MXPA00004142A

MXPA00004142A - An improved packaging for moist towelettes.

Info

Publication number: MXPA00004142A
Authority: MX
Inventors: F Hlista Joseph
Original assignee: Rockline Ind Inc
Priority date: 1999-04-28
Filing date: 2000-04-28
Publication date: 2003-07-28
Also published as: CA2306143A1; EP1048589A1

Abstract

A container and / or system for containing and distributing disposable towels, such container / system is constructed and configured to improve automation, facilitate cheap modification and promote product satisfaction by consumption.

Description

AN IMPROVED PACKAGE FOR HUMID TOWELS DESCRIPTION Background and field of the invention.

This invention relates generally to a packaging system, and more particularly, to a disposable package for pre-moistened wipes, disposable wipes such as baby wipes. The aforementioned container is airtight and places the product previously moistened to conserve the moisture content. Moistened wipes previously designed for infant and baby care are well-known and popular items. Such wipes, usually known by those with average knowledge in the field as "baby towels," greatly simplify the care of the infant and the baby and provide comfort for those who care for them. For several reasons, baby towels have unique packaging requirements. To prevent evaporation of the moisturizing fluids, baby bottle packs and containers should be provided with lids, covers or other tight closure means. At the same time, such containers should be easy to open and ensure that the previously moistened wipes remain moist. Taking into consideration these requirements, a variety of sophisticated containers and containers of baby towels have been developed. Initially, wipes previously moistened in hard and rigid containers were placed. Rigid containers were bulky and could not be transported easily. In addition, rigid containers took up valuable space when transported. When removing wipes from the rigid container, the rigid container maintained its shape by filling the necessary space in diapers, bags and closets or the like. To overcome the disadvantages of rigid containers, manufacturers began using prefabricated flexible bags to package pre-moistened wipes. In such bags, disposable pre-moistened wipes are stacked horizontally against one another. The bags are usually made of a plastic film. Given the current current production methods, neither the color nor the model of the film can be easily changed without significant expenditure of time and resources. This problem is important in the situation involving a private labeling company that has several customers. It requires a large inventory of materials and production supplies to meet the needs of each client. Another disadvantage of the state of the art is that, over time and due to the horizontal stacking of the wipes, the wetting material migrates by gravity downwards. As a result, the upper wipes are dried, while the articles below are beyond saturation. The inconsistency of moisture from one wipe to another represents an important source of product failure and consumer dissatisfaction.

Brief description of the drawings.

