GB2419123A

GB2419123A - A nappy kit package

Info

Publication number: GB2419123A
Application number: GB0422807A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Eliza Connolly
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-10-14
Filing date: 2004-10-14
Publication date: 2006-04-19
Also published as: GB0422807D0

Abstract

A nappy kit package comprises a disposable nappy 5, a disposable nappy bag 2, and one or more nappy wipes 4, wherein the nappy, bag and wipe(s) are disposed in layered, rolled-up, orientation, wherein at least a substantial proportion of the exposed surface of the roll is formed by a face of the bag. The wipe(s) may be contained within the nappy bag, thereby keeping them moist. A process for producing the package of the invention is also described. The package may be held rolled-up by an adhesive strip 12.

Description

1 A NAPPY KIT PACKAGE, AND METHODS OF PRODUCTION THEREOF

3 TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a nappy kit package 6 comprising a disposable nappy, a disposable nappy 7 bag, and at least one nappy wipe. The invention also 8 relates to a method of producing a nappy kit 9 package.

11 BACKGROUND ART

13 Disposable pappies are known and are generally sold 14 in a flat folded orientation wrapped in an external container such as a cardboard box or a plastic 16 sheath. Generally, each container contains between 17 10 and 50 pappies. Nappy bags are also known and are 18 usually sold in a box in which the bags are packaged 19 in the same manner as tissues are packaged, wherein removal of a bag results in a portion of the 21 succeeding bag being partially removed from a mouth 1 of the box. Nappy bags of this type are sold under 2 the brand names Comfies and Babykind. Nappy bag 3 boxes usually contain between 50 and 100 nappy bags, 4 each bag consisting of a thin, waterproof, polymeric material having handles for tying the bag after a 6 soiled nappy has been deposited therein. Nappy 7 wipes are also well known and are generally packaged 8 in a plastic wrapping in the same manner as nappy 9 bags. Most nappy wipes (or baby wipes) consist of thin, non-woven, fabric towels which carry an 11 aqueous mixture of water, surfactant and perfume.

12 An example of such nappy wipes are sold under the 13 brand names Pampers and Huggies.

When changing a nappy of a baby or an infant, the 16 nappy is first removed from the child, and one or 17 more wipes are used to clean the child, before the 18 soiled nappy and wipes are placed into the nappy 19 bag. The bag is then tied shut using the handles, and disposed of in a suitable waste disposal. While 21 this process is relatively straightforward, it does 22 require the nappy changer to have the nappy 23 container, the nappy bag container, and the nappy 24 wipe container, close to hand. When any of the nappy, bag or wipes are not to hand, the user is 26 required to locate them before changing the nappy.

27 Changing the nappy without the nappy bags to hand 28 results in the soiled nappy and wipes being left 29 beside the child while the bags are located. This is obviously an undesirable situation.

1 An additional problem associated with changing a 2 child's nappy arises when the child is taken out of 3 its home. This generally requires a carer to bring 4 several pappies, a number of nappy bags, and the package of wipes with them when leaving the house 6 which, given the size and weight of the various 7 boxes and packages, is often not practical. It is 8 also often an inconvenience to have to find the 9 various packages when leaving the house, especially if one is in a hurry. Added to this, when actually 11 changing the nappy outside the home, all the 12 components required need to be removed from the bag 13 in which they are carried, and then removed from 14 their individual packaging, before use. This can be a stressful task, especially when it takes place in 16 an unfamiliar environment.

18 It is an object of the invention to overcome at 19 least some of the above-referenced problems.

21 STATEMENTS OF INVENTION

23 According to the invention, there is provided a 24 method of producing a nappy kit package, the nappy kit package comprising a disposable nappy, a 26 disposable nappy bag, and one or more nappy wipes, 27 the method comprising the steps of arranging the 28 nappy, bag and wipe(s) in a substantially flat, 29 layered, relationship, rolling up the layered nappy, bag and wipe(s) to form a roll such that a 31 substantial proportion of the exposed surface of the 1 roll is formed by a face of the bag, and securing 2 the roll in a rolled-up orientation.

4 The provision of the three components required to change a nappy in a compact package makes carrying 6 of the package easy, i.e. one or two rolls would 7 easily fit inside a handbag, thereby obviating the 8 need to carry large and weighty packaging around.

