Abstract: The current invention in some embodiments thereof relates to a sanitary pad which has a flat configuration for easy storage and transport and folds to form a 3D shape including a bulge for dividing between skin in a sensitive area. In some embodiments, in the bulge may be perpendicular to a flat portion of the pad. Optionally, the fin may have a triangular shape. For example, a menstrual pad may include an anterior flat area configured to lie against the vagina and/or absorb menstrual fluids and a posterior bulge configured to fit into an intergluteal cleft. For example, the bulge may have the form of a triangular fin. Optionally, the pad is reformed from the flat configuration to its 3D configuration by folding a posterior portion of the pad.

Abstract: A method for producing a three-dimensional motor vehicle interior element through which light can shine and which has an observer-side surface is produced in two steps. In a first step a three-dimensional transparent substrate is produced from a cross-linked polymer. In a second step the substrate is provided on an observer-side surface of the substrate with a coloring through which light can shine, at least in a subregion.

Abstract: A nonwoven fabric. The nonwoven fabric can include a first surface and a second surface and a visually discernible pattern of three-dimensional features on one of the first or second surface. Each of the three-dimensional features can define a microzone comprising a first region and a second region. The first and second regions can have a difference in values for an intensive property, wherein the intensive property is one or more of thickness, basis weight, or volumetric density, and wherein the first surface has a TS7 value different than a TS7 value of the second surface.

Abstract: A wearable article includes a front and back elastic belts, a crotch region, a waist opening, and leg openings. Each elastic belt is a laminate having an inner sheet, an outer sheet, and an elastic member. Elastic adhesive bonding continuously bonds the elastic member for at least about 10 mm in the direction of stretch adjacent the side edges of the belts. A discrete patterned adhesive bonding is applied to at least one of the inner and outer sheets to intermittently bond the inner and outer sheets. The discrete patterned adhesive bonding extends substantially along the transverse direction between the elastic adhesive bonding, and substantially along the longitudinal direction between the distal and proximal edges of the elastic belts. The same adhesive agent provides the elastic adhesive and discrete patterned adhesive bonding. Heat bonds form side seams, and the remainder of the laminate is free of heat bonds.

Abstract: A wing for an adult incontinent device is disclosed. The adult incontinent device has a chassis with a lateral attachment surface. The wing includes a stretch laminate with at least one nonwoven layer and at least one elastic layer. The nonwoven layer and the elastic layer are bound together in face-to-face contact. The stretch laminate has at least one stretch zone and at least one non-stretch zone. The stretch laminate has no overlap portions between the stretch zone and the non-stretch zone. One end of the wing is affixed to the lateral attachment surface of the chassis.

Abstract: To enable producing without the need for an extension step of an outer body while being excellent in a fit of the edges around the legs. The above problem is solved by an underpants-type disposable diaper wherein an inner body is joined to a crotch side edge portion of a central portion in a width direction of a dorsal side outer body to form an inner body joined section, a front-back length of a side closer to a waist side than the inner body joined section is extensible to a crotch side, and the side closer to the waist side than the inner body joined section in the inner body can be moved to the crotch side, relative to a dorsal side outer body.

Abstract: A rolled absorbent personal care article includes a longitudinal direction, a transverse direction and a depth direction. The absorbent article component, absorbent article extension component, wrapper sheet component each have a longitudinal, transverse, and depth direction. Each of the absorbent article component and absorbent article extension component includes at least a topsheet layer and a backsheet layer, wherein the backsheet layer includes a garment-facing surface on which is situated a garment adhesive. The absorbent article component and the absorbent article extension component each include a peripheral edge, with the components being attached to the wrapper sheet component with the garment adhesive, such that the peripheral edges are adjacent one another. The absorbent article component and the absorbent article extension component are in a rolled configuration within the wrapper sheet component and secured in the rolled configuration.

Abstract: A method of making an absorbent core for use in an absorbent article. The method comprising the steps of: a. providing a first absorbent fibrous web material; b. providing a second absorbent fibrous web material; c. providing a pair of rolls forming a nip through which the first and second absorbent fibrous web materials can be processed, the pair of rolls being selected from the processes consisting of, ring rolling, SELF, micro-SELF, and rotary knife aperturing; d. deforming portions of the first absorbent fibrous web material by processing through the pair of rolls; e. deforming portions of the second absorbent fibrous web material by processing through the pair of rolls; and f. combining the first and second absorbent fibrous web materials to form the absorbent core.

