Patent Application
20060025739
The present invention relates generally to a personal care product, and in particular, to a wrapper component for a personal care product that includes a sensory cue directed at a portion of the wrapper component so as to aid the user in opening the wrapper component.
Absorbent articles such as pantiliners, feminine napkins and tampons are frequently carried about in purses, backpacks, briefcases, and the like until needed. Typically, the articles are placed in purses, backpacks, briefcases, and the like such that they are loose, and are free to move within the purses, backpacks, briefcases, and the like with the other items contained therein. Unfortunately, purses, backpacks, briefcases, and the like do not always provide a hygienic environment for the articles, and thus the articles can become dirty and/or damaged. Further, the articles can become scattered about in purses, backpacks, briefcases, and the like so they are difficult to find when needed.
In the past, specifically designed pouches have been distributed for holding several absorbent articles at a time. These pouches reduce contact between the articles and potentially non-hygienic environments, and make the articles easier to find when needed. These pouches are made from durable materials such as heavy vinyl so they can be reused, but reuse necessitates the pouches are refilled from time to time. Further, the pouches frequently become non-hygienic after extended use, requiring them to be cleaned or discarded and replaced.
To avoid the problems described above, often personal care products, including for example feminine pads, tampons and pantiliners, are individually wrapped in a pouch or similar wrapper, which includes a flap that closes the pouch. Typically, such pouches are a solid color, or have a pattern that covers the entirety of the wrapper. As such, it can be difficult for the user to locate the flap to open the pouch, since the flap is not visually distinguishable from the remainder of the wrapper.
To avoid the problem of locating the edge of the flap, pouches in the past have been provided with the phrase “open here” and the like near the end of the flap to direct the user to the location of the pouch opening. However, having words or phrases like “open here” on the flap lowers any aesthetic value the pouch may have. In addition, by placing the phrase in a particular language, those who are unable to read the language used may not be directed to the location of the opening flap on the pouch. The problem of locating the flap can be exacerbated for users with impaired eyesight. Therefore, placing a phrase at the end of the flap on the pouch may not provide a person with a visual impairment with a sensory cue as to the location of the flap and opening.
Other attempts have been used to direct a user's attention to the end of the flap on pouches. These include placing an edge color on the edge of the flap to highlight the edge. Generally, this is done by placing a narrow band of a different color along the edge of the flap, as is shown in
There is a need in the art for a way to clearly convey to a user of absorbent products wrapped in a wrapper component where the opening of the wrapper is located, and how to open the wrapper, while providing an aesthetically pleasing appearance to the wrapper.
Generally stated, the present invention provides personal care product having at least one wrapper with at least one free edge; at least one personal care article disposed within the wrapper; and at least one sensory cue providing clear indicia as to the location of at least one free edge of the wrapper.
In other aspect of the present invention, the present invention also provides a personal care product including a wrapper component and an absorbent personal care article. The wrapper has a first panel, a back panel and a second panel, where the first panel is connected to the back panel and the second panel is connected to the back panel at an opposite end from where the first panel is connected to the back panel. The second panel having a free edge positioned adjacent the first panel, wherein the second panel has a first set sensory attributes which terminate at the free edge of the second panel and the first panel has a second set of sensory attributes which are adjacent the free edge of the second panel. In the present invention, at least one attribute from the first set of sensory attributes or at least one attribute from the second set of attributes is different from attributes from the other set. The different attribute provides a contrast between the second panel and the first panel, and this contrast provides a sensory cue providing clear indicia as to the location of the free edge of the second panel. The wrapper component may have more than two panels. In one embodiment, the second panel may be a flap.
Another aspect of the present invention provides an indication to the user as to the location of the free edge and an indication of how to open the wrapper component to access the absorbent article within the wrapper. In this aspect of the present invention, the sensory cue may be configured to mimic other sensory cues commonly found in every day life which tend to indicate an opening and how to open the opening.
The present invention also provides a method of using a personal care product which includes providing a personal care product component placed in a wrapper component, locating a free edge using a sensory cue provided on the wrapper; and manipulating the second panel of the wrapper and opening said wrapper component to access the personal care product component disposed within the wrapper.
It should be noted that, when employed in the present disclosure and claims, the terms “comprises”, “comprising” and other derivatives from the root term “comprise” are intended to be open-ended terms that specify the presence of any stated features, elements, integers, steps, or components, and are not intended to preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, integers, steps, components, or groups thereof.
