Patent Publication Number: US-7901390-B1

Title: Disposable absorbent article

Description:
FIELD 
     The present invention relates to disposable garments. Examples of such disposable garments include disposable underwear, disposable diapers including pull-on diapers and training pants, and disposable panties for menstrual use. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Infants and other incontinent individuals wear disposable garments such as diapers to receive and contain urine and other body exudes. Absorbent garments having fixed sides (e.g., training pants or pull-on diapers) have become popular. In order to contain body exudates as well as to fit a wide variety of body shapes and sizes, these garments must fit snugly about the waist and legs of the wearer without drooping, sagging or sliding down from its position on the torso as well as fitting larger wearers without causing irritation to the skin due to the product being too tight. 
     Many types of pull-on garments use conventional elastic elements secured in an elastically contractible condition in the waist and leg openings. For example, pull-on garments known as “balloon type” pants are contracted by elasticized bands in specific zones of the product while the remaining material tends to blouse. Examples of such pull-on garments are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,171,239 published on Dec. 15, 1992, U.S. Pat. No. 4,610,681 published on Sep. 9, 1986. These garments will fit a range of waist and leg sizes due to the fact that the contractive elastic openings will expand to accommodate various size wearers. Nonetheless, the range of sizes is limited because the elastic elements, which enable this variation in size, have a limited degree of stretch. The narrow elastic bands used in the waist opening and the leg openings also tend to concentrate the fit forces in a narrow zone of the wearer&#39;s body leading to increased incidence of skin marking of the wearer. 
     Another type of pull-on garment employs waist elastics and side elastics. Examples of such garments are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,940,464 published on Jul. 10, 1990, U.S. Pat. No. 5,246,433 published on Sep. 21, 1993, U.S. Pat. No. 5,591,155 published on Jan. 7, 1997 and EP publication 0 526 868 A1 published on Feb. 10, 1993. Such garments have side elastics at both left and right sides of the garments and waist elastics extending along a part of the waist opening. The side elastics are disposed extending between the waist opening and the leg openings. The waist elastics extend only a part of the front waist and a part of the back waist between the left and right side elastics. The side elastics and the waist elastics do not continuously extend. Therefore, the garments do not continuously stretch around the waist opening and available extensibility around the waist opening is limited. Further, because the side elastic comprises a single elastic material extending from the waist opening to the leg opening, the side elastic has only homogeneous extensibility between the waist opening and the leg opening. It does not allow many flexibility in designing a good form fitting garment, e.g., it does not facilitate designs to differentiate the property of extensibility around the leg opening from extensibility around the waist opening. 
     Other examples of pull-on garments having waist elastics and side elastics are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,545,158 published on Aug. 13, 1996 and EP publication 0 547 497 A2 published on Jun. 23, 1993. The garment disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,545,158 has a pair of elastic side segments and elastic waistbands which are joined to the waist border of the garment. The side portions of the elastic waistbands are overlapped with the elastic side segments and do not substantially inhibit the elasticity of the elastic side segments. However, the portion where the elastic side segments and the elastic waistbands are overlapped becomes bulky and redundant and limits the available stretch by the lowest stretch material. Further, the resultant stretch forces are additive in the overlapped region. In addition, the portion where the two elastic materials overlap requires higher force to stretch for application of the garment to the wearer. The garment disclosed in EP publication 0 547 497 A2 has the essentially same structure, therefore the same drawbacks as the garment disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,545,158. EP publication 0 547 497 A2 further discloses a garment comprising a triangular shaped side elastic at both left and right sides of the garment which has a decreased end edge adjacent to the waist elastic and which is still overlapped with the waist elastic. Due to the geometry of the triangular shaped side elastic, the garment has portions of significantly reduced extensibility at the sides of the garment between the leg openings and the waist opening, reducing ease of application and increasing pressure at a portion of the side panel potentially reducing the fit range. 
     Thus, none of the existing art provides all of the advantages and benefits of the present invention. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention relates to a disposable garment. The disposable garment has a front region, a back region, a crotch region between the front region and the back region. The disposable garment comprises a chassis, a waist elastomeric material, a side elastomeric material, and seams. The chassis has a topsheet, a backsheet joined with the topsheet, and an absorbent core interposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. The chassis has a central panel having a waist edge and side edges, an ear panel having a waist edge, and a waistband panel in the front region and the back region. The ear panel extends laterally outwardly from each side edge of the central panel. The waistband panel extends longitudinally outwardly from the waist edge of the central panel and the waist edge of the ear panel. The waist elastomeric material is joined to and extending continuously along the waistband panels in the front region and the back region so as to form a continuous extensible waistband in the front region and the back region. The side elastomeric material is joined to the ear panel so as to form extensible ears. The side elastomeric material and the waist elastomeric material are separate elements and are disposed so as not to overlap to each other. The seams join each ear panel to a corresponding portion in the ear panel so as to form two leg openings and a waist opening such that the extensible waistbands form a continuous extensible waist feature. 
     The present invention further relates to a disposable garment. The disposable garment has a front region, a back region and a crotch region between the front region and the back region. The disposable garment comprises a chassis, a waist elastomeric material, a side elastomeric material, and seams joining parts of the disposable garment in the front region to parts of the disposable garment in the back region so as to form a waist opening and leg openings. The garment has a continuous belt zone which is formed by at least the waist elastomeric material and the side elastomeric material. The continuous belt zone is extensible in an extension range up to an extension of at least about 125%. The continuous belt zone has a modulus of extensibility in the extension range. The modulus of extensibility at the extension of 125% is not greater than about 150 g/% extension. The force to obtain the extension of 125% is not greater than 5,000 g. 
     The present invention further relates to a disposable garment of the type of worn about the torso of a wearer. The garment has a front region, a back region, a crotch region between the front region and the back region, a waist opening, and leg openings. The garment has a zone of extensibility comprising a side elastomeric material and a waist elastomeric material. When the garment is applied to a standard mannequin, the skin contact pressure of the side elastomeric material and the waist elastomeric material pressing on the skin of the standard mannequin is not greater than 0.75 psi. 
     These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become evident to those skilled in the art from a reading of the present disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the invention, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from the following description of preferred embodiments which is taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and which like designations are used to designate substantially identical elements, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the disposable pull-on garment of the present invention in a typical in use configuration; 
         FIG. 2  is a simplified plan view of the disposable pull-on garment of the present invention in its flat uncontracted, unseamed condition showing the various panels of the garment; 
         FIG. 3  is a simplified plan view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  in its flat uncontracted, unseamed condition; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematically simplified plan view of the embodiment of  FIG. 3 , showing a chassis comprising a topsheet, a backsheet and an absorbent core therebetween, eliminating the other elements of the pull-on garment; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment taken along the section line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a schematically simplified plan view of the embodiment of  FIG. 3 , showing the disposable pull-on garment having an extensible ear and an extensible waistband; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment taken along the section line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional perspective view of an elastic member of a preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 9  is a fragmentary enlarged side view of the elastic member shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a graph showing the two successive cycles of hysteresis curves of an elastomeric material, in a preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 11  is an enlarged, partially segmented, perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the elastomeric material; 
         FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment taken along the section line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a front view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a schematically simplified plan view of an alternative embodiment of the disposable pull-on garment having an extensible ear and an extensible waistband; 
         FIG. 15  is a schematically simplified plan view of an alternative embodiment of the disposable pull-on garment having an extensible ear and an extensible waistband; 
         FIG. 16  is a front view of an assembled configuration of the disposable pull-on garment shown in  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 17  is a front view of an alternative embodiment of an assembled configuration of the disposable pull-on garment shown in  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 18  illustrates force versus extension curve of the continuous belt zone of the disposable pull-on garments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 19  illustrates modulus of extensibility versus extension curve obtained from the force versus extension curve shown in  FIG. 18 ; 
         FIG. 20  is a perspective view of the standard mannequin used to measure skin contact pressure; 
         FIG. 21  is a side view of the standard mannequin shown in  FIG. 20 ; 
         FIG. 22  is a top view of the standard mannequin shown in  FIG. 20 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     All cited references are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. Citation of any reference is not an admission regarding any determination as to its availability as prior art to the claimed invention. 
     Herein, “pull-on garment” refers to articles of wear which have a defined waist opening and a pair of leg openings and which are pulled onto the body of the wearer by inserting the legs into the leg openings and pulling the article up over the waist. Herein “disposable” is used to describe garments which are not intended to be laundered or otherwise restored or reused as a garment (i.e., they are intended to be discarded after a single use and, preferably, to be recycled, composted or otherwise disposed of in an environmentally compatible manner). A “unitary” pull-on garment refers to pull-on garments which are formed of separate parts united together to form a coordinated entity, but the ear panels are not separate elements joined to a separate chassis in that the ear panels are formed by at least one layer which also forms the central panel or chassis of the garment (i.e., the garment does not require separately manipulative panels such as a separate chassis and separate ear panels). The pull-on garment is also preferably “absorbent” to absorb and contain the various exudates discharged from the body. A preferred embodiment of the pull-on garment of the present invention is the unitary disposable absorbent pull-on garment, pull-on diaper  20 , shown in  FIG. 1 . Herein, “pull-on diaper” refers to pull-on garments generally worn by infants and other incontinent individuals to absorb and contain urine and feces. It should be understood, however, that the present invention is also applicable to other pull-on garments such as training pants, incontinent briefs, feminine hygiene garments or panties, and the like. Herein “joined” or “joining” encompasses configurations whereby an element is directly secured to the other element by affixing the element directly to another element, and configurations whereby the element is indirectly secured to the other element by affixing the element to intermediate member(s) which in turn are affixed to the other element. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  3 , the pull-on diaper  20  has the front region  26 , the back region  28  and the crotch region  30  between the front region  26  and the back region  28 . The pull-on diaper  20  also has two centerlines; a longitudinal centerline  100 , and a transverse centerline  110 . Herein “longitudinal” refers to a line, axis, or direction in the plane of the pull-on diaper  20  that is generally aligned with (e.g. approximately parallel with) a vertical plane which bisects a standing wearer into left and right halves when the pull-on diaper  20  is worn. Herein “transverse” and “lateral” are interchangeable and refer to a line, axis or direction which lies within the plane of the diaper that is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (which divides the wearer into front and back body halves). The pull-on diaper  20  and component materials thereof also have a body-facing surface which faces the skin of wearer in use and an outer-facing surface which is the opposite surface to the body-facing surface. 
       FIG. 2  shows a simplified plan view of the pull-on diaper  20  of  FIG. 1  in its flat-out, uncontracted state depicting the various panels and their positioning with respect to each other. The term “panel” is used herein to denote an area or element of the pull-on diaper or the belt. (While a panel is typically a distinct area or element, a panel may coincide (functionally correspond) somewhat with a adjacent panel.) The pull-on diaper  20  has a crotch region  30  comprising a main panel  2  and a pair of leg flap panels  4 ; a front region  26  comprising a central panel (medial panel)  8 , a waistband panel  6 , ear panels  10 , and seam panels  12 ; and a back region  28  comprising a central panel (medial panel)  9 , a waistband panel  7 , ear panels  11 , and seam panels  13 . The crotch region  30  is the portion of the pull-on diaper  20  from which the continuous belt (the other panels) emanates. The absorbent core is generally positioned within the main panel  2  since exudates are typically discharged in this region although the absorbent core will typically extend into the medial panels  8  and  9  of the belt. A leg flap panel  4  extends generally laterally outwardly from and along each side edge  2 B of the main panel  2 . Each leg flap panel  4  generally forms at least a portion of the elastic leg feature. The continuous belt zone (the front region  26  and the back region  28 ) extends generally longitudinally outwardly from and along each lateral edge  159  of the crotch region  30  (the main panel  2  and the leg flap panel  4 ). In the front region  26 , the medial panel  8  (i.e., central panel) extends generally longitudinally outwardly from and along the lateral edge  159  of the crotch region  30 . The medial panel  8  has a waist edge  190  and side edges  191 . The ear panels  10  each extend generally laterally outwardly from and along the side edge  191  of the medial panel  8  (i.e., central panel). The ear panel  10  has a waist edge  161  and a side edge  171 . The waistband panel  6  extends generally longitudinally outwardly from and along the waist edge  190  of the medial panel  8  (i.e., central panel) and the waist edge  161  of the ear panel  10 . The waistband panel  6  has side edges  175 . The seam panels  12  each extend generally laterally outwardly from and along the side edge  171  of the ear panel  10  and the side edge  175  of the waistband panel  6 . In the back region  28 , the medial panel  9  (i.e., central panel) extends generally longitudinally outwardly from and along the other lateral edge  159  of the crotch region  30 . The medial panel  9  has a waist edge  192  and side edges  193 . The ear panels  11  each extend generally laterally outwardly from and along the side edge  193  of the medial panel  9  (i.e., central panel). The ear panel  11  has a waist edge  163  and a side edge  173 . The waistband panel  7  extends generally longitudinally outwardly from and along the waist edge  192  of the medial panel  9  (i.e., central panel) and the waist edge  163  of the ear panel  11 . The waistband panel  7  has side edges  177 . The seam panels  13  each extend generally laterally outwardly from and along the side edge  173  of the ear panel  11  and the side edge  177  of the waistband panel  7 . The front region  26 , in addition to its panels, also has a waist edge  151 , leg edges  153 , and side edges  154 . The back region  28 , in addition to its panels, also has a waist edge  155 , leg edges  156 , and side edges  157 . The crotch region  30  has leg edges  158 . 
     The pull-on diaper  20  primarily comprises a chassis  41 , a waist elastomeric material (not shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  3 ), a side elastomeric material (not shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  3 ), and seams  32 . The pull-on diaper  20  may have tear open tabs  31 , whose positioning is associated with the seams  32  and elasticized leg cuffs  52  including inner barrier cuffs  54 . The side elastomeric material renders at least a part of the ear panel  10  and  11  extensible, thereby forming extensible ear  46  and  48 . The waist elastomeric material renders at least a part of the waistband panel  6  and  7  extensible, thereby forming continuous extensible waistband  57  and  59 . The side elastomeric material and the waist elastomeric material are separate elements to each other and disposed so as not to overlap to each other in the longitudinal direction of the pull-on diaper  20 . This allows more independent behavior of the waist and side elastomeric materials to allow for adjustments in dimension extension, pressure, etc. The extensible ear  46  and  48  and continuous extensible waistband  57  and  59  are extensible at least in the lateral direction. The seam  32  joins the seam panel  12  in the front region  26  to the seam panel  13  in the back region  28 , whereby the ear panel  10  is joined to the ear panel  11  and whereby one waist opening  36  and two leg openings  34  are formed. In the configuration where the ear panel  10  is joined to the ear panel  11 , the continuous extensible waistband  57  and  59  forms a continuous extensible waist feature  60  about the waist opening  36 . Further, a continuous belt zone  38  extends in the front region  26  and the back region  28 . 
     The chassis  41 , referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the chassis  41  comprises an absorbent core  25  and a plurality of layers disposed in association with the absorbent core  25 , such as a topsheet  24  and a backsheet  22  associated with the topsheet  24 . The absorbent core  25  is disposed between the topsheet  24  and the backsheet  22 . The chassis  41  further may include one or more additional layers disposed associated with the absorbent core  25 . The topsheet  24  has the body-facing surface which is positioned adjacent to the wearer&#39;s body during use. The backsheet  22  has the outer-facing surface which is positioned away from the wearer&#39;s body. Preferably, the backsheet  22  comprises a inner barrier film  68  and a nonwoven outer cover  23 . Since the chassis  41  defines the front region  26 , the back region  28 , and crotch region  30 , the chassis  41  also has corresponding regions and panels as previously defined. (For simplicity, these regions and panels are denoted in the drawings by the same reference numerals as the corresponding pull-on diaper regions and panels as shown in  FIG. 2 .) 
