Patent Description:
Along an assembly line, various types of articles, such as for example, diapers and other absorbent articles, may be assembled by adding components to and/or otherwise modifying an advancing, continuous web of material. For example, in some processes, advancing webs of material are combined with other advancing webs of material. In other examples, individual components created from advancing webs of material are combined with advancing webs of material, which in turn, are then combined with other advancing webs of material. In some cases, individual components created from an advancing web or webs are combined with other individual components created from other advancing webs. Webs of material and component parts used to manufacture diapers may include: backsheets, topsheets, leg cuffs, waist bands, absorbent core components, front and/or back ears, fastening components, and various types of elastic webs and components such as front and/or back waist panels, leg elastics, barrier leg cuff elastics, stretch side panels, and waist elastics. Once the desired component parts are assembled, the advancing web(s) and component parts are subjected to a final knife cut to separate the web(s) into discrete diapers or other absorbent articles.

Some absorbent articles have components that include elastomeric laminates. Such elastomeric laminates may include an elastic material bonded to one or more nonwovens. The elastic material may include an elastic film and/or elastic strands. In some laminates, a plurality of elastic strands are joined to a nonwoven while the plurality of strands are in a stretched condition so that when the elastic strands relax, the nonwoven gathers in the locations where the nonwoven is bonded to the elastic strands, and in turn, forms corrugations and rugosities. The resulting elastomeric laminate is stretchable to the extent that the corrugations allow the elastic strands to elongate.

Some absorbent articles in the form of diaper pants are configured with an absorbent chassis connected with front and back elastic belts, wherein opposing end regions of the front and back belts are connected with each other at side seams. In some instances, the elasticity of the front and back belts is removed in regions where the chassis connects with the belts. Thus, in some converting configurations adapted to assemble such diaper pants, stretched elastic strands are glued between two continuous nonwoven webs to form an elastic laminate. Regions of the elastic strands may then be intermittently deactivated along the length of the elastic laminate by cutting the elastic strands. Subsequent to deactivating the elastic strands, the elastic laminate may be subjected to additional handling and converting operations. <CIT> discloses such an absorbent article comprising a non-elastomeric region where the elastic material was deactivated.

In some operations, an elastic laminate may advance through a cutting station that cuts the elastic in the advancing laminate. For example, the elastic strands may be cut with a knife blade configured with a relatively smooth and/or radiused edge that creates enough compressive load to rupture the elastic strands without cutting through the nonwoven webs. However, when attempting to cut elastic strands with relatively low decitex, it can be challenging to utilize such strand cutting technology to successfully and consistently cut such elastic strands without damaging the nonwovens. As such, consistently cutting the relatively low decitex elastic strands may require a process that cuts through the nonwoven webs, which in turn, may damage the elastic laminate, resulting in a relatively poor aesthetic appearance. In addition, the ends of the cut elastic stands may snap back and in an uncontrolled fashion and consequently may end up in undesired locations within the laminate. Further, cutting the nonwoven webs while deactivating the elastics in an elastic laminate may weaken the laminate, making the laminate relatively more likely to tear, and/or may otherwise result in control and handling difficulties associated with differential stretch characteristics within the laminate.

Consequently, it would be beneficial to provide methods and apparatuses that are configured to cut relatively low decitex elastic strands in elastic laminates in such a way to reduce web control and handling difficulties while helping to increase the aesthetic appearance of the laminate when utilized in an assembled product.

The absorbent article of the invention comprises: a body facing surface and a garment facing surface; a front waist region and a back waist region, the back waist region separated from the front waist region by a crotch region, the front waist region comprising a front waist edge, and the back waist region comprising a back waist edge, wherein a longitudinal axis extends perpendicularly through the front waist edge and the back waist edge, and wherein a lateral axis extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis; an absorbent assembly extending longitudinally through the crotch region between the front waist region and the back waist region, the absorbent assembly positioned between the body facing surface and the garment facing surface; wherein at least one of the front waist region and the back waist region comprises: an elastic material positioned between and connected with a first substrate and a second substrate; a first high-stretch zone and a second high-stretch zone separated laterally by a low-stretch zone, wherein the first and second high-stretch zones are elasticated by the elastic material; wherein the low-stretch zone comprises cut lines separating the elastic material into first discrete pieces and second discrete pieces; wherein the first discrete pieces of elastic material comprise a first length and wherein the second discrete pieces of elastic material comprise a second length, wherein the second length is greater than the first length; and wherein each cut line is oriented to define an offset angle relative to the lateral axis that is greater than <NUM> degrees and less than <NUM> degrees.

The following term explanations may be useful in understanding the present disclosure:
"Absorbent article" refers to devices, which absorb and contain body exudates and, more specifically, refers to devices, which are placed against or in proximity to the body of the wearer to absorb and contain the various exudates discharged from the body. Exemplary absorbent articles include diapers, training pants, pull-on pant-type diapers (i.e., a diaper having a pre-formed waist opening and leg openings such as illustrated in <CIT>), refastenable diapers or pant-type diapers, incontinence briefs and undergarments, diaper holders and liners, feminine hygiene garments such as panty liners, absorbent inserts, menstrual pads and the like.

"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's garments that may be worn over the disposable absorbent article).

The terms "elastic," "elastomer" or "elastomeric" refers to materials exhibiting elastic properties, which include any material that upon application of a force to its relaxed, initial length can stretch or elongate to an elongated length more than <NUM>% greater than its initial length and will substantially recover back to about its initial length upon release of the applied force. Elastomeric materials may include elastomeric films, scrims, nonwovens, ribbons, strands and other sheet-like structures.

As used herein, the term "joined" encompasses configurations whereby an element is directly secured to another element by affixing the element directly to the other element, and 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.

As used herein, the term "distal" is used to describe a position situated away from a center of a body or from a point of attachment, and the term "proximal" is used to describe a position situated nearer to a center of a body or a point of attachment.

The term "substrate" is used herein to describe a material which is primarily two-dimensional (i.e., in an XY plane) and whose thickness (in a Z direction) is relatively small (i.e., <NUM>/<NUM> or less) in comparison to its length (in an X direction) and width (in a Y direction). Nonlimiting examples of substrates include a web, layer or layers or fibrous materials, nonwovens, films and foils such as polymeric films or metallic foils. These materials may be used alone or may comprise two or more layers laminated together. As such, a web is a substrate.

The term "nonwoven" refers herein to a material made from continuous (long) filaments (fibers) and/or discontinuous (short) filaments (fibers) by processes such as spunbonding, meltblowing, carding, and the like. Nonwovens do not have a woven or knitted filament pattern.

The term "machine direction" (MD) is used herein to refer to the direction of material flow through a process. In addition, relative placement and movement of material can be described as flowing in the machine direction through a process from upstream in the process to downstream in the process.

The term "cross direction" (CD) is used herein to refer to a direction that is generally perpendicular to the machine direction.

"Pre-strain" refers to the strain imposed on an elastic or elastomeric material prior to combining it with another element of the elastomeric laminate or the absorbent article. Pre-strain is determined by the following equation Pre-strain = ((extended length of the elastic-relaxed length of the elastic)/relaxed length of the elastic)*<NUM>.

"Decitex" also known as Dtex is a measurement used in the textile industry used for measuring yarns or filaments. <NUM> Decitex = <NUM> gram per <NUM>,<NUM> meters. In other words, if <NUM>,<NUM> linear meters of a yarn or filament weights <NUM> grams that yarn or filament would have a decitex of <NUM>.

The term "taped diaper" (also referred to as "open diaper") refers to disposable absorbent articles having an initial front waist region and an initial back waist region that are not fastened, pre-fastened, or connected to each other as packaged, prior to being applied to the wearer. A taped diaper may be folded about the lateral centerline with the interior of one waist region in surface to surface contact with the interior of the opposing waist region without fastening or joining the waist regions together. Example taped diapers are disclosed in various suitable configurations <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, and <CIT>; and <CIT>; <CIT>; and <CIT>.

The term "pant" (also referred to as "training pant", "pre-closed diaper", "diaper pant", "pant diaper", and "pull-on diaper") refers herein to disposable absorbent articles having a continuous perimeter waist opening and continuous perimeter leg openings designed for infant or adult wearers. A pant can be configured with a continuous or closed waist opening and at least one continuous, closed, leg opening prior to the article being applied to the wearer. A pant can be preformed or pre-fastened by various techniques including, but not limited to, joining together portions of the article using any refastenable and/or permanent closure member (e.g., seams, heat bonds, pressure welds, adhesives, cohesive bonds, mechanical fasteners, etc.). A pant can be preformed anywhere along the circumference of the article in the waist region (e.g., side fastened or seamed, front waist fastened or seamed, back waist fastened or seamed). Example diaper pants in various configurations are disclosed in <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT> and <CIT>; <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; and <CIT>.

"Closed-form" means opposing waist regions are joined, as packaged, either permanently or refastenably to form a continuous waist opening and leg openings.

"Open-form" means opposing waist regions are not initially joined to form a continuous waist opening and leg openings but comprise a closure means such as a fastening system to join the waist regions to form the waist and leg openings before or during application to a wearer of the article.

The present disclosure relates to absorbent articles including elastic laminates, and more particularly, to absorbent articles having elastic laminates in front and/or back waist regions with high-stretch zones and low-stretch zones. In some configurations, an absorbent article may include a body facing surface and a garment facing surface with a front waist region and a back waist region separated by a crotch region. The front waist region comprises a front waist edge, and the back waist region comprises a back waist edge. A longitudinal axis extends perpendicularly through the front waist edge and the back waist edge, and a lateral axis extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis. An absorbent assembly positioned between the body facing surface and the garment facing surface may extend longitudinally through the crotch region between the front waist region and the back waist region. At least one of the front waist region and the back waist region may comprise: an elastic material positioned between and connected with a first substrate and a second substrate, and a first high-stretch zone and a second high-stretch zone separated laterally by a low-stretch zone. The first and second high-stretch zones are elasticated by the elastic material. The low-stretch zone comprises cut lines separating the elastic material into first discrete pieces having a first length and second discrete pieces having a second length, wherein the second length is greater than the first length. In some configurations, each cut line is oriented to define an offset angle relative to the lateral axis that is greater than <NUM> degrees and less than <NUM> degrees, specifically reciting all <NUM> degree increments within the above-recited range and all ranges formed therein or thereby. In some configurations, the cut lines penetrate through the elastic material, the first substrate, and the second substrate. In turn, the offset angles of the cut lines help to prevent the cut lines from opening when lateral forces are applied to the respective first and second substrates. In addition, the cut length differences help to mask the cut lines.

<FIG> show an example of an absorbent article <NUM> in the form of a diaper pant 100P that may include components constructed from elastic laminates assembled in accordance with the configurations disclosed herein. In particular, <FIG> shows a perspective views of a diaper pant 100P in a pre-fastened configuration. <FIG> shows a plan view of the diaper pant 100P with the portion of the diaper that faces away from a wearer oriented toward the viewer, and <FIG> shows a plan view of the diaper pant 100P with the portion of the diaper that faces toward a wearer oriented toward the viewer. The diaper pant 100P includes a chassis <NUM> and a ring-like elastic belt <NUM>. As discussed below in more detail, a first elastic belt <NUM> and a second elastic belt <NUM> are bonded together to form the ring-like elastic belt <NUM>.

