A method for making an edge fold on an absorbent article having longitudinal edges including the steps of activating a portion of an absorbent article along its longitudinal edges to create substantially uniform gathers, folding a portion of the absorbent article along its longitudinal edges, and bonding a portion of the absorbent article along its longitudinal edges. Said method may include the step of cutting a portion of the absorbent article before the step of folding. Said method may include the step of cutting a portion of the absorbent article after the step of bonding. Said step of activation may include the application of heat to the absorbent article to assist in the activating process, whether before or during activation. Said bonding may be performed by application of adhesive, ultrasonic bonding, compression bonding, thermal bonding, radio frequency bonding, infrared bonding and combinations thereof. Absorbent articles include disposable diapers, sanitary napkins, pantiliners, incontinence briefs, and incontinence undergarments. Said step of folding creates an edge fold that substantially covers a portion of a longitudinal edge between a pair of side panels.Linvention concerne un procédé de réalisation dun pli de bord sur un article absorbant pourvu de bords longitudinaux. Ledit procédé comprend une étape dactivation dune partie dun article absorbant le long de ses bords longitudinaux afin de créer des fronces sensiblement uniformes, une autre étape de pliage dune partie de larticle absorbant le long de ses bords longitudinaux, et une étape subséquente de liage dune partie de larticle absorbant le long desdits bords. Ledit procédé peut aussi comporter une étape de découpage dune partie de larticle absorbant avant de la plier, une autre étape de découpage dune partie dudit article après le liage. Ladite étape dactivation peut comprendre lapplication de chaleur sur larticle absorbant de façon à aider le processus dactivation, avant ou pendant lactivation.
