight of the loaded article, as the primary claims line has a vector component in the longitudinal direction. The normal anchoring force generated by the main lines of force (the other vector component of the angled main lines of force) anchors the absorbent article in the low motion zone, as the normal anchoring force generates a pinching action to bring the article into close contact with the body. These normal anchoring forces thus help to maintain the fit of the absorbent article and reduce leakage, as the article, and particularly the absorbent core, is held in a substantially fixed position and in close relationship to the main body. Angled primary lines of force also tend to reduce the red marking of the skin because the anchoring force is placed in the low motion zone so that the body size does not increase or decrease along the primary lines of force which may result in a red marking.

The belt of the absorbent article of the present invention may exert higher stress in the low motion region between the leg opening region and the waist opening region than in the belt region outside the low motion region. In the first and second belts, the second and optional fifth regions are regions that may exert a higher stress than the first, third and optional fourth and sixth regions due to the manner in which the elastic strands are applied to the belts. This is described in more detail below. Thus, an absorbent article is provided which is retained within the perimeter of the wearer's low motion zone and which provides for extension of the absorbent article at those portions of the low motion zone which are not conformed.

Belt

In addition to figures 1,2, 4, 5, 7 and 8 showing absorbent articles comprising belts of the present invention, figures 3 and 6 show enlarged views of parts of a first belt and a second belt joined to each other at side seams.

The absorbent article 20 of the present invention comprises at least a first belt 40. A first belt 40 is provided in the back waist region 38. Here, the first belt 40 forms the back waist edge 32 of the absorbent article 20. The absorbent article 20 may further include a second belt 60 provided in the front waist region 36. For such absorbent articles 20, the second belt 60 forms the front waist edge 31 of the absorbent article 20.

The first belt 40 comprises a first belt layer 41 disposed on an inner (i.e., body-facing) surface of the first belt 40 and a second belt layer 42 disposed on an outer (i.e., garment-facing) surface of the first belt 40.

the optional second belt 60 comprises a third belt layer 61 disposed on an inner (i.e., body-facing) surface of the second belt 60 and a fourth belt layer 62 disposed on an outer (i.e., garment-facing) surface of the second belt 60.

The first belt 40 and the second belt 60 each further comprise elastic strands 200 extending substantially in the transverse direction of the absorbent article 20. The elastic strands 200 of the first belt 40 are disposed between the first belt layer 41 and the second belt layer 42. The elastic strands 200 of the second belt 60 are disposed between the third belt layer 61 and the fourth belt layer 62.

The transverse direction extends parallel to the transverse centerline 110 of the absorbent article 20. As used herein, an elastic strand 200 that extends "substantially" in the cross direction includes deviations from the cross direction wherein the elastic strand extends at an angle of at most 30 °, or at most 20 °, or at most 15 °, or at most 10 °, or at most 5 ° to the cross direction centerline. Substantially along the transverse direction also includes parallel to the transverse direction (without deviation).

The substantially laterally extending elastic strands 200 may extend linearly, i.e. they extend along a straight line. Alternatively, the elastic strands 200 extending substantially in the transverse direction may be curved such that they intersect a line parallel to or at an angle (up to 30 °, or up to 20 °, or up to 15 °, or up to 10 °, or up to 5 °) to the transverse centerline of the absorbent article at least twice.

The elastic strands 200 may also be provided as a combination of the above-described patterns, such that, for example, some of the elastic strands 200 extend in a straight line and parallel to the transverse centerline, while other elastic strands are bent and extend at an angle to the transverse centerline 110.

When the respective belt layer is laid flat and straightened with the elastic strands in a stretched state, it is determined whether the elastic strands 200 extend substantially in the cross direction.

The first belt layer 41 and the second belt layer 42 may each be made of one continuous sheet of material (which may be a single layer of material or a laminate). Alternatively, the first and second belt layers 41, 42 may each be made of more than one sheet of material joined to each other along portions of their peripheries to form the first and second belt layers 41, 42, respectively. The first belt layer 41 and the second belt layer 42 may also be formed by folding a continuous sheet of material (which may be a single layer of material or a laminate) at the back waist edge 32. In addition, a continuous sheet of material (which may be a single layer of material or a laminate) may be folded at the front waist edge 32 and form a complete second belt layer 42 and a portion of the first belt layer 41, wherein the one or more other continuous sheets of material (which may each be a single layer of material or a laminate) are joined to the portion of the first belt layer that is continuous with the second front belt layer and formed by the folding.

Likewise, the third belt layer 61 and the fourth belt layer 62 of the optional second belt 60 may each be made of one continuous sheet of material (which may be a single layer of material or a laminate). Alternatively, the optional third belt layer 61 and/or fourth belt layer 62 may each be made of more than one sheet of material joined to each other along portions of their peripheries to form the third belt layer and fourth belt layer, respectively. The third belt layer 61 and the fourth belt layer 62 may also be formed by folding a continuous sheet of material (which may be a single layer of material or a laminate) at the front waist edge 31. In addition, a continuous sheet of material (which may be a single layer of material or a laminate) may be folded at the front waist edge 31 and form a complete fourth belt layer 62 and a portion of the third belt layer 61, wherein the one or more other continuous sheets of material (which may each be a single layer of material or a laminate) are joined to the portion of the third belt layer that is continuous with the fourth belt layer and formed by the folding.

Band layer

The first belt layer 41, the second belt layer 42, and optionally the third belt layer 61 and the fourth belt layer 62 may be non-extensible, non-elastic, or highly non-elastic. They may be formed from the following materials: nonwoven webs, woven webs, knitted fabrics, polymeric films, apertured polymeric films, sponges, foams, scrims, and combinations and laminates thereof.

The nonwoven webs used to form the belt layers 41, 42, 61 and 62 may be formed by a direct extrusion process during which the fibers and webs are formed at exactly the same point in time; or by the formation of preformed fibers that can be laid into the web at a substantially subsequent point in time. Exemplary direct extrusion methods include, but are not limited to: spunbond, spin, melt blown, solvent spun, electrospun, carded, film fibrillated, melt film fibrillated, air laid, dry laid, wet laid staple fibers, and combinations thereof that typically form a layer.

Exemplary "webbing" methods include wet-laying and dry-laying. Exemplary dry-laid processes include, but are not limited to, air-laying, carding, and combinations thereof. Exemplary combinations include, but are not limited to, spunbond-meltblown-spunbond (SMS), spunbond-carded (SC), spunbond-air-laid (SA), meltblown-air-laid (MA), and combinations thereof, typically layered. The fibers in the nonwoven web are typically joined to one or more adjacent fibers at some of the overlapping joints. This includes joining fibers within each layer, and also between layers when there is more than one layer. The fibers may be joined by mechanical entanglement (such as pressure bonding, thermal bonding), chemical bonding, or by a combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the nonwoven fabric can be an electrospun nonwoven web, a flash spun nonwoven web (e.g., Tyvek manufactured by DuPont^TM) Or a combination thereof.

The nonwoven webs used for the first belt layer, the second belt layer, and the optional third and fourth belt layers may be made from polyolefin fibers, such as polypropylene (PP) or Polyethylene (PE), blends of PP and PE; polyester, polyamide, polyurethane, rayon, cellulose, copolymers thereof, or blends or mixtures thereof. The nonwoven web of the belt layer may also be made of polylactic acid (PLA), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and/or blends or mixtures thereof.

The nonwoven web for the first belt layer 41, the second belt layer 42, and optionally the third belt layer 61 and the fourth belt layer 62 may also comprise fibers of a uniform structure, i.e., the fibers are monocomponent fibers; or bicomponent fibers, which may have a sheath/core configuration, a side-by-side configuration, a sea-island configuration, and other bicomponent configurations.

