Patent Publication Number: US-6667085-B1

Title: Method of making an absorbent article with prefastened side panels and absorbent articles made by the same

Description:
This application is a divisional of application Ser. No. 09/100,825 entitled METHOD OF MAKING AN ABSORBENT ARTICLE WITH PREFASTENED SIDE PANELS AND ABSORBENT ARTICLES MADE BY THE SAME and filed in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Jun. 19, 1998. The entirety of application Ser. No. 09/100,825 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,036,805 is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to disposable absorbent articles which are adapted to contain body exudates. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods of making absorbent articles having prefastened side panels and absorbent articles made by the same. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     It is desired that absorbent articles such as diapers, training pants or incontinence garments provide a close, comfortable fit about the wearer and contain body exudates. Moreover, it is desirable that such absorbent articles, after being soiled, can be removed from the wearer in a convenient and clean manner without undesirably soiling the care giver or surrounding area such as the clothes of the wearer. In certain circumstances, it is also desirable that such absorbent articles are capable of being pulled up or down over the hips of the wearer to allow the wearer or caregiver to easily pull the article on and easily remove the article if it has not been soiled. For example, such absorbent articles can assist in the toilet training of children. 
     Conventional diapers have typically included a front waist portion and a back waist portion which are releasably connected about the hips of the wearer during use by conventional fasteners such as adhesive tape fasteners or hook and loop type fasteners. For example, the conventional fasteners have typically included a pair of fasteners, such as adhesive tape tabs, located on the outermost corners of the diaper in the back waist region of the diaper and a complimentary fastener, such as a taping panel, located on the outer surface of the outer cover of the diaper in the front waist portion of the diaper. In such a configuration, the diaper has been positioned between the legs of the wearer and the adhesive tape tabs have been releasably attached to the taping panel to secure the back waist portion to the front waist portion of the diaper to secure the diaper about the waist of the wearer. Such conventional diapers are easy to fasten about and remove from the wearer after use without undesirably soiling the care giver. However, such conventional diapers are not provided in a prefastened configuration and thus are not configured to be pulled up or down over the hips of the wearer when the fasteners are attached. 
     Several attempts have been made to provide absorbent articles which effectively contain body exudates, are capable of being pulled up or down over the hips of the wearer and provide ease of cleaning and removal after being soiled. For example, some conventional absorbent articles, such as conventional training pants, have included integral side panels which connect the front waist portion to the back waist portion of the absorbent article. The side panels have been made stretchable such that the waist opening of the absorbent article can expand to allow the absorbent article to be pulled up or down over the hips of the wearer if desired. Such side panels have also been designed such that they may be torn to remove the training pant from the wearer after it has been soiled. 
     However, many of such attempts have not been completely satisfactory. For example, absorbent articles such as training pants have not always been able to achieve a close conforming fit to the wearer while still being able to expand enough to be pulled up and down over the hips of the wearer. Often such training pants fit the waist of the wearer loosely which can undesirably result in leaks. As a result, many of such articles have not contained bodily exudates as effectively as conventional diaper-type articles which can be adjusted to achieve a more conforming fit to the wearer. Moreover, the removal of soiled absorbent articles which have integral side panels, such as conventional training pants, has not always been completely satisfactory. For example, the side panels have been difficult to tear when attempting to remove the article from the waist of the wearer instead of pulling the article down over the hips of the wearer. 
     Accordingly, despite the attempts to develop improved absorbent articles, there remains a need for absorbent articles which can provide the benefits of conventional training pants and conventional diapers. That is, there remains a need for absorbent articles which conform to the wearer to effectively contain bodily exudates, which are capable of being pulled up and down over the hips and buttocks of the wearer without opening, and which are readily secured about and removed from the wearer in a convenient and clean manner. Moreover, there is a need for improved methods of reliably and consistently making such absorbent articles. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In response to the difficulties and problems discussed above, new methods of making a prefastened disposable absorbent articles which have an adjustable fastening system have been discovered. In one aspect, the present invention concerns a method of making a prefastened disposable absorbent article which includes providing a continuous web of interconnected absorbent articles, releasably attaching a pair of opposed side panels to one of the waist regions on each of the interconnected absorbent articles, selectively cutting the continuous web into discrete absorbent articles, folding each of the discrete absorbent articles thereby positioning the waist regions in a facing relationship; and securing side portions of the side panels to the side edges of the article in the opposite waist region to provide the prefastened absorbent article. Each of the opposed side panels includes a primary fastener thereon which releasably engages the one waist region to provide the releasable attachment. Each of the side portions of the side panels extends laterally outward beyond the side edges of the absorbent article in the one waist region for securement to the side edges of the opposite waist region. 
     In another aspect, the present invention concerns a method of making a prefastened disposable absorbent article which defines a front waist region, a back waist region, a crotch region which extends between and connects the waist regions, a pair of opposed side edges and a pair of opposed waist edges. The method comprises the steps of: 
     a) providing a continuously moving web of outer cover material; 
     b) intermittently connecting multiple absorbent chassis to the outer cover material to provide a continuously moving web of interconnected absorbent articles each of which includes one of the absorbent chassis; 
     c) releasably attaching a pair of opposed side panels to the front waist region on each of the absorbent articles wherein each of the opposed side panels includes a primary fastener thereon which releasably engages an outer surface of the absorbent article in the front waist region and wherein each of the side panels defines side portions which extend laterally outward beyond the side edges of the absorbent article in the front waist region; 
     d) releasably bonding the side panels to the front waist region to assist the primary fasteners in providing the releasable attachment of the side panels to the front waist region; 
     e) selectively cutting the continuous web of interconnected absorbent articles into discrete absorbent articles; 
     f) folding each of the discrete absorbent articles about a fold line extending in a lateral direction through the crotch region of the absorbent article thereby positioning the waist regions of the absorbent article in a facing relationship; and 
     g) securing the side portions of the side panels to the side edges of the absorbent article in the back waist region to provide the prefastened absorbent article. 
     In yet another aspect, the present invention concerns a prefastened disposable absorbent article which defines a front waist region, a back waist region, a crotch region which extends between and connects the waist regions, a pair of opposed side edges and a pair of opposed waist edges. The absorbent article includes a pair of opposed side panels which define side portions which are attached to the laterally opposed side edges of the back waist region of the absorbent article. The side panels include a primary fastener located thereon which releasably engages an outer surface of the absorbent article in the front waist region to provide the prefastened absorbent article. The absorbent article also includes a pair of releasable side bonds which are located on the side panels between the primary fastener and the side portion. The releasable side bonds releasably connect the side panels to the front waist region to assist the primary fasteners in maintaining the prefastened absorbent article in a prefastened condition. 
