Abstract: A disposable wearing article which enables the liquid absorbent structure to fit the body stably, without a shift in position of the waist opening edge part when worn. A liquid absorbent structure further has an end flap positioned between a front-end edge of the liquid absorbent structure and a front-end edge of an absorbent core. A front waist region has a stretchable sheet extending inward in a vertical direction Y from a waist opening edge and overlapping with the end flap, a plurality of waist elastic members extending in a lateral direction X and overlapping with at least the end flap, a first region positioned between the waist opening edge and the front-end edge of the liquid absorbent structure, and a second region including the stretchable sheet and the waist elastic members, at an inner side in the vertical direction Y of the front-end edge of the liquid absorbent structure.

Abstract: A method and device for managing and separating a tongue from a tongue blank, including cutting a first edge of a tongue from the tongue blank by rotating a tool which includes a protruding part, and displacing the tongue by the protruding part to a tongue queue. The method and device may include a second tool for cutting a second edge of the tongue from the tongue blank.

Abstract: The male incontinence wrap system is a disposable absorbent pad designed to be wrapped around the male genital member of a person suffering from incontinence. The pad is wrapped around the male genital and secured by a first adhesive strip and then folded back at the end and held in place by a second adhesive strip, an elastic band, or both. An adhesive peel-and-stick strip attaches the absorbent pad assembly around the user to prevent sliding. At least one fold crease can be included extending between first and second edges and aids in the folding and forming of a pouch-shaped interior volume.

Abstract: A catheter includes a condom portion including a catheter ring and a tubular portion having a first end and a second end. The first end of the tubular portion is coupled to the catheter ring. The second end of the tubular portion defines an opening. The catheter also includes a flap directly coupled to the catheter ring. The flap includes a slot. The catheter also includes an elastic strap including a first end and a second end. The first end of the elastic strap is directly attachable to the catheter ring. The second end of the elastic strap includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is removably attachable to the second portion through the slot.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a labor assistance system comprising a perianal support member and grip. The perianal support member includes a contact surface, an inner surface opposing the contact surface, and a rigid compression element. The contact surface has a generally continuous compression surface apex extending from the contact surface in a first direction, oriented to extend from an anterior edge to a posterior edge along a midline axis in a sagittal plane of the patient without substantially interfering with the birthing canal of the patient. The grip is coupled to the inner surface between the anterior edge and the posterior edge of the support member. The present disclosure also describes an intrapartum pelvic floor support device that is applied to tissue in the perianal and/or anococcygeal regions of the patient during an intrapartum period to support the anococcygeal region tissues and at least a portion of the pelvic floor.

Abstract: A pants-type disposable diaper includes a pair of strip projecting parts projecting laterally from a line of connection between front and rear parts located respectively on the belly and back sides of a wearer, a first waist elastic member joined to a first waist region that is an upper part of a waist region extending along a waist opening, and a second waist elastic member joined to a second waist region that is a lower part of the waist region. In a state in which an outer covering sheet is elongated in a right-left direction, a first unit contractile force that is a contractile force in the right-left direction per unit width of the first waist region in an up-down direction is smaller than a second unit contractile force in the second waist region.

Abstract: Absorbent articles that include elastics in multiple layers are disclosed herein.

Abstract: The present invention provides machinery used to create products (for instance disposable products). The machinery is operated at high speed, with the machine occupying a small footprint. Materials can be fed into the manufacturing process vertically (from above or below), using assembly stations to feed completed components into the system at appropriate stations. Additionally, restocking of raw components can be accomplished by robotic means of transferring the raw material from staging areas into infeeding or splicing stations, without the need for human operators.

Abstract: Absorbent articles that include elastics in multiple layers are disclosed herein.

Abstract: A small-sized disposable pull-on diapers having optimized waist circumferential length and leg opening length. The small-sized disposable pull-on diapers have a better performance in ease of application and waist and leg fit.

