Relative Stiffness Fasteners

Abstract

A first fastening member joined to an absorbent article. A second fastening member joined to the absorbent article. The first fastening member and the second fastening member each include a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The first surface of each of the first fastening member and the second fastening member includes a first engaging component and a second engaging component, respectively. The second surface of each of the first fastening member and the second fastening member includes a first receiving component and a second receiving component, respectively. The first engaging component is configured to engage a garment-facing surface of the second fastening member or a portion of a garment-facing surface of the absorbent article, and the second engaging component is configured to engage a garment-facing surface of the first fastening member or a portion of the garment-facing surface of the absorbent article.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An absorbent article comprising:
 a lateral axis;   a longitudinal axis;   a front waist region on a first side of the lateral axis;   a back waist region on a second side of the lateral axis;   a first longitudinal side edge on a first side of the longitudinal axis;   a second longitudinal side edge on a second side of the longitudinal axis:   a topsheet;   a backsheet;   an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet;   a first elastic leg feature proximate to the first longitudinal side edge;   a second elastic leg feature proximate to the second longitudinal side edge;   a first discrete fastening member joined to a wearer-facing surface of the absorbent article proximate to the first longitudinal side edge;   wherein the first discrete fastening member is in the back waist region; and   a second discrete fastening member joined to the wearer-facing surface of the absorbent article proximate to the second longitudinal side edge;   wherein the second discrete fastening member is in the back waist region,   wherein the first discrete fastening member comprises a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface,   wherein the second discrete fastening member comprises a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface,   wherein the first surface of the first discrete fastening member comprises a first engaging component;   wherein the first surface of the second discrete fastening member comprises a second engaging component,   wherein the second surface of the first discrete fastening member comprises a first receiving component,   wherein the second surface of the second discrete fastening member comprises a second receiving component,   wherein, in a first applied configuration, the first engaging component of the first discrete fastening member is configured to engage a portion of a garment-facing surface of the absorbent article in the front waist region and the second engaging component of the second discrete fastening member is configured to engage the first receiving component of the first discrete fastening member,   wherein the first engaging component overlaps at least a portion of the first receiving component in a z-direction, and   wherein the second engaging component overlaps at least a portion of the second receiving component in the z-direction.   
     
     
         2 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein, in a second applied configuration, the second engaging component of the second discrete fastening member is configured to engage a portion of the garment-facing surface of the absorbent article and the first engaging component of the first discrete fastening member is configured to engage the second receiving component of the second discrete fastening member. 
     
     
         3 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , comprising a waist member in the back waist region, wherein the waist member is elastically extensible, and wherein the waist member extends intermediate the first discrete fastening member and the second discrete fastening member. 
     
     
         4 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein the first engaging component is disposed on a first base, and wherein the second engaging component is disposed on a second base. 
     
     
         5 . A package comprising a plurality of the absorbent articles of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         6 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein the first engaging component is smaller than the first receiving component, and wherein the second engaging component is smaller than the second receiving component. 
     
     
         7 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein the first engaging component has a first width generally parallel with the lateral axis, wherein the second engaging component has a second width generally parallel with the lateral axis, and wherein the first width and the second width are substantially the same. 
     
     
         8 . The absorbent article of  claim 7 , wherein the first receiving component has a first width generally parallel with the lateral axis, wherein the second receiving component has a second width generally parallel with the lateral axis, and wherein the first width and the second width are substantially the same. 
     
     
         9 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein the first receiving component has a first width generally parallel with the lateral axis, wherein the first engaging component has a second width generally parallel with the lateral axis, and wherein the first width is larger than the second width. 
     
     
         10 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein the second engaging component has a first width taken parallel with the lateral axis, wherein the second receiving component has a second width taken parallel with the lateral axis, and wherein the first width is larger than the second width. 
     
     
         11 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein a first area on the first surface of the first discrete fastening member is free of the first engaging component, and wherein a second area on the first surface of the second discrete fastening member is free of the second engaging component. 
     
     
         12 . An absorbent article comprising:
 a lateral axis;   a longitudinal axis;   a front waist region on a first side of the lateral axis;   a back waist region on a second side of the lateral axis;   a first longitudinal side edge on a first side of the longitudinal axis;   a second longitudinal side edge on a second side of the longitudinal axis:   a topsheet;   a backsheet;   an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet;   a first elastic leg feature proximate to the first longitudinal side edge;   a second elastic leg feature proximate to the second longitudinal side edge;   a first discrete fastening member joined to a wearer-facing surface of the absorbent article proximate to the first longitudinal side edge;   wherein the first discrete fastening member is in the back waist region; and   a second discrete fastening member joined to the wearer-facing surface of the absorbent article proximate to the second longitudinal side edge;   wherein the second discrete fastening member is in the back waist region,   wherein the first discrete fastening member comprises:
 a first surface; and 
 a second surface opposite the first surface; 
   wherein the second discrete fastening member comprises:
 a first surface; and 
 a second surface opposite the first surface; 
   wherein the first surface of the first discrete fastening member comprises a first engaging component;   wherein the first surface of the second discrete fastening member comprises a second engaging component,   wherein the second surface of the first discrete fastening member comprises a first receiving component;   wherein the second surface of the second discrete fastening member comprises a second receiving component,   wherein the first engaging component is configured to engage a garment-facing surface of the second discrete fastening member or a portion of the front waist region of a garment-facing surface of the absorbent article, and   wherein the second engaging component is configured to engage a garment-facing surface of the first discrete fastening member or a portion of the front waist region of the garment-facing surface of the absorbent article.   
     
