Abstract: A panel positioning system can be used to position side panels during manufacture of a pant. As a pant is transported in a machine direction, the panel positioning system moves a pant side panel in a direction generally perpendicular to the machine direction. The panel positioning system can comprise a drive mechanism, a positioning mechanism operatively connected to the drive mechanism, and a head connected to the positioning mechanism. The drive mechanism and the positioning mechanism can cause the head to move in an orbital profile and contact the side panel. The orbital profile can lie in a plane generally perpendicular to a pant transport plane or in a plane oblique to a pant transport plane.

Abstract: A method of producing refastenable side seams in an absorbent garment results in an absorbent garment that is adapted to easy application and removal. The refastenable side seams can be produced in either a cross direction or a machine direction. Each of the refastenable side seams is a dual side seam that includes a standing butt seam formed between a front lap seam and a back lap seam. The resulting garment can be opened and closed on either a front side of the garment or a back side of the garment.

Abstract: A prefastened absorbent garment is manufactured with its longitudinal axis in the cross machine direction. A web of garment chassis material extending in the machine direction is overlaid within the garment chassis borders. The side panel webs are attached to the chassis web and have hook and loop fasteners thereon. The garment can be individuated from the combined chassis and side panel webs.

Abstract: A prefastened absorbent garment is manufactured with its longitudinal axis in the machine direction. A web of garment chassis material extending in the machine direction is overlaid with a side panel web. The side panel web is attached at opposite width borders of the chassis web and has one or more complementary fasteners opposing each other in the longitudinal axis direction of the garment chassis web. The garment can be folded to place the complementary fasteners in releasable engagement and individuated from the combined chassis and side panel webs.

Abstract: A prefastened absorbent garment is manufactured with its longitudinal axis in the machine direction. A web of garment chassis material extending in the machine direction is overlaid with a side panel web laying substantially within the garment chassis borders. The side panel web is attached to the chassis web and has fasteners thereon. The side panel web can be split in two and folded to place its fasteners in proximity to complementary fasteners disposed at the opposing end of the garment on the chassis web when the chassis web is folded.

Abstract: A method of producing refastenable side seams in an absorbent garment results in an absorbent garment that is adapted to easy application and removal. The refastenable side seams can be produced in either a cross direction, wherein the width of the product is the machine direction, or a machine direction wherein the length of the product is the machine direction. Each of the refastenable side seams includes a lap side seam, which puts the seams under shear strain, as opposed to peel forces. The resulting garment can be opened and closed on either a left side or a right side of the garment.

Abstract: A pant-like absorbent garment having removable side panels that are releasable and refastenable, such that the resulting garment can be opened and closed on either a front side of the garment or a back side of the garment on either a left side or a right side of the garment. Furthermore, the removable side panels can be reused with a disposable chassis portion of the garment.

Abstract: A method of producing refastenable side seams in an absorbent garment results in an absorbent garment that is adapted to easy application and removal. The refastenable side seams can be produced in either a cross direction or a machine direction. Each of the refastenable side seams is a dual side seam that includes a front lap seam and a back lap seam. The resulting garment can be opened and closed on either a front side of the garment or a back side of the garment on either a left side or a right side of the garment.

Abstract: A method of producing refastenable side seams in an absorbent garment results in an absorbent garment that is adapted to easy application and removal. The refastenable side seams can be produced in a cross direction. Each of the refastenable side seams includes a lap side seam and a standing butt seam. The lap side seam puts the seams under shearing strain during use, as opposed to peel forces.

Abstract: A method of producing refastenable side seams in an absorbent garment results in an absorbent garment that is adapted to easy application and removal. The refastenable side seams can be produced in a cross direction. Each of the refastenable side seams includes a lap side seam, which puts the seams under shearing strain during use, as opposed to peel forces.

Abstract: A method of producing refastenable side seams in an absorbent garment results in an absorbent garment that is adapted to easy application and removal. The refastenable side seams can be produced in either a cross direction or a machine direction. Each of the refastenable side seams is a dual side seam that includes a standing butt seam formed between a front lap seam and a back lap seam. The resulting garment can be opened and closed on either a front side of the garment or a back side of the garment.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for making pant-like disposable absorbent garments with single-piece elastic side panels, and garments so made, are provided. The single-piece side panels eliminate the additional cost associated with multi-part side panels, and improve aesthetic appearance of the garments by eliminating side seams. The process and apparatus accomplish the steps of providing a garment chassis having unfinished lateral edges, folding the chassis so that a front portion overlaps a back portion, and folding and bonding the single-piece side panels so that opposing of the side panels are joined to the lateral edges on the garment chassis.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for making pant-like disposable absorbent garments with single-piece elastic side panels, and garments so made, are provided. The single-piece side panels eliminate the additional cost associated with multi-part side panels, and improve aesthetic appearance of the garments by eliminating side seams. The process and apparatus accomplish the steps of providing a garment chassis having unfinished lateral edges, folding the chassis so that a front portion overlaps a back portion, and folding and bonding the single-piece side panels so that opposing of the side panels are joined to the lateral edges on the garment chassis.

Abstract: A panel positioning system can be used to position side panels during manufacture of a pant. As a pant is transported in a machine direction, the panel positioning system moves a pant side panel in a direction generally perpendicular to the machine direction. The panel positioning system can comprise a drive mechanism, a positioning mechanism operatively connected to the drive mechanism, and a head connected to the positioning mechanism. The drive mechanism and the positioning mechanism can cause the head to move in an orbital profile and contact the side panel. The orbital profile can lie in a plane generally perpendicular to a pant transport plane or in a plane oblique to a pant transport plane.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article has a liquid impermeable backsheet, a liquid permeable topsheet, and an absorbent structure therebetween. The backsheet defines a liquid barrier zone on both sides of the absorbent structure, and a pair of liquid impermeable containment flaps overlie the liquid barrier zones. Leg elastic members are disposed along the side edges of the backsheet, and flap elastic members are disposed in the liquid impermeable containment flaps. A liquid barrier is in each liquid barrier zone, and extends between the front edge and back edge of the liquid impermeable backsheet. Each liquid barrier is desirably between a respective leg elastic member and flap elastic member.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article has a liquid impermeable backsheet, a topsheet, and an absorbent structure therebetween. The backsheet defines a liquid barrier zone on both sides of the absorbent structure, and a pair of liquid impermeable containment flaps overlie respective liquid barrier zones. Each liquid impermeable containment flap includes a flap elastic member and a leg elastic member. A liquid barrier is in each liquid barrier zone, and extends between the front edge and the back edge of the backsheet.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article includes a waste containment assembly that has a liner, outer cover, and an absorbent between the liner and outer cover, and a pair of containment flaps that are operatively joined in a foreshortened state to the waste containment assembly. Methods are provided for making the absorbent article.

Abstract: A shaped absorbent garment is formed of a shell having an absorbent core positioned between a bodyside liner and a backing sheet. The absorbent core is inwardly folded between a forward terminal point and a rearward terminal point. The forward and rearward terminal points are spaced apart along the central, longitudinal axis of the shell. The shaped absorbent garment includes a narrow crotch section with a vertically-extending channel, and front and rear pockets.