TW201806571A - Interconnected packages of disposable personal care articles - Google Patents

Abstract

A plurality of individual pouches for housing disposable personal care articles. The pouches are interconnected in series or in parallel. Each pouch has front and back layers of flexible packaging material bonded to each other, and a disposable personal care article sandwiched therebetween within a compartment. A separation line of weakness is defined between individual pouches, each separation line of weakness adapted to allow a consumer to separate a leading pouch from the plurality. Each pouch has an opening line of weakness adapted to allow a consumer to open each pouch to access the personal care article housed therein. The opening line of weakness of each pouch at least partially superposes the compartment of said pouch, and may additionally superpose the article housed therein.

Description

Interconnected packaging for disposable personal care items

The present invention relates to an interconnected package of disposable personal care items.

Disposable personal care items such as facial tissue, pre-wet wipes, feminine care products and the like are packaged and sold in a variety of packaging formats. One known format is to package individual items in individual pouches and interconnect the pouches to one another. The user can tear off a number of individual product pouches as needed to place one or more pouches in a purse, briefcase, travel bag or other pouch. An example of an interconnected pouch containing a personal care product includes U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0142720 A1 to Zander et al., entitled "Package and Dispensing System for Personal Care Articles". And U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0102239 A1 to the name of "Bag and s.

In some conventional embodiments, the interconnected pouches can be separated from each other via a tear line that separates the continuous pouches. Moreover, in some embodiments, to facilitate opening of the individual pouches, a notch can be provided at the edge of the pouch to help begin to tear. What is lacking in the art, however, is a configuration of interconnected pouches that allow individual pouches to be removed without exposing the contents of the pouch, but which allows the user to remove the pouch from the interconnected plurality of pouches. After easy Open individual pouches.

In a first specific embodiment, the present invention provides a plurality of individual pouches for holding disposable personal care items. The pouches are interconnected in series such that the plurality of pouches extend in a longitudinal direction when in a fully extended unfolded tiled condition. The plurality of individual pouches have a width that extends perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Each pouch has a front side layer of flexible packaging material joined to one of the back layers of the flexible packaging material, and a disposable personal care item sandwiched between the two layers in a compartment. The front layer and the back layer are not joined to each other within the compartment. Each layer of the flexible packaging material has a thickness. A separate line of weakness is defined between the individual pouches, and each of the separate lines of weakness is adapted to allow the consumer to separate a front end pouch from the plurality of pouches. Each pouch has an open line of weakness adapted to allow the consumer to open each pouch to retrieve the disposable personal care item contained therein. The open line of weakness of each pouch is at least partially superposed with the compartment of the pouch.

In a second specific embodiment, the present invention provides a plurality of individual pouches for containing disposable personal care items. Each of the individual pouches has a longitudinal direction, and each of the individual pouches has a fixed end and a free end opposite the fixed end in the longitudinal direction. The pouches are interconnected in parallel such that the fixed end of each pouch is directly or indirectly connected to the fixed end of at least one other pouch via a connection. Each individual pouch has a width that extends perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Each pouch has a front side layer of flexible packaging material joined to one of the back layers of the flexible packaging material, and a disposable personal care item sandwiched between the two layers in a compartment. The front layer and the back layer are not joined to each other within the compartment. Each layer of the flexible packaging material has a thickness. a separate weak line is defined between each pouch and the remainder of one of the plurality of pouches, each separate line of weakness being suitable for The consumer is allowed to separate a front end pouch from the plurality of pouches. Each pouch has an open line of weakness adapted to allow the consumer to open each pouch to retrieve the disposable personal care item contained therein. The open line of weakness of each pouch is at least partially superposed with the compartment of the pouch.

In a third embodiment, the present invention provides a plurality of individual pouches of the first or second embodiment, wherein each of the divided lines of weakness is parallel to each of the open lines of weakness.

In a fourth specific embodiment, the present invention provides a plurality of individual pouches of any one of the first to third embodiments, wherein the open line of weakness of each pouch is at least partially associated with the disposable personal care within the pouch Items are stacked.

