Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02573237 2007-01-23
DISPOSABLE ABSORBENT ARTICLES CONTAINED
IN PACKAGE HAVING WINDOW
FiELd
The present invention relates to di$pQsabla,.absorbent. products, and more
pardcularly to a disposable absorbent product which contains. disposable
absorbent
articles in a package having a window.
BACKGROUND
Disposable absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, tampons, interiabial -
products, incontinence devices, pantiliners, diapers, incontinent br.iefs,
incontinent
undergarrnents, and training pants are typically wom in the crotch region of
an
undergarment to receive and contain body fluids. Such disposable absorbent
articies function both to contain discharged materials and.-to isolate these
'materiats
from the body of the wearer and from the wearers garments and bed clothing.
Disposable absorbent ardcles having many different basic designs are known in
the
art. For example, sanitary napkins are one kind of absorbent arbcie wom by
women
in a pak of- pantles that is normally positioned between the wearers
legs,adjacent to
the perineal area of the body.
In -,general, the absorbent capacity of a. disposable absorbent article
necessary to provide containment of bodily fluids without leaking is quite
different
between the- daytime use and the ovemight use. Since the wearing fime is
~usually
longer in the nighttime as compared to the daytime, the quantity of bodily
f(uids
discharged during-the ovemight use is typically greater than the quantify of
bodity
fluids discharged during the daytime use. In. addition, in an example of
catamenial-
protection, since the level of menstrual fluids discharged changes throughout
the
menstruation period, the use of feminine hygiene articles having~fferent
absorbent
capacities is preferred by users. Even though the absorbent capacity
requirements
are quite different, disposable absorbent articles having one leve{ of
absorbent
capacity are typically contained in a single package. and sold irr the market.
As a -
resuit, a user who wants to use absorbent - arficies having different
absorbent
capacities needs to purchase a=piurality of disposable abssorbent products to
meet
the needs for different absorbent. capacities.
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CA 02573237 2007-01-23
. US Patent No. 5,897,542 issued to Lash et al. on Aprit 27, 1999 is addressed
to this problem and discloses absorbent articles having different absorbent
capacities are stored or contained in a single package.
It is generally preferred that the absorbent articles having different
absorbent
capacities contained in a single package are used or consumed by the user
equally.
OthenMse, there can be a situation that s first type of absorbent ar4cles
having a
first absorbent capacity are consumed completely, while a second type of
absorbent
articles having a second absorbent capacity (which is different from the first
absorbent capacity) are left in the package. In that event, the user needs to
purchase the first type of absorbent arficies although the second type of the
absorbent arficies still remains in the package.
This issue is more problematic when a plurality of types of feminine hygiene
articles (e.g., sanitary napkins, tampons, interlabial products, incontinence
devices,
and pantiliners) having different absorbent capacities are contained in a
single
package. It is believed that such a design (i.e., a plurality of types of
feminine
hygiene articles are contained in a single. package) is preferred -to provide
a better
protection from soiling during one menstruation period. It is generally known
that
the flow level of discharged body fluids per day changes depending on the days
during the menstruation period. To provide a desired protection from soiling,
it is
preferred that a plurality of types of feminine hygiene arficies having
different
absorbent capacities are used appropriately. Thus, a single package product
which
contains a plurality of types of feminine hygiene articles is preferred. Such
feminine
hygiene articles are expected to be used or consumed equally. Othennrise, the
single package product which is designed - to be used or consumed for one
menstruation period is not enough to provide an expected protection from
soiling.
Based on the foregoing, there is a need for a disposable absorbent product
which includes a plurality of types of disposable absorbent arficies contained
in a
single package that can help users to consume the contained disposable
absorbent
articles. equally. There is also a need for a disposable absorbsnt product
which
includes a plurality of types of feminine hygiene articles contained in a
single
package that can help users to consume the. contained feminine hygiene
arficies
equally to provide a better protection during the menstruation period.
'SUMMARY
The present invention is directed to a disposable absorbent product,
comprising: a package having at least one window and an outer surface; and a,.
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CA 02573237 2009-02-13
plurality of disposable absorbent articles contained in the package. The
plurality of
disposable absorbent articles include at least two different types of
absorbent
articles wherein each type of absorbent articles is identified by an
indication means
disposed on the respective absorbent articles. The indication means of the at
least
two types of absorbent articles can be seen through the at least one window.
