U.S. patent application number 12/628787 was filed with the patent office on 2010-03-25 for method of merchandising disposable absorbent pants.
This patent application is currently assigned to KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.. Invention is credited to Brian Walter Angielski, Kimberly Kay Underhill.
Application Number | 20100072108 12/628787 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33299418 |
Filed Date | 2010-03-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100072108 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Underhill; Kimberly Kay ; et
al. |
March 25, 2010 |
METHOD OF MERCHANDISING DISPOSABLE ABSORBENT PANTS
Abstract
A method of displaying a package of disposable absorbent pant
products includes placing the package in a retail store in the same
region of the store that also includes clothing. A package for
disposable absorbent pant products includes a pocket and device for
hanging the package. The package may include a display window
through which a consumer may view the disposable absorbent pant
products.
Inventors: |
Underhill; Kimberly Kay;
(Surrey, GB) ; Angielski; Brian Walter; (Neenah,
WI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Christopher M. Goff (27839);ARMSTRONG TEASDALE LLP
ONE METROPOLITAN SQUARE, SUITE 2600
ST. LOUIS
MO
63102
US
|
Assignee: |
KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE,
INC.
Neenah
WI
|
Family ID: |
33299418 |
Appl. No.: |
12/628787 |
Filed: |
December 1, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10424655 |
Apr 28, 2003 |
|
|
|
12628787 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
206/769 ;
206/736 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F 15/001 20130101;
B65D 33/2508 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/769 ;
206/736 |
International
Class: |
B65D 25/54 20060101
B65D025/54; B65D 5/52 20060101 B65D005/52 |
Claims
1. A method of displaying disposable absorbent pant products in a
retail store, the method comprising: displaying reusable clothing
in the store; and displaying a package of disposable absorbent pant
products in a region of the store, the region also displaying the
reusable clothing, the package containing from 1 to about 5
disposable absorbent pant products.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the store comprises a first
region and a second region, the first and second regions spatially
separated from one another, the method further comprising:
displaying conventional packages of disposable absorbent pant
products in the first region, each conventional package containing
from about 15 to about 100 disposable absorbent pant products; and
displaying the reusable clothing in the second region.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein displaying the reusable clothing
in the second region comprises displaying the reusable clothing in
an aisle not included in the first region.
4. The method of claim 2, further comprising displaying packages of
diapers in the first region.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying the package of
disposable absorbent pant products comprises displaying a package
further including: a pocket having an inner surface, an outer
surface and a front surface; and a device for hanging the
package.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying the package of
disposable absorbent pant products comprises hanging a package
having a substantially clear portion through which at least one of
the disposable absorbent pant products is visible.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying a package of
disposable absorbent pant products comprises displaying a package
of training pants.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying the package of
disposable absorbent pant products comprises displaying the package
of disposable absorbent pant products in visual proximity to the
reusable clothing.
9. A method of displaying disposable absorbent pants in a retail
store, the method comprising: displaying a first plurality of
packages of from about 15 to about 100 disposable absorbent pants
and a plurality of packages of diapers in a first region of the
store; displaying reusable clothing in a second region of the
store, the second region being spatially separated from the first
region; and displaying a second plurality of packages of from 1 to
about 5 disposable absorbent pants in the second region.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein displaying the second plurality
of packages comprises displaying the second plurality of packages
in visual proximity to the reusable clothing.
11. The method of claim 9, wherein displaying the second plurality
of packages comprises displaying the second plurality of packages
not in visual proximity to the first plurality of packages.
12. The method of claim 9, wherein displaying the second plurality
of packages in the second region comprises displaying the second
plurality of packages in an aisle not in the first region.
13. The method of claim 9, wherein displaying the second plurality
of packages comprises hanging the second plurality of packages.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein hanging the second plurality of
packages comprises hanging one package of the second plurality of
packages by an aperture in a flap of the one package.
15. The method of claim 9, wherein displaying the second plurality
of packages in the second region comprises hanging the second
plurality of packages in an aisle, the aisle including a hanging
package of the reusable clothing.