With continued reference to <FIG>, the diaper pant 100P and the chassis <NUM> each include a first waist region <NUM>, a second waist region <NUM>, and a crotch region <NUM> disposed intermediate the first and second waist regions. It may also be described that the chassis <NUM> includes a first end region 116a, a second end region 118a, and a crotch region <NUM> disposed intermediate the first and second end regions 116a, 118a. The first waist region <NUM> may be configured as a front waist region, and the second waist region <NUM> may be configured as back waist region. The diaper 100P may also include a laterally extending front waist edge <NUM> in the front waist region <NUM> and a longitudinally opposing and laterally extending back waist edge <NUM> in the back waist region <NUM>. To provide a frame of reference for the present discussion, the diaper 100P and chassis <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG> are shown with a longitudinal axis <NUM> and a lateral axis <NUM>. In some embodiments, the longitudinal axis <NUM> may extend through the front waist edge <NUM> and through the back waist edge <NUM>. And the lateral axis <NUM> may extend through a first longitudinal or right side edge <NUM> and through a second longitudinal or left side edge <NUM> of the chassis <NUM>. As previously mentioned, the longitudinal axis <NUM> extends perpendicularly through the front waist edge <NUM> and the back waist edge <NUM>, and the lateral axis <NUM> extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the diaper pant 100P may include an inner, body facing surface <NUM>, and an outer, garment facing surface <NUM>. The chassis <NUM> may include a backsheet <NUM> and a topsheet <NUM>. The chassis <NUM> may also include an absorbent assembly <NUM>, including an absorbent core <NUM>, disposed between a portion of the topsheet <NUM> and the backsheet <NUM>. As discussed in more detail below, the diaper 100P may also include other features, such as leg elastics and/or leg cuffs to enhance the fit around the legs of the wearer.

As shown in <FIG>, the periphery of the chassis <NUM> may be defined by the first longitudinal side edge <NUM>, a second longitudinal side edge <NUM>, a first laterally extending end edge <NUM> disposed in the first waist region <NUM>, and a second laterally extending end edge <NUM> disposed in the second waist region <NUM>. Both side edges <NUM> and <NUM> extend longitudinally between the first end edge <NUM> and the second end edge <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the laterally extending end edges <NUM> and <NUM> are located longitudinally inward from the laterally extending front waist edge <NUM> in the front waist region <NUM> and the laterally extending back waist edge <NUM> in the back waist region <NUM>. When the diaper pant 100P is worn on the lower torso of a wearer, the front waist edge <NUM> and the back waist edge <NUM> may encircle a portion of the waist of the wearer. At the same time, the side edges <NUM> and <NUM> may encircle at least a portion of the legs of the wearer. And the crotch region <NUM> may be generally positioned between the legs of the wearer with the absorbent core <NUM> extending from the front waist region <NUM> through the crotch region <NUM> to the back waist region <NUM>.

As previously mentioned, the diaper pant 100P may include a backsheet <NUM>. The backsheet <NUM> may also define the outer, garment facing surface <NUM> of the chassis <NUM>. The backsheet <NUM> may also comprise a woven or nonwoven material, polymeric films such as thermoplastic films of polyethylene or polypropylene, and/or a multi-layer or composite materials comprising a film and a nonwoven material. The backsheet may also comprise an elastomeric film. An example backsheet <NUM> may be a polyethylene film having a thickness of from about <NUM> (<NUM> mils) to about <NUM> (<NUM> mils). Further, the backsheet <NUM> may permit vapors to escape from the absorbent core (i.e., the backsheet is breathable) while still preventing exudates from passing through the backsheet <NUM>.

Also described above, the diaper pant 100P may include a topsheet <NUM>. The topsheet <NUM> may also define all or part of the inner, wearer facing surface <NUM> of the chassis <NUM>. The topsheet <NUM> may be liquid pervious, permitting liquids (e.g., menses, urine, and/or runny feces) to penetrate through its thickness. A topsheet <NUM> may be manufactured from a wide range of materials such as woven and nonwoven materials; apertured or hydroformed thermoplastic films; apertured nonwovens, porous foams; reticulated foams; reticulated thermoplastic films; and thermoplastic scrims. Woven and nonwoven materials may comprise natural fibers such as wood or cotton fibers; synthetic fibers such as polyester, polypropylene, or polyethylene fibers; or combinations thereof. If the topsheet <NUM> includes fibers, the fibers may be spunbond, carded, wet-laid, meltblown, hydroentangled, or otherwise processed as is known in the art. Topsheets <NUM> may be selected from high loft nonwoven topsheets, apertured film topsheets and apertured nonwoven topsheets. Exemplary apertured films may include those described in <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; and <CIT>.

As mentioned above, the diaper pant 100P may also include an absorbent assembly <NUM> that is joined to the chassis <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the absorbent assembly <NUM> may have a laterally extending front edge <NUM> in the front waist region <NUM> and may have a longitudinally opposing and laterally extending back edge <NUM> in the back waist region <NUM>. The absorbent assembly may have a longitudinally extending right side edge <NUM> and may have a laterally opposing and longitudinally extending left side edge <NUM>, both absorbent assembly side edges <NUM> and <NUM> may extend longitudinally between the front edge <NUM> and the back edge <NUM>. The absorbent assembly <NUM> may additionally include one or more absorbent cores <NUM> or absorbent core layers. The absorbent core <NUM> may be at least partially disposed between the topsheet <NUM> and the backsheet <NUM> and may be formed in various sizes and shapes that are compatible with the diaper. Exemplary absorbent structures for use as the absorbent core of the present disclosure are described in <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; and <CIT>.

Some absorbent core embodiments may comprise fluid storage cores that contain reduced amounts of cellulosic airfelt material. For instance, such cores may comprise less than about <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, or even <NUM>% of cellulosic airfelt material. Such a core may comprise primarily absorbent gelling material in amounts of at least about <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, or even about <NUM>%, where the remainder of the core comprises a microfiber glue (if applicable). Such cores, microfiber glues, and absorbent gelling materials are described in <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; and <CIT> as well as <CIT> and <CIT>.

As previously mentioned, the diaper 100P may also include elasticized leg cuffs <NUM>. It is to be appreciated that the leg cuffs <NUM> can be and are sometimes also referred to as leg bands, side flaps, barrier cuffs, elastic cuffs or gasketing cuffs. The elasticized leg cuffs <NUM> may be configured in various ways to help reduce the leakage of body exudates in the leg regions. Example leg cuffs <NUM> may include those described in <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; and <CIT>.

As mentioned above, diaper pants may be manufactured with a ring-like elastic belt <NUM> and provided to consumers in a configuration wherein the front waist region <NUM> and the back waist region <NUM> are connected to each other as packaged, prior to being applied to the wearer. As such, diaper pants may have a continuous perimeter waist opening <NUM> and continuous perimeter leg openings <NUM> such as shown in <FIG>. The ring-like elastic belt may be formed by joining a first elastic belt to a second elastic belt with a permanent side seam or with an openable and reclosable fastening system disposed at or adjacent the laterally opposing sides of the belts.

As previously mentioned, the ring-like elastic belt <NUM> may be defined by a first elastic belt <NUM> connected with a second elastic belt <NUM>. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the first elastic belt <NUM> extends between a first longitudinal side edge 111a and a second longitudinal side edge 111b and defines first and second opposing end regions 106a, 106b and a central region 106c. And the second elastic <NUM> belt extends between a first longitudinal side edge 113a and a second longitudinal side edge 113b and defines first and second opposing end regions 108a, 108b and a central region 108c. The distance between the first longitudinal side edge 111a and the second longitudinal side edge 111b defines the pitch length, PL, of the first elastic belt <NUM>, and the distance between the first longitudinal side edge 113a and the second longitudinal side edge 113b defines the pitch length, PL, of the second elastic belt <NUM>. The central region 106c of the first elastic belt is connected with the first waist region <NUM> or first end region 116a of the chassis <NUM>, and the central region 108c of the second elastic belt <NUM> is connected with the second waist region <NUM> or second end region 118a of the chassis <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the first end region 106a of the first elastic belt <NUM> is connected with the first end region 108a of the second elastic belt <NUM> at first side seam <NUM>, and the second end region 106b of the first elastic belt <NUM> is connected with the second end region 108b of the second elastic belt <NUM> at second side seam <NUM> to define the ring-like elastic belt <NUM> as well as the waist opening <NUM> and leg openings <NUM>. It is to be appreciated that the first belt <NUM> and the second belt <NUM> may be permanently or refastenably connected with each other at the first side seam <NUM> and the second side seam <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the first elastic belt <NUM> also defines an outer laterally extending edge 107a and an inner laterally extending edge 107b, and the second elastic belt <NUM> defines an outer laterally extending edge 109a and an inner laterally extending edge 109b. As such, a perimeter edge 112a of one leg opening may be defined by portions of the inner laterally extending edge 107b of the first elastic belt <NUM>, the inner laterally extending edge 109b of the second elastic belt <NUM>, and the first longitudinal or right side edge <NUM> of the chassis <NUM>. And a perimeter edge 112b of the other leg opening may be defined by portions of the inner laterally extending edge 107b, the inner laterally extending edge 109b, and the second longitudinal or left side edge <NUM> of the chassis <NUM>. The outer laterally extending edges 107a, 109a may also define the front waist edge <NUM> and the laterally extending back waist edge <NUM> of the diaper pant 100P.

It is to be appreciated that the first elastic belt <NUM> and the second elastic belt <NUM> may define different sizes and shapes. In some configurations, the first elastic belt <NUM> and/or second elastic belt <NUM> may define curved contours. For example, the inner lateral edges 107b, 109b of the first and/or second elastic belts <NUM>, <NUM> may include non-linear or curved portions in the first and second opposing end regions. Such curved contours may help define desired shapes to leg opening <NUM>, such as for example, relatively rounded leg openings. In addition to having curved contours, the elastic belts <NUM>, <NUM> may include elastic strands <NUM> that extend along non-linear or curved paths that may correspond with the curved contours of the inner lateral edges 107b, 109b.

<FIG> shows a configuration wherein the first elastic belt <NUM> and the second elastic belt <NUM> both define generally rectangular shapes. For example, as shown in <FIG>, the outer laterally extending edge 107a of the first elastic belt <NUM> may comprise a lateral width of W1D and the inner laterally extending edge 107b may comprise a lateral width of W1P, wherein W1D and W1P are equal or substantially equal. In addition, the outer laterally extending edge 109a of the second elastic belt <NUM> may comprise a lateral width of W2D and the inner laterally extending edge 109b may comprise a lateral width of W2P, wherein W2D and W2P are equal or substantially equal.

In some configurations, at least one of the first elastic belt <NUM> and the second elastic belt <NUM> may comprise lateral edges having different lengths. For example, <FIG> shows a configuration wherein the first elastic belt <NUM> defines a generally rectangular shape, such as described with reference to <FIG>, and wherein the outer laterally extending edge 109a of the second elastic belt <NUM> and the inner laterally extending edge 109b have different lengths. As shown in <FIG>, the outer laterally extending edge 109a of the second elastic belt <NUM> may comprise a lateral width of W2D and the inner laterally extending edge 109b may comprise a lateral width of W2P, wherein W2D is greater than W2P.

In some configurations, both the first elastic belt <NUM> and the second elastic belt <NUM> may comprise lateral edges having different lengths. For example, <FIG> shows a configuration wherein the outer laterally extending edge 107a of the first elastic belt <NUM> and the inner laterally extending edge 107b have different lengths, and wherein the outer laterally extending edge 109a of the second elastic belt <NUM> and the inner laterally extending edge 109b have different lengths. As shown in <FIG>, the outer laterally extending edge 107a of the first elastic belt <NUM> may comprise a lateral width of W1D and the inner laterally extending edge 107b may comprise a lateral width of W1P, wherein W1D is greater than W1P, and wherein the outer laterally extending edge 109a of the second elastic belt <NUM> may comprise a lateral width of W2D and the inner laterally extending edge 109b may comprise a lateral width of W2P, wherein W2D is greater than W2P.

