MXPA06011315A - Disposable absorbent articles having wetness appearing graphics - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a disposable absorbent article comprising a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet that is at least partially joined to the topsheet, an absorbent core disposed at least partially between the topsheet and the backsheet, and a wetness indicator printed onto a surface of said backsheet wherein the wetness indicator comprises a graphic that further comprises at least one responsive color composition and a varnish coating disposed adjacent to said responsive color composition;wherein upon wetting, said graphic becomes visible to the unaided eye.

Description

DISPOSABLE ABSORBENT ITEMS THAT HAVE FIGURES THAT APPEAR WHEN THE ARTICLE WAS DAMAGED FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a disposable absorbent article containing a moisture indicator comprising patterns that appear when the article is wetted. The figure further comprises at least one composition that is colored and a varnish coating disposed on top of the coloring composition. When wet with a fluid such as urine, the figure becomes visible to the naked eye for the consumer or for the user.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Typically, disposable absorbent articles incorporate drawings as a usual feature. In most cases, these drawings are applied to the bottom canvas of the product so that the drawings are visible while the article is being used. The drawings have been printed directly on a component of the lower canvas or on a separate layer, such as a layer of tissue paper, which is arranged on the lower canvas. There are many reasons why drawings are incorporated into disposable absorbent articles. For example, drawings can improve the appearance and appeal of the product, both for the user and for those who buy it. The drawings may also influence the manner in which the disposable absorbent article is used. For example, people who put on the diaper can use the drawings of the disposable diapers to entertain or educate the child while placing the diaper. Similarly, the drawings on the disposable trainers can provide an educational medium and an incentive to facilitate the process during which the child learns to stop using diapers. The drawings in the trainers can also serve to increase the interest of the child in the product and thus increase their interest in the process of training in the use of the toilet. The drawings can also be used to indicate when a urinary discharge has occurred. For example, it is known in the industry that when wet, disposable absorbent articles, for example, diapers, have included drawings that appear or disappear to indicate this event. To date, however, it has not been possible to provide disposable absorbent products that include printed patterns that can be arranged directly on a film portion of the bottom canvas of an absorbent product and ultimately make the drawing appear clearly to the naked eye. a consumer and a user when exposed to a liquid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention, therefore, relates to disposable absorbent articles comprising: a) a liquid permeable upper sheet; b) a lower liquid impermeable sheet that is at least partially joined to the upper canvas; c) an absorbent core disposed at least partially between the upper canvas and the lower canvas; and d) a moisture indicator printed on a surface of said lower canvas; the humidity indicator comprises a pattern that also comprises at least one composition that is colored and a varnish coating disposed adjacent to the composition that is colored; where, when moistened, the drawings become visible to the naked eye.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION DEFINITIONS As used herein, the term "absorbent articles" refers to devices which absorb and contain body exudates and more specifically refers to devices which are placed against or in proximity to the wearer's body to absorb and contain the various exudates excreted by the body. Absorbent articles may include diapers, trainers, underwear for adult incontinence, feminine hygiene products, breast protectors, sanitary napkins, bibs, wound dressings and the like. As used in this, the expressions "body fluids" or "body exudates" include, but are not limited to, urine, blood, vaginal discharges, breast milk, sweat and fecal matter. As used herein, the term "absorbent core" relates to the component of the absorbent article that is primarily responsible for the fluid handling properties of the article, including the collection or acquisition, transportation, distribution and storage of body fluids. As such, the absorbent core normally does not include the upper canvas, the lower canvas or outer covering of the absorbent article. As used herein, the term "attached" is related to the different materials that are bonded or adhered (adhesively or cohesively) to at least a portion thereof. The linked portions may be random or may follow a pattern, such as stripes, spirals, dots and the like. The joined portions can be located at the outer edges, in the entire surface area, or both. The suitable joining means known in the industry can be used, which include, but are not limited to, adhesive, thermal, pressure, shirring, ultrasonic, chemical media (by means of hydrogen bonds or other cohesive forces), mechanical (for example, fastening or entanglement), hydraulic, vacuum and combinations thereof. As used herein, the term "composite structure" relates to a multi-region structure wherein the materials comprising the regions may be associated or operatively linked. The regions may even be in intimate contact, such that the compound has a unitary structure. In addition, the regions can be located in a layer arrangement (face to face) or arranged in parallel. As used herein, the term "disposable" is used in its ordinary meaning to mean an article that is discarded or discarded after a limited number of uses for varying periods of time, preferably less than about 20 uses, with greater preference less than about 10 uses, still more preferably less than about 5 uses and, most preferably, less than about 2 uses. As used herein, the term "intimate union" is related to the physical contact between two layers, so that they support a separation that does not present easily identifiable areas of separation in visual form. In a specific embodiment, the inner and outer layers are laminated together adhesively in the regions of the pattern by the use of a blow-melt process to form a superimposed web of adhesive filaments. As used herein, the term "attached" or "connected" encompasses configurations by which one element is directly secured to another, fixing this element directly to the other element, and configurations by which one element is indirectly secured to another element, setting the element to one or more intermediate members which in turn are fixed to the other element. The term "macroporous" refers to materials that have pores that are too large to effect the capillary transport of fluids that, in general, have pores with a diameter greater than 0.5 mm and, more specifically, having pores with a diameter greater than about 1.0. mm). As used herein, the term "blow-blown" or "blow-blown web" is related to a web having fibers that are formed by extruding a molten thermoplastic material through a plurality of fine, generally circular, capillaries of a matrix , in the form of melted filaments or filaments in heated air / gas streams converging at high speed, which attenuate the molten filaments to reduce their diameter. The reduction in the diameter of the fiber is considerably greater than the reduction in fiber diameter obtained in the spinning process by joining, producing microfibers having an average fiber diameter greater than 0.2 microns and, generally, in the range of 0.6 to 10 microns. After this, the high-velocity gas stream carries the blown fibers that are deposited on a collecting surface to form a randomly dispersed fiber web. Various melt blown processes are known in the industry. (As used herein, the term "microporous" is related to materials that can transport liquids by capillary action.) As used herein, the terms "non-woven fabric" or "non-woven fabric weft" are related with a continuous web or material having a structure of individual fibers that are interlaced to form a matrix, but not in a repeated way that can be identified. The non-woven fabrics can be formed by a variety of processes known to those with industry experience, for example, meltblowing, bond spinning, wet laying, air laying and various consolidation and carding processes. As used herein, the term "operatively associated" is related to a structure comprising different materials that are located at least in a partial contact relationship with each other during use. The materials are physically separable and each exhibits properties that can be measured individually. The materials may be arranged in a face-to-face relationship in the Z dimension, or in a side-by-side relationship in the XY dimension. As used herein, the terms "pulp" or "cellulosic fibers" include natural fibers derived from trees or plants (e.g., hardwood fibers, softwood fibers, hemp, cotton, flax, esparto, milk thistle) , straw, bagasse and the like), their regenerated / processed fibers (eg, Rayon®) or chemically modified fibers (eg, cellulose esters) and combinations thereof. Suitable hardwood fibers include eucalyptus fibers. Suitable hardwood fibers can be prepared by the process Kraft or other chemical methods of pulp manufacture. Suitable softwood fibers include southern softwood fibers (SS) and northern softwood fibers (NS). The softwood fibers for use herein may be chemically pulped (for example, Kraft pulp) or mechanically (for example, chemically-compressed pulp (CTMP), for example). and the thermomechanical pulp (TMP)). As used herein, the term "region" is related to a zone or area comprising a material that is physically, chemically or visually distinguishable from neighboring or adjacent materials. The various regions of materials may include regions of transition between them. The regions can be located in the Z dimension or the XY dimension. As used herein, the term "Z dimension" is related to the orthogonal dimension to the length and width of the structure or article. The dimension Z usually corresponds to the thickness of the structure or article. As used herein, the term "XY dimension" relates to the plane orthogonal to the thickness of the member, core or article when the member, core or article is in an extended state. The XY dimension usually corresponds to the length and width, respectively, of the structure or article in an extended state. As used herein, the terms "spunbond fibers" or "spunbond fiber webs" are related to a web having fibers formed by extruding a molten thermoplastic material in the form of filaments from a plurality. of fine capillaries of a row, generally circular or with another configuration, and the diameter of the extruded filaments is rapidly reduced by stretching or other widely known spun bonding mechanisms. Spunbond fibers are quickly quenched and usually do not adhere when deposited on a harvester surface. Spunbond fibers are generally continuous and often exhibit an average of between about 10 and 30 microns. As used herein, the term "unitary structure" is related to a structure comprising materials with different characteristics that are linked together to form an integral entity, such that the materials are practically inseparable in physical form and structure unit exhibits properties that result from the combination of the materials present in it. The materials may be arranged in a face-to-face relationship in the Z dimension, or in a side-by-side relationship in the XY dimension. The following detailed description is directed to absorbent articles. However, it is likely that the described articles may be modified so that the general concept discussed herein may also be applied for use in other hygienic or health care products, such as bandages, dressings, sanitary napkins, bibs, surgical drapes. , surgical gowns and the like.