     The topsheet  24  and the inner barrier film  68  of the backsheet  22  have length and width dimensions generally larger than those of the absorbent core  25 . The topsheet  24  and the inner barrier film  68  extend beyond the side edges and end edges of the absorbent core  25  to thereby form the periphery of the chassis  41 . The topsheet  24  longitudinally extends between the waist edge  151  and  155  of the pull-on diaper  20 . The topsheet  24  has waist end portions  24 A and side portions  24 B. The waist end portions  24 A (i.e., end extended portion  24 A) of the topsheet  24  extend into a portion of the waistband panel  6  and  7  of the pull-on diaper  20 . The inner barrier film  68  has waist end portions  68 A and side portions  68 B. The inner barrier film  68  is a little shorter in the longitudinal direction than the topsheet  24  and a little wider in the lateral direction than the topsheet  24 . The inner barrier film  68  has a nonuniform lateral width so as to form a first portion  94  in at least a portion of the crotch region  30  and a second portion  96  in at least a portion of the front or back region  26  and  28 . The lateral width of the inner barrier film  68  gradually decreases towards the waist end portions  68 A such that the second portion  96  has a lateral width dimension less than the lateral width dimension of the first portion  94 . The inner barrier film  68  does not preferably extend into the ear panel  10  and  11  so as to increase the effective lateral extended length of the ear panel  10  and  11  and reduce bulkiness of the ear panel  10  and  11 . The inner barrier film  68  also does not extend into the waistband panel  6  and  7  so as to reduce bulkiness of the waistband panel  6  and  7 . In addition, since the inner barrier film  68  does not extend into both the ear panel  10  and  11  and the waistband panel  6  and  7 , the inner barrier film  68  does not inhibit breathability in those areas. While the topsheet  24 , the inner barrier film  68 , and the absorbent core  25  may be assembled in a variety of well known configurations, exemplary chassis configurations are described generally in U.S. Pat. No. 3,860,003 entitled “Contractible Side Portions for Disposable Diaper” which issued to Kenneth B. Buell on Jan. 14, 1975; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,151,092 entitled “Absorbent Article With Dynamic Elastic Waist Feature Having A Predisposed Resilient Flexural Hinge” which issued to Kenneth B. Buell et al., on Sep. 29, 1992. 
     Preferably, the nonwoven outer cover  23  covers almost all of the area of the outermost portion of the pull-on diaper  20 . The nonwoven outer cover  23  may have generally the same shape as the pull-on diaper  20 . The nonwoven outer cover  23  has waist end portions  23 A and side portions  23 B. The nonwoven outer cover  23  also has a side extended portion  23 C in the front region  26  and a side extended portion  23 D in the back region  28 . The waist end portion  23 A (i.e., end extended portion  23 A) of the nonwoven outer cover  23  extends into the waistband panel  6  and  7 , and the side extended portion  23 C and  23 D of the nonwoven outer cover  23  extends into the ear panel  10  and  11 . Alternatively, the nonwoven outer cover  23  of the backsheet  22  may have generally same shape as the inner barrier film  68  such that the nonwoven outer cover  23  covers only the area of the inner barrier film  68 . Alternatively, the nonwoven outer cover  23  may be eliminated, and the inner barrier film  68  may have generally the same shape as the pull-on diaper  20  and extend into both ear panel  10  and  11  and waistband panel  6  and  7 . 
     The absorbent core  25  may be any absorbent member which is generally compressible, conformable, non-irritating to the wearer&#39;s skin, and capable of absorbing and retaining liquids such as urine and other certain body exudates. The absorbent core  25  may be manufactured in a wide variety of sizes and shapes (e.g., rectangular, hourglass, “T”-shaped, asymmetric, etc.) and from a wide variety of liquid absorbent materials commonly used in disposable diapers and other absorbent articles such as comminuted wood pulp which is generally referred to as airfelt. Examples of other suitable absorbent materials include creped cellulose wadding; meltblown polymers including coform; chemically stiffened, modified or cross-linked cellulosic fibers; tissue including tissue wraps and tissue laminates; absorbent foams; absorbent sponges; superabsorbent polymers; absorbent gelling materials; or any equivalent material or combinations of materials. 
     The configuration and construction of the absorbent core  25  may vary (e.g., the absorbent core  25  may have varying caliper zones, a hydrophilic gradient, a superabsorbent gradient, or lower average density and lower average basis weight acquisition zones; or may comprise one or more layers or structures). Further, the size and absorbent capacity of the absorbent core  25  may also be varied to accommodate wearers ranging from infants through adults. However, the total absorbent capacity of the absorbent core  25  should be compatible with the design loading and the intended use of the diaper  20 . 
     The absorbent core  25  in a preferred embodiment has an asymmetric, modified hourglass-shape having ears in the front and back waist regions  26  and  28 . Other exemplary absorbent structures for use as the absorbent core  25  that have achieved wide acceptance and commercial success are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,610,678 entitled “High-Density Absorbent Structures” issued to Weisman et al. on Sep. 9, 1986; U.S. Pat. No. 4,673,402 entitled “Absorbent Articles With Dual-Layered Cores” issued to Weisman et al. on Jun. 16, 1987; U.S. Pat. No. 4,888,231 entitled “Absorbent Core Having A Dusting Layer” issued to Angstadt on Dec. 19, 1989; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,834,735, entitled “High Density Absorbent Members Having Lower Density and Lower Basis Weight Acquisition Zones”, issued to Alemany et al. on May 30, 1989. 
     The chassis  41 , as shown in  FIG. 5 , may further include an acquisition/distribution core  84  of chemically stiffened fibers positioned over the absorbent core  25 , thereby forming a dual core system. Preferred dual core systems are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,234,423, entitled “Absorbent Article With Elastic Waist Feature and Enhanced Absorbency” issued to Alemany et al., on Aug. 10, 1993; and in U.S. Pat. No. 5,147,345, entitled “High Efficiency Absorbent Articles For Incontinence Management” issued to Young, LaVon and Taylor on Sep. 15, 1992. In a preferred embodiment, the acquisition/distribution core  84  comprise chemically treated stiffened cellulosic fiber material, available from Weyerhaeuser Co. (U.S.A.) under the trade designation of CMC. 
     More preferably, the chassis  41  may further include an acquisition/distribution layer  82  between the topsheet  24  and the acquisition/distribution core  84  as shown in  FIG. 5 . The acquisition/distribution layer  82  is provided to help reduce the tendency for surface wetness of the topsheet  24 . The acquisition/distribution layer  82  preferably comprises carded, resin bonded hiloft nonwoven materials such as, for example, available as Code No. FT-6860 from Polymer Group, Inc., North America (Landisiville, N.J., U.S.A.), which is made of polyethylene terephthalate fibers of 6 dtex, and has a basis weight of about 43 g/m 2 . 
     The topsheet  24  is preferably compliant, soft feeling, and non-irritating to the wearer&#39;s skin. Further, the topsheet  24  is liquid pervious permitting liquids (e.g., urine) to readily penetrate through its thickness. A suitable topsheet  24  may be manufactured from a wide range of materials such as woven and nonwoven materials; polymeric materials such as apertured formed thermoplastic films, apertured plastic films, and hydroformed thermoplastic films; porous foams; reticulated foams; reticulated thermoplastic films; and thermoplastic scrims. Suitable woven and nonwoven materials can be comprised of natural fibers (e.g., wood or cotton fibers), synthetic fibers (e.g., polymeric fibers such as polyester, polypropylene, or polyethylene fibers) or from a combination of natural and synthetic fibers. The topsheet  24  is preferably made of a hydrophobic material to isolate the wearer&#39;s skin from liquids which have passed through the topsheet  24  and are contained in the absorbent core  25  (i.e., to prevent rewet). If the topsheet  24  is made of a hydrophobic material, it is preferable that at least the upper surface of the topsheet  24  is treated to be hydrophilic so that liquids will transfer through the topsheet more rapidly. This diminishes the likelihood that body exudates will flow off the topsheet  24  rather than being drawn through the topsheet  24  and being absorbed by the absorbent core  25 . The topsheet  24  can be rendered hydrophilic by treating it with a surfactant. Suitable methods for treating the topsheet  24  with a surfactant include spraying the topsheet  24  material with the surfactant and immersing the material into the surfactant. A more detailed discussion of such a treatment and hydrophilicity is contained in U.S. Pat. No. 4,988,344 entitled “Absorbent Articles with Multiple Layer Absorbent Layers” issued to Reising, et al on Jan. 29, 1991 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,988,345 entitled “Absorbent Articles with Rapid Acquiring Absorbent Cores” issued to Reising on Jan. 29, 1991. The topsheet  24  may be compatible with ventilation design/process preferably along the waistband panel  6  and  7  and other portions on the pull-on diaper  20 . 
     In preferred embodiments, the topsheet  24  is a nonwoven web that can provide reduced tendency for surface wetness; and consequently facilitate maintaining urine absorbed by the absorbent core  25  away from the user&#39;s skin, after wetting. One of the preferred topsheet materials is a thermobonded carded web which is available as Code No. P-8 from Fiberweb North America, Inc. (Simpsonville, S.C., U.S.A.). Another preferred topsheet material is available as Code No. S-2355 from Havix Co., Japan. This material is a bi-layer composite material, and made of two kinds of synthetic surfactant treated bicomponent fibers by using carding and air-through technologies. Yet another preferred topsheet material is a thermobonded carded web which is available as Code No. Profleece Style 040018007 from Amoco Fabrics, Inc. (Gronau, Germany). 
     Another preferred topsheet  24  comprises an apertured formed film. Apertured formed films are preferred for the topsheet  24  because they are pervious to body exudates and yet non-absorbent and have a reduced tendency to allow liquids to pass back through and rewet the wearer&#39;s skin. Thus, the surface of the formed film which is in contact with the body remains dry, thereby reducing body soiling and creating a more comfortable feel for the wearer. Suitable formed films are described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,929,135, entitled “Absorptive Structures Having Tapered Capillaries”, which issued to Thompson on Dec. 30, 1975; U.S. Pat. No. 4,324,246 entitled “Disposable Absorbent Article Having A Stain Resistant Topsheet”, which issued to Mullane, et al. on Apr. 13, 1982; U.S. Pat. No. 4,342,314 entitled “Resilient Plastic Web Exhibiting Fiber-Like Properties”, which issued to Radel et al. on Aug. 3, 1982; U.S. Pat. No. 4,463,045 entitled “Macroscopically Expanded Three-Dimensional Plastic Web Exhibiting Non-Glossy Visible Surface and Cloth-Like Tactile Impression”, which issued to Ahr et al. on Jul. 31, 1984; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,006,394 “Multilayer Polymeric Film” issued to Baird on Apr. 9, 1991. 
     The backsheet  22  preferably comprises a inner barrier film  68  and a nonwoven outer cover  23 . The inner barrier film  68  is preferably impervious to liquids (e.g., urine) and is preferably manufactured from a thin plastic film. The inner barrier film  68  has a body-facing surface  79  and an outer-facing surface  77 . More preferably the plastic film permits vapors to escape from the diaper  20 . In a preferred embodiment, a microporous polyethylene film is used for the inner barrier film  68 . A suitable microporous polyethylene film is manufactured by Mitsui Toatsu Chemicals, Inc., Nagoya, Japan and marketed in the trade as Espoir No. The backsheet  22  is preferably compatible with ventilation and side seaming design/process. A disposable tape may be further joined to the outer surface of the backsheet. 
     A suitable plastic film material for the inner barrier film  68  is a thermoplastic film having a thickness of from about 0.012 mm (0.5 mil) to about 0.051 mm (2.0 mils), preferably comprising polyethylene or polypropylene. Preferably, the plastic film has a basis weight of from about 5 g/m 2  to about 35 g/m 2 . However, it should be noted that other flexible liquid impervious materials may be used. Herein “flexible” refers to materials which are compliant and which will readily conform to the general shape and contours of the wearer&#39;s body. The plastic film may have moisture vapor transmission rate of between 3,000 and 4,000 g/m 2/24  hr which is measured by a method set froth below. 
     The nonwoven outer cover  23  is joined with the outer-facing surface of the inner barrier film  68  to form a laminate (i.e., the backsheet  22 ). The nonwoven outer cover  23  is positioned at the outermost portion of the pull-on diaper  20  and covers at least a portion of the outermost portion of the diaper  20 . The nonwoven outer cover  23  may be joined to the inner barrier film  68  by any suitable attachment means known in the art. For example, the nonwoven outer cover  23  may be secured to the inner barrier film  68  by a uniform continuous layer of adhesive, a patterned layer of adhesive, or an array of separate lines, spirals, or spots of adhesive. Suitable adhesives include a hotmelt adhesive obtainable from Nitta Findley Co., Ltd., Osaka, Japan as H-2128, and a hotmelt adhesive obtainable from H.B. Fuller Japan Co., Ltd., Osaka, Japan as JM-6064. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the nonwoven outer cover  23  is a carded nonwoven web, for example, obtainable from Havix Co., LTD., Gifu, Japan as E-2341. The nonwoven outer cover  23  is made of bi-component fibers of a polyethylene (PE) and a polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The ratio of PE/PET is about 40/60. The PE/PET bi-component fiber has the dimension of 2 decitex×51 mm. Another preferred carded nonwoven web is obtainable from Chisso Corp., Osaka, Japan. The nonwoven outer cover  23  is also made of bi-component fibers of a polyethylene (PE) and a polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The ratio of PE/PET is about 30/70. 
     In another preferred embodiment, the nonwoven web is a spunbonded nonwoven web, for example, obtainable from Mitsui Petrochemical Industries, Ltd., Tokyo, Japan. The nonwoven web is made of bi-component fibers consisting of a polyethylene (PE) sheeth and a polypropylene (PP) core. The ratio of PE/PP is about 80/20. The PE/PP bi-component fiber has the thickness of approximately 2.3 decitex. 
     The backsheet  22  is preferably positioned adjacent the outer-facing surface of the absorbent core  25  and is preferably joined thereto by any suitable attachment means known in the art. For example, the backsheet  22  may be secured to the absorbent core  25  by a uniform continuous layer of adhesive, a patterned layer of adhesive, or an array of separate lines, spirals, or spots of adhesive. Adhesives which have been found to be satisfactory are manufactured by H. B. Fuller Company of St. Paul, Minn. and marketed as HL-1258. An example of a suitable attachment means comprising an open pattern network of filaments of adhesive is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,573,986 entitled “Disposable Waste-Containment Garment”, which issued to Minetola et al. on Mar. 4, 1986. Another suitable attachment means comprising several lines of adhesive filaments swirled into a spiral pattern is illustrated by the apparatus and methods shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,911,173 issued to Sprague, Jr. on Oct. 7, 1975; U.S. Pat. No. 4,785,996 issued to Ziecker, et al. on Nov. 22, 1978; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,842,666 issued to Werenicz on Jun. 27, 1989. Alternatively, the attachment means may comprise heat bonds, pressure bonds, ultrasonic bonds, dynamic mechanical bonds, or any other suitable attachment means or combinations of these attachment means as are known in the art. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the absorbent core  25  is not joined to the backsheet  22 , and/or the topsheet  24  in order to provide greater extensibility in the front region  26  and the back region  28 . 
     The elasticized leg cuffs  52  provides improved containment of liquids and other body exudates. The elasticized leg cuffs  52  may comprise several different embodiments for reducing the leakage of body exudates in the leg regions. (The leg cuff can be and is sometimes also referred to as leg bands, side flaps, barrier cuffs, or elastic cuffs.) U.S. Pat. No. 3,860,003 describes a disposable diaper which provides a contractible leg opening having a side flap and one or more elastic members to provide an elasticized leg cuff (gasketing cuff). U.S. Pat. No. 4,909,803 entitled “Disposable Absorbent Article Having Elasticized Flaps” issued to Aziz et al. on Mar. 20, 1990, describes a disposable diaper having “stand-up” elasticized flaps (barrier cuffs) to improve the containment of the leg regions. U.S. Pat. No. 4,695,278 entitled “Absorbent Article Having Dual Cuffs” issued to Lawson on Sep. 22, 1987; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,795,454 entitled “Absorbent Article Having Leakage-Resistant Dual Cuffs” issued to Dragoo on Jan. 3, 1989, describe disposable diapers having dual cuffs including a gasketing cuff and a barrier cuff. U.S. Pat. No. 4,704,115 entitled “Disposable Waist Containment Garment” issued to Buell on Nov. 3, 1987, discloses a disposable diaper or incontinence garment having side-edge-leakage-guard gutters configured to contain free liquids within the garment. 
     While each elasticized leg cuff  52  may be configured so as to be similar to any of the leg bands, side flaps, barrier cuffs, or elastic cuffs described above, it is preferred that each elasticized leg cuff  52  comprises inner barrier cuffs  54  each comprising a barrier flap  56  and a spacing means  58  (as shown in  FIG. 5 ) as described in the above-referenced U.S. Pat. No. 4,909,803. The inner barrier cuffs  54  may have an insert element which is highly impermeable, but preferably breathable. In a preferred embodiment, the elasticized leg cuff  52  additionally comprises an elastic gasketing cuff  62  with one or more elastic strands  64 , positioned outboard of the barrier cuff  54  such as described in the above-referred U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,695,278 and 4,795,454. The elastic strands  64  are generally disposed in the leg flap panel  4  and joined to thereto by any means such as hot melt glue under a prestrained condition. The elastic strands  64  may be prestrained, before being joined, up to between 30% and 200%, preferably between 50% and 150%. A preferred elastic strands  64  is manufactured by Fulflex International Company under the designation  9312 . 
     The pull-on diaper  20  has the front extensible ear  46  and the back extensible ear  48 . Referring to  FIG. 5 , the extensible ear  46  and  48  preferably comprises a side elastic member  70  having a side elastomeric material  124  (shown in  FIG. 8 ), the side extended portion  23 C of the nonwoven outer cover  23 , and an extended portion  72  of the inner barrier cuff  54  (although  FIG. 5  depicts only the structures in the front region  26 , preferably the structures in the back region  28  are the same or similar to those in the front region  26 ). Preferably at least one of the front and back extensible ears  46  and  48  is elastically extensible in at least the lateral direction. More preferably, both the front and the back extensible ears  46  and  48  are elastically extensible in at least the lateral direction. In an alternative embodiment, the front and back extensible ear  46  and  48  is elastically extensible both in the lateral and longitudinal directions. Herein “extensible” refers to materials that are capable of extending in at least one direction to a certain degree without undue rupture. Herein “elasticity” and “elastically extensible” refer to extensible materials that have the ability to return to approximately their original dimensions after the force that extended the material is removed. Herein any material or element described as “extensible” may also be elastically extensible unless otherwise provided. The extensible ear  46  and/or  48  provides a more comfortable and contouring fit by initially conformably fitting the diaper to the wearer and sustaining this fit throughout the time of wear well past when the diaper has been loaded with exudates since the extensible ear  46  and/or  48  allows the sides of the diaper to expand and contract. 
     The extensible ear  46  and  48  preferably has breathability. The moisture vapor transmission rate of the ear panel in conjunction with the overall vapor transmission rate of the rest of the pull-on diaper is important in reducing the incidence of heat rash and other skin problems associated with high heat humidity conditions. In order to reduce humidity and heat humidity within the pull-on diaper, the extensible ear  46  and  48  preferably has a weighed average mass vapor transmission rate of at least about 2,000 g/m 2/24  hr, more preferably at least 4,000 g/m 2/24  hr. Preferably, the entire pull-on diaper has a weighed average mass vapor transmission rate of from at least 2,000 g/m 2/24  hr to about 8,000 g/m 2/24  hr. 
     The moisture vapor transmission rate is measured by the method set forth below. A known amount of CaCl 2  is put into a flanged cup. A sample is placed on the top of the cup and held securely by a retaining ring and gasket. The assembly is then weighed and recorded as the initial weight. The assembly is placed in a constant temperature (40° C.) and humidity (75% RH) chamber for 5 hours. The assembly is then removed from the chamber and allowed to equilibrate for at least 30 minutes at the temperature of the room where the balance is located. The assembly is then weighed and recorded as the final weight. The mass vapor transmission rate (MVTR) is calculated and expressed in g/m 2/24  hr using the following formula. 
     
