Absorbent articles with channels and signals

• US 9,532,910 B2
• Filed: 11/12/2013
• Issued: 01/03/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Original Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Inventors: Rosati, Rodrigo, Kreuzer, Carsten Heinrich, Jackels, Hans Adolf, Arizti, Blanca, Bianchi, Ernesto G., Roe, Donald Carroll, Brown, Darrell Ian, Sanborn, Sarah Ann, Fites, Theodore Cory
• Primary Examiner(s): STEPHENS, JACQUELINE F
• Application Number:
  US14/077,355
• Publication Number:
  US 20150080837A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,148 Days
• Field of Search: 604/378, 604/379, 604/380, 604/383, 604/385.01, 604/385.101
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/45 characterised by the shape cup-shaped type tampons A61F13/2045
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/5323 having absorbent material located in discrete regions, e.g. pockets
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/533 having discontinuous areas of compression
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/535 inhomogeneous in the plane of the pad, e.g. core absorbent layers being of different sizes A61F13/5323, A61F13/537 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/536 having discontinuous areas of compression
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/84 Accessories, not otherwise provided for, for absorbent pads
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/4587 with channels or deep spot depressions on the upper surface A61F13/4704 and A61F13/49001 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530562 being arranged in discontinuous pattern
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/53765 characterized by its geometry
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/53778 with grooves
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/8497 having decorations or indicia means

Abstract

Absorbent articles herein may provide a topsheet, a backsheet, an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, and a printed adhesive layer disposed between the topsheet and the absorbent core. The absorbent core may comprise channels, and the adhesive print layer may be visible through the topsheet.

Claims

1. An absorbent article comprising:

a topsheet, a backsheet, an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, and a printed adhesive layer disposed between the topsheet and the absorbent core;

wherein the absorbent core comprises channels;

wherein the printed adhesive layer is visible through the topsheet, and the printed adhesive layer appears as a pattern; and

wherein the absorbent article further comprises graphics printed on the backsheet, and the graphics printed on the backsheet substantially match the printed adhesive layer pattern, thereby signaling the position of the channels.

2. The absorbent article of claim 1, comprising a pair of channels, the channels being aligned symmetrically about the length and the width of the backsheet, wherein the ratio of the length of the backsheet (A′

), to the length, in the machine direction, of the graphics signaling the position of the channels (L′

), is from about 2.2 to about 2.7.

3. The absorbent article of claim 2, wherein the ratio of A′

to L′

is from about 2.3 to about 2.5.

4. The absorbent article of claim 3, wherein the ratio of A′

to L′

is about 2.4.

5. The absorbent article of claim 1, comprising a pair of channels, the channels being aligned symmetrically about the length and the width of the backsheet, wherein the ratio of one half the length of the backsheet (B′

), to the length, in the machine direction, of the graphics signaling the position of the channels (L′

), is from about 1.0 to about 1.4.

6. The absorbent article of claim 5, wherein the ratio of B′

to L′

is from about 1.1 to about 1.3.

7. The absorbent article of claim 6, wherein the ratio of B′

to L′

is about 1.2.

8. The absorbent article of claim 1, comprising a pair of channels, the channels being aligned symmetrically about the length and the width of the backsheet, wherein the ratio of the width of the backsheet (P′

), to the space, in the cross direction, between the graphics signaling the position of the channels, taken at the midpoint of the length (in the machine direction) of the backsheet (F′

), is from about 8.0 to about 9.8.

9. The absorbent article of claim 8, wherein the ratio of P′

to F′

is from about 8.5 to about 9.4.

10. The absorbent article of claim 9, wherein the ratio of P′

to F′

is about 8.9.

11. The absorbent article of claim 1, comprising at least 2 pairs of channels, each channel being aligned symmetrically with respect to its pair, about the length and the width of the backsheet, wherein the graphics signaling the position of the inner channels do not extend, in the cross-direction, beyond the graphics signaling the position of the outer channels.

12. The absorbent article of claim 1, comprising at least 2 pairs of channels, each channel being aligned symmetrically with respect to its pair, about the length and the width of the backsheet, wherein the graphics signaling the position of the inner channels do not extend, in the machine-direction, beyond the inner channels, and the inner channels do not extend in the machine-direction beyond the absorbent core.