9 Further, simply unrolling the package provides all the components required to change a nappy and 11 dispose of the soiled nappy and wipes. This 12 obviates the need to remove the different components 13 from their respective packaging. Producing a 14 rolled-up layer of nappy, bag and wipe(s) with the bag forming a substantial outside surface of the 16 roll results in the wipes being retained within the 17 roll with the result that the wipes retain a large 18 proportion, if not all, of their moisture.

19 Typically, the wipe(s) are sandwiched between the bag and the nappy. It is preferred when placing a 21 wipe, or layer of wipes, on top of a bag, that no 22 part of the wipe(s) extend(s) beyond a side of the 23 bag. This is generally ensured by folding the wipe, 24 or layer of wipes, such that a surface area of a face of the thus- folded wipe(s) is smaller than a 26 surface area of a face of a flattened nappy bag.

28 Ideally, the rolling-up step provides a compact 29 roll.

31 Although the invention is defined in terms of 32 rolling up the layers to form a roll, it should be 1 appreciated that a similar effect could be achieved 2 by compactly folding the layered bag, wipe(s) and 3 nappy to form a compact package.

In a preferred embodiment, the wipe(s) are placed 6 within the bag, wherein the nappy is generally 7 placed upon the bag with the wipe(s) contained 8 therein. Typically, each face of the wipe, or each 9 face of a layer of wipes, is covered by an interior surface of the bag. It has been surprisingly 11 discovered that the wipes adhere closely to the 12 interior faces of the bag thereby retaining moisture 13 in the wipes by keeping air away from the surface of 14 the wipes.

16 Generally, a face of a flat nappy bag is wider then 17 a folded nappy. Thus, when the nappy is placed on 18 the bag prior to rolling, opposed sides of the bag 19 will extend beyond the sides of the nappy. Thus, in a preferred embodiment, prior to rolling up the 21 component layers, at least one side of the bag, and 22 preferably both sides, which extend beyond a side of 23 the nappy is/are folded over on top of the nappy.

24 This is especially useful when the wipe or wipes are sandwiched between the bag and the nappy, as the 26 folding over process results in the wipes being 27 partially enclosed between the bag and the nappy.

28 Subsequently rolling the layers of bag, wipe(s), and 29 nappy, effectively results in the wipes being completely enclosed within the rolled up bag.

1 In one embodiment, the nappy is placed on the bag 2 such that a waist region of the nappy is disposed 3 adjacent a bottom of the bag. Suitably, the nappy 4 is placed on the bag such that a crotch region of the nappy extends beyond a top of the bag.

7 In a preferred embodiment, the rolling step 8 commences at a top of the bag. In this manner, the 9 mouth of the bag will be located at the core of the rolled-up package, thereby further preventing 11 ingress of air into the package. This is especially 12 useful when the wipes are located within the bag.

14 Typically, the package will contain from 2 to 5 wipes. Packages containing more or less than 5 16 wipes are also envisaged.

18 Typically, the roll is secured in the rolled-up 19 orientation by one or more fasteners, which connects an exposed end of the roll with an adjacent part of 21 the roll. Such fasteners will be well known to

22 those skilled in the field of nappy or feminine

23 hygiene products.

The invention also relates to a nappy kit package 26 formed according to the process of the invention.

28 Also provided is a nappy kit package comprising a 29 disposable nappy, a disposable nappy bag, and one or more nappy wipes, wherein the nappy, bag and wipe(s) 31 are disposed in layered, rolled-up, orientation, 32 wherein at a substantial proportion of the exposed 1 surface of the roll is formed by a face of the bag.

2 Typically, the at least one wipe is enclosed within 3 the nappy bag.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the 6 nappy kit package includes an external wrapping 7 which encloses the nappy kit package. Various types 8 of external packaging are envisaged, such as, for 9 example, the type of plastic package used to wrap confectionery bars, or the papers based material 11 used to wrap individual tampons.

13 The invention also relates to a container comprising 14 a plurality of nappy kit packages according to the invention.

17 The invention also relates to a vending machine 18 adapted for vending of nappy kit packages according 19 to the invention.

21 The invention also relates to an unused nappy bag 22 containing one or more unused nappy wipes contained 23 therein in a flat orientation. Typically, the bag 24 with the wipe(s) contained therein is provided in a flat orientation, however the bag or wipe(s) may 26 also be provided in a folded orientation. In this 27 regard, the invention also relates to a package 28 containing a plurality, or multiplicity, of nappy 29 bags, each nappy bag containing one or more nappy wipes is a substantially flat orientation. The bags 31 in such a package could be folded and pack in a 1 manner similar to the way nappy bags are packed in a 2 conventional nappy bag container.

