WO2003034966A1

WO2003034966A1 - Disposable absorbent article comprising landing zone graphics

Info

Publication number: WO2003034966A1
Application number: PCT/US2002/033841
Authority: WO
Inventors: Taro Yamaguchi
Original assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
Priority date: 2001-10-25
Filing date: 2002-10-22
Publication date: 2003-05-01

Abstract

A disposable absorbent article comprising landing zone graphics is disclosed. The disposable absorbent article has longitudinal side edges and transverse end edges, a first end region, and a second end region opposite of the first end region. The absorbent article comprises a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet, an absorbent core disposed between the liquid pervious topsheet and the liquid impervious backsheet, and an outer nonwoven layer disposed on an outer surface of the liquid impervious backsheet. The absorbent article further comprises a closure member. The closure member is joined adjacent to the longitudinal side edge in the first end region. The closure member comprises a hook fastening material engageable with the outer nonwoven layer for forming a closure for the absorbent article. The liquid impervious backsheet comprises landing zone graphics disposed in the second end region. The landing zone graphics are covered by the outer nonwoven layer and visible through the outer nonwoven layer.

Description

DISPOSABLE ABSORBENT ARTICLE COMPRISING LANDING ZONE GRAPHICS

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a disposable absorbent article comprising landing zone graphics. More specifically, the present invention relates to a disposable absorbent article comprising a liquid impervious backsheet comprising landing zone graphics to serve as a guide means for a fastening system forming a closure when in use.

BACKGROUND

The use of mechanical fastening system for securing the corners of a disposable absorbent article such as a diaper is known in the art. The mechanical fastening system typically comprises a hook fastening material provided on the tape tab joined to the longitudinal sides of one waist portion (e.g., back waist portion) and a loop fastening material provided adjacent to the transverse end edge of the other waist portion (e.g., front waist portion). When the diaper is used, the hook fastening material on the tape tab is engaged with the loop fastening material to form a closure of the diaper. The mechanical fastening system is beneficial in providing fastening systems that are not easily contaminated by oils and powders. Such a mechanical fastening system is disclosed in, e.g., U.S. Patent No. 4,963,140 issued to Robertson, et al.

Disposable absorbent articles having a mechanical fastening system as well as a nonwoven outer layer is also known. The nonwoven outer layer not only provides cloth-like impression and/or soft impression but also may serve as a disposal mechanism in which the hook fastening material and the nonwoven outer layer are engaged to form a folded or rolled-up configuration for disposal, to secure it into the disposal configuration, and to conveniently throw it away. This arrangement typically further requires a loop fastening material joined onto the outer surface of the nonwoven outer layer and being visually distinct from other portions of the diaper. The visually distinct loop fastening material serves as a guide means for securing the hook fastening material of the tape tab on the right position of the diaper to effect waist closure at positions which facilitate good leg opening fit and/or proper waist fit. The loop fastening material provided on the nonwoven outer layer has, however, a shortcoming, which is that the portion of the diaper in which the loop fastening material is joined is bulky and/or stiff whereby the user feels uncomfortableness. In addition, the loop fastening material is costly. While it is conceivable that the loop fastening material is eliminated and that the hook fastening material on the tape tab is directly engaged with the nonwoven outer layer, this arrangement poses another problem which is a lack of means for guiding placement of the hook fastening material of the fastening tab. The lack of a guide means may result in the fact that the consumer might make improper securement position of the fastening system which leads to serious problems, e.g., sagging of the diaper, red marking on the wearer's skin, and/or leakage of body exudates.

Based on the foregoing, there is a need for a disposable absorbent article having a simple fastening system, yet providing a guide means to make proper securement position of the fastening system. None of the existing absorbent articles provides all of the advantages and benefits of the present invention.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed to a disposable absorbent article. The disposable absorbent article has longitudinal side edges and transverse end edges, a first end region, and a second end region opposite of the first end region. The absorbent article comprises a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet, an absorbent core disposed between the liquid pervious topsheet and the liquid impervious backsheet, and an outer nonwoven layer disposed on an outer surface of the liquid impervious backsheet. The absorbent article further comprises a closure member. The closure member is joined adjacent to the longitudinal side edge in the first end region. The closure member comprises a hook fastening material engageable with the outer nonwoven layer for forming a closure for the absorbent article. The liquid impervious backsheet comprises landing zone graphics disposed in the second end region. The landing zone graphics are covered by the outer nonwoven layer and visible through the outer nonwoven layer.