For nonwoven webs used as belt layers 41, 42, 61 and 62 and made from bicomponent or multicomponent fibers, one component of the fibers (preferably the outer component) may be a soft polymer such as polyethylene or an elastic polyolefin, an elastic polyurethane. For example, in sheath/core bicomponent fibers, the sheath can be made of polyethylene and the core can be made of polypropylene. The individual components often include polyolefins such as polypropylene or polyethylene, or copolymers thereof, polyesters, thermoplastic polysaccharides, or other biopolymers. In some embodiments, the nonwoven may be a PE/PET (polyethylene/polyethylene terephthalate) core/sheath bicomponent material, where the core is PET and the sheath is PE.

The nonwoven web of the belt layer may contain components such as aliphatic polyesters, thermoplastic polysaccharides, or other biopolymers as additives or modifiers.

One or more of the first and second front belt layers 41, 42 and the optional third and fourth belt layers 61, 62 may be apertured. The use of a nonwoven web that has been apertured in the following manner to form one or both of the first and second belt layers and/or one or both of the third and fourth belt layers can provide an attractive and interesting effect. For example, during wear, as the belts are moved and stretched, the apertures and the material surrounding them interact with the contraction-induced wrinkles in the first belt and optionally the second belt. The apertures in the first (or third) belt layer will open, close, change shape and be offset relative to the second (or fourth) belt layer, thereby providing a visual impression of complexity, depth and increased texture.

Further, the pattern of holes may be substantially similar to or the same as the pattern of pre-bonds (if present) in one or more of the machine direction spacing, cross direction spacing, hole shape, and hole size. For example, the pre-bond pattern may have a longitudinal pitch and a transverse pitch substantially similar to the hole pattern. The use of a respective pattern of prebonds and apertures that are substantially similar in one or more of the aspects shown may help impart a more uniform, ordered, and/or consistent appearance to the material, as compared to a web in which the respective pattern of prebonds and apertures do not have such similarity, and may also help enhance tensile strength.

Elastic strand

The elastic strands 200 used in the first belt 40 and optional second belt 60 can have a variety of cross-sectional shapes including, but not limited to, circular, oval, triangular, or square, and can be formed from a variety of materials such as natural rubber and/or lycra. The material may also have a variety of cross-sectional areas, also known as decitex or denier.

Belt with multiple zones

The first belt 40 of the present invention comprises a first belt zone 43, a second belt zone 44 and a third belt zone 45. The first region 41 is provided adjacent to and includes the back waist edge 32 of the absorbent article 20 (i.e., it includes the back waist edge 32 and extends toward the transverse centerline 110 of the absorbent article). The second region 42 is provided between the first region 41 and the third region 43 in the transverse direction of the absorbent article. Thus, the second regions 42 are disposed closer to the lateral centerline 110 than the first regions 41, and the third regions 43 are disposed closer to the lateral centerline 110 than the first and second regions 41, 42.

The first, second and third regions 41, 42,43 each comprise elastic strands 200 extending substantially in the cross direction of the absorbent article 20 and disposed between the first and second belt layers 41, 42.

The second regions 42 can generally provide a higher stress and thus can continuously fit within the low motion regions of the wearer, while the first and third regions 41, 43 can be provided with a lower stress outside the low motion regions. This results in increased wearer comfort and reduced skin red marking due to the particular configuration of the elastic strands provided in each of the first 41, second 42 and third 43 regions.

The elastic strands 200 of the first regions 41 comprise a plurality of first elastic strands 46 attached to one or both of the first and second belt layers 41, 42 at laterally opposite or proximate ends of the plurality of first elastic strands 46. The elastic strands of the plurality of first elastic strands 46 may not be attached to the first and second belt layers 41, 42 at any other location except at or adjacent their laterally opposite end locations. Alternatively, the elastic strands may be attached to the first belt layer 41 and/or the second belt layer 42 at or adjacent to their opposite ends at a spacing between their attachments.

The elastic strands 200 of the third regions 45 comprise a plurality of third elastic strands 49 attached to one or both of the first and second belt layers 41, 42 at laterally opposite or proximate ends of the plurality of third elastic strands 49. The elastic strands of the plurality of third elastic strands 49 may not be attached to one or both of the first and second belt layers 41, 42 at any other location than at or adjacent their laterally opposite end locations. Alternatively, the elastic strands may be attached to the first belt layer 41 and/or the second belt layer 42 at or adjacent to their opposite ends at a spacing between their attachments.

Connecting the elastic strands of the first plurality of elastic strands 46 and/or the third plurality of elastic strands 49 only at or near their respective opposite or adjacent ends results in the elastic strands being free to extend and contract in the cross direction of the absorbent article 20 without being constrained by their attachment to the first belt layer 41 and/or the second belt layer 42. This results in a lower force required for the elastic strands to stretch compared to the same elastic strands attached to the first belt layer and/or the second belt layer. Thus, such attachment may result in improved comfort for the wearer during use, ease of wear and lateral extension of the first belt to accommodate changes in body shape (e.g., due to movement of the wearer or extension of the abdomen).

In addition, elastic strands of the first plurality of elastic strands 46 and/or the third plurality of elastic strands 49 may be attached to the first layer and/or the second layer at or near their opposite ends at a spacing between their attachments to adjust and control the force required to elongate the elastic strands. The spacing should be large enough to provide a relatively high degree of freedom for the elastic strands to stretch without binding. Thus, the spacing between adjacent attachments of elastic strands of the plurality of first and/or third elastic strands attached to the first and/or second belt layers 41, 42 may be at least 20%, or at least 30%, or at least 40% of the overall length of the elastic strands when the elastic strands are in their relaxed, contracted state.

The first belt layer 41 and the second belt layer 42 are joined to each other between pairs of the plurality of first elastic strands 46 in the first regions 43 (not shown in the figure).

The first belt layer 41 and the second belt layer 42 are also joined to each other between pairs of elastic strands of the plurality of third elastic strands 49 in the third regions 45 (not shown in the figure).

Due to the attachment to the first belt layer 41 and/or the second belt layer 42 between adjacent pairs of elastic strands, the elastic strands substantially remain in their position with respect to the longitudinal dimension of the absorbent article 20, i.e. they can only be moved to a limited extent in the longitudinal dimension of the absorbent article 20 without the need to attach the elastic strands to the first belt layer and/or the second belt layer across their full length extending in the transverse direction. Attaching to the first belt layer and/or the second belt layer between adjacent pairs of elastic strands also supports the overall integrity of the first belt, avoiding separation from each other in the first and second layer first and third regions, which can lead to undesired displacement of the layers relative to each other in these regions. Thus, fit and comfort may be maintained during use of the absorbent article.

The elastic strands of the second regions 44 comprise a plurality of second elastic strands 48 attached to one or both of the first and second belt layers 41, 42 substantially along their full length in the transverse direction of the absorbent article 20. The term "substantially full length" includes attachments along the full length, but also includes attachments with no significant gaps, wherein the elastic strands of the second plurality of elastic strands remain unattached to the first and second belt layers 41, 42. Such insignificant gaps are gaps that are less than 5%, or less than 3%, or less than 2% of the overall length of the elastic strands when the elastic strands are in their relaxed, contracted state.

Allowing such insignificant gaps allows for minor process variations in attaching the elastic strands to the first belt layer 40 and/or the second belt layer 60.

