U.S. patent application number 10/760877 was filed with the patent office on 2004-07-29 for interlabial pad packaging.
This patent application is currently assigned to Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.. Invention is credited to Bechyne, Kami L., McDaniel, Mary Lou, McManus, James D., Sorebo, Heather A..
Application Number | 20040144679 10/760877 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 21929448 |
Filed Date | 2004-07-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040144679 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sorebo, Heather A. ; et
al. |
July 29, 2004 |
Interlabial pad packaging
Abstract
A package of individually packaged interlabial pads.
Inventors: |
Sorebo, Heather A.;
(Appleton, WI) ; Bechyne, Kami L.; (Appleton,
WI) ; McManus, James D.; (Appleton, WI) ;
McDaniel, Mary Lou; (Appleton, WI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SENNIGER POWERS LEAVITT AND ROEDEL
ONE METROPOLITAN SQUARE
16TH FLOOR
ST LOUIS
MO
63102
US
|
Assignee: |
Kimberly-Clark Worldwide,
Inc.
|
Family ID: |
21929448 |
Appl. No.: |
10/760877 |
Filed: |
January 20, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10760877 |
Jan 20, 2004 |
|
|
|
10043895 |
Nov 9, 2001 |
|
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
206/494 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F 13/55165 20130101;
B65D 33/20 20130101; A61F 2013/8497 20130101; A61F 13/47209
20130101; A61F 15/003 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/494 |
International
Class: |
B65D 073/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A package of interlabial pads for carrying a supply of the pads
in hygienic condition in such manner as to maintain them in
hygienic condition and to be readily available for use in hygienic
condition when needed, said package comprising a receptacle, a
supply of pads in the receptacle, said receptacle having an opening
through which a pad may be withdrawn for use when needed, said
receptacle having a reclosable closure for closing the opening,
said closure being closed for carrying the pads in hygienic
condition and for continued carrying in hygienic condition of the
pads remaining in the receptacle after withdrawal of a pad, said
receptacle comprising a bag having front and back walls joined at
the sides and bottom and free of each other at the top to define
said opening, said bag having a flap integral with the back wall
folded over the opening and overlying the front wall and releasably
adhered thereto.
2. A package as set forth in claim 1 wherein the bag comprises a
blank folded to form said front and back walls, the fold
constituting the bottom of the bag and the front and back walls
being attached together at the sides thereof.
3. A package as set forth in claim 2 wherein the blank is at least
partially opaque to conceal the packaged pads in the bag, the front
wall having a pressure-sensitive adhesive thereon for releasably
adhering the flap thereto.
4. A package as set forth in claim 2 wherein the blank comprises a
plastic film.
5. A package as set forth in claim 1 wherein the interlabial pads
are individually packaged.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a divisonal of U.S. application Ser. No.
10/043,895, filed Nov. 9, 2001. The foregoing application is
incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates generally to a package, and more
particularly to interlabial pad packaging.
[0003] The invention concerns the packaging of interlabial pads of
the type shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,595,392 issued Jun. 17, 1986,
entitled "Interlabial Pad", and U.S. Pat. No. 4,673,403 issued Jun.
16, 1987, entitled "Method and Pad Allowing Improved Placement of
Catamenial Device". In addition, the invention is applicable to the
packaging of other interlabial pads.
[0004] Interlabial pads like other absorbent feminine care products
(e.g., tampons, panty liners and feminine napkins) are intended to
be carried about in purses, backpacks and briefcases until needed.
Unfortunately, these containers do not always provide a hygienic
environment for the pads, and thus the pads can become dirty and/or
damaged. Further, the pads can become scattered about in the
containers so they are difficult to find when needed. Although
packages have been developed to hold other absorbent feminine care
products (e.g., the packages described in co-pending U.S. patent
application Ser. Nos. 09/713,604, 09/713,496, 09/713,565,
09/713,497, and 09/713,596, all of which were filed on Nov. 15,
2000, and are hereby incorporated by reference; and application
Ser. Nos. 09/917,540, and 09/916,795, both of which were filed on
Jul. 27, 2001, and are hereby incorporated by reference), there is
a need for packaging for interlabial pads.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In general, the invention comprises a package of interlabial
pads for carrying a supply of the pads in hygienic condition in
such manner as to maintain them in hygienic condition and to be
readily available for use in hygienic condition when needed. The
package comprises a receptacle and a supply of pads in the
receptacle. The receptacle has an opening through which a pad may
be withdrawn for use when needed. Further, the receptacle has a
reclosable closure for closing the opening. The closure is closed
for carrying the pads in hygienic condition and for continued
carrying in hygienic condition of the pads remaining in the
receptacle after withdrawal of a pad.