With reference to <FIG>, the first elastic belt <NUM> may define a longitudinal length LT1 extending between outer laterally extending edge 107a and the inner laterally extending edge 107b, and the second elastic belt <NUM> may define a longitudinal length LT2 extending between outer laterally extending edge 109a and the inner laterally extending edge 109b. In some configurations, LT1 may be equal to LT2. In some configurations, LT1 may be less or greater than LT2. With continued reference to <FIG>, in some configurations, W1D may be equal to W1P, or W1D may be different than W1P. In some configurations, W2D may be equal to W2P, or W2D may be different than W2P. In some configurations, W1D and/or W1P may be equal to or different W2D and/or W2P.

With reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the first elastic belt <NUM> and the second elastic belt <NUM> may also each include a first substrate <NUM> and a second substrate <NUM>. The first substrates <NUM> may be oriented to define at least a portion of the garment facing surfaces of the first elastic belt <NUM> and the second elastic belt <NUM>, and the second substrates <NUM> may be oriented to define at least a portion of the wearer facing surfaces of the first elastic belt <NUM> and the second elastic belt <NUM>. The first substrate <NUM> may extend from a proximal edge 162b to a distal edge 162a for a maximum length L1, and the second substrate <NUM> may extend from a proximal edge 164b to a distal edge 164a for a maximum length L2. It is to be appreciated that the distal edge 162a and/or the proximal edge 162b of the first substrate <NUM> may be straight and/or curved and/or may be parallel or unparallel to each other. It is also to be appreciated that the distal edge 164a and/or the proximal edge 164b of the second substrate <NUM> may be straight and/or curved and/or may be parallel or unparallel to each other. As such, the maximum length L1 refers to the longest distance extending longitudinally between the distal edge 162a and the proximal edge 162b of the first substrate <NUM>, and the maximum length L2 refers to the longest distance extending longitudinally between the distal edge 164a and the proximal edge 164b of the second substrate <NUM>. In some configurations, the distal edge 162a of the first substrate <NUM> may define at least a portion of the front waist edge <NUM> and/or at least a portion of back waist edge <NUM>, and/or the distal edge 164a of the second substrate <NUM> may define at least a portion of the front waist edge <NUM> and/or at least a portion of back waist edge <NUM>. As such, in some configurations, the distal edge 162a of the first substrate <NUM> and/or the distal edge 164a of the second substrate <NUM> may define at least a portion of the waist opening <NUM>. It is also to be appreciated that the first substrate <NUM> and/or the second substrate <NUM> may extend continuously from the first belt <NUM> to the second belt <NUM>.

It is to be appreciated that the first substrate <NUM> and the second substrate <NUM> may define various lateral widths that may or may not be equal. For example, as shown in <FIG>, the first substrate <NUM> may extend laterally between a first longitudinal edge 162e and a second longitudinal edge 162f to define a first lateral width W1, and the second substrate <NUM> may extend laterally between a first longitudinal edge 164e and a second longitudinal edge 164f to define a second lateral width W2.

In some configurations, the proximal edge 162b of the first substrate <NUM> and/or the proximal edge 164b of the second substrate <NUM> may extend laterally across the backsheet <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the first substrate <NUM> includes a garment facing surface 162c and an opposing wearer facing surface 162d, and the second substrate <NUM> includes a garment facing surface 164c and an opposing wearer facing surface 164d. In some configurations, the first elastic belt <NUM> and/or the second elastic belt <NUM> may include a folded portion of at least the first substrate <NUM> and/or the second substrate <NUM>. For example, the first elastic belt <NUM> and/or the second elastic belt <NUM> may include a folded portion of the first substrate <NUM> extending longitudinally between a fold line in the first substrate <NUM> and a lateral edge. As such, the folded portion of the first substrate <NUM> may be connected with the wearer facing surface 164d of the second substrate <NUM>. In another example, the first elastic belt <NUM> and/or the second elastic belt <NUM> may include a folded portion of the second substrate <NUM> extending longitudinally between a fold line in the second substrate <NUM> and a lateral edge. As such, the folded portion of the second substrate <NUM> may be connected with the garment facing surface 162c of the first substrate <NUM>. As such, in some configurations, a fold line of the first substrate <NUM> and/or a fold line of the second substrate <NUM> may define at least a portion of the waist opening <NUM>.

It is to be appreciated that the first elastic belt <NUM> and the second elastic belt <NUM> may comprise the same materials and/or may have the same structure. In some embodiments, the first elastic belt <NUM> and the second elastic belt may comprise different materials and/or may have different structures. It should also be appreciated that components of the first elastic belt <NUM> and the second elastic belt <NUM>, such as the first substrate <NUM>, and/or second substrate <NUM> may be constructed from various materials. For example, the first and/or second belts may include a first substrate <NUM>, and/or second substrate <NUM> that may be manufactured from materials such as plastic films; apertured plastic films; woven or nonwoven webs of natural materials (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. In some configurations, the first and/or second belts may include a first substrate <NUM>, and/or second substrate <NUM> comprising a nonwoven web of synthetic fibers, and may include a stretchable nonwoven. In some configurations, the first and second elastic belts may include an inner hydrophobic, non-stretchable nonwoven material and an outer hydrophobic, non-stretchable nonwoven material. It is to be appreciated that the belts may configured in various ways, such as disclosed for example, in <CIT> and Chinese Patent Application No. <CIT>.

Elastic material <NUM> may be positioned between the wearer facing surface 162d of the first substrate <NUM> and the garment facing surface 164c of the second substrate <NUM>. It is to be appreciated that the elastic material <NUM> may include one or more elastic elements such as strands, ribbons, elastic films, or panels extending along the lengths of the elastic belts. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the elastic material <NUM> may include a plurality of elastic strands <NUM>.

It is also to be appreciated that the first substrate <NUM>, second substrate <NUM>, and/or elastic material <NUM> of the first elastic belt <NUM> and/or second elastic belt <NUM> may be bonded together and/or with other components, such as the chassis <NUM>, with adhesive and/or mechanical bonds. It is to be appreciated that adhesive and mechanical bonding methods may be utilized alone or in combination with each other.

In some configurations, adhesive may be applied to at least one of the first substrate <NUM>, second substrate <NUM>, and/or elastic material <NUM> when being combined to form the first elastic belt <NUM> and/or second elastic belt <NUM>. In some configurations, mechanical bonding devices may apply mechanical bonds to the to at least one of the first substrate <NUM>, second substrate <NUM>, and/or elastic material <NUM> when being combined to form the first elastic belt <NUM> and/or second elastic belt <NUM>. Such mechanical bonds may be applied with heat, pressure, and/or ultrasonic devices. In some configurations, mechanical bonding devices may apply bonds that bond the first substrate <NUM>, second substrate <NUM>, and/or elastic material <NUM> together and/or may act to trap or immobilize discrete lengths of the contracted elastic strands in the first elastic belt <NUM> and/or second elastic belt <NUM>.

It is also to be appreciated that the first substrate <NUM>, second substrate <NUM>, and/or elastic material <NUM> may be bonded together with various methods and apparatuses to create various elastomeric laminates, such as described in <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; and <CIT>.

It is to be appreciated that components of the first elastic belt <NUM> and/or the second elastic belt <NUM> may be assembled in various ways and various combinations to create various desirable various features that may differ along the lateral width and/or longitudinal length of the first elastic belt <NUM> and/or the second elastic belt <NUM>. Such features may include, for example, Dtex values, bond patterns, aperture arrangements, elastic positioning, Average Dtex values, Average Pre-Strain values, rugosity frequencies, rugosity wavelengths, height values, and/or contact area. It is to be appreciated that differing features may be imparted to various components, such as for example, the first substrate <NUM>, second substrate <NUM>, and elastic material <NUM> before and/or during stages of assembly of the first elastic belt <NUM> and/or the second elastic belt <NUM>.

It is to be appreciated that the first elastic belt <NUM> and/or the second elastic belt <NUM> may include various configurations of belt elastic materials <NUM> arranged in relation to each other and to the first substrate <NUM>, and the second substrate <NUM>. As discussed above, the elastic material <NUM> may include configurations of one or more elastic elements such as strands, ribbons, films, or panels positioned in various arrangements. In some configurations, the elastic material <NUM> may comprise various elastics, elastic features and arrangements, and processes for assembly, such as described in <CIT>;<CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>;<CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; and <CIT>. It is also to be appreciated the elastic materials <NUM> herein may be configured with identical or different colors in various different locations on the first elastic belt <NUM> and/or the second elastic belt <NUM>.

In some configurations, the elastic material <NUM> may be configured as elastic strands <NUM> disposed at a constant interval in the longitudinal direction. In other embodiments, the elastic strands <NUM> may be disposed at different intervals in the longitudinal direction. In some configurations, the elastic material <NUM> in a stretched condition may be interposed and joined between uncontracted substrate layers. When the elastic material <NUM> is relaxed, the elastic material <NUM> returns to an unstretched condition and contracts the substrate layers. The elastic material <NUM> may provide a desired variation of contraction force in the area of the ring-like elastic belt. It is to be appreciated that the chassis <NUM> and elastic belts <NUM>, <NUM> may be configured in different ways other than as depicted in attached Figures. It is also to be appreciated that the elastic material <NUM> material may be joined to the substrates continuously or intermittently along the interface between the elastic material <NUM> material and the substrates. In some configurations, the elastic strands <NUM> may be in the form of extruded elastic strands, which may also be bonded with the first substrate <NUM> and/or second substrate <NUM> in a pre-corrugated configuration, such as disclosed for example in <CIT>.

As discussed above for example with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the elastic material <NUM> discussed herein may be in the form of elastic strands <NUM>. In some configurations, the elastic strands <NUM> may be parallel with each other and/or with the lateral axis <NUM>. It is to be appreciated that the first elastic belt <NUM> and/or second elastic belt <NUM> may be configured to include various quantities of elastic strands <NUM>. In some configurations, the first elastic belt <NUM> and/or second elastic belt <NUM> may comprise from about <NUM> to about <NUM> elastic strands <NUM>. It is also to be appreciated that elastic strands <NUM> herein may comprise various Dtex values, strand spacing values, and pre-strain values and such elastic strands <NUM> may utilized with other elastic strands to create first and second elastic belts <NUM>, <NUM> comprising elastic strands <NUM> in various combinations of Dtex values, strand spacing values, and pre-strain values. For example, in some configurations, the Average-Dtex of one or more elastic strands <NUM> may be greater than <NUM>. In some configurations, the Average-Dtex of one or more elastic strands <NUM> may be from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, specifically reciting all <NUM> Dtex increments within the above-recited range and all ranges formed therein or thereby. In some configurations, a plurality of elastic strands <NUM> may comprise an Average-Strand-Spacing of less than or equal to <NUM>. In some configurations, a plurality of elastic strands <NUM> may comprise an Average-Strand-Spacing from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, specifically reciting all <NUM> increments within the above-recited range and all ranges formed therein or thereby. In some configurations, a plurality of elastic strands <NUM> may comprise an Average-Strand-Spacing of greater than <NUM>. In some configurations, the Average-Pre-Strain of each of a plurality of elastic strands may be from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%, specifically reciting all <NUM>% increments within the above-recited range and all ranges formed therein or thereby. In some configurations, the elastic strands <NUM> comprise an Average-Strand-Spacing from about <NUM> to about <NUM> and an Average-Dtex from about <NUM> to about <NUM>. In some configurations, the elastic strands <NUM> may comprise an Average-Pre-Strain from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%.

