JP2005530661A - Flexible package with self-supporting extension - Google Patents

Abstract

A flexible package for a compressible absorbent article, which includes a self-supporting extension that captures consumer attention and provides acceptable transport and storage dimensions.

Description

  The present invention relates to a flexible package containing one or more stacks of compressible absorbent articles maintained in a compressed state, the flexible package having a self-supporting extension useful as a display feature. Including.

  Attracting consumer attention to the product is only one of the functions of packaging and packaging labeling. Some consumers prefer a synergistic packaging that is colorful, fun to look at, and functional. The functional aspect of the packaging is to continue to protect the product inside and facilitate shipping and store at store. The use of flexible bags and packaging for consumer products has so far been made into a rectangular shape that maximizes the available space, so that packaging dimensions can be adjusted for transport and storage at stores. Concentrated on doing. However, this was also a monotonous and uninteresting package for the consumer.

  Recent advertising techniques on packaging include stickers or transfer marks on the packaging. However, this increases the physical labor of sticking the sticker on the package, and the sticker is easily peeled off even during display. In addition, consumers generally have to remove the sticker from the package in order to use the package effectively.

  Therefore, there is a need to obtain a flexible package that can attract the attention of the consumer at the store and still have acceptable transport and storage dimensions.

  The present invention relates to a flexible package for holding a compressible absorbent article, wherein the flexible package includes a first element and a second element. The first element has a front panel area having a front panel width and a front panel height, a side panel area pair having a side panel width and a side panel height, respectively, and a bottom panel width and a bottom panel height. Preferably it includes a bottom panel region. The second element is a top panel area having a top panel width and a top panel length, a town panel area pair having a town panel width and a town panel length, respectively, a rear side having a rear panel width and a rear panel height. Preferably, it includes a panel region, an end panel region pair having an end panel width and an end panel height, respectively, and a base panel region having a base panel width and a base panel length. When in the final configuration, the side panel region pair of the first element is connected to the end panel region pair of the second element so that the first element and the second element are connected to form an internal space. To do. Similarly, the bottom panel area of the first element is connected to the base panel area of the second element, and the front panel of the first element is connected to the top panel area of the second element. The front panel height is preferably greater than the side panel height for at least a portion of the front panel width to form at least one first extension zone, and the top panel length is at least one second extension. To form the area, the town panel length is greater than at least a portion of the top panel width. The first extension zone is also preferably connected to the second extension zone to form a self-supporting extension.

  While the specification concludes with claims that particularly point out and distinctly claim the invention, it is believed the present invention will be better understood from the following description of the accompanying drawings.

  As used herein, the term “self-supporting” means that at least a portion of the flexible packaging of the present invention remains extended away from the packaging without an external or internal support structure. . The integrity of the self-supporting structure must be such that only one side of the self-supporting structure can be seen from one direction. In other words, the self-supporting structure does not fold or fall over itself.

  As used herein, the term “coupled” means any known method in the art that connects two components together. A preferred connection method according to the present invention is heat sealing.

  As used herein, the term “compressible” means that the absorbent article should be compressed in the package at least 20% of its uncompressed thickness, preferably its uncompressed thickness. This means that at least 30% of the thickness should be compressed. More preferably, the present invention allows for a higher level of compression, such as 40% of the uncompressed thickness, even more preferably 60%. Successfully achieved compression levels greater than 70%.

  The present invention can be used with many types of compressible absorbent articles, but is particularly useful for disposable absorbent products such as diapers, incontinence products, sanitary napkins, absorbent pads and bandages. Such products are generally bulky when not compressed. In many cases, these products have composite properties including an absorbent core and one or more flexible sheets. The core itself may be homogeneous in structure or composite. Such absorbent products often include a fluid permeable sheet (eg, a nonwoven or perforated polymer film) and an outer barrier sheet that are closest to the wearer's body during use.

  The material from which the flexible package of the present invention can be produced is any polymer material, preferably low density polyethylene (LDPE), high density polyethylene (HDPE), polyester, polypropylene, or a mixture thereof, or a laminate thereof. A thermoplastic film like a body is mentioned. Plastic films suitable for use in the present invention may be made from virgin or recycled materials, or mixtures thereof. Preferably, the tri-layer coextruded film comprises LDPE and linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) / medium density (MD) and HD and LDPE / LLDPE; a thickness of about 40 μm to about 100 μm, more preferably about 40 μm to It has a thickness of about 60 μm.

  One embodiment of the flexible packaging (10) of the present invention shown in FIGS. 2-6 and 8 may be formed essentially from a single sheet of plastic film, as shown in FIG. Good. The sheet may include a first element (12) and a second element (14) which are two components that meet at a first element / second element fold (13). The first element (12) includes a front panel region (20), a side panel region pair (24, 26), and a bottom panel region (30). The front panel region (20) intersects the side panel region (24, 26) at the front panel region / side panel region intersection (46, 48) so that the front panel region (20) has two sides. Located adjacent to the panel area (24, 26). The bottom panel region (30) intersects the front panel region (20) at the front panel region / base panel region intersection (50) so that the bottom panel region (30) is the first element / second element. Is located adjacent to the front panel region (20) on the opposite side of the intersection (13). As seen in FIG. 1, the front panel region (20) has a front panel width (W1) and a front panel height (H1). The side panel region (24, 26) has a side panel width (W2) and a side panel height (H2). The bottom panel region (30) has a bottom panel width (W3) and a bottom panel length (L3).

