CA2224017A1 - Package comprising flexible packs of compressed articles - Google Patents
Package comprising flexible packs of compressed articles Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2224017A1 CA2224017A1 CA002224017A CA2224017A CA2224017A1 CA 2224017 A1 CA2224017 A1 CA 2224017A1 CA 002224017 A CA002224017 A CA 002224017A CA 2224017 A CA2224017 A CA 2224017A CA 2224017 A1 CA2224017 A1 CA 2224017A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- array
- wrapper
- package
- flexible
- top face
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 claims description 16
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 claims description 16
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 abstract description 4
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 abstract description 4
- 239000002390 adhesive tape Substances 0.000 description 7
- RTZKZFJDLAIYFH-UHFFFAOYSA-N Diethyl ether Chemical compound CCOCC RTZKZFJDLAIYFH-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 6
- 230000002745 absorbent Effects 0.000 description 4
- 239000002250 absorbent Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000000123 paper Substances 0.000 description 4
- 241000282320 Panthera leo Species 0.000 description 3
- 239000004698 Polyethylene Substances 0.000 description 3
- -1 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 3
- 229920000573 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 3
- 239000002699 waste material Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000003491 array Methods 0.000 description 2
- BSYNRYMUTXBXSQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Aspirin Chemical compound CC(=O)OC1=CC=CC=C1C(O)=O BSYNRYMUTXBXSQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000004831 Hot glue Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000018734 Sambucus australis Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 244000180577 Sambucus australis Species 0.000 description 1
- 230000032683 aging Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008602 contraction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000006866 deterioration Effects 0.000 description 1
- VKYKSIONXSXAKP-UHFFFAOYSA-N hexamethylenetetramine Chemical compound C1N(C2)CN3CN1CN2C3 VKYKSIONXSXAKP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000004806 packaging method and process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000630 rising effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D71/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans or pop bottles; Bales of material
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D73/00—Packages comprising articles attached to cards, sheets or webs
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D85/00—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials
- B65D85/07—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for compressible or flexible articles
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Packages (AREA)
- Packaging Of Annular Or Rod-Shaped Articles, Wearing Apparel, Cassettes, Or The Like (AREA)
- Auxiliary Devices For And Details Of Packaging Control (AREA)
- Making Paper Articles (AREA)
- Bag Frames (AREA)
- Buffer Packaging (AREA)
- Absorbent Articles And Supports Therefor (AREA)
Abstract
The invention relates to a package comprising an array (3) of flexible packs (5). Each pack comprises compressed flexible articles (7), such as disposable diapers. A flexible wrapper (19, 19', 20, 20') forms a tube extending along the side faces of the array (3) and being folded onto the top face of the array to provide a shape-stable configuration. The wrapper is maintained in its folded over configuration by patches or adhesive.
Description
Package Comprising Flexible Packs of Compressed Articles Field of the b-~e.,t o.-The invention relates to a packa~e comprisin~ an array of at least twosubstantially rectan~ular flexible packs, each pack cG,~ risi.,~ flexible articles which have been co---pressed in a direclion of compression to between 20% and 70% of their uncompressed volume oncased in a flexible ba~. The array co---pris~s four side faces, a top face and a bollo.-- face, and a wrapper w.~.pped around at least a part of the side faces of the array.
It is known to pack a plurality of flexible diaper ba~s in cardboard boxes. These boxes provide shape-stable packa~es which protecl the diaper ba~s durin~ transport and stora~e. A problem encountered when pacl~in,J a number of flexible ba~s in a cardboard box is that due to din-ensional varialions of the ba~s, the box has to be lar~er than the actual di---ensio-ns of its contenl~. In ~eneral, the cardboard box is about 4 standard devialions lar~er than the avera~e d;n-s.,sion of th ba~s. When the cardboard boxes containin~ the ba~s are stacked, the empty space in the cardboard boxes may cause the boxes to coll~se and the stacks to topple. To provide the cardboard boxes with surricicnt stability, these boxes are made of relatively thick material.
Fu.ll,er..ore, when the diaper ba~s are put onto the shelves of a store, the cardboard boxes are removed, which ~ives rise to a relatively lar~e amount of waste cardboard. After removal of the cardboard boxes, it is often difficult to arrange the unpacl~ed bags into a display confi~uration for sale.
A package comprising flexible packs is known from W0 94/00362. In this patent application a number of flexible diaper ba~s is formed into a package by means of detachable adhesive tapes, that are attached to each ba~. The packa~e containin~ multiple bags can be transported and stored as a unit, and a single ba~ can be dispensed from the package by detachin~ the tapes from the diaper ba~ that is to be taken from the packa~e, and re-attachin~ the adhesive tape to the remaining diaper bags.
The packagin~ of multiple diaper ba~ using adhesive tapes facilitates placing the diaper bags into a display and sale configuration.
Consumers can carry home a single package containing multiple diaper bags, or may take separate bags from the package. A disadvantage of the diaper packs comprising adhesive tapes is that the packaging method leaves the diaper bags relatively exposed. This may lead to damage to the polyethylene bags during storage or transport.
Fu. II-er-,-ore, the adhesive tapes provide relatively little support or reinforce.nent for ths bags during storage. When stacldng the diapsr bags that are allached by the adhesive tapes, these bags may bulge or otherwise deform which may cause a stack of packs to topple over.
