Abstract: A disposable absorbent article includes an absorbent chassis, at least one fit panel, a pair a primary fasteners and an integral waist size adjustment mechanism. The fit panel is located in one of the waist regions of the absorbent chassis and defines a waist edge, a pair of laterally opposed outboard edges which are located laterally beyond the side edges of the absorbent chassis, and an inward edge which is located longitudinally inward from the waist edge. The pair of primary fasteners are located on the laterally opposed outboard edges of the fit panel and are configured to releasably engage the opposite waist region of the absorbent chassis to provide the disposable absorbent article. The waist size adjustment mechanism may include a secondary fastener tab which is integral with the fit panel.

Abstract: A bi-stable hook component of a touch fastener can bend into, and remain in, a stable concave position. Another stable position enables initial engagement with a mating component (e.g., a loop component). The concave position applies engagement-enhancing tension to the engaged loops, and in some cases forces end portions of the hooks into close proximity with one another to secure the fastening and to produce a curved touch fastener that, as engaged, can better conform to an underlying curved surface, such as the contour of a wearer's body. Absorbent articles having such a bi-stable fastening system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A brief assembly with a full front panel opening and an inner elasticized support panel includes two half width segments superposed in overlapping relationship, with a portion of the overlapped central area between rear portions of the segments bonded to form a unitary rear panel. The other half of the overlap is left unbonded to provide the full opening in the front panel. The outer margin of the opening can be reinforced by enclosure within a V-folded strip. Portions of outer side margins on each segment are removed to form an hourglass-shape. Overlapped segments are held together by a releasable fastener means that joins the two front panel half width segments. Tensioned elastic strands are attached to a support panel at spaced intervals. The support panel is secured to the inner surface of the overlapped segments. Tapes or other fasteners protrude from the side margins and are used to complete the waist and leg apertures after the front half is folded upward around a user's body.

Abstract: A prefastened disposable absorbent article includes child resistant refastenable seams. The absorbent article includes mechanical fastening components and mating mechanical fastening components such that the opposite waist regions can be overlapped and refastenably engaged to form refastenable mechanical seams. The overlapping waist region forms overlapping flaps outward from the refastenable mechanical seams. To inhibit child access to the refastenable seams, the overlapping flaps are adhesively bonded to the opposite waist region.

Abstract: The present invention provides an absorbent article having first and second waist regions, and a crotch region between the first and second waist regions. The article generally comprises a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. At least one fastening element each is attached to a pair of tabs that extend laterally away from the first waist region. The fastening elements attach to one or more target devices that are located in the second waist region to form a pant-like garment on a wearer. A pair of grips are attached to opposite lateral sides of the first waist region. Each grip is attached in an attachment area located inboard of at least one of the respective fastening elements.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a refastenable absorbent garment comprises moving a base web in a first machine direction, moving at least two strips of fastener material in a second machine direction, cutting the at least two strips of fastener material to define at least a first and second stream of a plurality of fastener members, successively rotating each of the fastener members in each of the first and second streams, and applying each of the rotated fastener members in each of the first and second streams to the base web, wherein the fastener members in the first stream are sequentially located relative to the fastener members in the second stream on the base web in an alternating relationship along the first machine direction. An apparatus for fabricating a refastenable absorbent garment is also provided and includes a rotator and a construction drum rotating about an axis and positioned adjacent the rotator.

Abstract: A selectively releasable, interengaging fastening system that may be used for a variety of articles such as, for example, shoes, garments, disposable absorbent products such as disposable diapers, sanitary napkins, incontinence products and the like. The fastening system includes a first fastener component that can constitute at least a first portion of an article. The first fastener component includes an engagement section having a plurality of substantially non-isotropic engagement members such that the engagement section has an axis of substantially maximal engagement. The fastening system also includes a cooperating fastener component that may constitute at least a second portion of an article such that the first and second portions of the article are capable of being joined by movement of the respective components together generally along an attachment direction into an overlapping and interengaging configuration.