It should be understood that the term “personal care article” as used herein refers to any article used to control bodily fluids, and includes “absorbent products,” which refers to any article configured to absorb and retain bodily exudates, including urine, bowel movements, blood and menses, and includes such a product in a packaged and unpackaged configuration. As such, personal care products, as used herein, includes without limitation, diapers, child toilet training pants, adult incontinence garments, male incontinence products, tampons, vaginal suppositories, panty liners, pads, sanitary napkins, tissues, wipes, etc. Examples of commercially available personal care products include, without limitation, Poise® feminine care products, including pantiliners and pads, and Kotex® feminine care products, including pads, tampons and liners, Depend® undergarments, underwear and guards, all available from Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Neenah, Wis.
It should be understood that the term “personal care product” as used herein refers a personal care article and a wrapper which is supplied to a consumer or user of the personal care articles as an individual product or as part of a package containing more than one personal care products.
As used herein, the term “nonwoven fabric or web” means a web having a structure of individual fibers or threads which are interlaid, but not in a regular or identifiable manner as in a knitted fabric. The term also includes individual filaments and strands, yarns or tows as well as foams and films that have been fibrillated, apertured, or otherwise treated to impart fabric-like properties. Nonwoven fabrics or webs have been formed from many processes such as for example, meltblowing processes, spunbonding processes, airlaying processes and bonded carded web processes. The basis weight of nonwoven fabrics is usually expressed in ounces of material per square yard (osy) or grams per square meter (gsm) and the fiber diameters useful are usually expressed in microns. (Note that to convert from osy to gsm, multiply osy by 33.91).
As used herein, the term “polymer” generally includes but is not limited to, homopolymers, copolymers, such as for example, block, graft, random and alternating copolymers, terpolymers, etc. and blends and modifications thereof. Furthermore, unless otherwise specifically limited, the term “polymer” shall include all possible geometrical configuration of the material. These configurations include, but are not limited to isotactic, syndiotactic and random symmetries.
As used herein, “body-facing surface” means the surface of the article or component which is intended to be disposed toward or placed adjacent to the body of the wearer during ordinary use, while the “outward surface” or “outward-facing surface” is on the opposite side, and is intended to be disposed to face away from the wearer's body during ordinary use. The outward surface may be arranged to face toward or placed adjacent to the wearer's undergarments when the absorbent article is worn.
As used herein, the term “sensory attribute” means a physical feature of the second panel or first panel of the wrapper component which may be perceived by a user. Physical features include, for example, color, texture, shape, a graphic, text, alpha-numeric characters, and/or a pattern, or other similar physical features.
As used herein, the term “sensory cue” is intended to mean information provided to a user of the products which distinguishes the second panel from the first panel. A sensory cue is provided to the user of the product by having different sensory attributes on the second panel and the first panel which allow a user to clear indicia as to the location of the free edge of the second panel so that the wrapper may be opened.
As used herein, “clear indicia” means that at a first encounter with the wrapper, a user can easily ascertain the location of the free edge of the second panel. Stated another way, the difference in the sensory attribute of the second panel and the sensory attribute of the first panel of the wrapper is such that the free end of the second panel is clearly apparent where the second panel and first panel are adjacent, which easily draws the user's attention to the free edge of the second panel.
As used herein, the phrase “how to open” is intended to mean that the package conveys a message, directly or indirectly, to the user of how the wrapper component is intended to be opened. For example, an envelope shape conveys to a user that there is a second panel and that the second panel may be opened by lifting the second panel upward.
As used herein, the term “connected” is intended to mean directly connected and indirectly connected. By directly connected, it is intended that the connected elements are in contact with one another or affixed to one another. By indirectly connected, it is intended that one or more intervening or intermediate elements are between the two elements which are secured or “connected” together. The intervening elements may be affixed.
Disposable absorbent articles such as, for example, feminine care and incontinent absorbent products, generally include a liquid pervious topsheet, a substantially liquid impervious backsheet, and an absorbent core positioned and held between the topsheet and the backsheet. The topsheet is generally operatively permeable to the liquids that are intended to be held or stored by the absorbent article, and the backsheet may be substantially impermeable or otherwise operatively impermeable to the liquids intended to be held or stored. Disposable absorbent articles may also include other optional components or layers, such as liquid wicking layers, liquid distribution layers, barrier layers, and the like, as well as combinations thereof, which may improve the fluid handling and storage properties of the disposable absorbent article. Generally, disposable absorbent articles and the components thereof provide a body-facing surface and a garment-facing surface. As an alternative, the substantially liquid impervious backsheet may be replaced with a liquid pervious backsheet, when the absorbent personal care product is used in conjunction with another liquid impervious layer or article, such as, for example liquid impervious pants.