ABSORBENT ARTICLE The absorbent articles of the present invention comprise a liquid permeable top sheet, a liquid impermeable bottom sheet that is at least partially bonded to the top sheet, an absorbent core disposed at least partially between the top sheet and the top sheet. lower canvas, and a moisture indicator printed on a surface of said lower canvas; the humidity indicator comprises a pattern that also comprises at least one composition that is colored and a varnish coating disposed adjacent to the composition that is colored; where, when moistened, the drawings become visible to the naked eye. In some embodiments, the absorbent articles may further include one or more components selected from the group consisting of an outer cover, side panels, a fold, a waist elastic, a fastening system and combinations of these. The main body of the absorbent article, for example, a diaper, comprises at least the absorbent core and the upper canvas. An outer cover forms the frame, on which other components of the diaper are added to form the unitary structure of the diaper. In alternative modalities, the article may be preformed by the manufacturer to create a pant. The term "breeches" used herein refers to disposable garments having an opening in the waist and leg openings designed for adults or children. A brief may be placed in its position on the user by inserting the legs thereof into the leg openings and sliding the briefs in position around the user's lower torso. A pant may be preformed by any suitable technique, including, but not limited to, joining parts of the article using readjustable and / or unadjusted unions (eg, seam, weld, adhesive or cohesive bond, fastener, etc.). ). While the term "panties" is used herein, these are also commonly referred to as "closed diapers," "pre-insured diapers," "panty-type or underwear-design diapers," "trainers," and "underwear-type diapers." . Some suitable examples are described in U.S. Pat. num. 5246433; 5569234, 6120487, 6120489, 4940464, 5092861, 5897545, 5957908 and U.S. Patent Publication. no. 2003 / 0233082A1.

