Patent Publication Number: US-2020297555-A1

Title: Absorbent articles having discontinuous bond patterns

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit, under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e), of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/821,485, filed on Mar. 21, 2019, the entire disclosure of which is fully incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure is generally directed to absorbent articles comprising discontinuous bond patterns, and, is more particularly directed to, absorbent articles comprising landing components comprising discontinuous bond patterns. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Absorbent articles may comprise diapers, pants, adult incontinence products, and sanitary napkins, for example. Absorbent articles may also comprise cleaning, dusting, mopping, and/or wiping pads or substrates, such as a Swiffer® pad. The absorbent articles typically comprise a liquid permeable topsheet, a liquid impermeable backsheet, and an absorbent core positioned at least partially intermediate the topsheet and the backsheet. Various components of absorbent articles comprise nonwoven materials. Some example components are outer cover nonwoven materials, discrete, nonwoven landing zones, and non-elasticized front belts comprising one or more nonwoven materials. All of these nonwoven components may function as landing components for hooks in a taped diaper context. In a cleaning, dusting, mopping, and/or wiping pad or substrate, one or more nonwoven materials may act as a landing component for hooks on a base of a handle. To function as a landing component, these nonwoven components may need to have certain characteristics to engage hook materials of fasteners (or bases of handles) and reliably hold the hooks of the fasteners (or bases of handles). Related art landing zones relied on islands of raised material or continuous line patterns of bonds or densified areas to achieve fastening performance. These related art landing zones, however, struggled with the appearance of premium quality. However, using discontinuous line patterns of bonds on a landing zone may result in higher fuzz and undesirably fastening. As such, a balance is needed between landing component line patterns of bonds that look premium, but that have acceptable levels of fuzz and also have suitable fastening performance. As such, landing components, such as outer cover nonwoven materials, discrete, nonwoven landing zones, non-elasticized front belts comprising one or more nonwoven materials, or cleaning, dusting, mopping, and/or wiping pads or substrates comprising bond patterns, should be improved. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure provides, in part, absorbent articles comprising landing components comprising one or more nonwoven materials comprising discontinuous bond patterns that have a premium look, have adequate fastening performance when receiving hooks, and that have low levels of fuzz. The landing zone components may be an outer cover nonwoven material, a discrete landing zone, a non-elasticized front belt comprising or more nonwoven materials, for example. The landing component may also comprise a cleaning, dusting, mopping, and/or wiping pad or substrate comprising one or more nonwoven materials comprising the discontinuous bond patterns. 
     The present disclosure provides, in part, nonwoven materials comprising discontinuous bond patterns. These nonwoven materials may be provided on any product or consumer product. The nonwoven materials, though, are especially useful as landing components, such as female components of mechanical fasteners. 
     The present disclosure provides, in part, absorbent articles comprising one or more nonwoven materials comprising discontinuous bond patterns. The one or more nonwoven materials may form at least a portion of a waistband, a leg cuff, a topsheet, a waist cuff, an ear, a side panel, a belt, and/or any other component or components, for example. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of the present disclosure, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the disclosure itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of example forms of the disclosure taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a plan view of an example absorbent article in the form of a taped diaper, garment-facing surface facing the viewer, in a flat laid-out state; 
         FIG. 2  is a plan view of the example absorbent article of  FIG. 1 , wearer-facing surface facing the viewer, in a flat laid-out state; 
         FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of the absorbent article of  FIGS. 1 and 2  in a fastened position; 
         FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of an absorbent article in the form of a pant; 
         FIG. 5  is a rear perspective view of the absorbent article of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a plan view of the absorbent article of  FIG. 4 , laid flat, with a garment-facing surface facing the viewer; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent article taken about line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent article taken about line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a plan view of an example absorbent core or an absorbent article; 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view, taken about line  10 - 10 , of the absorbent core of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view, taken about line  11 - 11 , of the absorbent core of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a plan view of an example absorbent article of the present disclosure that is a sanitary napkin; 
         FIG. 13  is a plan view of an example absorbent article in the form of a taped diaper with a discrete, non-elasticized front belt, garment-facing surface facing the viewer, in a flat laid-out state; 
         FIG. 14  is a plan view of the example absorbent article of  FIG. 13  with a discrete, non-elasticized front belt, wearer-facing surface facing the viewer, in a flat laid-out state; 
         FIG. 15  is a front perspective view of the absorbent article of  FIGS. 13 and 14  with a discrete, non-elasticized front belt in a partially fastened position and having first and second patterns on two different components; 
         FIG. 16  is a front perspective view of the absorbent article of  FIGS. 13 and 14  with a discrete, non-elasticized front belt in a partially fastened position and having third and fourth patterns on two different components; 
         FIG. 17  is a plan view of a discrete, non-elasticized front belt having a first and second support members proximate to first and second ends thereof; 
         FIG. 18  is a cross-sectional view of the discrete, non-elasticized front belt, taken about line  18 - 18  of  FIG. 17 ; 
         FIGS. 19 and 20  are example discontinuous bond patterns having herringbone patterns; 
         FIGS. 21 and 22  are blown-up examples of discontinuous bond patterns having herringbone patterns; 
         FIG. 23  is a blown-up example of a discontinuous bond pattern having an ellipse pattern; 
         FIG. 24  is a blown-up example of a discontinuous bond pattern having an ellipse pattern; 
         FIG. 25  is a blown-up example of a discontinuous bond pattern having an ellipse pattern; 
         FIGS. 26 and 27  are example repeat unit boundary identifications linked to the Repeat Unit/Bond Area Measurement Test herein; and 
         FIG. 28  is an example repeat unit boundary identification taken in a substrate comprising a repeating bond pattern linked to the Repeat Unit/Bond Area Measurement Test herein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Various non-limiting forms of the present disclosure will now be described to provide an overall understanding of the principles of the structure, function, manufacture, and use of the Absorbent Articles Having Discontinuous Bond Patterns disclosed herein. One or more examples of these non-limiting forms are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the Absorbent Articles Having Discontinuous Bond Patterns described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting example forms and that the scope of the various non-limiting forms of the present disclosure are defined solely by the claims. The features illustrated or described in connection with one non-limiting form may be combined with the features of other non-limiting forms. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure. 
     Prior to a detailed discussion of the absorbent articles comprising nonwoven materials comprising discontinuous bond patterns, a general discussion of absorbent articles and their various components and features will be presented as background. 
     General Description of an Absorbent Article 
     An example absorbent article  10  according to the present disclosure, shown in the form of a taped diaper, is represented in  FIGS. 1-3 .  FIG. 1  is a plan view of the example absorbent article  10 , garment-facing surface  2  facing the viewer in a flat, laid-out state (i.e., no elastic contraction).  FIG. 2  is a plan view of the example absorbent article  10  of  FIG. 1 , wearer-facing surface  4  facing the viewer in a flat, laid-out state.  FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of the absorbent article  10  of  FIGS. 1 and 2  in a fastened configuration. The absorbent article  10  of  FIGS. 1-3  is shown for illustration purposes only as the present disclosure may be used for making a wide variety of diapers, including adult incontinence products, pants, or other absorbent articles, such as sanitary napkins and absorbent pads, for example. 
     The absorbent article  10  may comprise a front waist region  12 , a crotch region  14 , and a back waist region  16 . The crotch region  14  may extend intermediate the front waist region  12  and the back waist region  16 . The front wait region  12 , the crotch region  14 , and the back waist region  16  may each be ⅓ of the length of the absorbent article  10 . The absorbent article  10  may comprise a front end edge  18 , a back end edge  20  opposite to the front end edge  18 , and longitudinally extending, transversely opposed side edges  22  and  24  defined by the chassis  52 . 
