U.S. patent application number 11/961936 was filed with the patent office on 2008-04-24 for package that includes a plurality of disposable absorbent articles.
This patent application is currently assigned to Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.. Invention is credited to Jane Clough.
Application Number | 20080093249 11/961936 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36168570 |
Filed Date | 2008-04-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080093249 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Clough; Jane |
April 24, 2008 |
PACKAGE THAT INCLUDES A PLURALITY OF DISPOSABLE ABSORBENT
ARTICLES
Abstract
Some example embodiments of the present invention relate to a
package that includes a bag and a plurality of absorbent articles
that are stored within the bag. The bag includes a plurality of
sidewalls and a bottom portion that is connected to each of the
sidewalls. The bag further includes a resilient member that extends
through each sidewall such that the resilient member forms an
adjustable opening in the bag. In some forms, the absorbent
articles are diapers that are folded and arranged in a parallel
configuration within the bag. Some other example absorbent articles
include diapers, feminine hygiene articles, pull-ups, incontinent
pads and training pants (among others). The package is able to
adequately store disposable absorbent articles once the package has
been opened. Therefore, the package eliminates the labor which is
typically required to move the disposable absorbent articles from
the opened package to another container.
Inventors: |
Clough; Jane; (Neenah,
WI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Schwegman, Lundberg, Woessner & Kluth, P.A.
P.O. Box 2938
Minneapolis
MN
54402
US
|
Assignee: |
Kimberly-Clark Worldwide,
Inc.
|
Family ID: |
36168570 |
Appl. No.: |
11/961936 |
Filed: |
December 20, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11107075 |
Apr 15, 2005 |
|
|
|
11961936 |
Dec 20, 2007 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
206/494 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 71/08 20130101;
B65D 85/07 20180101; B65D 71/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/494 |
International
Class: |
B65D 65/00 20060101
B65D065/00 |
Claims
1. A package comprising: a bag that includes a first sidewall, a
second sidewall, a third sidewall, a fourth sidewall and a bottom
portion connected to the first sidewall, the second sidewall, the
third sidewall and the fourth sidewall, the bag further including a
resilient member that extends through the first sidewall, the
second sidewall, the third sidewall and the fourth sidewall such
that the resilient member forms an adjustable opening in the bag;
and a plurality of absorbent articles stored within the bag.
2. The package of claim 1 wherein the plurality of absorbent
articles are diapers.
3. The package of claim 2 wherein the diapers are folded.
4. The package of claim 3 wherein the diapers are arranged in a
parallel configuration within the bag.
5. The package of claim 1 wherein each of the absorbent articles is
completely within the bag such that the absorbent articles are
removed from the bag by expanding the resilient member.
6. The package of claim 1 wherein the bottom portion of the bag has
a rectangular shape.
7. The package of claim 6 wherein the first sidewall, the second
sidewall, the third sidewall and the fourth sidewall each have a
rectangular shape.
8. The package of claim 1 wherein the resilient member extends
through the first sidewall, the second sidewall, the third sidewall
and the fourth sidewall at a top end of the first sidewall, the
second sidewall, the third sidewall and the fourth sidewall.
9. The package of claim 1 wherein the resilient member is an
elastic band.
10. The package of claim 1 wherein the resilient member does not
filly close the bag when none of the diapers are positioned within
the opening.
11. The package of claim 1 wherein the resilient member closes the
bag when none of the diapers are positioned within the opening.
12. The package of claim 1 wherein the bag is formed of
polyethylene.
13. The package of claim 1 wherein the bag is formed of a
transparent material.
14. The package of claim 1 wherein the resilient member compresses
the plurality of absorbent articles such that the resilient member
contracts as individual absorbent articles are removed from the
bag.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation under 37 C.F.R. 1.53(b)
of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/107,075 filed Apr. 15, 2005, which
is incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof.
FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to a package, and more
particularly to a package that includes a plurality of disposable
absorbent articles.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Many different types of packages are used to store
disposable absorbent articles. Most conventional packages store
disposable absorbent articles in a manner that makes it difficult
to use the package to store the disposable absorbent articles once
the package is opened. Therefore, the disposable absorbent articles
are often transferred from the package to another container once
the package is opened.
[0004] One of the drawbacks with conventional packages is that
additional effort is required to transfer the disposable absorbent
articles from the package to another container. In addition, the
extra container may take up valuable space within an area where the
disposable absorbent articles are stored.
[0005] Another drawback with conventional packages is that they are
typically unable to change size. Therefore, these types of packages
become too large to properly store the disposable absorbent
articles as some of the disposable absorbent articles are removed
from the package. As an example, if half of the disposable
absorbent articles are removed from the package, the remaining half
of the disposable absorbent articles may be left to flop around in
an unnecessarily large package.
[0006] In addition, there are often times when it is desirable to
transport a reduced amount of disposable absorbent articles from
one location to another. Since most packages are unable to change
size, they are usually not well suited to transport differing
amounts of disposable absorbent articles from one location to
another.
[0007] Accordingly, there is a need for a package that is able to
adequately store disposable absorbent articles once the package has
been opened. The package should also be able to change size such
that the package is able to properly store the disposable absorbent
articles even as some of the disposable absorbent articles are
removed from the package.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention relates to a package that includes a
plurality of disposable absorbent articles. The package is able to
adequately store disposable absorbent articles once the package has
been opened. In addition, the package allows a user to adequately
store differing amounts of disposable absorbent articles.
[0009] In one aspect, the present invention relates to a package
that includes a bag and a plurality of absorbent articles that are
stored within the bag. The bag includes a plurality of sidewalls
and a bottom portion that is connected to each of the sidewalls.
The bag further includes a resilient member that extends through
each of the sidewalls such that the resilient member forms an
adjustable opening in the bag.
[0010] In some forms, the absorbent articles are diapers that are
folded and arranged in a parallel configuration within the bag.
Some other example absorbent articles include diapers, feminine
hygiene articles, incontinent briefs, pull-ups, incontinent pads
and training pants (among others).
[0011] The package is able to adequately store disposable absorbent
articles once the package has been opened. Therefore, the package
eliminates the labor which is typically required to move the
disposable absorbent articles from the opened package to another
container.
[0012] In another aspect, the present invention relates to a
package that includes a bag having a plurality of sidewalls and a
bottom portion connected to each sidewall. The bag further includes
a resilient member that extends through each of the sidewalls at a
top end of each sidewall. The resilient member forms an adjustable
opening within the bag.
[0013] The system further includes a plurality of absorbent
articles that are stored within the bag. A portion of each
absorbent article extends through the opening in the bag and is
outside the bag. The resilient member compresses the plurality of
absorbent articles such that the resilient member contracts as each
absorbent article is removed from the bag. Since the resilient
member is able to change size, the package may be used to transport
differing amounts of disposable absorbent articles from one
location to another.
[0014] In some sample forms of the package, the resilient member
may be an elastic band. The elastic band may close the bag when
none of the absorbent articles are positioned within the adjustable
opening in the bag.
[0015] In yet another aspect, the present invention relates to a
package that includes a bag and a plurality of absorbent articles
that are stored within the bag. The bag includes a plurality of
sidewalls and a bottom portion that is connected to each of the
sidewalls. The bag further includes a resilient member that extends
through each sidewall such that the resilient member forms an
adjustable opening in the bag. The system further includes a
wrapping that encloses the bag and the plurality of absorbent
articles.
[0016] In some sample forms of the package, the wrapping is a
shrink-wrapping that is formed onto the bag and the plurality of
absorbent articles. The wrapping may be formed of a transparent
material that permits inspection of the bag and the plurality of
absorbent articles.
[0017] The purposes and features of the present invention will be
set forth in the description that follows. Additional features of
the invention will be realized and attained by the product and
processes particularly pointed out in the written description and
claims hereof, as well as from the appended drawings.
