EP3634875B1 - Absorbent article package with enhanced opening and recloseability - Google Patents

Absorbent article package with enhanced opening and recloseability Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3634875B1
EP3634875B1 EP18735082.2A EP18735082A EP3634875B1 EP 3634875 B1 EP3634875 B1 EP 3634875B1 EP 18735082 A EP18735082 A EP 18735082A EP 3634875 B1 EP3634875 B1 EP 3634875B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
package
weakness
line
film
reinforcement member
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EP18735082.2A
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German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
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EP3634875A1 (en
Inventor
Astrid Annette Sheehan
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Procter and Gamble Co
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Procter and Gamble Co
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Publication of EP3634875A1 publication Critical patent/EP3634875A1/en
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D75/00—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes, or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
    • B65D75/52—Details
    • B65D75/58—Opening or contents-removing devices added or incorporated during package manufacture
    • B65D75/5827—Tear-lines provided in a wall portion
    • B65D75/5833—Tear-lines provided in a wall portion for tearing out a portion of the wall
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D33/00—Details of, or accessories for, sacks or bags
    • B65D33/02—Local reinforcements or stiffening inserts, e.g. wires, strings, strips or frames

Definitions

  • Non-fragile, compressible consumer products such as disposable absorbent articles (e.g., diapers and training pants, disposable adult incontinence pants and feminine hygiene pads) are often packaged and sold at retail ( i.e., placed on display and for sale in a retail store) in soft packages formed of polymer film.
  • Such packages may be formed from one or more sheets of polymer film, seamed via application of heating energy, which has caused portions of the film to melt and fuse along the seams.
  • the package After opening a package of disposable absorbent articles and removing one or more items needed for immediate use, a consumer may wish to leave the remaining unused supply of product in the package for storage until the next time additional items are needed. Thus, it is often desirable that the package retain, to some extent, its shape and structural integrity to remain useful as a container for storing unused product following opening. Additionally, and particularly in environments where high humidity and substantial quantities of airborne dust and dirt particles may be present, it may be desired that the package not only retain its shape and structural integrity, but have a reclosing capability that allows the package to be reclosed to an extent suitable to help protect the unused product from airborne contaminants.
  • film package opening features have generally been less than fully satisfactory.
  • Various prior configurations of opening perforations have not provided easy opening features, and in addition or alternatively, tend to promote substantial destruction of the package during opening, rendering it unsatisfactory for use as a storage container.
  • known recloseability features generally, have not proven to be cost effective for the manufacturer operating in highly competitive markets.
  • US 5 065 868 relates to a paper bag containing flexible articles maintained in a state of compression.
  • the bag preferably includes an opening device in one of the side panels.
  • the opening device contains an internal reinforcement sheet made of biodegradable and/or recyclable material.
  • the reinforcement sheet provides additional support for the opening device that is under tension created by the compression of the flexible articles.
  • US 5 050 742 discloses a flexible package preferably comprised of paper and having an opening system.
  • 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.
  • WO 93/16929 relates to an easy opening plastic bag including a plastic front panel, a plastic rear panel, and plastic left and right end panels coupled to the front and rear panels.
  • a plastic gusset is formed at the top of the bag and is joined to the front, rear, left, and right panels.
  • a first frangible portion is disposed near a top of the front panel, and a second frangible portion is disposed near a top of the rear panel.
  • EP 2 110 337 is concerned with a flexible package for accommodating a multiplicity of articles, wherein the package comprises at least a side wall with an opening means.
  • Fig. 1 is a plan view of an example of a disposable absorbent article in the form of a disposable diaper, wearer-facing surfaces facing the viewer.
  • Frm means a sheet structure having a length, width and thickness (caliper), wherein each of the length and width greatly exceed the thickness, i.e., by a factor of 1,000 or more, the structure having one layer (monolayer) or more respectively adjacent layers (multilayer), each layer being a substantially continuous structure formed of one or more thermoplastic polymer resins (including blends thereof).
  • High Density Polyethylene means a type of polyethylene defined by a density equal to or greater than 0.941g/cm 3 .
  • LDPE Low Density Polyethylene
  • MDPE Medium Density Polyethylene
  • lateral refers to a direction parallel with the waist edges and/or perpendicular to the direction of wearer's standing height when the article is worn.
  • Linear Low Density Polyethylene means a type of Low Density Polyethylene characterized by substantially linear polyethylene, with significant numbers of short branches, commonly made by copolymerization of ethylene with longer-chain olefins.
  • Linear low-density polyethylene differs structurally from conventional low-density polyethylene (LDPE) because of the absence of long chain branching.
  • LDPE low-density polyethylene
  • the linearity of LLDPE results from the different manufacturing processes of LLDPE and LDPE. In general, LLDPE is produced at lower temperatures and pressures by copolymerization of ethylene and such higher alpha-olefins as butene, hexene, or octene. The copolymerization process produces a LLDPE polymer that has a narrower molecular weight distribution than conventional LDPE and in combination with the linear structure, significantly different rheological properties.
  • predominately means that the component constitutes the largest weight fraction or weight percentage among all components of the composition.
  • the present invention is directed to packages for containing a plurality of absorbent articles.
  • a non-limiting, representative list of absorbent articles includes diapers, pants, adult incontinence products (liners, pads, pants or underwear), feminine hygiene products (liners and pads), bibs and bed pads.
  • the absorbent articles may be disposable, semi-durable, or durable.
  • the packages are generally formed of a flexible polymer film, which may be a single layer (monolayer) or may have two, three or more layers (multilayer).
  • a multilayer film may have, for example, an outer skin layer formed of a first polymer and an inner skin layer formed of a second polymer.
  • the terms “outer” and “inner” refer to the positioning of the layer relative the inside and the outside of the finished package; thus, the “inner layer” faces the contained product, and the “outer layer” faces outward and has an outer surface that is exposed to view and touch by, e.g., shoppers in a retail store.
  • Figs. 1-3 depict an example of a disposable diaper with front and rear waist edges 11, 12, in successively open/unfolded and folded.
  • Figs. 4A and 4B depict a stack of a plurality of disposable diapers such that depicted in Figs. 1-3 .