In a fifth specific example, the present invention provides a plurality of individual pouches of any one of the first to fourth specific examples, further wherein when the consumer pulls a different pouch to remove the individual pouch from the plurality of pouches A separate line of weakness is torn to facilitate removal, but the weak line is opened without tearing.

In a sixth specific embodiment, the present invention provides a plurality of individual pouches of any one of the first to fifth specific examples, wherein each pouch has a first open weakening in the first layer of the flexible packaging material a second open line of weakness in the second layer of the flexible packaging material, wherein the first open line of weakness and the second line of weakness of each of the pockets are at least partially spaced from the pocket The rooms are stacked.

In a seventh specific embodiment, the present invention provides a plurality of individual pouches of any one of the first to sixth embodiments, wherein each open line of weakness of each pouch extends across 70% of the width of the pouch Between 90%.

In an eighth embodiment, the invention provides a plurality of individual pouches of any of the first to sixth embodiments, wherein each of the open lines of weakness of each pouch extends across 100% of the width of the pouch.

In a ninth embodiment, the invention provides a plurality of individual pouches of any of the first to eighth embodiments, wherein each of the open lines of weakness comprises a non-continuous series of slits.

In a tenth embodiment, the invention provides a plurality of individual pouches of the ninth embodiment, wherein the slits have a depth that is less than the thickness of the flexible packaging material.

In an eleventh embodiment, the invention provides a plurality of individual pouches of any of the first to eighth embodiments, wherein each of the open lines of weakness comprises a continuous score line.

In a twelfth embodiment, the present invention provides a plurality of individual pouches of any one of the first to eleventh embodiments, wherein each of the divided lines of weakness comprises a score line.

In a thirteenth embodiment, the present invention provides a plurality of individual pouches of the second embodiment, wherein each of the connections comprises one of an adhesive joint, an ultrasonic joint, a thermal joint, or a pressure joint, and each of which is weakly separated The line is defined by a connection.

1E‧‧‧Area

4C‧‧‧Area

10‧‧‧Multiple individual pouches

11A‧‧‧Small pouches

11B‧‧‧Small pouches

11C‧‧‧Small pouches

12‧‧‧ longitudinal direction

13‧‧‧ lateral direction

14‧‧‧full width/width

16‧‧‧Front layer of flexible packaging material / first layer of flexible packaging material

17‧‧‧Second layer of flexible packaging material / second layer of flexible packaging material

18‧‧‧Disposable personal care items

19‧‧‧ Thickness direction

20‧‧ ‧ compartment

25‧‧‧Separate weak lines

25A‧‧‧Separate weak line

25B‧‧‧Separate weak line

26‧‧‧ thickness/direction of the front layer

27‧‧‧The thickness of the back layer

28‧‧‧Combined thickness

29‧‧‧Deep the depth of the weak line

30‧‧‧ front end pouch

40A‧‧‧Open weak line

40B‧‧‧Open weak line

40C‧‧‧Open weak line

51A‧‧‧Small pouches

51B‧‧‧Small pouches

51C‧‧‧Small pouches

51D‧‧‧Small pouches

51E‧‧‧ individual pouches

52A‧‧‧Fixed end

52B‧‧‧Fixed end

52C‧‧‧Fixed end

52D‧‧‧ fixed end

52E‧‧‧Fixed end

53A‧‧‧Free end

55A‧‧‧Adhesive strip

55B‧‧‧Adhesive strip

55C‧‧‧Adhesive strip

55D‧‧‧Adhesive strip

111A‧‧‧Small pouches

111B‧‧‧Small pouches

111C‧‧‧Small pouches

140A‧‧‧Open weak line

140B‧‧‧Open weak line

140C‧‧‧Open weak line

140D‧‧‧Open weak line

211A‧‧‧Small pouches

211B‧‧‧Small pouches

211C‧‧‧ individual pouches

240A‧‧‧Open weak line

240B‧‧‧Open weak line

240C‧‧‧Open weak line

340A‧‧‧Open weak line

340B‧‧‧Open weak line

340C‧‧‧Open weak line

1A is a top plan view of a plurality of interconnected pouches for receiving disposable personal care articles in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 1B is a cross-sectional view of the specific example of Fig. 1A taken along line 1B-1B.

