Absorbent Articles With Garment-Like Refastenable Seams

Abstract

A disposable absorbent article includes a fastening system that can be repeatedly fastened, unfastened and refastened. The refastenable seams formed by the fastening system components provide a garment-like appearance,

1 . A method of making an absorbent article, the method comprising:
 providing an absorbent chassis defining a longitudinal axis, a transverse axis, front and back waist edges parallel to the transverse axis, opposite side edges extending between the front and back waist edges, a front waist region contiguous with the front waist edge, a back waist region contiguous with the back waist edge, and a crotch region which extends between and interconnects the front and back waist regions, the absorbent chassis comprising a rectangular composite structure having linear side edges parallel to the longitudinal axis and opposite linear end edges parallel to the transverse axis, the composite structure comprising a bodyside liner, an outer cover bonded to the bodyside liner, and an absorbent assembly disposed between the bodyside liner and the outer cover, wherein the absorbent assembly includes an absorbent batt having opposite side edges generally longitudinally oriented within the absorbent chassis;   bonding a pair of elastomeric side panels to the rectangular composite structure in the back waist region, the side panels being elastomeric in a direction parallel to the transverse axis;   bonding first and second fastening components to the elastomeric side panels, each of the fastening components having a length dimension, a width dimension, and a length-to-width ratio of about 2 or greater; and   bonding first and second mating fastening components to the absorbent chassis in the front waist region along the opposite side edges abutting the front waist edge, wherein the mating fastening components have inner side edges disposed transversely outward from and adjacent to the side edges of the absorbent batt, and each of the mating fastening components has a length dimension, a width dimension, and a length-to-width ratio of about 2 or greater, the fastening components adapted to releasably engage the mating fastening components.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mating fastening components abut the respective opposite side edges of the absorbent chassis.