Patterned layer for absorbent article

Abstract

A patterned layer is intended to be used in an absorbent article, and has a pattern, for example in the form of a text or an image, which appears clearly legible or interpretable for an observer at a certain distance. The pattern can be formed by a number of dots which, when the layer is in a first state, have a first surface density which forms the legible or interpretable pattern and which, when the layer is in a second and then expanded state, have a second surface density which is lower than the first surface density in the first state, the pattern becoming in the second state essentially illegible or uninterpretable for the observer at the given distance on account of the lower surface density.

1 . A material adapted for use in an absorbent article, comprising a layer having a pattern in the form of a text or an image, which pattern appears legible or interpretable for an observer at a certain distance, the pattern being formed by a number of dots which, when the layer is in a first state, have a first surface density which forms the legible or interpretable pattern and which, when the layer is in a second and expanded state, have a second surface density which is lower than the first surface density in the first state, the pattern becoming in the second state essentially illegible or uninterpretable for the observer at the given distance on account of the second lower surface density.  
     
     
         2 . The material according to  claim 1 , wherein the layer is puckered in the first state in such a way that the layer forms elevations and depressions where the layer is in the main smoothed out or at least partly smoothed out in the second state.  
     
     
         3 . The material according to  claim 2 , wherein the pattern is formed by dye being applied to the elevations on one side of the layer in the first state in such a way that the first surface density is obtained.  
     
     
         4 . The material according to  claim 1 , wherein the layer comprises elastic means, the layer being drawn together in the first state on account of the elastic means and extended in the second state by a force applied to the layer.  
     
     
         5 . The material according to  claim 4 , wherein the dots are arranged on the layer when the layer is in an expanded state which is at least as extended as the expanded second state, the dots being applied to the layer with a surface density which is at most the same as the surface density in the second state.  
     
     
         6 . The material according to  claim 1 , wherein in that the dots are applied to the layer in the first state when the layer consists of a plane expandable material which is expanded in the second state.  
     
     
         7 . The material according to  claim 6 , wherein in that the layer is elastic.  
     
     
         8 . The material according to  claim 1 , wherein the pattern is colored and has a first color strength in the first state and fainter and weaker color strength in the second state.  
     
     
         9 . The material according to  claim 2 , wherein the pattern is colored and has a first color strength in the first state and fainter and weaker color strength in the second state.  
     
     
         10 . The material according to  claim 3 , wherein the pattern is colored and has a first color strength in the first state and fainter and weaker color strength in the second state.  
     
     
         11 . The material according to  claim 4 , wherein the pattern is colored and has a first color strength in the first state and fainter and weaker color strength in the second state.  
     
     
         12 . The material according to  claim 5 , wherein the pattern is colored and has a first color strength in the first state and fainter and weaker color strength in the second state.  
     
     
         13 . The material according to  claim 6 , wherein the pattern is colored and has a first color strength in the first state and fainter and weaker color strength in the second state.  
     
     
         14 . The material according to  claim 7 , wherein the pattern is colored and has a first color strength in the first state and fainter and weaker color strength in the second state.  
     
     
         15 . The material according to  claim 2 , wherein the layer comprises elastic means, the layer being drawn together in the first state on account of the elastic means and extended in the second state by a force applied to the layer.