Patent Description:
Users, for example caregivers, rely on disposable absorbent articles to make their lives easier. Disposable absorbent articles, such as adult incontinence articles, diapers, and training pants are generally manufactured by combining several components. These components typically include a liquid-permeable topsheet, a liquid-impermeable backsheet attached to the topsheet, and an absorbent core located between the topsheet and the backsheet. When the disposable article is worn, the liquid-permeable topsheet is positioned next to the body of the wearer. The topsheet allows passage of bodily fluids into the absorbent core. The liquid-impermeable backsheet helps prevent leakage of fluids held in the absorbent core. The absorbent core generally is designed to have desirable physical properties, e.g. a high absorbent capacity and high absorption rate, so that bodily fluids can be transported from the skin of the wearer into the disposable absorbent article.

Frequently one or more components of a disposable absorbent article are adhesively bonded together. For example, adhesives have been used to bond individual layers of the absorbent article, such as the topsheet and backsheet together. Adhesives have also been used to bond discrete components, such as fasteners and leg elastics or cuffs, to the article. The adhesive is often called a construction adhesive because it is used to help construct the absorbent article from individual components.

In many instances, an adhesive composition is used as a construction adhesive. Common hot-melt adhesives are made by combining polymer and additive components in a substantially uniform thermoplastic blend. Typical additives may include tackifiers, plasticizers, and/or waxes, for example. Examples of adhesives are disclosed in <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>. While such formulations generally work, they can be costly and their performance properties can be improved. For example, tackifiers, which can comprise up to <NUM>% of an adhesive formula, can be expensive and difficult to source. Therefore, there is a continuing need for improved construction adhesives that offer better performance and lower cost.

The present invention is for an absorbent articles as indicated in the claims. Described therein is an absorbent article having a longitudinal centerline and a lateral centerline, a front waist region with a front waist edge, a rear waist region with a rear waist edge, a crotch region disposed between the front waist region and the rear waist region, and two spaced apart longitudinal side edges joining the front waist edge to the rear waist edge, wherein the absorbent article comprises an assembly of components, and wherein the assembly of components comprises: (a) a topsheet; (b) a backsheet underlying the topsheet; (c) an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, wherein the absorbent core comprises at least one of a core cover, a dusting layer, an acquisition layer, a distribution layer, and a storage member; (d) at least one additional component selected from the group consisting of: (i) a fastening system for joining the front waist region to the rear waist region when the absorbent article is worn; (ii) barrier cuffs lying adjacent and inboard the two spaced apart longitudinal side edges; (iii) gasketing cuffs lying between each of the two spaced apart longitudinal side edges and the barrier cuffs; (iv) front ears disposed in the front waist region; (v) back ears disposed in the rear waist region; and (vi) a receiving member; and (e) an adhesive composition joining at least two of the assembly of components together, wherein the adhesive composition comprises at least <NUM> wt. % of a copolymer, wherein the copolymer comprises from about <NUM> wt. % to about <NUM> wt. % of propene monomer units and from about <NUM> wt. % to about <NUM> wt. % of <NUM>-butene monomer units; wherein the adhesive composition has a viscosity of from about <NUM>,<NUM> mPa·s to about <NUM>,<NUM> mPa·s at <NUM>, as measured by the Viscosity Test Method; wherein the adhesive composition has an Enthalpy of Fusion of less than <NUM> J/g, as measured by the Enthalpy of Fusion Test Method; wherein the adhesive composition has a Tensile Strength at Yield of from about <NUM> MPa to about <NUM> MPa, as measured by the Tensile Strength Test Method; and wherein the adhesive composition has a Static Peel Time of at least <NUM> seconds, as measured by the Static Peel Time Test Method. The adhesive composition is free of a heterophase copolymer and comprises less <NUM> wt. % of a tackifier.

<FIG> is a plan view of an exemplary absorbent article in a flat, uncontracted state.

As used herein, the following terms shall have the meaning specified thereafter:
"Disposable," in reference to absorbent articles, means that the absorbent articles are generally not intended to be laundered or otherwise restored or reused as absorbent articles (e.g., they are intended to be discarded after a single use and, preferably, to be recycled, composted or otherwise discarded in an environmentally compatible manner).

"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 (e.g., a diaper having a pre-formed waist opening and leg openings such as illustrated in <CIT>), refastenable diapers or pant-type diapers, adult incontinence briefs and undergarments, diaper holders and liners, feminine hygiene garments such as panty liners, absorbent inserts, and the like.

"Proximal" and "Distal" refer respectively to the location of an element relatively near to or far from the longitudinal or lateral centerline of a structure (e.g., the proximal edge of a longitudinally extending element is located nearer to the longitudinal centerline than the distal edge of the same element is located relative to the same longitudinal centerline).

"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 (e.g., element or surface is proximate to the wearer's garments that may be worn over the disposable absorbent article).

"Longitudinal" refers to a direction running substantially perpendicular from a waist edge to an opposing waist edge of the article and generally parallel to the maximum linear dimension of the article. Directions within <NUM> degrees of the longitudinal direction are considered to be "longitudinal".

"Lateral" refers to a direction running from a longitudinal edge to an opposing longitudinal edge of the article and generally at a right angle to the longitudinal direction. Directions within <NUM> degrees of the lateral direction are considered to be "lateral.

"Disposed" refers to an element being located in a particular place or position.

"Joined" refers to configurations whereby an element is directly secured to another element by affixing the element directly to the other element and to configurations whereby an element is indirectly secured to another element by affixing the element to intermediate member(s) which in turn are affixed to the other element.

"Film" refers to a sheet-like material wherein the length and width of the material far exceed the thickness of the material. Typically, films have a thickness of about <NUM> or less.

"Water-permeable" and "water-impermeable" refer to the penetrability of materials in the context of the intended usage of disposable absorbent articles. Specifically, the term "water-permeable" refers to a layer or a layered structure having pores, openings, and/or interconnected void spaces that permit liquid water, urine, or synthetic urine to pass through its thickness in the absence of a forcing pressure. Conversely, the term "water-impermeable" refers to a layer or a layered structure through the thickness of which liquid water, urine, or synthetic urine cannot pass in the absence of a forcing pressure (aside from natural forces such as gravity). A layer or a layered structure that is water-impermeable according to this definition may be permeable to water vapor, e.g., may be "vapor-permeable.

"Extendibility" and "extensible" mean that the width or length of the component in a relaxed state can be extended or increased.

"Elastic," "elastomer," and "elastomeric" refer to a material which generally is able to extend to a strain of at least <NUM>% without breaking or rupturing, and is able to recover substantially to its original dimensions after the deforming force has been removed.

"Elastomeric material" is a material exhibiting elastic properties. Elastomeric materials may include elastomeric films, scrims, nonwovens, and other sheet-like structures.

"Outboard" and "inboard" refer respectively to the location of an element disposed relatively far from or near to the longitudinal centerline of the diaper with respect to a second element. For example, if element A is outboard of element B, then element A is farther from the longitudinal centerline than is element B.

"Pant" refers to disposable absorbent articles having a pre-formed waist and leg openings. A pant may be donned by inserting a wearer's legs into the leg openings and sliding the pant into position about the wearer's lower torso. Pants are also commonly referred to as "closed diapers", "prefastened diapers", "pull-on diapers", "training pants" and "diaper-pants.

"Nonwoven" fabric or web means a web having a structure of individual fibers or threads that are interlaid, but not in a regular or identifiable manner as in a knitted fabric. Nonwoven fabrics or webs have been formed from many processes such as, for example, meltblowing processes, spunbonding processes, air laying processes, and bonded carded web processes. The basis weight of nonwoven fabrics is usually expressed in ounces of material per square yard (osy) or grams per square meter (gsm) and the fiber diameters are usually expressed in microns. (Note: to convert from osy to gsm, multiply osy by <NUM>.

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

"Spunbonded fibers", or "spunbond fibers", means small-diameter fibers that are typically formed by extruding molten thermoplastic material as filaments from a plurality of fine capillaries of a spinneret having a circular or other configuration, with the diameter of the extruded filaments then being rapidly reduced as by, for example, in <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, and <CIT>. Spunbond fibers are quenched and generally not tacky when they are deposited onto a collecting surface. Spunbond fibers are generally continuous and often have average diameters larger than about <NUM> microns, and more particularly between about <NUM> and <NUM> microns. A spunbond material, layer, or substrate comprises spunbonded (or spunbond) fibers.

"Meltblown fibers" means fibers formed by extruding a molten material, typically thermoplastic in nature, through a plurality of fine, usually circular, die capillaries as molten threads or filaments into converging high-velocity heated gas (e.g., air) streams that attenuate the filaments of molten material to reduce their diameter, which may be to microfiber diameter. Thereafter, the meltblown fibers are carried by the high-velocity gas stream and are deposited on a collecting surface to form a web of randomly dispersed meltblown fibers. Such a process is disclosed for example, in <CIT>. Meltblown fibers are microfibers which may be continuous or discontinuous, are generally smaller than <NUM> microns in diameter, and are generally self-bonding when deposited onto a collecting surface.

"Microfibers" means small-diameter fibers having an average diameter not greater than about <NUM> microns, for example, having a diameter of from about <NUM> microns to about <NUM> microns, more specifically microfibers may also have an average diameter of from about <NUM> micron to about <NUM> microns. Microfibers having an average diameter of about <NUM> microns or less are commonly referred to as ultra-fine microfibers. A description of an exemplary process of making ultra-fine microfibers may be found in, for example, <CIT>.