Abstract: A disposable wearing article has a skin-contactable sheet moveable relative to a chassis. The chassis includes an inner sheet, an outer sheet and a liquid-absorbent panel interposed between these inner and outer sheets. The absorbent panel lies at least in the crotch region and extends into the front and rear waist regions in the longitudinal direction. In the rear waist region, a skin-contactable sheet adapted to come in contact with the wearer's skin is attached to the inner surface of the inner sheet. The skin-contactable sheet has front and rear ends extending in the transverse direction and lateral portions extending in the longitudinal direction and only the lateral portions are bonded to the inner sheet.

Abstract: A protective undergarment, such as a diaper, includes a sling that is suspended from an outer shell. The sling forms a pocket in which a reusable or disposable absorbent pad can be positioned. The sling has an S-pocket or overlapping pocket at the front end and a cuff at the rear end. The cuff forms a slimmer outer profile than the S-pocket or overlapping pocket and is used only in the rear where leakage is not as significant as at the front. The S-pocket or overlapping pocket and the cuff are both suspended from bumper strips that extend from the waistband. Rectangular hook and loop fasteners and extension members allow a diaper to fit wearers of different waist size.

Abstract: A convertible reusable diaper is provided, comprised of an outer cover portion, a liner portion, and a detachable absorption portion. The outer cover portion may generally include barrier panels attached at both the front and rear regions of the outer cover portion to form interior pockets. A plurality of fastenable tabs attached to hole-openings at the barrier panels affixes the liner portion or the detachable absorption portion in place. The hole-openings allow the passage of the fastenable tabs through the barrier panels. Both the liner portion and the detachable absorption portion include fastener members inter-engaged with the corresponding fastener members located at the fastenable tabs to allow the liner portion or the detachable absorption portion to be removably affixed to the outer cover portion. Numerous options for affixing the insert portion and the detachable absorption portion allow conversion to different diaper designs.

Abstract: A pants-type disposable diaper comprises: a pants-shaped outer member having a front part, a back part, and a crotch part positioned between the front part and the back part, and having a waist opening and a pair of leg openings formed by joining the front part and the back part; an absorbent main body disposed on an inner surface of the pants-shaped outer member at the crotch part, and comprising a top sheet, a back sheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet; and an end-holding sheet covering a longitudinal end of the absorbent main body at the front part and/or the back part of the pants-shaped outer member, and attached to the pants-shaped outer member and the absorbent main body with a hot-melt adhesive; wherein the end-holding sheet includes a composite nonwoven fabric in which a spunbonded nonwoven fabric layer is laminated on an inner surface of a meltblown nonwonven fabric layer.

Abstract: A reusable sanitary garment is provided, having a three-part construction, incorporating an outer garment portion, a sling portion, and at least one pad, supported within the sling, which, in turn, is affixed to, and supported within, the outer garment. Both the outer garment portion and the sling portion are preferably fabricated, in an ecologically sustainable manner, from recycled plastics materials. The at least one pad may be fabricated as a reusable, washable article, or may be fabricated as a disposable article, preferably from recycled, and easily recyclable or biodegradable materials. The outer garment portion, the sling portion and/or the reusable pad may be fabricated to incorporate bamboo charcoal material, having enhanced antibacterial, deodorant, wicking and absorptive qualities.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a reusable diaper shaped as a pair of pants and designed to house a removable absorbent insect (6). The diaper comprises an elongated central piece (5) impermeable to water and designed to house said insert, and two side pieces (12,13) arranged on opposite sides of the central piece, wherein at least one of the side pieces is made of a material permeable to water and is arranged stretchable to allow stretching of waist and leg openings of the diaper when the diaper is put on and taken off, and the central piece and the side piece are joined together by means of a joint (15,16) forming a liquid barrier.

Abstract: An absorbent garment having a garment-like outer shell and an absorbent assembly adapted for adjustable positioning therein is disclosed. In particular embodiments, the absorbent garment includes garment shell, at least one inner attachment member, and an absorbent assembly. The inner attachment member can be disposed at a waist region of the garment shell. The absorbent assembly can include a fastening component disposed at an end region, the first fastening component adapted for refastenable engagement to the inner attachment member. The inner attachment member can be configured such that a user may adjust a position of the refastenable engagement to the inner attachment member.