16. A method of displaying disposable absorbent pant products in a
retail store, the method comprising: hanging a first plurality of
packages of reusable underwear in an aisle of the store; and
hanging a second plurality of packages of from 1 to about 5
disposable absorbent pant products in the same aisle, wherein the
second plurality of packages is located in visual proximity to the
first plurality of packages.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein hanging the second plurality of
packages comprises hanging a plurality of packages of disposable
absorbent pant products including: a pocket having an inner
surface, an outer surface, a front surface; and an aperture in a
flap attached to the pocket for hanging the package.
18. The method of claim 16, wherein hanging the second plurality of
packages comprises hanging a plurality of packages including a
substantially clear portion through which at least one of the
disposable absorbent pant products is visible.
19. The method of claim 16, wherein hanging a second plurality of
packages of from 1 to about 5 disposable absorbent pant products
comprises hanging a plurality of packages of disposable absorbent
pant products including an absorbent pad between a topsheet and a
back sheet.
20. The method of claim 16, wherein the packages of the first
plurality of packages have a size and a shape, and hanging the
second plurality of packages comprises hanging a plurality of
packages having substantially the same size and substantially the
same shape.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/424,655, filed Apr. 28, 2003, which is
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Currently, disposable absorbent pant products, such as
training pants, are displayed in the diaper aisle of a retail store
and are typically packaged in bulk conventional packages containing
from about 15 to about 100 products. The disposable absorbent pant
products are generally stacked within the conventional package in
either one or two stacks similar to how diapers are packaged. The
packages generally sit on the store shelf and cannot be hung from
other merchandising apparatus.
[0003] The use of disposable absorbent pant products is a next
logical step in the toilet training process after diapers, but
prior to regular reusable underwear. Caregivers frequently
transition directly from diapers to reusable underwear for their
toddler. One reason is that caregivers are overly optimistic that
training will go quickly and smoothly, or do not recognize that
specifically designed training pants will promote an easier
transition by more readily accommodating accidents than reusable
underwear.
[0004] Thus, what is lacking and needed in the art is a method for
displaying or merchandising disposable absorbent pant products in a
retail store with reusable clothing to encourage or remind
caregivers that training pants can be used after diapers and before
reusable underwear to promote the toilet training process, as well
as a package for disposable absorbent pant products.
SUMMARY
[0005] In response to the above-referenced unfulfilled need in the
art, a new method for displaying such disposable absorbent pant
products and a new package for disposable absorbent pant products
have been invented.
[0006] One aspect of the invention pertains to a method for
displaying disposable absorbent pant products in a retail store.
The method includes displaying clothing in the store, and
displaying a package of disposable absorbent pant products in the
store in the same region in which the clothing is displayed. Such
packages can include from 1 to about 5 disposable absorbent pant
products, to provide a cost effective vehicle for caregivers to try
training pants, and thereby realize the benefits they can bring to
the toilet training process.
[0007] Another aspect of the invention pertains to a package
containing at least one disposable absorbent pant product. The
package includes a pocket and can also include a display window
through which consumers may view the disposable absorbent pant
product inside the package. The package is similar to packages
currently used for reusable underwear. The package also includes a
device for hanging the package in a retail store, such as for
example, an aperture in a flap attached to the pocket through which
the package may be hung on a hook, or a small hanger, or any other
hanging or displaying means known in the art. The pocket may be
reclosable to allow the package to be used as a waste container to
hold soiled pants.
[0008] One of the benefits provided by the method and package of
the invention is an increased perception of the disposable
absorbent pant product being more "underwear-like" than a diaper.
This increased perception benefits not only the user, but also the
caretaker. Another benefit provided by the method and package of
the invention is greater ease for consumers to try the disposable
absorbent pant products without the necessity of purchasing a
conventional package containing a larger number of the products.
