Method and apparatus for assembling refastenable absorbent garments

A method for manufacturing a refastenable absorbent garment comprising:

• moving a body panel web in a machine direction;
• successively applying a plurality of discrete fastener pieces to said body panel web, wherein said fastener pieces are spaced along said machine direction, and wherein each of said plurality of fastener pieces comprises a first and second end spaced along said machine direction and a refastenable portion formed proximate at least both of said first and second ends;
• releasably engaging said body panel web with said refastenable portions of each of said plurality of said discrete fastener pieces;
• fixedly securing each of said plurality of said discrete fastener pieces to said body panel web at an attachment location between said refastenable portions formed proximate said at least both of said first and second ends;
• and
• successively cutting said body panel web and each of said fastener pieces along a cross direction at said attachment location and thereby forming a plurality of discrete body panels each comprising opposite side edges and a plurality of pairs of fastener members each comprising a first end fixedly secured to one of said body panels adjacent one of said opposite side edges and a second end comprising said refastenable portion releasably engaged with said one of said discrete body panels inboard of said one of said opposite side edges.