     In still another aspect, the present invention concerns a prefastened disposable absorbent article which defines a front waist region, a back waist region, a crotch region which extends between and connects the waist regions, a pair of opposed side edges and a pair of opposed waist edges. The absorbent article includes a pair of opposed side panels which define side portions which are attached to the laterally opposed side edges of the back waist region of the absorbent article. The side panels include a primary fastener located thereon which releasably engages an outer surface of the absorbent article in the front waist region to provide the prefastened absorbent article. The prefastened absorbent article is made by a process which includes: 
     a) releasably engaging the primary fastener on each of the opposed side panels to the outer surface of the absorbent article in the front waist region; 
     b) folding the absorbent article about a fold line extending in a lateral direction through the crotch region of the absorbent article thereby positioning the waist regions in a facing relationship; and 
     c) securing the side portions of the side panels to the side edges of the absorbent article in the back waist region to provide the prefastened absorbent article. 
     The present invention advantageously provides methods of making prefastened disposable absorbent articles which include an adjustable fastening system for improved fit and performance and absorbent articles made by the same. In particular, the present invention provides methods of attaching prefastened side panels to and folding a disposable absorbent articles in a reliable and consistent manner. The absorbent articles of the present invention are capable of being reliably pulled up or down over the hips of the wearer to assist in the toilet training of the wearer similar to conventional training pants. Moreover, similar to conventional diapers, the absorbent articles of the present invention can advantageously be applied to and removed from the wearer after they have been soiled with relative ease and cleanliness. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention will be more fully understood and further advantages will become apparent when reference is made to the following detailed description of the invention and the accompanying drawings wherein like numerals represent like elements. The drawings are merely representative and are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims. 
     FIG. 1 representatively shows a schematic view of an example of a method of making a prefastened disposable absorbent article according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 representatively shows a plan view of the steps involved in the method of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 representatively shows a side view of an example of a prefastened disposable absorbent article made according to the methods of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 representatively shows a plan view of the disposable absorbent article of FIG. 3 in an unfastened, stretched and laid flat condition with the surface of the article which contacts the wearer facing the viewer; and 
     FIG. 5 representatively shows a plan view of the disposable absorbent article of FIG. 3 in an unfastened, stretched and laid flat condition with the surface of the article which contacts the wearer&#39;s clothing facing the viewer. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention concerns methods of making prefastened disposable absorbent articles which are configured to closely conform to the body of the wearer to effectively contain body exudates while being capable of being pulled up or down over the hips and buttocks of the wearer and prefastened absorbent articles made according to the same. The prefastened disposable absorbent articles can also be easily secured to and removed directly from the waist of the wearer. As such, the prefastened absorbent articles of the present invention can function in a similar manner to conventional training pants when left in the prefastened configuration or they can be unfastened prior to or during use to function in a manner similar to conventional diapers. The disposable absorbent articles are adapted to be worn adjacent to the body of a wearer to absorb and contain various exudates discharged from the body. As used herein, the term “disposable” refers to articles which are intended to be discarded after a limited use and which are not intended to be laundered or otherwise restored for reuse. 
     The methods of making the disposable absorbent articles and the articles made by the same of the present invention will be described in terms of a disposable diaper article which is adapted to be worn by infants about the lower torso. In particular, the methods will be described in terms of a method of making a prefastened disposable absorbent diaper having prefastened side panels. It is understood that the methods of the present invention are equally adaptable for use in making other types of absorbent articles such as adult incontinent products, training pants, feminine hygiene products, other personal care or health care garments, and the like. 
     FIGS. 1 and 2 representatively illustrate an example of a method of making a prefastened disposable absorbent article according to the present invention. FIG. 3 further representatively illustrates an example of a prefastened disposable diaper, as generally indicated at  20 , made according to the methods of the present invention. FIGS. 4 and 5 representatively illustrate the prefastened diaper of FIG. 3 in an unfastened, stretched and laid flat configuration. As illustrated in FIGS. 3-5, the diaper  20  defines a front waist region  22 , a back waist region  24 , a crotch region  26  which extends between and connects the front and back waist regions  22  and  24  and a pair of laterally opposed side panels  28 . The diaper  20  further defines a pair of laterally opposed side edges  30 , a pair of longitudinally opposed waist edges  32 , an interior surface  34  which is configured to contact the wearer, an outer surface  36  opposite the interior surface  34 , a longitudinal direction  38  and a lateral direction  40 . 
     The front waist region  22  comprises the portion of the diaper  20  which, when worn, is positioned on the front of the wearer while the back waist region  24  comprises the portion of the diaper  20  which, when worn, is positioned on the back of the wearer. The crotch region  26  of the diaper  20  comprises the portion of the diaper  20  which, when worn, is positioned between the legs of the wearer and covers the lower torso of the wearer. The side panels  28  comprise the portions of the diaper which, when worn, are positioned on the side hip regions of the wearer. The laterally opposed side edges  30  of the diaper  20  generally define leg openings which may be curvilinear. The waist edges  30  of the diaper  20  are configured to encircle the waist of the wearer when worn and provide a waist opening when fastened which defines a waist perimeter dimension. 
     The illustrated diaper  20  includes an outer cover  42 , an absorbent chassis  44  and a fastening system  60 . The fastening system  60  includes a pair of primary fasteners  62  and a pair of laterally opposed releasable side bonds  64  located on the side panels  28  of the diaper  20 . The absorbent chassis  44  is configured to contain and/or absorb any body exudates discharged from the wearer. Whereas, the outer cover  42 , primary fasteners  62  and releasable side bonds  64  are configured to maintain the diaper  20  about the waist of the wearer, conceal the absorbent chassis  44  from view, and provide a garment-like appearance. The diaper  20  may further include leg elastics  52 , containment flaps  54  and waist elastics  56  as are known to those skilled in the art. It should be recognized that individual components of the diaper  20  may be optional depending upon the intended use of the diaper  20 . 
     The methods of the different aspects of the present invention are directed at reliably and consistently providing prefastened disposable absorbent articles such as that representatively illustrated in FIG.  3 . For example, as representatively illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the methods can include providing a continuous web of interconnected diapers  80  moving in the direction indicated by arrow  82 . In such a configuration, the front waist region  22  of the leading diaper  20  may be connected to the back waist region  24  of the trailing diaper  20  to form the continuous web of interconnected diapers  80 . Alternatively, the back waist region  24  of the leading diaper may be connected to the front waist region  22  of the trailing diaper or the diapers may be arranged in a front-to-front/back-to-back relationship. 