     
         13 . The absorbent article of  claim 12 , wherein the first engaging component overlaps at least a portion of the first receiving component in a z-direction, wherein the second engaging component overlaps at least a portion of the second receiving component in a z-direction, wherein the first engaging component has a first area, wherein the first receiving component has a second areas, and wherein the first area is smaller than the second area. 
     
     
         14 . The absorbent article of  claim 12 , comprising a waist member in the back waist region, wherein the waist member is elastically extensible, and wherein the waist member extends intermediate the first discrete fastening member and the second discrete fastening member. 
     
     
         15 . The absorbent article of  claim 12 , wherein the first engaging component of the first fastening member is configured to engage the second receiving component of the second fastening member, and wherein the second engaging component of the second fastening member is configured to engage the first receiving component of the first fastening member. 
     
     
         16 . An absorbent article comprising:
 a lateral axis;   a longitudinal axis;   a front waist region on a first side of the lateral axis;   a back waist region on a second side of the lateral axis;   a first longitudinal side edge on a first side of the longitudinal axis;   a second longitudinal side edge on a second side of the longitudinal axis:   a topsheet;   a backsheet;   an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet;   a first elastic leg feature proximate to the first longitudinal side edge;   a second elastic leg feature proximate to the second longitudinal side edge;   a first discrete fastening member joined to a wearer-facing surface of the absorbent article proximate to the first longitudinal side edge;   wherein the first discrete fastening member is in the back waist region; and   a second discrete fastening member joined to the wearer-facing surface of the absorbent article proximate to the second longitudinal side edge;   wherein the second discrete fastening member is in the back waist region;   wherein the first discrete fastening member comprises:
 a first base substrate comprising:
 a first surface; 
 a second surface opposite the first surface; 
 a first edge portion proximate to the first longitudinal side edge; 
 a second edge portion distal from the first longitudinal side edge; 
 
 a first receiving component joined to the second surface of the first base substrate, the first receiving component comprising:
 a first surface; 
 a second surface opposite the first surface; 
 an inboard end portion overlapping at least a portion of the second edge portion of the first base substrate to form an overlap zone; 
 an outboard end portion opposite the overlap zone in a direction parallel to the lateral axis of the absorbent article; 
 an intermediate zone adjacent the overlap zone; and 
 a grip zone adjacent the outboard end; and 
 
 a first engaging component disposed on the first discrete fastening member, wherein the first engaging component is positioned between the intermediate zone and the grip zone; 
   wherein the second discrete fastening member comprises:
 a second base substrate comprising:
 a first surface; 
 a second surface opposite the first surface; 
 a first edge portion proximate to the first longitudinal side edge; 
 a second edge portion distal from the first longitudinal side edge; 
 
 a second receiving component joined to the second surface of the second base substrate, the second receiving component comprising:
 a first surface; 
 a second surface opposite the first surface; 
 an inboard end portion overlapping at least a portion of the second edge portion of the second base substrate to form an overlap zone; 
 an outboard end portion opposite the overlap zone in a direction parallel to the lateral axis of the absorbent article; 
 an intermediate zone adjacent the overlap zone; and 
 a grip zone adjacent the outboard end; and 
 
 a second engaging component disposed on the second discrete fastening member, wherein the second engaging component is positioned between the intermediate zone and the grip zone; 
   wherein the first engaging component is configured to engage a garment-facing surface of the second discrete fastening member or a portion of the front waist region of a garment-facing surface of the absorbent article, and   wherein the second engaging component is configured to engage a garment-facing surface of the first discrete fastening member or a portion of the front waist region of the garment-facing surface of the absorbent article.   
     
     
         17 . The absorbent article of  claim 16 , wherein the first engaging component of the first discrete fastening member is configured to engage the second surface of the second receiving component of the second discrete fastening member. 
     
     
         18 . The absorbent article of  claim 16 , wherein the second engaging component of the second discrete fastening member is configured to engage the second surface of the first receiving component of the first discrete fastening member. 
     
     
         19 . The absorbent article of  claim 16 , wherein the first base substrate has a first fastening member length extending from a leading edge to a trialing edge in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the absorbent article, wherein the first engaging component has a first fastening element length extending from a first end edge to a second end edge in the direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the absorbent article, and wherein the first fastening member length is greater than the first fastening element length. 
     