TOP LINER The absorbent articles of the present invention comprise a top canvas. The upper canvas is preferably moldable, soft to the touch and does not irritate the user's skin. The upper canvas can also stretch elastically in one or two directions. In addition, the upper canvas is permeable or liquids, which allows body fluids (eg, menstruation, urine and / or watery stools) to easily penetrate through its thickness. The suitable top canvas can be manufactured from a wide range of materials, such as woven and non-woven materials; perforated or hydroformed thermoplastic films; porous foams; cross-linked foams; crosslinked thermoplastic films; and thermoplastic gauze. Suitable materials of woven fabrics and non-woven fabrics may comprise natural fibers, such as wood or cotton fibers; synthetic fibers, such as polyester, polypropylene or polyethylene fibers; or combinations of these. If the upper canvas includes fibers, the fibers may be spun by bonding, carded, wet-laid, blow-melted, hydroentangled or processed in any other way known in the industry. A suitable top sheet comprising a web of cut polypropylene fibers is that manufactured by Veratec, Inc., a Division of International Paper Company, of Walpole, MA under the designation P-8. Preferred upper canvases for use in the present invention are selected from upper canvases of quilted non-woven fabrics and from upper canvases of perforated films. The upper canvases of perforated films are generally permeable to bodily exudates, but non-absorbent, and have a reduced tendency to allow liquids to pass through them again and rewet the user's skin. Suitable perforated films include those described in U.S. Pat. num. 5628097, 5916661, 6545197, 6107539 and the PCT patent publication no. WO 00/69382 A2. In addition, upper canvas materials suitable for depositing solid excretions may include non-woven fabrics having perforations, which are at least found in the portions that are aligned with the region of the article intended to receive the feces. Perforated non-woven fabrics that are suitable are described in greater detail in U.S. Pat. num. 6414215, 5342338 and 5941864 and in the U.S. patent publication. no. 2002/017376. In another embodiment of stool management articles, the upper linens may be combined with stool management members, for example, which are below said upper liners and which are described in more detail in the patent documents mentioned above. . Suitable shaped upper canvases are described in U.S. Pat. num. 3929135, 4324246, 4342314, 4463045, 5006394. Other suitable top canvases may be made in accordance with U.S. Pat. num. 4609518 and 4629643. These formed films are available from The Procter & Gamble Company of Cincinnati, Ohio, as "DRI-WEAVE", and of Tredegar Corporation, of Richmond, VA, as "CLIFF-T." Preferably, at least a portion of the upper sheet is made of a hydrophobic material or is treated to become hydrophobic in order to isolate the user's skin from the liquids contained in the absorbent core. For example, if the upper sheet is made with a hydrophobic material, preferably, at least a portion of its upper surface is treated to be hydrophilic, so that liquids are transferred through the upper sheet more quickly. The upper canvas can become hydrophilic when treated with a surfactant or by incorporating a surfactant into the upper canvas.

Suitable methods for treating the upper canvas with a surfactant include spraying the upper canvas material with the surfactant or immersing the material in the surfactant. A more detailed description of said treatment and hydrophilicity is contained in U.S. Pat. num. 4988344, 4988345 and 4950254. A more detailed description of some of the appropriate methods for incorporating a surfactant into the upper canvas 24 is described in the Regulatory Register of US Inventions. no. H1670 Alternatively, the upper canvas may include a perforated film or film that is hydrophobic. This can be achieved by eliminating the step of the hydrophilizing treatment from the production process or by applying a hydrophobic treatment to the upper canvas, such as a polytetrafluoroethylene compound such as SCOTCHGUARD or a hydrophobic lotion composition, as described below. In such embodiments, it is preferred that the orifices be large enough to allow the penetration of aqueous fluids such as urine, without significant resistance. Any portion of the upper canvas can be coated with a lotion, as is known in the industry. Examples of suitable lotions include those described in U.S. Pat. num. 5607760, 5609587, 5635191, 5643588 and 5968025. The lotion can be used alone or in combination with another agent, such as the hydrophobicizing treatment described above. The upper canvas can also be included or treated with antibacterial agents; examples of some of these agents are described in PCT publication no. WO 95/24173. In addition, the upper canvas, outer cover or any portion of the upper canvas or outer cover may be embossed or have a matte finish to provide a more fabric-like appearance. The top sheet may comprise one or more openings to facilitate the penetration of exudates through it, such as urine or feces (solid, semi-solid or liquid). The size of at least the primary aperture is important for achieving the desired waste encapsulation performance. If the primary opening is too small, it is possible that debris can not pass through it, either due to incorrect alignment between the origin of the debris and the opening or because the fecal masses have a diameter greater than that of the opening. If the opening is too large, the area of the skin that can be contaminated by the rewetting of the article increases. Normally, the opening should have an area of approximately 102 to 50 cm2. Preferably, the opening has an area of about 152 to 35 cm2. In addition, the upper canvas may be fully or partially elasticated or may be gathered to provide a hollow space between the upper canvas and the core. Examples of structures that include stretched or shirred top canvases are described in more detail in U.S. Pat. 4892536, 4990147, 5037416 and 5269775.

