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WO2006052760A1 - Accessoire de distribution pour faciliter le retrait de produits individuels d'un emballage comprimé - Google Patents

Accessoire de distribution pour faciliter le retrait de produits individuels d'un emballage comprimé Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2006052760A1
WO2006052760A1 PCT/US2005/040042 US2005040042W WO2006052760A1 WO 2006052760 A1 WO2006052760 A1 WO 2006052760A1 US 2005040042 W US2005040042 W US 2005040042W WO 2006052760 A1 WO2006052760 A1 WO 2006052760A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
product
products
major surface
compressed package
average coefficient
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2005/040042
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Teresa Marie Zander
Scott Leslie Williams
Original Assignee
Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US10/984,276 external-priority patent/US7168563B2/en
Priority claimed from US10/984,429 external-priority patent/US20060096880A1/en
Application filed by Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. filed Critical Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
Publication of WO2006052760A1 publication Critical patent/WO2006052760A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F15/00—Auxiliary appliances for wound dressings; Dispensing containers for dressings or bandages
    • A61F15/001—Packages or dispensers for bandages, cotton balls, drapes, dressings, gauze, gowns, sheets, sponges, swabsticks or towels
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D57/00—Internal frames or supports for flexible articles, e.g. stiffeners; Separators for articles packaged in stacks or groups, e.g. for preventing adhesion of sticky articles
    • B65D57/002—Separators for articles packaged in stacks or groups, e.g. stacked or nested
    • B65D57/005—Separators for vertically placed articles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D85/00—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials
    • B65D85/07—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for compressible or flexible articles

Definitions

  • Compressed packaging also allows more packages to be placed on a store's shelf since each package takes up less space. This is advantageous since more consumers will be able to find their desired products available on the store shelf.
  • One drawback with compressed packaging is that it is sometimes difficult to remove the first few products from the compressed package. This fact is especially true for personal care products that are designed to absorb urine, menses, fecal matters, or other body fluids. Some examples of such personal care products include adult incontinence garments, infant diapers, training pants, feminine pads, sanitary napkins, pantyliners, etc.
  • this invention relates to a dispensing aid for facilitating removal of an individual product from a compressed package.
  • the compressed package contains a plurality of compressed products arranged in a row. Each of the products has a first major surface and a second major surface. The first and second major surfaces are aligned opposite to one another. The first major surface has an average coefficient of friction value.
  • An opening is formed in one of the walls of the compressed package and is aligned perpendicular to the first and second major surfaces of at least one of the products. The opening is of sufficient size to allow the products to be individually withdrawn such that, as a product is removed from the compressed package, the first and second major surfaces of the exiting product move in shear relative to at least one major surface of the adjacent products.
  • a slip sheet is positioned adjacent to the first major surface of at least the first product to be withdrawn.
  • the slip sheet has a lower average coefficient of friction value than the average coefficient of friction value of the first major surface of the product being withdrawn.
  • the slip sheet functions to reduce the force needed to remove the first product from the compressed package.
  • the opening is formed in one of the walls of the compressed package and is aligned perpendicular to the first major surface of at least one of the products.
  • the opening is of sufficient size to allow the products to be individually withdrawn such that, as a product is removed from the compressed package, the first major surface of the exiting product will move parallel to an adjacent product.
  • a sheath is sized to contain a product to be withdrawn from the compressed package. The sheath to an adjacent sheath has an average coefficient of friction value lower than the average coefficient of friction value of the first major surface of a product to the major surface of an adjacent product. The sheath functions to reduce the force needed to remove the contained product from the compressed package.
  • Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a package containing a plurality of compressed products and having a perforation line formed in the top wall which can be broken to form an opening through which the compressed products can be individually removed.
  • Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the package shown in Fig. 1 with a cut away portion revealing the arrangement of several compressed products and adjacent slip sheets within the package.
  • Fig. 3 is a perspective view of an adult incontinent garment having a waist opening and a pair of leg openings which is designed to be pulled up around a user's torso similar to regular cloth underwear.
  • Fig. 4 is a front view of the adult incontinent garment shown in Fig. 3 after it has been flattened in the z direction.
  • Fig. 5 is a front view of the adult incontinent garment shown in Fig. 4 after the two side portions have been folded along lines A— A and B-B, respectively, over the longitudinal centerline X-X.
  • Fig. 6 is a front view of the adult incontinent garment shown in Fig. 5 after the upper half of the adult incontinent garment has been folded down along transverse line C-C over the lower half of the adult incontinent garment.
  • Fig. 7 is an end view of the folded adult incontinent garment shown in Fig. 6.
  • Fig. 8 is a front view of the package shown in Fig. 1 after the perforation line has been broken to form an opening and depicting a consumer pulling an individual compressed product out of the compressed package.
  • Fig. 9 is a plane view of a slip sheet having a surface area which is approximately equal to the first major surface of the folded adult incontinent garment shown in Fig. 6.
  • Fig. 10 is a plane view of a slip sheet having a surface area which is about 50% of the first major surface of the folded adult incontinent garment shown in Fig. 6.
  • Fig. 11 is a plane view of a slip sheet having a surface area which is about 25% of the first major surface of the folded adult incontinent garment shown in Fig. 6.
  • Fig. 12 is a plane view of an alternative embodiment showing a slip sheet having a surface area which is about 120% of the first major surface of the folded adult incontinent garment shown in Fig. 6.
  • Fig. 13 is a plane view of yet another embodiment showing a slip sheet having a surface area which is about 60% of the first major surface of the folded adult incontinent garment shown in Fig. 6 and which is aligned adjacent to the upper portion of the first major surface.
  • Fig. 14 is a perspective view of a package containing a plurality of compressed products and having a perforation line formed in the top wall which can be broken to form an opening through which the compressed products can be individually removed.
  • Fig. 15 is a perspective view of the package shown in Fig. 14 with a cut away portion revealing the arrangement of several compressed products contained in sheaths within the package.
  • Fig. 16 is a perspective view of an adult incontinent garment having a waist opening and a pair of leg openings which is designed to be pulled up around a user's torso similar to regular cloth underwear.
  • Fig. 17 is a front view of the adult incontinent garment shown in Fig. 16 after it has been flattened in the z direction.
  • Fig. 18 is a front view of the adult incontinent garment shown in Fig. 17 after the two side portions have been folded along lines A--A and B-B, respectively, over the longitudinal centerline X-X.
  • Fig. 19 is a front view of the adult incontinent garment shown in Fig. 18 after the upper half of the adult incontinent garment has been folded down along transverse line C-C over the lower half of the adult incontinent garment.
  • Fig. 20 is an end view of the folded adult incontinent garment shown in Fig. 19.
  • Fig. 21 is a perspective view of a sheath formed from two pieces of material joined together and having an open end.
  • Fig. 22 is a right side view of the sheath shown in Fig. 21.
  • Fig. 23 is a front view of the sheath shown in Fig. 21 having a height hi that is greater than the height h 2 of the contained disposable absorbent product.
  • Fig. 24 is a side view of the sheath shown in Fig. 23.
  • Fig. 25 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a sheath in the shape of a parallelepiped having a height h 3 , a width W 3 and a thickness t 3 and containing a disposable absorbent product having a height h 3 which is equal to the height h 3 of the sheath.
  • Fig. 26 is a perspective view of a sheath in the shape of a parallelepiped having a height h 4 , a width W 4 and a thickness t 4 and containing a disposable absorbent product having a height h 2 that is greater than the height h 4 of the sheath.
  • Fig. 27 is a front view of the package shown in Fig. 14 after the perforation line has been broken to form an opening and depicting a consumer pulling an individual compressed product out of the compressed package.
  • Fig. 28 is a front view of the package shown in Fig. 14 depicting each of the sheaths having an open end at the top surface.
  • Fig. 29 is a photograph showing an acrylin platen and weights positioned on top of the stack of five products.
  • Fig. 30 is a chart depicting the kinetic, average coefficient of friction test results with an equivalent to 40% compression weight for different materials.
  • Fig. 31 is a photograph showing at least about 0.25 inches of the height of the selected product being exposed.
  • Fig. 32 is a chart depicting garment tensile testing with a 40% compressed package for slip sheets formed from different materials.
  • Fig. 33 is a photograph showing an acrylin platen and weights positioned on top of the stack of five products.
  • Fig. 34 is a chart depicting the kinetic, average coefficient of friction test results with an equivalent to 40% compression weight for different materials.
  • Fig. 35 is a photograph showing at least about 0.25 inches of a selected product, located in the mid-section, was exposed.
  • Fig. 36 is a chart depicting the average recorded force values needed to remove a first product from a compressed package when it contained a sheath.
  • a compressed package 10 is shown containing a plurality of products or articles 12, see Fig. 2, which are arranged in a row 14.
  • One or more rows 14 of products 12 can be enclosed within the compressed package 10.
  • the compressed package 10 has multiple walls and can vary in overall configuration.
  • the compressed package 10 can be configured as a cube having square sides, a rectangle having one or more rectangular sides, a parallelepiped, a cylinder having a circular wall and a pair of end walls, or any other geometrical shape known to those skilled in the packaging art.
  • the dimensions of the compressed package 10 can be adjusted to suit one's needs and requirements.
  • the compressed package 10 is depicted as a parallelepiped having six walls, denoted 16, 18, 20, 22, 24 and 26.
  • the six walls include a front wall16, a top wall 18, a back wall 20, a bottom wall 22, and two side walls 24 and 26.
  • the compressed package 10 can be formed, constructed or fabricated from a variety of materials.
