Absorbent article package with enhanced opening and recloseability

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10864122-B2
Application number	US-201916525636-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 30, 2019
Priority date	Aug 13, 2018
Publication date	Dec 15, 2020
Grant date	Dec 15, 2020

Abstract

A package containing a stack of folded disposable absorbent articles, the package being formed of a flexible polymeric film defining a cuboid package having top and bottom surfaces and rear, front, first and second side walls. One or more folding tabs are provided proximal the top surface and extending along a width of one or both of the first and second side walls. Each folding tab has a height of between about 10 mm and about 50 mm in a direction perpendicular to the length of the folding tab and comprises a higher bending stiffness than the flexible polymeric film.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A package formed of a flexible polymeric film, the package comprising:
a. a plurality of absorbent articles;
b. the flexible polymeric film enclosing the plurality of absorbent articles to define a cuboid package having a top surface, a bottom surface, a front wall, a rear wall, a first side wall, and a second side wall;
c. one or more folding tabs proximal to the top surface and extending along a portion of a width of one or both of the first and second side walls;
wherein each folding tab has a height of between about 10 mm and about 50 mm in a direction perpendicular to a length of the folding tab, and wherein each folding tab has a higher bending stiffness than the flexible polymeric film; and
d. a first seam and a second seam extending from a top surface to a bottom surface of the respective first and second side walls;
wherein a single folding tab is provided extending along a portion of a width of three or more walls of the package, and wherein the single folding tab is provided with a weakened portion coincident with each junction between the first or second side walls and the front or rear walls and each seam over which the single folding tab extends.

2. The package of claim 1 , wherein the one or more folding tabs are formed of a material selected from the group of: elastomeric bands, elastomeric strands, foam, nonwoven fibrous web, woven fibrous web, scrim, polymeric film, a bead of cured polymer, a line of cured polymer, and hot-melt adhesive formulation.

3. The package of claim 2 , wherein the one or more folding tabs have a first edge proximal to the top surface of the package and a second edge distal to the top surface of the package, and wherein the distance between the first edge and the top surface is less than 33% of a total height of the package.

4. The package of claim 1 , wherein the one of more folding tabs are adhered to an inside surface of the package.

5. The package of claim 1 , wherein each of the one or more folding tabs extends along the portion of the width of at least one of the first and second side walls and one of the front and rear walls, and wherein each folding tab is provided with a weakened portion coincident with each junction between the first or second side wall and the front or rear walls and each seam.

6. The package of claim 1 , wherein each folding tab provided on one of the first and second side walls extends between one of the first and second seams and the front wall or the rear wall.

7. The package of claim 6 , wherein a first folding tab is provided on a first side surface, extending between the first seam and one of the front and rear walls and a second folding tab is provided on a second side wall, extending between the second seam and the other of the front and rear walls.

8. A package formed of a flexible polymeric film, the package comprising:
a. a plurality of absorbent articles;
b. the flexible polymeric film enclosing the plurality of absorbent articles to define a cuboid package having a top surface, a bottom surface, a front wall, a rear wall, a first side wall, and a second side wall;
c. one or more folding tabs proximal to the top surface and extending along a portion of a width of one or both of the first and second side walls;
wherein each folding tab has a height of between about 10 mm and about 50 mm in a direction perpendicular to a length of the folding tab, and wherein each folding tab has a higher bending stiffness than the flexible polymeric film;
wherein the one of more folding tabs are adhered to an inside surface of the package; and
d. a first seam and a second seam extending from a top surface to a bottom surface of the respective first and second side walls;
wherein a single folding tab is provided extending along a portion of a width of three or more walls of the package, and wherein the single folding tab is provided with a weakened portion coincident with each junction between the first or second side walls and the front or rear walls and each seam over which the single folding tab extends.

9. The package of claim 8 , wherein the one or more folding tabs are formed of a material selected from the group of: elastomeric bands, elastomeric strands, foam, nonwoven fibrous web, woven fibrous web, scrim, polymeric film, a bead of cured polymer, a line of cured polymer, and hot-melt adhesive formulation.

10. The package of claim 9 , wherein the one or more folding tabs have a first edge proximal to the top surface of the package and a second edge distal to the top surface of the package, and wherein the distance between the first edge and the top surface is less than 33% of a total height of the package.

11. The package of claim 8 , wherein each folding tab provided on one of the first and second side walls extends between one of the first and second seams and the front wall or the rear wall.

12. The package of claim 11 , wherein a first folding tab is provided on a first side surface, extending between the first seam and one of the front and rear walls and a second folding tab is provided on a second side wall, extending between the second seam and the other of the front and rear walls.

13. A package formed of a flexible polymeric film, the package comprising:
a. a plurality of absorbent articles;
b. the flexible polymeric film enclosing the plurality of absorbent articles to define a cuboid package having a top surface, a bottom surface, a front wall, a rear wall, a first side wall, and a second side wall;
c. one or more folding tabs proximal to the top surface and extending along a portion of a width of one or both of the first and second side walls;
wherein each folding tab has a height of between about 10 mm and about 50 mm in a direction perpendicular to a length of the folding tab, and wherein each folding tab has a higher bending stiffness than the flexible polymeric film; and
d. a first seam and a second seam extending from a top surface to a bottom surface of the respective first and second side walls;
wherein each of the one or more folding tabs extends along a portion of a width of at least one of the first and second side walls and one of the front and rear walls, and wherein each folding tab is provided with a weakened portion coincident with each junction between the first or second side wall and the front or rear walls and each seam.

14. The package of claim 13 , wherein the one or more folding tabs are formed of a material selected from the group of: elastomeric bands, elastomeric strands, foam, nonwoven fibrous web, woven fibrous web, scrim, polymeric film, a bead of cured polymer, a line of cured polymer, and hot-melt adhesive formulation.

15. The package of claim 14 , wherein the one or more folding tabs have a first edge proximal to the top surface of the package and a second edge distal to the top surface of the package, and wherein the distance between the first edge and the top surface is less than 33% of a total height of the package.

16. The package of claim 13 , wherein each folding tab provided on one of the first and second side walls extends between one of the first and second seams and the front wall or the rear wall.

17. The package of claim 16 , wherein a first folding tab is provided on a first side surface, extending between the first seam and one of the front and rear walls and a second folding tab is provided on a second side wall, extending between the second seam and the other of the front and rear walls.

Assignees

• Procter & Gamble

Inventors

• Sheehan Astrid Annette

Classifications

• B65D75/5833

  for tearing out a portion of the wall · CPC title

• B65D2575/586

  with means for reclosing · CPC title

• B65D85/07

  for compressible or flexible articles (for wearing apparel B65D85/18) · CPC title

• B65D75/08

  with the ends of the tube closed by folding · CPC title

• B65D33/02 Primary

  Local reinforcements or stiffening inserts, e.g. wires, strings, strips or frames {(B65D33/007 takes precedence)} · CPC title