Abstract: A disposable urine collection pouch made from diaper-like material formed in the shape of an elongated tube having an open top end and a closed bottom end. The open top end includes a funnel that leads from the opening down into the elongated tube. The elongated tube includes a superabsorbent layer to lock in and retain moisture introduced into the pouch. The funnel is made from a resilient material that flexes between a default closed position and an open position upon the exertion of sufficient and appropriate pressure by a user. After use, the pouch may be folded and disposed of in a plastic bag or otherwise deposited in a trash receptacle.

Abstract: A pants type absorbing article (10) comprises an absorbing body (3) including an absorber (30), and an enclosure (2) equipped with a ventral portion (2a), a dorsal portion (2b) and a portion (2c) from the crotch to the cuff located therebetween and makes the absorbing body (3) adhere to the portion (2c) from the crotch to the cuff, wherein the enclosure (2) is provided, at a lower part of the ventral portion (2a), with an opening (5) having a cut (50) along the width direction and opening when the upper and lower parts of the cut (50) are pulled in the direction separating from each other, the absorbing body (3) is arranged across the opening (5) from the portion (2c) from the crotch to the cuff to the ventral portion (2a) of the enclosure (2) in the longitudinal direction, the portion below the opening (5) constitutes an adhering portion (3B) of the absorbing body (3) and the enclosure (2), the portion above the opening (5) constitutes a non-adhering portion (3A) of the absorbing body (3) and the enclosure (

Abstract: An absorbent article having at least one belt part with a first end secured to the absorbent article, and a second end, wherein the belt part has a feature for cooperating with an application aid so that the belt and the application aid cooperate when guided under the user.

Abstract: A pouch for an absorbent pad is disclosed. The pouch (3) comprises a sheet of waterproof fabric formed into a pouch shape with a base (5) and a side wall (7) that extends from the base and is inwardly turned and defines an opening to insert a pad into the pouch so that the pouch covers the back and sides of the pad. In use, an assembly of the pouch and the pad received in the pouch can be positioned in a crotch region of an adult, child or baby in an operative position of the pad and with the pouch and the skin of the person enclosing the pad and forming a barrier to leakage from the pad.

Abstract: An absorbent garment having a garment-like outer shell and an absorbent assembly adapted for adjustable positioning therein is disclosed. In particular embodiments, the absorbent garment includes garment shell, at least one inner attachment member, and an absorbent assembly. The inner attachment member can be disposed at a waist region of the garment shell. The absorbent assembly can include a fastening component disposed at an end region, the first fastening component adapted for refastenable engagement to the inner attachment member. The inner attachment member can be configured such that a user may adjust a position of the refastenable engagement to the inner attachment member.

Abstract: A personal care absorbent article has compound construction, a pad connected to an anchor. In use, the anchor is associated with a wearer's undergarment. The pad is attached to the anchor by a tether system, which allows the pad to at least partially decouple from the anchor.

Abstract: A double diaper package includes adhesively attached, similarly sized inner and outer diapers. Each of the diapers has a liquid permeable skin contacting net and a liquid impermeable polymeric back sheet edge bonded to each other so as to surround and encase a super-absorber in a fibrous matrix. The inner diaper has an adhesive coated edge flap of the liquid impermeable sheet extending from the edge bond. This edge flap secures the outer diaper to the inner diaper, forming a double diaper package that is attached to the baby using waist-securing tabs connected to the inner diaper. When soiled, the inner diaper is pulled away by releasing the waist-securing tabs and the adhesive edge flap attachment. The fresh, clean, outer diaper is attached using the waist-securing tabs of the outer diaper. The inner soiled diaper is then discarded.

Abstract: Absorbent articles such as diapers, incontinent briefs, training pants, diaper holders and liners, and the like, designed to provide improved fit and comfort for the wearer while adequately containing body exudates. The absorbent article includes an absorbent core designed so as to retain low levels of fluid in the crotch region, relative to the other core regions, even when the core absorbs significant amounts of fluid during use. To achieve this, the absorbent core is designed such that fluid is moved substantially from the crotch region to the front and/or rear ends of the article. The absorbent core has a non-removable absorbent core component in the crotch region and removable absorbent core components in the front or rear regions of the article.

