Abstract: A disposable diaper includes tape fasteners each having an elastically stretchable/contractile basic tape member and a hook member attached onto an inner surface of the basic tape member. The hook member has inner and outer side edges. and the inner side edge extends towards a proximal end portion of the basic tape member in its transversely middle zone.

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: A garment (20) for use in absorbing bodily wastes. The garment is provided with a fastening system for fastening the garment around the waist of a wearer. The fastening system includes a first fastening arrangement (36) having two outwardly facing edges (40; 42) forming an angle (&agr;) therebetween. The angle (&agr;) is from 45° to 85°, preferably from 50° to 80°, more preferably from 55° to 75° and most preferably from 60° to 70°.

Abstract: Packaged garments having pre-fastened, refastenable seams tucked in a certain position can preserve fastener performance. Such refastenable seams are particularly suitable for side seams on pant-like absorbent garments. Prior to packaging the garment, the refastenable seams are pre-fastened and tucked into the garment such that any resilient fastening components lie flat in a plane parallel to a plane in which front and back waist portions of the garment lie. When the garment is compressed and packaged, the resilient fastening components remain flat and do not become creased or crushed.

Abstract: A method of making a prefolded diaper or other undergarment includes the steps of forming a web of diaper material, placing a fastening system divided between front and back waist sections onto each diaper section of the web and cutting the web to define individual diapers. The diapers are then folded in half at the crotch section and are then microwaved in a high power resonant cavity microwave device to activate the latent elastic portions which are buried within the folded diaper. Where desired, the refastenable fastening system of the diaper, or the front and back waist sections or the diaper, may be registered in a fastening alignment and fastened together when the diaper is folded to create diapers which are useful upon removal from the point of sale container as pull on training pants.

Abstract: A fastening system for a garment such as a disposable diaper includes a hook panel having a plurality of hook elements and a loop panel having a plurality of loop elements. The hook panel includes a base panel having a top surface on which the hook elements extend and a back surface. The back surface of the base panel has a secured region and a non-secured region with respect to the garment. The non-secured region is defined toward one end from which the hook panel can be progressively released from the loop panel toward the other opposite end. The fastening system thereby reduces the chance that the hook panel might be readily and unintentionally released from the loop panel during use 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 waist belt for supporting disposable-type absorbent articles (7), such as incontinence guards or diapers which comprise a front part, a rear part and an intermediate crotch part, wherein the belt can be fastened to the rear part of the article and when fastened to the rear part of the article comprises two front portions (3, 4) which project out laterally from mutually opposing side edges of the rear part of the article and which can be fastened together through the medium of mechanical fastener elements (12, 14) to form a waist band and which taper towards their respective ends over at least a substantial part of their lengths. Each of the front portions includes first fastener elements (12, 13) which are disposed on the outside of the belt, i.e. that side which faces outwardly in relation to the wearer's body in use, and which extend at least over essentially the whole of the tapering portions of the front portions (10, 11) along the longitudinal symmetry lines thereof.

Abstract: Fastening means for fastening of an absorbent article, such as a diaper, an incontinence guard or the like, on a user and an absorbent article comprising such fastening means. The absorbent article comprises a central portion (30), projecting front and/or rear side portions (31, 32) located on each side of the central portion and at least one soft and inelastic fastening tab (1) which at one of its ends is joined to the absorbent article to any of the side portions, characterised in, that the relationship between smallest height H of the fastening tab along the projecting part of the fastening tab and the projecting part U of the fastening tab is such that H/U>2.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hygiene article for a single use, in particular disposable nappies or an incontinence product, with a front part, a rear part and an intermediate area for the legs, with closing tabs on the side edges of the rear part for connecting the rear part with the front part in order to seal the article which is placed on a support. The closing tabs have first mechanical closing elements, which cooperate with second mechanical closing elements, fitted to the front part, upon closing of the article. The closing tabs have each at least one adhesive zone, so that they can also be fixed to another part of the article.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved process for attaching and protecting a mechanical fastener on a disposable absorbent article and a disposable absorbent article produced by the same. The process comprises the following steps: (1) providing a disposable absorbent article which includes an outer cover, a bodyside liner, and an absorbent core disposed between the outer cover and the bodyside liner; (2) providing a mechanical fastener which includes a first fastening element; (3) attaching the first fastening element of the mechanical fastener to the disposable absorbent article; (4) releasably engaging the first fastening element with the disposable absorbent article to protect the first fastening element; and (5) subsequently packaging the disposable absorbent article for commercial sale. The first fastening element and a portion of the disposable absorbent article may be releasably engaged by constrictively passing them between a pair of rotatable nip rolls.

