U.S. patent application number 16/076983 was filed with the patent office on 2019-02-14 for bundled packaged goods having quality indicia window.
The applicant listed for this patent is Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.. Invention is credited to Kristi Jo Bryant, Jason John Schumaker, Ramona Zenkich.
Application Number | 20190047765 16/076983 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 59743318 |
Filed Date | 2019-02-14 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190047765 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Zenkich; Ramona ; et
al. |
February 14, 2019 |
BUNDLED PACKAGED GOODS HAVING QUALITY INDICIA WINDOW
Abstract
The invention provides overwrapped packages of goods comprising
one or more indicia disposed on the package overwrap where the
indicia is generally indicative of one or more physical properties
of the packaged good. In a particularly preferred embodiment the
packaged goods are tissue products which have been packaged and
multiple packages overwrapped with a wrapper having an indicia. In
this manner the tissue products are provided as multi-packs, also
referred to herein as bundles.
Inventors: |
Zenkich; Ramona; (Appleton,
WI) ; Bryant; Kristi Jo; (Greenville, WI) ;
Schumaker; Jason John; (Hortonville, WI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. |
Neenah |
WI |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
59743318 |
Appl. No.: |
16/076983 |
Filed: |
February 16, 2017 |
PCT Filed: |
February 16, 2017 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US2017/018035 |
371 Date: |
August 9, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62301287 |
Feb 29, 2016 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2203/02 20130101;
D21H 27/004 20130101; B65D 75/52 20130101; B65D 75/522 20130101;
D21H 27/30 20130101; D21H 27/002 20130101; B65D 71/063
20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 75/52 20060101
B65D075/52; B65D 71/06 20060101 B65D071/06; D21H 27/00 20060101
D21H027/00; D21H 27/30 20060101 D21H027/30 |
Claims
1. A bundle of packaged goods comprising: a first and a second
package, each package comprising a least one consumer good having a
first consumer good attribute, the first and the second packages at
least partially overwrapped with a film, the film having a window
disposed thereon, the window having a perimeter defining an indicia
indicative of the first consumer good attribute.
2. The bundle of packaged goods of claim 1 wherein the consumer
good is a tissue product and the first consumer good attribute is
selected from the group consisting of surface topography, the
number of plies, absorbency, caliper, basis weight, bulk, softness,
slough, tensile strength, stiffness index, slope and tensile energy
absorption.
3. The bundle of packaged goods of claim 1 wherein the overwrap
comprises a band.
4. The bundle of packaged goods of claim 1 wherein the overwrap
entirely overwraps the first and the second packages.
5. The bundle of packaged goods of claim 1 wherein the first and
the second packages have a front face and the overwrap at least
partially covers the front face, the overwrap having a printed and
unprinted central area, wherein at least a portion of the unprinted
central area defines the window.
6. The bundle of packaged goods of claim 5 wherein the printed
central area is bounded by a pair of printed side edges and wherein
the printed side edges comprise a printed pattern that is different
than the central area printed pattern.
7. The bundle of packaged goods of claim 6 wherein the printed side
edge pattern comprises a background pattern and a plurality of
spaced apart substantially horizontal elements disposed
thereon.
8. The bundle of packaged goods of claim 1 wherein the window is
either transparent or cut out.
9. The bundle of packaged goods of claim 1 further comprising a
second indicia and source identifier.
10. The bundle of packaged goods of claim 9 wherein the second
indicia is printed on the overwrap and is the same shape as the
first indicia.
11. An array of tissue products comprising a first tissue product
having a first dominant physical property, a second tissue product
having a second dominant physical property wherein the first tissue
product is housed within a first package and the second tissue
product is housed within a second package, the first and the second
packages at least partially overwrapped with a film, the film
having a window disposed thereon, the window having a perimeter
defining an indicia indicative of the respective dominant physical
property.
12. The array of claim 11 wherein the dominant physical property of
first tissue product is selected from the group consisting of the
number of plies, absorbency, caliper, basis weight, bulk, softness,
slough, tensile strength, stiffness index, slope and tensile energy
absorption that is different from the second tissue product.
13. The array of claim 11 wherein the first tissue product has a
geometric mean tensile (GMT) from about 700 to about 1,200 and the
second tissue product has a GMT that is from about 5 to about 20
percent less than the GMT of the first tissue product.
14. The array of claim 11 wherein the first tissue product has a
surface topography that is different than the surface topography of
the second tissue product.
15. A method of communicating tissue product qualities to a
consumer comprising the steps of: a. providing a tissue product; b.
identifying a first dominant physical property of the tissue
product; c. selecting an indicia relating to the first dominant
physical property; and d. packaging the tissue product in a package
and overwrapping the package with an overwrap having a window, the
window having a perimeter defining an indicia indicative of the
first consumer good attribute.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein the dominant physical property
is selected from the group consisting of surface topography, the
number of plies, absorbency, caliper, basis weight, bulk, softness,
slough, tensile strength, stiffness index, slope and tensile energy
absorption.
17. The method of claim 15 wherein the overwrap comprises a
band.
18. The method of claim 15 wherein the overwrap entirely overwraps
the package.
19. The method of claim 15 wherein the overwrap comprises a film
and the window is transparent.
20. The method of claim 15 wherein the package has a front face and
the overwrap at least partially covers the front face, the overwrap
having a printed and unprinted central area, wherein at least a
portion of the unprinted central area defines the window.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0001] Consumer products are typically disposed in packaging and
displayed on store shelves for viewing and selection by consumers.
To facilitate viewing by the consumer and ultimately selection,
manufacturers often provide packaging with a description of the
packaged goods as well as one or more descriptions of a packaged
goods benefits. Often the benefits are communicated in the form of
indicia. Manufacturers of consumer goods however, often struggle to
identify and select the most meaningful and communicative indicia.
Manufacturers are also challenged with providing the indicia on the
packaging in a way that does not detract from the product itself
and balances all of the other graphics used on packaging to
communicate with the consumer.
