Abstract: A disposable absorbent article is disclosed having stretchable front and back regions each having a first scalloped end, a second end, a first side edge, a second side edge, an interior surface and an exterior surface. An absorbent assembly is secured to the interior surfaces of the front and back regions. A waist band is secured to the exterior surfaces of the front and back regions and each of a pair of leg bands is secured to the interior surface of one of the front and back regions. The absorbent article further includes a pair of seams joining the front and back regions together along the first and second side edges to form an absorbent article having a waist opening with a scalloped edge and a pair of leg openings.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a disposable absorbent article incorporating a reinforcement element adjacent a crotch edge of a body panel includes moving a web of body panel material in a longitudinal machine direction, applying a plurality of reinforcement elements to an outer surface of the web and cutting the web of body panel material along the longitudinal machine direction to thereby form a rear body panel web and a front body panel web each having a terminal crotch edge and at least a portion of the reinforcement elements secured thereto. The method further includes connecting a crotch member to each of the rear and front body pane webs thereby bridging the gab between. A disposable absorbent article incorporating a reinforcement element is also provided.

Abstract: A disposable pant-like undergarment is disclosed for absorbing human discharge. The pant-like undergarment includes stretchable front and back panels. The front panel has first and second elastic bands secured along its first and second ends. The back panel has third and fourth elastic bands secured along its first and second ends. An absorbent assembly is secured to the front and back panels and is capable of being folded to enable the front panel to overlap the back panel. A pair of seams joins the front panel to the back panel to form an undergarment having a waist opening and a pair of leg openings. The first and third elastic bands create a waist band located adjacent to the waist opening and the second and fourth elastic bands create a pair of leg bands located adjacent to the pair of leg openings. The fourth elastic band has a stretching force that is greater than that of the second elastic band.