PACKAGE WITH DISPENSING OPENING

Abstract

Packages, and more particularly packages having a dispensing opening through which articles, such as sanitary tissue products, may be dispensed are provided.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to packages, and more particularly to packages comprising a dispensing opening through which articles, such as sanitary tissue products, may be dispensed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Packages with dispensing openings are known in the art. However, such packages suffer from negatives associated with the shape and/or orientation of the dispensing openings in the packages. For example, some packages comprise a circle shaped dispensing opening and others comprise an elliptical shaped opening wherein its major dimension forms an angle with a major dimension of the package that is less than 10° or in other words is substantially parallel to the major dimension of the package. Such packages tend to create issues with dispensing of articles through the openings. Such issues include a number of chaining events where more than one article is dispensed at a time, which is a consumer negative.

Accordingly, there is a need for a package comprising a dispensing opening that overcomes the negatives associated packages known in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention fulfills the need described above by providing a package comprising a dispensing opening wherein the negatives associated with known packages with dispensing openings, especially packages comprising sanitary tissue products, are overcome.

In one example of the present invention, a package comprising a dispensing opening, wherein the package comprises a major dimension and a minor dimension, wherein the dispensing opening comprises a major dimension and a minor dimension, wherein the dispensing opening is oriented in the package such that an angle of greater than 50° is formed by the major dimension of the dispensing opening and the major dimension of the package, is provided.

In another example of the present invention, a package comprising at least one sanitary tissue product, the sanitary tissue product comprising a major dimension and a minor dimension, the package further comprising a dispensing opening through which the sanitary tissue product may be dispensed by a user, the dispensing opening comprising a major dimension and a minor dimension, wherein the sanitary tissue product is oriented within the package such that an angle of greater than 50° is formed by the major dimension of the dispensing opening and the major dimension of the sanitary tissue product, is provided.

In yet another example of the present invention, a package comprising a stack of interleaved sanitary tissue products, such as 10 or greater and/or 20 or greater and/or 30 or greater and/or 40 or greater sanitary tissue products, and a dispensing opening, wherein the package comprises a major dimension and a minor dimension, wherein the dispensing opening comprises a major dimension and a minor dimension, wherein the dispensing opening is oriented in the package such that an angle of greater than 50° is formed by the major dimension of the dispensing opening and the major dimension of the package, is provided.

In still another example of the present invention, a package comprising a stack of interleaved sanitary tissue products, such as 10 or greater and/or 20 or greater and/or 30 or greater and/or 40 or greater sanitary tissue products, and a dispensing opening, is provided.

In even still another example of the present invention, a package comprising a stack of interleaved sanitary tissue products, such as 20 or greater and/or 30 or greater and/or 40 or greater, wherein the package exhibits a Dispensing Chaining Event of less than 2 and/or less than 1 per 20 and/or per 40 sanitary tissue products as measured by the Dispensing Chaining Event Test Method described herein, is provided.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a package comprising a dispensing opening that overcomes negatives associated with known packages, for example known packages suitable for dispensing articles, such as sanitary tissue products.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a package according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 1 taken along line 2-2;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a package according to the present invention showing a sanitary tissue product partially dispensed from the package;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 3 taken along line 4-4;

FIG. 5 is a partial top plan view of a package according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a package according to the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the package of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a sanitary tissue product in a folded state; and

FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view of a package according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Definitions

“Fibrous structure” as used herein means a structure that comprises one or more fibrous elements. In one example, a fibrous structure according to the present invention means an association of fibrous elements that together form a structure, such as a unitary structure, capable of performing a function. Non-limiting examples of fibrous structures of the present invention include paper, fabrics (including woven, knitted, and non-woven), and absorbent pads (for example for diapers or feminine hygiene products).

The fibrous structures of the present invention may be homogeneous or may be layered. If layered, the fibrous structures may comprise at least two and/or at least three and/or at least four and/or at least five layers.

The fibrous structures of the present invention may be co-formed fibrous structures.

In one example, the fibrous structures of the present invention are disposable. For example, the fibrous structures of the present invention are non-textile fibrous structures.