In the present invention, the absorbent articles of the present invention are placed into a wrapper having an opening feature. The opening feature is highlighted to the user of the absorbent article by providing a sensory cue to the user. The sensory cue can be a visual cue, a tactile cue, an audible cue, an olfactory cue, a cue which invokes the sense of taste or a combination of one or more of these cues. From a practical standpoint, the visual or tactile cues are desirable.
To obtain a better understanding of the absorbent articles which may be present in the wrapper component of the present invention, attention is directed to
The absorbent product 10 has a first body facing surface 20, which usually includes the outer surface of the body side liner 44, and a second garment facing side surface 22, which usually contains an outer portion of the outer cover 46. Applied to at least a portion of the second garment side surface 22 is a garment attachment adhesive. In various embodiments, the garment attachment adhesive is configured as a single band of adhesive or as two or more spaced apart strips. Alternatively, the garment attachment adhesive includes a swirl pattern of adhesive which encompasses a major portion of the second garment facing surface 22 of the absorbent article 10.
A release strip 28, also known as a releasable peel strip, is removably secured to the garment attachment adhesive and serves to prevent premature contamination of the adhesive before the absorbent article 10 is secured to the crotch portion of an undergarment. In various embodiments, the garment attachment adhesive is designed to be secured to the inner crotch portion of an undergarment so as to keep the absorbent product in register with the body of the user. The release strip 28 may extend beyond one or both of the ends 12, 14 of the outer cover, as shown in
The body side liner or topsheet 44, which is preferably liquid permeable, may be formed from one or more materials. The body side liner or topsheet 44 must be able to manage different body excretions depending on the type of product. In feminine care products, often the body side liner or body contacting layer must be able to handle menses and urine. In the present invention, the body side liner or topsheet 44 may include a layer constructed of any operative material, and may be a composite material. For example, the liner or body contacting layer can include a woven fabric, a nonwoven fabric, a polymer film, a film-nonwoven fabric laminate or the like, as well as combinations thereof. Examples of a nonwoven fabric useable in the body side liner or topsheet 44 include, for example, an airlaid nonwoven web, spunbond nonwoven web, meltblown nonwoven web, a bonded-carded-web, hydroentangled nonwoven webs, spunlace webs or the like, as well as combinations thereof. Other examples of suitable materials for constructing the body side liner or topsheet 44 can include rayon, bonded carded webs of polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene, nylon, or other heat-bondable fibers finely perforated film webs, net-like materials, and the like, as well as combinations thereof. These webs can be prepared from polymeric materials such as, for example, polyolefins, such as polypropylene and polyethylene and copolymers thereof, polyesters in general including aliphatic esters such as polylactic acid, nylon or any other heat bondable materials.
Other examples of suitable materials for the body side liner or topsheet 44 are composite materials of a polymer and a nonwoven fabric material. The composite materials are typically in the form of integral sheets generally formed by the extrusion of a polymer onto a nonwoven web, such as a spunbond material. In a desired arrangement, the body side liner or body contacting layer 44 can be configured to be operatively liquid-permeable with regard to the liquids that the article is intended to absorb or otherwise handle. The operative liquid-permeability may, for example, be provided by a plurality of pores, perforations, apertures or other openings, as well as combinations thereof, which are present or formed in the liner or body contacting layer. The apertures or other openings can help increase the rate at which bodily liquids can move through the thickness of the body side liner or body contacting layer and penetrate into the other components of the article (e.g., into the absorbent core 48). The selected arrangement of liquid-permeability is desirably present at least on an operative portion of the body side liner or topsheet 44 that is appointed for placement on the body-side of the article. The body side liner or topsheet 44 can provide comfort and conformability, and can function to direct bodily exudates away from the body and toward the absorbent core 48. The body side liner or topsheet 44 can be configured to retain little or no liquid in its structure, and can be configured to provide a relatively comfortable and non-irritating surface next to the body-tissue of a wearer.