1C is a top plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 1A showing a pouch partially peeled off from the remainder of the plurality of interconnected pouches.

1D is a top plan view of a single pouch housing a disposable personal care article with a portion of the pouch partially peeled off to reveal the contents of the pouch.

Figure 1E is a cross-sectional view of the area labeled 1E in Figure 1B, enlarged to show details.

2A is a diagram for accommodating disposable personal care in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. A top plan view of a plurality of interconnected pouches of an article, wherein portions are cut away to reveal underlying features.

2B is a cross-sectional view of the specific example of FIG. 2A taken along line 2B-2B.

3 is a top plan view of a plurality of interconnected pouches for receiving disposable personal care articles in accordance with another alternative embodiment of the present invention.

4A is a perspective view of a plurality of interconnected pouches for receiving disposable personal care items in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

4B is a partial cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 4A taken along line 4B-4B, showing only the front pouch entirely.

Figure 4C is a view of the area labeled 4C in Figure 4B, enlarged to show details.

Figure 5 is a front plan view of a plurality of interconnected pouches for holding disposable personal care articles in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

The present invention relates to interconnected packages of disposable personal care items such as facial tissues, pre-wet wipes, feminine care products, and the like.

Referring to Figures 1 through 3, in a particular embodiment, the present invention includes a plurality of 10 individual pouches 11A, 11B, 11C for receiving disposable personal care articles 18. The plurality of pouches include 2 or more sachets, more specifically 3 to 20 sachets, and still more specifically, 5 to 15 sachets. The plurality of pockets define a longitudinal direction 12, a lateral direction 13 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 12, and a thickness direction 19 perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction 12 and the lateral direction 13. The pouches are interconnected in series such that the plurality of 10 pouches extend in the longitudinal direction 12 when in a fully extended unfolded tiled condition. The plurality of 10 sachets have a width 14 extending in the lateral direction 13.

Referring to Figures 1B and 2B, each pouch 11A, 111A has a flexible package. One of the front side layers 16 of the mounting material and one of the back side layers 17 of the flexible packaging material. Substrates suitable for forming flexible packaging materials are known in the art and, for example, include polymeric films made from polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester, combinations thereof, and the like. The disposable personal care article 18 is sandwiched between the front side 16 and the back side layer 17 of the flexible packaging material in the compartment 20. The front layer 16 and the back layer 17 are not joined to each other in the compartment 20. The front side layer 16 of the flexible packaging material has a thickness 26 and the back side layer 17 of the flexible packaging material has a thickness 27. In a particular embodiment, the front side layer 16 and the back side layer 17 of each pouch 11, 111 are joined to each other about their respective pocket perimeters, as shown in Figures 1A, 1B, 2A, and 2B. Suitable joining methods include adhesive bonding, thermal bonding, ultrasonic bonding, pressure bonding, or the like. In other specific examples, the front layer 16 and the back layer 17 are joined to each other around portions of their respective circumferences, but are integrally joined to each other in other portions of the periphery thereof, such as when the front layer 16 and the back layer 17 are formed of the same film. And the film is folded by itself to produce a sandwich (not shown).

Referring again to Figures 1 through 3, the split line of weakness 25 is defined between individual pouches 11A/11B/11C; 111A/111B/111C; 211A/211B/211C. Each of the separate lines of weakness 25 is adapted to allow the consumer to separate a front end pouch 30 from a plurality of 10 sachets. For example, as representatively illustrated in FIG. 1C, when force is applied to the leading end pocket 30 in direction 26, the leading end pocket 30 begins to tear away from the remainder of the plurality of 10 sachets along the dividing line of weakness 25. The split line of weakness 25 can be formed by a series of perforations, such as dots or dashes. These dots or dashes can penetrate the combined thickness 28 of the front side layer 16 and the back side layer 17, as illustrated representatively in Figures 1B and 2B. Alternatively, such dots or dashes may only partially penetrate the combined thickness 28. In some embodiments, each of the separate lines of weakness 25 includes a continuous score line (not shown) that only partially penetrates the combined thickness 28 of the front side layer 16 and the back side layer 17. Preferably, the weak line is separated (whether a series of dots or dashes, or a continuous score) The line) extends across the full width of a plurality of 10 pouches.