The foregoing answers the need. for a disposable absorbent product which
inciudes a plurality of types of disposabie-:absarbent_artic9es contained in a
single
package that can help users to consume the contained disposable absorbent
articles equally.
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention
will become evident to those skilled in the art from reading of the present
disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and
distinctly claiming the invention, it is believed that the invention will be
betfer
understood from the following description of preferred embodiments taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like designations are used
to
designate substantially identical elements, and in which:
Figure is a simplified perspective illustration of a disposable absorbent
product which is one preferred embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Citation of any reference is not an admission regarding any determination as
to its
availability as prior art to the claimed invention.
Herein,."comprise", "include " and "contain" mean that other element(s) and
step(s) which do not affect the'end result can be added. These terms encompass
the terms "consisting ofu and "consisting essentially of".
Herein, "joined" or "joining" encompasses configurations iivhereby an element'
is directly secured to another by affixing the element directly to the other
element,
and configurations whereby the element is indirectly secured to the other
element by
affixing the element to intermediate member(s) which in tum are affixed. to
the other
element.
Herein, the term "absorbent article" refers to devices which absorb and
contain body exudates, and more specifically, refers to devices which are
placed
against or in proximity to the body of the wearer to absorb and contain the
various.
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CA 02573237 2007-01-23
body fluids or exudates discharged from the body. fhe . term "disposable is
used
herein to describe absorbent ari;cles which. are not intended to be laundered
or
otherwise restored or reused as an absorbent article (i.e., they are intended
to be discarded after a single use and, preferably, to be recycled, composted
or othenNise
disposed of in an environmentaily compatible manner). Disposable . absorbent
arGcles include feminine hygiene articles,.adiapers, incontinent briefs,
incontinent
undergarment.s, incontinent pads, training pants, and the like. A preferred
disposable absorbent article of the presentInti8fiti6ft is a f6minine hygiene
article.
Herein, Ihe teirm "feminine hygiene artictes" refer to a disposable absorbent
article used by women for catamenial protection. Such feminine hygiene aracies
include sanitary napkins, tampons, interlabial products, incontinence devices,
and-
pantiliners.
Herein, the term "different types of absorbent articles" refers to absorbent
artides which include at least one of the absorbent articles. having a
different
physical property or structure from that of the other one of the absorbent
articles.
Examples of- physical property or structure include . the absorbent capacity.
of
absorbent articies, the dimension(s) (e.g., the longitudinai length, the
traversal width
and/or the thickness) of absorbent articles, the kirTds of absorbent ardcles
(e.g.,
sanitary napkins, tampons, interiabial products, incontinence devices,
pantiliners,
diapers, inoontinent briefs, incontinent undergarments, and training pants.),
and the
combination thereof. Figure is a simplified perspective illustration of a
disposable absorbent
product 100 which is one preferred embodiment, of the present invention. The
disposable absorbent product 100 includes a package 10 which contains a
pluraiity
of disposable absorbent ardcles 20 having at least two different types of
absorbent
articles. These disposable absorbent articles 20 are stacked to form at least
one
stack 22 in the package 10. The package 10 cart be formed by any material and
can take any structure
known in the art. For example, the package 10 may be a carton which is formed
by
a cardboard material. In the prefprred embodiment shown in Figure, the package
10 is a flexible bag whlctt is formed by a thin film materiat. Such a thin
film material
may be made of paper, plastic, or any recyclable material, and. may take a
laminate
structure comprised of two or more of the aforementioned materials. The
package
materiai may also be of non-biodegradable or non-recyclable materials, such as
polymeric films (e.g., polypropylene films and polyethylene films).
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CA 02573237 2007-01-23
The package 10 shown. in Figure is a flexible bag which is preferably formed
from a continuous tube of a thin film material (e.g., a polyethylene film)
having an
axis parafiel to the- height of the package 10. The top and bottom poraions of
the
package 10 are closed by forming side gussetg 26. A preferred- film material
for the
5-package 10 of the embodiment shown in Figure is a polyethylene film.