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the invention will become evident to those skilled in the art from a reading of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the invention, it is believed that the present invention will be better understood from the following description of preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of one embodiment of a disposable diaper of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line ll-ll of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line Ill-Ill of Figure 1 with the elements unattached;

Figure 4 is a schematic partial perspective view of the liquid impervious backsheet and the outer nonwoven layer;

Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of the diaper of the present invention when in use; and

Figure 6 is a top plan view of the liquid impervious backsheet printed with landing zone graphics and aesthetic graphics.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION As used herein, the term "absorbent article" refers to devices which absorb and contain body exudates, and more specifically, refers to devices which are placed against or in proximity to the body of the wearer to absorb and contain the various exudates discharged from the body. The term "disposable" is used herein to describe absorbent articles which generally are not intended to be laundered or otherwise restored or reused as an absorbent article (i.e., they are intended to be discarded after a single use and, preferably, to be recycled, composted or otherwise disposed of in an environmentally compatible manner). As used herein, the term "disposed" is used to mean that an element(s) of the diaper is formed (joined and positioned) in a particular place or position as a unitary structure with other elements of the diaper or as a separate element joined to another element of the diaper. As used herein, the term "joined" encompasses configurations whereby an element is directly secured to another element by affixing the element directly to the other element, and configurations whereby an element is indirectly secured to another element by affixing the element to intermediate member(s) which in turn are affixed to the other element.) As used herein, the term "diaper" refers to an absorbent article generally worn by infants and incontinent persons about the lower torso. The present invention is also applicable to other absorbent articles such as incontinence briefs, incontinence undergarments, absorbent inserts, diaper holders and liners, feminine hygiene garments, and the like. The term "longitudinal", as used herein, refers to a line, axis or direction in the plane of the absorbent article that is generally aligned with (e.g., approximately parallel to) a vertical plane which bisects a standing wearer into left and right body halves when the absorbent article is worn. The terms "transverse" or "lateral" used herein, are interchangeable, and refer to a line, axis or direction which lies within the plane of the absorbent article that is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

Figure 1 is a plan view of the diaper 20 of one embodiment of the present invention in a flat-out, state. The diaper 20 comprises a liquid pervious topsheet 30; a liquid impervious backsheet 32; an absorbent core 34, which is preferably positioned between at least a portion of the topsheet 30 and the backsheet 32; and an outer nonwoven layer 36 disposed on an outer surface of the liquid impervious backsheet 32. The diaper 20 further comprises a closure member 38 to form a closure of the diaper 20. The diaper 20 may additionally comprise side panels 40; elasticized leg cuffs 42; barrier leg cuffs 43; and an elastic waist feature 44. Diaper 20 is shown in Figure 1 to have a first end region 46 and a second end region 48 opposite of the first end region 46. The diaper 20 also has a wearer facing surface (inner surface) 26 and a garment facing surface (outer surface) 28. The periphery of the diaper 20 is defined by the outer edges of the diaper 20 in which the longitudinal side edges 22 run generally parallel to the longitudinal centerline L of the diaper 20 and the transverse end edges 24 run between the longitudinal side edges 22 generally parallel to the lateral centerline T of the diaper 20.