[0002] The problem of using indicia to communicate product benefits
is particularly acute in the case of tissue products. Typically,
tissue product properties such as strength, softness or absorbency
are communicated by printing text on the product packaging because
these properties are difficult to represent graphically. Moreover
there may be multiple products on a shelf having some or all of the
product properties and it may be difficult to select a graphic that
clearly indicates to a consumer the most desirable or beneficial
product property.
[0003] Thus, there remains a need in the art for product packaging
that allows the manufacturer to communicate certain properties of
the product to a consumer in a clear and effective manner.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0004] Accordingly, the present invention provides packaging having
an indicia that communicates to a consumer one or more physical
properties of the packaged good. The indicia is provided in the
overwrap disposed over one or more packages of goods and preferably
is provided in the form of a window. In this manner the indicia
allows a consumer to readily identify the physical properties of
the packaged good while also allowing the consumer to view the
packaged good.
[0005] In one embodiment the invention provides a bundle of
packaged goods comprising: a first and a second package, each
package comprising at least one consumer good having a first
consumer good attribute, the first and the second packages at least
partially overwrapped with a wrapper having a window disposed
thereon, the window defining an indicia indicative of the first
consumer good attribute.
[0006] In another embodiment the invention provides a bundle of
packaged tissue products comprising: a first and a second package,
each package comprising a plurality of tissue products having a
first physical property, the first and the second packages at least
partially overwrapped with a film, the film having a window
disposed thereon, the window having a perimeter defining an indicia
indicative of the first physical property.
[0007] In yet another embodiment the invention provides a method of
communicating tissue product qualities to a consumer comprising the
steps of providing a tissue product; identifying a first dominant
physical property of the tissue product; selecting an indicia
relating to the first dominant physical property; and packaging the
tissue product in a package and overwrapping the package with an
overwrap having a window, the window having a perimeter defining an
indicia indicative of the first consumer good attribute.
[0008] In still another embodiment the present invention provides
an array of tissue products, the array comprising a first tissue
product having a first dominant physical property relative to the
second tissue product, a second tissue product having a second
dominant physical property relative to the first tissue product
wherein the first tissue product is housed within a first package
and the second tissue product is housed within a second package,
the first and the second packages at least partially overwrapped
with a film, the film having a window disposed thereon, the window
having a perimeter defining an indicia indicative of the respective
dominant physical property. The first and second packages may be
arranged immediately adjacent each other on a shelf viewable by a
consumer or may be spaced apart from one another some distance. The
packages may further comprise a common identifier, such as a brand
name or trademark.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of a bundle of packaged
tissue products according to one embodiment of the present
invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of a bundle of packaged
tissue products according to another embodiment of the present
invention;
[0011] FIG. 3 illustrates an array of bundled packaged tissue
products according to still another embodiment of the present
invention;
[0012] FIG. 4 illustrates an array of bundled packaged tissue
products according to another embodiment of the present invention;
and
[0013] FIG. 5 illustrates a detailed view of a boarder graphic
useful in the present invention.
DEFINITIONS
[0014] As used herein, the term "absorbency" generally refers to
the amount of water absorbed by a tissue product, expressed as
grams of water absorbed per gram of fiber (dry weight) in the
product. Absorbency is measured as described in the Test Methods
section and generally has units of grams per gram (g/g).
[0015] As used herein, the term "basis weight" generally refers to
the bone dry weight per unit area of a tissue and is generally
expressed as grams per square meter (gsm). Basis weight is measured
using TAPPI test method T-220. While the basis weight of individual
tissue plies may vary, tissue products useful in the present
invention generally comprise one or more plies where each ply has a
basis weight less than about 40 gsm, and more preferably less than
about 30 gsm and still more preferably less than about 20 gsm, such
as from about 10 to about 40 gsm.
[0016] As used herein, the term "caliper" is the representative
thickness of a single sheet (caliper of tissue products comprising
two or more plies is the thickness of a single sheet of tissue
product comprising all plies) measured in accordance with TAPPI
test method T402 using an EMVECO 200-A Microgage automated
micrometer (EMVECO, Inc., Newberg, Oreg.). The micrometer has an
anvil diameter of 2.22 inches (56.4 mm) and an anvil pressure of
132 grams per square inch (per 6.45 square centimeters) (2.0 kPa).
While the caliper of tissue products useful in the invention may
vary, in certain embodiments the tissue products have a caliper of
a least about 100 .mu.m, more preferably at least about 200 .mu.m
and still more preferably at least about 250 .mu.m.
[0017] As used herein, the term "indicia" generally refers to an
identifying mark useful in representing, identifying, or relating
to, an attribute, such as physical property, of a packaged
product.
[0018] As used herein, the term "geometric mean slope" (GM Slope)
generally refers to the square root of the product of machine
direction slope and cross-machine direction slope. GM Slope
generally is expressed in units of kilograms (kg). While GM Slope
may vary, tissue products prepared according to the present
disclosure generally have a GM Slope less than about 15.0 kg such
as from about 8.0 to about 15.0 kg.
[0019] As used herein, the terms "geometric mean tensile" and "GMT"
refer to the square root of the product of the machine direction
tensile strength and the cross-machine direction tensile strength
of the web. While the GMT may vary, tissue products prepared
according to the present disclosure generally have a GMT greater
than about 500 g/3'', more preferably greater than about 600 g/3''
and still more preferably greater than about 700 g/3'' such as from
about 600 to about 1,500 g/3''.
[0020] As used herein the term "graphical indicia" generally refers
to any type or form of graphic used to visually represent,
identify, or relate to an attribute, such as a physical property,
of the packaged product.
[0021] As used herein the term "lotion" generally refers to a
composition comprising oils and/or emollients and/or waxes and/or
immobilizing agents. In particularly preferred embodiments a lotion
may comprise oils, alcohol ethoxylates, fatty acid esters,
hydrocarbons and mixtures thereof.
