Patent ID: 7247152

Claim:
A disposable absorbent article having a pair of longitudinally extending side edges and a pair of end edges extending between said side edges, said article comprising: a topsheet layer; a backsheet layer; an absorbent core disposed between said topsheet and said backsheet; and a pair of end strips, each end strip being fixed, along a longitudinal direction, at a position intermediate said core and one of said end edges and extending between said side edges, said end strip including at least three sections, each said section having an elasticity from said other sections and a position different from said other sections, including a first section having generally elastic properties and laterally extending in generally parallel relation with said end edges, a second section disposed immediately subjacent said first section and extending in generally parallel relation with said first section and with said end edges, said second section being characterized in that said first section is substantially more elastic than said second section, and a third section positioned immediately subjacent said second section, said third section having an inward portion spaced away from said topsheet and said absorbent core.