The baffle or backsheet 46 may include a layer constructed of any operative material, and may or may not have a selected level of liquid-permeability or liquid-impermeability, as desired. In a particular configuration, the baffle or backsheet 46 may be configured to provide an operatively liquid-impermeable baffle structure. The baffle or backsheet 46 may, for example, include a polymeric film, a woven fabric, a nonwoven fabric or the like, as well as combinations or composites thereof. For example, the baffle may include a polymer film laminated to a woven or nonwoven fabric. In a particular feature, the polymer film can be composed of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester or the like, as well as combinations thereof. Additionally, the polymer film may be micro-embossed, have a printed design, have a printed message to the consumer, and/or may be at least partially colored. Suitably, the baffle or backsheet 46 can operatively permit a sufficient passage of air and moisture vapor out of the article, particularly out of an absorbent (e.g. storage or absorbent core 48) while blocking the passage of bodily liquids. An example of a suitable baffle material can include a breathable, microporous film, such as those described in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,045,900 to McCormack et al.
Bicomponent films or other multi-component films can also be used, as well as woven and/or nonwoven fabrics which have been treated to render them operatively liquid-impermeable. Other suitable baffle materials may be used, including closed cell polyolefin foams. For example, a closed cell polyethylene foam may be employed.
The liquid permeable body side liner 44 and the liquid-impermeable baffle 46 may be peripherally sealed together to enclose the absorbent core 48 to form the absorbent article 10. Alternatively, the body side liner or topsheet 44 can be wrapped around both the absorbent 48 and the baffle or backsheet 46 to form a wrapped pad. The body side liner 44 and baffle 46, and other components of the absorbent product, can be joined for example with adhesive bonds, ultrasonic bonds, thermal bonds, pinning, stitching or any other attachment techniques known in the art, as well as combinations thereof.
The absorbent core 48 is designed to absorb body exudates, including menstrual fluid, blood, urine, and other body fluids. The absorbent core 48 may contain one or more layers of absorbent material. The layers can contain similar materials or different materials. Suitable materials for the absorbent core 48 include, for example, cellulose, wood pulp fluff, rayon, cotton, and meltblown polymers such as polyester, polypropylene or coform. Coform is a meltblown air-formed combination of meltblown polymers, such as polypropylene, and absorbent staple fibers, such as cellulose. A preferred material is wood pulp fluff for its low cost, relative ease of formation and good absorbent properties.
The absorbent core 48 can also be formed from a composite comprised of a hydrophilic material which may be formed from various natural or synthetic fibers, wood pulp fibers, regenerated cellulose or cotton fibers, or a blend of pulp and other fibers. A desired material is an airlaid material.
In one embodiment, the absorbent core 48 also includes a superabsorbent material, in addition to or in place of the hydrophilic material, which increases the ability of the absorbent core to absorb a large amount of fluid in relation to its own weight. Generally stated, the superabsorbent material can be a water-swellable, generally water-insoluble, hydrogel-forming polymeric absorbent material, which is capable of absorbing at least about 15, suitably about 30, and possibly about 60 times or more its weight in physiological saline (e.g. saline with 0.9 wt % NaCl). The superabsorbent materials can be inserted as particles or in sheet form. The superabsorbent material may be biodegradable or bipolar. The hydrogel-forming polymeric absorbent material may be formed from organic hydrogel-forming polymeric material, which may include natural material such as agar, pectin, and guar gum; modified natural materials such as carboxymethyl cellulose, carboxyethyl cellulose, and hydroxypropyl cellulose; and synthetic hydrogel-forming polymers. Synthetic hydrogel-forming polymers include, for example, alkali metal salts of polyacrylic acid, polyacrylamides, polyvinyl alcohol, ethylene maleic anhydride copolymers, polyvinyl ethers, polyvinyl morpholinone, polymers and copolymers of vinyl sulfonic acid, polyacrylates, polyacrylamides, polyvinyl pyridine, and the like. Other suitable hydrogel-forming polymers include hydrolyzed acrylonitrile grafted starch, acrylic acid grafted starch, and isobutylene maleic anhydride copolymers and mixtures thereof. The hydrogel-forming polymers may be lightly crosslinked to render the material substantially water insoluble. Crosslinking may, for example, be by irradiation or covalent, ionic, Van der Waals, or hydrogen bonding. Hydroxyfunctional polymers have been found to be good superabsorbents for sanitary napkins. Such superabsorbents are commercially available from Dow Chemical, Hoechst-Celanese, and Stockhausen, Incorporated, among others, and are a partially neutralized salt of cross-linked copolymer of polyacrylic acid and polyvinyl alcohol having an absorbency under load value above 25 grams of absorbed liquid per gram of absorbent material (g/g). Other types of superabsorbent materials known to those skilled in the art can also be used.