Figure 1 is an exploded isometric view of a packaging system in accordance with the present invention. Figure 2 is an isometric view of a partially open packaging system according to the present invention. Taking into consideration the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved container, system and / or method for containing and distributing paper towel products, in particular baby towels moistened previously. This invention overcomes several problems and deficiencies of the state of the art, including those discussed in the previous text. It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that one or more aspects of this invention can accomplish certain objects, while one or more other aspects may be met in certain other objects. Each object can not equally apply, in all its aspects, to each aspect of this invention. As such, the following objects can be seen as an alternative to any aspect of this invention. It is a further object of this invention to provide a baby towel package that is inexpensive to design, redesign, manufacture and fill. It is another object of this invention to provide a new and improved package configuration and configuration for pre-moistened wipes such that each individual wipe can be used together with its position within the package to retain its moisture content. Still another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved system and method for packaging pre-moistened wipes characterized in that the package can accommodate any size, shape or quantity of pre-moistened wipes. A related object is the ability to quickly and economically change the size or volume of a container in relation to the size, shape or quantity of the articles contained therein.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved system for pre-wetted wipes such that the package label can be designed and prepared easily and quickly to meet the specific reqments of a particular supplier of such products. Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from this summary and its descriptions of the different preferred embodiments, and will be readily apparent to those with average knowledge in the art and who are aware of various configurations of packaging systems for the products described here. Such objects, characteristics and advantages will be evident when taken in conjunction with the accompanying examples, figures and all reasonable inferences that can be derived from them. In part, this invention provides a package for pre-moistened disposable wipes. The towels can be placed in one or more batteries. Preferably, each of these stacks has four sides, a final end and an initial end. The cell or batteries may be placed in a first flexible, moisture-conserving membrane, generally made of a plastic material, although any kind of flexible or semi-flexible moisture-conserving material may be used. The first membrane of such a container can be an open end with five sides to define an interior cavity. The towels can be placed inside this cavity which preferably has a size and shape that fits the cell or batteries. A peripheral edge extends outwardly from the center of the cavity along the open end of the cavity. A second flexible moisture-conserving membrane can be placed over the interior cavity containing the stacks of previously moistened disposable towels. The second membrane, which can be used for labeling and other product / content information, may also have a peripheral portion that overlaps the peripheral edge of the first membrane. The peripheral edge and the peripheral portion are in sealed engagement, and may be joined together by means of heat, sonic frequencies, radiation or any other means known to those of average knowledge in the field of packaging. In one of the numerous possible embodiments of this invention, the peripheral portion of the second membrane seals three peripheral edges of the first membrane. The remaining peripheral portion and the peripheral edge may be in sealing engagement with each other by means of a tongue and groove mechanism. One such mechanism is commonly known as a zip-loc ™ seal. However, any convenient means used for sealingly sealing the peripheral edge to the peripheral portion may be used, such means include adhesives, instant and zippers. In highly preferred embodiments the pre-moistened wipes are packaged so that the membranes are coupled under vacuum or otherwise by reduced atmospheric pressure. Where applicable, the initial end of each stack is preferably aligned with the hermetic peripheral portion and the peripheral edge. The final end of each stack of pre-moistened wipes and the corresponding side of the first membrane can then be aligned to support the container stably on the end. The second membrane can be printed with information regarding the contents of the product and the container placed vertically when placed on such a side. In part, the present invention includes a method for using a packaging system and / or placing disposable towels there to preserve the relative percentage of moisture content within each individual towel. Such method includes (1) providing a first container membrane formed of a flexible moisture-conserving material, with such a membrane defining an inner cavity with five sides and an open end.; (2) placing at least one stack of towels within the interior cavity, each stack including a plurality of pre-moistened disposable towels and each stack having four sides, a final end and an initial end; (3) providing a second container membrane formed of a flexible moisture-conserving material placed on the open end of the inner cavity, such that the second membrane is in sealed engagement with the first membrane; and (4) placing the package on the side of the first membrane corresponding to the final end of each stack of disposable towels. In preferred embodiments, a plurality of such stacks are placed in the interior cavity. In highly preferred embodiments, the first package membrane includes a peripheral edge around the open end of the inner cavity. A peripheral portion of the second container membrane can be sealed to the peripheral edge of the first membrane. Likewise, in highly preferred embodiments, the first and second membranes are sealed under vacuum. Regardless of this, at least one peripheral edge of the first membrane and the corresponding peripheral portion of the second membrane can be hermetically sealed together. When the container is rectangular, the peripheral portion of the second membrane seals three peripheral edges of the first membrane, such that the remaining peripheral portion and the peripheral edges are hermetically adjusted to each other. As discussed in more detail above, various well-known means and mechanisms can be incorporated into the medium in the package and its component membranes to effect a hermetic coupling. A tongue / groove configuration between the membrane edges / portions is preferred. One such reed / slot mechanism is marketed under the trade name of zip-loc ™. An adhesive relationship between the membranes with the same effect can also be used. As described in detail above, the package of this invention allows vertical alignment of stacks therein. Such alignment, in turn, allows the container to be placed vertically during periods of non-use. The preparation of a single cover membrane provides legible label information, while being economically modified to meet customer or end-use requirements. On a shelf in the market, such a package placed offers an attractive display of information. At home, the product is easily accessed. All the time, the relative humidity content of each towel or towel article is preserved - improving product performance and customer satisfaction. The construction of the membrane and / or configuration of the present invention provides the added benefit of greater automation potential. More containers can be prepared in less time than in any other way possible using the methods and bags of the state of the art.

As shown in Figure 1, the package and / or system 10 of the present invention includes one or more stacks 12a of individual disposable towel articles 12b. The stacks 12a may be provided, in accordance with this invention, in any geometric configuration. However, as shown in the embodiment of Figure 1, each stack 12a is configured to provide a final end 14, an initial end 16, and remaining sides 18. The configuration of the stacks 12a can determine the special arrangement of the first membrane 20. As shown in Figure 1, stacks 12a - both individually and collectively - provide a rectangular configuration accommodated by means of an inner cavity 22 of membrane 20 formed by sides 24. In particular, and for purposes of illustration, designates a side 24 'to correspond with a final end 14 of each stack 12a. As also shown in Figure 1, the first membrane 20 includes the peripheral edge 26 which can be joined in sealed engagement with the peripheral portion 30 of the second membrane 28. Such engagement of the peripheral portion 30 with the peripheral edge 26, with or without vacuum pressures, it serves to contain stacks 12a within the container 10 for storage, display and subsequent disposable use.