[0022] As used herein, the term "ply" refers to a discrete product
element. Individual plies may be arranged in juxtaposition to each
other. The term may refer to a plurality of web-like components
such as in a multi-ply facial tissue, bath tissue, paper towel,
wipe, or napkin. Tissue products useful in the present invention
may comprise one ply or multiple plies, such as two, three or four
plies.
[0023] As used herein, the term "physical property" generally
refers to a property of a tissue product that is measurable.
Physical properties may include, for example, surface topography,
the number of plies, absorbency, caliper, basis weight, bulk,
softness, slough and tensile properties such as strength, modulus
and energy absorption. Physical properties may also include any
lotions or therapeutic agents added to a tissue product during
manufacture.
[0024] As used herein, the term "common physical property" means a
physical property that is present in two or more tissue products
wherein the value of the first tissue product property is not more
or less than ten percent of the same property in the second tissue
product. For example, where a first tissue product has a GMT of
about 600 g/3'' and a second tissue product has a GMT of about 650
g/3'', the first and second tissue products share a common physical
property, where the property is GMT.
[0025] As used herein, the term "dominant physical property" means
a distinctive or prominent physical property of a tissue product.
Alternatively, dominant physical property may refer to a relative
comparison of a physical property between two or more tissue
products. For example, if a first tissue product has a GMT of about
600 g/3'' and a second tissue product has a GMT of about 700 g/3'',
then the second tissue product is said to have a dominant GMT. In
other words, the tissue products do not share a common GMT. In
another example, if a first tissue product has a TS7 of about 8.0
and a second tissue product has TS7 of about 10.0, the first is
said to have dominant softness relative to the second product. In
other words, one of the sanitary tissue products is softer than the
other sanitary tissue product.
[0026] As used herein, the term "slough" refers to the undesirable
sloughing off of bits of the tissue web when rubbed and is
generally measured as described in the Test Methods section below.
Slough is generally reported in terms of mass, such as milligrams.
While slough may vary amongst the tissue products useful in the
present invention, in certain embodiments the tissue products have
slough less than about 10 mg, more preferably less than about 8 mg
and still more preferably less than about 5 mg.
[0027] As used herein, the term "therapeutic agent" generally
refers to a medicinal component that provides efficacious results
such as medicinal components that provide medicinal scents
including, for example, natural menthol, synthetic menthol, and as
well as medicines like viricides, disinfectants, analgesics, and
other types of medicine having suitable medicinal properties.
[0028] As used herein the term "Tissue Softness" refers to the
output of the EMTEC Tissue Softness Analyzer (commercially
available from Emtec Electronic GmbH, Leipzig, Germany) as
described in the Test Methods section and TS7 has units of dB V2
rms, however, TS7 may be referred to herein without reference to
units.
[0029] As used herein, a "tissue product" generally refers to
various paper products, such as facial tissue, bath tissue, paper
towels, napkins, and the like. Normally, the basis weight of a
tissue product useful in the present invention is greater than
about 20 grams per square meter (gsm), such as from about 20 to
about 60 gsm and more preferably from about 30 to about 50 gsm.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0030] The invention provides overwrapped packages of goods
comprising one or more indicia disposed on the package overwrap
where the indicia is generally indicative of one or more physical
properties of the packaged good. In a particularly preferred
embodiment the packaged goods are tissue products which have been
packaged and multiple packages overwrapped with a wrapper having an
indicia. In this manner the tissue products are provided as
multi-packs, also referred to herein as bundles.
[0031] The multi-pack is a plurality of individually packaged
products that are over-wrapped together by a wrapper, such as a
plastic film. In certain embodiments the packaged products comprise
a package and a consumer good, such as facial tissue. The cartons
are formed from a carton blank. Generally the blank has a top
surface with depending side flaps, first side surface with
depending side flaps, bottom surface with side flaps, second side
surface with depending side flaps. The carton blank may be formed
from a sheet of paperboard material.
[0032] In a particularly preferred embodiment the packaged products
comprise packaged tissue products and more preferably a
substantially cubic paperboard tissue carton having a plurality of
folded tissue sheets disposed therein. In other embodiments the
packaged products comprise a plurality of rolled tissue products.
In yet other embodiments the packaged products comprise a
disposable absorbent article, such as disposable diapers, training
pants, incontinence pads and pants, sanitary napkins, tampons,
pantiliners, wipes, wet wipes, bandages and pessaries disposed in
carton, container, bag or overwrap. In certain embodiments the
disposable articles are packaged in substantially cubic paperboard
cartons, which are bundled together and wrapped as described
herein. In other embodiments the absorbent articles are first
overwrapped with a film to form a package and several packages then
bundled and overwrapped as described herein.
[0033] Referring to FIG. 1 there is illustrated a product bundle
100. The product bundle generally comprises a collection of
packaged products, such as those disclosed above. The product
bundle 100 is illustrated as a single outline having a cube shape
having a front 135, top 136, opposing sides 137, 138 and bottom 139
and back (not illustrated). Although the illustrated bundle 100 is
cubic, one skilled in the art will appreciate that other shapes are
contemplated. Generally, the shape of the bundle is dictated by the
shape of the product items being bundled.
[0034] The illustrated bundle 100 comprises four packages 200, 202,
204, 206 of individually packaged products that are stacked on top
of each other to form two columns/stacks. The packages 200, 202,
204, 206 are partially surrounded by a packaging film 132 (also
referred to herein simply as an overwrap or a wrapper). The
packaging film 132 extends around the bundle 100 contacting the top
136 and bottom 139 surfaces and covering a portion of the front
surface 135. The packaging film 132 is bounded by a pair of side
edges 140, 142.
[0035] Although the packaging film is illustrated as a band which
only covers the front and back of the bundle, the invention is not
so limited. In other embodiments the film may substantially enclose
the packages. In other embodiments the film may only cover the
sides, top and bottom. In such an embodiment, the packaging film
encloses the lateral sides of the stacked packages but the front
and rear of the bundle are substantially free of packaging film or
could be partially covered by the packaging film. Preferably the
film covers at least two surfaces of the packaged goods such that
the goods are retained in the bundle in a stable manner.
