Abstract: The present invention provides a child's disposable absorbent training pant having an improved waist elastic system. The waist elastic system has a selected maximum magnitude of decay over the first three cycles at a specific extension, thereby providing a substantially uniform low tension over a wide size range, a more comfortable fit, and improved ease of use.

Abstract: A disposable garment having a localized retention zone for retention of the garment in its initial position on the body of a wearer. The retention zone has a higher coefficient of static friction than does the major area of the body-facing surface of the garment. The garment may also include localized areas having a lower coefficient of static friction than that of the major area to facilitate placement of the garment in a desired wearing position. Such lower coefficient of static friction areas can include the areas adjacent the leg openings and the area of the waistband that overlies the stomach of the wearer. Additionally, the garment can also include areas wherein the coefficient of static friction varies from high to low to provide improved retention and comfort over a wide range of wearing conditions and a wide range of movements of the wearer.

Abstract: A garment-like absorbent article includes an absorbent chassis that defines a waist opening and first and second leg openings. A longitudinal length of the chassis is optimized in a linear relationship with the waist circumference of the chassis, the circumference measured at 500 grams tension. With respect to the linear relationship, the thickness of the garment is substantially constant along the same line defined by the length and the circumference, and decreases as the y-intercept increases.

Abstract: A reusable diaper is made of two sheets of fabric. One sheet is an absorbant rectangular sheet. The second sheet is an inverted bell-shape and may be of resilient material. The absorbant sheet is stitched along one edge to the bell-shaped sheet along the length of the axis of symmetry of the bell-shaped sheet. The absorbant sheet is only stitched to the bell-shaped sheet adjacent one comer of the absorbant sheet so that, when unfolded, the absorbant sheet is at least twice the length of the axis of symmetry of the bell-shaped sheet. The absorbant sheet may thus be folded into a narrow rectangular absorbant pad lying along the axis of symmetry of the bell-shaped sheet. The opposite tapered ends of the bell-shaped sheet are wrapped around an infant's waist and are drawn to the front of the infant through a loop on the vertex of the bell-shape once the vertex has pulled lifted up between the infant's legs.

Abstract: The garment of the present invention has a waist region for fitting around a wearer's waist and a crotch region that extends between the wearer's legs. Shaping elastics are attached to the garment in one or more regions to cause the wearer's body to take on a more desirable shape, and may improve the comfort of the garment. Thus equipped, the garment may also provide physically therapeutic benefits to a wearer.

Abstract: An absorbent garment having standing leg gathers with improved leak containment capabilities, a method of making the absorbent garment, and a method of determining the leak containment capability of a standing leg gather are disclosed herein. In a first aspect, a method of determining a Leg Gasketing Index is disclosed herein and includes elongating a section of a standing leg gather and measuring the resulting elastic contractile force. In a second aspect, the present invention relates to an absorbent garment including standing leg gathers having a mean Total Leg Gasketing Index over three elongation cycles of at least about 4.75 kg*mm.

Abstract: Absorbent article such as a diaper and an incontinence guard comprising a liquid permeable topsheet (2), a liquid impermeable backsheet (3) and an absorbent body (4) enclosed therebetween, said article having a front portion (5), a rear portion (6) and a crotch portion (7), therebetween, whereby the front and rear portion exhibits side flaps (8, 9), which are intended to attach the article to a pantlike shape around the waist of the user. The article has at least one pre-stressed elastic means (11a) and at least attached to the back sheet, that said first elastic means (11a) is brought in an essentially V-shaped pattern having the peak of the pattern located to a first point (13) being essentially located on a imagined longitudinal center line (12) in said crotch portion (7) and that the V-shaped elastic means (11a) diverge in the direction from said longitudinal center line (12) toward the front portion (5).

Abstract: Absorbent diaper pants having a front part (2), a back part (3) with an elastic member (20) in the waist hole (12) region, and a crotch part (4) with elastic hems (19) in the diaper pants (1) leg holes (13), wherein the front part (2) and the back part (3) are provided with fastening means (21), and on the diaper pants (1) inner surface side a changeable absorbent pad (14) is arranged, and the diaper pants (1) are further provided with a therapeutic orthopaedic pad (29); characterized in that the orthopaedic pad (29) is located in a rectangular housing (27) arranged on the diaper pants (1) facing side, while this housing (27) is by its front and back transverse ends, in a takeable apart manner, secured to the end edges (9, 10) of the front part (2) and of the back part (3), and the absorbent pad (14) is inserted inside retaining means.

