Patent ID: 6551430
Filing Date: 2003-04-22
Classification: A61F,Y10T

Abstract:
A process having a machine direction and a cross direction for making disposable absorbent articles, comprising the steps of:continuously moving a base layer generally in a machine direction, the base layer comprising opposite edge portions generally extending in the machine direction, providing a plurality of absorbent structures having respective length dimensions greater than respective width dimensions, positioning the absorbent structures at spaced apart locations between the opposite edge portions of the base layer, such that the length dimensions of the absorbent structure are generally transverse to the machine direction, applying an adhesive, generally in the machine direction, at selected spaced apart zones of each edge portion, the zones of each edge portion being spaced apart in the machine direction, continuously delivering an elastic member generally in the machine direction onto each edge portion, folding each edge portion, generally in a cross direction, over the respective elastic member, joining together each folded edge portion and the elastic member, folding the continuously moving base layer along a fold line generally parallel to the machine direction, and forming a plurality of disposable absorbent articles having a respective plurality of closed-loop waist-elastic systems in which each waist elastic system has an average maximum magnitude of decay of less than about 66.67 grams in an extension range of about 175 millimeters to about 300 millimeters over the first three cycles.