In the embodiment of the diaper 20 shown in Figures 1 and 2, the topsheet 30 and the backsheet 32 have a rectangular shape. The topsheet 30 has a little narrower transverse width than the backsheet 32 while the topsheet 30 may have wider transverse width than the backsheet 32 or may be the same width as the backsheet 32. The topsheet 30 and the backsheet 32 preferably do not extend into the side panel 40 while they can be extended into the side panel 40 if necessary. The topsheet 30 and the backsheet 32 may be terminated inboard of the longitudinal side edge 22 such that the topsheet 30 and the backsheet 32 do not extend into a portion of or the entirety of the elasticized leg cuff 42 to enhance breathability of the elasticized leg cuff 42. The outer nonwoven layer 36 is disposed on the outer surface of the backsheet 32 and has a shape conforming to the shape of the diaper 20 without including the closure member 38. Therefore, the outer nonwoven layer 36 not only cover the entire outer surface of the backsheet 32, but also extend into the side panel 40 to form the side panel 40. However, the outer nonwoven layer 36 does not need to conform to the shape of the diaper 20. For example, the nonwoven outer layer 36 does not need to cover the entire outer surface of the backsheet 32, but may cover only a portion of the outer surface of the backsheet 32 as far as the nonwoven outer layer 36 is able to provide cloth-like appearance to the user. Further, the nonwoven outer layer 36 does not need to extend into the side panel 40. The diaper 20 also has a barrier leg cuff 43 (which may be formed by a nonwoven fabric) having an elastic means to space the barrier leg cuff 43 from the surface of the topsheet 30 as shown in Figure 2. The outside portion 50 of the barrier leg cuff 43 extends into the side panel 40 to form the side panel 40 together with the outer nonwoven layer 36. The closure member 38 is joined to the side panel 40 formed by the outside portion 50 and the outer nonwoven layer 36 adjacent to the longitudinal side edge 22 of the diaper 20 in the first end region 46.

The liquid pervious topsheet 30 is preferably positioned adjacent the body-facing surface of the absorbent core 34 and may be joined thereto and/or to the backsheet 32 by any attachment means known in the art. The topsheet 30 is preferably compliant, soft feeling, and non-irritating to the wearer's skin. Further, at least a portion of the topsheet 30 is liquid pervious, permitting liquid to readily penetrate through its thickness. A suitable topsheet 30 may be manufactured from a wide range of materials, such as porous foams; reticulated foams; apertured plastic films; or woven or nonwoven webs of natural fibers (e.g., wood or cotton fibers), synthetic fibers (e.g., polyester or polypropylene fibers), or a combination of natural and synthetic fibers. Preferably, the topsheet 30 is made of a hydrophobic material or is treated to be hydrophobic in order to isolate the wearer's skin from liquids contained in the absorbent core 34. If the topsheet 30 is made of a hydrophobic material, preferably at least the upper surface of the topsheet 30 is treated to be hydrophilic so that liquids will transfer through the topsheet more rapidly. The liquid impervious backsheet 32 is generally that portion of the diaper 20 positioned adjacent the garment-facing surface of the absorbent core 34. Backsheet 32 prevents the exudates absorbed and contained therein from soiling articles that may contact the diaper 20, such as bedsheets and undergarments. In preferred embodiments, the backsheet 32 is impervious to liquids (e.g., urine) and comprises a thin plastic film such as a thermoplastic film having a thickness of about 0.012 mm (0.5 mil) to about 0.051 mm (2.0 mils). Suitable backsheet films include those manufactured by Tredegar Industries Inc. of Terre Haute, IN and sold under the trade names X15306, X10962, and X10964. Other suitable backsheet materials may include breathable materials that permit vapors to escape from the diaper 20 while still preventing exudates from passing through the backsheet 32. Exemplary breathable materials may include materials such as woven webs, nonwoven webs, composite materials such as film-coated nonwoven webs, and microporous films such as manufactured by Mitsui Toatsu Co., of Japan under the designation ESPOIR NO and by EXXON Chemical Co., of Bay City, TX, under the designation EXXAIRE. Suitable breathable composite materials comprising polymer blends are available from Clopay Corporation, Cincinnati, OH under the name HYTREL blend P18-3097.

The absorbent core 34 may comprise any absorbent material that is generally compressible, conformable, non-irritating to the wearer's skin, and capable of absorbing and retaining liquids such as urine and other certain body exudates. The absorbent core 34 has longitudinal side edges and end edges and can be manufactured in a wide variety of sizes and shapes (e.g., rectangular, hourglass, "T"-shaped, asymmetric, etc.) and may comprise a wide variety of liquid-absorbent materials commonly used in disposable diapers and other absorbent articles such as comminuted wood pulp, which is generally referred to as airfelt. Examples of other suitable absorbent materials include creped cellulose wadding; meltblown polymers, including coform; chemically stiffened, modified or cross-linked cellulosic fibers; tissue, including tissue wraps and tissue laminates; absorbent foams; absorbent sponges; superabsorbent polymers; absorbent gelling materials; or any other known absorbent material or combinations of materials. In any case all or a portion of the core may include slits which allow the core to form openings when stretched into which fecal mater can flow. The configuration and construction of the absorbent core 34 may also be varied (e.g., the absorbent core(s) or other absorbent structure(s) may have varying caliper zones, a hydrophilic gradient, a superabsorbent gradient, or lower average density and lower average basis weight acquisition zones; or may comprise one or more layers or structures). However, the total absorbent capacity of the absorbent core 34 should be compatible with the design loading and the intended use of the diaper 20.