Abstract: There is provided a mechanical fastener tape tab laminate capable of remaining closed until needed for use on a disposable garment. A tape tab backing had at least a first distal end portion, an inner tab portion and second distal end portion. The second distal end portion is provided with a mechanical fastener material. The first distal end portion is provided with an adhesive layer for permanent attachment to the disposable absorbent article. The tape tab backing laminate further has a folded tape portion comprising a backing having an adhesive layer on an outer face and at least an inner leg portion and an outer leg portion. The outer leg portion has an exposed adhesive provided for permanent attachment to the disposable absorbent article. The inner leg portion is attached to the tape tab backing so that the folded tape portion keeps the second distal end folded onto the first distal end. The inner and outer leg portions are separated by at least one fold.

Abstract: An absorbent article, such as a sanitary towel, an incontinence protector, a diaper, a seat protector or a bed protector, includes an absorption body enclosed between a liquid-permeable cover layer and a liquid-tight cover layer, which liquid-tight cover layer includes a carrier layer having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface being intended to function as a securing arrangement for securing on a textile surface or textile-like surface. The securing arrangement has a multiplicity of individual fibers, which are free from one another and each have two fiber ends, are secured via one fiber end to the first surface of the carrier layer, and moreover by the fact that the first surface, in order to serve as a securing surface against a textile material surface or textile-like material surface, is at least partially coated with an adhesive.

Abstract: Fastening systems for releasably securing two components together include tab and landing members. In a first arrangement, a Z-fold tab member has combined mechanical and adhesive engagement. A second arrangement includes adjacent adhesive and cohesive contact portions. A third arrangement contoured apertures and mechanical engaging elements. A fourth arrangement includes apertures and mechanical engaging elements sized and arranged so that each aperture receives a plurality of mechanical engaging elements. A fifth arrangement includes tab and landing members that cooperate to provide a color indicia of secure adhesive engagement.

Abstract: A prefastened, refastenable, disposable absorbent article includes an absorbent chassis, at least one stretch panel, and a pair a primary fasteners. The absorbent chassis defines a pair of longitudinally opposed end edges and a pair of laterally opposed side edges. The stretch panel is located in one of the waist regions and defines a waist edge, a pair of laterally opposed outboard edges which are located laterally beyond the side edges of the absorbent chassis, and an inward edge which is located longitudinally inward from the waist edge. The pair of primary fasteners are located on the laterally opposed outboard edges of the stretch panel and are releasably prefastened to an opposite waist region of the absorbent chassis to releasably engage a front waist region to a rear waist region to provide the prefastened disposable absorbent article.

Abstract: A system for attaching a personal care article to an undergarment, the system including: (a) providing a personal care article having a top surface, a bottom surface, garment attachment adhesive applied to the bottom surface, a peel strip covering the garment attachment adhesive and pair of wings including selectively releasable, interengaging fasteners such that the wings are adapted to be temporarily mechanically engaged on the topsheet side of the article and then reconfigured to hold the article to an undergarment; (b) overlapping and temporarily interengaging the wings on the top surface of the article while the peel strip protecting the garment adhesive is removed; (c) positioning the article in an undergarment and securing the article to the undergarment utilizing the garment adhesive; and (d) disengaging the wings and re-engaging the wings around the undergarment to further secure the article to the undergarment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to disposable absorbent articles such as diapers, adult incontinence products, sanitary napkins and the like comprising a reusable fastening device. The reusable fastening device comprises a first end a second end member, and a suspension member. Both end members are releasably engageable with the suspension member and releasably engageable with the disposable absorbent article.

Abstract: A diaper has two pairs of means adapted to connect transversely opposite side edge portions of a front waist region and a rear waist region. These connecting means are elastically stretchable in a transverse direction of the diaper and the connecting means lying at a lower portion of the side edge portions have a stretch stress a great as that of the connecting means lying at a upper portion of the side edge portions.