Another benefit applies to consumers who use disposable absorbent
pant products for overnight use and/or other incontinence use. The
package of disposable absorbent pant products of the invention
marketed discreetly in the durable goods section of a store helps
to preserve the modesty and privacy of these consumers, i.e., a
discretion benefit. Furthermore, the ability to try disposable
absorbent pant products (without a big purchase commitment for a
larger sized package) can allow consumers to experiment with
different routes toward toilet training with the greatest ease.
Such experimenting with different routes toward toilet training can
be beneficial because children differ in their abilities and will
train at various rates, using a variety of methods, depending on
each child's capabilities and preferences at the time.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] These and other features and advantages of this invention
will be better understood from the following detailed description
taken in conjunction with the drawings, wherein:
[0010] FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of a disposable absorbent
pant product;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a front view of a package of the present invention
showing a disposable absorbent pant product through the display
window;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a front view of a package of the present invention
showing disposable absorbent pant products in a rolled
configuration through the display window;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of FIG. 3 along
line 4-4
[0014] FIG. 5 is a front view of a package of the present invention
showing disposable absorbent pant products in a folded and
staggered configuration through the display window;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a front view of disposable absorbent pant products
in a folded and staggered configuration outside of the package;
and
[0016] FIG. 7 is a schematic of a layout of a retail store.
EXEMPLARY DEFINITIONS
[0017] "Attached" refers to the joining, adhering, connecting,
bonding, or the like, of two elements. Two elements will be
considered to be attached together when they are attached directly
to one another or indirectly to one another, such as when each is
directly attached to intermediate elements.
[0018] "Component," when used with reference to a disposable
absorbent pant product, refers to all or a segment of a designated
selected region such as edges, corners, sides or the like;
structural members, such as elastic strips, absorbent pads, elastic
layers or panels, layers of material; or the like, or a
graphic.
[0019] "Comprising" is inclusive or open-ended and does not exclude
additional, unrecited elements or method steps.
[0020] "Connected" refers to the joining, adhering, bonding,
attaching, or the like, of two elements. Two elements will be
considered to be connected together when they are connected
directly to one another or indirectly to one another, such as when
each is directly connected to intermediate elements.
[0021] "Conventional package" refers to a package containing from
about 15 to about 100 disposable absorbent pants products.
[0022] "Disposable" refers to articles which are designed to be
discarded after a limited use rather than being laundered or
otherwise restored for reuse.
[0023] "Disposable absorbent pant product" refers to any disposable
pant-like absorbent article, including disposable training pants,
disposable swimwear, disposable youth pants, disposable
incontinence products, and feminine care products.
[0024] "Film" refers to a thermoplastic film made using a film
extrusion and/or forming process, such as a cast film or blown film
extrusion process. The term includes apertured films, slit films,
and other porous films which constitute liquid transfer films, as
well as films which do not transfer liquid.
[0025] "Graphic" refers to an image, design, pattern, symbology,
indicia, or the like.
[0026] "Layer" when used in the singular can have the dual meaning
of a single element or a plurality of elements.
[0027] "Member" when used in the singular can have the dual meaning
of a single element or a plurality of elements.
[0028] "Retail Store" refers to a business that offers durable
and/or disposable products for sale.
[0029] "Reusable" refers to an item intended to be laundered. A
reusable item is not considered to be disposable. Reusable items
are sometimes referred to as durable.
[0030] "Spatially separated" refers to regions or items in a retail
store that are not in proximity to one another, such as might
require a consumer to travel to a remote or different region of the
store, or to exit one region such as an aisle, to reach the other
region or item; adjoining regions of the store, such as on either
side (i.e., facing sides) of an aisle, are not considered to be
spatially separated; however, consecutive aisles would generally be
considered to be spatially separated. Regions or items in a retail
store that are spatially separated are not in visual proximity to
one another.
[0031] "Surface" includes any layer, film, woven, nonwoven,
laminate, composite, or the like, whether pervious or impervious to
air, gas, and/or liquids.
[0032] "Toilet training material" refers to any item that can be
used to facilitate toilet training.
[0033] "Visual proximity" refers to regions or items in a retail
store within 15 meters of one another and that can be viewed from a
consumer's location in the retail store by the turning of the
consumer's head or by the turning around of the consumer's
body.