In some configurations, a first plurality of elastic strands may comprise a first Average-Pre-Strain from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%, and a second plurality of elastic strands may comprise a second Average-Pre-Strain that is greater than first Average-Pre-Strain. In some configurations, a first plurality of elastic strands comprises an Average-Strand-Spacing from about <NUM> to about <NUM> and an Average-Dtex from about <NUM> to about <NUM>; and a second plurality of elastic strands may comprise an Average-Strand-Spacing greater than about <NUM> and an Average-Dtex greater than about <NUM>.

In some configurations, such as shown in <FIG>, the elastic strands <NUM> may be referred to herein as outer, waist elastics <NUM> and inner, waist elastics <NUM>. Elastic strands <NUM>, such as the outer waist elastics <NUM>, may continuously extend laterally between the first and second opposing end regions 106a, 106b of the first elastic belt <NUM> and between the first and second opposing end regions 108a, 108b of the second elastic belt <NUM>. Some elastic strands <NUM>, such as the inner waist elastics <NUM>, may be configured with discontinuities in areas, such as for example, where the first and second elastic belts <NUM>, <NUM> overlap portions of the chassis <NUM>, such as the absorbent assembly <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the first elastic belt <NUM> and/or the second elastic belt <NUM> may be configured with high-stretch zones <NUM> and low-stretch zones <NUM>. The first elastic belt <NUM> and/or the second elastic belt <NUM> may include a first high-stretch zone 400a and a second high-stretch zone 400b separated laterally by a low-stretch zone <NUM>. Portions of the chassis <NUM>, such as the absorbent assembly <NUM>, may be connected with the first elastic belt <NUM> and/or the second elastic belt <NUM> in the low-stretch zones <NUM> in the first waist region <NUM> and/or the second waist region <NUM>. The high-stretch zones <NUM> are elasticated by the elastic material <NUM>, such as the elastic strands <NUM>, <NUM>; and the low-stretch zones <NUM> comprise cut lines <NUM> separating the elastic material <NUM>, such as the elastic strands <NUM>, <NUM>, into discrete pieces <NUM>. In turn, the low-stretch zones <NUM> define regions of the first elastic belt <NUM> and/or the second elastic belt <NUM> that have relatively less elasticity than the high-stretch zones <NUM>. The discrete elastic pieces <NUM> that are separated from each other and which are elastically contracted do not add any substantial amount of elastication to the low-stretch zone <NUM>. As such, upon application of a force, the high-stretch zones <NUM> will elongate more than the low-stretch zones <NUM>. As provided above, the terms "elastic," "elastomer" or "elastomeric" refers to materials exhibiting elastic properties, which include any material that upon application of a force to its relaxed, initial length can stretch or elongate to an elongated length more than <NUM>% greater than its initial length and will substantially recover back to about its initial length upon release of the applied force. In some configurations, the first elastic belt <NUM> and/or the second elastic belt <NUM> may be configured with high-stretch zones <NUM> that are elastic and may be configured with low-stretch zones <NUM> that are not elastic or "inelastic.

<FIG> and <FIG> show detailed views of portions of low-stretch zones <NUM> such as shown, for example, in the first belt <NUM> and the second belt of the pant diaper 100p illustrated in <FIG>. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, cut lines <NUM> in the low-stretch zones <NUM> separate the elastic strands <NUM> into discrete pieces <NUM>. For the purposes of clarity, the discrete pieces <NUM> of elastic strands <NUM> are not shown in <FIG>, and the cut lines <NUM> are faded in <FIG> to accentuate the visibility of the discrete pieces <NUM> of elastic strands <NUM>. In some configurations, the cut lines <NUM> penetrate through the elastic strands <NUM>, the first substrate <NUM>, and the second substrate <NUM>. In some configurations, the cut lines <NUM> may penetrate through the elastic strands <NUM> and only one of the first substrate <NUM> and the second substrate <NUM>. It is to be appreciated that the cut lines <NUM> may be arranged in various orientations and sizes. For example, as shown in <FIG> the cut lines may be oriented to define an offset angle <NUM> relative to the lateral axis <NUM>. The size of the offset angle <NUM> may be configured to help minimize or prevent the separation of opposing sides 404a, 404b of the cut lines <NUM> when the low-stretch zone <NUM> is subjected to opposing forces in the lateral directions, such as when the elastic belts <NUM>, <NUM> are stretched laterally. In some configurations, offset angles <NUM> may be greater than <NUM> degrees and less than <NUM> degrees, specifically reciting all <NUM> degree increments within the above-recited range and all ranges formed therein or thereby.

With continued reference to <FIG>, the cut lines <NUM> may be arranged in rows <NUM> comprising at least a first row 410a and a second row 410b neighboring the first row 410a. The cut lines in the first row 410a and the second row 410b may extend for a length <NUM> from a first end 404c to a second end 404d. In some configurations, the length <NUM> of each cut line <NUM> in the first row 410a and the second row 410b may be about <NUM>. In some configurations, the cut lines <NUM> in the first row 410a and the cut lines <NUM> in the second row 410b are parallel to each other. The <NUM> cut lines in the first row 410a and/or second row 410b may be separated from each other by a cut line gap distance <NUM>. In some configurations, the cut line gap distance <NUM> may be about <NUM>. The first ends 404c of cut lines <NUM> in the first row 410b and the first ends 404c of cut lines <NUM> in the second row 410b may be aligned along first reference lines <NUM> that are oriented to define a row angle relative <NUM> to the lateral axis <NUM>. In some configurations, the row angle <NUM> may be less than <NUM> degrees and greater than <NUM> degrees, specifically reciting all <NUM> degree increments within the above-recited range and all ranges formed therein or thereby. As shown in <FIG>, the second ends 404d of cut lines <NUM> in the first row 410a and the second ends 404d of cut lines <NUM> in the second row 410b may be aligned along second reference lines <NUM>. In some configurations, the second reference <NUM> lines are parallel to the first reference lines <NUM>. In addition, the second reference line <NUM> of the first row 410a may be separated from the first reference line <NUM> of the second row 410b by a row gap distance <NUM>. In some configurations, the row gap distance <NUM> may be about <NUM>.

As previously mentioned, the cut lines <NUM> in the low-stretch zones <NUM> separate the elastic strands <NUM> into discrete pieces <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the discrete pieces <NUM> of elastic strands <NUM> extend for an elastic piece length <NUM> between a first end <NUM> and a second end <NUM>. Discrete pieces <NUM> may extend laterally such that first ends <NUM> and second ends <NUM> of laterally neighboring pieces <NUM> are separated from each other by cut lines <NUM>. Because the discrete pieces <NUM> are cut from the elastic strands <NUM>, it is also be appreciated that the discrete pieces <NUM> may be spaced from each other in the longitudinal direction with the same spacing as the elastic strands <NUM> and may be arranged in a parallel relationship with each other. <FIG> also shows a detailed view of elastic strands <NUM> that are separated into first discrete pieces 406a and second discrete pieces 406b by the cut lines <NUM>. The first discrete pieces 406a may comprise a first elastic piece length 422a and the second discrete pieces 406b may comprise a second elastic piece length 422b. In some configurations, the second elastic piece length 422b is greater than the first elastic piece length 422a. In some configurations, the first elastic piece length 422a of the first discrete pieces 406a may be defined by a distance extending laterally between neighboring cut lines in the first row 410a, and the second elastic piece length 422b of the second discrete pieces 406b may be defined by a distance extending laterally between cut lines <NUM> in the first row 410a and cut lines <NUM> in the second row 410b. In some configurations, a ratio of the second elastic piece length 422b to the first elastic piece length 422a is about <NUM>: <NUM>. As previously mentioned, the elastic strands <NUM> may be continuously bonded with at least one of the first substrate <NUM> and the second substrate <NUM> or may be intermittently bonded with at least one of the first substrate <NUM> and the second substrate <NUM>. As such, the discrete pieces <NUM> of elastic strands <NUM> may be continuously bonded with at least one of the first substrate <NUM> and the second substrate <NUM> or may be intermittently bonded with at least one of the first substrate <NUM> and the second substrate <NUM>. It is also to be appreciated that the elastic strands <NUM> and the discrete pieces <NUM> of elastic strands <NUM> may be bonded with adhesive applied to at least one of the first substrate <NUM>, the second substrate <NUM>, and the elastic strands <NUM>.

As previously mentioned, various apparatuses and methods may be utilized to produce elastomeric laminates according to the present disclosure that may be used to construct various components of diapers, such as elastic belts, leg cuffs, and the like. For example, <FIG> and <FIG> show schematic views of a converting apparatus <NUM> adapted to manufacture elastomeric laminates <NUM>. As described in more detail below, the converting apparatus <NUM> shown in <FIG> and <FIG> operates to advance a continuous length of elastic material <NUM>, a continuous length of a first substrate <NUM>, and a continuous length of a second substrate <NUM> along a machine direction MD. It is also to be appreciated that in some configurations, the first substrate and second substrate <NUM>, <NUM> herein may be defined by two discrete substrates or may be defined by folded portions of a single substrate. The apparatus <NUM> stretches the elastic material <NUM> and joins the stretched elastic material <NUM> with the first and second substrates <NUM>, <NUM> to produce an elastomeric laminate <NUM>. Although the elastic material <NUM> is illustrated and referred to herein as strands <NUM>, it is to be appreciated that in some configurations, elastic material <NUM> may include one or more continuous lengths of elastic strands, ribbons, and/or films.

It is to be appreciated that the elastomeric laminates <NUM> can be used to construct various types of absorbent article components. It also to be appreciated that the methods and apparatuses herein may be adapted to operate with various types of absorbent article assembly processes, such as disclosed for example in <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; and <CIT>. For example, the elastomeric laminates <NUM> may be used as a continuous length of elastomeric belt material that may be converted into the first and second elastic belts <NUM>, <NUM> discussed above with reference to Figures 1A-4B. As such, the elastic material <NUM> may correspond with the belt elastic material <NUM> interposed between the outer layer <NUM> and the inner layer <NUM>, which in turn, may correspond with either the first and/or second substrates <NUM>, <NUM>. In other examples, the elastomeric laminates <NUM> may be used to construct waistbands and/or side panels in taped diaper configurations. In yet other examples, the elastomeric laminates <NUM> may be used to construct various types of leg cuff and/or topsheet configurations.

It is to be appreciated that elastic laminate <NUM> may be assembled and/or supplied in various ways. For example, <FIG> and <FIG> show an example of a converting apparatus <NUM> for producing an elastomeric laminate <NUM> that may include a first metering device <NUM> and a second metering device <NUM>. The first metering device <NUM> may be configured as an elastic strand supply apparatus, such as one or more unwinders <NUM> generically represented by a dash line rectangle, that may include one or more spools of elastic strands <NUM>. During operation, the elastic strands <NUM> advance in the machine direction MD from the unwinder <NUM> to the second metering device <NUM>. In addition, the elastic strands <NUM> may be stretched along the machine direction MD while advancing between the unwinder <NUM> and the second metering device <NUM>. The stretched elastic strands <NUM> are also joined with the first substrate <NUM> and the second substrate <NUM> at the second metering device <NUM> to produce an elastomeric laminate <NUM>. It is to be appreciated that the elastic strands <NUM> may advance along and/or around one or more guide rollers. It is also to be appreciated that the elastic strands <NUM> may be stretched along a continuous path while advancing in the machine direction MD or may be stretched in various steps that provide multiple increases in elongation while advancing in the machine direction MD.