When the absorbent article 20 of the present invention comprises the second belt 60, the second belt 60 comprises a fourth belt region 63, a fifth belt region 64 and a sixth belt region 65. The fourth region 63 is provided adjacent to and includes the front waist edge 31 (i.e., it includes the front waist edge 31 and extends toward the lateral centerline 110 of the absorbent article 20). The fifth region 64 is provided between the fourth region 63 and the sixth region 65 in the transverse direction of the absorbent article 20. Thus, the fifth region 64 is disposed closer to the lateral centerline 110 than the fourth region 63, and the sixth region 65 is disposed closer to the lateral centerline 110 than the fourth region 63 and the fifth region 64.

The fourth 63, fifth 64 and sixth 65 regions each comprise elastic strands 200 extending substantially in the transverse direction of the absorbent article 20 and being arranged between the third 61 and fourth 62 belt layers.

similar to the first belt 40, if the absorbent article 20 includes the second belt 60, the fifth region 64 may generally provide a higher stress and thus may fit continuously within the low motion zone of the wearer, while the fourth region 63 and the sixth region 65 may be provided with a lower stress outside the low motion zone to increase the comfort of the wearer and reduce the red marking of the skin due to the particular configuration of the elastic strands provided in each of the fourth region 63, the fifth region 64, and the sixth region 65.

The elastic strands of the fourth regions 63 comprise a plurality of fourth elastic strands 66 attached to one or both of the third belt layer 61 and the fourth belt layer 62 at laterally opposite or proximate ends of the plurality of fourth elastic strands 66. The elastic strands of the plurality of fourth elastic strands 66 may not be attached to one or both of the third belt layer 61 and the fourth belt layer 62 at any other location than at or adjacent their laterally opposite end locations. Alternatively, the elastic strands may be attached to the third belt layer 61 and/or the fourth belt layer 62 at or adjacent to their opposite ends at a spacing between their attachments.

the elastic strands of the sixth regions 65 comprise a plurality of sixth elastic strands 69 attached to one or both of the third belt layer 61 and the fourth belt layer 62 at laterally opposite or proximate ends of the plurality of sixth elastic strands 69. The elastic strands of the plurality of sixth elastic strands 69 may not be attached to the third belt layer 61 and the fourth belt layer 62 at any other location than at or adjacent their laterally opposite end positions. Alternatively, the elastic strands may be attached to the third belt layer 61 and/or the fourth belt layer 62 at or adjacent to their opposite ends at a spacing between their attachments.

Connecting the elastic strands of the fourth plurality of elastic strands 66 and/or the sixth plurality of elastic strands 69 only at or near their respective opposite or adjacent ends results in the elastic strands being free to stretch and contract without being restrained by their attachment to the third belt layer 61 and/or the fourth belt layer 62. This results in a lower force required for the elastic strands to stretch compared to the same elastic strands attached to the third belt layer and/or the fourth belt layer. Thus, such attachment may result in improved comfort for the wearer during use, ease of wear and lateral extension of the second belt 60 to accommodate changes in body shape (e.g., due to movement of the wearer or extension of the abdomen).

In addition, elastic strands of the plurality of fourth elastic strands 66 and/or the plurality of sixth elastic strands 69 may be attached to the third layer 61 and/or the fourth layer 62 at or near their opposite ends at a spacing between their attachments to adjust and control the force required to elongate the elastic strands. The spacing should be large enough to provide a relatively high degree of freedom for the elastic strands to stretch without binding. Thus, the spacing between adjacent attachments of elastic strands of the plurality of fourth elastic strands 66 and/or the plurality of sixth elastic strands 69 attached to the third belt layer 61 and/or the fourth belt layer 62 may be at least 20%, or at least 30%, or at least 40% of the overall length of the elastic strands when the elastic strands are in their relaxed, contracted state.

The third belt layer 61 and the fourth belt layer 62 are joined to each other between pairs of a plurality of fourth elastic strands 66 in the fourth regions 63 (not shown in the figure).

The third belt layer 61 and the fourth belt layer 62 are also joined to each other between pairs of a plurality of sixth elastic strands 69 in the sixth regions 65 (not shown in the figure).

Due to the attachment of the third belt layer 61 and/or the fourth second belt layer 62 between adjacent pairs of elastic strands, the elastic strands substantially remain in their position with respect to the longitudinal dimension of the absorbent article 20, i.e. they can only be moved to a limited extent in the longitudinal dimension of the absorbent article, without the need to attach the elastic strands to the first belt layer 61 and/or the second belt layer 62 across their full length extending in the transverse direction. Attaching the third and/or fourth belt layers between adjacent pairs of elastic strands also supports the overall integrity of the second belt, avoiding that the third and fourth layers do not separate from each other in the fourth and sixth regions, which may result in undesired displacement of the layers relative to each other in these regions. Thus, fit and comfort may be maintained during use of the absorbent article.

The elastic strands of the fifth regions 64 comprise a plurality of fifth elastic strands 68 attached to one or both of the third belt layer 61 and the fourth belt layer 62 substantially along the full length of the elastic strands in the transverse direction of the absorbent article 20. The term "substantially full length" includes attachments along the full length, but also includes attachments with insignificant gaps, where the elastic strands of the plurality of fifth elastic strands 64 remain unattached to the third belt layer 61 and the fourth belt layer 62. Such insignificant gaps are gaps that are less than 5%, or less than 3%, or less than 2% of the overall length of the elastic strands when the elastic strands are in their relaxed, contracted state.

allowing such insignificant gaps allows for minor process variations when attaching the elastic strands to the third belt layer 61 and/or the fourth belt layer 62.

The elastic strands of one or more (or all) of the plurality of first elastic strands, the plurality of second elastic strands, the plurality of third elastic strands, and optionally the plurality of fourth elastic strands, the plurality of fifth elastic strands, and the plurality of sixth elastic strands may be attached to the first belt layer and/or the second belt layer, or to the third belt layer and the fourth belt layer, respectively, by an adhesive. Adhesive attachment is preferred over, for example, ultrasonic attachment because the elastic properties of the elastic strands are less negatively affected by the use of adhesive. To prepare elastic laminates, attaching elastic strands to nonwoven layers by adhesives is generally well known in the art.

The elastic strands in each of the first, second, third and optionally fourth, fifth and sixth pluralities of elastic strands may be spaced apart from their respective adjacent elastic strands in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article by from 2mm to 15mm, or from 2mm to 10mm, or from 3mm to 10mm, or from 4mm to 10mm (these values relate to the gaps 90 between adjacent elastic strands). In each of the first, second, third, and optionally fourth, fifth, and sixth elastic strands, the spacing 90 between adjacent elastic strands in the longitudinal absorbent article direction may be the same. Alternatively, one or more of the plurality of elastic strands may have an elastic member having a greater distance between adjacent elastic strands than elastic strands in one or more other of the plurality of elastic strands. For example, it may be advantageous to provide a smaller distance between adjacent ones of the plurality of second and fifth elastic strands (if present) compared to the elastic strands of the plurality of first, third and fourth and sixth elastic strands (if present). That is, a better, closer fit to the wearer's body may be achieved in the second region and optional fifth region.

The gap from an elastic strand of the first plurality of elastic strands to an elastic strand of the second plurality of elastic strands (i.e. the spacing between the elastic strand of the first plurality of elastic strands closest to the transverse centre line and the elastic strand of the second plurality of elastic strands furthest from the transverse centre line) may be the same as the spacing between adjacent elastic strands of the first/second plurality of elastic strands. Alternatively, the gaps from the elastic strands of the plurality of first elastic strands to the elastic strands of the plurality of second elastic strands may be wider than the spacing between adjacent elastic strands of the plurality of first elastic strands and/or the plurality of second elastic strands to provide more distinct first and second regions.

