Article having a lotioned topsheet

Abstract

A method for depositing a lotion composition onto a topsheet of a feminine hygiene article. The method comprises the steps of: providing a topsheet, wherein the topsheet can be selected from the group consisting of apertured formed thermoplastic films, hydroformed thermoplastic films, porous foams, and nonwoven web of fibers; providing a lotion composition wherein the lotion composition can be solid or semisolid at 20 degrees C.; and printing or spraying or extruding the lotion onto the topsheet in a pattern that can be a non-uniform pattern.

1 . A method for depositing a lotion composition onto a topsheet of a feminine hygiene article, said method comprising the steps of: 
 a. providing a topsheet;    b. providing a lotion composition; and    c. printing said lotion onto said topsheet.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said topsheet is selected from the group consisting of apertured formed thermoplastic films, hydroformed thermoplastic films, porous foams, and nonwoven web of fibers.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said lotion composition is solid or semisolid at 20 degrees C.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said lotion composition comprises an emollient and an immobilizing agent for the emollient.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said lotion composition viscosity is between about 5 and about 200 centipoises at 60 degrees C.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein said emollient is selected from petrolatum based, fatty acid ester type, alkyl ethoxylate type, fatty acid ester ethoxylates, fatty alcohol type, polysiloxane type, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said lotion composition comprises petrolatum.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said lotion composition is applied in a nonuniform pattern.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said nonuniform pattern comprises at least one stripe in a longitudinal direction of said feminine hygiene article.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said each said stripe has a width of from about 0.1 in (2.54 mm) to about 0.75 in (19 mm).  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said lotion composition is applied by gravure printing.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said lotion composition is applied by flexographic printing.  
     
     
         13 . A method for depositing a lotion composition onto a topsheet of a feminine hygiene article, said method comprising the steps of: 
 a. providing a topsheet wherein said topsheet is selected from the group consisting of apertured formed thermoplastic films, hydroformed thermoplastic films, porous foams, and nonwoven web of fibers;    b. providing a lotion composition wherein said lotion composition is solid or semisolid at 20 degrees C.;    c. heating said lotion composition to a temperature from about 35 degrees C. to about 100 degrees C.; and    d. extrusion coating said lotion composition onto said topsheet in a nonuniform pattern comprising at least one stripe.    
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said lotion composition comprises petrolatum.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said nonuniform pattern comprises at least one stripe in a longitudinal direction of said feminine hygiene article.  
     
     
         16 . A method for depositing a lotion composition onto a topsheet of a feminine hygiene article, said method comprising the steps of: 
 a. providing a topsheet wherein said topsheet is selected from the group consisting of apertured formed thermoplastic films, hydroformed thermoplastic films, porous foams, and nonwoven web of fibers;    b. providing a lotion composition wherein said lotion composition is solid or semisolid at 20 degrees C.;    c. heating said lotion composition to a temperature from about 35 degrees C. to about 100 degrees C.; and    d. spraying said lotion composition onto said topsheet in a nonuniform pattern.    
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said lotion composition comprises petrolatum.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said nonuniform pattern comprises at least one stripe in a longitudinal direction of said feminine hygiene article.  
     
     
         19 . A method for depositing a lotion composition onto a topsheet of a sanitary napkin, said method comprising the steps of: 
 a. providing an apertured formed thermoplastic film topsheet, at least the upper surface thereof being treated to be hydrophilic;    b. providing a lotion composition comprising a hydrophilic surfactant;    c. heating said lotion composition to a temperature from about 35 degrees C. to about 100 degrees C.; and    d. applying said lotion composition onto said topsheet.    
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said lotion composition comprises petrolatum.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said lotion is applied in a nonuniform pattern.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said nonuniform pattern comprises at least one stripe in a longitudinal direction of said feminine hygiene article.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said step of applying is by extrusion coating.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said step of applying is by spraying.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said step of applying is by printing.