LOWER CANVAS It is preferred that the lower canvas be impermeable to liquids (eg, menstrual fluid, urine or liquid stool) and preferably made of a thin plastic film, although other flexible and liquid impervious materials can also be used. As used herein, the term "flexible" is related to materials that are moldable and readily adapt to the general shape and contours of the human body. The lower canvas prevents the exudates absorbed and contained in the absorbent core from moistening the articles that come into contact with the absorbent article such as sheets, breeches, pajamas and underwear. The lower canvas can then comprise woven or non-woven fabric material, polymeric films, such as polyethylene or polypropylene thermoplastic films, composite materials, such as a non-woven material coated with a film (i.e., having an inner layer). of film and an outer layer of non-woven material). A suitable bottom sheet is a polyethylene film that has a thickness of about 0.012 mm (0.5 mil) to about 0.051 mm (2.0 mil). Illustrative polyethylene films are those manufactured by Clopay Corporation of Cincinnati, Ohio, with the name of BR-120 and BR-121, and by Tredegar Film Products of Terre Haute, Indiana, with the name of XP -39385. Preferably, the lower canvas is embossed or has a matte finish to give it a more fabric-like appearance. Additionally, the lower canvas can allow the vapors to escape from the absorbent core (ie, the lower canvas is ventilated) while still preventing the exudates from passing through the lower canvas. The size of the lower canvas is governed by the size of the absorbent core and the exact design chosen for the absorbent article. The lower canvas and the upper canvas are located adjacent to the garment-facing surface and the body-facing surface, respectively, of the absorbent core. Preferably, the absorbent core is attached to the upper canvas, the lower canvas or both in any known manner with a joining means such as are widely known in the industry. However, embodiments of the present invention are envisaged in which some portions of the entire absorbent core are not bonded to one or both, top canvas or bottom canvas. For example, the lower canvas or the upper canvas can be secured to the absorbent core or to each other by means of a continuous and uniform adhesive layer, a layer of adhesive with a pattern, or an arrangement of separate lines, spirals or spots of adhesive . The adhesives that have been found satisfactory are manufactured by H. B. Fuller Company of St. Paul, Minn. with the name of HL-1258 or H-2031. The attachment means will preferably comprise a network of filaments of adhesive with an open pattern, as described in U.S. Pat. no. 4573986. An exemplary adhesion means of a filament network with an open pattern comprises several lines of adhesive filaments wound in a spiral pattern as illustrated by means of the apparatus and method set forth in U.S. Pat. num. 3911173, 4785996 and 4842666.

Alternatively, the joining means may include thermal joints, pressure joints, ultrasonic bonds, dynamic mechanical joints or any of the suitable joining means or combinations thereof as are known in the industry. The lower canvas preferably includes an inner layer and an outer layer and each of them may be joined to the other by a variety of means known in the industry, including thermal joints, adhesive bonds, ultrasonic lamination or the like. The intimate bonding of the inner and outer layers in the regions of the drawings reduces the diffraction of the light and thus improves the brightness and general visibility of the drawing which acts as an indicator of humidity. Adhesive bonding can also be obtained using adhesive slot coatings, high frequency oscillation patterns, for example, in spiral or dew patterns, and other fine denier or high coverage application techniques. Suitable laminated adhesives, which may be applied continuously or batchwise, may be obtained from Findley Adhesives, Inc. or from National Starch and Chemical Company. The outer layer of the lower canvas can be made in a variety of ways by different processes. For example, the outer layer may be formed as a carded web, a bonded carded web, a spunbond web, a needle web, a woven web or the like to provide the user with a texture generally similar to that of a web . Other additives, such as titanium dioxide, may represent about 0.5% or less, in particular, about 0.3% or less, of the outer layer. In a given embodiment, the outer layer comprises a spunbond pattern formed with approximately 99.5 to 100% polypropylene resin and approximately 0.5% or less of other additives. The outer layer is desirably a light weight material with a basis weight of from about 15 to about 30 g / m2 and, more preferably, from about 15 to about 25 g / m2.

ABSORBENT NUCLEUS The articles of the present invention further comprise one or more absorbent cores. The absorbent core is at least partially disposed between the upper canvas and the lower canvas and can have any shape or size that is compatible with the disposable absorbent article. Illustrative absorbent structures for use as an absorbent core in the present invention that have achieved wide acceptance and commercial success are described in US Pat. UU num. 4610678, 4673402 and 4888231 and 4834735. The absorbent core may further comprise a dual core system containing an acquisition / distribution core made of chemically hardened fibers, located on an absorbent storage core, as described in the patents of I know. UU num. 5234423 and 5147345. In general, the absorbent core is capable of absorbing or retaining liquids (for example, menstruation, urine and / or other body exudates). The absorbent core is preferably compressible, conformable and does not irritate the user's skin. The absorbent core can be manufactured in a variety of sizes and shapes (eg, rectangular, oval, hourglass, "T", dog bone, asymmetric, etc.). The absorbent core can include any of a wide variety of liquid absorbent materials commonly used in absorbent articles, such as crushed wood pulp, which is usually referred to as air felt. Some examples of other absorbent materials suitable for use in the absorbent core include creped cellulose wadding; meltblown polymers, including coform polymers; chemically modified, stiffened or crosslinked cellulosic fibers; synthetic fibers, such as crimped polyester fibers; swamp moss; tissue paper, including compressible laminates and tissue paper laminates; absorbent foams; absorbent sponges; superabsorbent polymers; absorbent gelling materials; or any equivalent material or combinations of materials or mixtures thereof.

