TW376316B - Absorbent article with wetness indicator - Google Patents

Abstract

An absorbent article (10) has a front waistband portion (14), a back waistband portion (12) and an intermediate portion (16). The article comprises a flexible backsheet member (30), and a liquid permeable topsheet layer (28). An absorbent body structure (32), with a retention portion (48), is sandwiched between the backsheet member (30) and the topsheet layer (28), and wetness indicator (40) visually shows a presence of liquid in selected areas of the article. The wetness indicator is provided by at least one indicator section of the backsheet member (30) which includes a polymer sheet layer (96). Desirably, the wetness indicator is provided by at least one indicator section of the backsheet member (30) which includes a backsheet laminate material having a fibrous nonwoven web (94) attached to a polymer sheet layer (96). The indicator section of the backsheet member (30) includes a plurality of translucent windows (98) which are arranged in an area pattern and are formed by a selected thermal treatment of the polymer sheet layer (96). In particular arrangements, the translucent windows can be arranged in an area pattern and can be formed by a bonding of the fibrous nonwoven web (94) to the polymer sheet layer (96) in the backsheet laminate material. A layer of contrast material (44) may be attached to the article at an operative location which is interposed between an intended wearer of the article and the indicator section of the backsheet member (30). In particular arrangements, the contrast layer (44) can have a first appearance through the translucent windows (98) when the contrast material is dry, and can have a visually different second appearance through the translucent windows (98) when the contrast material is wetted with water or other aqueous liquid. An absorbent article having a front waistband portion, a back waistband portion and an intermediate portion, said article comprising: a flexible and readily conformable backsheet member; a liquid permeable topsheet layer; an absorbent body having a retention portion and sandwiched between said backsheet member and said topsheet layer; and a wetness indicator for visually showing a presence of liquid in selected regions of said article, said wetness indicator including: at least one indicator section of said backsheet member which includes a backsheet material having a polymer sheet layer, said indicator section of said backsheet member including a plurality of translucent windows which are arranged in an area pattern and are formed by a thermal treatment of said polymer sheet layer, said indicator section having a first appearance when portions of the article at the translucent windows are dry and having a visually different second appearance when portions of the article at the translucent windows are wetted with water.