  • the material should be flexible and pliable and be capable of being compressed, squeezed, deformed, or altered without significantly destroying or tearing the material. Examples of some materials that are capable of being compressed include polymer materials, plastics, thermoplastics, non-wovens, polyesters, and polyolefin films, such as polypropylene and polyethylene, or a laminate thereof.
  • Polymer films have sufficient strength and resistance to creep deformation so as to be ideally suited for making the compressed package 10.
  • Laminates formed from two or more layers of material can also be used.
  • elastomeric materials such as LYCRA, SPANDEX, etc., or other materials known to those skilled in the packaging art, which are capable of being compressed, can also be used to fabricate the compressed package 10.
  • LYCRA and SPANDEX are registered trademarks of E.I. DuPont De Nemours & Co., having an office at 1007 Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19898.
  • a polyolefin film that works especially well for making the compressed package 10 is linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE).
  • the linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) material can have a thickness that ranges from between about 0.45 mils to about 6 mils. Desirably, the linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) will have a thickness that ranges from between about 0.5 mils to about 3 mils. More desirably, the linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) will have a thickness that ranges from between about 0.6 mils to about 2 mils.
  • the thickness of the packaging material is partially dependent upon the type of products 12 being enclosed within the compressed package 10 and the amount of compression force applied to such products 12.
  • Thermoplastic polymer films facilitate the securement and closure of the compressed package 10 by the application of heat and/or pressure.
  • the compressed package 10 can include seams, pleats, flaps, handles and/or other appendages. Other means of closing and sealing the compressed package 10 include the use of an additional material such as adhesive tape, a cold melt adhesive, a hot melt adhesive, etc. as are known in the packaging art.
  • the compressed package 10 is considered to be unitary.
  • unitary it is meant a compressed package formed of one or more parts that are joined together to form a coordinated entity or a whole unit.
  • a compressed package 10 can be formed from a flexible, polymeric film that is folded, sealed and possibly has another component, such as a closure mechanism, joined thereto.
  • the unfilled package can be equipped with one or more vent holes (not shown) which will allow air to be removed therefrom while a plurality of compressed products are inserted therein.
  • the filled package is then sealed at its open end to form the compressed package 10.
  • a plurality of products 12 are first compressed and then inserted into an unfilled package, which is open at one end.
  • the filled package is then sealed at its open end to form the compressed package 10.
  • the filled and sealed package can then be compressed further to obtain the compressed package 10.
  • a seal line 28 is shown formed in the side wall 26. It should be understood that the seal line 28 could be formed in any wall of the compressed package 10, dependent upon the compressed package's overall profile.
  • a pair of gussets, 30 and 32 is formed between the top wall 18 and each of the side walls 24 and 26 of the compressed package 10. Each gusset 30 and 32 is triangular in shape and functions to strengthen the compressed package 10 and can also function to enlarge the opening formed in the compressed package 10 once it is opened. The presence of the gussets 30 and 32 are optional. The opening of the compressed package 10 will be explained in greater detail below.
  • the compressed package 10 can be subjected to a compression force that squeezes air out of the package 10, the products 12, or both.
  • the amount of compression force exerted on the products 12 before they are inserted into the package, or the amount of compression force exerted on the filled package can vary depending upon the type of product 12 that is enclosed within the compressed package 10 and the material from which the compressed package 10 is constructed.
  • the compressed package 10 encloses a plurality of non-breakable products 12, which may contain a certain amount of air
  • the products 12 are normally compressed before they are inserted into the package. It should be noted that some products are not compressible due to the material from which they are formed. However, disposable absorbent products are ideal products that can be subjected to compression. Desirably, the products 12 are compressed from an initial size to a smaller size by applying a predetermined amount of force, measured in pounds.
  • Disposable absorbent products refer to absorbent articles which are intended to be worn once by a person and then be discarded.
  • the soiled absorbent products can be land filled or disposed of in an environmentally compatible manner or parts of the absorbent product can be separated out and then be recycled.
  • Disposable absorbent products are not designed to be laundered and reused a number of times like ordinary cotton underwear.
  • the disposable absorbent products are designed to absorb and/or contain one or more body fluids such as urine, perspiration, menses, and other body fluids. Some disposable absorbent products can also absorb exudate in semi-solid or solid form.
  • Some disposable absorbent products like an adult incontinent undergarment, can be designed to be pulled up or positioned around the torso of a person and will conceal the crotch region. All of the disposable absorbent products function to absorb and/or contain the various body fluids and/or exudate discharged from the human body while being worn about the wearer's crotch region or in a body cavity, such as a
  • Disposable absorbent products includes, but is not limited to, adult incontinence garments including pads, briefs and undergarments; infant diapers; child training pants; menstrual pants; feminine care pads and pantyliners; sanitary napkins; tampons; interlabial products; etc. Disposable absorbent products are considered non- breakable products 12 that can be compressed.
  • a disposable absorbent product may consist of several different layers of material and air is usually present in the product. Therefore, a disposable absorbent product is well adapted to be compressed.
  • the compression forces are normally applied perpendicular to the two side walls 24 and 26 such that the entire row 14 of products 12 are squeezed and made shorter in length. Although the direction at which the compression forces are applied can vary, one should consider the shape and construction of the products 12, so that the products 12 are not materially deformed or rendered useless after being compressed.
  • compressed package it is meant a package that contains a plurality of products wherein the plurality of products have a pre-insertion dimension, measured along at least one axis, which is greater in length than when the plurality of products are contained in the package. For example, if fourteen products are assembled into a row having a pre-insertion dimension, measured along an axis, say the x axis, of 10 inches (254 mm) and the row of products are then compressed by a force of at least 1 pound to a dimension of less than 10 inches (254 mm) when they are contained in the package, then the products are considered to be contained in a compressed package for purposes of this invention.
  • the compression force applied to form the compressed package 10 can range from between about 1 pound (Ib) to about several thousand lbs. Desirably, the compression force applied to form the compressed package 10 will range from between about 5 lbs to about 1 ,000 lbs. More desirably, the compression force applied to form the compressed package 10 will range from between about 6 lbs to about 500 lbs. Still more desirably, the compression force applied to form the compressed package 10 will range from between about 7 lbs to about 100 lbs.
  • FIG. 3 an example of a product 12 in the form of a disposable absorbent, adult incontinent undergarment 34 is depicted. It should be understood that a wide variety of products 12, each having a different profile, shape, configuration, size and use, and which may be formed from a variety of different materials, can be enclosed within the compressed package 10.
  • the adult incontinent undergarment 34 is simply an illustration of one such product.
  • the adult incontinent undergarment 34 is depicted as an integral, tubular shaped product having a front portion 36, a back portion 38 and a crotch portion 40 joined to both the front and back portions, 36 and 38 respectively.
  • the adult incontinent undergarment 34 also has a longitudinal axis X-X, a transverse axis Y--Y, and a vertical Z-Z.
  • the adult incontinent undergarment 34 further has a waist opening 42 and a pair of leg openings 44 and 46.
  • the adult incontinent undergarment 34 can also contain a number of elastic strands 48 situated in the front and back portions, 36 and 38 respectively, which function to allow the adult incontinent undergarment 34 to snugly fit around a wearer's torso.
  • the adult incontinent undergarment 34 further contains an absorbent pad (not shown) which is positioned within the crotch portion 40 and which can extend into both of the front and back portions, 36 and 38 respectively.
  • the absorbent pad is capable of absorbing body fluids, such as urine, menses, etc., as well as fecal matter.
  • a liquid- impermeable layer (also not shown) is positioned adjacent to the outer surface of the absorbent pad, away from the body of the wearer, and is designed to restrict body fluid from penetrating or passing therethrough. The liquid-impermeable layer will prevent body fluid that has insulted the absorbent pad from contacting and soiling the outer surface of the adult incontinent undergarment 34. If the body fluid is prevented from leaking to the outer surface of the adult incontinent undergarment 34, then it will be kept away from the exterior clothing of the wearer.
  • Most disposable absorbent products can utilize either a liquid permeable or a liquid-impermeable outer cover 50.
  • the outer cover 50 can also be breathable, if desired.
  • the liquid permeable outer cover 50 is normally present in the front portion 36, the back portion 38 and the crotch portion 40 of the undergarment 34.
  • the outer cover 50 can be formed from natural or synthetic fibers and usually has a soft feel so as to not chafe the inner thighs of the wearer.
  • the outer cover 50 can be formed from spunbond or from bonded carded webs.
  • BSTL liquid-impermeable, breathable spunbond thermal laminate
  • COF average coefficient of friction value
  • the average coefficient of friction value for a material can be measured by using the American Standard Test Method ASTM 4468, dated September 16, 1998 with slight variations which are explained below, under the heading "COF Test”. It is the combination of the average coefficient of friction value of the outer cover 50 and the amount of compression force used to compress the products 12 that determines how difficult it is to withdraw a product 12 from the opened compressed package 10.
  • Figs. 4 -6 the adult incontinent undergarment 34 is depicted as being flattened and folded into a configuration wherein it can be arranged into one or more rows, be compressed and then inserted into an open end of a package.
  • Fig. 4 -6 the adult incontinent undergarment 34 is depicted as being flattened and folded into a configuration wherein it can be arranged into one or more rows, be compressed and then inserted into an open end of a package.
  • FIG. 4 a plane view of the adult incontinent undergarment 34 is shown wherein the tubular product 34 is flattened with the front portion 36 contacting and resting upon the back portion 38, see Fig. 3.
  • This flattened product 34 is depicted as having two longitudinal fold lines A-A and B-B each located a predetermined distance away from the longitudinal axis X-X.