[0006] Other features will be in part apparent and in part pointed
out hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a plan view of an interlabial pad such as may be
packaged in accordance with this invention, partly broken away to
show detail;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a edge view of the interlabial pad;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the pad folded;
[0010] FIG. 4 is a section taken in the plane of line 4-4 of FIG.
3;
[0011] FIG. 5 is a front elevation of hygienic packaging containing
the folded pad;
[0012] FIG. 6 is a section taken in the plane of line 6-6 of FIG.
5;
[0013] FIG. 7 is a front elevation of a package of a first
embodiment of the present invention in a closed condition, the
packaged pads therein shown in dashed lines;
[0014] FIG. 8 is a section taken in the plane of line 8-8 of FIG.
7;
[0015] FIG. 9 is a front elevation of the package of FIG. 7 in an
opened condition;
[0016] FIG. 8 is a section taken in the plane of line 8-8 of FIG.
7;
[0017] FIG. 9 is a front elevation of the package of FIG. 7 in an
opened condition;
[0018] FIG. 10 is a section taken in the plane of line 10-10 of
FIG. 9;
[0019] FIG. 11 is a front elevation of a package of a second
embodiment of the present invention, the packaged pads therein
shown in dashed lines;
[0020] FIG. 12 is a section taken in the plane of line 12-12 of
FIG. 11;
[0021] FIG. 13 is a front elevation of a package of a third
embodiment of the present invention, the packaged pads therein
shown in dashed lines;
[0022] FIG. 14 is a section taken in the plane of line 14-14 of
FIG. 13;
[0023] FIG. 15 is a front elevation of a package of a fourth
embodiment of the present invention in an opened condition, the
packaged pads therein shown in dashed lines;
[0024] FIG. 16 is a section taken in the plane of line 16-16 of
FIG. 15;
[0025] FIG. 17 is a front elevation of the package of FIG. 15 in an
opened condition; and
[0026] FIG. 18 is a front elevation of a package of a fifth
embodiment of the present invention in an opened condition, the
packaged pads therein shown in dashed lines.
[0027] In the above-noted sectional views, film is depicted in
single-line style rather than in exaggerated thickness with
cross-hatching.
[0028] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding
parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, an interlabial
pad is designated in its entirety by the reference number 1. The
pad 1, which is exemplary of interlabial pads that may be packaged
in accordance with this invention, is generally of the type
disclosed in the aforesaid U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,595,392 and 4,673,403,
which are hereby incorporated by reference. In one embodiment, the
pad 1 is generally oval and has lateral projections 3. Although the
pad 1 may have other dimensions without departing from the scope of
the present invention, in one embodiment the pad has an overall
width of about 3.4 centimeters (cm) and an overall length of
between about 6 cm and about 10 cm. As those skilled in the art
will appreciate, the interlabial pad may have other shapes without
departing from the scope of the present invention. Although the pad
1 of one embodiment comprises a lamination of a layer 5 of
absorbent material on a fluid impervious layer 7 (e.g., plastic
film), pads having other configurations including those without an
impervious layer are also contemplated. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4,
in one embodiment the pad 1 is folded in half on its major axis as
indicated at 9 and, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, is individually
packaged in an elongate, generally flat sealed hygienic package 11
having a longitudinal seam 13 and end seals 15. In alternative
embodiments, it is envisioned that the package 11 may not be sealed
or may be omitted entirely. Further, it is envisioned that the pad
1 may be unfolded without departing from the scope of the present
invention. Although the package 11 may be made of other materials
without departing from the scope of the present invention, in one
embodiment the package is made of heat-sealable plastic film and in
another embodiment the package is made of paper. The seam 13 and
seals 15 may be made by any conventional process such as heat
sealing, mechanical sealing or adhesive bonding. Further, it is
envisioned that the pad 1 may be sealed in the package 11 with a
cardboard backing 16. Although the package 11 may have other
dimensions without departing from the scope of the present
invention, in one embodiment the package has an overall width of
about 4.0 cm and an overall length of between about 8.5 cm and
about 12.5 cm.