Each pouch 11/111/211 has at least one open line of weakness 40/140/240, respectively. Opening the line of weakness is suitable to allow the consumer to open the pouch to retrieve the disposable personal care item 18 contained therein. As shown in Figures 1A, 2A and 3, at least one of the open lines of weakness 40/140/240 of each pouch is at least partially superposed with the compartment 20 of the pouch. In the specific example of Fig. 3, the open line 240A overlaps the compartment 20 of the pouch 211A, but does not overlap the article 18 contained in the pouch 211A. In a particular embodiment, not only at least one of the open lines of weakness of each pouch is at least partially overlapped with the compartment 20 of the corresponding pouch, and the open line of weakness of each pouch is at least partially associated with the disposable personal care item within the pouch 18 stacked. 1A to 1D and 2A to 2B representatively illustrate this configuration. For example, in the specific example of FIGS. 1A to 1D, the opening weak line 40A overlaps the article 18 accommodated in the pouch 11A. In the specific example of FIGS. 2A and 2B, the open line of weakness 140A overlaps the article 18 contained within the pouch 111A. An ideal effect of overlapping the line of weakness with the item 18 contained within the pouch: when the pouch is torn along the open line of weakness to pick up the item therein (after the pouch has been removed from the remaining pouches) The edges of the article are likely to be exposed in these particular examples, so that they are easily grasped and removed from the pouch, as representatively illustrated in Figure ID.

Preferably, each of the separate lines of weakness is parallel to each of the open lines of weakness. Figures 1 to 3 representatively illustrate this configuration. For example, in the particular example of FIGS. 1A-1D, each of the open lines of weakness 40A, 40B, 40C is parallel to the adjacent divided line of weakness 25. In the particular example of FIGS. 2A-2B, each of the open lines of weakness 140A, 140B, 140C is parallel to the adjacent divided line of weakness 25. In the particular example of FIG. 3, each of the open lines of weakness 240A, 240B, 240C is parallel to the adjacent divided line of weakness 25. In a particular embodiment, when the consumer pulls the individual pouches 11/111/211 to remove them from the remaining 10 sachets, separate The line of weakness 25 is torn to facilitate the removal, but the line of weakness 11/111/211 is not torn. In this manner, individual pouches can be removed and placed in a purse or briefcase as needed while maintaining a seal to protect the personal care items contained therein from external contamination. To achieve this effect when the weak line is opened parallel to the adjacent weak line that is being torn apart, the open line of weakness may have a higher tear strength than the adjacent line of weakness (ie, more force is required to tear). In this manner, when the removal force is applied to the pouch (such as force 26 in Figure 1C), the split line of weakness 25A will tear, but opening the line of weakness 40A will not tear. It may be advantageous to have each of the separate lines of weakness parallel to each of the open lines of weakness in certain manufacturing configurations.

In a particular embodiment, each of the open lines of weakness extends over at least 90% of the width 14 of the plurality of 10 sachets, more specifically between 70% and 90%, and still more specifically 100%. For example, referring to FIG. 1A, the open line of weakness 40A extends over 100% of the width 14 of the plurality of 10 sachets 11. Similarly, referring to FIG. 3, the open line of weakness 240A extends across 100% of the width 14 of the plurality of 10 sachets 211. In other embodiments, such as the representative example illustrated in Figure 2A, each of the open lines of weakness 140 extends between 70% and 90% of the width 14 of the plurality of 10 sachets.