  • each of a plurality of disposable diapers such as that shown in Fig. 1 may, in a possible first step, have its longitudinal side portions be folded over and laterally inward about longitudinal side edge fold lines 20, as may be appreciated from a comparison of Figs. 1 and 2 .
  • the diaper may, in a second step, be folded longitudinally, about lateral fold line 22 that passes through the crotch region of the diaper, as may be appreciated from a comparison of Figs.
  • the article may be folded longitudinally once, and may in some examples be folded approximately in half about the lateral fold line.
  • the article may be folded longitudinally twice, about two longitudinally-spaced lateral fold lines.
  • a tri-fold configuration may have the article folded approximately in thirds, about the two longitudinally-spaced lateral fold lines.
  • the folded article such as folded diaper 10 will have a single fold nose 30 defining at least one end edge of the folded article, fold nose corners 32, and left and right side edges 34, 35.
  • a single fold nose may define each of both end edges of the folded article.
  • fold nose 30 may be proximate the crotch region of the article (the middle region of the article adapted to be located between the wearer's legs during wear).
  • the folded article will have a folded width FW measured as the distance between side edges, and a folded height FH measured as the distance between end edges.
  • a plurality of folded articles such as depicted in Figs. 3A and 3B may then be placed in similar orientation and neatly stacked together face-to-face to form a stack 40 such as depicted in Figs. 4A and 4B .
  • a first set of the plurality of folded articles may have their fold noses oriented along one side of the stack, and a second set of the plurality of folded articles may be rotated 180 degrees to have their fold noses oriented along the opposite side of the stack.
  • the articles in the first set and the articles in the second set may appear in alternating sequence in the stack.
  • stack 40 may be compressed to a desired degree of compression, along the stack direction SD.
  • stack 40 will have an approximate rectangular cuboid form with a stack height SH approximately corresponding to the folded height FH of the individual folded articles, a stack width SW approximately corresponding to the folded width FW of the individual folded articles, and a stack length SL measured from a first outward-facing side 36 of a first article in the stack to an opposing second outward-facing side 37 of a last article in the stack, along stacking direction SD.
  • Stack 40 may have a first side 41 and an opposing second side 42, one or both of which are defined by approximately aligned fold noses of folded articles in the stack.
  • Stack 40 may have opposing third and fourth sides 43, 44, both of which are defined by approximately aligned side edges 34, 35 of folded articles in the stack.
  • Stack 40 may have opposing fifth and sixth sides 45, 46, each of which is defined by one of first and second outward facing sides 36, 37 of first and last articles at each end of the stack.
  • an exemplary bag structure 47 may be formed from a single sheet of film stock that is suitably folded to form bag gussets 52b, 53b and then joined along portions by bonding to form two side seams 52a, 53a on opposite sides, to form bag structure 47 with no seam on a first package surface 50, and open at the other end 48 (e.g., a gusseted bag structure). Thereafter, the bag structure may be filled by inserting product such as stack 40 of diapers through the open end 48. In a first example, stack 40 of diapers may be inserted first side 41 first, such that after insertion the fold noses inside the package are adjacent first package surface 50.
  • stack 40 of diapers may be inserted first side 41 last (i.e., second side 42 first), such that after insertion the fold noses inside the package are adjacent second package surface 51.
  • first side 41 last i.e., second side 42 first
  • the open end 48 opposite first package surface 50 may then be closed by suitably folding to form closing gussets 51a, bringing the film edges together, and bonding them together to form end seam 51b and second package surface 51.
  • the bag structure 47 and stack 40 dimensions may be suitably selected and effected through design, folding, stacking, compression and packaging processes such the film of the package is taut about the stack at least along the stacking direction SD, to retain the individual diapers 10 in place within the stack 40, maintain stack compression, and maintain a neat, stable, approximate rectangular cuboid shape for the stack 40, and as a result, the package 49.
  • the package 49 is formed of flexible polymer film, when suitably sized relative the stack 40 dimensions, package 49 will approximately assume the approximate rectangular cuboid shape and dimensions of the stack 40, when the package film is taut, or otherwise when any loose film is pressed against the stack.
  • the package When the package film is taut about the stack along directions generally parallel with the stacking direction, in a manner that helps maintain stack compression along the stacking direction, the package will have a package length PL approximately corresponding to the stack length SL, and a package width approximately corresponding to the stack width SW. If the package structure is sized to provide no head space adjacent one or both of first and second sides 41, 42 of packaged stack 40 ( i.e., no slack is present in the package film adjacent first and second sides 41, 42 of the stack after the package 49 is formed), the package will have a package height PH approximately corresponding to the stack height SH.
  • the film package structure may be sized to provide head space, and correspondingly, slack film, adjacent one or both of the first 41 and second 42 sides of stack 40, such as may be desired to provide a hood structure (described below) with extra height and overlapping capability.
  • the left and right side edges 34, 35 of the folded diapers in the stack 40, and corresponding third and fourth sides 43, 44 of stack 40 will be adjacent fifth and/or sixth package surfaces 54 and 55. It may be desired that the stack size and bag configuration and dimensions be selected such that fifth and sixth package surfaces 54 and 55 are the largest surfaces, or front and rear "faces," of the package. In this arrangement, when the film of the package is taut about the stack, the film of the third, fourth, fifth and sixth package surfaces 52, 53, 54 and 55 is in tension along directions approximately parallel to the approximate plane of the first surface 50, serving to at least partially maintain any compression of the stack 40 along the stacking direction SD.
  • the film stock may be supplied pre-printed with desired commercial artwork, graphics, trademark(s) and/or verbal or graphic product information, prior to formation of the bag structure.
  • seams 52a, 53a and 51b may be created by welding.
  • welding refers to a union between separate portions of film stock, effected by application of direct or indirect (e.g ., ultrasonic) heating energy and pressure that causes separate portions of the film to at least partially melt and fuse together to some extent, forming a bonded area, joint or seam which cannot be separated without substantial destruction to the remainder of one or both joined portions.
