Abstract: Disposable absorbent garments, comprising front and rear waist and a central absorbent assembly comprising a liquid-absorbent core, where at least one of the front and rear waist portions comprises: a composite of an elastic sheet material and a non-woven fabric layer, and a plurality of elastic strands. In some of the present garments, the elastic strands are positioned on both sides of the liquid-absorbent core, and each strand has a first end laterally offset from the liquid-absorbent core and extending outward toward a respective leg edge of the waist portion. In others of the present garments, the elastic strands are positioned between the absorbent core and the elastic sheet material, and each extends laterally a majority of the distance between first and second side edges.

Abstract: Methods of making disposable absorbent articles and disposable absorbent articles that comprise: a first, second, and third fastener elements to a web such that: the first fastener element is spaced from the second fastener element by a first distance along a length of the web; the second fastener element is spaced from the third fastener element by a second distance along the length of the web; and the second fastener element is disposed between the first and third fastener elements.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent garment includes front and rear panels with zones of elastication and non-elastication in the abdomen and rear regions of the garments. The zones of elastication comprise an elastified region, and a non-elastified region or a de-elastified region. The elastified non-elastified or de-elastified regions work in tandem to provide greater contour support and improved fit.

Abstract: This disclosure includes embodiments of disposable absorbent articles and methods of making disposable absorbent articles that include closures with a web of material and hook fasteners that are unitary with the web. For example, some of the present disposable absorbent articles include diapers or briefs with closure members, such as back ears or front ears, defined at least in part by a nonwoven web with hook fasteners that are unitary with the nonwoven web. Use of such unitary hook fasteners allows simpler construction of such articles and/or softer closure members for improved fit and user comfort, and/or other benefits. Certain embodiments of the present methods can manufacture such absorbent articles with fewer manufacturing steps or processes and/or fewer raw materials, relative to those required to manufacture prior art absorbent articles with hook fastener patches that are added by application of a separate piece of material that includes the hook fasteners.

Abstract: Methods of making disposable absorbent articles and disposable absorbent articles that comprise: a first, second, and third fastener elements to a web such that: the first fastener element is spaced from the second fastener element by a first distance along a length of the web; the second fastener element is spaced from the third fastener element by a second distance along the length of the web; and the second fastener element is disposed between the first and third fastener elements.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent garment includes front and rear panels with zones of elastification and non-elastication in the abdomen and rear regions of the garments. The zones of elastification comprise an elastified region, and a non-elastified region or a de-elastified region. The elastified non-elastified or de-elastified regions work in tandem to provide greater contour support and improved fit.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent garment includes front and rear panels with zones of elastification and non-elastication in the abdomen and rear regions of the garments. The zones of elastification comprise an elastified region, and a non-elastified region or a de-elastified region. The elastified non-elastified or de-elastified regions work in tandem to provide greater contour support and improved fit.

Abstract: Methods of making disposable absorbent articles and disposable absorbent articles that comprise: a first, second, and third fastener elements to a web such that: the first fastener element is spaced from the second fastener element by a first distance along a length of the web; the second fastener element is spaced from the third fastener element by a second distance along the length of the web; and the second fastener element is disposed between the first and third fastener elements.

Abstract: Disposable absorbent garments, comprising front and rear waist and a central absorbent assembly comprising a liquid-absorbent core, where at least one of the front and rear waist portions comprises: a composite of an elastic sheet material and a non-woven fabric layer, and a plurality of elastic strands. In some of the present garments, the elastic strands are positioned on both sides of the liquid-absorbent core, and each strand has a first end laterally offset from the liquid-absorbent core and extending outward toward a respective leg edge of the waist portion. In others of the present garments, the elastic strands are positioned between the absorbent core and the elastic sheet material, and each extends laterally a majority of the distance between first and second side edges.

Abstract: Oversized adult diapers are made on converting machinery designed for handling only components no greater than a maximum component width, while utilizing as an outer layer component of the diapers an elongate sheet-like web having a width exceeding the maximum component width of the machinery. The web is pre-formed with at least one folded pleat along a laterally outward margin of the web, such that the pleat reduces the width of the web to less than the maximum component width. The pleat is temporarily tacked to retain the pleat against unfolding while the web is handled by the machinery, but is yieldable to unfold when a diaper made with the web is donned for wearing. The pre-formed pleated web is delivered to the machinery, which is then operated in normal manner to incorporate the web into a plurality of diapers.

Abstract: Diapers are made with substantial reduction of waste using a composite web of diaper main body material having a liquid impervious outer layer, a liquid pervious inner layer and an absorbent intermediate layer there between. The composite web has an indeterminate longitudinal extent substantially intact and uncut with parallel lateral side edge margins for substantially the entire web length. An independent web of diaper tab material is cut into discrete tab sections of predetermined mating shapes with substantially no unused waste material. The tab sections are affixed to the opposite edge margins of, and at regular longitudinal spacings along, the composite web. The composite web is cut transversely at regular longitudinal intervals there along corresponding to the spacings of the tab sections to produce discrete diapers each having a generally rectangular main body and four tabs at the respective corners of the main body.

Abstract: Diapers are made with substantial reduction of waste using a composite web of diaper main body material having a liquid impervious outer layer, a liquid pervious inner layer and an absorbent intermediate layer there between. The composite web has an indeterminate longitudinal extent substantially intact and uncut with parallel lateral side edge margins for substantially the entire web length. An independent web of diaper tab material is cut into discrete tab sections of predetermined mating shapes with substantially no unused waste material. The tab sections are affixed to the opposite edge margins of, and at regular longitudinal spacings along, the composite web. The composite web is cut transversely at regular longitudinal intervals there along corresponding to the spacings of the tab sections to produce discrete diapers each having a generally rectangular main body and four tabs at the respective corners of the main body.