"Homopolymer" means a polymer resulting from the polymerization of a single monomer, e.g., a polymer consisting essentially of a single type of repeating unit.

"Copolymer(s)" refers herein to polymer(s) formed by the polymerization of at least two different monomers. The term "copolymer" can include terpolymers, which contain three types of different monomers.

"Devoid of," "free of," and the like, as those terms are used herein, means that the adhesive composition does not have more than trace amounts of background levels of a given material, ingredient, or characteristic following these qualifiers; the amount of the material or ingredient does not cause harm or irritation that consumers typically associate with the material or ingredient; or the material or ingredient was not added to the adhesive composition intentionally. In some applications, "devoid of" and "free of" can mean there is no measurable amount of the material or ingredient. For example, the adhesive composition in some forms can contain no measurable amount of a tackifier.

"Heterophase" polymer refers herein to a polymer having an amorphous character and at least some substantial crystalline content (at least <NUM> wt. % crystalline content) that can provide cohesive strength in the cooled adhesive mass. The crystalline content can be in the form of stereoregular blocks or sequences.

"Amorphous" means the substantial absence of crystallinity, (e.g.) less than <NUM> % and less than <NUM> %.

"Sequence or block" means a polymer portion of repeating monomer that is similar in composition, crystallinity or other aspect.

"Open time" means the amount of time elapsed between application of a molten hot melt adhesive composition to a first substrate, and the time when useful tackiness or wetting out of the adhesive on a substrate effectively ceases due to solidification of the adhesive composition. Open time is also referred to as "working time.

"Substantially" means generally the same or uniform but allowing for or having minor fluctuations from a defined property, definition, etc. For example, small measureable or immeasurable fluctuations in a measured property described herein, such as viscosity, melting point, etc. may result from human error or methodology precision. Other fluctuations are caused by inherent variations in the manufacturing process, thermal history of a formulation, and the like. The adhesive compositions of the, nonetheless, would be said to be substantially having the property as reported.

"Major proportion" means that a material or monomer is used at greater than <NUM> wt.

"Primary component" means that a material or monomer is the more common substance or has the higher concentration in the mixture or polymer compared to others but may not be as much as <NUM> wt.

"Hot-melt processable" means that an adhesive composition may be liquefied using a hot-melt tank (e.g., a system in which the composition is heated so that it is substantially in liquid form) and transported via a pump (e.g., a gear pump or positive-displacement pump) from the tank to the point of application proximate a substrate or other material; or to another tank, system, or unit operation (e.g., a separate system, which may include an additional pump or pumps, for delivering the adhesive to the point of application). Hot-melt tanks used to substantially liquefy a hot-melt adhesive typically operate in a range from about <NUM> to about <NUM>. Generally, at the point of application, the substantially liquefied adhesive composition will pass through a nozzle or bank of nozzles, but may pass through some other mechanical element such as a slot. A hot-melt processable adhesive composition is to be contrasted with a composition that requires a conventional extruder, and the attendant pressures and temperatures characteristic of an extruder, to liquefy, mix, and/or convey the composition. While a hot-melt tank and pump in a hot-melt processing system can handle adhesive-composition viscosities in a range from about <NUM> centipoise to about <NUM>,<NUM> centipoise, an extruder can handle and process adhesive-composition viscosities in a range from about <NUM>,<NUM> centipoise to viscosities of several hundred thousand centipoise.

Unless otherwise noted, "Laminated structure" or "laminate" means a structure in which one layer, material, component, web, or substrate is adhesively bonded, at least in part, to another layer, material, component, web, or substrate. As stated elsewhere in this application, a layer, material, component, web, or substrate may be folded over and adhesively bonded to itself to form a "laminated structure" or "laminate.

<FIG> is a plan view of an exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of a diaper <NUM> of the present invention in a flat, uncontracted state (e.g., without elastic induced contraction). The garment-facing surface <NUM> of the diaper <NUM> is facing the viewer. The diaper <NUM> includes a longitudinal centerline <NUM> and a lateral centerline <NUM>. The diaper <NUM> may comprise a chassis <NUM>. The diaper <NUM> and chassis <NUM> are shown to have a front waist region <NUM>, a rear waist region <NUM> opposed to the front waist region <NUM>, and a crotch region <NUM> located between the front waist region <NUM> and the rear waist region <NUM>. The waist regions <NUM> and <NUM> generally comprise those portions of the diaper <NUM> which, when worn, encircle the waist of the wearer. The waist regions <NUM> and <NUM> may include elastic elements such that they gather about the waist of the wearer to provide improved fit and containment. The crotch region <NUM> is that portion of the diaper <NUM> which, when the diaper <NUM> is worn, is generally positioned between the legs of the wearer.

The outer periphery of chassis <NUM> is defined by longitudinal side edges <NUM> and end edges <NUM>. The chassis <NUM> may have opposing longitudinal side edges <NUM> that are oriented generally parallel to the longitudinal centerline <NUM>. However, for better fit, longitudinal side edges <NUM> may be curved or angled to produce, for example, an "hourglass" shape diaper when viewed in a plan view. The chassis <NUM> may have opposing lend edges <NUM> that are oriented generally parallel to the lateral centerline <NUM>.

The chassis <NUM> may comprises a liquid permeable topsheet <NUM> having longitudinal side edges <NUM>, a backsheet <NUM>, and an absorbent core <NUM> between the topsheet <NUM> and the backsheet <NUM>. The absorbent core <NUM> may have a body-facing surface and a garment facing-surface. The topsheet <NUM> may be joined to the core <NUM> and/or the backsheet <NUM>. The backsheet <NUM> may be joined to the core <NUM> and/or the topsheet <NUM>. It should be recognized that other structures, elements, or substrates may be positioned between the core <NUM> and the topsheet <NUM> and/or backsheet <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the chassis <NUM> comprises the main structure of the diaper <NUM> with other features may added to form the composite diaper structure. While the topsheet <NUM>, the backsheet <NUM>, and the absorbent core <NUM> may be assembled in a variety of well-known configurations, preferred diaper configurations are described generally in <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; and <CIT>.

The topsheet <NUM> is generally a portion of the diaper <NUM> that may be positioned at least in partial contact or close proximity to a wearer. Suitable topsheets <NUM> may be manufactured from a wide range of materials, such as porous foams; reticulated foams; apertured plastic films; or woven or nonwoven webs of natural fibers (e.g., wood or cotton fibers), synthetic fibers (e.g., polyester or polypropylene fibers), or a combination of natural and synthetic fibers. The topsheet <NUM> is generally supple, soft feeling, and non-irritating to a wearer's skin. Generally, at least a portion of the topsheet <NUM> is liquid pervious, permitting liquid to readily penetrate through the thickness of the topsheet <NUM>. A particularly preferred topsheet <NUM> is available from BBA Fiberweb, Brentwood, TN as supplier code 055SLPV09U.

Any portion of the topsheet <NUM> may be coated with a lotion as is known in the art. Examples of suitable lotions include those described in <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT> and <CIT>. The topsheet <NUM> may be fully or partially elasticized or may be foreshortened so as to provide a void space between the topsheet <NUM> and the core <NUM>. Exemplary structures including elasticized or foreshortened topsheets are described in more detail in <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; and <CIT>.

The absorbent core <NUM> may comprise a wide variety of liquid-absorbent materials commonly used in disposable diapers and other absorbent articles. Examples of suitable absorbent materials include comminuted wood pulp, which is generally referred to as air felt creped cellulose wadding; melt blown polymers, including co-form; chemically stiffened, modified or cross-linked cellulosic fibers; tissue, including tissue wraps and tissue laminates; absorbent foams; absorbent sponges; superabsorbent polymers; absorbent gelling materials; or any other known absorbent material or combinations of materials. These materials may be combined to provide a core <NUM> in the form of one or more layers (individual layers not shown) that may include fluid handling layers such as acquisition layers, distribution layers and storage layers. The absorbent core <NUM> may comprise a substrate layer, absorbent polymer material, and a fibrous layer of adhesive (not shown). Such absorbent cores <NUM> may also include layers (not shown) to stabilize other core components. Such layers include a core cover and a dusting layer. A suitable material for such layers is a spunbonded/meltblown/spunbonded nonwoven having a basis weight between about <NUM> and <NUM>/m<NUM> (the meltblown layer comprises <<NUM>/m<NUM>) as is available from Avgol America, Inc. of Knoxville, NC. For example, Exemplary absorbent structures for use as the absorbent core <NUM> are described in <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>. To reduce the overall size and/or thickness of the absorbent core, and thereby improve wearer comfort and reduce the volume of disposable waste created by a soiled insert, it may be desired to construct an absorbent core using the lowest volumes of core materials possible within performance constraints. Toward this end, examples of suitable materials and constructions for a suitable absorbent core are described in, but are not limited to, <CIT> and <CIT>; and <CIT>; and <CIT>. These generally describe absorbent core constructions that minimize or eliminate the need for and inclusion of airfelt or other forms of cellulose fiber in combination with particles of superabsorbent polymer (hereinafter, "substantially airfelt-free cores"). The adhesives of the present invention may be used within or near the core to immobilize the core, immobilize absorbent material, or to bond the core substrate to the absorbent polymer material, among other uses. The construction of the absorbent core and adhesives used within the core may be such as described in <CIT> and <CIT>, and in <CIT>. In some embodiments, the adhesive may be fibrous or be a net-like structure.