Abstract: An absorbent article is disclosed having a refastenable mechanism. The absorbent article has a front portion, a back portion and a crotch portion. The crotch portion connects the front portion to the back portion. The front portion has a first end, a second end, a first side edge and a second side edge. First and second lateral sections are releasably attached to the front portion and each of the first and second lateral sections has an outer edge. The back portion has first and second side edges and first and second ends. The back portion is divided into a first section and a second section. The first section has a length L2 measured perpendicularly from the first end of the back portion to a line drawn parallel thereto. The second section has a length L3 measured perpendicularly from the second end of the back portion to the line drawn parallel to the first end whereby a ratio L2/L3 is established which ranges from between about 0.1 to about 2.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article, e.g., a diaper, and a method of manufacturing plural such articles. Each diaper includes a front section, a rear section and an intermediate section. Each section is a generally planar member formed of a flexible material having a top edge, a bottom edge and an opposed pair of side edges. The bottom edge of the front section is somewhat concave, and the bottom edge of the rear section is somewhat convex. The intermediate section is formed of a fluid pervious cover-stock, a fluid impervious barrier layer, and an absorbent core interposed therebetween. The intermediate section is of generally rectangular shape having a pair of elasticized sides and an pair of end portion one of which is adhesively secured to the middle of the front section, while the other end portion is similarly secured to the middle of the rear section. The front and rear sections are arranged to be releasably secured to each other by fastening tapes to mount the diaper.

Abstract: A method for positioning side panels during manufacture of a pant includes positioning the side panels on side panel transfer devices. The side panels move perpendicular to a pant transport plane as the pant is transported in the machine direction and the side panels reside on the side panel transfer devices. The side panels can include refastenable fastening components. The method and apparatus can move the fastening components closer together in the cross-machine direction or maintain the fastening components at a constant cross-machine position while the side panels reside on the side panel transfer devices.

Abstract: A urine bag for a male human has a pouch with an opening defined in the pouch, a fastener mounted around a periphery defining the opening, and an arcuate piece mounted between the arcuate piece and the periphery. The pouch is composed of a permeable layer, an absorbent layer, and a waterproof layer. The urine bag can be worn to collect urine from a user who does not have convenient access to a toilet, and the urine bag is disposable after use.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article is disclosed having a front portion, a back portion and a crotch portion. The crotch portion joins the front portion to the back portion. The back portion has a first end and a second end. The back portion is divided into a first section and a second section. The first section is extendable in a transverse direction and has a length L2 measured perpendicularly from the first end of the back portion to a line drawn parallel thereto. The second section has a length L3 measured perpendicularly from the second end of the back portion to the line drawn parallel to the first end. The second section has a first side edge, a second side edge, a first area A1 and a second area A2. The first area A1 represents an area bounded by the first and second side edges, the second end, and the line drawn parallel to the first end. The second area A2 represents an area bounded by first and second lines, the second end, and the line drawn parallel to the first end.

Abstract: Absorbent article such as a diaper and an incontinence guard comprising a liquid permeable topsheet (3), a liquid impervious backsheet (2) and an absorbent body (4) enclosed therebetween, whereby the article seen in longitudinal direction exhibits a front portion (5), a rear portion (6) and a crotch portion (7) arranged therebetween, and further exhibits a first belt portion (9a) and a second belt portion (9b). The belt portions (9a, 9b) are attached to the rear portion (6) alternatively the front portion (5) of the article and where first fastening means (10) is attached on the second belt portion (9b) and is intended to be attached against the first belt portion (9a) around the waist of the user and where said front portion (5) alternatively the rear portion (6) exhibits second fastening means (8) intended to be attached against the belt portions (9a, 9b) in such a way that the article assumes a pantlike shape where the belt portions (9a, 9b) form a part of the waist portions of the pant.