As described herein, "absorbent gelling materials" and "superabsorbent polymers" are materials which, upon contact with aqueous fluids, such as body fluids, are impregnated with those fluids and form hydrogels. These absorbent gelling materials are, as a rule, capable of absorbing large quantities of aqueous body fluids and, in addition, capable of retaining these absorbed fluids under moderate pressures. These absorbent gelling materials typically are in the form of separate, non-fibrous particles. Other forms for use in the present are also suitable, such as fibers, foams, sheets, strips or other macrostructures. Suitable absorbent gelling materials in the form of open cell foams may include those described in U.S. Pat. num. 3563243, 4554297, 4740520 and 5260345. The configuration and construction of the absorbent core can also vary (for example, it may have zones of different caliber, or have a profile so that the thickness in the center is greater, hydrophilic gradients, superabsorbent gradients, or areas of lower average density and lower weight. average basis, eg, acquisition zones, or may comprise one or more layers or structures). However, the total absorption capacity of the absorbent core must be compatible with the design load and intended uses for the absorbent article. Moreover, the size and absorption capacity of the absorbent core can be varied to suit different uses, such as diapers, incontinence guards, panty-scrubs, common sanitary napkins and night sanitary napkins, and to suit users, from children to adults. Adults. The absorbent core may include other absorbent components that are often used in absorbent articles, for example, an anti-dust layer, a wicking or acquisition absorption layer or a secondary upper canvas to increase user comfort.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the absorbent article may also include a sublayer disposed between the upper canvas and the lower canvas. The sublayer can be any material or structure capable of receiving, storing or immobilizing the body exudates. In this way, the sublayer can include a single material or several of them associated with each other in operative form. In addition, the sublayer can be integral with another element of the absorbent article or it can be one or more separate elements attached directly or indirectly to one or more elements of the article. In addition, the sublayer may include a structure that is separate from the core or may include or be part of at least a portion of the core. Materials suitable for use as a sublayer can include large and open cell foams, non-woven macroporous thick and spongy compressive materials, large particulate forms of open and closed cell foams (macro or microporous), quilted fabrics non-woven, foams or particles of polyurethane, polystyrene, polyolefin, structures comprising a multiplicity of strands of vertically oriented eyelet fibers, absorbent core structures described above and having depressions or perforated holes, and the like. One embodiment of a sublayer includes a mechanical fastening loop positioning area element, having an uncompressed thickness of about 1.5 mm, available as XPL-7124 from 3M Corporation of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Another embodiment includes a non-woven quilted fabric bonded with resin having 6 denier crimped fibers, with a basis weight of 110 grams per square meter and an uncompressed thickness of 7.9 mm, which is available from Company of Wrens, Georgia. Other suitable sub-layers, absorbent and non-absorbent, are described in U.S. Pat. num. 6680422 and 5941864. In addition, the sublayer or any part of it may include or be coated with a lotion or other known substance to add, highlight or change the behavior or other characteristics of the element.

HUMIDITY INDICATOR The disposable absorbent articles of the present invention further comprise a moisture indicator printed on a surface of the film of the lower canvas. The humidity indicator comprises a pattern that also comprises at least one composition that is colored and a varnish coating disposed adjacent to said composition that is colored. In most of the modalities, the drawing is hidden from view before getting wet, since it is minimally visible (that is, transparent) and usually adopts the color of the lower canvas on which it is printed. However, when moistened, the drawing becomes visible to the naked eye. According to the present invention, the composition that is colored comprises from about 1% to about 10%, by weight of the composition, of a fluid coloring agent, more preferably from about 2% to about 8%, and, with the maximum preference, from about 3% to about 7%. Suitable fluid coloring agents include water-soluble ink colorants such as direct dyes, acid dyes, base dyes and various solvent-soluble dyes. Some examples include, but are not limited to, O I. Acid Yellow 73, O. I. Solvent Yellow 94, C.I. Acid Yellow 74, O. I. Solvent Orange 32, OI. Red solvent 42, I HEARD. Acid Orange 11, C.l. Red solvent 72, C.I. Pigment orange 39, C.l. Orange solvent 18, C.l. Acid red 87, I heard. Red solvent 43, C.l. Pigment red 90: 1, C.l. Red solvent 44, C.l. Red solvent 45, I heard. Orange solvent 16, C.l. Acid red 91, C.l. Acid red 98, C.l. Acid red 92, C.l. Red solvent 48, C.l. Red pigment 174, C.l. Acid red 95, C.l. Red solvent 73, C.l. Pigment red 191, I heard.

Acid red 51, C.i. Food red 14, C.l. Pigment red 172, C.l. Red solvent 140, C.l. Acid red 93, C.l. Red solvent 47, C.l. Acid red 94, I heard. Red solvent 141, C.l. Violet for mordant 25, C.l. Orange solvent 17, C.l. Red solvent 46, D &C Red 27 (C.I. 45410: 1), D &C Orange 5 (C.I. 45370: 2) and combinations thereof. The most preferred fluid coloring agents are selected from the group consisting of D &C Red 27, D &C Orange 5, and combinations thereof. Without being bound by theory, the inventors believe that, upon contact with the fluid, the coating of varnish described below partially solubilizes and forms cracks in the coating. The liquid penetrates these cracks and then reacts with a lactone base of the composition (or ink) that is colored to form a carboxylic acid, which, in turn, produces the appearance of the final color. The figure below exemplifies this reaction.

