Abstract (US 5531732):
This technology presents a disposable training pant or incontinent garment having improved fit and adjustability. Specifically, the technology relates to disposable training pants for a child or adult incontinent articles. Generally these incontinent articles or training pants have elasticated side panels with woven or nonwoven fibrous layers provided on the outer and/or inner faces of the elastic side panels. However, this technology provides a disposable training pant with increased adjustability in fit or size beyond that obtainable with elastics.

Technology Benefits:
The design of the training pant or incontinence garment is such that a wide adjustment in fit and size is possible by gathering or expanding side panel material between a permanently-attached end and a free end of a mechanical (hook-and-loop type) fastener.
The permanently-attached end can be created without the necessity of adhesive and is easily integrated into known manufacturing schemes that employ heat, ultrasonics, or pressure to form side seams for disposable garments.
When the garment is ready for disposal, the mechanical fastening tab can be used to maintain the garment in a rolled or folded form by suitable placement of the free end of the mechanical fastening tab where the manufacturers end remains permanently attached to one panel.

Technology Uniqueness:
A mechanical fastening tab allows wide adjustments to the fit or size of the training pant or incontinence garment by gathering excess side panel material between the permanently attached manufacturers end and the user placed free end . The fit can also be adjusted after wear to gather excess material created due to elastic hysteresis or cold stretching of the side panels or absorbent core structure of the garment chassis. Either one or more mechanical fastening tabs can be placed on or adjacent each side panel, with the mechanical fastening tabs placeable on one or both sides of the garment. When the garment is ready for disposal, the mechanical fastening tab can be used to maintain the garment in a rolled or folded form by suitable placement of the free end of the mechanical fastening tab where the manufacturers end remains permanently attached to one panel.

Intellectual Property Summary:
Patent No. US 5531732