FEMININE HYGIENE ARTICLE WITH PRINTED PATTERN AND EMBOSSED PATTERN

• US 20080294140A1
• Filed: 05/20/2008
• Published: 11/27/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Original Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Inventors: Gagliardi, Ivano, Veglio, Paolo, Ecker, Cornelia
• Granted Patent: US 8,536,401 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/385.23
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/472 specially adapted for female use A61F13/474, A61F13/475, A61F13/476 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/51104 the top sheet having a three-dimensional cross-section, e.g. corrugations, embossments, recesses or projections
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/513 characterised by its function or properties, e.g. stretchability, breathability, rewet, visual effect; having areas of different permeability
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/51496 having visual effects
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/51498 Details not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/53 characterised by the absorbing medium A61F13/20 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/539 characterised by the connection of the absorbent layers with each other or with the outer layers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/5514 each item packaged single
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/5611 using fastening strips, e.g. adhesive, on the undergarment-facing side
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/5616 using flaps, e.g. adhesive, for attachment to the undergarment leakage prevention means encirculing the crotch portion A61F13/476
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/84 Accessories, not otherwise provided for, for absorbent pads
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/4708 Panty-liner
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/51377 having decoration properties
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/5149 being embossed
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530036 being made in chemically-modified cellulosic material, e.g. Rayon
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/5395 with thermoplastic agent, i.e. softened by heat
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/8497 having decorations or indicia means

Abstract

A feminine hygiene article such as pantiliner having a topsheet and a backsheet. The article further includes a printed pattern and an embossed pattern. The embossed pattern has at least one embossed decorative element and the printed pattern has a printed decorative element which is substantially similar to the embossed decorative element.

Claims

1. A feminine hygiene article comprising:

i) a topsheet;

ii) a backsheet joined to the topsheet;

iii) a printed pattern; and

iv) an embossed pattern,

wherein the printed pattern comprises at least one printed decorative element and the embossed pattern comprises at least one embossed decorative element, and wherein the printed decorative element and the embossed decorative element are substantially similar.

2. An absorbent article according to claim 1 further comprising an absorbent core placed between the topsheet and the backsheet,

wherein the printed pattern is printed on a layer of the article situated below the absorbent core, and wherein at least a portion of the printed pattern is visible through the topsheet.

3. An article according to claim 2 wherein the absorbent core defines a core area on the surface of the topsheet which is substantially smaller than the surface of the topsheet.

4. An article according to claim 3 wherein the printed pattern is not visible through the core area of the topsheet.

5. An article according to claim 2, wherein the printed pattern is printed on the backsheet.

6. An article according to claim 1 wherein the embossed pattern is substantially entirely embossed within the core area of the topsheet.

7. An article according to claim 1 wherein the printed pattern comprises several at least partially visible occurrences of the printed decorative element and the embossed pattern comprises several at least partially visible occurrences of the embossed decorative element.

8. An article according to claim 3 wherein the surface of the core area represents between about 20% and about 80% of the surface of the topsheet.

9. An article according to claim 1 wherein the article has a thickness of less than about 5 mm.

10. An article according to claim 1 wherein the article is a pantiliner.

11. A feminine hygiene article comprising:

i) a topsheet;

ii) a backsheet joined to the topsheet; and

iii) an absorbent core situated between the topsheet and the backsheet, wherein the absorbent core defines a core area on the surface of the topsheet which is substantially smaller than the surface of the topsheet;

iv) a printed pattern which is printed on a layer of the article situated below the absorbent core, wherein at least a portion of the printed pattern is visible through at least a portion of the area of the topsheet which is outside the core area; and

v) an embossed pattern which is at least partially embossed within the core area and which comprises an embossed decorative element.

12. An article according to claim 11 wherein the printed pattern comprises a decorative element and wherein the printed decorative element and the embossed decorative element are substantially similar.

13. An article according to claim 11 wherein the printed pattern is not visible through the core area of the topsheet.

14. An article according to claim 11 wherein the surface of the core area represents between about 20% and about 80% of the surface of the topsheet.

15. An article according to claim 11 wherein the article has a thickness of less than about 5 mm.

16. An article according to claim 11, wherein the printed pattern is printed on the backsheet.

17. An article according to claim 11 wherein the embossed pattern is substantially entirely embossed within the core area of the topsheet.

18. A method for providing the appearance of lace to a feminine hygiene article comprising the steps of:

printing a printed pattern on a first layer of the article, the printed pattern comprising a printed decorative element evocative of lace fabric;

embossing an embossed pattern on a second layer of the article, the embossed pattern comprising a embossed decorative element evocative of traditional lace fabric; and

combining the first layer and the second layer.