Non-limiting examples of processes for making fibrous structures include known wet-laid papermaking processes and air-laid papermaking processes. Such processes typically include the steps of preparing a fibrous element composition, such as a fiber composition, in the form of a suspension in a medium, either wet, more specifically an aqueous medium, i.e., water, or dry, more specifically a gaseous medium, i.e. air. The suspension of fibers within an aqueous medium is oftentimes referred to as a fiber slurry. The fibrous suspension is then used to deposit a plurality of fibers onto a forming wire or belt such that an embryonic fibrous structure is formed, after which drying and/or bonding the fibers together results in the association of the fibers into a fibrous structure. Further processing the fibrous structure may be carried out such that a finished fibrous structure is formed. For example, in typical papermaking processes, the finished fibrous structure is the fibrous structure that is wound on the reel at the end of papermaking. The finished fibrous structure may subsequently be converted into a finished product, e.g. a sanitary tissue product.

“Sanitary tissue product” as used herein means a fibrous structure useful as a wiping implement for post-urinary and post-bowel movement cleaning (toilet tissue), for otorhinolaryngological discharges (facial tissue), wipes and multi-functional absorbent and cleaning uses (absorbent towels). The sanitary tissue product may be convolutedly wound upon itself about a core or without a core to form a sanitary tissue product roll. The sanitary tissue products of the present invention may be in the form of sanitary tissue product rolls. Such sanitary tissue product rolls may comprise a plurality of connected, but perforated sheets of fibrous structure, that are separably dispensable from adjacent sheets.

In one example, the sanitary tissue product may comprise a stack of individual sanitary tissue products.

In one example, the sanitary tissue product of the present invention comprises one or more fibrous structures according to the present invention.

The sanitary tissue products of the present invention may comprises additives such as softening agents, temporary wet strength agents, permanent wet strength agents, bulk softening agents, lotions, silicones, wetting agents, latexes, patterned latexes and other types of additives suitable for inclusion in and/or on sanitary tissue products.

“Basis Weight” as used herein is the weight per unit area of a sample reported in lbs/3000 ft² or g/m².

“Ply” or “Plies” as used herein means an individual fibrous structure optionally to be disposed in a substantially contiguous, face-to-face relationship with other plies, forming a multiple ply fibrous structure. It is also contemplated that a single fibrous structure can effectively form two “plies” or multiple “plies”, for example, by being folded on itself.

“Major dimension” as used herein means the maximum distance between one edge of an object, such as the dispensing opening and/or the package, and another edge of the object. With respect to a sanitary tissue product, the major dimension means the maximum distance between one edge of a unit of the sanitary tissue product to another edge of the unit of the sanitary tissue product. In other words, if the sanitary tissue product is in a folded state to form a unit, then the major dimension is determined by measuring the footprint of the sanitary tissue product in its folded state not in its unfolded state.

“Minor dimension” as used herein means the distance between one edge of an object, such as the dispensing opening and/or the package, and another edge of the object as measured perpendicular to the major dimension. With respect to a sanitary tissue product in a folded state, the minor dimension means the distance between one edge of the sanitary tissue product in its folded state to another edge of the of the sanitary tissue product in its folded state as measured perpendicular to the major dimension.

As used herein, the articles “a” and “an” when used herein, for example, “an anionic surfactant” or “a fiber” is understood to mean one or more of the material that is claimed or described.

All percentages and ratios are calculated by weight unless otherwise indicated. All percentages and ratios are calculated based on the total composition unless otherwise indicated.

Unless otherwise noted, all component or composition levels are in reference to the active level of that component or composition, and are exclusive of impurities, for example, residual solvents or by-products, which may be present in commercially available sources.

Package

As shown in FIGS. 1-5, a package 10 of the present invention comprises a dispensing opening 12 through which one or more sanitary tissue products 14 may be dispensed by a user. The package 10 comprises at least one sanitary tissue product 14.

As shown in FIG. 5, the dispensing opening 12 comprises a major dimension D1 and a minor dimension D2. The major dimension D1 is greater in value than the minor dimension D2. In one example, the major dimension D1 is greater than 40 mm and/or greater than 50 mm and/or greater than 55 mm to about 100 mm and/or to about 90 mm and/or to about 70 mm and/or to about 65 mm. The minor dimension D2 may be greater than 10 mm and/or greater than 15 mm and/or greater than 20 mm to about 80 mm and/or to about 70 mm and/or to about 50 mm.

As shown in FIG. 6, the package 10 comprises a major dimension D3 and a minor dimension D4. The major dimension D3 is greater in value than the minor dimension D4. In one example, the major dimension D3 is greater than 60 mm and/or greater than 90 mm and/or greater than 120 mm to about 300 mm and/or to about 280 mm and/or to about 200 mm and/or to about 150 mm. The minor dimension D4 may be greater than 10 mm and/or greater than 15 mm and/or greater than 20 mm to about 80 mm and/or to about 70 mm and/or to about 50 mm.