Additional layers or substrates, including for example, the liquid acquisition and distribution layer 4, also referred to as a surge or transfer layer, and an optional tissue layer 6 are also incorporated into the absorbent product, for example, between the body side liner or topsheet 44 and the absorbent core 48. The distribution layer 4 may be shorter than the absorbent core 48 or have the same length as the absorbent core 48. The distribution layer serves to temporarily hold an insulting fluid to allow the absorbent core sufficient time to absorb the fluid, especially when a superabsorbent material is present. In one embodiment, the absorbent core, distribution layer and other components, such as tissue layers, are free floating (unattached) between the outer cover and the liner, which are secured along only the peripheral edges thereof. Alternatively, the absorbent core, transfer layer and other components are attached to one or both of the outer cover and liner and/or to each other.
Although the wrapper component may have different configurations or can be prepared in other ways without departing from the scope of the present invention, referring to
When the second panel overlaps the first panel, the overlap distance (Lo) is less than or equal to about 95% of the overall wrapper component length (Lp) in a closed configuration (shown in
A pair of side seals 74 secures the first panel 64 to the back panel 62. The side seals are desirably formed after the first panel is folded over the back panel and the second panel is folded over the back panel and the first panel. Although, it is possible that the first panel could first be sealed to the back panel, and the second panel then sealed to one or both of the back panel and first panel. In an alternative configuration, the second panel is not sealed at the side edges of the first panel and back panel. This embodiment is described in more detail below. The sides may be sealed by any method known to those skilled in the art. Exemplary sealing methods include, for example, adhesive sealing, bonding by the application of heat and pressure, ultrasonic bonding or any other art known bonding methods. In one embodiment of the present invention, the side seals 74 may be frangible, meaning they can be easily broken such that the second panel 66 can be separated from the first panel 64 and back panel 62, and such that the first panel 64 can be easily separated from the back panel 62, wherein the product component 10 is exposed for removal from the pouch by the user.
Accordingly, one or more free edges may be formed along a perforation line, which is shown in
The wrapper material can be formed from materials, such as, but not limited to, a non-woven material, films, paper, laminates, and/or cloth (including woven) materials, and combinations thereof. For example, the pouch can be made as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,716,203, to Sorebo et al., the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. Suitable laminates useable in the present invention include, spunbond-spunbond laminate (SS), spunbond-meltblown-spunbond laminates (SMS), spunbond-film laminates (SF), and film-film laminates. In one embodiment, the pouch is made of a film/spunbond laminate material available from Kimberly-Clark Corp, and known as HBSTL (“highly breathable stretch thermal laminate”), and which material is further disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,276,032, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
In one alternative embodiment, the second panel 66 is releasably secured to the first panel 64. For example, a fastening element 72, shown as a tab in
In some embodiments, the second panel 66 is refastenably secured to the first panel 64, while in others, the second panel 66 is not intended to be secured to the first panel 64 once the wrapper component is opened. For example, in one embodiment, the free edge 54 is defined by a perforation line, with the second panel not being refastenable after the perforation is broken.
Referring to
Another wrapper component embodiment of the present invention is shown in
In other wrapper configurations shown in
In yet another possible wrapper configuration, the wrapper component is formed as a portion of the product component. For example, an outer cover, such as the baffle material, can form a wrapper component, as shown for example in U.S. Pat. No. 5,993,430 to Gossens, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. It should be understood that in these embodiments, the product component is considered to be disposed in the wrapper component when the wrapper element is sealed or otherwise closed. In other embodiments, the product component is rolled, with a flap or front panel portion of a wrapper component overlying a panel portion of the wrapper component, regardless of whether the wrapper component is integral with the product component or separate therefrom.
The present invention provides a sensory cue to the user of the absorbent article, indicating to the user where the free edge of the second panel of the wrapper component is located. The sensory cue can be a visual cue, a tactile cue, an audible cue, an olfactory cue, a cue which invokes the sense of taste or a combination of one or more of these cues. From a practical standpoint, visual or tactile cues are desirable. This sensory cue aids the user of the absorbent article to locate the place on the wrapper component in which the wrapper component may be opened to access the absorbent article contained within the wrapper.