[0036] In certain embodiments the packaging film is preferably a
plastic film, and more preferably a thermoplastic film with the
thermoplastic being either a monolayer or a laminate. Useful
monolayer or laminate thermoplastic materials include polyethylenes
and ethylene copolymers, polypropylenes and propylene copolymers,
polyethylene terephthalates, vinyl polymers and copolymers, and
acrylic polymers and copolymers. The laminates include
thermoplastic/paper laminates. A useful thermoplastic is biaxially
oriented polypropylene. The invention is not limited to a plastic
as the packaging film. In other embodiments the packaging film may
be a paper over-wrap or other material.
[0037] In embodiments where the packaging film 132 material is a
plastic film, it will preferably have a gram weight/square meter
(gsm) of about 15 gsm to about 75 gsm. The film material 132 will
generally have a thickness of about 300 microns to about 600
microns. The film wrapper 132 material preferably will be a shrink
wrap material.
[0038] In one preferred embodiment individual packages of goods are
bundled together using an externally-applied packaging film, such
as a clear or substantially transparent single or coextruded ply
film made of a polymeric material, including polyethylene,
polypropylene polyolefin, cellophane, or polyvinyl chloride or
netting material. The film may be provided in the form of an
open-ended sleeve or band, but may also be provided on one or more
continuous rolls. A variety of techniques and machines for applying
such a sleeve, band, or film over the product items and shrinking
it to form a packaged product bundle is known in the art. Generally
the packaging film is such that when it is heated and comes into
contact with a semi-rigid structure, the film does not shrink and
distort significantly.
[0039] As mentioned above, the bundle 100 can be used for many
different products. However, it is useful in the marketing of
consumer products and more particularly tissue products. Although
four packages 200, 202, 204, 206 of individually packaged products
are illustrated the invention is not so limited. For example, where
tissue cartons are the product, the bundle may have between 2 and 8
individually packaged products and more preferably between 2 and 4.
Additionally, although two columns are illustrated in FIG. 1, in
other embodiments the bundle may comprise only one column of
packages or it may comprise three or more columns of goods.
[0040] The overwrap 132 is provided with at least one window 300
through which one or more packages 200, 202, 204, 206 are visible
to a consumer. Thus, as used herein, the term "window" generally
refers to a portion of the overwrap wherein the contents of the
package, located in the internal space, are viewable through said
portion from the external space. The term "window" includes
physical openings wherein one or more packages may be touched by a
consumer. The term "window" also includes physical openings that
are partially or completely covered by one or more transparent
materials such that one or more packages, located in the internal
space, are viewable through the transparent materials from the
external space. Thus, as used herein, the term "transparent" refers
to the ability of a material or combination of materials to
transmit visible light through the body of the material. It is
recognized that any material will remove a certain fraction of
light and therefore complete transparency cannot exist. Therefore
the requirement for transparency according to the present invention
is that a package be visually recognizable when viewed by a
consumer through the transparent region of the overwrap.
[0041] In other embodiments the window may comprise a portion of a
transparent printed overwrap that is unobscured by the printing and
thus remains transparent such that one or more of the packages,
located in the internal space, are viewable through said unobscured
and transparent portion from the external space. In certain
embodiments the overwrap may be printed and the window may be
substantially free from printing, while in other embodiments both
the overwrap and the window may be printed, but the printing in the
window portion is such that the window remains transparent allowing
a consumer to view one or more of the packages from the external
space.
[0042] With further reference to FIG. 1, the window 300 is
illustrated as being located completely on the front 135 of the
bundle 100. However, it will be readily appreciated that in various
embodiments, the windows may span across more than one side of the
package. In some embodiments, a portion of a window may be located
on a front face of the package and a portion of the window may
extend around an edge of the package to one or more adjacent
sides.
[0043] As noted above, the overwrap may be formed from a broad
range of suitable materials including plastic films, polymer films
and paperboard and the means by which the window is formed may vary
depending on the overwrap material. For example, the windows may be
die cut, laser cut, stamp cut, water cut, or the like, or
combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the outer structures may
be made of paper board and the windows may be formed in the outer
structure by die cutting. In still other embodiments the overwrap
may be printed with the exception of the window, which is unprinted
and transparent. In other embodiments the window may be printed,
however the printing is selected to permit the transmission of
light and allow at least one package to be visible to a consumer
from the external space.
[0044] One alternate embodiment of a die cut window is illustrated
in FIG. 2. In the illustrated embodiment the overwrap 132 comprises
paperboard and covers a portion of the front and opposing sides
137, 138 of the bundle 100, which comprises three packages 202, 204
and 206. The window 300 is die cut from the paperboard overwrap 132
such that two of the packages 204 and 206 are visible to a consumer
through the window 300. The window 300 has a window perimeter 310
that defines a graphical indicia 315 corresponding to a physical
property of the tissue products housed within the packages 202,
204, 206. The overwrap 132 may further comprise a source identifier
400, such as a trademark or brand name.
[0045] In other embodiments, the window may be created from
essentially transparent material used as the overwrap material. In
these embodiments, a first portion of the transparent material may
be made non-transparent by printing, painting, dying, or other
suitable means and a second portion of the transparent material may
be left un-altered (i.e., essentially transparent). The un-altered
portion may be sufficiently surrounded by the non-transparent
portion to define a window in the overwrap. For example, the
overwrap may be made of an essentially transparent polyethylene or
polypropylene film and the overwrap may be printed with any
suitable ink via flexographic, gravure, inkjet, or other suitable
means, or combinations thereof to define windows that remain
transparent.