The backsheet <NUM> is generally positioned such that it may be at least a portion of the garment-facing surface <NUM> of the diaper <NUM>. Backsheet <NUM> may be designed to prevent the exudates absorbed by and contained within the diaper <NUM> from soiling articles that may contact the diaper <NUM>, such as bed sheets and undergarments. In certain embodiments, the backsheet <NUM> is substantially water-impermeable. Suitable backsheet <NUM> materials include films such as those manufactured by Tredegar Industries Inc. of Terre Haute, IN and sold under the trade names X15306, X10962, and X10964. Other suitable backsheet <NUM> materials may include breathable materials that permit vapors to escape from the diaper <NUM> while still preventing exudates from passing through the backsheet <NUM>. Exemplary breathable materials may include materials such as woven webs, nonwoven webs, composite materials such as film-coated nonwoven webs, and microporous films such as manufactured by Mitsui Toatsu Co. , of Japan under the designation ESPOIR NO and by EXXON Chemical Co. , of Bay City, TX, under the designation EXXAIRE. Suitable breathable composite materials comprising polymer blends are available from Clopay Corporation, Cincinnati, OH under the name HYTREL blend P18-<NUM>. Such breathable composite materials are described in greater detail in <CIT> and <CIT>. Other breathable backsheets including nonwoven webs and apertured formed films are described in <CIT>. An exemplary, suitable backsheet is disclosed in <CIT>. Other suitable materials and/or manufacturing techniques may be used to provide a suitable backsheet <NUM> including, but not limited to, surface treatments, particular film selections and processing, particular filament selections and processing, etc..

Backsheet <NUM> may also consist of more than one layer, as illustrated in the cut-away of <FIG>. The backsheet <NUM> may comprise an outer cover 26a and an inner layer 26b. The outer cover 26a may have longitudinal side edges 27a and the inner layer 26b may have longitudinal side edges 27b. The outer cover 26a may be made of a soft, non-woven material. The inner layer 26b may be made of a substantially water-impermeable film. The outer cover 26a and an inner layer 26b may be joined together by adhesive or any other suitable material or method. A particularly suitable outer cover 26a is available from Corovin GmbH, Peine, Germany as supplier code A18AH0, and a particularly suitable inner layer 26b is available from RKW Gronau GmbH, Gronau, Germany as supplier code PGBR4WPR. While a variety of backsheet configurations are contemplated herein, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

The diaper <NUM> may also include a fastening system <NUM>. When fastened, the fastening system <NUM> interconnects the front waist region <NUM> and the rear waist region <NUM> resulting in a waist circumference that may encircle the wearer during wear of the diaper <NUM>. The fastening system <NUM> may comprises a fastener such as tape tabs, hook and loop fastening components, interlocking fasteners such as tabs & slots, buckles, buttons, snaps, and/or hermaphroditic fastening components, although any other known fastening means are generally acceptable. Some exemplary surface fastening systems are disclosed in <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; and <CIT>. An exemplary interlocking fastening system is disclosed in <CIT>. The fastening system <NUM> may also provide a means for holding the article in a disposal configuration as disclosed in <CIT>. The fastening system <NUM> may also include primary and secondary fastening systems, as disclosed in <CIT>. The fastening system <NUM> may be constructed to reduce shifting of overlapped portions or to improve fit as disclosed in <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; and <CIT>.

<FIG> depicts a fastening system <NUM> having an engaging member <NUM> and a receiving member <NUM>. The engaging member <NUM> is shown having an engaging surface <NUM> that may comprise hooks, loops, an adhesive, a cohesive, or other fastening member. The receiving member <NUM> may have a surface that allows for engagement of the engaging member <NUM>. The receiving member <NUM> may comprise hooks, loops, an adhesive, a cohesive, or other fastening component that can receive the engaging member <NUM>. Suitable engaging member <NUM> and receiving member <NUM> combinations include but are not limited to hooks/loop, hooks/hooks, adhesive/polymeric film; cohesive/ cohesive, adhesive/adhesive; tab/slot; and button/button hole.

The diaper <NUM> may include barrier cuffs <NUM> and/or gasketing cuffs <NUM>. Gasketing cuffs <NUM> may also be referred to as outer leg cuffs, leg bands, side flaps, leg cuffs, or elastic cuffs. Barrier cuffs <NUM> may also be referred to as second cuffs, inner leg cuffs or "stand-up" elasticized flaps.

The gasketing cuff <NUM> may be substantially inelastic or may be elastically extensible to dynamically fit at the wearer's leg. The gasketing cuff <NUM> may be formed by one or more elastic members <NUM> (such as elastic strands) operatively joined to the topsheet <NUM>, backsheet <NUM>, or any other suitable substrate used in the formation of the diaper <NUM>. Suitable gasketing cuff construction is further described in <CIT>.

The barrier cuff <NUM> may have a distal edge <NUM> and a proximal edge <NUM> that run substantially parallel to the longitudinal centerline <NUM>. The barrier cuff <NUM> may span the entire longitudinal length of the diaper <NUM>. The barrier cuff <NUM> may be formed by a flap <NUM> and an elastic member <NUM> (such as elastic strands). The flap <NUM> may be a continuous extension of any of the existing materials or elements that form the diaper <NUM>. In other embodiments, such as shown in <FIG>, the barrier cuff <NUM> may be a discrete element. In such embodiments, the barrier cuff <NUM> comprising the flap <NUM> and the elastic member <NUM> may be formed then joined to the chassis <NUM> by a bond <NUM>.

The flap <NUM> may comprise a variety of substrates such as plastic films and woven or nonwoven webs of natural fibers (e.g., wood or cotton fibers), synthetic fibers (e.g., polyester or polypropylene fibers), or a combination of natural and synthetic fibers. In certain embodiments, the flap <NUM> may comprise a nonwoven web such as spunbond webs, meltblown webs, carded webs, and combinations thereof (e.g., spunbond-meltblown composites and variants). Laminates of the aforementioned substrates may also be used to form the flap <NUM>. A particularly suitable flap may comprise a nonwoven available from BBA Fiberweb, Brentwood, TN as supplier code <NUM>. A particularly suitable elastic member is available from Invista, Wichita, KS as supplier code T262P. Further description of diapers having barrier cuffs and suitable construction of such barrier cuffs may be found in <CIT> and <CIT>. The elastic member <NUM> generally spans the longitudinal length of the barrier cuff <NUM>. In other embodiments, the elastic member <NUM> may span at least the longitudinal length of the barrier cuff <NUM> within the crotch region <NUM>. It is desirable that the elastic member <NUM> exhibits sufficient elasticity such that the proximal edge <NUM> of the barrier cuff <NUM> remains in contact with the wearer during normal wear, thereby enhancing the barrier properties of the barrier cuff <NUM>. The elastic member <NUM> may be connected to the flap <NUM> at opposing longitudinal ends. In certain embodiments, the flap <NUM> may be folded over onto itself so as to encircle the elastic member <NUM>. A bond <NUM> may be used to secure the folded section of the flap <NUM>.

The barrier cuffs <NUM> and/or gasketing cuffs <NUM> may be treated, in full or in part, with a lotion, as described above with regard to topsheets, or may be fully or partially coated with a hydrophobic surface coating as detailed in <CIT>.

The diaper <NUM> may include front ears <NUM> and back ears <NUM>. The front and/or back ears <NUM>, <NUM> may be unitary elements of the diaper <NUM> (e.g., they are not separately manipulative elements secured to the diaper <NUM>, but rather are formed from and are extensions of one or more of the various layers of the diaper). In certain embodiments, the front and/or back ears <NUM>, <NUM> may be discrete elements that are joined to the chassis <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. Discrete front and/or back ears <NUM>, <NUM> may be joined to the chassis <NUM> by any bonding method known in the art such as adhesive bonding, pressure bonding, heat bonding, and the like. In other embodiments, the front and/or back ears <NUM>, <NUM> may comprise a discrete element joined to the chassis <NUM> with the chassis <NUM> having a layer, element, or substrate that extends over the front and/or back ear <NUM>, <NUM>. The front ears <NUM> and back ears <NUM> may be extensible, inextensible, elastic, or inelastic. The front ears <NUM> and back ears <NUM> may be formed from nonwoven webs, woven webs, knitted fabrics, polymeric and elastomeric films, apertured films, sponges, foams, scrims, and combinations and laminates thereof. In certain embodiments the front ears <NUM> and back ears <NUM> may be formed of a nonwoven/elastomeric material laminate or a nonwoven/elastomeric material/nonwoven laminate. A suitable elastic back ear <NUM> may be a laminate comprising an elastomeric film (such as is available from Tredegar Corp, Richmond, VA, as supplier code X25007) disposed between two nonwoven layers (such as is available from BBA Fiberweb, Brentwood, TN as supplier code FPN332). While the following embodiments are directed to back ear <NUM> design and construction, these embodiments are equally applicable to front ear <NUM> design and construction. It should be recognized that any combination of the following embodiments may be used for the back ear <NUM> and/or the front ear <NUM>.