The same applies to the gap from the elastic strand of the second plurality of elastic strands to the elastic strand of the third plurality of elastic strands (i.e. the spacing between the elastic strand of the second plurality of elastic strands closest to the transverse centre line and the elastic strand of the third plurality of elastic strands furthest from the transverse centre line), which may be the same as the spacing between adjacent elastic strands of the second/third plurality of elastic strands. Alternatively, the gaps from the elastic strands of the second plurality of elastic strands to the elastic strands of the third plurality of elastic strands may be wider than the spacing between adjacent elastic strands of the second plurality of elastic strands and/or the third plurality of elastic strands to provide more pronounced second and third regions.

Likewise, if the absorbent article comprises a second belt, the gap from the elastic strand of the plurality of third elastic strands to the elastic strand of the plurality of fourth elastic strands (i.e. the spacing between the elastic strand of the plurality of fourth elastic strands closest to the transverse centerline and the elastic strand of the plurality of fifth elastic strands furthest from the transverse centerline) may be the same as the spacing between adjacent elastic strands of the plurality of fourth/fifth elastic strands. Alternatively, the gaps from the elastic strands of the plurality of fourth elastic strands to the elastic strands of the plurality of fifth elastic strands may be wider than the spacing between adjacent elastic strands of the plurality of fourth elastic strands and/or the plurality of fifth elastic strands to provide more distinct fourth and fifth regions.

In addition, in excess of absorbent articles comprising a second belt, the gap from the elastic strand of the plurality of fifth elastic strands to the elastic strand of the plurality of sixth elastic strands (i.e. the spacing between the elastic strand of the plurality of fifth elastic strands closest to the transverse centerline and the elastic strand of the plurality of sixth elastic strands furthest from the transverse centerline) may be the same as the spacing between adjacent elastic strands of the plurality of fifth/sixth elastic strands. Alternatively, the gaps from the elastic strands of the fifth plurality of elastic strands to the elastic strands of the sixth plurality of elastic strands may be wider than the spacing between adjacent elastic strands of the fifth plurality of elastic strands and/or the sixth plurality of elastic strands to provide more distinct fifth and sixth regions.

A portion of the elastic strands 200 of the first belt 40 and/or the optional second belt 60 may be arranged in groups of elastic strands 200 longitudinally spaced apart from each other to be elongated shorter than other elastic strands 200 in the first belt 40 and/or the second belt 60 to form a concentrated array of elastic strands 95. The concentrating array 95 may include 2 to 4 elastic strands or 3 to 4 elastic strands. Such a concentrating array 95 is preferably formed by elastic strands of the second plurality of elastic strands 48 and/or the fifth plurality of elastic strands 68. The longitudinal spacing 90 between elastic strands in the concentrating array 95 may be 2-4mm, while the longitudinal spacing 90 between other elastic strands has a longitudinal spacing 90 greater than 4mm, such as 5mm to 10mm, or 6-10 mm.

Without being bound by theory, by disposing the elastic strands 200 in such close proximity to each other, the collective array 95 exhibits the same behavior as if it were one elastic strand having a certain width, and provides various beneficial effects. For example, the concentrating array 95 provides more or less of the combined tension of the elastic strands in the concentrating array 95 so that each elastic strand 200 can be placed at a much lower tension. Furthermore, the gathers 130 created in the gaps 90 between the elastic strands 200 of the gathered array 95 are so small that the area of the first belt layer and/or the optional third belt layer facing the wearer is significantly increased. Such increased area of material, in combination with the concentrated array of elastic strands, applies tension to the wearer across the entire distribution width as compared to the width of the individual elastic strands. That is, the collective array behaves as if it were an elastomer. Thus, the concentrated array can provide good fit to the wearer by using a relatively low density of elastic strands that are economically supplied. The reduction in tension in the concentrated regions may also reduce red marks on the skin of the wearer and provide a more comfortable and softer fit to the wearer than a single elastic strand. In addition, the concentrating array may provide an elastomeric appearance of a certain width similar to the elastomer provided on durable undergarments. Thus, providing a concentrated array can mean an underwear appearance or quality.

The concentrating array 95 may provide more or less combined tension of the elastic strands 200 in the concentrating array so that each elastic strand can be disposed at a relatively lower tension. The elastic strands used to form the concentrated array may have a density of no more than 1100 dtex or no more than 940 dtex and be disposed at an elongation of 150% to 300%.

The concentrating array 95 may be disposed in a region where higher tensile stress is desired. It may be particularly effective to provide at least two concentrating arrays. At least two concentrating arrays may be provided in the second region. At least two concentrating arrays may be provided in an optional fifth region. If present, the tensile stress of the fifth region may be provided higher than the tensile stress of any other region. The first and third regions and optionally the fourth and sixth regions may or may not comprise a concentrating array. The number of concentrating arrays in the second and optional fifth regions may be higher than the number of concentrating arrays in the first and third and optional fourth and sixth regions.

the attachment of the first belt layer 41 to the second belt layer 42 between adjacent pairs of the first plurality of elastic strands 46 and the third plurality of elastic strands 49 is advantageously accomplished by an adhesive. Furthermore, the attachment of the optional third belt layer 61 to the optional fourth belt layer 62 between adjacent pairs of the fourth and sixth elastic strands 66, 69 is advantageously done by means of an adhesive. Adhesive bonding can be better controlled than ultrasonic bonding. Ultrasonic bonding tends to generate too much heat to impinge on the area immediately surrounding the ultrasonic bond. This may adversely affect the elastic properties of the elastic strands or may otherwise damage the elastic strands, especially for relatively narrow spacings 90 between adjacent elastic strands, such as spacings below 10mm or even below 6 mm.

In addition, the bonding of the first belt layer 41 to the second belt layer 41 and (if a second belt 60 is used) the third belt layer 61 to the second belt layer 62 between adjacent pairs of the first, third and optionally fourth and sixth elastic strands, may be continuous, i.e. not intermittent.

The elastic strands 200 are generally disposed between the first belt layer 41 and the second belt layer 42 while the elastic strands are in a stretched state. After having been joined to the first belt layer and/or the second belt layer, the elastic strands are allowed to contract, thereby forming corrugations 130 in the first back belt layer 41 and the second belt layer 42. The same applies to the optional second belt 60: the elastic strands 200 are generally disposed between the third belt layer 61 and the fourth belt layer 62 while the elastic strands are in a stretched state. After having been joined to the third belt layer and/or the fourth belt layer, the elastic strands are allowed to contract, thereby forming corrugations 130 in the third belt layer 61 and the fourth belt layer 62.

By having a continuous adhesive attachment of the first belt layer 41 to the second belt layer 42 (or, if present, the third belt layer 61 to the fourth belt layer 62) between the first area and the third area (and between the fourth area and the sixth area), the corrugations 130 of the first belt layer 41 and the second belt layer 42 (or the third belt layer 61 and the fourth belt layer 62) obtained by contraction of the elastic strands are more homogeneous and uniform. This contributes to a smoother and more uniform appearance of the belt, which provides more uniform elongation properties of the belt in the transverse direction and is generally perceived as more garment-like.

The first belt 40 has a first longitudinal belt side 55 and a second longitudinal belt side 56, and the optional second belt 60 has a third longitudinal belt side 86 and a fourth longitudinal belt side 87. The longitudinal belt sides of the first belt and optional second interbelt can be substantially parallel to the longitudinal centerline 110 of the absorbent article 20.