[0046] Referring again to FIG. 1, the window 300 has a shape that
is defined by a window perimeter 310. Thus, as used herein, the
term "window perimeter" refers to the outer boundary of the total
area defined by the window. The window perimeter generally forms a
window which acts as an indicia. Preferably the indicia
communicates to a consumer one or more attributes of the packaged
goods. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 1, in one example, the
overwrap 132 includes a window 300 having a window perimeter 310
that defines a graphical indicia 315 corresponding to a physical
property of the tissue products housed within the packages 200,
202, 204, 206.
[0047] For example, the bundle may comprise a plurality of packages
containing a tissue product that is soft (low TS7 value, such as
from about 8.0 to about 12.0 and more preferably from about 8.0 to
about 10.0), strong (relatively high GMT, such as from about 700 to
about 1,200 g/3'') and thick (having a caliper greater than about
200 .mu.m). In combination these physical properties are generally
perceived by a consumer to be comforting. A graphical indicia that
will illustrate the foregoing physical properties and be perceived
by a consumer as being comforting is then selected. For example,
without being limited by any particular theory, it is believed by
the instant inventors that a heart is considered by consumers as
possessing qualities of comfort. Therefore, because the selected
indicia, a heart, conveys to a consumer some of the same qualities
as the packaged good, the overwrap window may be formed in the
shape of a heart to communicate to a consumer one or more
attributes of the packaged tissue products, such as softness,
strength and sheet caliper.
[0048] FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a graphical window
indicia 315 of the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment
the packaged product is a facial tissue having superior softness,
good strength and high caliper. A window 300 is provided in the
overwrap 132. The window perimeter 310 forms the graphic indicia
315, which is in the shape of a heart. In this manner the graphical
indicia 315, a heart, conveys to the consumer a sentiment of
comfort, which is consistent with the physical properties of the
packaged goods. Thus, the present invention may be used as a means
of graphical representing one or more physical properties of the
packaged goods and visually communicating those properties to a
consumer.
[0049] In other embodiments where the packaged good is a tissue
product comprising an additive, such as a therapeutic agent, the
indicia may be selected to convey to a consumer a therapeutic
benefit. For example, the tissue product may comprise an anti-viral
agent which conveys to the consumer a sense of therapeutic care. A
graphical indicia may then be chosen that will illustrate
therapeutic care. For example, without being limited by any
particular theory, it is thought that a cross is thought of by
consumers as possessing qualities of therapeutic care. Further,
tissue physical properties such as possessing an anti-viral agent
are generally considered by consumers to also be indicative of
therapeutic care. Therefore, because the selected indicia, a cross,
possesses some of the same qualities as the packaged good, the
overwrap window may be formed in the shape of a cross to
communicate to a consumer one or more attributes of the packaged
tissue products, such as possessing an anti-viral agent.
[0050] Other exemplary indicia are illustrated in FIG. 3. For
example, in the illustrated embodiment, tissue products are
disposed in each of packages 110, 112, 114. The tissue products
physical properties differ between the packages. The first package
110 contains a tissue product having superior balance of softness
and tensile strength, the second package 112 contains a tissue
product comprising a lotion additive, and the third package 114
contains a tissue product having superior softness. Because the
physical properties of the packaged goods differ, three different
indicia 360, 361, 362 are selected with each indicia corresponding
to the physical properties of the packaged good--a heart 360 to
convey comfort of balancing strength and softness, a drop 361 to
convey the presence of a lotion and a feather 362 to convey
superior softness.
[0051] In addition to communicating to a consumer one or more
attributes of the packaged goods the window also allows the
consumer to view the packaging containing the goods. While the
window may generally be disposed anywhere on the bundle 100, in one
embodiment it is disposed on the front 135 and permits the consumer
to view at least two of the packages and more preferably all of the
bundled packages 200, 202, 204 and 206 (see FIG. 1). In this
manner, in a preferred embodiment, it may be desirable to size the
window such that multiple packages are visible to the consumer and
more preferably to size it such that all of the packages are
visible.
[0052] Referring again to FIG. 1, in addition to a window 300
forming a graphical indicia 315 the overwrap 132 may further
comprise a source identifier 400, such as a trademark or brand
name. Preferably the source identifier 400 is positioned away from
the window 300 and in a particularly preferred embodiment the
identifier 400 is printed on the overwrap 132 and is not
transparent. Further, it is generally preferred that the source
identifier 400 and the indicia 315 are distinct, such as the source
identifier 400 being text and the indicia 315 being a non-textural
graphic.
[0053] In certain embodiments the overwrapped bundle of goods may
be provided with more than one indicia to communicate certain
properties of the goods to a consumer. For example, with reference
again to FIG. 1, the bundle 100 may include an overwrap 132
comprising a primary graphical indicia 315 defined by a window
perimeter 310 and a secondary indicia 320, which may be a window or
may not be a window and may be the same as the primary graphical
indicia 315 or may be different. Where the overwrapped bundle
includes more than one graphical indicia, it is generally preferred
that the primary graphic indicia is defined by the perimeter of the
window and the relative size of the primary graphic indicia is
greater than other graphical indicia. For example, as illustrated
in FIG. 1, both the primary graphical indicia 315 and the secondary
indicia 320 are hearts, however, the hearts are illustrated
differently and the secondary indicia 320 is printed on the
overwrap 132 rather than formed by a window 300. Further, the
primary indicia 315 is larger in size compared to the secondary
indicia 320.
[0054] In certain embodiments, in addition to primary 315 and
secondary 320 indicia, the overwrap 132 may comprise a tertiary
indicia 326. The tertiary indicia may be the same or different than
other indicia and may be a window or may be formed by alternate
means. In a particularly preferred embodiment the primary graphical
indicia is formed by a window, while all other indicia are printed
on the overwrap such that they are not transparent and do not form
windows. In this manner, the indicia formed by the window is the
primary indicia and is generally the only indicia disposed on the
overwrap that functions as a window.
