Graphics performance in different absorbent article constructions
View Patent ↗The invention relates to a multiple layer material that includes a film layer, a moisture-reacting composition layer and an adhesive layer. The film layer has at least one printed surface. The moisture-reacting composition layer is adjacent the printed surface of the film layer. A portion of the moisture-reacting composition layer forms a framing device. The adhesive layer is adjacent the portion of the moisture-reacting composition layer forming the framing device. The multiple layer material of the invention may be used to form a component of an absorbent article having active graphics that change in appearance in response to moisture.
1. A multiple layer material comprising:
a film layer, wherein the film layer has a printed surface;
a leuco dye-based composition layer, wherein the leuco dye-based composition layer is adjacent the printed surface of the film layer and wherein the leuco dye-based composition layer forms at least one graphic element;
a water-soluble ink composition layer, wherein the water-soluble ink composition layer is adjacent the printed surface of the film layer and wherein the water-soluble ink composition layer forms at least one graphic element; and
an adhesive layer, wherein the adhesive layer is selectively adjacent at least one of the graphic elements.
2. The multiple layer material of claim 1 wherein the graphic elements may be selected from framing devices, backgrounds, silhouettes, objects, images and characters.
3. The multiple layer material of claim 1 wherein the adhesive layer is registered with a graphic element.
4. A method of forming a gradient effect graphic for an absorbent article comprising the steps of:
a. Providing a film material, wherein the film material has a printed surface and a printed surface area;
b. Applying a leuco dye-based composition to greater than 30% of the printed surface area of the film material to form a printed background coloration having an area; and
c. Applying a water-soluble ink to less than 25% of the area of the printed background coloration.
5. The method of forming a gradient effect graphic for an absorbent article of claim 4 further comprising a step of providing a distribution layer adjacent the printed surface of the film material.
6. A method of forming a color-fill effect graphic for an absorbent article comprising the steps of:
a. providing a film material, wherein the film material has an exterior-facing surface and an interior-facing surface;
b. printing an outline graphic on the exterior-facing surface of the film material wherein the outline graphic defines a shape having a boundary;
c. printing the interior-facing surface of the film material with a moisture-reacting composition at a location that is opposite the boundary of the shape wherein the moisture-reacting composition covers at least 10% of the boundary;
d. providing a distribution layer adjacent the interior-facing surface of the film material; and
e. attaching the distribution layer to the interior-facing surface of the film material using an adhesive.