       
         
           
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     Referring to  FIG. 6  as well as  FIG. 3 , the extensible ear  46  comprising the side elastic member  70  has a higher end edge  46 A, a lower end edge  46 B, an inner side edge  46 C, and an outer side edge  46 D. The back extensible ear  48  comprising the side elastic material  70  has a higher end edge  48 A, a lower end edge  48 B, an inner side edge  48 C, and an outer side edge  48 D. Although a configuration of each element, portion, part, etc. in the front region  26  may be different from that in the back region  28  (such as configuration of the front extensible ear  46  and configuration of the back extensible ear  48 , or configuration of the lower end edge  46 B and configuration of the lower end edge  48 B), those elements, portions, parts, etc. which correspond to each other in the front region  26  and in the back region  28  may be described concurrently for ease of description. In a preferred embodiment, the ear panel  10  and  11  is rendered extensible in the entire area of the ear panel  10  and  11  to form the extensible ear  46  and  48  by the side elastic material  70 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , the side elastic material  70  extends into a part of the seam panel  12  and  13  so that the front extensible ear  46  and the back extensible ear  48  are anchored each other at the seam  32 , and the side elastic material  70  in the front region  26  and the side elastic material  70  in the back region  28  are anchored at the seam  32  ( FIG. 5  also shows the side elastic member  70  which extends into the seam panel  12  and  13 , though the seam panel  12  and  13  is not shown in  FIG. 5 ). Alternatively, the ear panel  10  and  11  may be rendered extensible only in a portion of the area in the ear panel  10  and  11 . The extensible ear  46  and  48  is the part of the ear panel  10  and  11  rendered extensible by joining the side elastic member  70  and being subjected to mechanical stretching. In a preferred embodiment, the inner side edge  46 C and  48 C extends generally along the longitudinal center line  100  of the pull-on diaper  20 . The outer side edge  46 D and  48 D is non-parallel to the inner side edge  46 C and  48 C and is non-parallel to the longitudinal center line  100 . The outer side edge  46 D and  48 D projects laterally outwardly proximate the lower end edge  46 B and  48 B. Therefore, the outer side edge  46 D and  48 D remotes from the inner side edge  46 C and  48 C proximate the lower end edge  46 B and  48 B. The extensible ear  46  and  48  has a lateral width L 1  between the inner side edge  46 C and  48 C and the outer side edge  46 D and  48 D proximate the lower end edge  46 B and  48 B, and a lateral width L 2  between the inner side edge  46 C and  48 C and the outer side edge  46 D and  48 D proximate the higher end edge  46 A and  48 A. The lateral width between the inner side edge and the outer side edge is the width between the inner side edge  46 C and  48 C and the outer side edge  46 D and  48 D in the lateral direction perpendicular to the longitudinal center line  100 . Therefore, the lateral width between the inner side edge and the outer side is available in the range R where the inner side edge  46 C and  48 C and the outer side edge  46 D and  48 D co-extend in the longitudinal direction. The lateral width L 1  is greater than the lateral width L 2 , therefore, the available elastomeric material quantity in the lateral direction of the extensible ear  46  and  48  is greater proximate the lower end edge  46 B and  48 B than proximate the higher end edge  46 A and  48 A. Because the outer side edge  46 D and  48 D projects laterally outwardly proximate the lower end edge  46 B and  48 B, available elastomeric material quantity proximate the lower end edge  46 B and  48 B is enhanced without reducing available elastomeric material quantity proximate the higher end edge  46 A and  48 A. Further, the available elastomeric material quantity changes in the direction from the higher end edge  46 A and  48 A toward the lower end edge  46 B and  48 B because the lateral width of the extensible ear  46  and  48  gradually changes in that direction. This results in change of forces or force gradient over the extensible ear allowing for custom fit. The inner side edge  46 C and  48 C also may be non-parallel to the longitudinal center line  100  and project laterally inwardly proximate the lower end edge  46 B and  48 B such that the lateral width L 1  becomes further greater than the lateral width L 2 . Alternatively, the inner side edge  46 C and  48 C may project a little laterally outwardly proximate the lower end edge  46 B and  48 B such that the lateral width L 1  is still greater than the lateral width L 2 . 
     The extensible ear  46  and  48  may be formed by unitary elements of the pull-on diaper  20  (i.e., they are not separately manipulative elements secured to the pull-on diaper  20 , but rather are formed from and are extended portions of one or more of the various layers of the pull-on diaper). In a preferred embodiment, the extensible ear  46  and  48  is a projected member of the chassis  41 . Preferably, the extensible ear  46  and  48  comprises at least one unitary element or a continuous sheet material that forms a part of the chassis  41  and continuously extends to the extensible ear  46  and  48 . Alternatively, the extensible ear  46  and  48  may be discrete members which do not have any unitary element that forms a part of the chassis  41 . The extensible ear  46  and  48  may be formed by joining the discrete members to the side portions of the chassis  41 . 
     The side elastic member  70  is interposed between the extended portion  72  of the inner barrier cuff  54  and the side extended portion  23 C and  23 D of the nonwoven outer cover  23  in the region of the extensible ear  46  and  48 . The side elastic member  70  is operatively joined to at least one of the extended portion  72  of the inner barrier cuff  54  and the side extended portion  23 C and  23 D of the nonwoven outer cover  23 . Preferably, the side elastic member  70  is operatively joined to both the extended portion  72  of the inner barrier cuff  54  and the side extended portion  23 C and  23 D of the nonwoven outer cover  23  while in a substantially untensioned (zero strain) condition. 
     The side elastic member  70  can be operatively joined to the inner barrier cuff  54  and the nonwoven outer cover  23 , by using either an intermittent bonding configuration or a substantially continuous bonding configuration. Herein an “intermittently” bonded laminate web means a laminate web wherein the plies are initially bonded to one another at discrete spaced apart points or a laminate web wherein the plies are substantially unbonded to one another at discrete spaced apart areas. Conversely, a “substantially continuously” bonded laminate web means a laminate web wherein the plies are initially bonded substantially continuously to one another throughout the areas of interface. Because it is preferred that the stretch laminate be bonded over all or a significant portion of the stretch laminate so that the inelastic webs (i.e., nonwoven webs of the inner barrier cuff  54  and the nonwoven outer cover  23 ) elongate or draw without causing rupture, and the layers of the stretch laminates are preferably bonded in a configuration that maintains all of the layers of the stretch laminate in relatively close adherence to one another after the incremental mechanical stretching operation, the side elastic member and the other plies of the stretch laminate are substantially continuously bonded together using an adhesive. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the adhesive selected is applied in a spiral pattern (such as is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,911,173 (Sprague, Jr.) and U.S. Pat. No. 4,842,666 (Werenicz)) at a basis weight of about 0.116 g/m 2 . The spirals have a width of about 1.9 cm (0.75 in) and either are positioned just next to each other or overlap slightly (less than 2 mm). The adhesive is preferably an adhesive such as is available from Findley Adhesives under the designation H2120. Alternatively, the side elastic member and any other components of the stretch laminates may be intermittently or continuously bonded to one another using heat bonding, pressure bonding, ultrasonic bonding, dynamic mechanical bonding, or any other method as is known in the art. 
     After the side elastic member  70  is operatively joined to the extended portion  72  of the inner barrier cuff  54  and the side extended portion  23 C and  23 D of the nonwoven outer cover  23 , at least a portion of the resultant composite stretch laminate is then subjected to mechanical stretching sufficient to permanently elongate the non-elastic components which are, for example, the extended portion  72  of the inner barrier cuff  54  and the side extended portion  23 C and  23 D of the nonwoven outer cover  23 . The composite stretch laminate is then allowed to return to its substantially untensioned condition. The extensible ear  46  and  48  is thus formed into “zero strain” stretch laminates. (Alternatively, the side elastic member  70  could be operatively joined in a tensioned condition and then subjected to mechanical stretching.) Herein “zero strain” stretch laminate refers to a laminate comprised of at least two plies of material which are secured to one another along at least a portion of their coextensive surfaces while in a substantially untensioned (“zero strain”) condition; one of the plies comprising a material which is stretchable and elastomeric (i.e., will return substantially to its untensioned dimensions after an applied tensile force has been released) and a second ply which is elongatable (but not necessarily elastomeric) so that upon stretching the second ply will be, at least to a degree, permanently elongated so that upon release of the applied tensile forces, it will not fully return to its original undeformed configuration. The resulting stretch laminate is thereby rendered elastically extensible, at least up to the point of initial stretching, in the direction of initial mechanical stretching. Particularly preferred methods and apparatus used for making stretch laminates utilize meshing corrugated rolls or plates to mechanically stretch the components. Particularly preferred apparatus and methods are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,167,897 issued to Weber et al. on Dec. 1, 1992; U.S. Pat. No. 5,156,793 issued to Buell et al. on Oct. 20, 1990; U.S. Pat. No. 5,143,679 issued to Weber et al. on Sep. 1, 1992 and European Patent Application No. 98108290.2 titled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ACTIVATING A MOVING WEB” filed on May 7, 1998 (Christoph J. Schmitz et al.). 
     The side elastic member  70  is preferably joined to, more preferably directly secured to the side portions  68 B of the inner barrier film  68  through an adhesive  76  as shown in  FIG. 5 . In a preferred embodiment, the side elastic member  70  is joined to the side portions  68 B of the inner barrier film  68  at the outer-facing surface  77 . In an alternative embodiment, the side elastic member  70  may be joined to the side portions  68 B of the inner barrier film  68  at the body-facing surface  79 . Preferably, the adhesive  76  is applied as an bead. The adhesive  76  may be applied as a spiral. In a preferred embodiment, the adhesive  76  is a flexible adhesive with an amorphous and crystallizing component. Such a preferred adhesive is supplied by the Findley Adhesive Company under the designation #H9224. Alternatively, the side elastic member  70  may be joined to the side portions  68 B of the inner barrier film  68  by any other bonding means known in the art which comprise heat bonds, pressure bonds, ultrasonic bonds, dynamic mechanical bonds, or combinations of these attachment means. 
     The side elastic member  70  used for extensible ear  46  and  48 , referring to  FIG. 8 , comprises the side elastomeric material  124 . The side elastic material  70  may further include one of, preferably both of a first coverstock layer  122  and a second coverstock layer  126 . Alternatively, the side elastic material  70  may not include any additional layer. 
     The side elastomeric material  124  has a first surface  150  and a second surface  152  opposing the first surface  150 , and a first coverstock layer  122  which is joined to the first surface  150  of the side elastomeric material  124 . In a preferred embodiment, the first coverstock layer  122  is joined to the first surface  150  of the side elastomeric material  124  by an adhesive  160  as shown, for example, in  FIG. 9 . More preferably, the side elastic member  70  further comprises a second coverstock layer  126  which is joined to the second surface  152  of the side elastomeric material  124  by an adhesive  164 . The side elastomeric material  124  provides a good fitness by generating the optimal retention (or sustained) force at the side area of the wearer. Preferably, the side elastomeric material  124  is extensible in at least one direction, preferably in a direction having a vector component in the lateral direction to generate a retention (or sustained) force that is optimal to prevent the pull-on diaper  20  from drooping, sagging, or sliding down from its position on the torso without causing the red marking on the skin of the wearer. 
     The side elastomeric material  124  may be formed in a wide variety of sizes, forms and shapes. In a preferred embodiment, the side elastomeric material  124  is in the form of a continuous plane layer. Preferred forms of continuous plane layer include a scrim, a perforated (or apertures formed) film, an elastomeric woven or nonwoven, and the like. In an alternative embodiment, the side elastomeric material  124  is in the form of strands (or strings) which are not connected each other to form a continuous plane layer. The continuous plane layer may take any shape which can be suitably provided in the ear panels. Preferred shapes of continuous plane layer include a quadrilateral including a rectangle and a square, a trapezoid, and the other polygons. 
     Elastomeric materials which have been found to be especially suitable for the side elastomeric material  124  are styrenic block copolymer based scrim materials, perforated (or apertured) elastic films, strands, preferably with a thickness of from about 0.05 mm to about 1.0 mm (0.002 inch-0.039 inch). Other suitable elastomeric materials for the side elastomeric material  124  include “live” synthetic or natural rubber, other synthetic or natural rubber foams, elastomeric films (including heat shrinkable elastomeric films), elastomeric woven or nonwoven webs, elastomeric composites, or the like. 
     The extensibility properties of the side elastomeric material  124  such as the First Cycle Extension Force at 100% Extension (FCEF100%), the First Cycle Extension Force at 200% Extension (FCEF200%), the Second Cycle Recovery Force at 50% Extension (SCRF50%) and sustained load at 50% after 10-12 hours are important considerations in the performance of disposable garments. The side elastomeric material  124  preferably has extensibility properties within the defined ranges herein. The FCEF100% and the FCEF200% are measures of the overall perceived “stretchiness” during application/removal of disposable garments. These two properties also effect the ability of the applicator to achieve a suitable degree of application stretch. A side elastomeric material  124  with a relatively high FCEF100% and FCEF200% can cause difficulty in applying the disposable garment onto the wearer. On the other hand, a side elastomeric material  124  with a relatively low FCEF100% and FCEF200% may not achieve a suitable level of body fitting/conformity. The SCRF50% also closely relates to the body fitting/conformity of disposable garments for the wearer. A side elastomeric material  124  with a relatively high SCRF50% tends to cause red marking on the skin of the wearer and may be uncomfortable for the wearer during usage. A side elastomeric material  124  with a relatively low SCRF50% may not provide enough elastic force to keep the diaper in place on the wearer or may not provide good body fit. The sustained load at 50% evaluates the force decay over time. This should be limited or substantial sagging will result. 
     The values of FCEF100%, FCEF200% and SCRF50% can be measured by using a tensile tester. The tensile tester comprises an upper jaw and a lower jaw which is located below the upper jaw. The upper jaw is movable and is connected to an extension force measuring means. The lower jaw is fixed on a desk (or floor). A test specimen (i.e., the elastomeric material to be measured) which has about 2.54 cm (1.0 inch) in width and about 12.75 cm (5 inches) in length is prepared and clamped between the upper jaw and the lower jaw so that the effective specimen length (L) (i.e., gauge length) is about 2.54 cm (1.0 inch). The extension force is applied to the test specimen through the upper jaw. When no extension force is applied to the test specimen, the test specimen is in its untensioned length. A tensile tester suitable for use herein is available from Instron Corporation (100 Royall Street, Canton, Mass. 02021, U.S.A.) as Code No. Instron 5564. 
       FIG. 10  shows one preferred example of the extension and recovery force curves for the two cycle hysteresis of the side elastomeric material  124 . The curve E 1  shows the extension force in the first cycle, while the curve R 1  shows the recovery force in the first cycle. The curve E 2  (shown in dashed lines) shows the extension force in the second cycle, while the curve R 2  shows the recovery force in the second cycle. The extension and recovery properties are measured as follows. 
     In the first cycle, the test specimen is subjected to an initial extension force at a crosshead rate of 25.4 cm/min ( 10  in/min) at about 23° C. and held for 30 seconds at 200% extension. The test specimen is then allowed to relax at the same rate to the untensioned state. The test specimen is allowed to remain unconstrained for one minute before being subjected to a second extension force (for the second cycle) at the same rate and conditions. 
     In preferred embodiments, the FCEF100% of the side elastomeric material  124  is at least about 100 grams/inch. More preferably, the FCEF100% is between about 120 to about 220 grams/inch, most preferably between about 150 grams/inch and 190 grams/inch. The FCEF200% is preferably between about 160 grams/inch and about 450 grams/inch, more preferably between about 180 grams/inch and about 300 grams/inch, and yet more preferably between about 200 grams/inch and about 240 grams/inch. The SCRF50% of the side elastomeric material  124  is preferably between about 40 grams/inch and about 130 grams/inch, more preferably between about 65 grams/inch and about 105 grams/inch, and yet more preferably between about 75 grams/inch and about 95 grams/inch. The sustained load at 50% is preferably between about 40 grams/inch and about 130 grams/inch, more preferably between about 65 grams/inch and about 105 grams/inch, and yet more preferably between about 75 grams/inch and about 95 grams/inch. 
     In the preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 8 , the elastomeric scrim  124  has a plurality of first strands  125  and a plurality of second strands  127 . The plurality of first strands  125  intersect the plurality of second strands  127  at nodes  130  at a predetermined angle α, forming a net-like open structure having a plurality of apertures  132 . Each aperture  132  is defined by at least two adjacent first strands and at least two adjacent second strands, so that the apertures  132  are substantially rectangular in shape. Other configurations of the apertures  132 , such as parallelograms, squares, or circular arc segments, can also be provided. Preferably, the first and second strands  125  and  127  are substantially straight and substantially parallel to one another. Preferably, the first strands  125  intersect the second strands  127  at nodes  130  such that the angle α is about 90 degrees. The first and second strands  125  and  127  are preferably joined or bonded at nodes  130 . A preferred elastomeric scrim  124  is manufactured by the Conwed Plastics Company under the designation XO2514. This material has about 12 elastic strands per inch in the structural direction B (i.e., the first strands  125 ) and about 7 elastic strands per inch in the structural direction D (i.e., the second strands  127 ). 