In alternative embodiments, the diaper <NUM> may be preformed by the manufacturer to create a pant. A pant may be preformed by any suitable technique including, but not limited to, joining together portions of the article using refastenable and/or non-refastenable bonds (e.g., seam, weld, adhesive, cohesive bond, fastener, etc.). For example, the diaper <NUM> of <FIG> may be manufactured with the fastening system <NUM> engaged (e.g., the engaging member <NUM> is joined to the receiving member <NUM>). As an additional example, the diaper <NUM> of <FIG> may be manufactured with the front ears <NUM> joined to the back ears <NUM> by way of a bond such as an adhesive bond, a mechanical bond, or some other bonding technique known in the art. Suitable pants are disclosed in <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; and <CIT>.

As noted above, a construction adhesive is typically used to join components of an absorbent article as the absorbent article is being assembled. Nonlimiting examples of such joinder using the construction adhesive include but are not limited to:.

As will be recognized, many of these uses involve joinder of a nonwoven material to another material. In some instances nonwoven material is joined to another nonwoven. In other instances, a nonwoven may be joined to a film.

Nonwovens in the present invention may be such as those disclosed in <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT> and <CIT>.

Described herein is an adhesive composition comprising at least <NUM> wt. %, alternatively at least <NUM> wt. %, alternatively at least <NUM> wt. %, and alternatively at least <NUM> wt. % of a copolymer. The copolymer may be an amorphous copolymer having a crystalline content of less than <NUM> wt. %, alternatively less than <NUM> wt.

The copolymer comprises from about <NUM> wt. % to about <NUM> wt. % of propene monomer units, alternatively from about <NUM> wt. % to about <NUM> wt. %, alternatively from about <NUM> wt. % to about <NUM> wt. %, alternatively from about <NUM> wt. % to about <NUM> wt. %, alternatively from about <NUM> wt. % to about <NUM> wt. %, alternatively from about <NUM> wt. % to about <NUM> wt. %, and alternatively from about <NUM> wt. % to about <NUM> wt. The percentage of propene monomer units may be determined by a suitable method, such as nuclear magnetic resonance or infrared spectroscopies, known to those of skill in the art.

The copolymer can comprise from about <NUM> wt. % to about <NUM> wt. % of <NUM>-butene monomer units, , alternatively from about <NUM> wt. % to about <NUM> wt. %, alternatively from about <NUM> wt. % to about <NUM> wt. %, alternatively from about <NUM> wt. % to about <NUM> wt. %, alternatively from about <NUM> wt. % to about <NUM> wt. %, alternatively from about <NUM> wt. % to about <NUM> wt. %, alternatively from about <NUM> wt. % to about <NUM> wt. %, and alternatively from about <NUM> wt. % to about <NUM> wt. The percentage of <NUM>-butene monomer units may be determined by a suitable method, such as nuclear magnetic resonance or infrared spectroscopies, known to those of skill in the art.

The copolymer can comprise from about <NUM> wt. % to about <NUM> wt. %, alternatively from about <NUM> wt. % to about <NUM> wt. %, alternatively from about <NUM> wt. % to about <NUM> wt. %, and alternatively from about <NUM> wt. % to about <NUM> wt. % of one or more comonomer units selected from the group consisting of ethylene, <NUM>-methyl-<NUM>-pentene, pentene, <NUM>,<NUM>-methylpentene, <NUM>,<NUM>-methylbutene-<NUM>, heptene-<NUM>, dimethylpentene-<NUM>, trimethylbutene-<NUM>, ethylpentene-<NUM>, methylpentene-<NUM>, trimethylpentene-<NUM>, methylethylpentene-<NUM>, diethylbutene-<NUM>, propylpentane-<NUM>, decene-<NUM>, methylnonene-<NUM>, nonene-<NUM>, trimethylheptene-<NUM>, methylethylbutene-<NUM>, dodecene-<NUM>, and hexadodecene-<NUM>, and combinations thereof.

The copolymer can be prepared by the methods described in <CIT> and <CIT>, which are both expressly incorporated herein. The copolymer may be prepared using a single-site catalyst system, multiple single-site catalyst systems, or Ziegler Natta catalyst system. Monomers used to prepare the copolymer can be obtained from one or more carbon-based sources, e.g., biomass from animal and/or vegetable fats. The monomers can also be obtained from renewable feed stocks provided by, e.g., Neste's Rotterdam Refinery (Neste, Finland). Adhesive compositions comprising the copolymer can be prepared by combining the copolymer and at least one optional ingredient (e.g., an optical brightener, other copolymers), if desired. The copolymer can be prepared into a final adhesive composition product by heating the primary copolymer to elevated temperatures (e.g., about <NUM> to about <NUM>° C) that melts the copolymer. Once molten, one or more optional ingredients (e.g., additive or other polymers components) can be added to the primary copolymer. A mixer can be used to mix the components together into a final adhesive composition.

The copolymer can be selected from REXtacR copolymers <NUM> and <NUM>. See, for example, Sustic, <CIT>, which is expressly incorporated by reference, for a description of additional exemplary copolymers.

The adhesive composition comprises less than <NUM> wt. %, and alternatively less than <NUM> wt. % of a tackifier. Exemplary tackifiers can include aliphatic hydrocarbon resins, aromatic modified aliphatic hydrocarbon resins, hydrogenated poly-cyclopentadiene resins, poly-cyclopentadiene resins, gum rosins, gum rosin esters, wood rosins, wood rosin esters, tall oil rosins, tall oil rosin esters, poly-terpenes, aromatic modified poly-terpenes, terpene-phenolics, aromatic modified hydrogenated poly-cyclopentadiene resins, hydrogenated aliphatic resins, hydrogenated aliphatic aromatic resins, hydrogenated terpenes and modified terpenes, and hydrogenated rosin esters.

The adhesive composition can be free of a tackifier. There are significant advantages to minimizing or avoiding the use of a tackifier as it may reduce the cost of the adhesive composition, as well as eliminate an additional ingredient and potential issues that may be associated with supplying the additional ingredient. Furthermore, tackifiers can impart undesirable odor in disposable articles and can also act as carriers of low molecular weight plasticizers (e.g., process oils that are used in SBC based adhesives) that can weaken the polyethylene back sheet materials used in absorbent articles and textile articles.

The adhesive composition can be free of polyisobutylene. The adhesive composition can comprise less than <NUM> wt. %, alternatively less than <NUM> wt. %, alternatively less than <NUM> wt. %, alternatively less than <NUM> wt. %, and alternatively less than <NUM> wt. %, alternatively less than <NUM> wt. %, and alternatively less than <NUM> wt. % of polyisobutylene.

The adhesive composition is free of a heterophase copolymer.

The adhesive compositions comprising the copolymer have a viscosity of from about <NUM>,<NUM> mPa·s to about <NUM>,<NUM> mPa·s, alternatively from about <NUM>,<NUM> mPa·s to about <NUM>,<NUM> mPa·s, alternatively from about <NUM>,<NUM> mPa·s to about <NUM>,<NUM> mPa·s, alternatively from about <NUM>,<NUM> mPa·s to about <NUM>,<NUM> mPa·s, alternatively from about <NUM>,<NUM> mPa·s to about <NUM>,<NUM> mPa·s, alternatively less than <NUM>,<NUM> mPa·s, and alternatively less than <NUM>,<NUM> mPa·s at <NUM>, as measured by the Viscosity Test Method described herein.

The copolymer, as well as adhesive compositions comprising the copolymer, can have a rheology and thermal stability suitable for use with conventional hot melt adhesive application equipment. The copolymer, as well as adhesive compositions comprising the copolymer, having a desired viscosity at the application temperature, can facilitate flow of the copolymer, as well as adhesive compositions comprising the copolymer, through a coating apparatus, e.g., a coating die or a spray nozzle.

Desirable viscosity values can be useful for ensuring that the copolymer, as well as adhesive compositions comprising the copolymer, is compatible with adhesive application methods and equipment. For example, a viscosity value that is too high may not be compatible with certain application methods and equipment, e.g., spraying methods and nozzles.

The adhesive compositions comprising the copolymer have an Enthalpy of Fusion at <NUM>/min cooling rate of less than <NUM> J/g, alternatively less than <NUM> J/g, alternatively less than <NUM> J/g, alternatively from about <NUM> J/g to <NUM> J/g, alternatively from about <NUM> J/g to about <NUM> J/g, alternatively from about <NUM> J/g to about <NUM> J/g, alternatively from about <NUM> J/g to about <NUM> J/g, and alternatively from about <NUM> J/g to about <NUM> J/g, as measured by the Enthalpy of Fusion Test Method described herein.

The adhesive compositions comprising the copolymer have a Tensile Strength at Yield of from about <NUM> MPa to about <NUM> MPa, alternatively from about <NUM> MPa to about <NUM> MPa, alternatively from about <NUM> MPa to about <NUM> MPa, alternatively from about <NUM>. 9MPa to about <NUM> MPa, and alternatively from about <NUM> MPa to about <NUM> MPa, as measured by the Tensile Strength Test Method described herein. In some applications, a Tensile Strength at Yield value that is too low may indicate that the copolymer, as well as adhesive compositions comprising the copolymer, is too week and will not provide sufficient tensile strength for a product during use. Alternatively, in some applications, a Tensile Strength at Yield value that is too high may indicate that the copolymer, as well as adhesive compositions comprising the copolymer, is too stiff and cannot sufficiently absorb the stresses applied to the copolymer, as well as adhesive compositions comprising the copolymer, during product use.