  • direct or indirect heating energy and pressure that causes separate portions of the film to at least partially melt and fuse together to some extent, forming a bonded area, joint or seam which cannot be separated without substantial destruction to the remainder of one or both joined portions.
  • bag-forming and/or packaging machinery forms welds in the film that join the film stock to itself by applying heating energy that causes the film to fuse to itself, it may be desirable that the film stock be multilayer film, and that the layer(s) to be brought into contact and fused be formed of polymer(s) that have lower melting temperature(s) than those of the polymer(s) used to form the
  • heating energy to be applied to a degree sufficient to heat the layer(s) in contact and cause them to fuse, but not sufficient to cause undesired melting and deformation of the other layer(s), which could cause the package to be misshapen and/or displace and/or distort printing on the film stock.
  • a multilayer film may be co-formed (such as by coextrusion), or in another example, individual layers may be separately formed and then laminated together following their formation, by use of a suitable laminating adhesive.
  • a suitable laminating adhesive such as polypropylene and polyethylene.
  • the stock film may have at least two layers, including a first layer of predominately polyethylene and second layer of predominately polypropylene.
  • a layer formed of predominately polypropylene having a first relatively higher melting temperature, and a layer of predominately polyethylene having a second relatively lower melting temperature may be used to form the outer and inner layers, respectively.
  • an inner layer may be formed predominately of a first type of polyethylene having a relatively lower melting temperature
  • an outer layer may be formed predominately of a second type of polyethylene having a relatively higher melting temperature.
  • a multilayer film may be preferred.
  • a multilayer film may have layers of polymer compositions particularly chosen for the characteristics they impart to the film.
  • one or two outer skin layers may be formed of compositions chosen for, e.g., surface gloss; printability; smooth feel; pliability; low noise generation (upon being handled and manipulated, as by a consumer); relatively lower melt temperature and fusibility/weldability; or any combination of these characteristics.
  • One or more intermediate layers may be formed of compositions chosen for, e.g., tensile strength; stiffness; toughness; suitability for inclusion of blended-in recycled material; environmentally-friendly and/or sustainable material sourceability; relatively higher melt temperature; co-extrusion compatibility with adjacent layers (such that strong bonding between layers occurs upon co-extrusion); or any combination of these characteristics.
  • tensile strength e.g., tensile strength
  • stiffness e.g., tensile strength
  • toughness suitability for inclusion of blended-in recycled material
  • environmentally-friendly and/or sustainable material sourceability relatively higher melt temperature
  • co-extrusion compatibility with adjacent layers such that strong bonding between layers occurs upon co-extrusion
  • 5B and 5C requires the film to be welded to itself on both sides - on the generally outer film surface at the gussets 51a, 52b and 53b, and on the generally inner film surface along all other portions of the seams 51b, 52a and 53a.
  • a multilayer film may include first outside skin layer, second outside skin layer, and intermediate layer disposed between the skin layers.
  • Base polymers may include polyolefins, particularly polyethylenes, polypropylenes, polybutadienes, polypropylene-ethylene interpolymer and copolymers having at least one olefinic constituent, and any mixtures thereof.
  • Certain polyolefins can include linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE), medium density polyethylene (MDPE), high density polyethylene (HDPE), isotactic polypropylene, random polypropylene copolymers, impact modified polypropylene copolymer, and other polyolefins which are described in PCT Application Nos. WO 99/20664 , WO 2006/047374 , and WO 2008/086539 .
  • polyolefin plastomers and elastomers could be used to form the multi-layer polymeric films. Examples of such suitable polyolefin plastomers and elastomers are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,258,308 ; U.S. Publication No. 2010/0159167 A1 ; and PCT Application Nos. WO 2006/047374 and WO 2006/017518 . In one embodiment, such polyolefin plastomers and/or elastomers may comprise up to 25% by volume of the multi-layer polymeric film. Other useful polymers include poly- ⁇ -olefins such as those described in PCT Application No. WO 99/20664 and the references described therein.
  • one or both of the skin layers may be formed of predominately MDPE, LDPE or LLDPE, more preferably LLDPE.
  • a skin layer formed of predominately LLDPE may be particularly preferred because it imparts the skin layer with a good combination of weldability, relatively low melt temperature, printability (compatibility with currently commercially available printing inks), smooth surface finish, low noise, and a soft and pliable feel.
  • an intermediate layer may be formed of predominately HPDE, MDPE or LDPE, more preferably MDPE.
  • An intermediate layer formed of predominately MDPE may be particularly preferred with one or more skin layers formed predominately of LLDPE because it imparts the intermediate layer with a good combination of relatively higher melt temperature, co-extrusion compatibility with the skin layer(s), pliability, toughness and tensile strength.
  • an intermediate layer may be formed partially or predominately of a thermoplastic polymer other than polyethylene, such as any of the polymers identified above, or any polymers identified as suitable for intermediate layers in, for example, U.S. Pats. Nos. 9,169,366 and 5,261,899 ; and U.S. Pat. Apps. Pub. Nos. 2015/03433748 ; 2015/0104627 ; and 2012/0237746 , including bio-polymers or polymers having bio-based content as described in the latter three publications, such as, but not limited to, polylactic acid and thermoplastic starch. Additionally, an intermediate layer may include recycled thermoplastic polymer of any of the above-described types.
  • the total caliper of the film fall within a range of from 40 ⁇ m to 100 ⁇ m, more preferably from 50 ⁇ m to 90 ⁇ m, and even more preferably from 60 ⁇ m to 80 ⁇ m.
  • a three-layer film as described herein have a first and second skin layers each constituting from 15 percent to 35 percent of the weight of the film, and an intermediate layer constituting from 30 percent to 70 percent of the weight of the film.
  • a multi-layer film as contemplated herein may comprise one or more tie layers disposed between other layers.
  • a tie layer may be necessary when the polymers of adjoining layers would not otherwise be miscible or compatible so as to bond to each other during extrusion.
  • a tie layer between a polyethylene skin layer and an intermediate layer having a large polylactic acid content may be deemed desirable.
  • tie layers may be disposed between the intermediate layer and each of the skin layers.
  • a tie layer may include one or more functionalized polyolefins.