     The continuous web of interconnected diapers  80  may be provided by means known to those skilled in the art. For example, a web of interconnected diapers  80 , such as the diaper illustrated in FIG. 3, may be provided by first providing a continuously moving web of material for the outer cover  42 . Individual absorbent chassis  44  for each diaper  20  may then be intermittently connected to the continuously moving web of outer cover material at spaced apart locations. Additional components, such as the leg elastics  52 , containment flaps  54  and waist elastics  56 , may also be connected to the continuously moving web of outer cover material or the individual absorbent chassis connected thereto to provide the web of interconnected diapers  80 . The different components of the diaper  20  may be connected together by means known to those skilled in the art such as, for example, adhesive, thermal or ultrasonic bonding. Desirably, most of the components are connected using ultrasonic bonding for improved manufacturing efficiency and reduced raw material cost. 
     As illustrated in FIG. 1, a pair of laterally opposed side panels  28  having primary fasteners  62  attached thereto are also releasably attached to one of the waist regions  22  and  24  of each diaper  20  on the continuously moving web of interconnected diapers  80 . The side panels  28  are releasably attached to each diaper  20  by releasably engaging the primary fasteners  62  with the outer surface  36  of each diaper  20  in the respective waist region  22  or  24 . For example, as representatively illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the primary fasteners  62  located on each of the laterally opposed side panels  28  may be releasably engaged with the outer surface  36  of the diaper  20  in the front waist region  22  of the diaper  20 . Alternatively, the fasteners  62  located on the side panels  28  may be releasably engaged with the outer surface  36  of the diaper in the back waist region  24 . As discussed below, each diaper  20  may include an attachment panel  66  located on the outer cover  42  to which the primary fasteners  62  releasably engage. Alternatively, the primary fasteners  62  may releasably engage the outer cover  42  of the diaper  20  directly without requiring an separate fastening panel. 
     When the primary fasteners  62  have been releasably engaged with the outer surface  36  of the diaper  20 , the laterally opposed side panels  28  define side portions  70  which extend in the lateral direction  40  outward beyond the opposed side edges  30  of the diaper  20  in the respective waist region  22  or  24 . For example, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the opposed side panels  28  may define side portions  70  which extend laterally beyond the side edges  30  of the diaper  20  in the front waist region  22 . In such a configuration, the side portions  70  are configured to be secured to the side edges  30  of the diaper  20  in the back waist region  24  to provide the prefastened diaper  20 . Desirably, the side portions  70  of the side panels  28  extend outward beyond the side edges  30  a distance of at least about 0.5 centimeters and more desirably at least about 1.0 centimeters in the lateral direction  40 . Such distance provide sufficient material for securement to the side edges  30  of the diaper  20  in the opposite waist region. To facilitate the attachment of the side portions  70  of the side panels  28  to the opposite waist region  22  or  24 , it is desirably that the waist region to which the primary fasteners are releasably engaged defines a width in the lateral direction  40  which is smaller than the width of the opposite waist region in the lateral direction  40 . For example, in the illustrated embodiments, it is desired that the width of the front waist region  22  be smaller than the width of the back waist region  24  such that the side portions  70  of the side panels  28  are in a facing relationship with the side edges  30  of the diaper  20  in the back waist region  24  for improved manufacturing. 
     The laterally opposed side panels  28  may be supplied by means known to those skilled in the art. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 1, two webs of spaced apart, interconnected side panels  110  having the primary fasteners  62  attached thereto may be provided. The webs of side panels may then be passed through the slip cutter  112  which intermittently cuts the respective webs of side panels  110  into discrete side panels  28 . The primary fasteners  62  on each discrete side panel  28  are then intermittently releasably engaged with the outer surface  36  of each diaper at spaced apart locations along the side edges  30  of each diaper on the web of interconnected diapers  80 . The releasable engagement of the fasteners  62  with the outer surface  36  of the diaper  20  may be ensured by passing the fasteners  62  and web  80  between a pair of rotating nip rolls (not shown) which apply pressure to between the fasteners  62  and outer surface  36 . 
     As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the opposed side panels  28  may further be releasably bonded to the outer surface  36  of the diaper  20  to assist the primary fasteners  62  in maintaining the side panels  28  releasably attached to the diaper  20 . Such releasable bonds may be provided by passing the diaper  20  through bonder  100 , as illustrated in FIG.  1 . For example, bonder  100  may be configured to releasably bond the section of the side panels  28  between the primary fasteners  62  and the side portions  70  to the outer surface  36  of the diaper  20  in the front waist region  22  at bond points  64 , as representatively illustrated in FIG.  2 . The term “releasably bond” as used herein refers to a bond which has a relatively low peel strength such that the bond can be broken by the caregiver if desired to assist in removing the diaper  20  from the wearer without tearing or severely damaging the other portions of the diaper  20 . The releasable bonds may otherwise be broken prior to applying the diaper  20  to the wearer if it is desired to apply the prefastened diaper of the invention in a similar manner to conventional diapers. The specific values of the desired peel strength of the bond are set forth herein in conjunction with the detailed description of the diaper  20  illustrated in FIGS. 3-5. 
     The releasable bonds  64  assist in maintaining the diaper  20  in the prefastened configuration while it is being pulled on or off over the hips of the wearer. The releasable bonds  64  further help maintain the side panels  28  in alignment until they are permanently secured to the opposite waist region of the diaper  20  after the diaper  20  is folded. The releasable side bonds  64  also provide improved hip coverage and prevent rollover or folding of the side edges  30  and waist edges  32  of the prefastened diaper  20  as it is pulled over the wearers hips. Such prevention of rollovers and foldovers can reduce the level of contact between the fasteners and the skin of the wearer which can desirably result in reduced skin irritation and redness. 
     As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the releasable side bonds  64  are located laterally outward of the primary fasteners  62  on the side panels  28  when the side panels  28  are releasably attached to the outer surface  36  of the diaper  20 . As used herein, the term “outward” refers to a distance in the lateral direction  40  away from a longitudinal centerline of the diaper  20 . In such a configuration, the releasable side bonds  64  connect a section of each side panel  28  laterally outward of the primary fasteners  62  to the outer surface  36  of the diaper  20 . Desirably, the releasable side bonds  64  connect the side panels  28  to the side edges  30  of the front waist region  22 . For example, as illustrated, the releasable side bonds  64  may releasably bond the longitudinally opposed edges of the side panels  28  to the side edges  30  of the front waist region  22 . In such a configuration, the releasable bonds  64  also assist in preventing the side and waist edges  30  and  32  of the diaper  20  from rolling over as the diaper  20  is pulled on or taken off. 
     When the side panels  28  are releasably attached to the outer surface  36  of the diaper  20  as illustrated in FIG. 2, the releasable side bonds  64  are located on the side panels  28  laterally outward from the primary fastener  62  a distance  68  to prevent relative movement or shifting between the side panels  28  and the front and back waist regions  22  and  24  when the diaper  20  is being used. In a particular embodiment, at least a portion of each of the releasable side bonds  64  is located on the side panels  28  laterally outward from the primary fasteners  62  a distance  68  of at least about 1.0 centimeters and desirably at least about 2.0 centimeters. When the distance  68  is less than the values set forth above, the side panels  28  and front and back waist regions  22  and  24  may undesirably shift with respect to each other during the application or use of the diaper  20 . Such shifting may adversely affect the fit of the diaper  20  on the wearer which can undesirably lead to increased leakage. 