Abstract: An absorbent article is provided that comprises a main body having a first main body waist portion, a second main body waist portion and a central main body portion disposed between the first and second main body waist portions. The main body has orthogonal longitudinal and lateral axes. The absorbent article further comprises a pair of elastic side panels each connecting the first main body waist portion to the second main body waist portion. The main body and the side panels collectively define a waist opening edge surrounding a waist opening and two leg opening edges, each leg opening edge surrounding a leg opening. Each elastic side panel is formed from a first side portion that extends laterally outward from the first main body waist portion and terminates in a first outer lateral side panel edge. The side panel is also formed from a second side portion that extends laterally outward from the second main body waist portion and terminates in a second outer lateral side panel edge.

Abstract: A diaper for quick changing in a confined space is preformed with a single leg opening and an opposite open side seam. The open side seam has cooperating fastener elements to fit and secure the diaper about an infant.

Abstract: A shorts-type absorbent article having leg region forming members 71, 71 arranged in an elongated state at a pair of leg regions 70 arranged around a wearer's leg, wherein each of the leg region elastic members comprises a first and a second elastic member 71a, 71b and the first and second elastic members do not exhibit elastic expansible/contractible property at least at a central area of the portion where the absorbent core exists, and the predetermined parts of the first and second elastic members are fixed to the component of the absorbent article by a second fixing means S, S.

Abstract: An elasticized web has a gatherable substrate and a multi-strand elastic yarn affixed to the gatherable substrate at a plurality of fixation locations. So that the yarn can be affixed to the substrate without the use of an adhesive, the yarn is subjected to forces to create partial delamination of the yarn at the fixation locations and a portion of the gatherable substrate is caused to pass between the thus delaminated strands of the multi-strand elastic yarn. The elasticized web of the present invention is particularly suitable for use in disposable absorbent articles.

Abstract: The garment of the present invention has a waist region for fitting around a wearer's waist and a crotch region that extends between the wearer's legs. Shaping elastics are attached to the garment in one or more regions to cause the wearer's body to take on a more desirable shape, and may improve the comfort of the garment. Thus equipped, the garment may also provide physically therapeutic benefits to a wearer.

Abstract: A disposable pull-on diaper includes a topsheet, a backsheet and an absorbent core disposed therebetween. In any one of front and rear waist regions of the diaper, second elastic members are disposed between the core and the backsheet to extend under tension circumferentially of the waist region and secured to the inner surface of the backsheet only at their portions extending outward beyond transversely opposite side edges.

Abstract: A panel of a material is transported in operative proximity to an air knife having a nozzle and a curved Coanda surface, such that the panel is folded over the curved Coanda surface as the material is transported in a machine direction. The panel can be folded to a variety of angles and can comprise a refastenable fastening component. Air knives are employed in various methods for folding garment side panels and forming prefastened garments, such as refastenable pants.

Abstract: An absorbent article of pants shape including an elastic waist portion, an absorbent element (5), and a liquid-impermeable outer layer (3) which is intended to enclose the absorbent element on at least that side thereof which faces away from the wearer during use of the article. Elastic members are arranged along the edges of a second piece, along at least the crotch portion for the forming of leg elastics.

Abstract: An absorbent article of pants shape includes an elastic waist portion, an absorbent element (5), and a liquid-impermeable outer layer (3). The elastic waist portion is made from an elastic first piece (1) which is rectangular and is intended to form the rear portion (8) and side portions (9, 10) of the article. A second piece (2) forms the front portion (11) and crotch portion (12) of the pants-like article. The second piece (2) is elongate, and the width thereof is, at least in the crotch portion (12), smaller than the length of the first piece (1). The absorbent element (5) is in its entirety arranged on the second piece (2).

Abstract: Highly efficient absorbent articles for wearing by a human female such as sanitary napkins, panty liners, and adult incontinence pads. In use, the absorbent articles preferably maintain contact with and cover at least a portion of the inside surfaces of the wearer's labia, the exterior surfaces of the wearer's labia, and the supporting garment. The absorbent articles are highly flexible, having flexure resistance of less than or equal to about 100 grams. The absorbent articles may be flat or cup-shaped.

