Printed wetness and health indicators on absorbent articles and methods of making same
US9572724B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 18, 2014 |
| Grant date | Feb 21, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 18, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T428/249978
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A wetness indicating polymeric film and method of making the film is provided. The method includes feeding a polymer film into a flexographic printing apparatus; printing at least one wetness indicator ink onto a first side of the perforated polymer; and perforating the polymer film by forming a plurality of apertures or enlarged micropores that extend from the first side to the second side. The apertures or enlarged micropores permit a sufficient quantity of an aqueous liquid to pass from the second side through the perforated polymer film to the first side. Upon contact, the aqueous liquid reacts with the wetness indicator ink to cause a color change visible by an unaided human eye. In an absorbent article including the inventive film as a backsheet, the total amount of liquid that passes through the backsheet is negligible and the barrier properties of the backsheet as a whole are not compromised.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.