     The absorbent article  10  may comprise a liquid permeable topsheet  26 , a liquid impermeable backsheet  28 , and an absorbent core  30  positioned at least partially intermediate the topsheet  26  and the backsheet  28 . The absorbent article  10  may also comprise one or more pairs of barrier leg cuffs  32  with or without elastics  33 , one or more pairs of leg elastics  34 , one or more elastic waistbands  36 , and/or one or more acquisition materials  38 . The acquisition material or materials  38  may be positioned intermediate the topsheet  26  and the absorbent core  30 . An outer cover nonwoven material  40  may cover a garment-facing side of the backsheet  28 . The absorbent article  10  may comprise back ears  42  in the back waist region  16 . The back ears  42  may comprise fasteners  46  on tapes and may extend from the back waist region  16  of the absorbent article  10  and attach (using the fasteners  46 ) to the landing zone area or landing zone material  44  on a garment-facing portion of the front waist region  12  of the absorbent article  10 . The absorbent article  10  may also have front ears  47  in the front waist region  12 . The absorbent article  10  may have a central lateral (or transverse) axis  48  and a central longitudinal axis  50 . The central lateral axis  48  extends perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis  50 . 
     In other instances, the absorbent article may be in the form of a pant having permanent or refastenable side seams. Suitable refastenable seams are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Appl. Pub. No. 2014/0005020 and U.S. Pat. No. 9,421,137. Referring to  FIGS. 4-8 , an example absorbent article  10  in the form of a pant is illustrated.  FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of the absorbent article  10 .  FIG. 5  is a rear perspective view of the absorbent article  10 .  FIG. 6  is a plan view of the absorbent article  10 , laid flat, with the garment-facing surface facing the viewer. Elements of  FIG. 4-8  having the same reference number as described above with respect to  FIGS. 1-3  may be the same element (e.g., absorbent core  30 ).  FIG. 7  is an example cross-sectional view of the absorbent article taken about line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6 .  FIG. 8  is an example cross-sectional view of the absorbent article taken about line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 6 .  FIGS. 7 and 8  illustrate example forms of front and back belts  54 ,  56 . The absorbent article  10  may have a front waist region  12 , a crotch region  14 , and a back waist region  16 . Each of the regions  12 ,  14 , and  16  may be ⅓ of the length of the absorbent article  10 . The absorbent article  10  may have a chassis  52  (sometimes referred to as a central chassis or central panel) comprising a topsheet  26 , a backsheet  28 , and an absorbent core  30  disposed at least partially intermediate the topsheet  26  and the backsheet  28 , and an optional acquisition material  38 , similar to that as described above with respect to  FIGS. 1-3 . The absorbent article  10  may comprise a front belt  54  in the front waist region  12  and a back belt  56  in the back waist region  16 . The chassis  52  may be joined to a wearer-facing surface  4  of the front and back belts  54 ,  56  or to a garment-facing surface  2  of the belts  54 ,  56 . Side edges  23  and  25  of the front belt  54  may be joined to side edges  27  and  29 , respectively, of the back belt  56  to form two side seams  58 . The side seams  58  may be any suitable seams known to those of skill in the art, such as butt seams or overlap seams, for example. When the side seams  58  are permanently formed or refastenably closed, the absorbent article  10  in the form of a pant has two leg openings  60  and a waist opening circumference  62 . The side seams  58  may be permanently joined using adhesives or bonds, for example, or may be refastenably closed using hook and loop fasteners, for example. 
     Belts 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the front and back belts  54  and  56  may comprise front and back inner belt layers  66  and  67  and front and back outer belt layers  64  and  65  having an elastomeric material (e.g., strands  68  or a film (which may be apertured)) disposed at least partially therebetween. The elastic elements  68  or the film may be relaxed (including being cut) to reduce elastic strain over the absorbent core  30  or, may alternatively, run continuously across the absorbent core  30 . The elastics elements  68  may have uniform or variable spacing therebetween in any portion of the belts. The elastic elements  68  may also be pre-strained the same amount or different amounts. The front and/or back belts  54  and  56  may have one or more elastic element free zones  70  where the chassis  52  overlaps the belts  54 ,  56 . In other instances, at least some of the elastic elements  68  may extend continuously across the chassis  52 . 
     The front and back inner belt layers  66 ,  67  and the front and back outer belt layers  64 ,  65  may be joined using adhesives, heat bonds, pressure bonds or thermoplastic bonds. Various suitable belt layer configurations can be found in U.S. Pat. Appl. Pub. No. 2013/0211363. 
     Front and back belt end edges  55  and  57  may extend longitudinally beyond the front and back chassis end edges  19  and  21  (as shown in  FIG. 6 ) or they may be co-terminus. The front and back belt side edges  23 ,  25 ,  27 , and  29  may extend laterally beyond the chassis side edges  22  and  24 . The front and back belts  54  and  56  may be continuous (i.e., having at least one layer that is continuous) from belt side edge to belt side edge (e.g., the transverse distances from  23  to  25  and from  27  to  29 ). Alternatively, the front and back belts  54  and  56  may be discontinuous from belt side edge to belt side edge (e.g., the transverse distances from  23  to  25  and  27  to  29 ), such that they are discrete. 
     As disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,901,393, the longitudinal length (along the central longitudinal axis  50 ) of the back belt  56  may be greater than the longitudinal length of the front belt  54 , and this may be particularly useful for increased buttocks coverage when the back belt  56  has a greater longitudinal length versus the front belt  54  adjacent to or immediately adjacent to the side seams  58 . 
     The front outer belt layer  64  and the back outer belt layer  65  may be separated from each other, such that the layers are discrete or, alternatively, these layers may be continuous, such that a layer runs continuously from the front belt end edge  55  to the back belt end edge  57 . This may also be true for the front and back inner belt layers  66  and  67 —that is, they may also be longitudinally discrete or continuous. Further, the front and back outer belt layers  64  and  65  may be longitudinally continuous while the front and back inner belt layers  66  and  67  are longitudinally discrete, such that a gap is formed between them—a gap between the front and back inner and outer belt layers  64 ,  65 ,  66 , and  67  is shown in  FIG. 7  and a gap between the front and back inner belt layers  66  and  67  is shown in  FIG. 8 . 
     The front and back belts  54  and  56  may include slits, holes, and/or perforations providing increased breathability, softness, and a garment-like texture. Underwear-like appearance can be enhanced by substantially aligning the waist and leg edges at the side seams  58  (see  FIGS. 4 and 5 ). 
     The front and back belts  54  and  56  may comprise graphics (see e.g.,  78  of  FIG. 1 ). The graphics may extend substantially around the entire circumference of the absorbent article  10  and may be disposed across side seams  58  and/or across proximal front and back belt seams  15  and  17 ; or, alternatively, adjacent to the seams  58 ,  15 , and  17  in the manner described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,498,389 to create a more underwear-like article. The graphics may also be discontinuous. The front and/or back belts may comprise the nonwoven materials comprising the discontinuous bond patterns described herein. 
     Alternatively, instead of attaching belts  54  and  56  to the chassis  52  to form a pant, discrete side panels may be attached to side edges of the chassis  22  and  24 . 
     Topsheet 
     The topsheet  26  is the part of the absorbent article  10  that is in contact with the wearer&#39;s skin. The topsheet  26  may be joined to portions of the backsheet  28 , the absorbent core  30 , the barrier leg cuffs  32 , and/or any other layers as is known to those of ordinary skill in the art. The topsheet  26  may be compliant, soft-feeling, and non-irritating to the wearer&#39;s skin. Further, at least a portion of, or all of, the topsheet may be liquid permeable, permitting liquid bodily exudates to readily penetrate through its thickness. A suitable topsheet may be manufactured from a wide range of materials, such as porous foams, reticulated foams, apertured plastic films, woven materials, nonwoven materials, woven or nonwoven materials of natural fibers (e.g., wood or cotton fibers), synthetic fibers or filaments (e.g., polyester or polypropylene or bicomponent PE/PP fibers or mixtures thereof), or a combination of natural and synthetic fibers. The topsheet may have one or more layers. The topsheet may be apertured ( FIG. 2 , element  31 ), may have any suitable three-dimensional features, and/or may have a plurality of embossments (e.g., a bond pattern). The topsheet may be apertured by overbonding a material and then rupturing the overbonds through ring rolling, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,628,097, to Benson et al., issued on May 13, 1997 and disclosed in U.S. Pat. Appl. Publication No. US 2016/0136014 to Arora et al. Any portion of the topsheet may be coated with a skin care composition, an antibacterial agent, a surfactant, and/or other beneficial agents. The topsheet may be hydrophilic or hydrophobic or may have hydrophilic and/or hydrophobic portions or layers. If the topsheet is hydrophobic, typically apertures will be present so that bodily exudates may pass through the topsheet. The topsheet may comprise one or more nonwoven materials comprising the discontinuous bond patterns discussed herein. The topsheet may also comprise apertures and/or three-dimensional features. 
     Backsheet 
     The backsheet  28  is generally that portion of the absorbent article  10  positioned proximate to the garment-facing surface of the absorbent core  30 . The backsheet  28  may be joined to portions of the topsheet  26 , the outer cover nonwoven material  40 , the absorbent core  30 , and/or any other layers of the absorbent article by any attachment methods known to those of skill in the art. The backsheet  28  prevents, or at least inhibits, the bodily exudates absorbed and contained in the absorbent core  10  from soiling articles such as bedsheets, undergarments, and/or clothing. The backsheet is typically liquid impermeable, or at least substantially liquid impermeable. The backsheet may, for example, be or comprise a thin plastic film, such as a thermoplastic film having a thickness of about 0.012 mm to about 0.051 mm. Other suitable backsheet materials may include breathable materials which permit vapors to escape from the absorbent article, while still preventing, or at least inhibiting, bodily exudates from passing through the backsheet. 
