REFERENCED APPLICATIONS

Reference is made to the following co-pending patent applications, the disclosures of all of which are incorporated herein by reference:

U.S. Ser. No. 16/171,432, filed on even date herewith by Sowinski, Bugner and Cook, and entitled “Inkjet Ink and Ink Sets”;

U.S. Ser. No. 16/171,446, filed on even date herewith by Cook and Sowinski, and entitled “Fluid Sets for Inkjet Printing Methods”; and

U.S. Ser. No. 16/171,455, filed on even date herewith by Sowinski, Cook, and Bugner, and entitled “Methods of Inkjet Printing”.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present application relates to absorbent articles bearing printed graphics, for example, feminine hygiene pads, disposable diapers, disposable training pants and adult incontinence pants and pads, designed to be worn next to the body. More particularly, the present invention relates to such products in which water-based ink(s) used to print such graphics are formulated to be free of traditional preservatives that may be deemed undesirable for use in connection with personal hygiene products.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Disposable absorbent articles, such as feminine hygiene pads, disposable diapers, disposable training pants, and adult incontinence pads and pants, often include visual features such as printed elements on one or more surfaces for decorative or functional purposes. Decorative and/or functional printed images, designs, symbols, alphanumeric words or information (“graphics”) may be printed onto surfaces of one or more material layers forming such products, to enhance consumer appeal and/or usage experience. For manufacturing processes that require relatively high-speed throughput, the preferred printing methods often include inkjet or continuous inkjet (CIJ) printing processes.

Inks used to print such graphics via inkjet or CIJ processes may be water-based or organic solvent-based. Organic solvent-based inks often contain and emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during and/or after printing. To reduce VOC emissions and meet increasingly stringent regulations, VOC handling and abatement systems may be needed when using such inks. These systems may require substantial capital investment and may not entirely eliminate the issue.

Alternatively, water-based inks may be used. Typical water-based ink formulations, however, may support growth of, and thereby be prone to contamination by, microbes (water-borne bacteria, yeasts and/or molds) if countermeasures are not taken. Accordingly, commercially available formulations typically include preservatives that effectively inhibit microbe growth during the time the ink is stored and awaiting use for printing.

Many of such preservatives, however, are becoming increasingly disfavored by some regulatory bodies and/or advocacy groups for use in connection with consumer personal products. Additionally, the consumer market is becoming increasingly aware of the presence of traditional preservatives in cosmetics and personal products and is developing a preference for products which do not include them.

Accordingly, there is currently an unmet need for water-based ink formulations, suitable for inkjet or CIJ printing processes, that are substantially free of traditional preservatives, while having features that preserve and/or enhance shelf life by inhibiting microbe growth and provide or maintain other balances required for suitable stability and use with inkjet printing equipment.