     In another preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 11 , the elastomeric material  124  may comprise a porous, macroscopically-expanded, three-dimensional elastomeric web  172 . The web  172  has a continuous first surface  174  and a discontinuous second surface  176  remote from first surface  174 . The elastomeric web  172  preferably comprises a formed film having at least two polymeric layers, with at least one of the layers being an elastomer layer  178  and at least one of the other layers being a substantially less elastomeric skin layer  182 . The elastomeric web exhibits a multiplicity of primary apertures  184  in the first surface  174  of the web  172 , the primary apertures  184  being defined in the plane of the first surface  174  by a continuous network of interconnecting members  186 . Each interconnecting member  186  exhibits an upwardly concave-shaped cross-section along its length. The interconnecting members  186  terminate substantially concurrently with one another to form a secondary aperture  188  in the plane of the second surface of the web. The detail of such a structure and the method to manufacture is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/816,106, filed Mar. 14, 1997. A preferred porous elastomeric material  124  is manufactured by the Tredegar Film Products under the designation X-25007. The primary apertures  184  may have any shape. Preferably, the primary aperture  184  has a shape having a major axis and a minor axis perpendicular to said major axis, such as oval shape, and the major axis is oriented generally orthogonal to applied strain-induced stresses. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 8 , the side elastic member  70  comprises first and second coverstock layers  122  and  126 , and side elastomeric material  124  disposed in the first and second coverstock layers  122  and  126 . The first coverstock layer  122  has an inner surface  142  and an outer surface  144 . The inner surface  142  of the first coverstock layer  122  is the surface that is positioned facing the side elastomeric material  124 . The second coverstock layer  126  also has an inner surface  146  and an outer surface  148 . The inner surface  146  of the second coverstock layer  126  is the surface that is positioned facing the side elastomeric material  124 . The side elastomeric material  124  also has two planar surfaces, first surface  150  and second surface  152 , each of which is substantially parallel with the planes of the first and second coverstock layers  122  and  126 . The first surface  150  is that planar surface of the side elastomeric material  124  that is most closely adjacent with the inner surface  142  of first coverstock layer  122 . The second surface  152  is that planar surface of side elastomeric material  124  that is most closely adjacent to the inner surface  146  of the second coverstock layer  126 . 
     Since the side elastic member  70  will be subjected to mechanical stretching before and during use, the first and second coverstock layers  122  and  126  preferably has a relatively high elongation at breaking, and are more preferably stretchable or elongatable, yet more preferably drawable (but not necessarily elastomeric), without undue and preferably without any, tearing or ripping. Further, the first and second coverstock layers  122  and  126  are preferably compliant, soft feeling, and non-irritating to the wearer&#39;s skin and give the article the feel and comfort of a cloth garment. Suitable materials for the first and second coverstock layers  122  and  126  can be manufactured from a wide range of materials such as plastic films, apertured plastic films, woven or nonwoven webs of natural fibers (e.g., wood or cotton fibers), synthetic fibers (e.g., polyolefins, polyamides, polyester, polyethylene, or polypropylene fibers), or a combination of natural and/or synthetic fibers, or coated woven or nonwoven webs. 
     Preferably, each of the first and second coverstock layers  122  and  126  is an identical nonwoven material. An exemplary preferred nonwoven material is manufactured by the FiberWeb Company under the designation DAPP-S tex having a basis weight in the range of 18-35 g/m 2 . The nonwoven may be consolidated or not consolidated. Preferably, the nonwoven is consolidated for the use of a coverstock layers for an elastomeric scrim. This material has a basis weight in the range of 18-35 g/m 2  before consolidation and a basis weight in the range of about 40-70 g/m 2  after consolidation. As used herein, “basis weight” is the weight of one square meter of planar web material. Alternatively, highly strainable nonwoven materials may be used. Alternatively, the first and second coverstock layers  122  and  126  need not be of identical materials, as long as the desired performance requirements, such as elastic performance, softness, flexibility, breathability and durability, are met. As used herein, “consolidated nonwoven material” refers to a nonwoven material that has been gathered or necked under mechanical tension in the structural direction D so that the material can elongate in the structural direction D under low force. 
       FIG. 9  shows a fragmentary enlarged side view looking into the structural direction B of the laminate  120  (i.e., the side elastic member  70 ). It has been found that when the laminate  120  is bonded or otherwise anchored such that side anchor zones A are created, such a laminate  120  is both highly elastic and substantially free from delamination and creep, while providing very good performance characteristics in all performance categories with no trade-offs between any performance characteristics required. The side anchoring is preferably performed by side gluing with adhesive beads to anchor the side elastomeric material  124  between the coverstock layers  122  and  126  as a part of the lamination process. Alternatively, side anchoring may be performed by sewing, heat sealing, ultrasound bonding, needle punching, alternative gluing processes, or by any other means known to those skilled in the art. Another alternative is to side anchor the layers of the laminate structure after the lamination of the elastomeric and coverstock components has been performed. 
     Preferably, the laminate  120  may particularly provide very good soft feel for the wearer and for the consumer. This is important because consumers value softness. In conventional laminates, the attempts to eliminate creep have frequently required an unacceptable decrease in softness, often accompanied by an unacceptable decrease in the ability to activate. This is because such previous attempts (which have fallen short of eliminating creep) have focused on the application of additional melt blown adhesive, often in an overall coating pattern, in the attempt to strengthen the bonds. This has generally resulted in an undesirable overall stiffening of the laminate. However, the laminates of the preferred embodiments provide elimination of creep without the loss of consumer-desired soft feel and without compromise of activation ability. 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , a first adhesive  170  is applied to the inner surface  146  of the second coverstock layer  126  in positions that correspond to each of the outer portions  180  of the laminate structure  120 . The first adhesive  170  may alternatively or additionally be applied to the inner surface  142  of the first coverstock layer  122 . For ease of illustration, the description and FIGS. refer to application to the second coverstock layer  126  only. 
     This pattern creates side anchor zones A, which substantially eliminate the delamination and creep associated with previously known laminates and which allows the laminate  120  to experience higher strains without creeping or delaminating. It has also been found that confining the first adhesive  170  to the edge areas  180  of the laminate structure  120  avoids impeding the extensibility of the laminate  120  and also avoids tears in the coverstock layers  122  and  126 . Preferably, the first adhesive  170  is applied as a plurality of beads  168 , as shown in  FIG. 9 . Preferably, the first adhesive  170  is a flexible adhesive with an amorphous and crystallizing component. Such a preferred adhesive is made by the Findley Adhesive Company under the designation H9224. 
     More preferably, the laminate  120  includes a second adhesive  164 . The second adhesive  164  is preferably applied to the second surface  152  of the side elastomeric material  124 , but could alternatively be applied to the first surface  150  of the elastomeric material  124 . The second adhesive  164  is preferably applied in a spiral spray pattern  166 , thereby forming bond points  167   b  that are more discrete than would be formed by a linear spray application. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that most of the second adhesive  164  so sprayed aligns in the structural direction D. Thus, it has been found that spiral spraying results in very good activation properties. As used herein, “activation” refers to the ability to stretch. 
     It has been found that spraying the layer of second adhesive  164  directly onto the second surface  152  of the side elastomeric material  124  is more preferable than applying the second adhesive  164  to the opposing (i.e., second) coverstock layer  126 . This is because the second adhesive  164  tends to penetrate through any residual processing agents or oils that may remain on the surface of the side elastomeric material  124 . Such residual materials, if left to remain on the side elastomeric material  124 , may weaken the adhesive bonds and thus the laminate structure  120  over time. For example, if these residual materials are left intact, the bonds used to form the laminate  120  may weaken during the time interval prior to consumer purchase of the product. 
     Peel values for the laminate  120  in the spiral adhesive areas are typically higher when the spirals  166  are applied directly to the side elastomeric material  124  than to the opposing (i.e., second) coverstock layer  126 . Herein “peel value” refers to the amount of force required to separate the two layers of coverstock material,  122  and  126 , from each other. Higher peel values typically equate to less chance of delamination in use. 
     A third adhesive  160  may also preferably be applied to the inner surface  142  of the first coverstock layer  122 . Preferably, the third adhesive  160  is an elastomeric adhesive. In a manner similar to that described with reference to the second spiral adhesive application  166 , the first adhesive  160  is preferably applied in a spiral spray pattern  162 , thereby forming bond points  167   a  that are more discrete than would be formed by a linear spray application. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that most of the first adhesive  160  so sprayed aligns in the structural direction D. 
     Preferably, second and third adhesives  160  and  164  are the same elastomeric adhesive. A preferred adhesive for use in the second and third adhesive spiral sprays  162  and  166  is made by the Findley Adhesive Company under the designation H2120. Preferably, the add-on level for each of the second and third spiral sprays  162  and  166  is about 0.062 to about 0.186 g/m 2 , more preferably about 0.124 g/m 2 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the pull-on diaper  20  further has the continuous extensible waist feature  60 . The continuous extensible waist feature  60  improved fit, ease of application and containment. The continuous extensible waist feature  60  is that portion or zone of the pull-on diaper  20  which is intended to be elastically extensible and contract to dynamically fit the wearer&#39;s waist. The continuous extensible waist feature  60  extends along the waistband panel  6  and  7 . Preferably, the continuous extensible waist feature  60  comprises two separate elements; one continuous extensible waistband  57  positioned in the front region  26 , and the other continuous extensible waistband  59  positioned in the back region  28 , although other pull-on diapers can be constructed with a single continuous extensible waistband. Referring to  FIG. 7  as well, the continuous extensible waistband  57  and  59  preferably comprises a waist elastic member  80  having the waist elastomeric material  200  (shown in  FIG. 8 ) and an extended portion of at least one of the plurality of layers disposed associated with the absorbent core  25 , such as the topsheet  24  and the backsheet  22  (although  FIG. 7  depicts only the structures in the front region  26 , preferably the structures in the back region  28  are the same or similar to those in the front region  26 ). Preferably the continuous extensible waistband  57  and  59  is elastically extensible in at least the lateral direction, more preferably both in the lateral and longitudinal directions. In a preferred embodiment, the waistband panel  6  and  7  is rendered extensible at least in the entire lateral length of the waistband panel  6  and  7  to form the continuous extensible waistband  57  and  59  by the waist elastic member  80 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , the waist elastic member  80  may extend into the seam panel  12  and  13  so that the continuous extensible waistband  57  and the continuous extensible waistband  59  are anchored each other at the seam  32 , and the waist elastic material  80  in the front region  26  and the elastic material  80  in the back region  28  are anchored at the seam  32  ( FIG. 7  also shows the waist elastic member  80  which extends into the seam panel  12  and  13 , though the seam panel  12  and  13  is not shown in  FIG. 7 ). The continuous extensible waistband  57  and  59  forms one continuous extensible waist feature  60  in an assembled configuration of the pull-on diaper  20  as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     The continuous extensible waistband  57  and  59  may be formed by unitary elements of the pull-on diaper  20  (i.e., they are not separately manipulative elements secured to the pull-on diaper  20 , but rather are formed from and are extended portions of one or more of the various layers of the pull-on diaper). In a preferred embodiment, each of the continuous extensible waistband  57  and  59  comprises a projected member of the chassis  41 . Preferably, the continuous extensible waistband  57  and  59  comprises at least one unitary element or a continuous sheet material that forms a part of the chassis  41  and continuously extends into the continuous extensible waistband  57  and  59 . Alternatively, the continuous extensible waistband  57  and  59  may be discrete members which do not have any unitary element that forms a part of the chassis  41 . The continuous extensible waistband  57  and  59  may be formed by joining the discrete members to the waist portions of the chassis  41 . 
     The continuous extensible waistband  57  and  59  comprises the waist elastic member  80  and an extended portion of at least one of the plurality of layers disposed associated with the absorbent core  25 , such as the topsheet  24  and the backsheet  22 . If an additional layer, such as the inner barrier cuff  54  or an additional liquid absorbing tissue layer, is added associated with the absorbent core  25 , the additional layer may form a part of the continuous extensible waistband  57  and  59 . In a preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 , the side portion  57 B of the continuous extensible waistband  57  comprises a lamination of an extended portion  72  of the inner barrier cuff  54 , the end extended portion  23 A of the nonwoven outer cover  23 , and a side part of the waist elastic member  80 . The central portion  57 A of the extensible waistband  57  comprises a lamination of the end extended portion  24 A of the topsheet  24 , the end extended portion  23 A of the nonwoven outer cover  23 , and a center part of the waist elastic member  80  (although  FIG. 7  depicts only the structures in the front region  26 , preferably the structures in the back region  28  are the same or similar to those in the front region  26 ). However, in the embodiment, the inner barrier film  68  does not extend into the continuous extensible waistband  57 . Alternatively, the inner barrier cuff  54 , the topsheet  24  and/or the nonwoven outer cover  23  may not extend into the continuous extensible waistband  57 . The extended portion  72  of the inner barrier cuff  54  also may not extend into the continuous extensible waistband  57 . If both of the topsheet  24  and the nonwoven outer cover  23  do not extend into the continuous extensible waistband  57 , the continuous extensible waistband  57  may comprise an extended portion of the inner barrier film  68  and the waist elastic member  80 . 
     The waist elastic member  80  is superposed inside the innermost surface (body-facing surface) of the pull-on diaper  20 . The waist elastic member  80  may be operatively joined to the extended portions  72  of the inner barrier cuffs  54 , the end extended portion  23 A of the nonwoven outer cover  23 , and the end extended portion  24 A of the topsheet  24 . The waist elastic member  80  can be operatively joined thereto, by using either an intermittent bonding configuration or a substantially continuous bonding configuration. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the adhesive selected is applied in a spiral pattern (such as is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,911,173 (Sprague, Jr.) and U.S. Pat. No. 4,842,666 (Werenicz)) at a basis weight of about 0.116 g/m 2 . The spirals have a width of about 1.9 cm (0.75 in) and either are positioned just next to each other or overlap slightly (less than 2 mm). The adhesive is preferably an adhesive such as is available from Findley Adhesives under the designation H2120. Alternatively, the waist elastic member and any other components of the stretch laminates may be intermittently or continuously bonded to one another using heat bonding, pressure bonding, ultrasonic bonding, dynamic mechanical bonding, or any other method as is known in the art. 
     The entire unstrained length of the waist elastic member  80  is preferably prestrained in the lateral direction before operatively joined to the extended portions  72  of the left and right inner barrier cuffs  54 , the end extended portion  24 A of the topsheet  24 , and the end extended portion  23 A of the nonwoven outer cover  23 . The entire unstained length of the waist elastic member  80  is prestrained in the lateral direction up to at least the original length of the waistband panel  6  and  7  of the chassis  41 . The entire unstained length of the waist elastic member  80  may be further prestrained to extend into a part of the seam panel  12  and  13 . In the embodiment, the waistband panel  6  and  7  of the chassis  41  comprises the extended portions  72  of the left and right inner barrier cuffs  54 , the end extended portion  24 A of the topsheet  24 , and the end extended portion  23 A of the nonwoven outer cover  23 . Herein “original length” refers to the length of a single material or a composite material before being rendered elastically extensible and before being permanently mechanically stretched. Herein “prestrained entire length” refers to the entire length of an elastic material under a condition where a part of or the entire length of the elastic material is prestrained in the lateral direction. In the embodiment, the original length of the waistband panel  6  and  7  is generally the same as the combined length of the extended portions  72  of the left and right inner barrier cuffs  54  and the end extended portion  24 A of the topsheet  24  under an assembled configuration before the waist elastic member  80  is joined thereto. The original length of the waistband panel  6  and  7  is also generally the same as the length of the end extended portion  23 A of the nonwoven outer cover  23  before the waist elastic member  80  is joined thereto. The waist elastic member  80  is preferably prestrained in range of from 20 to 100% of its unstrained (i.e. untensioned) length. More preferably, the waist elastic member  80  may be prestrained in range of from 40 to 80%. After the prestrained waist elastic member  80  is joined, the waist elastic member  80  is then allowed to return to their substantially untensioned condition with the other components, such as the extended portions  72  of the inner barrier cuffs  54 , the end extended portion  24 A of the topsheet  24 , and the end extended portion  23 A of the nonwoven outer cover  23 , joined to the waist elastic member  80 . Thus the continuous extensible waistband  57  and  59  is formed that is extensible, from the untensioned length of the waist elastic member  80  at least to the original length of the waistband panel  6  and  7  of the chassis  41 . 
