초록 ▼

A disposable absorbent article to be worn about the lower torso of a wearer that facilitates an easy, intuitive change is provided. The disposable absorbent article includes at least one serviceable indicium that facilitates an easy change by providing alignment of the article relative to an anatomi

A disposable absorbent article to be worn about the lower torso of a wearer that facilitates an easy, intuitive change is provided. The disposable absorbent article includes at least one serviceable indicium that facilitates an easy change by providing alignment of the article relative to an anatomical feature of the wearer or by externally highlighting one or more components of the article thereby indicating alignment and fit about the wearer's lower torso.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A disposable absorbent article having a first end region, a second end region and a crotch region between the first and second end regions, a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis that intersect in said crotch region of the absorbent article, said disposable absorbent article comprising: a liqu

1. A disposable absorbent article having a first end region, a second end region and a crotch region between the first and second end regions, a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis that intersect in said crotch region of the absorbent article, said disposable absorbent article comprising: a liquid pervious topsheet, said liquid pervious topsheet having a body facing surface;a liquid impervious backsheet, said liquid impervious backsheet having a garment facing surface;an absorbent core disposed between said topsheet and said backsheet; anda first internally visible serviceable indicium, said first internally visible serviceable indicium being at least partially located at the intersection of the longitudinal axis and the transverse axis, wherein said first internally visible serviceable indicium comprises first and second portions that are each convex relative to said longitudinal axis, said first portion being provided in said first end region and said second portion being provided in said second end region, and third and fourth portions that are each concave relative to said transverse axis, said first internally visible serviceable indicium comprising an ink having a color, which distinguishes said first internally visible serviceable indicium from a region of said body facing surface of said liquid pervious topsheet, wherein said first internally visible serviceable indicium is disposed between said body facing surface of said topsheet and said absorbent core. 2. The disposable absorbent article of claim 1 wherein said first and second portions are symmetrical relative to said longitudinal axis and said third and fourth portions are symmetrical relative to said transverse axis. 3. The disposable absorbent article of claim 1 wherein said contour is substantially continuous. 4. The disposable absorbent article of claim 1, wherein said first internally visible serviceable indicium is distinguished from an adjacent region of said body facing surface of said liquid pervious topsheet. 5. The disposable absorbent article of claim 1, wherein said first internally visible serviceable indicium is distinguished from a background region of said body facing surface of said liquid pervious topsheet. 6. The disposable absorbent article of claim 1, wherein said first, second, third, and fourth portions are all disconnected from one another. 7. The disposable absorbent article of claim 1, wherein said first, second, third, and fourth portions are entirely connected to one another to form a closed, continuous hourglass shape. 8. The disposable absorbent article of claim 1, wherein at least some of said first, second, third, and fourth portions are at least partially connected to one another to form an hourglass shape. 9. The disposable absorbent article of claim 1, wherein said first internally visible serviceable indicium comprises a pattern, wherein the pattern comprises a shape which is located at or near the intersection of the longitudinal axis and the transverse axis. 10. A disposable absorbent article having a first end region, a second end region and a crotch region between the first and second end regions, a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis that intersect in said crotch region of the absorbent article, said disposable absorbent article comprising: a liquid pervious topsheet, said liquid pervious topsheet having a body facing surface;a liquid impervious backsheet, said liquid impervious backsheet having a garment facing surface;an absorbent core disposed between said topsheet and said backsheet;a first internally visible serviceable indicium, said first internally visible serviceable indicium being at least partially located at the intersection of the longitudinal axis and the transverse axis, wherein said first internally visible serviceable indicium comprises first and second portions that are each convex relative to said longitudinal axis and third and fourth portions that are each concave relative to said transverse axis, said first internally visible serviceable indicium comprising an ink having a color, which distinguishes said first internally visible serviceable indicium from a region of said body facing surface of said liquid pervious topsheet; anda second internally visible serviceable indicium, said second internally visible serviceable indicium comprising an ink having a color, which distinguishes said second internally visible serviceable indicium from a region of said body facing surface of said liquid pervious topsheet, wherein at least one of said first and second internally visible serviceable indicia is adapted to facilitate the placement or alignment of the