From a practical standpoint, the visual or tactile cues are desirable. However, this does not mean that other sensory cues are intended to be excluded from the present invention. For example, audible cues, olfactory cues and cues which invoke taste can be very useful for users of the products who are severely visually impaired to the point that they are blind or essentially blind. In the case of taste, a flavoring could be placed on the edge of the flap or second panel near the opening to allow a user to use the sense of taste to find the opening for the pouch. Likewise, a “scratch and sniff” type coating could be placed near the opening of the pouch to allow a user to use the sense of smell to locate the opening. In a similar manner, the audible means could be used in the present invention by changing the type of material or thickness of the material used for the flap or second panel so that when touched or handled, the sound generated by the flap or second panel is different from the remainder of the pouch material.
In the present invention, the sensory cue is provided by a contrast between the first panel and the second panel of the wrapper. This may be accomplished by providing the second panel with a first set of sensory attributes and the first panel with a second set of sensory attributes. At least one attribute of the first set of sensory attributes or the second set of sensory attributes is different from the other sensory attributes of the other set of sensory attributes. In the present invention, the difference in sensory attributes on the second panel and first panel must provide clear indicia as to where the free edge is located at a first encounter with the wrapper component That is, the user should not have to think about the location of the free edge based on the sensory attributes on the flap or wrapper. In this regard, attention is directed to
Sensory attributes can take many forms and can include, for example, one or more colors, textures, shapes, graphics, text, alpha-numeric characters, and/or patterns, including indicia formed by dying, printing and/or embossing, or by otherwise altering the relative texture of the second panel relative to the first panel. Other examples include second panel and first panel material type, second panel and first panel material color, patterns embossed or printed onto the second panel or first panel, shape of the free edge, or any other attribute which may allow a user to ascertain a difference between the second panel and the first panel and enable the user to recognize the free edge of the second panel by the contrast created by the difference in at least one attribute.
To gain a better understanding of the sensory cue provided by the present invention, attention is directed to
For example, in the embodiment of
Referring to
The hue, luminosity and saturation/vividness are measured as follows using the following equipment calibrated in the following way.
Equipment
Quantitative colorimetric measurements are typically made using a colorimeter or spectrophotometer. However, these instruments typically have large apertures (˜1 cm) requiring a large color block for meaningful determination, making them unsuitable for color determination of graphics that may be composed of narrow lines or points whose width is much less than the instrument aperture. Therefore, a Zeiss KS400 Image Analysis system was used for feature identification and calorimetric measurement.
The Zeiss KS400 used a Zeiss AxioCam color CCD camera (1300×1030 pixels, 3 channel color, 8 bit per channel) equipped with a 20 mm AF-Nikkor lens (f/2.8). The camera was mounted vertically facing down onto a sample stage and had an effective field of view was 97×80 mm. Incident sample stage illumination was by four incandescent floodlamps (Sylvania) on a double Variac (70%; 90%), resulting in an illuminance of approximately 11,000 lux. The lamps were above the left and right edges of the sample stage directed towards the field of view at approximately 45 degrees.
Calibration
The camera black reference was with the lens cap on. The camera white reference was a Polaroid 803 positive with 15 ms exposure. To account for the warm color illumination bias of the floodlamps, the red, green, and blue (RGB) values were offset using the white selection tool in the KS400 software, resulting in corrected RGB values that yielded a white image.
Sample Setup and Image Acquisition
Samples are placed on the stage (normal viewing angle) and under ¼″ plate glass to minimize topographical effects. Images of the color-bearing graphical portion are acquired at 15 ms exposure.
Image Analysis
Image analysis is performed in Matlab (v.6.5.1, release 13; Mathworks, Inc) with the Image Processing Toolbox (v4.0). RGB images were converted to hue, saturation, and value (HSV) space using Matlab's hsv2rgb.m command. Choosing a saturation lower limit of 0.05 (0-1 scale) resulted in practical detection of all the colored/inked portions of the graphic. The hue, saturation, and value (i.e. luminosity) densiometric distributions were calculated for the detected regions in each image.
Referring to
Referring to
It is pointed out that the patterns shown in
Embossing can be varied on the wrapper component. For example, the second panel 66 may be embossed as shown in
In yet another possible configuration for the sensory cue, the sensory attribute could include the edge 54 of the second panel 66 having a distinct shape compared to the remainder of the wrapper component. For example, the wrapper components generally have linear top 60, bottom 58 and side 70 and 68 edges, as is generally shown in FIGS. 3A-F. As a result of making the edge 54 of the second panel 66 non-linear, the edge provides a sensory cue as to the location of the opening of the wrapper.