[0034] These terms may be defined with additional language in the
remaining portions of the specification.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0035] Referring to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a disposable
absorbent pant product 10, or disposable training pant. The
disposable absorbent pant product 10 includes a front panel 12, a
back panel 14, a crotch panel 16 interconnecting front and back
panels 12 and 14, and a pair of elastic side panels 18. Each
elastic side panel 18 is formed from two separate elastic portions
and are suitably joined together, such as by ultrasonic bonding, to
form a side seam 20. The side panels 18 can be partially or fully
integral with the front and back panels 12 and 14. Upon
construction of the side seams 20, a waist opening 22 and leg
openings 24 are formed. The side seams 20 may be constructed to be
manually tearable in order to allow the disposable absorbent pant
product 10 to be disassembled manually by the caregiver, so that it
can be easily removed from the child after a bowel movement. A more
detailed description of the construction and design of the
above-described disposable absorbent pant product 10 can be found
in U.S. Pat. No. 4,940,464, herein incorporated by reference. The
manufacture of training pants can be accomplished in the manner
described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/855,484, filed 15
May 2001 (U.S. Publication US 2002/0000291, Jan. 3, 2002) by Joseph
D. Coenen et al., which is incorporated herein by reference. One
specific manner of supplying elastic side panels 18 is described in
U.S. Pat. No. 5,224,405 and in U.S. Pat. No. 5,104,116, both of
which are incorporated herein by reference. The provision of side
seams 20 can be accomplished in the manner described in U.S. Pat.
No. 5,046,272, herein incorporated by reference. The side seams 20
can be permanent seams or refastenable seams.
[0036] The disposable absorbent pant product 10 can have multiple
appearance-related and/or function-related components. Examples of
components that are appearance-related include, but are not limited
to, graphics; the highlighting or emphasizing of leg and waist
openings in order to make product shaping more evident or visible;
the highlighting or emphasizing of areas in the article to simulate
functional components such as elastic leg bands, elastic
waistbands, simulated "fly openings" for boys, or ruffles for
girls; the highlighting of areas of the product to change the
appearance of the size of the product; selectively positioned
wetness indicators; back labels or front labels; and selectively
positioned written instructions at a desired location on the
article.
[0037] Examples of function-related components include, but are not
limited to, waist elastics, leg elastics, areas of breathability,
fluid repellent areas, fluid wettable areas, adhesives, coatings,
encapsulated inks, chemically-sensitive materials,
environmentally-sensitive materials, heat-sensitive materials,
moisture-sensitive materials, perfumes, odor control agents, inks,
fasteners, fluid storage areas, textured or embossed areas, or the
like.
[0038] The disposable absorbent pant product 10 can further
comprise a front waist elastic 26, suitably joined to front panel
12, a back waist elastic 28 suitably joined to back panel 14, leg
elastics 30 suitably positioned in crotch panel 16, and an
absorbent pad 32 positioned between a liquid impermeable outer
cover or back sheet 34 and a liquid permeable liner or topsheet 36.
The absorbent pad 32, positioned between the backsheet 34 and the
topsheet 36, can be any structure which is generally compressible,
conformable, non-irritating to the skin, and capable of absorbing
and retaining liquids and certain body wastes. The absorbent pad 32
can be manufactured in a wide variety of sizes and shapes, and from
a wide variety of liquid absorbent materials commonly used in the
art. For example, the absorbent pad 32 can suitably include a
matrix of hydrophilic fibers, such as a web of cellulosic fluff,
and the cellulosic fluff may be mixed with particles of a
high-absorbency material commonly known as superabsorbent material.
In a particular embodiment, the absorbent pad 32 includes a matrix
of cellulosic fluff, such as wood pulp fluff, and synthetic fibers,
such as coform or airlaid materials. The wood pulp fluff can be
exchanged with synthetic, polymeric, meltblown fibers or with a
combination of meltblown fibers and natural fibers. The
superabsorbent particles can be substantially homogeneously mixed
with the hydrophilic fibers or can be nonuniformly mixed. The fluff
and superabsorbent particles can also be selectively placed into
desired zones of the absorbent pad 32 to better contain and absorb
body exudates. The concentration of the superabsorbent particles
can also vary through the thickness of the absorbent pad 32.