Abstract: A pant-like absorbent garment adapted to easy application and removal has refastenable side seams. The refastenable side seams extend from a waist opening to each of two leg openings between a front panel and a back panel. Each of the refastenable side seams includes a fastening component and a mating fastening component, each of which comprises either a hook material or a loop material. A portion of the mating fastening component can be die-cut in a sinusoidal or other nesting shape. The resulting refastenable seams can be lap seams, dual fastened lap seams, standing butt seams, or dual fastened standing butt seams.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article is disclosed having a front portion, a back portion and a crotch portion. The crotch portion joins the front portion to the back portion. The back portion has a first end and a second end. The back portion is divided into a first section and a second section. The first section is extendable in a transverse direction and has a length L2 measured perpendicularly from the first end of the back portion to a line drawn parallel thereto. The second section has a length L3 measured perpendicularly from the second end of the back portion to the line drawn parallel to the first end. The second section has a first side edge, a second side edge, a first area A1 and a second area A2. The first area A, represents an area bounded by the first and second side edges, the second end, and the line drawn parallel to the first end. The second area A2 represents an area bounded by first and second lines, the second end, and the line drawn parallel to the first end.

Abstract: A pant-like, disposable absorbent article includes an absorbent chassis, a pair of opposed side panels, at least one line of weakness and at least one fastener. The absorbent chassis defines a pair of laterally opposed side edges and a pair of longitudinally opposed waist edges. The side panels extend between the side edges of the absorbent chassis to define a waist opening and a pair of leg openings in the pant-like disposable absorbent article. Each of the opposed side panels defines a first side margin which is permanently attached to the side edge of the absorbent chassis in one waist region of the absorbent article to provide a front permanent joint. The opposed side panels further define a second side margin opposite the first side margin which is permanently attached to the side edge of the absorbent chassis in the other waist region of the absorbent article to provide a back permanent joint.

Abstract: A sanitary, absorbent article includes a hooks and loops type fastener for releasably attaching a first and a second part of the article to each other, wherein the first part is overlapping the second part when the parts are attached to each other, with a hooks member affixed to said first part of the article and a loops member affixed to the second part of the article. Each member has a base portion having a bottom surface affixed to the first or second part of the article and an opposite top surface containing hooks elements and loops elements, respectively. The fastener can include a first end region distal to the overlapping edge of the first part, in which the engagement force between the hooks and loops element of the members is reduced.

Abstract: A cloth-like, flexible mechanical fastener including a flexible layer and at least one fastener island, and methods of making the same. The fastener island has a planar perimeter edge, a mechanical fastening material, and a backing material attached to the mechanical fastening material. The backing material is embedded within the flexible layer and the planar perimeter edge is surrounded by the flexible layer. Accordingly, the mechanical fastener offers an improved flexibility and a cloth-like presentation. The improved flexibility and cloth-like presentation reduce the potential for the wearer to be exposed to coarse edges or creases, thereby lowering the possibility of red-marking or irritation of the skin. Moreover, the flexibility of the fastener allows the fastener to better accommodate the movement of the wearer, providing more reliable securement. The cloth-like, flexible mechanical fastener may be of particular use in combination with disposable absorbent articles to secure the article about a wearer.

Abstract: A refastenable disposable absorbent article is disclosed having a front portion, a back portion and a crotch portion. The crotch portion connects the front portion to the back portion. The front portion has a central section including first and second side edges. First and second lateral sections are releasably attached to the central section and each lateral section has an outward edge. The front portion also has a first end and a second end. The back portion has first and second side edges and first and second ends. The back portion is divided into a first section and a second section. The first section has a length L2 measured perpendicularly from the first end of the back portion to a line drawn parallel thereto. Multiple elastic strands extend transversely across the first section from the first side edge to the second side edge.