     Alternatively, only a part of the waist elastic member  80  may be prestrained before operatively joined to the extended portion of at least one of the plurality of layers, such that the prestrained entire length of the waist elastic member  80  in a condition where a part of the waist elastic member  80  is prestrained is generally the same as the original length of the waistband panel  6  and  7  of the chassis  41 . Preferably, only a part of the waist elastic material  80 , which extends along the lateral width X (shown in  FIG. 3 ) of the absorbent core  25  adjacent to the waist elastic material  80 , may be prestrained. 
     Examples of extensible materials are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,075,189 issued to Galligan on Mar. 30, 1937; U.S. Pat. No. 3,025,199 issued to Harwood on Mar. 13, 1962; U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,107,364 and 4,209,563 issued to Sisson on Aug. 15, 1978 and Jun. 24, 1980, respectively; U.S. Pat. No. 4,834,741 issued to Sabee on May 30, 1989; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,151,092 issued to Buell et al., on Sep. 29, 1992. 
     The continuous extensible waistband  57  and  59  is formed to be extensible, from the length of the untensioned waist elastic member  80  at least up to the original length of the waistband panel  6  and  7  of the chasm  41 . However, the waist elastic member  80  is usually joined to the extended portion of a least one of the plurality of layers disposed associated with the absorbent core  25 , such as the topsheet  24  and the backsheet  22  which are substantially non-elastic. Thereof, the waist elastic member  80  can extend only between the length of the untensioned waist elastic member  80  and the original length of the waistband panel  6  and  7  of the chassis  41 , and can not extend beyond the original length of the waistband panel  6  and  7  of the chassis  41 . This restricts the upper limit of the extension range of the continuous extensible waistband  57  and  59  (i.e., continuous extensible waist feature  60 ), even if the waist elastomeric material  80  itself is capable of extending beyond the original length of the waistband panel  6  and  7  of the chassis  41  or the entire length of the prestrained waist elastomeric material  80 . This restriction in the upper limit of the extension range does not allow enough extensibility for the continuous extensible waistband  57  and  59 . Therefore, when the pull-on diaper  20  is extended for application to the wearer, the pull-on diaper  20  may not provide enough size of waist opening or the applicator must apply much high force to the pull-on diaper  20  to seek extensibility from other extensible materials in the pull-on diaper  20  to obtain enough size of waist opening. This may cause difficulty in applying the pull-on diaper to the wearer. 
     Therefore, the continuous extensible waistband  57  and  59  is rendered elastically extensible to provide greater range of extensibility (i.e., extension range) beyond the original length of the waistband panel  6  and  7  of the chassis  41  or the entire length of the prestrained waist elastic member  80 . Namely, after the waist elastic member  80  is operatively joined under a prestrained (tensioned) condition to the inner barrier cuff  54 , the topsheet  24  and the nonwoven outer cover  23  and before returning to their substantially untensioned condition, at least a portion of, preferably the entire of the resultant composite stretch laminate (i.e., continuous extensible waistband  57  and  59 ) is then subjected to mechanical stretching sufficient to permanently elongate the non-elastic components which are the extended portions  72  of the left and right inner barrier cuffs  54 , the end extended portion  24 A of the topsheet  24 , the end extended portion  23 A of the nonwoven outer cover  23 , and the coverstock layers (if any) constituting a part of the waist elastic member  80 . The composite stretch laminate is then allowed to return to its substantially untensioned condition. Therefore, the waist elastic member  80  is extensible from the untensioned length beyond the original length of the waistband panel  6  and  7  of the chassis  41  at least up to the permanently elongated length of the non-elastic components. This provides wider extension range for the continuous extensible waistband  57  and  59 , thereby providing a benefit of ease of application. Alternatively the waist elastic member  80  may be joined to the inner barrier cuffs  54 , the topsheet  24  and the nonwoven outer cover  23  in a substantially untensioned (zero strain) condition so as to form a “zero strain” stretch laminate. Preferred apparatus and methods are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,167,897 issued to Weber et al. on Dec. 1, 1992; U.S. Pat. No. 5,156,793 issued to Buell et al. on Oct. 20, 1990; U.S. Pat. No. 5,143,679 issued to Weber et al. on Sep. 1, 1992 and European Patent Application No. 98108290.2 titled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ACTIVATING A MOVING WEB” filed on May 7, 1998 (Christoph J. Schmitz et al.). 
     The waist elastic member  80  comprises the waist elastomeric material  200  which can use the same material/structure as the side elastomeric material  124 . Alternatively, the waist elastomeric material  200  may use material/structure different from the side elastomeric material  124 . The waist elastic member  80  may further include one of, or both of a first coverstock layer  202  and a second coverstock layer  204 . The structure of the waist elastic member  80  may be the same or similar to that of the side elastic member  70 . The structure, materials and/or properties of the coverstock layers  202  and  204  may be the same or similar to those of the coverstock layers  122  and  126 , or may be different from those. Further, the method to join the waist elastomeric material  200  to the coverstock layers  202  and  204  may be the same or similar to the method of those described for the ear panel member  70  above, or may be different from those. In a preferred embodiment, the waist elastic member  80  comprises the waist elastomeric material  200  and one layer of the coverstock layer  202  or  204 . In such a case, the waist elastomeric material  200  is disposed facing the inner barrier cuffs  54  and the topsheet  27 , and the coverstock layer  202  or  204  is disposed so as to face and contact the wearer&#39;s body such that the wearer&#39;s skin is not directly pressed by the waist elastomeric material  200  thereby reducing the incidence of red marking on the skin. 
       FIG. 12  shows another preferred embodiment of the continuous extensible waistband  57  and  59 . In this embodiment, the waist elastic member  80  is superposed inside the nonwoven outer cover  23 . Preferably, in the side portions  57 B of the continuous extensible waistband  57 , the waist elastic member  80  is interposed between the extended portions  72  of the inner barrier cuffs  54  and the end extended portion  23 A of the nonwoven outer cover  23 . In the central portion  57 A, the waist elastic member  80  is interposed between the end extended portion  24 A of the topsheet  24  and the end extended portion  23 A of the nonwoven outer cover  23 . The waist elastic member  80  may be operatively joined to the extended portions  72  of the inner barrier cuffs  54 , the end extended portion  23 A of the nonwoven outer cover  23 , and the end extended portion  24 A of the topsheet  24 . In one embodiment, the waist elastic member  80  may comprise the waist elastomeric material  200  and one layer of the coverstock layer  202  or  204 . In one case, the waist elastomeric material  200  is disposed facing the inner barrier cuffs  54  and the topsheet  27 , and the coverstock layer  202  or  204  is disposed facing the nonwoven outer cover  23 . This disposition of the coverstock layer tends to inhibit the waist elastomeric material  200  is seen through from the outside because one layer (coverstock layer) is added to interpose between the waist elastomeric material  200  and the nonwoven outer cover  23 . In another case, the waist elastomeric material  200  is disposed facing the nonwoven outer cover  23 , and the coverstock layer  202  or  204  is disposed facing the inner barrier cuffs  54  and the topsheet  27 . This disposition of the coverstock layer tends to reduce the incidence of red marking on the skin because one layer (coverstock layer) is added to interpose between the waist elastomeric material  200  and the skin of the wearer. In both cases, because one of the coverstock layers is eliminated (compared with two layers of the coverstock layers), bulkiness in the continuous extensible waistband  57  reduces. Further, breathability at the continuous extensible waistband  57  enhances because of less material therein. In addition, the continuous extensible waistband  57  becomes to have more available extensibility. The continuous extensible waistband  57  is formed by the waist elastic member  80  comprising the waist elastomeric material  200  which is prestrained and then returned to the original untensioned condition in a preferred embodiment. When the waist elastomeric material  200  returns to its original untensioned condition, the other components joined to the waist elastomeric material  200  tends to inhibit the waist elastomeric material  200  to return its original untensioned length. Therefore, the waist elastomeric material  200  can not utilize the whole extensibility. However, in the embodiment described above, since bulkiness in the continuous extensible waistband  57  reduces, the waist elastomeric material  200  can return as close as its original untensioned length. Therefore, the waist elastomeric material  200  becomes to have more available extensibility. 
     Alternatively, the waist elastic member  80  may comprise one layer of the waist elastomeric material  200  without any coverstock layers. In the side portions  57 B of the extensible waistband  57 , the waist elastomeric material  200  is interposed and joined directly between the extended portions  72  of the inner barrier cuffs  72  and the end extended portion  23 A of the nonwoven outer cover  23 . In the central portion  57 A, the waist elastomeric material  200  is interposed and joined directly between the end extended portion  24 A of the topsheet  24  and the nonwoven outer cover  23 . This structure is also useful to reduce bulkiness, to enhance breathability, and to have more available extensibility, in the extensible waistband  57 . 
     The side elastic member  70  and the waist elastic member  80  consist of separate elements and both members  70  and  80  are preferably disposed not to overlap to each other in the longitudinal direction. However, both members  70  and  80  are preferably disposed without a substantial gap inbetween such that the members  70  and  80  form a composite elastomeric network in the extensible ears  46  and  48 . Herein “composite elastomeric network” refers to a zone or area where two or more separate elastomeric materials substantially continue with no gap between the elastomeric materials or with a predetermined interval, thereby exhibiting a behavior of extensibility like a single elastomeric material. Preferably, both members  70  and  80  are disposed with no gap. Therefore, it is perceived that the extensible ear  46  and  48  and the side portion  57 B and  59 B of the continuous extensible waistband  57  and  59  comprise a continuous single elastomeric material between the waist opening  36  and the leg openings in an assembled configuration of the pull-on diaper  20 . The side elastic member  70  and the waist elastic member  80  consist of separate elements, therefore the side elastomeric material  124  and the waist elastomeric material  200  also consist of separate elements. The separated structure allows the design of the side elastomeric material  124  and the waist elastomeric material  200  using different materials in each components, so this allows different properties of extensibility such as force versus extension curve for different parts of the pull-on diaper  20 . The separated structure also allows use of the side elastomeric material  124  and the waist elastomeric material  200  in different conditions, such as in a prestrained (tensioned) condition or untensioned condition. This allows differentiation of the force required to extend different parts of the pull-on diaper  20  up to the same length or equalize force required to extend different parts up to the different length, thereby adjusting the pressure applied to the skin of the wearer. For example, the pull-on diaper  20  may have a waist elastomeric material  200  provided with high extensibility at low force such that the continuous extensible waist feature  60  is extended easily by low force applied by the applicator for ease of application of the pull-on diaper  20  while the pull-on diaper  20  may have a side elastomeric material  124  generating force required for sustained fit at the extensible ear  46  and  48 , but the force may not give red marking to the skin. In one embodiment, the continuous extensible waist feature  60  comprising the waist elastomeric material  200  is designed to have extensibility of at least 100% while the extensible ear  46  and  48  comprising the side elastomeric material  124  is designed to have force between 40 g/inch and 130 g/inch when the extensible ear  46  and  48  is extended up to 50% (more concretely, at SCRF50%). 
     Both the side elastic member  70  and the waist elastic member  80  are disposed not to overlap to each other in the longitudinal direction, therefore, the side elastomeric material  124  and the waist elastomeric material  200  also do not overlap. Because the side elastic member  70  and the waist elastic member  80  are not structurally overlapped, each member  70  and  80  comprises a single material of extensibility, therefore it has substantially homogeneous property of extensibility. This allows the applicator to extend the pull-on diaper  20  smoothly without feeling the change of force applied during extending for application of the pull-on diaper. 
     The seams  32  each joins the seam panels  12  and  13 , thereby joining the corresponding portions of the extensible ears  46  and  48 , and thereby forming two leg openings  34  and one waist opening  36 . The front and back extensible ears  46  and  48  are seamed, preferably, along the outer side edges  46 D and  48 D, in an overlapped manner to make an overlapped seam structure. Alternatively, the front and back extensible ears  46  and  48  can be seamed in a butt seam manner (not shown in FIGS.). The bonding of the seams  32  can be performed by any suitable means known in the art appropriate for the specific materials employed in the front and back extensible ears  46  and  48 . Thus, sonic sealing, heat sealing, pressure bonding, adhesive or cohesive bonding, sewing, autogeneous bonding, and the like may be appropriate techniques. Preferably, the seam panels  12  and  13  are joined by a predetermined pattern of heat/pressure or ultrasonic welds which withstands the forces and stresses generated on the pull-on diaper  20  during wear. The seams  32  also connect the continuous extensible waistbands  57  and  59  to form the continuous extensible waist feature  60  about the waist opening  36 . When the side elastic member  70  and the waist elastic member  80  extend into the seam panel  12  and  13 , the seams  32  anchor the side elastic member  70  in the front region  26  to the side elastic member  70  in the back region  28  and anchor the waist elastic member  80  in the front region  26  to the waist elastic member  80  in the back region  28 . Examples of seams are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,569,234 issued to Buell, et al. on Oct. 29, 1996, U.S. Pat. No. 5,607,537 issued to Johnson et al. on Mar. 4, 1997, U.S. Pat. No. 5,662,638 issued to Johnson et al. on Sep. 2, 1997, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,685,874 issued to Buell et al. on Nov. 11, 1997. Preferable seams are disclosed in European Patent Application No. 96118654.1 titled “Thermal Joining of Webs” filed on Nov. 21, 1996 (Christoph J. Schmitz). 
     In a preferred embodiment, the outer side edge  46 D and  48 D is non-parallel to the inner side edge  46 C and  48 C and is non parallel to the longitudinal center line  100 . The outer side edge  46 D and  48 D projects laterally outwardly proximate the lower end edge  46 B and  48 B. The extensible ear  46  and  48  has a lateral width L 1  between the inner side edge  46 C and  48 C and the outer side edge  46 D and  48 D proximate the lower end edge  46 B and  48 B greater than a lateral width L 2  between the inner side edge  46 C and  48 C and the outer side edge  46 D and  48 D proximate the higher end edge  46 A and  48 A. Therefore, the available elastomeric material quantity in the lateral direction of the extensible ear  46  and  48  is greater proximate the lower end edge  46 B and  48 B than proximate the higher end edge  46 A and  48 A. The extensibility proximate the lower end edge  46 B and  48 B is enhanced. In addition, because both extensible ear  46  and extensible ear  48  have greater lateral width (i.e., available elastomeric material quantity) proximate the lower end edge  46 B and  48 B, lateral width (i.e., available elastomeric material quantity) further becomes greater proximate the lower end edge  46 B and  48 B by combining the extensible ear  46  and the extensible ear  48 . Because of the configuration being greater width proximate the lower end edge  46 B and  48 B, the pull-on diaper has more elastomeric material quantity available about the leg openings while the pull-on diaper maintains elastomeric material quantity about the waist opening. Therefore, the pull-on diaper does not give too high pressure to the skin causing the negative skin incidence about the leg openings while maintaining a sustained fit about the waist opening. In a configuration where the extensible ear  46  and the extensible ear  48  are joined, the seam  32  is non-parallel to the longitudinal center line  100  as shown in  FIG. 13  such that the seam  32  projects laterally outwardly proximate the lower portion  32 A of the seam  32 . Further, as explained hereinabove, the waist elastic member  80  is joined to the waistband panel  6  and  7  of the chassis  41  in a tensioned (prestrained) condition and allowed to return to the substantially untensioned condition while the side elastic member  70  is joined to the extensible ear  46  and  48  in an untensioned condition. Therefore, the circumference of the pull-on diaper  20  about the continuous extensible waist feature  60  further becomes smaller under an untensioned condition than the circumference of the pull-on diaper  20  through a portion of the extensible ear  46  and  48 . This configuration further improves a sustained fit about the waist opening while reducing the skin incidence about the leg openings. Herein “circumferential direction” refers to a direction along the waist opening in an assembled configuration of the pull-on diaper. Herein “circumference” refers to a length of the pull-diaper along the circumferential direction. 
     The continuous belt zone  38  is formed by the front and back extensible ears  46  and  48 , a part of the chassis  41 , and the continuous extensible waist feature  60  as shown in  FIG. 1 . The continuous belt zone is that portion or a belt-like zone of the pull-on diaper which is extensible such that the circumference of the continuous belt zone is extended for application of the pull-on diaper  20 . When the pull-on diaper  20  is applied to the wearer, the pull-on diaper  20  must be extended to secure wider waist opening and wider leg opening for ease of application of the pull-on diaper  20 . The continuous belt zone  38  is that portion capable of being extended. The continuous belt zone  38  is, in an assembled configuration shown in  FIG. 1 , encompassed by the waist edge  151  and  155  of the pull-on diaper  20 , the leg edge  153  and  156 , the lateral edge  159  of the crotch region  30  in the front region  26  and the back region  28 . The continuous belt zone  38  has the least height typically at the ear panels. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the least height of the continuous belt zone  38  is measured along the seams  32 . The continuous belt zone  38  also has a continuous lowermost line  35  which is not interrupted by the leg openings  34 , but is the closest to the leg openings  34 . The continuous belt zone  38  has two portions; a continuous waist belt zone  37  in which the continuous extensible waist feature  60  extends, and a continuous lower belt zone  39  in which the extensible ears  46  and  48  and a part of the chassis  41  extend. In a preferred embodiment, the continuous waist belt zone  37  conforms with the continuous extensible waist feature  60 . 