Alternatively, the absorbent pad 32 can include a laminate of
fibrous webs and superabsorbent material or other suitable means of
maintaining a superabsorbent material in a localized area.
[0039] Suitable superabsorbent materials can be selected from
natural, synthetic, and modified natural polymers and materials.
The superabsorbent materials can be inorganic materials, such as
silica gels, or organic compounds, such as crosslinked polymers.
Suitable superabsorbent materials are available from various
commercial vendors, such as Dow Chemical Company located in
Midland, Mich., U.S.A., and Stockhausen GmbH & Co. KG, D-47805
Krefeld, Federal Republic of Germany. Typically, a superabsorbent
material is capable of absorbing at least about 15 times its weight
in water, and desirably is capable of absorbing more than about 25
times its weight in water.
[0040] In one embodiment, the absorbent pad 32 is generally
rectangular in shape, and includes a blend of wood pulp fluff and
superabsorbent material. One type of fluff is identified with the
trade designation CR1654, available from U.S. Alliance,
Childersberg, Alabama, U.S.A., and is a bleached, highly absorbent
sulfate wood pulp containing primarily soft wood fibers. As a
general rule, the superabsorbent material is present in the
absorbent pad 32 in an amount of from about 0 to about 90 weight
percent based on total weight of the absorbent pad 32. The
absorbent pad 32 suitably has a density within the range of about
0.10 to about 0.35 grams per cubic centimeter. The absorbent pad 32
may or may not be wrapped or encompassed by a suitable tissue wrap
that maintains the integrity and/or shape of the absorbent pad
32.
[0041] A graphic 38 can be selectively positioned on front panel
12, and as illustrated includes a design of a simulated "fly
opening" 40, typical of a male's underwear, along with a rainbow,
sun, clouds, and cars. The graphic 38 can be any type of desired
pattern, artistic feature, or the like, and is desired to be
positioned in the article at a selected location. The graphic 38
can also include, for example, simulated waist ruffles and/or,
simulated leg ruffles (not shown). Again any suitable graphic can
be utilized so as to convey an aesthetically and/or functionally
pleasing appearance to the user and caregiver.
[0042] As representatively illustrated in FIGS. 2-5, an embodiment
of a package 50 of the present invention includes a pocket 54. The
package 50 can include a flap or tab 52 attached to the pocket 54.
The pocket 54 includes an outer surface 56, an inner surface 58, a
front surface 60 and a back surface 66 (FIG. 4) opposite the front
surface 60. The package 50 has a generally rectangular shape, but
can be any desired shape. The length of the flap 52 is generally
less than one-third of the length of the entire package 50 as
shown, but can be any desired length. The width of the flap 52 can
be greater than, equal to, or less than the width of the pocket
54.
[0043] The package 50 further includes a disposable absorbent pant
product 10, such as for example, a training pant or the like, on
the inside of the pocket 54. The pocket can include a display
window 62 disposed or positioned within a portion of the front
surface 60 of the package 50. Display window 62 includes a window
periphery 64 that has a shape that is substantially semi-circular,
but any desired shape is contemplated. Display window 62 at least
substantially frames a component of the disposable absorbent pant
product 10. In FIGS. 2-3 and 5, the component framed by display
window 62 is a portion or segment of graphic 38, which is visually
perceivable through display window 62.
[0044] The pocket 54 can contain at least one disposable absorbent
pant product 10, desirably up to five disposable absorbent pant
products 10, but desirably not more than ten disposable absorbent
pant products 10. The graphic 38 of the disposable absorbent pant
product 10 can be selectively positioned on the disposable
absorbent pant product 10, and the disposable absorbent pant
product 10 can be selectively positioned in the pocket 54 so that
the graphic 38 shows at least partially through the display window
62. The graphic 38, as illustrated in FIGS. 2-3 and 5, can be a cat
illustration, or any other design as previously mentioned.