Abstract: An apparatus for absorbing nasal drip during an activity, the apparatus consisting of a means for encapsulating at least one digit of a hand with a flexible, absorbent material. The apparatus is secured to the hand by means of a strap extending from the absorbent material that is secured about the wrist of the user. The apparatus may be sized to fit over a gloved hand to enable the use of the apparatus in different conditions.

Abstract: A brief for padding a wearer's hips to reduce the risk of hip fracture. The brief comprises a front panel having first and second side edges and a rear panel having first and second side edges. The first side edge of the rear panel is connected to the first side edge of the front panel, and the second side edge of the rear panel is connected to the second side edge of the front panel, thereby forming first and second opening for receiving the wearer's legs. Shock-absorbing padding lines at least part of the rear panel. The shock-absorbing padding extends from a position proximal the first edge of the rear panel to a position proximal the second side edge of the rear panel and at least to a position between the two leg openings.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article has at least one first fastening component disposed in a first waist region and at least one second fastening component disposed in an opposite second waist region. The fastening components are adapted to releasably engage one another and at least one of the fastening components comprises primary and secondary regions that have different releasable engagement properties. Together the fastening components define a refastenable, variable-location seam having a main refastenable attachment zone providing a basic level of securement and an enhanced refastenable attachment zone providing an augmented level of securement.

Abstract: A self-adhesive garment closure for a garment includes a pair of opposed cooperating fastener elements, each having an exposed layer of self-adhesive material exhibiting strong adhesion to itself while remaining relatively tack-free to other materials. At least one of the fastener elements has a layer of foam material beneath the self-adhesive material, such as for increased bending stiffness. In some cases, such as for pull-up diapers, the self-adhesive closure is non-releasable once secured. Some closures also have cooperating hook-and-loop elements.

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.

Abstract: A surface fastener having a first substrate sheet having on its front surface hook-shaped engaging elements and on its rear surface a low-adhesion adhesive double coated tape to an outer surface of which a backing sheet is adhered, and a second substrate sheet having on its front surface loop-shaped engaging elements and on its rear surface an adhesive layer to an outer surface of which a peel paper is adhered. For attaching the surface fastener to a paper diaper, the adhesive layer of the second substrate sheet is adhered to a front covering portion of the diaper, while the adhesive double coated tape of the first substrate sheet is adhered to an attachment strip of a hip covering portion of the diaper after the backing sheet is peeled off.

Abstract: A fastening system for releasably securing a diaper provides both mechanical and adhesive or cohesive securement. Tab members comprise a facestock layer, a contact layer of adhesive or cohesive overlying at least a portion of the facestock layer, and mechanical fastening elements projecting from at least a portion of the contact layer. The facestock layer includes extensible and substantially nonextensible polymeric portions. A landing member includes complementary mechanical fastening elements and a contact surface or cohesive for engagement with the tab adhesive or cohesive. A method is also disclosed for making the fastening system.