  • a tie layer may include from 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% or 45% to 55%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, or 100%, by weight of the tie layer, of the one or more functionalized polyolefins.
  • a tie layer may consist essentially of the one or more functionalized polyolefins.
  • a multilayer film having predominately polyethylene skin layers sandwiching an intermediate layer including PLA may also include one or more tie layers between the skin layers and the intermediate layer.
  • This particular multi-layer structure may provide the MD and/or CD tensile properties useful for products currently made from polyethylene while incorporating a renewable feedstock (PLA).
  • This arrangement may also enable downgauging (i.e., caliper reduction or basis weight reduction) of the film resulting from improvements in stiffness that can be used to drive sustainability and/or used as a cost savings.
  • the tie layer may comprise a functionalized polyolefin that possesses a polar component provided by one or more functional groups that is compatible with the PLA of the intermediate layer(s) and a non-polar component provided by an olefin that is compatible with one or more polyolefins of the adjacent skin layer.
  • the polar component may, for example, be provided by one or more functional groups and the non-polar component may be provided by an olefin.
  • the olefin component may generally be formed from any linear or branched ⁇ -olefin monomer, oligomer, or polymer (including copolymers) derived from an olefin monomer.
  • the ⁇ -olefin monomer typically has from 2 to 14 carbon atoms and preferably from 2 to 6 carbon atoms.
  • suitable monomers include, but not limited to, ethylene, propylene, butene, pentene, hexene, 2-methyl-1- propene, 3-methyl-1-pentene, 4-methyl-1-pentene, and 5-methyl-1-hexene.
  • polyolefins include both homopolymers and copolymers, i.e., polyethylene, ethylene copolymers such as EPDM, polypropylene, propylene copolymers, and polymethylpentene polymers.
  • An olefin copolymer can include a minor amount of non-olefinic monomers, such as styrene, vinyl acetate, diene, or acrylic and non-acrylic monomer.
  • Functional groups may be incorporated into the polymer backbone using a variety of known techniques. For example, a monomer containing the functional group may be grafted onto a polyolefin backbone to form a graft copolymer. Such grafting techniques are well known in the art and described, for instance, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,179,164 . In other embodiments, the monomer containing the functional groups may be copolymerized with an olefin monomer to form a block or random copolymer.
  • the functional group of the compatibilizer may be any group that provides a polar segment to the molecule, such as a carboxyl group, acid anhydride group, acid amide group, imide group, carboxylate group, epoxy group, amino group, isocyanate group, group having oxazoline ring, hydroxyl group, and so forth.
  • Maleic anhydride modified polyolefins are particularly suitable for use in the present invention. Such modified polyolefins are typically formed by grafting maleic anhydride onto a polymeric backbone material. Such maleated polyolefins are available from E. I.
  • du Pont de Nemours and Company under the designation Fusabond such as the P Series (chemically modified polypropylene), E Series (chemically modified polyethylene), C Series (chemically modified ethylene vinyl acetate), A Series (chemically modified ethylene acrylate copolymers or terpolymers), or N Series (chemically modified ethylene-propylene, ethylene -propylene diene monomer ("EPDM”) or ethylene-octene).
  • maleated polyolefins are also available from Chemtura Corp. under the designation POLYBOND and Eastman Chemical Company under the designation Eastman G SERIES, and AMPLIFYTM GR Functional Polymers (maleic anhydride grafted polyolefins).
  • LOTADER AX8900 polyethylene - methyl acrylate - glycidyl methacrylate terpolymer
  • LOTADER TX 8030 polyethylene - acrylic ester- maleic anhydride terpolymer
  • the tie layer can be a resin composition as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,114,522 .
  • This resin composition includes a modified PO resin and a terpene resin.
  • it includes a polylactic acid resin, a modified polyolefin resin, and a hydrogenated petroleum resin. These compositions are suitable for use as a tie layer between the outer layer and the core layer.
  • an outer layer and tie layer may be essentially combined as an outer layer by incorporating a functionalized polyolefin into one or both of the outer layers.
  • the multi-layer film may comprise 3 or 4 layers.
  • the film may comprise a first outer layer comprising a polyolefin and/or a functionalized polyolefin, one or more core layers, and a second outer layer comprising a polyolefin and/or a functionalized polyolefin).
  • the film may comprise a first outer layer comprising a polyolefin and/or a functionalized polyolefin, one or more core layers, a tie layer, and a second outer layer comprising a polyolefin.
  • any of the layers of the multi-layer film may comprise small amounts of one or more additives.
  • the additives may comprise less than about 10%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, 1%, 0.5%, 0.1% or 0.01% by weight of the layer of the additive.
  • Some non-limiting examples of classes of additives contemplated include perfumes, dyes, pigments, nanoparticles, antistatic agents, fillers, and combinations thereof.
  • the layers disclosed herein can contain a single additive or a mixture of additives. For example, both a perfume and a colorant (e.g ., pigment and/or dye) can be present.
  • a pigment or dye can be inorganic, organic, or a combination thereof.
  • pigments and dyes contemplated include pigment Yellow (C.I. 14), pigment Red (C.I. 48:3), pigment Blue (C.I. 15:4), pigment Black (C.I. 7), and combinations thereof.
  • Specific contemplated dyes include water soluble ink colorants like direct dyes, acid dyes, base dyes, and various solvent soluble dyes. Examples include, but are not limited to, FD&C Blue 1 (C.I. 42090:2), D&C Red 6(C.I. 15850), D&C Red 7(C.I. 15850: 1), D&C Red 9(C.I. 15585: 1), D&C Red 21(C.I.
  • Contemplated fillers include, but are not limited to, inorganic fillers such as, for example, the oxides of magnesium, aluminum, silicon, and titanium. These materials can be added as inexpensive fillers or processing aides. Other inorganic materials that can function as fillers include hydrous magnesium silicate, titanium dioxide, calcium carbonate, clay, chalk, boron nitride, limestone, diatomaceous earth, mica glass quartz, and ceramics. Additionally, inorganic salts, including alkali metal salts, alkaline earth metal salts, phosphate salts, can be used. Additionally, alkyd resins can also be added to the composition. Alkyd resins can comprise a polyol, a polyacid or anhydride, and/or a fatty acid.