As best shown in Figure 2, at least one peripheral edge 26 of the first membrane 20 can be hermetically coupled with at least one corresponding peripheral portion 30 of the second membrane 28. The hermetic coupling can be achieved by means of a variety of methods and mechanisms well known to those with average knowledge in the field. However, the package of Figure 2 illustrates one such preferred mechanism: the configuration of the peripheral portion 26 with raised tab 32 provides a coupling relationship with the slot 34 of the peripheral portion 30 of the second membrane. The airtight edge 26 and the portion 30 are partially uncoupled to show a vertical position of the stacks 12a and towel components 12b within the aforementioned inner cavity of the first membrane 20. Also FIG. 2 shows, in representative form, the use of the second membrane 28 to provide the package 10 with particular labeling, content information member or product 36. Such label / information 36 may be incorporated directly into the second membrane 28 during printing or forming, or applied separately thereafter.

Regardless of this, in preferred embodiments, the label / information 36 that is readable as package 10 is placed vertically on the side 24 '. Placing the container 10 in this manner provides a vertical orientation of the stack (s) 12a such that the end (s) end (s) are aligned 14 with the side 24 '. Also figure 2 illustrates another embodiment of the package 10 and / or the second membrane 28. The slit 38 can provide another opening to the inner cavity of the first membrane 20. In preferred embodiments, the slit 38 is airtight, achieved by proper placement of the label or membrane member 36. With reference to this embodiment, the label / member 36 may comprise a separate component and coupled to the second membrane 28 to seal the opening of the slit 38. In such embodiments, the second membrane 28 may have an adhesive relationship with the label / member 36. Figure 2, for illustrative purposes only, shows the partial placement of the label / member 36 on the slit 38. The dotted lines represent the resulting opening towards the inner cavity of the first membrane 20, as allowed by the slit 38. It should be understood, of course, that a more useful tag / member 36 configuration would include coverage total of the opening allowed by the slit 38. As described above, the package and / or system of this invention provide a new alternative to the prefabricated bags of the state of the art. The construction and configuration of the unique membrane allows a manufacturer to quickly and easily adapt a package to meet the needs of any individual customer: for example and without limitation, a second membrane such as the one described can be customized by means of the trademark and product information and can be used either together with a first generic or customized membrane. In such a way, a great variety of film colors, patterns and printing arrangements are possible quickly and without having to maintain a large inventory of material and manufacturing supplies. Manufacturing lines can be easily modified in a short time to meet the packaging needs of a particular product or customer. Savings are achieved without resorting to large-scale production. Such packaging and the accompanying benefits are commercially available from Rockline Industries, Inc. of Sheboygan, Wisconsin. The present invention may be used in conjunction with any of the various mechanisms available for sealingly sealing the edges / peripheral portions of the component membranes. As would be understood for a person with average knowledge in the matter of manufacturing such containers, such airtight mechanisms can be exchanged for one another at the time of production. As described above, a tongue-and-groove or zip-loc ™ mechanism is preferred.; however, an airtight adhesive can be used with good results. The membrane and construction configuration of the present invention improves the benefits of an interchangeable mechanism and allows such changes to be made quickly and economically to meet customer requirements and / or usage requirements in a rapid manner. As can be inferred from the above, the outer configuration and shape of the present packaging invention can easily be adapted to conform to the amount and arrangement of the product contained therein. For example, a product of 160 pieces can be provided by means of a convenient arrangement of a plurality of stacks in the aforementioned inner cavity: two stacks of 80 pieces or four piles of 40 pieces can be prepared. It should be understood, however, that other total quantities of articles may be used with the package of this invention, the number and arrangement thereof depending on the configuration of the available membrane and the production capacity. As such, a package of 240 pieces can be provided by arranging three stacks of 80 pieces in the inner cavity of a first membrane. One benefit of the present invention is the alignment of the piles as shown in Figure 2. A package configured as described herein can then be placed on a side corresponding to the lower or final end of the stack (s) contained (s) Such an arrangement allows the use of a second membrane, as described above, as a rapidly adaptable surface for content and package information. A package and product contents placed in this manner can be used to preserve the relative moisture content of each individual towel article or wipe therein. While gravity may cause eventual movement of the moisturizing material, down a product stack, no single towel or wipe will dry. Rather, the relative humidity content of each towel / wipe will remain substantially unchanged until its use. The preservation of moisture is an important benefit of the present invention with respect to packaging of the state of the art, and is best exemplified by the absence of a moisture barrier between the stacks. The vertical alignment of piles can be improved by sealing the component membranes under reduced pressures. Such a vacuum action also serves to shape the container to the configuration of the stack and place more securely each stack in relation to the surrounding container. Such vacuum-induced seal also serves to preserve moisture content and prolong shelf life. As described above, a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a sealed opening in one of the component membranes. Such an opening, present with or without membrane peripheries that are hermetically coupled, can serve to promote the removal of one or more towels or wipes from the interior of the container. The opening may comprise a perforated slot, label or other convenient configuration. Regardless of this, such an opening may be made airtight by means of adapting a cover member such as an adhesive label provided together with such a membrane. Even though the principles of this invention have been described in relation to specific embodiments, it should be clearly understood that these descriptions are only made by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of this invention, in any way. Other advantages and characteristics of this invention will be evident from the following claims, the scope being determined by reasonable equivalences, as understood by those persons with average knowledge in the field.