[0045] As shown in FIG. 2 each of the disposable absorbent pant
products 10 can be disposed inside the pocket 54 in a flat
configuration stacked one on top of another in a manner such as
that described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,318,555 issued Nov. 20, 2001 to
Kuske et al., herein incorporated by reference. As an alternative,
as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 each of the disposable absorbent pant
products 10 can be disposed inside the pocket 54 in a rolled
configuration by rolling the disposable absorbent pant product 10
from the crotch panel 16 in the direction of arrow 70 (FIG. 1)
upward toward the back waist elastic 28. As another alternative, as
shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, each of the disposable absorbent pant
products 10 can be disposed inside the pocket in a folded and
staggered configuration in a manner similar to how reusable
underwear is folded by folding the side panels 18 in the direction
of arrows 72 (FIG. 1) and by also folding the crotch panel 16 back
towards the back panel 14 and then staggering the disposable
absorbent pant products 10 as shown. It is contemplated that the
disposable absorbent pant product 10 can be in any folded or other
configuration known within the art in the pocket 54.
[0046] In particular embodiments, the pocket 54 including the
disposable absorbent pant products 10 can be sealed so as to
provide a sanitary environment inside the pocket 54 for the
disposable absorbent pant products 10. The pocket 54 can be heat
sealed, adhesively-sealed, or sealed by any sealing method known in
the art.
[0047] Referring to display window 62 framing a component, such as
graphic 38, the terms "framing," "substantially framing," or
variations thereof, mean that the window periphery 64 surrounds or
encompasses all or at least a portion of the component for visual
display. Within the context of this description, a component is
visually perceivable if the portion of the display window 62 over
the component is clear or substantially clear to the person viewing
it. The term "clear" refers to the material's capability of
transmitting light so that the component, or a portion thereof, can
be seen as clearly as if there were no intervening material between
the component and the individual. The term "substantially clear"
refers to the capability of transmitting light, but causing
sufficient diffusion of the light to eliminate perception of
distinct images, shapes, forms or the like.
[0048] The display window 62 can cover either all or a portion of
the front surface 60 of the pocket 54 of the package 50. In
particular embodiments, the display window 62 covers at least 10%,
but not more than 90% of the front surface 60 of the package
50.
[0049] The present invention thus provides the feature of
permitting a user, a caregiver, or the like, to visually see or
perceive a component, or a portion thereof, of the article they are
purchasing. The purchaser may also be able to see or determine the
size of the article, thereby providing a degree of confidence in
proper fit. This provides product visibility at the time of
purchase to the user and the caregiver. For example, when the
package 50 contains a training pant, a child can see the
gender-specific graphic, as well as the specific product being
selected. This provides the child with a sense of ownership and an
active role in the toilet training process. This encourages the
child to become toilet trained. In addition, the increased
perception of the disposable absorbent pant product being more
"underwear-like" than a diaper also helps to encourage the child to
become toilet trained. The caregiver can also see a desirable
feature or component of the product. For example, if a training
pant has a unique outer cover that is, for example, both cloth-like
in texture and includes a unique design or graphic, then the
caregiver can have a high degree of confidence in the
appropriateness of the product being selected for purchase.
[0050] In manufacturing packages, such as package 50, for
containing, for example, disposable absorbent pant products 10, it
is customary to print the package material, either on its outermost
surface or its innermost surface, with a color, illustrations,
written instructions, source of manufacture, or the like. In this
description, the term "background" or variations thereof refers to
the surrounding, primarily discernible or perceivable color ink
image printed on the package 50. For example, if disposable
absorbent pant products 10 are manufactured as gender-specific
pants, such as training pants, then the package 50 can have a
background color of blue for boys, and pink for girls. In this
case, the surrounding, primarily perceivable or discernible color
would be blue or pink in areas other than in the display window 62.
The term "copy" refers to written indicia, numbers, letters,
symbols, artistic images or patterns, or the like. Generally, copy
is either printed over the background, or over areas of the package
50 not printed with background.