The first belt 40 also has a first transverse belt end edge 47 and a second transverse belt end edge 50, and the optional second belt 60 has a third transverse belt end edge 67 and a fourth transverse belt end edge 70. If the first belt 40 is provided in the back waist region 38, the first lateral belt end edge 47 of the first belt 40 forms the back waist edge 32 of the absorbent article 20. If the absorbent article 20 comprises a second belt 60, the third transverse belt end edge 67 of the second belt 60 forms the front waist edge 31 of the absorbent article 20. The first transverse front belt end edge 47 of the first belt 40 may be substantially straight. The second transverse belt end edge 50 of the first belt 40 may be substantially straight or may be curved. The second transverse belt end edge 50 may form part of a leg opening when the absorbent article 20 is applied to the wearer (or if the absorbent article is a pant having pre-formed leg openings).

Likewise, the third transverse belt end edge 67 of the second belt 60 (if present) may be substantially straight and/or the fourth transverse belt end edge 70 of the second belt 60 may be substantially straight or may be curved. The fourth transverse belt end edge 70 may form part of the leg opening when the absorbent article 20 is applied to the wearer (or if the absorbent article is a pant having pre-formed leg openings).

For example, those of the second transverse belt end edge 50 of the first belt 40 and those of the fourth transverse belt end edge 70 of the optional second belt 60, which contribute to forming the leg openings of the absorbent article 20, may have an arcuate shape such that the first belt 40 and the optional second belt 60 have their smallest longitudinal dimension (parallel to the longitudinal centerline 100 of the absorbent article 20) at the longitudinal belt side edges 55, 56, 86, 87. In this configuration, the central portion of the second transverse belt end edge 50 of the first belt 40 and optionally the central portion of the fourth transverse end edge 70 of the second belt 60, which overlaps the absorbent core, may be straight (determined when the elastic strands are stretched and the belt layer flattens).

The first belt and the optional second belt are shaped such that the first belt layer and the second belt layer (or the third belt layer and the fourth belt layer), respectively, are flat, i.e. there are no more folds or wrinkles, and the elastic strands are in a stretched state, when the respective belts are stretched out.

If the absorbent article 20 is a pant and comprises a first belt 40 and a second belt 60, the first longitudinal belt side edge 55 of the first belt 40 may be attached to the third longitudinal belt side 86 edge of the second belt 60 to form a first side seam 57. The second longitudinal belt side edge 56 of the first belt 40 may be attached to the fourth longitudinal belt side 87 edge of the second belt 60 to form a second side seam 58. The first side seam and the second side seam may be permanent.

The plurality of first, second and third elastic strands 46, 48, 49 may be different from each other and/or the elastic strands of the plurality of first, second and third elastic strands 46, 48, 49 may be applied differently from each other. For example, any of the plurality of first elastic strands 46 and the plurality of third elastic strands 49 may differ from the elastic strands of the plurality of second elastic strands 48 in any of the following ways: a) strain of an elastic strand, b) distance between adjacent elastic strands, c) number of elastic strands forming a plurality of elastic strands, d) denier of an elastic strand, or e) a combination of two or more of a) through d). For example, different elastic strands may be provided for the first, second and/or third pluralities of elastic strands, or the same elastic strands may be provided in the first, second and third pluralities of elastic strands but the respective pluralities of elastic strands may be applied in a different manner (i.e., different in that another additional manner is used of attaching the elastomers of the first and third pluralities of elastic strands 46, 49 at or near their laterally opposite ends to the first and/or second belt layers 41, 42, and the elastomers of the second plurality of elastic strands 48 to the first and/or second belt layers 41, 42 along substantially their entire length).

In this way, the characteristics in the first region 43, the second region 44, and the third region 45 can be further adjusted. For example, the first and third regions 43, 45 may have a lower strain than the second region 44. Thus, the second region may be further configured to more closely fit on the wearer, while the first and third regions may provide the wearer with increased freedom of movement and reduce red marks on the skin.

The first region 43 may have a first peak extension force in the cross machine direction, the second region 44 may have a second peak extension force in the cross machine direction, and the third region 45 may have a third peak extension force in the cross machine direction. The second peak lateral extension force may be greater than one or both of the first peak lateral extension force and the third peak lateral extension force. The second peak cd extension force may be at least 25%, or at least 30%, or at least 40%, or at least 50% higher than one or both of the first peak cd extension force and the third peak cd extension force. The second peak extension force may be no more than 200%, or no more than 150%, or no more than 100% higher than one or both of the first peak extension force and the third peak extension force in the cross direction.

At the same time, it may be desirable to have a level of lateral shrinkage in the second regions 44 that varies from the level of lateral shrinkage in the first and third regions 43, 45 by no more than 250%, or no more than 200%, or no more than 150%.

This can be achieved by: the elastic strands of the second plurality of elastic strands 48 are attached to the first and second belt layers along substantially their entire length, while the elastic strands of the first and third plurality of elastic strands 46, 49 are attached to the first and second belt layers 41, 42 (only) at or adjacent to the laterally opposite ends, or while the elastic strands of the first and third plurality of elastic strands 46, 49 are attached to the first and second belt layers 41, 42 (only) at or adjacent to the laterally opposite ends and are spaced at least 10% or at least 20% of the overall lateral extension of the elastic strands (measured when the elastic strands are in their relaxed, contracted state).

Generally, the substantially continuous attachment of the elastic strands 200 to one or both of the first and second belt layers 41, 42 results in an increase in the force necessary for the elastic strands 200 to extend in the transverse direction of the absorbent article 20 as compared to attachment of the elastic strands to the first and/or second belt layers 41, 42 only at their respective ends or adjacent ends (or only at their respective ends or adjacent ends and at locations spaced apart relative to each other at relatively large intervals). On the other hand, the level of contraction of a substantially continuously attached elastic strand may not differ to a great extent from the level of contraction of a substantially discontinuously attached elastic strand.

Thus, by selecting the attachment of the elastic strands 200 accordingly such that their differences between the first and third pluralities of elastic strands 46, 49 and the second plurality of elastic strands 48 allows for the provision of a first belt 40 that is more adjustable in low motion regions than in regions outside the low motion regions to provide the desired characteristics.

Absorbent article comprising a first belt and a second belt

In addition to the above, the following relates to a more specific embodiment of the present invention, wherein the absorbent article comprises a first belt 40 and a second belt 60, which may be joined to each other by a first permanent side seam 57 and a second permanent side seam 58.

The first belt 40 may have a greater longitudinal dimension than the second belt 60 because the first belt 40 is intended to cover the hips of the wearer.

When the first belt 40 and the second belt 60 of the absorbent article 20 are placed in an overlapping configuration such that the front waist edge 31 and the back waist edge 32 are overlapped, for example by placing the absorbent article 20 (e.g., pants) on a table, the second region 44 of the first belt 40 may completely, or more preferably, only partially overlap the fifth region 64 of the second belt 60. The only partial overlap may result in an absorbent article 20 in which the second region 44 extends further toward the lateral centerline 110 of the absorbent article 20 relative to the fifth region 64. Meanwhile, the fifth region 64 may extend further toward the waist edge relative to the second region 44.

As described above and as shown in FIG. 9C, due to the wearer's body structure, the lines of asserted force are disposed at an angle α to the horizontal plane on the wearer's body (at an angle to the transverse direction of the absorbent article). Thus, by having the second region 44 of the first belt 40 only partially overlap the fifth region 64 of the second belt 60, an anchoring system may be provided that more properly takes into account the anatomy of the wearer.

The second region 44 of the first belt 40 may be longitudinally offset from the back waist edge 32 of the absorbent article 20 by a first distance L1, and the fifth region 64 of the second belt 60 may be longitudinally offset from the front waist edge 31 by a second distance L2, wherein the second distance L2 is less than the first distance L1. The first and second distances are measured as the distance from the front and back waist edges to the elastic strands of the respective second and fifth regions, which are furthest from the transverse centerline. The exact dimensions of the first and second distances L1, L2 naturally depend on the overall size of the belt and therefore may vary widely between different absorbent articles, as some absorbent articles may be relatively small to fit infants, while other absorbent articles are sized to fit adults.