     Outer Cover Nonwoven Material 
     The outer cover nonwoven material (sometimes referred to as a backsheet nonwoven)  40  may comprise one or more nonwoven materials joined to the backsheet  28  and that covers the backsheet  28 . The outer cover nonwoven material  40  forms at least a portion of the garment-facing surface  2  of the absorbent article  10  and effectively “covers” the backsheet  28  so that film is not present on the garment-facing surface  2 . The outer cover nonwoven material  40  may comprise one or more nonwoven materials comprising the discontinuous bond patterns discussed herein. 
     Absorbent Core 
     As used herein, the term “absorbent core”  30  refers to the component of the absorbent article  10  having the most absorbent capacity and that comprises an absorbent material. Referring to  FIGS. 9-11 , in some instances, absorbent material  72  may be positioned within a core bag or a core wrap  74 . The absorbent material may be profiled or not profiled, depending on the specific absorbent article. The absorbent core  30  may comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of, a core wrap, absorbent material  72 , and glue enclosed within the core wrap. The absorbent material may comprise superabsorbent polymers, a mixture of superabsorbent polymers and air felt, only air felt, and/or a high internal phase emulsion foam. In some instances, the absorbent material may comprise at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 99%, or up to 100% superabsorbent polymers, by weight of the absorbent material. In such instances, the absorbent material may be free of air felt, or at least mostly free of air felt. The absorbent core periphery, which may be the periphery of the core wrap, may define any suitable shape, such as rectangular “T,” “Y,” “hour-glass,” or “dog-bone” shaped, for example. An absorbent core periphery having a generally “dog bone” or “hour-glass” shape may taper along its width towards the crotch region  14  of the absorbent article  10 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9-11 , the absorbent core  30  may have areas having little or no absorbent material  72 , where a wearer-facing surface of the core bag  74  may be joined to a garment-facing surface of the core bag  74 . These areas having little or no absorbent material and may be referred to as “channels”  76 . These channels can embody any suitable shapes and any suitable number of channels may be provided. In other instances, the absorbent core may be embossed to create the impression of channels. The absorbent core in  FIGS. 9-11  is merely an example absorbent core. Many other absorbent cores with or without channels are also within the scope of the present disclosure. 
     Barrier Leg Cuffs/Leg Elastics 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , for example, the absorbent article  10  may comprise one or more pairs of barrier leg cuffs  32  and one or more pairs of leg elastics  34 . The barrier leg cuffs  32  may be positioned laterally inboard of leg elastics  34 . Each barrier leg cuff  32  may be formed by a piece of material which is bonded to the absorbent article  10  so it can extend upwards from a wearer-facing surface  4  of the absorbent article  10  and provide improved containment of body exudates approximately at the junction of the torso and legs of the wearer. The barrier leg cuffs  32  are delimited by a proximal edge joined directly or indirectly to the topsheet and/or the backsheet and a free terminal edge, which is intended to contact and form a seal with the wearer&#39;s skin. The barrier leg cuffs  32  may extend at least partially between the front end edge  18  and the back end edge  20  of the absorbent article  10  on opposite sides of the central longitudinal axis  50  and may be at least present in the crotch region  14 . The barrier leg cuffs  32  may each comprise one or more elastics  33  (e.g., elastic strands or strips) near or at the free terminal edge. These elastics  33  cause the barrier leg cuffs  32  to help form a seal around the legs and torso of a wearer. The leg elastics  34  extend at least partially between the front end edge  18  and the back end edge  20 . The leg elastics  34  essentially cause portions of the absorbent article  10  proximate to the chassis side edges  22 ,  24  to help form a seal around the legs of the wearer. The leg elastics  34  may extend at least within the crotch region  14 . The barrier leg cuffs may comprise one or more nonwoven materials comprising the discontinuous bond patterns discussed herein. 
     Elastic Waistband 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the absorbent article  10  may comprise one or more elastic waistbands  36 . The elastic waistbands  36  may be positioned on the garment-facing surface  2  or the wearer-facing surface  4 . As an example, a first elastic waistband  36  may be present in the front waist region  12  near the front belt end edge  18  and a second elastic waistband  36  may be present in the back waist region  16  near the back end edge  20 . The elastic waistbands  36  may aid in sealing the absorbent article  10  around a waist of a wearer and at least inhibiting bodily exudates from escaping the absorbent article  10  through the waist opening circumference. In some instances, an elastic waistband may fully surround the waist opening circumference of an absorbent article. The elastic waistband may comprise one or more nonwoven materials comprising the discontinuous bond patterns discussed herein. 
     Acquisition Materials 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1, 2, 7, and 8 , one or more acquisition materials  38  may be present at least partially intermediate the topsheet  26  and the absorbent core  30 . The acquisition materials  38  are typically hydrophilic materials that provide significant wicking of bodily exudates. These materials may dewater the topsheet  26  and quickly move bodily exudates into the absorbent core  30 . The acquisition materials  38  may comprise one or more nonwoven materials, foams, cellulosic materials, cross-linked cellulosic materials, air laid cellulosic nonwoven materials, spunlace materials, or combinations thereof, for example. In some instances, portions of the acquisition materials  38  may extend through portions of the topsheet  26 , portions of the topsheet  26  may extend through portions of the acquisition materials  38 , and/or the topsheet  26  may be nested with the acquisition materials  38 . Typically, an acquisition material  38  may have a width and length that are smaller than the width and length of the topsheet  26 . The acquisition material may be a secondary topsheet in the feminine pad context. The acquisition material may have one or more channels as described above with reference to the absorbent core  30  (including the embossed version). The channels in the acquisition material may align or not align with channels in the absorbent core  30 . In an example, a first acquisition material may comprise a nonwoven material and as second acquisition material may comprise a cross-linked cellulosic material. 
     Landing Zone 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the absorbent article  10  may have a discrete landing zone area  44  that is formed on a portion of the garment-facing surface  2  of the outer cover nonwoven material  40 . The landing zone area  44  may be in the back waist region  16  if the absorbent article  10  fastens from front to back or may be in the front waist region  12  if the absorbent article  10  fastens back to front. The landing zone  44  may be or may comprise one or more discrete nonwoven materials that are attached to a portion of the outer cover nonwoven material  40  in the front waist region  12  or the back waist region  16  depending upon whether the absorbent article fastens in the front or the back. In essence, the landing zone  44  is configured to receive the fasteners  46  and may comprise, for example, a plurality of loops configured to be engaged with, a plurality of hooks on the fasteners  46 , or vice versa. The landing zone  44  may comprise one or more nonwoven materials comprising the discontinuous bond patterns discussed herein. 
     Wetness Indicator/Graphics 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the absorbent articles  10  of the present disclosure may comprise graphics  78  and/or wetness indicators  80  that are visible from the garment-facing surface  2 . The graphics  78  may be printed on the landing zone  44 , the backsheet  28 , and/or at other locations. The wetness indicators  80  are typically applied to the absorbent core facing side of the backsheet  28 , so that they can be contacted by bodily exudates within the absorbent core  30 . In some instances, the wetness indicators  80  may form portions of the graphics  78 . For example, a wetness indicator may appear or disappear and create/remove a character within some graphics. In other instances, the wetness indicators  80  may coordinate (e.g., same design, same pattern, same color) or not coordinate with the graphics  78 . 
     Front and Back Ears 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , as referenced above, the absorbent article  10  may have front and/or back ears  47 ,  42  in a taped diaper context. Only one set of ears may be required in most taped diapers. The single set of ears may comprise fasteners  46  comprising hooks configured to engage the landing zone or landing zone area  44 . If two sets of ears are provided, in most instances, only one set of the ears may have fasteners  46  comprising the hooks, with the other set being free of fasteners comprising hooks. The ears, or portions thereof, may be elastic or may have elastic panels. In an example, an elastic film or elastic strands may be positioned intermediate a first nonwoven material and a second nonwoven material. The elastic film may or may not be apertured. The ears may be shaped. The ears may be integral (e.g., extension of the outer cover nonwoven material  40 , the backsheet  28 , and/or the topsheet  26 ) or may be discrete components attached to a chassis  52  of the absorbent article on a wearer-facing surface  4 , on the garment-facing surface  2 , or intermediate the two surfaces  4 ,  2 . The ears may comprise one or more nonwoven materials comprising bond patterns, apertures, and/or three-dimensional features. The back and/or front ears may each comprise tapes comprising fasteners  46 . The front and/or back ears may comprise one or more nonwoven materials comprising the discontinuous bond patterns discussed herein. If the discontinuous bond patterns are provided on nonwoven materials of garment-facing surfaces of the fasteners  46 , hooks of one fastener may be able to fasten to the nonwoven material on the garment-facing side of another faster (i.e., overlapping fasteners). 