     In one preferred embodiment where the pull-on diaper shown in  FIG. 3  becomes an assembled configuration as shown in  FIG. 1 , the initial circumference of the continuous belt zone  38  along the waist edge  151  and  155  may be from 200 mm to 500 mm in an untensioned condition, preferably from 250 mm to 400 mm. The circumference of the continuous belt zone  38  along the waist edge  151  and  155  extends up to at least 650 mm, preferably at least 700 mm, more preferably at least 750 mm (extended circumference). The circumference of the continuous belt zone  38  along the line  35  may be from 300 mm to 550 mm, preferably from 350 mm to 500 mm. The least height of the continuous belt zone  38  measured along the seams  32  may be from 50 mm to 150 mm, preferably from 80 mm to 120 mm. The height of the continuous waist belt zone  37  (i.e., continuous extensible waist feature  60 ) may be from 5 mm to 40 mm, preferably from 15 mm to 30 mm. The combined lateral length of the extensible ears  46  and  48  in one side of the pull-on diaper  20  along the line  35  is from 50 mm to 120 mm, preferably from 60 mm to 100 mm. 
     The pull-on diaper having a configuration shown in  FIG. 3 , when it becomes an assembled configuration, lowers the pressure to the skin of the wearer locally especially about the leg openings  34  because the extensible ear  46  and  48  has greater lateral width (available extensibility in the lateral direction) proximate the lower end edge  46 B and  48 B. If necessary, the side elastomeric material  124  may use a material having lower SCRF50% force to further lower the pressure about the leg openings  34 . However, lowering the SCRF50% force about the leg openings  34  may result in losing sustained fit for the whole pull-on diaper. Therefore, raising the pressure about the waist opening  36  may be necessary to achieve a sustained fit for the whole pull-on diaper. This may be achieved by prestraining only the waist elastomeric material  200  before joining to the waistband panel  6  and  7 . In addition, the waist elastomeric material  200  may use a material having a higher SCRF50% force to further raise the pressure about the waist opening  36 . These combinations of force distributions allow the pull-on diaper to achieve a sustained fit about the waist opening with less incidence of red marking on the skin about the leg openings. Alternatively, the pull-on diaper having a configuration shown in  FIG. 3 , when it becomes an assembled configuration, may provide a sustained fit about the leg openings and less incidence of red marking on the skin about the waist opening. This can be achieved, for example, using a material having lower SCRF50% force for the waist elastomeric material  200  to lower the pressure about the waist opening  36 . The side elastomeric material  124  may use a material having a lower SCRF50% force. Further, the side elastomeric material  124  may be prestrained before joining to the ear panel  6  and  7 . 
       FIG. 14  shows an alternative embodiment of the pull-on diaper  20 . As shown, the outer side edge  46 D and  48 D of the extensible ear  46  and  48  may extend parallel to the longitudinal center line (not shown in  FIG. 14 ) and is parallel to the inner side edge  46 C and  48 C. In addition, the extensible ear  46  and  48  has generally the same length L 3  of the elastomeric material in the lateral direction proximate the lower end edge  46 B and  48 B and proximate the higher end edge  46 A and  48 A such that the extensible ear  46  and  48  provides generally the same available elastomeric material quantity in the lateral direction in the extensible ear  46  and  48 . 
     In another preferred embodiment where the pull-on diaper shown in  FIG. 14  becomes an assembled configuration, the initial circumference of the continuous belt zone  38  along the waist end edge  151  and  155  may be from 210 mm to 510 mm in an untensioned condition, preferably from 260 mm to 410 mm. The circumference of the continuous belt zone  38  along the waist edge  151  and  155  extends up to at least 650 mm, preferably at least 700 mm, more preferably at least 750 mm (extended circumference). The circumference of the continuous belt zone  38  along the line  35  may be from 300 mm to 540 mm, preferably from 390 mm to 490 mm. The least height of the continuous belt zone  38  measured along the seams  32  may be from 50 mm to 150 mm, preferably from 80 mm to 120 mm. The height of the continuous waist belt zone  37  (i.e., continuous extensible waist feature  60 ) may be from 5 mm to 40 mm, preferably from 15 mm to 30 mm. The combined lateral length of the extensible ears  46  and  48  in one side of the pull-on diaper  20  along the line  35  is from 50 mm to 120 mm, preferably from 60 mm to 100 mm. 
     The pull-on diaper having a configuration shown in  FIG. 14 , when it becomes an assembled configuration, may provide a sustained fit about the waist opening and less incidence of red marking on the skin about the leg openings. To achieve it, the side elastomeric material  124  may use a material having lower SCRF50% force. Coincidentally, the force of the waist elastomeric material  200  may be raised by using a material having higher SCRF50% force. The waist elastomeric material  200  may also be prestrained before being joined to the waistband panel  6  and  7  for that purpose. Conversely, the pull-on diaper having the configuration shown in  FIG. 14 , when it becomes an assembled configuration, may provide a sustained fit about the leg openings and less incidence of red marking on the skin about the waist opening. It is achieved by using a material having lower SCRF50% force for the waist elastomeric material  200 . Coincidentally, the force of the side elastomeric material  124  may be raised by using a material having higher SCRF50%. The side elastomeric material  124  may also be prestrained before joined to the ear panel  10  and  11  for that purpose. 
       FIG. 15  shows an alternative embodiment of the pull-on diaper  20 . As shown, the outer side edge  46 D and  48 D is non-parallel to the inner side edge  46 C and  48 C and is non-parallel to the longitudinal center line (not shown in  FIG. 15 ). The outer side edge  46 D and  48 D projects laterally outwardly proximate the lower end edge  46 B and  48 B. Therefore, the extensible ear  46  and  48  has a lateral width L 5  between the inner side edge  46 C and  48 C and the outer side edge  46 D and  48 D proximate the lower end edge  46 B and  48 B, and a lateral width L 4  between the inner side edge  46 C and  48 C and the outer side edge  46 D and  48 D proximate the higher end edge  46 A and  48 A. The lateral width L 4  is greater than the lateral width L 5 , therefore, lateral width (available elastomeric material quantity in the lateral direction) of the extensible ear  46  and  48  is greater proximate the higher end edge  46 A and  48 A than proximate the lower end edge  46 B and  48 B. The extensibility proximate the higher end edge  46 A and  48 A is enhanced. In addition, because both extensible ear  46  and extensible ear  48  have greater lateral width (available elastomeric material quantity) proximate the higher end edge  46 A and  48 A, lateral width (available elastomeric material quantity) further becomes greater proximate the higher end edge  46 A and  48 A by combining the extensible ear  46  and the extensible ear  48 . In a configuration where the extensible ear  46  and the extensible ear  48  are joined, the seam  32  is non-parallel to the longitudinal center line  100  such that the seam  32  projects laterally outwardly proximate the higher portion  32 B of the seam  32  as shown in  FIG. 16 . In  FIG. 16 , because the waist elastomeric material  200  is prestrained before joining to the waistband panel  6  and  7 , the circumference along the continuous extensible waist feature  60  is a little contracted. If the waist elastomeric material  200  is further prestrained, the circumference along the continuous extensible waist feature  60  becomes smaller than the circumference of the pull-on diaper  20  through a portion of the extensible ear  46  and  48  as shown in  FIG. 17 . As a result, the shape of the pull-on diaper  20  in the assembled configuration may become similar to the shape shown in  FIGS. 1 and 13 . However, because of the original configuration of the extensible ear  46  and  48  having greater lateral width proximate the higher end edge  46 A and  48 A, the pull-on diaper  20  shown in  FIG. 17  still has greater elastomeric material quantity proximate the higher end edge  46 A and  48 A. 
     In another preferred embodiment where the pull-on diaper shown in  FIG. 15  becomes an assembled configuration, the initial circumference of the continuous belt zone  38  along the waist end edge  151  and  155  may be from 220 mm to 520 mm in an untensioned condition, preferably from 270 mm to 420 mm. The circumference of the continuous belt zone  38  along the waist end edge  151  and  155  extends up to at least 650 mm, preferably at least 700 mm, more preferably at least 750 mm (extended circumference). The circumference of the continuous belt zone  38  along the line  35  may be from 300 mm to 530 mm, preferably from 380 mm to 480 mm. The least height of the continuous belt zone  38  measured along the seams  32  may be from 50 mm to 150 mm, preferably from 80 mm to 120 mm. The height of the continuous waist belt zone  37  (i.e., continuous extensible waist feature  60 ) may be from 5 mm to 40 mm, preferably from 15 mm to 30 mm. The combined lateral length of the extensible ears  46  and  48  in one side of the pull-on diaper  20  along the line  35  is from 50 mm to 120 mm, preferably from 60 mm to 100 mm. 
     The pull-on diaper having the configuration shown in  FIG. 15 , when it becomes an assembled configuration, lowers the pressure to the skin of the wearer locally especially about the waist opening  34  because the extensible ear  46  and  48  has greater lateral width (available elastomeric material quantity in a lateral direction) proximate the higher end edge  46 A and  48 A. If necessary, the waist elastomeric material  200  may use a material having lower SCRF50% force to further lower the pressure about the waist opening  36 . However, lowering the SCRF50% force about the waist opening  36  may result in losing sustained fit for the whole pull-on diaper. Therefore, raising the pressure about the leg openings  34  may be necessary to achieve sustained fit for the whole pull-on diaper. This may be achieved by prestraining only the side elastomeric material  124  before joining to the ear panel  10  and  11 . In addition, the side elastomeric material  124  may use a material having a higher SCRF50% force to further raise the pressure about the leg openings  34 . These combinations of force distributions allow the pull-on diaper to achieve a sustained fit about the leg openings and less incidence of red marking on the skin about the waist opening. Alternatively, the pull-on diaper having a configuration shown in  FIG. 15 , when it becomes an assembled configuration, may provide a sustained fit about the waist opening and less incidence of red marking on the skin about the leg openings. This can be achieved, for example, using a material having lower SCRF50% force for the side elastomeric material  124  to lower the pressure about the leg openings  34 . The waist elastomeric material  200  may use a material having a higher SCRF50% force. Further, the waist elastomeric material  200  may be prestrained before joining to the waistband panel  6  and  7 . 
     The continuous belt zone  38  contributes to dynamically create fit force in the pull-on diaper  20  when positioned on the wearer, to maintain the pull-on diaper  20  on the wearer. Although higher fit force generated by the continuous belt zone  38  is preferable for sustained fit for the pull-on diaper, the continuous belt zone  38  generating the higher fit force causes difficulty in applying the pull-on diaper to the wearer because the applicator of the pull-on diaper must apply higher force to the pull-on diaper to extend the continuous belt zone  38  such that the wider waist opening and wider leg openings are secured. Because the continuous belt zone  38  comprises the side elastomeric material  124  and the waist elastomeric material  200 , both elastomeric materials must be extended during the process of pulling on the pull-on diaper. Therefore, the property of extensibility of the continuous belt zone  38  including the side and waist elastomeric materials are more important than those of a solo continuous extensible waist feature  66  and/or those of a solo extensible ear  46  and  48 , though the property of extensibility of a solo continuous extensible waist feature  60  and/or a solo extensible ear  46  and  48  are still important. Prior art such as U.S. Pat. No. 5,601,547 published on Feb. 11, 1997 to Kato, et al. discloses a waist elastic system with improved modulus of elasticity for a child&#39;s training pant providing a more comfortable fit and improved ease of use. However, this publication is directed to only improvement of the waist elastic system. 
     The continuous belt zone  38  is extensible in the extension range from an initial extension (i.e., 0%). The extension is calculated from the equation: ((extended circumference−initial circumference)/initial circumference)×100 and expressed in the unit of % (percent). The initial circumference of the continuous belt zone  38  is the circumference under an untensioned condition of the continuous belt zone  38 . The extended circumference is the circumference under an extended condition of the continuous belt zone  38 . The wider extension range allows to secure the wider waist opening and the wider leg openings for application of the pull-on diaper  20 . The wider extended circumference allows to secure the wider space between the extended pull-on diaper and the body of the wearer for application of the pull-on diaper  20 . The circumference of the continuous belt zone  38  is the circumference measured along the waist border of the continuous belt zone  38  (i.e., the waist edges  151  and  155  of the continuous extensible waist feature  60 ). 
     In order to provide a benefit of ease of application of the pull-on diaper (i.e., wider waist opening and wider leg openings), the initial circumference of the continuous belt zone  38  of the pull-on diaper may be between about 220 mm and about 500 mm, and the extended circumference of the continuous belt zone  38  of the pull-on diaper is at least about 650 mm. More specifically, the initial circumference of the continuous belt zone  38  of the pull-on diaper designed to fit toddlers weighing from about 7 kgs to about 10 kgs is between about 220 mm and about 460 mm, preferably about 250 mm and about 360 mm. The initial circumference of the continuous belt zone  38  of the pull-on diaper designed to fit toddlers weighing from about 9 kgs to about 14 kgs is between about 240 mm and about 480 mm, preferably about 270 mm and about 380 mm. The initial circumference of the continuous belt zone  38  of the pull-on diaper designed to fit toddlers weighing about 13 kgs or above is between about 260 mm and about 500 mm, preferably about 290 mm and about 400 mm. The extended circumference of the continuous belt zone  38  of the pull-on diaper designed to fit toddlers weighing from about 7 kgs to about 10 kgs is at least about 650 mm, preferably about 700 mm. The extended circumference of the continuous belt zone  38  of the pull-on diaper designed to fit toddlers weighing from about 9 kgs to about 14 kgs is at least about 700 mm, preferably about 750 mm. The extended circumference of the continuous belt zone  38  of the pull-on diaper designed to fit toddlers weighing about 13 kgs or above is at least about 750 mm, preferably about 800 mm. The pull-on diaper has the extension range up to at least the extension of about 125%, preferably about 135%, more preferably about 150%. 
     The continuous belt zone  38  also has a force versus extension curve in the extension range and a modulus of extensibility in the extension range. The force versus extension curve represents a relationship of a force required to extend the continuous belt zone  38  and an extension of the continuous belt zone  38 . The modulus of extensibility represents a rate of force change to extension change and is expressed in the unit of g/% extension (grams/percent extension). The method to obtain the modulus of extensibility is set forth below. The higher modulus of extensibility means higher rate of force change to extend the continuous belt zone  38 . When modulus of extensibility becomes dramatically high, the applicator recognizes that part as a limitation of extension. Conversely, the lower modulus of extensibility means lower rate of force change to extend the continuous belt zone  38 . This allows the applicator to extend the continuous belt zone  38  without adding higher force, and the applicator may not recognize the limitation of extension. Therefore, it is preferable the continuous belt zone  38  has lower modulus of extensibility at the extended circumference for application of the pull-on diaper. In addition, the lower force to extend the pull-on diaper up to the extended circumference for application of the pull-on diaper is preferable. 
     In order to provide a benefit of ease of application of the pull-on diaper (i.e., lower force to obtain the extension for application of the pull-on diaper and lower modulus of extensibility at the extension for application of the pull-on diaper), the modulus of extensibility at the extension of 125% is not greater than about 150 g/% extension, preferably not greater than about 120 g/% extension, more preferably not greater than about 100 g/% extension. The modulus of extensibility in the extension range up to the extension of 125% is preferably not greater than about 150 g/% extension, more preferably not greater than about 120 g/% extension. The modulus of extensibility at the extension of 135% is not greater than about 200 g/% extension, preferably not greater than about 175 g/% extension, more preferably not greater than about 150 g/% extension. The modulus of extensibility in the extension range up to the extension of 135% is preferably not greater than about 200 g/% extension, more preferably not greater than about 175 g/% extension. The modulus of extensibility at the extension of 150% is preferably not greater than about 300 g/% extension, more preferably not greater than about 250 g/% extension. The force to obtain the extension of 125% is preferably not greater than about 5,000 g, more preferably not greater than about 4,500 g. The force to obtain the extension of 135% is preferably not greater than about 6,000 g, more preferably not greater than about 5,500 g. The force to obtain the extension of 150% is preferably not greater than about 9,000 g, more preferably not greater than about 8,000 g. 
       FIG. 18  shows one preferred example of the force versus extension curves of the continuous belt zone  38  of the pull-on diaper.  FIG. 19  shows the modulus of extensibility versus extension curve of the example shown in  FIG. 18 . The methods to obtain a force versus extension curve of the continuous belt zone  38  and a modulus of extensibility versus extension curve are set forth below. 
     The methods to obtain a force versus extension curve of the continuous belt zone and a modulus of extensibility versus extension curve are set forth below. This method is a modified ultimate tensile test method contained within the “Sintech TestWorks” software package for measuring a force versus extension curve. This measurement is basically designed to simulate the applicator habit in putting a pull-on diaper on the wearer by using the Instron force tester and two horizontal bars in the place of the jaws starting from 0 g force to 10,000 g force or when the diaper breaks, which represents the ultimate force applied to the continuous belt zone. The method gives “force versus extension” curve from the untensioned condition up to the ultimate tensile of the diaper. The force versus extension data generated as described above can then be converted to “modulus of extensibility versus extension”. 
     This test method requires sample preparation as described below.
     (1) The sample diaper to be tested should be taken from the bag   (2) Measure the diaper inside circumference at the waist edge of the diaper using measuring tape without stretching diaper during the measurement (Untensioned Diaper Circumference)   

