Disposable pull-on garment having improved protection against red marking and method for making the same

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed, in part, to a disposable garment having a front region, a back region, and a crotch region extending between the front region and the back region. The disposable garment comprises a chassis in the front region, the back region, and the crotch region. The chassis comprises a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. The disposable garment comprises a pair of ear panels extending laterally outward from the chassis in the front region or the back region, a seam panel extending laterally outward from at least one of the ear panels, and a tab formed with the seam panel and extending laterally outward from the seam panel.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A disposable pull-on diaper comprising:
 a chassis comprising:
 a liquid pervious topsheet; 
 a liquid impervious backsheet; 
 an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet; 
 a front region; 
 a back region; 
 a first side; and 
 a second side generally opposing the first side; 
   a first ear panel extending outwardly relative to the first side of the chassis in the back region, wherein the first ear panel is a discrete element from the chassis and is joined to the first side, and wherein the first ear panel comprises:
 a first material; and 
 a second material; 
   a first tear open tab joined to the first ear panel;   a second ear panel extending outwardly relative to the second side of the chassis in the back region, wherein the second ear panel is a discrete element from the chassis and is joined to the second side, and wherein the second ear panel comprises:
 a first material; and 
 a second material; and 
   a second tear open tab joined to the second ear panel, wherein the first and second tear open tabs generally have the same size and shape.   
     
     
         2 . The pull-on diaper of  claim 1 , comprising an elasticized waistband in the back region, wherein the first and second ear panels are extensible, wherein the first and second tear open tabs extend toward the front region, wherein a portion of the elasticized waistband overlaps the liquid impervious backsheet, wherein a portion of the elasticized waistband overlaps the first ear panel, and wherein a portion of the elasticized waistband overlaps the second ear panel. 
     
     
         3 . A disposable pull-on diaper comprising:
 a chassis comprising:
 a liquid pervious topsheet; 
 a liquid impervious backsheet; 
 an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet; 
 a front region; 
 a back region; 
 a first side; and 
 a second side generally opposing the first side; 
   a first extensible ear panel extending outwardly relative to the first side of the chassis in the back region, wherein the first extensible ear panel is a discrete element from the chassis and is joined to the first side, and wherein the first extensible ear panel comprises:
 a first nonwoven material; and 
 a second nonwoven material; 
   a tear open tab joined to the first extensible ear panel; and   a second extensible ear panel extending outwardly relative to the first side of the chassis in the front region, wherein the second extensible ear panel is a discrete element from the chassis and is joined to the first side, wherein the second extensible ear panel is joined to the first extensible ear panel, and wherein the second extensible ear panel comprises:
 a first nonwoven material; and 
 a second nonwoven material; 
   wherein the second extensible ear panel comprises a garment-facing surface, and wherein the tear open tab comprises a wearer-facing surface facing the garment-facing surface of the second extensible ear panel.   
     
     
         4 . The pull-on diaper of  claim 3 , comprising:
 a third extensible ear panel extending outwardly from the second side of the chassis in the back region, wherein the third extensible ear panel is a discrete element from the chassis and is joined to the second side, and wherein the third extensible ear panel comprises:
 a first nonwoven material; and 
 a second nonwoven material; and 
   a second tear open tab joined to the second extensible ear panel.   
     
     
         5 . The pull-on diaper of  claim 4 , comprising:
 a fourth extensible ear panel extending outwardly relative to the second side of the chassis in the front region, wherein the fourth extensible ear panel is a discrete element from the chassis and is joined to the side, wherein the fourth extensible ear panel is joined to third extensible ear panel, and wherein the fourth extensible ear panel comprises:
 a first nonwoven material; and 
 a second nonwoven material. 
   
     
     
         6 . The pull-on diaper of  claim 5 , wherein the fourth extensible ear panel comprises a garment-facing surface, and wherein the second tear open tab comprises a wearer-facing surface facing the garment-facing surface of the fourth extensible ear panel. 
     
     
         7 . The pull-on diaper of  claim 5 , wherein the fourth extensible ear panel comprises a garment-facing surface, and wherein the second tear open tab comprises a wearer-facing surface that overlaps a portion of the garment-facing surface of the fourth extensible ear panel. 
     
     
         8 . The pull-on diaper of  claim 4 , wherein the tear open tab has substantially the same size and shape as the second tear open tab, and wherein the tear open tab extends toward the front region. 
     
     
         9 . The pull-on diaper of  claim 3 , wherein the tear open tab comprises a nonwoven material, wherein the pull-on diaper comprises an elasticized waistband, wherein a portion of the elasticized waistband overlaps a leg cuff, wherein a portion of the elasticized waistband overlaps the liquid impervious backsheet, and wherein a portion of the elasticized waistband overlaps the first extensible ear panel. 
     
     
         10 . A disposable diaper comprising:
 a chassis comprising:
 a liquid pervious topsheet; 
 a liquid impervious backsheet; 
 an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet; 
 a front region; 
 a back region; and 
 a side; 
   an extensible ear panel extending outwardly from the side of the chassis in the back region, wherein the extensible ear panel is a discrete element from the chassis and is joined to the side, and wherein the extensible ear panel comprises:
 a first nonwoven material; and 
 a second nonwoven material; 
   a tear open tab extending from the extensible ear panel; and   an elasticized waistband on a wearer-facing side of the diaper.   
     