[0018] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
description and the following detailed description are exemplary
and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention
claimed. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
constitute part of this specification, are included to illustrate
and provide a further understanding of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] The present invention will be more fully understood, and
further features will become apparent, when reference is made to
the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.
The drawings are merely representative and are not intended to
limit the scope of the claims. Like parts depicted in the drawings
are referred to by the same reference numerals.
[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example package of the
present invention.
[0021] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another example package of
the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another example package of
the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another example package of
the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the package shown in FIG. 3
with some of the disposable absorbent articles removed form the
package.
[0025] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the package shown in FIG. 5
with more of the disposable absorbent articles removed form the
package.
[0026] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another example package of
the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0027] The following detailed description references the
accompanying drawings which show some example embodiments of the
present invention. These embodiments are described in sufficient
detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the
invention. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be
utilized, or structural changes may be made, such that the detailed
description should not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the
claims.
[0028] FIG. 1 illustrates a package 10 that includes a bag 11 and a
plurality of disposable absorbent articles 12 that are stored
within the bag 11. The bag 11 includes a plurality of sidewalls 14
and a bottom portion (not visible with the Figures) that is
connected to each of the sidewalls 14. The bag further includes a
resilient member 16 that extends through each of the sidewalls 14.
The resilient member 16 has some elasticity such that the resilient
member 16 forms an adjustable opening 17 in the bag 11.
[0029] It should be noted the package 10 may include other
conventional elements that allow the package 10 to be opened in
some manner. The package 10 has the ability to adequately store the
disposable absorbent articles 12 once the package 10 has been
opened. The ability of the package 10 to store the disposable
absorbent articles 12 eliminates the labor that would otherwise be
required to move the disposable absorbent articles 12 from some
other package to another container.
[0030] As used herein, the term absorbent article refers to devices
which absorb and contain body exudates. The absorbent articles are
designed to be placed against the body of a wearer such that the
absorbent articles absorb and contain the various body fluid or
exudates which are discharged from the body. Disposable absorbent
articles are absorbent articles which are not intended to be
laundered or otherwise reused as an absorbent article (i.e., they
are single use devices). Some example disposable articles include
diapers, feminine hygiene articles, incontinent briefs, pull-ups,
incontinent pads and training pants (among others).
[0031] In the example package 10 that is illustrated in FIG. 1, the
plurality of absorbent articles 12 are diapers 12 that are folded
and arranged in a parallel configuration within the bag 11,
although other configurations and orientations that facilitate
storing the diapers 12 within the bag 11 are contemplated. In some
embodiments, each of the disposable absorbent articles 12 may
include an individual wrapper or bag (not shown in the Figures)
which contains one of the respective absorbent articles 12.
[0032] FIG. 1 shows that the resilient member 16 may extend through
each of the sidewalls 14 at a top end 18 of each sidewall 14. It
should be noted that other embodiments are contemplated where the
resilient member 16 extends through each sidewall 14 at some area
other than the top end 18 of each sidewall 14 (see, e.g., resilient
member 16 in FIG. 2).
[0033] The resilient member 16 may be any device that has some
elasticity. The amount of elasticity will depend on the type and
size of bag 11 and the type and size of absorbent articles 12 that
are used in the package 10. In some embodiments, the resilient
member 16 may be an elastic band that fully closes when the
resilient member 16 is in a relaxed state. The resilient member 16
may then be expanded to form the opening 17. In other embodiments,
the resilient member 16 may form a relatively small opening when
the resilient member 16 is in a relaxed state.
[0034] Although the bag 11 may be made from any conventional
material (e.g., polyethylene), the appropriate material will be
determined by the particular needs of an application for the
package 10. It should be noted that a portion (or all) of the bag
11 may be transparent to facilitate observing the absorbent
articles 12 within the bag 11. In addition, the bag 11 may include
any number of sidewalls 14 (four sidewalls are shown in the
Figures). In some embodiments, the bottom portion of the bag 11 may
be a bottom wall that includes one or more expandable gussets (note
that the bottom portion of the bag 11 is not visible in the
Figures).