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A package of disposable towels, characterized in that the package comprises: a plurality of stacks of disposable towels moistened previously, each of the stacks has a final end and an initial end; a first membrane formed of a flexible moisture-conserving material, the first membrane defining an interior cavity with sides and an open end, which has practically the size and shape of the piles of baby towels and which contains in each pile of towels, the stacks are placed in the interior cavity, the first membrane further includes a peripheral edge around the open end of the interior cavity; and a second membrane formed of flexible moisture-conserving material placed on the open end of the inner cavity, the second membrane includes a peripheral portion that overlies the peripheral edge of the first membrane, the peripheral portion in sealed engagement of the peripheral edge of the membrane. first membrane. 2. The package according to claim 1, characterized in that the first and second membranes are formed tight around the stacks. 3. The package according to claim 1; characterized in that each of the disposable towel stacks has a rectangular configuration and the inner cavity is five sides. 4. The package in accordance with the claim 3, characterized in that the peripheral portion of the second membrane seals three peripheral edges of the first membrane, the remaining peripheral portion and the peripheral edge in sealing engagement with each other. 5. The package in accordance with the claim 4, characterized in that the remaining peripheral portion of the second membrane is configured to provide a tongue-and-groove relationship with the remaining peripheral edge of the first membrane. 6. The container in accordance with the claim 4, characterized in that the initial end of each of the stacks is aligned with the peripheral portion coupled hermetically and with the peripheral edge. The package according to claim 6, characterized in that each end of each stack and the corresponding side of the first membrane is sized to stably place the package on the corresponding side. The package according to claim 7, characterized in that the second membrane is provided with vertical labeling as it is placed on the corresponding side. The package according to claim 1, characterized in that the second membrane also includes a hermetic opening that opens towards the interior cavity. A method for utilizing the position of a disposable towel cell container to preserve the relative percentage of moisture content within each baby wipes, characterized in that the method comprises: providing a first container membrane formed of a flexible conservative material of moisture, the first membrane defines a five-sided interior cavity open at one end; placing at least one stack of disposable towels within the interior cavity, each stack including a plurality of pre-moistened disposable towels and each of the stacks having four sides, a final end and an initial end; providing a second container membrane formed of a flexible moisture-conserving material placed on the open end of the inner cavity, the second membrane in sealed engagement with the first membrane; and placing the container on one side of the first membrane corresponding to the final end of each stack of disposable towels. 11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that it includes a plurality of stacks placed in the interior cavity. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that in addition the first container membrane further includes a peripheral edge around the open end of the inner cavity, and the second container membrane includes a peripheral portion in sealed engagement with the peripheral edge of the first membrane. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that the first and second membranes are coupled under reduced atmospheric conditions. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that the package is rectangular and the peripheral portion of the second membrane seals three peripheral edges of the first membrane, and the remaining peripheral portion and the peripheral edge are hermetically coupled together. 15. A vertical package of baby towels, characterized in that the package comprises: a plurality of disposable, pre-moistened baby towel stacks, each of the stacks having four sides, a final end and an initial end and; a first membrane formed of a flexible moisture-conserving material, the first membrane defines an open-ended five-sided interior having practically the size and shape of the baby towel piles and contains in each of the piles of towels for baby, the batteries are placed in the inner cavity with the end of each pile placed down in the cavity and on the corresponding side of the first membrane; and a second membrane formed of a flexible moisture-conserving material placed on the open end of the inner cavity, the second membrane in sealed engagement with the first membrane. The package according to claim 15, characterized in that the first membrane includes a peripheral edge around the inner cavity and the second membrane includes a peripheral portion that is superimposed on the peripheral edge of the first membrane. The package according to claim 15, characterized in that each of the piles of baby towels has a rectangular configuration, such that the start and end ends of each of the piles have a width less than the length from the sides. The package according to claim 17, characterized in that the peripheral portion of the second membrane seals three peripheral edges of the first membrane, the remaining peripheral portion and the peripheral edge in sealing engagement with each other. 19. The package according to claim 18, characterized in that the remaining peripheral portion is configured to provide a tongue and groove relationship with the remaining peripheral edge. The package according to claim 15, characterized in that the second membrane includes label information placed legibly with the final end of each of the stacks placed downwardly with the interior cavity.