     
         11 . The diaper of  claim 10 , comprising:
 a second extensible ear panel extending outwardly from the side of the chassis in the front region, wherein the second extensible ear panel is a discrete element from the chassis and is joined to the side, wherein the second extensible ear panel is joined to the extensible ear panel, and wherein the second extensible ear panel comprises:
 a first nonwoven material; and 
 a second nonwoven material. 
   
     
     
         12 . The diaper of  claim 11 , wherein the second extensible ear panel comprises a garment-facing surface, and wherein the tear open tab comprises a wearer-facing surface facing the garment-facing surface of the second extensible ear panel. 
     
     
         13 . The diaper of  claim 11 , wherein the second extensible ear panel comprises a garment-facing surface, and wherein the tear open tab comprises a wearer-facing surface that overlaps a portion of the garment-facing surface of the second extensible ear panel. 
     
     
         14 . The diaper of  claim 10 , wherein the chassis comprises a second side, and wherein the diaper comprises:
 a second extensible ear panel extending outwardly from the second side of the chassis in the back region, wherein the second extensible ear panel is a discrete element from the chassis and is joined to the second side, and wherein the second extensible ear panel comprises:
 a first nonwoven material; and 
 a second nonwoven material; and 
   a second tear open tab extending from the second extensible ear panel;   wherein the second extensible ear panel comprises an end edge positioned most distal from the second side, wherein the diaper comprises a longitudinal axis, and wherein the end edge is angled with respect to the longitudinal axis.   
     
     
         15 . The diaper of  claim 14 , comprising:
 a third extensible ear panel extending outwardly from the second side of the chassis in the front region, wherein the third extensible ear panel is a discrete element from the chassis and is joined to the second side, wherein the third extensible ear panel is joined to second extensible ear panel, and wherein the third extensible ear panel comprises:
 a first nonwoven material; and 
 a second nonwoven material. 
   
     
     
         16 . The diaper of  claim 15 , wherein the third extensible ear panel comprises a garment-facing surface, and wherein the second tear open tab comprises a wearer-facing surface facing the garment-facing surface of the third extensible ear panel. 
     
     
         17 . The diaper of  claim 15 , wherein the third extensible ear panel comprises a garment-facing surface, and wherein the second tear open tab comprises a wearer-facing surface that overlaps a portion of the garment-facing surface of the third extensible ear panel. 
     
     
         18 . The diaper of  claim 17 , wherein the second tear open tab forms a portion of a garment-facing surface of the diaper, wherein the second tear open tab has substantially the same shape as the tear open tab, and wherein the elasticized waistband is in the back region, comprising a second elasticized waistband in the front region. 
     
     
         19 . The diaper of  claim 10 , wherein a portion of the extensible ear panel overlaps a portion of the liquid impervious backsheet. 
     
     
         20 . The diaper of  claim 10 , wherein a portion of the elasticized waistband overlaps a portion of the extensible ear panel. 
     
     
         21 . The diaper of  claim 10 , wherein a portion of the elasticized waistband overlaps a portion of a leg cuff, and wherein the tear open tab extends toward the front region. 
     
     
         22 . The diaper of  claim 10 , wherein the extensible ear panel has an end edge positioned most distal from the side, wherein the diaper has a longitudinal axis, and wherein the end edge is angled with respect to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         23 . A disposable pull-on diaper comprising:
 a liquid pervious topsheet;   a liquid impervious backsheet;   an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet;   a front region;   a back region;   a side;   an extensible ear panel extending outwardly from the side in the back region, wherein the extensible ear panel is a discrete element and is joined to the side, and wherein the extensible ear panel comprises:
 a first nonwoven material; and 
 a second nonwoven material; and 
   a tear open tab on the extensible ear panel;   wherein the tear open tab extends toward the front region.   
     
     
         24 . The pull-on diaper of  claim 23 , comprising:
 a second extensible ear panel extending outwardly from the side in the front region, wherein the second extensible ear panel is a discrete element and is joined to the side, wherein the second extensible ear panel is joined to the extensible ear panel, and wherein the second extensible ear panel comprises:
 a first nonwoven material; and 
 a second nonwoven material. 
   
     
     
         25 . The pull-on diaper of  claim 24 , wherein the second extensible ear panel comprises a garment-facing surface, and wherein the tear open tab comprises a wearer-facing surface facing the garment-facing surface of the second extensible ear panel. 
     
     
         26 . The pull-on diaper of  claim 23 , comprising an elasticized waistband in the front region. 
     
     
         27 . The pull-on diaper of  claim 26 , comprising a second elasticized waistband in the back region. 
     
     
         28 . The pull-on diaper of  claim 26 , wherein a portion of the extensible ear panel overlaps a portion of the liquid impervious backsheet. 
     
     
         29 . The pull-on diaper of  claim 27 , wherein a portion of the elasticized waistband overlaps a portion of the extensible ear panel. 
     
     
         30 . The pull-on diaper of  claim 27 , wherein a portion of the elasticized waistband overlaps a portion of a leg cuff.