     Sensors 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1 , the absorbent articles of the present disclosure may comprise a sensor system  82  for monitoring changes within the absorbent article  10 . The sensor system  82  may be discrete from or integral with the absorbent article  10 . The absorbent article  10  may comprise sensors that can sense various aspects of the absorbent article  10  associated with insults of bodily exudates such as urine and/or BM (e.g., the sensor system  82  may sense variations in temperature, humidity, presence of ammonia or urea, various vapor components of the exudates (urine and feces), changes in moisture vapor transmission through the absorbent articles garment-facing layer, changes in translucence of the garment-facing layer, and/or color changes through the garment-facing layer). Additionally, the sensor system  82  may sense components of urine, such as ammonia or urea and/or byproducts resulting from reactions of these components with the absorbent article  10 . The sensor system  82  may sense byproducts that are produced when urine mixes with other components of the absorbent article  10  (e.g., adhesives, agm). The components or byproducts being sensed may be present as vapors that may pass through the garment-facing layer. It may also be desirable to place reactants in the absorbent article that change state (e.g. color, temperature) or create a measurable byproduct when mixed with urine or BM. The sensor system  82  may also sense changes in pH, pressure, odor, the presence of gas, blood, a chemical marker or a biological marker or combinations thereof. The sensor system  82  may have a component on or proximate to the absorbent article that transmits a signal to a receiver more distal from the absorbent article, such as an iPhone, for example. The receiver may output a result to communicate to the caregiver a condition of the absorbent article  10 . In other instances, a receiver may not be provided, but instead the condition of the absorbent article  10  may be visually or audibly apparent from the sensor on the absorbent article. 
     Packages 
     The absorbent articles of the present disclosure may be placed into packages. The packages may comprise polymeric films and/or other materials. Graphics and/or indicia relating to properties of the absorbent articles may be formed on, printed on, positioned on, and/or placed on outer portions of the packages. Each package may comprise a plurality of absorbent articles. The absorbent articles may be packed under compression so as to reduce the size of the packages, while still providing an adequate number of absorbent articles per package. By packaging the absorbent articles under compression, caregivers can easily handle and store the packages, while also providing distribution savings to manufacturers owing to the size of the packages. The packages may have discontinuous bond patterns and/or three-dimensional features that match or are similar to discontinuous bond patterns, apertures, and/or three-dimensional features on nonwoven materials of the absorbent articles within the packages. 
     Sanitary Napkin 
     Referring to  FIG. 12 , an absorbent article of the present disclosure may be a sanitary napkin  110 . The sanitary napkin  110  may comprise a liquid permeable topsheet  114 , a liquid impermeable, or substantially liquid impermeable, backsheet  116 , and an absorbent core  118 . The liquid impermeable backsheet  116  may or may not be vapor permeable. The absorbent core  118  may have any or all of the features described herein with respect to the absorbent core  30  and, in some forms, may have a secondary topsheet  119  (STS) instead of the acquisition materials disclosed above. The STS  119  may comprise one or more channels, as described above (including the embossed version). In some forms, channels in the STS  119  may be aligned with channels in the absorbent core  118 . The sanitary napkin  110  may also comprise wings  120  extending outwardly with respect to a longitudinal axis  180  of the sanitary napkin  110 . The sanitary napkin  110  may also comprise a lateral axis  190 . The wings  120  may be joined to the topsheet  114 , the backsheet  116 , and/or the absorbent core  118 . The sanitary napkin  110  may also comprise a front edge  122 , a back edge  124  longitudinally opposing the front edge  122 , a first side edge  126 , and a second side edge  128  longitudinally opposing the first side edge  126 . The longitudinal axis  180  may extend from a midpoint of the front edge  122  to a midpoint of the back edge  124 . The lateral axis  190  may extend from a midpoint of the first side edge  128  to a midpoint of the second side edge  128 . The sanitary napkin  110  may also be provided with additional features commonly found in sanitary napkins as is known in the art. The sanitary napkin  110  may comprise one or more nonwoven materials comprising the discontinuous bond patterns discussed herein. 
     Pads or Substrates 
     The absorbent articles discussed herein may comprise cleaning, wiping, dusting, and/or mopping pads or substrates (e.g., wipes). These products may comprise one or more nonwoven materials comprising the discontinuous bond patterns discussed herein. The pads may comprise a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core positioned at least partially therebetween. The one or more nonwoven materials may be in a facing relationship with the backsheet. The one or more nonwoven materials may function as a female component of a mechanical fastener that is configured to engage hooks on a base of a handle or implement. The discontinuous bond pattern may extend over a portion of, or all of, a surface of the one or more nonwoven materials which are configured to face hooks on the base of the handle or implement. One example product is a Swiffer® Wet Jet pad manufactured by the Procter &amp; Gamble Company of Cincinnati, Ohio. An example of such a pad is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 10,065,534 to Hoying et al. 
     Garment-Like Absorbent Articles 
     Some garment-like absorbent articles of the present disclosure may have at least two different nonwoven absorbent article components that have discontinuous bond patterns thereon. In some instances, one bond pattern may be on the garment-facing surface  2  and the other bond pattern may be on the wearer-facing surface  4 , for example. On some non-landing zone components, the patterns may be formed by apertures, bonds, printing, and/or graphics. If functioning as a landing component, the patterns may be discontinuous bond patterns. Bonds, including discontinuous bonds, as used herein, may comprise thermal bonds, ultrasonic bonds, pressure bonds, heat and pressure bonds, embossments, embossments that form three-dimensional features, and/or mechanical deformations that produce three-dimensional features, for example. The various nonwoven absorbent article components may be or may comprise at least a portion of a topsheet, an ear, a leg cuff, an outer cover nonwoven material, a discrete landing zone, a discrete, non-elasticized front belt, an ear, a wing of a sanitary napkin, a belt of a pant, a waistband, or various other absorbent article components, for example. 
     An example discrete landing zone  44  is illustrated in  FIG. 1 . By discrete landing zone, it is meant that the landing zone is a separate component from the outer cover nonwoven material  40  and not just a portion of the outer cover nonwoven material  40 . The discrete landing zone may be one piece or may be multiple pieces, as illustrated in  FIG. 1  with dashed lines. If two pieces are desired, a first piece  44 ′ may be spaced a distance from a second piece  44 ″ such that the first piece  44 ′ does not overlap or contact the second piece  44 ″. The discrete landing zone, whether one or two pieces, may be attached to a garment-facing surface  2  of the absorbent article. The discrete landing zone  44  may comprise the discontinuous bond patterns discussed herein. 
     An example of a discrete, non-elasticized front belt  200  is illustrated in  FIGS. 13-16 . In some instances, the front belt  200  may be elasticized or partially elasticized. The discrete, non-elasticized front belt  200  may be a separate material attached to the garment-facing surface  2  and/or the wearer-facing surface  4  of the absorbent article  10 . The front belt  200  may form front ear portions on either side of the chassis  52 . 
     In an instance, a first portion of the outer cover nonwoven material may have the first pattern and a second portion of the outer cover nonwoven material may have the second pattern. In such an instance, the second portion may act as a landing zone and may comprise the discontinuous bond patterns discussed herein. 
     Referring to  FIG. 15 , the outer cover nonwoven material  40  may have a first repeating pattern  204  of discontinuous bonds  212 . The first repeating pattern  204  may have a plurality of first repeat units  214 . A portion of the first repeating pattern  204  within at least a majority of the first repeat units  214  may be the same or substantially the same (e.g., process tolerances). 
     The discrete, non-elasticized front belt  200 , or discrete landing zone, (e.g., second component) may have a second repeating pattern  202  of discontinuous bonds  216 . The second repeating pattern  202  may have a plurality of second repeat units  218 . A portion of the second repeating pattern  202  within at least a majority of the second repeat units  218  may be the same or substantially the same (e.g., process tolerances). 
     The first texture of the first pattern  204  and the second texture of the second pattern  202  may be the same (accounting for process tolerances) or different. At least some of, or all of, the first repeat units  214  comprising the portion of the first pattern  204  may comprise a first shape. At least some of, or all of, the second repeat units  218  comprising the portion of the second pattern  202  may comprise a second shape. The first shape may be the same as or substantially similar to the second shape. For example, the first repeat units  214  may comprise ellipses and the second repeat units  218  may comprise ellipses, as illustrated in  FIG. 15 . As another example, the first repeat units  214  may comprise triangles, wavy lines, squares, ovals, clouds, hearts, and/or other shapes or patterns and the second repeat units may also comprise triangles, wavy lines, squares, ovals, clouds, hearts, and/or other shapes or patterns. Even though the first and second repeat units may comprise similar shapes or patterns, the size of the shapes or patterns may vary between the first and second repeat units. Also, the density and/or size of the apertures and/or bonds in the various repeat units may differ. Likewise, in some instances, the first pattern  204  may be different than the second pattern  202 , although such patterns may correspond or be substantially similar to create a garment-like impression in the absorbent article. 
