Method of applying fastener elements for disposable absorbent garment
Methods of making disposable absorbent articles and disposable absorbent articles that comprise: a first, second, and third fastener elements to a web such that: the first fastener element is spaced from the second fastener element by a first distance along a length of the web; the second fastener element is spaced from the third fastener element by a second distance along the length of the web; and the second fastener element is disposed between the first and third fastener elements.
1. A method of making a disposable absorbent article, the method comprising:
joining a first, second, and third fastener elements to a web such that:
the first fastener element is spaced from the second fastener element by a first distance along a length of the web;
the second fastener element is spaced from the third fastener element by a second distance along the length of the web; and
the second fastener element is disposed between the first and third fastener elements;
cutting through both of the first fastener element and the web at a first point along the length of the web to define a first end of a first fastener panel;
cutting through both of the third fastener element and the web at a second point along the length of the web to define a second end of the first fastener panel; and
joining the first fastener panel to a chassis of an absorbent article.
2. The method of claim 1 , where joining comprises joining the first fastener panel to an extension portion of a backsheet.
3. The method of claim 1 , where the first, second, and third fastener elements are aligned along a first edge of the web, and the first fastener panel is joined to the chassis along a second edge that opposes the first edge.
4. The method of claim 1 , where the respective lengths of each first, second, and third fastener element is substantially equal.
5. The method of claim 1 , where the article includes a centerline and each respective cut through the web and the first and third fastener elements is in a direction perpendicular to the centerline.
6. The method of claim 1 , where during the respective cutting steps, each of the first and third fastener elements is cut substantially in half.
7. The method of claim 1 , where the first distance is substantially equal to the second distance.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein cutting through both the third fastener element and the web also defines a first end of a second fastener panel, the method further comprising:
joining fourth and fifth fastener elements to the web such that:
the fourth fastener element is spaced from the third fastener element by a third distance along the length of the web;
the fifth fastener element is spaced from the fourth fastener element by a fourth distance along the length of the web; and
the fourth fastener element is disposed between the third and fifth fastener elements;
cutting through both the fifth fastener element and the web at a third point along the length of the web to define a second end of the second fastener panel;
joining the second fastener panel to the chassis on an opposite side of the chassis than the first fastener panel.
9. The method of claim 8 , where the first distance, second distance, third distance, and fourth distance are substantially equal.
10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
coupling an absorbent portion to a backsheet.
11. The method of claim 1 , where the first, second, and third fastener elements are joined with the web by advancing the web in a direction parallel to a centerline of the article.
12. The method of claim 11 , where the first, second, and third fastener elements each has a centerline that is parallel to the centerline of the article.
13. The method of claim 1 , where the first, second, and third fastener elements are cut from a strip of fastener elements before being joined with the web.