The adhesive compositions comprising the copolymer can exhibit surprisingly high values in the Static Peel Time Test Method described herein, as shown in Table <NUM> below. The adhesive compositions comprising the copolymer have a Static Peel Time of at least <NUM> seconds, alternatively at least <NUM> seconds, alternatively from about <NUM> seconds to about <NUM> seconds, alternatively from about <NUM> seconds to about <NUM> seconds, alternatively from about <NUM> seconds to about <NUM> seconds, and alternatively from about <NUM> seconds to about <NUM> seconds, and alternatively from about <NUM> seconds to about <NUM> seconds, when performed using a <NUM>-gram weight and a <NUM>-mm wide test sample having a coat weight of about <NUM> gsm, as measured by the Static Peel Time Test Method described herein.

The copolymer, as well as adhesive compositions comprising the copolymer, can have a Needle Penetration of from about <NUM> decimillimeters to about <NUM> decimillimeters, alternatively from about <NUM> decimillimeters to about <NUM> decimillimeters, and alternatively from about <NUM> decimillimeters to about <NUM> decimillimeters, as measured by the Needle Penetration Test Method described herein. In some applications, a Needle Penetration value that is too high may indicate that the copolymer, as well as adhesive compositions comprising the copolymer, is too soft and will not provide sufficient bond strength for a product, leading to a cohesive failure of the adhesive in the bond. Alternatively, in some applications, a Needle Penetration that is too low may indicate that the copolymer, as well as adhesive compositions comprising the copolymer, is too stiff and cannot sufficiently absorb the stresses applied to the copolymer, as well as adhesive compositions comprising the copolymer, during product use.

The copolymer, as well as adhesive compositions comprising the copolymer, can have a density of from about <NUM>/cm<NUM> to about <NUM>/cm<NUM>, alternatively from about <NUM>/cm<NUM> to about <NUM>/cm<NUM>, alternatively from about <NUM>/cm<NUM> to about <NUM>/cm<NUM>, alternatively from about <NUM>/cm<NUM> to about <NUM>/cm<NUM>, and alternatively from about <NUM>/cm<NUM> to about <NUM>/cm<NUM> at <NUM>.

It has been found that adhesive compositions without tackifiers generally have an about <NUM>% lower density than tackifier containing adhesive compositions, as known in the art. This is because tackifiers have normally a density of about <NUM>/cm<NUM>, which is a density higher than the density of the other adhesive ingredients.

It has been found that the volume of an adhesive layer in a laminate and not the mass of the adhesive layer governs the bond strength of the laminate, which can e.g. be measured as "static peel. " Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that this is due to structure mechanics laws which suggest a higher stress concentration occurring in thinner adhesive layers upon deformation. This makes thinner adhesive layers more prone to breaking upon exertion of a peeling or shearing force onto the laminate. In order to enable more robust bonds in a laminate, the adhesive layer is typically with a larger thickness.

For an adhesive composition with lower density, as described herein, the same quality of a bond can be achieved with a lower mass of adhesive. As all commercially relevant aspects of a hygiene adhesive (like e.g. material cost or transportation cost) are governed by its mass usage and not its volume usage, an adhesive with lower density enables significant commercial advantages.

It is believed that three adhesive material properties - Storage Modulus, Yield Stress and Toughness (all at <NUM>) -are predictive of the bond strength performance of a laminate which comprises an adhesive composition as described herein.

It is believed that the bond strength performance of the laminate goes through a maximum with these properties and that a preferred operating window with upper and lower limits can be defined with regards to these properties. The operating window is predictive of the bond strength performance of the laminate.

The Storage Modulus describes the elastic resistance of an adhesive composition against small deformations. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that the failure mechanism, which ultimately leads to the breaking of the bond, starts with a crack initiation and a successive crack propagation inside the adhesive layer close to the interface to the substrate (film or nonwoven). It is also believed that this failure mechanism already starts with low mechanical deformations, e.g. described by engineering strains smaller than <NUM>% or even smaller than <NUM>%.

An adhesive composition with a lower storage modulus offers less resistance to these small strain deformations and is better able to divert the mechanical stress away from the interface into the bulk of the adhesive, or in other words towards the center of the adhesive layer. In the bulk of the adhesive layer "plastic yielding" can then occur, a mechanism which highly effectively absorbs the energy of the deformation and thereby prevents the breaking of the bond. This mechanism is also referred to as "energy dissipation". The mechanical energy is transformed into heat while the bond as a whole continues to stay intact. In the "Static Peel Time" test, a laminate with an adhesive composition with a lower storage modulus can keep the weight for longer time before the bond fails and the weight falls down. So there is an upper limit for the storage modulus.

It is also believed that there is a lower limit of the storage modulus. If the adhesive composition offers too little elastic resistance to said deformations, the laminate will have an insufficient bond strength performance, e.g. a too low static peel time, as well.

Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that the same argument applies for the yield stress. A too high yield stress opposes an effective energy dissipation, while a too low yield stress causes the adhesive to offer too weak resistance towards deformations.

For the parameter of "toughness", surprisingly, a similar behavior was found.

The adhesive formulations described herein excel by ranges of the three material parameters which enable the desired mechanical performance of the laminate.

It has been found that the development of laminates comprising a nonwoven, an adhesive composition, and a stiff polyethylene film, as described herein, is typically a more difficult task than the development of laminates comprising two nonwoven and an adhesive composition. It is believed that this is due to the more or less flat surface of the film (compared to the fibrous structure of a nonwoven) which enables less mechanical entanglement. Further it is believed that the stiff nature of the polyethylene film contributes less to energy dissipation at the interface between film and adhesive composition. Therefore, adhesive compositions as described herein which perform well in adhesive-stiff film laminates typically also perform well in nonwoven-nonwoven laminates.

The copolymer, as well as adhesive compositions comprising the copolymer, can have a Storage Modulus at <NUM> of from about <NUM> MPa to about <NUM> MPa, alternatively from about <NUM> MPa to about <NUM> MPa, alternatively from about <NUM> MPa to about <NUM> MPa, and alternatively from about <NUM> MPa to about <NUM> MPa, as measured by the Oscillatory Rheometry Test described herein.

The copolymer, as well as adhesive compositions comprising the copolymer, can have a Yield Stress at <NUM> of from about <NUM> MPa to about <NUM> MPa, alternatively from about <NUM> MPa to about <NUM> MPa, alternatively from about <NUM> to about <NUM> MPa, as measured by the Yield Stress Test Method described herein.

The copolymer, as well as adhesive compositions comprising the copolymer, can have a Toughness at <NUM> of from about <NUM> MJ/m<NUM> to about <NUM> MJ/m<NUM>, alternatively from about <NUM> MJ/m<NUM> to about <NUM> MJ/m<NUM>, alternatively from about <NUM> MJ/m<NUM> to about <NUM> MJ/m<NUM>, alternatively from about <NUM> MJ/m<NUM> to about <NUM> MJ/m<NUM>, and alternatively from about <NUM> MJ/m<NUM> to about <NUM> MJ/m<NUM>, as measured by the Toughness Test Method described herein.

The adhesive composition described herein can comprise less than <NUM> wt. %, alternatively less than <NUM> wt. %, alternatively less than <NUM> wt. %, alternatively less than <NUM> wt. %, alternatively less than <NUM> wt. %, alternatively less than <NUM> wt. %, alternatively less than <NUM> wt. %, alternatively less than <NUM> wt. %, alternatively less than <NUM> wt. %, and alternatively less than <NUM> wt. % of one or more optional ingredients.

The adhesive composition can optionally include a plasticizer or plasticizing oil or extender oil that may reduce the viscosity or improve tack properties in the adhesive composition. Nonlimiting examples of plasticizers include olefin oligomers, low molecular weight polyolefins such as liquid polybutenes, low molecular weight non-aromatic polymers (e.g. REGALREZ <NUM> from Eastman Chemical Company), phthalates, mineral oils such as naphthenic, paraffinic, or hydrogenated (white) oils (e.g. Kaydol oil or ParaLux oils (Chevron U. )), vegetable and animal oils and their derivatives, petroleum derived oils, and combinations thereof. The plasticizers can include polypropylene, polybutene, hydrogenated polyisoprene, hydrogenated polybutadiene, polypiperylene, copolymers of piperylene and isoprene, as described in <CIT>,
The adhesive composition can optionally include an antioxidant or a stabilizer. Any antioxidant known to a person of ordinary skill in the art may be used in the adhesion composition. Non-limiting examples of suitable antioxidants include amine-based antioxidants such as alkyl diphenyl amines, phenyl-naphthylamine, alkyl or aralkyl substituted phenyl-naphthylamine, alkylated p-phenylene diamines, tetramethyl-diaminodiphenylamine and the like; and hindered phenol compounds such as <NUM>,<NUM>-di-t-butyl-<NUM>-methylphenol; <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-trimethyl-<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-tris(<NUM>',<NUM>'-di-t-butyl-<NUM>'-hydroxybenzyl)benzene; tetra kis [(methylene(<NUM>,<NUM>-di-t-butyl-<NUM>-hydroxyhydrocinnamate)]methane (e.g., IRGANOX™ <NUM>, from Ciba Geigy, New York); octadecyl-<NUM>,<NUM>-di-t-butyl-<NUM>-hydroxycinnamate (e.g., IRGANOX™ <NUM>, commercially available from Ciba Geigy) and combinations thereof. Where used, the amount of the antioxidant in the composition can be less than <NUM> wt. %, alternatively from about <NUM> wt. % to about <NUM> wt. %, and alternatively from about <NUM> wt. % to about <NUM> wt. % of the total weight of the adhesive composition.