Finally, upon removal of the tapes from the diaper bags, the printing on the bags or the ba~ ,--alerial may be damaged.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a package co,--"rising flexible ba~s which can be easily applied and removed.
It is anolller object of the present invention to provide a package which protecl~ and supports the flexible ba~s and which can be stacked in a stable configuration with other pac~a~es.
It is again anolher object of the present invention to provide for a package which is of economic construction and results in relatively little waste.
A p cl~a.J~ according to the prese,.l invGnlion co---~,r;sas a flexiblewrapper which forms a tube having a tube section extendin~ beyond the top face of the array of flexible ba~s. Thc tube section is folded transversely to the side faces to at least partly cover the top face and W O 96/41753 PCT~US96/07199 of the array of flexible bags. Attachment means maintain the folded-over tube section in its folded-over position.
The wrapper according to the invention forms a band around the side faces of the flexible diaper ba~s which keeps the flexible ba~s to~ether in a stable array. It has surprisingly been found that in this simple .-,anner, the bags containing compressed flexible articles can be formed into shape-stable packages. The folded-over section of the tube forms a flat, reinforcin~ element on either the top surface, the Lollul,- surface or both surfaces of the array which is maintained in its sub~l~nlially rectan~ular shape by the wrapper. The array can be stacked in a stable manner.
The term ~tube~ is intended to mean a closed, or endless band of flexible .naterial. The diameter of the tube may be larger or smaller than the height of the tube. The cross-section of the tube is substantially rectangular and has sli~htly rounded corners.
The term ~flexible w.apper~ is intended to mean a ~r~.apper that can be easily bent or draped without subslanlial folding or creasing. An example of a flexible ~"aLerial is paper of a basis weight below 200 g/m2, preferaL.ly in the range of 80 9/m2 - 130 9/m2.
By formin~ the bags in an array by means of a flexible wrapper insteaJ
of by a cardboard box of fixed di,-,ensio.ns, varialioils in the di.,.unsions of the ba~s can be easily compensated for during the packa~ing process, which can be carried out at an increased speed versus con.~s.,liûnal pacl~aging prccssses.
In case the flexible a, licles are formed by dispos~bl~ diapers, the outer dimensions of a package according to the invention can be reduced by about 15 % co."~,areJ to package comprising a cardboard box as an outer casing. When the ~acka~es of diaper bags according to the invention are put on a pallet of fixed dimensions, more diaper bags can be stacked than is possible when the diaper ba~s are pacl~ed in cardboard boxes, hence opli,.,ising the use of transport and storage space.
W O 96/41753 PCT~US96/07199 The flexible wrapper protects the side faces and top and bottom faces of the array of ba~s durin~ stora~e and transport and can be easily removed from the diaper bags when these are put on the shelves in a store. When a stack of a number of packa~es accordin~ to the invention, comprisin~ for instance diaper ba~s, is put up for sale, the wrapper can be easily removed from for insla~.ce the top most packa~es in such an array and results in relatively little waste.
In an embodiment accordin~ to the invention, the wrapper causes an additional compression of the array of ba~s in the direction of compression between 0.5% and 10%, preferably between 3 % and 7 % of the dimension of the array without the ~apper. By ti~htly wrappin~ the wrapper around the diaper ba~s such that an additional compression of the ba~s occurs, the stability of the array is improved without deterioration of the substar.lially rectan~ular shape of the array.
By adjustin~ the de~ree of co---,)ression of the wrapper durin~ the pacl~a~in~ process, dimensional va- ialiGns bel~rJeen dir~eren~ array may be co--.pensaled for to obtain arrays of a constant outer dimension.
In a preferred embodiment, a first tube seclion of the w.appar e~ nd beyond the top face of the array of flexible ba~s and is folded onto the top face. A second tube section extends beyond the bottom face, and is folded onto the bottom face, wherein the first and seco,.d tube SeCliGnS are mutually separalê parts. Each tube saclio,. forms a tray ~-~.-~ber, one of which can be rel..oved when the pAck~es are placed in a display- and sale confi~uration.
F~pcrci~lly stable arraVs of clearly defined outer dir.-ensions are fon~.ed when the wrapper is ror.ned by a relatively unexle.)sil,le material, such as a paper of a basis wei~ht between 80 ~/m2 and 130 ~/m2.
Plere(ably the w.ap~er extends not more than 5 %, most prererably not more than 0.5 % in len~th upon application around the array of ba~s.
Brief Desc,;~.t Dn of the Drawin~
W O 96/41753 PCT~US96/07199 The invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanyin~ drawin~s. In the drawin~s:
Fi~ure 1 shows a pack comprisin~ compressed flexible a,licles in a flexible ba~, Figure 2 shows an array comprised of three ba~s of the type as shown in fi~ure 1, held to~ether by a flexible wrapper, Figure 3 shows a top plan view of the package of fi~ure 2, Fi~ure 4 shows an array of three flexible ba~s held to~ether by an upper and a lower wrapper, Fi~ure 5 shows an embodiment wherein the wrapper exlends alon~ a major part of the side faces of the flexible ba~s, Fi~ure 6 shows an embodiment wherein the wrapper covers the bottom and top surfaces of the array of flexible ba~s, the wrapper bein~ provided with a line of perfo~lions and/or windows or slits.
