Abstract: A feminine care absorbent article that contains multiple printed patterns of graphical objects visible from a body facing surface is provided. The layout and design of the patterns are carefully selected in the present invention to achieve a synergistic masking effect that helps visually disguise the presence of bodily fluids or stains around the periphery of the article. Such “passive” stain masking is achieved, in part, through the use of printed patterns that are distributed in an asymmetric manner about both the longitudinal and transverse centerlines of the article. The printed patterns are also located at or near the periphery of the article and at least partially extend into portions of the body facing surface that overlie the absorbent core. The pattern design is also such that a majority of an interior zone of the absorbent article is generally free of printed graphical objects.

Abstract: A feminine care absorbent article that contains multiple printed patterns of graphical objects visible from a body facing surface is provided. The layout and design of the patterns are carefully selected in the present invention to achieve a synergistic masking effect that helps visually disguise the presence of bodily fluids or stains around the periphery of the article. Such “passive” stain masking is achieved, in part, through the use of printed patterns that are distributed in an asymmetric manner about both the longitudinal and transverse centerlines of the article. The printed patterns are also located at or near the periphery of the article and at least partially extend into portions of the body facing surface that overlie the absorbent core. The pattern design is also such that a majority of an interior zone of the absorbent article is generally free of printed graphical objects.

Abstract: The present invention provides a personal care product including a wrapper having at least one free edge, an absorbent personal care article and a sensory cue providing indicia as to the location of the free edge. In one embodiment, the wrapper is a wrapper component and has a first panel, a back panel and a second panel, where the first panel is connected to the back panel and the second panel is connected to the back panel at an opposite end from where the first panel is connected to the back panel. The second panel having a free edge positioned adjacent the first panel, wherein the second panel has a first set of sensory attributes which terminate at the free edge of the second panel and the first panel has a second set of sensory attributes which are adjacent the free edge of the second panel. In the present invention, at least one attribute from the first set of sensory attributes or at least one attribute from the second set of attributes is different from attributes from the other set.

Abstract: An embossing method and apparatus (20) comprises a rotary embossing device (32) having a radial direction (28) and an outer peripheral surface (34). The embossing device (32) includes at least one embossing-component (48) which extends at least radially outward from the peripheral surface (34), and is configured to provide for a first embossing-pattern (38). The embossing device (32) also includes a rotary shaft member (46). A base embossing-segment (50) is operatively joined to the rotary shaft member (46) and configured to carry a first base-section (40) of the first embossing-component (48). In a particular aspect, a first, supplemental embossing-segment (52) is operatively joined and selectively positionable on the rotary shaft member (46), and is configured to carry a first supplemental-section (42) of the first embossing-component (48).

Abstract: An apparatus and process (20) for forming an embossed web or other article can include moving a target, composite web (26) along an appointed machine-direction (22) at a selected web speed, and operatively contacting the target web (26) with a rotary embossing device (38) to thereby form a non-linear embossment region (82) in at least a selected embossment portion of the target web (26). For example, the web speed can be at least a minimum of about 1.9 m/sec. In a particular aspect, the embossing device (38) can include an outer peripheral surface (42) having a lateral cross-direction (24) and a circumferential-direction (40), and can include a non-linear embossing member (44) located on the outer surface (42). In another aspect, the embossing member (44) can be configured to include a selected traversing occurrence along the circumferential-direction (40) of the embossing device (38). In a further aspect, the embossing member (44) can be configured to include a selected lateral traversing distance (50).