Special receptacle or package – For folded sheetlike article
Patent
1998-11-13
1999-10-26
Gehman, Bryon P.
Special receptacle or package
For folded sheetlike article
53438, 53446, 206499, B65D 7700, B65B 506
Patent
active
059711531
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a package comprising an array of compressed, flexible absorbent articles, in particular, disposable absorbent articles such as diapers. The package comprises a flexible outer casing and the absorbent articles within are arranged such that their front and back faces are in a contacting relationship. In another aspect of the invention, a method of forming the package is described.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It has been recognized that during compression packaging, local variations in compressibilities or calipers can result, which may lead to the flexible outer casing not being filled to an optimal extent. If a high degree of compaction occurs, certain areas of the absorbent articles can be affected, e.g., high compression resistant parts, mechanical fasteners, elasticized internal standup barrier cuffs, waist bands or elasticated side panels, and this can lead to either product damage or to reduced absorption performance.
When flexible disposable absorbent articles are compression packaged, volume changes occur which can lead both to "wedge-like" shapes and to the absorbent articles in the centre of the array being squeezed out. To counteract such an effect, special confinement measures are taken to stabilize the array at its side faces in a direction perpendicular to the direction of compression. As a consequence, the speed of compression packaging is reduced. In addition, the difference in the compressibilities or calipers of parts of the absorbent articles may lead to relatively unstable and easily deformable packages. Therefore, for the purposes of storage of such unstable packages in a shape-stable stack, rectangular load bearing cartons are employed.
From EP-A-0618148 a compressed array of flexible articles is known, which comprises one or more unit packages that are maintained in their compressed state by a paper wrapping. The whole compressed array is encircled in a flexible covering made from a film of thermoplastic material. The application also discloses an alternative type of unit package where the flexible articles are folded and packed in a "head-to-tail" configuration. There is however no suggestion that the compressed state of the array could be maintained even in the alternative configuration without the presence of the individual paper wrappings. Moreover, in order to get access to the products, the consumer has to tear open the outer plastic flexible covering and remove the inner paper wrapping across the width of the products.
In view of the above problems, the present invention seeks to provide a package comprising an array of compressed, flexible absorbent articles that: the orientation of the absorbent articles before compression packaging; a significant reduction in the performance of the absorbent articles; use of ISO modular cases and increases pallet usage; a better fit when the package is displayed e.g. on supermarket shelves) and has an improved appearance; contained in the flexible outer casing when opened. as e. g. paper wrapping
The invention further discloses a relatively simple and reliable method for compression packaging of an array of flexible absorbent articles at high speed.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
The invention describes a package comprising an array of compressed, flexible absorbent articles, which are housed in a flexible outer casing. The array has two regions, namely a first and a second region. The absorbent articles comprise top and bottom faces, front and back faces and side faces that are distributed over the first and second region of the array. For simplicity, the relevant parts of the top, front, back and side faces of the absorbent article are referred to as the upper section and the relevant parts of the bottom, front, back and side faces of the absorbent article are referred to as the lower section. The upper and lower sections have mutually different compressibilities and calipers. The difference in the compression force for compression of the first and second regions (to within 20% to 70% of their un
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Bauer Rainer Richard Bernd
Pfeifer Georg
Sturm Andre Franz
Andes William Scott
Gehman Bryon P.
The Proctor & Gamble Company
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