     Suitable bonding equipment which can be used to provide the releasable bonds  64  is well known to those skilled in the art. Desirably, the bonder  100  is an ultrasonic bonder for improved efficiency and cost effectiveness. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the bonder  100  may include one or more rotary ultrasonic horns  102  and an anvil roll  104  between which the web of diapers  80  is passed to provide the releasable bonds  64 . Suitable rotary ultrasonic horns are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,110,403 to Ehlert, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. Such rotary ultrasonic horns  102  generally have a diameter of from about 5to about 20 centimeters and a width of from about 2 to about 15 centimeters. Alternatively, the ultrasonic horn  102  may be a stationary ultrasonic horn as are also known to those skilled in the art. Other suitable ultrasonic horns and ultrasonic bonders are commercially available from Branson Sonic Power Company, a business having offices in Danbury, Connecticut. The bonder  100  could otherwise be a thermal or adhesive bonder as are known to provide the releasable bonds  64 . 
     The bonder  100  may be configured to provide the releasable bonds  64  in a variety of patterns and shapes or sizes. For example, the releasable bonds  64  may be provided as a pattern of points, dots, circles, squares, triangles and the like which may be arranged in a linear or nonlinear configuration. In the illustrated embodiments, such patterns may be located on the bonding horn  102  or the anvil roll  104 . Desirably, the pattern is located on the anvil roll  104  for improved manufacturing efficiency. 
     The continuous web of interconnected diapers  80  is passed through cutter  84  which selectively cuts the web  80  into discrete, individual diapers  20 . Such cutters are generally known to those skilled in the art and may include, for example, the combination of a cutting roll  86  and anvil roll  88  through which the web  80  travels. The anvil roll  88  may include a hardened steel rotating roll while the cutting roll  86  may include one or more flexible hardened steel blades clamped on to another rotating roll. The pinching force between the blade on the cutting roll and the anvil roll creates the cut. The cutting roll  86  may have one or more blades depending upon the desired distance between the cuts. The cutter  84  may further be configured to provide a spacing between the individual cut pieces after they are cut. Such a spacing can be provided by transferring the cut pieces away from the cutter at a higher speed than the speed at which the web is provided to the cutter. For example, slip cutter  112  is desirably configured in such a manner. 
     The discrete diapers  20  are then folded in a conventional blade folder  90  about fold line  92  on the diaper  20 . As such, the waist regions  22  and  24  of each diaper are positioned in a facing relationship with the side portions  70  of the side panels extending laterally outward beyond the side edges  30  of the diaper  20  in the front waist region  22  as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The fold line  92  extends in a lateral direction through the crotch region  26  of the diaper  20 . Desirably, each diaper  20  is consistently folded about fold line  92  such that the waist edges  32  of the diaper  20  in the front and back waist region  22  and  24  align with each other. 
     Suitable blade folders to provide the folding are well known to those skilled in the art. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the blade folder  90  may include a pair of rotating folding blades which are configured to contact the diaper  20  along the fold line  92 . In such a configuration, the rotation of the folding blades force the diaper into a nip between two rotating rolls causing the diaper  20  to fold about the fold line  92 . 
     As illustrated in FIG. 1, the waist regions  22  and  24  are maintained in the facing relationship by passing the diaper  20  through another bonder  94  which may be similar to bonder  100 . The bonder  94  permanently bonds and secures the side portions  70  of the side panels  28  to the side edges  30  of the diaper  20  in the respective waist region  22  or  24  along attachment line  72  to provide the prefastened diaper  20  as representatively illustrated in FIG.  2 . Desirably, the bonder  94  is also an ultrasonic bonder for improved efficiency and cost effectiveness. Suitable bonders for permanently bonding and securing the side panels  28  to the side edges  30  of the diaper  20  are described above as being suitable for bonder  100  and may include bonding roll  96  and anvil roll  98 . Suitable bond patterns are also described above. Desirably, the bond pattern used along attachment line  72  is continuous for improved strength. 
     The methods of the present invention, as representatively illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, can reliably and consistently provide prefastened absorbent articles having separate and distinct side panels such as the diaper illustrated in FIGS. 3-5. Since the side panels  28  are individually applied to the outer surface  36  of the diaper  20  in the front waist region instead of being first attached to the side edges of the diaper in the opposite waist region, it is not necessary to fold the side panels over to engage the outer surface. Such a configuration can result in improved control of the location and placement of the primary fasteners and reduce the complexity of the equipment needed. 
     The absorbent articles made by the methods of the present invention may be manufactured from a variety of materials. For example, as representatively illustrated in FIGS. 3-5, the outer cover  42  of the diaper  20  may suitably be composed of a material which is either liquid permeable or liquid impermeable. Since the absorbent chassis  44  of the different aspects of the present invention is designed to contain the body exudates discharged from the wearer, it is generally not necessary that the outer cover  42  be liquid impermeable. For example, the outer cover  42  may include various woven or nonwoven materials such as spunbond material, meltblown material, cotton material, rayon material or combinations thereof such as a spunbond-meltblown-spunbond (SMS) laminate material. The outer cover  42  may otherwise be at least partially liquid impermeable to further prevent any leakage of body exudates. For example, a typical outer cover  42  can be manufactured from a thin plastic film or other flexible liquid-impermeable material, woven or nonwoven fibrous layers, microporous “breathable” materials, elastic materials and combinations thereof. 
     The absorbent chassis  44  of the diaper  20  is suitably connected to the outer cover  42  to provide the disposable diaper  20 . The absorbent chassis  44  may be connected to the outer cover  42  in manners well known to those skilled in the art. For example, the absorbent chassis  44  may be bonded to the outer cover  42  using adhesive, thermal or ultrasonic bonding techniques known to those skilled in the art. Alternatively, the absorbent chassis  44  may be connected to the outer cover  42  using conventional fasteners such as buttons, hook and loop type fasteners, adhesive tape fasteners, and the like. The other components of the diaper  20  may be suitably connected together using similar means. 
     Desirably, the absorbent chassis  44  is connected to the outer cover  42  only at or adjacent the waist edges  32  of the outer cover  42  thereby creating a front attached portion, a back attached portion and an unattached portion which extends between and connects the attached portions. The unattached portion of the absorbent chassis  44  remains substantially unattached to the outer cover  42  and is generally configured to fit between the legs of the wearer and at least partially cover the lower torso of the wearer when in use. As a result, the unattached portion is generally the portion of the absorbent chassis  44  which is configured to initially receive the body exudates from the wearer. Thus, the absorbent chassis  44  is connected to the outer cover  42  in such a manner to secure the chassis  44  in place while not adversely restricting the movement of the outer cover  42  in use. Alternatively, the absorbent chassis  44  may be attached to the outer cover  42  along the entire longitudinal length of the absorbent chassis  44  or any portion thereof or along only the outer periphery of the absorbent chassis  44 . 