Fi~ure 7 shows an embodiment wherein both the side faces and the top and lollG.m faces of the array of flexible ba~s are covered by a w,apper accordin~ to the invention, and Fi~ure 8 shows an embodiment wherein the arrays of flexible articles are compressed by the wrapper between by 0.5 and 10 percent of the uncompressed d;...e-,sion of the ba~s.
Detailed D~sc.iplio,- of the Inve..t o-.
Fi~ure 1 shows a flexible pack 5 comprisin~ a flexible polyethylene ba~ 4 containin~ compressed absorbent a. liClGS 7. The absorbent a- licles 7 may co.-,~rise disposable diapers, ir.cor,linence pads or inco"~inence briefs, sanitary napkins and the like. The articles 7 are compressed to between 20 and 70 percent of their u"compressed volume in a direction of compression, indicated as C. Compression W O 96/41753 PCT~US96/07199 forces acting upon the absorbent articles durin~ compression may range between 1000 and 2000 kg.
In the bag 4 of fi~ure 1, dispos~ble diapers are comprised the direction of compression C correspondin~ to the longitudinal dimension of the ba~ 4. Between 10 and 50 compressed diapers may be comprised in the ba~ 4. The diapers may be solely comprised in a flexible bag which is made of for instance polyethylene of a thicl~..ess of between 30 and 120 micrometer.
During lrans~ort and stora~e, the diaper bags 4 will be stacl~ed such that a load L is applied to a top face of the bags or to a side face, such that the dire-;lion of the load is pe.~,enclicular to the direction of compression C. The diaper bags 4 are relatively incompressiblQ in directions perpendicular to the direction of compression C.
In another e.,lbodiment, such as described in EP-A-0 618 148, an additional paper sleeve is wrapped around the diapers to take up the ex~a.-sion force. A flexible bag is placed around the sleeved stack of diapers. A ")ell,GJ of co""~ression packin~ of diapers into flexible ba~s has been described in detail in US-pa~e.,ts No's 4,934 535, 4 966 286, 5 022,216, 5,050 742 and 5 150 561 .
Figure 2 shows a pz.lially col"pleted pack~e 1 . ~cording to the invention cG",prising an array 3 for"~e(l by three flexible packs 5 of the type as shown in figure 1.
A flexible wrapper 19 is wrapped around the side faces 9, 11 of the array 3. The w~apper 19 is formed by a flexible ",a~erial such as paper or a lherl,.oplasl;c film and forms a tube. The v~,.apper 19 is maintained in a tubular configuration by a seam 20. The wrapper 19 comprises a tube section 21 which extends beyond the top surface 15 of the array 3, which has a height indicated by H in figure 2. The tube section 21 of tubular wrapper 19 comprises 4 subseclions 25 27, 29 and 31. The tubular wrapper 19 extends along a length H' of the height H of the array. The length H' com~)rises at least 30 % of the height H in order to obtain a stable package.
Each subsection 25, 27, 29 and 31 is bounded by corner fold lines 40. The tube sections 25 and 29 comprise two dia~onal fold lines 36 and 37 extendin~ from the corner fold lines 40 to a free ed~e 32. The two subsections 27 and 31 are folded alon~ the fold line 38 which coincides with the upper peripheral ed~e of the array 3. The subsections 25 and 29 are folded along the foldline 38 and alon~ the dia~onal foldlines 36 and 37. rreferably the wrapper 19 does not extend more than 5 %, more preferably not more than 0.5 % of its len~th upon wrappin~ around the array 3 of bags.
Fi~ure 3 shows a top plan view of the array 3 after foldin~-over the tube section 21. The sub sections 25, 27, 29 and 31 of the wrapper 19 are ~llainlained in an overlappin~ position by means of palcl-es Qf adhesive 41. The aJhesive 41 may comprise a hot melt adhesive or a pressure s~nsili~e adhesive as supplied by the Findley Company.
Instead of adhesive attachment, the wrapper may be mainlained in a folded confi~uration by means of weldin~, heat sealin~ or adhesive tapes.
The area of the top face 15 of the array 3 that is covcred by the tube section 21 can be varied by varyin~ the len~th by which the tube section 21 extends beyond the top surface 15 of the array 3 .
A .nell)od of allachin~ the wrapper 19 around the packs 5 may be derived by modifyin~ the process described in EP-B-0477427. In this patent it is ~Jescril,6d that carton boxes may be packed by a wrapper which is folded onto the top or bottom faces of an array of boxes. It has been surprisin~ly found that such a melllGd can be employed for paclra~in~ flexible packs into shape-stable packa~es.
Fi~ure 4 shows an embodiment wherein the array 3 of flexible packs 5 comprises a w,apper 19 across the top surfaces 15 and a similar wrapper 19' coverin~ the bottom surface 17. The packa~es accordin~ to the invention can be stacked one onto the other as the folded over tube sections 21 stabilise the load bearin~ surfaces of the packa~es. The packa~e of figure 4 allows co,-,~aclion of the packa~e in the direction of the loadin~ force, L, without loss of stability of the pacl~ e. This is so because both wrappers 19,19' can move in the direction of the loadin~ force L allowin~ contraction and expansion of the flexible packs without causing additional strain or slack in the wrappers.
