Patent Publication Number: US-11642254-B2

Title: Wearable article having elastic belt

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/443,045, filed on Feb. 27, 2017, which is a continuation of PCT application No. PCT/CN2014/091624, filed on Feb. 4, 2015, and which is a continuation-in-part of PCT application No. PCT/CN2014/085248, filed on Aug. 27, 2014; each of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entireties. 
     U.S. application Ser. No. 15/443,045 also claims foreign priority to Japanese Patent Application No. JP2014-237980, filed on Nov. 25, 2014 and claims foreign priority to Chinese Patent application Ser. No. CN201510051309.8, filed on Jan. 30, 2015, each of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to wearable articles having an elastic belt having arrays of elastic bodies. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Infants and other incontinent individuals wear wearable articles such as diapers to receive and contain urine and other body exudates. Pull-on wearable articles, or pant-type wearable articles, are those which are donned by inserting the wearer&#39;s legs into the leg openings and sliding the article up into position about the lower torso. Pant-type absorbent articles have become popular for use on children who are able to walk and often who are toilet training, as well as for younger children who become more active in movement such that application of taped-type absorbent articles tend to be more difficult. 
     Many pant-type wearable articles use elastic elements secured in an elastically contractible condition in the waist and/or leg openings. Typically, in order to insure full elastic fit about the leg and the waist such as is provided with durable undergarments, the leg openings and waist opening are encircled at least in part with elasticized elements positioned along the periphery of the respective opening. 
     Pant-type wearable articles having a main body to cover the crotch region of the wearer and a separate elastic belt defining the waist opening and leg opening are known in the art, such as described in PCT Publication WO 2006/17718A. Such pant-type wearable articles may be referred to as belt-type pants. On the other hand, certain pant-type wearable articles are configured such that the outer cover of the wearable body completely covers the entirety of the garment-facing surface of the article. Such pant-type wearable articles may be referred to as uni-body pants. Belt-type pants, compared to uni-body pants, may be advantageous in having better breathability by having less layers of material in certain areas of the articles, and in that they may be manufactured economically. For belt-type pants, the elastic belt provides fit for not just the waist opening and low torso area, but also for the leg opening, in that the leg opening of belt-type pants are rendered elastic by the combination of elasticity provided by the main body and the elastic belt. Thus, for belt-type pants, sag protection and good fit for the entire article are mainly provided by the elastic belt. Providing a certain tensile stress for the elastic belt is essential for providing sag protection and good fit for the entire article. The elastic belt of belt-type pants are economically rendered elasticity by disposing a plurality of elastic strands running in the transverse direction of the article. The tensile force provided by the relatively thin elastic strands may lead to red marking of the wearer&#39;s skin. Further, the tensile force provided by the elastic strands may lead to uncomfort of the wearer. 
     Based on the foregoing, there is a need for a pant-type wearable article having balanced performance such as fit, comfort during wear, prevention of sagging, prevention of leakage, and prevention of red marking. There is further a need for providing such a wearable article in an economical manner. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present intention is directed to a wearable article continuous in a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, comprising a main body and a ring-like elastic belt comprising a front belt and a back belt, the center of the front belt is joined to a front waist panel of the main body, the center of the back belt is joined to a back waist panel of the main body, the front and back belt each having a left side panel and a right side panel where the main body does not overlap, and the transverse edges of the front belt and the back belt are joined by a seam to form a waist opening and two leg openings, 
     wherein each of the front belt and back belt are formed by an inner sheet, an outer sheet, and a plurality of elastic bodies sandwiched therebetween and running in the transverse direction substantially parallel to each other, 
     wherein each front belt and back belt have transversely continuous proximal and distal edges, the proximal edge being located closer than the distal edge relative to the longitudinal center of the article, each front belt and back belt having side edges, wherein: 
     at least some of the elastic bodies disposed on either the front belt or the back belt being arranged in at least 2 sets of a concentrated array, the concentrated array defined as meeting a), b), and c) as follows: 
     a) one concentrated array is formed by 2-4 elastic bodies; 
     b) each elastic body within one concentrated array is disposed in an inner-interval in the longitudinal direction between each elastic body of 2-4 mm; 
     c) one specific concentrated array disposed in an extra-interval in the longitudinal direction between at least one neighboring elastic body outside the specific concentrated array of less than 8 mm and greater than the inner-interval of the specific concentrated array; wherein the entirety of the length of the belt side edge of the front belt is seamed with a certain length of the belt side edge of the back belt to define a seam length LS; 
     the front and back belts each divided into 4 zones extending in the transverse direction and defined by its location from the distal edge to the proximal edge relative to the percentage of the seam length LS wherein; 0-25% is the waist zone, 25-50% is the distal tummy zone, 50-85% is the proximal tummy zone, and 85-100% is the leg zone; 
     wherein at least 2 concentrated arrays are disposed on the front proximal tummy zone, or the back distal tummy zone. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as forming the present invention, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from the following description 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 one embodiment of a wearable article of the present invention. 
         FIG.  2    is a top plan view of one embodiment of a wearable article of the present invention with the seams unjoined and removed, and in a flat uncontracted condition showing the garment facing surface. 
         FIG.  3    is a side plan view of one embodiment of a wearable article of the present invention in a flat uncontracted condition showing the garment facing surface. 
         FIG.  4    is a side plan view of another embodiment of a wearable article of the present invention in a flat uncontracted condition showing the garment facing surface. 
         FIG.  5    is a side view of one embodiment of a wearable article of the present invention worn on a mannequin. 
         FIG.  6    is a side view of a wearable article of the prior art worn on a mannequin. 
         FIG.  7    is a schematic view of an example of a hanger-type sample holding fixture according to the “Whole Article Force Measurement”. 
         FIG.  8    is a top plan view of one embodiment of a wearable article of the prior art with the seams unjoined and removed, and in a flat uncontracted condition showing the garment facing surface. 
         FIG.  9    is a side plan view of one embodiment of a wearable article of the prior art in a flat uncontracted condition showing the garment facing surface. 
     