     As representatively illustrated in FIG. 4, the absorbent chassis  44  according to the present invention may include a backsheet  46 , a bodyside liner  48  which is connected to the backsheet  46  in a superposed relation, and an absorbent core  50  which is located between the bodyside liner  48  and the backsheet  46 . In alternative configurations wherein the outer cover  42  is at least partially resistant to the flow of liquids therethrough, the backsheet  46  may optionally be omitted from the absorbent chassis  44 . 
     The absorbent chassis  44  is generally conformable and capable of absorbing and retaining body exudates. The absorbent chassis  44  may have any of a number of shapes and sizes. For example, as representatively illustrated in FIG. 4, the absorbent chassis  44  may be rectangular, I-shaped or T-shaped. The size and absorbent capacity of the absorbent chassis  44  should be compatible with the size of the intended wearer and the fluid loading imparted by the intended use of the diaper  20 . Typically, it is desirable that the absorbent chassis  44  have an absorbent capacity of at least about 300 grams of urine. It is generally preferred that the absorbent chassis  44  be narrower in the crotch region  26  than in the waist regions  22  and  24 . It has been found that the absorbent chassis  44  of the present invention is particularly useful when the width dimension in the crotch region  26  is from about 2.5 to about 10.2 centimeters (1.0 to about 4.0 inches), desirably no more than about 7.6 centimeters (3.0 inches) and more desirably no more than about 5.1 centimeters (2.0 inches). The narrow crotch width dimension of the absorbent chassis  44  allows the absorbent chassis  44  to better fit between the legs of the wearer. 
     The bodyside liner  48  of the absorbent chassis  44 , as representatively illustrated in FIG. 4, suitably presents a bodyfacing surface which is intended to be worn adjacent the body of the wearer and is compliant, soft feeling and nonirritating to the wearer&#39;s skin. Further, the bodyside liner  48  may be less hydrophilic than the absorbent core  50 , to present a relatively dry surface to the wearer, and may be sufficiently porous to be liquid permeable, permitting liquid to readily penetrate through its thickness. A suitable bodyside liner  48  may be manufactured from a wide selection of web materials, such as woven and nonwoven fabrics, porous foams, reticulated foams, apertured plastic films, natural fibers (for example, wood or cotton fibers), synthetic fibers (for example, polyester or polypropylene fibers), or a combination of natural and synthetic fibers. The bodyside liner  48  is suitably employed to help isolate the wearer&#39;s skin from fluids held in the absorbent core  50  of the absorbent chassis  44 . 
     The backsheet  46  of the absorbent chassis  44 , as representatively illustrated in FIG. 4, may suitably be composed of a material which is either liquid permeable or liquid impermeable. It is generally preferred that the backsheet  46  be formed from a material which is substantially impermeable to fluids. A typical backsheet can be manufactured from a thin plastic film or other flexible liquid-impermeable material. The backsheet  46  may also be constructed of a material which is similar to the material described as being suitable for the outer cover  42 . 
     The bodyside liner  48  and backsheet  46  are generally adhered to one another so as to form a pocket in which the absorbent core  50  is located to provide the absorbent chassis  44 . The bodyside liner  48  and backsheet  46  may be adhered directly to each other around the outer periphery of the absorbent chassis  44  by any means known to those skilled in the art such as adhesive bonds, sonic bonds or thermal bonds. For example, a uniform continuous layer of adhesive, a patterned layer of adhesive, a sprayed or meltblown pattern of adhesive or an array of lines, swirls or spots of adhesive may be used to affix the bodyside liner  48  to the backsheet  46 . It should be noted that both the bodyside liner  48  and the backsheet  46  need not extend completely to the outer periphery of the absorbent chassis  44 . For example, the backsheet  46  may extend to the outer periphery of the absorbent chassis  44  while the bodyside liner  48  may be attached to the backsheet  46  inboard of the outer periphery of the absorbent chassis  44 , or more towards the longitudinal centerline of the diaper  20 . In alternative configurations, especially wherein the backsheet  46  is omitted, the bodyside liner  48  may be suitably adhered directly to the absorbent core  50  or to the outer cover  42 . 
     The absorbent core  50 , as representatively illustrated in FIG. 4, is positioned between the bodyside liner  48  and the backsheet  46  to form the absorbent chassis  44 . The absorbent core  50  is desirably conformable and capable of absorbing and retaining body exudates. The absorbent core  50  may have any of a number of shapes and sizes. For example, the absorbent core may be rectangular, I-shaped or T-shaped. It is generally preferred that the absorbent core  50  be narrower in the crotch region  26 . The size of the absorbent core  50  should be compatible with the size of the intended wearer and the desired absorbent capacity of the absorbent chassis  44 . 
     The absorbent core  50  of the absorbent chassis  44  may suitably comprise various types of wettable, hydrophilic fibrous materials. Examples of suitable materials include naturally occurring organic fibers composed of intrinsically wettable material, such as cellulosic fibers; synthetic fibers composed of cellulose or cellulose derivatives, such as rayon fibers; inorganic fibers composed of an inherently wettable material, such as glass fibers; synthetic fibers made from inherently wettable thermoplastic polymers, such as particular polyester and polyamide fibers; and synthetic fibers composed of a nonwettable thermoplastic polymer, such as polypropylene fibers, which have been hydrophilized by appropriate means known to those skilled in the art. The absorbent core  50  may also comprise selected blends of the various types of fibers mentioned above. 
     In a particular aspect of the invention, the absorbent core  50  may include a matrix of hydrophilic fibers, such as a web of cellulosic fibers, mixed with particles of a high-absorbency material such as that commonly known as superabsorbent material. As used herein, the term “high-absorbency material” refers to materials that are capable of absorbing at least  10  times their own weight in liquid. In a particular embodiment, the absorbent core  50  comprises a mixture of superabsorbent hydrogel-forming particles and wood pulp fluff. The wood pulp fluff may be exchanged with synthetic, polymeric, meltblown fibers or with a combination of meltblown fibers and natural fibers. The high-absorbency material may be substantially homogeneously mixed with the hydrophilic fibers or may be nonuniformly mixed. The high-absorbency material may also be arranged in a generally discrete layer within the matrix of hydrophilic fibers. Alternatively, the absorbent core  50  may comprise a laminate of fibrous webs and high-absorbency material or other suitable means of maintaining a high-absorbency material in a localized area. 
     As representatively illustrated in FIG. 4, the absorbent chassis  44  of the disposable diaper  20  may include a pair of containment flaps  54  which are configured to provide a barrier to the lateral flow of body exudates. The containment flaps  54  may be located along the laterally opposed side edges of the absorbent chassis  44 . Each containment flap  54  typically defines an unattached edge which is configured to maintain upright, perpendicular configuration in at least the crotch region  26  of the diaper  20  to form a seal against the wearer&#39;s body. The containment flaps  54  may extend longitudinally along the entire length of the absorbent chassis  44  or may only extend partially along the length of the absorbent chassis  44 . When the containment flaps  54  are shorter in length than the absorbent chassis  44 , the containment flaps  54  can be selectively positioned anywhere along the side edges of the absorbent chassis  44 . In a particular aspect of the invention, the containment flaps  54  extend along the entire length of the absorbent chassis  44  to better contain the body exudates. 