The third regions 45 may be disposed at a third dimension L3 longitudinally offset from the back waist edge 32 that is less than the offset along the longitudinal dimension of the front waist edge 31 of the sixth regions 65 (fourth dimension L4). Similar to the first and second distances L1, L2, the exact dimensions of the third and fourth distances L3, L4 naturally depend on the overall size of the belt, and thus may vary widely between different absorbent articles, as some absorbent articles may be relatively small to fit an infant, while others are sized to fit an adult.

The first region 43 may have a larger longitudinal dimension than the fourth region 63. The second region 44 may have a larger longitudinal dimension than the fifth region 64. The third regions 45 may have a greater longitudinal dimension than the sixth regions 65.

Some of the elastic strands of the second regions 44 may be severed across the transverse dimension of the absorbent article 20 to form discrete elastic strands. Alternatively, all of the elastic strands of the second regions 44 may be severed across the transverse dimension to form discrete elastic strands. In addition, some or all of the elastic strands of the third regions 45 may also be severed across the transverse dimension of the absorbent article 20 to form discrete elastic strands.

None of the elastic strands of the first regions 43 may be severed. Alternatively, it may also be desirable to sever some of the elastic strands of the first regions 43 across the transverse dimension of the absorbent article 20 to form discrete elastic strands. However, the elastic strands of the first regions 43 closest to the back waist edge 32 may not be severed to provide continuous elasticity around the waist opening.

If some of the first plurality of elastic strands 46 are severed, and/or some or all of the third plurality of elastic strands 49 are severed, each of the discontinuous elastic strands is attached to one or both of the first and second belt layers, respectively (only) at or adjacent to the laterally opposite ends of the discontinuous elastic strands.

The first belt 40 may have a first transverse belt end region 75 adjacent its first longitudinal belt side edge 55, a second transverse belt region 76 adjacent its second longitudinal belt side edge 56, and a first central region 77 between the first and second transverse belt regions 75, 76. If some of the elastic strands in the first regions 43, some or all of the elastic strands in the second regions 44, and/or some or all of the elastic strands in the third regions 45 are severed, the first central region 77 may be free of elastic strands and discontinuous elastic strands from the first and second segments 79, 80 in the first and second transverse belt end regions 75, 76, respectively. The first central region 77 of the first belt 40 may be a region overlapping with the absorbent core of the central chassis 22.

Likewise, for the second belt 60, some of the elastic strands of the fifth regions 64 may be severed in the transverse dimension of the absorbent article 20 to form discrete elastic strands. Alternatively, all of the elastic strands of the fifth regions 64 may be severed across the transverse dimension to form discrete elastic strands. In addition, some or all of the elastic strands of the sixth regions 65 may also be severed across the transverse dimension of the absorbent article 20 to form discrete elastic strands.

None of the elastic strands of the fourth regions 63 may be severed. Alternatively, it may also be desirable to sever some of the elastic strands of the fourth regions 63 across the transverse dimension of the absorbent article 20 to form discrete elastic strands. However, the elastic strands of the fourth regions 63 closest to the front waist edge 31 may not be severed to provide continuous elasticity around the waist opening.

If some of the plurality of fourth elastic strands 66 are severed, and/or some or all of the plurality of sixth elastic strands 69 are severed, each of the discontinuous elastic strands is attached to one or both of the third belt layer 61 and the fourth belt layer 62, respectively (only) at or adjacent to the laterally opposite ends of the discontinuous elastic strands.

The second belt 60 may have a third transverse belt end region 81 adjacent its third longitudinal belt side edge 86, a fourth transverse belt region 82 adjacent its fourth longitudinal belt side edge 87, and a second central region 83 between the third and fourth transverse belt regions 81, 82. If some of the elastic strands in the fourth regions 63, some or all of the elastic strands in the fifth regions 64, and/or some or all of the elastic strands in the sixth regions 65 are severed, the second central region 83 may be free of elastic strands as well as discontinuous elastic strands from the third 84 and fourth 85 segments in the third 81 and fourth 82 transverse belt end regions, respectively. The second central region 83 of the second belt 60 may be a region overlapping the absorbent core of the central chassis 22.

The overall number of uncut elastic strands extending substantially across the full transverse dimension in the first belt 40 may be higher than the number of elastic strands that are cut.

The overall number of uncut elastic strands extending substantially across the full transverse dimension in the second belt 60 may be lower than the number of elastic strands that are cut. If the absorbent article is a pant having a first permanent side seam 57 and a second permanent side seam 58, the elastic strands 200 of the first belt 40 and the second belt 60 may or may not be included in the permanent side seams. If the elastic strands are not contained in the permanent side seams, the elastic strands may have their opposite ends (across the transverse dimension of the article) proximate the first and second permanent side seams.

The plurality of fourth elastic strands 66, the plurality of fifth elastic strands 68 and the plurality of sixth elastic strands 69 may be different from each other and/or the elastic strands of the plurality of fourth elastic strands, the plurality of fifth elastic strands and the plurality of sixth elastic strands may be applied different from each other. For example, any of the plurality of fourth elastic strands and the plurality of sixth elastic strands may differ from the elastic strands of the plurality of fifth elastic strands in any of the following respects: a) strain of an elastic strand, b) distance between adjacent elastic strands, c) number of elastic strands forming a plurality of elastic strands, d) denier of an elastic strand, or e) a combination of two or more of a) through d). For example, different elastic strands may be provided for the fourth, fifth and/or sixth pluralities of elastic strands, or the same elastic strands may be provided in the fourth, fifth and sixth pluralities of elastic strands but the respective pluralities of elastic strands may be applied in a different manner (i.e. different in that another additional manner is used of attaching the elastomers of the fourth and sixth pluralities of elastic strands 66, 69 at or near their laterally opposite ends to the third and/or fourth belt layer 61, 62 and the elastomers of the fifth plurality of elastic strands 68 to the third and/or fourth belt layer 61, 62 along substantially their entire length).

In this way, the characteristics in the fourth region 63, the fifth region 64, and the sixth region 65 can be further adjusted. For example, fourth region 63 and sixth region 65 may have a lower strain than fifth region 64. Thus, the fifth area may be further configured to more closely fit on the wearer, while the fourth and sixth areas may provide the wearer with increased freedom of movement and reduced red marks on the skin.

The fourth region 63 may have a fourth peak extension force in the lateral direction, the fifth region 64 may have a fifth peak extension force in the lateral direction, and the sixth region 65 may have a sixth peak extension force in the lateral direction. The fifth peak lateral extension force may be greater than one or both of the fourth peak lateral extension force and the sixth peak lateral extension force. The fifth peak lateral extension force may be at least 25%, or at least 30%, or at least 40%, or at least 50% higher than one or both of the fourth peak lateral extension force and the sixth peak lateral extension force. The fifth peak extension force may be no more than 200%, or no more than 150%, or no more than 100% higher than one or both of the fourth peak extension force and the sixth peak extension force.

At the same time, it may be desirable to have a level of lateral shrinkage in the fifth regions 64 that varies from the levels of lateral shrinkage in the fourth regions 63 and the sixth regions 65 by no more than 250%, or no more than 200%, or no more than 150%.

This can be achieved by: attaching elastic strands of a fifth plurality of elastic strands to the third and fourth belt layers substantially along their entire length, while attaching elastic strands of a fourth and sixth plurality of elastic strands to the third and fourth belt layers (only) at or adjacent to the laterally opposite ends, or while attaching elastic strands of a fourth and sixth plurality of elastic strands to the third and fourth belt layers (only) at or adjacent to the laterally opposite ends and spaced at least 10% or at least 20% of the overall lateral extension of the elastic strands (measured when the elastic strands are in their relaxed, contracted state).