As shown in FIG. 7, in one example, the dispensing opening 12 is oriented in the package 10 such that the major dimension D1 of the dispensing opening 12 forms an angle α that is greater than 50° and/or greater than 65° and/or greater than 75° and/or greater than 85° with the major dimension D3 of the package 10. In one example, the dispensing opening 12 is oriented in the package 10 such that the major dimension D1 of the dispensing opening 12 forms an angle that is about 90° with the major dimension D3 of the package 10.

In one example, the major dimension D1 of the dispensing opening 12 is less than or equal to the minor dimension D4 of the package 10.

In one example of the present invention, the minor dimension D2 of the dispensing opening 12 is less than or equal to the major dimension D3 of the package 10.

The package 10 may comprise a plurality of sanitary tissue products 14. The sanitary tissue products 14 may comprise a stack 16 of interleaved sanitary tissue products 14.

As shown in FIG. 1, the package 10 may further comprise a closure 18 capable of closing the dispensing opening 12. The closure 18 may be a resealable closure. The closure 18 is intended to inhibit dispensing of sanitary tissue products 14 when the dispensing opening 12 is closed with the closure 18.

The package 10 may comprise any suitable material known those skilled in the art. Non-limiting examples include paper, plastic, polypropylene/polyethylene films and mixtures thereof.

The dispensing opening 12 may be made by any suitable process such as die cutting.

As shown in FIG. 8, the sanitary tissue product 14 exhibits a major dimension D5 and a minor dimension D6. The major dimension D5 of the sanitary tissue product 14 is greater in value than the minor dimension D6 of the sanitary tissue product 14. In one example, the major dimension D5 is greater than 60 mm and/or greater than 90 mm and/or greater than 120 mm to about 300 mm and/or to about 280 mm and/or to about 200 mm and/or to about 150 mm. The minor dimension D6 may be greater than 10 mm and/or greater than 15 mm and/or greater than 20 mm to about 80 mm and/or to about 70 mm and/or to about 50 mm.

As shown in FIG. 9, in one example, the dispensing opening 12 is oriented in the package 10 such that the major dimension D1 of the dispensing opening 12 forms an angle β that is greater than 50° and/or greater than 65° and/or greater than 75° and/or greater than 85° with the major dimension D5 of the sanitary tissue product 14. In one example, the dispensing opening 12 is oriented in the package 10 such that the major dimension D1 of the dispensing opening 12 forms an angle that is about 90° with the major dimension D5 of the sanitary tissue product 14.

The dispensing opening 12 is present in a surface 20 of the package 10.

In one example, a package according to the present invention comprising a stack of interleaved sanitary tissue products exhibits a Dispensing Chaining Event of less than 6 and/or less than 5 and/or less than 4 and/or less than 3 and/or less than 2 and/or less than 1 per 40 sanitary tissue products as measured according to the Dispensing Chaining Event Test Method described herein.

In another example, a package according to the present invention comprising a stack of interleaved sanitary tissue products exhibits a Dispensing Chaining Event of less than 4 and/or less than 3 and/or less than 2 and/or less than 1 per 20 sanitary tissue products as measured according to the Dispensing Chaining Event Test Method described herein.

Sanitary Tissue Products

The sanitary tissue products of the present invention may be wipes. Commonly known consumer wipes, such as dry or pre-moistened wipes may be disposable and/or dispersible and/or flushable.

The sanitary tissue products may comprise man-made fibers, natural fibers and combinations thereof, and may or may not be biodegradable. Non-limiting examples of man-made fibers include: rayon, which in turn includes but is not limited to viscose, lyocell and mixtures thereof; polyhydroxyalkanoates; polylactic acid; polyester; and mixtures thereof. Non-limiting examples of natural fibers include: pulp, cotton, wool, silk, jute, linen, ramie, hemp, flax, camel hair, kenaf, and mixtures thereof. Non-thermoplastic fibers that are of use in the present invention are selected from the group consisting of: rayon, which in turn includes but is not limited to viscose, lyocell and mixtures thereof; pulp; cotton; wool; silk; jute; linen; ramie; hemp; flax; camel hair; kenaf; and mixtures thereof.

In one example, the sanitary tissue products may comprise from about 20% to about 80% rayon fibers and from about 80% to about 20% of pulp fibers. In another embodiment, the nonwoven webs may comprise from about 30% to about 70% rayon fibers and from about 70% to about 30% pulp fibers. In another embodiment, the nonwoven webs may comprise from about 40% to about 60% rayon fibers and from about 60% to about 40% pulp fibers. In yet another embodiment, the nonwoven webs may comprise about 60% rayon fibers and about 40% pulp fibers.

