# US 9,006,509 B2 · Absorbent article with high quality ink jet image produced at line speed

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- Number: US 9,006,509 B2
- Document ID: US9006509B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/587,334
- Filed: 2012-08-16
- Published: 2013-08-15
- Granted: 2015-04-14
- Earliest claimed: 2003-07-18
- Assignees: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
- Applicants: Kimberly D. Anderson; Michael J. Garvey; Melissa C. Putzer; Timothy J. Probst; Eric D. Johnson
- Inventors: Kimberly D. Anderson; Michael J. Garvey; Melissa C. Putzer; Timothy J. Probst; Eric D. Johnson
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9006509B2

## CPC

- A61F 13/51496: {having visual effects}
- A61F 13/15: Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
- A61F 13/15203: {Properties of the article, e.g. stiffness or absorbency (chemical aspects A61L15/00)}
- A61F 13/84: Accessories, not otherwise provided for, for absorbent pads
- B32B 3/10: characterised by a discontinuous layer, i.e. formed of separate pieces of material
- B41M 3/00: Printing processes to produce particular kinds of printed work, e.g. patterns ({printing apparatus or machines of special type or for particular purposes B41F17/00;} special designs or pictures per se B44F; manufacturing printed circuits using printing techniques H05K3/12 {; manufacturing organic semiconductor devices using printing techniques H10K71/13})
- A61F 2013/15243: {printed or coloured, e.g. to match skin}
- A61F 2013/8497: {having decorations or indicia means}
- Y10T 428/24802: Discontinuous or differential coating, impregnation or bond [e.g., artwork, printing, retouched photograph, etc.]
- A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C)
- B32B: LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- B41M: PRINTING, DUPLICATING, MARKING, OR COPYING PROCESSES; COLOUR PRINTING, (correction of typographical errors B41J; processes for applying transfer pictures or the like B44C1/16; fluid media for correction of typographical errors by coating C09D10/00; printing textiles D06P)
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

A mass produced absorbent article having an image of a quality that is commercially acceptable. The image is produced by ink jet printheads applying ink to a web moving at high speed under the jets in the course of manufacturing the article. The image is printed at low resolution but is characterized in part by a higher coverage area ratio and brightness.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A mass produced compliant laminate comprising multiple layers operatively connected together in a laminate unit, and an image including at least one ink having the color of one of cyan, magenta, yellow and black, the image being printed in a non-contact manner on at least a portion of one of the layers by ink jets at a resolution of about 100 dpi with said one layer moving under the ink jets at a speed of at least about 30.5 mpm (100 fpm), wherein any area of the image having a cyan colored ink applied at maximum threshold thereto has a coverage area ratio of cyan colored ink of at least about 3%, any area of the image having a magenta colored ink applied at maximum threshold thereto has a coverage area ratio of magenta colored ink of at least about 5%, any area of the image having a yellow colored ink applied at maximum threshold thereto has a coverage area ratio of yellowed colored ink of at least about 6%, and any area of the image having a black colored ink applied at maximum threshold thereto has a coverage area ratio of black colored ink of at least about 6%.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The compliant laminate as set forth in claim 1 wherein any area of the image having a cyan colored ink applied at maximum threshold thereto has a coverage area ratio of cyan colored ink of at least about 4%, any area of the image having a magenta colored ink applied at maximum threshold thereto has a coverage area ratio of magenta colored ink of at least about 7%, any area of the image having a yellow colored ink applied at maximum threshold thereto has a coverage area ratio of yellowed colored ink of at least about 9%, and any area of the image having a black colored ink applied at maximum threshold thereto has a coverage area ratio of black colored ink of at least about 7%.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The compliant laminate as set forth in claim 1 wherein any area of the image having cyan colored ink applied at maximum threshold thereto has a coverage area ratio of cyan colored ink of at least about 5%, any area of the image having a magenta colored ink applied at maximum threshold thereto has a coverage area ratio of magenta colored ink of at least about 8%, and any area of the image having a black colored ink applied at maximum threshold thereto has a coverage area ratio of black colored ink of at least about 8%.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The compliant laminate as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a background on which the image is printed.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The compliant laminate as set forth in claim 4 where in the background is white.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The compliant laminate as set forth in claim 1 wherein the inks are wax-based.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The compliant laminate as set forth in claim 1 wherein a color difference (DE*) value for any cyan colored ink in the image as compared to a background color on which the image is printed is at least about 6, the DE* value for any magenta colored ink in the image has a color difference (DE*) of at least about 9, the DE* value for any yellow colored ink in the image has a color difference (DE*) of at least about 8, and the DE* value of any black colored ink in the image has a color difference (DE*) of at least about 6.

### Claim 8

A mass produced compliant laminate comprising multiple layers operatively connected together in a laminate unit, an image including at least one process color ink, and an overlay covering the image, the image being printed in a non-contact manner on at least a portion of one of the layers by ink jets, the image including at least one separable design element being outlined in one selected color and being free of said selected color as shading in an interior of the design element, the design element having a height of no less than 0.64 centimeters (0.25 inches), the overlay comprising a clear, non-pigmented ink applied to at least a portion of the layer that the image is printed on, said clear, non-pigmented ink covering at least a portion of the image.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The compliant laminate as set forth in claim 8 wherein said selected color is applied by the ink jets at a maximum threshold for a selected resolution.

### Claim 10 (depends on 8)

The compliant laminate as set forth in claim 8 wherein said at least one design element comprising a focal design element, the focal design element having a height of at least 3.81 centimeters (1.5 inches).

### Claim 11 (depends on 8)

The compliant laminate as set forth in claim 8 further comprising a background on which the image is printed.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The compliant laminate as set forth in claim 11 wherein a layer comprises an outer cover, the background being defined by the color of the outer cover.

### Claim 13 (depends on 11)

The compliant laminate as set forth in claim 11 wherein the background is white.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The compliant laminate as set forth in claim 13 wherein the background comprises a layer of white ink.

### Claim 15 (depends on 8)

The compliant laminate as set forth in claim 8 wherein at least one process color ink is wax-based.

### Claim 16 (depends on 8)

The compliant laminate as set forth in claim 8 further comprising an outer cover made of an extensible material.

### Claim 17 (depends on 8)

The compliant laminate as set forth in claim 8 wherein said selected color is black.

### Claim 18 (depends on 8)

A mass produced absorbent article comprising the compliant laminate set forth in claim 8 and an absorbent member adapted to retain liquid therein operatively connected to the compliant laminate in a unit, wherein the absorbent article is one of: a diaper, a training pant and an adult incontinence garment.