  • the fold lines A-A and B-B can be arbitrarily selected depending upon the size and shape of the adult incontinent undergarment 34. It should be noted that for smaller products, such as sanitary napkins, adult incontinent pads, pantyliners, etc., the products do not have to be folded before they are inserted into a package.
  • the portion of the adult incontinent undergarment 34 located to the left of the fold line A-A is first folded upon the center portion of the undergarment 34 and then the portion of the adult incontinent undergarment 34 located to the right of the fold line B-B is folded over the first folded portion to arrive at a narrow profile 52, depicted in Fig. 5.
  • This narrow profile 52 is then transversely folded approximately in half along a transverse fold line C-C to arrive at a compacted profile 54, depicted in Fig. 6, having a height h.
  • FIG. 7 an end view of the compacted profile 54 is depicted showing the adult incontinent undergarment 34 having a first major surface 56 and a second major surface 58.
  • the first major surface 56 is aligned opposite to the second major surface 58.
  • the first major surface 56 has a predetermined average coefficient of friction value.
  • the second major surface 58 also has an average coefficient of friction value that can be approximately equal to the average coefficient of friction value of the first major surface 56.
  • the second major surface 58 can have an average coefficient of friction value that is less than or greater than the average coefficient of friction value of the first major surface 56.
  • the first and second major surfaces, 56 and 58 respectively do not have to have identical or similar average coefficient of friction values, but most likely will.
  • first and second surfaces, 56 and 58 respectively can have a different average coefficient of friction value even though they are constructed from the same material is that one surface can contain a number of rugosities or wrinkles. Such rugosities or wrinkles can equate in a higher average coefficient of friction value.
  • the first and second major surfaces, 56 and 58 respectively do not require a particular minimum surface area.
  • the surface area of the first and second major surfaces, 56 and 58 respectively can range from between about 5 square inches (about 3,226 millimeters (mm 2 )) to about 100 square inches (about 64,516 mm 2 ).
  • a small/medium size DEPEND adult incontinent undergarment when folded into the compacted profile 54 has a width w of about 5 inches (about 127 mm) and a length I of about 8 inches (about 203 mm).
  • DEPEND is a registered trademark of Kimberly-Clark Corporation having an office at 401 North Lake Street, Neenah, Wisconsin 54956.
  • a large size DEPEND adult incontinent undergarment would have slightly larger width w and length I dimensions.
  • the compressed package 10 contains a perforation line 60 formed in the top wall 18.
  • the perforation line 60 extends completely across the length of the top wall 18 and extends down a portion of each of the side walls 24 and 26.
  • the perforation line 60 is shown being located an equal distance between the front and back walls, 16 and 20 respectively, but could be aligned closer to the front wall 16, if desired.
  • the perforation line 60 is designed to be easily broken when the consumer pulls on the package material located at the upper edges adjacent to the junction of the front wall 16 with the top wall 18 and at the junction formed by the back wall 20 and the top wall 18. This pulling action will cause the perforation line 60 to break and form an opening 62 into the compressed package 10, see Fig. 2.
  • the opening 62 is shown being aligned perpendicular to the first major surface 56 of at least one of the products 12. Desirably, the opening 62 will be aligned perpendicular to the first and second major surfaces, 56 and 58 respectively, of a majority of the products 12. More desirably, the opening 62 will be aligned perpendicular to the first and second major surfaces, 56 and 58 respectively, of all of the products 12.
  • the opening 62 should be of sufficient size to allow the products 12 to be individually withdrawn such that as a product 12 is removed from the compressed package 10, the first and second major surfaces, 56 and 58 respectively, of an exiting product will move in shear relative to a major surface of each adjacent product 12.
  • the dispensing aid of this invention includes at least one slip sheet 64 positioned adjacent to the first major surface 56 of a first product 66 to be withdrawn. If the first product 66 to be withdrawn is located at either end of the row 14, then only one slip sheet 64 needs be present against the adjacent products 12.
  • the material forming the compressed package 10 will serve the same function as a slip sheet 64 provided the compressed package 10 is constructed out of a polymeric material having a low coefficient of friction value.
  • a pair of slip sheets 64 should be positioned adjacent to the first and second major surfaces, 56 and 58 respectively, of the products 12.
  • the slip sheets 64 can be positioned next to or between the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, etc. products 12 to be withdrawn from the compressed package 10. Desirably, at least about 50% of the products 12 in the compressed package 10 are separated by a slip sheet 64. More desirably, at least about 75% of the products 12 in the compressed package 10 are separated by a slip sheet 64. Even more desirably, from between about 75% to about 95% of the products 12 in the compressed package 10 are separated by a slip sheet 64. Most desirably, a slip sheet 64 is positioned between each adjacent product 12 enclosed in the compressed package 10. it is recommended that only one slip sheet 64 be positioned between each pair of adjacent products 12.
  • the minimum number of slip sheets 64 needed to facilitate withdrawal of the first product 66 from the compressed package 10 is one when the first product 12 is located at either end of the row 14.
  • the maximum number of slip sheets 64 which can be used in the compressed package 10 is x -1 for each row 14 of products 12, assuming only one slip sheet 64 is positioned adjacent to the first major surface of each product 12.
  • x represents the total number of products 12 situated in each row 14 that are enclosed in the compressed package 10. For example, if there are fifteen products 12 in a given row 14, then x is equal to fifteen, and the number of slip sheets 64 needed is x -1 which is equal to fourteen.
  • the profile or configuration of the slip sheets 64 can vary and can be any geometrical shape.
  • the slip sheets 64 can have a square, rectangular, triangular, polygonal, hexagonal, circular, round, oval, elliptical or some other shape.
  • a square or rectangular shape works well because material is usually supplied as an elongated strip, rolled up into a supply roll. When the elongated strip is cut into smaller pieces, little or no waste is encountered when a square or rectangular profile is the finished form.
  • the slip sheets 64 can be narrower, wider, shorter or longer than the first major surface 56 of the first product 66. Since the first major surface 56 of the first product 66 is typically folded into a rectangular shape as depicted in Fig. 6, it makes sense from a manufacturing standpoint to form the slip sheets 64 into a rectangular shape as well. However, the slip sheets 64 can be narrower and longer than the first major surface 56 of the first product 66, if desired.
  • the compressed package 10 can have one or more rows 14 of products 12.
  • the number of products 12 making up each row 14 can vary.
  • the total number of products 12 in a given row 14 can be from between 2 to about 500 products.
  • each row 14 of products 12 will contain from between about 3 to about 200 products. More desirably, each row 14 of products 12 will contain from between about 5 to about 100 products. Still more desirably, each row 14 of products 12 will contain from between about 10 to about 25 products.
  • the reason why one less slip sheet 64 is needed relative to the total number of products 12 enclosed within the compressed package 10 is that a slip sheet 64 is not needed to be positioned adjacent to the outer major surface of each of the products 12 forming the ends of a row 14.
  • a slip sheet 64 is not needed to be positioned adjacent to the outer major surface of each of the products 12 forming the ends of a row 14 is that it is very easy to remove the last few products 12 from an essentially empty package 10. The compression forces will have been dissipated when one or a few products 12 are left in the compressed package 10.
  • the number of slip sheets 64 that can be included in the compressed package 10 can range from between two to fourteen.
  • the exact number of slip sheets 64 utilized will depend upon the desire of the manufacturer. Two slip sheets 64 are needed to ensure that the first product 66 is easily removed, especially when that first product 66 is located in the middle portion of the row 14. Once the first product 66 is removed from the compressed package 10, the force needed to remove each subsequent product 12 should diminish since additional space will be present in the compressed package 10. However, depending on how tightly the products 12 were initially compressed, after removing the first product 66, it may still be rather difficult to remove the next few products12.
  • the manufacturer may wish to utilize a slip sheet 64 positioned adjacent to the first major surface 56 of the next two, three, four, five, six, seven, etc. products 12 which will be removed from the compressed package 10. It should be noted that the use of additional slip sheets 64 will increase the overall cost of the finished compressed package 10, and, therefore, a manufacturer will most likely try to economize on the total number of slip sheets 64 that are placed into the compressed package 10. A number of factors will dictate how many slip sheets 64 are needed.
  • a slip sheet 64 could be inserted between every other product 12 within the compressed package 10. This would reduce the cost in half of providing a slip sheet 64 adjacent to each surface of every product 12.
  • the first major surface 56 of the first product 66 to be removed from the compressed package 10 has a predetermined surface area.
  • Each of the slip sheets 64 can have a surface area that ranges from between about 20% to about 150% of the predetermined surface area of the first major surface 56. Desirably, the surface area of each of the slip sheets 64 can range from between about 25% to about 120% of the predetermined surface area of the first major surface 56. More desirably, the surface area of each of the slip sheets 64 can range from between about 40% to about 100% of the predetermined surface area of the first major surface 56. Even more desirably, the surface area of each of the slip sheets 64 can range from between about 50% to about 95% of the predetermined surface area of the first major surface 56.
  • each of the slip sheets 64 can range from between about 60% to about 90% of the predetermined surface area of the first major surface 56. It is also not necessary that all of the slip sheets 64 have the same dimensions, although, from a manufacturing standpoint, they most likely will.
  • the perforation line 60 When the perforation line 60 is formed in the top wall 18, it can be fabricated such that the opening 62 will be created in the central portion of the top wall 18. This means that the manufacturer can place several slip sheets 64 adjacent to the products 12 located in the middle of the row 14 so that any one of these several products 12 can be the first product 66 to be removed from the compressed package 10. Once five or six products 12 have been withdrawn from the compressed package' 10, the force needed to remove each additional product 12 will be substantially reduced and additional slip sheets 64 may no longer be needed. It should be noted that if the opening 62 is aligned adjacent to one end of the row 14 of products 12, then the slip sheets 64 should be inserted between the products 12 located at that end of the row 14.