To further enhance fit, the boundary between the fifth region 64 and the sixth region 65 may be provided about 55% to 70% or about 55% to 65% from the lateral centerline 110 of the absorbent article 100, where 100% is the entire front region extending from the lateral centerline 110 to the front waist edge 31. This may also help to locate the fifth region 64 in areas of low motion of the wearer.

The boundaries between the second regions 44 and the third regions 45 may be disposed at a greater distance from the lateral centerline 110 than the distance of the lateral centerline 110 to the boundaries between the fifth regions 64-sixth regions 65. The boundary between the fifth region 44 and the third region 45 may be provided about 60% to 80% from the lateral centerline 110 of the absorbent article 20, wherein 100% is the entire back region extending from the lateral centerline 110 to the back waist edge 32.

The transverse centerline 110 conceptually divides the absorbent article 20 into front and back regions of equal length (i.e., equal longitudinal dimension). Thus, the distance from the lateral centerline 110 to the front waist edge 31 is the same as the distance from the lateral centerline 110 to the back waist edge 32.

The first belt 40 and the second belt 60 may be discontinuous from each other in the crotch region 37. Thus, neither the first nor the second belt can cover the entire body facing surface, and neither the first nor the second belt can cover the entire garment facing surface of the absorbent article 20.

Fastening system

The absorbent article 20 may also include a fastening system 140. When fastened, the fastening system 140 interconnects the front waist region 36 and the back waist region 38, resulting in a waist circumference that provides a waist opening that encircles the wearer during wear of the absorbent article 20. This may be achieved by interconnecting a first belt in the back waist region with a central chassis in the front waist region (if the absorbent article does not include a second belt), or by interconnecting a first belt with a second belt in the front waist region. The fastening system 140 may be provided in an absorbent article that is a diaper without the first and second permanent side seams 57, 58. Alternatively, a fastening system 140 may be provided in the absorbent article as a pant in addition to the first and second permanent side seams 57, 58 to facilitate further adjustment of the waist opening and/or to enable refastening of the pant if one or both of the side seams have been torn, such as when checking whether the pant is likely to be soiled.

The fastening system 140 may include fasteners such as hook and loop fastening components, interlocking fasteners such as tabs and slots, buckles, buttons, snaps, and/or hermaphroditic fastening components, although any other known fastening means are generally acceptable. Some exemplary surface fastening systems are disclosed in the following patents: U.S. Pat. nos. 3,848,594, 4,662,875; 4,846,815; 4,894,060; 4,946,527, respectively; 5,151,092; and 5,221,274. An exemplary interlocking fastening system is disclosed in U.S. patent 6,432,098. The fastening system 50 may also provide a means for holding the article in the disposal configuration, as disclosed in U.S. patent 4,963,140. The fastening system 140 may also include a primary fastening system and a secondary fastening system, as disclosed in U.S. patent 4,699,622. Fastening system 140 may be configured to reduce shifting of overlapping portions or improve fit, as disclosed in the following U.S. patents: 5,242,436; 5,499,978, respectively; 5,507,736, respectively; and 5,591,152. The fastening tab may be attached to the first and second longitudinal belt side edges of the first belt. They may be configured to extend laterally outward beyond the first and second longitudinal belt side edges. The engaging material of the fastening tab (e.g., hook, adhesive, etc.) may be disposed on a portion of the fastening tab that extends laterally outward beyond the first and second longitudinal belt side edges. The fastening tab can be folded prior to use of the absorbent article to prevent the engaging material from engaging an unintended portion of the absorbent article (e.g., during manufacture of the absorbent article, or when the absorbent article is removed from the package prior to being applied to a wearer). When folded, the engaging material may contact a non-engaging surface, such as a film, a polymer layer, or a non-tacky adhesive layer, comprised of the first belt adjacent its first and second longitudinal belt sides. When removed from the package, the fastening tab may unfold and engage a landing zone, such as a patch of loop material (typically on the front waist region of the central chassis or on the second belt).

Packaging piece

The absorbent articles of the present disclosure can be placed into a package. The package may comprise a polymer film and/or other materials. Graphics and/or indicia relating to the characteristics of the absorbent article may be formed on, printed on, positioned on, and/or placed on the exterior portion of the wrapper. Each package may include a plurality of absorbent articles. The absorbent articles can be stacked under compression to reduce the size of the packages while still providing a sufficient amount of absorbent articles per package. By enclosing the absorbent articles under compression, the caregiver can easily handle and store the package while also providing dispensing savings to the manufacturer due to the size of the package.

Thus, in accordance with the in-bag stack height test described herein, a package of absorbent articles of the present disclosure can have an in-bag stack height of less than about 100mm, less than about 95mm, less than about 90mm, less than about 85mm, but greater than about 75mm, less than about 80mm, less than about 78mm, less than about 76mm, or less than about 74mm, specifically reciting all 0.1mm increments within the specified ranges and all ranges formed therein or thereby. Alternatively, the absorbent article packages of the present disclosure may have an in-bag stack height of from about 70mm to about 110mm, from about 70mm to about 95mm, from about 72mm to about 85mm, from about 72mm to about 80mm, or from about 74mm to about 78mm, specifically reciting all 0.1mm increments within the specified ranges and all ranges formed therein or thereby, according to the in-bag stack height test described herein.

Fig. 10 shows an exemplary package 1000 comprising a plurality of absorbent articles 1004. The package 1000 defines an interior space 1002 in which a plurality of absorbent articles 1004 are located. A plurality of absorbent articles 1004 are arranged in one or more stacks 1006.

test method

Transverse peak extension force

Test equipment/environment

A suitable tensile tester, such as MTS Alliance with MTS Testworks version 4.0 or equivalent, is used. A tester equipped with a flat-pressing jig capable of fixing at least the entire width of the sample should be used. The instrument was calibrated according to the manufacturer's instructions. The tests were carried out at 23 ℃. + -. 2 ℃ and 50%. + -. 2% relative humidity.

Sample preparation

If the absorbent article is a pant having permanent side seams between the first and second belts, the side seams of the article are broken to separate the belts. The respective zones (as described in the embodiments of the present invention) are cut out from the respective belt strips (including the central chassis component if it overlaps the respective belt zone) for measurement. Each separate zone of the respective belt will be referred to herein as a "test sample". All material layers, including the central chassis component (if present), should be held together with the test sample. All cut lines are straight and parallel to the transverse direction of the absorbent article. Each test specimen needs to have at least one elastomeric material. The width (dimension in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article) of the respective zone is measured.

The length of the test specimen is measured. The length corresponds to the direction corresponding to the transverse direction of the absorbent article and is measured as the distance from one end of the test sample in a sufficiently stretched state to the other. The sufficiently stretched state is a state in which the test specimen is stretched by a force of 0.1N/mm multiplied by the width of the test specimen. If one or both ends of the test specimen are not parallel to the longitudinal direction, the shortest length within the test specimen is taken as the length of the test specimen.

The adjusted test specimen length is defined as the length of the test specimen minus the combined length of any material in the upper and lower grips. Thus, if the test specimen is mounted in the fixture such that 10mm at each end is fixed in the fixture, the adjusted tape length is the measured tape length minus 20 mm.

The test specimens were left unstretched for at least 10min prior to testing.

Testing

For each test sample, the initial gauge length of the tensile tester is set to allow the test sample to be installed in a relaxed state. The load cell is zeroed to offset the sample weight.