  • Additional contemplated additives include nucleating and clarifying agents for the thermoplastic polymer.
  • suitable for polypropylene for example, are benzoic acid and derivatives (e.g ., sodium benzoate and lithium benzoate), as well as kaolin, talc and zinc glycerolate.
  • Dibenzlidene sorbitol (DBS) is an example of a clarifying agent that can be used.
  • Other nucleating agents that can be used are organocarboxylic acid salts, sodium phosphate and metal salts (e.g., aluminum dibenzoate).
  • the nucleating or clarifying agents can be added in the range from 20 parts per million (20 ppm) to 20,000 ppm, or from 200 ppm to 2000 ppm, or from 1000 ppm to 1500 ppm.
  • the addition of the nucleating agent can be used to improve the tensile and impact properties of the finished composition.
  • Additional contemplated additives include slip agents for purposes of reducing the coefficient of friction on one or both of the two outside surfaces of the film, or as anti-blocking agents.
  • Suitable additives for this purpose may include but are not limited to fatty amides, for example, erucamide.
  • Additives may also include antioxidants such as BHT, and IRGANOX products, for example, IRGANOX 1076 and IRGANOX 1010. IRGANOX products are available from BASF Corporation, Florham Park, NJ, USA. Antioxidants may help reduce degradation of the film through oxidation, particularly during processing.
  • Contemplated surfactants include anionic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, or a combination of anionic and amphoteric surfactants, and combinations thereof, such as surfactants disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pats. Nos. 3,929,678 and 4,259,217 , and in EP 414 549 , WO93/08876 , and WO93/08874 .
  • Contemplated nanoparticles include metals, metal oxides, allotropes of carbon, clays, organically modified clays, sulfates, nitrides, hydroxides, oxy/hydroxides, particulate water-insoluble polymers, silicates, phosphates and carbonates.
  • Nanoparticles can increase strength, thermal stability, and/or abrasion resistance of the compositions disclosed herein, and can give the compositions electric properties.
  • Contemplated anti-static agents include fabric softeners that are known to provide antistatic benefits. These can include those fabric softeners having a fatty acyl group that has an iodine value of greater than 20, such as N,N-di(tallowoyl-oxy-ethyl)-N,N-dimethyl ammonium methylsulfate.
  • the filler can comprise renewable fillers. These can include, but are not limited to, lipids (e.g., hydrogenated soybean oil, hydrogenated castor oil), cellulosics (e.g., cotton, wood, hemp, paperboard), lignin, bamboo, straw, grass, kenaf, cellulosic fiber, chitin, chitosan, flax, keratin, algae fillers, natural rubber, nanocrystalline starch, nanocrystalline cellulose, collagen, whey, gluten, and combinations thereof.
  • lipids e.g., hydrogenated soybean oil, hydrogenated castor oil
  • cellulosics e.g., cotton, wood, hemp, paperboard
  • lignin lignin
  • bamboo straw
  • grass kenaf
  • cellulosic fiber e.g., lignin
  • lignin lignin
  • bamboo straw
  • grass kenaf
  • cellulosic fiber e.g., lignin
  • a film package containing a stack of disposable absorbent articles such as disposable diapers, training pants or adult incontinence pants, may be imparted with features that facilitate opening without unwanted deformation or destruction of the package, so that the opened packaged may be used, following opening, as a container to store the supply of unused product.
  • the package may be provided with a line of weakness 60 comprising, for example, perforations or scoring in the film.
  • the line of weakness 60 may be continuous or discontinuous.
  • a "continuous" line of weakness of perforations or scoring is a singular line of weakness of individual, successive, mechanically-created partial or complete perforations, a singular line of weakness of individual, successive laser-scored partial or complete perforations, or a continuous, singular line of weakness of laser scoring, that is uninterrupted by an unperforated/unscored portion of the film of a length between successive perforations or scoring greater than 8 mm.
  • Individual perforations defining a line of weakness 60 may have any configuration suitable for propagating a tear in the package film along the line of weakness. Non-limiting examples are depicted in Figs. 14A-14D . Where the line of weakness 60 comprises a plurality of individual mechanically-created perforations or individual laser-scored perforations, it may be desired that the line of weakness have a cut-to-land ratio of at least 0.67:1 and no greater than 3:1.
  • cut-to-land ratio within this range strikes a suitable balance between providing for ease of package opening and minimized strain deformation of the film along the line of weakness during opening, and avoiding premature, unintended package bursting or opening, and retaining structural integrity of the package during shipping, handling and other events prior to retail purchase and intentional opening by the consumer.
  • the "cut-to-land ratio" of a line of weakness of perforations is the ratio of the aggregate of the lengths of the perforations extending along the line of weakness direction, to the aggregate of the minimum distances of unperforated/unscored portions of the film between successive perforations.
  • the line of weakness may comprise a single, uninterrupted line of laser scoring that does not entirely penetrate the film (or all of layers of a multi-layer film) but is configured to promote neat tear propagation along the line of weakness, such as described in U.S. Application Pub. No. 2015/0266663 , the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
  • the line of weakness 60 does not traverse a gusset (such as gussets 52b and 53b), because a gusset structure includes more than one layer of package film ( e.g., three layers), making propagation of a neat tear along the line of weakness more difficult.
  • a gusset such as gussets 52b and 53b
  • any portions of line of weakness 60 that traverse any of third, fourth, fifth or sixth package surfaces 52, 53, 54 and 55 be oriented at an angle that is 45 degrees or less, more preferably 30 degrees or less, even more preferably 15 degrees or less, and most preferably substantially parallel, with the approximate plane of the first side 41 of stack 40. This is because, as noted above, the film of package surfaces 52, 53, 54 and 55 will be in tension along directions substantially parallel with this plane, as the package contains the stack and maintains stack compression along the stacking direction SD.
  • a line of weakness 60 on any of surfaces 52, 53, 54 and 55 that is substantially transverse to a direction of elevated film tension increases the risk of unintended, premature opening (rupture) of the package at a location along the line of weakness 60, prior to the time a consumer intends to open the package to access the contents. Accordingly, in the examples shown in Figs. 6A and 7A , all portions of line of weakness 60, which are present on one of package surfaces 52, 53, 54 and/or 55, are oriented substantially parallel with the approximate plane of surface 50.