Of the above described shapes, the V-shape can be advantageous since the shape resembles an envelope. Most potential users of the absorbent products are familiar with an envelope shape and how to open an envelope. Therefore, by virtue of the V-shape, the user is directed how to open the wrapper component.
Another way to obtain a sensory cue which directs a user to the edge of the second panel of the wrapper component is to use a two-sided material as the pouch component. The term “two-sided”, as used herein, is intended to mean that the material has different attributes on each side of the material. The different attributes may be a different color, different surface texture, different materials on each side and the like. Generally, the wrapper component material which is two-sided is generally a laminated material such as, for example, a spunbond-film laminate (SF), a spunbond-meltblown-spunbond laminate (SMS), spunbond-spunbond laminate, a film-film laminate and the like.
By providing a material which is two-sided, the second panel and/or the first panel can easily be provided with a sensory cue directed towards the edge of the second panel. If each side of the material has a different color, when embossed, the colors may blend together, due to the melting of the materials of each side when embossed using heat, to give a third color which is different from the first two colors. For example, if one side of the material is white and the other side is blue, in the areas where the material is embossed, a second blue color may result which will be distinguishable from the first blue color. As a further example, if one side is yellow and the other side is blue, when embossed using heat and pressure, a green color may result. The embossing may take place on the second panel or the first panel of the pouch to provide the sensory cue to the user as to the location of the second panel opening. In addition, the embossing and color change will provide two separate sensory cues as to the location of the free edge of the second panel.
In another embodiment of the present invention, when each side of the wrapper material has different attributes, the edge of the second panel may be turned upward, so as to expose the side of the wrapper material which is adjacent the absorbent article inside the wrapper component. To gain a better understanding of some of the advantages of using a two-sided wrapper component material in the present invention, attention is directed to
In the present invention, when the free end 54 is turned upward to give an apparent free end 54′, other advantages are obtained. For example, when the free end 54 is folded upward over the second panel 66, the material at the opening becomes thicker, and may be easier for a user to grab the second panel and open the wrapper component. Also, the free end 54 may be further shaped so that the free end has a distinct shape as is discussed above. In addition, the apparent free end 54′, could also be shaped. For example, the free edge 54, having a right side 54R and a left side 54L may be folded from a point on each side of the free edge near the edges 68 and 70 towards the second panel creating a configuration shown in
One advantage of having the free edge of the second panel folded upward, as is shown in
In other embodiments (not shown), the sensory cue could include a colored or patterned strip or wave formed on one or both of the second panel and first panel. If a colored and/or patterned strip or wave is used, the color or pattern could be a color or pattern generally not associated with the absorbent article, which may draw the users attention to the second panel 66 and opening associated with the second panel. For example, in the case of feminine care absorbent articles, the color could be a vibrant color such as orange. The sensory cue could further include additional, separate pieces of material applied to one or both of the second panel and first panel. In addition, the second portion of the first panel and the second panel could be made identical (same pattern and/or color), but with the first portion of the first panel being a different color or pattern that is visible through the second panel so as to provide a sensory cue. For example, in one embodiment, the sensory cue is configured by way of a colored adhesive, which is used to adhere the second panel to the first panel. The adhesive is visible through the second panel, which may be relatively see-through.
The sensory cue is not limited to only the second panel 66 or the first panel portion 64. Both can have a sensory cue. Referring to
In yet another embodiment, shown in
The color gradient provides a processing advantage in that the contrast between the dark and light ends 75, 73 provides a sensory cue, but without concern about where the fold line 60 is formed. In this way, the color gradient provides a tolerance for forming the fold line 60, in contrast with embodiments where a color or pattern ends at the fold line. In addition to gradient color, a gradient embossing pattern may also be used.
In another embodiment, the second panel 66 and the first panel 64 are each of one color, which when overlapped form a third color. The sensory cue can include a line or intermittent pattern disposed on the second panel or first panel adjacent the free edge. A pattern forming the sensory cue can extend along a portion of the length of the second panel or first panel, along the entirety thereof, and can vary across the width thereof. Of course, it should be understood that the sensory cue can take many forms, and can include various combinations of colors, patterns, shading etc.