Abstract: A wrapped absorbent structure that includes two or more absorbent materials to maximize the absorbent functionality of the structure without sacrificing integrity. The structure includes an absorbent core surrounded by an absorbent wrap. The absorbent core is primarily intended to provide absorbent capacity while the absorbent wrap is used to maintain wetness integrity, although the absorbent wrap also provides a considerable amount of absorbent capacity. The absorbent structure is particularly suitable for use in absorbent swimwear.

Abstract: An open-type disposable diaper is composed, in its longitudinal direction, of a crotch region, a front waist region and a rear waist region. The rear waist region is provided on its transversely opposite sides with wings and lobes extend outward from these wings in a transverse direction. These lobes are provided on inner surfaces thereof with fasteners. Each of the lobes is divided in a section placed aside toward an outer end and a section placed aside toward an inner end as viewed in the longitudinal direction. The section placed aside toward the outer end has an elastic stretchability in the transverse direction of the diaper higher than the section placed aside toward the inner end. The fastener is attached to the section placed aside toward the outer end.

Abstract: A pant-like, disposable absorbent article includes an absorbent chassis, a pair of opposed side panels, at least one releasable joint and at least one folded fastenery. The absorbent chassis defines a pair of laterally opposed side edges and a pair of longitudinally opposed waist edges. The side panels extend between the side edges of the absorbent chassis to define a waist opening and a pair of leg openings in the pant-like disposable absorbent article. Each of the opposed side panels defines a first side margin which is permanently attached to the side edge of the absorbent chassis in one waist region of the absorbent article to provide a permanent joint. At least one of the opposed side panels further defines a second side margin opposite the first side margin which is releasably attached to the side edge of the absorbent chassis in the other waist region of the absorbent article to provide a releasable joint.

Abstract: The present invention relates to dark colored absorbent articles, such as pantiliners or sanitary napkins. More specifically, dark colored absorbent articles are disclosed comprising an apertured topsheet, an underlying layer visible through the apertures of the topsheet and a backsheet, wherein both the topsheet and underlying layer have a L Hunter value of less than 60. Preferably the topsheet, the backsheet and the underlying layer have the same color (e.g., black).

Abstract: A disposable absorbent garment includes a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. The topsheet, the backsheet, and the absorbent core form a layered assembly including a front region, a back region, and a crotch region disposed between the front region and the back region. The garment is characterized by a vertical longitudinal plane that extends substantially centrally through the front, back and crotch regions. Each of the front and back regions includes a pair of ear portions extending in substantially opposite lateral directions with respect to the longitudinal plane. Each ear portion is a breathable stretchable layer assembly having a plurality of vent sites. Further, each ear portion includes an outer layer that is an extension of the backsheet and which extends laterally to the side edge of the ear portion, and an inner layer that is an extension of the topsheet and which also extends laterally to the side edge of the ear portion.

Abstract: An absorbent article is disclosed having a refastenable mechanism. The absorbent article has a front portion, a back portion and a crotch portion. The crotch portion connects the front portion to the back portion. The back portion has a first end, a second end and first and second side edges. The back portion is divided into a first section and a second section. The first section is extendable in at least one direction and has a length L2 measured perpendicularly from the first end of the back portion to a line drawn parallel thereto. The second section has a length L3 measured perpendicularly from the second end of the back portion to the line drawn parallel to the first end whereby a ratio L2/L3 is established which ranges from between about 0.1 to about 2. First and second fasteners are positioned and secured adjacent to one of the first and second side edges of the back portion and are secured thereto.

Abstract: The present invention provides an absorbent garment subassembly for attaching to an absorbent garment, the absorbent garment having a front portion, a back portion and two side portions. The subassembly has a first carrier layer and an elastic member operatively associated with the first carrier layer. The elastic member has a center portion and two end portions. The center portion has a greater area than either of the end portions.

Abstract: The invention relates to an absorption article such as an incontinence device of the pant type, or a pant diaper, comprising a liquid-permeable topsheet, a liquid-impermeable backsheet and an absorption body positioned therebetween, the absorption body having an elongate shape with two longitudinal side edges and two transverse side edges, the article having two longitudinal side edges, a longitudinal center line, a transverse center line, a front end portion which is intended during normal use to lie against or in proximity to the abdomen of the wearer, a rear end portion which is intended during normal use to lie against or in proximity to the bottom of the back of the wearer, and a crotch portion lying therebetween, the rear end portion and the adjacent part of the crotch portion having a transverse elastic system, a rear leg elastic system which runs between the two longitudinal side edges of the article along the leg cutout of the article in the rear part of the crotch portion and crosses the crotch port