The solvents of the present invention are preferably non-aqueous solvents. Preferred non-aqueous solvents may comprise alcohols, acetates and combinations thereof. The alcohol solvents are preferably selected from the group consisting of isopropyl alcohol, n-propyl alcohol, ethanol, methanol and combinations thereof. In the same way, suitable acetate solvents include, but are not limited to, isopropyl acetate, n-propyl acetate and combinations thereof. The composition that is colored preferably comprises from about 10% to about 99%, by weight of the composition, of the solvent. More preferably, the composition that is colored comprises from about 30% to about 80% of a solvent and, even more preferably, from about 40% to about 75%. An illustrative composition that is colored is an ink that is commercially available from Osaka Printing Industries as Omutsu-you-A ICA pants (translation from Japanese).

VARNISH COATING The coloring composition of the present invention is disposed adjacent to a varnish coating. Unrestrained by theory, this coating serves as a sealer for the composition that is colored. Upon contact with an aqueous liquid, the pattern can then become visible to the naked eye as the coating of varnish that is partially solubilized with the liquid creates cracks or entry points in the coating, which allows the liquid to enter. contact with the composition that is colored. Upon contact with the liquid, the compositions that are colored (both the first and the second) begin to exhibit the expected color that forms the drawing. Suitable materials for varnish coating can be selected from the group consisting of acrylic copolymers, acrylic resins based on shellac, polyamides and combinations thereof. These materials are intended to be illustrative and are in no way limiting. Additionally, the varnish coating may be disposed on the pattern formed by the composition that is colored, below the pattern, or both. In addition, it is preferred that the varnish coating be disposed adjacent the pattern so that one or more edges of the coating extend at least about 25% beyond one or more edges of the pattern. More preferably, the varnish coating extends at least about 15% and, most preferably, at least about 10% beyond one or more edges of the pattern. The drawings of the lower canvas are visible directly on the outer surface of the absorbent article and are extremely attractive to children. Furthermore, parents or diapers can use these humidity indicator charts as educational tools and as an incentive to advance the process by which the child learns to use the toilet. Thus, the drawing that acts as a moisture indicator is suitably disposed on the lower canvas by means of printing methods. The term "arranged" and its variants means that one element may be integral with another element, or that one element may be a separate structure attached to or placed together with or near another element. Thus the patterns can be formed or applied directly or indirectly on the surface of the outer cover, between the layers of a multilayer outer cover, formed or applied to a release substrate that is placed with or near the outer cover, formed or applied within a layer of the outer cover or other release substrate, or other variations or combinations thereof. In preferred embodiments, the drawings may be printed (by means of flexography, rotogravure, digital printing, etc.). For this type of prints, it is considered that a multiplicity of additional compositions can be used which are colored so that multicolored patterns are obtained when the article gets wet. Regardless of the type of printing method employed, preferred printing speeds range from about 50 m / min to about 500 m / min, preferably from about 100 m / min to about 300 m / min. In preferred embodiments, the printing speed is regulated at approximately 200 m / min. Additionally, a multicolor printing press is used to print the pattern on the lower canvas material, with the color composition and the varnish coating printed sequentially from different printing stages. In addition, other drawings can be sprayed or applied in any other way directly on a layer of the lower canvas. For example, in other embodiments, the drawings may be applied to a layer placed together with or near the bottom canvas, such as a substrate associated with the absorbent unit, including, but not limited to, layers of tissue paper, layers for handling liquids, absorbent layers and the like. The drawings that are used in the present invention can be located on or against any surface (i.e., on the surface facing the garment (also known as exterior) or on the surface facing the body (also known as interior)) of the lower canvas, provided that the drawings remain visible from the outside of the product when it is wet. In preferred embodiments, the pattern that acts as a moisture indicator is printed on the inner surface of the lower canvas. The humidity indicator can be in "communication with the liquid" with the product's absorbent unit. As used herein, the term "in communication with the liquid" means that the liquid, such as urine, can move from one layer or element to another layer or element. The absorbent unit may, but need not, include a groove or densified region, incorporate a liquid distribution layer or the like to channel or direct the liquid to the location near the bottom canvas or outer cover where the drawings are located. Absorbent articles suitable for use in the present invention include diapers, trainers, incontinence products, underwear-type diapers, disposable underwear or the like. Suitable training shorts or calf-type diapers may have stitched side portions or re-secured side portions. The present invention is particularly suitable for use with trainers or diaper pants to assist in training in the use of the toilet. The specific training diapers and pants for use with the present invention are described in U.S. Pat. num. 3860003, 4636207, 4695278, 4704115, 4795454, 4900317, 4909803 (republished as USRE34920), 5085654, 5492751, 6476288, 6627787, 5507760, 5609587, 5635191, 5643588, 6118041, SIR H1630, 5246433, 5769838, 5899895, 5899896 and 6120487. Other patents that describe suitable trainers are those set forth at the beginning of this. In a preferred embodiment, the absorbent article further comprises at least a first fold to provide improved containment of liquids and other body exudates; a waist elastic that provides better fit and containment; and a fastening system forming a lateral closure that maintains the first waist region and the second waist region in an overlapping configuration, so that the lateral stresses are maintained around the circumference of the absorbent article to hold it over the wearer . The absorbent article may also comprise elasticized side panels (not shown) in the waist regions and provide an elastically extensible waist that provides a more comfortable and more body fit, as well as a more effective placement of the absorbent article. Elasticized leg cuffs can be manufactured in different configurations, including those described in U.S. Pat. num. 3860003, 4636207, 4695278, 4704115, 4795454, 4900317, 4909803 (republished with Nos. USRE34920), 5085654, 5492751, 6476288 and SIR H1630. For example, the absorbent article may include one or more first folds that provide better containment of liquids and other body exudates. The first folds can also be called external leg fold, leg bands, side flaps, leg folds or elastic folds. U.S. Pat. no. No. 3,860,003 discloses a disposable diaper that provides a collapsible leg opening having a side flap and one or more elastic members to provide an elasticated leg fold. Additionally, an absorbent article of the present invention may include one or more second folds that also provide better containment of liquids and other body exudates. The second folds can also be called barrier folds, internal leg folds or "raised" elastic fins. U.S. Pat. num. 4808178 and 4909803 (republished as USRE34920) describe disposable diapers having "raised" elasticated fins that improve containment in the leg regions. The first fold and the second bend can be provided by a dual fold, as exemplified in U.S. Pat. num. 4695278 and 4795454. Additional folds can be provided in an article of the present invention, as detailed in the US Public Domain Invention Enrollment. H1630 Another component that can be included in the articles or compounds of the present invention is a hydrophobic coating of surfaces, as described in the co-pending U.S. provisional application. no. series 60/543785 (P &G, Case 9528P). This hydrophobic surface coating may be used in conjunction with the barrier coating of the present invention on the barrier layer or may be disposed adjacent to one or more additional components of the absorbent articles or compounds of the present invention. For example, this hydrophobic surface coating may be disposed on an interior surface of one or more leg folds, waist portions or other areas of the absorbent article.