Abstract: The present invention is an absorbent article, such as incontinence pads, absorbent personal pads for involuntary bladder elimination, feminine guards for incontinence, catamenial products, sanitary napkins, maxi pads, mini pads, liners, pantiliners, pads, nursing pads, menstruation tampons, sanitary tampons, tampons, feminine hygiene pads, menstruation pads, and sanitary pads.

Abstract: A diaper includes front and rear waist panels respectively defining front and rear waist regions, a crotch panel defining a crotch region, and an absorbent structure extending in a longitudinal direction. The crotch panel has a base sheet and a pair of leg sheets attached to both lateral edge portions of the base sheet. In vicinities of front and rear end portions of the crotch panel, first joint regions extending in a transverse direction from the base sheet beyond outer lateral edge portions of the respective leg sheets are formed. Through these joint regions, the crotch panel is joined to the front and rear waist panels. Cover sheets adapted to cover the front and rear end portions are joined to an interior crotch sheet of the crotch panel through second joint regions. The cover sheets extend outwardly in the transverse direction beyond the first joint regions.

Abstract: A simple disposable absorbent article including a chassis and an absorbent assembly. The chassis includes a water-impermeable sheet folded laterally inward at both of its side edges to form opposing side flaps. Each side flap is attached to the interior surface of the chassis adjacent to its end edges. Each side flap has a longitudinally extending elastic gathering member attached adjacent to its proximal edge. The absorbent assembly is smaller in width and in length than the chassis. The side edges and end edges of the absorbent assembly may be disposed proximally relative to the respective side edges and end edges of the chassis. The absorbent assembly includes an absorbent core that may contain superabsorbent particles, which may be contained inside pockets. The chassis may be extensible. The absorbent assembly may be in a cruciform pattern to the chassis to allow portions of the chassis to extend laterally.

Abstract: An absorbent article is provided that improves adhesion to the skin and reduces leaks of bodily fluids by ensuring stable deformation thereof. The absorbent article has a liquid-permeable top sheet disposed on body-facing side of the absorbent article; a liquid-impermeable back sheet disposed on a clothing-facing side of the absorbent article; and a liquid-retainable absorbent body disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet. The absorbent body has a compressed channel formed into a concave shape in the body-facing side; and a space formed into a convex shape in the clothing-facing side toward the body-facing. The space is formed on both sides or on one side of a channel backside located on an opposing side of the compressed channel portion in the clothing-facing side.

Abstract: A wearing article including a region in which the wearer's skin is not seen-through other than the existence region of the absorbent structure even when an area of the absorbent structure is relatively small so that the existence region of the absorbent structure may be un noticeable from the outside.

Abstract: The invention refers to a disposable absorbent article such as a diaper, a pant or a sanitary napkin. The disposable absorbent article further comprises a structure which is able to elongate and simultaneously convert from an initial flat configuration into an erected configuration.

Abstract: A diaper assembly including a diaper including hook fasteners positioned beneath and concealed by covers constructed from resiliently stretchable material, and a pocketed sling configured to removably attach to the diaper, the pocketed sling including loop fasteners arranged to removably attach to the hook fasteners concealed beneath the covers, thereby concealing attachment points between the diaper and the pocketed sling.

Abstract: A disposable diaper includes the sheet-like leg hole stretch unit provided to a side end in a product widthwise direction of the side flap, extending in a product longitudinal direction, and being partially stretchable at least in the product longitudinal direction. A side edge in the product widthwise direction of the leg hole stretch unit is in a meandering shape in the product longitudinal direction. A distance between the side edge in the product widthwise direction of the leg hole stretch unit and a center line changes from the front waistline unit to the back waistline unit. The concave unit and the concave unit resulting from a shift of an amount of change in the distance from decrease to increase are provided closer to the back waistline unit than a center in the product longitudinal direction of the disposable diaper.

Abstract: An absorber of a disposable diaper includes a first region arranged partially in the crotch region; a second region arranged adjacent to the first region and having a lower bending rigidity than that of the first region; and a third region arranged adjacent to the second region and having a higher bending rigidity than that of the second region. A boundary between the first and second regions is arranged in a narrow region. A boundary between the second and third regions is arranged at the side of the crotch region from an end at the crotch region side of a waistline retaining unit in the front waistline region. An end at the front waistline region side of the third region is arranged at the side of the front waistline region from the end at the crotch region side of the waistline retaining unit in the front waistline region.

