Reclosable Package and Method of Making the Same
A reclosable package includes a first side panel and a second side panel. The first panel defines a right side edge portion, a left side edge portion, a bottom edge portion, and a pleated portion. The second panel defines a right side edge portion, a left side edge portion, a bottom edge portion, and a hooded portion. A first seam joins the right side edge portion of the first panel with the right side edge portion of the second panel. A second seam joins the left side edge portion of the first panel with the left side edge portion of the second panel. A third seam joins the bottom edge portion of the first panel with the bottom edge portion of the second panel. A line of weakness joins the pleated portion of the first panel with the hooded portion of the second panel.
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The present disclosure relates to packages and methods of making packages, and more particularly, to sealed reclosable packages and a method of making the same.
BACKGROUNDThe field of disposable absorbent articles includes a wide variety of consumer products, including diapers, bibs, wipes, sanitary napkins, tampons, etc. In some cases, the absorbent articles are packaged in a primary package, such as a polybag. A plurality of primary packages containing absorbent articles may be packaged in a secondary package, such as a cardboard box.
Primary packages for containing absorbent articles may include opposing first and second panels. Each panel may define a top edge portion, a bottom edge portion, a left side edge portion, and a right side edge portion. The first and second panels may be joined at a first seam along left side edge portions of the first and second panels and at a second seam along right side edge portions of the first and second panels. The primary package may include a reclosable feature along a top or bottom edge portion of the package for opening and closing the packages. In some primary packages, the reclosable features may include a lid, tape tab fastener, hook and loop fastener, snap, button, or latch, for example. However, adding reclosable features to the primary package may add cost and complexity to the manufacturing of the package.
Some primary packages include an integrated reclosable feature, such as a hood, in the second panel of the primary package. The hood may be positioned proximate to the top or bottom edge portion of the primary package. The hood may be configured in a closed configuration and an open configuration. In the closed configuration, the hood may cover the absorbent articles contained therein. In the open configuration, the hood may be folded away from the first panel to create an opening in the package that exposes the absorbent articles contained therein. However, the first and second panels may be integrally connected in the portion of the panels opposite the hood. As such, the hood may provide the only access to the primary package for inserting absorbent articles during the packaging process, and for removing the absorbent articles from the primary package at the time of use by the consumer. Without using additional refastenable features, the package may not be sealed at the time of purchasing the primary package of absorbent articles because of the opening created by the hood. Consequently, the absorbent articles may be subject to tampering or contamination before the package of absorbent articles is purchased by the consumer.
Therefore, it would be beneficial to provide a reclosable primary package that is sealed at the time of purchase. Moreover, it would be beneficial to provide a primary package that is reclosable without the need for additional reclosable features. Additionally, it would be beneficial to provide a sealed reclosable package that is able to be filled with absorbent articles using automated packaging processes.
SUMMARYAspects of the present disclosure include a reclosable package comprising a first panel and a second panel. The first panel defines a right side edge portion, a left side edge portion, a bottom edge portion, and a pleated portion. The second panel defines a right side edge portion, a left side edge portion, a bottom edge portion, and a hooded portion. The first and second panels combine to define an interior and an exterior of the package. A first seam joins the right side edge portion of the first panel with the right side edge portion of the second panel. A second seam joins the left side edge portion of the first panel with the left side edge portion of the second panel. A third seam joins the bottom edge portion of the first panel with the bottom edge portion of the second panel. A line of weakness joins the pleated portion of the first panel with the hooded portion of the second panel.
Aspects of the present disclosure include a reclosable package comprising a first panel and a second panel. The first panel defines a right side edge portion, a left side edge portion, a bottom edge portion, and a pleated portion. The second panel defines a right side edge portion, a left side edge portion, a bottom edge portion, and a hooded portion. The first and second panels combine to define an interior and an exterior of the package. A first seam joins the right side edge portion of the first panel with the right side edge portion of the second panel. A second seam joins the left side edge portion of the first panel with the left side edge portion of the second panel. A line of weakness joins the pleated portion of the first panel with the hooded portion of the second panel. The bottom edge portion of the first panel and the bottom edge portion of the second panel combine to define an opening in the package.