The adhesive composition can optionally include a UV stabilizer that may prevent or reduce the degradation of the composition by radiation. Any UV stabilizer known to a person of ordinary skill in the art may be used in the adhesion composition. Non-limiting examples of suitable UV stabilizers include benzophenones, benzotriazoles, aryl esters, oxanilides, acrylic esters, formamidine carbon black, hindered amines, nickel quenchers, hindered amines, phenolic antioxidants, metallic salts, zinc compounds, and combinations thereof. Where used, the amount of the UV stabilizer in the adhesive composition can be less than <NUM> wt. %, alternatively from about <NUM> wt. % to about <NUM> wt. %, and alternatively from about <NUM> wt. % to about <NUM> wt. % of the total weight of the adhesive composition.

The adhesive composition can optionally include a brightener, colorant, and/or pigment. Any colorant or pigment known to a person of ordinary skill in the art may be used in the adhesive composition. Non-limiting examples of suitable brighteners, colorants, and/or pigments include fluorescent materials and pigments such as triazine-stilbene, coumarin, imidazole, diazole, titanium dioxide and carbon black, phthalocyanine pigments, and other organic pigments such as IRGAZINB, CROMOPHTALB, MONASTRALB, CINQUASIAB, IRGALITEB, ORASOLB, all of which are available from Ciba Specialty Chemicals, Tarrytown, N. Where used, the amount of the brightener, colorant, and/or pigment in the adhesive composition can be less than <NUM> wt. %, alternatively from about <NUM> wt. % to about <NUM> wt. %, and alternatively from about <NUM> wt. % to about <NUM> wt. % of the total weight of the adhesive composition.

The adhesive composition can optionally include a fragrance such as a perfume or other odorant. Such fragrances may be retained by a liner or contained in release agents such as microcapsules that may, for example, release fragrance upon removal of a release liner from or compression on the adhesive composition.

The adhesive composition can optionally include a filler. Any filler known to a person of ordinary skill in the art may be used in the adhesive composition. Non-limiting examples of suitable fillers include sand, talc, dolomite, calcium carbonate, clay, silica, mica, wollastonite, feldspar, aluminum silicate, alumina, hydrated alumina, glass bead, glass microsphere, ceramic microsphere, thermoplastic microsphere, barite, wood flour, and combinations thereof. Where used, the amount of the filler in the adhesive composition can be less than <NUM> wt. %, alternatively from about <NUM> wt. % to about <NUM> wt. %, and alternatively from about <NUM> wt. % to about <NUM> wt. % of the total weight of the adhesive composition.

The adhesive compositions described herein have industrial applications in sanitary disposable consumer articles, for example, diapers, feminine care pads, and napkins. Articles can include items having any two or more substrates adhesively bonded by a hot melt adhesive composition, such as disposable articles such as diapers or feminine napkins. The substrates can include thermoplastics, thermoset polymers, polyesters, polyethylene terephthalate, polyamides, nylons, polypropylene, and combinations, blends, or layered composites thereof. The substrates can include, in some applications, coatings of wax, acrylate polymers, or other materials, colorants, preservatives, stabilizers, processing lubricants, and combinations thereof. The substrates can include solid, nonporous or breathable films. The substrates can include nonwoven fabrics and films (e.g., polyethylene films), in some applications.

The adhesive compositions can be used as a construction adhesive in assembly of commonly available consumer disposal articles. Such articles include infant diapers, adult diapers, bed pads, sanitary products, and other absorbent articles. Combining at least a polymer film with other films and fibrous materials typically makes these articles. Fibrous materials can include fabrics such as woven or nonwoven fabrics, fibers in the form of fiber vats, fiber collections, fiber balls, etc..

Such absorbent articles typically include an absorbent held within the article. The absorbent is usually covered using a nonwoven inner liner. Such liners include a highly permeable material such as a spun bonded nonwoven structure that passes fluids or moisture from the interior of the article into the absorbent layer. The absorbent layer or structure formed within the absorbent article typically includes a fiber mass pad or cellulosic or wood pulp for the purpose of absorbing liquid or fluid materials released into the absorbent article. The fiber or fluff can include a cellulosic fiber, a synthetic fiber or mixtures thereof such as blends of wood fiber, cellulosic fiber, polyethylene fiber, polypropene fiber or other fiber materials often including a super absorbent material. Super or highly absorbent materials are used to increase the absorptive capacity of the absorbent article. Such materials are organic materials including modified natural gums and resins but often include synthetic polymer materials such as hydrogels. Carboxy-methyl cellulose, alkaline metal salts of acrylic polymers, polyacrylamides, polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene anhydride polymers and copolymers, polyvinyl ether polymers and copolymers, hydroxyalkyl cellulose polymers and copolymers, polyvinyl sulfonic acid polymers and copolymers, polyacrylic polymers, polyvinyl-pyrrolidone polymers and copolymers can be used in the absorbent function.

Nonwoven fabric layers used in such disposal articles typically are generally planar structures including a bonded assembly of natural or synthetic fiber.

Such nonwoven materials are often made using a variety of techniques, including spun bonding, melt bonding, etc. Such nonwoven materials are often manufactured by randomly placing fibers or rovings in a random pattern and are then thermally bonded using inherent bonding characteristics of the fibers or by bonding the fibers using resin materials applied to the fibers. Various polymers can be used to make nonwoven materials including poly olefins, polyesters, ethylene vinyl acetate polymers, ethylene acrylic acid polymers and others.

The exterior of the article often includes a polymer film that is liquid impervious. In certain aspects exterior polymer films can be further modified using additional exterior layers to obtain a more cloth like or nonwoven character to the exterior polymer film. The exterior film typically includes a single layer of a polymer film but can be a multi-layer film structure. Typical polymer sheet materials include high tensile strength polymers including polyesters, poly olefins or other thermoplastic sheet materials that can be formed into film layers. The polyolefin or polyester polymer materials are often formed into sheets and are treated to improve strength, flexibility and puncture resistance. Techniques including biaxial orientation, heat treatment or surface treatment can improve the film characteristics of the polymer films. Such polymer films often have a thickness that ranges from about <NUM> mils (e.g., one thousandth of an inch) to about <NUM> mils.

The absorbent articles can include a liquid impervious polymer film, an absorbent layer pad and a nonwoven interior layer. A three component structure can be assembled using the adhesive composition that is applied using manufacturing techniques that adheres the nonwoven interior layer to the polymer film while holding the absorbent layer there between.

Methods of manufacture employing the adhesive compositions include the application of the molten adhesive compositions to a substrate, followed by contact of the adhesive composition with a second substrate within <NUM> second to <NUM> seconds after application of the adhesive composition to the first substrate, wherein the contacting results in an adhesive bond between the substrates.

In the articles manufactured using the adhesive compositions, the articles can be manufactured by forming an adhesive bond between a polymer film and a fiber or fiber mass. The article can also include an adhesive bond formed between a polymer film and a nonwoven fabric. Additionally the article can be manufactured by forming an adhesive bond between a multi-layer structure including the exterior layer of a polymer film and interior components including a fiber map or a nonwoven fabric.

The adhesive compositions can be applied under melt conditions to a substrate as a hot melt adhesive or may be coated, applied or sprayed onto the polymer film nonwoven or absorbent pad. Spray-on adhesives are typically applied using slot coat, spray on or atomizing character in a bead, dot pattern, spiral pattern or other conventional pattern using such Nordson application techniques. The adhesive composition can be applied to a substrate using a slot coat (using Nordson true coat or Speed coat slot) at increased machine speed.

The adhesive composition can be applied in an amount of about <NUM> to about <NUM> grams per square meter (g-m-<NUM>) of resulting bonded material. The adhesive composition can be used for disposal diaper and napkin construction elastic attachment and disposal goods particularly preferred applications include baby diaper construction, diaper chassis construction, diaper core stabilization, diaper outer cover lamination, feminine napkin core stabilization, and feminine napkin construction bond.

The Static Peel Time of a hot melt adhesive composition is determined by using the Static Peel Time Test Method, which consists of first using the hot melt to create a bond between two specified substrates using a specified slot coating process to form a laminate, as described below. Specimens extracted from the substrates are then subjected to a <NUM>-degree peel test under static load, and the average time to failure is reported as the "Static Peel Time.

Two specified substrates are affixed via a specified slot coating process using the hot melt adhesive composition to form a laminate. The first substrate used to form the laminate, the "nonwoven," is a <NUM> gsm polypropylene spunbond (SSS) with a point bond pattern (diamonds, <NUM><NUM> per point bond) that covers <NUM>% bond area and has <NUM> points per square centimeter. The average fiber diameter is <NUM> microns. The nonwoven is provided in roll stock form and is <NUM> in width. The second substrate used to form the laminate, the "film," is a microporous polyethylene film with basis weight of <NUM> gsm. The average print coverage area is <NUM>%. Exemplary suitable films are MICROPRO microporous films, and films designated BR137P and BR137U, available from Clopay (Clopay Plastics Corporation, Mason, OH, USA), or equivalent. The film is provided in roll stock and is <NUM> in width.