  • COF coefficient of friction
  • Standard extension insert 6. 6" X 10" acrylic platen with weights equivalent to 3,640 grams or approximately 8 lbs.
  • test methodology was as follows:
  • the Syntech tester was activated such that the top arm began to move upward at a speed of 6.00 in/min. 2. Once the selected product was completely removed from the row of products, the upward movement of the top arm was stopped.
  • each of the slip sheets 64, 64' and 64" to products 12 has an average coefficient of friction value that is at least about 2 times lower than the average coefficient of friction value of the first major surface of the first product 66 to the first major surface of an adjacent product. More desirably, each of the slip sheets 64, 64' and 64" to products 12 has an average coefficient of friction value that is at least about 3 times lower than the average coefficient of friction value of the first major surface 56 of the first product 66 to the first major surface of an adjacent product.
  • the slip sheet 64 should be formed from a material that exhibits a relatively low average coefficient of friction value. By a "relatively low, average coefficient of friction value" it is meant an average coefficient of friction value of less than about 1.
  • the average coefficient of friction value for a slip sheet 64 can be measured using the same American Standard Test Method ASTM D 4468, dated September 16, 1998, that was described above with reference to measuring the average coefficient of friction value of the outer cover 50 of the products 12.
  • the slip sheets 64 will have an average coefficient of friction value of from between about 0.2 to about 1.
  • the slip sheets 64 will have an average coefficient of friction value of from about 0.2 to about 0.8. More desirably, the slip sheets 64 will have an average coefficient of friction value of from about 0.2 to about 0.76. Even more desirably, the slip sheets 64 will have an average coefficient of friction value of from about 0.2 to about 0.7.
  • the slip sheets 64 should have an average coefficient of friction value that is less than the average coefficient of friction value of the first major surface 56 of the first product 66. Desirably, the slip sheets 64 should have an average coefficient of friction value that is at least 0.2 less than the average coefficient of friction value of the first major surface 56 of the first product 66. More desirably, the slip sheets 64 should have an average coefficient of friction value that is at least 0.24 lower than the average coefficient of friction value of the first major surface 56 of the first product 66. Even more desirably, the slip sheets 64 should have an average coefficient of friction value that is at least 0.3 lower than the average coefficient of friction value of the first major surface 56 of the first product 66. This difference will assure that the products 12 can be easily withdrawn from the compressed package 10.
  • the slip sheet 64 can be formed from a polymeric material such as polypropylene or polyethylene. Desirably, the polymeric material is a thin film having a thickness of only a few mills. A thickness of from between about 1 mil to about 2 mils works well. More desirably, the slip sheets 64 can be a low density polymeric film such as low density polypropylene or low density polyethylene.
  • the slip sheets 64 can be formed using a blown film method or a cast film method. Blown films can be manufactured with a lower average coefficient of friction value relative to cast films. The average coefficient of friction value for a blown film, for this application, should range from between about 0.1 to about 0.5.
  • One supplier of blown films is the Bemis Company, Inc., having an office at 222 South Ninth Street, Suite 2300, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402-4099.
  • the average coefficient of friction value for a cast film, for this application, should range from between about 0.5 to about 0.8.
  • a supplier of a cast film is Pliant Corporation, having an office at 1475 Woodfield Road, Suite 700, Schaumburg, Illinois 60173.
  • the first product 66 to be removed from the compressed package 10 is shown being pulled upward out through the opening 62 depicted in Fig. 2.
  • the first product 66 is pulled perpendicularly from the horizontal row 14 of products 12 and is taken from a middle portion of the row 14. It should be noted that the plurality of products 12 forming the row 14 were compressed in a horizontal direction between the ends 24 and 26.
  • the first and second major surfaces, 56 and 58 respectively, of the exiting product 66 will move in shear relative to one of the major surfaces 56 and 58 of the two adjacent products 12.
  • Figs. 9 - 11 three different size slip sheets 64, 64' and 64" are presented. In Fig.
  • the slip sheet 64 is shown having a length I 1 and a width W 1 . If one multiplies the length I 1 of the slip sheet 64 by the width W 1 of the slip sheet 64, one will obtain a surface area for the slip sheet 64. The dimensions of the length I 1 and the width W 1 of the slip sheet 64 can be varied to obtain whatever surface area one desires.
  • the surface area of the slip sheet 64 can be less than, equal to or be greater than the surface area of the first major surface 56 of the first product 66 to be withdrawn from the compressed package 10. Desirabiy, the surface area of the slip sheet 64 will be less than or equal to the surface area of the first major surface 56 of the first product 66 to be withdrawn from the compressed package 10.
  • the slip sheet 64' has a length I 1 and a width W 2 .
  • the width W 2 is half of the width Wi which means that the surface area of the slip sheet 64' is half that of the surface area of the slip sheet 64 shown in Fig. 9.
  • the slip sheet 64" has a length l-i and a width w 3 .
  • the width W 3 is one quarter of the width W 1 which means that the surface area of the slip sheet 64" is one quarter that of the surface area of the slip sheet 64 shown in Fig. 9.
  • the length I 1 of the slip sheets 64, 64' and 64" are all the same, a sufficient amount of the slippery surface is present to reduce the force needed to remove the first products 66 from the compressed package 10.
  • a test was conducted to record the average peak load in grams (g) needed to remove a selected product 12 contained between a pair of slip sheets from the middle of a row of fourteen products housed within a compressed package 10.
  • the selected product was the seventh product in the row of fourteen products.
  • the fourteen products were compressed by a weight of 23 lbs. It should be noted that this force test represents only one way to determine the force value necessary to remove the first product from the compressed package. Other means known to those skilled in the art can be used to determine that the slip sheet(s) actual reduces the force needed to remove the first product from the compressed package.
  • test methodology was as follows:
  • each compressed package each containing one horizontal row of fourteen compressed absorbent products, were utilized.
  • the products within each of the compressed packages were initially compressed by 40% from an original length of about 500 mm down to a length of about 300 mm.
  • the fourteen products were compressed by a weight of 23 lbs.
  • Each compressed package contained a perforation line located in the top wall of the package.
  • the perforation line in each compressed package was torn open by pulling on the material forming the compressed package. This tearing action created an opening in the top wall of each of the compressed packages.
  • the first and second major surfaces of each of the fourteen products in each package were aligned perpendicular to the opening formed in the top wail.
  • the packaging material forming the front and back walls of the compressed package was pulled outwardly to cause the perforation line to tear and form an opening in the top wall of the package.
  • the package material was then pulled downward so that the top surface of several of the products located in the mid-section of the row of fourteen products was exposed. At this time, the top surfaces of the products located at and near the opposite ends of the row of fourteen compressed products were not completely exposed. At least about 0.25 inches (about 6.0 mm) of the height of the selected product was exposed as is shown in Fig. 31.
  • the top jaws of the Syntech tester were brought down onto the mid-section of the folded upper surface of the selected product.
  • the jaws were clamped at least about 0.25 inches (about 6.0 mm) down from the fold line (see Fig. 7) onto the first and second major surfaces of the selected product.
  • the two products located adjacent to the selected product may be slightly compressed by the bottom edges of the two jaws in order to achieve the appropriate clamping of the selected product.
  • Fig. 32 illustrates the force needed to remove a first product 66 from a compressed package 10 using slip sheets 64, 64' and 64" having a length I 1 and widths W 1 , W 2 and W 3 , respectively.
  • Five samples of the three different slip sheets 64, 64' and 64" were tested.
  • the "control value” is based on no slip sheet 64 being present adjacent to the first and second major surfaces, 56 and 58 respectively, of the first product 66 to be withdrawn.
  • the average peak load was 6,404.20 grams for no slip sheet 64 and the standard deviation was 688.21 grams.
  • the test was repeated using a set of five samples of the three different slip sheets 64, 64' and 64" formed from a blown material and a set of five samples formed from a cast material.
  • the blown slip sheets had an average coefficient of friction value of 0.15 and the cast slip sheets had an average coefficient of friction value of 0.49.
  • the slip sheets 64 reduced the amount of force needed to remove each individual product.
  • the surface area of the slip sheets 64", 64' and 64 increased from 1 A to 1 A to 1 (1 being equal in size to the first major surface 56 of the first product 66) that the force needed to remove the first product 66 from the compressed package 10 decreased.
  • the data clearly indicates that if the surface area of a slip sheet remains constant, then the slip sheets 64, 64' and 64" with the lowest average coefficient of friction value requires the least amount of force to remove the first product 66 from the compressed package 10.
  • the force needed to remove the first product 66 from the compressed package 10 using a slip sheet 64 having a surface area of the same size as the surface area of the first major surface 56 and formed from a blown film having an average coefficient of friction of 0.15 was 1,327.86 grams.
  • a slip sheet 64 formed from a cast film of the same size but having an average coefficient of friction of 0.49 required a force of 2,729.48 grams.
  • slip sheets 68 and 68' each having a different size and being positioned differently relative to the first major surface 56 of the first product 66.
  • the slip sheet 68 has a surface area which is larger than (about 120%) of the surface area of the first major surface 56 of the compacted profile 54 of the product 12, see Fig. 6.
  • the slip sheet 68 has a length I 4 and a width W 4 .
  • the length I 4 of the slip sheet 68 is greater than the length I of the first major surface 56 of the product 12.
  • the width W 4 of the slip sheet 68 is larger than the width w of the first major surface 56 of the product 12.