[0055] In particular embodiments it may be preferable to vary the
relative size and prominence of the various indicia relative to one
another as well as to any source identifier, if present on the
package. For example, of the indicia and source identifiers
disposed on the front panel of the overwrap, the primary indicia
may be the most prominent. In terms of prominence, there are a
number of factors that can be involved with elevating or
diminishing the prominence of a feature on a package, including,
but not limited to the size of the indicia, the colors used, the
area of coverage dedicated to the particular indicia versus other
indicia, or the location of the indicia on the panel.
[0056] The bundles of packaged goods described above may be
arranged in an array. The array of bundled packaged goods may
displayed on a shelf at a point of sale, such as within a retail
store, in such a way that the different products within the array
are visible to a consumer and facilitate the consumer's decision
making process. In a particularly preferred embodiment bundles
comprising different packaged goods, such as packages of tissue
products having different physical properties may be arranged in an
array. In one embodiment the array may comprise bundles of packaged
tissue products where each bundle comprises tissue products having
at least one physical property that is different than the other
bundled tissue products. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 3, an
array of three bundles 110, 112 and 114 is provided. The first
bundle 110 comprises tissue products housed within a plurality of
packages 210, 212, 214 and 216, the product having at least one
physical property that is different from the second tissue product
housed within the second bundle 112 and the third tissue product
housed in the third bundle 114. The dominant physical property of
the first tissue product compared to the second and third tissue
products is communicated to a consumer by a window 300 having a
perimeter 310 forming a graphical indicia 360. The graphical
indicia 360 is preferably matched to the sentiment of a consumer
that is evoked by the dominant physical property of the packaged
good.
[0057] With continued reference to the embodiment illustrated in
FIG. 3, second and third tissue products housed in the second 112
and third 114 bundles may possess a dominant physical property,
both in respect to the first tissue product as well as to one
another. In such embodiments, the overwrap 132 of the second 112
and third 114 bundles may be provided with windows 300 having
perimeters 310 that form second 361 and third 362 graphical
indicia. Preferably the graphical indicia 360, 361, 362 differ
between the bundles 110, 112, 114 and are indicative of the tissue
products contained therein. For example, the second bundle 112
comprises tissue products treated with a lotion and the window 300
is in the shape of a drop and the third bundle 114 comprises tissue
products having superior softness, compared to the tissue products
of the first 110 and second 112 bundles, and the window 300 is in
the shape of a feather.
[0058] In this manner, different indicia may be applied to an array
of packaged goods to communicate to a consumer the differences in
the goods. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the first bundle
110 comprises packages 210, 212, 214, 216 containing tissue product
having a superior balance of softness and tensile strength, the
second bundle 112 comprises packages containing a tissue product
comprising a lotion additive, and the third bundle 114 comprises
packages containing a tissue product having superior softness.
Because the physical properties of the bundled packaged goods
differ, three different indicia 360, 361, 362 are selected with
each indicia corresponding to the physical properties of the
packaged good--a heart to convey comfort of balancing strength and
softness, a drop to convey the presence of a lotion and a feather
to convey superior softness.
[0059] In other embodiments an array may comprise bundles of
similar goods disposed in different package sizes. For example, as
shown in FIG. 4, an array may comprise a plurality of bundles 115,
116 and 117 of different numbers of packages comprising tissue
products. The tissue products may be contained within each bundle
115, 116 and 117 have the similar physical properties and at least
one common physical property. The common physical property is
preferably a dominant physical property and is communicated to a
consumer via the primary indicia 315 formed by a window 300. The
primary indicia 315 is shared by each bundle 115, 116 and 117. In
the illustrated embodiment the bundles 115, 116 and 117 also have a
common secondary indicia 320. The difference between the
illustrated bundles 115, 116 and 117 is the number and/or relative
size of the packages, which may be communicated via a tertiary
indicia 326, printed on the overwrap 132 and displayed on the front
135 of the bundles 116, 117. The relative size of the indicia may
varying, with the primary indicia preferably more prominent than
the secondary and tertiary indicia. In addition to a common primary
indicia 315, the bundles 115, 116 and 117 may include a common
source identifier 400.
[0060] Generally a dominant physical property refers to a physical
property of a given tissue product that is greater or more
preferred than the same physical property of another tissue
product. For example, in one embodiment a first tissue product
packaged in a first product package may have a tensile strength
(measured as GMT) of about 1,000 g/3'' and a second tissue product
packaged in a second product package may have a tensile strength of
about 800 g/3''. In this embodiment the first tissue product has a
dominant tensile strength compared to the second tissue product. In
another embodiment a first tissue product packaged in a first
product package may be treated with a lotion and a second tissue
product packaged in a second product package may be untreated. In
this embodiment the first tissue product is dominant in respect to
lotion treatment compared to the second tissue product.
[0061] Further, a physical property will generally be considered
dominant if there is at least some difference between the two given
products in respect to the property. In particularly preferred
embodiments the dominant property is at least about 10 percent
greater than the same property in another tissue product and more
preferably at least about 15 percent greater, such as from about 10
to about 50 percent greater. In other embodiments the difference
between properties may not be a matter of degrees, but rather
whether a product possesses a certain property. For example, in one
embodiment a first product may be dominant to a second product
merely because the first comprises a lotion and the second does
not. In other embodiments a first tissue product may be embossed
and provide the product surface with topography and the second
tissue product may be unembossed and have a substantially flat
product surface, thus the first product having a dominant surface
topography relative to the second product.
[0062] In addition to the foregoing examples, the array may
comprise bundles comprising tissue products having different
numbers of plies, such as a first bundle comprising single ply
products, a second bundle comprising two ply products and a third
bundle comprising three ply products. The bundles are provided with
an overwrap having a window where the window forms a graphical
indicia indicative of the number of plies. For example, the first
bundle may be provided with a graphical representation of the
number one, the second bundle may be provided with a graphical
representation of the number two and the third bundle may be
provided with a graphical representation of the number three.