    
    
     DEFINITIONS 
     As used herein, the following terms shall have the meaning specified thereafter: 
     “Wearable article” refers to articles of wear which may be in the form of pants, taped diapers, incontinent briefs, feminine hygiene garments, and the like. The “wearable article” may be so configured to also absorb and contain various exudates such as urine, feces, and menses discharged from the body. The “wearable article” may serve as an outer cover adaptable to be joined with a separable disposable absorbent insert for providing absorbent and containment function, such as those disclosed in PCT publication WO 2011/087503A. 
     “Pant” refers to disposable absorbent articles having a pre-formed waist and leg openings. A pant may be donned by inserting a wearer&#39;s legs into the leg openings and sliding the pant into position about the wearer&#39;s lower torso. Pants are also commonly referred to as “closed diapers”, “prefastened diapers”, “pull-on diapers”, “training pants” and “diaper-pants.” 
     “Longitudinal” refers to a direction running substantially perpendicular from a waist edge to an opposing waist edge of the article and generally parallel to the maximum linear dimension of the article. 
     “Transverse” refers to a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. 
     “Body-facing” and “garment-facing” refer respectively to the relative location of an element or a surface of an element or group of elements. “Body-facing” implies the element or surface is nearer to the wearer during wear than some other element or surface. “Garment-facing” implies the element or surface is more remote from the wearer during wear than some other element or surface (i.e., element or surface is proximate to the wearer&#39;s garments that may be worn over the disposable absorbent article). 
     “Disposed” refers to an element being located in a particular place or position. 
     “Joined” refers to configurations whereby an element is directly secured to another element by affixing the element directly to the other element and to configurations whereby an element is indirectly secured to another element by affixing the element to intermediate member(s) which in turn are affixed to the other element. 
     “Extendibility” and “extensible” mean that the width or length of the component in a relaxed state can be extended or increased. 
     “Elasticated” and “elasticized” mean that a component comprises at least a portion made of elastic material. 
     “Elongatable material,” “extensible material,” or “stretchable material” are used interchangeably and refer to a material that, upon application of a biasing force, can stretch to an elongated length of at least about 110% of its relaxed, original length (i.e. can stretch to 10 percent more than its original length), without rupture or breakage, and upon release of the applied force, shows little recovery, less than about 20% of its elongation without complete rupture or breakage as measured by EDANA method 20.2-89. In the event such an elongatable material recovers at least 40% of its elongation upon release of the applied force, the elongatable material will be considered to be “elastic” or “elastomeric.” For example, an elastic material that has an initial length of 100 mm can extend at least to 150 mm, and upon removal of the force retracts to a length of at least 130 mm (i.e., exhibiting a 40% recovery). In the event the material recovers less than 40% of its elongation upon release of the applied force, the elongatable material will be considered to be “substantially non-elastic” or “substantially non-elastomeric”. For example, an elongatable material that has an initial length of 100 mm can extend at least to 150 mm, and upon removal of the force retracts to a length of at least 145 mm (i.e., exhibiting a 10% recovery). 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG.  1    is a perspective view of an embodiment of the wearable article  20  of the present invention and  FIG.  2    is a schematic plan view of the same article with the seams enjoined and in its flat uncontracted condition showing the garment-facing surface. The wearable article  20  has a longitudinal centerline L 1  which also serves as the longitudinal axis, and a transverse centerline T 1  which also serves as the transverse axis. The wearable article  20  has a skin-facing surface, a garment-facing surface, a front region  26 , a back region  28 , a crotch region  30 , and seams  32  which join the front region  26  and the back region  28  to form two leg openings and a waist opening. The wearable article  20  comprises a main body  38  to cover the crotch region of the wearer, a front belt  84  and a back belt  86  (hereinafter may be referred to as “front and back belt”), the front and back belts  84 ,  86  forming a ring-like elastic belt  40  (hereinafter may be referred to as “waist belt”) extending transversely defining the waist opening. The front and back belts  84 ,  86  and the main body  38  jointly define the leg openings. 