Abstract: An absorbent article such as a sanitary napkin, a panty liner and an incontinence napkin for the absorption of urine or faeces and intended to be carried inside the crotch part of the wearer's underwear, wherein said article has two long sides (15, 16), a first short side (17), a second short side (18), a liquid-permeable casing sheet (3) intended to lie proximal to the wearer in use, a liquid-impermeable casing sheet (2) intended to lie distal from the wearer in use, an absorbent core (4) between said sheets (2, 3), said core comprising one or more layers of material, an adhesive fastener means (6) which functions to affix the article to the wearer's underwear and which is disposed on that side of the liquid-impermeable casing sheet (2) that lies distal from the wearer in use, and a removable protective layer (40) which covers the adhesive fastener means (6) and which has a first short side that faces towards the first short side of said article and a second short side which faces towards the second short si

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 fastener system for use with personal care articles includes a substrate formed by a bodyside liner and an outer cover. Fastening tabs are secured to the substrate at opposing sides of the rear portion of the article. The fastening tabs include friction zones that, when the tabs are mounted to the article, provide substantially no securement to the article, and securing zones that secure the respective fastening tabs to the outer cover at a front portion of the article. The friction zones prevent surface-to-surface radial shifting or bending of the front portion with respect to the fastening tabs of the article during regular usage. In one embodiment, a tab substrate provides a mounting surface for a friction element and a securing element which form the respective friction zone and securing zone. In another embodiment, the friction element functions as a substrate supporting the securing element.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved fastening tape for use on a disposable absorbent garment. The fastening tape comprises a first substrate and an interlocking material attached to said first substrate. The interlocking material extends the entire width of the fastening tape, and the interlocking material is longitudinally spaced from both transverse edges of the fastening tape. Also disclosed is a process for manufacturing the fastening tape. The process involves providing a continuous length of an interlocking material having a width and traveling in a first direction. The interlocking material is attached to a first substrate to form a composite. The composite is then cut along a second direction to form fastening tapes suitable for attachment on a disposable absorbent garment. The second direction is substantially perpendicular to the first direction.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved fastening tape for use on a disposable absorbent garment. The fastening tape comprises a first substrate and an interlocking material attached to said first substrate. The interlocking material extends the entire width of the fastening tape, and the interlocking material is longitudinally spaced from both transverse edges of the fastening tape. Also disclosed is a process for manufacturing the fastening tape. The process involves providing a continuous length of an interlocking material having a width and traveling in a first direction. The interlocking material is attached to a first substrate to form a composite. The composite is then cut along a second direction to form fastening tapes suitable for attachment on a disposable absorbent garment. The second direction is substantially perpendicular to the first direction.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article includes a multi-functional fastening system which includes a pair of primary fasteners which are located on the opposed side edges in one of the waist regions of the absorbent article. The primary fasteners are configured to releasably engage the opposite waist region of the absorbent article. The fastening system also includes at least one secondary fastener which is located in one of the waist regions of the absorbent article. The secondary fastener is configured to releasably engage the opposite waist region of the absorbent article to conform the waist regions of the article to a wearer's body after the primary fasteners have been releasably engaged. The primary fasteners may be prefastened to allow the disposable absorbent article to be pulled on or off over the wearer's hips. The fastening system may further include a belt segment to which the secondary fasteners are attached.

Abstract: A disposable hygienic article, in particular a diaper, an incontinence product or incontinence insert, has a fastening system for detachably linking a rear region and a front region of the hygienic article placed on the user and for fixing the used article in the rolled-up or folded state before it is thrown away or disposed of The fastening system has a first fastening section with retaining means in the rear region and a second fastening section with matching retaining means in the front region. The first fastening section can be positioned on the second fastening section when the rear region and front region are linked, to allow the retaining means and matching retaining means to be mechanically joined. The rataining means of the first fastening section are adhesive.

Abstract: The invention relates to an absorbent product, such as a diaper or an incontinence garment, comprising a casing, an outer side of the casing being distal from the body of the wearer in use of the garment and an inner side being proximal to the body of the wearer in use of the garment, said casing having a front part, a rear part and a crotch part lying between the front and rear parts, the casing comprising an absorbent structure, whereby the absorbent product further comprises a fastening system, for attaching opposing side portions of the front and rear parts to each other, comprising at least two cooperating fastening elements, wherein the first element functions as a landing zone for the second element, characterized in that the first element comprises at least one skewing-preventing part, which skewing-preventing part prevents the front and rear parts to slide relative one another, as it adheres to the inner part.

