Method of constructing absorbent articles comprising graphics

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9498389-B2
Application number	US-201113089690-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 19, 2011
Priority date	Dec 4, 2006
Publication date	Nov 22, 2016
Grant date	Nov 22, 2016

Abstract

An absorbent article may comprise a first zone comprising graphics and a second zone comprising graphics, wherein the first and second zones have different elastic properties. Further, the absorbent article may comprise a first absorbent article component and a second absorbent article component having substantially different elastic properties, wherein the first absorbent article component comprises an elastomer. Additionally, the absorbent article may comprise a third absorbent article component overlapping the first and second absorbent article components, wherein the third absorbent article component comprises graphics on at least the portions which overlap the first and second absorbent article components.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method of constructing a pull-on disposable absorbent article having a first waist region, a second waist region, and a crotch region disposed therebetween, the method comprising:
printing a first graphic object on a first side panel;
printing a second graphic object on a second side panel;
printing a third graphic object on a third side panel;
printing a fourth graphic object on a fourth side panel;
printing a fifth graphic object on a backsheet;
printing a sixth graphic object on the backsheet;
wherein at least a portion of each of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth graphic objects are viewable from a garment facing side of the pull-on disposable absorbent article such that each of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth graphic objects cooperate to form an appearance of a waistband around a viewable outer circumference of the pull-on disposable absorbent article;
attaching the first side panel to the first waist region;
attaching the second side panel to the first waist region;
attaching the third side panel to the second waist region;
attaching the fourth side panel to the second waist region;
attaching an elastic waistband to an inner surface of the first waist region;
wherein a first edge, or portion adjacent thereto, of the first side panel abuts or overlaps a first side edge, or portion adjacent thereto, of the backsheet in the first waist region to form a first seam;
wherein a second edge, or portion adjacent thereto, of the first side panel abuts or overlaps a first edge, or portion adjacent thereto, of the third side panel to form a second seam;
wherein a first edge, or portion adjacent thereto, of the second side panel abuts or overlaps a second side edge, or portion adjacent thereto, of the backsheet in the first waist region to form a third seam;
wherein a second edge, or portion adjacent thereto, of the second side panel abuts or overlaps a first edge, or portion adjacent thereto, of the fourth side panel to form a fourth seam;
wherein a second edge, or portion adjacent thereto, of the third side panel abuts or overlaps the first side edge, or portion adjacent thereto, of the backsheet to form a fifth seam and wherein a second edge, or portion adjacent thereto, of the fourth side panel abuts or overlaps the second side edge, or portion adjacent thereto, of the backsheet to form a sixth seam, such that the pull-on disposable absorbent article comprises leg openings and a waist opening and is in a pull-on configuration.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first, second, third, and fourth side panels comprise a plane elastomeric material.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the plane elastomeric material is an apertured film.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second and fourth seams are refastenable.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the fifth graphic object is printed on a film.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein an outer surface of the film is covered with a nonwoven, such that the nonwoven defines an outer surface of the pull-on disposable absorbent article and wherein the fifth graphic object is viewable through the nonwoven.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of printing a graphic pattern on each of the first, second, third, and fourth side panels.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein each of the graphic objects and each of the graphic patterns are printed on an outer viewable surface of the first, second, third, and fourth side panels.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second and fourth seams are ultrasonically bonded.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the graphic objects are formed by one or a combination of relief printing, planographic printing, intaglio printing, stencil and screen printing, and electronic printing.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second and fourth seams have a Seam Noticeability Rating of less than about 5.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the pull-on disposable absorbent article comprises a wetness indicator.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the pull-on disposable absorbent article comprises a sensor.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second edge, or portion adjacent thereto, of the first side panel overlaps the first edge, or portion adjacent thereto, of the third side panel to form a refastenable second seam.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the second edge, or portion adjacent thereto, of the second side panel overlaps the first edge, or portion adjacent thereto, of the fourth side panel to form a refastenable fourth seam.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the second graphic object is disposed immediately adjacent to the second edge of the second side panel.

17. The method of claim 15 , wherein the fourth graphic object is disposed immediately adjacent to the first edge of the fourth side panel.

18. The method of claim 14 , wherein the first graphic object is disposed immediately adjacent to the second edge of the first side panel.

19. The method of claim 14 , wherein the third graphic object is disposed immediately adjacent to the first edge of the third side panel.

20. The method of claim 1 , wherein the pull-on disposable absorbent article comprises active graphics.

21. The method of claim 20 , wherein the active graphics are capable of disappearing when wetted.

Assignees

• Trennepohl Michael Dale
• Sauer Andrew James
• Roe Donald Carroll
• Procter & Gamble

Inventors

• Trennepohl Michael Dale
• Sauer Andrew James
• Roe Donald Carroll

Classifications

• A61F13/51496

  having visual effects · CPC title

• A61F13/49011

  the elastic means is located at the waist region · CPC title

• A61F13/49014 Primary

  the elastic means is located at the side panels · CPC title

• A61F13/72

  with endless waist encircling band, e.g. panty type · CPC title

• Y10T29/49885

  with coating before or during assembling · CPC title