     This test method involves the following equipment below. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 (1) 
                 Tensile/Cycle Tester 
                 Instron Model 5564 
               
               
                 (2) 
                 Operation Software 
                 Sintech TestWorks version 3.0 
               
               
                 (3) 
                 Loadcell 
                 Instron Static Loadcell 100N 
               
               
                 (4) 
                 Jaw 
                 20 mm diameter × 150 mm length Teflon 
               
               
                   
                   
                 coated bar mounted horzontally to upper 
               
               
                   
                   
                 and lower jaws 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     This test method is performed with the setting below.
     (1) Test Method: Tensile   (2) Travel Speed: 20 inch/minute   (3) Gauge Length: distance of the center of the upper bar and the lower bar is calculated as below
 
(Gauge Length)=(Untensioned Diaper Circumference)/2−30 mm
   (4) # of Cycle: 1 cycle   (5) Break Sensitivity: 75%   (6) Load Limit: 10,000 g   (7) Calculation Input: Untensioned Diaper Circumference, Load Point at 500 g, 1,000 g, 2,000 g, 3,000 g, 4,000 g, 5,000 g, 6,000 g   (8) Calculation Results: Diaper Circumference at 0 g (=untensioned), extension at load point at 500 g, at 1,000 g, at 2,000 g, at 3,000 g, at 4,000 g, at 5,000 g, at 6,000 g, at Peakload, Load at Peak, circumference at peak load
       Diaper circumference at certain load point is calculated as below
 
(Diaper Circumference)=(Untensioned Diaper Circumference)+(extension)×2
   Extension at certain load point is calculated as below.
 
