MX2013001848A

MX2013001848A - Package of folded disposable absorbent pants.

Info

Publication number: MX2013001848A
Application number: MX2013001848A
Authority: MX
Inventors: George Ikuya Nukuto; Jennifer Lea Westermeyer; Todd Ralph Hagner; Gregory James Fries; Cynthia Lee Hogan
Original assignee: Kimberly Clark Co
Priority date: 2010-08-18
Filing date: 2011-07-25
Publication date: 2013-03-21
Also published as: AU2011290499B2; KR20130100103A; KR101851815B1; GB2496567A; WO2012023072A3; AU2011290499A1; GB2496567B; WO2012023072A2; GB201303826D0

Abstract

The package comprises a housing portion having a transparent window region. A plurality of disposable absorbent pants is disposed within the housing portion. Each pant defines a waistband region which abuts a waist end. Each waistband region comprises a front waistband portion and a back waistband portion. Each pant further defines a crotch region which abuts a crotch end. At least a first pant is folded and positioned such that at least a portion of the waistband region of the first pant is visible through the transparent window region. Specified portions of the first pant may be obscured by an opaque border region. The first pant may include a back-label indicator that is visible through the transparent window region. A second pant may also be visible through the transparent window region.

Description

PACK OF DISPOSABLE ABSORBENT SHEATHS BENT Background People rely on disposable absorbent garments in their daily lives, including such garments as adult incontinence products, underpants, training pants and diapers. . Many manufacturers seek to satisfy the needs of users of such products. With certain products, such as underwear for adult incontinence and underpants for bedwetting, it is important that the garments look and feel as much as possible as "regular" underwear to promote an improved sense of normalcy for the user who suffers from such incontinence or enuresis. Additionally, buyers and users of such products are often ashamed of their condition and ashamed of having to buy products that deal with their incontinence and their condition of enuresis.

Currently, the most common method for obtaining incontinence and bed linen is by buying relatively large bags in retail stores. Such conventional underwear packages for incontinence and enuresis are opaque or almost opaque, which some purchasers may perceive as generally or "diaper-type" or which very connotes the presence of an absorbent product for personal care directed at a urinary condition Such conventional packaging bears little resemblance to the packaging in which durable clothing is sold. There is a need for a pack of underwear for incontinence or bedwetting that looks better than a package that is durable underwear to improve the feeling of normality for the buyer and the user. There is also a need for a package of underwear for bedwetting and incontinence that allows the potential buyer to see the selected characteristics of the underwear, such as, for example, the type of clothing material for making the underwear, the waistbands elastic and posterior label indicators.

Attempts have been made in the art to provide packages with windows to allow consumers to inspect the absorbent garments contained within the sealed packages that prior to purchase. See, for example, United States Patent No. 6,318,555 issued to Kuske et al. However, the prior art does not optimally provide a specific display and / or a specific darkening of the particular characteristics of the panties, particularly with the larger underwear such as the inner-suit for incontinence and that for the enuresis, some of which often require multiple folds in both directions to efficiently configure underwear for commercial packaging and sale.

Synthesis of the Invention To better meet the unmet needs described above in the art, a new pack of disposable absorbent pants has been invented. In an embodiment, the package comprises a box or enclosure part which defines a height dimension, a width dimension and a depth dimension. The enclosure part comprises a front wall and a rear wall, each of which extends along the width and height dimensions, the front wall being spaced from the rear wall in the deep dimension. The front wall comprises a transparent window region and an opaque boundary region. The package in this embodiment further includes a plurality of disposable absorbent pants placed within the box portion. Each panty defines a waist opening, two leg openings, one waist end, and one crotch end, and each panty defines both a longitudinal direction extending from the waist end to the crotch end and a transverse direction that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Each breech further defines the first and second side portions and a central portion positioned transversely between the first side portion and the second side portion. Each breech further defines a waistband region in which it is butted with the waist end and which extends in the transverse direction to at least partially surround the waist opening. Each waistband region comprises a front waistband portion and a rear waistband portion. Each panty also defines a crotch region which is butted with the crotch end. Each of the plurality of pants is folded at least once in the longitudinal direction so as to place the crotch end in a close proximity to the waist end, and each of the plurality of pants is folded twice in the transverse direction so that the first side part and the second side part of each pant are folded over the respective central part. At least a first brief of the plurality of disposable absorbent pants is placed inside the enclosure part such that the longitudinal direction of the first panty extends in the height dimension, such that at least a portion of the waistband The first cuff is visible through the transparent window region so that the crotch end of the first cuff is obscured by the opaque boundary region.

In another embodiment, the package comprises a part of enclosure which defines a height dimension, a width dimension and a depth dimension. The enclosure part comprises a front wall and a rear wall, each of which extends along the width dimension and the height dimension, the front wall being spaced from the rear wall in the depth dimension. The front wall comprises a transparent window region and an opaque boundary region. The package in this embodiment also includes a plurality of disposable absorbent pants placed within the enclosure part. Each panty defines a waist opening, two leg openings, one waist end and one crotch end, and each panty defines both a longitudinal direction extending from the end, from the waist to the crotch end and a transverse direction that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Each breech further defines the first and second side portions and a central portion positioned transversely between the first side portion and the second side portion. Each breech further defines a region of waistband which is butted with the waist end and which extends in the transverse direction to at least partially surround the waist opening. Each waistband region comprises a front waistband portion and a rear waistband portion. Each panty also defines a crotch region which is butted with the crotch end. Each pant comprises an absorbent core having a front edge, a rear edge spaced from the front edge in the longitudinal direction, and two side edges each of which extends from the front edge to the rear edge. Each of the plurality of trousers is folded at least once in the longitudinal direction so as to place the crotch end in close proximity to the waist end, and each of the plurality of trousers is bent twice in the transverse direction so that the first and second side parts of each pant are bent over the respective central part.

At least one first leg of the plurality of disposable absorbent pants is placed within the enclosure part such that the longitudinal direction of the first panty extends in the height dimension, and so that at least a portion of The waistband region of the first breech is visible. through the transparent window region and so that the front edge of the absorbent core of the first pantyhose is obscured by the region of the opaque boundary.

