Method for manufacturing one-piece tape tabs for use with disposable

Abstract

A method for the manufacture of one-piece tape tabs to be used with disposable absorbent articles. The first step is to provide a backing substrate upon which the pressure-sensitive adhesive of the tape tab can be applied. Once the backing is provided, the pressure-sensitive adhesive is applied to regions of one side of the backing substrate. The backing substrate is then slit in a direction parallel to the machine direction forming tape tab stock that is preferably fed directly to the taper unit of the absorbent article manufacturing line. The taper unit cuts the tape tab stock comprising the pressure-sensitive adhesive into individual tape tabs, each having a fixed end and releasable end. The fixed end of each tape tab is joined to the chassis of an absorbent article by means of mechanically bonding the fixed end to the absorbent article. The mechanical bonding not only joins the fixed end of the tape tab to the absorbent article, but also forms a region on the outwardly facing surface of the fixed end of the tape tab that acts as a release surface for the pressure-sensitive adhesive. In preferred embodiments, an area of the absorbent article adjacent to the fixed end of the tape tab is also subjected to mechanical bonding. The mechanical bonding forms a region on the surface of the absorbent article that acts a release surface for the pressure-sensitive adhesive disposed on the releasable end of each tape tab.