Abstract: An absorbent product includes a liquid-permeable surface layer (2), a liquid-impermeable backing material (3) and an absorption body (4) enclosed between the surface layer (2) and the backing material (3). An attachment system has at least one tab (18) for detachable interaction with a landing zone (20) arranged on the front or rear portion of the product, the landing zone being designed as a strip with two long sides (26) and two short sides (25) which join the two long sides (26) together, and the landing zone (20) has a central inactive area (28) arranged centrally in the transverse direction on the landing zone, and two active areas (27) arranged one on each side of the central inactive area (28) so that the active areas extend in the transverse direction from the central inactive area (28) to the short sides (25) of the landing zone.

Abstract: Aborbent article is disclosed having a refastenable mechanism. The absorbent article has a front portion, a back portion and a crotch portion. The crotch portion connects the front portion to the back portion. The front portion has a first end, a second end, a first side edge and a second side edge. First and second lateral sections are releasably attached to the front portion and each of the first and second lateral sections has an outer edge. The back portion has first and second side edges and first and second ends. The back portion is divided into a first section and a second section. The first section has a length L2 measured perpendicularly from the first end of the back portion to a line drawn parallel thereto. The second section has a length L3 measured perpendicularly from the second end of the back portion to the line drawn parallel to the first end whereby a ratio L2/L3 is established which ranges from between about 0.1 to about 2.

Abstract: A refastenable absorbent article is disclosed having a front portion, a back portion and a crotch portion. The crotch portion connects the front portion to the back portion. The front portion has a first end, a second end, and a central section including first and second side edges. First and second lateral sections are releasably attached to the central section and each lateral section has an outer edge. The front portion also has a first end and a second end. The back portion has a first end, a second end and first and second side edges. The back portion is divided into a first section and a second section. The first section has a length L2 measured perpendicularly from the first end of the back portion to a line drawn parallel thereto. The second section also has a length L3 measured perpendicularly from the second end to the line drawn parallel to the first end. The second section has a first side edge and a second side edge and a first area A1 and a second area A2.

Abstract: An absorbent article is disclosed having a refastenable mechanism. The absorbent article has a front portion, a back portion and a crotch portion. The crotch portion connects the front portion to the back portion. The front portion has a first end, a second end, a first side edge and a second side edge. First and second lateral sections are releasably attached to the front portion and each of the first and second lateral sections has an outer edge. The back portion has first and second side edges and first and second ends. The back portion is divided into a first section and a second section. The first section has a length L2 measured perpendicularly from the first end of the back portion to a line drawn parallel thereto. The second section has a length L3 measured perpendicularly from the second end of the back portion to the line drawn parallel to the first end whereby a ratio L2/L3 is established which ranges from between about 0.1 to about 2.

Abstract: A refastenable absorbent article is disclosed having a front portion, a back portion and a crotch portion. The crotch portion connects the front portion to the back portion. The front portion has a first end, a second end, and a central section including first and second side edges. First and second lateral sections are releasably attached to the central section and each lateral section has an outer edge. The front portion also has a first end and a second end. The crotch portion has a first side edge and a second side edge and first and second crotch elastics are positioned adjacent to the first and second side edges. The back portion has a first end, a second end and first and second side edges. The back portion is divided into a first section and a second section. The first section has a length L2 measured perpendicularly from the first end of the back portion to a line drawn parallel thereto.

Abstract: An absorbent article is provided with a belt 9, 9′ attached to or adapted to be attached to the back portion 6 of the article and to the front portion 5 of the article in such a way that the article assumes a pantlike shape, where the belt forms part of the waist portion of the pant and has an outside 11, 11′ and an inside 12, 12′ which is intended to be in direct contact with a user. The belt comprises first 9 and second 9′ belt halves which at one of their ends are permanently attached to the topsheet within bonding areas 13, 13′ of the insides 12, 12′ in such a way that the belt halves 9, 9′ remain substantially flat along their entire length when brought against the topsheet on top of each other, and in such a way that joints 14, 14′ which are formed at the bonding areas will be pressed outwards in directions away from the user when the absorbent article is used.