As shown in <FIG>, the second metering device <NUM> may include: a first roller <NUM> having an outer circumferential surface <NUM> and rotates about a first axis of rotation <NUM>, and a second roller <NUM> having an outer circumferential surface <NUM> and rotates about a second axis of rotation <NUM>. The first roller <NUM> and the second roller <NUM> rotate in opposite directions, and the first roller <NUM> is adjacent the second roller <NUM> to define a nip <NUM> between the first roller <NUM> and the second roller <NUM>. The first roller <NUM> may rotate such that the outer circumferential surface <NUM> has a surface speed S1, and the second roller <NUM> may rotate such that the outer circumferential surface <NUM> has the same, or substantially the same, surface speed S1.

As shown in <FIG>, the first substrate <NUM> includes a first surface <NUM> and an opposing second surface <NUM>, and the first substrate <NUM> advances to the first roller <NUM>. In particular, the first substrate <NUM> advances at speed S1 to the first roller <NUM> where the first substrate <NUM> partially wraps around the outer circumferential surface <NUM> of the first roller <NUM> and advances through the nip <NUM>. As such, the first surface <NUM> of the first substrate <NUM> travels in the same direction as and in contact with the outer circumferential surface <NUM> of the first roller <NUM>. In addition, the second substrate <NUM> includes a first surface <NUM> and an opposing second surface <NUM>, and the second substrate <NUM> advances to the second roller <NUM>. In particular, the second substrate <NUM> advances at speed S1 to the second roller <NUM> where the second substrate <NUM> partially wraps around the outer circumferential surface <NUM> of the second roller <NUM> and advances through the nip <NUM>. As such, the second surface <NUM> of the second substrate <NUM> travels in the same direction as and in contact with the outer circumferential surface <NUM> of the second roller <NUM>. It is to be appreciated that the first and/or substrates <NUM>, <NUM> may advance at various speeds S1. In some configurations, the first substrate <NUM> and/or the second substrate <NUM> may advance at speed S1 from about <NUM> meters/minute to about <NUM> meters/minute, specifically reciting all <NUM> meter/minute increments within the above-recited range and all ranges formed therein or thereby.

In some configurations, the elastic strands <NUM> may also be stretched in the machine direction MD and combined with the first substrate <NUM> and the second substrate <NUM> in the stretched state. For example, with continued reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the unwinder <NUM> may unwind or otherwise supply the elastic strands <NUM> advancing at a speed S2 in the machine direction MD to the nip <NUM>. In some configurations, the speed S2 is less than the speed S1, and as such, the elastic strands <NUM> are stretched in the machine direction MD. In turn, the stretched elastic strands <NUM> advance through the nip <NUM> between the first and second substrates <NUM>, <NUM> such that the elastic strands <NUM> are joined with the second surface <NUM> of the first substrate <NUM> and the first surface <NUM> of the second substrate <NUM> to produce a continuous length of elastomeric laminate <NUM>.

As previously mentioned, the apparatus <NUM> may include an elastic strand supply apparatus, such as one or more unwinders <NUM>, that supplies a plurality of elastic strands <NUM>. It is to be appreciated the unwinders <NUM> herein may be configured in various ways. For example, the unwinder <NUM> may be configured with individual spools with mandrel and/or surface driven unwinders, overend unwinders, and/or beam unwinders (also referred to as warp beams). Various types of unwinders are disclosed in <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; and <CIT>; <CIT>; and <CIT>; <CIT>; and <CIT>. Additional examples of elastics and associated handling equipment are available from Karl Mayer Corporation. It is to be appreciated that the apparatus <NUM> may be configured to assemble elastomeric laminates <NUM> with elastic strands <NUM> unwound from more than one unwinder <NUM> in combination with elastic strands supplied from the same and/or different types of elastic unwinder configurations. It is also to be appreciated that the elastic strands <NUM> may include various types of spin finish, also referred herein as yarn finish, configured as coating on the elastic strands <NUM> that may be intended to help prevent the elastic strands from adhering to themselves, each other, and/or downstream handling equipment. As such, the apparatus may also be configured to remove or partially remove the spin finish from the elastic strands, such as disclosed for example in <CIT>.

As previously mentioned, the apparatus <NUM> may include one or more unwinders <NUM> that may supply various quantities of elastic strands. In some configurations, the unwinders <NUM> herein may include from <NUM> to about <NUM> spools positioned thereon, and thus, may have from <NUM> to about <NUM> elastic strands <NUM> advancing therefrom, specifically reciting all <NUM> spool and strand increments within the above-recited range and all ranges formed therein or thereby. In turn, the elastomeric laminates <NUM> herein may include from <NUM> to about <NUM> elastic strands <NUM> spaced apart from each other in the cross direction CD, specifically reciting all <NUM> elastic strand increments within the above-recited range and all ranges formed therein or thereby.

It is also to be appreciated that the apparatuses and processes may be configured such that elastic strands <NUM> may be advanced from the unwinders <NUM> and directly to the assembly process without having to touch additional machine components, such as for example, guide rollers. It is also to be appreciated that in some configurations, elastic strands <NUM> may be advanced from the unwinders <NUM> and may be redirected and/or otherwise touched by and/or redirected by machine components, such as for example guide rollers, before advancing to the assembly process.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the elastic strands <NUM> may also advance through a strand guide <NUM> before being combined with the first substrate <NUM> and the second substrate <NUM>. The strand guide <NUM> may space or separate neighboring elastic strands <NUM> from each other at a desired distance in a cross direction CD before being combined with the first substrate <NUM> and the second substrate <NUM>. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the elastic strands may advance through a strand guide <NUM> positioned between the unwinder <NUM> and the nip <NUM>. The strand guide <NUM> may operate to change and/or dictate and/or fix the cross directional CD separation distance between neighboring elastic strands <NUM> advancing into the nip <NUM> and in the assembled elastomeric laminate <NUM>. It is to be appreciated that the elastic strands <NUM> may be separated from each other by various distances in the cross direction CD advancing into the nip <NUM> and in the assembled elastomeric laminate <NUM>. In some configurations, neighboring elastic strands <NUM> may be separated from each other by about <NUM> to about <NUM> in the cross direction CD, specifically reciting all <NUM> increments within the above-recited range and all ranges formed therein or thereby. It is to be appreciated that the strand guide <NUM> may be configured in various ways. In some configurations, the strand guide <NUM> may be configured as a comb that may comprise a plurality of tines or reeds. In turn, the advancing elastic strands <NUM> are separated and spaced apart from each other by the tines or reeds in the cross direction CD from each other. In some configurations, the strand guide <NUM> may include a plurality of rollers that separate and space the elastic strands in the cross direction CD from each other.

It is to be appreciated that different components may be used to construct the elastomeric laminates <NUM> in accordance with the methods and apparatuses herein. For example, the first and/or second substrates <NUM>, <NUM> may include nonwovens and/or films. In addition, the elastic strands <NUM> may be configured in various ways and may have various decitex values. In some configurations, the elastic strands <NUM> may be configured with decitex values ranging from about <NUM> decitex to about <NUM> decitex, specifically reciting all <NUM> decitex increments within the above-recited range and all ranges formed therein or thereby.

As discussed above, it is to be appreciated that the elastomeric laminates <NUM> assembled herein may include various quantities of elastic strands <NUM> spaced apart from each other by various distances and may include various decitex values. For example, the elastomeric laminates <NUM> herein may have various elastic densities, wherein the elastic density may be defined as decitex per elastomeric laminate width. For example, some elastomeric laminates <NUM> may have an elastic density from about <NUM> decitex/mm to about <NUM> decitex/mm, specifically reciting all <NUM> decitex/mm increments within the above-recited range and all ranges formed therein or thereby. In another example, the elastomeric laminates <NUM> herein may have various numbers of elastic strands arranged in the cross direction CD per meter of elastomeric laminate cross directional width. For example, some elastomeric laminates <NUM> may have from about <NUM> elastic strands/meter of elastomeric laminate width to about <NUM> elastic strands/meter of elastomeric laminate width, specifically reciting all <NUM> elastic strand/meter increments within the above-recited range and all ranges formed therein or thereby.

As shown in <FIG>, the apparatus <NUM> may include one or more adhesive applicator devices <NUM> that may apply adhesive <NUM> to at least one of the elastic strands <NUM>, the first substrate <NUM>, and the second substrate <NUM> before being combined to form the elastomeric laminate <NUM>. For example, the first substrate <NUM> may advance past an adhesive applicator device 334a that applies adhesive <NUM> to the second surface <NUM> of the first substrate <NUM> before advancing to the nip <NUM>. It is to be appreciated that the adhesive <NUM> may be applied to the first substrate <NUM> upstream of the first roller <NUM> and/or while the first substrate <NUM> is partially wrapped around the outer circumferential surface <NUM> of the first roller <NUM>. In another example, the second substrate <NUM> may advance past an adhesive applicator device 334b that applies adhesive <NUM> to the first surface <NUM> of the second substrate <NUM> before advancing to the nip <NUM>. It is to be appreciated that the adhesive <NUM> may be applied to the second substrate <NUM> upstream of the second roller <NUM> and/or while the second substrate <NUM> is partially wrapped around the outer circumferential surface <NUM> of the second roller <NUM>. In another example, an adhesive applicator device 334c may be configured to apply adhesive <NUM> to the elastic strands <NUM> before and/or while being joined with first substrate <NUM> and second substrate <NUM>.

It is to be appreciated that the adhesive applicator devices herein <NUM> be configured in various ways, such as for example, spray nozzles and/or slot coating devices. In some configurations, the adhesive applicator devices <NUM> may be configured in accordance with the apparatuses and/or methods disclosed in <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; and <CIT> and <CIT>.

It is to be appreciated that the elastic strands <NUM> may be joined to the first substrate <NUM> and/or the second substrate <NUM> continuously or intermittently along the interface between the elastic strands <NUM> material and the substrates <NUM>, <NUM>. In some configurations, adhesive <NUM> may be applied intermittently on the first substrate <NUM> and/or the second substrate <NUM> to create intermittent bonds along the lengths of the elastic strands <NUM> between the first substrate <NUM> and/or the second substrate <NUM>. It is to be appreciated that intermittent application of adhesive <NUM> may be created with spray nozzles and/or slot coat devices that apply intermittent patterns of adhesive <NUM>. In some configurations, adhesive <NUM> may be applied intermittently along the length of the advancing elastic strands <NUM> to create intermittent bonds along the lengths of the elastic strands <NUM> between the first substrate <NUM> and/or the second substrate <NUM>. In some configurations, slot coat devices may be configured to continuously apply adhesive <NUM> at relatively low basis weights onto the first substrate <NUM> and/or the second substrate <NUM>, wherein the relatively low basis weights of adhesive results in the creation of intermittent bonding between the first substrate <NUM> and/or the second substrate <NUM> along the lengths of the elastic strands <NUM>. In some configurations, slot coat devices may be configured to continuously apply adhesive <NUM> at relatively high basis weights onto the first substrate <NUM> and/or the second substrate <NUM>, wherein the relatively high basis weights of adhesive results in the creation of continuous bonding between the first substrate <NUM> and/or the second substrate <NUM> along the lengths of the elastic strands <NUM>. In some configurations, adhesive <NUM> may be applied continuously along the length of the advancing elastic strands <NUM> to create continuous bonds along the lengths of the elastic strands <NUM> between the first substrate <NUM> and/or the second substrate <NUM>.

