Absorbent articles with unitary hook fasteners, and methods of making such articles

A disposable absorbent article comprising:

• a chassis having opposing front and rear waist portions, a crotch portion extending longitudinally between the front and rear waist portions, a body facing surface configured to face a wearer during use of the article, and an outer surface configured to face away from a wearer during use of the article;
• two rear closure members each having a first end, a second end, and a width extending between the first and second ends, and a height extending perpendicular to the width, each of the rear closure members comprising an elasticized portion and a nonwoven panel;
• two front closure members each having a first end, a second end, and a width extending between the first and second ends, and a height extending perpendicular to the width, each of the front closure members comprising an elasticized portion and a nonwoven panel;
• where the first end of each rear closure member is bonded to the rear waist portion of the chassis, the first end of each front closure member is bonded to the front waist portion of the chassis, and the second end of each rear closure member is configured to overlap and be releasably coupled to the second end of a corresponding one of the front closure members to define a closed configuration in which:
• the front and rear waist portions cooperate with the front and rear the closure members to encircle and define a waist opening,
• a left side of the chassis defines a first leg opening, and
• a right side of the chassis defines a second leg opening;
• and
• where each of the front closure members and/or the rear closure members includes at least one fastener region on the respective nonwoven panel, each fastener region comprising a plurality of hook fasteners that are unitary with the nonwoven panel such that the hook fasteners and nonwoven panel are both formed by a common piece of nonwoven material that is bonded directly to the chassis, and configured to releasably couple the second end of each front closure member to the second end of the corresponding one of the front closure members.