  • the manufacturer may choose to create a non-linear or non-uniformly linear line of weakness 60 in the package film.
  • line of weakness 60 has a portion 67 extending from corner point 60a where it traverses a package corner, to an endpoint 64. Portion 67 follows a non-linear line of weakness across fifth package surface 54.
  • a first straight line a is established, connecting corner point 60a and endpoint 64 of line of weakness 60.
  • a second straight line b is established, parallel each of the planes along first 41 and third 43 sides of stack 40 within the package, and intersecting line a.
  • Angle ⁇ at the intersection of lines a and b may then be measured, and is a reflection of the extent to which line of weakness 60 traverses the stacking direction SD.
  • This method of measuring and determining the desired limitations on an angle of a line of weakness 60 across a package surface will apply to any line of weakness configuration, for purposes herein.
  • angle ⁇ be 45 degrees or less, more preferably 30 degrees or less, even more preferably 15 degrees or less, and most preferably approximately zero.
  • an angle ⁇ greater than zero such as depicted in Fig.
  • hood structure 62 may provide a hood structure 62 that is relatively easier to flip open following initial package opening (resulting from relatively less distance between endpoint 64 to an adjacent package surface, e.g., package surface 50), the free edge portions of hood structure 62 below line a will have less support within the hood structure following opening, making them less secure ( i.e., floppy), which may in some circumstances be deemed counter to purposes of providing satisfactory reclosure.
  • an intact support band 70 is an uncut, unperforated band of film material circumscribing the stack along a support plane approximately parallel to the plane of the first side 41 of the stack 40.
  • support band 70 be located such that an unperforated portion of the package film surrounds and contains the stack 40 about at least half, or more, of its stack height.
  • the support band 70 be located at a support band height BH of at least 50 percent, more preferably at least 55 percent, and even more preferably at least 60 percent of the stack height (SH) from the package surface 50 or 51 adjacent the second side 42 of the stack 40.
  • Line of weakness 60 demarcates a package base 61 and a package hood 62.
  • the package hood 62 can be converged with the package base 61 to cover over the remaining absorbent articles to help guard against entry of contaminants into the package. It has been discovered through experimentation and observation of consumer behavior that an opening hood structure 62 having three sides each formed of a portion of one of the third, fourth, fifth or sixth package surfaces 52, 53, 54, 55, and a top formed of a portion of one of the first or second package surfaces 50, 51, as suggested in Figs. 6A and 7A , can provide an effective, easy to use cover over the supply of unused product.
  • a hood structure 62 has three sides formed of portions of package surfaces 52, 54 and 55, and the top is formed by a portion of first package surface 50.
  • a hood structure 62 is formed of portions of package surfaces 52, 53 and 54, and the top is formed by a portion of first package surface 50.
  • the hood structure is formed when the consumer tears the package film completely along line of weakness 60 of perforations or scoring. After opening, the hood structure 62 may be reclosed by returning it to a position similar to the one it occupied with respect to the remainder of the package, prior to opening.
  • the hood structure 62 preferably provides quick access and retrieval, using one's fingers, following package opening, for a majority of the individual articles in the stack 40, without requiring a reach far down inside the package. From observation it is believed that the proximity of the fold noses to the opening is preferred by consumers because it reduces effort by facilitating the quick tactile identification and grasping of an individual product for withdrawal from the stack and from the package. Thus, in the example depicted in Fig.
  • the portions 67, 68 of line of weakness 60 defining the hood may have a stack direction line of weakness length PLSD of at least 60 percent, more preferably at least 65 percent, even more preferably at least 70 percent, of the package length (PL).
  • the hood structure may not lift entirely away from the top of the stack, because this may reduce consumer recognition and use of the hood structure as a reclosing/covering device.
  • the portions 67, 68 of line of weakness 60 defining the hood may have a stack direction line of weakness length PLSD limited at 95 percent, more preferably 90 percent, and even more preferably 85 percent, of the package length (PL).
  • hood structure to have at least a minimum amount of material to grasp and pull back over the unused supply of articles in the package in the manner of a hood.
  • LSL hood structure 62 such as depicted in Fig. 6A to have an appearance and function as such, it may be desired that the structure have a hood height HH of at least 40 mm, more preferably at least 45 mm and even more preferably at least 50 mm.
  • Fig. 7A depicts an example of a line of weakness configuration (herein designated a "short-long-short” or “SLS" line of weakness 60).
  • SLS line of weakness
  • the entire length of the stack 40 will be exposed for access upon opening along line of perforations or scoring 60, but only a portion of the width of the stack will be exposed.
  • the hood structure 62 it may be desired that the hood structure 62 not lift entirely away from the top of the stack. Accordingly, in the SLS example depicted in Fig.
  • the portions of line of weakness 60 defining the hood structure may have a width direction line of weakness length PLWD of at least 25 percent, more preferably at least 35 percent, even more preferably at least 45 percent of the stack width SW, but not more than 75 percent, more preferably not more than 60 percent, more preferably not more than 50 percent, of the stack width SW, and even more preferably not extending past a side seam 52a, 53a.
  • the structure have a hood height HH of at least 50 mm, more preferably at least 60 mm, and even more preferably at least 70 mm.
  • the hood height HH is measured with the stack 40 within the package urged all the way within the package (without adding any substantial compression of the stack height), against the first or second package surface 50 or 51 opposite the hood structure.
  • the hood height HH is the largest measurable distance between the line of weakness 60 of perforations or scoring where it traverses a package corner, and the nearest of the first or second sides 41, 42 of the stack (which during measurement with the package standing as described, will be proximate the apparent "top" relative the top-opening hood structure). See, e.g., Fig. 7B .
  • the package may comprise a combination of a LSL line of weakness 60 and a SLS line of weakness 60.
  • the perforation line of weakness 60 can extend from end point 65 on package surface 55, as shown in Fig. 6A , extend completely across package surfaces 52 and 54, and extend to end point 65 on package surface 53, as shown in Fig. 7A .
