The present disclosure relates to absorbent articles including a first belt and a second belt, the first belt and/or the second belt comprising one or more frangible pathways. Each of the one or more substrates forming the belt has a material tear strength and the frangible pathway has a pathway tear strength. The material tear strength is greater than the pathway tear strength such that when a user tears along the one or more frangible pathways the tear propagates along the frangible pathway rather than in an unintended tear direction.

The string wear-supported skin guard includes a waist strap, first and second spaced thigh strings that depend from the waist strap, and one or more detachable absorbent components connected to at least one of the thigh strings. Opposing ends of each thigh string are connected to the waist strap, such that a generally U-shaped loop is defined by each thigh string. Each thigh string can include a generally C-shaped hip string. When the string wear-supported skin guard is worn by a user, the waist strap encircles the user's waist, the hip strings encircle the user's hips, and the thigh strings extend between the hip region, inner thigh area, and buttocks of the user. The one or more absorbent components overly the inner thigh of the user to provide a skin guard for the prevention and treatment of skin irritation and skin rashes in the inner thigh area.

The string wear-supported skin guard includes a waist strap, first and second spaced thigh strings that depend from the waist strap, and one or more detachable absorbent components connected to at least one of the thigh strings. Opposing ends of each thigh string are connected to the waist strap, such that a generally U-shaped loop is defined by each thigh string. Each thigh string can include a generally C-shaped hip string. When the string wear-supported skin guard is worn by a user, the waist strap encircles the user's waist, the hip strings encircle the user's hips, and the thigh strings extend between the hip region, inner thigh area, and buttocks of the user. The one or more absorbent components overly the inner thigh of the user to provide a skin guard for the prevention and treatment of skin irritation and skin rashes in the inner thigh area.

A method of making a laminate for an absorbent article is provided. The laminate comprises elastic elements disposed at least partially intermediate two substrates. The first substrate has a primary fiber bond pattern formed therein and comprising a plurality of primary fiber bonds. The method comprises forming densified regions in the first substrate. A perimeter of each of the densified regions is larger than a perimeter of each of the primary fiber bonds. The densified regions together form a pattern of densified regions in the first substrate. The method comprises adhesively attaching the elastic elements to the first substrate, joining the second substrate to the first substrate or to some of the elastic elements, and forming a plurality of rugosities in the first substrate by allowing the elastic elements to at least partially contract. The frequency and amplitude ranges of the rugosities result from the pattern of the densified regions.

The present invention provides a method of providing a disposable product with a contoured leg opening. In this method at least one chip is removed from at least one ear of a disposable product. The chip may be removed from an ear prior to attaching the ear to the chassis web. Alternatively, the chip may be removed from the ear after the ear is attached to the chassis web.

A method of making a laminate for an absorbent article is provided. The laminate comprises elastic elements disposed at least partially intermediate two substrates. The first substrate has a primary fiber bond pattern formed therein and comprising a plurality of primary fiber bonds. The method comprises forming densified regions in the first substrate. A perimeter of each of the densified regions is larger than a perimeter of each of the primary fiber bonds. The densified regions together form a pattern of densified regions in the first substrate. The method comprises adhesively attaching the elastic elements to the first substrate, joining the second substrate to the first substrate or to some of the elastic elements, and forming a plurality of rugosities in the first substrate by allowing the elastic elements to at least partially contract. The frequency and amplitude ranges of the rugosities result from the pattern of the densified regions.

The present invention relates to a system for providing skin protection for premature infants where the system includes a rectangular absorbent article and a detached fastener. The rectangular absorbent article includes an outer layer, an inner, skin facing layer and an absorbent structure located between the outer layer and the inner, skin facing layer. The length of the rectangular absorbent article is less than 310 mm and the width of the rectangular absorbent article is less than 200 mm. The detached fastener has two, lateral end portions; each of the lateral end portions includes an engagement material. The length of the engagement material is less than 35 mm and the width of the engagement material is less than 45 mm.

The present disclosure is directed, in part, to an absorbent article comprising a chassis comprising a topsheet, a backsheet, and a core disposed at least partially intermediate the topsheet and the backsheet. The absorbent article comprises a belt portion extending from the chassis. The belt portion comprises a first substrate, a second substrate joined to the first substrate, and a plurality of elongate elastic elements disposed at least partially intermediate the first substrate and the second substrate. The belt portion comprises a texture zone having a texture ratio of greater than about 5.

An absorbent article comprises a chassis having a belt portion extending therefrom. The belt portion comprises a side edge, a waist opening edge, a leg opening edge, first and second substrates engaged with each other, and elastic elements disposed intermediate the first substrate and the second substrate. The belt portion also comprises a first texture zone comprising a first portion of the substrates and the elastic strands and disposed adjacent to the side edge and the waist opening edge and a second texture zone comprising a second portion of the substrates and the elastic elements and disposed adjacent to the side edge and the leg opening edge. The first texture zone extends at least partially along a first lateral extent of the belt portion and the second texture zone extends at least partially along a second lateral extent of the belt portion.

A fixing member including a sheet-like base member 21 and a surface fastener 30 provided on the base member 21 is disclosed. The surface fastener 30 covers a surface of the base member 21 at a position separated from a tip end 21E1 of the base member 21 in a wrap-around direction, and minimum bending stiffness of the fixing member 20 as determined via a bending test using a Gurley tester being 150 mgf or less when measured using a test piece cut from a portion where the surface fastener 30 is provided. The surface S1 on the surface fastener 30 side of the portion 21a on the tip end 21E1 side of the surface fastener 30 of the base member 21 is a surface with reduced engagement with the surface fastener 30.