Abstract: A disposable wearing article includes, in an inner end portion of a front waist region, a pair of first side elastic zones spaced apart from each other in a transverse direction and a first middle inelastic zone lying between the first side elastic zones. The article further includes, in an inner end portion of a rear waist region, a pair of second side elastic zones spaced apart from each other in the transverse direction and a second middle inelastic zone lying between the second side elastic zones. A crotch panel includes a pair of leg elastics intersecting with the first and second side elastic zones. A dimension in the transverse direction of the second middle inelastic zone is larger than that of the first middle inelastic zone. A dimension in the transverse direction of the respective first intersection zones is larger than that of the respective second intersection zones.

Abstract: An absorber of a disposable diaper includes a first region at least partially arranged in the crotch stretch unit and a second region arranged adjacent to the first region at an outer side from the first region in the product longitudinal direction and having a lower bending rigidity than that of the first region. A boundary between the first region and the second region is arranged at an outer side from an outer end of the crotch stretch unit in the product longitudinal direction and is arranged at an inner side from an outer end of the leg stretch unit in the product longitudinal direction.

Abstract: An absorber of a disposable diaper includes a first region extending from an end at the side of the rear waistline region of the absorber towards a side of the crotch region, and a second region arranged adjacent to the first region at the side of the crotch region from the first region, and having a lower bending rigidity than the first region. The end at the side of the rear waistline region of the leg stretch unit and the end at the side of the rear waistline region of the contracted unit in the leg side stretch unit are arranged at the side of the crotch region from the end at the side of the rear waistline region of the first region, and are also arranged at the side of the rear waistline region from the end at the side of the crotch region of the first region.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article worn about the lower torso of a wearer includes at least one serviceable indicium that facilitates the process of fitting the absorbent article to the wearer by providing an apparent visual and physical indication when the article is not properly fitted. The apparent visual and physical indication includes a detectable distortion of the waist opening, the leg openings or both the waist opening and the leg openings. The detectable distortion includes at least one serviceable indicium disposed on a portion of the waist opening or leg opening or both that becomes flipped in towards an inner surface of the article or flipped out towards the outer surface of the article when the article is not properly fitted.

Abstract: A disposable diaper has an absorbent body, an outer covering sheet and two end holding sheets, and both end portions of the absorbent body are fixed between the end holding sheets and the outer covering sheet. Since a turndown portion of an upper end portion of the end holding sheet is bonded on an upper end portion of a first covering sheet, a waist covering portion has structure where the first covering sheet is laminated on the two-layered end holding sheet. Therefore, a thickness of the outer covering sheet can be reduced, while maintaining strength of the waist covering portion by appropriately selecting material of the end holding sheet, thereby to easily improve softness of the disposable diaper. Since an upper end of a second covering sheet is positioned below the turndown portion, softness and breathability in an area between the turndown portion and the second covering sheet is increased.

Abstract: A reusable outer cover is provided. The reusable outer cover is configured for use with a disposable absorbent insert to together form a wearable absorbent article. The reusable outer cover may be configured as a pull-on pant and may include a front waist region, a rear waist region, a crotch region disposed intermediate the front waist region and the rear waist region, and a wearer-facing surface. The wearer-facing surface of the front waist region or the rear waist region may include an insert fastener component. The reusable outer cover may further include a grasping aid configured to assist in the application of the article onto a wearer. The grasping aid may be force-coupled to the insert fastener component or to a reduced elongation zone in the reusable outer cover.

Abstract: A disposable wearing article in which waist elastics are attached at least in a rear waist region of front and rear waist regions so that a space between a core and the wearer's skin is formed which functions as a pocket for retaining excretions such as feces or the like. A diaper includes front and rear waist panels in which front and rear waist elastics are attached and a crotch panel extending therebetween. With regard to the crotch panel, front and rear end edges are joined to the skin facing sides of the front and rear waist panels respectively such that the front and rear end edges of the core are overlapped with the front and rear waist panels. In the front and rear waist panels, inelastic regions, first elastic regions, and second elastic regions are formed respectively. In the crotch panel, a pair of first cuffs in which the gasket elastics is attached are formed, and the front and rear end portions are intersected with the front and rear waist elastics in the gasket elastics.