[0030] As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, a package of a first
embodiment of the present invention is designated in its entirety
by the reference numeral 17. The package 17, carries a supply 19 of
the interlabial pads 1 individually wrapped in their respective
sealed hygienic packages 11 readily available for use when needed.
The package 17 generally comprises a receptacle 21 (e.g., a pocket)
having a mouth or opening 23 (see FIG. 10 particularly) through
which a pad 1 in its sealed package 11 may be withdrawn for use
when needed. The receptacle 21 has a reclosable flap 25 for closing
the opening 23. The flap 25 may be closed after a pad 1 is
withdrawn to retain the remaining pads in the receptacle 21 until
needed.
[0031] The receptacle 21 comprises a bag having front and back
walls 27 and 29 joined at the sides 31 and 33 and bottom 35 and
free from each other at the top to define the opening 23. The flap
25 which is integral with the back wall 29 may be folded over the
opening 23 so it overlies the front wall 27. The flap 25 is
releasably adhered to the front wall 27 by an adhesive or
mechanical closure 37. The receptacle 21 is formed from an elongate
rectangular blank folded along fold 35 to form the front and back
walls 27, 29, respectively. In one embodiment, the blank is a
plastic film such as polyethylene film having a thickness of
between about 1.25 mil and about 2.0 mils. In alternative
embodiments, the blank is a non-woven material or a non-woven and
film laminate. The fold 35 constitutes the bottom of the receptacle
21. The front and back walls 27, 29 are sealed together as by heat
seals 31s and 33s at both sides, and are free from each other at
the top to define the bag opening 23. The plastic film (e.g.,
polyethylene) from which the bag is made is generally opaque as by
being pigmented (e.g., blue) to conceal the packaged pads in the
bag. In one embodiment, the closure 37 is a spot 45 of
pressure-sensitive adhesive such as two-sided tape for releasably
adhering the flap 25. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the
closure 37 includes a stripe of pressure-sensitive adhesive
extending from side to side along the receptacle 21. The packages
11 of pads 1 (e.g., from about three to about six in number) are
aligned vertically so they extend from the opening 23 to the bottom
35 of the receptacle 21. In an alternative embodiment, it is
envisioned that the pads 1 may be aligned horizontally from side to
side in the receptacle 21. Although the receptacle 21 may have
other dimensions without departing from the scope of the present
invention, in one embodiment the receptacle has an overall width
measured from side to side of about 10.8 cm and an overall height
measured from the opening 23 to the bottom 35 of between about 9.5
cm and about 14.0 cm. Further, the flap 25 of this one embodiment
has a width matching the width of the receptacle 21 and a height of
about 5.1 cm.
[0032] Thus, the supply 19 of pads 1 is carried in a hygienic
condition. Because the receptacle 21 (including the flap 25) is
opaque, the contents are not visible and thus are carried in a
discreet manner. A pad 1 is readily available for use in hygienic
condition when needed by pulling the flap 35 back (to the open
condition illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10) to open the receptacle 21,
withdrawing a sealed package 11, and tearing it open to access the
pad 1 therein. The torn-open package 11 is discarded. The flap 25
may then be re-adhered to the front wall 27 of the receptacle 21 to
re-close the bag by means of the closure 37.
[0033] FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate a second embodiment of the
package of the present invention, designated by 47 in its entirety.