13. The absorbent article of claim 1, comprising at least 2 pairs of channels, each channel being aligned symmetrically with respect to its pair, about the length and the width of the backsheet, wherein the graphics signaling the position of the outer channels do not extend, in the machine-direction, beyond the outer channels, and the outer channels do not extend in the machine-direction beyond the absorbent core.

14. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the printed adhesive layer is a signal that communicates one or more benefits of the absorbent core channels to a consumer.

15. The absorbent article of claim 1, further comprising an acquisition layer disposed between the topsheet and the absorbent core, wherein the printed adhesive layer is printed onto the acquisition layer.

16. The absorbent article of claim 15, wherein the printed adhesive layer is a different color than that of the acquisition layer.

17. The absorbent article of claim 16, wherein the acquisition layer has a surface that is adjacent to the absorbent core, and the printed adhesive layer is printed onto the surface of the acquisition layer that is adjacent to the absorbent core.

18. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the absorbent core channels have a non-linear shape, and wherein the printed adhesive layer pattern substantially matches the shape of the absorbent core channels.

19. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the absorbent core channels are contoured, and wherein the printed adhesive layer pattern substantially matches the contour of the absorbent core channels.

20. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the topsheet comprises apertures.

21. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the absorbent layer comprises less than about 5%, by weight of absorbent material, of cellulosic material.

22. The absorbent article of claim 21, wherein the absorbent layer is free of cellulosic material.

23. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the absorbent core comprises a first supporting sheet and a second supporting sheet, the first supporting sheet and the second supporting sheet being bonded to each other through the channels.

24. The absorbent article of claim 23, wherein the absorbent layer is free of cellulosic material.

25. An absorbent article comprising:

a topsheet, a backsheet, an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, and an acquisition layer disposed between the topsheet and the absorbent core;

wherein the absorbent core comprises non-linear channels;

wherein graphics are printed on the backsheet;

wherein the acquisition layer has a surface that is adjacent to the absorbent core;

wherein a patterned layer of adhesive is printed on the surface of the acquisition layer that is adjacent to the absorbent core; and

wherein the printed adhesive layer and the backsheet graphics substantially match.

26. The absorbent article of claim 25, wherein the printed adhesive layer is a signal that communicates one or more benefits of the absorbent core channels to a consumer.

27. An absorbent article comprising:

a topsheet, a backsheet, an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, and an acquisition layer disposed between the topsheet and the absorbent core;

wherein the absorbent core comprises non-linear channels;

wherein graphics are printed on the backsheet; and

wherein the non-linear channels have a shape and the backsheet graphics substantially match the shape of the non-linear channels.

28. The absorbent article of claim 27, wherein the absorbent article further comprises a printed ink, adhesive, or both, disposed between the topsheet and the absorbent core.

29. The absorbent article of claim 28, wherein the ink, the adhesive, or both, are printed in a pattern.

30. The absorbent article of claim 29, wherein the pattern substantially matches the shape of the absorbent core channels.

31. The absorbent article of claim 29, wherein the pattern is visible through the topsheet.

32. The absorbent article of claim 28, wherein the ink, the adhesive, or both, are printed onto the topsheet.

33. The absorbent article of claim 28, wherein the ink, the adhesive, or both, are printed onto the acquisition layer.

34. The absorbent article of claim 33, wherein the ink, the adhesive, or both, are a different color than the acquisition layer.

35. The absorbent article of claim 33, wherein the acquisition layer has a surface that is adjacent to the absorbent core, and wherein the ink, the adhesive, or both, is printed onto the surface of the acquisition layer that is adjacent to the absorbent core.

36. The absorbent article of claim 33, wherein the printing is of an ink, the printing being performed using digital printing.

37. The absorbent article of claim 28, wherein the printed ink, adhesive, or both, is a signal that communicates one or more benefits of the absorbent core channels to a consumer.

38. The absorbent article of claim 37, wherein a benefit communicated is absorbency.

39. The absorbent article of claim 27, wherein the topsheet comprises apertures.

40. The absorbent article of claim 27, wherein the absorbent layer comprises at least a first channel and a second channel, wherein the first and second channels extend substantially longitudinally, and wherein the first channel is present in a first longitudinal side portion of the absorbent layer, and the second channel is present in a second longitudinal side portion of the absorbent layer.

41. The absorbent article of claim 27, wherein the absorbent layer comprises less than about 5%, by weight of absorbent material, of cellulosic material.