The packa~es 1 form an all,acli~e display confi~uration as the packs 5 are still visible without removal of the wrappers 19 and 19' . A
stack of packs 5 can be placed in a sales confi~uration by removin~
the w.appers 19 from the topmost packs 1 in such a stack. This can be done by simply lifting off the wrapper 19, which forms a tray-like member.
Fi~ure 5 shows an embodiment of a packa~e 1 wherein a sin~le flexible wrapper 19 e~-le.)ds across a relatively lar~e part of the side faces 9, 11 of the array 3. It has been found that in order to obtain a sl.zpe stable pacl~a~e, at least 30 % of the hei~ht of the array 3 is to be covar~d by the wrapper 19, but that a hei~ht N of about 5 % of the hei~ht H needs to remain to remain uncovGred to allow for co.,.pa~lion of the ba~s in the direction of the load L.
Fi~ure 6 shows an e.,lbGdiment wherein the array 3 is completely en~(apped in a sin~le wrapper 19 coverin~ the top surface 15 and the lower surface 17 of the array 3. The side surfaces 9 and 11 of the wrapper 19 maybe provided with a slit 43 or a line of perforation 45, for easy removal of the wrapper 19.
Fi~ure 7 shows an embodiment wherein the package 1 comprises four wrappers 19, 19 ', 20, 20 ', coverin~ the top and bottom faces 15 and 17 and the side faces 9 and 12 of the array 3.
In the embodiment of fi~ure 8, the wrappers 19, 19 ' compress the array of absorbent ...licles between 0.5 and 10 per cent. The de~ree of compression may for instance be measured by col"parin~ the dimension L2 with the dimension L1 in fi~ure 8 and taking for the degree of co,npression: ~L2 - L1 ) / L2.
W O 96/41753 PC~US96/07199 It has been found that by providing an additional de~ree of compression by application of the wrappers 19,19 ', the shape stability of the array is improved. An array comprisin~ 3 ba~s each containin~ 28 compressed diapers, at about 48 % compression, each ba~ measurin~ 27 cm x 16.5 cm x 10.5 cm was able to bear a load of about 1400 N in the direction L before becomin~ unstable.
In a packa~e accordin~ to the invention multiple diaper ba~s may be placed one onto the other. The wrapper 19 should have in such a sufficient hei~ht H' to cover at least 30 % of the hei~ht of each individual ba~ and should cover at least 50 % of the total hei~ht of the stacked ba~s. !n a preferred embodiment, the wrapper 19 is completely or partially transparent to display the print of the ba~s 4
It is known to pack a plurality of flexible diaper ba~s in cardboard boxes. These boxes provide shape-stable packa~es which protecl the diaper ba~s durin~ transport and stora~e. A problem encountered when pacl~in,J a number of flexible ba~s in a cardboard box is that due to din-ensional varialions of the ba~s, the box has to be lar~er than the actual di---ensio-ns of its contenl~. In ~eneral, the cardboard box is about 4 standard devialions lar~er than the avera~e d;n-s.,sion of th ba~s. When the cardboard boxes containin~ the ba~s are stacked, the empty space in the cardboard boxes may cause the boxes to coll~se and the stacks to topple. To provide the cardboard boxes with surricicnt stability, these boxes are made of relatively thick material.
Fu.ll,er..ore, when the diaper ba~s are put onto the shelves of a store, the cardboard boxes are removed, which ~ives rise to a relatively lar~e amount of waste cardboard. After removal of the cardboard boxes, it is often difficult to arrange the unpacl~ed bags into a display confi~uration for sale.
A package comprising flexible packs is known from W0 94/00362. In this patent application a number of flexible diaper ba~s is formed into a package by means of detachable adhesive tapes, that are attached to each ba~. The packa~e containin~ multiple bags can be transported and stored as a unit, and a single ba~ can be dispensed from the package by detachin~ the tapes from the diaper ba~ that is to be taken from the packa~e, and re-attachin~ the adhesive tape to the remaining diaper bags.
The packagin~ of multiple diaper ba~ using adhesive tapes facilitates placing the diaper bags into a display and sale configuration.
Consumers can carry home a single package containing multiple diaper bags, or may take separate bags from the package. A disadvantage of the diaper packs comprising adhesive tapes is that the packaging method leaves the diaper bags relatively exposed. This may lead to damage to the polyethylene bags during storage or transport.
Fu. II-er-,-ore, the adhesive tapes provide relatively little support or reinforce.nent for ths bags during storage. When stacldng the diapsr bags that are allached by the adhesive tapes, these bags may bulge or otherwise deform which may cause a stack of packs to topple over.
Finally, upon removal of the tapes from the diaper bags, the printing on the bags or the ba~ ,--alerial may be damaged.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a package co,--"rising flexible ba~s which can be easily applied and removed.
It is anolller object of the present invention to provide a package which protecl~ and supports the flexible ba~s and which can be stacked in a stable configuration with other pac~a~es.
It is again anolher object of the present invention to provide for a package which is of economic construction and results in relatively little waste.
A p cl~a.J~ according to the prese,.l invGnlion co---~,r;sas a flexiblewrapper which forms a tube having a tube section extendin~ beyond the top face of the array of flexible ba~s. Thc tube section is folded transversely to the side faces to at least partly cover the top face and W O 96/41753 PCT~US96/07199 of the array of flexible bags. Attachment means maintain the folded-over tube section in its folded-over position.