absorbent article with an anatomic feature of a wearer chosen from at least one of a wearer's genitalia, and a wearer's gluteal groove, and wherein said first internally visible serviceable indicium is disposed between said body facing surface of said topsheet and said absorbent core. 11. A disposable absorbent article having a first end region, a second end region, a crotch region between the first and second end regions, a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis that intersect in said crotch region of the absorbent article, said disposable absorbent article comprising: a liquid pervious topsheet, said liquid pervious topsheet having a body facing surface;a liquid impervious backsheet, said liquid impervious backsheet having a garment facing surface;an absorbent core disposed between said topsheet and said backsheet; andat least one internally visible serviceable indicium having a continuous contour, said first internally visible serviceable indicium being at least partially located at the intersection of the longitudinal axis and the transverse axis, wherein a portion of said contour is convex relative to the intersection of said longitudinal axis and said transverse axis and wherein a portion of said contour is concave relative to the intersection of said longitudinal axis and said transverse axis, said at least one internally visible serviceable indicium comprising an ink having a color, which distinguishes said at least one internally visible serviceable indicium from a region of said body facing surface of the disposable absorbent article, and wherein said internally visible serviceable indicium is disposed symmetrically about the intersection of said longitudinal axis and said transverse axis. 12. The disposable absorbent article of claim 11 wherein said portion of said contour that is convex is present in said crotch region of said absorbent article. 13. The disposable absorbent article of claim 11 wherein said portion of said contour that is concave is present in at least one of said first and second end regions of said absorbent article. 14. The disposable absorbent article of claim 11 wherein said contour comprises first and second portions that are each convex relative to the intersection of said longitudinal axis and said transverse axis, and third and fourth portions that are each concave relative to the intersection of said longitudinal axis and said transverse axis. 15. The disposable absorbent article of claim 11 wherein said at least one internally visible serviceable indicium is disposed on said body facing surface of said liquid pervious topsheet. 16. The disposable absorbent article of claim 11 wherein said at least one internally visible serviceable indicium is disposed on an element of said disposable absorbent article such that said at least one internally visible serviceable indicium is visible through said liquid pervious topsheet. 17. The disposable absorbent article of claim 16 wherein said at least one internally visible serviceable indicium is disposed beneath said body facing surface of said liquid pervious topsheet. 18. The disposable absorbent article of claim 11 wherein said at least one internally visible serviceable indicium having a contour is a first internally visible serviceable indicium, said disposable absorbent article further comprising a second internally visible serviceable indicium comprising an ink having a color, which distinguishes said second internally visible serviceable indicium from a region of said body facing surface of the disposable absorbent article. 19. The disposable absorbent article of claim 18 wherein said second internally visible serviceable indicium is disposed inboard of said first internally visible serviceable indicium. 20. The disposable absorbent article of claim 11 wherein said at least one internally visible serviceable indicium having a contour is adapted to facilitate the placement or alignment of the absorbent article with an anatomic feature of a wearer chosen from at least one of a wearer's genitalia, and a wearer's gluteal groove. 21. The disposable absorbent article of claim 11 wherein said at least one internally visible serviceable indicium having a contour is a first internally visible serviceable indicium, said disposable absorbent article further comprising a second internally visible serviceable indicium comprising a texture, which distinguishes said second internally visible serviceable indicium from a region of said body facing surface of the disposable absorbent article. 22. The disposable absorbent article of claim 11 wherein said at least one internally visible serviceable indicium having a contour is a first internally visible serviceable indicium, said disposable absorbent article further comprising a second internally visible serviceable indicium comprising at least one of a color gradient and a pattern distinguishing said second internally visible serviceable indicium from a region of said body facing surface of the disposable absorbent article. 23. The disposable absorbent article of claim 11 wherein said at least one internally visible serviceable indicium is adapted to mask any underlying layer or material and is adapted to prevent the visual discernment of the layer, material, or substance through said at least one internally visible serviceable indicium. 24. The disposable absorbent article of claim 11 wherein said first end region is a front waist region and said second end region is a back waist region. 