[0063] Turning now to FIG. 5, an additional embodiment of an
overwrapped package is illustrated. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the
overwrap 132 comprises a window 300 having a perimeter 310 defining
a primary indicia 315. In a particularly preferred embodiment the
window 300 is disposed within the central portion 148 and between
the side edges 140 and 142. The overwrap 132 further comprises a
printed central portion 148 bounded by side edges 140 and 142 and
the side edges 140 and 142 are printed with a pattern different
than the pattern printed on the central portion 148. For example,
in a preferred embodiment, the side edges 140, 142 may be printed
with a background pattern 500, more preferably a solid background
pattern that differs from the pattern printed on the central
portion 148, and spaced apart substantially horizontal elements
505. In this manner the side edges are provided with a pattern that
is visually distinct from the central portion and further comprise
a pattern having distinct horizontal elements. One benefit of the
foregoing print pattern is that the printed side edges create the
illusion of the central portion being defined by relatively sharp
and substantially vertical boundary lines.
Test Methods
Absorbency
[0064] Absorbency is determined by cutting a sheet of the product
to be tested (which may contain one or more plies) into a square
measuring 100 millimeters by 100 millimeters (.+-.1 mm.) The
resulting test specimen is weighed to the nearest 0.01 gram and the
value is recorded as the "dry weight." The specimen is attached to
a 3-point clamping device and hung from one corner in a 3-point
clamping device such that the opposite corner is lower than the
rest of the specimen, then the sample and the clamp are placed into
a dish of water and soaked in the water for 3 minutes (.+-.5
seconds). The water should be distilled or de-ionized water at a
temperature of 23.+-.3.degree. C. At the end of the soaking time,
the specimen and the clamp are removed from the water. The clamping
device should be such that the clamp area and pressure have minimal
effect on the test result. Specifically, the clamp area should be
only large enough to hold the sample and the pressure should also
just be sufficient for holding the sample, while minimizing the
amount of water removed from the sample during clamping. The sample
specimen is allowed to drain for 3 minutes (.+-.5 seconds). At the
end of the draining time, the specimen is removed by holding a
weighing dish under the specimen and releasing it from the clamping
device. The wet specimen is then weighed to the nearest 0.01 gram
and the value recorded as the "wet weight". The vertical absorbent
capacity in grams per gram=[(wet weight-dry weight)/dry weight]. At
least five (5) replicate measurements are made on representative
samples from the same roll or box of product to yield an average
vertical absorbent capacity value.
Tissue Softness Analysis
[0065] Tissue softness was measured using an EMTEC Tissue Softness
Analyzer ("TSA") (Emtec Electronic GmbH, Leipzig, Germany). The TSA
comprises a rotor with vertical blades which rotate on the test
piece applying a defined contact pressure. Contact between the
vertical blades and the test piece creates vibrations, which are
sensed by a vibration sensor. The sensor then transmits a signal to
a PC for processing and display. The signal is displayed as a
frequency spectrum. For measurement of TS7 and TS750 values the
blades are pressed against the sample with a load of 100 mN and the
rotational speed of the blades is 2 revolutions per second.
[0066] To measure TS7 and TS750 values two different frequency
analyses are performed. The first frequency analysis is performed
in the range of approximately 200 Hz to 1000 Hz, with the amplitude
of the peak occurring at 750 Hz being recorded as the TS750 value.
The TS750 value represents the surface smoothness of the sample. A
high amplitude peak correlates to a rougher surface. A second
frequency analysis is performed in the range from 1 to 10 kHz, with
the amplitude of the peak occurring at 7 kHz being recorded as the
TS7 value. The TS7 value represents the softness of sample. A lower
amplitude correlates to a softer sample. Both TS750 and TS7 values
have the units dB V2 rms.
[0067] To measure the stiffness properties of the test sample, the
rotor is initially loaded against the sample to a load of 100 mN.
Then, the rotor is gradually loaded further until the load reaches
600 mN. As the sample is loaded the instrument records sample
displacement (.mu.m) versus load (mN) and outputs a curve over the
range of 100 to 600 mN. The modulus value "E" is reported as the
slope of the displacement versus loading curve for this first
loading cycle, with units of mm displacement/N of loading force.
After the first loading cycle from 100 to 600 mN is completed, the
instrument reduces the load back to 100 mN and then increases the
load again to 600 mN for a second loading cycle. The slope of the
displacement versus loading curve from the second loading cycle is
called the "D" modulus value.
[0068] Test samples were prepared by cutting a circular sample
having a diameter of 112.8 mm. All samples were allowed to
equilibrate at TAPPI standard temperature and humidity conditions
for at least 24 hours prior to completing the TSA testing. Only one
ply of tissue is tested. Multi-ply samples are separated into
individual plies for testing. The sample is placed in the TSA with
the softer (dryer or Yankee) side of the sample facing upward. The
sample is secured and the measurements are started via the PC. The
PC records, processes and stores all of the data according to
standard TSA protocol. The reported values are the average of five
replicates, each one with a new sample.
Tensile
[0069] Samples for tensile strength testing are prepared by cutting
a 3 inches (76.2 mm).times.5 inches (127 mm) long strip in either
the machine direction (MD) or cross-machine direction (CD)
orientation using a JDC Precision Sample Cutter (Thwing-Albert
Instrument Company, Philadelphia, Pa., Model No. JDC 3-10, Ser. No.
37333). The instrument used for measuring tensile strengths is an
MTS Systems Sintech 11S, Serial No. 6233. The data acquisition
software is MTS TestWorks.TM. for Windows Ver. 4 (MTS Systems
Corp., Research Triangle Park, N.C.). The load cell is selected
from either a 50 Newton or 100 Newton maximum, depending on the
strength of the sample being tested, such that the majority of peak
load values fall between 10 and 90 percent of the load cell's full
scale value. The gauge length between jaws is 4.+-.0.04 inches
(50.8.+-.1 mm). The jaws are operated using pneumatic-action and
are rubber coated. The minimum grip face width is 3 inches (76.2
mm), and the approximate height of a jaw is 0.5 inches (12.7 mm).