In some configurations, the apparatus <NUM> may include a mechanical bonding device that applies the mechanical bonds to the elastomeric laminate <NUM>, such as for example, bonds that may be applied with heat, pressure, and/or ultrasonic devices. Examples of ultrasonic bonding devices, which may include linear or rotary type configurations, are disclosed for example in <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; and <CIT>. In some configurations, the ultrasonic bonding device may be configured as a linear oscillating type sonotrode, such as for example, available from Herrmann Ultrasonic, Inc. Additional examples of mechanical bonding devices and methods are disclosed in <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; and <CIT>; and <CIT>; and <CIT>. It is to be appreciated that the mechanical bonding device may apply mechanical bonds to the elastomeric laminate at or downstream of the nip <NUM>. The mechanical bonding device may apply bonds that bond the first substrate <NUM>, the second substrate <NUM>, and/or elastic strands <NUM> together and/or may act to trap or immobilize discrete lengths of the contracted elastic strands <NUM> in the elastomeric laminate <NUM>. It is also to be appreciated that the apparatuses herein may include one of, some of, or all of adhesive applicator devices 334a, 334b, 334c and mechanical bonding device mentioned herein.

It is also to be appreciated that the elastic strands <NUM> may be bonded with the first substrate <NUM> and/or second substrate <NUM> with various methods and apparatuses to create various elastomeric laminates, such as described in <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; and <CIT>.

It is to be appreciated that the apparatuses <NUM> herein may be configured in various ways with various features described herein to assemble elastomeric laminates <NUM> having various stretch characteristics. For example, when the elastomeric laminate <NUM> is elongated, some elastic strands <NUM> may exert contraction forces in the machine direction MD that are different from contraction forces exerted by other elastic strands <NUM>. Such differential stretch characteristics can be achieved by stretching some elastic strands <NUM> more or less than other elastic strands <NUM> before joining the elastic strands with the first and second substrates <NUM>, <NUM>. As discussed above, the spools of elastic strands <NUM> may be unwound from one or more unwinders <NUM> at different speeds from each other, and as such, the elastic strands <NUM> may be stretched more or less than each when combined with the first and second substrates. For example, as previously discussed, the first substrate <NUM> and the second substrate <NUM> may each advance at a speed S1. In some configurations, the some elastic strands <NUM> may advance at speed S2 that is less than the speed S1 are also different from the advancement speeds of other elastic strands. As such, some elastic strands <NUM> are stretched by different amounts in the machine direction MD when combined with the first and second substrates <NUM>, <NUM>.

As discussed herein, the elastic strands <NUM> may be pre-strained prior to joining the elastic strands <NUM> to the first or second substrate layers <NUM>, <NUM>. In some configurations, the elastic strands <NUM> may be pre-strained from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%, specifically reciting all <NUM>% increments within the above-recited range and all ranges formed therein or thereby. In some configurations, the elastic strands <NUM> may be pre-strained from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%, specifically reciting all <NUM>% increments within the above-recited range and all ranges formed therein or thereby. Pre-strain refers to the strain imposed on an elastic or elastomeric material prior to combining it with another element of the elastomeric laminate or the absorbent article. Pre-strain is determined by the following equation: Pre-strain = ((extended length of the elastic-relaxed length of the elastic)/relaxed length of the elastic)*<NUM>.

It is also to be appreciated that the elastic strands <NUM> may have various different material constructions and/or decitex values to create elastomeric laminates <NUM> having different stretch characteristics in different regions. In some configurations, the spools of elastic strands <NUM> having different decitex values may be positioned on and advanced from one or more unwinders <NUM>. In some configurations, the elastomeric laminate <NUM> may have regions where the elastic strands <NUM> are spaced relatively close to one another in the cross direction CD and other regions where the elastic strands <NUM> are spaced relatively far apart from each other in the cross direction CD to create different stretch characteristics in different regions. In some configurations, the elastic strands <NUM> may be supplied on the spool in a stretched state, and as such, may not require additional stretching (or may require relatively less additional stretching) before being combined with the first substrate <NUM> and/or the second substrate <NUM>. In some configurations, differential stretch characteristics in an elastomeric laminate <NUM> may be created by bonding another substrate and/or elastomeric laminate and/or an elastic film to a particular region of an elastomeric laminate. In some configurations, differential stretch characteristics in an elastomeric laminate <NUM> may be created by folding a portion of an elastomeric laminate onto itself in a particular region of the elastomeric laminate.

In some configurations, the elastic strands <NUM> may be joined with the first and second substrates <NUM>, <NUM> such that the elastomeric laminate <NUM> may have different stretch characteristics in different regions along the cross direction CD, such as disclosed in <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; and <CIT>,. In some configurations, the elastomeric laminate <NUM> may include different tension zones that may help make some web handling operations less cumbersome, such as disclosed in <CIT>.

As shown in <FIG>, the elastomeric laminate <NUM> may advance from the nip <NUM> and may be accumulated, such as for example, by being wound onto a roll 200R or being festooned in a container. It is to be appreciated that the elastomeric laminate <NUM> may be wound onto a roll 200R in a fully stretched, partially stretched, or fully relaxed state. The accumulated elastomeric laminate <NUM> may be stored and/or moved to a location for incorporation into an absorbent article assembly process, wherein the elastomeric laminate <NUM> may be converted into an absorbent article component, such as discussed above. As such, the accumulated elastomeric laminate <NUM> may be unwound from a roll 200R (or drawn from a container) and incorporated into an absorbent article assembly line. It is to be appreciated that the apparatus <NUM> may be configured to assemble elastomeric laminates <NUM> that may be cut along the machine direction MD to define separate lanes of elastic of individual elastomeric laminates <NUM>. In some configurations, the elastomeric laminate may be cut into separate lanes of individual elastomeric laminates <NUM> before wound onto respective rolls 200R. In some configurations, the elastomeric laminate may be cut into separate lanes of individual elastomeric laminates <NUM> as the elastomeric laminate is unwound from a roll 200R.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the elastic laminate <NUM> may be advanced in a machine direction through a cutting device <NUM> adapted to cut elastic strands <NUM> into discrete pieces <NUM> so as to create low-stretch zones <NUM> in the elastic laminate <NUM>. Although the elastic laminate is depicted in <FIG> as advancing from a roll 200R to the cutting device <NUM>, it is to be appreciated that the elastic laminate <NUM> could be configured to advance directly from an assembly apparatus <NUM> such as described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG> without first being accumulated.

It is also to be appreciated that in some configurations, the elastomeric laminate <NUM> may advance from the cutting device <NUM> and may then be accumulated as discussed above. In some configurations, the elastomeric laminate <NUM> may advance from the cutting device <NUM> and may be incorporated directly into an absorbent article assembly process. For example, <FIG> shows the elastomeric laminate <NUM> advancing from the cutting device <NUM> directly into an absorbent article assembly line 300a, generically represented by rectangle in dashed lines. The absorbent article assembly may be configured to convert the elastic laminate <NUM> along with additional components to assemble absorbent articles <NUM>, such as diapers discussed above with reference to <FIG> for example.

With continued reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the cutting device <NUM> may include a knife roll <NUM> positioned adjacent an anvil roll <NUM> to define a nip <NUM> therebetween. The knife roll <NUM> may include an outer circumferential surface <NUM> and blades <NUM> extending radially outward to blade edges <NUM> and adapted to rotate about an axis <NUM> in a first direction Dir1. The anvil roll <NUM> may include an outer circumferential surface <NUM> adapted to rotate about an axis <NUM> in a second direction Dir2 opposite the first direction Dir1. As the elastic laminate <NUM> advances through the nip <NUM> between the knife roll <NUM> and the anvil roll <NUM>, the blades <NUM> operate to cut the elastic strands <NUM> into discrete pieces <NUM> separated from each other along the machine direction MD by cut lines <NUM> in low-stretch zones <NUM>. In addition to cutting the elastic strands <NUM>, the blades <NUM> may also cut through one or both the first substrate <NUM> and the second substrate <NUM>. The low-stretch zones <NUM> may be separated from each other by high-stretch zones <NUM> along the machine direction MD, and wherein the high-stretch zones <NUM> may be separated from each other by low-stretch zones <NUM> along the machine direction MD. As opposed to or in addition to blades, it is to be appreciated that the cutting device <NUM> may be configured to perform cutting operations in various ways, such as lasers or ultrasonics for example.

It is to be appreciated that the high-stretch zones <NUM> and low-stretch zones <NUM> shown in the elastic laminate <NUM> shown in <FIG> may correspond with the high-stretch zones <NUM> and low-stretch zones <NUM> in the first and/or second belts <NUM>, <NUM> described above with reference to <FIG>. As such, the high-stretch zones <NUM> are elasticated by the elastic material <NUM>, such as the elastic strands <NUM>; and the low-stretch zones <NUM> comprise cut lines <NUM> separating the elastic material <NUM>, such as the elastic strands <NUM>, into discrete pieces <NUM>. In turn, the low-stretch zones <NUM> define regions of the elastic laminate <NUM> that have relatively less elasticity than the high-stretch zones <NUM>. The discrete elastic pieces <NUM> that are separated from each other and which are elastically contracted do not add any substantial amount of elastication to the low-stretch zone <NUM>. As such, upon application of a force, the high-stretch zones <NUM> will elongate more than the low-stretch zones <NUM>. In some configurations, the elastic laminate <NUM> may be configured with high-stretch zones <NUM> that are elastic and may be configured with low-stretch zones <NUM> that are not elastic or "inelastic.

It is to be appreciated that the descriptions provided above with respect to details relating to the low-stretch zones <NUM> described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG> are also applicable to the low-stretch zones <NUM> shown in <FIG>. When applying the descriptions of the low-stretch zones of the elastic belts <NUM>, <NUM> in <FIG> and <FIG> above to the low-stretch zones <NUM> of the elastic laminate <NUM> in <FIG>, the orientations of the cut lines <NUM>, rows <NUM>, and discrete pieces <NUM> relative to the lateral axis <NUM> and longitudinal axis <NUM> may be taken relative to the cross direction CD and the machine direction MD, respectively, of the elastic laminate <NUM>.

As mentioned above, the knife roll <NUM> may include blades <NUM> extending radially outward to blade edges <NUM> adapted to rotate about the axis <NUM>. As such, the blade edges <NUM> may be oriented to cut the elastic strands <NUM> and one or both of the first substrate <NUM> and the second substrate <NUM> to create cut lines <NUM> in the elastic laminate <NUM> that correspond with cut lines <NUM> and discrete elastic pieces <NUM> described above with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>. <FIG> shows an example orientation of a portion of a group of blade edges <NUM> on a knife roll <NUM>. It is to be appreciated that the knife roll <NUM> may be configured to rotate at a variable angular velocity or a constant angular velocity and may be driven by a servo motor.