[0035] A comparison of FIGS. 1 and 2 with FIGS. 3 and 4
demonstrates that in some embodiments, the diapers 12 may be
entirely within the bag 11 (FIGS. 1 and 2), while in other
embodiments, a portion 19 of each diaper 12 is outside the bag 11
(FIGS. 3 and 4). It should be noted that when a portion of each
diaper 12 is outside the bag 11 the size of the opening 17 may be
determined in part by the number of diapers 12 that are within the
opening 17.
[0036] FIG. 3 shows an example embodiment where the resilient
member 16 extends through each of the sidewalls 14 at a top end 18
of each sidewall 14. FIG. 4 shows an alternative example embodiment
where the resilient member 16 extends through each sidewall 14 at
some area other than the top end 18 of each sidewall 14.
[0037] In the example embodiments that are illustrated in FIGS. 3
and 4, the resilient member 16 compresses the diapers 12 such that
the resilient member 16 secures the diapers 12 within the bag 11.
Since a portion 19 of each diaper 12 is extending through the
opening 17, a user is able to easily grasp a portion 19 of a
particular diaper 12 when they want to remove the particular diaper
12 from the bag 11.
[0038] FIG. 5 shows that the resilient member 16 contracts as some
of the individual diapers 12 are removed from the bag 11.
Therefore, the opening 17 in the bag 11 becomes smaller as more
diapers 12 are removed from the opening 17.
[0039] FIG. 6 shows that the opening 17 may close completely when
more of the diapers 12 are removed from the bag 11 and the
remaining diapers 12 are oriented such that they are within the bag
11 but not within the opening 17. It should be noted that the
opening 17 may also close completely when all of the diapers 12 are
removed from the bag.
[0040] As discussed above, in some embodiments the resilient member
16 may not close completely when all of the diapers 12 are removed
from the opening 17. The opening 17 may be sized such that it is
small enough to prevent one or more diapers 12 from falling out of
the bag 11.
[0041] Since the resilient member 16 is able to expand and
contract, the package 10 is able to change size. As shown in FIG.
6, the package 10 may be used to transport disposable absorbent
articles 12 from one location to another. It should be noted that
since the resilient member 16 is able to change size, the package
10 is able to adequately transport differing amounts of absorbent
articles.
[0042] FIG. 7 shows that the package 10 may further include a
wrapping 20 that encloses the bag 11 and the plurality of absorbent
articles 12. In some embodiments, the wrapping 20 may be a
shrink-wrapping that is formed onto the bag 11 and the plurality of
absorbent articles 12. The wrapping 20 may initially be removed
from the package 10 to open the package 10 such that the bag 11
subsequently serves to secure the absorbent articles 12 by
itself.
[0043] It should be noted that the wrapping 20 may be formed at
least in part of a transparent material that permits inspection of
the bag 11 and the plurality of absorbent articles 12. The size and
shape of the wrapping 20 will depend on the applications where the
package 10 may be used (among other factors). As examples, the
wrapping 20 may enclose the entire bag 11 and absorbent articles
12, or portions of the bag 11 and absorbent articles 12.
[0044] FIGS. 1-7 are representational and are not necessarily drawn
to scale. Certain proportions thereof may be exaggerated, while
others may be minimized.
[0045] The packages described herein may eliminate (i) the labor
that is typically required to remove absorbent articles from a
package; and (ii) the need for an extra container to store the
absorbent articles once they are removed from the package. The
packages may also have the ability to change size such that the
packages may be used to transport differing amounts of disposable
absorbent articles from one location to another.
[0046] While the invention has been described in detail with
respect to the specific aspects thereof, it will be appreciated
that those skilled in the art, upon attaining an understanding of
the foregoing, may readily conceive of alterations to, variations
of, and equivalents to these aspects which fall within the spirit
and scope of the present invention, which should be assessed
accordingly to that of the appended claims.
* * * * *