  • Such a perforation line of weakness combination can lead to two possible scenarios. The first scenario creates a choice for the consumer to create and use a hood structure 62 via LSL line of weakness 60 or a hood structure 62 via SLS line of weakness 60.
  • the second scenario creates a greater opening and more flexible hood structure 62 when the consumer tears the package along the combined LSL line of weakness 60 and SLS line of weakness 60. Additional line of weaknesses are contemplated herein to effect a combination LSL line of weakness and SLS line of weakness.
  • the perforation line of weakness 60 in the first scenario may optionally comprise features tearing stress dispersion features, as described below with reference to Fig. 8 , or other features that limit tearing to the consumer choice of either LSL line of weakness 60 or SLS line of weakness 60 upon opening the package.
  • the package include some head space therewithin, and within the hood structure. This is illustrated in Fig. 7B , depicting head space within the package above side 41 of stack 40. This results in some slack film material in the hood structure prior to package opening. This extra material provided along the direction of the package height gives the consumer extra material to conveniently grasp when reclosing the package with the hood structure.
  • the extra film material along the direction of the package height enables the consumer to pull the hood structure down over the stack and down over and beyond the support band 70 and/or down below the line of weakness perforations or scoring on the lower portion of the package, easily and conveniently overlapping some of the film material of the hood structure over the film material below the line of weakness 60, providing for more complete reclosure and more complete coverage of the unused supply of product within the package.
  • tearing stress dispersion feature 69 is a semicircular perforation or cut running transverse to the direction of the line of weakness 60, which serves to disperse tearing stresses concentrated at the endpoint, and obstruct tear propagation in a way that may be perceived tactilely by the consumer they are opening the package. It will be appreciated that tearing stress dispersion feature 69 may have other forms including other shapes of cuts or perforations through the film that extend transversely to the direction of the line of weakness 60, added reinforcing strips, tapes, etc.
  • Stress dispersion features can also be placed at varying points along a line of weakness of perforations or scoring besides the end points. This approach can permit relatively small openings and hood structures. For example, some consumers (e.g., hygiene-sensitive consumers who seek to open the packaging minimally for protection, or those who invest in minimal effort to open and close the package) utilize a corner lift that is enabled by a LSL line of weakness or combination LSL and SLS line of weakness. While these lines of weakness can enable a corner lift, employment of stress dispersion features can maintain the desired size of the opening and corresponding hood structure.
  • the one or more indicia may include, but are not limited to, an imprinted line of weakness marking or tracing line of weakness 60, of a color that visibly contrasts with surrounding package printing; tactilely perceivable indicia; verbal indicia; other graphic indicia or any combination thereof.
  • the indicia may include embossing or other surface texturing of the film, configured to provide raised, tactilely perceivable features that suggest the presence of the line of weakness 60.
  • a tab 100 can be employed on the package to help consumers reposition the hood 162 over the unused absorbent articles after one of the articles is removed from the package.
  • Tab 100 includes a fixed portion 102 that is affixed to the package, and a graspable portion 104 that extends from an edge of hood 162.
  • Fixed portion 102 can be affixed to the package by any number of techniques, including, for example, through adhesive, ultrasonics, heat, pressure, and combinations thereof. In one example and as shown in Fig.
  • both fixed portion 102 and graspable portion 104 are disposed within an interior of the package prior to an initial opening of the package.
  • a consumer opens the package through manipulation of at least part of the line of weakness 160, lifts hood 162, and then retrieves one of the absorbent articles.
  • Graspable portion 104 is discovered by the consumer as the hood 162 is lifted. The consumer can then reclose the package by engaging graspable portion 104 to help reposition hood 162 to be adjacent the package base 161. As hood 162 is pulled back over the exposed portions of remaining absorbent articles and back towards base 161, graspable portion 104 is positioned on the exterior of the package, as shown in Fig. 10 .
  • graspable portion 104 can be positioned on the exterior of the package both prior to and after the initial opening of the package. Graspable portion 104 extends beyond an edge of hood 162 a suitable distance; for example, 2-15 centimeters, and preferably no more than 4, 5, or 6 centimeters. In one form, the bending stiffness or rigidity of the graspable portion 104 is greater than that of the flexible polymeric film from which the main package is constructed.
  • the tab and/or portions thereof can be made from a variety of materials, including, for example, woven fibrous materials, nonwoven fibrous materials, polymeric films, nonwoven/film laminates, paperstock, scrims, and the like.
  • Tab 100 may be positioned on a package surface/panel that comprises a seam and/or gusset. While fixed portion 102 may be directly attached to the seam and/or gusset, it preferably avoids the same.
  • a single tab can be positioned wherein the fixed portion of the same is located on one side of a seam and/or gusset, or it can employ of fixed portion that includes two spaced apart sections that can affixed to a package surface/panel on either side of seam and/or gusset.
  • multiple tabs can be employed and positioned on different locations on a single surface/panel (e.g., on either side of a seam and/or gusset), or on multiple package surfaces/panels. Use of multiple tabs can also help manage stress and strain on any given portion of the package hood to permit different material and design choices.
  • Hood 162 will generally remain in place once repositioned unless forces act upon the hood to displace it.
  • the graspable portion may comprise a fastening feature.
  • graspable portion 104 may comprise pressure sensitive adhesive that can facilitate the graspable portion 104 positively engaging the packaging film in package base 161.
  • a release liner may overlay the pressure sensitive adhesive such that the adhesive does not stick to an interior surface of the package or to one of the absorbent articles.
  • Release liners can comprise silicone coated paper for example. After opening the package, the consumer would simply peel the release liner off to begin using the tab and its fastening feature to close the hood and to secure it in place.
  • the graspable portion can be devoid of a fastening feature. Absence of a fastening feature can simplify the operation of the tab and/or eliminate additional material for disposal.
  • one or more slits 107 within the package base 161 can accept a distal end 105 of graspable portion 104. If one slit is employed, then distal end 105 can be tucked into the slit and thereby reside within the package interior. If multiple slits are employed, the slits can act like a buckle for receiving distal end 105.