The hot melt adhesive composition is slot coated onto the moving nonwoven web. The nonwoven web-speed is <NUM>/min and the total nonwoven web tension at the point of application is <NUM> lbs (<NUM> N/m tension per unit width). The adhesive is slot coated onto the nonwoven using a TrueCoat™ die from Nordson (Nordson LU12K04139/<NUM>, Nordson Corporation, Westlake, OH, USA, or equivalent). The shim of the die is <NUM> thick and cut with an alternating pattern to create <NUM> openings, each <NUM> wide, with <NUM> wide spacings between each opening. This creates a coating of <NUM> continuous stripes of adhesive in the machine direction, each stripe of adhesive is <NUM> wide with a <NUM> uncoated spacing between adhesive stripes. The adhesive flow rate for the nozzle is set such that the basis weight of each adhesive stripe is <NUM> ± <NUM> gsm. The adhesive is maintained at a temperature of <NUM> ± <NUM> at all points up to and including the applicator. This overall slot coating process is performed at an ambient temperature of <NUM> ± <NUM>.

The adhesive is applied to the nonwoven web with the slot coat die by bringing the slot coat die into contact with the nonwoven supported between two non-driven web-support idlers that co-rotate with the moving nonwoven web and each have <NUM> diameter. The spacing of the web-support idlers is set to <NUM>, center to center, and the adhesive applicator's exit is set at a point <NUM> from the downstream idler's center. The applicator is pressed into the nonwoven between the idlers, such that the nonwoven is deflected <NUM>-<NUM> at the exit point of the adhesive from the slot coat die, with respect to the plane made by the nonwoven under tension when the applicator is absent. The angle made between the slot coat die's shim plane and the plane of the tensioned nonwoven when the applicator is not engaged, is the pitch angle. This angle is described to be zero when the planes are perpendicular to each other. For the laminates, the adhesive was coated with a positive <NUM>° pitch angle towards the downstream idler. In other words, the plane of the shim relative to the plane of the tensioned nonwoven when the applicator is not engaged, is <NUM>° on the side of the downstream idler. The adhesive coating is centered along the length of the nonwoven web by centering the width of the slot coat die on the width of the nonwoven.

The adhesive coated nonwoven web is then brought into contact with the film about <NUM> after coating. The web speed of the film is <NUM>/min, and the total film's web tension is <NUM> lb (<NUM> N/m, tension per unit width). The contact point between the two webs is made at a <NUM> diameter idler and the webs are wrapped around the idler with a <NUM>° wrap angle. The combined web is wound on a roll with <NUM> lbs winding tension and samples are immediately cut off the roll after winding. The removed samples are allowed to equilibrate at <NUM> ± <NUM> and <NUM>% relative humidity for a minimum of <NUM> hours before static peel testing.

Specimens are removed at random from the equilibrated laminate. Specimens measure <NUM> in the machine direction of the laminate and across the entire cross direction of the laminate such that all sixty <NUM>-mm wide stripes of slot-coated hot melt adhesive composition are included in the cross machine length of the strip.

The static peel is conducted in a direction transverse to the machine direction (e.g., perpendicular to the adhesive stripe direction). On one <NUM> wide edge of the laminate test specimen, each unbonded layer at the edge of the laminate is separately folded over a small round wooden dowel rod <NUM> in diameter and approximately <NUM> long, and the wrapped dowels are secured with a <NUM> inch wide bulldog clip. The clip is placed over the wrapped dowel and clamped onto the doubled layer of material such that the material does not slip or pull out of the clip. With clips attached, the test specimens are placed in preconditioned incubator (at <NUM> ± <NUM>) for about <NUM> minutes before testing. After <NUM> minutes, each sample is suspended in the chamber by the clip attached to the film layer, and a weight is attached to the nonwoven's clip, hanging therefrom. The hanging weight, the bulldog clip, and the dowel have a total weight of <NUM> grams. The specimen is suspended such that the bottom of the attached weight is located high enough above the bottom of the chamber so that the entire laminate can peel apart and the weight can freely fall to the bottom of the chamber through some remaining distance. A timer is used to measure the time between the time at which the hanging weight is attached and the time at which the bonded area of the test laminate fully delaminates. For each specimen, this time to failure is recorded to the nearest second. The peel under static load is performed on at least ten specimens, and the arithmetic mean of the time to failure is defined as the "Static Peel Time," reported to the nearest second.

The Needle Penetration of a hot melt adhesive composition is determined using the Needle Penetration Test Method, which consists of performing ASTM D5/D5M-<NUM> with a Humboldt H1280 needle and the following additional guidance. Ambient temperature is maintained at <NUM> ± <NUM>, and specimen(s) of hot melt adhesive composition to be tested are thermally equilibrated prior to measurement. A total load of <NUM> as described in section <NUM> of ASTM D5/D5M-<NUM> is used, and the allowed penetration time is <NUM> ± <NUM> seconds. The arithmetic mean of the distance of needle penetration for three replicates, as described in section <NUM> of ASTM D5/D5M-<NUM>, is defined as the "Needle Penetration" and is reported in units of tenths of a millimeter (that is, decimillimeters, or dmm) to the nearest whole value in dmm.

The Tensile Strength of a hot melt adhesive composition is determined using the Tensile Strength Test Method, which consists of performing ASTM D638-<NUM> with the following additional guidance. Ambient temperature is maintained at <NUM> ± <NUM>. Hot melt adhesive composition is cast into a shape consistent with a Type IV "dogbone" as described in <FIG> of ASTM D638-<NUM> and allowed to equilibrate to ambient temperature. The test proceeds with a crosshead speed of <NUM>/min. Tensile Strength at Yield is calculated as described in section <NUM> of ASTM D638-<NUM> and is reported as the "Tensile Strength at Yield" in units of megapascals (MPa) to the nearest <NUM> MPa.

The Viscosity Parameter of a hot melt adhesive composition is determined using the Viscosity Parameter Test Method, which consists of performing ASTM D3236-<NUM> with the following additional guidance. A Brookfield RVT viscometer with spindle SC <NUM>-<NUM> (Brookfield Engineering, Middleboro, MA, USA), or equivalent, is used. The sample temperature is maintained at <NUM> ± <NUM> is throughout the measurement. The sample is preheated for <NUM> minutes and stirred with the measurement spindle for <NUM>. The spindle is rotated at <NUM> rpm throughout the measurement. The resulting apparent viscosity, as described in section <NUM>, is reported as the "viscosity" in units of millipascal-seconds to the nearest <NUM> mPa·s.

The Mettler Cup and Ball Parameter is determined using the Mettler Cup and Ball Test Method, which consists of performing ASTM D3461-<NUM> with a heating rate of heating is <NUM>/min. The softening point as defined in ASTM D3461-<NUM> is recorded and reported to the nearest <NUM> as the Mettler Cup and Ball Parameter.

The Enthalpy of Fusion Parameter of a hot melt adhesive composition is determined using the Enthalpy of Fusion Test Method, which consists of performing ASTM D3418-<NUM> with the following additional guidance. Specimen(s) are preferably extracted from molded or pelleted raw material adhesive composition. If raw material is not available, specimen(s) of adhesive are extracted from bonds of interest in an absorbent article using techniques known to those of skill in the art. Dry nitrogen is used as the purge gas in the differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). The rate of increase of temperature in the DSC is <NUM>/min, and the rate of decrease of temperature in the DSC is <NUM>/min. The mass-normalized enthalpy of fusion is calculated as specified in section <NUM> based on the curve corresponding to decreasing temperature (at <NUM>/min) and is reported as the "Enthalpy of Fusion" in units of joules per gram (J/g) to the nearest <NUM> J/g.

The Oscillatory Rheometry Test Method is used to measure the Storage Modulus and the Loss Factor of a hot melt adhesive composition. A controlled-stress rotational rheometer (such as Discovery HR-<NUM>, TA Instruments, New Castle, DE, USA, or equivalent) capable of sample temperature control (using a Peltier cooler and resistance heater combination) with a precision equal to or exceeding <NUM> over at least the range of -<NUM> to <NUM>. The rheometer is operated in a parallel plate configuration with <NUM>-mm stainless steel parallel-plate tooling.

A parallel plate gap of <NUM> is initially used in the method. To compensate for thermal expansion of the tooling, the gap is set to <NUM>, and a mapping of actual plate gap (as measured using a suitable standard test fluid) a function of temperature over the range -<NUM> to <NUM> is performed. This mapping is then used throughout the determination of the Storage Modulus Parameter and the Loss Factor Parameter.

The rheometer is heated to <NUM>, hot melt adhesive composition is introduced in the rheometer, the gap is set to <NUM>, excess protruding sample is trimmed, and the gap is then set to <NUM>. (The axial force control of the rheometer is set to be maintained within ± <NUM> N of force, and the thermal expansion/contraction of the sample itself is compensated in order to avoid overfilling or underfilling of the gap in addition to the abovementioned compensation of the tooling. ) The rheometer is then allowed to cool to <NUM>, at which point the measurement commences with temperature ramped from <NUM> to -<NUM> at a constant rate of cooling of <NUM>/min. The applied strain amplitude is <NUM>%, and the frequency of oscillation is <NUM> (that is, one cycle per second). The resulting oscillatory stress is recorded.