As representatively illustrated in Figures 1-3, each open line of weakness may comprise a non-continuous series of slits, such as dots or dashes. The slits can have a depth that is less than the thickness of the flexible packaging material. For example, as representatively illustrated in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1E, the depth 29 of opening the line of weakness 40A (defined by dots or dot cuts of discontinuous rows) is less than the front layer of the flexible packaging material. 16 thickness 26. In other embodiments, each of the open lines of weakness can comprise a continuous score line having a depth that is less than the thickness of the flexible packaging material. The use of slits or score lines having a depth less than the thickness of the flexible packaging material for opening the line of weakness is desirable in certain embodiments because the compartment 20 of the pouch remains unaffected by the external environment. This is in some applications (such as making a face towel It is important that the paper is free from external contamination or that the wetting fluid of the pre-wet wipes is evaporated. If, for example, any of the dots or dashes that open the line of weakness 40/140/240 are formed to completely penetrate the thickness of the front layer 16 or the back layer 17, the water impervious properties of the compartment 20 will be impaired.

In a particular embodiment, each pouch has a first open line of weakness in the first layer of flexible packaging material and a second open line of weakness in the second layer of flexible packaging material. For example, referring to Figures 2A and 2B, the pouch 111A has a first open line of weakness 140A in the first layer 16 of flexible packaging material and further has a second layer 17 of flexible packaging material. The second open line of weakness 140D. Both the first open line of weakness 140A and the second line of open line 140D overlap the compartment 20 of the pouch 111A, and preferably, but optionally, overlap the article 18 contained within the compartment 20 of the pouch 111A. . Preferably, but as the case may be, the first open line of weakness 140A and the second open line of weakness 140D overlap each other. This particular example allows both the first layer 16 and the second layer 17 to tear after application of force, thereby permitting easier retrieval of the article 18 contained within the compartment 20 of the pouch 111A. Opening the configuration of both of the lines of weakness 140A and 140D can be substantially as described above with respect to opening the line of weakness.

Referring to Figures 4 through 5, in an alternative embodiment, the present invention includes a plurality of 10 individual pouches 51A through 51E for receiving disposable personal care articles 18. The plurality of pouches include 2 or more sachets, more specifically 3 to 20 sachets, and still more specifically, 5 to 15 sachets. Each individual pouch has a longitudinal direction 12, a lateral direction 13 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 12, and a thickness direction 19 perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction 12 and the lateral direction 13. Each individual pouch 51A-51E has a width 14 that extends perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 12.

Each individual pouch 51 has a fixed end 52 and a free end 53 that is opposite the fixed end 52 in the longitudinal direction. The individual pouches 51A to 51E are interconnected in parallel so that each pouch The fixed ends 52A to 52E of 51A to 51E are directly or indirectly connected to the fixed ends 52A to 52E of the at least one other pouches 51A to 51E via a connection 55. Each connection may include one or more of an adhesive bond, an ultrasonic bond, a thermal bond, a pressure bond, or other suitable attachment method. For example, as shown in FIG. 4B, the connection between each individual pouch includes a plurality of adhesive strips: the adhesive strip 55A forms a connection between the pouch 51A and the pouch 51B, and the adhesive strip 55B forms between the pouch 51B and the pouch 51C. The connection, the adhesive strip 55C forms a connection between the pouch 51C and the pouch 51D, and the adhesive strip 55D forms a connection between the pouch 51D and the pouch 51E. In other embodiments, the connection 55 can only constitute an area in which the layers of material from adjacent pouches have been fused together using energy as described above.

Still referring to Figures 4 and 5, each pouch 52 has a front side layer 16 of flexible packaging material and a back side layer 17 of flexible packaging material. Substrate suitable for forming flexible packaging materials is described in earlier specific examples. The disposable personal care article 18 is sandwiched between the front side 16 and the back side layer 17 of the flexible packaging material in the compartment 20. As in the specific example described earlier, the front layer 16 and the back layer 17 are not joined to each other in the compartment 20. The front side layer 16 of the flexible packaging material has a thickness 26 and the back side layer 17 of the flexible packaging material has a thickness 27. In a particular embodiment, front side layer 16 and back side layer 17 are joined to each other about their respective perimeters, as shown in Figures 4A, 4B, and 5. Suitable joining methods include those joining methods described in the earlier examples. In other embodiments, the front side layer 16 and the back side layer 17 are joined to each other about portions of their respective perimeters, but are integrally joined to one another in other portions of their perimeter, as described in earlier embodiments.