The wrapper according to the invention forms a band around the side faces of the flexible diaper ba~s which keeps the flexible ba~s to~ether in a stable array. It has surprisingly been found that in this simple .-,anner, the bags containing compressed flexible articles can be formed into shape-stable packages. The folded-over section of the tube forms a flat, reinforcin~ element on either the top surface, the Lollul,- surface or both surfaces of the array which is maintained in its sub~l~nlially rectan~ular shape by the wrapper. The array can be stacked in a stable manner.
The term ~tube~ is intended to mean a closed, or endless band of flexible .naterial. The diameter of the tube may be larger or smaller than the height of the tube. The cross-section of the tube is substantially rectangular and has sli~htly rounded corners.
The term ~flexible w.apper~ is intended to mean a ~r~.apper that can be easily bent or draped without subslanlial folding or creasing. An example of a flexible ~"aLerial is paper of a basis weight below 200 g/m2, preferaL.ly in the range of 80 9/m2 - 130 9/m2.
By formin~ the bags in an array by means of a flexible wrapper insteaJ
of by a cardboard box of fixed di,-,ensio.ns, varialioils in the di.,.unsions of the ba~s can be easily compensated for during the packa~ing process, which can be carried out at an increased speed versus con.~s.,liûnal pacl~aging prccssses.
In case the flexible a, licles are formed by dispos~bl~ diapers, the outer dimensions of a package according to the invention can be reduced by about 15 % co."~,areJ to package comprising a cardboard box as an outer casing. When the ~acka~es of diaper bags according to the invention are put on a pallet of fixed dimensions, more diaper bags can be stacked than is possible when the diaper ba~s are pacl~ed in cardboard boxes, hence opli,.,ising the use of transport and storage space.
W O 96/41753 PCT~US96/07199 The flexible wrapper protects the side faces and top and bottom faces of the array of ba~s durin~ stora~e and transport and can be easily removed from the diaper bags when these are put on the shelves in a store. When a stack of a number of packa~es accordin~ to the invention, comprisin~ for instance diaper ba~s, is put up for sale, the wrapper can be easily removed from for insla~.ce the top most packa~es in such an array and results in relatively little waste.
In an embodiment accordin~ to the invention, the wrapper causes an additional compression of the array of ba~s in the direction of compression between 0.5% and 10%, preferably between 3 % and 7 % of the dimension of the array without the ~apper. By ti~htly wrappin~ the wrapper around the diaper ba~s such that an additional compression of the ba~s occurs, the stability of the array is improved without deterioration of the substar.lially rectan~ular shape of the array.
By adjustin~ the de~ree of co---,)ression of the wrapper durin~ the pacl~a~in~ process, dimensional va- ialiGns bel~rJeen dir~eren~ array may be co--.pensaled for to obtain arrays of a constant outer dimension.
In a preferred embodiment, a first tube seclion of the w.appar e~ nd beyond the top face of the array of flexible ba~s and is folded onto the top face. A second tube section extends beyond the bottom face, and is folded onto the bottom face, wherein the first and seco,.d tube SeCliGnS are mutually separalê parts. Each tube saclio,. forms a tray ~-~.-~ber, one of which can be rel..oved when the pAck~es are placed in a display- and sale confi~uration.
F~pcrci~lly stable arraVs of clearly defined outer dir.-ensions are fon~.ed when the wrapper is ror.ned by a relatively unexle.)sil,le material, such as a paper of a basis wei~ht between 80 ~/m2 and 130 ~/m2.
Plere(ably the w.ap~er extends not more than 5 %, most prererably not more than 0.5 % in len~th upon application around the array of ba~s.
Brief Desc,;~.t Dn of the Drawin~
W O 96/41753 PCT~US96/07199 The invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanyin~ drawin~s. In the drawin~s:
Fi~ure 1 shows a pack comprisin~ compressed flexible a,licles in a flexible ba~, Figure 2 shows an array comprised of three ba~s of the type as shown in fi~ure 1, held to~ether by a flexible wrapper, Figure 3 shows a top plan view of the package of fi~ure 2, Fi~ure 4 shows an array of three flexible ba~s held to~ether by an upper and a lower wrapper, Fi~ure 5 shows an embodiment wherein the wrapper exlends alon~ a major part of the side faces of the flexible ba~s, Fi~ure 6 shows an embodiment wherein the wrapper covers the bottom and top surfaces of the array of flexible ba~s, the wrapper bein~ provided with a line of perfo~lions and/or windows or slits.
Fi~ure 7 shows an embodiment wherein both the side faces and the top and lollG.m faces of the array of flexible ba~s are covered by a w,apper accordin~ to the invention, and Fi~ure 8 shows an embodiment wherein the arrays of flexible articles are compressed by the wrapper between by 0.5 and 10 percent of the uncompressed d;...e-,sion of the ba~s.
Detailed D~sc.iplio,- of the Inve..t o-.
Fi~ure 1 shows a flexible pack 5 comprisin~ a flexible polyethylene ba~ 4 containin~ compressed absorbent a. liClGS 7. The absorbent a- licles 7 may co.-,~rise disposable diapers, ir.cor,linence pads or inco"~inence briefs, sanitary napkins and the like. The articles 7 are compressed to between 20 and 70 percent of their u"compressed volume in a direction of compression, indicated as C. Compression W O 96/41753 PCT~US96/07199 forces acting upon the absorbent articles durin~ compression may range between 1000 and 2000 kg.