Abstract: According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are provided of reusable diapers. In an exemplary embodiment, a reusable diaper may generally include a forward portion, a rearward portion, a crotch portion, and first and second waist portions. At least a three-by-three array of snap members may be along the forward portion that allows selective adjustment to a functional rise of the reusable diaper. The array may include at least a first row of at least three spaced-apart snap members vertically spaced from and aligned with corresponding snap members in at least two other rows of the array. The first waist portion may have corner regions releasably attachable to the second waist portion. The corner regions may be resiliently stretchable to permit at least some adjustability to a functional waist size of the reusable diaper as defined by the first and second waist portions when the first waist portion is releasably attached to the second waist portion.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article adapted to be worn about a lower torso of a human body and having a chassis, a non-removable absorbent core component disposed in a crotch region of the chassis, and a replaceable absorbent core component disposed in capillary liquid communication with the non-removable absorbent core component and having longitudinally disposed regions of liquid permeability and liquid impermeability on the same surface. The replaceable absorbent core component may be removed and a like component may be substituted without the removal of the absorbent article from the wearer. The replaceable absorbent core component may be disposed inside an openable chassis pocket, with access for its removal and replacement provided by an aperture in a backsheet, an openable end of an external pocket, or an openable end of an internal pocket formed at an area of a waist end edge where the backsheet and a topsheet may be separated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improvements in structure of disposable garments. The disposable garments of the invention may include an outer layer and an elastic inner layer. The elastic inner layer has an elastic inner layer perimeter and defines an opening, which may be in the form of a slit or aperture, located in an internal position to the elastic inner layer perimeter. The elastic inner layer perimeter may be bonded to the outer layer.

Abstract: A reusable diaper generally includes an inner layer configured to wick moisture from a diaper wearer's body and an outer layer configured to be substantially liquid-impervious. At least one pocket is defined generally by a space between the inner and outer layers. The at least one pocket is configured to receive at least one liquid-absorbent insert therein. The diaper also includes at least one slit in the inner layer that provides access into the space between the inner and outer layers defining the at least one pocket. At least one flap is provided that is positionable in an open configuration in which the at least one slit is exposed and allows access into the at least one pocket, and a closed configuration in which the at least one flap substantially covers the at least one slit.

Abstract: A disposable undergarment according to the present invention includes an outer element having a waistband and defining two leg holes, the outer element presenting inner and outer surfaces. The disposable undergarment includes an absorbent inner element removably coupled to the outer element inner surface. The inner element is disposable in a toilet and the outer element is disposable as solid refuse. The inner element is removably coupled to the outer element with an adhesive. In addition, the inner element may include a plurality of absorbent layers. The outer element waistband may include fasteners for separating the outer element into front and rear portions.

Abstract: A disposable diaper is formed in a crotch region with a body fluid absorbent panel extending in a back-and-forth direction of the diaper and in the vicinity of transversely opposite side edges of the crotch region with elastic leak-barrier cuffs extending in the back-and-forth direction. The leak-barrier cuffs are normally under a tension in the back-and-forth direction. The body fluid absorbent panel is formed with first folding guide means extending across the body fluid absorbent panel, along which the body fluid absorbent panel can be folded to bring the body fluid absorbent panel close to the diaper wearer.

Abstract: A disposable wearing article is provided with leg elastic elements. The leg elastic elements include first leg elastic elements extending from transversely opposite margins of a front waist region to a front half of a crotch region and second leg elastic elements extending from transversely opposite margins of a rear waist region toward a rear half of the crotch region across a rear half of the crotch region. The first elastic elements extend generally in a transverse direction while the second elastic elements extend in a direction orthogonal to a transverse center line in such a manner that these elastic elements get nearer to a longitudinal center line as these elastic element extend from the rear waist region toward the crotch region.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a disposable undergarment includes moving a web of body panel material in a longitudinal machine direction, forming a cross-machine direction slit in the web, and connecting a crotch member to the web. The crotch member extends in the cross-machine direction and covers the slit. A disposable undergarment having a slit, and a method for the use thereof, is also provided.