In yet another embodiment, the package comprises a part of enclosure which defines a height dimension, a width dimension and a depth dimension, the enclosure part comprises a front wall and a rear wall, each of which extends along the width and height dimensions, the front wall is spaced from the rear wall in the depth dimension. The front wall comprises a transparent window region. The package in this window further includes a plurality of disposable absorbent pants placed within the enclosure part. Each panty defines a waist opening, two leg openings, one waist end, and one crotch end, and each panty defines both a longitudinal direction extending from the waist end to the crotch end and a transverse direction that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Each breech further defines the first and second side portions and a central portion positioned transversely between the first side portion and the second side portion. Each pant. further defines a region of waistband which is butted with the waist end and which extends in the transverse direction to at least surround the waist opening. Each waistband region comprises a front waistband portion and a rear waistband portion. Each panty also defines a crotch region which is butted with the crotch end. Each of the plurality of briefs is folded at least once in the longitudinal direction so that the position of the crotch end is in close proximity to the waist end, and each of the plurality of pants is folded twice in the transverse direction so that the first side part and the second side part of each leg are folded over the respective central part. At least a first breech of the plurality of disposable absorbent pants is positioned within the enclosure part such that the longitudinal direction of the first panty extends in the height dimension, and so that at least a portion of the region The waistband of the first breech is visible through the transparent window region. At least one second panty of the plurality of disposable absorbent pants is placed inside the enclosure part such that the longitudinal direction of the second pantyhose extends in the height dimension, and so that at least a portion of the pantyhose is provided. the waistband region of the second pantyhose is visible through the transparent window region, the second pantyhose being positioned along the side of the first pantyhose in the width dimension.

In yet another embodiment, the package comprises a part of enclosure which defines a height dimension, a width dimension, and a depth dimension. The enclosure part comprises a front wall and a rear wall, each of which extends along the width and height dimensions, the front wall being spaced from the rear wall in the depth dimension. The front wall comprises a transparent window region. The package in this embodiment also includes a plurality of disposable absorbent pants placed within the enclosure part. Each panty defines a waist opening, two leg openings, one waist end, and one crotch end, and each panty defines both a longitudinal direction extending from the waist end to the crotch end and a transverse direction that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Each breech further defines the first and second side portions and a central portion positioned transversely between the first side portion and the second side portion. Each panty also defines a region of waistband which is a. stop with the waist end and which extends in the transverse direction to at least partially surround the waist opening. Each waist band region comprises a front waistband portion and a rear waistband portion. Each panty also defines a region of between the leg which is butted with the crotch end. Each of the plurality of pants is folded at least once in the longitudinal direction so as to place the crotch end in a close proximity to the waist end, and each of the plurality of pants is folded twice in the transverse direction so that the first and second side portions of each pant are folded over the respective central part. At least one first leg of the plurality of disposable absorbent pants is placed within the running part so that the longitudinal direction of the first leg extends in the height dimension and so that at least a part of the region The waistband of the first breech is visible through the transparent window region. In this embodiment, the first pant includes a posterior label indicator placed on the side-to-body surface of the first panty in close proximity to the rear waistband portion of the first panty. The back label indicator of the first brief is visible through the transparent window region.

By providing a part of the enclosure and the underpants folded and placed within the enclosure part in the synthesis examples set forth above and in the examples that follow, the selected characteristics of the underpants can be highlighted for inspection, or they can be hidden from inspection, to attract a buyer and / or consumer and to optimize the visual presentation of the pack of pants.

Brief Description of the Drawings * FIGURE 1 representatively illustrates a plan view of an incorporation of a disposable absorbent pantyhose suitable for use in conjunction with certain embodiments of the present invention in a longitudinally stretched and laid condition, prior to joining the front and back waist regions and showing the surface of the article that faces the user when the article is carried.

FIGURE 2 representatively illustrates a front perspective view of the example embodiment of FIGURE 1, shown in a fully assembled condition.

FIGURE 3 representatively illustrates a front plane view of the disposable absorbent pants of FIGURE 2, shown in a relaxed and flat condition.

FIGURE 4A representatively illustrates a front plane view of an intermediate bent configuration of the disposable absorbent pants of FIGURE 3, shown in a transversely stressed condition, with a longitudinal fold.

FIGURE 4B representatively illustrates a rear plane view of an intermediate bent configuration of the disposable absorbent pants of FIGURE 3, shown in a transverse tensioned condition, with a longitudinal fold.

FIGURE_ 4C representatively depicts a front plane view of an alternate intermediate bend configuration of the disposable absorbent pants of FIGURE 3, shown in a transversely tensioned condition, with a longitudinal fold.

FIGURE 4D representatively illustrates a rear plane view of an alternate intermediate bent configuration of the disposable absorbent pants of FIGURE 3, shown in a transversely stressed condition, with a longitudinal fold.

FIGURE 5A illustratively depicts a front plane view of a fully folded configuration of the disposable absorbent pants of FIGURE 3, with both side portions folded under the center portion.

FIGURE 5B representatively illustrates a rear plane view of a fully folded configuration of the disposable absorbent pants of FIGURE 3, with both side portions folded over the part. central.

FIGURE 5C representatively illustrates a front plane view of a fully alternating bent configuration of the disposable absorbent pants of FIGURE 3, with both side portions folded under the center portion, and with the portions cut out to show the underlying features. ' FIGURE 5D representatively illustrates a rear plane view of a fully alternating bent configuration of the disposable absorbent pants of FIGURE 3, with both side portions folded over the center portion.

FIGURE 6A representatively illustrates a frontal plane view of an embodiment of the package of the present invention.

FIGURE 6B representatively illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of FIGURE 6A.

FIGURE 7A representatively illustrates a front plane view of another embodiment of the package of the present invention.

FIGURE 7B representatively illustrates a perspective view of the embodiment of FIGURE 7A.

FIGURE 7C is the same as FIGURE 7B but with sliced parts to show the underlying characteristics.

FIGURE 8 representatively illustrates a front plane view of another embodiment of the package of the present invention.

FIGURE 9 representatively illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of the package of the present invention.

FIGURE 10A representatively illustrates a front plane view of a fully bent alternate configuration of a disposable absorbent brief similar to the brief shown in FIGURE 3, with both side portions folded under the central region.