(Extension)=(Extended Diaper Circumference−Untensioned Diaper Circumference)/(Untensioned Diaper Circumference)
   
       

     The test method is executed as below.
     (1) Prepare sample diapers and measurement data   (2) Set up the Instron Loadcell and Jog following the Instron Setting above then calibrate the Loadcell   (3) Log in to the TestWorks system   (4) Choose tensile test method from the method list tool bar, then let Control Panel, Load Meter, Extension Meter, and Handset show up on the screen   (5) Enter the Untensioned Diaper Circumference data into gauge length in the calculation input   (6) Set up the Gauge Length using a ruler following the Gauge Length Setting described above
       (Example: Untensioned Diaper Circumference=380 mm→Gauge Length=380/2−30=160 mm)   
       (7) Reset the Load in the Load Meter and Extension in the Extension Meter   (8) Measure the product weight by putting a product to be test on the upper bar then reset the load again   (9) Put the sample diaper on the Jog with checking the cuff/leg elastic does not stick on the bar   (10) After putting the diaper on the jog, do not reset the Load Meter   (11) Click the “Run” to start the measurement   (12) When the measurement has been done, the jog returns to the original position   (13) Click “File” to save the data and remove the diaper   (14) Repeat the step 6-13 for other sample   

     The data is evaluated as below.
     (1) After completion for all samples, export the data into an appropriate spreadsheet program (i.e. Microsoft Excel)   (2) “Force versus extension curve” is obtained by plotting the force in grams against diaper extension in percent   (3) “Modulus of extensibility” is obtained by dividing the force difference between two successive data points by the extension difference between the two same points   (4) “Modulus of extensibility versus extension curve” is obtained by plotting the modulus of extensibility obtained in the step of (3) against diaper extension in percent   

     As stated above, the continuous belt zone  38  creates fit force in the pull-on diaper  20  when positioned on the wearer, to maintain the pull-on diaper  20  on the wearer. The continuous belt zone  38  further includes a zone of extensibility which comprises elastic materials such as the side elastomeric material  124  and the waist elastomeric material  200 . The zone of extensibility may further include a leg elastomeric material. The leg elastomeric material comprises elastomeric material such as the elastic strands  64  as shown in  FIG. 3 . The leg elastomeric material may comprise the material used for the side elastomeric material  124  or the waist elastomeric material  200 . Herein “zone of extensibility” refers to a continuous area or a continuous zone of the pull-on diaper rendered extensible by an elastomeric material having the form of a continuous plane layer with or without apertures, or the form of strands which are not connected to each other. The zone of extensibility is that portion in the continuous belt zone  38  which substantially generates the skin contact pressure in the continuous belt zone  38 . The skin contact pressure generated by the zone of extensibility contributes to maintaining the pull-on diaper on the wearer (sustained fit of the pull-on diaper). The skin contact pressure in the zone of extensibility may not be uniform everywhere. For example, the skin contact pressure of the zone of extensibility between about the waist opening and about the leg openings may be different from each other. Additionally, the skin contact pressure may vary around the radial circumference of the diaper or the leg circumference of the diaper. 
     In the zone of extensibility, the elastic component of the elastomeric material (such as a plurality of first strands  125  and a plurality of second strands  127  of the elastomeric scrim  124  shown in  FIG. 8 ) pressing on the skin usually generates higher skin contact pressure than the remainder of the area of the zone of extensibility (such as a plurality of apertures  132  of the elastomeric scrim shown in  FIG. 8 ). Therefore, lower skin contact pressure of the elastomeric material pressing on the skin leads to a reduction of the local skin incidence. 
     The skin contact pressure of the elastomeric material (side elastomeric material and/or waist elastomeric material) pressing on the skin should be not less than about 0.1 psi to maintain the pull-on diaper  20  on the wearer, preferably not less than about 0.2 psi, more preferably not less than about 0.3 psi. The skin contact pressure of the elastomeric material (side elastomeric material and/or waist elastomeric material) pressing on the skin should be not greater than about 0.75 psi not to cause the skin incidence in the zone of extensibility, preferably not greater than about 0.65 psi, more preferably not greater than about 0.55 psi. Any combination selected from the above range of the skin contact pressure of the elastomeric material pressing on the skin is effective in providing a pull-on diaper with a reduced risk of drooping, sagging or sliding down from the position on the wearer, with a reduced risk of skin incidence in the zone of extensibility, and with a reduced risk of skin incidence by the elastomeric material. The skin contact pressure of the elastomeric material (leg elastomeric material) pressing on the skin should be not less than about 0.1 psi to maintain the pull-on diaper  20  on the wearer, preferably not less than about 0.2 psi, more preferably not less than about 0.3 psi. The skin contact pressure of the elastomeric material (leg elastomeric material) pressing on the skin should be not greater than about 0.75 psi not to cause the skin incidence in the zone of extensibility, preferably not greater than about 0.65 psi, more preferably not greater than about 0.55 psi. The method to obtain the skin contact pressure of the elastomeric material pressing on the skin is set forth below. 
     The skin contact pressure of the elastomeric material pressing on the skin within the zone of extensibility about the waist opening may be higher than the skin contact pressure of the elastomeric material pressing on the skin at the remainder of the area within the zone of the extensibility to provide a sustained fit of the pull-on diaper about the waist opening. The skin contact pressure of the elastomeric material pressing on the skin within the zone of extensibility about the leg openings may be higher than the skin contact pressure of the elastomeric material pressing on the skin at the remainder of the area of the zone of the extensibility to provide a sustained fit of the pull-on diaper about the leg openings. The skin contact pressure of the elastomeric material pressing on the skin about the waist opening and about the leg openings within the zone of extensibility may be higher than the skin contact pressure of the elastomeric material pressing on the skin at the remainder of the area within the zone of the extensibility. The difference between the highest skin contact pressure of the elastomeric material pressing on the skin within the zone of extensibility and the lowest skin contact pressure of the elastomeric material pressing on the skin should be less than about 0.65 psi, preferably less than about 0.45 psi, more preferably less than about 0.25 psi. As the difference becomes closer to zero, the skin contact pressure of the elastomeric material pressing on the skin within the zone of extensibility becomes closer to uniform everywhere. This further contributes to reduce a skin incidence which have caused by the different pressure. 
     The pull-on diaper  20  further comprises additional elastomeric material such as the spacing means  58  of the inner barrier cuff  54 . It is preferable that these additional elastomeric material incorporated in the pull-on diaper  20  gives skin contact pressure of the additional elastomeric material pressing on the skin of the wearer of not greater than about 0.75 psi. Preferably, the skin contact pressure of the additional elastomeric material pressing on the skin of the wearer is not greater than about 0.65 psi, more preferably not greater than about 0.55 psi. 
     The method to measure the skin contact pressure of the elastomeric material pressing on the skin within the zone of extensibility is set forth below. The method entitled “AMI Air-pack Type Contact Surface Pressure Measurement System” is commercially supplied by AMI Co., Ltd to measure the surface contacting pressure generated between soft materials. This method is modified to measure the contacting pressure between the diaper and wearer&#39;s body. Air pressure indicated represents the force of contact surface from which the force absorbed by ductility of the material has been deducted. The sensing part is composed of an air pack made of a very soft thin film, of a tube introducing to the main unit and the measured value is converted into DC output (10 mV=1 gf/cm 2 ). 
     This test method requires sample preparation below.
     (1) The sample diaper to be tested should be taken from the bag   (2) Measure the width of the actual elastomeric component of the elastomeric material (i.e. elastic strands) under the 50% stretched condition and calculate the percent area of the elastomeric component   

     This test method entitled “AMI Air-pack Type Contact Surface Pressure Measurement System” involves the following equipment below. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 (1) 
                 Air-pack 
                 AMI Co., Ltd Model ∅15 mm 
               
               
                 (2) 
                 Main Unit 
                 AMI Co., Ltd AMI 3037-2 
               
               
                 (3) 
                 Option Unit 
                 AMI Co., Ltd AMI 3037-2B 
               
               
                 (4) 
                 Air Cylinder 
                 AMI Co., Ltd 
               
               
                 (5) 
                 Calibration Set 
                 AMI Co., Ltd 
               
               
                 (6) 
                 Data Collector 
                 ANRITSU METER Co., Ltd. AM-7052 
               
               
                 (7) 
                 Data Converting Software 
                 ANRITSU METER Co., Ltd. 
               
               
                   
                   
                 DATA COLLECTOR System 
               
               
                   
                   
                 AMS7006WIN ver. 2.0 for Windows 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     This test equipment described above requires the setting below.
     (1) Connect the output cable to the output connector of the main unit and connect the opposite side of the output cable to the data collector   (2) Turn on the power   (3) Use the gear, push the head of air cylinder to the end in the shortest length   (4) Connect the air pack to the air cylinder   (5) Insert the pin into the blue head on the gear, turn the gear until the pin comes to the end, wait 3 seconds   (6) Press the release lever for making air cylinder pressure to be the same with and ambient pressure, wait 3 seconds   (7) Insert the pin into the hole of the gear whose color is the same with the air pack, turn the gear until the pin comes to the end   (8) Remove the air pack from the air cylinder, turn the gear until the pin comes to the end   (9) Check if the output signal from the main unit is close to zero with allowance of 5 mV (0.5 gf/cm 2 )   (10) Connect the air pack to the main unit (connection should be made in one action. If you renew connection, inside volume of air pack must be change)   (11) Press the air pack by hand flat or finger for removing all the air from the air pack, check the output signal transmitted from the main unit, be careful that this is the maximum measurement value and that the system can&#39;t measure any values exceeding the maximum the maximum measurement value. If the contact surface is bent too much, and if output signal from the main unit exceeds +20 mV (2 gf/cm 2 ), connect the air cylinder and press the release lever   (12) Prepare at least 2 air-packs for standard measurement   

     This method requires a standard mannequin as below. 
     The standard mannequin  350  shown in  FIGS. 20 and 21  is modeled after the body shape in a sitting posture of the wearer. The shape and the dimension of the standard mannequin  350  should be based on the body dimension data taken from the actual diaper users. The standard mannequin  350  has an upper portion  352  and a lower portion  354 . The upper portion  352  and the lower portion  354  are divided by the lower torso line  380 . The lower torso line  380  is the circumferential line through the upper portion of the pubic bone. The upper portion  352  includes a torso portion  353 . The torso portion  353  has an upper surface  355  (shown in  FIG. 22 ) surrounded by the waist line  357  which is the circumference line about the top waist of the torso portion  353 . The torso portion  353  has a height defined by the height between the waist line  357  and the lower torso line  380 . The circumference of the torso portion  353  gradually increases from the waist line  357  toward the lower torso line  380 . The lower portion  354  includes a hip portion  356  at the back of the lower portion  354 , and the leg portions  358  protruding from the hip portion  356  at the front of the lower portion  354 . The hip portion  356  and the leg portions  358  are divided by the crotch crease line  359  along the fat fold at the front of the body. The two leg portions  358  have a crotch angle  362  which is the angle subtended between the inner thighs  364 . The leg portion  358  has a thigh line  366  which is the circumferential line about the thigh of the leg portion  358 . The upper surface  355  has a shape surrounded by the waist line  357  which comprises straight lines and curve lines.  FIG. 22  shows one preferred example of the shape of the upper surface  355  which is determined based on the actual wearer dimension. The standard mannequin is made of vinyl chloride. 
     The actual dimension of the standard mannequin for a diaper designed to fit the wearer weighing from about 7.0 kgs to about 10.0 kgs is shown below. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 Circumference at the waist line: 
                 460 
                 mm 
               
               
                   
                 Circumference at the lower torso line: 
                 470 
                 mm 
               
               
                   
                 Circumference at the crotch crease line: 
                 310 
                 mm 
               
               
                   
                 Circumference at the thigh line: 
                 275 
                 mm 
               
               
                   
                 Height of the torso: 
                 75 
                 mm 
               
               
                   
                 Crotch angle: 
                 about 60 
                 degrees 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     The actual dimension of the standard mannequin for a diaper designed to fit the wearer weighing from about 9.0 kgs to about 14.0 kgs is shown below. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 Circumference at the waist line: 
                 495 
                 mm 
               
               
                   
                 Circumference at the lower torso line: 
                 505 
                 mm 
               
               
                   
                 Circumference at the crotch crease line: 
                 330 
                 mm 
               
               
                   
                 Circumference at the thigh line: 
                 290 
                 mm 
               
               
                   
                 Height of the torso: 
                 80 
                 mm 
               
               
                   
                 Crotch angle: 
                 about 60 
                 degrees 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     The actual dimension of the standard mannequin for a diaper designed to fit the wearer weighing from about 13.0 kgs or above is shown below. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 Circumference at the waist line: 
                 520 
                 mm 
               
               
                   
                 Circumference at the lower torso line: 
                 530 
                 mm 
               
               
                   
                 Circumference at the crotch crease line: 
                 350 
                 mm 
               
               
                   
                 Circumference at the thigh line: 
                 305 
                 mm 
               
               
                   
                 Height of the torso: 
                 85 
                 mm 
               
               
                   
                 Crotch angle: 
                 about 60 
                 degrees 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     The measurement points for the waist elastomeric material and the side elastomeric material are determined as below. 
     Point P 1  is the point of the minimum radius of the waist curvature line at the right side of the torso portion. Point P 2  is the point of the minimum radius of the waist curvature line at the left side of the torso portion. Point P 3  is the point at the center of the back of the torso portion. Point P 4  is the point at the center of the front of the torso portion. The for the measurement point P 1 , P 2 , P 3 , and P 4  should be mounted about 10 mm below the waist line and should be fully covered by the waist material of the sample diaper. Point P 5  is the point at the front of the right leg portion and point P 6  is the point at the front of the left leg portion. The Air-packs for the measurement point P 5  and P 6  should be mounted right under the elastomeric material contacting the mannequin&#39;s leg portion. 
     The measurement points for the leg elastomeric material are the points where the elastomeric material presses on the skin of the standard mannequin. 
     This method is executed as below.
     (1) Set up the pressure measurement system following the setting above   (2) Prepare sample diapers and mount the diaper on the standard mannequin   (3) Place two Air-packs at the point P 1  and P 2  and measure the pressure   (4) Record the pressure measurement data and check if the pressure signal recovers close to zero with allowance of 5 mV (0.5 gf/cm 2 )   (5) Place two Air-packs at the point P 3  and P 4  and measure the pressure   (6) Record the pressure measurement data and check if the pressure signal recovers close to zero with allowance of 5 mV (0.5 gf/cm 2 )   (7) Place two Air-packs at the point P 5  and P 6  and measure the pressure   (8) Record the pressure measurement data and check if the pressure signal recovers close to zero with allowance of 5 mV (0.5 gf/cm 2 )   (9) Repeat the step 2 to 8 for 1 sample diaper   

     The data is evaluated as below.
     (1) “Local average skin contact pressure within the zone of extensibility” is obtained by convert the measured voltage into psi (10 mV=1 gm/cm 2 )   (2) “Skin contact pressure of the elastomeric material pressing on the skin” is then obtained in psi by dividing the “local average skin contact pressure within the zone of extensibility” obtained above by the percent area of the elastomeric component   

     It is understood that the examples and embodiments described herein are for illustrative purpose only and that various modifications or changes will be suggested to one skilled in the art without depending from the scope of the present invention.