An absorbent article for wearing about the lower torso of a wearer includes a first waist region having a first waist edge, a second waist region having a second waist edge, and a crotch region disposed between the first and second waist regions. The article further includes a first longitudinal edge, a second longitudinal edge, and a chassis comprising a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and backsheet. A waist gasketing element is disposed in one of the first or the second waist regions and joined to the chassis in a chassis attachment region. The waist gasketing element comprises an outboard lateral edge and an inboard lateral edge. The chassis attachment region comprises a first zone proximate to the outboard lateral edge and a second zone disposed longitudinally inboard of the first zone. Each of the first and the second zones comprise one or more chassis attachment bonds. The first zone comprises a first total basis weight and the second zone comprises a second total basis weight, wherein the second total basis weight is greater than the first total basis weight.

An elastomeric laminate is extensible in a first direction and has a first laminate surface; a second laminate surface substantially opposite the first laminate surface; and a laminate thickness, T, extending between the first and second laminate surfaces. A pre-SELFed coverstock layer forms the first laminate surface. The pre-SELF coverstock layer has a primary activation pattern, wherein the primary activation pattern includes SELF-specific land areas that extend in the first direction and one or more activation thicknesses. Each activation thickness is less than the laminate thickness, T. The elastomeric laminate also has an elastomeric layer joined to the pre-SELFed coverstock layer. The elastomeric layer forms the second laminate surface. The elastomeric laminate may be a zero strain laminate, a gathered laminate, or a hybrid gathered laminate.

A stretch laminate and a method for reducing and/or preventing tearing in a stretch laminate, when the stretch laminate is stretched in a stretching direction, is disclosed. The stretch laminate has a perforation pattern. The perforation pattern has at least two columns. A first column has a plurality of pairs of perforations stacked one pair above the other pair. The perforations in each pair sloping in a first direction, and a first space separating one pair from the other pair. A second column has a plurality of pairs of perforations stacked one pair above the other pair. The perforations in each pair sloping in a second direction, and a second space separating one pair from the other pair. The first direction and the second direction may be different. A third space between the columns is no greater than the first or second space between perforation in the pair.

A stretchable composite sheet, wherein pleat-free regions where no pleats are formed are formed between a plurality of pleat formation regions, the sheet being made by a method, wherein non-continuous coating sections are set so as to correspond to form the plurality of pleat formation regions, and non-coating sections are set so as to correspond to form the pleat-free regions, and an intermittent coating is performed on stretchable elastic members (rubber threads). An apparatus for non-continuously and intermittently applying a hot-melt adhesive comprises an intermittent coating unit, which includes a hot-melt supply control device having a valve mechanism and a coating head having slit grooves in which coating areas are formed, and a non-continuous coating unit, which vertically vibrates rubber threads, passing through the coating areas, between a coating position and a non-coating position.

Elastic laminates and methods of making same are provided, wherein the laminate includes an elastic film laminated to at least one substrate web, and wherein the elastic film has been stretched at least twice prior to bonding the film to the substrate layer. Such laminates possess improved bond strength between the film and the substrate web and have greater elongation versus laminates made with a film that has been stretched only once.

An elastic film having an elastic film layer based on styrene block copolymer, such that the elastic film layer is formed from a first styrene block copolymer and a second styrene block copolymer without the addition of polystyrene. The first styrene block copolymer has a styrene portion of less than 25% by weight and the second styrene block copolymer has a styrene portion of more than 26% by weight. A ratio of the first styrene block copolymer to the second styrene block copolymer is between 6:1 and 2:3.

Disclosed is a wearable article 20 comprising a main body 38 and a ring-like elastic belt 40 comprising a front belt and a back belt each formed by an inner sheet, an outer sheet, and a plurality of elastic bodies sandwiched therebetween and running in the transverse direction substantially parallel to each other, and at least a portion of the elasticity of at least some of the elastic bodies are removed of its elasticity, the transverse width of the elastic body having the longest length removed of its elasticity defined as a maximum elastic cut window; wherein the length of the article along the longitudinal axis is from 300 mm to 440 mm; and the maximum elastic cut window is less than 100 mm.

Absorbent articles having curved elasticized laminates and apparatuses and methods for forming such articles are disclosed. In one embodiment a method of forming an article may comprise moving absorbent assemblies and elasticized laminates in the machine direction. The method may further comprise oscillating the elasticized laminates in the cross-machine direction to impart a curvature, bonding the elasticized laminates to the absorbent assemblies while maintaining the imparted curvature such that at least a portion of the elasticized laminates are disposed outboard of longitudinal side edges of the absorbent assemblies, and finally separating the absorbent assemblies into individual absorbent articles, where the elasticized laminates extend in a curving manner throughout the absorbent articles.

A disposable undergarment is disclosed which includes a main body having an absorbent core, a first side and a second side. The main body has a top sheet and a liquid-impermeable back sheet formed from polypropylene. The main body also has a front portion, a rear portion, and a crotch portion, and each of the front and rear portions has a top edge. The undergarment also has first and second elastic extensions each having a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal ends of the first and second extensions are ultrasonically bonded to the main body. The undergarment further has first and second attachment areas, each having a plurality of engaging elements, secured to the liquid permeable top sheet. The engaging elements engage with the first and second elastic extensions to secure the undergarment at least about 0.5 inches below said wearer's waist.

An absorbent article (10) can include a waist elastic member (50, 150, 250). In one embodiment, the waist elastic member (50, 150, 250) can include a first longitudinal zone (92), a second longitudinal zone (94), and a middle longitudinal zone (93). The first longitudinal zone (92) can include a first elastic member (76) disposed between two layers of material, the second longitudinal zone (94) can include a second elastic member (78) disposed between two layers of material, and the middle longitudinal zone (93) can include less layers of materials than each of the first longitudinal zone (92) and the second longitudinal zone (94).