The.package
includes a front panel 11, a rear panel-12 opposed to the front panel 11, side
panels 13 which connects the front and rear,p anels.11 and 12, a top panel 14
which
connects the front, rear, and- side panels 11, 12 and 13, and a bottom panel
15
opposed to the top panel 14. Each pair of the front and rear panels .11 and
12, the
10 side panels 13 and the top and bottom panels 14 and 15'are substantially
planar as
shown in Fgure. These panels.11-15 form an outersurface 24 of the package 10.
The disposable absorbent articles 20 contained in the package 10 include at
least two different types of absorbent ardcles. Preferably, the disposable
absorbent
articles 20 contained in the package 1Ø are feminine hy$iene. articles such
as- -
sanitary napidns. In the embodiment shown in Figure, thiree types of sanitary
napkins 30 are contained as the disposable absorbent ardcles 20. Such three
types
of sanitary napidns 30 have different dimensions so that they have different
absorbent capacities. In a preferred embodiment, a first type of the sanitary
napidns
30 has a longitudinal length of about 320 mm (for the highest absorbent
capacity for
the ovemight use or a heavy flow use), a second type of the sanitary napkins
30 has
a longitudinal length of about 280 mm (for the middle absorbent capac'rty for
a
moderate flow use), and a third type of the sanitary napkins 30 has a
longitudinal
length of about 240 mm (for the lowest absorbent capacity for the light
daytime use
or a low flow use). These changes in the longitudinal lengths of the sanitary
napkins
30 can provide differences in the absorbent capacities.
Such differences in the absorbent capacities are preferred. by users since the
disposable absorbent articies 20 which are consumed in one.day by a user
normally
have different usage time lengths. For example, the diapers which are used In
the
daytime are replaced more often than the diapers which are used In the
nighttime.
Similarly, depending on the days in the menstruation period, the amount of
body
fluids discharged from the body of a woman generally changes. For example,.
the
sanitary napkins which are -used in the second day of the menstruation period
are
replaced more often than the sanitary napidns which are used in the other days
in
the menstruation period. From these facts, appropriately selecting disposable
absorbent articies which have different absorbent capacities is preferred by
users.
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CA 02573237 2007-01-23
In a preferred embodiment, each of the disposable absorbent artictes 20
includes an indMdual flexibie wrapper or bag (not shown in Figure) which wraps
or
contains the respecfive absorbent arficte 20. When each of the disposable
absorbent articles 20 is wrapped by an individ.ual flexibie wrapper or bag,
the outer
surface of the absorbent aracle'is a part of the wrapper or bag which faces
the
outside of the article. " Aitematively, the disppsable absorbent ardcles 20
can be just
stored in the package 10 without being' individuaUy wrapped or contained . by
~ a
flexibie wrapper or bag.
The disposable absorbent articies 20 caW be stored in the package 10 without
being folded.. Preferably, at least a part of the disposable absorbent ardcles
20 are
folded inward(y. The folding operation for the disposable absorbent ardcies 20
is
preferably carried out before or when they are stored in the: package 10. or.
the
flexwbie wrapper or bag. For example, when the disposable absorbent. articles
20
are san'dary napldns, each sanitary napkin is folded along at least one
folding line,
preferably two folding lines so that the sanitary napl¾n is folded into at
least two (or
three) sections which are defined by the folding li*s). Preferred ' manners
for
folding and/or wrapping feminine hygiene articles (e.g., sanitary napkins) are
disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 6,074;376 issuedto Mills on June 13, 2000 and
U.S.
Patent No. 5,569,228 issued to Byrd et al. on October 29, 1996.
Each type of absorbent ardcles is'visually identified by,a common indication
means which is disposed on the outer surface of the respective absorbent
articies.
Herein, "outer surface" of an absorbent articie refers to a part of the
absorbent
article which faces the outside of the article. Any indication means known in
the- art
can be used as Iong- as it can visually differentiate one type of absorbent
articles
from the other.
The indication means can be 'any of colors,.lines, patterns, ornamental
designs, pictures, symbols, characters. (or codes), and the combination
thereof, or
other maridngs which can be disposed on the disposable absorbent articies 20.