Abstract: Absorbent article such as a diaper and an incontinence guard comprising a liquid permeable topsheet (3), a liquid impervious backsheet (2) and an absorbent body (4) enclosed therebetween, whereby the article seen in longitudinal direction exhibits a front portion (5), a rear portion (6) and a crotch portion (7) arranged therebetween, and further exhibits belt portions (9). The belt portions (9) comprise a plurality of belt elements (11) whose main extension are in the transversal direction (y) of the belt and which are mutually connected by means of threads or bands (12), being arranged essentially in the longitudinal direction (x) of the belt.

Abstract: An absorbent garment includes a chassis comprised of a moisture impervious outer layer, a moisture pervious inner layer, and an absorbent layer sandwiched between the inner and outer layers. The garment includes one or more elasticized connector tabs attached to the chassis such that part or all of one waist portion of the garment is expandable. The gripping connectors, attached to the distal ends of the connector tabs, interlock with a target connector located near the opposite wait edge of the garment. The waist, made expandable by the integrated elastic connector tabs, conforms to the contours of the user, increasing comfort and improving leak resistance. The connector tabs may be constructed from nonwoven material sandwiching an elastic element or elements.

Abstract: Absorbent articles, such as diapers, incontinence products, training pants, sanitary napkins, and the like, providing unexpectedly superior absorbency and methods of preparing the absorbent articles are disclosed. The absorbent articles comprise a substantially non-wicking layer disposed between a substantially impermeable backsheet and a permeable topsheet, said substantially non-wicking layer comprising foam having a density of no greater than about 0.01 g/cc and a compressional rigidity at about 10% strain of at least about 4 kPa.

Abstract: A method of securing an elastic band between two material layers which are at least partially defined by meltable material includes forming perforations in the elastic band, placing the elastic band between two material layers, and bonding the material layers to one another through the perforations by heat fusion, wherein the perforations in the elastic band are formed at the same time as the material layers are fused together (i.e., the formation of the perforations in the elastic band is directly followed by bonding together, through the perforations, portions of the material layers). An elastic band secured between two material layers for inclusion in articles of one-time use includes the use of material layers that are at least partially defined by meltable material and an elastic band having perforations formed therein. The material layers are positioned on opposite sides of the elastic band and are joined together by heat fusion.

Abstract: A prefastened, refastenable, disposable absorbent article includes an absorbent chassis, at least one stretch panel, and a pair a primary fasteners. The absorbent chassis defines a pair of longitudinally opposed end edges and a pair of laterally opposed side edges. The stretch panel is located in one of the waist regions and defines a waist edge, a pair of laterally opposed outboard edges which are located laterally beyond the side edges of the absorbent chassis, and an inward edge which is located longitudinally inward from the waist edge. The pair of primary fasteners are located on the laterally opposed outboard edges of the stretch panel and are releasably prefastened to an opposite waist region of the absorbent chassis to releasably engage a front waist region to a rear waist region to provide the prefastened disposable absorbent article.

Abstract: This invention relates to a folded absorbent article. The absorbent article includes a front portion and a back portion joined together by a crotch portion. An absorbent core is positioned in the crotch portion. The front portion is joined to the back portion by first and second side seams to form an absorbent article having a waist opening and a pair of leg openings. Elastic is positioned in the front and/or back portions to define an elastic waistband. Each of the front and back portions includes a first zone and a second zone and a demarcation line positioned therebetween. Each of the front and back portions further includes a first section, a second section and a third section. The first section is longitudinally folded over the second section such that the first side seam is positioned laterally outboard of a longitudinal centerline of the absorbent article to form a first longitudinal fold line.

Abstract: A pants-type disposable wearing article includes a chassis member and a liquid-absorbent member. A plurality of waist-surrounding elastic members extending in a waist-surrounding direction across front and rear waist regions are spaced one from another at a given distance in a longitudinal direction and secured in a stretched state to the chassis member so that a plurality of gathers are formed on the chassis member as the elastic members contract. The gathers formed by undulation of the chassis member by contraction of the elastic members extend continuously in the longitudinal direction, i.e., in the direction generally perpendicular to the elastic members, so as to be arranged in the waist-surrounding direction substantially at regular intervals.

