초록 ▼

A method of applying structural elements to an absorbent article is disclosed. The absorbent article includes a top sheet and a back sheet. The expandable ink is applied to the top sheet, and the expandable ink is activated to obtain three-dimensional structural elements on the top sheet. An absorbe

A method of applying structural elements to an absorbent article is disclosed. The absorbent article includes a top sheet and a back sheet. The expandable ink is applied to the top sheet, and the expandable ink is activated to obtain three-dimensional structural elements on the top sheet. An absorbent article is disclosed and includes a top sheet provided with structural elements. The structural elements consist of expandable ink that has been applied to the top sheet and has been subsequently activated to form three-dimensional structural elements.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method of applying structural elements to an absorbent article having a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, side edges extending in the longitudinal direction and end edges extending in the transverse direction, said absorbent article comprising a top sheet and a back sheet, the

1. A method of applying structural elements to an absorbent article having a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, side edges extending in the longitudinal direction and end edges extending in the transverse direction, said absorbent article comprising a top sheet and a back sheet, the method comprising: applying expandable ink to the top sheet at at least a central area of the top sheet, andactivating the expandable ink to obtain three-dimensional structural elements on the top sheet, such that a height of the three-dimensional structural elements at the central area decreases in a direction from the center of the central area toward the side edges. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the expandable ink is applied on 1-50% of the surface area of the top sheet. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the expandable ink is activated by subjecting the top sheet to heat. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the heat is generated from one of infra-red radiation, hot air, microwaves, and a heated embossing roll. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the expandable ink is activated by UV radiation. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the expandable ink comprises a polymer, a solvent and a blowing agent or expandable microspheres. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the expandable ink is applied as one or more liquid barriers selected from: in a crotch region along at least a part of the longitudinal side edges; a transverse front of the absorbent article; and a back region of the absorbent article. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the one or more liquid barriers are formed of continuous and/or dotted lines. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein a cluster of dots of expandable ink is applied in a central longitudinal part of the absorbent article, forming a raised portion, and wherein a ratio between a height of the dots and a distance between the dots in the cluster is at least 1:1. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the expandable ink is applied along at least a part of a transverse end edge of the absorbent article. 11. The method of claim 1, wherein a hydrophobic ink is applied along at least a part of at least one of a longitudinal side edge and a transverse end edge, and a hydrophilic ink is applied in a central and longitudinal part of the top sheet. 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the top sheet has a first surface facing away from the back sheet, and a second surface facing towards the back sheet, and wherein the expandable ink is applied to one or both of said first and second surfaces. 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the structural elements are applied on an absorbent article that is one of: a sanitary napkin; a panty liner; a male or female incontinence article; and a diaper. 14. An absorbent article comprising a top sheet provided with three-dimensional structural elements, wherein the three-dimensional structural elements consist of expandable ink that has been applied to the top sheet at at least a central area of the top sheet, and that has been subsequently activated at least partly to form the three-dimensional structural elements, such that a height of the three-dimensional structural elements at the central area decreases in a direction from the center of the central area toward side edges of the absorbent article. 15. The absorbent article of claim 14, wherein the three-dimensional structural elements have a height of 0.1-15 mm. 16. The absorbent article of claim 14, wherein 1-50% of the top sheet is covered with expandable ink. 17. A method of applying structural elements to an absorbent article having a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, side edges extending in the longitudinal direction and end edges extending in the transverse direction, said absorbent article comprising a top sheet and a back sheet, the method comprising: applying expandable ink to the top sheet, at least some of the expandable ink being hydrophilic, andactivating the expandable ink to obtain three-dimensional structural elements on the top sheet, wherein a cluster of dots of expandable ink is applied in a central longitudinal part of the absorbent article, forming a raised portion, and wherein a ratio between a height of the dots and a distance between the dots in the cluster is at least 1:1.