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: A protective undergarment having an outer layer of fluid-resistant material shaped to conform to the buttock and leg region of a user, and an elongated sling of material connected to the outer layer. Opposite sides of the sling are bowed inward and joined together at a first end of the sling to form a first pocket part for retaining one end of a fluid absorbent pad. A cuff is connected between the first end of the sling and the outer layer. The second end of the sling is connected to the outer layer, and an intermediate portion of the sling between the first and second ends of the sling is folded longitudinally into an S-shape so as to provide three plies of the material establishing a second pocket part for retaining an opposite end of the fluid absorbent pad.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for assembly of extensible composite webs and web sausages, and personal care articles manufactured from such webs. The invention comprises fabricating a resiliently extensible web by bringing together and securing to each other as discrete elements, intervening web substrate elements between resiliently stretchable elastic elements. Securement between elastic elements and web substrate elements is defined by alternating zones of securement and non-securement along a length of the web substrate. The invention comprises deactivating elastic elements in the non-securement zones thereby to retract elastic strands in the non-securement zones without retracting the corresponding web or webs in such non-securement zones, and correspondingly, to distinguish the securement zones as relatively more resiliently stretchable and the non-securement zones as relatively less resiliently stretchable.

Abstract: An absorbent article, such as a thin incontinence pad or pantyliner, is disclosed which has an absorbent core formed from multiple layers of blended material for providing protection against involuntary urine loss. A method of forming the absorbent article is also disclosed. The absorbent article includes a liquid permeable bodyside liner, a liquid-impermeable baffle, and first and second absorbents positioned between the liner and the baffle. The first absorbent is a stabilized material containing a superabsorbent and has a predetermined basis weight. The second absorbent is also a stabilized material containing a superabsorbent. The second absorbent is positioned below the first absorbent and has a basis weight that is at least equal to the basis weight of the first absorbent.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article suitable for absorbing and retaining aqueous body fluids includes a backsheet that is substantially liquid impervious except at a discontinuity therein and an absorbent core between the backsheet and a topsheet. The absorbent core includes a non-removable component and a removable and replaceable component in fluid communication with the non-removable component. Access for the removal and replacement of the removable component is provided by the discontinuity in the backsheet. The replaceable absorbent core component may be removed and a like component may be substituted in place of the removed component without removal of the absorbent article from the wearer.

Abstract: A reusable infant or adult diaper with an inner anchored pocketed sling structure adjoining an outer shell or pant-type garment. The outer shell or garment fits the wearer's torso and legs, and the inner anchored sling fits and conforms to the wearer's pubic region. Included are mechanisms to fasten and remove the anchored sling from underwear and to stabilize and/or anchor the sling when retrofitted to conventional underwear.

Abstract: A pants-shaped absorbent product, such as incontinence pants or pull-ups, intended for males, has a front section, a rear section, a crotch section, an elastic waist region, an absorbent element intended to cover the penis of the user, and a liquid-tight outer layer. The front section has an elastic member, which enables the front section of the product to be pulled down during use, counter to the action of the elastic member, to a position in which the upper limit edge of the front section is situated below the penis of the user. The absorbent element is configured with one or more deformation zones, which enable parts of the absorbent element to be drawn along when the front section of the product is pulled down. The front section of the product and the absorbent element are arranged to be returned by the elastic member to their original usage position.

Abstract: Absorbent diaper pants having a front part (2), a back part (3) with an elastic member (20) in the waist hole (12) region, and a crotch part (4) with elastic hems (19) in the diaper pants (1) leg holes (13), wherein the front part (2) and the back part (3) are provided with fastening means (21), and on the diaper pants (1) inner surface side a changeable absorbent pad (14) is arranged, and the diaper pants (1) are further provided with a therapeutic orthopaedic pad (29); characterized in that the orthopaedic pad (29) is located in a rectangular housing (27) arranged on the diaper pants (1) facing side, while this housing (27) is by its front and back transverse ends, in a takeable apart manner, secured to the end edges (9, 10) of the front part (2) and of the back part (3), and the absorbent pad (14) is inserted inside retaining means.

