Abstract: A disposable diaper having improved fit and liquid containment provided by gathering means adjacent at least one edge of the absorbent panel, said gathering means including at least two separately extending, effectively elastic elements. Each of the effectively elastic elements applies a gathering force to a zone of the diaper, thereby defining multiple lines of gasketing about the leg or waist openings.

Abstract: A laminated structure adapted to be gathered for improved fit about a portion of the human body, said laminated structure comprising an elastic member disposed between first and second substrates of flexible gatherable material, said elastic member including a plurality of interconnected elastic elements defining apertures therebetween, and the first and second substrates of said laminated structure being secured together through at least some of said apertures.

Abstract: A disposable diaper having a gathering means adjacent at least one edge of the absorbent panel is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the gathering means is defined by an elastic member having a width dimension of at least 3/8" and a width-to-thickness ratio of at least 100, which provides improved body conformity without undue application of pressure upon the skin of the wearer. The inventive concept in its broadest sense relates to the distribution of the force of gathering means over larger areas to minimize skin irritation. In certain embodiments of the present invention, our improved diaper may have a pleasing ruffled effect at the diaper edge.

Abstract: A disposable diaper having an absorbent batt with an intermediate portion of reduced width and elastic means adjacent to each side of the batt and generally parallel therewith. The intermediate portion of the batt preferably is offset toward one end of the diaper, and may include relatively short rectilinear batt side segments. Further batt side segments extend outwardly at an angle from the ends of the rectilinear batt side segments, and still further rectilinear batt end segments extend outwardly from the ends of the inclined batt side segments.

Abstract: A disposable diaper having constringent means in the longitudinal side margins is disclosed. The constringent means foreshortens the side margins and acts on an absorbent batt contained within the diaper to bulge the side margins of the batt.