Dual-chamber package system for absorbent articles

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10827852-B2
Application number	US-201816019634-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 27, 2018
Priority date	Jul 26, 2017
Publication date	Nov 10, 2020
Grant date	Nov 10, 2020

Abstract

A dual-chamber package system for absorbent articles, comprises: a retaining chamber configured to vertically retain a plurality of absorbent articles, a dispensing chamber positioned underneath the retaining chamber, wherein the dispensing chamber has a front side opening, and a divider separating the retaining chamber and the dispensing chamber, wherein at least a portion of the divider is moveable so that a bottommost absorbent article is configured to be dispensed from the front side opening of the dispensing chamber.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A dual-chamber package system for absorbent articles, comprising:
a retaining chamber configured to vertically retain a plurality of absorbent articles;
a dispensing chamber positioned underneath the retaining chamber, wherein the dispensing chamber defines a front side opening through which absorbent articles are configured to be dispensed; and
a divider separating the retaining chamber and the dispensing chamber;
wherein the divider comprises:
a fixed portion;
a moveable portion;
a hinge line positioned between the fixed portion and the moveable portion;
a front flap on the moveable portion; and
a tab extending from the front flap;

wherein the fixed portion has a fixed portion plane;
wherein the moveable portion has a moveable portion plane;
wherein the moveable portion plane of the moveable portion is on a same plane as the fixed portion plane of the fixed portion in a closed position;
wherein a length (L 1 ) of the fixed portion of the divider is greater than a length (L 2 ) of the moveable portion; and
wherein the moveable portion is moveable between a first, non-absorbent article dispensing position to a second, absorbent article dispensing position.

2. The dual-chamber package system for absorbent articles according to claim 1 ,
wherein the moveable portion plane of the moveable portion moves downward along the hinge line to reach an opened position, at which the fixed portion plane and the moveable portion plane form an angle of less than 180 degrees.

3. The dual-chamber package system for absorbent articles according to claim 1 ,
wherein the front flap extends along a plane generally orthogonal to the moveable portion plane of the moveable portion; and
wherein the front flap is engageable to the retaining chamber.

4. The dual-chamber package system for absorbent articles according to claim 1 ,
wherein the moveable portion of the divider comprises at least a first side flap on one side of the moveable portion that extends along a plane essentially orthogonal to the moveable portion plane of the moveable portion; and
wherein the moveable portion of the divider comprises a second side flap on another side of the moveable portion opposite to the first side flap that extends along a plane essentially orthogonal to the moveable portion plane of the moveable portion.

5. The dual-chamber package system for absorbent articles according to claim 1 ,
wherein the dispensing chamber comprises a footer forming a bottom inside surface of the dispensing chamber, and wherein the footer has a height of from 0.5 cm to 2 cm.

6. The dual-chamber package system for absorbent articles according to claim 1 ,
wherein the retaining chamber comprises a front wall, a bottom portion of the front wall comprising a line of weakness, wherein the line of weakness is configured to form the tab, wherein the tab is attached to the moveable portion by structurally engaging with the front flap of the divider after being disconnected from the front wall, and wherein the line of weakness is positioned in the central part of the bottom of the front wall.

7. The dual-chamber package system for absorbent articles according to claim 1 , wherein a ratio of the length (L 2 ) of the moveable portion to the length (L 1 ) of the fixed portion is from 1:3 to 1:8.

8. The dual-chamber package system for absorbent articles according to claim 1 , wherein the length (L 2 ) of the moveable portion is smaller than or equal to a height (H) of the front side opening of the dispensing chamber.

9. The dual-chamber package system for absorbent articles according to claim 1 , wherein the dual-chamber package system has a horizontal cross-section of rectangular shape, having a width of from 5 cm to 40 cm and a length of from 5 cm to 40 cm.

10. The dual-chamber package system for absorbent articles according to claim 6 , wherein the retaining chamber comprises an artwork at least on the front wall, and wherein the line of weakness forms part of the artwork.

11. The dual-chamber package system for absorbent articles according to claim 1 , comprising a handle positioned at either a top wall or a back wall of the retaining chamber.

12. The dual-chamber package system for absorbent articles according to claim 1 , further comprising a primary packaging configured to accommodate the absorbent articles, wherein the absorbent articles are diapers.

13. The dual-chamber package system for absorbent articles according to claim 1 , wherein the dual-chamber package system comprises a non-metal material.

14. An absorbent article package, comprising the dual-chamber package system according to claim 1 , and absorbent articles retained in the retaining chamber.

15. The dual-chamber package system for absorbent articles according to claim 2 , wherein the angle is from 90 degrees to 165 degrees.

16. The dual-chamber package system for absorbent articles according to claim 5 , wherein the footer has a height of from 0.8 cm to 1.5 cm.

17. The dual-chamber package system for absorbent articles according to claim 9 , wherein the width of the horizontal cross-section of rectangular shape is from 15 cm to 30 cm and the length of the horizontal cross-section of rectangular shape is from 15 cm to 35 cm.

18. A kit comprising the dual chamber package system for absorbent articles according to claim 1 , and a plurality of diapers.

19. A kit comprising the dual chamber package system for absorbent articles according to claim 1 , and a plurality of feminine pads.

Assignees

• Procter & Gamble

Inventors

• Zhao Chao
• Liu Zhensheng
• Sun Xuejiao
• Wang Kaitian
• Ji Lu
• Gawaran Jayson Oxcena
• Du Minchen
• Mandal Ankan
• Chen Jie
• Thornton Mark Andrew

Classifications

• B65D5/4208

  Means facilitating suspending, lifting, handling, or the like of containers (handles B65D5/46) · CPC title

• B65D5/721

  consisting of mobile elements forming part of the containers or attached to the containers · CPC title

• B65D5/724

  Internal fittings facilitating the discharge of contents, e.g. guiding panels, movable bottoms or lifting strips · CPC title

• A61F13/55145

  multiple packaged items · CPC title

• A61F13/55115

  characterized by the features before use, e.g. how are the diapers folded or arranged in a package · CPC title