Abstract: A disposable undergarment that has a pair of tape fasteners attached to transversely opposite side edge portions of a rear waist region and a non-stretchable target tape strip attached to the outer surface of a front waist region. The front and rear waist regions and a crotch region are elastically stretchable in length and width. The tape strip includes a flexible plastic sheet having transversely opposite side edges extending longitudinally and upper and lower edges extending transversely of the undergarment and a plurality of long fibers extending longitudinally on the outer surface of the sheet between the upper and lower edges. The sheet is formed with a plurality of perforated lines arranged to be transversely spaced one from another by a predetermined dimension and to extend between the vicinity of the upper edge and the vicinity of the lower edge. The target tape strip is attached to the front waist region being substantially in non-stretched state.

Abstract: The invention comprises an absorbent garment and a method for making an absorbent garment. An absorbent garment is provided comprising elastic side belts attached at an angle to the main body of the garment to provide a better fit to the user. Adjustment strips preferably are affixed to the elastic side belts and to the main body of the garment to allow the user to repeatedly adjust the garment while the garment is being worn. A method for making the absorbent garment also is disclosed.

Abstract: A prefastened, refastenable, disposable absorbent article includes an absorbent chassis, at least one stretch panel, and a pair a primary fasteners. The absorbent chassis defines a pair of longitudinally opposed end edges and a pair of laterally opposed side edges. The stretch panel is located in one of the waist regions and defines a waist edge, a pair of laterally opposed outboard edges which are located laterally beyond the side edges of the absorbent chassis, and an inward edge which is located longitudinally inward from the waist edge. The pair of primary fasteners are located on the laterally opposed outboard edges of the stretch panel and are releasably prefastened to an opposite waist region of the absorbent chassis to releasably engage a front waist region to a rear waist region to provide the prefastened disposable absorbent article.

Abstract: A bi-stable hook component of a touch fastener can bend into, and remain in, a stable concave position. Another stable position enables initial engagement with a mating component (e.g., a loop component). The concave position applies engagement-enhancing tension to the engaged loops, and in some cases forces end portions of the hooks into close proximity with one another to secure the fastening and to produce a curved touch fastener that, as engaged, can better conform to an underlying curved surface, such as the contour of a wearer's body. Absorbent articles having such a bi-stable fastening system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A combination of an absorbent article and a waist belt for supporting the article has coacting hook and loop fabric tape elements thereon by which the absorbent article and the waist belt are releasably secured to each other. The hook fabric tape elements are provided on one of the waist belt and the absorbent article, and the loop fabric tape elements are provided on the other of the waist belt and the absorbent article.

Abstract: A garment or undergarment, such as an absorbent article, having a first region, a second region opposed to the first region and a garment material extending through at least a portion of the first region. The garment material has a surface wherein at least a portion of the surface has been mechanically modified to form a plurality of surface protrusions integrally from the garment material. The garment further includes a landing zone having a plurality of fibrous loops located at least partially in the second waist region and adapted to engage with the surface protrusions of the first region to provide a closure mechanism for holding the first region and the second region in an overlapping configuration.

Abstract: A pant-like, prefastened, disposable absorbent article having elastic and/or extensible components to provide a Percent Fit Range of at least about 33%, more desirably about 80% to about 150%. The disposable absorbent article has prefastened fasteners to allow for easy donning of the article. After initial donning of the article, a waist size adjustment feature allows the waist perimeter dimension to be adjusted to conform the waist opening to the waist of the wearer.

Abstract: A disposable body fluids absorbent article that includes a fastener member which is used to fasten the article to an undergarment. The fastener member is attached the rear surface of the article so that respective ends of the member may occupy respective corners of the article.