Abstract: The invention relates to an absorbent product, such as a diaper or an incontinence garment, comprising a casing, an outer side of the casing being distal from the body of the wearer in use of the garment and an inner side being proximal to the body of the wearer in use of the garment, said casing having a front part a rear part and a crotch part lying between the front and rear parts, and a fastening system for attaching opposing side portions of the front and rear parts to each other comprising at least two co-operating fastening elements, one of which functions as a landing zone for the other, characterised in that at least one element of the fastening system comprises means for making at least a portion thereof visible in the dark, in order to make it possible to adjust or exchange the diaper in the night, without turning on the light, and thereby disturbing the wearer's sleep more than necessary.

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 disposable absorbent article includes a pair of primary fasteners which are located on the opposed side edges in one the waist regions of the article. The primary fasteners overlap and releasably engage the opposite waist region of the absorbent article to provide the prefastened absorbent article. The prefastened disposable absorbent article further includes at least one secondary fastener and a belt which are configured to provide a pretensioned waistband and are capable of elongating to releasably engage the opposite waist region of the absorbent article to further conform the waist regions of the article to a wearer's body after the article has been pulled on over the hips of the wearer.

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: Absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, panty liners, adult incontinence devices, and the like which have side flaps are disclosed. The absorbent articles having side flaps are provided with gathered portions that can expand to relieve stresses on the flaps when the flaps are wrapped around the curved side edges of a wearer's undergarment. A releasable wrapper is also disclosed which covers adhesive fasteners on the garment-facing side of said absorbent article and provides an individual package for the sanitary napkin.

Abstract: The present invention provides a disposable diaper, which is easy to put on the wearer, and which is possible to be put on easily when the wearer is standing on both legs. The disposable diaper including 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 engaging means, which are arranged to be attachable/detachable, on the both side portions of the hip portion and the belly portion. The engaging means have hook elements which are disposed on the hip portion and projecting toward the belly portion, engaging faces disposed on the hook elements and facing to the hip portion, hook elements which are disposed on the belly portion and projecting toward the hip portion and engaging faces disposed on the hook elements and which are facing to the belly portion.

Abstract: A disposable diaper includes tape fasteners each having an elastically stretchable/contractile basic tape member and a hook member attached onto an inner surface of the basic tape member. The hook member has inner and outer side edges and the inner side edge extends towards a proximal end portion of the basic tape member in its transversely middle zone.

Abstract: A garment (1) includes an absorbent section (2) and a waist belt (3) attached directly or indirectly thereto. The waist belt has two belt portions (7, 8) extending on either side of the absorbent section for securing to each other around a wearer of the garment. The particular handling characteristics of the belt parts of the waist belt (3) are significantly improved by manufacturing a belt stiffness of between 25 g and 90 g as measured by the modified version of test ASTM D 4032-82 CIRCULAR BEND PROCEDURE.

Abstract: A ready-to-wear pull-up type absorbent article such as a diaper is provided which has a waist region comprising a front waist region and a back waist region, and a pair of complimentary fasteners in the respective regions. The front waist region comprises a pair of loop fasteners and the back waist region comprises a pair of hook strips each aligned for releasable engagement with a corresponding loop strip in the front waist region. In lieu of hook strips, the back waist region may include one or more tape tabs each having one surface attached to the back waist region and an opposed hook surface for releasable engagement with a correspondingly aligned loop surface. A weakened line, e.g., a perforated line may be provided in the front waist region which can be readily torn away in order to inspect the diaper.