  Herein, “regions” of plastic film sheets are given their specific names and reference numbers according to their location in the final assembled package 10 where the regions are formed. For example, when viewed by the consumer, the “front panel area” forms the front side of the assembled package containing the product inside the package. Similarly, various “intersections” herein refer generally to locations where the plastic sheet is folded while the package is assembled.

  The front panel height (H1) of the present invention is preferably about 75 mm to about 1500 mm. The front panel width (W1) is preferably about 50 mm to about 1000 mm. The side panel height (H2) is preferably about 25 mm to about 600 mm. The side panel width (W2) is about 50 mm to about 1000 mm. The bottom panel width (W3) is preferably about 50 mm to about 1000 mm. The bottom panel length (L3) is preferably from about 25 mm to about 600 mm.

  At least a portion of the front panel height (H1) is greater than the side panel height (H2). This difference is defined herein as ΔH as shown in FIG. Preferably, ΔH is less than or equal to half the side panel height (H2). The ΔH of the front panel region (20) is illustrated in FIG. 1 and includes a portion of the front panel width (W1) to form one or more areas defined herein as A40 and A42. The change in height between the side panel region (24, 26) and the front panel region (20) may be gradual or abrupt, but from the side panel region (24, 26). The height to the front panel area (20) is shown continuously.

  The second element (14) includes a top panel region (28), a town panel region pair (36, 38), a rear panel region (22), an end panel region pair (40, 42), and a base panel region ( 44). The top panel region (28) intersects the town panel region (36, 38) at the top panel region / town panel region intersection (52, 54) so that the top panel region (28) intersects the town panel region (36 , 38). The top / town panel area (28, 36, 38) is bisected by the top panel crease (29). The rear panel region (22) crosses the end panel region (40, 42) at the rear panel region / end panel region intersection (56, 58) so that the rear panel region (22) Located adjacent to and between the end panel regions (40, 42). The top / town panel region (28, 36, 38) is located adjacent to the rear / side panel (22, 40, 42) and is phased at the top panel region / rear panel region intersection (60). Intersect. The base panel region (44) intersects the rear panel region (22) at the rear panel region / base panel region intersection (62) so that the base panel region (44) intersects the rear panel region (22). Located below.

  The top panel region (28) has a top panel width (W4) and a top panel length (L4). The town panel regions (36, 38) each have a town panel width (W5) and a town panel length (L5). The ΔL of the top panel region (28) is located on the opposite side of the rear panel region / top panel region intersection (60). The top panel length (L4) is preferably about 75 mm to about 1500 mm. The top panel width (W4) is preferably about 50 mm to about 1000 mm. The town panel width (W5) is preferably about 25 mm to about 600 mm. The town panel length (L5) is preferably about 50 mm to about 1000 mm.

  The rear panel region (22) has a rear panel width (W6) and a rear panel height (H6). The end panel region (40, 42) has an end panel width (W7) and an end panel height (H7). The base panel region (44) has a base panel width (W8) and an end panel length (L8). The rear panel height (H6) is preferably about 50 mm to about 1000 mm. The rear panel width (W6) is preferably about 50 mm to about 1000 mm. The end panel height (H7) is preferably about 50 mm to about 1000 mm. The end panel width (W7) is preferably about 25 mm to about 600 mm. The base panel length (L8) is preferably from about 25 mm to about 600 mm. The base panel width (W8) is preferably about 50 mm to about 1000 mm.

  At least a portion of the top panel length (L4) is greater than the town panel height (L5), which is defined herein as ΔL, as shown in FIG. Preferably, ΔL is less than or equal to half of the town panel length (L5). ΔL of the top panel region (28) includes a portion of the top panel width (W4) and is shown as multiple zones in FIG. 1 and is represented herein as A44 and A46. Produce an area. The change in length between the town panel area (36, 38) and the top panel area (28) may be gradual or abrupt, but from the town panel area (36, 38) to the top panel. The length to region (28) is shown continuously. Preferably, the areas A44 and A46 of the top panel region (28) have the same area (substantially the same size and shape) as the areas A40 and A42 of the front panel region (20) of the first element (12). .

  The areas A40 and A42 of the front panel area (20) are areas of the top panel area (28) to form a self-supporting extension (32) that can be extended away from the flexible packaging (10) of the present invention. Connect with A44 and A46. The self-supporting extension (32) is of any desired shape as long as the material continues to be self-supporting and does not obscure the print displayed on the self-supporting extension (32) due to falling or folding. Also good. The self-supporting extension (32) is shown in FIGS. 1-3 to include a plurality of areas (A40-46).