     The main body  38  may contain an absorbent core  62  for absorbing and containing body exudates disposed on the main body  38 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG.  2   , the main body  38  has a generally rectangular shape, left and right longitudinally extending side edges  48  (hereinafter may be referred to as “side edge”) and front and back transversely extending end edges  50  (hereinafter may be referred to as “end edge”). The main body  38  also has a front waist panel  52  positioned in the front region  26  of the wearable article  20 , a back waist panel  54  positioned in the back region  28 , and a crotch panel  56  between the front and back waist panels  52 ,  54  in the crotch region  30 . The center of the front belt  84  is joined to a front waist panel  52  of the main body  38 , the center of the back belt  86  is joined to a back waist panel  54  of the main body  38 , the front and back belt  84 ,  86  each having a left side panel and a right side panel  82  where the main body  38  does not overlap. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1  and  2   , the ring-like belt  40  formed by the front belt  84  and back belt  86  acts to dynamically create fitment forces and to distribute the forces dynamically generated during wear. Herein, the term “proximal” is used to indicate the position of a “proximal” portion being closer relative to the longitudinal center of the article, also closer relative to the crotch panel  56  of the main body  38  than the position of a “distal” portion. Therefore, the proximal edge  90  is located closer than the distal edge  88  relative to the crotch panel  56  of the main body  38 . The front and back belts  84 ,  86  may be joined with each other only at the side edges  89  at the seams  32  to form a wearable article having a waist opening and two leg openings. Each leg opening may be provided with elasticity around the perimeter of the leg opening by the combination of elasticity from the front belt  84 , the back belt  86 , and any from the main body  38 . The front leg opening region  120  is disposed adjacent the leg opening along the proximal edge  90  of the left and right side panels  82  of the front belt  84 . 
     The front and back belts  84 ,  86  are discontinuous with one another in the crotch region  30 . In such embodiment, there is no material that covers the entirety of either the wearer-facing surface or garment-facing surface of the article. The front central panel  80  may partly overlap with the front waist panel  52  of the main body  38 . The back central panel  80  may partly overlap with the back waist panel  54  of the main body  38 . However, the central panels  80  may not extend into the crotch panel  56  of the main body  38  and not be disposed in the crotch panel  56 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG.  2   , the central panels  80  partly overlap with and are joined to the front waist panel  52  and the back waist panel  54 , respectively. 
     Referring to  FIG.  2   , the front belt  84  and back belt  86  may each comprise an inner sheet  94 , an outer sheet  92 , (hereinafter also collectively “belt sheets”) and configured to impart elasticity per each zone according to the relationship described below. (The inner sheet  94  is not shown.) Each of the front and back belts  84 ,  86  may be made as a laminate having a plurality of belt elastic bodies  96  sandwiched between the inner and outer sheets  94 ,  92 . In one embodiment, the belt elastic bodies  96  extend in the transverse direction to provide a ring-like elastic belt when the front belt  84  and the back belt  86  are joined. In one embodiment, at least some of the elastic bodies  96  extend in the transverse direction parallel to each other. In one embodiment, all of the elastic bodies  96  extend in the transverse direction substantially parallel to each other. Such an article may be economically made. 
     In one embodiment, the effective transverse width LW of the back belt  86  in the uncontracted condition may be the same as the transverse width of the front belt  84  of the same condition. By “effective transverse width”, what is meant is the width available for forming the wear-facing surface of the article. In one embodiment, each of the proximal edges  90  and the distal edges  88  of the front belt  84  and the back belt  86  may be substantially parallel, as in  FIG.  2   . 
     In one embodiment, the longitudinal length LB of the back belt  86  between the back distal edge  88  and the back proximal edge  90  along its entire width LW of the back belt  86  may be approximately the same as the longitudinal length LF of the front belt  84  between the front distal edge  88  and the front proximal edge  90 . In such embodiment, the seams  32  close the front and back belt  84 ,  86  side edges  89  of the same length for forming the article. Such an article may be economically made. 
     In one embodiment, the back belt  86  may have a greater longitudinal length LB between the back distal edge  88  and the back proximal edge  90  along its entire width LW of the back belt  86  in the transverse direction than the longitudinal length LF of the front belt  84  between the front distal edge  88  and the front proximal edge  90  ( FIGS.  1 - 4   ). In such embodiment, when the wearable article is assembled to form the waist opening and the leg openings, the wearable article  20  is folded along the transverse centerline T 1  such that the front distal edge  88  is aligned with the back distal edge  88 . The front side edge  89  is also aligned with a portion of the back side edge  89 . Then the front belt  84  and the back belt  86  are joined at the front and back side edges  89  at the seams  32 . The front and back proximal edges  90 , however, may not be aligned to one another. The back proximal edge  90  may be disposed longitudinally closer than the front proximal edge  90  relative to the transverse center line T 1  such that the proximal portion of the back side panel  82  extends toward the crotch panel  56  of the main body  38  beyond the front proximal edge  90 . The side edge of the proximal portion of the back side panel  82  may not be joined to anywhere and free from attachment. Thus, the proximal portion of the back side panel  82  provides a buttock cover  95  as in  FIG.  1   . 
     Whether or not the longitudinal length LB of the back belt  86  and the longitudinal length LF of the front belt  84  are the same, the entirety of the longitudinal length LF of the belt side edge  89 F of the front belt  84  is seamed with the belt side edge  89 B of the back belt  86  to define a seam length LS, as in  FIG.  3   . When the front belt  84  has straight distal edges  88  and proximal edges  90  that are substantially parallel of each other, then the longitudinal length LF of the front belt  84  is equal to the seam length LS. 