  • Both the slip sheet 68 and the product 12 share the same longitudinal axis x--x.
  • the slip sheet 68' has a surface area which is smaller than (about 60%) the surface area of the first major surface 56 of the compacted profile 54 of the product 12, see Fig. 6. This means that the slip sheet 68 is quite a bit smaller than the first major surface 56 of the product 12.
  • the slip sheet 68 has a length I 5 and a width W 5 .
  • the length I 5 of the slip sheet 68 is much less than the length I of the first major surface 56 of the product 12.
  • the width W 5 of the slip sheet 68 is much less than the width w of the first major surface 56 of the product 12.
  • the slip sheet 68' is aligned with an upper portion of the first major surface 56 of the compacted profile 54 of the product 12. This is different from the previously disclosed embodiments.
  • the reasoning behind this arrangement is that if the slip sheet 68' is positioned near the top of the first product 66 to be withdrawn from the compressed package 10, then the force needed to initially start removing the first product 66 can be reduced. As the consumer continues to pull on the first product 66, the kinetic energy needed to remove the first product 66 will not increase. Therefore, the key is to reduce the amount of force needed to start to withdraw the first product 66 from the row 14 of products 12 enclosed within the compressed package 10.
  • each of the slip sheets 64, 64', 64", 68 and 68' acting either alone or in combination with an adjacent slip sheet, functions to reduce the force needed to remove the first product 66, the first several products 12, or all of the products 12 from the row 14 of products 12 enclosed within the compressed package 10.
  • a compressed package 100 is shown containing a plurality of products or articles 120 which are arranged in a row 140, see Fig. 15.
  • One or more rows 140 of products 120 can be enclosed within the compressed package 100.
  • the compressed package 100 has multiple walls and can vary in overall configuration.
  • the compressed package 100 can be configured as a cube having square sides, a rectangle having one or more rectangular sides, a parallelepiped, a cylinder having a circular wall and a pair of end walls, or any other geometrical shape known to those skilled in the packaging art.
  • the dimensions of the compressed package 100 can be adjusted to suit one's needs and requirements.
  • the compressed package 100 is depicted as a parallelepiped having six walls, denoted 160, 180, 200, 220, 240 and 260.
  • the six walls include a front wall 160, a top wall 180, a back wall 200, a bottom wall 220, and two side walls 240 and 260.
  • the compressed package 100 can be formed, constructed or fabricated from a variety of materials.
  • the material should be flexible and pliable and be capable of being compressed, squeezed, deformed, or altered without significantly destroying or tearing the material.
  • examples of some materials that are capable of being compressed include polymer materials, plastics, thermoplastics, non-wovens, polyesters, and polyolefin films, such as polypropylene and polyethylene, or a laminate thereof.
  • Polymer films have sufficient strength and resistance to creep deformation so as to be ideally suited for making the compressed package 100.
  • Laminates formed from two or more layers of material can also be used.
  • elastomeric materials such as LYCRA, SPANDEX, etc., or other materials known to those skilled in the packaging art, which are capable of being compressed, can also be used to fabricate the compressed package 10.
  • LYCRA and SPANDEX are registered trademarks of E.I. DuPont De Nemours & Co., having an office at 1007 Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19898.
  • a polyolefin film that works especially well for making the compressed package 100 is linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE).
  • LLDPE linear low density polyethylene
  • LLDPE material can have a thickness that ranges from between about 0.5 mils to about 5 mils. Desirably, the linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) will have a thickness that ranges from between about 1 mil to about 3 mils. More desirably, the linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) will have a thickness that ranges from between about 1.5 mils to about 2 mils. In general, the thickness of the packaging material is partially dependent upon the types of products 120 being enclosed within the compressed package 100 and the amount of compression force applied to such products 120.
  • Thermoplastic polymer films facilitate the securement and closure of the compressed package 100 by the application of heat and/or pressure.
  • the compressed package 100 can include seams, pleats, flaps, handles and/or other appendages. Other means of closing and sealing the compressed package 100 include the use of an additional material such as adhesive tape, a cold melt adhesive, a hot melt adhesive, etc. as are known in the packaging art.
  • a compressed package 100 can be formed from a flexible, polymeric film that is folded, sealed and possibly has another component, such as a closure mechanism, joined thereto.
  • the unfilled package can be equipped with one or more vent holes (not shown) which will allow air to be removed therefrom while a plurality of compressed products are inserted therein.
  • the filled package is then sealed at its open end to form the compressed package 100.
  • a plurality of products 120 are first compressed and then inserted into an unfilled package or cylindrical tube which is open at one end.
  • the filled package or tube is then sealed at its open end to form the compressed package 100.
  • the filled and sealed package can then be compressed further to obtain the compressed package 100.
  • a seal line 280 is shown formed in the side wall 260. It should be understood that the seal line 280 could be formed in any wall of the compressed package 100, dependent upon the compressed package's overall profile.
  • a pair of gussets, 300 and 320 is formed between the top wall 180 and each of the side walls 240 and 260 of the compressed package 100. Each gusset 300 and 320 is triangular in shape and functions to strengthen the compressed package 100 and can also function to enlarge the opening formed in the compressed package 100 once it is opened. The presence of the gussets 300 and 320 are optional. The opening of the compressed package 100 will be explained in greater detail below. Still referring to Fig.
  • the compressed package 100 can be subjected to a compression force that squeezes air out of the package 100, the products 120, or both.
  • the amount of compression force exerted on the products 120 before they are inserted into the package, or the amount of compression force exerted on the filled package can vary depending upon the type of products 120 that is enclosed within the compressed package 100 and the material from which the compressed package 100 is constructed.
  • the compressed package 100 encloses a plurality of non-breakable products 120, which may contain a certain amount of air, the products 120 are normally compressed before they are inserted into the package. It should be noted that some products are not compressible due to the material from which they are formed. However, disposable absorbent products are ideal products that can be subjected to compression. Desirably, the products 120 are compressed from an initial size to a smaller size by applying a predetermined amount of force, measured in pounds.
  • Disposable absorbent products refer to absorbent articles which are intended to be worn once by a person and then be discarded.
  • the soiled absorbent products can be land filled or disposed of in an environmentally compatible manner or parts of the absorbent product can be separated out and then be recycled.
  • Disposable absorbent products are not designed to be laundered and reused a number of times like ordinary cotton underwear.
  • the disposable absorbent products are designed to absorb and/or contain one or more body fluids such as urine, perspiration, menses, and other body fluids. Some disposable absorbent products can also absorb exudate in semi-solid or solid form.
  • Some disposable absorbent products like an adult incontinent undergarment, can be designed to be pulled up or positioned around the torso of a person and will conceal the crotch region. All of the disposable absorbent products function to absorb and/or contain the various body fluids and/or exudate discharged from the human body while being worn about the wearer's crotch region or in a body cavity, such as a
  • Disposable absorbent products includes, but is not limited to, adult incontinence garments including pads, briefs and undergarments; infant diapers; child training pants; menstrual pants; feminine care pads and pantyliners; sanitary napkins; tampons; interlabial products; etc. Disposable absorbent products are considered non- breakable products 120 that can be compressed.
  • a disposable absorbent product may consist of several different layers of material and air is usually present in the product. Therefore, a disposable absorbent product is well adapted to be compressed.
  • the compression forces are normally applied perpendicular to the two side walls 240 and 260 such that the entire row 140 of products 120 are squeezed and made shorter in length.
  • the direction at which the compression forces are applied can vary, one should consider the shape and construction of the products 120, so that the products 120 are not materially deformed or rendered useless after being compressed.
  • compressed package it is meant a package that contains a plurality of products wherein the plurality of products have a pre-insertion dimension, measured along at least one axis, which is greater in length than when the plurality of products are contained in the package. For example, if fourteen products are assembled into a row having a pre-insertion dimension, measured along an axis, say the x axis, of 10 inches (254 mm) and the row of products are then compressed by a force of at least 1 pound to a dimension of less than 10 inches (254 mm) when they are contained in the package, then the products are considered to be contained in a compressed package for purposes of this invention.
  • the compression force applied to form the compressed package 100 can range from between about 1 pound (Ib) to about several thousand lbs. Desirably, the compression force applied to form the compressed package 100 will range from between about 5 lbs to about 1 ,000 lbs. More desirably, the compression force applied to form the compressed package 100 will range from between about 6 lbs to about 500 lbs. Still more desirably, the compression force applied to form the compressed package 100 will range from between about 7 lbs to about 100 lbs. Referring now to Fig. 16, an example of a product 120 in the form of a disposable absorbent, adult incontinent undergarment 340 is depicted.
  • the adult incontinent undergarment 340 is simply an illustration of one such product.
  • the adult incontinent undergarment 340 is depicted as an integral, tubular shaped product having a front portion 360, a back portion 380 and a crotch portion 400 joined to both the front and back portions, 360 and 380 respectively.
  • the adult incontinent undergarment 340 also has a longitudinal axis X 10 - X 10 , a transverse axis Y- IO -Y- IO , and a vertical Z 10 -Z 10 .
  • the adult incontinent undergarment 340 further has a waist opening 420 and a pair of leg openings 440 and 460.
  • the adult incontinent undergarment 340 can also contain a number of elastic strands 480 situated in the front and back portions, 360 and 380 respectively, which function to allow the adult incontinent undergarment 340 to snugly fit around a wearer's torso.
  • the adult incontinent undergarment 340 further contains an absorbent pad (not shown) which is positioned within the crotch portion 400 and which can extend into both of the front and back portions, 360 and 380 respectively.
  • the absorbent pad is capable of absorbing body fluids, such as urine, menses, etc., as well as fecal matter.
