Patent ID: 8496778

Claim:
A method for manufacturing absorbent articles, the method comprising the steps of: providing a web of backsheet material, said web extending in a longitudinal direction about a longitudinal axis dividing the web into a first lateral half and a second lateral half, said first lateral half comprising a first lateral margin and said second lateral half comprising a second lateral margin; sequentially applying absorbent structures to said web of backsheet material such that adjacent absorbent structures are spaced apart in said longitudinal direction; providing a first stabilizing strip of predetermined width substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis, said first stabilizing strip being spaced from said first lateral margin in a transverse direction away from said longitudinal axis; providing a second stabilizing strip of predetermined width substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis, said second stabilizing strip being spaced from said second lateral margin in a transverse direction away from said longitudinal axis; with respect to each absorbent structure, providing a first side panel having a first major surface and a second major surface; applying said first major surface of said first side panel to said first lateral margin of said web such that said first major surface contacts said first stabilizing strip; with respect to each absorbent structure, providing a second side panel having a first major surface and a second major surface, and applying said first major surface of said second side panel to said second lateral margin of said web such that said first major surface contacts said second stabilizing strip, to thereby form an initial structure.