[0051] Referring to FIGS. 2-5, package 50 includes copy to indicate
the product as training pants, weight range (i.e., 32-40 lb, 15-18
kg), size range (i.e., 3T-4T), and the number of items in the
package (i.e., 3).
[0052] Desirably, the package 50 includes a device for hanging the
package 50 for sale in a retail store. Such device can include, for
example, a flap or tab 52 with an aperture 80. The aperture 80 can
be adapted to fit over a J-hook so that the package 50 can hang
vertically from the J-hook for display on the display rack or
shelf. It is also contemplated that the device for hanging the
package 50 can include small hangers attached to the pocket 54 or
to the flap 52. Other examples of devices for hanging include, for
example, an aperture in the pocket, hook or loop fastener material
on the package 50 which will attach to corresponding loop or hook
fastener material on a display shelf or wall, or a flap or tab
adapted to be hung or secured by a clip located on a display shelf
or wall, or other hanging apparatus or means known in the art.
[0053] In addition, it is also contemplated that the pocket 54 can
include a reclosable feature 82, such as for example, a zip-type
seal. One example of such a reclosable feature is the ZIPLOC.RTM.
food storage plastic bag manufactured by the Dow Chemical Company,
Midland, Mich., U.S.A. The reclosable feature 82 will also enable
the caregiver to use the pocket 54 as a receptacle for soiled
disposable absorbent pant products. Alternatively, the reclosable
feature 82 can include buttons, snaps, hook and loop fastening
components, or any other reclosable devices known in the art. It is
contemplated that the pocket 54 can include this reclosable feature
82 in addition to being sealed to provide a sanitary environment as
discussed above.
[0054] The package 50 may be composed of different materials, or
may be composed of substantially a single type of material.
Typically, the material may be a polymer film which is flexible for
accommodating the desired number of disposable absorbent pant
products 10. In addition, the material should have sufficient
strength to hold and contain the disposable absorbent pant products
10 without breaking and without excessive bulging or stretching of
the film material. For example, the film material may be composed
of a polyethylene film or film laminate having a thickness of about
2.5 mils (about 0.0635 millimeters). Other examples include a LDPE
(low density polyethylene) film, a LDPE/LLDPE (linear low density
polyethylene) film laminate, a LDPE/MDPE (medium density
polyethylene) film laminate, a LDPE/HDPE (high density
polyethylene) film laminate or the like.
[0055] The package 50 can also include other items, such as an
interactivity device and/or an activity device.
[0056] Interactivity devices and activity devices are described,
for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,725,382 issued to Walter et al. on
Mar. 10, 1998, herein incorporated by reference. Interactivity
devices can serve to encourage and motivate the wearer to begin and
successfully progress through the toilet training process and also
to promote interaction between the caregiver and the wearer. In
order to promote interaction between the caregiver and the wearer,
interactivity devices to be used by the caregiver and wearer for
instructing and aiding in toilet training can be included in the
package 50. Typical examples of interactivity devices include, but
are not limited to, a two-dimensional learning graphic illustrating
a child using the toilet properly, a two-dimensional learning
graphic illustrating a child pulling up or pulling down a training
pant properly; educational materials; informational materials;
flash cards; reward items; videotapes; or the like. These examples
are typical of an interactivity device that creates the appropriate
interaction between a caregiver and the wearer. For example, a
graphic illustrating a child using the toilet properly can be used
by the caregiver to explain to the child how he or she can use the
toilet in the same manner. Similarly, other two-dimensional
learning graphics, flash cards, stickers and an associated progress
chart, educational or informational materials, or the like can be
used by the caregiver to encourage and motivate the wearer in
toilet training. These interactivity devices can be linked or
associated together with common graphics or characters to reinforce
the learning process in toilet training. This positive interaction
between the caregiver and the wearer, which creates an encouraging
and motivational atmosphere for the wearer, encourages the wearer
to progress through the toilet training process easily and
quickly.