The sanitary tissue products may have basis weights ranging from about 5 to about 200 grams per square meter (gsm), from about 10 to about 175 gsm, from about 30 to about 150 gsm, from about 20 to about 100 gsm, from about 30 to about 70 gsm, or even from about 40 to about 60 gsm.

The sanitary tissue products, especially wipes, may be adapted for a variety of uses and may be pre-moistened or moistened with a liquid composition. The liquid composition may comprise an aqueous solution and may further comprise surfactant, co-surfactant, foam building agent, emulsifier, non-cellulosic water soluble organic polymer and mixtures thereof.

The sanitary tissue products may be wet wipes.

The sanitary tissue products of the present invention may be suitable for use in cleaning babies, and may also find use in cleaning tasks related to persons of all ages. Such wipes may also include articles used for application of substances to the body, including but not limited to application of make-up, skin conditioners, ointments, medications and mixtures thereof. Such wipes may also include articles used for the cleaning or grooming of pets, and articles used for the general cleansing of surfaces and objects, such as household kitchen and bathroom surfaces, eyeglasses, exercise and athletic equipment, automotive surfaces and the like. Such sanitary tissue products may also be used in the hospital or clinical environment to clean up bodily fluids and the like.

The sanitary tissue products may be folded and stacked in a common container such as a tub. The sanitary tissue products of the present invention may be folded in any of various known folding patterns, such as C-folding and Z-folding. Use of a Z-fold pattern may enable a folded stack of sanitary tissue products to be interleaved with overlapping portions.

The sanitary tissue products of the present invention may further comprise a surface comprising a design, such as a surface pattern and/or prints, which may provide aesthetic appeal. Non-limiting examples of prints include figures, patterns, letters, pictures and combinations thereof. Further, the sanitary tissue products may comprise emboss patterns and/or texture.

The sanitary tissue products may be put into the common containers as loose sanitary tissue products or as packaged sanitary tissue products, such as packaged in a film wrap package.

Test Methods

Unless otherwise specified, all tests described herein including those described under the Definitions section and the following test methods are conducted on samples that have been conditioned in a conditioned room at a temperature of 73° F.±4° F. (about 23° C.±2.2° C.) and a relative humidity of 50%±10% for 2 hours prior to the test. All plastic and paper board packaging materials must be carefully removed from the paper samples prior to testing. Discard any damaged product. All tests are conducted in such conditioned room.

Basis Weight Test Method

Basis weight of a fibrous structure sample is measured by selecting twelve (12) usable units (also referred to as sheets) of the fibrous structure and making two stacks of six (6) usable units each. Perforation must be aligned on the same side when stacking the usable units. A precision cutter is used to cut each stack into exactly 8.89 cm×8.89 cm (3.5 in.×3.5 in.) squares. The two stacks of cut squares are combined to make a basis weight pad of twelve (12) squares thick. The basis weight pad is then weighed on a top loading balance with a minimum resolution of 0.01 g. The top loading balance must be protected from air drafts and other disturbances using a draft shield. Weights are recorded when the readings on the top loading balance become constant. The Basis Weight is calculated as follows:

$\mathrm{Basis}\mathrm{Weight}\left(\mathrm{lbs}\text{/}3000{\mathrm{ft}}^2\right)=\frac{\mathrm{Weight}\mathrm{of}\mathrm{basis}\mathrm{weight}\mathrm{pad}\left(g\right)\times 3000{\mathrm{ft}}^2}{\begin{array}{c}453.6g\text{/}\mathrm{lbs}\times 12\left(\mathrm{usable}\mathrm{units}\right)\times \\ \left[12.25{\mathrm{in}}^2\left(\mathrm{Area}\mathrm{of}\mathrm{basis}\mathrm{weight}\mathrm{pad}\right)\text{/}144{\mathrm{in}}^2\right]\end{array}}$ $\mathrm{Basis}\mathrm{Weight}\left(g\text{/}m^2\right)=\frac{\mathrm{Weight}\mathrm{of}\mathrm{basis}\mathrm{weight}\mathrm{pad}\left(g\right)\times 10,000{\mathrm{cm}}^2\text{/}m^2}{\begin{array}{c}79.0321{\mathrm{cm}}^2\left(\mathrm{Area}\mathrm{of}\mathrm{basis}\mathrm{weight}\mathrm{pad}\right)\times \\ 2\left(\mathrm{usable}\mathrm{units}\right)\end{array}}$

Dispensing Chaining Event Test Method

The dispensing chaining events of a package of 20 or more interleaved sanitary tissue products is measured as follows.