Aspects of the present disclosure include a method of forming a reclosable package, the method comprising the steps of: advancing a continuous length of material in a machine direction, wherein the continuous length of material has a first side and a second side and defines a first edge region and a second edge region separated along a cross direction by a third region; forming a line of weakness along the machine direction of the central region of the continuous length of material; folding the continuous length of material along the central region to form a first continuous fold that extends in the machine direction; folding the first continuous panel to form a continuous pleat, wherein the continuous pleat comprises second and third continuous folds that form first, second, and third overlapping continuous pleated portions, wherein the second and third continuous pleated portions are positioned between the first continuous pleated portion and the second panel, wherein the line of weakness overlaps the second continuous pleated portion, wherein the second and third continuous folds extend in the machine direction; cutting the continuous length of material in the cross direction to form a discrete package, wherein the discrete package comprises a first panel, wherein the first panel defines a right side edge portion, a left side edge portion, a bottom edge portion, and a pleated portion; and a second panel, wherein the second panel defines a right side edge portion, a left side edge portion, a bottom edge portion, and a hooded portion, wherein a line of weakness joins the pleated portion of the first panel with the hooded portion of the second pane; forming a first seam that joins the right side edge portion of the first panel with the right side edge portion of the second panel; and forming a second seam that joins the left side edge portion of the first panel with the left side edge portion of the second panel, wherein the bottom edge portion of the first panel and the bottom edge portion of the second panel combine to define an opening in the package.
The following definitions may be useful in understanding the present disclosure.
“Absorbent article” is used herein to refer to consumer products whose primary function is to absorb and retain soils and wastes. “Diaper” is used herein to refer to an absorbent article generally worn by infants and incontinent persons about the lower torso. The term “disposable” is used herein to describe absorbent articles which generally are not intended to be laundered or otherwise restored or reused as an absorbent article (for example, they are intended to be discarded after a single use and may also be configured to be recycled, composted or otherwise disposed of in an environmentally compatible manner).
“Longitudinal” means a direction running substantially perpendicular from a waist edge to a longitudinally opposing waist edge of an absorbent article when the article is in a flat out, uncontracted state, or from a waist edge to the bottom of the crotch, i.e. the fold line, in a bi-folded article. Directions within 45 degrees of the longitudinal direction are considered to be “longitudinal.” “Lateral” refers to a direction running from a longitudinally extending side edge to a laterally opposing longitudinally extending side edge of an article and generally at a right angle to the longitudinal direction. Directions within 45 degrees of the lateral direction are considered to be “lateral.”
“Machine direction” (MD) is used herein to refer to the direction of material flow through a process. In addition, relative placement and movement of material can be described as flowing in the machine direction through a process from upstream in the process to downstream in the process. “Cross direction” (CD) is used herein to refer to a direction that is not parallel with, and usually perpendicular to, the machine direction.
“Sealed” refers herein to a package having an interior that is inaccessible until the package is ruptured.
The present disclosure relates to reclosable packages for containing absorbent articles, and more particularly, relates to sealed reclosable packages and methods of making and using the same. Reclosable packages of the present disclosure may include a first panel and an opposing second panel. The first panel defines a right side edge portion, a left side edge portion, a bottom edge portion, and a pleated portion. The second panel defines a right side edge portion, a left side edge portion, a bottom edge portion, and a hooded portion. The first and second panels combine to define an interior and an exterior of the package. A first seam joins the right side edge portion of the first panel with the right side edge portion of the second panel. A second seam joins the left side edge portion of the first panel with the left side edge portion of the second panel. A third seam joins the bottom edge portion of the first panel with the bottom edge portion of the second panel. A line of weakness joins the pleated portion of the first panel with the hooded portion of the second panel. Upon opening the package at the line of weakness, the hooded portion may be configured in a first configuration and a second configuration. In the first configuration, the hooded portion is arranged adjacent to the pleated portion. In the second configuration, the hooded portion is arranged away from the pleated portion to form an opening in the package. Absorbent articles of the present disclosure may include diapers, feminine pads, adult incontinence products, and the like.
Packages of the present disclosure may be configured as reclosable wicketed bags. The reclosable wicketed bags may comprise a first panel and a second panel. The first panel may define a right side edge portion, a left side edge portion, a bottom edge portion, and a pleated portion. The second panel may define a right side edge portion, a left side edge portion, a bottom edge portion, and a hooded portion. The wicketed bag may comprise a wicket panel extending from the bottom edge portion of the second panel. The first and second panels combine to define an interior and an exterior of the package. A first seam joins the right side edge portion of the first panel with the right side edge portion of the second panel. A second seam joins the left side edge portion of the first panel with the left side edge portion of the second panel. A line of weakness joins the pleated portion of the first panel with the hooded portion of the second panel. The wicket panel comprises a wicket aperture. The bottom edge portion of the first panel and the bottom edge portion of the second panel combine to define an opening in the package.