     In one embodiment, the outer sheet  92  of the front or back belt  84 ,  86  towards the distal edge  88  may be longer than the size of the inner sheet  94  in the longitudinal direction, and an end flap of the outer sheet  92  may be folded over the distal end of the inner sheet  94  at the waist opening. The front and back belts  84 ,  86  may be provided in low caliper non-woven material for sake of breathability and softness of the belt  40 . 
     The tensile stress (N/m) of the front and back elastic belts  84 ,  86 , respectively, may be profiled in order to provide the benefits of the present invention. The tensile stress may be measured, for example, by the Belt Zone Tensile Stress Measurement described herein below. When the elasticity of the front and back elastic belts  84 ,  86  are provided by a plurality of elastic bodies  96  running in the transverse direction, the tensile stress may be adjusted by one or more of the following methods; 1) elongation rate of the elastic body  96 ; 2) density (dtex) of the elastic body  96 ; 3) longitudinal interval of multiple elastic bodies  96 ; and 4) effective length of elasticity of the elastic body  96  in the transverse direction. By elongation, “0% elongation” is meant the original length of the elastic body. When a portion of an elastic body is removed of its elasticity, the remainder of the intact elastic body capable of imparting elasticity is defined as the “effective length of elasticity of an elastic body”. The elastic bodies  96  disposed on the front and/or back belt  84 ,  86  may be treated such that certain of the area overlapping the front and/or back waist panels  52 ,  54  of the main body  38  are removed of elasticity. Removal of elasticity from at least a portion of the area overlapping the front and/or back waist panel  52 ,  54  of at least one elastic body may be advantageous when the main body  38  comprises an absorbent core  62 , in that elasticity in the front and/or back area may cause bunching of the absorbent core  62  and interfere with close fit of the main body  38  to the wearer. In one embodiment, at least a portion of, or at least 10% of, or at least 20% of, or at least 30% of, the elasticity of; at least one of, or at least half of, or at least two thirds of, or all of, the elastic bodies are removed in the region overlapping with the front and back waist panels  52 ,  54  or the absorbent core  62  of the main body  38 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  3   , the elastic bodies  96  of the belt  40  of the present invention may be arranged in arrays. The arrays of the present invention, whether basic array  122  or concentrated array  124 , have at least 2 elastic bodies  96  disposed in close proximity to each other in the longitudinal direction. Specifically, a plurality of elastic bodies  96  are disposed at an interval, herein defined as an inner-interval  132 , of 2-4 mm. Any two or more elastic bodies  96  disposed in an inner-interval  132  of 2-4 mm are referred to herein as an array. Without being bound by theory, by disposing the elastic bodies  96  in such close proximity to each other, the array exhibits a behavior as if it were one elastic body with a certain width, and provides various benefits. For example, the array provides more or less the combined tensile force of the elastic bodies  96  in the array, such that each elastic body  96  may be disposed at a much lower tensile force. Further, the gathers created in the inner-interval  132  of the array are so fine that the area of the inner sheet  94  facing the wearer is significantly increased. Such increased area of material in the inner-interval  132 , combined with the elastic bodies  96  of the array, apply a tensile force to the wearer over a distributed width, compared to the width of a single elastic body. Namely, the array exhibits a behavior as if it were one elastic body. As such, the array may provide a good fit to the wearer by using relatively low density elastic bodies which are economically supplied. The reduction of tensile force in a concentrated area compared to that of a single elastic body, may also reduce red marking on the skin of the wearer, and provide the wearer with a more comfortable and soft fit. Further, an array may provide the appearance of an elastic body of a certain width, similar to elastic bodies disposed on a durable undergarment. Thus, disposal of an array may connote an undergarment look, or high quality. 
     Herein, the basic array  122  comprises 2-10 elastic bodies, or 2-5 elastic bodies, or 2-3 elastic bodies. Herein, the concentrated array  124  comprises 2-4 elastic bodies, or 2-3 elastic bodies. The basic array  122  may be disposed in a relatively large extra-interval  134  in the longitudinal direction between at least one neighboring elastic body outside the array, of 8-22 mm. The concentrated array  124  may be disposed in a relatively small extra-interval  134  in the longitudinal direction between at least one neighboring elastic body outside the array of less than 8 mm, or from 4 to less than 8 mm; wherein the extra-interval  134  is greater than the inner-interval  132 . 
     In summary, an array may be defined as meeting a), b), and c) as follows:
     a) one array is formed by 2-10 elastic bodies;   b) each elastic body within one array is disposed in an inner-interval  132  in the longitudinal direction between each elastic body of 2-4 mm;   c) one specific array disposed in an extra-interval  134  in the longitudinal direction between at least one neighboring elastic bodies outside the specific array of greater than the inner-interval  132 .   