  • a liquid- impermeable layer (also not shown) is positioned adjacent to the outer surface of the absorbent pad, away from the body of the wearer, and is designed to restrict body fluid from penetrating or passing therethrough. The liquid-impermeable layer will prevent body fluid that has insulted the absorbent pad from contacting and soiling the outer surface of the adult incontinent undergarment 340. If the body fluid is prevented from leaking to the outer surface of the adult incontinent undergarment 340, then it will be kept away from the exterior clothing of the wearer.
  • Most disposable absorbent products can utilize either a liquid permeable or a liquid-impermeable outer cover 500.
  • the outer cover 500 can also be breathable, if desired.
  • the outer cover 500 is normally present in the front portion 360, the back portion 380 and the crotch portion 400 of the undergarment 340.
  • the outer cover 500 can be formed from natural or synthetic fibers and usually has a soft feel so as to not chafe the inner thighs of the wearer.
  • the outer cover 500 can be formed from spunbond or from bonded carded webs.
  • BSTL liquid-impermeable, breathable spunbond thermal laminate
  • the outer cover 500 of the adult incontinent undergarment 340 normally has a relatively high, average coefficient of friction value.
  • relatively high, average coefficient of friction value it is meant a coefficient of friction value in excess of about 1.
  • the average coefficient of friction value for a material can be measured by using the American Standard Test Method ASTM 4468, dated September 16, 1998, with slight variations which are explained below, under the heading "COF Test”. Coefficient of friction value of the outer cover 500 and the amount of compression force used to compress the products 120 determines how difficult it is to withdraw the first product 120 from the opened compressed package 100.
  • FIGs. 17 - 18 the adult incontinent undergarment 340 is depicted as being flattened and folded into a configuration wherein it can be arranged into one or more rows, be compressed and then inserted into an open end of a package.
  • a plane view of the adult incontinent undergarment 340 is shown wherein the tubular product 340 is flattened with the front portion 360 contacting and resting upon the back portion 380, see Fig. 16.
  • This flattened product 340 is depicted as having two longitudinal fold lines A'-A' and B'--B' each located a predetermined distance away from the longitudinal axis X 10 — X-io-
  • the fold lines A'-A' and B'--B' can be arbitrarily selected depending upon the size and shape of the adult incontinent undergarment 340. It should be noted that for smaller products, such as sanitary napkins, adult incontinent pads, pantyliners, etc., the products do not have to be folded before they are inserted into a package.
  • the portion of the adult incontinent undergarment 340 located to the left of the fold line A'— A' is first folded upon the center portion of the undergarment 340 and then the portion of the adult incontinent undergarment 340 located to the right of the fold line B'-B' is folded over the first folded portion to arrive at a narrow profile 520, depicted in Fig. 18.
  • This narrow profile 520 is then transversely folded approximately in half along a transverse fold line C-C to arrive at a compacted profile 540, depicted in Fig. 19, having a height h.
  • an end view of the compacted profile 540 is depicted showing the adult incontinent undergarment 340 having a first major surface 560 and a second major surface 580.
  • the first major surface 560 is aligned opposite to the second major surface 580.
  • the first major surface 560 has a predetermined average coefficient of friction value.
  • the second major surface 580 also has an average coefficient of friction value that can be approximately equal to the average coefficient of friction value of the first major surface 560.
  • the second major surface 580 can have an average coefficient of friction value that is less than or greater than the average coefficient of friction value of the first major surface 560.
  • first and second major surfaces, 560 and 580 respectively do not have to have identical or similar average coefficient of friction values, but most likely will.
  • One reason that the first and second surfaces, 560 and 580 respectively, can have a different average coefficient of friction value even though they are constructed from the same material is that one surface can contain a number of rugosities or wrinkles. Such rugosities or wrinkles can equate in a higher average coefficient of friction value.
  • the first and second major surfaces, 560 and 580 respectively do not require a particular minimum surface area.
  • the surface area of the first and second major surfaces, 560 and 580 respectively can range from between about 5 square inches (about 3,226 millimeters (mm 2 )) to about 100 square inches (about 64,516 mm 2 ).
  • a small/medium size DEPEND adult incontinent undergarment when folded into the compacted profile 540 has a width w of about 5 inches (about 127 mm) and a length I of about 8 inches (about 203 mm).
  • DEPEND is a registered trademark of Kimberly-Clark Corporation having an office at 401 North Lake Street, Neenah, Wisconsin 54956.
  • a large size DEPEND adult incontinent undergarment would have slightly larger width w and length I dimensions.
  • the compressed package 100 contains a perforation line 600 formed in the top wall 180.
  • the perforation line 600 extends completely across the length of the top wall 180 and extends down a portion of each of the side walls 240 and 260.
  • the perforation line 600 is shown being located an equal distance between the front and back walls, 160 and 200 respectively, but could be aligned closer to the front wall 160, if desired.
  • the perforation line 600 is designed to be easily broken when the consumer pulls on the package material located at the upper edges adjacent to the junction of the front wall 160 with the top wall 180 and at the junction formed by the back wall 200 and the top wall 180.
  • the opening 620 is shown being aligned perpendicular to the first major surface 560 (see Fig. 20) of at least one of the products 120. Desirably, the opening 620 will be aligned perpendicular to the first and second major surfaces, 560 and 580 respectively, of a majority of the products 120. More desirably, the opening 620 will be aligned perpendicular to the first and second major surfaces, 560 and 580 respectively, of all of the products 120.
  • the opening 620 should be of sufficient size to allow the products 120 to be individually withdrawn such that as a product 120 is removed from the compressed package 100, the first major surface 560 of an exiting product will move parallel to an adjacent product 120. Desirably, the first and second major surfaces, 560 and 580 respectively, of an exiting product 120 will move parallel to a major surface of each adjacent product 120.
  • the dispensing aid of this invention includes at least one sheath 640 having an open end 660 and being sized to contain one of the products 120 to be withdrawn from the compressed package 100.
  • sheath it is meant a case having an enveloping structure, such as a tubular sleeve closed at one end.
  • the sheath 640 is capable of at least partially enclosing, containing or encasing a product 120.
  • the sheath 640 is sized so as to completely contain or enclose a product 120.
  • the sheath 640 is shown having a height hi and a width Wi.
  • the sheath 640 also has a longitudinal axis Xn-Xn, a transverse axis Yn- Yn, and vertical axis Z 11 -Z 11 .
  • the sheath 640 should be formed from a pliable and flexible material and can be viewed as being similar to a knife sheath in that it functions to contain a product 120.
  • the sheath 640 can be formed from one or more pieces of material which are joined or bonded together to form a tubular or conical sleeve that has an open end 660.
  • the sheath 640 is depicted as being formed from two separate pieces of material 680 and 700 having similar or identical configurations and dimensions.
  • the two pieces of material, 680 and 700 are joined together by side seams 720 and 740 and by an end seam 760.
  • a single sheet of material can be folded upon itself and be seamed at the two sides to form a similar structure.
  • the side seams 720 and 740 and the end seam 760 can be formed using any joining means known to one skilled in the art.
  • Examples of some ways to form the side seams 720 and 740 and the end seam 760 include, but are not limited to, the use of an adhesive, using heat, using pressure, using heat and pressure, using sonic energy, using ultrasonic energy, using a mechanical fastener, using thread which stitches the two pieces of material 680 and 700 together, etc.
  • the exact type of seam that is formed will depend upon the material from which the two pieces of material 680 and 700 are composed.
  • the test procedure used for calculating the average coefficient of friction (COF) values for the outer cover 500 and for each of the three different size sheaths 640, 640' and 640" to an adjacent sheath interface will now be discussed.
  • the longitudinal axes Xn-Xn of each of the pair of sheaths 640 was axially aligned with the longitudinal axis x-io— Xio of the selected products 120.
  • the selected product 120 was folded into the configuration shown in Fig. 20.
  • the testing was conducted in a standard laboratory atmosphere of 23° ⁇ 1 "Celsius (73.4° Fahrenheit (F) ⁇ 1.8°F) and 50% ⁇ 2% Relative Humidity.
  • Standard extension insert 6. 6" X 10" acrylic platen with weights equivalent to 3,640 grams or approximately 8 lbs.
  • test methodology was as follows: Specimen and Equipment Preparation
  • each sheath was not closed or sealed.
  • the Syntech tester was activated such that the top arm began to move upward at a speed of 6.00 in/min. 2. Once the selected product was completely removed from the row of products, the upward movement of the top arm was stopped.
  • each of the sheaths to an adjacent sheath has an average coefficient of friction value that is at least 2 times less than the average coefficient of friction value of a first product to an adjacent product. More desirably, each of the sheaths to an adjacent sheath has an average coefficient of friction value that is at least 2.5 times less than the average coefficient of friction value of a first product to an adjacent product. Even more desirably, each of the sheaths to an adjacent sheath has an average coefficient of friction value that is at least 3 times less than the average coefficient of friction value of a first product to an adjacent product.
  • the sheath 640 should be formed from a material that exhibits a relatively low, average coefficient of friction value when compressed between the products.
  • a relatively low, average coefficient of friction value it is meant an average coefficient of friction value of less than about 1.
  • the average coefficient of friction value for the sheath 640 can be measured using the same American Standard Test Method ASTM 5653 dated April 6, 2004, with slight variations which were explained under the heading "COF Test".
  • the sheath 640 will have an average coefficient of friction value of from between about 0.2 to about 1.
  • each sheath 640 should have an average coefficient of friction value that is at (east 10% less than the average coefficient of friction value of the first major surface 560 of the product 120.