4 In a further aspect, the invention relates to a kit comprising a disposable unused nappy in combination 6 with an unused nappy bag containing one or more 7 nappy wipes contained therein, wherein the nappy bag 8 and wipes are provided in a substantially flat 9 orientation. Typically, the nappy bag and wipe(s) contained therein are stored within a pocket formed 11 by folding of the nappy. In this regard, the nappy 12 bag and wipes are located against a face of the 13 nappy which in use abuts the child. Preferably, the 14 wings of the nappy are folded over the bag and wipe(s). A number of pappies, each containing a 16 nappy bag with wipes contained therein according to 17 the invention, and provided in an outer packaging, 18 also forms part of the invention.

The invention also relates to a method of producing 21 a nappy bag having one or more wipes contained 22 therein, the method comprising the steps of 23 providing a first face of the bag, placing a wipe, 24 or a layer of wipes, on the first face of the bag, placing an opposite face of the bag in register with 26 the first face such that the wipe(s) are enclosed 27 between the faces, and sealing edges of the faces of 28 the bag to each other to form a bag having the 29 wipe(s) contained therein. Usually, the edges of the faces of the bag will be sealed. Typically, the 31 formed bag will have an open mouth.

1 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

3 The invention will be more clearly understood from

4 the following description of some embodiments

thereof, given by way of example only, with 6 reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 8 Fig. 1 is an illustration of a first step in a 9 process of the invention; 11 Fig. 2 is an illustration of a second step in the 12 process of the invention in which the sides of the 13 nappy bag are folded over a top of the nappy; Fig. 3 is an illustration of a nappy kit bag formed 16 according to the process of the invention; 18 Fig. 4 is an illustration of a first step in a 19 process according to an alternative embodiment of the invention; 22 Fig. 5 is an illustration of a second step in the 23 process according to an alternative embodiment of 24 the invention; and 26 Figs. 6A to 6D illustrate a nappy kit according to a 27 further embodiment of the invention.

29 Referring to the drawings, and initially to Figs 1 to 3, there is illustrated a process for forming a 31 nappy kit package according to the invention and 32 indicated generally by the reference numeral 1. In 1 a first step, a conventional nappy bag or nappy 2 refuse sack 2 is laid flat on a surface such that 3 the bag handles 3 lie on each side of the bag 2.

4 Three wipes 4, arranged into a flat, layered orientation, are then placed into the bag, and the 6 bag is pressed flat to ensure intimate contact 7 between the interior faces of the bag 2 and the 8 faces of the layer of wipes 4. As can be seen from 9 Fig. 1, the layer of wipes are dimensioned to fit within the bag. A conventional, folded, disposable 11 nappy 5 is then placed on top of the bag 2, with the 12 crotch end 6 of the nappy 5 extending slightly 13 beyond a top 7 of the bag 2.

In a second step, sides 8, 9 of the bag 2 are then 16 folded over a top 10 of the nappy 5 to compact the 17 article in a transverse direction. The layered 18 article is then rolled-up, starting at the crotch 19 end 6 of the nappy 5, in the direction of the arrow marked A. Once the article has been rolled-up in a 21 compact fashion, the resultant package 1 is secured 22 in a rolled-up orientation by means of an adhesive 23 strip 12, as illustrated in Fig. 3.

A package formed according to the process described 26 above has been found to retain moisture in the wipes 27 contained therein after a period of storage of one 28 year.

Referring to Figs 4 and 5, an alternative embodiment 31 of the invention is now described in which parts 32 similar to those described with reference to the 1 previous embodiment are assigned the same reference 2 numerals. In this embodiment, the layer of wipes 4 3 is not stored inside the nappy bag 2, rather it is 4 placed on the top 7 of the bag 2, and the nappy 5 is then placed on top of the wipes 4 and bag 2. Thus, 6 the layer of wipes 4 is sandwiched between the bag 2 7 and the nappy 5. In a manner similar to that 8 described with reference to the first embodiment, 9 the sides 8, 9 of the bag 2 are then folded over the top of the 5. As can be seen in Fig 5, this results 11 is sides of the layer of wipes 4 also being 12 partially around the nappy 5, resulting in the layer 13 of wipes 4 being almost completely enclosed between 14 the bag 2 and the nappy 5. The thus-formed layered article is then rolled-up and secured in a manner 16 similar to that described with reference to the 17 previous embodiment.