Open the dispensing opening in the package of interleaved sanitary tissue products. The package may be a tub and/or a film wrap about the sanitary tissue products. If the package is a refill package of sanitary tissue products and the package does not have a dispensing opening, then open the package and place in its associated tub. If the refill package does have a dispensing opening, then open the dispensing opening in the refill package, place in its associated tub and open the dispensing opening of the tub such that access to the sanitary tissue products through the tub's dispensing opening and the refill package's dispensing opening is provided.

If the package is not a refill package, then open the dispensing opening of the package and proceed with the test procedure set forth below.

Take the top wing of the first sanitary tissue product and thread it through the dispensing opening(s).

Place the package onto a clean, flat surface such that a test operator can dispense the sanitary tissue product without reaching across the body to pull the sanitary tissue products from the package.

Pull the sanitary tissue products out of the package with one hand in a perpendicular direction to the dispensing opening. Pull with a slow, continuous motion, without acceleration (approximately −0.75 to 1.00 m/s). Do not touch the package with the second hand during dispensing unless the package begins to lift off the flat surface.

Assess each wipe visually after being dispensed. If two or more wipes are dispensed at one time from the pulling, then it is classified as a Dispensing Chaining Event.

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 package comprising a dispensing opening, wherein the package comprises a major dimension and a minor dimension, wherein the dispensing opening comprises a major dimension and a minor dimension, wherein the dispensing opening is oriented in the package such that an angle of greater than 50° is formed by the major dimension of the dispensing opening and the major dimension of the package.

2. The package according to claim 1 wherein the package further comprises a closure capable of closing the dispensing opening.

3. The package according to claim 2 wherein the closure comprises a resealable closure.

4. The package according to claim 1 wherein the major dimension of the package is greater in value than the minor dimension of the package.

5. The package according to claim 1 wherein the major dimension of the package is greater than 60 mm.

6. The package according to claim 1 wherein the major dimension of the package is greater than 90 mm.

7. The package according to claim 1 wherein the minor dimension of the package is greater than 10 mm.

8. The package according to claim 1 wherein the minor dimension of the package is greater than 15 mm.

9. The package according to claim 1 wherein the major dimension of the dispensing opening is greater in value than the minor dimension of the dispensing opening.

10. The package according to claim 1 wherein the major dimension of the dispensing opening is greater than 40 mm.

11. The package according to claim 10 wherein the major dimension of the dispensing opening is greater than 55 mm.

12. The package according to claim 1 wherein the minor dimension of the dispensing opening is greater than 10 mm.

13. The package according to claim 12 wherein the minor dimension of the dispensing opening is greater than 15 mm.

14. A package comprising at least one sanitary tissue product, the sanitary tissue product comprising a major dimension and a minor dimension, the package further comprising a dispensing opening through which the sanitary tissue product may be dispensed by a user, the dispensing opening comprising a major dimension and a minor dimension, wherein the sanitary tissue product is oriented within the package such that an angle of greater than 50° is formed by the major dimension of the dispensing opening and the major dimension of the sanitary tissue product.

15. The package according to claim 14 wherein the package comprises a plurality of sanitary tissue products.

16. The package according to claim 15 wherein the plurality of sanitary tissue products comprises a stack of interleaved sanitary tissue products.

17. The package according to claim 14 wherein the package further comprises a closure capable of closing the opening to inhibit dispensing of the sanitary tissue products.

18. The package according to claim 17 wherein the closure comprises a resealable closure.

19. The package according to claim 14 wherein the sanitary tissue product comprises a wipe.

20. The package according to claim 14 wherein the major dimension of the dispensing opening is greater than 40 mm.

21. The package according to claim 14 wherein the minor dimension of the dispensing opening is greater than 10 mm.

22. The package according to claim 14 wherein the major dimension of the dispensing opening is less than or equal to the minor dimension of the sanitary tissue product.

23. The package according to claim 14 wherein the minor dimension of the dispensing opening is less than or equal to the major dimension of the sanitary tissue product.

24. A package comprising 20 or more interleaved sanitary tissue products, wherein the package exhibits a Dispensing Chaining Event of less than 2 per 20 sanitary tissue products as measured by the Dispensing Chaining Event Test Method.

25. A package comprising 40 or more interleaved sanitary tissue products, wherein the package exhibits a Dispensing Chaining Event of less than 2 per 40 sanitary tissue products as measured by the Dispensing Chaining Event Test Method.