It is to be appreciated that the blade edges <NUM> may be arranged in various orientations and sizes. For example, as shown in <FIG> the blade edges <NUM> may be oriented to define an offset angle <NUM> relative to the rotation axis <NUM>. In some configurations, offset angles <NUM> may be greater than <NUM> degrees and less than <NUM> degrees, specifically reciting all <NUM> degree increments within the above-recited range and all ranges formed therein or thereby. With continued reference to <FIG>, the blade edges <NUM> may be arranged in rows <NUM> comprising at least a first row 610a and a second row 610b neighboring the first row 610a. The blade edges in the first row 610a and the second row 610b may extend for a length <NUM> from a first end 604c to a second end 604d. In some configurations, the length <NUM> of each blade edge <NUM> in the first row 610a and the second row 610b may be about <NUM>. In some configurations, the blade edges <NUM> in the first row 610a and the blade edges <NUM> in the second row 610b are parallel to each other. The <NUM> blade edges in the first row 610a and/or second row 610b may be separated from each other by a blade edge gap distance <NUM>. In some configurations, the blade edge gap distance <NUM> may be about <NUM>. The first ends 604c of blade edges <NUM> in the first row 610b and the first ends 604c of blade edges <NUM> in the second row 610b may be aligned along first reference lines <NUM> that are oriented to define a row angle relative <NUM> to the rotation axis <NUM>. In some configurations, the row angle <NUM> may be less than <NUM> degrees and greater than <NUM> degrees, specifically reciting all <NUM> degree increments within the above-recited range and all ranges formed therein or thereby. As shown in <FIG>, the second ends 604d of blade edges <NUM> in the first row 610a and the second ends 604d of blade edges <NUM> in the second row 610b may be aligned along second reference lines <NUM>. In some configurations, the second reference <NUM> lines are parallel to the first reference lines <NUM>. In addition, the second reference line <NUM> of the first row 610a may be separated from the first reference line <NUM> of the second row 610b by a row gap distance <NUM>. In some configurations, the row gap distance <NUM> may be about <NUM>.

In some configurations, the first elastic piece length 422a discussed above may be defined by a distance between blade edges <NUM> within the same row <NUM> or a distance between blade edges <NUM> in different rows <NUM>. In some configurations, the second elastic piece length 422b may be defined only by a distance between blade edges <NUM> in different rows <NUM> as opposed to a distance between blade edges <NUM> within the same row <NUM>.

It is also to be appreciated that the elastomeric laminate assembly operations herein may also be performed in conjunction with other operations. In some configurations, the elastomeric laminates <NUM> assembled with the methods and apparatuses herein may be subjected to various other manufacturing transformations before or after creating the low-stretch zones <NUM>.

For example, as shown in <FIG>, the continuous elastomeric laminate <NUM> may advance to a slitting device <NUM>, wherein the elastomeric laminate <NUM> is slit and separated along the machine direction MD into lanes, such as for example, a first continuous elastomeric laminate 200a and a second continuous elastomeric laminate 200b. It is to be appreciated that the elastomeric laminate <NUM> may be slit with a shear slitting operation or a crush slit operation. In a crush slit operation, the first substrate <NUM> and the second substrate <NUM> may be bonded together during the slitting operation. In some operations, the first and second substrates <NUM>, <NUM> of an elastomeric laminate <NUM> may be bonded together along edges of the elastomeric laminate <NUM>. For example, in some operations, edges of the first substrate <NUM> may be folded over opposing edge portions of the second substrate <NUM> to create sealed edges of the elastomeric laminate <NUM>. It is to be appreciated that heat, pressure, adhesive, and/or ultrasonic bonding processes may be used to fixate such folded portions of the substrates. In some configurations, the locations of elastic strands <NUM> relative to side edges of elastomeric laminates <NUM> may be adjusted to change corrugation patterns along the side edges in desired manners.

With continued reference to <FIG>, the slitting device <NUM> may be configured to cut the elastic laminate <NUM> in the machine direction MD through the low stretch zones <NUM> to create a first low-stretch zones 402a and second low-stretch zones 402b. It is to be appreciated that the first elastic laminate 200a may correspond with the first elastic belt <NUM> and the second elastic laminate 200b may correspond with the second elastic belt <NUM> described above. For example, as shown in <FIG>, when assembling diaper pants 100P, the elastic laminate <NUM> may be converted into a first elastic belt laminate 200a and/or a second elastic belt laminate 200b (represented by the dashed arrow "A"). The first elastic belt laminate 200a and the second elastic belt laminate 200b may be separated from each other in the cross direction CD. In turn, opposing end regions of chassis <NUM> may be connected with the low-stretch zones <NUM> in the first elastic belt laminate 200a and/or a second elastic belt laminate 200b. During subsequent assembly operations, the chassis <NUM> may be folded (represented by the dashed arrow "B") so as to position the first elastic belt laminate 200a into a facing relationship with the second elastic belt laminate 200b. Bonds <NUM> may be applied to the overlapping belt laminates 200a, 200b. Subsequently, discrete diaper pants 100P may be formed by separating the first and second belt laminates 200a, 200b into first and second belts <NUM>, <NUM> by cutting along the cross direction CD through the first and second belt laminates 200a, 200b adjacent the bonds <NUM> (represented by the dashed arrow "C"). As such, the bonds <NUM> may be divided to define the first and second side seams <NUM>, <NUM>, respectively.

It is to be appreciated that the cutting device <NUM> may be configured in various ways to create low-stretch zones having various orientations and positions on the elastic laminate <NUM>. In some configurations, the low-stretch zones <NUM> may be positioned on the elastic laminate <NUM> to help prevent cut lines <NUM> from being positioned on edges of elastic laminates <NUM> to hep reduce or prevent edge fraying that may be caused by the cut lines <NUM>. For example, as shown in <FIG>, the knife roll <NUM> may be configured with a first group of blades 510a separated in the cross direction CD from a second group of blades 510b. As such, the cutting device <NUM> may be configured to create first low-stretch zones 402a and second low-stretch zones 402b in the elastic laminate <NUM> before advancing to the slitting device <NUM>. In turn, first low-stretch zones 402a and second low-stretch zones 402b on the elastic laminate <NUM> may be separated from each other in the cross direction CD by a gap region <NUM>. The slitting device <NUM> may be configured to cut the elastic laminate <NUM> in the machine direction MD through the gap regions <NUM> to create the first elastic laminate 200a with the first low-stretch zones 402a and the second elastic laminate 200b with the second low-stretch zones 402b. In some configurations, the first low-stretch zones 402a and the second elastic laminate 200b may be spaced from and not positioned directly on inboard edges of the first elastic laminate 200a and the second elastic laminate 200b created by the slitting device <NUM>. In some configurations, the slitting device <NUM> may be arranged upstream of the cutting device <NUM> such as shown in <FIG>.

In some configurations, the knife roll <NUM> may include a group of blades <NUM> adapted to create low-stretch zones <NUM> in elastic laminates <NUM> having different widths in the cross direction CD without having to change the knife <NUM> to accommodate the different widths. For example, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the knife roll <NUM> may include a group of blades <NUM> with a pattern gap region <NUM>. The pattern gap region <NUM> may be defined by a region with blades <NUM> that may have different attributes than the blades <NUM> outside the pattern gap region <NUM>. For example, there may be less quantities of blades <NUM> spaced along the circumferential and axial directions in the pattern gap <NUM> than blades <NUM> outside the pattern gap region <NUM>. In another example, some blades <NUM> in the pattern gap <NUM> may comprise radial heights that are less than the blades <NUM> outside the pattern gap region <NUM>. As such, the knife roll <NUM> creates low-stretch zones <NUM> with gap regions <NUM> with cut lines <NUM> that correspond with the blades <NUM> in the pattern gap region <NUM>. Although the elastic strands <NUM> are cut into discrete pieces in the gap region <NUM>, the low-stretch zone <NUM> includes a relatively lower quantity of cut lines <NUM> per unit area of the elastic laminate <NUM> in the gap region <NUM> than a quantity of cut lines <NUM> per unit area of the elastic laminate <NUM> outside the gap region <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the same knife roll <NUM> can be used to create low-stretch zones <NUM> in elastic laminates <NUM> having different cross directional widths defined by distances between opposing first and second edges 250a, 250b of the elastic laminate <NUM>. For example, the elastic laminate <NUM> in <FIG> may define a width LW1 in the cross direction CD, and the elastic laminate <NUM> in <FIG> may define a width LW2 in the cross direction CD, wherein LW2 is less than LW1. As shown in <FIG>, the second edge 250b of the elastic laminate <NUM> may be positioned so as to advance adjacent to or outboard of the group of blades <NUM>. As such, relatively few or no cut lines <NUM> may be present on the second edge 250b. As shown in <FIG>, the second edge 250b of the elastic laminate <NUM> may be positioned so as to advance through the pattern gap region <NUM> of the group of blades <NUM>. As such, relatively few cut lines <NUM> may be present on the second edge 250b.

In some configurations, the rotational speeds of the knife roll <NUM> may be adjusted to create different machine direction MD lengths of low-stretch zones <NUM> in the elastic laminate <NUM>. For example, the knife roll <NUM> rotating at a first rotational speed may create a low-stretch zone <NUM> having a first length in the machine direction MD in an elastic laminate <NUM> advancing at a first speed. In turn, the same knife roll <NUM> rotating at a second rotational speed higher than the first rotational speed may create a low-stretch zone <NUM> having a second length in the machine direction MD that is less than the first length in an elastic laminate <NUM> advancing at the same first speed.

It is to be appreciated that the absorbent articles <NUM> herein may be configured to include a disposal feature, such as disclosed in Patent Publication Nos. <CIT>and <CIT>, which are incorporated by reference herein. In some forms, the disposal feature may comprise a disposal tape that may be bonded with the first elastic belt <NUM> or the second elastic belt <NUM>. The disposal tape may be secured to a diaper pant in a folded configuration. In use, an end portion of disposal tape may be pulled in a direction away from a soiled diaper to extend the disposal tape from the folded configuration. The soiled diaper may then be rolled-up onto itself and the extended disposal tape may be used to help secure the soiled diaper in a rolled-up configuration. In some configurations, such a disposal tape may be bonded to the first elastic belt <NUM> or the second elastic belt <NUM> partially or completely within a low stretch zone <NUM>. However, a relatively high concentration of cut lines <NUM> located in a region where the disposal is bonded with the first elastic belt <NUM> or the second elastic belt <NUM> may result in a reduced bond strength between the disposal tape and the belt. As such, in some configurations, the low stretch zone <NUM> may include a disposal tape bond region <NUM> that helps provide a desired bond strength between the disposal tape and belt. In turn, the bond strength may be maintained to be high enough to withstand the forces exerted on the disposal tape bond region <NUM> when pulling the disposal tape from the folded to the extended configuration as well as when holding the diaper pant in a rolled-up configuration. As discussed in more detail below, the disposal tape bond region <NUM> may be configured with a relatively lower concentration of cut lines <NUM> than exist in the remainder of the low stretch zone <NUM>. Such varying concentration of cut lines <NUM> may be created by corresponding variations in concentrations of blades <NUM> on a cutting roll <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the disposal tape bond region <NUM> may be provided generally along the longitudinal axis and towards the distal end line 402D of the low stretch zone <NUM>, which disposal tape bond region <NUM> may have a different cut-line concentration as the low stretch zone <NUM>. Providing such disposal tape bond region <NUM> may be beneficial when the absorbent article is assembled with a disposal tape. When the low stretch zone <NUM> has a first cut-line concentration and the disposal tape bond region <NUM> has a second cut-line concentration, the second cut-line concentration is from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>% of the first cut-line concentration. The lower concentration of cut lines in the disposal tape bond region <NUM> may provide a higher bond strength of the elastic laminate <NUM> compared to that of the low stretch zone <NUM>, while still providing the disposal tape bond region <NUM> with lower elasticity than the high stretch zone <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the cut-line concentration of the disposal tape bond region <NUM> may be adjusted by thinning blades <NUM> on a cutting roll <NUM>, wherein the blades <NUM> for providing the disposal tape bond region <NUM> are aligned in the direction of the blades <NUM> for providing the low stretch zone <NUM>. For example, to create a second cut-line concentration of <NUM>% compared to the first cut-line concentration, every other blade may be thinned, or every <NUM> out of <NUM> blades may be thinned. For example, to create a second cut-line concentration of <NUM>% compared to the first cut-line concentration, every <NUM> out of <NUM> blades may be thinned. For example, to create a second cut-line concentration of <NUM>% compared to the first cut-line concentration, one of every <NUM> blades may be thinned. Regardless of the difference between the first and second cut-line concentrations, the thinning of the blades <NUM> may be adjusted so that the remaining blades <NUM> are aligned in the direction of the blades <NUM> for providing the low stretch zone <NUM>. Further, the non-cut area <NUM> created in a region matching the thinned blades may be adjusted so that the distance between any cut line in the disposal tape bond region <NUM>, in the direction of the reference line, is no more than about <NUM>.