Abstract: An open-type disposable diaper includes a crotch stretch unit formed in an absorber arrangement region where an absorber is arranged in a crotch region and being stretchable in a product longitudinal direction; a pair of leg stretch units formed along a leg hole openings and being stretchable in at least the product longitudinal direction; and a waist stretch unit formed in a back waistline region and being stretchable in a product widthwise direction; the absorber core arrangement region enclosed by the crotch stretch unit, the leg stretch units, and the waist stretch unit and configuring the absorber is formed so as not to be stretched. The length of the absorber core arrangement region in the product longitudinal direction is configured to be longer than half the length of the crotch stretch unit in the product longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A disposable wearing article includes a urination region, a rear waistline region arranged to the rear of the urination region, and a front waistline region arranged to the front of the urination region. An absorbent sheet having an absorbent polymer arranged between liquid-permeable sheets is configured to be provided in at least one of the buttocks region and the ventral region. An absorbent polymer arranged region including absorbent polymer is in at least one of the front waistline region and the rear waistline region. A deformation restraining unit is formed to be capable of restraining deformation of the urination region from being propagated to an absorbent polymer arranged region in the inner side in the front-back direction with respect to the inner end in the front-back direction of the absorbent polymer arranged region.

Abstract: A reusable outer cover configured to be engaged with a disposable absorbent insert is provided. The reusable outer cover comprises front and rear waist regions configured to be joined together by a fastening zone. The fastening zone comprises a first side on the front waist region and a second side on the rear waist region. The first side comprises a first portion and a second portion. The first portion comprises a first fastening component and the second portion comprises a second fastening component. The second side comprises a third portion and a fourth portion. The third portion comprises a third fastening component and the fourth portion comprises a fourth fastening component. The first and third fastening components have a first fastening property and the second and fourth fastening components have a second, different fastening property.

Abstract: A disposable diaper 10 includes a sheet-like elastic element 100 provided in a rear waistline portion 30. The sheet-like elastic element 100 has a stretching portion 105 that can be stretched in a product width direction W. An absorber 40 includes a low rigidity portion 110, where the basis weight is lower than those in the other parts of the absorber 40 or an absorber core 40a does not exist, and a non-stretching portion 45 that is unstretchable in the product width direction W. The non-stretching portion 45 is provided at a crotch portion side from the stretching portion 105, and the stretching portion 105 overlaps at least a part of the low rigidity portion 110 in the plan view of the disposable diaper 10, and the width of the low rigidity portion 110 in the product width direction W widens towards the end at the side of the rear waistline portion 30 in a product longitudinal direction L.

Abstract: Closure elements that include elastic and non-elastic regions are disclosed as well as absorbent articles that include closure elements.

Abstract: A diaper includes an abdominal-side waist portion and a back-side waist portion forming at least a portion of a waist opening portion 1, as well as a body portion including an abdominal-side body portion, a back-side body portion, and a crotch portion forming at least a portion of a pair of leg opening portions. Any portion of the diaper except the crotch portion is constituted by a laminate including a plurality of elastomeric molded bodies arranged at intervals from an extensible fiber aggregate, and the elastomeric molded bodies have regions that are joined with the extensible fiber aggregate and regions that are separated from the extensible fiber aggregate.

Abstract: A disposable wearing article adapted to restrict a possibility that the article might become locally bulky and a packaged assembly of such disposable wearing articles. A diaper (1) has front and rear waist panels (20, 30) defining front and rear waist regions (2, 3), respectively, and an intermediate panel (40) defining parts of the front and rear waist regions and a crotch region (4). The diaper (1) is folded on itself substantially in a flat condition so that inner sheets (24, 34) of the front and rear waist panels (20, 30) may face each other, respectively, and an inner sheet of the intermediate panel (40) may face itself. Specifically, the diaper (1) is folded on itself along a first fold line (81) at least partially corresponding to an imaginary transverse center line (Q-Q).