The diaper 20 is provided with a closure member 38 for forming a side closure of the diaper 20. Thus, the diaper 20 is fitted to the wearer and the first end region 46 and the second end region 48 are maintained in an overlapping configuration when the diaper 20 is worn. Each closure member 38 is intended to provide a fastening means for engaging an outer nonwoven layer 36 so as to provide a secure side closure for the diaper 20. Thus, the closure member 38 comprises a hook fastening material 56. Each closure member 38 also preferably comprises a means for positioning the hook fastening material 56 adjacent the outer nonwoven layer 36 so as to achieve a side closure. Thus, the closure member 38 may comprise any of the well known configurations and securement means for achieving a side closure on a diaper such as an inner fastening member secured to the inside surface and/or the outside surface of the diaper, tape tabs, or belts. Preferred closure members 38 for the diaper 20 comprise either an inner fastening member or a tape tab. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the closure member 38 preferably comprises a tape tab 52 and a hook fastening material 56, disposed adjacent each longitudinal edge 22 of the diaper 20 in the first end region 46. The hook fastening material 56 is engageable with the outer nonwoven layer 36 to form a side closure of the diaper 20 when in use and/or to form a disposal configuration so as to provide convenient disposal of the diaper 20.

An inner fastening member may comprise a hook fastening material or a combination of fastening elements such as a hook fastening material and adhesive attachment means positioned on the diaper 20. Thus, a preferred inner fastening member comprises a strip or a patch of a hook fastening material. While an inner fastening member may be positioned anywhere on the diaper such as on the inner surface 26 or the outer surface 28, or in the first end region 48 or the second end region 50; an inner fastening member is preferably positioned on the inner surface 26 of the diaper 20 in the side panel 40 in the first end region 46, one adjacent each longitudinal edge 22, so as to engage an outer nonwoven layer 36.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the closure member 38 preferably comprises a tape tab 52. Any of the well known configurations and constructions of a tape tab may be used. Exemplary tape tab 52 is a Y-shaped tape tab as described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 3,848,594 entitled "Tape Fastening System for Disposable Diaper" which issued to Kenneth B. Buell on Nov. 19, 1974, and which patent is incorporated herein by reference. Alternatively, preferred tape tabs are described in detail in co-pending U.S. continuation patent application Ser. No. 078,345 entitled "Disposable Diaper Having Wide Tapered Fastening Tapes" filed July 28, 1987 by Harold R. Burkhardt and Kenneth B. Buell, which is incorporated herein by reference. As shown in Figure 1 , a tape tab 52 is provided on both longitudinal edges 22 of the diaper 20, most preferably in the first waist region 46.

One embodiment of a tape tab 52 is illustrated in Figure 2 and has a fastening surface 58 and a backing surface 60. The fastening surface 58 is that surface of the tape tab 52 designed to engage the outer nonwoven layer 36. Thus, the fastening surface 58 of the tape tab 52 will generally correspond to the inner surface 26 of the diaper 20. The backing surface 60 is that surface opposite of the fastening surface 58 and generally corresponds to the outer surface 28 of the diaper 20. The backing surface 60 is thus generally exposed during wear of the diaper 20. The preferred tape tab 52 illustrated in Figure 2 is one which is anchored to both the inner surface 26 and the outer surface 28 of the diaper 20. The preferred tape tab 52 has at least three elements, a first fixed portion 62, a second fixed portion 64, and a connective portion 66. The first fixed portion 62 is that portion of the tape tab 52 which is attached to the inner surface 26 of the diaper. The second fixed portion 64 is that portion of the tape tab 52 which is attached to the outer surface 28 of the diaper 20. The connective portion 66 is that portion of the tape tab 52 which is attached to another portion of the diaper 20, generally the nonwoven outer layer 36, by the user when securing the diaper 20 on the wearer. Alternatively, the first fixed portion 62 may be eliminated if desired. Further, the second fixed portion 64 may be interposed and laminated between the materials forming the side panel 40 (i.e., the outside portion 50 of the barrier leg cuff 43 and the outer nonwoven layer 36). The tape tabs 52 may comprise any known materials such as a plastic film, a nonwoven fabric, or a combination thereof. The tape tab attachment means may comprise any of those adhesives which provide an adequate bond with other portions of the diaper, and is preferably any of the pressure-sensitive adhesives well-known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

