Abstract: An elastic sided curved absorbent pad is provided with soft side edges providing efficient leakage protection without irritation. The pad has elasticized side panels which comprise at least two layers of non-woven material mounted between a cover and baffle, projecting beyond the side edges of the cover and the baffle, giving the panel soft, free outer distal edges and one or more elastic members inboard from the free distal edge. The layers of non-woven material and the elastic member are bonded together, except for the distal edges which are not bonded. This provides a lace-like appearance and feel.

Abstract: An individually packaged absorbent article and a method for making the same is disclosed. The individual package comprises an absorbent pad having side tabs and a wrapper having a central release strip which may be parallel or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the wrapper. On either side of the central release strip are tab release members, the tab release members and the central release strip being permanently attached to the wrapper. The wrapper and the absorbent pad are folded as a unit about at least two lateral spaced-apart fold lines.