Simple disposable absorbent article

Abstract

A disposable absorbent article may comprise a front waist region, a back waist region, a crotch region between the waist regions. A web of the article may comprise an interior surface and an exterior surface. The web may be folded at a first fold line and attached to itself forming a first hem. The web may be folded at a second fold line and attached to itself forming a second hem. The web may be folded over at a third fold line toward the longitudinal axis and attached to the interior surface of one or both of the web and absorbent assembly in the front and back waist regions forming a first side flap. The web may be folded over at a fourth fold line toward the longitudinal axis and attached to the interior surface of one or both of the web and absorbent assembly in the front and back waist regions forming a second side flap. The first side flap may comprise the first hem and the second side flap may comprise the second hem. Each of the first and second hems may comprise a longitudinally extending gathering member. The proximal edges of the first and second side flaps may be disposed laterally inward of the respective side edges.

1 . A disposable absorbent article comprising:
 a front waist region, a back waist region, a crotch region between the waist regions, a front waist edge, and a back waist edge;   a longitudinal axis extending from a midpoint of the front waist edge through the crotch region to a midpoint of the longitudinally opposed back waist edge;   a web comprising an interior surface and an exterior surface;   an absorbent assembly comprising an interior surface and an exterior surface;   wherein the web is folded at a first fold line and attached to itself forming a first hem, wherein the first hem comprises a first layer and a second layer, and wherein the second layer is disposed between the first layer and the backsheet;   wherein the web is folded at a second fold line and attached to itself forming a second hem, wherein the second hem comprises a first layer and a second layer, and wherein the second layer is disposed between the first layer and the backsheet;   wherein the web is folded over at a third fold line toward the longitudinal axis and attached to the interior surface of one or both of the web and absorbent assembly in the front and back waist regions forming a first side flap, the third fold line forming a first side edge of the diaper;   wherein the web is folded over at a fourth fold line toward the longitudinal axis and attached to the interior surface of one or both of the web and absorbent assembly in the front and back waist regions forming a second side flap, the fourth fold line forming a second side edge of the diaper;   wherein the first side flap comprises the first hem and wherein the second side flap comprises the second hem;   wherein each of the first and second hems comprise a longitudinally extending gathering member; and   wherein the proximal edges of the first and second side flaps are disposed laterally inward of the respective side edges.   
     
     
         2 . The disposable absorbent article of  claim 1  wherein the web comprises altered and unaltered regions, and wherein the altered region of the web is formed by deformation. 
     
     
         3 . The disposable absorbent article of  claim 2  wherein the altered region of the web comprises a pattern of alternating ridges and valleys created by a deformation. 
     
     
         4 . The disposable absorbent article of  claim 3  wherein the ridges and valleys are generally longitudinally oriented. 
     
     
         5 . The disposable absorbent article of  claim 1  wherein the absorbent assembly comprises an absorbent core comprising a layer of particles of superabsorbent polymer that are adhered to the absorbent core via adhesive. 
     
     
         6 . The disposable absorbent article of  claim 5  wherein at least a portion of the diaper in one of the waist regions is laterally extensible to a maximum extensibility greater than a maximum extensibility of at least a portion of the diaper in the crotch region. 
     
     
         7 . The disposable absorbent article of  claim 1  wherein the side flaps are attached to the interior surface of the web in laterally opposing attachment zones immediately adjacent to the first and second side edges of the diaper, respectively. 
     
     
         8 . The disposable absorbent article of  claim 1  wherein fastening elements for fastening the front waist region to the back waist region to encircle a waist and a leg of a wearer are attached to the web. 
     
     
         9 . The disposable absorbent article of  claim 8  wherein the fastening elements include at least one fastening sheet attached to the exterior surface of the web. 
     
     
         10 . The disposable absorbent article of  claim 8  wherein the fastening elements comprise mechanical fastening elements. 
     
     
         11 . The disposable absorbent article of  claim 1  wherein the absorbent assembly includes a water-permeable covering sheet and an absorbent core, wherein the covering sheet is disposed on an interior face of the absorbent core and the absorbent assembly, and wherein the absorbent assembly also includes a second water-permeable covering sheet disposed on an exterior face of the absorbent core. 
     
     
         12 . The disposable absorbent article of  claim 1  wherein the absorbent assembly is attached to the interior surface of the web. 
     
     
         13 . The disposable absorbent article of  claim 1  wherein the absorbent assembly is attached to the web via an attachment pattern comprising a longitudinally extending portion disposed along the longitudinal axis and at least one laterally distal portion. 
     
     
         14 . The disposable absorbent article of  claim 1  wherein the absorbent assembly is attached to the web via a discontiguous attachment pattern. 
     
     
         15 . The disposable absorbent article of  claim 1  wherein the absorbent assembly comprises a first absorbent core comprising particles of superabsorbent polymer that are contained inside pockets formed by a thermoplastic material, and wherein the absorbent assembly comprises a second absorbent core comprising particles of superabsorbent polymer that are contained inside pockets formed by a thermoplastic material. 
     
     
         16 . The disposable absorbent article of  claim 1  wherein the web is not laterally continuous. 
     
     
         17 . The disposable absorbent article as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the web is attached directly to itself to form the first and second hems. 
     
     
         18 . The disposable absorbent article as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the web is attached directly to itself to form the first and second side flaps. 
     
     
         19 . The disposable absorbent article as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the web comprises a first layer and a second layer, wherein the first layer of the web is not laterally continuous. 
     
     
         20 . The disposable absorbent article as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the web is longitudinally continuous.