     Even though the at least two nonwoven components of an absorbent article are described herein as being complimentary to each other, they may also be used separate from one another or may be the same (including process tolerances). For example, an outer cover nonwoven material having the discontinuous bond patterns discussed herein may be used in an absorbent article separate from the discrete landing zone or discrete, non-elasticized front belt having the discontinuous bond patterns discussed herein. The same applies to the discrete landing zone or discrete, non-elasticized front belt without the outer cover nonwoven material. 
     Referring to  FIG. 16 , the outer cover nonwoven material  40  (e.g., first component) may comprise a first repeating pattern  208  of discontinuous bonds  220 . The first repeating pattern  208  may have a plurality of first repeat units  222 . A portion of the first repeating pattern  208  within at least a majority of the first repeat units  222  may be the same or substantially the same (process tolerances). The first repeating pattern  208  may form a herringbone pattern. 
     The discrete, non-elasticized front belt  200 , or discrete landing zone, (e.g., second component) may have a second repeating pattern  206  of discontinuous bonds  224 . The second repeating pattern  206  may have a plurality of second repeat units  226 . A portion of the second repeating pattern  206  within at least a majority of the second repeat units  226  may be the same or substantially the same (e.g., process tolerances). The second repeating pattern  206  may form a herringbone pattern. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 16-18 , the discrete, non-elasticized front belt  200  may have a middle portion  228  that overlaps the outer cover nonwoven material. The front belt  200  may comprise a first lateral end  230  and a second, opposing lateral end  232 . A first portion  234  of the front belt  200  may be positioned intermediate the first lateral end  230  and a first lateral edge of the outer cover nonwoven material. A second portion  236  of the front belt  200  may be positioned intermediate the second lateral end  232  and a second, opposing lateral edge of the outer cover nonwoven material. These first and second portions  234 ,  236  are free of overlap with the outer cover nonwoven material and, therefore, may be flimsy and not appear of high quality. To solve this issue, a support member  210  may overlap and be joined to the first and second portions  234 ,  236  to provide structural support to the first and second portions  234 ,  236 . The support members may be a nonwoven material, a foam, a felt, a film, a cellulosic material or other suitable material that for providing support to the first and second portions  234 ,  236  of the front belt  200  that are free of overlap with the outer cover nonwoven material. A support member may also be the full dimensions, or less than the full dimensions, of the discrete, non-elasticized front belt. In other instances, no support member(s) may be provided on a front belt. 
     Absorbent Articles with Discontinuous Bond Patterns 
     Herringbone Discontinuous Bond Pattern 
       FIGS. 19 and 20  are example discontinuous bond patterns  300  for landing components of absorbent articles, such as outer cover nonwoven materials, discrete landing zones, discrete, non-elasticized front belts, and/or nonwoven materials or other components. These discontinuous bond patterns for landing components are optimized for reliable fastening and are configured to receive hooks of a fastener  46 . The discontinuous bond patterns may also be used for non-landing zone components, such as topsheets, secondary topsheets, portions of an outer cover nonwoven material not configured to receive hooks, ears, side panels, leg cuffs, and/or waistbands, for example. The discontinuous bond patterns may have a bond area in the range of about 8% to about 30%, about 10% to about 25%, about 12% to about 23%, about 14% to about 20%, for example. Bond areas are measured according to the Repeat Unit/Bond Areas Measurement Test herein. Axis  301  may or may not be generally parallel to the central longitudinal axis  50  (see  FIG. 1 ) and axis  303  may or may not be generally parallel to the central lateral axis  48  (see  FIG. 1 ). In some instances, axis  301  may be angled with respect to the central longitudinal axis  50 , such as angled in the range of about 0.5 degrees to about 20 degrees, or about 1 degree to about 15 degrees, for example. This angling may reduce wear on bonding rolls comprising the discontinuous bond pattern. Axis  301  and  303  may be the same as described here in  FIGS. 21 and 22 . 
       FIG. 21  is an example of a blown-up portion of a discontinuous bond pattern  300  for landing components of absorbent articles, nonwoven materials, or other components.  FIG. 22  is an example of a blown-up portion of a discontinuous bond pattern  300  for landing components of absorbent articles, nonwoven materials, or other components. Referring to  FIG. 21 , the discontinuous bond pattern  300  may comprise a first plurality of first discontinuous elements  302  forming a first discontinuous line  304 . The discontinuous bond pattern  300  may comprise a second plurality of second discontinuous elements  306  forming a second discontinuous line  308 . The discontinuous bond pattern  300  may comprise a third plurality of third discontinuous elements  310  positioned intermediate the first discontinuous line  304  and the second discontinuous line  308 , wherein the plurality of third discontinuous elements  310  form a third discontinuous line  312  that extends in a direction transverse to a direction of extension of the first and second discontinuous lines  304 ,  308 . The third discontinuous line  312  may extend in a direction in the range of about 15 degrees to about 75 degrees, or about 30 degrees to about 60 degrees, relative to the direction of extension of the first and second discontinuous lines  304 ,  308 , specifically reciting all 0.1 degree increments within the specified ranges and all ranges formed therein or thereby. The first discontinuous line  304 , the second discontinuous line  308 , and the third discontinuous line  312  may all be free of overlap with any portion of each other. In other instances, some portions of the first discontinuous line  304 , the second discontinuous line  308 , and the third discontinuous line  312  may at least partially overlap. A distance, D, in a direction perpendicular to the first discontinuous line  304 , between the first discontinuous line  304  and the second discontinuous line  308  may be in the range of about 3 mm to about 15 mm, about 2 mm to about 12 mm, about 3 mm to about 10 mm, about 4 mm to about 8 mm, about 5 mm to about 7 mm, about 6 mm to about 7 mm, or about 6.5 mm, specifically reciting all 0.1 mm increments within the specified ranges and all ranges formed therein or thereby. The first discontinuous line  304  may extend in a direction parallel (accounting for process tolerances), or substantially parallel (e.g., +/−3 degrees) to the second discontinuous line  308 . 
     The first discontinuous elements  302  (any of the first discontinuous elements  302  in the first discontinuous line  304 ) may comprise a first element  302   a  and second element  302   b  that are different in size and/or shape and may comprise a third element  302   c  and a fourth element  302   d  that are the same in size and/or shape or substantially the same in size and/or shape (process tolerances). The first discontinuous elements  302  in the first line  304  may also be all the same size and shape, may comprise two or more different sizes and/or shapes, may comprise three and/or more different shapes (see pattern in  FIG. 22 ), may comprise four or more different sizes and/or shapes, or may comprise five or more different sizes and/or shapes, up to 10 different sizes and/or shapes, for example. The second discontinuous elements  306  (any of the second discontinuous elements  306  in the second discontinuous line  308 ) may comprise a first element  306   a  and second element  306   b  that are different in size and/or shape and may comprise a third element  306   c  and a fourth element  306   d  that are the same in size and/or shape, or substantially the same in size and/or shape (process tolerances). The second discontinuous elements  306  in the second line  308  may also be all the same size and shape, may comprise two or more different sizes and/or shapes, may comprise three and/or more different shapes (see pattern in  FIG. 22 ), may comprise four or more different sizes and/or shapes, or may comprise five or more different sizes and/or shapes, up to 10 different sizes and/or shapes. 
     The third discontinuous line  312  may comprise a first element  310   a  and a second element  310   b . The first element  310   a  and the second element  310   b  may be the same in size and/or shape, substantially the same in size and/or shape (process tolerances) or may be different in size and/or shape. Although only two third discontinuous elements  310  are illustrated in the discontinuous bond patterns  FIGS. 21 and 22 , more than two third discontinuous elements  310  may be used. The first element  310   a  may have a positive or a negative slope relative to the central lateral axis  48  of the absorbent article  10  when on the landing component. The second element  310   b  may have the same positive or negative slope relative to the central lateral axis  48  of the absorbent article  10 . In some instances, the first and second elements  310   a  and  310   b  may have a slight different slope (e.g., +/−3 degrees), or a different slope (e.g., +/−10 degrees) relative to the central lateral axis  48 . As can be seen in  FIGS. 21 and 22 , the first and second discontinuous lines  304  and  308  may be longer than the third discontinuous line  312 . The first and second discontinuous lines  304  and  308  may both have the same length, or substantially the same length (process tolerances). 