  In other embodiments of the invention, the self-supporting extension (32) may include a single area extending the entire top panel width and front panel width, as shown in FIG. Another embodiment of the invention includes a single area extending only a portion of the top panel region (28) and the front panel region (20), as shown in FIG.

  The self-supporting extension (32) preferably has an aesthetically pleasing appearance to attract consumers. For example, the packaging can be made to resemble a cute or unusual animal, and the self-supporting extension forms the animal's ears, etc. as seen in FIG. In another example, the self-supporting extension (32) can be manufactured to look like an unusual animal face attached to a package. The appearance of the self-supporting extension and / or the package can be adjusted to suit the type of product included in the package, and any such appearance is intended to be within the scope of the present invention.

  The flexible package (10) of the present invention may be formed by folding a sheet of plastic film along the first element / second element intersection (13), so that it is self-supporting. Areas A40 and A42 are placed over areas A44 and A46 to form an extension (32). The sheet of plastic film is then folded along the top panel area / back panel area intersection (60) and overlaid on a portion of the first element (12) and the second element (14). . The combined top / town panel regions (28, 36, 38) are further folded in half along the top panel fold line (29) to form a modified “M” shape as shown in FIG. The edge of the side panel region (24, 26) of the first element (12) is the edge of the end panel region (40, 42) and the town panel region (36, 38) of the second element (14). And is connected to the first element (12) and the second element (14). In addition, the flexible packaging (10) of the present invention is sealed along the desired design of the self-supporting extension (32) and includes a front panel region (20), side panel regions (24, 26), top portion. The panel area (28) and a part of the town panel area (36, 38) are cut from the flexible plastic sheet. These clipped areas can be seen in the shaded area in FIG. Optionally, additional seals (64) can be placed below the self-supporting extensions (32) of the front panel region (20) and top panel region (28), as shown in FIG. The compressible absorbent article is placed in a flexible package and the bottom panel (30) of the first element is sealed with the base panel (44) of the second element.

  In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the defined area of the first element (12) and the defined area of the second element (14) are manufactured to form a similarly shaped flexible package, and Multiple smaller individual parts may be assembled and such should be considered within the scope of the present invention.

(Additional elements)
Optional elements of the present invention include providing a carrying handle as an integral part of the flexible package (10). Another optional element of the invention includes an opening means in the flexible package. Any open means conventionally used in the art will prove suitable. Such opening means can take the form of a substantially continuous line of weakness, for example a perforated line, which allows the consumer to grasp the plastic cover at a location adjacent to the opening means for tearing the cover open. An opening tab may be included. Another optional element, including suspension means for hanging the flexible packaging (10) from the wall side or display, constitutes the present invention.

  While particular embodiments and / or individual features of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. . Further, it is apparent that all combinations of such embodiments and features are possible and that the present invention can be preferably implemented. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to cover all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a plastic sheet blank in which the packaging of the present invention is formed, including a first element and a second element. 1 is a front perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the flexible plastic packaging of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the flexible plastic packaging of the present invention. 1 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the flexible plastic packaging of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the flexible plastic packaging of the present invention having a self-supporting extension that extends the entire width of the front panel region. FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the flexible plastic packaging of the present invention having a self-supporting extension that extends a portion of the width of the front panel region. Side view of a preferred embodiment of the flexible packaging of the present invention folded along the first element / second element intersection and the front panel area / rear panel area intersection during assembly of the package. . The front view of preferable embodiment of the flexible packaging body of this invention which has a heat seal under the self-supporting extension part. The drawings in this specification are not necessarily drawn to scale.

Claims (7)

A flexible package for holding a compressible absorbent article comprising:
a) The first element is
A front panel region having a front panel width and a front panel height, a side panel region pair having a side panel width and a side panel height, respectively, and a bottom panel region having a bottom panel width and a bottom panel height. Including;
b) the second element is
A top panel area having a top panel width and a top panel length; a town panel area pair having a town panel width and a town panel length, respectively; a rear panel area having a rear panel width and a rear panel height; An end panel region pair having an end panel width and an end panel height, respectively, and a base panel region having a base panel width and a base panel height;
Wherein the side panel region pair of the first element is connected to the end panel region pair of the second element, and the bottom panel region of the first element is of the second element. The first element and the second element are coupled such that the first panel area is coupled to the base panel area and the front panel area of the first element is coupled to the top panel area of the second element. To form an internal space;
Wherein the front panel height is greater than the side panel height for at least a portion of the front panel width to form at least one first extension zone, and the top panel length is at least 1 Greater than the town panel length for at least a portion of the top panel width to form two second extended areas;
Wherein the first extension zone is connected to the second extension zone to form a self-supporting extension.   The flexible package of claim 1, wherein the first extension area extends the entire width of the front panel.   The flexible packaging body according to claim 1, wherein a value obtained by subtracting the side panel height from the front panel height is equal to a value obtained by subtracting the town panel length from the top panel length.   The flexible package of claim 1, comprising a plurality of self-supporting extensions.   The flexible packaging body according to claim 1, comprising a handle.   The flexible package according to claim 1, comprising an opening means. The flexible packaging body according to claim 1, comprising a hanging means.

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