# US 9,517,168 B2 · Method of constructing absorbent articles comprising graphics > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,517,168 B2 - Document ID: US9517168B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/101,583 - Filed: 2011-05-05 - Published: 2011-08-25 - Granted: 2016-12-13 - Earliest claimed: 2006-12-04 - Assignees: The Procter & Gamble Company - Applicants: Michael Dale Trennepohl; Andrew James Sauer; Donald Carroll Roe - Inventors: Michael Dale Trennepohl; Andrew James Sauer; Donald Carroll Roe - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9517168B2 ## CPC - A61F 13/15804: {Plant, e.g. involving several steps} - A61F 13/15699: {Forming webs by bringing together several webs, e.g. by laminating or folding several webs, with or without additional treatment of the webs} - A61F 13/49011: {the elastic means is located at the waist region} - A61F 13/49014: {the elastic means is located at the side panels} - A61F 13/496: in the form of pants or briefs - A61F 13/51464: {being stretchable or elastomeric} - A61F 13/51496: {having visual effects} - B32B 38/14: Printing or colouring - B32B 38/145: {Printing} - A61F 13/72: with endless waist encircling band, e.g. panty type - A61F 2013/8497: {having decorations or indicia means} - Y10T 29/49826: Assembling or joining - Y10T 29/49885: with coating before or during assembling - 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 - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract An absorbent article may comprise a first zone comprising graphics and a second zone comprising graphics, wherein the first and second zones have different elastic properties. Further, the absorbent article may comprise a first absorbent article component and a second absorbent article component having substantially different elastic properties, wherein the first absorbent article component comprises an elastomer. Additionally, the absorbent article may comprise a third absorbent article component overlapping the first and second absorbent article components, wherein the third absorbent article component comprises graphics on at least the portions which overlap the first and second absorbent article components. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of constructing a pull-on disposable absorbent article having a first waist region, a second waist region, and a crotch region disposed therebetween, the method comprising: printing a first plurality of graphic objects on a first surface of a first web; printing a second plurality of graphic objects on a second surface of a second web; cutting a portion of the first web to form a first side panel; cutting a portion of the first web to form a second side panel; cutting a portion of the first web to form a third side panel; cutting a portion of the first web to form a fourth side panel; attaching the first side panel to the second web such that a first seam is formed; controlling placement of the first side panel relative to an edge of the second web or the second plurality of graphics of the second web; attaching the second side panel to the second web such that a second seam is formed; controlling placement of the second side panel relative to an edge of the second web or the second plurality of graphics of the second web; attaching the third side panel to the second web such that a third seam is formed; controlling placement of the third side panel relative to an edge of the second web or the second plurality of graphics of the second web; attaching the fourth side panel to the second web such that a fourth seam is formed; controlling placement of the fourth side panel relative to an edge of the second web or the second plurality of graphics of the second web; attaching the first side panel to the third side panel such that a fifth seam is formed and a first leg opening is formed; and attaching the second side panel to the fourth side panel such that a sixth seam is formed and a second leg opening and a waist opening is formed and such that the disposable absorbent article is in a pull-on configuration. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the second plurality of graphics is a repeat length of graphics. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the controlling of the placement of the first, second, third, and fourth side panels is done via a length control system. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, wherein the length control system is part of a registration system that utilizes a beam vision system. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, wherein the beam vision system takes an image of the edge of the second web and compares it to an edge of the first side panel. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, wherein the beam vision system takes an image of a point of the first plurality of graphic objects and compares it to an image of a point of the second plurality of graphics. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, further comprising a step of taking corrective action when placing at least one of the first, second, third, and fourth side panels. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein a registration system takes an image of at least a portion an absorbent core joined to the second web. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the registration system takes an image of a trailing edge of at least one of the first, second, third, and fourth side panels. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the registration system determines the difference between the trailing edge of at least one of the first, second, third, and fourth side panels and/or the portion of the absorbent core, and a set point. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein a registration system compares at least a portion of the first and second plurality of graphics and at least a portion of an absorbent article component. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the registration system comprises a through beam radiation system. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the registration system comprises a combination of detection methods. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the registration system comprises a vision capture device adjacent a light emitting device. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the registration system comprises a vision capture device across from a light emitting device. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the vision capture device comprises a vision capture device generates a through beam image. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the registration system detects the location of one or more of an absorbent core, a landing zone, a topsheet, an acquisition layer, a waist feature, a leg cuff. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein the registration system detects the location of the first plurality of graphics. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein a registration system compares at least a portion of at least one of the first, second, third, and fourth side panels to a set point. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein a registration system compares at least a portion of the first plurality of graphics to a set point.