Abstract: An absorbent article includes a chassis comprising a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, and at least one elastically elongatable panel joined to the chassis. The elastically elongatable panel includes a stretch laminate that has at least one cover layer and a pre-activated elastomeric film attached to the cover layer, the elastomeric film having two surfaces and a skin on at least one of the surfaces. The skin has a plurality of wrinkles, the wrinkles have hills, and an ink is disposed on at least some of the hills.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes a chassis comprising a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, and at least one elastically elongatable panel joined to the chassis. The elastically elongatable panel includes a stretch laminate that has at least one cover layer and an elastomeric film attached to the cover layer, the elastomeric film having two surfaces and a skin on at least one of the surfaces. The stretch laminate has at least one anchoring zone and at least one stretch zone and the skin that is located in the anchoring zone has a plurality of activation stripes.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes a chassis comprising a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, and at least one elastically elongatable panel joined to the chassis. The elastically elongatable panel includes a stretch laminate that has at least one cover layer and an elastomeric film attached to the cover layer, the elastomeric film having two surfaces and a skin on at least one of the surfaces. The stretch laminate has at least one anchoring zone and at least one stretch zone and the skin that is located in the anchoring zone has a plurality of wrinkles.

Abstract: A disposable diaper has a diaper main body including a plurality of elastic members arranged in an extended state along a longitudinal direction of the absorber, at outer sides in a widthwise direction with respect to the absorber, a dorsal side flap protruded toward outer sides in the widthwise direction with respect to the diaper main body, at an outer end in the longitudinal direction of the diaper main body; and a joining unit configured to join the side flap and the diaper main body. The elastic member positioned at outermost sides in the widthwise direction out of the plurality of elastic members are overlapped in an extended state in the longitudinal direction, with the joining unit in a thickness direction of the disposable diaper.

Abstract: The invention relates to an absorbent open-type incontinence article with attached ears, wherein the rear ears have closure elements in the peripheral region, and to the folding of the ears at high production speeds without the functionality of the closure elements being impaired and with the simultaneously use-friendly arrangement of the closure elements in the folded absorbent incontinence article. The invention also relates to a method of producing this absorbent incontinence article.

Abstract: An absorbent article providing improved body fit. The absorbent article includes an extensible fluid permeable facing layer and a first absorbent layer joined to the facing layer. Each zone of extensibility is a region of the first absorbent layer of relatively higher extensibility than regions of first absorbent layer adjacent to the zone of extensibility. A liquid impermeable backsheet is joined to the facing layer at the periphery. The liquid impermeable backsheet has a garment facing surface. A fastening means is disposed on at least a portion of the garment facing surface of the liquid impermeable backsheet. The first absorbent layer is decoupled from the fluid impermeable backsheet.

Abstract: An absorbent article comprising first and second belts. Portions of the first belt making up the leg openings may comprise non-linear portions. And, portions of the second belt making up the leg openings comprise non-linear portions. The article may comprise a center chassis that comprises barrier leg cuffs.

Abstract: Absorbent articles having a liquid permeable topsheet, a liquid impermeable backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between said topsheet and said backsheet are disclosed. The absorbent articles include a plasto-elastic material joined to or disposed on at least one of component of the absorbent article to impart sizing or shaping capabilities to the article. The plasto-elastic material has substantially plastic properties when said absorbent article is subjected to an initial strain cycle, for example, when the article is placed on a wearer, and has substantially elastic properties when subjected to a second strain cycle such as when the article is subsequently adjusted to conform to the size of the wearer. The absorbent article can be in the form of diapers, pull-on diapers, training pants, sanitary napkins, wipes, bibs, incontinence briefs or inserts.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent garment can include a waistband assembly that is configured to be worn about a waist of a subject, and an absorbent panel assembly having first and second ends that are coupled to the waistband assembly. The absorbent panel assembly can include a liquid-pervious body-side layer, a liquid impervious external layer, and an absorbent core positioned between the body-side and external layers. At least one of the absorbent panel assembly or the waistband assembly includes a contraction region, such as near the absorbent core, that is configured to be extensible and retractable along a longitudinal axis of the absorbent core. The longitudinal axis can be substantially parallel to a vertical or height axis of a wearer when the absorbent garment is worn by an upright or standing individual.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed, in part, to a disposable garment having a front region, a back region, and a crotch region extending between the front region and the back region. The disposable garment comprises a chassis in the front region, the back region, and the crotch region. The chassis comprises a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. The disposable garment comprises a pair of ear panels extending laterally outward from the chassis in the front region or the back region, a seam panel extending laterally outward from at least one of the ear panels, and a tab formed with the seam panel and extending laterally outward from the seam panel.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed, in part, to a disposable garment having a front region, a back region, and a crotch region extending between the front region and the back region. The disposable garment comprises a chassis in the front region, the back region, and the crotch region. The chassis comprises a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. The disposable garment comprises a pair of ear panels extending laterally outward from the chassis in the front region or the back region, a seam panel extending laterally outward from at least one of the ear panels, and a tab formed with the seam panel and extending laterally outward from the seam panel.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed, in part, to a disposable garment having a front region, a back region, and a crotch region extending between the front region and the back region. The disposable garment comprises a chassis in the front region, the back region, and the crotch region. The chassis comprises a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. The disposable garment comprises a pair of ear panels extending laterally outward from the chassis in the front region or the back region, a seam panel extending laterally outward from at least one of the ear panels, and a tab formed with the seam panel and extending laterally outward from the seam panel.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article worn about the lower torso of a wearer includes at least one serviceable indicium that facilitates the process of fitting the absorbent article to the wearer by providing an apparent visual and physical indication when the article is not properly fitted. The apparent visual and physical indication includes a detectable distortion of the waist opening, the leg openings or both the waist opening and the leg openings. The detectable distortion includes at least one serviceable indicium disposed on a portion of the waist opening or leg opening or both that becomes flipped in towards an inner surface of the article or flipped out towards the outer surface of the article when the article is not properly fitted.