The crosshead speed is 10.+-.0.04 inches/min (254.+-.1 mm/min), and
the break sensitivity is set at 65 percent. The sample is placed in
the jaws of the instrument, centered both vertically and
horizontally. The test is then started and ends when the specimen
breaks. The peak load is recorded as either the "MD tensile
strength" or the "CD tensile strength" of the specimen depending on
the sample being tested. At least six (6) representative specimens
are tested for each product, taken "as is," and the arithmetic
average of all individual specimen tests is either the MD or CD
tensile strength for the product.
[0070] For multiple-ply products tensile testing is done on the
number of plies expected in the finished product. For example,
2-ply products are tested two plies at one time and the recorded MD
and CD tensile strengths are the strengths of both plies.
Slough
[0071] The slough test provides a quantitative measure of the
abrasion resistance of a tissue sample. More specifically, the test
measures the resistance of a material to an abrasive action when
the material is subjected to a horizontally reciprocating surface
abrader. The equipment and method used is described in U.S. Pat.
No. 6,808,595, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by
reference in a manner consistent with the present application.
Bulk
[0072] Bulk is calculated as the quotient of the dry sheet caliper
(.mu.m) divided by the basis weight (gsm). Dry sheet caliper is the
measurement of the thickness of a single tissue sheet measured in
accordance with TAPPI test methods T402 and T411 om-89. The
micrometer used for carrying out T411 om-89 is an Emveco 200-A
Tissue Caliper Tester (Emveco, Inc., Newberg, Oreg.). The
micrometer has a load of 2 kilo-Pascals, a pressure foot area of
2500 square millimeters, a pressure foot diameter of 56.42
millimeters, a dwell time of 3 seconds and a lowering rate of 0.8
millimeters per second.
[0073] While tissue webs, and tissue products comprising the same,
have been described in detail with respect to the specific
embodiments 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 embodiments.
[0074] Accordingly, in a first embodiment the present invention
provides a bundle of packaged goods comprising a first and a second
package, each package comprising a least one consumer good having a
first consumer good attribute, the first and the second packages at
least partially overwrapped with a film, the film having a window
disposed thereon, the window having a perimeter defining an indicia
indicative of the first consumer good attribute.
[0075] In a second embodiment the invention provides the bundle of
the first embodiment wherein the consumer good is a tissue product
and the first consumer good attribute is selected from the group
consisting of surface topography, the number of plies, absorbency,
caliper, basis weight, bulk, softness, slough, tensile strength,
stiffness index, slope and tensile energy absorption.
[0076] In a third embodiment the invention provides the bundle of
the first or the second embodiments wherein the overwrap comprises
a band.
[0077] In a fourth embodiment the invention provides the bundle any
one of the first through third embodiments wherein the overwrap
entirely overwraps the first and the second packages.
[0078] In a fifth embodiment the invention provides the bundle any
one of the first through fourth embodiments wherein the first and
the second packages have a front face and the overwrap at least
partially covers the front face, the overwrap having a printed and
unprinted central area, wherein at least a portion of the unprinted
central area defines the window.
[0079] In a sixth embodiment the invention provides the bundle any
one of the first through fifth embodiments wherein the window is
either transparent or cut out.
[0080] In a seventh embodiment the present invention provides an
array of tissue products comprising a first tissue product having a
first dominant physical property, a second tissue product having a
second dominant physical property wherein the first tissue product
is housed within a first package and the second tissue product is
housed within a second package, the first and the second packages
at least partially overwrapped with a film, the film having a
window disposed thereon, the window having a perimeter defining an
indicia indicative of the respective dominant physical
property.
[0081] In an eighth embodiment the present invention provides the
array of the seventh embodiment wherein the dominant physical
property of first tissue product is selected from the group
consisting of the number of plies, absorbency, caliper, basis
weight, bulk, softness, slough, tensile strength, stiffness index,
slope and tensile energy absorption that is different from the
second tissue product.
[0082] In a ninth embodiment the present invention provides the
array of the seventh or eighth embodiment wherein the first tissue
product has a geometric mean tensile (GMT) from about 700 to about
1,200 and the second tissue product has a GMT that is from about 5
to about 20 percent less than the GMT of the first tissue
product.
[0083] In a tenth embodiment the present invention provides the
array of any one of the seventh through ninth embodiments wherein
the first tissue product has a surface topography that is different
than the surface topography of the second tissue product.
[0084] In an eleventh embodiment the present invention provides a
method of communicating tissue product qualities to a consumer
comprising the steps of providing a tissue product; identifying a
first dominant physical property of the tissue product; selecting
an indicia relating to the first dominant physical property; and
packaging the tissue product in a package and overwrapping the
package with an overwrap having a window, the window having a
perimeter defining an indicia indicative of the first consumer good
attribute.
[0085] In a twelfth embodiment the present invention provides the
method of the eleventh embodiment wherein the dominant physical
property is selected from the group consisting of surface
topography, the number of plies, absorbency, caliper, basis weight,
bulk, softness, slough, tensile strength, stiffness index, slope
and tensile energy absorption.
[0086] In a thirteenth embodiment the present invention provides
the method of the eleventh or the twelfth embodiments wherein the
overwrap comprises a band.
[0087] In a fourteenth embodiment the present invention provides
the method of any one of the eleventh through the thirteenth
embodiments wherein the overwrap entirely overwraps the
package.
[0088] In a fifteenth embodiment the present invention provides the
method of any one of the eleventh through the fourteenth
embodiments wherein the overwrap comprises a film and the window is
transparent.
[0089] In a sixteenth embodiment the present invention provides the
method of any one of the eleventh through the fifteenth embodiments
wherein the package has a front face and the overwrap at least
partially covers the front face, the overwrap having a printed and
unprinted central area, wherein at least a portion of the unprinted
central area defines the window.
* * * * *