The package 47 of the second embodiment again comprises an opaque
plastic receptacle 49 having front and back walls 51, 53,
respectively, joined at the sides 55, 57 by heat-sealed side seams,
having a fold 59 for the bottom and an opening 61. Instead of the
flap 25 and closure 37, the receptacle 49 is provided with
conventional press-fit members 63 and 65 (i.e., conventional
interlockable plastic channels) extending across the front and back
walls 51, 53 adjacent the opening 61. The receptacle 49 holds a
plurality (e.g., three to six) packages 11 of pads 1. Although in
the illustrated embodiment the packages 11 extend vertically from
the bottom 59 to adjacent the opening 61 just below the press-fit
members 63, 65, it is also envisioned that the packages may extend
horizontally from side to side. The press-fit members 63, 65 are
conventionally used on plastic bags and will not be described in
further detail. Although the receptacle 49 may have other
dimensions without departing from the scope of the present
invention, in one embodiment the receptacle has an overall width
measured from side to side of about 10.8 cm and an overall height
measured from the opening 61 to the bottom 59 of between about 9.5
cm and about 14.0 cm.
[0034] FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate a third embodiment of the package
of the present invention, designated by 67 in its entirety. For the
most part, the package 67 of the third embodiment is the same as
the package 47 of the second embodiment except for the use of
conventional slide fastener members 69 and 71 (instead of press-fit
members 63 and 65) and a conventional slide fastener 73. Members
69, 71 and slide fastener 73 are such as conventionally used on
plastic bags and will not be described in further detail. Although
the receptacle of the package 67 of the third embodiment may have
other dimensions without departing from the scope of the present
invention, in one embodiment the receptacle has an overall width
measured from side to side of between about 9.5 cm and about 14.0
cm and an overall height measured from the opening to the bottom of
about 10.8 cm.
[0035] FIGS. 15-17 illustrate a fourth embodiment of the package of
the present invention, designated by 81 in its entirety. The
package 81 of the fourth embodiment is in the style of wallet and
has two pockets 83 and 85, each having an opening 83m, 85m, facing
the other opening. The package 81 may be folded in half with the
openings 83m, 85m on the inside. Packages 11 of pads 1 are stocked
in the pockets. The package 81 comprises an elongate rectangular
outside wall 87 of the opaque plastic film and inside walls 89 and
91 of said film extending across the inside face 93 of the outside
wall from one side of the outside wall to the other and inward from
the ends of the outside wall. Each inside wall 89, 91 terminates
short of the center of the outside wall 87 thereby forming the
openings 83m, 85m of a pad-containing pocket.
[0036] In further detail, the receptacle 81 comprises an elongate
rectangular blank of the opaque plastic film, portions of which are
folded over as indicated at 95, 97 to form the inside walls 89, 91.
The folds 95, 97 form the bottoms of the pockets 83, 85. The
folded-over end portions forming the inside walls 89, 91 are
heat-sealed at both sides as indicated at 99 and 101 to the portion
of the blank between folds 95, 97 constituting the outside wall 87.
The openings of the pockets 83, 85 lie on opposite sides of a fold
line F at the center of the outside wall 87 on which the receptacle
is foldable as illustrated in FIG. 17. The receptacle 81 may be
held closed by a tab 103 heat-sealed to the outside wall 87 and
having a spot (or stripe) 105 of pressure-sensitive adhesive
thereon. Or, as shown in FIG. 18, the spot (or stripe) 105 may be
applied to one of the inside walls, e.g., inside wall 91 to form a
package of a fifth embodiment. Although the pockets 83, 85 of the
packages 81 of the fourth and fifth embodiments may have other
dimensions without departing from the scope of the present
invention, in one embodiment the pockets have overall widths
measured from side to side of between about 9.5 cm and about 14.0
cm and overall heights measured from the respective opening to the
respective bottom of between about 6.3 cm and about 8.9 cm.
[0037] Although the packages are described above as containing
interlabial pads, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the
packages may include other feminine care products and associated
supplies. For example, the packages may contain a supply of
interlabial pads and a supply of tampons and/or panty liners.
Examples of associated supplies which the packages may contain
include wipes and/or tissues. Further, it is envisioned that the
packages may include more than one size of interlabial pad without
departing from the scope of the present invention.
[0038] In view of the above, it will be seen that the several
objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous
results attained.
[0039] When introducing elements of the present invention or the
preferred embodiment(s) thereof, the articles "a", "an", "the" and
"said" are intended to mean that there are one or more of the
elements. The terms "comprising", "including" and "having" are
intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional
elements other than the listed elements.
[0040] As various changes could be made in the above constructions
without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended
that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the
accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not
in a limiting sense.
* * * * *