     Such containment flaps  54  are generally well known to those skilled in the art. For example, suitable constructions and arrangements for containment flaps  54  are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,704,116 issued Nov. 3, 1987, to K. Enloe the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     The disposable diaper  20  of the different aspects of the present invention may further include elastics at the waist edges  32  and side edges  30  of the diaper  20  to further prevent the leakage of body exudates and support the absorbent chassis  44 . For example, as representatively illustrated in FIG. 4, the diaper  20  of the present invention may include a pair of leg elastic members  52  which are connected to the laterally opposed side edges  30  in the crotch region  26  of the diaper  20  and a pair of waist elastic members  56  which are connected to the longitudinally opposed waist edges  32  of the diaper  20 . The leg elastics  52  and waist elastics  56  are generally adapted to fit about the legs and waist of a wearer in use to maintain a positive, contacting relationship with the wearer to effectively reduce or eliminate the leakage of body exudates from the diaper  20 . 
     Materials suitable for use as the leg elastics  52  and waist elastics  56  are well known to those skilled in the art. Exemplary of such materials are sheets or strands or ribbons of a polymeric, elastomeric material which are adhered to the outer cover  42  in a stretched position, or which are attached to the outer cover  42  while the outer cover is pleated, such that elastic constrictive forces are imparted to the outer cover  42 . The leg elastics may also include such materials as polyurethane, synthetic and natural rubber. 
     As representatively illustrated in FIGS. 3-5 and described with respect to the method aspects of the invention, the diaper  20  further includes a pair of laterally opposed side panels  28  connected to the side edges  30  of the diaper  20  in one of the waist regions  22  and  24 . For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the side panels  28  of the diaper  20  are permanently secured to and extend laterally beyond the side edges  30  of the diaper  20  in the back waist region  24  of the diaper  20 . The side panels  28  include individual, distinct pieces of material which are connected to the diaper  20  along attachment line  72  using attachment means known to those skilled in the art such as adhesive, thermal or ultrasonic bonding. As discussed above, the side panels  28  are desirably attached to the diaper  20  using ultrasonic bonding for improved manufacturing efficiency and reduced raw material cost. 
     Materials suitable for the side panels  28  of the diaper  20  are generally known to those skilled in the art. For example, suitable materials for the side panels  28  include those materials described above as being suitable for the outer cover  42 , backsheet  46  or bodyside liner  48  of the diaper  20  such as woven and nonwoven materials. Desirably, the side panels  28  are elastic or stretchable. For example, the side panels  28  may comprise a stretch-thermal laminate (STL), neck-bonded laminate (NBL), or stretch-bonded laminate (SBL) material. Methods of making such materials are well known to those skilled in the art and described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,663,220 issued May 5, 1987 to Wisneski et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,226,992 issued Jul. 13, 1993 to Mormon, and European Patent Application No. EP 0 217 032 published on Apr. 8, 1987 in the names of Taylor et al., the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     The absorbent article of the different aspects of the present invention further includes a multi-functional fastening system  60  for securing the absorbent article about the waist of the wearer. The multi-functional fastening system  60  includes fasteners located on one of the waist regions  22  and  24  of the diaper  20  which are configured to releasably engage the opposite waist region of the diaper  20  to maintain the diaper about the waist of the wearer. The use of fasteners which are refastenable or releasably engageable allows for ease of securing and removing the diaper  20  from the waist of the wearer without undesirably soiling the wearer. 
     As representatively illustrated in FIGS. 3-5, the multi-functional fastening system  60  of the present invention may include a pair of primary fasteners  62  which are located on the side panels  28  of the diaper  20  in the back waist region  24  of the diaper  20 . In such a configuration, the side panels  28  and primary fasteners  62  are configured to encircle the hips of the wearer and engage the outer surface  36  of the front waist region  22  of the diaper  20  to maintain the diaper  20  on the wearer. Alternatively, the side panels  28  and primary fasteners  62  may be located on the front waist region  22  and may be configured to releasably engage the outer surface  36  of the back waist region  24  of the diaper  20 . The primary fasteners  62  may be adhered to the side panels  28  by any means known to those skilled in the art such as adhesive bonds, sonic bonds or thermal bonds. 
     Desirably, the primary fasteners  62  are releasably engageable directly with the outer surface of the outer cover  42  of the diaper  20  to provide improved fit and ease of fastening. Alternatively, as representatively illustrated in FIG. 3, the disposable diaper  20  of the present invention may further include an attachment panel  66  located on the outer cover  42  in one of the waist regions  22  and  24  of the diaper  20 . In such a configuration, the primary fasteners  62  are releasably engageable with the attachment panel  66  to maintain the diaper  20  about the waist of the wearer. When the primary fasteners  62  are releasably engaged, the side edges  30  of the diaper  20  define leg openings which are configured to encircle the legs of the wearer and the waist edges  32  define a waist opening which is configured to encircle the waist of the wearer. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the attachment panel  66  may include two separate panels located along the opposite side edges in one of the waist regions  22  and  24  of the diaper  20 . Alternatively, the attachment panel  66  may include a single piece of material which extends substantially across the respective waist region of the diaper  20 . 
     In the different aspects of the present invention, the primary fasteners  62  are releasably engaged with the outer surface of the opposite waist region  22  and  24  of the diaper  20  before the diaper  20  is placed on the wearer to provide a prefastened diaper. In such a configuration, the prefastened diaper  20  can be pulled on or off over the legs and hips of the wearer. If the diaper  20  becomes soiled during use, the primary fasteners  62  can be disengaged to easily remove the diaper  20  from the waist of the wearer with reduced risk of undesirably soiling the clothes or legs of the wearer. Thus, the diaper  20  is configured to be pulled on or off over the hips of the wearer such as conventional training pants and can be readily applied or removed by disengaging the fasteners similar to conventional diaper articles. 
     Suitable fasteners are well known to those skilled in the art and can include adhesive tape tab fasteners, hook and loop fasteners, mushroom fasteners, snaps, pins, belts and the like, and combinations thereof. For example, as representatively illustrated in FIG. 4, the primary fasteners  62  may be hook type fasteners and the outer cover  42  or attachment panel  66  may be configured to function as a complimentary loop type fastener. Desirably, the fasteners  62  are hook type fasteners which are releasably engageable directly with the outer cover  42 . Such an arrangement provides the ability to vary the size of the waist opening in very small increments over a wide range to fit the waist of the wearer. 
     The multi-functional fastening system  60  on the disposable diaper  20  of the present invention may further include at least one secondary fastener (not shown) to provide improved securement of the diaper  20  about the waist of the wearer when the primary fasteners  62  are releasably engaged. Such a secondary fastener can be configured to further conform the waist regions  22  and  24  of the diaper  20  to the waist of the wearer. A suitable arrangement for such secondary fasteners is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/907,585 entitled “A MULTI-FUNCTIONAL FASTENER FOR DISPOSABLE ABSORBENT ARTICLES” and filed Aug. 8, 1997 in the name of J. Suprise. 
