Improved fastening systems are described. More particularly, improved fastening systems for disposable absorbent articles are described.

The invention relates to a laminate (1) comprising at least one support element (2), for example a nonwoven fabric, in particular an SMS nonwoven, and at least one nonwoven loop fabric (3), in particular a carded nonwoven, secured to the support element (1), in particular by means of calendaring with the first nonwoven fabric, characterised in that the curve representing the force required to stretch the laminate along a given axis (e.g. the MD axis or the CD axis of the laminate) as a function of elongation, comprises a segment in which, starting from a zero elongation value, the force increases from zero up to a maximum force, corresponding in particular to the rupture of the laminate, and the curve comprises an inflection point (Pi) on said segment.

The invention relates to a strip or lap comprising loops, in the form of a laminate with printed patterns. The laminate for forming a loop strip or lap, in particular the landing zone of nappies, includes at least one nonwoven layer having a lower face and an upper face opposite the lower face; at least one layer of ink applied to the upper face of at least the nonwoven layer; and at least one external textile layer from which loops project externally in order to engage with hooks of a self-fastening hook and loop device, at least one textile layer being secured to the upper face of at least the nonwoven layer.

The invention relates to a looped layer in the form of a laminate including an inner supporting element (1), for example a non-woven fabric or a plastic film, and a plurality of fibres and/or filaments (3) attached to the outer surface of the supporting element so as to form loops for engaging with hooks, the attachment being carried out in a attachment region, while in at least one other so-called looped region the filaments and/or fibres are not attached to the supporting element so as to form loops, characterised in that at least in one area (5) of at least one attachment region the attachment is only carried out in a partial manner, while at least in one other area (4) of at least one attachment region the attachment is carried out in a complete manner.

An absorbent article can include a fastening system configured to attach the rear waist region to the front waist region to define a wear configuration of the absorbent article. The fastening system can include a primary fastening system and a secondary fastening system. The primary fastening system can include at least one primary first fastening component and a primary second fastening component. The secondary fastening system can include at least one secondary first fastening component and at least one secondary second fastening component. The absorbent article can further include a strip coupled to the outer cover. The strip can include the primary secondary fastening component. The at least one secondary first fastening component can be coupled to a first carrier.

An absorbent article is provided. The absorbent article includes an absorbent assembly having a liquid permeable inner layer, an outer layer, and an absorbent body between the inner and outer layers. A pair of ears extend transversely outward from opposite sides of the absorbent assembly in a back waist region, each of the ears having a primary first fastening-component that is selectively engagable with a primary second fastening-component in a front waist region. There is a pair of spaced-apart secondary first fastening-components disposed on the outer layer in the front waist region, each of the secondary first fastening-components being selectively engageable with the secondary second fastening-components. Each secondary first fastening-component fits into a fastener region, wherein each fastener region is defined by an outline. Each outline has a waist edge and an opposite leg edge connected by an outer edge and an inner edge. The length of the outer edge is shorter than the length of the inner edge.

A method of making a mechanical fastener. The method includes providing a slit web having mechanical fastening elements, applying tension to the slit web in the machine direction, and spreading the slit web in the cross-machine direction by directing its side edges over two rotating diverging disks to provide a spread mechanical fastening web. The slit web includes a plurality of interrupted slits that are interrupted by intact bridging regions of the web. The two rotating diverging disks are laterally spaced and have a support surface between them that contacts the slit web during the spreading. The spread mechanical fastening web includes multiple strands of the slit web attached to each other at least at some of the intact bridging regions and separated from each other between at least some of the intact bridging regions.

An undergarment includes at least one panel of stretchable loop material. The panel of stretchable loop material is connected to a main body of the undergarment such that it can stretch around one side of wearer's waist or hip. The stretchable loop material is configured such that it can releasably connect to a plurality of engaging elements. The engaging elements can be hooks of a hook and loop fastening system. The undergarment is configured such that it can be easily concealed beneath clothing and can be easily positioned and removed by a wearer. A method of disposing an undergarment includes rolling or folding the main body of the undergarment and tying panels of stretchable loop material around the rolled or folded portion to encase the rolled or folded portion between the panels of stretchable loop material.

An undergarment includes at least one panel of stretchable loop material. The panel of stretchable loop material is connected to a main body of the undergarment such that it can stretch around one side of wearer's waist or hip. The stretchable loop material is configured such that it can releasably connect to a plurality of engaging elements. The engaging elements can be hooks of a hook-and-loop fastening system. The undergarment is configured such that it can be easily concealed beneath clothing and can be easily positioned and removed by a wearer. A method of disposing an undergarment includes rolling or folding the main body of the undergarment and tying panels of stretchable loop material around the rolled or folded portion to encase the rolled or folded portion between the panels of stretchable loop material.

The disposable diaper according to the present invention includes a base sheet (12) made of nonwoven fabric and a hook sheet (110) provided with a plurality of engagement hooks. A KES bending stiffness value in a fastening tape existent region (SHS) is equal to or less than 1.64 gf.Math.cm.sup.2/cm, the height of the engagement hook is between 60 and 200 m; and the color difference (E) between the hook sheet existent region (SHS) on the inner side of a fastening tape (100) and side flaps (50) adjacent to the fastening tape (100) is 6.5 or more, when the color difference of L* is L*, the color difference of a* is a*, and the color difference of b* is b* according to the L*a*b* color coordinate system.