The
indication means identifies each- type of absorbent articies. = 20.. contained
in the
package 10.; In 'the embodiment shown in Figure, 'rf each"of the disposable
absorbent articles 20 is indMdually wrapped or contained in a wrapper or bag,
the
indication means. is disposed on the wrapper.or bag. In a preferred
embodiment,
the indication means is a color variation made in the respectivve wrapper
films for
corresponding types of the absorbent articles.
- Aftematively, if the disposabie absorbent articles 20 are not individuaAy
wrapped, or- contained in a wrapper or bag (i.e., they are merely directiy -
stored in the
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CA 02573237 2007-01-23
package 10), the indication means is disposed on at least one oomponent
materials
(e.g., the backsheet, the topsheet, etc.). of each disposable absorbent
artlcle 20
which can seen. In a preferred embodiment, the indication means is a color
variation made in the respective backsheet materials for corresponding types
of the
absorbent ar6icles.
In the embodiment shown in Figure, .fihe stack 22 is provided so that the side
panels 13 of the package 10 are substantially equal to the cross-section of
the'staak
22 of absorbent articles 20. The stack 22 includes at least two types of
disposable
absorbent artieles 20. In the embodiment shown in Figure, three types of
sanitary
napkins 30 are included in the stack 22.
The total number of the disposable absorbent articles, 20 ,'contained in the
package 10 may change depending on the target usage time length for one
package product. For 'example, in the embodiment wherein the disposable
absorbent ardcles 20 are sanitary napkins, the total number of the sanitary
napkins
- 30 is preferably from 15 to 25. Preferably, the-sanitary napidns 30 for the
ovemight
use or a heavy flow use is from 6 to 12; the sanitary napkins 30 for a
moderate flow
use is from 4 to 8, and the sanitary napkins 30 for the light dayflme use or a
low flow
use is from 3 to 7.
ir't an -altemative preferred. embodiment wherein the disposable absorbent
articles 20 are sanitary napkins and the target usage time length for one
package is
one menstruation pqriod, i.e., all the sanitary napkins contained iri the
padcage 10
are expected to be consumed about within one menstruation period, the total
number of the sanitary napkins is preferably from 15 to 22. Preferably, the
sanitary
napkins for the ovemight use or a heavy flow use is from 6 to 12, the sanitary
napkins 30 for a moderate flow use is from 4 to 8, and the sanitary napkins 30
for
the light daytime use or a low flow use is from 3 to 5.
When the disposable absorbent articies 20 contained in the one package 10
are other ldnds of absorbent arqcies than the sanitM napldns such .as tampons,
interlabial products, incontinence devices, pantiliners; diapers;, incontinent
briefs,
incontinent undergarments, and training pants, the total. number as well as
the
number of each type of the disposable absorbent arficies 20 contained in one
package - is determined by considering the absorbent capacities and the
recommendable usage time lengths of such disposable absorbent articles 20.
The package 10 has at least one window 16. The iridication means which is
disposed on the absorbent artides 20 is seen through the window 16. The window
16 can be 'provided at any panels of the package 14. If desired, a plurality
of the
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CA 02573237 2007-01-23
windows may be provided in the package 10. If desired, addidonaf window(s) may
be provided in, for example, the rear panel 12 or the side panels 13. The
window 16
can take any shape such -as a circle, a square, a rectangle, a trapezoid, an
ellipse, a
triangle or any other shape such as shown in Figure. The window 16 can have
any
sizes or dimensions as long as the .indication means disposed on the.
absorbent
articies 20 can be seen througll the window 16. In a preferred embodiment,
the'
window 16 has an enough dimension (e.g., the length and the width for a
rectangular window) so that at least two types, more preferabty all types of
the
contained absorbent arbcles can be seen through the window 16. Preferably, the
winddw 16 has an enough size so that at least 30%, more preferably about from
600A to about 100% of the contained absorlsent ar4cles can be ;seen through
the
window.
Since the disposable absorbent articles 20 contained in the package 10 can
be seen,.by users through the window 16, users can consume the plurality of
types
of disposable absorbent arixcles 20 equaNy. The window 16 also enables
consumers (or purchasers) to understand the plurality of types of d'~sposable
absorbent aracles 20 are contained within the package 10 at the point of
purchase.
The window 16 should include a portion which is at least translucent; and
more preferably transparent. - The window 16 does not necessarify 'need to be
completely transparent. The window 16 may be- somewhat translucent as long as
the indication means which are disposed on the absorbent articles 20 can be
seen
through the window.16.