     In summary, a basic array  122  may be defined as meeting a), b), and c) as follows:
     a) one basic array  122  is formed by 2-10 elastic bodies;   b) each elastic body within one basic array  122  is disposed in an inner-interval  132  in the longitudinal direction between each elastic body of 2-4 mm;   c) one specific basic array  122  disposed in an extra-interval  134  in the longitudinal direction between at least one neighboring elastic body outside the specific basic array  122  of 8-22 mm;   

     In summary, a concentrated array  124  may be defined as meeting a), b), and c) as follows:
     a) one concentrated array  124  is formed by 2-4 elastic bodies;   b) each elastic body within one concentrated array  124  is disposed in an inner-interval  132  in the longitudinal direction between each elastic body of 2-4 mm;   c) one specific concentrated array  124  disposed in an extra-interval  134  in the longitudinal direction between at least one neighboring elastic body outside the specific concentrated array  124  of greater than the inner-interval  132  of the specific concentrated array  124  and less than 8 mm.   

     The front belt  84  may comprise at least 5 arrays. The front belt  84  may comprise at least 1, or at least 2, or at least 3, or at least 4 basic arrays  122 . The elastic bodies disposed on the front belt  84  may all be arranged in arrays. The front belt  84  may comprise basic arrays  122  and concentrated arrays  124 . The elastic bodies disposed on the front belt  84  may all be arranged in either basic arrays  122  or concentrated arrays  124 . 
     The back belt  86  may comprise at least 5 arrays. The back belt  86  may comprise at least 1, or at least 2, or at least 3, or at least 4 basic arrays  122 . The elastic bodies disposed on the back belt  86  may all be arranged in arrays. The back belt  86  may comprise basic arrays  122  and concentrated arrays  124 . The elastic bodies disposed on the back belt  86  may all be arranged in basic arrays  122 . 
     Referring again to  FIG.  3   , arrays may be disposed on both the front belt  84  and the back belt  86 . The arrays from the front and back belt  84 ,  86  may be disposed in a matched arrangement  136 . By matched arrangement  136 , what is meant is that at least one elastic body comprised in an array at the belt side edge  89  of the front belt  84  and at least one elastic body comprised in an array at the belt side edge  89  of the back belt  86  are located in substantially the same position at both seams  32 . By substantially same position, what is meant is a position within reasonable deviation from the designed arrangement occurred in high speed production of the article, for example within 4 mm, or within 2 mm. In one embodiment, all of the elastic bodies comprised in an array at the belt side edge  89  of the front belt  84  and all of the elastic bodies comprised in an array at the belt side edge  89  of the back belt  86  may be located in substantially the same position at both seams  32 . In embodiments where the distal edges  88  of the front and back belts  84 ,  86  are substantially parallel and matched, and also all of the elastic bodies  96  extend in the transverse direction substantially parallel to each other such as in  FIGS.  2 - 4   , a matched arrangement may alternatively be identified by comparing the position of the array located from the distal edge  88  of the belt. When the positions of the arrays from the distal edge  88  in the front and back belt  84 ,  86  match, then this is considered a matched arrangement. 
     Matched arrangements  136  may be formed by either basic arrays  122  or concentrated arrays  124 . Matched arrangements  136  of arrays may be useful for providing clearly defined gathers in the extra-interval  134 , such as in the vicinity of the waist opening or the leg opening. The area indicated as  136  in  FIG.  3    is considered to include 2 matched arrangements  136 . 
     Still referring to  FIG.  3   , when there are at least 3 basic arrays disposed on the article, the arrays may be disposed in a certain location in the longitudinal direction such that the arrays are in an alternate arrangement  138 . By alternate arrangement  138 , what is meant is an arrangement of either e) or f) as follows: 
     e) the belt side edge  89  of one specific basic array comprised in the front belt  84  is located in the extra-interval  134  of two basic arrays of the back belt  86  at the belt side edge  89 ; 
     f) the belt side edge  89  of one specific basic array comprised in the back belt  86  is located in the extra-interval  134  of two basic arrays of the front belt  84  at the belt side edge  89 . 
     There may be more than one, for example 2 or 3, specific basic arrays comprised in either the front or back belt  84 ,  86  at the belt side edge  89  being located in the extra-interval  134  of two arrays comprised in the other side belt at the belt side edge  89 . 
     Namely, at both seams  32 , an alternate arrangement is identified when at least one basic array  122  at the belt side edge  89  of one of the front or back belt  84 ,  86  is located in the extra-interval  134  of 2 basic arrays  122  at the belt side edge  89  of the other front or back belt  84 ,  86 . Alternate arrangements  138  of basic arrays  122  may be useful for providing a soft fit around the side seam  32  by distributing the forces provided by the basic arrays  122  disposed on the front belt and the back belt  84 ,  86 . There are two areas indicated as  138  in  FIG.  3   . The two areas indicated as  138  are considered to include a total of 5 alternate arrangements  138 . The article of the present invention may have at least 2, or at least 3 alternate arrangements  138 . 
     As described above, the basic array  122  or concentrated array  124  of the present invention may provide more or less the combined tensile force of the elastic bodies  96  in the array, such that each elastic body  96  may be disposed at a relatively lower tensile force. Accordingly, the elastic bodies  96  for forming a basic array  122  may have a density of no more than 940 dtex, and disposed at an elongation of from 100% to 350%, or from 150% to 300%. By elongation, “0% elongation” is meant the original length of the elastic body. The elastic bodies  96  for forming a concentrated array  124  may have a density of no more than 1100 dtex, or no more than 940 dtex, and disposed at an elongation of from 150% to 300%. 
     In one embodiment, the total number of elastic bodies  96  disposed on a single article may be limited for providing the article in an economical manner. The belt of the present invention may be disposed of a total of no more than 60, or no more than 54, or no more than 46 elastic bodies. The article of the present invention may have an entire longitudinal length of the article of from 350 mm to 600 mm, an effective transverse belt width (LW) of from 315 mm to 500 mm, a back belt longitudinal length (LB) of from 100 mm to 180 mm, a front belt longitudinal length (LF) of from 80 mm to 160 mm, a main body longitudinal length of from 310 mm to 560 mm, and a main body transverse width of from 150 mm to 210 mm. The article of the present invention may have a distance between the distal edge of the front belt to the longitudinal edge of the main body of from 0 mm to 70 mm, and a distance between the distal edge of the back belt to the longitudinal edge of the main body of from 0 mm to 90 mm, and such distances on the front and back belt may be the same or different. The longitudinal length of the main body may be from 70% to 100% of the entire longitudinal length of the article. When the main body comprises an absorbent core  62 , the core may have a longitudinal length of from 270 mm to 500 mm, a maximum transverse width of the core of from 90 mm to 125 mm, and a distance between the longitudinal edge of the core to the longitudinal edge of the main body of from 10 mm to 40 mm. The longitudinal