The test sample was pulled at a rate of 254mm/min in the transverse direction of the absorbent article and the load (N) was measured within 5 seconds after the test sample reached 65% of the adjusted test sample length. Calculating the lateral peak extension force for each of the force zones according to the following formula:

The transverse peak extension force (N/mm) of the test specimen is the measured value (N)/width (mm) of the force zone

Level of shrinkage

a) Full product force measurement

The force was measured using an electronic tensile tester or equivalent instrument running TestWorks 4 software (available from MTS SYSTEMS (CHINA) co., LTD), with a computer interface such as MTS Criterion C42. The load cell is selected such that the force results for the tested sample will be between 10% and 90% of the capacity of the load cell used. The instrument was calibrated according to the manufacturer's instructions. All tests were carried out in a room maintained at 23 ℃. + -. 2 ℃ and 50%. + -. 2% relative humidity.

The tensile tester is equipped with a hanger type sample holding jig 300 as shown in fig. 11. Each clamp includes a rigid linear rubber coated horizontal bar portion 302 to prevent slippage of the sample during testing. The outer rod diameter (including the rubber coating) of the horizontal rod segment was 10.0 mm. The central axes of the horizontal rod segments 302 are configured to remain parallel and in the same vertical plane throughout the test. The gauge length circumference is determined by the following formula:

Gauge length perimeter 2 × (H + D + pi D/2)

where H is the vertical gap between the horizontal rod portions 302 and D is the outer diameter of the rod.

The apparatus is arranged to pass the steps of:

Chuck speed	254.0mm/min
		Final load point	19.61N
Retention time	0
		Number of cycles	1
Data acquisitionAggregate rate	50Hz

The sample article 20 was inserted onto the upper horizontal rod portion 302 such that the rod passed through the waist opening and one of the leg openings of the article. The grips are raised until the sample hangs over the lower bar and does not contact the lower bar 302. The load cell is tared and the jaw is lowered to insert the lower rod 302 through the waist opening and the other leg opening without stretching the article. The article is adjusted so that the longitudinal centerline 100 of the article is in a horizontal plane intermediate the upper and lower bars 302. The center of the side in contact with the lever 302 is on the same vertical axis as the instrument load sensor. The chuck was slowly raised while holding the article in place by hand as needed until the force was between 0.05N and 0.1N, taking care not to add any unnecessary force. The gauge length circumference at this time is the initial gauge length circumference. The test was started and the collet moved upward at 254mm/min until a force of 19.6N was achieved, after which the collet immediately returned to the original gauge length circumference at the same speed. The maximum circumference at 19.6N and the force at 70% stretched circumference during the stretched section of the test were recorded.

Circumference (mm) ═ 2 × (H + D + π D/2)

The maximum circumference at 19.6N is defined as the fully stretched circumference (mm). The 70% stretched circumference was defined as the fully stretched circumference x 0.7. Waist circumference force is defined as the force at 70% tensile circumference during the load (tensile) segment of the test.

Five samples were analyzed and their average initial gauge circumference, average fully stretched circumference and average waist circumference force were calculated and recorded to the nearest 1mm, 1mm and 0.01N, respectively.

b) Measurement of lateral dimensions of an area

After the sample has been subjected to the full article force measurement test, the sample is prepared and processed as follows:

Test equipment/environment

A suitable tensile tester, such as MTS Alliance with MTS Testworks version 4.0 or equivalent, is used. A tester equipped with a flat-pressing jig capable of fixing at least the entire width of the sample should be used. The instrument was calibrated according to the manufacturer's instructions. The tests were carried out at 23 ℃. + -. 2 ℃ and 50%. + -. 2% relative humidity.

Sample preparation

if the absorbent article is a pant having permanent side seams between the first and second belts, the side seams of the article are broken to separate the belts. The respective zones (as described in the embodiments of the present invention) are cut out from the respective belt strips (including the central chassis component if it overlaps the respective belt zone) for measurement. All material layers, including the central chassis component (if present), should be retained with the test specimen (i.e., using the cutout region). All cut lines are straight and parallel to the transverse direction of the absorbent article. Each test specimen needs to have at least one elastomeric material. The width (dimension in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article) of the respective zone is measured.

the length of the test specimen is measured. The length is measured in the transverse direction of the absorbent article from one end of the test specimen in a fully stretched state to the other. The sufficiently stretched state is a state in which the test specimen is stretched by a force of 0.1N/mm multiplied by the width of the test specimen. If one or both ends of the test specimen are not parallel to the longitudinal direction, the shortest length within the test specimen is taken as the length of the test specimen.

The adjusted test specimen length is defined as the length of the test specimen minus the combined length of any material in the upper and lower grips. Thus, if the test specimen is mounted in the fixture such that 10mm at each end is fixed in the fixture, the adjusted tape length is the measured tape length minus 20 mm.

For each test sample, the initial gauge length of the tensile tester is set to allow the test sample to be installed in a relaxed state. The load cell is zeroed to offset the sample weight.

The test sample was stretched in the transverse direction of the absorbent article by applying a force of 0.5N to the test sample in a direction corresponding to the transverse direction of the absorbent article. The length of the test sample (corresponding to the transverse dimension of the corresponding zone in the absorbent article) was measured while taking into account the 20mm included between the jaws of the tensile tester.

The shrinkage level was then calculated as follows:

(at 0.5N X100, the length of the test sample of the corresponding zone)/(maximum perimeter at 19.6N^*)1/2)

^*)Maximum circumference obtained from full article force measurement

In bag Stack height test

the in-bag stack height of the absorbent article package is determined as follows:

Device

A thickness tester with a flat rigid horizontal smoothing plate was used. The thickness tester is configured such that the horizontal slide is free to move in a vertical direction, wherein the horizontal slide is always held in a horizontal orientation directly above a flat rigid horizontal base plate. The thickness tester includes a device adapted to measure the gap between the horizontal slide and the horizontal base plate to within ± 0.5 mm. The horizontal sliding plate and the horizontal base plate are larger than the surface of the absorbent article package contacting each plate, i.e. each plate extends beyond the contact surface of the absorbent article package in all directions. The horizontal slide applies a downward force of 850 grams ± 1 gram force (8.34N) to the absorbent article package, which may be achieved by: a suitable weight was placed on the center of the top surface of the horizontal slide that did not contact the package, so that the total mass of the slide plus added weight was 850 grams + 1 gram.

Test protocol

Prior to the measurement, the absorbent article package was equilibrated at 23 ℃ ± 2 ℃ and 50% ± 5% relative humidity.

The horizontal slide is lifted and a package of absorbent articles is placed centrally under the horizontal slide in such a way that the absorbent articles within the package are in a horizontal orientation (see fig. 10). Any handles or other packaging features on the surface of the package contacting any of the plates are folded flat against the surface of the package in order to minimize their effect on the measurements. The horizontal slide is slowly lowered until it contacts the top surface of the package and is then released. Ten seconds after releasing the horizontal sliding plate, the gap between the horizontal plates was measured to within ± 0.5 mm. Five identical packages (same size package and same number of absorbent articles) were measured and the arithmetic average was reported as the package width. The "in-bag stack height" is calculated and reported (package width/number of absorbent articles per stack) x10 to within ± 0.5 mm.

All documents cited in the detailed description of the invention are, in relevant part, incorporated herein by reference; the citation of any document is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior art with respect to the present invention. 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.

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 should be clear that combinations of the described embodiments and features are possible and can be implemented within the scope of the invention and it is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of the invention.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Rather, unless otherwise specified, 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 "about 40 mm".

Each document cited herein, including any cross-referenced or related patent or application, is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with any disclosure of the invention or the claims herein or that it alone, or in combination with any one or more of the references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention. Further, 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.

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.