Abstract: An absorbent garment for use in absorbing bodily fluids, having a front waist portion with front attachment means and a rear waist portion with rear attachment means, wherein the front and rear attachment means provide cooperating surfaces allowing attachment of said front and rear attachment means together, wherein the garment has a longitudinal axis extending substantially between mid-portions of the front and rear waist portions, and wherein the front attachment means extends transversely with respect to said longitudinal axis, wherein the front attachment means comprises separate attachment portions and at least one elastic section comprising elastic material, the attachment portions each being attached to said at least one elastic section such that movement of the attachment portions away from each other causes stretching of at least one elastic section.

Abstract: There is provided a hook and loop attachment means made up of a hook portion and a loop portion where the loop and/or the hook portion is convex and is underlain by a resilient material or hollow area. The hook and loop attachment means is useful in the attachment of personal care products.

Abstract: An absorbent product such as a nappy, an incontinence pad, or the like, has a substantially elongated shape and includes a liquid-permeable surface layer (2), a liquid-tight surface layer (3), and an absorption body (4) arranged between the surface layers (2, 3). The product has longitudinal side edges (5), transverse end edges (6), a first end section (7) and a second end section (8) and a crotch section (9) lying between the end sections (7, 8). The product has a fastening system including at least one fastening tab (17) arranged at a side edge (5) of the product, on the first end section (7), and including a first fastening member (18) and a second fastening member (19) arranged on the second end section (8) of the product and arranged so as to interact with the first fastening member (18) in order to bind together the product into a briefs-like shape.

Abstract: There is provided a mechanical fastener tape tab laminate comprising a tape tab backing having at least a first distal end portion, an inner tab portion and second distal end portion, the second distal end portion provided with a mechanical fastener material. The first distal end portion is provided with an adhesive layer for attachment to a disposable absorbent article. The tape tab backing further has a folded tape portion comprising a backing having an adhesive layer on an outer face and having at least an inner leg portion and an outer leg portion. The outer leg portion has an exposed adhesive provided for attachment to the disposable absorbent article. The inner and outer leg portions are separated by at least one fold. The folded tape portion backing has a line of weakness along the at least one fold. The line of weakness is provided on a portion of the tape tab backing spaced from the first distal end portion.

Abstract: Absorbent article such as a diaper or an incontinence guard comprising a pair of belt portions (9, 10) attached to the rear portion (6) alternatively the front portion (5) of the article and which are intended to be fastened together around the waist of the wearer, wherein one belt portion (9) at its end carries fastening means (11) intended to be attached against the opposite belt portion (10) and where said front portion (5) alternatively the rear portion (6) is provided with fastening means (8), intended to be attached to the belt portions (9, 10), in such a way that the article will assume a pantlike shape, where the belt portions (9, 10) form a part of the waist portions of the pant. The belt portions (9, 10) are provided with at least one means for identification and distinction of the different ends of the belt portions (9a, 10a) from each other.

Abstract: A washable absorption element (1) is 1

Abstract: Absorbent article such as a diaper and an incontinence guard comprising a liquid permeable topsheet (3), a liquid impermeable backsheet (2) and an absorbent body (4) enclosed therebetween, said article having a front portion (5), a rear portion (6) and a crotch portion (7) therebetween, and further is provided with a pair of belt portions (9) attached to the rear portion (6) alternatively the front portion (5) of the article and which are intended to be fastened together around the waist of the wearer and where said front portion (5) alternatively the rear portion (6) is provided with fastening means (8) of the hook-and-loop type, intended to be attached to the belt portions (9), in such a way that the article will assume a pantlike shape, where the belt portions (9) form a part of the waist portions of the pant.

Abstract: Absorbent article such as a diaper and an incontinence guard comprising a pair of belt portions (9) attached to the rear portion (6) alternatively the front portion (5) of the article and which are intended to be fastened together around the waist of the wearer and where said front portion (5) alternatively the rear portion (6) is provided with fastening means (8) intended to be attached to the belt portions (9), in such a way that the article will assume a pantlike shape, where the belt portions (9) form a part of the waist portions of the pant. Said first fastening means (8) at least include an adhering surface (12, 12′) and surface of mechanical fastening means, especially hook and loop fasteners (11), whereby at least the adhering surface (12, 12′) is arranged on a unfoldable tab (15), which in a first folded position covers the mechanical fastening means (11) and in a second unfolded position uncovers this.

