| abstract |
An anatomically form-fitting, generally self-adjusting disposable absorbent garment (10), comprises a breathable elastomeric nonwoven laminar outer cover (12), resiliently stretchable preferably in a cross-body direction from about 20% to about 200%, including a pair of leg openings (18) front (13) and rear (14) waist sections together defining a waist opening, a crotch section (16) situated between the leg openings (18) and front (28) and rear (30) panels separated by the crotch section (16). An absorbent insert structure (32), substantially superposable on the front (28) and rear (30) panels and the crotch section(16), includes a liquid impermeable barrier (36) and a liquid permeable bodyside liner (34), with an absorbent composite (38) disposed therebetween. Longitudinally opposed ends of the absorbent insert (32) are attached to the waist sections (13,14), integrating the insert (32) into the outer cover (12) while allowing substantially unrestricted functional stretchability thereof. A pair of supplemental leg elastic members (102) are applied to the outer cover in an operatively tensioned state relative thereto and extend around outermost portions of the leg openings (18). Either of the leg elastics (102) and waist elastics (104) comprise breathable elastomeric nonwoven laminar fabric strips which are resiliently stretchable preferably from about 20% to about 300%, providing cushioned, cloth-like gatherings of the garment about the body of a wearer. |