FIGURE 10B representatively illustrates a front plane view of another alternate fully bent configuration of the disposable absorbent pantyhose similar to the panty shown in FIGURE 3, with both side portions folded under the center portion.

FIGURE 11 representatively illustrates a front plane view of another embodiment of the package of the present invention.

Definitions Within the context of this description, each term or phrase below shall include the following meaning or meanings. The additional terms are. defined elsewhere in the description.

The term "subject" refers to the union, adhesion, conjunction, connection or similar of two elements. The two elements will be considered to be joined together when they are directly attached to each other or indirectly attached to each other, such as when each is directly linked to intermediate elements.

"United" refers to the union, adhesion, connection, attachment or the like of two elements. The two elements will be considered to be joined together when they are directly linked to one another or indirectly to one another, such as when each is directly linked to intermediate elements.

"Disposable" refers to items which are designed to be discarded after limited use rather than being washed or otherwise restored for reuse.

The terms "placed", "arranged upon" and variations thereof are intended to mean that an element may be integrated with another element or that an element may be a separate structure attached or placed with another element or placed near another element.

The terms "elastic", "elasticized" and "elasticity" means that property of a material or compound by virtue of which it tends to recover its original size and shape after the removal of a force that causes a deformation.

The term "elastomeric" refers to a material or compound which can be lengthened by at least 50 percent of its relaxed length and which will recover, when the release of applied force, to at least 20 percent of its lengthening It is generally preferred that the elastomeric material or the elastomeric compound be capable of being elongated by at least 100 percent, more preferably at least 200 percent, of its relaxed length and recovered with the release of an applied force, so minus 50 percent of its "elongation.

The term "integral" is used to refer to several parts of a single unitary element rather than separate structures attached, placed one with another or placed next to one another.

The term "layer" when used in the singular may have the dual meaning of a single element or a plurality of elements.

The terms "longitudinal" and "transverse" have the usual meaning, as indicated by the longitudinal and transverse axes shown in the Figures. The longitudinal axis lies in the plane of the article and this generally parallel to a vertical plane that divides a user standing in the left and right body halves when the item is carried. The transverse axis lies in the plane of the article generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

These terms can be defined with additional language in the remaining parts of the description. ' Detailed Description of Example Additions The reference to the Figures will be made in the description of various aspects and embodiments of the invention. It should be noted that the embodiments shown in the Figures and described herein are merely representative examples of the pants and the package of the invention. The various aspects and embodiments of the present invention are suitable for use with adult incontinence briefs, pre-fastened disposable diapers, disposable swim shorts, disposable training pants, disposable enuresis garments, and the like.

Referring to Figures 6-9 and Figure 11, the invention relates to a package 10 of disposable folded absorbent pants 50. The package includes a portion of enclosure 12. The enclosure part 12 houses or contains the panties 50 by forming partially or completely forming a cover around the shorts 50. The part of the enclosure 12 defines a height dimension 16, a width dimension 17, and a depth dimension 18. The enclosure part 12 includes a front wall 20 and a wall rear 21, each of which extends along the height dimension 16, and the width dimension 17. The front wall 20 is spaced from the rear wall 21 in the dimension of the depth 18. In the additions , particular the enclosure part 12 also includes a first side wall 23 and a second side wall 24, each of which extends along the height dimension 16 and the depth dimension 18 The first side wall 23 is spaced apart from the second side wall 24 in the width dimension 17. In the particular embodiments, the enclosure part 12 also includes an upper wall 25 and a bottom wall 26, each of which is extends along the width dimension 17 and the depth dimension 18. The top wall 25 is spaced from the bottom wall 26 in the height dimension 16.

The enclosure portion 12 of the package 10 can be formed of any suitable packaging material, such as, for example, plastic film, cardboard, corrugated cardboard, flexible polymeric material, quasi-rigid plastic or combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the enclosure part may comprise a plastic bag, such as a clear plastic bag. In another embodiment, the enclosure part at least in part comprises a cardboard 27, such as a corrugated cardboard. The enclosure part may optionally include one or more inserts placed within the enclosure part 12, such as a cardboard insert 14.

The front wall 20 includes at least a partially transparent window region 30 and an opaque boundary region 35. As further described below, the transparent window region is desirably configured to allow a consumer to see one or more parts of one. or more underpants placed within the package 10, while the limit region or opaque edge is configured to obscure or block from sight one or more of the part of one or more underpants placed within the package 10.

The transparent lead region 30 can be provided by any mechanism which allows a consumer to see through the front wall 20 inside the inside of the enclosure part 12. For example, in an embodiment in which the part of enclosure 12 comprises a box, the transparent window part 30 may comprise an opening 31 in the box 27. The opening 31 may be covered or sealed with transparent translucent flexible or rigid plastic material, or it may be left uncovered and unsealed. If the complete box 27 is constructed of a plastic material, such as an almost rigid plastic material, the window region 30 may comprise a transparent or translucent part of the box 27. In another example, wherein the part of The enclosure comprises a bag 28, such as the plastic bag, the transparent window region 30 is defined by a transparent part of the bag, as representatively illustrated in Figure 8 and Figure 9.

The opaque boundary region 35 may be provided by any mechanism which obscures or blocks from view a part or parts of a pant or other pants placed within the package. In embodiments in which the enclosure part comprises a box 27, such as a carton, the opaque boundary region 35 can be defined by a portion of the box 27. For example, in the embodiment shown in the Figure 6, in Figure 1, and in Figure 11, in which the enclosure part 12 comprises a cardboard box 27, the region of the opaque boundary 35 comprises a cardboard. If the complete box 27 is constructed of a plastic material, such as an almost rigid plastic material or a flexible plastic bag 28, the opaque edge region 35 may comprise an opaque insert, such as a cardboard insert 14, the which is positioned within the enclosure part 12, as representatively illustrated in Figure 8 and Figure 9. In another version where the complete enclosure part 12 is constructed of a plastic material, such as a plastic material Almost rigid or a flexible plastic bag, the opaque boundary region 35 may comprise an opaque material, such as a printed ink, coated on the box or bag.