25. The disposable absorbent article of claim 11 further comprising a first gasketing leg cuff disposed adjacent a first side edge of the article, said first gasketing leg cuff comprising an internally visible serviceable indicium comprising a color distinguishing said first gasketing leg cuff from a region of the body facing surface of said topsheet and a second gasketing leg cuff disposed adjacent a second side edge of the article, said second gasketing leg cuff comprising an internally visible serviceable indicium comprising a color distinguishing said second gasketing leg cuff from a region of the body facing surface of said topsheet. 26. The disposable absorbent article of claim 25 wherein said first gasketing leg cuff comprises an externally visible serviceable indicium comprising a color distinguishing said first gasketing leg cuff from a region of the garment facing surface of said backsheet and wherein said second gasketing leg cuff comprises an externally visible serviceable indicium comprising a color distinguishing said second gasketing leg cuff from a region of the garment facing surface of said backsheet. 27. The disposable absorbent article of claim 11, wherein the disposable absorbent article is an incontinence article. 28. The disposable absorbent article of claim 11, wherein the disposable absorbent article is a sanitary napkin. 29. The disposable absorbent article of claim 11, wherein the core is hourglass-shaped. 30. The disposable absorbent article of claim 11, wherein the core has a narrow portion in the crotch region and one or more rounded ends. 31. The disposable absorbent article of claim 11, wherein the disposable absorbent article comprises at least one leg cuff. 32. The disposable absorbent article of claim 11, wherein the disposable absorbent article comprises at least one colored leg cuff. 33. The disposable absorbent article of claim 32, wherein the leg cuff color complements a pattern or color of the internally visible serviceable indicium. 34. The disposable absorbent article of claim 11, wherein said topsheet is at least partially elasticized. 35. The disposable absorbent article of claim 11, wherein said backsheet comprises a laminate of a nonwoven and a film. 36. The disposable absorbent article of claim 11, wherein said backsheet comprises a thermoplastic film. 37. The disposable absorbent article of claim 11, wherein said backsheet comprises a breathable material. 38. The disposable absorbent article of claim 11, wherein said backsheet comprises a woven web. 39. The disposable absorbent article of claim 11, wherein said backsheet comprises a nonwoven web. 40. The disposable absorbent article of claim 11, wherein said absorbent core comprises air felt. 41. The disposable absorbent article of claim 11, wherein said absorbent core comprises melt blown polymer. 42. The disposable absorbent article of claim 11, wherein said absorbent core comprises co-form. 43. The disposable absorbent article of claim 11, wherein said absorbent core comprises absorbent foam. 44. The disposable absorbent article of claim 11, wherein said absorbent core comprises superabsorbent polymer. 45. The disposable absorbent article of claim 11, wherein said absorbent core comprises absorbent gelling material. 46. The disposable absorbent article of claim 11, wherein the core comprises a shape, and wherein said at least one internally visible serviceable indicium accentuates, complements, or highlights the core shape or an idealized core shape. 47. The disposable absorbent article of claim 11, wherein said at least one internally visible serviceable indicium is in the shape of an hourglass. 48. The disposable absorbent article of claim 11, wherein said at least one internally visible serviceable indicium is disposed entirely within said crotch region. 49. The disposable absorbent article of claim 11, wherein said at least one internally visible serviceable indicium is disposed substantially within said crotch region and at least minimally within at least one of said end regions. 50. The disposable absorbent article of claim 11, wherein said at least one internally visible serviceable indicium comprises at least one distinctive mark. 51. The disposable absorbent article of claim 11, wherein said at least one internally visible serviceable indicium comprises at least one colored region. 52. The disposable absorbent article of claim 11, wherein said at least one internally visible serviceable indicium comprises at least one texture. 53. The disposable absorbent article of claim 11, wherein said at least one internally visible serviceable indicium comprises at least one pattern. 54. The disposable absorbent article of claim 53, wherein the pattern comprises a series of shapes and/or images. 55. The disposable absorbent article of claim 53, wherein the pattern comprises one or more dots, lines, stripes, regular shapes, irregular shapes, circles, swirls, ellipses, diamonds, squares, and combinations thereof. 56. The disposable absorbent article of claim 53, wherein the pattern comprises a variation of color along a length of the serviceable indicium. 57. The disposable absorbent article of claim 11, wherein said at least one internally visible serviceable indicium comprises at least two sections, wherein one section surrounds at least a part of the other section, thus creating an inner section and an outer section. 58. The disposable absorbent article of claim 57, wherein the outer section surrounds a majority of the inner section. 59. The disposable absorbent article of claim 57, wherein the outer section surrounds the entire inner section. 60. The disposable absorbent article of claim 57, wherein the inner section is a first color and the outer section is a second color. 61. The disposable absorbent article of claim 57, wherein the inner section is a first color and the outer section is a different shade of the first color. 62. The disposable absorbent article of claim 57, wherein the inner section is non-colored and the outer section is colored. 63. The disposable absorbent article of claim 57, wherein the inner section is colored and the outer section is non-colored. 