All documents cited in the Detailed Description of the Invention are incorporated, in the pertinent part, as reference herein; The citation of any document should not be construed as an admission that it represents a prior industry with respect to the present invention.

EXAMPLES Example 1 An absorbent article that includes a moisture indicator according to the present invention is produced in the following manner. One of the BR-120 or BR-121 films is selected as vapor permeable polyolefin films, which are commercially available from Clopay of Cincinnati, Ohio. Each of these films has a water vapor permeability of 1500 to 4000 MVTR (moisture vapor transmission rate) and a basis weight of 28 g / m2 and can serve as the material on which the printing is made. A color printer Windmoller & Holscher Olympla 736 ST 6 or equivalent Flexo printer with two separate humidity indicator inks. The first moisture indicating ink is a varnish coating containing 20 ± 5 wt.% Shellac, 60 ± 10 wt.% Isopropyl alcohol and 5-10 wt.% Hydroxypropylcellulose and silica. The second moisture indicator ink is a coloring composition containing 3 ± 1% by weight of red D &C 27, 60 ± 10% by weight of isopropyl alcohol, 5-10% by weight of silica and hydroxypropylcellulose. The film is first printed with the varnish coating with an additional weight of 3 g / m2 and at a line speed of 100 m / min. The varnish coating is printed on an area that is 20 ± 5% larger than the graphic design that is printed with the second moisture indicator ink, such that the varnish coating completely covers the pattern of the second indicator ink. humidity during the variation of the printing process. The film is then dried, rolled into a coil and stored. At this point, the graph of the second moisture indicating ink and the printed varnish coating are completely invisible to the naked eye. This film is then incorporated into any of the absorbent articles described in U.S. Pat. num. 3860003, 4636207, 4695278, 4704115, 4795454, 4900317, 4909803 (republished as USRE34920), 5085654, 5492751, 6476288, 6627787, 5507760, 5609587, 5635191, 5643588, 6118041, SIR H1630, 5246433, 5769838, 5899895, 5899896 and 6120487. When the absorbent article becomes wet, after approximately one minute, a pattern begins to appear on the surface of the lower canvas of the article that is oriented toward the garment.

After approximately 5 minutes, a bright pink image can be clearly distinguished.

Example 2 An absorbent article that includes a humidity indicator according to the present invention is produced in the following manner. One of the BR-120 or BR-121 films is selected as vapor permeable polyolefin films, which are commercially available from Clopay of Cincinnati, Ohio. Each of these films has a water vapor permeability of 1500 to 4000 MVTR (moisture vapor transmission rate) and a basis weight of 28 g / m2 and can serve as the material on which the printing is made. A color printer Windmoller & Holscher Olympia 736 ST 6 or equivalent Flexo printer with two separate humidity indicator inks. The first ink is a coloring composition that includes 3 ± 1% by weight of red D &C 27 and 60 ± 10% by weight of isopropyl alcohol. The second moisture indicator ink is a varnish coating containing 20 ± 5% by weight of shellac, 60 ± 10% by weight of isopropyl alcohol and 5-10% by weight of hydroxypropylcellulose and silica. The film is printed first with the composition that is colored with an additional weight of 3 g / m2 and at a line speed of 100 m / min. The varnish coating is added at the same speed, but printed on an area that is 20 ± 5% larger than the drawing of the coloring composition that is printed with the first ink, so that the varnish coating completely cover the moisture indicator ink during the variation of the printing process. The film is then dried, rolled into a coil and stored. At this point, the drawing of the coloring composition and the printed varnish coating are completely invisible to the naked eye. This film is then incorporated into any of the absorbent articles described in U.S. Pat. num. 3860003, 4636207, 4695278, 4704115, 4795454, 4900317, 4909803 (republished as USRE34920), 5085654, 5492751, 6476288, 6627787, 5507760, 5609587, 5635191, 5643588, 6118041, SIR H1630, 5246433, 5769838, 5899895, 5899896 and 6120487. When the absorbent article becomes wet, after approximately one minute, an image begins to appear on the surface of the lower canvas of the article that is oriented toward the garment. After approximately 5 minutes, a bright pink image can be clearly distinguished.

