Apparatuses and methods for making absorbent articles with low intensity side seam regions

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to absorbent articles and methods for assembling absorbent articles with substrates and/or components that include graphics with zones of relatively high print densities and zones of relatively low print densities. In turn, the zones of relatively low print densities may be positioned in regions that are subject to various manufacturing transformations during the assembly process. As such, the graphics may be positioned and/or printed in such a manner so as to reduce noticeable visible results of imprecise and/or inconsistent manufacturing operations performed in areas where the graphics are located.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An absorbent article comprising:
 a first elastic belt extending laterally from a first longitudinal side edge to a second longitudinal side edge to define a pitch length, PL, and extending from a first lateral end edge to a second lateral end edge to define a width W, the first elastic belt further comprising a first end region and a laterally opposing second region separated from each other by a central region;   a second elastic belt comprising a first end region and a laterally opposing second region separated from each other by a central region, wherein the first end region of the first elastic belt is connected with the first end region of the second elastic belt, and wherein the second end region of the first elastic belt is connected with the second end region of the second elastic belt;   a chassis comprising, a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, the chassis further comprising a first waist region and a second waist region separated from each other by a crotch region, wherein the first waist region is connected with the central region of the first elastic belt and the second waist region is connected with the central region of the second elastic belt;   a graphic on the first elastic belt, the graphic comprising a first zone comprising a first maximum print density and a second zone comprising a second maximum print density, wherein the second maximum print density is less than or equal to about 30% of the first maximum print density; and   wherein the second zone is positioned between the first zone and the first longitudinal side edge of the first elastic belt, and wherein the second zone defines a longitudinal length L wherein the pitch length PL is about 10 or more times the length L of the second zone.   
     
     
         2 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein the first elastic belt comprises:
 a first substrate comprising a first surface and an opposing second surface;   a second substrate comprising a first surface and an opposing second surface; and   elastic material bonded between the first surface of the first substrate and the first surface of the second substrate; and   wherein the second surface of the first substrate defines a garment facing surface; and   wherein the graphic is printed on the first surface of the first substrate.   
     
     
         3 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein the first elastic belt is devoid of additional graphics in the second zone. 
     
     
         4 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein the PL is 300 mm to about 1000 mm. 
     
     
         5 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein the second maximum print density is about 0.15. 
     
     
         6 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein the first maximum print density is about 0.5. 
     
     
         7 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein the second end region of the first elastic belt is refastenably connected with the second end region of the second elastic belt.