In the bag 4 of fi~ure 1, dispos~ble diapers are comprised the direction of compression C correspondin~ to the longitudinal dimension of the ba~ 4. Between 10 and 50 compressed diapers may be comprised in the ba~ 4. The diapers may be solely comprised in a flexible bag which is made of for instance polyethylene of a thicl~..ess of between 30 and 120 micrometer.
During lrans~ort and stora~e, the diaper bags 4 will be stacl~ed such that a load L is applied to a top face of the bags or to a side face, such that the dire-;lion of the load is pe.~,enclicular to the direction of compression C. The diaper bags 4 are relatively incompressiblQ in directions perpendicular to the direction of compression C.
In another e.,lbodiment, such as described in EP-A-0 618 148, an additional paper sleeve is wrapped around the diapers to take up the ex~a.-sion force. A flexible bag is placed around the sleeved stack of diapers. A ")ell,GJ of co""~ression packin~ of diapers into flexible ba~s has been described in detail in US-pa~e.,ts No's 4,934 535, 4 966 286, 5 022,216, 5,050 742 and 5 150 561 .
Figure 2 shows a pz.lially col"pleted pack~e 1 . ~cording to the invention cG",prising an array 3 for"~e(l by three flexible packs 5 of the type as shown in figure 1.
A flexible wrapper 19 is wrapped around the side faces 9, 11 of the array 3. The w~apper 19 is formed by a flexible ",a~erial such as paper or a lherl,.oplasl;c film and forms a tube. The v~,.apper 19 is maintained in a tubular configuration by a seam 20. The wrapper 19 comprises a tube section 21 which extends beyond the top surface 15 of the array 3, which has a height indicated by H in figure 2. The tube section 21 of tubular wrapper 19 comprises 4 subseclions 25 27, 29 and 31. The tubular wrapper 19 extends along a length H' of the height H of the array. The length H' com~)rises at least 30 % of the height H in order to obtain a stable package.
Each subsection 25, 27, 29 and 31 is bounded by corner fold lines 40. The tube sections 25 and 29 comprise two dia~onal fold lines 36 and 37 extendin~ from the corner fold lines 40 to a free ed~e 32. The two subsections 27 and 31 are folded alon~ the fold line 38 which coincides with the upper peripheral ed~e of the array 3. The subsections 25 and 29 are folded along the foldline 38 and alon~ the dia~onal foldlines 36 and 37. rreferably the wrapper 19 does not extend more than 5 %, more preferably not more than 0.5 % of its len~th upon wrappin~ around the array 3 of bags.
Fi~ure 3 shows a top plan view of the array 3 after foldin~-over the tube section 21. The sub sections 25, 27, 29 and 31 of the wrapper 19 are ~llainlained in an overlappin~ position by means of palcl-es Qf adhesive 41. The aJhesive 41 may comprise a hot melt adhesive or a pressure s~nsili~e adhesive as supplied by the Findley Company.
Instead of adhesive attachment, the wrapper may be mainlained in a folded confi~uration by means of weldin~, heat sealin~ or adhesive tapes.
The area of the top face 15 of the array 3 that is covcred by the tube section 21 can be varied by varyin~ the len~th by which the tube section 21 extends beyond the top surface 15 of the array 3 .
A .nell)od of allachin~ the wrapper 19 around the packs 5 may be derived by modifyin~ the process described in EP-B-0477427. In this patent it is ~Jescril,6d that carton boxes may be packed by a wrapper which is folded onto the top or bottom faces of an array of boxes. It has been surprisin~ly found that such a melllGd can be employed for paclra~in~ flexible packs into shape-stable packa~es.
Fi~ure 4 shows an embodiment wherein the array 3 of flexible packs 5 comprises a w,apper 19 across the top surfaces 15 and a similar wrapper 19' coverin~ the bottom surface 17. The packa~es accordin~ to the invention can be stacked one onto the other as the folded over tube sections 21 stabilise the load bearin~ surfaces of the packa~es. The packa~e of figure 4 allows co,-,~aclion of the packa~e in the direction of the loadin~ force, L, without loss of stability of the pacl~ e. This is so because both wrappers 19,19' can move in the direction of the loadin~ force L allowin~ contraction and expansion of the flexible packs without causing additional strain or slack in the wrappers.
The packa~es 1 form an all,acli~e display confi~uration as the packs 5 are still visible without removal of the wrappers 19 and 19' . A
stack of packs 5 can be placed in a sales confi~uration by removin~
the w.appers 19 from the topmost packs 1 in such a stack. This can be done by simply lifting off the wrapper 19, which forms a tray-like member.
Fi~ure 5 shows an embodiment of a packa~e 1 wherein a sin~le flexible wrapper 19 e~-le.)ds across a relatively lar~e part of the side faces 9, 11 of the array 3. It has been found that in order to obtain a sl.zpe stable pacl~a~e, at least 30 % of the hei~ht of the array 3 is to be covar~d by the wrapper 19, but that a hei~ht N of about 5 % of the hei~ht H needs to remain to remain uncovGred to allow for co.,.pa~lion of the ba~s in the direction of the load L.