After this step, the sample temperature is set to <NUM> (temperature is ramped to this setpoint at a rate of <NUM>/min), and the sample is allowed to rest for <NUM> hours at <NUM>. At the end of this period, the temperature is set to -<NUM> (temperature is ramped to this setpoint at a rate of <NUM>/min), the sample is equilibrated for <NUM> seconds at -<NUM>, and a second oscillatory rheology measurement is conducted (<NUM>% strain, frequency of oscillation of <NUM>) while temperature is ramped upward to <NUM> at a constant rate of increase of <NUM>/min.

From the second, increasing temperature sweep, the storage modulus G' is calculated and recorded at <NUM> and <NUM>, and these values are reported in megapascals (MPa) to the nearest <NUM> MPa as the "Storage Modulus at <NUM>" and the "Storage Modulus at <NUM>," respectively. From the second, increasing temperature sweep, the loss factor (also known as tan delta) is calculated recorded at <NUM> and <NUM>, and these dimensionless values are reported to the nearest hundredth as the "Loss Factor at <NUM>" and the "Loss Factor at <NUM>," respectively.

The Extensional Test Method is used to determine the Yield Stress and the Toughness for a specimen of an adhesive composition. A thin film specimen formed of adhesive composition is analyzed with a rotational rheometer fitted with a specialized fixture with counter rotating rollers, and the stress associated with extensional strain imparted is measured and recorded.

A rotational rheometer (ARES G2, TA Instruments, New Castle, DE, USA, or equivalent) is fitted with a fixture that has counter rotating cylindrical rollers specifically designed for the interrogation of extension deformation of films. An example of a suitable fixture is the Extensional Viscosity Fixture, or EVF (EVF, TA Instruments, or equivalent). The rheometer is further fitted with a forced-convection oven FCO (FCO, TA Instruments, or equivalent) and cooling system (ACS <NUM>, TA Instruments, or equivalent) capable of controlling temperate from at least -<NUM> to <NUM> to a within a tolerance of <NUM>.

Approximately <NUM> of the adhesive composition is placed in a polytetrafluoroethane (PTFE) bowl and introduced into a vacuum oven. After <NUM> minutes at <NUM> at ambient pressure, the pressure is lowered to <NUM> mbar, and the adhesive composition is subsequently held at <NUM> and at <NUM> mbar for <NUM> minutes to remove air bubbles from the adhesive composition. The adhesive composition is removed from the vacuum oven and allowed to cool to ambient lab conditions (<NUM> ± <NUM>) for <NUM> ± <NUM> minutes, at which point the adhesive composition is removed from the PTFE bowl and placed between <NUM> sheets of siliconised paper. A metal shim <NUM> in thickness is used in the heated press as a spacer to obtain a film thickness of <NUM> when pressed with a heated press at <NUM> for <NUM> seconds at a pressure sufficient to form a polymeric film. If <NUM> is insufficient to melt the adhesive composition, a higher temperature (but the lowest temperature sufficient to melt the composition) is used. The film is stored at least <NUM> hours in the laboratory at <NUM> ± <NUM> prior to testing. From the film individual specimens for measurement are punched with a sample cutter to the final specimen dimensions of <NUM> by <NUM> by <NUM>.

The cylinders of the EVF are heated to <NUM> for <NUM> ± <NUM> in the forced-convection oven of the rheometer. A specimen of adhesive composition is quickly pressed onto the cylinders of the EVF to fix it to the cylinder surface. The specimen is placed perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the cylinders.

The specimen mounted on the EVF is then placed in the forced convection oven of the rheometer for thermal conditioning and is kept isothermal at <NUM> ± <NUM> for <NUM> ± <NUM>. After this time has elapsed, the specimen is mechanically conditioned. To mechanically condition the specimen, the torque transducer is zeroed, and the sample is put under a pre-stretch rate of <NUM>-<NUM> for <NUM> and then allowed to relax for <NUM>. (In this method, all strain is expressed in terms of Hencky strain, also known as "true strain" or "logarithmic strain.

The measurement is performed in the FCO oven at <NUM> ± <NUM>. The strain rate extension for the measurement is <NUM>-<NUM>, and the strain at maximum extension is <NUM>. After measurement, the specimen is checked for rupturing. If it has ruptured, the location of the break is noted. If the rupture is approximately in the middle between the two cylinders of the EVF, the data collected are deemed acceptable. Otherwise, if the polymeric film break is at or close to the rotating cylinders, the results are discarded and the measurement performed again on a replicate specimen.

For the extensional stress calculation, a constant volume is assumed. From the raw torque versus angular displacement data recorded by the rheometer, extensional stress (in megapascals, or MPa) versus Hencky strain data are calculated. The data are plotted in semilogarithmic fashion with Hencky strain on the abscissa (linear scale) and extensional stress on the ordinate (logarithmic scale). A linear range is sought in this plot. If a linear range can be identified and this range can be fit with a positive slope with an R<NUM> value of <NUM> or greater, the value of the fitted line at a Hencky strain of zero (that is, the y-intercept), is defined as the Yield Stress, which is reported in Mpa to the nearest kilopascal. Otherwise, the maximum value of extensional stress recorded during the measurement is reported as the Yield Stress, again reported in Mpa to the nearest kilopascal.

The extensional stress (MPa) versus Hencky strain data calculated above are again plotted, but this time in linear fashion with Hencky strain on the abscissa (linear axis) and extensional stress on the ordinate (linear axis). The integral of extensional stress with strain (that is, the area under the extensional stress curve as a function of strain) is calculated from a strain of zero to the strain at which the sample ruptured (or, in the case it did not rupture during the measurement, to a strain of <NUM>) and is reported as the Toughness, which is reported in units of megajoules per cubic meter, or MJ m-<NUM>.

The following examples are provided to help illustrate the adhesive composition herein. The exemplified adhesive compositions may be prepared by conventional formulation and mixing techniques. It will be appreciated that other modifications of the adhesive compositions described herein within the skill of those in the formulation art may be undertaken. All parts, percentages, and ratios herein are by weight unless otherwise specified. Some components may come from suppliers as dilute solutions. The amount stated reflects the weight percent of the active material, unless otherwise specified.

Table <NUM> provides exemplary adhesive compositions, wherein descriptions of the components and amount ranges of the components are shown.

Table <NUM> shows exemplary and comparative adhesive compositions.

Adhesive Compositions A-Q include exemplary and comparative Adhesive Compositions. Each Adhesive Composition A-Q includes at least <NUM>% of one copolymer, wherein the copolymers vary and each copolymer comprises from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>% of <NUM>-butene monomer units and from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>% propene monomer units. During some testing, less than <NUM>% of antioxidants and other minor ingredients were added for preservation and packaging purposes, but it is believed that the <NUM>% of antioxidants and the other minor ingredients had no effect on the provided data in Tables <NUM> and <NUM>.

Table <NUM> shows additional parameters associated with a select group of the exemplary and comparative adhesive compositions in Table <NUM>.

Claim 1:
An absorbent article having a longitudinal centerline and a lateral centerline, a front waist region with a front waist edge, a rear waist region with a rear waist edge, a crotch region disposed between the front waist region and the rear waist region, and two spaced apart longitudinal side edges joining the front waist edge to the rear waist edge, wherein the absorbent article comprises an assembly of components, and wherein the assembly of components comprises:
a) a topsheet;
b) a backsheet underlying the topsheet;
c) an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, wherein the absorbent core comprises at least one of a core cover, a dusting layer, an acquisition layer, a distribution layer, and a storage member;
d) at least one additional component selected from the group consisting of:
i) a fastening system for joining the front waist region to the rear waist region when the absorbent article is worn;
ii) barrier cuffs lying adjacent and inboard the two spaced apart longitudinal side edges;
iii) gasketing cuffs lying between each of the two spaced apart longitudinal side edges and the barrier cuffs;
iv) front ears disposed in the front waist region;
v) back ears disposed in the rear waist region; and
vi) a receiving member; and
e) an adhesive composition joining at least two of the assembly of components together, wherein the adhesive composition comprises at least <NUM> wt. % of a copolymer, wherein the copolymer comprises from about <NUM> wt. % to about <NUM> wt. % of propene monomer units and from about <NUM> wt. % to about <NUM> wt. % of <NUM>-butene monomer units;
wherein the adhesive composition has a viscosity of from about <NUM>,<NUM> mPa·s to about <NUM>,<NUM> mPa·s at <NUM>, as measured by the Viscosity Test Method;
wherein the adhesive composition has an Enthalpy of Fusion of less than <NUM> J/g, as measured by the Enthalpy of Fusion Test Method;
wherein the adhesive composition has a Tensile Strength at Yield of from about <NUM> MPa to about <NUM> MPa, as measured by the Tensile Strength Test Method;
wherein the adhesive composition has a Static Peel Time of at least <NUM> seconds, as measured by the Static Peel Time Test Method; and
wherein the adhesive composition is free of a heterophase copolymer; and
wherein the adhesive composition comprises less than <NUM> wt. % of a tackifier.