42. The absorbent article of claim 41, wherein the absorbent layer is free of cellulosic material.

43. The absorbent article of claim 27, comprising a pair of channels, the channels being aligned symmetrically about the length and the width of the backsheet, wherein the ratio of the length of the backsheet (A′

), to the length, in the machine direction, of the graphics signaling the position of the channels (L′

), is from about 2.2 to about 2.7.

44. The absorbent article of claim 43, wherein the ratio of A′

to L′

is from about 2.3 to about 2.5.

45. The absorbent article of claim 44, wherein the ratio of A′

to L′

is about 2.4.

46. The absorbent article of claim 27, comprising a pair of channels, the channels being aligned symmetrically about the length and the width of the backsheet, wherein the ratio of one half the length of the backsheet (B′

), to the length, in the machine direction, of the graphics signaling the position of the channels (L′

), is from about 1.0 to about 1.4.

47. The absorbent article of claim 46, wherein the ratio of B′

to L′

is from about 1.1 to about 1.3.

48. The absorbent article of claim 47, wherein the ratio of B′

to L′

is about 1.2.

49. The absorbent article of claim 27, comprising a pair of channels, the channels being aligned symmetrically about the length and the width of the backsheet, wherein the ratio of the width of the backsheet (P′

), to the space, in the cross direction, between the graphics signaling the position of the channels, taken at the midpoint of the length (in the machine direction) of the backsheet (F′

), is from about 8.0 to about 9.8.

50. The absorbent article of claim 49, wherein the ratio of P′

to F′

is from about 8.5 to about 9.4.

51. The absorbent article of claim 50, wherein the ratio of P′

to F′

is about 8.9.

52. The absorbent article of claim 27, comprising at least 2 pairs of channels, each channel being aligned symmetrically with respect to its pair, about the length and the width of the backsheet, wherein the graphics signaling the position of the inner channels do not extend, in the cross-direction, beyond the graphics signaling the position of the outer channels.

53. The absorbent article of claim 27, comprising at least 2 pairs of channels, each channel being aligned symmetrically with respect to its pair, about the length and the width of the backsheet, wherein the graphics signaling the position of the inner channels do not extend, in the machine-direction, beyond the inner channels, and the inner channels do not extend in the machine-direction beyond the absorbent core.

54. The absorbent article of claim 27, comprising at least 2 pairs of channels, each channel being aligned symmetrically with respect to its pair, about the length and the width of the backsheet, wherein the graphics signaling the position of the outer channels do not extend, in the machine-direction, beyond the outer channels, and the outer channels do not extend in the machine-direction beyond the absorbent core.

55. The absorbent article of claim 27, wherein the topsheet comprises embossing.

56. The absorbent article of claim 55, wherein the absorbent article is made by assembling absorbent article components on a manufacturing line, and the topsheet embossing is performed online.

57. The absorbent article of claim 55, wherein the absorbent article is made by assembling absorbent article components on a manufacturing line, and the topsheet embossing is performed prior to the topsheet component being added to the line.

58. The absorbent article of claim 27, wherein the absorbent article further comprises a printed mixture of ink and adhesive, disposed between the topsheet and the absorbent core:

wherein the ink and adhesive mixture is printed in a pattern, the pattern being visible through the topsheet; and

wherein the acquisition layer has a surface that is adjacent to the absorbent core, and the ink and adhesive mixture is printed onto the surface of the acquisition layer that is adjacent to the absorbent core, and the ink and adhesive mixture is a different color than the acquisition layer.

59. The absorbent article of claim 58, wherein the ink and adhesive mixture, is a signal that communicates one or more benefits of the absorbent core channels to a consumer.

60. The absorbent article of claim 59, wherein a benefit communicated is absorbency.

61. The absorbent article of claim 27, wherein the absorbent core comprises a first supporting sheet and a second supporting sheet, the first supporting sheet and the second supporting sheet being bonded to each other through the channels.

62. The absorbent article of claim 61, wherein the absorbent layer is free of cellulosic material.

63. An absorbent article comprising:

a topsheet, a backsheet, an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, and an acquisition layer disposed between the topsheet and the absorbent core;

wherein the absorbent core comprises non-linear channels;

wherein graphics are printed on the backsheet; and

wherein the non-linear channels have a contour and the backsheet graphics substantially match the contour of the non-linear channels.