Abstract: A disposable and refastenable pant includes hidden graphics. When the fastening system is engaged, such as would be the case during use, the hidden graphics are not directly visible upon inspection of the interior and exterior surfaces of the garment. The hidden graphics become visible when the fasteners are disengaged from one another. For training pants, the hidden graphics can be used by the caregiver or parent as a motivational and educational instrument to improve the speed and quality of the total toilet training process.

Abstract: A disposable pull-on diaper includes a pair of tape fasteners which are adapted to hold the diaper in rolled up state, the tape fasteners are provided at transversely opposite side edges of a rear waist region so as to extend along the side edges in a longitudinal direction, each of the tape fasteners has an upper end portion lying adjacent a waist-opening and a lower end portion lying adjacent each of leg-openings, and the upper end portions are bonded to the diaper by means of bonding zones which obliquely extend inward in a waist-surrounding direction from the transversely opposite side edges of the rear waist region toward the lower end portions.

Abstract: A disposable diaper includes a pair of tape fasteners extending outward from transversely opposite side edge portions of a rear waist region and a target tape strip to which the tape fasteners are anchored and attached to a outer surface of a backsheet in a front waist region, and hook members are provided on surfaces of the respective tape fasteners facing the target tape strip and portions of the respective hook members defined in the vicinity of their inner side edges and lying in the vicinity of the transversely opposite side edge portions of the rear waist region are set free from the respective tape fasteners.

Abstract: Product, which product is absorbent or can act as a support for an absorbent product, with the product being provided with front fastening members, which have first regions connected to them, and back fastening members, which have second regions connected to them, with the said front or back fastening members being able to receive and co-operate with the other of the said front or back fastening members, respectively, and a first fastening ability thereby being exhibited between the said front and back fastening members, and the said front fastening members or the said back fastening members have a first extent in the longitudinal direction of the product, and the other of the said front fastening members or the said back fastening members, respectively, have a second extent in the longitudinal direction of the product, with an extent ratio being exhibited, the said first regions can receive and co-operate with the said back fastening members, exhibiting a second fastening ability, and/or the said second regi

Abstract: An article having a surface fastening system and a primary direction of load bearing. The surface fastening system includes at least one first fastening element and at least on second fastening element. The first fastening element further includes an attached portion, partially joined to the article, at least one liftable portion extending from the attached portion, and at least one hinge line disposed at an angle less than 90 degrees relative to the primary direction of load bearing, the hinge line is positioned between the attached portion and the liftable portion. At least one second fastening element is affixed at a second position to the article and configured to be engageable with the liftable portion of the first fastening element. Articles such as disposable diapers, bibs, clothing, etc. are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sanitary absorbent article such as a sanitary napkin that has the ability to protect the undergarment of the wearer from being soiled by menstrual liquid. The sanitary napkin has a main body with panels that originate from its longitudinal side edges. A distal end of each panel that is continuous with the respective longitudinal side edge is folded underneath and affixed to the barrier later of the main body to form a looping member and a freely extending flap. As a result the effective affixation point of each flap is located inwardly of the respective side edge of the main body.

Abstract: A breathable disposable absorbent article such as, for example, a diaper, is provided which comprises a top sheet, a backsheet and an absorbent layer therebetween. The top sheet and the backsheet are sealed together to form a unitary structure and include a medial cutout portion on each side which define openings for the leg of the wearer. One or more so-called landing zones are provided on the backsheet, adapted to releasably adhere to fastening tabs located at each side of the article. A liquid impervious sheet or film is laminated to the top surface of the backsheet in order to prevent leakage of fluids and exudates.