Abstract: A sanitary undergarment which is usable with an absorbent pad having lateral extension wings thereon. The undergarment having a first and a second crotch portion between which the lateral extension wings can be inserted and held in a secure manner by adhesive. The undergarment can be boxer shorts or a panty.

Abstract: An absorbent disposable undergarment includes an outer garment, such as pants, in combination with a detachable absorbent pad attached inside thereof. First suspending flaps hang down from an inner side of a stretchable waist-opening peripheral edge of the pants toward a crotch section of the pants. The first suspending flaps are provided with first fastener elements that are disposed remote from the waist opening of the pants. Second suspending flaps extend upwardly from longitudinally opposite ends of the absorbent pad. The second suspending flaps are provided with second fastener elements, that are adapted to mate with the first fastener elements, and are disposed remote from the core of the pad. These second fasteners are releasably engaged with the first fasteners.

Abstract: A disposable undergarment such as a disposable diaper includes a front waist region, a rear waist region and a crotch region extending therebetween, the undergarment has afterward bonded edges extending along a longitudinal center line of the rear waist region and a concavity depressed toward a surface destined to be remote from the wearer's skin, the rear waist region is divided into a first rear waist region and a second rear waist region along a longitudinal center line extending in the longitudinal direction to bisect a transverse dimension of the undergarment, and the concavity is formed by drawing the first rear waist region and the second waist region toward each other and bonding the afterward bonded edges to each other on the longitudinal center line.

Abstract: A disposable diaper includes a pants member and a body fluid absorbent pad lying inside the pants member. The pad is connected to elastic first and second suspender members extending in a circumferential direction of the diaper and joined under extension in the circumferential direction of the diaper to the pants member. Front and rear ends of the pad are joined to the suspender members in middle zones of these suspender members of which transversely opposite side edges are joined to transversely opposite side edges of front and rear waist regions. Inner and outer ends of the suspender members are joined to the front and rear waist regions in a joining zones arranged intermittently in the circumferential direction of the diaper.

Abstract: A disposable diaper includes a cover member having a front waist region, a back waist region, and a crotch region and a liquid-absorbent panel disposed inside the cover member. The panel is joined to the cover member on inner surfaces of the front and back waist regions by an elastic band which extends in an elastically contractible condition in a circumferential direction of a wearer's waist. At least a portion of a clearance existing between the cover member and the elastic band is closed by a sheet material having extensibility back and forth of the diaper.

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: A diaper or incontinence guard includes a waist belt (1) and an absorbent unit (2) with a front part (3), a rear part (4) and an intermediate crotch part (5). Fastener devices (9-11 and 6-8 respectively) are disposed at the front end and the rear end of the absorbent unit and can be fastened to the belt. Each of the front and rear ends of the absorbent unit (2) includes a respective central fastener device (10 and 7) that is located on the longitudinal symmetry axis (A—A) of the unit, and two lateral fastener devices (9, 11 and 6, 8 respectively) located on respective sides of the axis.

Abstract: A disposable diaper includes a cover member presenting an hourglass-shape and a separate liquid-absorbent member composed of a liquid-permeable topsheet, a liquid-impermeable backsheet and a liquid-absorbent core. The cover member has an elastic stretchability along the upper end of front or rear waist region and these front and rear waist regions are connected or connectable along transversely opposite side edges thereof. The liquid-absorbent member includes first and second elastically stretchable members circumferentially extending across portions of the front and rear trunk regions lying immediately above the crotch region. Longitudinally opposite ends of these elastically stretchable members are bonded to the transversely opposite side edges of the cover member.

Abstract: A disposable diaper includes a briefs-type cover component having an elastic stretchability in a vertical direction of the diaper, and an absorbent component including topsheet and backsheet both being not elastically stretchable and a liquid-absorbent core disposed therebetween. The absorbent component is suspended inside the cover component by suspender means made of non-stretchable sheets and having pleats adapted to be flattened out in a vertical direction of the diaper.