The shape and size of the transparent window region 30 and the opaque boundary region 35 may vary. For example, the region of the opaque boundary 35 may partially or completely limit the transparent window region 30 on one or more sides of the transparent window region 30. In an embodiment representatively illustrated in Figure 6, in Figure 7 and in FIG. Figure 11, the opaque boundary region 35 completely limits the transparent window region 30 on all four sides (that is, completely surrounds the transparent window region 30). In the example illustrated representatively in Figure 8, the region of the opaque boundary 35 limits the transparent window region 30 only on the lower edge of the transparent window region 30-that is, the side of the window region which is closer to the bottom wall 26. In the example representatively illustrated in Figure 9, the region of the opaque boundary 35 partially limits the transparent window region 30 along a bank 32 near the upper wall 25 and along a bank 33 closer to the bottom wall 26. In the example of Figure 9, the enclosure part 12 includes a C-shaped opaque cardboard insert 14 which partially obscures the front wall 20, the rear wall 21 and the top wall 25, and the bottom wall 26, so that the insert defines the transparent window reqion 30. This example also includes the transparent windows in the side walls 23 and 24. The transparent windows in the side walls 23 and 24- are each not obscured and pe they provide a quick visibility of the contents of package 10.

The package 10 further includes a plurality of disposable absorbent pants placed within the box portion 12. Each pants 50 defines a waist opening 52, two leg openings 54, a waist end 56, and a leg-bottom end 58 In the particular embodiments, each pant includes two side seams 55 which join the front of the pants to the back. Each breech defines a longitudinal direction 51 extending from the waist end 56 to the crotch end 58, and each breech defines a transverse direction 53 that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 51. Each breech 50 defines an assembled length 57 which is extends in the longitudinal direction 51 from the waist end 56 to the crotch end 58. (If the front waist band portion 72 and the rear band portion 74 are at different distances from the crotch end 58, then the length assembles 57 of the short is the largest of the two distances). Each panty also defines a width 59 which extends in the transverse direction 53 from a side seam 55 to the other seam 55. The length 57 and the width 59 for the given purposes are measured when the pant is fully assembled (the seams). intact laterals), in a relaxed condition as shown in Figure 3. The length 57 in the longitudinal centerline of the pants 50, and the width 59 is measured at the longitudinal midpoint of each side seam 55. Each pant suit further defines a first side portion 60, a second side portion 62 and a central portion 64 positioned transversely between the first side portion 60 and the second side portion 62. The first side portion 60 extends from 20 percent to 40 percent of the transverse width 59 of the short 50 in a relaxed condition, placed flat and assembled. The second side portion 62 extends to 20 percent to 40 percent of the transverse width 59 of the underpants 50 in a relaxed condition, placed flat and assembled. The central part 64 extends approximately 20 percent to 50 percent of the width 59 of the pants 50 in a relaxed condition and placed flat and assembled. In the particular embodiments, the first side portion 60, the second side portion 62 and the middle portion 64 each extend approximately one-third the width 59 of the shorts 50 in a relaxed condition and. placed flat, as was generally illustrated in a representative way in Figure 3.

In the particular embodiments, each pant includes a front panel 71, a rear panel 73 and a crotch panel 75. The panels 71, 73 and 75 may be integrated with one another, or these may comprise separate components attached to one another. In particular embodiments, the front and rear panels 71 and 73 comprise elastomeric materials, such as elastomeric film laminates, elastomeric laminate laminates, elastomeric mesh or net laminates or the like. In one example, the front and rear panels 71 and 73 each. they comprise an elastomeric film placed in the form of a sandwich between two nonwoven substrates, of the polyolefin-based cloth type.

Each breech 50 further defines a region of waistband 70 which is abutting waist end 56. The waistband region 70 extends in the transverse direction 53 and at least partially surrounds the waist opening 52. Each waist band region 70 comprises a front waistband portion 72 and a rear waistband portion 74. Each waist band portion 72 and 74 extends between the side postures 55. The waistband portion front 72 is adapted to connect the front half to the user's waist when in use and the rear waistband portion 74 is adapted to make contact with the rear half of the waistband when worn. The waistband portions 74 and 72 can be integrated with the front and rear panels 71 and 73 or these can be separate components that are attached to the front and rear panels 71 and 73. For example, the front waistband portion 72 may constitute the front panel region 71 which is within 25 centimeters, or within 35 centimeters of the front waistband 76, and the rear waistband portion 74 may constitute the region of rear panel 73 which is within 25 centimeters, or between 35 centimeters of the rear waist edge 77. Alternatively, the waist band portion 72 may comprise a folded portion of the front panel 71, and / or the portion of rear waistband 74 may comprise a folded portion of the back panel 73. In particular embodiments a transversely extending fold line defines the front waist edge 76, and the transversely extending doubles line defines the waist edge Subsequent 77. In such embodiments, the length extension of the folded portion defines the boundaries of the respective waistband portion. Desirably, one or more elastic cords are placed inside one or both over bent parts. Examples of such over-folded waist band configurations are shown in the publication of the United States of America Patent Application No. • 2008/0134487 of Hartono, which is incorporated herein by reference to the extent that it is consistent with it. Alternatively, the front waistband portion 72 may comprise an elastomeric assembly or component separated or attached to the front panel 71 'and / or the rear waistband portion 74 may comprise a separate elastomeric assembly or component attached to the rear panel 73 , as shown representatively in Figure 1. Each breech also defines a region of between leg 68 which is butted with the crotch end 58.

Each pantyhose also desirably includes an absorbent compound 80 generally placed in the central portion 64 and in the crotch region 68. In particular embodiments, the absorbent composite 80 may not require including a lower side-to-liquid impervious sheet 82, a liquid-permeable liquid-to-body top sheet 84 and a fluid-absorbent core 86 comprised of supersize pulp and / or superabsorbent polymer sandwiched between the bottom sheet 82 and the top sheet 84. The absorbent core 86 has a front edge 87, a rear edge 88 spaced from the front edge in the longitudinal direction, and two side edges 89 which extend from the front edge 87 to the rear edge 89. The absorbent core 86 may be rectangular, shaped like hourglass, it can be oval, it can be trapezoidal or it can be otherwise suitable. Due to the additional volume introduced by an absorbent core 86, the crotch region 68 of a brief 50 including an absorbent core 86 is generally thicker than the waist region 70 of such a brief. Examples of disposable absorbent pants having certain aspects suitable for incorporation into the particular embodiments of the present invention include those described in United States of America Patent No. 5,745,922 issued May 5, 1998 to Rajala et al. in U.S. Patent No. 6,240,569 issued June 5, 2001 to Van Gompel et al. and in U.S. Patent No. 6,702,798 issued March 9, 2004 to Christoffel et al., and in U.S. Patent No. 7,604,624 issued October 20, 2009 to Veith et al., the contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference to the extent that it is consistent with the present invention. It should be noted that the disposable absorbent pants may be provided in a permanently "closed" configuration (eg, the pull-on-the-legs style), a "closed" configuration resusable and may be released again, or in an "open" configuration (for example, not previously held) -any of which may be used in conjunction with the various embodiments of the present invention.