     Referring to  FIG. 22 , the discontinuous bond pattern  300  may comprise a fourth plurality of fourth discontinuous elements  314  forming a fourth discontinuous line  316 , wherein the fourth discontinuous line  316  is positioned intermediate the first discontinuous line  304  and the second discontinuous line  312 . A distance, D 1 , between the third discontinuous line  312  and the fourth discontinuous line  316 , in a direction parallel to the first and/or second discontinuous lines  304  and  308 , may be in the range of about 1 mm to about 8 mm, about 1 mm to about 6 mm, about 1.5 mm to about 5 mm, about 2 mm to about 4 mm, or about 3 mm, specifically reciting all 0.1 mm increments within the specified ranges and all ranges formed therein or thereby. The third discontinuous line  312  may or may not extend in a direction parallel to, or substantially parallel to (e.g., +/−1-3 degrees), the fourth discontinuous line  316 . The fourth continuous line  316  may have the same features as discussed above with respect to the third discontinuous line  312 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 22 , the discontinuous bond pattern  300  may comprise a fifth plurality of fifth discontinuous elements  318  forming a fifth discontinuous line  320 . In the claims, the “fifth” may be referred to as the “fourth” or some other number depending on what order the discontinuous lines or discontinuous elements are being discussed. This may be true for many of the discontinuous elements and the discontinuous lines. The fifth discontinuous line  320  may be the same as the first and second discontinuous lines  304 ,  308  and may have the same features as discussed above. The discontinuous bond pattern  300  may comprise a sixth plurality of sixth discontinuous elements  322  forming a sixth discontinuous line  324 . The sixth discontinuous line  324  may have the same features as discussed above with respect to the third and fourth discontinuous lines  312  and  316 . The sixth discontinuous line  324  may be positioned intermediate the second discontinuous line  308  and the fourth discontinuous line  320  and may extend in a direction transverse to the second and fourth discontinuous lines  308  and  316 . The sixth discontinuous line  324  may have the same spacing and angles as discussed above with respect to the third and fourth discontinuous lines  312  and  316 . 
     The discontinuous bond pattern  300  may comprise a seventh plurality of seventh discontinuous elements  326  forming a seventh discontinuous line  328 . The seventh discontinuous line  328  may have the same features as discussed above with respect to the third and fourth discontinuous lines  312  and  316 . The seventh discontinuous line  328  may be positioned intermediate the second discontinuous line  308  and the fourth discontinuous line  320  and may extend in a direction transverse to the second and fourth discontinuous lines  308  and  316 . The seventh discontinuous line  328  may have the same spacing and angles as discussed above with respect to the third and fourth discontinuous lines  312  and  316 . 
     The sixth and seventh discontinuous lines  324  and  328  may be symmetrical, or substantially symmetrical (process tolerances), to the third and fourth discontinuous lines  312  and  316  about the second discontinuous line  308 . Stated another way, the sixth and seventh discontinuous lines  324  and  328  may be a mirror image, or a substantially mirror image (process tolerances) of the third and fourth discontinuous lines  312  and  316  about the second discontinuous line  308 . 
     A number of other lines other than the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh discontinuous lines are part of the discontinuous bond pattern. For brevity, each additional line will not be discussed, but it will be understood that similar looking lines in  FIGS. 19-22  will have the features discussed herein. 
     The discontinuous bond patterns may be positioned on a landing component. The landing component, as mentioned above, may be an outer cover nonwoven material, a discrete, nonwoven landing zone, or a non-extensible front belt comprising a nonwoven material. The landing component may be configured to receive and hold hooks positioned on tape tabs of fasteners  46 . In some instances, the landing component may be positioned in the back waist region and the tape tabs comprising hooks may be positioned in the front waist region if the absorbent article fastens front to back. In other instances, the discontinuous bond patterns may be positioned on other absorbent article components, or on nonwoven materials, for example. 
     Ellipse Discontinuous Bond Pattern 
       FIG. 23  is an example discontinuous bond pattern  400  for landing components of absorbent articles, such as outer cover nonwoven materials, discrete landing zones, discrete, non-elasticized front belts, and/or other nonwoven materials or components. The discontinuous bond pattern is optimized for reliable fastening and is configured to receive hooks of a tape tab. The discontinuous bond pattern may also be used for non-landing zone components, such as topsheets, secondary topsheets, portions of an outer cover nonwoven material not configured to receive hooks, ears, side panels, leg cuffs, and/or waistbands, for example. The discontinuous bond pattern  400  may have a bond area in the range of about 8% to about 30%, about 10% to about 25%, about 12% to about 23%, about 14% to about 20%, for example. Bond areas are measured according to the Repeat Unit/Bond Areas Measurement Test herein. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 23 , the discontinuous bond pattern  400  may comprise a first plurality of first discontinuous elements  402  forming a first discontinuous ellipse  404  and a second plurality of second discontinuous elements  406  forming a second discontinuous ellipse  408 . The second discontinuous ellipse  408  may surround, or at least partially surround, the first discontinuous ellipse  404 . Only two discontinuous ellipses may be provided in a repeat unit  401 . In other instances, the discontinuous bond pattern  400  may comprise a third plurality of third discontinuous elements  410  forming a third discontinuous ellipse  412 . The third discontinuous ellipse  412  may surround, or at least partially surround, the second discontinuous ellipse  408 . Only three discontinuous ellipses may be provided in a repeat unit  401 . In other instances, the discontinuous bond pattern may also comprise a fourth plurality of fourth discontinuous elements forming a fourth discontinuous ellipse. The fourth discontinuous ellipse may surround, or at least partially surround, the third discontinuous ellipse. 
     Axis  414  may or may not be generally parallel to the central longitudinal axis  50  (see  FIG. 1 ) and axis  416  may or may not be generally parallel to the central lateral axis  48  (see  FIG. 1 ). In some instances, axis  414  may be angled with respect to the central longitudinal axis  50 , such as angled in the range of about 0.5 degrees to about 20 degrees, or about 1 degree to about 15 degrees, for example. This angling may reduce wear on bonding rolls comprising the discontinuous bond patterns. Axis  414  and  416  may be the same as described here in  FIGS. 24 and 25 . 
       FIGS. 24 and 25  are example discontinuous bond patterns  400 ′ and  400 ″, respectively, for landing components of absorbent articles, such as outer cover nonwoven materials, discrete landing zones, and/or discrete, non-elasticized front belts, and/or other nonwoven materials or components. In  FIGS. 24 and 25  only a first discontinuous ellipse  404  and a second discontinuous ellipse  408  are provided, similar to that described above. In  FIG. 25  a plurality of dots  420  are surrounded by the first discontinuous ellipse  404 . 
     Although ellipses are shown as an example, other shapes may also be used, such as stars, squares, rectangles, triangles, trapezoids, clouds, for example. 
     Nonwoven Materials or Absorbent Articles with Nonwoven Materials 
     Absorbent articles may comprise the one or more nonwoven materials comprising the discontinuous bond patterns (any shown or described herein). The nonwoven materials may not act as landing components in the absorbent articles, such as a topsheet, waistband, and/or leg cuff, for example. In other instances, nonwoven materials outside of the context of absorbent articles may comprise the discontinuous bond patterns (any shown or described herein). 
     Repeat Unit Measurements 
     The various repeat units of the landing components may have certain characteristics, such as repeat unit area (overall X-Y plane area of the repeat unit), repeat unit width, and repeat unit length, for example. Absorbent articles comprising landing components comprising a repeating pattern of bonds having a plurality of repeat units may have certain characteristics of the repeat units. Those characteristics are discussed below. 
     Repeat Unit Area-Landing Components 
     All of, or a majority of, individual repeat units in a repeating pattern of bonds on landing components of absorbent articles may have a repeat unit area in the range of about 25 mm 2  to about 400 mm 2 , about 40 mm 2  to about 300 mm 2 , about 50 mm 2  to about 275 mm 2 , about 50 mm 2  to about 250 mm 2 , about 50 mm 2  to about 225 mm 2 , about 75 mm 2  to about 200 mm 2 , about 75 mm 2  to about 100 mm 2 , about 150 mm 2  to about 225 mm 2 , about 175 mm 2  to about 200 mm 2 , about 25 mm 2  to about 125 mm 2 , about 25 mm 2  to about 100 mm 2 , about 25 mm 2  to about 75 mm 2 , about 35 mm 2  to about 65 mm 2 , about 40 mm 2  to about 60 mm 2 , about 45 mm 2  to about 55 mm 2 , about 47 mm 2 , about 48 mm 2 , or about 49 mm 2 , specifically reciting all 0.1 mm 2  increments within the specified ranges and all ranges formed therein or thereby. Repeat unit areas are measured according to the Repeat Unit/Bond Area Measurement Test herein. 
     Repeat Unit Width-Landing Components 
     All of, or a majority of, the individual repeat units in a repeating pattern of bonds on a landing component of an absorbent article may have a repeat unit width in the range of about 5 mm to about 75 mm, about 5 mm to about 50 mm, about 8 mm to about 40 mm, about 10 mm to about 30 mm, about 10 mm to about 25 mm, about 10 mm to about 20 mm, about 10 mm to about 18 mm, about 10 mm to about 15 mm, about 15 mm, about 11, about 12, or about 13 mm, specifically reciting all 0.1 mm increments within the specified ranges and all ranges formed therein or thereby. Repeat unit widths are measured according to the Repeat Unit/Bond Area Measurement Test herein. 
     Repeat Unit Length-Landing Components 
     All of, or a majority of, the individual repeat units in a repeating pattern of bonds on a landing components of an absorbent article may have a repeat unit length in the range of about 2 mm to about 75 mm, about 2 mm to about 50 mm, about 3 mm to about 40 mm, about 3 mm to about 30 mm, about 3 to about 25, about 3 mm to about 20 mm, about 3 mm to about 10 mm, about 10 mm to about 20 mm, about 17 mm, about 6 mm, about 7 mm, about 1 to about 10, about 2 mm to about 8 mm, about 2 mm to about 6 mm, about 3 mm to about 5 mm, or about 4 mm, specifically reciting all 0.1 mm increments within the specified ranges and all ranges formed therein or thereby. Repeat unit lengths are measured according to the Repeat Unit/Bond Area Measurement Test herein. 
     Fuzz 