Abstract: An absorbent article providing improved body fit. The absorbent article includes an extensible fluid permeable facing layer and a first absorbent layer joined to the facing layer. Each zone of extensibility is a region of the first absorbent layer of relatively higher extensibility than regions of first absorbent layer adjacent to the zone of extensibility. A liquid impermeable backsheet is joined to the facing layer at the periphery. The liquid impermeable backsheet has a garment facing surface. A fastening means is disposed on at least a portion of the garment facing surface of the liquid impermeable backsheet. The fastening means defines attachment zones. At least a portion of the first absorbent layer is decoupled from the attachment zones of the fluid impermeable backsheet.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article including a chassis. The chassis includes a front region having two opposing longitudinal edges, a back region having two opposing longitudinal edges, and a crotch region having two longitudinal edges. The crotch region is disposed between said front and back regions, and at least two side panels extend outwardly from the two opposing longitudinal edges of one or both of the front or back regions. The side panels may interconnect the front and the back regions to form a waist opening and a pair of leg openings. The article exhibits a pre-application side panel length, Li, and a post-application side panel length, Lf, such that Li is less than Lf. The article may also include a plurality of graphics.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article has a central body defining a first waist end region including a first end edge, a second waist end region spaced longitudinally from the first waist end region and including a second end edge, and a crotch region positioned therebetween. An absorbent core is situated between the end edges, and includes a plurality of elastics incorporated therewith such that the core is substantially laterally contracted in a narrowed region about the elastics. The absorbent core includes at least one end region that is substantially non-elasticized and has a lateral width substantially wider than that of the narrowed region.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes an absorbent core, a liner, and an outer cover. At least one of the liner and outer cover is stretchable. The surface area of the absorbent core is less than about 50% of the surface area of the article.

Abstract: An absorbent article may have an edge fold having substantially uniform gathers. The edge fold may form a finished edge cuff. The finished edge cuff may be formed around and/or along a portion of a longitudinal edge. The edge fold may be formed by folding and seaming existing material (i.e., without the addition of a discrete part). The edge fold may be extensible, or elastic. The edge fold may completely encircle the portion of the longitudinal edge that defines the leg opening of a diaper. A method and an apparatus for forming an edge fold are also provided.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article has a central body that includes an absorbent core, a front longitudinal edge, and a rear longitudinal edge opposite the front longitudinal edge. The disposable absorbent article also has a pair of elasticized side panels that extend longitudinally adjacent opposite lateral sides of the central body. Each side panel has a front longitudinal edge and a rear longitudinal edge opposite the front longitudinal edge, and a front or rear fastening element positioned adjacent the front or rear edge. The front edge of the side panel is positioned closer to the front waist portion than the rear edge. The fastening element is constructed for fastening the front and rear waist portions of the central body when the disposable absorbent article is worn by a user.