In another embodiment, the first panel and second panel could have the same color and/or pattern, but with the second panel being at least partly see-through such that the combined thickness of the first portion and portion of the second panel overlying the first portion has a different appearance than the second portion. For example, the combined thickness of the portion of the second panel overlying the first portion and the first portion may appear darker than the second portion of the first panel, thereby providing a sensory cue directed at the free edge.
In another embodiment, the attributes of the second panel and/or the first panel may be modified by using different materials for the first panel and the second panel by attaching a different material to the wrapper material or a material that is the same as the wrapper material but having a different attribute, such as color, shape, patterns and the like. In one particular embodiment, the material attached is attached to the second panel and the material has a V-shape, described above. By attaching a piece of material to the second panel having a V-shape or other shapes, problems associated with forming a shaped second panel may be alleviated. Other methods include using different materials for the second panel and the first panel. If the second panel is a separate and a distinct material, then the top edge along with side edges would need to be bonded together. In yet another embodiment, the back panel, first panel and the second panel could each be prepared from separate materials.
In some embodiments, the sensory cue includes one or both of a visual cue and a tactile cue. For example, the second panel can have a different texture than the underlying panel, so as to form a tactile cue. In some embodiments, the tactile cue is formed by an embossment, or different embossments. Similarly, a separate piece of material applied to one or both of the second panel or first panel may have a different texture or feel than the other thereof, thereby providing a tactile cue as to the location of the free edge.
In one embodiment, the sensory cue is located on the first panel and is directed at the free edge so as to provide indicia to the user about where their hand should be located such that it can be inserted to lift the second panel. In another embodiment, the sensory cue is located on the second panel opposite where the hand should be located. In either case, the sensory cue provides indicia of the location of the free edge, but also indicia of where the user's hand should be located.
In an alternative embodiment, shown in
Referring to
In another aspect of the present invention, the sensory attributes may be selected in such a way as to aid the user by communicating the direction the free edge should be moved in order to open the wrapper component. In this regard, many techniques may be applied to the second panel or the first panel to help direct the user the direction in which the free edge should be manipulated in order to open the wrapper. Some of those methods are described above in the description of
Depth and providing a sensory cue to the user of how to open the wrapper component may also be accomplished using color. Attention is again directed to
Other techniques may also be used to convey to the user how to open the wrapper. One example of this is provided in
The absorbent article may be placed in the wrapper component in a number of different ways. The absorbent article may be folded and placed on an unfolded wrapper material and the wrapper component is formed by folding the wrapper material into a pouch-like configuration around the absorbent article. In other methods, such as those described above, the wrapper and pouch material may be folded together. The wrapper material and the absorbent article may be aligned in a machine direction, and folded simultaneously. Other methods which can be used to form the wrapper/absorbent article combination include, for example, placing the absorbent article across the wrapper material such that one of the wrapper material or the absorbent article is aligned in the machine direction and the other is aligned in the cross machine direction, folding the absorbent article on the wrapper and folding the wrapper around the absorbent article.
In the above description, it is generally stated or implied that there is a single absorbent article within the wrapper component. However, it is within the scope of the present invention that a plurality of absorbent articles may be present in each wrapper component of the present invention.
To open the wrapper component of the present invention to access the personal care product placed in a wrapper component, the sensory cue provided on the wrapper is used to locate the free edge of the second panel; and the second panel is manipulated is such a way that the wrapper component is opened and the personal care product component disposed within the wrapper is removable from the wrapper. Manipulating the second panel generally includes grasping the second panel by a user's fingers and pulling the second panel upwards away from the first panel. In some configurations, such a second panel with perforations, the second panel may be torn away from the side seams of the wrapper component.
Other embodiments not specifically discussed above may also be used to provide a sensory cue to the user as to the location of the free edge. For example, the sensory cue could be provided on the absorbent article, for example on the baffle or garment facing side of the absorbent article. This would allow a clear wrapper to be used. In addition, the free edge of the wrapper could be located at the top 60 or bottom 58 of the wrapper component.
Although the present invention has been described with reference to various embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. As such, it is intended that the foregoing detailed description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting and that it is the appended claims, including all equivalents thereof, which are intended to define the scope of the invention.
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/750,424, filed Dec. 30, 2003, and claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/750,424.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 10750424 | Dec 2003 | US |
| Child | 11005684 | Dec 2004 | US |