length of the core may be from 60% to 95% of the entire longitudinal length of the article, or from 66% to 97% of the main body. The article of the present invention may have a Waist Circumference Force provided by the elastic bodies  96  disposed on the waist belt  40  of no more than 10N, or no more than 8N, according to the Whole Article Force Measurement as described herein below. The Whole Article Force Measurement is for quantifying the force provided by the article  20  when stretched along the waist circumference, simulating initial stretch experience of the article  20  in the transverse direction when the user inserts hands in the article and expands the article. Namely, more or less the total tensile force provided by the elastic bodies  96  disposed in the transverse direction are measured. While there may be other elastic bodies disposed on the article, for example along the longitudinal side edges of the main body, the impact of such other elastic bodies are known to be small, when the user stretches the article in the transverse direction. The Whole Article Force Measurement is obtained by extending, or loading, the article in the transverse direction until a force of 19.6N is attained, wherein the force at the point where the belt  40  article reaches 70% of the maximum stretch is obtained. The force expected to be perceived by the user for expanding the article may be controlled, such that the user may experience a satisfying expansion of the belt  40  without excess effort. 
     Elastic bodies arranged in basic arrays  122 , concentrated arrays  124 , or otherwise, may be disposed in combination in different zones of the elastic belt for creating areas of higher and lower tensile stress. Referring to  FIGS.  3 - 4   , the front and back belts  84 ,  86  are each divided into 4 zones extending in the transverse direction and defined of its position from the distal edge  88  to the proximal edge  90  relative to the percentage of the seam length LS. The entirety of the length of the belt side edge  89  of the front belt  84  is seamed with a certain length of the belt side edge  89  of the back belt  86  to define a seam length LS. When seam length LS is considered 0% at the distal edge  88  and 100% at the proximal edge  90  of the front belt  84 , the zones are defined as such: 0-25% is the waist zone  102 , 25-50% is the distal tummy zone  104 , 50-85% is the proximal tummy zone  106 , and 85-100% is the leg zone  108 . When there is an elastic body disposed at 25% from the distal edge  88 , such elastic body is considered to be included in the waist zone  102 . When there is an elastic body disposed at 50% from the distal edge  88 , or 85% from the distal edge  88 , such elastic body is considered to be included in the proximal tummy zone  106 . For embodiments where the back belt  86  has a greater longitudinal length LB than the longitudinal length LF of the front belt  84 , the remaining length of “LB minus LS” of the back belt  86  is not counted in the 4 zones described above. 
     Referring to  FIG.  3   , at least one alternate arrangement  138  may be located in at least one of the distal tummy zone  104 , the proximal tummy zone  106 , and the leg zone  108 . At least one matched arrangement  136  may be located in at least one of the waist zone  102  and the leg zone  108 . The waist zone  102  may comprise at least one matched arrangement  136 , the distal tummy one  104  may comprise at least one alternate arrangement  138 , the proximal tummy zone  106  may comprise at least one alternate arrangement  138 , and the leg zone  108  may comprise at least one matched arrangement  136 . All of the elastic bodies  96  disposed on the waist zone  102  may be in a matched arrangement  136 , and all of the elastic bodies  96  disposed on the distal tummy zone  104  may be in an alternate arrangement  138 . 
     In one embodiment, concentrated arrays  124  may be disposed in zones for which higher tensile stress is desired. Disposal of at least 2 concentrated arrays  124  may be particularly effective. Referring to  FIGS.  3 - 4   , at least 2 concentrated arrays  124  may be disposed on the front proximal tummy zone  106 . The tensile stress of the front proximal tummy zone  106  may be provided higher than the tensile stress of any other zone. Referring to  FIG.  4   , at least 2 concentrated arrays  124  may be disposed on the back distal tummy zone  104 . The tensile stress of the front leg zone  108  may be no more than 50% of the tensile stress of the front proximal tummy zone  106 , and the tensile stress of the back leg zone  108  may be no more than 100% of the tensile stress of the back proximal tummy zone  106 . The tensile stress of the back distal tummy zone  106  may be higher than the tensile stress of the front distal tummy zone  106 . 
     The profiling and arrangement of elastic bodies  96  of  FIGS.  3 - 4    may provide the article of the present invention to take an S-curve side seam  32  observed by the side when worn by the wearer, as shown as in  FIG.  5   . Such behavior of the waist belt of the present invention is in contrast with many belt-type wearable articles available in the market as shown in  FIG.  6   , wherein the side seam takes a relatively straight line, or a line slightly slanted toward the back. Without being bound by theory, the aforementioned profiling of the elastic bodies per zone is believed to provide the article of the present invention with a shaped waist belt that conforms well to a human body, particularly to a lower torso of a child of less than 36 months of age, and therefore provides good fit and comfort to the wearer, without compromise of sagging prevention or leakage prevention. In one embodiment, the front proximal tummy zone may be subject to high tensile stress by disposing at least 2 concentrated arrays  124 , such that the article may be anchored against the wearer&#39;s trochanter. In one embodiment, the back distal tummy zone may be subject to higher tensile stress by disposing at least 2 concentrated arrays  124  than the front distal tummy zone  106 , for accommodating the wearer&#39;s front waist area. 
     In one embodiment, concentrated arrays  124  may be disposed in zones for which higher tensile stress is desired, and for further providing an aesthetic effect. As described above, an array may provide the appearance of an elastic body of a certain width, similar to elastic bodies disposed on a durable undergarment. At least 2 concentrated arrays  124  may be disposed in each on the front waist zone  102  and the back waist zone  102  to provide the appearance of a waist band. These at least 2 concentrated arrays  124  from the front waist zone  102  and the back waist zone  102  may be disposed in a matched arrangement  136 . At least 2 concentrated arrays  124  may also be disposed on the front leg zone  108  to provide the appearance of a leg band (not shown). 
     Whole Article Force Measurement 
     Force is measured using an Electronic Tensile Tester with a computer interface such as the MTS Criterion C42 running TestWorks 4 Software (available from MTS SYSTEMS (CHINA) CO., LTD) or equivalent instrument. A load cell is selected so that force results for the samples tested will be between 10 and 90% of capacity of the load cell used. The instrument is calibrated according to the manufacturer&#39;s instructions. All testing is performed in a room maintained at 23±2° C. and 50±5% relative humidity. 
     The tensile tester is fitted with hanger-type sample holding fixtures  300  as shown in  FIG.  7   . Each fixture comprises a rigid linear rubber-coated horizontal bar section  302  to prevent sample slippage during testing. The outer bar diameter (including the rubber coating) of the horizontal bar sections is 10.0 mm. The central axes of the horizontal bar sections  302  are configured to remain parallel and in the same vertical plane throughout the test procedure. The gauge circumference is determined by the following equation:
 
