The present invention relates to a fastening member comprising a base pane, a closure member extending laterally from the base panel, the closure member comprising a closure member upper edge and a closure member lower edge, and a fastening element disposed on the closure member, the fastening element comprising a fastening element upper edge and a fastening element lower edge, wherein the closure member upper edge comprises a concave portion along the fastening element upper edge and the closure member lower edge comprises a convex portion along the fastening element lower edge, and wherein the closure member extends upwardly laterally.

An absorbent article includes an absorbent body that includes an absorber and a pair of side flaps that extend outward from both ends of the absorbent body in a width direction. The absorbent article has a dorsal side and an abdominal side in a longitudinal direction. The pair of side flaps is disposed on the dorsal side of the absorbent body. Each of the pair of side flaps includes an engaging member. Each of the pair of side flaps is joined to the absorbent article further toward a skin side in the thickness direction than the absorbent body. The engaging member includes a first edge of the abdominal side and a second edge of the dorsal side. In the longitudinal direction, a dorsal side end of the absorber is disposed further toward the dorsal side than a first imaginary line that connects the first edges.

A method of forming a disposable product includes feeding an incoming web of ear material, engaging the web with a rotating anvil, cutting ears from the web via the rotating anvil and interaction thereof with a corresponding die, so as to form pairs of ears having complimentary and nested ear shapes, and coupling the ears to at least one of a wing and a web of chassis material. In feeding the incoming web of ear material, the speed of the web is selectively varied between at least a first speed and a second speed, with the web being fed to the rotating die and anvil at the first speed to result in the cut ear shapes having a first height and the web being fed to the rotating die and anvil at the second speed to result in the cut ear shapes having a second height.

Described is a diaper that includes an absorbent core and a chassis surrounding the absorbent core. The chassis may include a first end and a second end, the first end including at least two tabs. Each of the at least two tabs may include a fastening portion with a grip portion and a handle portion. Each grip portion is configured to removably attach to a portion of the second end, and each fastening portion may include at least one cut portion extending through an entire thickness of the fastening portion.

The present invention provides a method of providing a disposable product with a contoured leg opening. In this method at least one chip is removed from at least one ear of a disposable product. The chip may be removed from an ear prior to attaching the ear to the chassis web. Alternatively, the chip may be removed from the ear after the ear is attached to the chassis web.

An absorbent structure includes a first area of fibrous absorbent material and a second area of fibrous absorbent material. The first area has a greater basis weight than the second area. The second area includes a plurality of segments separated by vertical interfaces. Each of the vertical interfaces has a width less than 1 cm. Bridging of fibrous absorbent material extends across the vertical interfaces.

The present invention relates to a fastening member comprising a base pane, a closure member extending laterally from the base panel, the closure member comprising a closure member upper edge and a closure member lower edge, and a fastening element disposed on the closure member, the fastening element comprising a fastening element upper edge and a fastening element lower edge, wherein the closure member upper edge comprises a concave portion along the fastening element upper edge and the closure member lower edge comprises a convex portion along the fastening element lower edge, and wherein the closure member extends upwardly laterally.

A disposable absorbent article with a water-permeable covering sheet, a water-impermeable center sheet, and an absorbent core disposed therebetween is disclosed herein. The absorbent article includes a pair of side flaps comprising a first side flap and an opposing second side flap; each of the first and second side flaps being made from a distinct layer of material that is not an extension of the water-permeable covering sheet or the water-impermeable center sheet. The distinct layer of material is doubled over to form a first layer comprising a first layer proximal edge, and a second layer comprising a second layer proximal edge, wherein the first layer and the second layer enclose an elastic strand, and wherein the first layer is attached to the second layer.

An absorbent article may comprise a front waist region, a back waist region, a crotch region, a chassis, and an absorbent assembly. The absorbent assembly may comprise an absorbent core. A first layer may be joined to a second layer at areas of attachment, the areas of attachment may extend longitudinally. Pockets may be formed between the areas of attachment, the pockets may comprise superabsorbent polymer. The article may further comprise first and second barrier cuffs, wherein the first and second barrier cuffs are longitudinally extending. laterally opposed, and vapor permeable, and comprise longitudinally extending elastic elements. At least a portion of the first and second barrier cuff may be folded over to form at least two layers. First and second ears may be disposed in the back waist region. And, the first layer may comprise alternating ridges and valleys.

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