A separate line of weakness 25 is defined between each pouch 51 and the remainder of the plurality of 10 sachets. Each of the separate lines of weakness 25 is adapted to allow the consumer to separate a front end pouch 30 from the remainder of the plurality of 10 sachets. The separate weak line 25 of the specific example illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 5 can be used in each pouch as described in the earlier specific example. Any of the configurations. In the particular example illustrated in Figures 4A and 4B, the split line of weakness 25 is defined by a series of dots or holes and extends across 100% of the width 14 of the pouch 51A. In a particular embodiment, each of the separate lines of weakness 25 can be defined by a connection 55. In other words, the pouches can be grouped at the joint 55 (such as along the line of adhesive or along the energy bond) from the remaining plurality of pouches (after application of force).

Each pouch has an open line of weakness 340 adapted to allow the consumer to open the pouch to retrieve the disposable personal care item 18 contained therein. The placement and characteristics of the opening weak line in the specific example of the "parallel connection" which is representatively illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 5 can be combined with the "series connection" as described above. In the specific example shown in Figs. 4A and 4B, the opening line of weakness 340A overlaps not only the compartment 20 of the pouch 51A but also the article 18 held in the pouch 51A.

The specific example illustrated in Fig. 5 is similar to the specific example schematically illustrated in Fig. 4A, with one difference. In the particular example of Figure 4A, the open line of weakness 340A is positioned toward the fixed end 52A of the pouch 51A. In the specific example of Fig. 5, the open line of weakness 340C is positioned toward the free end 53A of the pouch 51A. By moving the open line of weakness 340C relatively far from the separate line of weakness 25, as representatively illustrated in Figure 5, the user will grasp the bag to tear the line of weakness 25 to remove the bag from the plurality of 10 bags. The possibility of accidentally tearing open the line of weakness can be ideally reduced in some situations.

Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the specific embodiments thereof, it is understood that those skilled in the art can readily appreciate variations, variations, and equivalents of the embodiments. Therefore, the scope of the invention should be determined by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (33)