The hook fastening material 56 of the closure member 38 forms the closure between the closure member 38 and the outer nonwoven layer 36. Thus, the hook fastening material 56 provides an element or elements that engage the outer nonwoven layer 36 to maintain the first end region 46 and the second end region 48 in an overlapping configuration to provide a secure side closure.

The hook fastening material 56 may be a separate member joined to and associated with the closure member 38 or a unitary member with the closure member 38. The hook fastening material 56 may be positioned anywhere on the diaper 20. When the closure member 38 comprises an inner fastening member, the hook fastening material 56 is preferably positioned in the side panel 40 of the first end region 46 adjacent the longitudinal edges 22. When the closure member 38 comprises a tape tab 52, the hook fastening material 56 is preferably positioned either on all of or at least a portion of the fastening surface 58, more preferably on all of or at least a portion of the connective portion 66. FIG. 2 shows a preferred hook fastening material 56. As used herein, the term "hook fastening material" is used to designate a material having engaging elements 68. Thus, the hook fastening material 56 may also be referred to as a male fastener. It should also be understood that the use of the term "hook" should be non-limiting in the sense that the engaging elements 68 may comprise any shapes as are known in the art so long as they are adapted to engage a complementary outer nonwoven layer. As shown, the hook fastening material 56 preferably comprises a stem 70 and an enlarged head 72 positioned at the end of the stem 70. The hook fastening material 56 may be manufactured from a wide range of materials. Suitable materials include nylon, polyester, polypropylene, or any combination of these materials.

The outer nonwoven layer 36 provides a means for securing itself and the closure member 38 together to provide a secure side closure and to maintain the first end region 46 and the second end region 48 in an overlapping configuration. Therefore, the outer nonwoven layer 36 should provide sufficient engageability with the hook fastening material 56 of the closure member 38. The outer nonwoven layer 36 also may provide a disposal means for securing itself and the closure member 38 to allow convenient and easy disposal of the diaper 20. Alternatively, the outer nonwoven layer 36 may be provided with a separate disposal means, such as a nonwoven or a loop fastening material, engageable with the hook fastening material 56 of the closure member 38 and disposed on and joined to a portion of the outer surface of the outer nonwoven layer 38. The outer nonwoven layer 36 also preferably provides overall cloth-like appearance and feel. At least a portion of the outer nonwoven layer 36 should have transparency or at least a degree of translucency such that the nonwoven outer layer 36 allows the user to see the object disposed behind the outer nonwoven layer 36 (i.e., disposed inside the outer nonwoven layer 36) therethrough, such as graphics printed on the backsheet 32.

The outer nonwoven layer 36 covers the outer surface of the backsheet 32. The outer nonwoven layer 36 may be directly secured to the backsheet 32 or indirectly secured to the backsheet 32 by any known means such as adhesive attachment. When the outer nonwoven layer 36 is indirectly secured to the backsheet 32, any additional layer may be inserted between the outer nonwoven layer 36 and the backsheet 32. The outer nonwoven layer 36 is preferably formed from a wide range of materials such as non-woven webs of natural fibers (e.g. wood or cotton fibers), synthetic fibers (e.g. polyester or polypropylene fibers), or a combination of natural and synthetic fibers. The nonwoven may be carded, spunbond, meltblown or air-through bonded or have any other characteristic or be manufactured in any manner known in the art. An especially preferred nonwoven is a spunbonded nonwoven made of polyethylene/polypropylene co-polymer fibers such as Mitsui Copoly nonwoven 20 gsm supplied by Mitsui Chemical in Japan.

