Absorbent article having asymmetric printed patterns for providing a functional cue

摘要

A feminine care absorbent article that contains multiple printed patterns of graphical objects visible from a body facing surface is provided. The layout and design of the patterns are carefully selected in the present invention to achieve a synergistic masking effect that helps visually disguise the presence of bodily fluids or stains around the periphery of the article. Such "passive" stain masking is achieved, in part, through the use of printed patterns that are distributed in an asymmetric manner about both the longitudinal and transverse centerlines of the article. Among other things, the asymmetrical nature of the patterns allows the color of the bodily fluids to better blend with the visual nature of the patterns, and also draws the user's focus away from the areas in which any stains are located. The printed patterns are also located at or near the periphery of the article and at least partially extend into portions of the body facing surface that overlie the absorbent core. Once again, this partial overlap into the absorbent core region helps further improve the capacity of the article to "passively" mask stains. The pattern design is also such that a majority of an interior zone of the absorbent article is generally free of printed graphical objects. In addition to providing the user the ability to better detect the presence of bodily fluids during use, the absence of printed objects in certain areas of the article also further enhances the overall distinctive nature of the patterns.