  • Such slits can exist in the package as purchased, or they can be activated by consumers once the package is purchased via additional line(s) of weakness such as perforation 163 (shown in Fig. 11 ).
  • a reinforcement member can disposed on an exterior surface of the package and/or on an interior surface of the package. In one example, the reinforcement member is disposed proximate the line of weakness.
  • the reinforcement member can be made from a variety of materials, including one or more elastomeric bands or strands, a strip or layer of foam, a fibrous web (nonwoven or woven), a scrim, a magnetic substrate, a polymeric film, a bead, line or patterned deposit of cured polymer (with or without magnetic properties) or hot-melt adhesive formulation (with or without a tackifier).
  • Fibrous webs or scrims can comprise natural fibers (e.g., cotton or wood pulp), synthetic fibers, or a combination thereof.
  • the fibrous web can be made through a wet laid process or a dry laid process.
  • the reinforcement member can affixed to the package by any number of techniques, including, for example, through adhesive, ultrasonics, heat, pressure, and combinations thereof.
  • the reinforcement member can be included in the hood, the base, or both.
  • a package surface 153 comprises a first reinforcement member 112 on the package base 161 and a second reinforcement member 114 on the package hood 162.
  • Properties and characteristics of first reinforcement member 112 and second reinforcement member 114 can be the same, or can be different. Exemplary differences are described in more detail below.
  • First reinforcement member 112 and second reinforcement member 114 can comprise different materials.
  • reinforcement member 112 may be made from a material having a relatively higher coefficient of friction to help hold the absorbent articles in place within the package base 161
  • reinforcement member 114 may be made from a material having a relatively lower coefficient of friction to facilitate the hood 162 sliding over the absorbent articles when hood 162 is repeatedly opened to retrieve an absorbent article and then subsequently closed.
  • Reinforcement members 112 and 114 comprise a length RML1 and RML2, respectively, and a height RMH1 and RMH2, respectively.
  • lengths RML1 and RML2 extend in a direction substantially parallel to line of weakness 160
  • heights RMH1 and RMH2 extend in a direction substantially orthogonal to line of weakness 160.
  • Length RML1 may be the same or different than length RML2.
  • lengths RML1 and RML2 may extend to similar lengths or different lengths than that of the line of weakness 160.
  • an employed reinforcement member may extend to a length that is greater than the line of weakness including extending around the entire or substantially the entire perimeter of the package hood or base.
  • Height RMH1 may be the same or different than height RMH2. When they are different, a ratio of 1.5:1 or greater can be beneficial.
  • the two or more reinforcement members can have a different thickness.
  • first reinforcement member 112 may be thicker than second reinforcement member 114 to help keep the stack of absorbent articles more taut and/or help create a resting stop for hood 162.
  • Exemplary heights RHM1 and RHM2 can range from 1, 2, or 5 mm to 10, 20, 30, or 50 mm. Other heights are also contemplated.
  • Fig. 13A illustrates a package 247 comprising a seam 250, a line of weakness 260, a first reinforcement member 212 situated below line of weakness 260 on base 261, and a second reinforcement member 214 situated above line of weakness 260 on hood 262.
  • First reinforcement member 212 comprises a first portion 212A and a second portion 212B.
  • second reinforcement member 214 comprises a first portion 214A and a second portion 214B. This arrangement creates a window 220 proximate package seam 250 wherein a reinforcement member does not exist.
  • First reinforcement member 212 is shown comprising a length that is longer than that of line of weakness 260, while second reinforcement member 214 is shown comprising a length that is shorter than that of line of weakness 260-this can create a flexible hinge effect for opening and closing hood 262.
  • first reinforcement member 212 can comprises a length that is longer than that of line of weakness 260, but shorter than a length of second reinforcement member 214.
  • the reinforcement members are proximate to but spaced apart from line of weakness 260.
  • Fig. 13A also shows an optional third reinforcement member 216 situated on a lower portion of base 261 (e.g., about 1 ⁇ 2 or 3 ⁇ 4 of way down the base as measured from the line of weakness).
  • Third reinforcement member 216 can improve the standing stability of package 247.
  • the package may comprise one or more reinforcement members positioned and configured for providing structural stability to the package while not including a reinforcement member proximate the line of weakness as shown herein.
  • a single reinforcement member is sized and positioned to span the line of weakness, wherein the reinforcement member is partially attached to the package hood so as to define a free portion of the reinforcement member. The free portion of the reinforcement member extends beyond a lower edge of the package hood after the package is opened to cover an upper edge of the package base.
  • a single reinforcement member that spans the line of weakness may be separated into two reinforcement members, one on either side of an opening once the package is opened; that is, the both the package material and the reinforcement member are frangibly separated upon opening the package.
  • the graspable tab and/or reinforcement member can optionally comprise other features and benefits beyond their primary function and benefit.
  • the tab and/or reinforcement member can comprise an additive, such as, a fragrance or odor management material.
  • the odor management material is intended to manage odors inherently flowing from raw materials used in the manufacture of the contained absorbent articles, the raw materials used in the manufacture of the package, or both.
  • Useful odor management materials include activated carbon, zeolites, and cyclodextrins.
  • the tab and/or reinforcement member can also employ marketing materials, such as, for example, product information regarding the contained absorbent articles or coupons for the future purchase of the absorbent articles or a different product offered by the manufacturer.
  • a carrying handle may be formed of a strip of polymer film. The strip may be bonded by any suitable mechanism to portions of the package or package film.
  • a carrying handle may be formed of an extension of a fin extending from the package from an end seam. The end seam fin may have a handle cutout made therethrough, providing a carrying handle.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Absorbent Articles And Supports Therefor (AREA)
  • Wrappers (AREA)
EP18735082.2A 2017-06-08 2018-06-08 Absorbent article package with enhanced opening and recloseability Active EP3634875B1 (en)

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US201762516805P 2017-06-08 2017-06-08
US201762571955P 2017-10-13 2017-10-13
PCT/US2018/036584 WO2018227035A1 (en) 2017-06-08 2018-06-08 Absorbent article package with enhanced opening and recloseability

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