Translucent internal graphics enhancement
View Patent ↗Methods for forming a translucent window on the inner surface of a liquid impermeable breathable film outer cover of an absorbent product, such as a diaper, for viewing a water dispersible ink to indicate when an insult has occurred are disclosed. Additionally, absorbent products having a translucent window and a water dispersible ink are disclosed.
1. An absorbent product comprising:
a liquid impermeable outer cover comprising a clearing varnish capable of forming a translucent window and a water dispersible ink applied over the translucent window, the clearing varnish having at least one of a number average molecular weight of from about 150 to about 1500, a melting point of from about 65° C. to about 95° C., and a melt index of from about 300 to about 1500;
an absorbent material; and
a liquid permeable inner layer, wherein the outer cover comprises from about 10 g/m 2 to about 75 g/m 2 clearing varnish.
2. The absorbent product as set forth in claim 1 wherein the clearing varnish has a number average molecular weight of from about 200 to about 1000.
3. The absorbent product as set forth in claim 1 wherein the clearing varnish has a melting point of from about 70° C. to about 90° C.
4. The absorbent product as set forth in claim 1 wherein the clearing varnish has a melt index of from about 350 to about 1200.
5. The absorbent product as set forth in claim 1 wherein the water dispersible ink comprises isopropyl alcohol, methyl alcohol, and an organic volatile.
6. The absorbent product as set forth in claim 1 wherein the clearing varnish is selected from the group consisting of an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, a tallow-based oleamide, a polyethylene glycol distearate, and combinations thereof.
7. The absorbent product as set forth in claim 6 wherein the clearing varnish is 9-ocetadecenamide.
8. The absorbent product as set forth in claim 1 wherein the clearing varnish comprises epoxidized soybean oil.
9. An absorbent product comprising:
a liquid impermeable outer cover comprising a clearing varnish capable of forming a translucent window and a water dispersible ink applied over the translucent window, the clearing varnish being selected from the group consisting of an epoxidized soybean oil, an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, a tallow-based oleamide, a polyethylene glycol distearate, and combinations thereof, and the water dispersible ink comprising isopropyl alcohol, methyl alcohol, and an organic volatile;
an absorbent material; and
a liquid permeable inner layer, wherein the outer cover comprises from about 10 g/m 2 to about 75 g/m 2 clearing varnish.
10. A method of making an absorbent product comprising a translucent window for viewing a fading graphic, the method comprising:
applying from about 10 g/m 2 to about 75 g/m 2 clearing varnish onto an inner surface of a liquid impermeable outer cover to form a translucent window, the clearing varnish having at least one of a number average molecular weight of from about 150 to about 1500, a melting point of from about 65° C. to about 95° C., and a melt index of from about 300 to about 1500; and
printing a water dispersible ink over the translucent window.
11. The method as set forth in claim 10 wherein the clearing varnish comprises epoxidized soybean oil.
12. The method as set forth in claim 10 wherein the clearing varnish is selected from the group consisting of an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, a tallow-based oleamide, a polyethylene glycol distearate, and combinations thereof.
13. The method as set forth in claim 12 wherein the clearing varnish is 9-ocetadecenamide.
14. The method as set forth in claim 10 wherein the water dispersible ink comprises isopropyl alcohol, methyl alcohol, and an organic volatile.
15. The method as set forth in claim 10 wherein the clearing varnish is heated prior to applying the clearing varnish to the inner surface of the liquid impermeable outer cover.