Abstract: A tissue package comprising a dispensing package and tissues. The dispensing package has a dispensing opening. The dispensing opening has a large aperture and an arcuately shaped smaller aperture which are spaced apart and connected by an isthmic connection. Tissues may be easily withdrawn by the user through the large aperture, and fed through the isthmic connection to small aperture. Thereafter, the tissues may be dispensed through the small aperture in a pop-up mode.

Abstract: A sanitary napkin wrapper and adhesive tab construction for such a wrapper are disclosed. The adhesive tab can, in a preferred embodiment, be applied to the package formed by the wrapper contemporaneously with its own landing member to form a complete fastening system. The sanitary napkin wrapper can also be provided with a flap or pouch in several variations for securing the used sanitary napkin for disposal.

Abstract: A disposable, compactable package for reliably dispensing a stack of sheet products even after the package has been deformed or compacted. The package comprises a top wall and a bottom wall comprised of a resiliently deformable material. The top and bottom walls are spaced from and oriented generally parallel to one another. They are connected to one another about their peripheries by means of a thinner more easily deformable substantially continuous tube or hoop which is also comprised of resiliently deformable material. The substantially continuous tube or hoop, which is preferably integrally formed with either the top wall, defines the side walls of the package.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to improved pop-up dispensing systems in which edge portions of adjacent towels are non-parallel when the individual towel sheets are interleaved and folded. This new configuration provides improved pop-up dispensing reliability by providing a predictable, repeatable separation process. The overlapped area formed by the overlapping end edges is tapered such that there is a point across the sheet width with the greatest overlap in the direction of the pulling force and a point across the sheet width with the least overlap in the direction of the pulling force. This configuration allows the area of maximum overlap to pull the next sheet through the dispensing aperture at the same time that the sheet separation process is starting to take place at the area of least overlap. The separation process begins at the point of least overlap and proceeds across the overlapping area along a "separation front" toward the point of greatest overlap.

Abstract: An article of manufacture is disclosed for absorbing liquids, particularly body fluids such as menses. The disclosed article is disposable and has a wrapper associated therewith. An elastic material is secured to the backsheet and is maintained in a substantially tensioned state until separation of the wrapper from the backsheet. Upon separation of the wrapper from the backsheet the tension in the elastic member is released causing the disposable absorbent article to form an upwardly cupped configuration to conform more closely to the wearer's body.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for continuously attaching discrete lengths of a tensioned elastic material to predetermined, isolated portions of moving absorbent articles, said absorbent articles having a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core. A continuous web of backsheet material is fed to an assembly station. An absorbent core is secured to said continuous web of backsheet material. Intermittent portions of a continuous ribbon of elastic material are secured to said backsheet at predetermined discrete locations. A ribbon of elastic material is cut at predetermined locations. The backsheet and the stretched elastic are maintained in a substantially tensioned state. A continuous web of topsheet material is fed to said assembly station. The topsheet web is secured to said backsheet web. The absorbent articles is maintained in a substantially tensioned state. Discrete portions of stiffening material are adhered to said continuous web of wrapper material.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for making an easy open substantially rectangular bag of compressed flexible articles having a handle extending in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of compression of the articles.

Abstract: An article having a pliable portion which is to be elastically secured about the periphery of a member having a substantially predetermined cross-section by means of an elasticized fastening system. The pliable portion of the article has a first end portion and a second end portion located at opposite ends of the encircling portion of the article. The first end portion includes an elasticized fastening system having at least one segment which is capable of being elastically shirred along at least a portion of its length. The shirrable portion of the segment comprises an elastomeric member which, prior to the securement of the first and second end portions of the article to one another, is maintained in a prestretched and tensioned condition in the desired direction of shirring. The opposed ends of the shirrable segment in the article are interconnected to one another through the prestretched and tensioned elastomeric member.

Abstract: An easy open flexible bag preferably containing one or more stacks of flexible articles which are maintained in a state of compression in a direction substantially parallel to their thickness. For products such as disposable absorbent baby diapers, catamenial pads, incontinent briefs and the like, the degree of compression within the bag may be as much as 50% or more when compared to the uncompressed thickness of the stack of articles in question. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the bag totally encloses the stack or stacks of compressed flexible articles and exhibits a substantially rectilinear shape. The bag preferably includesa longitudinally oriented carrying handle which is formed indepenently of the bag. The opposed ends of the carrying handle are preferably secured to bag's side panels. The side panels and the front and back panels of the bag are subject to tension imposed by the stack of compressed flexible articles.