  • each of the sheaths 640 will have an average coefficient of friction value of from about 0.2 to about 0.8. More desirably, each of the sheaths 640 will have an average coefficient of friction value of from about 0.2 to about 0.76. Even more desirably, each of the sheaths 640 will have an average coefficient of friction value of from about 0.2 to about 0.7. Stated another way, each of the sheaths 640 should have an average coefficient of friction value that is less than the average coefficient of friction value of the first major surface 560 of the first product 660.
  • each of the sheaths 640 should have an average coefficient of friction value that is at least 0.2 less than the average coefficient of friction value of the first major surface 560 of the first product 660. More desirably, each of the sheaths 640 should have an average coefficient of friction value that is at least 0.24 lower than the average coefficient of friction value of the first major surface 560 of the first product 660. Even more desirably, each of the sheaths 640 should have an average coefficient of friction value that is at least 0.3 lower than the average coefficient of friction value of the first major surface 560 of the first product 660. This difference will assure that the products 120 can be easily withdrawn from the compressed package 100.
  • Each sheath 640 can be formed from a polymeric material such as polypropylene or polyethylene. Desirably, the polymeric material is a thin film having a thickness of only a few mills. A thickness of from between 1 mil to about 2 mils works well. More desirably, each of the sheaths 640 can be formed from a low density polymeric film such as low density polypropylene or low density polyethylene. The sheaths 640 can be formed using a blown film method or a cast film method. Blown films can be manufactured with a lower, average coefficient of friction value relative to cast films. The average coefficient of friction value for a blown film, for this application, should range from between about 0.1 to about 0.5.
  • One supplier of blown films is the Bemis Company, Inc., having an office at 222 South Ninth Street, Suite 2300, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402-4099.
  • the average coefficient of friction value for a cast film, for this application, should range from between about 0.5 to about 0.8.
  • a supplier of a cast film is Pliant Corporation, having an office at 1475 Woodfield Road, Suite 700, Schaumburg, Illinois 60173.
  • each compressed package 100 can contain a plurality of products 120 and each product 120 can be contained in a sheath 640. However, it may not be necessary to enclose each product 120 in a sheath 640 because after several products 120 have been removed from the compressed package 100, the remaining products 120 will be loosely constrained thereby making it easy for the consumer to withdraw additional products 120. For this reason, only the first few products 120 to be withdrawn from the compressed package 100 need to be individually contained in a sheath 640. Desirably, at least 25% of the products 120 in the compressed package 100 are individually contained in a sheath 640. More desirably, at least 50% of the products 120 in the compressed package 100 are individually contained in a sheath 640. Most desirably, from about 50% to about 100% of the products 120 in the compressed package 100 are individually contained in a sheath 640.
  • every other product 120 within the compressed package 100 could be contained in a sheath 640. This would provide a sheath 640 against each adjacent product 120 thereby lowering the coefficient of friction needed to remove a product 120 from the compressed package 100 and cutting the cost of the sheaths 640 in half.
  • the minimum number of sheaths 640 needed to facilitate withdrawal of the first product 660 from the row 140 of products 120 enclosed within the compressed package 100 is one.
  • the maximum number of sheaths 640 which can be used in the compressed package 100 is equal to the number of products 120 contained in the compressed package 100. For example, if there are fifteen products 120 in the compressed package 100, then fifteen sheaths 640 would be utilized.
  • the profile or configuration of an individual sheath 640 can vary.
  • the sheath 640 can have a square, rectangular, triangular, polygonal, hexagonal, circular, round, oval, elliptical or some other geometrical shape.
  • a square or rectangular shape works well because material is usually supplied as an elongated strip, rolled up into a supply roll. When the elongated strip is cut into smaller pieces, little or no waste is encountered when a square or rectangular profile is the finished form.
  • the sheath 640 can be narrower, wider, shorter or longer than the first major surface 560 of the product 120. Since the first major surface 560 of the product 120 is typically folded into a rectangular shape as depicted in Fig. 19, it makes sense from a manufacturing standpoint to form the sheath 640 into a rectangular shape as well.
  • the compressed package 100 can have one or more rows 140 of products 120.
  • the number of products 120 making up each row 140 can vary.
  • the total number of products 120 in a given row 140 can be from between 2 to about 500 products.
  • each row 140 of products 120 will contain from between about 3 to about 200 products. More desirably, each row 140 of products 120 will contain from between about 5 to about 100 products. Still more desirably, each row 140 of products 120 will contain from between about 10 to about 25 products.
  • the number of sheaths 640 that can be included in the compressed package 100 can range from between one to fifteen.
  • the exact number of sheaths 640 utilized will depend upon the desire of the manufacturer. One sheath 640 is needed to ensure that the first product 120 is easily removed, especially when that first product 120 is located in the middle portion of the row 140. Once the first product 120 is removed from the compressed package 100, the force needed to remove each subsequent product 120 should diminish since additional space will be present in the compressed package 100. However, depending on how tightly the products 120 were initially compressed, after removing the first product 120, it may still be rather difficult to remove the next few products120. For this reason, the manufacturer may wish to utilize 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or more sheaths 640.
  • sheaths 64 will increase the overall cost of the finished compressed package 10, and, therefore, a manufacturer will most likely try to economize on the total number of sheaths 64 that are utilized in the compressed package 10.
  • a number of factors will dictate how many sheaths 64 are needed. These factors include: the size of the first and second major surfaces 56 and 58 of the products 12, the average coefficient of friction values between adjacent products12, the number of products 12 situated in each row 14, the amount of force used to initially compress the products 120, the average coefficient of friction value of each sheath 64, the size and location of the opening 62, etc.
  • the first major surface 560 of the first products 120 to be removed from the compressed package 100 has a predetermined surface area.
  • Each of the sheaths 640 can have a surface area that ranges from between about 20% to about 150% of the predetermined surface area of the first major surface 560. Desirably, the surface area of each of the sheaths 640 can range from between about 25% to about 120% of the predetermined surface area of the first major surface 560. More desirably, the surface area of each of the sheaths 640 can range from between about 40% to about 100% of the predetermined surface area of the first major surface 560.
  • the surface area of each of the sheaths 640 can range from between about 60% to about 100% of the predetermined surface area of the first major surface 560. Most desirably, the surface area of each of the sheaths 640 can range from between about 75% to about 100% of the predetermined surface area of the first major surface 560. It is also not necessary that all of the sheaths 640 have the same dimensions, although, from a manufacturing standpoint, they most likely will.
  • the perforation line 600 is formed in the top wall 180, it can be fabricated such that the opening 620 will be created in the central portion of the top wall 180.
  • the manufacturer can individually encase several of the products 120 located in the middle of the row 140 in sheaths 640 so that any one of these several products 120 can be the first product 120 to be removed from the compressed package 100. Once five or six products 120 have been withdrawn from the compressed package 100, the force needed to remove each additional product 120 will be substantially reduced and additional sheaths 640 may no longer be needed.
  • the end product 120 can be contained in a sheath 640 and several adjacent products120 can also be contained in a respective sheath 640.
  • a front view of the sheath 640 shown in Fig. 21 is depicted having a height hi, a width W 1 and a thickness t 1( see Fig. 24.
  • a folded and compacted product 540 is contained within the sheath 640.
  • the folded and compacted product 540 has a height h 2 , a width W 2 and a thickness t 2 .
  • the height h 2 , the width W 2 and the thickness t 2 of the product 540 are less than the height hi, the width Wi and the thickness t
  • the sheath 640 is closed at the top by the end seam 760 and has the open end 660 located on the bottom.
  • the sheath 640 also is longer than the folded and compacted product 540.
  • the product 540 has an end 780 that is spaced above the open end 660 of the sheath 640 by a distance d.
  • the distance d can range from between about 0.01 inches (about 0.25 millimeters (mm)) to about 1 inch (about 25.4 mm).
  • the sheath 640 can have a height h-, that is approximately equal to or less than the height h 2 of the product 540.
  • a sheath 640' is depicted having a parallelepiped configuration instead of a tubular or conical design.
  • the sheath 640' has a longitudinal axis Xi3-Xi3, a front wall 800, a back wall 820, two side walls 840 and 860 and an end wall 880.
  • An opening 900 is formed in the lower surface of the sheath 640' so that a product 540 can be easily inserted into and be removed from the sheath 640'. This is the orientation the sheath 640' will have in the closed compressed package 100, see Fig. 15.
  • the sheath 640' also has a height h 3 , a width W 3 and a thickness t 3 .
  • the product 540 has a height h 2 which is approximately equal to the height h 3 of the sheath 640'. Since the first and second major surfaces, 560 and 580 respectively, of the product 540 will usually have a higher, average coefficient of friction than the sheath 640', these surfaces will be less slippery.
  • the sheath 640' and the product 540 will reduce the force needed to withdraw the product 540 from the compressed package 100.
  • the sheath 640' can then be separated from the product 540 so that the product 540 can be positioned adjacent to the consumer's body.
  • the sheath 640' can be used to enclose a soiled disposable absorbent article that has been removed from the consumer's body.
  • a sheath 640" is depicted having a parallelepiped configuration.
  • the sheath 640" has a longitudinal axis X 14 -X 14 , a front wall 800', a back wall 820', two side walls 840' and 860' and an end wall 880'.
  • An opening 900' is formed in the sheath 640" so that the folded and compacted, disposable absorbent product 540 can be easily inserted into and be removed from the sheath 640".
  • the sheath 640" also has a height h 4 , a width W 4 and a thickness t 4 .
  • the product 540, contained in the sheath 640" is below the opening 900' by a distance O 1 .
