Color printed laminated structure, absorbent article comprising the same and process for manufacturing the same

1. A process for manufacturing a disposable absorbent article comprising a wearer-facing surface and a garment-facing surface, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a first nonwoven layer comprising first constituent fibers, wherein the first constituent fibers comprise bi-component fibers, and wherein the first nonwoven layer has a first surface and an opposing second surface;

color printing the first nonwoven layer on at least one of the first surface or second surface, wherein the color printing comprises more than one color;

providing a second nonwoven layer comprising second constituent fibers, wherein the second constituent fibers comprise bi-component fibers, and wherein the second nonwoven layer has a first surface and an opposing second surface;

joining the first nonwoven layer and the second nonwoven layer together to form a laminate structure, wherein the color printing is disposed on the surface which faces the second nonwoven layer;

providing a topsheet, an absorbent core, and a backsheet, wherein the topsheet forms a portion of the wearer-facing surface and the backsheet forms a portion of the garment-facing surface; and

placing the laminate between a topsheet and an absorbent core such that the color printing is visible through the wearer-facing surface.

2. The process of claim 1 , wherein the bi-component fibers are configured in a side-by-side configuration.

3. The process of claim 1 , wherein the second nonwoven layer comprises a spunlace material.

4. The process of claim 1 , wherein the second nonwoven layer comprises an airlaid material.

5. The process of claim 1 , further comprising the step of adding pigments to the first constituent fibers.

6. The process of claim 1 , wherein the step of joining the first nonwoven layer and the second nonwoven layer comprises a mechanical bonding process.

7. The process of claim 1 , wherein the step of joining the first nonwoven layer and the second nonwoven layer comprises a thermal bonding process.

8. The process of claim 1 , wherein the step of joining the first nonwoven layer and the second nonwoven layer comprises a binder added to the first nonwoven layer and the second nonwoven layer.

9. A process for manufacturing a disposable absorbent article comprising a wearer-facing surface and a garment-facing surface, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a first nonwoven layer comprising first constituent fibers, and wherein the first nonwoven layer has a first surface and an opposing second surface;

adding pigment to the first constituent fibers;

color printing the first nonwoven layer on at least one of the first surface or second surface;

providing a second nonwoven layer comprising second constituent fibers, and wherein the second nonwoven layer has a first surface and an opposing second surface;

joining the first nonwoven layer and the second nonwoven layer together to form a laminate structure, wherein the color printing is disposed on the surface which faces the second nonwoven layer;

providing an absorbent core, and a backsheet, wherein the backsheet forms a portion of the garment-facing surface; and

utilizing the laminate as a topsheet, such that the first nonwoven layer forms a portion of the wearer-facing surface.

10. The process of claim 9 , wherein the first constituent fibers are bi-component fibers configured in a side-by-side configuration.

11. The process of claim 9 , wherein the second nonwoven layer comprises a spunlace material.

12. The process of claim 9 , wherein the second nonwoven layer comprises an airlaid material.

13. The process of claim 9 , wherein the step of joining the first nonwoven layer and the second nonwoven layer comprises a mechanical bonding process.

14. The process of claim 9 , wherein the step of joining the first nonwoven layer and the second nonwoven layer comprises a thermal bonding process.

15. The process of claim 9 , wherein the step of color printing comprises more than one color.