Pull-On Wearable Article with Informational Image

Abstract

A pull-on wearable article includes a main portion with an outer cover, the main portion defining a front waist region, a rear waist region, and a crotch region extending between and connecting the front and rear waist regions. First and second extendable side panels extend between and connect the main portion front waist region and the main portion rear waist region to form the article in a closed waist configuration, wherein at least a portion of each side panel is extendable between a relaxed state and an extended state. The article defines first and second side regions, each side region including one of the first and second side panels and a transverse region of the main portion bordering the respective side panel. An informational image is disposed in at least the first side region, wherein the informational image is legible when the first and second side panels are substantially in the relaxed state.

1 . A pull-on wearable article comprising:
 a main portion including an outer cover, the main portion defining a front waist region having first and second longitudinal side edges, a rear waist region having first and second longitudinal side edges, and a crotch region extending between and connecting the front and rear waist regions;   a first extendable side panel extending between and connecting the first longitudinal side edge of the front waist region and the first longitudinal side edge of the rear waist region and a second extendable side panel extending between and connecting the second longitudinal side edge of the front waist region and the second longitudinal edge of the rear waist region to form the article in a closed waist configuration, at least a portion of each side panel being extendable between a relaxed state and an extended state; and   an informational image disposed at least partially in the first side panel or the second side panel, wherein the informational image is legible when the first and second side panels are substantially in the relaxed state; and   a texture feature distinct from an inherent texture of the side panel, proximate the informational image, and associated with the informational image to form a composite image.   
     
     
         2 . The pull-on wearable article of  claim 1 , wherein the texture feature forms a region of relative smoothness or roughness. 
     
     
         3 . The pull-on wearable article of  claim 2 , wherein the texture feature comprises localized projections. 
     
     
         4 . The pull-on wearable article of  claim 2 , wherein the texture feature comprises localized recesses. 
     
     
         5 . The pull-on wearable article of  claim 4 , wherein the side panel comprising the composite image further comprises two or more layers of material, and the localized recesses are formed by bonds between two or more layers of material in the side panels. 
     
     
         6 . The pull-on wearable article of  claim 4 , wherein the side panel the side panel comprising the composite image further comprises an outer layer of non-woven material, an inner layer of non-woven material, and an elastomeric element disposed between the outer and inner layers, and the outer layer is formed with apertures or openings to expose portions of the elastomeric layer. 
     
     
         7 . The pull-on wearable article of  claim 1 , wherein the texture feature varies the reflectivity of the side panel. 
     
     
         8 . The pull-on wearable article of  claim 1 , wherein the texture feature enhances the color of the side panel. 
     
     
         9 . The pull-on wearable article of  claim 1 , wherein the texture feature increases the legibility of the informational image. 
     
     
         10 . The pull-on wearable article of  claim 1 , wherein the texture feature forms part of the informational image. 
     
     
         11 . The pull-on wearable article of  claim 1 , wherein the texture feature comprises discrete, locally contracted regions. 
     
     
         12 . The pull-on wearable article of  claim 1 , wherein the composite image is viewable from an exterior of the article. 
     
     
         13 . The pull-on wearable article of  claim 1 , wherein the composite image is viewable from an interior of the article. 
     
     
         14 . The pull-on wearable article of  claim 13 , wherein the composite image is viewable from an exterior of the article. 
     
     
         15 . The pull-on wearable article of  claim 1 , wherein the composite image comprises two or more icons. 
     
     
         16 . The pull-on wearable article of  claim 1 , wherein the composite image extends substantially across a longitudinal length of the side panel. 
     
     
         17 . The pull-on wearable article of  claim 1 , wherein the composite image spans a seam. 
     
     
         18 . The pull-on wearable article of  claim 1 , wherein the composite image is disposed entirely within a side panel. 
     
     
         19 . The pull-on wearable article of  claim 1 , wherein each side panel comprises a composite image. 
     
     
         20 . The pull-on wearable article of  claim 19 , wherein each composite image comprises at least one hand graphic.