Disposable diaper with fastener retained end barrier

Abstract

A disposable diaper comprising, an absorbent pad assembly having an absorbent pad, a front surface, a back surface, a pair of side edges, and a pair of end edges connecting the side edges. The pad assembly has a plurality of longitudinally extending folds defining a box-pleat configuration of the pad assembly having a pair of first fold lines defining a longitudinally extending central panel, and a pair of second fold lines defining a pair of first pleat panels intermediate the first and second fold lines and overlying the central panel, and defining a pair of second pleat panels extending from the second fold lines. The pad assembly has a lateral fold of the box-pleat assembly along a fold line spaced slightly from one of the end edges and defining an end section of the pad assembly intermediate the lateral fold line and the one end edge, with the end section being folded over the front surface of an adjacent portion of the pad assembly. The diaper has a tape fastener comprising, a release sheet on the back surface of the end section, and a tape strip having a first inner section attached to a second pleat panel beneath the central panel of the folded over end section. The tape strip also has a second outer section extending around the back surface of the end section and having an adhesive surface releasably attached to the release sheet.