In the particular embodiments, one or more of one or all of the plurality of pants 50 are bent at least once in the longitudinal direction 51. In the particular embodiments, as representatively illustrated in Figure 4, the pants 50 are folded in a first longitudinal fold line 44 so as to place the crotch end 58 in close proximity to the waist end 56. The crotch end 58 can be positioned to be even with the waist end 56, as depicted representatively in the Figures 4C-D. Alternatively, the crotch end 58 can be positioned so as not to be even with the waist end 56, so that the waist end 56 and the crotch end 58 are at different distances from the fold line 44. For example, as shown in Figures 4A-4B, the shorts 50 may be folded so that the distance 65 between the crotch end 58 and the fold line 44 is greater than the distance 66 between the waist end 56 and the fold line 44. The first longitudinal fold line 44 may be longitudinally close, but does not require being longitudinally close to the front edge 87 of the absorbent core 86, as is the case in the embodiment of Figure 4A. When a pant 50 is folded as to place the crotch end 58 in close proximity to the. waist end 56, the pants can be folded so that the crotch region 68 makes contact directly with the front waistband portion 72 or so that the crotch region 68 directly contacts the back waistband portion 74. In the particular incorporations, such as that representatively illustrated in Figures 5A-D and in Figures 10A-B and in Figures 10A-B, the pant 50 is folded so that the crotch region 68 at least partially makes contact directly with the rear waist band portion 74. In such an embodiment, the side-to-garment surface 93 of the crotch region 68 of the panting 50 directly contacts the side surface of the garment 93 of the rear waistband portion 74. of waistband region 70.

In the particular embodiments, one, more than one or more preferably all of the plurality of pants 50 are bent at least once, and preferably twice in the transverse direction 53. In the particular embodiments, as depicted representatively in FIG. Figures 5A-D, the first side part 60 and the second side part 62 of each pant 50 are folded over / under the central part 64. In particular, the first side part 60 is shown folded over the middle part 64 in a first transverse bending line 61, and second lateral part 62 is shown bent over both the central part 64 and the first side 60 in a second transverse bending line 63. In this manner, the pant 50 is bent two. times in the transverse direction 53. In the alternate embodiments, the first side portion 60 and the second side portion 62 may both be tucked in, as opposed to bent over / under or-of the central portion 54 (not shown). Representative examples of disposable pants having the side portions tucked into the central portion and the methods for tucking these portions are described in United States of America Patent No. 6,723,035 issued April 20, 2004 to Franklin et al. all of the parts of U.S. Patent 6,723,035 which refer to the side-recessed portions or the remitted panels are incorporated herein by reference to the extent · in which they are consistent with the present invention.

It should be noted that for the purposes of the present description, the fold between the leg 67 of the panting 50 is inoperated for purposes of counting the number of times the pant is folded in the longitudinal direction 51. For example, for the purposes of this Description, the shorts 50 shown in Figures 4A-D are considered as being folded just once in the longitudinal direction 51 (namely, in the first longitudinal fold line 44). Similarly, for the purposes of the present description, the pants 50 shown in Figures 5A-D are considered as being bent twice in the transverse direction 53 (namely, in the transverse fold lines 61 and 63), but just once in the longitudinal direction 51 (namely in the first longitudinal fold line 44).

In the particular embodiments, the brief 50 is folded at least once in the longitudinal direction 51 so as to place the crotch end 58 in close proximity to the waist end 56 as described above before the brief 50 has been folded over. the transverse direction 53 as described above. For example, as representatively illustrated in the embodiment of Figure 4 and Figure 5, the pant suit 50 is first folded into the longitudinal fold line 44 and then folded into a first transverse fold line 61, and is finally folded in a second transverse fold line 63. In the folded configuration shown in Figure 5, most of the crotch region 68 is at least partially sandwich-like between the first side portion 60 and the center portion 64. In the Particular embodiments such as those illustrated representatively in Figure 5, both the front waistband portion 72 and the rear waistband portion 74 of the waistband region 70 are wrapped around the crotch region 68. In such embodiments, it may be desirable to have a waistband region 70 of the pant in a stressed condition. Having the waistband region 70 in a partially or tensioned tight condition this may help to highlight the "real interior" type of "underwear" properties of the panty for the view of a consumer who observes the diaper through the region of transparent window 30, as is. Further details below. In particular embodiments, such as those in which the waistband region 70 is wrapped around the crotch region 68, the first side portion 60 directly contacts the second side portion 62 (see, for example, FIG. 5B and Figure 5D).

Referring to Figures 6-8 and Figure 11, in particular embodiments at least one underpan 50, such as at least two underpants, of the plurality of disposable absorbent pants is placed within the running part 12 so that the longitudinal direction 51 of at least one breech 50 extends in the height dimension 61 of the enclosure part 12, and so that at least a portion of the waist band region 70 of the breeches 50 is visible through of the transparent window region 30, and so that the crotch end 58 of the pants 50 is visually obscured by the opaque boundary regions 35. In this manner, it may be possible in certain embodiments to highlight the band region for a consumer. waistband 70 'absorbent (such as elastic waist band) which looks like regular cloth underwear ^ but becomes less obvious or to cover those aspects of absorbent panties which resemble disposable absorbent products for bladder weakness, such as the thicker absorbent core 86 near the crotch end 58 in the crotch region 68. For example, as discussed above in conjunction with the embodiment of the Figure 4A and of Figure 4B, the shorts 50 can be folded so that the distance 65 between the crotch end 58 and the fold line 44 is greater than the distance 66 between the waist end 56 and the fold line 44. In the particular embodiments, the distance 65 between the crotch end 58 and the fold line 44 exceeds the distance 66 between the waist end 56 and the fold line 44 'by at least one centimeter, more particularly at least two centimeters, and even more particularly between 2 centimeters and 5 centimeters. Without attempting to be limited, the present inventors have discovered that these particular dimensional relationships can in some special embodiments optimize the balance between displaying the desired product characteristics through the window region and hiding other regions of the product within the opaque regions. In particular embodiments, such as those of Figure 6, of Figure 7 and of Figure 11, the waist end 56 is closer to the upper wall 25 of the enclosure part 12 than to the back wall 26 of the enclosure part 12, and the upper wall 25 of the enclosure part 12 is closer to the crotch end 58 than to the waist end 56. In particular embodiments, the crotch region 68 of the pant 50 is completely obscured by the region of the opaque limit 35.