Gauge Circumference=2×( H+D+πD/ 2)
 
where H is the vertical gap between the horizontal bar sections  302 , and D is the outer diameter of the bar.
 
     The instrument is set up to go through the following steps: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 Crosshead Speed 
                 254.0 
                 mm/min 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Final Load Point 
                 19.61N 
               
               
                   
                 Hold Time 
                 0 
               
               
                   
                 Number of Cycles 
                 1 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Data Acquisition Rate 
                 50 
                 Hz 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     A sample article  20  is inserted onto the upper horizontal bar section  302  so that the bar passes through the waist opening and one leg opening of the article. The crosshead is raised until the specimen hangs above the lower bar and does not touch lower bar  302 . The load cell is tared and the crosshead is lowered to enable the lower bar  302  to be inserted through the waist opening and other leg opening without stretching the article. The article is adjusted so that the longitudinal centerline L 1  of the article is in a horizontal plane halfway between the upper and lower bars  302 . The center of the side portion in contact with the bar  302  is situated on the same vertical axis as the instrument load cell. The crosshead is raised slowly while the article is held in place by hand as necessary until the force is between 0.05 and 0.1N, while taking care not to add any unnecessary force. The gauge circumference at this point is the Initial Gauge Circumference. The test is initiated and the crosshead moves up at 254 mm/min until a force of 19.6N is attained, then the crosshead immediately returns to the initial gauge circumference at the same speed. The maximum circumference at 19.6N and the force at 70% stretch circumference during the extension segment of the test are recorded.
 
Circumference ( mm )=2×( H+D+πD/ 2)
 
     The maximum circumference at 19.6N is defined as the Full Stretch Circumference (mm). The 70% stretch circumference is defined as the full stretch circumference x 0.7. The Waist Circumference Force is defined as the force at 70% stretch circumference during the load (extension) segment of the test. 
     Five samples are analyzed and their average Initial Gauge Circumference, average Full Stretch Circumference and average Waist Circumference Force are calculated and reported to the nearest 1 mm, 1 mm and 0.01 N, respectively. 
     Belt Zone Tensile Stress Measurement 
     The tensile stress (N/m) is calculated by tensile force (N) divided by the specimen width (m). Force may be measured using an Electronic Tensile Tester with a computer interface such as the MTS Criterion C42 running TestWorks 4 Software (available from MTS SYSTEMS (CHINA) CO., LTD) or equivalent instrument. A load cell is chosen so that force results for the samples tested will be between 10 and 90% of capacity of the load cell. The instrument is calibrated according to the manufacturer&#39;s instructions. All testing is performed in a room maintained at 23±2° C. and 50±5% relative humidity. The instrument is equipped with single line contact grips at least as wide as the test specimen. 
     To obtain test specimens, the sample article is cut open along the side seams  32 , and the front and rear elastic belt sections  40  are removed from the main body  38  by separating the bonding between the waist belt and main body. Cold Spray may be used, paying attention not to make wrinkles in the belt sections. Care is taken not to spray on any belt elastic body  96 . The obtained elastic belts  40  are severed into zones  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108  according to the present invention with care not to cut any elastic body  96 . Samples are pre-conditioned at 23° C.±2C.° and 50%±5% relative humidity for two hours prior to testing. 
     The instrument is set up to go through the following steps. Initial Gauge Length is calculated from the Initial Gauge Circumference which is determined during the Whole Article Force Test using separate identical articles, as described above. Initial Gauge Length=0.5×Initial Gauge Circumference. The final gauge length is calculated from the Full Stretch Circumference which is determined during the Whole Article Force Test, as described above. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 Crosshead Speed 
                 254.0 
                 mm/min 
               
               
                   
                 Data Acquisition Rate 
                 50 
                 Hz 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Final Gauge Length 
                 0.5 × Full Stretch 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Circumference 
               
               
                   
                 Hold Time 
                 0 
               
               
                   
                 Number of Cycles 
                 1 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     One end of the specimen is clamped into the upper clamp and the load is tared. The other end of the specimen is clamped into the lower clamp. Approximately 5 mm of each end of the specimen is behind the contact line of the grip. The test is started and the specimen is extended to the final gauge length at a crosshead speed of 254 mm/min, then immediately returned to the original gauge length at the same speed. The specimen is extended in the article transverse direction during the test. The unload force at 70% of the Final Gauge Length during the unload segments of the test is recorded. 
     Five articles are analyzed and the unload forces are recorded for each of the front and back zones  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108 . The average tensile force (N) is calculated to the nearest 0.01 N for each zone including the front and back specimens for that zone. The tensile stress for each zone is calculated by the average tensile force (N) divided by the average specimen width (m) and reported to the nearest 0.1 N/m. 
     EXAMPLES 
     Example 1 
     A wearable article of the present invention having an elastic profiling according to  FIGS.  2 ,  3   , and Table 1 below having an effective belt width LW of 355 mm and a seam length LS of 130 mm. 
     Example 2 
     A wearable article of the present invention having an elastic profiling according to  FIG.  4   , and Table 1 below having an effective belt width LW of 355 mm and a seam length LS of 130 mm. 
     Comparative Example 1 
     A wearable article of the prior art having an elastic profiling according to  FIGS.  8 ,  9   , and Table 1 below having an effective belt width LW of 355 mm and a seam length LS of 130 mm. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
             
               
                   
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
            
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 dtex/elongation %/number of elastic bodies 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                   
                   
                 Comparative 
               
               
                   
                 Example 1 
                 Example 2 
                 Example 1 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Front waist zone 
                 540 dtex/170%/4 
                 940 dtex/210%/3 
                 940 dtex/210%/3 
               
               
                 Front distal 
                 540 dtex/170%/2 and 
                 540 dtex/180%/2 and 
                 940 dtex/210%/3 and 
               
               
                 tummy zone 
                 540 dtex/275%/2 with tummy cut 
                 540 dtex/180%/2 with tummy cut and 
                 680 dtex/275%/1 with tummy cut 
               
               
                   
                   
                 540 dtex/275%/1 with tummy cut 
               
               
                 Front proximal 
                 540 dtex/275%/2 with tummy cut and 
                 540 dtex/275%/1 with tummy cut and 
                 680 dtex/275%/5 with tummy cut 
               