     
         20 . The absorbent article of  claim 19 , wherein the second base substrate has a second fastening member length extending from a leading edge to a trialing edge in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the absorbent article and the second engaging component has a second fastening element length extending from a first end edge to a second end edge in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the absorbent article, and wherein the second fastening member length is greater than the second fastening element length. 
     
     
         21 . The absorbent article of  claim 20 , wherein the first fastening member length and the second fastening member length are substantially the same, and wherein the first fastening element length and the second fastening element length are substantially the same. 
     
     
         22 . The absorbent article of  claim 16 , wherein the first engaging component comprises a plurality of engaging components and a base, and wherein the second engaging component comprises a plurality of engaging components and a base. 
     
     
         23 . The absorbent article of  claim 16 , comprising a first elastomeric element and a first cover substrate, wherein the first elastomeric element has a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface of the first elastomeric element is positioned in a face-to-face relationship with the first base substrate, and wherein the second surface of the first elastomeric element is positioned in a face-to-face relationship with the first cover substrate. 
     
     
         24 . The absorbent article of  claim 23 , comprising a second elastomeric element and a second cover substrate, wherein the second elastomeric element has a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface of the second elastomeric element is positioned in a face-to-face relationship the second base substrate, and wherein the second surface of the second elastomeric element is positioned in a face-to-face relationship on the second cover substrate. 
     
     
         25 . The absorbent article of  claim 24 , wherein the first base substrate is elastically extensible and the second base substrate is elastically extensible. 
     
     
         26 . The absorbent article of  claim 25 , wherein the first base substrate is more extensible than the first receiving component, and wherein the second base substrate is more extensible than the second receiving component. 
     
     
         27 . The absorbent article of  claim 24 , wherein each of the first elastomeric element and the second elastomeric element comprises a film. 
     
     
         28 . An absorbent article comprising:
 a lateral axis;   a longitudinal axis;   a front waist region on a first side of the lateral axis;   a back waist region on a second side of the lateral axis;   a first longitudinal side edge on a first side of the longitudinal axis;   a second longitudinal side edge on a second side of the longitudinal axis:   a topsheet;   a backsheet;   an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet;   a first elastic leg feature proximate to the first longitudinal side edge;   a second elastic leg feature proximate to the second longitudinal side edge;   a first discrete fastening member joined to a wearer-facing surface of the absorbent article proximate to the first longitudinal side edge;   wherein the first discrete fastening member is in the back waist region; and   a second discrete fastening member joined to the wearer-facing surface of the absorbent article proximate to the second longitudinal side edge;   wherein the second discrete fastening member is in the back waist region;   wherein the first discrete fastening member comprises:
 a first base substrate comprising:
 a first surface; 
 a second surface opposite the first surface; 
 a first edge portion proximate to the first longitudinal side edge; 
 a second edge portion distal from the first longitudinal side edge; 
 
 a first receiving component joined to a portion of the first base substrate, the first receiving component comprising:
 a first surface; 
 a second surface opposite the first surface; 
 an inboard portion overlapping at least a portion of the second edge portion of the first base substrate to form an overlap zone, 
 an outboard end opposite the overlap zone in a direction parallel to a lateral axis of the absorbent article, 
 an intermediate zone adjacent the overlap zone, and 
 a grip zone adjacent the outboard end; and 
 
 a first engaging component disposed on the first discrete fastening member between the intermediate zone and the grip zone; 
   wherein the second discrete fastening member comprises:
 a second base substrate comprising:
 a first surface; 
 a second surface opposite the first surface; 
 a first edge portion proximate to the first longitudinal side edge; 
 a second edge portion distal from the first longitudinal side edge; 
 
 a second receiving component joined to a portion of the second base substrate, the second receiving component comprising:
 a first surface; 
 a second surface opposite the first surface; 
 an inboard portion overlapping at least a portion of the second edge portion of the second base substrate to form an overlap zone, 
 an outboard end opposite the overlap zone in a direction parallel to the lateral axis of the absorbent article, 
 an intermediate zone adjacent the overlap zone, and 
 a grip zone adjacent the outboard end; and 
 
 a second engaging component disposed on the second discrete fastening member between the intermediate zone and the grip zone; 
   wherein, in a first applied configuration, the first engaging component of the first discrete fastening member is configured to engage the second surface of the second receiving component of the second fastening member and the second engaging component of the second discrete fastening member is configured to engage a garment-facing surface of the absorbent article.   
     
     
         29 . The absorbent article of  claim 28 , wherein, in a second applied configuration, the second engaging component of the second discrete fastening member is configured to engage the second surface of the first receiving component of the first discrete fastening member and the first engaging component of the first fastening member is configured to engage the garment-facing surface of the absorbent article. 
     
     
         30 . The absorbent article of  claim 28 , wherein the first base substrate comprises a first nonwoven layer, a second nonwoven layer, and a first elastomeric element intermediate the first nonwoven layer and the second nonwoven layer, and wherein the second base substrate comprises a third nonwoven layer, a fourth nonwoven layer, and a second elastomeric element intermediate the third nonwoven layer and the fourth nonwoven layer.