The liquid impervious backsheet 32 comprises landing zone graphics 70 (refer to Figures 3 and 4 as well). The backsheet 32 has an inner surface 32A facing toward the side of the absorbent core 34 and an outer surface 32B facing toward the side of the outer nonwoven layer 36. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1 , the landing zone graphics 70 are disposed on the area of the outer surface 32B of the backsheet 32 adjacent to the transverse end edge 24 of diaper 20 in the second end region 48 to which the closure means 38 is joined. Preferably, the landing zone graphics 70 are directly printed on the outer surface 32B of the backsheet 32 with ink by any known process such as flexographic printing, ink-jet printing, screen printing, or rotogravure printing. The landing zone graphics 70 may be alternatively printed with colored adhesive such as colored hot melt adhesive. The landing zone graphics 70 printed on the backsheet 32 are covered by the outer nonwoven layer 36 such that the landing zone graphics 70 is visible through the outer nonwoven layer 36. Alternatively, the landing zone graphics 70 may be disposed on the inner surface 32A of the backsheet as far as the landing zone graphics 70 can be viewed to serve as a guide means for securing the closure member 38. In such a case, the landing zone graphics 70 may be directly printed on the inner surface 32A of the backsheet 32. The landing zone graphics 70 may be printed on a separate material such as a nonwoven or a film and the separate material may be directly or indirectly joined to the inner surface 32A or the outer surface 32B of the liquid impervious backsheet 32. The landing zone graphics 70 provided on the backsheet 32 are preferably registered in a predetermined position of the backsheet 32. More preferably, the landing zone graphics 70 are registered such that the graphics 70 appear on the same position of each diaper adjacent to the transverse end edge 24. The landing zone graphics 70 may comprise any visual form which facilitates the individual fitting of the diaper to affix the closure member 38 at predetermined, corresponding locations. The landing zone graphics should be visually distinct from the rest of the portion of the diaper to serve as a guide means when the diaper is fitted on the wearer. The landing zone graphics may comprise one or more of distinct regions of graphics. In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the landing zone graphics 70 comprises one discrete region of graphics. Exemplary landing zone graphics are patterns, symbols, ornamental designs, script, color coadings, other markings, toys, animals, objects, letters, scenes, or combinations thereof. The landing zone graphics 70 being visible through the nonwoven outer layer 36 as shown in Figure 5 provides a means for designating optimal fastening locations of the closure member 38. Thus, the landing zone graphics 70 allows the user to make proper fitting of the diaper to prevent or reduce diaper leakage and/or irritation due to improper fit and/or excessively tight fit. In the embodiment of the present invention, the outer nonwoven layer 36 extends beyond the area of the landing zone graphics 70, preferably covers the entirety of the backsheet 32. Therefore, the closure member 38 is able to engage the area of the outer nonwoven layer 36 other than the area of the landing zone graphics 70 while the landing zone graphics 70 still serves as a guide means for proper fitting of π the diaper. This allows the user to make custom fit by joining the closure member 38 to the area of the outer nonwoven layer 36 other than the area of the landing zone graphics 70 if necessary or desired but close to the area of the landing zone graphics 70 as shown by the dotted line 38A in Figure 5.

Thus, when the diaper 20 is fitted to the wearer, the closure member 38 is secured to a portion of the outer nonwoven layer 36 on or adjacent to the landing zone graphics 70 to form a closure of the diaper without requiring a separate loop fastening material joined to the outer nonwoven layer which could be bulky, stiff, and/or costly. The landing zone graphics 70 which is visible through the outer nonwoven layer 36 provides as a guide means for proper fitting of the diaper.

The liquid impervious backsheet 32 of the present invention may comprise aesthetic graphics 72 which impart garment-like appearance to the diaper as shown in Figure 6. Figure 6 shows a continuous liquid impervious backsheet 32 which is on the manufacturing process before the continuous backsheet 32 is cut into the size of the diaper. The aesthetic graphics 72 are disposed in the area of the outer surface 32B of the backsheet such that the aesthetic graphics 72 does not visually interfere with the landing zone graphics. Preferably, the aesthetic graphics 70 are directly printed on the outer surface 32B or the inner surface 32A of the backsheet 32 with, e.g., the same method as the landing zone graphics 70. Alternatively, the aesthetic graphics may be printed on a separate material such as a nonwoven or a film and the separate material may be directly or indirectly joined to the inner surface 32A or the outer surface 32B of the liquid impervious backsheet 32. The aesthetic graphics are covered by the outer nonwoven layer 36 and are visible therethrough.