19 Although not described herein, the method of the invention may be carried out by initially forming a 21 layered structure in which the nappy is sandwiched 22 between the bag and the wipes.

24 Referring to Figs 6A to 6C, there is illustrated an embodiment of a nappy kit according to an 26 alternative embodiment of the invention, in which 27 parts identified with reference to previous 28 inventions are assigned the same reference numerals.

29 In this invention, nappy wipes (4) are inserted into the nappy bag (2) as described above, and the bag 31 (2) with wipes (4) contained therein are folded into 32 a shape which will fit easily into a pocket formed 1 when a nappy (5) is folded in a conventional manner.

2 The nappy is then opened up (as shown in Fig. 6C) 3 and the bag (2) with the wipes (4) contained therein 4 is placed against an internal face 20 of the nappy, and adjacent nappy flaps 21a, 21b are then folded 6 over the bag and wipes. The nappy is then folded in 7 half into a conventional folded orientation as shown 8 in Fig. 3 to form the nappy kit 23.

In use, a number of nappy kits 23 according to the 11 invention may be provided in an external package.

13 The invention is not limited to the embodiments 14 hereinbefore described which may be varied in both construction, detail, and process step without 16 departing from the spirit of the invention.

Claims

1 CLAIMS 3 1. A method of producing a nappy kit package, the 4 nappy kit

package comprising a disposable nappy, a disposable nappy bag, and one or more nappy wipes, 6 the method comprising the steps of arranging the 7 nappy, bag and wipe(s) in a substantially flat, 8 layered, relationship, rolling up the layered nappy, 9 bag and wipers) to form a roll such that a substantial proportion of the exposed surface of the 11 roll is formed by a face of the bag, and securing 12 the roll in a rolled-up orientation.

14 2. A method as claimed in Claim 1 in which the wipe(s) are placed within the bag, wherein the nappy 16 is layered upon the bag with the wipe(s) contained 17 therein.

19 3. A method as claimed in Claim 1 in which the wipe(s) are sandwiched between the bag and the 21 nappy.

23 4. A method as claimed in Claim 2 in which the 24 each face of the wipe, or each face of a layer of wipes, is covered by an interior surface of the bag.

27 5. A method as claimed in any preceding Claim in 28 which prior to rolling up the layers, a side of the 29 bag layer which extends beyond a side of the nappy is folded over on top of the nappy. lY

1 6. A method as claimed in Claim 5 in which each 2 side of the bag layer which extends beyond a side of 3 the nappy is folded over on top of the nappy.

7. A method as claimed in any preceding Claim in 6 which the nappy is placed on the bag such that a 7 waist region of the nappy is disposed adjacent a 8 bottom of the bag.

8. A method as claimed in any preceding Claim in 11 which the nappy is placed on the bag such that a 12 crotch region of the nappy extends beyond a top of 13 the bag.

9. A method as claimed in any preceding Claim in 16 which the rolling step commences at a top of the 17 bag.

19 10. A method as claimed in any preceding Claim in which from 2 to 5 wipes are provided.

22 11. A method as claimed in any preceding Claim in 23 which the roll is secured in the rolled-up 24 orientation by a fastener which connects an exposed end of the roll with an adjacent part of the roll.

27 12. A nappy kit package formed according to the 28 process of any of Claims 1 to 11.

13. A nappy kit package comprising a disposable 31 nappy, a disposable nappy bag, and one or more nappy 32 wipes, wherein the nappy, bag and wipe(s) are 1 disposed in layered, rolled-up, orientation, wherein 2 at a substantial proportion of the exposed surface 3 of the roll is formed by a face of the bag.

14. A nappy kit package as claimed in Claim 13 in 6 which the at least one wipe is enclosed within the 7 nappy bag.

9 15. A nappy kit package as claimed in any of Claims 13 or 14 which includes between 2 and 5 nappy wipes.

12 16. A nappy kit package as claimed in any of Claims 13 13 to 15 including an external wrapping which 14 encloses the nappy kit package.

16 17. A container comprising a plurality of nappy kit 17 packages according to any of Claims 13 to 16.