     The use of such secondary fasteners has been found to be particularly desirable since the primary fasteners  62  are releasably engaged with the respective waist region of the diaper  20  prior to use. In such a configuration, the waist opening of the diaper  20  when the primary fasteners  62  are engaged must be sufficient to allow the prefastened diaper  20  to be pulled over the hips of the wearer. However, the circumference of the waist of the wearer is typically less than the circumference around the hips of the wearer. Thus, the waist opening of the prefastened diaper  20  may not conform to the waist of the wearer which may undesirably result in leaks. In such a configuration, the secondary fastener of the diaper  20  is configured to conform the waist regions of the diaper  20  to the wearer by reducing the waist perimeter dimension of the diaper  20  after the prefastened diaper is pulled on the wearer. Thus, the care giver is not required to reposition the primary fasteners  62  to conform the waist regions  22  and  24  to the waist of the wearer. As a result, when the diaper  20  is to be removed from the wearer, the care giver may simply disengage the secondary fastener if necessary and pull the prefastened diaper down over the hips and legs of the wearer without having to reposition the primary fasteners  62 . Alternatively, if the diaper  20  does not include such secondary fasteners, the primary fasteners  62  can be repositioned if necessary after the prefastened diaper  20  has been pulled on over the legs and hips of the wearer. 
     As described above in connection with the method aspects of the invention, the prefastened absorbent article of the present invention further includes a pair of releasable side bonds  64  for improved reliability of maintaining the article in the prefastened condition particularly when it is being pulled on or off over the hips of the wearer. Absorbent articles including such releasable side bonds are further described in U.S. Patent Application entitled “DISPOSABLE ABSORBENT ARTICLES HAVING PASSIVE SIDE BONDS AND ADJUSTABLE FASTENING SYSTEMS” filed in the name of Elsberg on the same date as the instant application and having Ser. No. 09/100,574, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     For example, as representatively illustrated in FIG. 3, the diaper  20  may include a pair of releasable side bonds  64  which releasably connect side panels  28  to the front waist region  22  of the diaper  20 . In such a configuration, the releasable side bonds  64  assist the fastening system  60  in maintaining the diaper  20  in a prefastened condition as the diaper  20  is pulled up or down over the hips of the wearer. Moreover, the releasable side bonds  64  prevent movement and shifting of the waist regions  22  and  24  and side panels  28  relative to each other for improved fit and performance. The releasable side bonds  64  also prevent rollover or folding of the side edges  30  and waist edges  32  of the prefastened diaper  20  as it is pulled over the wearers hips. 
     In the illustrated embodiments, the releasable side bonds  64  connect the respective side panel  28  and front waist region  22  in a facing relationship. As described above, the releasable side bonds  64  can be provided by any type of bonding such as thermal, adhesive and ultrasonic bonding as are well known to those skilled in the art and may be discrete point bonds, dashed lines, continuous lines, discontinuous lines and the like or combinations thereof. Moreover, the side bonds  64  may have any shape such as circular, square, triangular and the like. Desirably, the releasable side bonds  64  are ultrasonic point bonds for improved manufacturing efficiency. 
     In certain aspects of the invention, the location of the side bonds  64  and the respective distance  68  (FIG. 2) can be selectively varied to tailor the fit of the diaper  20  for different sized wearers. For example, the location of the bonds  64  may be varied during the manufacturing process such that the same process can produce prefastened diapers for use in conventional Step  3  or Step  4  sizes. 
     The releasable side bonds  64  are configured to assist the primary fasteners  62  in maintaining the diaper  20  in a prefastened configuration as the diaper  20  is pulled on and off over the hips of the wearer and during use. Thus, it is desirable that the releasable side bonds  64  provide adequate shear strength for assisting the primary fasteners  62 . For example, in a particular embodiment, the releasable side bonds  64  define a shear strength of at least about 50grams and desirably at least about 100 grams. For example, the passive side bonds  80  and  82  may define a shear strength of from about 100 to about 4000 grams and desirably from about 500 to about 2000 grams. As used herein, the term “shear strength” refers to the value obtained when subjecting the side bonds to the Shear Strength Test described herein. Shear strength values less than those described above may not prevent the separation of the front and rear waist regions  22  and  24  from each other during the application and use of the diaper  20 . 
     The releasable side bonds  64  are also configured to be readily tearable such that the caregiver can easily pealingly remove the diaper  20  from the wearer after it has been soiled. Thus, it is desirable that the releasable side bonds  64  define a relatively low peel strength such that the caregiver can readily disengage the fasteners  62 , break the releasable side bonds  64  and separate the front and back waist regions  22  and  24  to remove the diaper  20  from the waist of the wearer similar to conventional diapers which are not prefastened. For example, in a particular embodiment, the releasable side bonds  64  define a peel strength of no more than about 1500, desirably no more than about 1000 grams and more desirably no more than about 800 grams. As used herein, the term “peel strength” refers to the value obtained when subjecting the side bonds to the Peel Strength Test described herein. Peel strength values greater than those described above may not be readily tearable and may undesirably result in tearing of other portions of the diaper  20 . 
     The different aspects of the present invention advantageously provide methods of making a prefastened disposable absorbent article which includes the combination of releasable or releasable side bonds and an adjustable fastening system. The fastening system is prefastened to releasably engage the front and back waist portions to allow the absorbent article to be pulled up or down over the hips of the wearer such as conventional training pants. Moreover, the fastening system can be used to releasably engage and adjust the front and back waist portions of the absorbent article to maintain the absorbent article about the waist of the wearer after the article has been pulled on in a similar manner to conventional diapers. The releasable side bonds assist the fastening system in maintaining the article in a prefastened condition as the article is pulled up or down over the hips of the wearer. Moreover, the releasable side bonds prevent movement and shifting of the waist portions relative to each other for improved manufacturability, fit and performance. The releasable side bonds also prevent the rollover or folding on the side and waist edges of the prefastened absorbent article as it is pulled over the wearers hips. 
     As a result, the absorbent article of the present invention is designed to conform to the body of the wearer to effectively contain bodily exudates while still being capable of being reliably pulled up or down over the hips of the wearer to assist in the toilet training of the wearer. Moreover, similar to conventional diapers, the absorbent article of the present invention can advantageously be applied to and removed from the wearer with relative ease and cleanliness. 
     Peel Strength Test 
     This test method is designed to quantify, in grams, the peak strength of the ultrasonic point bonds holding the front waist region of the absorbent article to the rear waist region. The direction of removal (peel), in this application, is that direction in which the fastener material would generally be removed from a substrate when the product is in use. This direction is generally perpendicular to a longitudinal centerline of the product. 
     Equipment 
     1. Tensile tester capable of obtaining a peak load and equipped with an appropriate load cell. A suitable tensile testing system is a Sintech Tensile Tester, commercially available from MTS Sintech, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, under the trade designation Instron Model 4201 Tensile Tester with Sintech QAD (Quality Assurance Department) Software. 
     2. Software commercially obtained from MTS Sintech under the trade designation Sintech Testworks™. 
     3. Pnuematic-action grips commercially available from Instron Corporation, Canton, Mass., under the trade designation “Instron Model 2712-004.” 
     4. 1 by 4 inch grip faces, serrated, commercially available from Instron Corporation, Canton, Mass. 
     5. Test facility having a temperature of 23±1° C., and a relative humidity of 50±2 percent. 
     Test Procedure 
     1. A sample to be tested is conditioned in the test facility for at least 4 hours prior to testing. 
     2. The load cell is calibrated and the software loaded. 
     3. The grips are installed on the tensile tester with the jaws closed. 
     4. The test condition for the tensile tester are set as follows: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 Crosshead speed: 
                 500 millimeters/minute 
               