               
                 tummy zone 
                 940 dtex/275%/6 with tummy cut 
                 940 dtex/275%/6 with tummy cut 
               
               
                 Front leg zone 
                 540 dtex/275%/2 with tummy cut 
                 540 dtex/150%/4 with tummy cut 
                 680 dtex/275%/2 with tummy cut 
               
               
                 Back waist zone 
                 540 dtex/170%/4 
                 940 dtex/210%/3 
                 940 dtex/210%/3 
               
               
                 Back distal 
                 940 dtex/170%/4 
                 1100 dtex/180%/3 
                 1100 dtex/170%/3 
               
               
                 tummy zone 
               
               
                 Back proximal 
                 540 dtex/275%/6 with tummy cut 
                 1100 dtex/180%/1 and 
                 680 dtex/275%/4 with tummy cut 
               
               
                 tummy zone 
                   
                 540 dtex/275%/4 with tummy cut 
               
               
                 Back leg zone 
                 540 dtex/275%/2 with tummy cut 
                 540 dtex/150%/2 with tummy cut 
                 680 dtex/275%/3 with tummy cut 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Elastic bodies indicated as “tummy cut” are removed of elasticity at the central area of the central panels  80  overlapping with the main body  38 , and have 66% effective length of elasticity. 
     The Waist Circumference Force and tensile stress for each zone were measured according to the Whole Article Force Measurement and Belt Zone Tensile Stress Force Measurement methods herein, respectively, for Example 1 and Comparative Example 1. Results are found in Table 2. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                 TABLE 2 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Example 1 
                 Comparative Example 1 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                 Waist Circumference Force (N) 
                 6.12 
                 5.99 
               
               
                 Tensile Stress (N/m) 
               
               
                 Front waist zone 
                 27.4 
                 36.3 
               
               
                 Front distal tummy zone 
                 27.4 
                 29.8 
               
               
                 Front proximal tummy zone 
                 107.7 
                 25.7 
               
               
                 Front leg zone 
                 19.5 
                 22.1 
               
               
                 Back waist zone 
                 28.6 
                 32.0 
               
               
                 Back distal tummy zone 
                 49.5 
                 39.4 
               
               
                 Back proximal tummy zone 
                 32.5 
                 20.4 
               
               
                 Back leg zone 
                 20.5 
                 23.1 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     For Examples 1-2, the tensile stress of the front proximal tummy zone is highest among any other zone, and is more than 150% of the tensile stress of the back proximal zone. For Example 1, the tensile stress of the front proximal tummy zone is more than 200% of the tensile stress of the front distal tummy zone. 
     Also for Examples 1-2, the tensile stress of the front leg zone is no more than 60% of the tensile stress of the front proximal tummy zone, and the tensile stress of the back leg zone is no more than 100% of the tensile stress of the back proximal tummy zone. 
     For Comparative Example 1, the tensile stress of the front proximal tummy zone is lower than the tensile stress of the front distal tummy zone, and is less than 150% of the tensile stress of the back proximal zone. Also for Comparative Example 1, the tensile stress of the front leg zone is greater than the tensile stress of the front proximal tummy zone, and the tensile stress of the back leg zone is greater than the tensile stress of the back proximal tummy zone. 
     Example 1 provided profiling of tensile stress per zone without significant increase of total tensile force of the belt compared to Comparative Example 1. 
     Compared to Comparative Example 1, Examples 1-2 provide improvement in one or more of: fit, coverage of buttock area, comfort during wear, prevention of sagging, prevention of leakage, fit around waist, softness of inside of the belt, prevention of red marking, overall softness, looking soft, and perceived overall quality. 
     Consumer Acceptance 
     Example 1 and Comparative Example 1 including an identical absorbent core were subjected to a consumer test for application on 50 panelists and 51 panelists, respectively. The panelists were caregivers of Japanese Size 4 (L-size) wearers of age 0-36 months, and at about the same boy/girl ratio. The panelists were given enough products to use either product for 5 days, and then answer a questionnaire including the following questions, and asked to rate the performance in 5 scales from “Very Poor” to “Excellent”, wherein 100 represents “Excellent”, 75 represents “Good”, 50 represent “Fair”, 25 represent “Poor” and 0 represents “Very Poor”. The ratings were averaged and statistically analyzed. Test results are shown below in Table 3. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 3 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Question 
                 Example 1 
                 Comparative Example 1 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                 Overall Rating 
                  77* 
                 69 
               
               
                 Overall Softness 
                  86* 
                 71 
               
               
                 Belt Softness 
                 79 
                 70 
               
               
                 Overall Fit Of The Pant 
                 72 
                 64 
               
               
                 When The Diaper Is Full 
               
               
                 Overall Quality Of The Product 
                  80* 
                 71 
               
               
                 Preventing Skin Problems 
                 70 
                 62 
               
               
                 Such As Rash/Redness/Would 
               
               
                 Cause You Concern 
               
               
                 Preventing Diaper Dropping 
                 76 
                 71 
               
               
                 &amp; Sagging That Would Cause 
               
               
                 You Concern 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 *Statistically significant over Comparative Example 1 with 90% confidence level 
               
            
           
         
       
     
     According to the consumer acceptance test results, Example 1 of the present invention, compared to Comparative Example 1, was accepted better in all aspects of the product listed above, and was statistically significantly better accepted in many aspects of the product. In particular, Example 1 was significantly conceived better in “Overall Rating”, “Overall Softness”, and “Overall quality of the product”. This demonstrates that the article of the present invention is significantly better compared to an article of the prior art. 
     The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean “about 40 mm.” 
     Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or related patent or application, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern. 
     While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.