A method of forming a reclosable package may include the step of advancing a continuous length of material in a machine direction, wherein the continuous length of material has a first side and a second side and defines a first edge region and a second edge region separated along a cross direction by a third region. A line of weakness may be formed along the machine direction of the central region of the continuous length of material. In some exemplary configurations, intermittently spaced wicket apertures may be formed in the machine direction along the second edge region of the continuous length of material. The continuous length of material may be folded along the central region to form a first continuous fold that extends in the machine direction. Additionally, the first continuous panel may be folded to form a continuous pleat. The continuous pleat may comprise second and third continuous folds that form first, second, and third overlapping continuous pleated portions, wherein the second and third continuous pleated portions are positioned between the first continuous pleated portion and the second panel. The line of weakness overlaps the second continuous pleated portion. The second and third continuous folds extend in the machine direction. Next, the continuous length of material may be cut in the cross direction to form a discrete package. A first seam may be formed that joins the right side edge portion of the first panel with the right side edge portion of the second panel and a second seam may be formed that joins the left side edge portion of the first panel with the left side edge portion of the second panel.
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The line of weakness 116 may be ruptured by a user to gain access to the interior 118 of the package 100. The line of weakness 116 shown in
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In some exemplary configurations, components of the package can at least partially be comprised of bio-sourced content such as described in US 2007/0219521A1 Hird et al published on Sep. 20, 2007, US 2011/0139658A1 Hird et al published on Jun. 16, 2011, US 2011/0139657A1 Hird et al published on Jun. 16, 2011, US 2011/0152812A1 Hird et al published on Jun. 23, 2011, US 2011/0139662A1 Hird et al published on Jun. 16, 2011, and US 2011/0139659A1 Hird et al published on Jun. 16, 2011.
In at least one exemplary configuration, a package comprises a bio-based content value from about 10% to about 100% using ASTM D6866-10, method B, in another exemplary configuration, from about 25% to about 75%, and in yet another exemplary configuration, from about 50% to about 60% using ASTM D6866-10, method B.
In order to apply the methodology of ASTM D6866-10 to determine the bio-based content of any package, a representative sample of the package must be obtained for testing. In at least one exemplary configuration, the package can be ground into particulates less than about 20 mesh using known grinding methods (e.g., Wiley® mill), and a representative sample of suitable mass taken from the randomly mixed particles.
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A reclosable wicketed bag may be formed from a single continuous length of material. As shown in
The continuous length of material 210 may be subjected to various operations while advancing in the machine direction MD. For example, as shown in
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The process of forming wicketed bags 148 may include the step of seaming the right and left side edge portions of the first panel, the second panel, and the gusset. With reference to
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Additionally, the wicket panel 172 may be cut away from the second panel 104 to form the reclosable package 100 such as shown in
It is to be appreciated that the steps described above for forming a wicketed bag may be performed in various orders. Additionally, some steps may overlap or occur concurrently, while other steps may occur sequentially.
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The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean “about 40 mm.”
Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or related patent or application, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern.
While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.
Claims
1. A reclosable package comprising:
- a first panel, wherein the first panel defines a right side edge portion, a left side edge portion, a bottom edge portion, and a pleated portion; and
- a second panel, wherein the second panel defines a right side edge portion, a left side edge portion, a bottom edge portion, and a hooded portion, wherein the first and second panels combine to define an interior and an exterior of the package, wherein a first seam joins the right side edge portion of the first panel with the right side edge portion of the second panel, wherein a second seam joins the left side edge portion of the first panel with the left side edge portion of the second panel, wherein a third seam joins the bottom edge portion of the first panel with the bottom edge portion of the second panel, wherein a line of weakness joins the pleated portion of the first panel with the hooded portion of the second panel.
2. The reclosable package of claim 1, wherein the package is sealed prior to opening the package at the line of weakness.
3. The reclosable package of claim 1, wherein the pleated portion comprises a first fold and a second fold that form a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer, wherein the first layer is arranged proximate to the exterior of the package and the second layer is arranged proximate to the interior of the package, wherein the first, second, and third layers are integrally formed with the first panel.
4. The reclosable package of claim 1, wherein the pleated portion comprises a first layer and a second layer, wherein the first layer is arranged proximate to the exterior of the package and the second layer is arranged proximate to the interior of the package, wherein the first and second layers are formed from separate materials.
5. The reclosable package of claim 1, wherein the hooded portion of the second panel comprises a gusset, wherein the gusset forms a top panel of the package.