Abstract: A flexible package preferably comprised of paper and having an opening system that controls and reduces the initial removal forces required to withdraw the compressed flexible articles from the package after the opening device portion of the system has been activated. A reinforcement sheet located at the lowermost end of the opening system protects the flexible articles contained within the package prior to activation of the opening device, and provides additional support for the package prior to opening. A substantially vertically oriented line of weakness located in the reinforcement sheet ruptures automatically when the opening device is activated permitting the flexible articles to fan out further from the package. This automatic rupturing of the reinforcement sheet reduces the compressive forces acting upon the compressed flexible articles. This in turn permits easier removal of the first few flexible articles from the package either one at a time or in multiples.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for making an easy open substantially rectangular bag of compressed flexible articles in which the flexible articles are arranged in a stack and held in compression in a direction substantially parallel to their thickness.

Abstract: An easy open flexible bag preferably containing one or more stacks of flexible articles which are compressed in a direction substantially parallel to their thickness. The degree of compression may be as much as 50% or more. In a preferred embodiment, the bag encloses the compressed articles and exhibits a substantially rectilinear shape. The bag preferably includes an integral carrying handle. The side, front, and back panels of the bag are subject to tension imposed by the articles. The top of the bag is closed by forming inwardly folded side gussets and sealing the vertically extending portions of the front and back panels to one another. A continuous line of weakness spanning a tensioned side wall of the bag and continuing into the closed uppermost end of the bag is provided.

Abstract: An easy open flexible bag containing one or more stacks of flexible articles maintained in a state of compression in a direction substantially parallel to their thickness. For products such as disposable absorbent baby diapers, catamenial pads, incontinent briefs and the like, the degree of compression within the bag may be as much as 50% or more when compared to the uncompressed thickness of the stack of articles in question. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the bag totally encloses the stack or stacks of compressed flexible articles exhibits a substantially rectilinear shape. The bag preferably includes an integral carrying handle. The end panels and at least one pair of either the front and back or the top and bottom panels of the bag are subject to tension imposed by the stack of compressed flexible articles. This leaves at least one pair of panels, preferably the top and bottom panels, in a substantially untensioned condition.

Abstract: An article including at least one segment which is capable of being elastically shirred along at least a portion of its length subsequent to manufacture of the article, preferably by mechanical manipulation of a predetermined portion of the elastically shirrable segment. The predetermined mechanically manipulatable portion of the elastically shirrable segment preferably comprises an elastomeric monomer which is maintained in a prestretched and tensioned condition in the desired direction of shirring. The opposed ends of the elastically shirrable segment in the article are interconnected to one another through the prestretched and tensioned elastomeric member.

Abstract: A medicament dosing device capable of administering a vaporized medicament in the form of tiny aerosol particles to the mouth and lungs of the user at a substantially constant concentration level. In a particularly preferred embodiment the dosing device is used to provide nicotine to a cigarette smoker in a form and a dose that closely mimics a burning cigarette to satisfy the smoker's craving for nicotine, but without subjecting either the user or any non-users in the immediate vicinity to the tars and carbon monoxide of cigarette smoke. A preferred device comprises a battery powered resistance heater housed in a cigarette-shaped tube. A demand-operated switch is employed in the circuit so that as the user sucks air through the tube in a manner similar to puffing on a cigarette, energy is supplied to the resistance heater which vaporizes the nicotine.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing package is described which is adapted to dispense liquids without mess. The package preferably incorporates a measuring cup which is also the closure for the package. The package of the present invention includes a container for storing the liquid product and a collar sealingly secured to a dispensing orifice on the container. The collar has an extended pouring spout and a transverse drain back partition with a drain hole to collect and return residual liquid to the container. A drip concentrating member originates in the lowermost surface of the drain back partition about the periphery of the drain hole and extends generally downwardly from the drain back partition toward the pouring spout to form a drip concentrating point in the interior of the container. Any liquid spilled on the exterior of the drain back partition or draining back onto the exterior of the drain back partition from the cap after a dispensing cycle is completed coalesces at the drip concentrating point.