Referring to Figures 7-a-7c, in the particular embodiments at least one underpants 50, such as, at least two underpants of the plurality of disposable absorbent pants are placed within the enclosure part 12 so that the address longitudinal 51 of at least one breech 50 extends in the height dimension 16 of the box part 12, and so that at least a portion of the waist band region 70 of the breeches 50 is visible through the transparent window region 30 and so that the front edge 87 of the absorbent core 86 of the pant is obscured by the region of the opaque limit 35. In this manner, it may be possible to highlight the waistband region 70 for a consumer. of absorbent pants (such as an elastic waistband) which looks like regular cloth underwear but to make it less obvious or to cover those "absorbent" pantyhose that resemble absorbent products. disposable bladder control bents, such as the relatively bulky absorbent core near the front edge 87 of the absorbent core. In Figures 7a and 7b, the front edge of the absorbent core of both the first pants 50 and the second pants 100 is hidden from view by the opaque edge region 35. Figure 7c shows the package of Figures 7a and 7b but with parts of the box part 12 cut away to reveal the front edge 87 of the absorbent core 86 of the first brief. fifty, as well as to reveal the crotch end 58 of the first panty 50. In particular embodiments, not only is the front edge 87 of the absorbent core 86 obscured by the opaque edge region 35 but the entire absorbent core 86 is obscured by the region of the opaque boundary 35. Stated another way, in such embodiments, no part of the absorbent core 86. is visible through the transparent window region 30 of the package 10.

Referring to Figures 10 and 11, in particular embodiments, at least a plurality of pants in the package and preferably all pants in the package, include a back label indicator 90 placed on the rear panel 73 of the pants 50. An indicator The back label can provide at least two benefits in the particular appendages - namely, denoting a part of the pant leg that is the back of the pants for the wearer, and helping to make the pant suit more closely resemble an undergarment. "regular" cloth. In particular embodiments, such as those representatively illustrated in Figure 10 and Figure 11, the back label indicator 90 is placed on a side-to-body layer of the briefs, and preferably on the side-to-body surface 92 of the shorts . Preferably, the back label indicator is positioned so as to be in close proximity with the rear waistband portion 74, such as over the rear waistband portion, or as representatively illustrated in Figure 10 and Figure 11. , just below the waist band part 74. Note that the 'back' label indicator 90 can be placed on any surface of any layer, as long as the back label indicator 90 is visible when the surface is seen from side to body or the side to the surface from side to bottom of the pant.

In the particular embodiments, such as those representatively illustrated in Figure 11, the posterior label 90 of a brief, two pants, three pants or four pants, or more than four pants, are visible throughout the region. of transparent window 30. In the embodiment of Figure '11, the two pants 50 and 100 that are visible through the transparent window region 30 are folded and placed as shown in Figure 10A as to make the label indicator rear 90 visible when viewing the shorts through the window region 30. In particular embodiments, such as those illustrated illustratively in Figure 11, the rear waistband portion 74 is spaced by a first distance 94 from the wall upper 25, the rear label indicator 90 is spaced by a second distance 95 from the upper wall 25, and the front waistband portion 72 is spaced a third distance 96 from the top wall 25. The first distance 94 is less than the second distance 95, and the second distance 95 is less than the third distance 96. Each distance is measured in the longitudinal centerline of the respective brief. In this manner, the back label indicator is visible through the window region, as is one or both of the front and rear waistband portions 72 and 74.

Desirably, the printed text 40 is placed on or near the front wall 20. For example, the printed text 40 may be printed on an outer surface 15 of the enclosure part 12 or on a surface of an insert 1. The printed text 40 extends in a reading direction 42. The "reading direction" means the direction in which the printed text can be read, such as from left to right in the languages that use the Roman alphabet. In particular embodiments, such as those representatively illustrated in Figure 6, in Figure 8 and in Figure 11, the printed text 40 is oriented so that the reading direction 42 extends in the dimension of the width 17. In such embodiments, the reading direction 42 is perpendicular to both the direction of the height 16 as well as the longitudinal direction 51 of each pantyhose 50 within the package 10. In other embodiments, such as those representatively illustrated in Figure 7 and Figure 9, the printed text 40 is oriented so that the reading direction 42 extends in the dimension of the height 16. In such embodiments, the reading direction 42 is perpendicular to both the dimension of the. width 17 as well as the transverse direction 53 of each pant 50 within package 10.

Referring to Figure 9,. in the particular embodiments of the package 10, the plurality of pants includes a first row 102 of pants stacked behind a first pants 50. The first row 102 extends in the dimension of the depth 18 between the first pants 50 and the rear wall 21 One or more of the pants stacked behind the first pants 50 may have any of the features described above. Additionally, in the particular embodiments of the package 10, a second underpants 100 is placed inside the box part adjacent to the first underpants 50. As with the first underpants 50, the second underpants 100 can be placed inside the box part 12 so that the longitudinal direction 51 of the second pants 100 extends in the height dimension 16, and of. so that at least a portion of the waistband region 70 of the second pantyhose 100 is visible through the transparent window region 30. In particular embodiments, the crotch end 58 of the second pantyhose 100 is obscured by the region of opaque boundary 35, as representatively illustrated in Figures 7A-C. Additionally, or in. the alternative, the front edge of the absorbent core of the second pantyhose 100 is obscured by the region of the opaque boundary 35. In the particular embodiments, the second pantyhose 100 is placed along the first pantyhose 50 in the dimension of the width 17 of the of box 12. In such embodiments, it is desirable to also include a second row of pants stacked behind the second pants 100, so that the second row, like the first row 102, extends in the depth dimension 18 between the second pants. 100 and the back wall 21. In an alternate embodiment (not shown), in which the second pantyhose 100 is placed along the first pantyhose in the 17th width dimension, a single row of breeches. it can extend in a stack from the first side wall 23 to the second side wall 24, in such a way, the transverse axes of both first and second calipers 50 and 100 are positioned at a generally straight angle to the transverse axes of each of the pants in the stack extending in the width dimension 17 from the side wall 23 to the side wall 24.