Abstract: Absorbent product of pants-like shape, such as incontinence pants, including an elastic waist portion, an absorbent element, and a liquidtight outer layer which is intended to enclose the absorbent element on at least that side thereof which faces away from the wearer during use of the article. The elastic waist portion is made from an elastic first piece which is essentially rectangular and is intended to form the rear portion and side portions of the pants-like product. A second piece forms the front portion and crotch portion of the pants-like product. The second piece is elongate, and the width thereof is, at least in the crotch portion, smaller than the length of the first piece. The second piece is arranged with its longitudinal direction at right angles in relation to the longitudinal direction of the first piece and is connected by a first end portion to one longitudinal edge portion of the first piece.

Abstract: Absorbent articles such as disposable diapers, incontinent briefs, diaper holders, training pants and the like, having elastomeric ear panels and a fastening system that provides the user with different options as to how the absorbent article may be fitted to and removed from the wearer. The absorbent articles allow the wearer to choose between conventional and pull-on diaper configurations, or combinations thereof, and properly and comfortably fit a large range of wearer sizes. Further, the absorbent articles can be pulled on and/or off as a pant. This feature is provided by the ear panels which maintain sufficient tension to hold the diaper on the wearer throughout the period of use without harming the wearer's skin, while providing enough stretch to allow the diaper to be pulled up or down over the wearer's hips. The fastening system is refastenable for convenience yet strong enough to maintain the diaper in a fastened configuration without becoming detached if the diaper is pulled on or off the wearer.

Abstract: An incontinence article having a back guard is provided. In particular, the present invention provides an incontinence article in which a back guard extends from a rear portion of the article to a middle back area of a user. The back guard article preferably includes an absorbent material and optional elastic.

Abstract: A three dimensional disposable underpant is disclosed having an absorbent core skewed forward by a factor of no more than 0.10. The absorbent core is positioned within the front, central, and back sections of the disposable underpant such that the length of the absorbent core in the back section of the disposable underpant divided by the length of the absorbent core in the front and central sections of the disposable underpant is less than 0.10, and the length of the absorbent core in the front section of the disposable underpant is greater than the length of the absorbent core in the back section of the disposable underpant. In one aspect, the disposable underpant includes elasticized leg and waist openings, resulting in the underpant being stretchable about the hip and stomach regions of a user.

Abstract: The invention comprises an absorbent garment and a method for making an absorbent garment. An absorbent garment is provided comprising elastic side belts attached at an angle to the main body of the garment to provide a better fit to the user. Adjustment strips preferably are affixed to the elastic side belts and to the main body of the garment to allow the user to repeatedly adjust the garment while the garment is being worn. A method for making the absorbent garment also is disclosed.

Abstract: A disposable undergarment has an integrated belly protector and pants. The belly protector has a front body and a rear body joined together to form a tubular configuration having upper and lower openings. A first elastic member is secured along the upper opening. Second and third elastic members are secured to the front body between the first elastic member and the lower opening so as to extend with a transversely symmetric arrangement and to curve convexly toward the upper and lower openings, respectively. The pants have a front body and a rear body joined together to define a waist-opening and a pair of leg-openings. The waist-opening of the pants is seamlessly connected to the lower opening of the belly protector, and a fourth elastic member is secured along the waist opening.

Abstract: A combination of an absorbent article and a waist belt for supporting the article has coacting hook and loop fabric tape elements thereon by which the absorbent article and the waist belt are releasably secured to each other. The hook fabric tape elements are provided on one of the waist belt and the absorbent article, and the loop fabric tape elements are provided on the other of the waist belt and the absorbent article.

Abstract: A disposable diaper includes a backsheet consisting essentially of an elastic inner layer and an inelastic outer layer made of fibrous material. The inelastic outer layer is joined to the elastic inner layer in its stretched state at a plurality of spots for joining intermittently arranged on the elastic inner layer in its stretched state. In each of areas enclosed by a plurality of intersecting lines each defined by a plurality of the spots for joining closely arranged in succession, the inelastic outer layer is free to float off from the elastic inner layer and thereupon to form a plurality of pleats as the elastic inner layer is made free to contact.