The window 16 can be formed by ahy means known in the art., Preferably,
the window 16 is formed by differentiating the translucency or the
transparency at
25. the window 16 from the area surrounding the window 16. Such a
differentiation can
be made by using different paints between the area within the window 16 and
the
area surrounding the window 16. In the embodiment shown in Figure, the window
16 can be formed by applying no paint in the area of the window 16 so that it
has a
very high transparency, while applying a paint which makes the surrounding
area of
the window .16 transiucent or non-transparent. The rest of the outer surface
24 of
the package 10 may have one or more -colors as well as lines, pattems,
omamental
designs, pictures, symbols, characters (or codes), and the combination
thereof.
In the embodiment wherein the package 10 is formed by a cardboard
material, the- w'rndow 1618 formed by removing at least one part , of the
cardboard
material by cutting. Preferably, the cut portion is covered by a separate
sheet
material (e.g., a transtucent or transparent film material) which is attached
to the
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CA 02573237 2007-01-23
inside surface of-the package wall at the window porbon so that the contained
absorbent articies 20 can be effectively sealed or protected from the outside
air.
Preferably, the outer surface 24 of the package 10 provides first information,
while the window 16 provides second information which has a reievancy to the
first
information. The first and second information can be any infomnagon as long as
they can have a relevancy. The first information can be indicated in any panel
of the
package 10. The first information is preferably, indicated in the panel where
the
window 16 is provided.
In one preferred embodiment, the window 16 has a shape (i.e., the second
information) which has a relevancy to the first information. For example, in
the
embodiment shown in Figure, the window 16 of the front panel 1 t has a shape
that
is similar to the ffow level change during one menstruation period (i.e., the
second
information), while the front panel 11 also has a graph 17 which shows the
same or
relevant information (i.e., the first information) near the window 16, i.e.,
the graph 17
shows the flow level (FL) 'changes depending 'on the days (DAY) during one
menstruation period. Herein, the term "flow iever refers to the totat amount
of body
fluids discharged per one day from a woman.
In another preferred embodiment, the window 16 shows the stacked sanitary
napidns 30 having a plurality of types wherein the respective types are
identified _by
the indication means, for eicampie, , different colors (i.e.; the second
inf.ormation).
The same or similar colors are also used in the graph 17 to provide -the first
inforrnation. For example, the graph 17 shows the flow level changes per day
by a
pluraitty of bars-during one menstruation period as shown in Figure. The bars
are
indicated by different colors which are alsoused in the indication means
disposed
on the sanitary napkins 30. By using the same (or similar) colors for the
indication
means on the sanitary napkins 30 and the graph 17, the user can easily notice-
what
sanitary napkins are recomrriended to use in each day in the menstruation
period.
An opening device 18 Is preferably provided in the top panel i 4. The opening
device 18 preferably has an enough size (e.g., the length) so'that different
types of
$0 absorbent articies 20-can be picked up by the user. The opening device 18
can
take any shape and dimension as long as different types of absorbent articies
20
contained . in the: package 10 can be picked up by the user. The opening
device 18
helps users to consume the piurality of types of disposable absorbent articles
20
equaiiy.
.35 The opening device 18 preferabiy includes a line of weakness 19 which
extends within the top, panel 14. The line of weakness 19 may extend to other
9
CA 02573237 2007-01-23
panels tharr the top panel 14 such as the side panels 13, the front panel 11
and/or,
the rear panel 12.
The opening device 18 includes a substantially continuous line of weakness
which traverses the top panel 11 in an area generally coinciding with the
length of
the stack 22 of disposable absorbent articies 20. In the embodiment shown in
Figure, the substantially continuous lim'of wealmess 19 includes a r'me of
perforation formed in the top panel 14. Since the continuous line of weakness
19 is '
located in the top panel 14 which is substantiaUy untensioned (or low
tensioned),
this line of weakness 19 can be designed to rupture at relatnnrety low levels
of app{ied
force.
It is'understood that the examples and embodiments descn'bed herein are for
illustrative. purpose only and that various modifications or changes will be
suggested
to one skiiied in the art wifhout departing from the scope of the present
invention. 10