     There is a sweet spot for repeat unit size on landing components of absorbent articles. A fuzzy looking landing component may not have a premium appearance. The fuzz may be caused by the repeat units being too large. If the repeat units are too small, the landing components may not look premium. If the repeat units are too large, the landing components may also not look premium as there are too few repeat units on a landing component. It may be desirable to have large enough repeat units to look premium, but not have the repeat units be so large that there is a lot of un-bonded open space that could create fuzz during consumer usage. The smaller the repeat unit, the lower the chance of fuzzing in un-bonded open spaces. In a landing component context, there may be a need to balance premium appearance with repeat unit size, while still maintaining the repeat unit size small enough to reduce fuzzing and small enough to have fastening strength for being engaged by hooks. Another aspect of premium appearance may be the ability for consumer to see areas that are un-bonded. It is possible to fill in these un-bonded areas with bonds (to reduce fuzz), but it may reduce the premium appearance. 
     Materials 
     The discrete landing zones, the discrete non-elasticized front belts, the outer cover nonwoven materials, or other nonwoven materials or components comprising the discontinuous bond patterns of the present disclosure may comprise any suitable nonwoven materials and/or other materials. Some examples are carded nonwoven materials, air-laid nonwoven materials, wet-laid nonwoven materials, air-through spun nonwovens, spunbond nonwoven materials, spunbond high loft materials (e.g., spunbond with at least one layer of crimped fibers), and/or combinations thereof. The nonwoven materials may comprise natural fibers, such as cotton and/or other bio-based materials or resins. The nonwoven materials may be embossed, ultrasonically embossed, hydroentangled, and/or apertured for example. The nonwoven materials may have discontinuous bonds and three-dimensional features or discontinuous bonds, apertures, and three-dimensional features, for example. 
     The discrete landing zones, the discrete non-elasticized front belts, the outer cover nonwoven materials, or other nonwoven materials or components comprising the discontinuous bond patterns of the present disclosure may comprise PE/PP bicomponent fiber spunbond nonwoven webs. Other suitable nonwoven webs may comprise spunbond webs comprising side-by-side crimped fibers (e.g., PE/PP or PP/PP) that are bonded via calendar (thermal point) bonding or through-air bonding. Other suitable nonwoven webs may comprise carded, through-air bonded or resin bonded (highloft) nonwovens comprising PE/PP or PE/PET fibers. The nonwoven webs may also comprise PE/PLA or PE/Polyamide bicomponent fibers. The nonwoven webs may comprise nanofibers or meltblown fibers, optionally with other fibers. In some instances, multiple layer webs may be desired over a single layer webs (even at the same basis weight) due to increased uniformity/opacity and the ability to combine webs having different properties. For example, an extensible spunbond nonwoven carrier layer may be combined with a soft, highloft nonwoven (spunbond or carded) to create a nonwoven web that is both soft and strong. The layers may have the same or different surface energy. The layers may have different permeability/capillarity. 
     Fibers of the discrete landing zones, the discrete non-elasticized front belts, the outer cover nonwoven materials, or other nonwoven components comprising the discontinuous bond patterns may comprise any suitable thermoplastic polymers. Example thermoplastic polymers are polymers that melt and then, upon cooling, crystallize or harden, but that may be re-melted upon further heating. 
     The thermoplastic polymers may be derived from any suitable material including renewable resources (including bio-based and recycled materials), fossil minerals and oils, and/or biodegradeable materials. Some suitable examples of thermoplastic polymers include polyolefins, polyesters, polyamides, copolymers thereof, and combinations thereof. Polypropylene and/or polypropylene copolymers, including atactic polypropylene; isotactic polypropylene, syndiotactic polypropylene, and combination thereof may also be used. 
     The thermoplastic polymer component may be a single polymer species or a blend of two or more thermoplastic polymers e.g., two different polypropylene resins. As an example, fibers of a first nonwoven layer of discrete landing zones, discrete, non-elasticized front belts, an outer cover nonwoven material, or other nonwoven components comprising the discontinuous bond patterns may comprise polymers such as polypropylene and blends of polypropylene and polyethylene, while a second nonwoven layer of the discrete landing zones, the discrete, non-elasticized front belts, the outer cover nonwoven, or other nonwoven components comprising the discontinuous bond patterns may comprise fibers selected from polypropylene, polypropylene/polyethylene blends, and polyethylene/polyethylene terephthalate blends. In some forms, a second nonwoven layer may comprise fibers selected from cellulose rayon, cotton, other hydrophilic fiber materials, or combinations thereof. 
     The fibers of the discrete landing zones, the discrete, non-elasticized front belts, the outer cover nonwoven materials, or other nonwoven components comprising the discontinuous bond patterns may comprise monocomponent fibers, bi-component fibers, and/or bi-constituent fibers, tri-lobal fibers, round fibers or non-round fibers (e.g., capillary channel fibers), and may have major cross-sectional dimensions (e.g., diameter for round fibers) ranging from about 0.1 microns to about 500 microns, about 5 microns to about 250 microns, about 10 microns to about 100 microns, or about 12 microns to about 25 micron, specifically reciting all 0.1 micron increments within the specified ranges and all ranges formed therein or thereby, for example. The fibers may also comprise a mixture of different fiber types, differing in such features as chemistry (e.g., polyethylene and polypropylene), components (mono- and bi-), denier (micro denier and &gt;2 denier), shape (i.e., capillary and round) and the like. The fibers may range from about 0.1 denier to about 100 denier. 
     As used herein, the term “monocomponent fiber(s)” refers to a fiber formed from one extruder using one or more polymers. This is not meant to exclude fibers formed from one polymer to which small amounts of additives have been added for coloration, antistatic properties, lubrication, hydrophilicity, etc. 
     As used herein, the term “bi-component fiber(s)” refers to fibers which have been formed from at least two different polymers extruded from separate extruders but spun together to form one fiber. Bi-component fibers are also sometimes referred to as conjugate fibers or multicomponent fibers. The polymers are arranged in substantially constantly positioned distinct zones across the cross-section of the bi-component fibers and extend continuously along the length of the bi-component fibers. The configuration of such a bi-component fiber may be, for example, a sheath/core arrangement where one polymer is surrounded by another polymer, or may be a side-by-side arrangement, a pie arrangement, or an islands-in-the-sea arrangement. Some specific examples of fibers which may be used in a nonwoven layer comprise polyethylene/polypropylene side-by-side bi-component fibers. Another example is a polypropylene/polyethylene bi-component fiber where the polyethylene is configured as a sheath and the polypropylene is configured as a core within the sheath. Eccentric sheath/core configurations for any two materials are also within the scope of the present disclosure. Still another example is a polypropylene/polypropylene bi-component fiber where two different propylene polymers are configured in a side-by-side configuration. Additionally, forms are contemplated where the fibers of a nonwoven layer are crimped. 
     Bi-component fibers may comprise two different resins, e.g. a first polypropylene resin and a second polypropylene resin. The resins may have different melt flow rates, molecular weights, or molecular weight distributions. 
     As used herein, the term “bi-constituent fiber(s)” refers to fibers which have been formed from at least two polymers extruded from the same extruder as a blend. Bi-constituent fibers do not have the various polymer components arranged in relatively constantly positioned distinct zones across the cross-sectional area of the fiber and the various polymers are usually not continuous along the entire length of the fiber, instead usually forming fibrils which start and end at random. Bi-constituent fibers are sometimes also referred to as multi-constituent fibers. In other examples, a bi-component fiber may comprise multiconstituent components. 
     As used herein, the term “non-round fiber(s)” describes fibers having a non-round cross-section, and includes “shaped fibers” and “capillary channel fibers.” Such fibers may be solid or hollow, and they may be tri-lobal, delta-shaped, and may be fibers having capillary channels on their outer surfaces. The capillary channels may be of various cross-sectional shapes such as “U-shaped”, “H-shaped”, “C-shaped” and “V-shaped”. One practical capillary channel fiber is T-401, designated as 4DG fiber available from Fiber Innovation Technologies, Johnson City, Tenn. T-401 fiber is a polyethylene terephthalate (PET polyester). 
     The fibers may comprise TiO2 as an opacifier, Erucamide for softness, and/or color melt additives for tinting. The fibers may also comprise other melt additives known to those of skill in the art. 
     Examples/Combinations 
     A. An absorbent article comprising: 
     a lateral axis; 
     a front waist region on a first side of the lateral axis; 
     a back waist region on a second side of the lateral axis; 
     a liquid permeable topsheet; 
     a liquid impermeable backsheet; 
     an absorbent core positioned at least partially intermediate the topsheet and the backsheet; 
     a landing component comprising a nonwoven material in the front waist region; and 
     the landing component comprising a discontinuous bond pattern; 
     wherein the discontinuous bond pattern forms a bond area in the range of about 10% to about 20% of the repeat unit, according to the Repeat Unit/Bond Area Measurement Test; 
     wherein the discontinuous bond pattern comprises:
         a first plurality of first discontinuous elements forming a first discontinuous ellipse;   a second plurality of second discontinuous elements forming a second discontinuous ellipse, wherein the second discontinuous ellipse surrounds the first discontinuous ellipse; and   a third plurality of third discontinuous elements forming a third discontinuous ellipse, wherein the third discontinuous ellipse surrounds the second discontinuous ellipse.
 
