Surgery – Means and methods for collecting body fluids or waste material – Absorbent pad for external or internal application and...
Reexamination Certificate
1998-04-09
2001-09-25
Weiss, John G. (Department: 3761)
Surgery
Means and methods for collecting body fluids or waste material
Absorbent pad for external or internal application and...
C604S385010, C604S385030, C604S385050, C604S385130, C604S389000, C604S387000, C206S440000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06293932
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an individually wrapped absorbent article, such as a catamenial pad, which uses a minimum amount of wrapper material. More specifically, this invention relates to an absorbent article which has a first end which at a minimum is aligned flush with the first end of the wrapper before the absorbent article and wrapper are folded so as to reduce the amount of wrapper material which is needed.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, panty liners, and other types of catamenial devices are used to absorb menses and other body fluids. Such absorbent articles are primarily disposable and are used during a women's menstrual cycle. In addition, disposable absorbent articles are used between menstrual periods for light incontinence purposes. Since many of these absorbent articles are carried in a woman's purse or pocket prior to use, it is advantageous to individually wrap each article so as to keep it clean. By individually packaging each absorbent article, the manufacturer can be assured that the article will not become contaminated by makeup, perfume, dirt, etc. Because of this, many absorbent articles commercially sold today are individually packaged.
Generally, the wrapper consists of a thin sheet of thermoplastic material, such as polyethylene, which is folded around the absorbent article and is then sealed by the use of heat and/or pressure, by ultrasonics or by an adhesive, to form a package. The package is designed to be opened by breaking or tearing the material at or adjacent the seal so as to remove the absorbent article. Normally, the thermoplastic material is designed to tear adjacent to the seal. However, when this occurs, the thermoplastic material acquires a ragged appearance and the tearing operation can be noisy. Most woman desire a package which can be quietly opened to avoid any embarrassing moments. In addition, it has been found that some seals are of a frangible nature such that they will come apart prior to use and therefore allow contamination to enter and contact the absorbent article. This is a detriment in that the consumer expects the absorbent article to be clean in appearance when she opens the package.
Another use for the wrapper is to enclose a soiled sanitary napkin after it has been used by the consumer so that it can be discretely disposed. For this reason, it is advantageous to design a package which can be opened such that a large piece of the wrapper material remains which can be used to wrap up a soiled sanitary napkin prior to its disposal.
In view of the above, it has been recognized that there is a need for an individually wrapped absorbent article which has an easy open feature and which can be quietly and discreetly opened. It is also advantageous to offer an individually wrapped absorbent article having one or more lines of perforations which enable the wrapper to be cleanly torn apart so that no ragged edges are present.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly, this invention relates to an individually wrapped absorbent article, such as a catamenial device. The absorbent article has first and second ends, first and second longitudinal sides and first and second major surfaces. The second major surface has a garment attachment adhesive secured thereto. A wrapper having first and second ends, first and second longitudinal sides and first and second major surfaces is designed to enclose the absorbent article. To accomplish this, the first major surface of the wrapper is releaseably affixed to the garment attachment adhesive such that the first end of the absorbent article at a minimum is aligned flush the first end of the wrapper. When so attached, the second end of the wrapper will extend beyond the second end of the absorbent article and the first and second longitudinal sides of the wrapper will extend laterally outward from the first and second sides of the absorbent article, respectively. An attachment device is secured to the second major surface of the wrapper approximate the first end. The wrapper and the absorbent article are folded together about two fold axes such that the first major surface of the wrapper contacts the attachment device and is releaseably secured thereto to form a package. The package has first and second side edges aligned approximately parallel to the first and second sides of the absorbent article, respectively. A first seal and a second seal secure the first and second side edges together. The package further contains at least one line of perforations formed in the wrapper adjacent to and inward of the first and second seals, respectively. This line of perforations provide an easy open feature for the package.
The general object of this invention is to provide an individually wrapped absorbent article, such as a catamenial pad, which uses a minimum amount of wrapper material. A more specific object of this invention is to provide an absorbent article having a first end which is flush with the first end of the wrapper before the absorbent article and wrapper are folded so as to reduce the amount of wrapper material which is needed.
Another object of this invention is to provide an absorbent article having a first end which extends beyond the first end of the wrapper before the absorbent article and wrapper are folded so as to reduce the amount of wrapper material which is needed.
Another object of this invention is to provide an individually packaged absorbent article which is easy to assemble and is easy to open.
A further object of this invention is to provide an individually packaged absorbent article which allows the wrapper, after it has been removed from the absorbent article, to be used to discreetly dispose of a soiled sanitary napkin.
Still another object of this invention is to provide an individually packaged absorbent article with at least one line of perforations which can be easily broken in a discreet and quiet manner.
Still further, an object of this invention is to provide an individually packaged sanitary napkin or panty liner which includes a wrapper having first and second lines of perforations which extend along the entire length of the wrapper.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the following description and the accompanying drawings.
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Balzar Tammy Jo
DeShaney Pamela Jean
Finch Valerie Victoria
Larsen Janet Jessie
Milner James Dell
Kidwell Michele
Kimberly--Clark Worldwide, Inc.
Parker Thomas M.
Weiss John G.
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