Fi~ure 6 shows an e.,lbGdiment wherein the array 3 is completely en~(apped in a sin~le wrapper 19 coverin~ the top surface 15 and the lower surface 17 of the array 3. The side surfaces 9 and 11 of the wrapper 19 maybe provided with a slit 43 or a line of perforation 45, for easy removal of the wrapper 19.
Fi~ure 7 shows an embodiment wherein the package 1 comprises four wrappers 19, 19 ', 20, 20 ', coverin~ the top and bottom faces 15 and 17 and the side faces 9 and 12 of the array 3.
In the embodiment of fi~ure 8, the wrappers 19, 19 ' compress the array of absorbent ...licles between 0.5 and 10 per cent. The de~ree of compression may for instance be measured by col"parin~ the dimension L2 with the dimension L1 in fi~ure 8 and taking for the degree of co,npression: ~L2 - L1 ) / L2.
W O 96/41753 PC~US96/07199 It has been found that by providing an additional de~ree of compression by application of the wrappers 19,19 ', the shape stability of the array is improved. An array comprisin~ 3 ba~s each containin~ 28 compressed diapers, at about 48 % compression, each ba~ measurin~ 27 cm x 16.5 cm x 10.5 cm was able to bear a load of about 1400 N in the direction L before becomin~ unstable.
In a packa~e accordin~ to the invention multiple diaper ba~s may be placed one onto the other. The wrapper 19 should have in such a sufficient hei~ht H' to cover at least 30 % of the hei~ht of each individual ba~ and should cover at least 50 % of the total hei~ht of the stacked ba~s. !n a preferred embodiment, the wrapper 19 is completely or partially transparent to display the print of the ba~s 4
Claims (10)
1. Package (1) comprising - an array (3) of at least two substantially rectangular flexible packs (5), each pack comprising flexible articles (7) which have been compressed in a direction of compression to between 20% and 70%
of their uncompressed volume encased in a flexible bag (4),the array (3) comprising four side faces (9,11,12),a top face (15) and a bottom face (17), - a flexible wrapper (19,19',20,20') wrapped around at least a part of the side faces of the array, the wrapper forming a tube having a tube section (21) extending beyond the top face (15) of the array, to at least partly cover the top face (15), and - attachment means (41) for maintaining the folder-over tube section (21) in its folder over position.
of their uncompressed volume encased in a flexible bag (4),the array (3) comprising four side faces (9,11,12),a top face (15) and a bottom face (17), - a flexible wrapper (19,19',20,20') wrapped around at least a part of the side faces of the array, the wrapper forming a tube having a tube section (21) extending beyond the top face (15) of the array, to at least partly cover the top face (15), and - attachment means (41) for maintaining the folder-over tube section (21) in its folder over position.
2. Package according to claim 1 , wherein the top face (15) of the array is generally parallel to the direction of compression.
3. Package according to any of the previous claim , wherein the wrapper (19,19',20,20') comprises a relatively unextensible material, which does not extend more than 5%, preferably not more that 0.5 % in length upon wrapping around the array (3).
4. Package (1) according to claim 1,2 or 3 wherein the wrapper (19,19',20,20') causes an additional compressed of the array (3) in the direction of compression of the articles (7) between 0.5% and 10% of the dimension of the array (3) without the wrapper.
5. Package (1) according to any of the previous claim , wherein the tube section (21) comprises four substantially rectangular subsections (25,27,29,31), each subsection comprising a free edge (32) and being bound by two corner fold lines (40) extending parallel to the side faces(9,11,12) towards the free edges (32), an oppositely located first and second subsection ((25,29) each comprising two diagonal fold lines (36,37) extending from the corner fold lines (40) to the free edge (32) of each subsection, wherein oppositely located third and fourth subsections (27,31), are folded parallel to the top face (15) of the array (3) along their corner fold lines (40), the first and second subsections (25,29) being folded parallel to the top face (15) of the array along their corner fold lines (40) and along their diagonal fold lines (36,37).
6. Package (1) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the first and second subsections (25,29) are adhesively attached to the third and forth subsections (27,31).
7. Package (1) according to any of the previous claims, wherein a first tube section of the wrapper extends beyond the top face and is folded onto the top face and a second tube Section extends beyond the bottom face, and is folded onto the bottom face.
8. Package according to claim 7, wherein the first and second tube sections are mutually separate parts.
9. Method according to any of the previous claims wherein the wrapper (19,19',20,20') comprises paper of a basis weight smaller than 200 g/m2.
10. Method according to any of the previous claims wherein the wrapper (19, 19', 20, 21') extends along at least 30 % of the height of the array (3).