[0057] Another feature of the present invention, in addition to the
interactivity devices described above, are activity devices to be
used by the child in toilet training. These activity devices are
intended to be used independently by the child to encourage and
motivate the child through the toilet training process. For
example, the activity devices can acquaint and educate the child to
toilet training, provide the motivation for the child to desire to
toilet train, create a sense of ownership and independence in the
child that encourages the child to progress through toilet
training, or the like. Examples of these activity devices include,
but are not limited to, crayons, a graphic to be colored, colored
pre-printed graphics, urine targets, or the like.
[0058] The package 50 can also include purchase incentive items.
Such purchase incentive items can include the interactivity devices
and activity devices described above, or other items such as
coupons.
[0059] The present invention is also directed to a method for
displaying disposable absorbent pant products 10 for sale in a
retail store. Within a retail store, disposable goods are generally
separated from durable goods (i.e., non-disposable). Usually,
separate buying units are responsible for purchasing the disposable
goods and durable goods for the retail store. In addition, the
purchase dynamics on the part of the consumers are often
significantly different. Disposable products may be purchased in
bulk on a more frequent (e.g. weekly) basis than durable goods.
However, durable goods may be purchased in smaller numbers less
frequently (e.g. every month or two, or longer.)
[0060] As illustrated schematically in FIG. 7, a retail store 200
can include different regions for displaying different categories
of products. The retail store 200 can include a first region 202.
The first region 202 can include display units 204. The display
units 204 can, for example, be shelves, partitions, racks, or any
other appropriate unit for displaying products. The display unit
204 can define aisles 206 through which consumers can walk and from
which consumers can see and access the display units 204. The first
region 202, for example, can be the region of the retail store 200
having display units 204 displaying diapers, training pants, or
other disposable absorbent pant products, wipes and other
disposable absorbent products for infants, toddlers, and adults,
and related items. The retail store 200 can also include a second
region 220 spatially separated from the first region 202 in the
retail store 200. The second region 220 can also have display units
204, and aisles 206. The second region 220, for example, can be the
region of the retail store 200 having display units 204 displaying
clothing and regular reusable or durable (i.e., launderable)
underwear. It is contemplated that some retail stores (e.g. some
department stores) will sell clothing such as reusable or durable
underwear but not sell disposable products, in which case they will
be considered for purposes of the present invention to have one
region but not first and second regions as those terms are used
herein.
[0061] According to the invention, a previously described
disposable absorbent pant product 10 is placed into the previously
described package 50. The disposable absorbent pant product 10 can
be a training pant. Desirably, the package 50 is generally the same
size and shape as packages of reusable underwear, for example
children's reusable underwear. Clothing is displayed in the second
region 220 of the retail store 200. The clothing can be reusable
children's clothing. The package 50 is then displayed in the retail
store 200 in the second region 220 of the retail store 200.
Conventional packages of disposable absorbent pant products and/or
packages of diapers may also be displayed in the retail store 200
in the first region 202. In those retail stores that do not sell
disposable products, the package 50 can be displayed in the region
of the store that also displays clothing.
[0062] In an alternative embodiment, the method of the invention
includes displaying reusable clothing in the retail store 200 and
hanging a package 50 of disposable absorbent pant products 10 in
the region of the retail store 200 displaying the reusable
clothing. The package 50 of disposable absorbent pant products 10
is hung in the same aisle as and in visual proximity to a hanging
package of reusable children's underwear.
[0063] It will be appreciated that details of the foregoing
embodiments, given for purposes of illustration, are not to be
construed as limiting the scope of this invention. Although only a
few exemplary embodiments of this invention have been described in
detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that
many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments
without materially departing from the novel teachings and
advantages of this invention. For example, features described in
relation to one embodiment may be incorporated into any other
embodiment of the invention. Accordingly, all such modifications
are intended to be included within the scope of this invention,
which is defined in the following claims and all equivalents
thereto. Further, it is recognized that many embodiments may be
conceived that do not achieve all of the advantages of some
embodiments, yet the absence of a particular advantage shall not be
construed to necessarily mean that such an embodiment is outside
the scope of the present invention.
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