6. The reclosable package of claim 1, wherein the package comprises a plurality of absorbent articles.
7. The reclosable package of claim 6, wherein placement of the absorbent articles into the interior of the package forms a top panel, a bottom panel, a front panel, a back panel, a left side panel and a right side panel, wherein the hooded portion defines the top panel and the pleated portion defines a portion of the front panel.
8. The reclosable package of claim 1, wherein the package is integrally formed from a single piece of material.
9. The reclosable package of claim 1, wherein upon opening the package at the line of weakness, the hooded portion may be arranged in a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein the hooded portion is positioned proximate to the pleated portion in the first configuration, wherein the hooded portion is positioned away from the pleated portion in the second configuration to define an opening in the package.
10. A reclosable package comprising:
- a first panel, wherein the first panel defines a right side edge portion, a left side edge portion, a bottom edge portion, and a pleated portion; and
- a second panel, wherein the second panel defines a right side edge portion, a left side edge portion, a bottom edge portion, and a hooded portion, wherein the first and second panels combine to define an interior and an exterior of the package, wherein a first seam joins the right side edge portion of the first panel with the right side edge portion of the second panel, wherein a second seam joins the left side edge portion of the first panel with the left side edge portion of the second panel, wherein a line of weakness joins the pleated portion of the first panel with the hooded portion of the second panel, wherein the bottom edge portion of the first panel and the bottom edge portion of the second panel combine to define an opening in the package.
11. The reclosable package of claim 10 further comprising a wicket panel connected with the bottom edge portion of the second panel, wherein the wicket panel comprises a wicket aperture.
12. The reclosable package of claim 11, wherein a third seam joins the bottom edge portions of the first and second panels.
13. The reclosable package of claim 10, wherein the package is integrally formed from a single piece of material.
14. A method of forming a reclosable package, the method comprising the steps of:
- advancing a continuous length of material in a machine direction, wherein the continuous length of material has a first side and a second side and defines a first edge region and a second edge region separated along a cross direction by a third region;
- forming a line of weakness along the machine direction of the central region of the continuous length of material;
- folding the continuous length of material along the central region to form a first continuous fold that extends in the machine direction;
- folding the first continuous panel to form a continuous pleat, wherein the continuous pleat comprises second and third continuous folds that form first, second, and third overlapping continuous pleated portions, wherein the second continuous pleated portion is positioned between the first continuous pleated portion and the second continuous pleated portion, wherein the line of weakness overlaps the second continuous pleated portion, wherein the second and third continuous folds extend in the machine direction;
- cutting the continuous length of material in the cross direction to form a discrete package, wherein the discrete package comprises a first panel, wherein the first panel defines a right side edge portion, a left side edge portion, a bottom edge portion, and a pleated portion; and a second panel, wherein the second panel defines a right side edge portion, a left side edge portion, a bottom edge portion, and a hooded portion; wherein a line of weakness joins the pleated portion of the first panel with the hooded portion of the second panel;
- forming a first seam that joins the right side edge portion of the first panel with the right side edge portion of the second panel; and
- forming a second seam that joins the left side edge portion of the first panel with the left side edge portion of the second panel, wherein the bottom edge portion of the first panel and the bottom edge portion of the second panel combine to define an opening in the package.
15. The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of forming a gusset along the central region of the continuous length of material, wherein the gusset comprises a fourth continuous fold and a fifth continuous fold that extend in the machine direction.
16. The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of forming intermittently spaced wicket apertures in the machine direction along the second edge region of the continuous length of material, wherein the discrete package further comprises a wicket panel extending from the bottom edge portion of the second panel, wherein the wicket panel comprises a wicket aperture.
17. The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of inserting a plurality of absorbent articles through the opening in the package.
18. The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of forming a third seam that joins the bottom edge portions of the first and second panels.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of forming a third seam that joins the bottom edge portions of the first and second panels further comprises cutting the wicket panel away from the second panel.
20. The method of claim 14, wherein the steps of cutting the continuous length of material in the cross direction to form a discrete package and forming a first seam that joins the right side edge portion of the first panel with the right side edge portion of the second panel occur concurrently.
21-40. (canceled)
Type: Application
Filed: May 22, 2013
Publication Date: Nov 27, 2014
Applicant: The Procter & Gamble Company (Cincinnati, OH)
Inventors: Fiorella Maria Siesto Casanova (Merida), Carolina B. Chaparro (Medellin)
Application Number: 13/899,798
International Classification: B65D 33/24 (20060101);