Abstract: A disposable pants-type diaper includes a front waist region sheet, a rear waist region sheet and a body fluid absorbent pad. The front and rear waist region sheets are bonded together in the vicinity of transversely opposite side edges thereof and the pad is curved in a U-shape and has longitudinally opposite ends bonded to the inner side of the front and rear waist region sheets. Periphery of a lower edge of the front waist region sheet draws a curve which is convex upward and this-lower edge intersects transversely opposite side edges of the pad to define tops of a pair of leg-holes. A first elastic member extending along the lower edge of the front waist region sheet intersects third elastic members of the pad in the vicinity of the tops and then descend rearward of the diaper.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article partially defined by a pair of longitudinally extending side edges and a pair of end edges extending between the side edges, includes a topsheet layer, a backsheet layer, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. The disposable absorbent article also has a pair of side wall structures each having a pair of oppositely positioned end portions. A first side wall structure extends generally longitudinally between the core and one of the side edges and the other side wall structure extends generally longitudinally between the core and the other side edge. Further, an end strip constructed from an elastic material is positioned substantially adjacent each one of the end edges, and extends laterally between the side edges.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article is provided to fit various torso sizes. The article having a laterally extending belt, which may be partly stretchable or elasticated, and an insert member disposed vertically relative to the belt. The insert member has a proximal end for attachment to the belt, and a distal end having two spaced apart tape tab fasteners. The belt has two wing portions disposed to the left and right sides of a vertical axis running through the insert member, and is provided with tape tab fasteners and landing zones adapted to engage with each other and with the tape tab fasteners on the distal end of the insert member when the belt is wrapped around the torso of a wearer and the insert member is folded onto the belt. In one embodiment, one wing is longer than the other wing of the belt, and in a further embodiment the belt is a half-belt, or one wing, attached to the left or right side of the proximal end of the insert member.

Abstract: The disposable diaper of the present invention has a substantially elongate configuration and comprises a main body having a liquid-permeable topsheet, a liquid-impermeable backsheet, and a liquid-retentive absorbent member interposed between the topsheet and the backsheet and a pair of fastening tapes provided on each side edge of the main body, the waist opening portion and the under-waist portion in the portion having the fastening tapes being provided with a waist elastic member and a plurality of under-waist elastic members, respectively, in the width direction of the diaper, and both longer side portions of the diaper being provided with a pair of leg elastic members, wherein the under-waist elastic members are fixedly disposed in at least areas extending outwardly from each longer side of the absorbent member in their stretched state so as to manifest elastic contractibility but are not disposed in at least the middle of the area where the absorbent member exists, and the under-waist portion has a grea

Abstract: A disposable pull-on diaper includes a topsheet, a backsheet and an absorbent core disposed therebetween. In any one of front and rear waist regions of the diaper, second elastic members are disposed between the core and the backsheet to extend under tension circumferentially of the waist region and secured to the inner surface of the backsheet only at their portions extending outward beyond transversely opposite side edges.

Abstract: The garment of the present invention has a waist band with a crotch component that can be permanently attached to the back of the waist band and releasably attached to the front of the waist band. The crotch fits between the user's legs during use and the waist band wraps around the user's waist. The garment may have a one-, two-, or three-piece construction. The garment also has an absorbent core disposed generally in the crotch region. At least part of the interior surfaces of the garment are liquid-pervious to allow fluids to be absorbed into the absorbent core. The exterior surfaces of the garment are generally liquid-impervious, to prevent the fluid in the absorbent core from being released from the garment. The garment of the present invention may be donned quickly, easily, and with a minimum amount of exposure to unsanitary conditions or embarrassment. The garment of the present invention may also be donned by persons with limited use of their hands.

Abstract: A disposable diaper that includes an absorbent unit and a breathable sweat-absorbent sheet. An end flap is formed in a rear waist region of the absorbent unit and is arranged to be breathable. The sweat-absorbent sheet is bonded to the inner surface of the end flap. The diaper thus constructed is breathable and sweat absorbable in the waist region of the absorbent unit.

Abstract: An absorbent article having a pair of side flaps along transversely opposite side edges of the article. Each of the side flaps is formed on its upper surface with a plurality of pleats that extend longitudinally of the side flap. Each of the pleats contains an elastically stretchable/contractile member that extends along its distal edge so as to operate longitudinally of the pleat.

Abstract: A short-type disposable diaper including a liquid permeable topsheet, a liquid impermeable backsheet, and an absorber interposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, front and rear waist portions being connected together at opposite sides thereof, respectively, the improvement including a tape fastener adapted to fasten the diaper when the diaper is to be discarded, the tape fastener being disposed at a central outer surface section of the backsheet and extending in a longitudinal direction of the backsheet.