Patent ID: 6558499
Filing Date: 2003-05-06
Classification: A61F,B26D,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of making a variety pack of disposable absorbent articles in which a plurality of absorbent articles are contained within the variety pack, each absorbent article within the variety pack includes a graphic positioned on the absorbent article in at least the front or rear waist region of the absorbent article and each variety pack of absorbent articles contains a plurality of absorbent articles wherein at least two absorbent articles in the variety pack have graphics different from one another, the method comprising:(a) providing a first continuously moving graphic layer, a second continuously moving nonwoven outer covering layer, and a cutting means; wherein the first continuously moving graphic layer includes a plurality of predetermined, discrete graphics and a plurality of reference markers printed thereon, wherein at least one reference marker is operatively associated with each of said plurality of predetermined, discrete graphics; (b) sensing the location of at least one of said plurality of predetermined, discrete graphics using the at least one reference marker that is operatively associated with the at least one of said plurality of predetermined, discrete graphics; (c) joining the graphics with the second continuously moving nonwoven outer covering layer; (d) cutting said first continuously moving graphic layer into individual segments at a predetermined position between each of said plurality of predetermined, discrete graphics with said cutting means; wherein each of said individual segments cut from the first continuously moving graphic layer include thereon one of said plurality of predetermined, discrete graphics; (e) packaging the absorbent articles produced in steps (a)-(e) to form the variety pack; and (f) removing the at least one reference marker in used in step (b).