64. The disposable absorbent article of claim 57, wherein the outer section surrounds at least a part of the first portion or second portion. 65. The disposable absorbent article of claim 57, wherein the outer section surrounds at least a part of the third portion or fourth portion. 66. The disposable absorbent article of claim 3, wherein said disposable absorbent article comprises an externally visible serviceable indicium. 67. The disposable absorbent article of claim 66, wherein said externally visible serviceable indicium is disposed between said garment facing surface of said backsheet and said absorbent core. 68. The disposable absorbent article of claim 66, wherein said externally visible serviceable indicium comprises a separate element affixed to a component of the article. 69. The disposable absorbent article of claim 66, wherein said externally visible serviceable indicium comprises a colored leg cuff. 70. The disposable absorbent article of claim 66, wherein said externally visible serviceable indicium comprises a colored leg cuff. 71. The disposable absorbent article of claim 66, wherein said disposable absorbent article comprises longitudinal side edges, and wherein said externally visible serviceable indicium is observable along at least a section of the garment facing surface proximate each longitudinal side edge in at least the crotch region. 72. The disposable absorbent article of claim 66, wherein said disposable absorbent article comprises longitudinal side edges, and wherein said externally visible serviceable indicium distinguishes sections of the garment facing surface proximate the longitudinal side edges from the intersection of the longitudinal axis and the transverse axis. 73. The disposable absorbent article of claim 66, wherein said externally visible serviceable indicium comprises at least one colored region. 74. The disposable absorbent article of claim 66, wherein said externally visible serviceable indicium comprises at least one texture. 75. The disposable absorbent article of claim 66, wherein said externally visible serviceable indicium comprises at least one pattern. 76. The disposable absorbent article of claim 11, wherein said at least one internally visible serviceable indicium is distinguished from an adjacent region of said body facing surface of said liquid pervious topsheet. 77. The disposable absorbent article of claim 11, wherein said at least one internally visible serviceable indicium is distinguished from a background region of said body facing surface of said liquid pervious topsheet. 78. A disposable absorbent article having a first end region, a second end region and a crotch region between the first and second end regions, a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis that intersect in said crotch region of the absorbent article, said disposable absorbent article comprising: a liquid pervious topsheet, said liquid pervious topsheet having a body facing surface;a liquid impervious backsheet, said liquid impervious backsheet having a garment facing surface;an absorbent core disposed between said topsheet and said backsheet;a first internally visible serviceable indicium, said first internally visible serviceable indicium being at least partially located at the intersection of the longitudinal axis and the transverse axis, wherein said first internally visible serviceable indicium comprises first and second portions that are each convex relative to said longitudinal axis and third and fourth portions that are each concave relative to said transverse axis, said first internally visible serviceable indicium comprising an ink having a color, which distinguishes said first internally visible serviceable indicium from a region of said body facing surface of said liquid pervious topsheet, said first internally visible serviceable indicium being adapted to facilitate the placement or alignment of the absorbent article with an anatomic feature of a wearer chosen from at least one of a wearer's genitalia, and a wearer's gluteal groove, and said first internally visible serviceable indicium being disposed between said body facing surface of said topsheet and said absorbent core; andwherein said first portion is continuous with said third portion, said third portion is continuous with said second portion, said second portion is continuous with said fourth portion, and said fourth portion is continuous with said first portion to form a continuous contour. 79. The absorbent article of claim 78, the absorbent article comprising a second internally visible serviceable indicium, wherein said second internally visible serviceable indicium comprises first and second portions that are each convex relative to the intersection of said longitudinal axis and said transverse axis and third and fourth portions that are each concave relative to the intersection of said longitudinal axis and said transverse axis, said second internally visible serviceable indicium comprising an ink having a color, which distinguishes said second internally visible serviceable indicium from a region of said body facing surface of said liquid pervious topsheet, said second internally visible serviceable indicum being disposed around said first internally visible serviceable indicium and being distinguishable from said first internally visible serviceable indicium. 80. The disposable absorbent article of claim 78, wherein said first internally visible serviceable indicium is distinguished from an adjacent region of said body facing surface of said liquid pervious topsheet. 81. The disposable absorbent article of claim 78, wherein said first internally visible serviceable indicium is distinguished from a background region of said body facing surface of said liquid pervious topsheet.