  • the distance d ⁇ can range from between about 0.25 inches (about 6.35 millimeters (mm)) to about 2 inches (about 51 mm). More desirably, the distance O 1 can range from between about 0.35 inches (about 8.9 mm) to about 1.5 inch (about 38 mm). Most desirably, distance d-, can range from between about 0.5 inches (about 12.5 mm) to about 1 inch (about 25.4 mm).
  • One reason for making the sheath 640" shorter than the height h 2 of the product 540 is to save on the amount of sheath material that is needed, thereby reducing the overall cost of the compressed package 100. Referring now to Fig.
  • a first product 920 and its surrounding sheath 640 are shown being removed from the compressed package 100 by having the consumer pinch the first product 920 and the sheath 640 between his or her thumb and forefinger. The consumer pulls both the sheath 640 and the first product 920 upward out through the opening 620. Both the first product 920 and the sheath 640 are pulled perpendicularly out , from the horizontal row 140 (see Fig. 15) of products 120 at the same time. The first product 920 and the sheath 640 are taken from a middle portion of the row 140. The consumer can grasp the top portion of the sheath 640 and pinch it so that both the first product 920 and the sheath 640 will be removed simultaneously.
  • the plurality of products 120 forming the row 140 were compressed in a horizontal direction between the ends 240 and 260 of the compressed package 100.
  • the first and second major surfaces, 560 and 580 respectively, see Fig. 20, of the first product 920 will move in shear relative to the inside of the sheath 640.
  • the sheath 640 will move in shear relative to the two adjacent sheaths 640 or will move in shear relative to one of the major surfaces 560 and 580 of the two adjacent products 120, assuming that each adjacent product 120 is not contained in a sheath 640.
  • the sheath 640 can be used as a pouch or wrapper for a soiled absorbent product that is being replaced by the first product 920.
  • the disposal feature is very beneficial in that it allows the user to dispose of the soiled product at the time of removal of the soiled product from his or her body or to retain the soiled product in a sanitary fashion until it can be more discretely discarded.
  • the fact that the sheath 640 can be essentially the same size or larger than the first product 920 will ensure that it can house or contain the used soiled product in a sanitary fashion.
  • first product 920 to be withdrawn from the compressed package 100 is located at either end of the row 140 of compressed products 120, then this first product 920 should be contained within a sheath 640.
  • the sheath 640 can be positioned next to or between the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, etc. products 120 to be withdrawn from the compressed package 100. Desirably, at least about 50% of the products 120 in the compressed package 100 are individually contained within a sheath 640. More desirably, at least about 75% of the products 120 in the compressed package 100 are individually contained within a sheath 640. Even more desirably, from between about 75% to about 95% of the products 120 in the compressed package 100 are individually contained within a sheath 640. Most desirably, each product 120 in the compressed package 100 is individually contained within a sheath 640.
  • each of the sheaths 640 is positioned adjacent to the top wall 180 of the package 100.
  • the consumer can simply pinch the product 120 and lift it out of the enclosing sheath 640. If the consumer does not desire to use the sheath 640 to enclose a used product, the sheath 640 can remain in the package 100.
  • a test was conducted to record the average peak load in grams (g) needed to remove a selected product 120 contained in a sheath from the middle of a row of fourteen products housed within a compressed package 100.
  • the selected product was the seventh product in the row of fourteen products.
  • the fourteen products were compressed by a weight of 23 lbs. It should be noted that this force test represents only one way to determine the force value necessary to remove the first product from the compressed package. Other means known to those skilled in the art can be used to determine that the sheath(s) actual reduces the force needed to remove the first product from the compressed package.
  • the longitudinal axes X 11 -X 11 of each of the sheaths 640 was axially aligned with the longitudinal axis X 1 0--X 10 of the selected products 120.
  • the selected product was folded into the configuration shown in Fig. 20. The testing was conducted at room temperature, 70° F.
  • test methodology was as follows:
  • Seventy film sheaths were used to fully sheath each of seventy products. All seventy sheaths measured 250 mm x 200 mm. Each sheath was sealed on three sides. The open end of each sheath was not closed or sealed.
  • the packaging materia) forming the front and back walls of the compressed package was pulled outwardly and downwardly so that the top surface of several of the products located in the mid ⁇ section of the row of fourteen products were exposed.
  • the top surfaces of the products located at and near the opposite ends of the row of fourteen compressed products within the compressed package were not completely exposed at this time.
  • At least about 0.25 inches (about 6.0 mm) of a selected product, located in the mid-section was exposed, as is shown in Fig. 35.
  • the seventh product in the row, counting from one end, is the first or selected product to be removed from the compressed package.
  • Fig. 36 illustrates the force needed to remove a first product 920 from a compressed package 100 when it is contained in a sheath 640 (see Fig. 27).
  • Five samples of the sheath 640 were tested.
  • the "control value" is based on no sheath 640 being present adjacent to the first and second major surfaces, 560 and 580 respectively, of the first product 920 to be withdrawn.
  • the compressed package 100 contained a single row 140 (see Fig. 15) of fourteen products.
  • the first product 920 to be withdrawn from the compressed package 100 was located in the middle portion of the row 140 and the opening 620 was formed in the top wall 180, as is shown in Fig. 27.
  • the force needed to remove this first product was recorded using a Syntech tester with a 100 Newton load cell at a speed of 1 ,000 mm/min.
  • the average peak load value was 6,404.20 grams for no sheath 640 and the standard deviation was 688.21 grams.
  • the test was repeated using a set of five samples of a sheath 640 formed from a blown material and a set of five samples formed from a cast material.
  • the blown sheaths had an average coefficient of friction value of 0.28 and the cast sheaths had an average coefficient of friction value of 0.45.
  • the sheath 640 with the lowest, average coefficient of friction value requires the least amount of force to remove the first product 920 from the compressed package 100.
  • the force needed to remove the first product 920 from the compressed package 100 using a sheath 640 formed from a blown film having an average coefficient of friction of 0.28 was 1,201.32 grams.
  • a sheath 640 formed from a cast film of the same size but having an average coefficient of friction of 0.45 required a force of about 2,500 grams (not shown in Fig. 36). The lower the average coefficient of friction value of the sheath 640, the lower the amount of force needed to remove the first product 920 from the compressed package 100.
  • sheath 640 functions to reduce the force needed to remove the first product 920 from the row 140 of products 120 enclosed within the compressed package 100.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Epidemiology (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
  • Vascular Medicine (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Packaging Of Annular Or Rod-Shaped Articles, Wearing Apparel, Cassettes, Or The Like (AREA)

Abstract

L’invention décrit un accessoire de distribution servant à faciliter le retrait d’un produit individuel d’un emballage comprimé (10, 100). L’emballage comprimé possède plusieurs côtés et contient une pluralité de produits comprimés (12, 120) agencés en une rangée. Chaque produit possède une première et une seconde surfaces principales. Une ouverture formée dans l’emballage comprimé est alignée à angle droit des surfaces principales d’au moins un des produits. L’ouverture est dimensionnée pour permettre aux produits (12, 120) d’être retirés individuellement. Une feuille glissante (64) est positionnée à côté d’au moins la première surface principale du premier produit à retirer. La valeur de coefficient moyen de friction de la feuille glissante contre le produit adjacent est inférieure à la valeur de coefficient moyen de friction de la première surface principale du produit retiré contre un produit adjacent. La feuille glissante (64) sert à réduire la force à appliquer pour retirer le premier produit (12, 120) de l’emballage comprimé (10, 100).
PCT/US2005/040042 2004-11-08 2005-11-04 Accessoire de distribution pour faciliter le retrait de produits individuels d'un emballage comprimé WO2006052760A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US10/984,276 US7168563B2 (en) 2004-11-08 2004-11-08 Dispensing aid for facilitating removal of individual products from a compressed package
US10/984,276 2004-11-08
US10/984,429 US20060096880A1 (en) 2004-11-08 2004-11-08 Dispensing aid for facilitating removal of individual products from a compressed package
US10/984,429 2004-11-08

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2006052760A1 true WO2006052760A1 (fr) 2006-05-18

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Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4897982A (en) * 1988-10-17 1990-02-06 Fulflex International Co. Plastic lined packaging
WO1997021409A1 (fr) * 1995-12-11 1997-06-19 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Article absorbant avec rabats limitant un volume vide
JP2001301857A (ja) * 2000-04-20 2001-10-31 Oji Paper Co Ltd 包装された使いすておむつ
JP2001301859A (ja) * 2000-04-24 2001-10-31 Crecia Corp 紙おむつ等の包装袋
JP2003182747A (ja) * 2001-12-14 2003-07-03 Kao Corp 衛生品包装用袋
US20040129592A1 (en) * 2002-10-02 2004-07-08 Toshifumi Otsubo Package of disposable diapers

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4897982A (en) * 1988-10-17 1990-02-06 Fulflex International Co. Plastic lined packaging
WO1997021409A1 (fr) * 1995-12-11 1997-06-19 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Article absorbant avec rabats limitant un volume vide
JP2001301857A (ja) * 2000-04-20 2001-10-31 Oji Paper Co Ltd 包装された使いすておむつ
JP2001301859A (ja) * 2000-04-24 2001-10-31 Crecia Corp 紙おむつ等の包装袋
JP2003182747A (ja) * 2001-12-14 2003-07-03 Kao Corp 衛生品包装用袋
US20040129592A1 (en) * 2002-10-02 2004-07-08 Toshifumi Otsubo Package of disposable diapers

Non-Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 2002, no. 02 2 April 2002 (2002-04-02) *
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 2003, no. 11 5 November 2003 (2003-11-05) *

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