Example 3 An absorbent article that includes a moisture indicator according to the present invention is produced in the following manner. One of the BR-120 or BR-121 films is selected as vapor permeable polyolefin films, which are commercially available from Clopay of Cincinnati, Ohio. Each of these films has a water vapor permeability of 1500 to 4000 MVTR (moisture vapor transmission rate) and a basis weight of 28 g / m2 and can serve as the material on which the printing is made. A color printer Windmoller & Holscher Olympia 736 ST 6 or equivalent Flexo printer with three separate moisture indicator inks. The first moisture indicating ink is a varnish coating containing 20 ± 5 wt.% Shellac, 60 ± 10 wt.% Isopropyl alcohol and 5-10 wt.% Hydroxypropylcellulose and silica. The second moisture indicating ink is a coloring composition containing 3 ± 1% by weight of red D &C 27 and 60 ± 10% by weight of isopropyl alcohol. The third moisture indicator ink is the same varnish coating that was used in the first printing stage. The film is first printed with the varnish coating with an additional weight of 3 g / m2 and at a line speed of 100 m / min. The first graphic design of the varnish coating is printed on an area that is 20 ± 5% larger than the graphic design that is printed with the second moisture indicator ink, so that the varnish coating completely covers the drawing of the moisture indicator ink during the variation of the printing process. The third moisture indicator ink, which is the additional varnish coating, is also printed on an area that is 20 ± 5% larger than the pattern printed with the second moisture indicator ink. Therefore, the two layers of varnish coating enclose the drawing of the second ink. The film is then dried, rolled into a coil and stored. At this point, the drawing of the coloring composition and the printed varnish coating are completely invisible to the naked eye. This film is then incorporated into any of the absorbent articles described in U.S. Pat. num. 3860003, 4636207, 4695278, 4704115, 4795454, 4900317, 4909803 (republished as USRE34920), 5085654, 5492751, 6476288, 6627787, 5507760, 5609587, 5635191, 5643588, 6118041, SIR H1630, 5246433, 5769838, 5899895, 5899896 and 6120487. When the absorbent article becomes wet, after approximately one minute, a pattern begins to appear on the surface of the lower canvas of the article that is oriented toward the garment. After approximately 5 minutes, a bright pink image can be clearly distinguished. All documents cited in the Detailed Description of the Invention are incorporated, in the relevant part, as a reference herein; The citation of any document should not be construed as an admission that it represents a prior industry with respect to the present invention. While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It has been intended, therefore, to cover in the appended claims all changes and modifications that are within the scope of the invention.

Claims (10)

c. CLAIMS

1. A disposable absorbent article comprising: a) a liquid permeable top sheet; b) a lower liquid impermeable sheet that is at least partially joined to the upper canvas; c) an absorbent core disposed at least partially between the upper canvas and the lower canvas; and characterized in that said article further comprises a moisture indicator printed on a surface of said lower canvas; the humidity indicator comprises a pattern that also comprises at least one composition that is colored and a varnish coating disposed adjacent to the composition that is colored; where, when moistened, the drawings become visible to the naked eye.

2. The article according to claim 1, further characterized in that the color composition comprises: a) from about 1% to about 10%, by weight of the composition, of fluid coloring agents; and b) from about 10% to about 99%, by weight of the composition, of a solvent.

3. The article according to claim 2, further characterized in that the solvent is a non-aqueous solvent selected from the group consisting of alcohols, acetates and combinations thereof.

4. The article according to claim 3, further characterized in that said alcohol is selected from the group consisting of isopropyl alcohol, n-propyl alcohol, ethanol, methanol and combinations thereof.

5. The article according to claim 3, further characterized in that said acetate is selected from the group consisting of isopropyl acetate, n-propyl acetate and combinations thereof.

6. The article according to claim 1, further characterized in that said varnish coating comprises materials selected from the group consisting of acrylic copolymers, acrylic resins based on shellac, polyamides and combinations thereof.

7. The article according to claim 1, further characterized in that the varnish coating is arranged on the composition that is colored.

8. The article according to claim 1, further characterized in that said varnish coating is disposed below the composition that is colored.

9. The article according to claim 8, further characterized in that said varnish coating is further disposed below said coloring composition. A method for printing a moisture indicator on an absorbent article, characterized in that said method comprises the steps of: a) providing an absorbent article, characterized in that said article comprises an upper canvas, a lower canvas and an absorbent core; b) arranging, between said lower canvas and said absorbent core, by means of printing, a humidity indicator on a surface of the lower canvas; the humidity indicator comprises a pattern that further comprises at least one composition that is colored and a varnish coating disposed adjacent said coloring composition; where, when wet, the drawing becomes visible to the naked eye.