Method of constructing absorbent articles comprising graphics

Abstract

An absorbent article may be constructed by printing graphics on webs used to form discrete components that are joined together at seams to form the absorbent article.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of constructing a pull-on disposable absorbent article comprising two leg openings and a waist opening, the article having a first waist region, a second waist region, and a crotch region disposed therebetween, the method comprising:
 forming a first elastomeric laminate comprising strands and a first nonwoven, wherein the strands are pre-stretched when attached to the first nonwoven;   forming a second elastomeric laminate comprising strands and a second nonwoven, wherein the strands are pre-stretched when attached to the second nonwoven;   forming a chassis comprising a topsheet, a backsheet, and a core therebetween;   attaching the first laminate to a garment-facing surface of the backsheet such that a first seam is formed;   attaching the second laminate to a garment-facing surface of the backsheet such that a second seam is formed;   attaching the first and second laminates together to form a side seam;   printing a first graphic object on the first nonwoven;   printing a second graphic object on the second nonwoven;   printing a third graphic object on the chassis;   wherein the third graphic object and at least one of the first and second nonwovens overlap; and   wherein at least a portion of each of the first, second, third graphic objects are viewable from a garment-facing side of the pull-on disposable absorbent article.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the third graphic object and at least one of the first and second graphic objects overlap. 
     
     
         3 . A method of constructing a pull-on disposable absorbent article comprising two leg openings and a waist opening, the article having a first waist region, a second waist region, and a crotch region disposed therebetween, the method comprising:
 elasticizing substrates that will become a first waist region;   elasticizing substrates that will become the second waist region;   forming a chassis comprising a topsheet, a backsheet, and a core therebetween;   attaching the substrates that will become the first and second waist regions together to form side seams;   printing a first graphic object on a nonwoven that forms or will form the first waist region;   printing a second graphic object on a nonwoven that forms or will form the first waist region;   printing a third graphic object on the chassis;   wherein at least a portion of the third graphic object overlaps with the substrates that will become the first and second waist regions; and   wherein at least a portion of each of the first, second, third graphic objects are viewable from a garment-facing side of the pull-on disposable absorbent article.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the first and second waist regions are elasticized with elastomeric films. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the first and second graphic objects overlap with the third graphic object. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the first and second waist regions are further elasticized with elastomeric strands. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising printing a fourth graphic object on the chassis, wherein the third graphic object is forward of a lateral axis of the absorbent article and wherein the fourth graphic object is backward of the lateral axis. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the third graphic objects is printed on a backsheet film. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second graphic objects are printed on nonwovens. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second substrates comprise graphics that form the appearance of a waistband. 
     
     
         11 . A method of constructing a pull-on disposable absorbent article comprising two leg openings and a waist opening, the article having a first waist region, a second waist region, and a crotch region disposed therebetween, the method comprising:
 forming a chassis comprising a topsheet, a backsheet, and a core therebetween;   printing a first graphic object on an outer cover nonwoven that extends continuously from a first waist region to a second waist region;   printing a second graphic object on the outer cover nonwoven;   printing a third graphic object on the chassis;   elasticizing the first waist region;   elasticizing the second waist region;   attaching side edges of the outer cover nonwoven together to form laterally opposed side seams;   wherein the first and second graphic objects are printed adjacent to at least one of the laterally opposed side seams; and   wherein at least a portion of each of the first, second, third graphic objects are viewable from a garment-facing side of the pull-on disposable absorbent article.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claims 11 , wherein a fourth graphic object is printed on the chassis and is viewable from a wearer-facing side of the pull-on disposable absorbent article. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the pull-on disposable absorbent article comprises graphics in side zones. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the pull-on disposable absorbent article comprises graphics in each of four side zones. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the pull-on disposable absorbent article comprises graphics in a central zone. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the pull-on disposable absorbent article comprises graphics in each of two leg band zones. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the outer cover is elastic. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the outer cover is elastic in more than one direction. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising the step of ring rolling the outer cover. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the outer cover comprises pre-stretched elastomers.