The aesthetic graphics include any visual form, such as toys, animals, objects, letters, scenes, or combinations thereof which may be of interest to and/or educational for the wearer. Further, the aesthetic graphics may include patterns, symbols, ornamental designs, script, color coadings, other markings, toys, animals, objects, letters, scenes, or combinations thereof. The landing zone graphics should be visually distinctive from the aesthetic graphics. For example, they can be distinctive by differentiating the shape of each graphics, the characteristics of each graphics, the color of each graphics, or the color brightness of each graphics, or combinations thereof.

It is preferable that the landing zone graphics and the aesthetic graphics are printed on the same surface of the same sheet substrate constituting the diaper 20. More preferably, the landing zone graphics and the aesthetic graphics form a set of graphics such that the set of graphics may be printed on the same surface of the same sheet substrate in one printing process. The term "one printing process" means that the process for printing the landing zone graphics and the process for printing the aesthetic graphics are made in one continuously driven printing process. One printing process may be formed by, e.g., a conveyer for providing a sheet substrate to be printed with graphics and one apparatus for printing the landing zone graphics and the aesthetic graphics, or a conveyer for providing a sheet substrate to be printed with graphics and two apparatus, which are disposed along the conveyer, for printing the landing zone graphics and the aesthetic graphics separately. Such one printing process is useful to eliminate accurate adjustment of positioning each graphics. In the embodiment shown in Figure 6, the landing zone graphics 70 and the aesthetic graphics 72 form a set of graphics such that the set of graphics may be printed on the upper surface 32B of the one piece of the backsheet 32. The set of graphics may further include a reference marker 74. The reference marker 74 may be used to register the set of graphics in a predetermined position of the backsheet 32 and/or to cut the backsheet at a predetermined position such that the set of graphics is positioned in a predetermined position of the backsheet 32, preferably such that the landing zone graphics are positioned adjacent to the end edge 24 of the diaper 20 in the second region 48. In the embodiment shown in Figure 6, the continuous backsheet 32 printed with the set of graphics (including the landing zone graphics 70, the aesthetic graphics 72 and the reference marker 74) is cut at the dotted line by referring to the signal from the reference marker 74. The reference marker does not have to be a discrete separate form as shown in Figure 6. Alternatively, it may be a part of the set of the graphics.

Although particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be apparent to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A disposable absorbent article having longitudinal side edges and transverse end edges, a first end region, and a second end region opposite of the first end region, the absorbent article comprising a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet, an absorbent core disposed between the liquid pervious topsheet and the liquid impervious backsheet, and an outer nonwoven layer disposed on an outer surface of the liquid impervious backsheet, the absorbent article further comprising a closure member, wherein the closure member is joined adjacent to the longitudinal side edge in the first end region, the closure member comprises a hook fastening material engageable with the outer nonwoven layer for forming a closure for the absorbent article, and the liquid impervious backsheet comprises landing zone graphics disposed in the second end region, and the landing zone graphics are covered by the outer nonwoven layer and are visible through the outer nonwoven layer.

2. The disposable absorbent article of Claim 1 wherein the landing zone graphics are printed on the liquid impervious backsheet.

3. The disposable absorbent article of Claim 1 wherein the landing zone graphics are printed on a separate material and the separate material is joined to the liquid impervious backsheet.

4. The disposable absorbent article of Claim 2 or 3 wherein the liquid impervious backsheet comprises aesthetic graphics.

5. The disposable absorbent article of Claim 2 wherein the liquid impervious backsheet comprises aesthetic graphics and the aesthetic graphics are printed on the liquid impervious backsheet.

6. The disposable absorbent article of Claim 5 wherein the landing zone graphics and the aesthetic graphics form a set of graphics, and the set of the graphics is printed on the backsheet in a single printing process. The disposable absorbent article of Claim 6 wherein the set of graphics further includes a reference marker to cut liquid impervious backsheet at a predetermined position such that the landing zone graphics are positioned adjacent the end edge of the absorbent article in the second end region.