Abstract: A disposable diaper has a diaper body having a hip portion and a belly portion, which are spread out with a crotch portion between them. The disposable diaper includes slits defined in side portions of one of the hip portion and the belly portion and connecting members provided on side portions of the other one of the belly portion and the hip portion to be elongated outwardly. The disposable diaper further includes holding means for connecting the hip portion and the belly portion by means of the connecting members. Therefore, the disposable diaper is easy for the wearer to put on, and can be put on easily while the wearer stands on both legs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a means of reproducibly and consistently folding the ear panels on disposable absorbent articles in order to simplify and accelerate the diaper opening process for the user, reduce the risk of potential injury to the end user and wearer caused by clipped ear panels, and create for packaging purposes, a more aesthetically satisfying arrangement in the disposable diaper pack. In another aspect of the invention, a method for the making of a disposable absorbent diaper, which incorporates the folding of the ear panels, is outlined.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an absorbent article in the form of a pants diaper or a sanitary panty starts from a flat blank which includes an elongated absorbent body enclosed between two casing sheets which at opposing front and rear end parts of the absorbent body have side parts which extend laterally beyond the body on the opposite sides thereof. The method includes the step of folding the blank about a transverse axis so that the end edges of the side parts lie edge-to-edge. The front and rear side parts of the blank which oppose one another in the folded state of the blank are joined together by a releasable and refastenable fastener. A pants diaper can be manufactured in accordance with this method.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for maintaining a fastening tab (20) of a hook and loop fastener system in a storage position on an article, such as a disposable diaper (10). The fastening tab (20) has a first end portion (122) for permanent attachment to the article and a distal end portion (126) provided with projecting hook members (30). The distal end portion (126), in a ready position of the fastening tab, stands free from the article. The distal end portion, in the storage position, contacts a surface of the article. The method includes the steps of attaching the first end portion (122) of the fastening tab (20) to the article, and folding the distal end portion (126) of the fastening tab over the first end portion (122) of the tab such that the hook members (30) contact the surface of the article.

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: The garment of the present invention has a waist band with a crotch component that can be permanently attached to the back of the waist band and releasably attached to the front of the waist band. The crotch fits between the user's legs during use and the waist band wraps around the user's waist. The garment may have a one-, two-, or three-piece construction. The garment also has an absorbent core disposed generally in the crotch region. At least part of the interior surfaces of the garment are liquid-pervious to allow fluids to be absorbed into the absorbent core. The exterior surfaces of the garment are generally liquid-impervious, to prevent the fluid in the absorbent core from being released from the garment. The garment of the present invention may be donned quickly, easily, and with a minimum amount of exposure to unsanitary conditions or embarrassment. The garment of the present invention may also be donned by persons with limited use of their hands.

Abstract: The invention relates to prefastened absorbent articles (20) including one or more of several improvement features. The articles can be made to be prefastened by having a singular fastening mechanism that includes an oversized fastener (60). The articles of the invention can include a multiple property fastener (60) that has at least one engagement zone (65) and at least one non-abrasive zone (67).

Abstract: A personal care article including a resiliently stretchable outer cover and a substantially nonelastomeric grasping panel attached to the front portion of the article. The outer cover is resiliently stretchable in at least the cross-direction to conform to the body of a wearer. The grasping panel has a sufficient stiffness to allow a user to properly fasten a fastening apparatus onto a landing zone. The stiffness of the grasping panel is sufficient to prevent roll-up or wrinkling of the grasping panels or the front portion of the personal care article. The stiffness of the grasping is not too large such that the comfort of the wearer is compromised. In one embodiment the absorbent structure is secured to the outer cover by extendible attachment elements and the bodyside liner is not secured to the outer cover. In another embodiment the bodyside liner is extensible in at least the cross-direction and secured about the periphery to the outer cover.

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 disposable absorbent article has an absorbent chassis and a fastening system. The fastening system includes a pair of first fastening components disposed in one waist region and at least one second fastening component disposed in an opposite waist region. The first fastening components include at least one hinge area that transversely bisects the first fastening components, allowing the fasteners to bend in conformity with the movements of the wearer's body.