A plurality of individual pouches for receiving disposable personal care items, the pouches being interconnected in series such that the plurality of pouches extend in a longitudinal direction when in a fully extended unfolded tiled state, the plurality Individual pouches having a width extending perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, wherein each pouch has a front layer of flexible packaging material joined to a backing layer of one of the flexible packaging materials, and sandwiched between the two in a compartment A disposable personal care article between the layers, the front layer and the back layer are not joined to each other in the compartment, each layer of the flexible packaging material having a thickness, wherein a separate weak line is defined in the individual pouch Each of the separate lines of weakness is adapted to allow a consumer to separate a front end pouch from the plurality of pouches, wherein each pouch has a disposable personal care item adapted to allow a consumer to open each of the pouches for retrieval therein. An open line of weakness, wherein the open line of weakness of each of the pockets at least partially overlaps the compartment of the pouch. A plurality of individual pouches as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the separate lines of weakness is parallel to each of the open lines of weakness. A plurality of individual pouches as claimed in claim 1, wherein the open line of weakness of each pouch is at least partially superposed with the disposable personal care item in the pouch. The plurality of individual pouches of claim 1, further wherein when the consumer pulls a small pouch to remove the individual pouch from the plurality of pouches, a separate line of weakness is torn to facilitate removal, but the weak line is opened without tearing crack. A plurality of individual pouches as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the open lines of weakness extends between 70% and 90% of the width. A plurality of individual pouches as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the open lines of weakness extends across 100% of the width. A plurality of individual pouches as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the open lines of weakness comprises a non-continuous series of slits. A plurality of individual pouches as claimed in claim 7, wherein the slits have a depth that is less than the thickness of the flexible packaging material. A plurality of individual pouches as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the open lines of weakness comprises a continuous score line. A plurality of individual pouches as claimed in claim 1, wherein each pouch has a first open line of weakness in the first layer of flexible packaging material and a second opening in the second layer of flexible packaging material a line of weakness, wherein the first open line of weakness and the second line of weakness of each of the sachets at least partially overlap the compartment of the pouch. A plurality of individual pouches as claimed in claim 10, wherein each of the open lines of weakness extends between 70% and 90% of the width. A plurality of individual pouches as claimed in claim 10, wherein each of the open lines of weakness extends across 100% of the width. A plurality of individual pouches as claimed in claim 10, wherein each of the open lines of weakness comprises a non-continuous series of slits. A plurality of individual pouches as claimed in claim 13, wherein the slits have a depth that is less than the thickness of the flexible packaging material. A plurality of individual pouches as claimed in claim 10, wherein each of the open lines of weakness comprises a continuous score line. A plurality of individual pouches as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the separate lines of weakness comprises a score line. A plurality of individual pouches for containing disposable personal care items, each The pouch has a longitudinal direction, a fixed end and a free end opposite the fixed end in the longitudinal direction, the pouch being interconnected in parallel such that the fixed end of each pouch is directly or indirectly via a connection Attached to the fixed end of at least one other pouch, each individual pouch having a width extending perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, wherein each pouch has one of flexible packaging materials joined to a backing layer of one of the flexible packaging materials a front layer, and a disposable personal care article sandwiched between the two layers in a compartment, the front layer and the back layer are not joined to each other within the compartment, each layer of the flexible packaging material having a thickness a separate weak line is defined between each of the pouches and a remaining portion of the plurality of pouches, each of the separate lines of weakness being adapted to allow a consumer to separate a front end pouch from the plurality of pouches, wherein each pouch is adapted Allowing the consumer to open each of the pouches to retrieve an open line of weakness of the disposable personal care item contained therein, wherein the opening of each sachet is thin Line at least partially overlapped with the compartment of the pouch. A plurality of individual pouches as claimed in claim 17, wherein each of the separate lines of weakness is parallel to each of the open lines of weakness. A plurality of individual pouches of claim 17, wherein the open line of weakness of each pouch is at least partially superposed with the disposable personal care item in the pouch. The plurality of individual pouches of claim 17, further wherein when the consumer pulls a small pouch to remove the individual pouch from the plurality of pouches, a separate line of weakness is torn to facilitate removal, but the weak line is opened without tearing crack. A plurality of individual pouches of claim 17, wherein each of the open lines of weakness extends between 70% and 90% of the width of the pouch. A plurality of individual pouches as claimed in claim 17, wherein each of the pouches is weakly opened The line extends across 100% of the width of the pouch. A plurality of individual pouches as claimed in claim 17, wherein each of the open lines of weakness comprises a non-continuous series of slits. A plurality of individual pouches as claimed in claim 23, wherein the slits have a depth that is less than the thickness of the flexible packaging material. A plurality of individual pouches as claimed in claim 17, wherein each of the open lines comprises a continuous score line. A plurality of individual pouches as claimed in claim 17, wherein each pouch has a first open line of weakness in the first layer of flexible packaging material and a second opening in the second layer of flexible packaging material a line of weakness, wherein the first open line of weakness and the second line of weakness of each of the sachets at least partially overlap the compartment of the pouch. A plurality of individual pouches as claimed in claim 26, wherein each of the open lines of weakness of each of the pouches extends between 70% and 90% of the width of the pouch. A plurality of individual pouches as claimed in claim 26, wherein each of the open lines of weakness of each pouch extends across 100% of the width of the pouch. A plurality of individual pouches as claimed in claim 26, wherein each of the open lines of weakness comprises a non-continuous series of slits. A plurality of individual pouches as claimed in claim 29, wherein the slits have a depth that is less than the thickness of the flexible packaging material. A plurality of individual pouches as claimed in claim 26, wherein each of the open lines of weakness comprises a continuous score line. A plurality of individual pouches of claim 17, wherein each of the connections comprises one of an adhesive bond, an ultrasonic bond, a thermal bond, or a press bond, and wherein each of the separate lines of weakness is defined by a bond. A plurality of individual pouches as claimed in claim 17, wherein each of the separate lines of weakness comprises a score line.