B. The absorbent article of Paragraph A, wherein the discontinuous bond pattern comprises:
   a fourth plurality of fourth discontinuous elements forming a fourth discontinuous ellipse, wherein the fourth discontinuous ellipse surrounds the third discontinuous ellipse.
 
C. An absorbent article comprising:
       

     a lateral axis; 
     a front waist region on a first side of the lateral axis; 
     a back waist region on a second side of the lateral axis; 
     a liquid permeable topsheet; 
     a liquid impermeable backsheet; 
     an absorbent core positioned at least partially intermediate the topsheet and the backsheet; 
     a landing component comprising a nonwoven material in the front waist region; and 
     the landing component comprising a discontinuous bond pattern; 
     wherein the discontinuous bond pattern forms a bond area in the range of about 10% to about 20% of the repeat unit, according to the Repeat Unit/Bond Area Measurement Test; 
     wherein the discontinuous bond pattern comprises:
         a first plurality of first discontinuous elements forming a first discontinuous ellipse; and   a second plurality of second discontinuous elements forming a second discontinuous ellipse, wherein the second discontinuous ellipse surrounds the first discontinuous ellipse.
 
D. A landing component for an absorbent article, the landing component comprising:
       

     a nonwoven material; and 
     the nonwoven material comprising a discontinuous bond pattern; 
     wherein the discontinuous bond pattern forms a bond area in the range of about 10% to about 20%, according to the Repeat Unit/Bond Area Measurement Test; 
     wherein the discontinuous bond pattern comprises:
         a first plurality of first discontinuous elements forming a first discontinuous line;   a second plurality of second discontinuous elements forming a second discontinuous line; and   a third plurality of third discontinuous elements positioned intermediate the first discontinuous line and the second discontinuous line, wherein the plurality of third discontinuous elements form a third discontinuous line that extends in a direction transverse to the first and second discontinuous lines.
 
E. A nonwoven material comprising:
       

     a discontinuous bond pattern; 
     wherein the discontinuous bond pattern forms a bond area in the range of about 10% to about 20%, according to the Repeat Unit/Bond Area Measurement Test; 
     wherein the discontinuous bond pattern comprises:
         a first plurality of first discontinuous elements forming a first discontinuous line;   a second plurality of second discontinuous elements forming a second discontinuous line; and   a third plurality of third discontinuous elements positioned intermediate the first discontinuous line and the second discontinuous line, wherein the plurality of third discontinuous elements form a third discontinuous line that extends in a direction transverse to the first and second discontinuous lines.
 
F. An absorbent article comprising:
       

     a nonwoven material; 
     the nonwoven material comprising a discontinuous bond pattern; 
     wherein the discontinuous bond pattern forms a bond area in the range of about 10% to about 20%, according to the Repeat Unit/Bond Area Measurement Test; 
     wherein the discontinuous bond pattern comprises:
         a first plurality of first discontinuous elements forming a first discontinuous line;   a second plurality of second discontinuous elements forming a second discontinuous line; and   a third plurality of third discontinuous elements positioned intermediate the first discontinuous line and the second discontinuous line, wherein the plurality of third discontinuous elements form a third discontinuous line that extends in a direction transverse to the first and second discontinuous lines.
 
G. An absorbent article comprising:
       

     a lateral axis; 
     a front waist region on a first side of the lateral axis; 
     a back waist region on a second side of the lateral axis; 
     a liquid permeable topsheet; 
     a liquid impermeable backsheet; 
     an absorbent core positioned at least partially intermediate the topsheet and the backsheet; 
     a discrete landing zone or a discrete, non-elasticized front belt in the front waist region; and 
     the discrete landing zone or the discrete, non-elasticized front belt comprising a discontinuous bond pattern; 
     wherein the discontinuous bond pattern forms a bond area in the range of about 10% to about 20%, according to the Repeat Unit/Bond Area Measurement Test; 
     wherein the discontinuous bond pattern comprises:
         a first plurality of first discontinuous elements forming a first discontinuous line;   a second plurality of second discontinuous elements forming a second discontinuous line; and   a third plurality of third discontinuous elements positioned intermediate the first discontinuous line and the second discontinuous line, wherein the plurality of third discontinuous elements form a third discontinuous line that extends in a direction transverse to the first and second discontinuous lines;   wherein the first and second discontinuous lines are longer than the third discontinuous line.
 
H. The absorbent article of Claim G, wherein the discrete landing zone or the discrete, non-elasticized front belt comprise a nonwoven material.
 
The absorbent article of Claim H, wherein the nonwoven material comprises a side-by-side multi-component fibers comprising a first polypropylene component and a second, different polypropylene component.
 
J. The absorbent article of Claim H, wherein the nonwoven material comprises a side-by-side multi-component fibers comprising a first polyethylene component and a second polypropylene component.
       

     Test Methods 
     Repeat Unit/Bond Area Measurement Test 
     An absorbent article specimen is taped to a rigid flat surface in a planar configuration with the test region, such as the outer cover nonwoven material, the discrete landing zone, the discrete, non-elasticized front belt, or other nonwoven component, for example, comprising the discontinuous bond pattern comprising a plurality of individual repeat units facing upward. The absorbent article is taped in such way as to avoid introducing distortions of the discontinuous bond pattern due to the extent of longitudinal and lateral extension of the absorbent article. Any absorbent article(s) being tested are conditioned at 23° C.±2° C. and 50%±2% relative humidity for 2 hours prior to testing. For the purposes of this method, all patterns and distances are taken to be based on the projection of the bond pattern onto a two-dimensional plane. 
     A single repeat unit (hereafter “SRU”) (for subsequent dimensional measurement) within the test region comprising the discontinuous bond pattern comprising the plurality of repeating units is defined as follows. An arbitrary bond, print, or aperture is identified, referred to hereafter as the “chosen point” (hereafter “CP”). Any other bond in the test region recognized to be in an equivalent position based on the translational symmetry of the repeat units is referred to as an “equivalent point” (hereafter “EP”). The SRU is defined as the set of points that are closer (via Euclidean distance) to the center of the CP than to the center of any other EP in the test region. The SRU identified for measurement must not touch the edge of the test region. After finding all points within the SRU, if it is found that the SRU touches the edge of the test region, this procedure is repeated with an alternative CP. The process is repeated until a SRU that does not touch the edge of the test region is identified. 
     One approach to determining the set of points of a SRU is based on identifying a polygonal boundary. Referring to  FIGS. 26 and 27 , the boundary of the SRU is the convex polygon formed by the intersection of line segments that immediately border the topsheet region containing the CP. The line segments are identified from lines drawn perpendicular to the midpoint of lines connecting the center of the CP to the center of all neighboring and nearby EP. 
     To calculate the Bond Area percent of a repeat unit the interior area of the SRU is measured and recorded. The boundary perimeters of all of the individual bond pattern elements, or portions thereof, located within the SRU are identified. The areas of the identified bond pattern elements, or portions thereof, that are located within the SRU are measured and recorded. The Percent Bond Area is then calculated according to the following equation: 
     
       
         
           
             
               Bond 
                
               
                   
               
                
               Area 
             
             = 
             
               
                 
                   Sum 
                    
                   
                       
                   
                    
                   of 
                    
                   
                       
                   
                    
                   Bond 
                    
                   
                       
                   
                    
                   Pattern 
                    
                   
                       
                   
                    
                   Element 
                    
                   
                       
                   
                    
                   Areas 
                 
                 
                   Area 
                    
                   
                       
                   
                    
                   of 
                    
                   
                       
                   
                    
                   SRU 
                 
               
               × 
               1 
                
               0 
                
               0 
                
               % 
             
           
         
       
     
     The Bond Area is recorded to the nearest 1%. 
     The interior area of the SRU is recorded to the nearest 0.1 mm 2 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 28 , the SRU length (L) is defined as the feret diameter parallel to the longitudinal axis of the absorbent article, and the SRU width (W) is defined as the feret diameter parallel to the lateral axis of the absorbent article. The feret diameter is the distance between two parallel lines, both of which are tangential to the boundary of the SRU, and is recorded to the nearest 0.1 mm. 
     The interior area of the SRU is recorded to the nearest 0.1 mm 2 . 
     Repeat this procedure on five separate substantially similar absorbent articles having a region of a discontinuous bond pattern comprising a plurality repeat units that are the same or substantially the same, and report each of the measurements as the average of the five replicates. 
     The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, 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.” 
     Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or related patent or application, is hereby incorporated herein 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 respect to any embodiment disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such embodiment. 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 disclosure have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this disclosure.