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| EP95108947.3 | 1995-06-10 | ||
| EP95108947A EP0747295B1 (en) | 1995-06-10 | 1995-06-10 | Package comprising at least two substantially rectangular flexible packs of compressed articles |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2224017A1 true CA2224017A1 (en) | 1996-12-27 |
Family
ID=8219347
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002224017A Abandoned CA2224017A1 (en) | 1995-06-10 | 1996-05-17 | Package comprising flexible packs of compressed articles |
Country Status (10)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0747295B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JPH11507613A (en) |
| KR (1) | KR100303055B1 (en) |
| AT (1) | ATE178863T1 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU699539B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2224017A1 (en) |
| DE (2) | DE69509077T2 (en) |
| ES (2) | ES2129705T3 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1996041753A1 (en) |
| ZA (1) | ZA964930B (en) |
Families Citing this family (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US20040167489A1 (en) | 2003-02-14 | 2004-08-26 | Kellenberger Stanley R. | Compact absorbent article |
| DE10336721A1 (en) * | 2003-08-11 | 2005-03-17 | Anastasia Milona | Protective covering for luggage consists of shrink film or stretch foil sealed by welding or adhesive, which is destroyed when removed |
| WO2010046098A1 (en) | 2008-10-24 | 2010-04-29 | Saudi Basic Industries Corporation | Multi layer film |
| BE1021295B1 (en) * | 2013-08-06 | 2015-10-23 | Ontex Bvba | IMPROVED PACKAGING METHOD AND DEVICE |
| NZ742568A (en) | 2015-12-18 | 2023-06-30 | Essity Hygiene & Health Ab | Transport package for individual packages of absorbent tissue paper material |
| EP4261150A1 (en) | 2022-04-12 | 2023-10-18 | Ontex BV | Improved cardboard packaging |
Family Cites Families (15)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US2047809A (en) * | 1936-01-31 | 1936-07-14 | Fed Container Company | Box |
| US3826363A (en) * | 1972-03-28 | 1974-07-30 | Procter & Gamble | Storage and display package |
| CA1194453A (en) * | 1983-09-14 | 1985-10-01 | Phillip W. Blackmore | Bales of bagged batts |
| US5022216A (en) | 1989-04-04 | 1991-06-11 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Method and apparatus for making easy open flexible bag filled with compressed flexible articles |
| US4934535A (en) | 1989-04-04 | 1990-06-19 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Easy open flexible bag filled with compressed flexible articles and method and apparatus for making same |
| US4966286A (en) | 1989-06-26 | 1990-10-30 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Easy open flexible bag |
| US4946093A (en) * | 1989-09-12 | 1990-08-07 | Nekoosa Packaging Corporation | Half slotted container lid with self-locking double side panels |
| US5150561A (en) | 1989-12-15 | 1992-09-29 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Method for making side opening flexible bag with longitudinally oriented carrying handle secured to side panels |
| US5054619A (en) * | 1989-12-15 | 1991-10-08 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Side opening flexible bag with longitudinally oriented carrying handle secured to side panels |
| DE4106972A1 (en) * | 1990-03-06 | 1991-09-12 | Oloflex Flexible Spezialfolie | Packing bales into container - involves hollow deformable core and inserting bales are inserted into square container |
| EP0477427A1 (en) | 1990-09-28 | 1992-04-01 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Gas-laser with narrow tolerances for output performance |
| US5050742A (en) | 1990-11-02 | 1991-09-24 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Easy opening package containing compressed flexible articles |
| IT1259583B (en) | 1992-06-19 | 1996-03-20 | Gianfranco Palumbo | PACKAGING FOR PACKS, FOR EXAMPLE PACKAGES OF SANITARY SANITARY PRODUCTS. |
| US5271498A (en) * | 1992-09-14 | 1993-12-21 | Ibc Group, Inc. | Mattress packaging system |
| ES2108860T3 (en) | 1993-03-30 | 1998-01-01 | Procter & Gamble | STACKED BATTERIES FOR COMPACT PACKAGING OF FLEXIBLE ITEMS. |
-
1995
- 1995-06-10 AT AT95108947T patent/ATE178863T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1995-06-10 EP EP95108947A patent/EP0747295B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1995-06-10 ES ES95108947T patent/ES2129705T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1995-06-10 DE DE69509077T patent/DE69509077T2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1996
- 1996-03-27 DE DE69602682T patent/DE69602682T2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1996-03-27 ES ES96104831T patent/ES2132797T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1996-05-17 CA CA002224017A patent/CA2224017A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1996-05-17 AU AU58643/96A patent/AU699539B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1996-05-17 KR KR1019970709238A patent/KR100303055B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1996-05-17 WO PCT/US1996/007199 patent/WO1996041753A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 1996-05-17 JP JP9503064A patent/JPH11507613A/en active Pending
- 1996-06-10 ZA ZA964930A patent/ZA964930B/en unknown
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AU699539B2 (en) | 1998-12-03 |
| DE69602682T2 (en) | 1999-12-16 |
| KR19990022771A (en) | 1999-03-25 |
| DE69509077D1 (en) | 1999-05-20 |
| ATE178863T1 (en) | 1999-04-15 |
| EP0747295B1 (en) | 1999-04-14 |
| KR100303055B1 (en) | 2001-11-02 |
| WO1996041753A1 (en) | 1996-12-27 |
| JPH11507613A (en) | 1999-07-06 |
| MX9709933A (en) | 1998-03-29 |
| AU5864396A (en) | 1997-01-09 |
| DE69509077T2 (en) | 1999-10-14 |
| DE69602682D1 (en) | 1999-07-08 |
| EP0747295A1 (en) | 1996-12-11 |
| ZA964930B (en) | 1997-01-24 |
| ES2129705T3 (en) | 1999-06-16 |
| ES2132797T3 (en) | 1999-08-16 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Discontinued |