In particular embodiments, such as those representatively illustrated in Figures 7-9, the transparent window region 30 is configured to reveal different parts, different amounts or different areas of the first breech.50 and of the second adjacent breeches 100. For example, in the embodiment of Figure 7, the window is configured to show primarily the waistband region 70 but relatively little of the remainder of the front panel 71 of the second pants 100. However, the window region 30 is at the same time configured to show the waist band region 70 as well as a relatively larger area of the front panel-71 of the first pants 50. In this manner, the window region 30 can draw the user's attention to the waist band region 70 in a product, and at the same time draw attention to the cloth type attributes of the front panel 71 in the adjacent product. An example of one way to achieve this is to form the window, so that the first side window edge 34a is shorter than the second side window edge 34b. In this manner, one or both of the upper edge 32 and the bottom edge 33 may be arched or slanted as shown in Figure 7. An alternate approach is shown in Figure 9, where the lowermost edge region It is shaped to cover a larger amount of the second pants 100 than of the first pants 50. In particular embodiments, the region of the boundary 35 and the window region 30 are configured so that more, such as at least 20 times one hundred more) of the first pant suit 50 is visible (as measured by a plan view printout) through the window 30, relative to the amount of the second pant suit 100 that is visible through the window region 30 .

It will be appreciated that the details of the above embodiments, given for purposes of illustration, should not be construed as limiting the scope of this invention. Although only a few example embodiments of this invention have been described in detail, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications to example embodiments are possible without departing materially from the teachings and novel advantages of this invention. Therefore, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention which is defined in the following claims and all equivalents thereof. Furthermore, it is recognized that many incorporations can be conceived which do not achieve all the advantages of some incorporations, particularly, of the preferred incorporations, but that the absence of a particular advantage should not be considered as necessarily signifying that such incorporation is outside the scope of the invention. scope of the present invention.

Claims

R E I V I N D I C A C I O N S

1. A package of disposable absorbent pants, the package comprises: a box part which defines a height dimension, a width dimension, and a depth dimension, the box part comprises a front wall and a back wall, each of which extends along the dimension in width and height dimension, the front wall being spaced from the rear wall in the depth dimension, wherein the front wall comprises a transparent window region and an opaque boundary region; a plurality of disposable absorbent pants positioned within the enclosure part, each brief defining a waist opening, two leg openings and a waist end, and a crotch end, each brief defining both a longitudinal direction extending from the front. waist end to crotch end and a transverse direction that is perpendicular to. the longitudinal direction, each trouser further defines the first and second side parts and a central part positioned transversely between the first side part and the second side part, each trouser further defines a region of waistband which is butted with the end of the belt. waist and which extends in the transverse direction to at least partially surround the waist opening, each waist band region comprising a front waist band part and a waist band part, rear, each panty also defines a crotch region which is butted with the crotch end; wherein each of the plurality of pants is folded at least once in the longitudinal direction so as to place the crotch end in close proximity to the waist end, and furthermore wherein each of the plurality of pants is folded twice in the transverse direction so that the first and second side portions of each pant are folded over the respective central part; wherein at least one first, panty of the plurality of disposable absorbent pants is positioned within the enclosure part such that the longitudinal direction of the first panty extends in the height dimension, and so that at least one part of the waistband region of the first pantyhose is visible through the transparent window region and so that the crotch end of the first pantyhose is obscured by the opaque boundary region.

2. A package of folded disposable absorbent pants, the package comprises: a part of enclosure which defines a height dimension, a width dimension and a depth dimension, the enclosure part comprises a front wall and a rear wall, each of which extends along the width dimension and of the height dimension, the front wall being spaced from the rear wall in the depth dimension, wherein the front wall comprises a transparent window region and an opaque boundary region; a plurality of disposable absorbent pants positioned within the enclosure part, each brief defining a waist opening, two leg openings and a waist end, and a crotch end, each brief defines both a longitudinal direction extending from the front. waist end to the crotch end and a transverse direction that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, each breech further defines the first and second side portions and a central part positioned transversely between the first side part and the second side part, each pantyhose furthermore defines a region of waistband which is abutting the waist end and which extends in the transverse direction to at least surround the waist opening, each waistband region comprises a front waistband portion and a part of back waistband, each panty also defines a crotch region which is at the top e with the crotch end; wherein each trouser comprises an absorbent core having a front edge, a rear edge spaced from the front edge at. longitudinal direction, and two lateral edges which extend from the front edge to the rear edge; wherein each of the plurality of pants is folded at least once in the longitudinal direction so as to place the crotch end in close proximity to the waist end, and furthermore wherein each of the plurality of pants is folded twice in the transverse direction so that the first and second side portions of each pant are bent over the respective central part; wherein at least one first leg of the plurality of disposable absorbent pants is placed inside the box part such that the longitudinal direction of the first leg extends in the height dimension, and so that at least one part of the waistband region of the first pantyhose is visible through the transparent window region so that the front edge of the absorbent core of the first pantyhose is obscured by the region of the opaque boundary.