<FIG> shows an example of a disposal tape <NUM> that may be bonded to the elastic laminate <NUM> generally along the longitudinal axis. The disposal tape <NUM> having a certain longitudinal dimension, the disposal tape <NUM> may be bonded partially or completely within a low stretch zone <NUM>, namely the bonding may exist beyond the distal end line 402D of the low stretch zone <NUM>. When a portion of the disposal tape <NUM> is bonded beyond the distal end line 402D of the low stretch zone <NUM>, the area of the elastic laminate <NUM> overlapping the disposal tape <NUM> may be provided a disposal tape bond region <NUM>. The disposal tape <NUM> may have a certain length folded into <NUM> or <NUM> parts, wherein the disposal tape <NUM> may be lifted from the folded position by first releasing the tab <NUM> from the remainder of the disposal tape <NUM> and pulling away from the elastic laminate <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, an example of a disposal tape folded into <NUM> parts is depicted. The layer of the disposal tape <NUM> directly bonded to the elastic laminate <NUM> has a distal end <NUM>. The distal end <NUM> of the disposal tape is the portion receiving the greatest stress when the disposal tape <NUM> is stretched into its full length for disposal. The distal end <NUM> may overlap the high stretch zone <NUM>, while the remainder of the disposal tape overlaps the disposal tape bond region <NUM>.

By arranging the blades for providing the disposal tape bond region <NUM> in the manner discussed above with reference to <FIG> and <FIG> for example, the elastic materials in the disposal tape bond region <NUM> are cut, while the bond strength of the elastic laminate <NUM> in the disposal tape bond region <NUM> may be secured to endure the peeling strength when the disposal tape <NUM> is pulled away from the elastic laminate <NUM>.

The Average Decitex Method is used to calculate the Average-Dtex on a length-weighted basis for elastic fibers present in an entire article, or in a specimen of interest extracted from an article. The decitex value is the mass in grams of a fiber present in <NUM>,<NUM> meters of that material in the relaxed state. The decitex value of elastic fibers or elastic laminates containing elastic fibers is often reported by manufacturers as part of a specification for an elastic fiber or an elastic laminate including elastic fibers. The Average-Dtex is to be calculated from these specifications if available. Alternatively, if these specified values are not known, the decitex value of an individual elastic fiber is measured by determining the cross-sectional area of a fiber in a relaxed state via a suitable microscopy technique such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), determining the composition of the fiber via Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and then using a literature value for density of the composition to calculate the mass in grams of the fiber present in <NUM>,<NUM> meters of the fiber. The manufacturer-provided or experimentally measured decitex values for the individual elastic fibers removed from an entire article, or specimen extracted from an article, are used in the expression below in which the length-weighted average of decitex value among elastic fibers present is determined.

The lengths of elastic fibers present in an article or specimen extracted from an article is calculated from overall dimensions of and the elastic fiber pre-strain ratio associated with components of the article with these or the specimen, respectively, if known. Alternatively, dimensions and/or elastic fiber pre-strain ratios are not known, an absorbent article or specimen extracted from an absorbent article is disassembled and all elastic fibers are removed. This disassembly can be done, for example, with gentle heating to soften adhesives, with a cryogenic spray (e.g., Quick-Freeze, Miller-Stephenson Company, Danbury, CT), or with an appropriate solvent that will remove adhesive but not swell, alter, or destroy elastic fibers. The length of each elastic fiber in its relaxed state is measured and recorded in millimeters (mm) to the nearest mm.

For each of the individual elastic fibers fi of relaxed length Li and fiber decitex value di (obtained either from the manufacturer's specifications or measured experimentally) present in an absorbent article, or specimen extracted from an absorbent article, the Average-Dtex for that absorbent article or specimen extracted from an absorbent article is defined as: <MAT> where n is the total number of elastic fibers present in an absorbent article or specimen extracted from an absorbent article. The Average-Dtex is reported to the nearest integer value of decitex (grams per <NUM><NUM>). If the decitex value of any individual fiber is not known from specifications, it is experimentally determined as described below, and the resulting fiber decitex value(s) are used in the above equation to determine Average-Dtex.

For each of the elastic fibers removed from an absorbent article or specimen extracted from an absorbent article according to the procedure described above, the length of each elastic fiber Lk in its relaxed state is measured and recorded in millimeters (mm) to the nearest mm. Each elastic fiber is analyzed via FT-IR spectroscopy to determine its composition, and its density ρk is determined from available literature values. Finally, each fiber is analyzed via SEM. The fiber is cut in three approximately equal locations perpendicularly along its length with a sharp blade to create a clean cross-section for SEM analysis. Three fiber segments with these cross sections exposed are mounted on an SEM sample holder in a relaxed state, sputter coated with gold, introduced into an SEM for analysis, and imaged at a resolution sufficient to clearly elucidate fiber cross sections. Fiber cross sections are oriented as perpendicular as possible to the detector to minimize any oblique distortion in the measured cross sections. Fiber cross sections may vary in shape, and some fibers may consist of a plurality of individual filaments. Regardless, the area of each of the three fiber cross sections is determined (for example, using diameters for round fibers, major and minor axes for elliptical fibers, and image analysis for more complicated shapes), and the average of the three areas ak for the elastic fiber, in units of micrometers squared (µm<NUM>), is recorded to the nearest <NUM><NUM>. The decitex dk of the kth elastic fiber measured is calculated by: <MAT> where dk is in units of grams (per calculated <NUM>,<NUM> meter length), ak is in units of µm<NUM>, and ρk is in units of grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm<NUM>). For any elastic fiber analyzed, the experimentally determined Lk and dk values are subsequently used in the expression above for Average-Dtex.

Using a ruler calibrated against a certified NIST ruler and accurate to <NUM>, measure the distance between the two distal strands within a section to the nearest <NUM>, and then divide by the number of strands in that section - <NUM> <MAT> report to the nearest <NUM>.

The Average-Pre-Strain of a specimen are measured on a constant rate of extension tensile tester (a suitable instrument is the MTS Insight using Testworks <NUM> Software, as available from MTS Systems Corp. , Eden Prairie, MN) using a load cell for which the forces measured are within <NUM>% to <NUM>% of the limit of the cell. Articles are conditioned at <NUM> ± <NUM> C° and <NUM>% ± <NUM>% relative humidity for <NUM> hours prior to analysis and then tested under the same environmental conditions.

Program the tensile tester to perform an elongation to break after an initial gage length adjustment. First raise the cross head at <NUM>/min up to a force of <NUM>. Set the current gage to the adjusted gage length. Raise the crosshead at a rate of <NUM>/min until the specimen breaks (force drops <NUM>% after maximum peak force). Return the cross head to its original position. Force and extension data is acquired at a rate of <NUM> throughout the experiment.

Set the nominal gage length to <NUM> using a calibrated caliper block and zero the crosshead. Insert the specimen into the upper grip such that the middle of the test strip is positioned <NUM> below the grip. The specimen may be folded perpendicular to the pull axis, and placed in the grip to achieve this position. After the grip is closed the excess material can be trimmed. Insert the specimen into the lower grips and close. Once again, the strip can be folded, and then trimmed after the grip is closed. Zero the load cell. The specimen should have a minimal slack but less than <NUM> N of force on the load cell. Start the test program.

From the data construct a Force (N) verses Extension (mm). The Average-Pre-Strain is calculated from the bend in the curve corresponding to the extension at which the nonwovens in the elastic are engaged. Plot two lines, corresponding to the region of the curve before the bend (primarily the elastics), and the region after the bend (primarily the nonwovens). Read the extension at which these two lines intersect, and calculate the % Pre-Strain from the extension and the corrected gage length. Record as % Pre-strain <NUM>%. Calculate the arithmetic mean of three replicate samples for each elastomeric laminate and Average-Pre-Strain to the nearest <NUM>%.

Components of the absorbent articles described herein may at least partially be comprised of bio-based content as described in <CIT>. For example, the superabsorbent polymer component may be bio-based via their derivation from bio-based acrylic acid. Bio-based acrylic acid and methods of production are further described in <CIT> and <CIT>; <CIT> and <CIT>. Other components, for example nonwoven and film components, may comprise bio-based polyolefin materials. Bio-based polyolefins are further discussed in <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, and <CIT>, and <CIT>. Example bio-based polyolefins for use in the present disclosure comprise polymers available under the designations SHA7260™ SHE150™, or SGM9450F™ (all available from Braskem S.

An absorbent article component may comprise a bio-based content value from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%, from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%, from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%, from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%, from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%, or from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%, for example, using ASTM D6866-<NUM>, method B.

Claim 1:
An absorbent article comprising:
a body facing surface (<NUM>) and a garment facing surface (<NUM>);
a front waist region (<NUM>) and a back waist region (<NUM>), the back waist region (<NUM>) separated from the front waist region (<NUM>) by a crotch region (<NUM>), the front waist region (<NUM>) comprising a front waist edge (<NUM>), and the back waist region comprising (<NUM>) a back waist edge (<NUM>), wherein a longitudinal axis (<NUM>) extends perpendicularly through the front waist edge (<NUM>) and the back waist edge (<NUM>), and wherein a lateral axis (<NUM>) extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis;
an absorbent assembly (<NUM>) extending longitudinally through the crotch region (<NUM>) between the front waist region (<NUM>) and the back waist region (<NUM>), the absorbent assembly (<NUM>) positioned between the body facing surface (<NUM>) and the garment facing surface (<NUM>);
wherein at least one of the front waist region (<NUM>) and the back waist region (<NUM>) comprises:
an elastic material (<NUM>) positioned between and connected with a first substrate (<NUM>) and a second substrate (<NUM>);
a first high-stretch zone (400a) and a second high-stretch zone (400b) separated laterally by a low-stretch zone (<NUM>), wherein the first and second high-stretch zones (400a, 400b) are elasticated by the elastic material (<NUM>);
wherein the low-stretch zone (<NUM>) comprises cut lines (<NUM>) separating the elastic material (<NUM>) into first discrete pieces (406a) and second discrete pieces (406b);
wherein the first discrete pieces (406a) of elastic material (<NUM>) comprise a first length and wherein the second discrete pieces (406b) of elastic material (<NUM>) comprise a second length, wherein the second length is greater than the first length; and
wherein each cut line (<NUM>) is oriented to define an offset angle relative to the lateral axis (<NUM>) that is greater than <NUM> degrees and less than <NUM> degrees.