               
                   
                 Full-scale load: 
                  5 kitograms 
               
               
                   
                 Threshold: 
                  5 percent 
               
               
                   
                 Fail criterion: 
                  95 percent 
               
               
                   
                 Gage length: 
                  50 millimeters 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     5. The weight of the clamp is tared out. 
     6. The primary fastener tab of the fastening element on the back waist region of the article is inserted into the upper jaw such that the edge of the grip face is flush with the inner edge of the hook material. 
     7. The front waist region of the article is inserted into the lower jaw such that the inner surface of the back waist region and the outer surface of the front waist region form a 180° angle. The lower jaw is closed. 
     8. The crosshead is started in motion. 
     9. The peak load of failure is recorded. It is intended that the mode of failure is that the back waist region of the diaper separates from the front waist region of the diaper. Results are rejected if the place of failure is any location other than the ultrasonic point bonds. 
     Shear Strength Test 
     This test method is designed to quantify, in grams, the peak dynamic shear strength of the ultrasonic point bonds holding the front waist region of the absorbent article to the rear waist region. The direction of force in this application is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline of the product. 
     Equipment 
     1. Tensile tester capable of obtaining a peak load and equipped with an appropriate load cell. A suitable tensile testing system is a Sintech Tensile Tester, commercially available from MTS Sintech, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, under the trade designation Instron Model 4201 Tensile Tester with Sintech QAD (Quality Assurance Department) Software. 
     2. Software commercially obtained from MTS Sintech under the trade designation Sintech Testworks™. 
     3. Pnuematic-action grips commercially available from Instron Corporation, Canton, Mass., under the trade designation “Instron Model 2712-004.” 
     4. 1 by 4 inch grip faces, serrated, commercially available from Instron Corporation, Canton, Mass. 
     5. Test facility having a temperature of 23±1° C., and a relative humidity of 50±2 percent. 
     Test Procedure 
     1. A sample to be tested is conditioned in the test facility for at least 4 hours prior to testing. 
     2. The load cell is calibrated and the software loaded. 
     3. The grips are installed on the tensile tester with the jaws closed. 
     4. The test condition for the tensile tester are set as follows: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 Crosshead speed: 
                 500 millimeters/minute 
               
               
                   
                 Full-scale load: 
                  5 kilograms 
               
               
                   
                 Threshold: 
                  5 percent 
               
               
                   
                 Fail criterion: 
                  95 percent 
               
               
                   
                 Gage length: 
                  50 millimeters 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     5. The weight of the clamp is tared out. 
     6. The primary fastener tab of the fastening element on the back waist region of the article is inserted into the upper jaw such that the edge of the grip face is flush with the inner edge of the hook material. 
     7. The front waist region of the article is inserted into the lower jaw such that the inner surface of the back waist region and the inner surface of the front waist region are facing the same direction and are parallel to one another. The lower jaw is closed. 
     8. The crosshead is started in motion. 
     9. The peak load of failure is recorded. It is intended that the mode of failure is that the back waist region of the article separates from the front waist region of the article. Results are rejected if the place of failure is any location other than the ultrasonic point bonds. 
     While the invention has been described in detail with respect to specific aspects thereof, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art, upon attaining an understanding of the foregoing, may readily conceive of alterations to, variations of and equivalents to these aspects. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be assessed as that of the appended claims and any equivalents thereto.