3. A package of folded disposable absorbent pants, the package comprises: a part of enclosure which defines a height dimension, a width dimension, and a depth dimension, the enclosure part comprises a front wall and a rear wall, each of which extends along the dimension of width and height dimension, the front wall being spaced from the rear wall in the depth dimension, wherein the front wall comprises a transparent window region; a plurality of disposable absorbent pants positioned within the enclosure part, each brief defining a waist opening, two leg openings, a waist end, and a crotch end, each brief defining both a longitudinal direction extending from the waist end to the crotch end and a transverse direction that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, each breech further defines the first and second side parts and a central part positioned transversely between the first side part and the second side part, each pant also defines a region of waist band which is bumpy with. the waist end and which extends in the transverse direction until at least partially encircling the waist opening, each waist band region comprises a front waist band part and a rear waist band part, each panty also defines a crotch region which is butted with the crotch end; wherein each of the plurality of pants is folded at least once in the longitudinal direction so as to place the crotch end in close proximity to the waist end and furthermore wherein each of the plurality of pants is folded twice in length. the transverse direction so that the first and second side portions of each pant are bent over the respective central part; wherein at least one first pant of the plurality of disposable absorbent pants is placed within the. part of the box so that the longitudinal direction of the first breech extends in the height dimension and, so that at least a part of the waist band region of the first breech is visible through the transparent window region, further wherein the first brief includes a back label indicator placed on a side-to-body surface of the first brief in close proximity to the rear waist band part of the first brief, and wherein the rear label indicator of the first brief is visible through the transparent window region.

4. The package as claimed in clause 1 or clause 2, characterized in that the first panty also includes a back label indicator placed on the side-to-body surface in the first panty in close proximity to the band portion of the pantyhose. posterior waist, and where the rear label indicator of the first brief is visible through the transparent window region.

5. The package as claimed in clause 2, characterized in that at least the first breech is placed inside the enclosure part so that the crotch end of the first pant is obscured by the region of the opaque boundary.

6. The package as claimed in any one of clauses 1-2 and 4-5 characterized in that the enclosure part comprises a box, and wherein the opaque boundary region comprises cardboard.

7. The package as claimed in any one of clauses 1-2 and 4-5 characterized in that the enclosure part comprises a plastic bag, wherein the transparent window region is defined by a transparent part of the bag and where the opaque limit region is defined by the graphics printed on the bag.

8. The package as claimed in any one of clauses 1-2 and 4-5 characterized in that the enclosure part comprises a plastic bag, wherein the transparent window region is defined by a transparent part of the bag and in where the region of the opaque limit is defined by a cardboard inserted and placed inside the part of the enclosure.

9. The package as claimed in any one of the preceding clauses characterized in that the crotch region of the first breech is partially in direct contact with the band portion of. Back waist of the first briefs.

10. The package as claimed in any one of the preceding clauses characterized in that the crotch region of the first breech is at least partially sandwich-like between the first side part of the first breech and the central part of the first breech.

11. The package as claimed in any one of the preceding clauses characterized in that the first brief is bent at least once in the longitudinal direction so as to place the crotch end in close proximity to the waist end before the first brief be bent in the transverse direction.

12. The package as claimed in any one of the preceding clauses characterized in that the enclosure part further comprises an upper wall and a bottom wall, each of which extends along the width and depth dimensions, the upper wall being spaced from the bottom wall in the height dimension, wherein the waist end of the first brief is closer to the top wall than to the bottom wall, and wherein the top wall is closer to the crotch end of the first leg than to the waist end of the first leg.

13. The package as claimed in any one of the preceding clauses characterized in that both the front waistband portion and the rear waistband portion of the waistband region of the first pants are wrapped around the crotch region of the first short.

14. The package as claimed in any one of the preceding clauses characterized in that the waistband region of the first brief is in a stressed condition.

15. The package as claimed in any one of the preceding clauses characterized in that the first side part directly contacts the second side part.

16. The package as claimed in any one of the preceding clauses characterized in that the front wall comprises a printed text that extends in a reading direction, wherein the reading direction extends in the width dimension.

17. The package as claimed in any one of the preceding clauses characterized in that each pant includes a front panel and a back panel, furthermore wherein for each pant, the waist band region comprises a front waist band portion and a rear waistband portion, wherein the front waistband portion comprises a folded portion of the front panel and the rear waistband portion comprises a folded portion of the back panel, and wherein at least two elastic yarns they are placed inside the folded over part of the front panel and wherein at least two elastic yarns are placed inside the folded over part of the back panel.

18. The package as claimed in any one of clauses 1 and 5-17, characterized in that at least one second underpants of the plurality of disposable absorbent pants are placed inside the box part so that the longitudinal direction of second pantyhose extends in the height dimension, and so that at least a portion of the waistband region of the second pantyhose is visible through the transparent window region so that the crotch end of the second pantyhose is obscured by the opaque boundary region, the second brief being placed along the first short in the width dimension.

19. The package as claimed in any one of clauses 2 and 5-17, characterized in that at least one second panty of the plurality of disposable absorbent pants is placed inside the enclosure part such that the longitudinal direction of the second panty extends in the height dimension, and so that at least a part of the waistband region of the second pantyhose is visible through the transparent window region and so that the front edge of the absorbent core of the second. shorts are obscured by the opaque boundary region, the second shorts being placed along the first shorts in the width dimension.

20. The package as claimed in any one of clauses 3 and 9-17, characterized in that at least one second panty of the plurality of disposable absorbent pants is placed inside the box part so that the longitudinal direction of the second panty extends in the height dimension, and so that at least a portion of the waistband region of the second pantyhose is visible through the transparent window region, the second pantyhose being positioned along the first pantyhose in the width dimension; further wherein the second pant includes a rear label indicator positioned on a side-to-body surface of the second panty in close proximity to the rear waistband portion of the second panty, and wherein the rear label indicator of the second panty It is visible through the region 'transparent window.

21. The package as claimed in clauses 18, 19 and 20, characterized in that the plurality of trousers further comprise a first row of trousers stacked behind the first trousers, the first row extending in the depth dimension between the first trousers and the trousers. rear wall, and wherein the plurality of pants further comprises a second row of pants stacked behind the second pants, the second row extending in the depth dimension between the second pants and the rear wall.

22. The package as claimed in any one of clauses 3 and 9-17, characterized in that the rear waist band portion is spaced by a first distance from the top wall, where the rear label indicator is spaced by a second distance from the top wall, and wherein 'the front waist band portion is spaced by a third distance from the top wall, where the first distance is less than the second distance and the second distance being less than the third distance . SUMMARY The package comprises a part of enclosure that has a transparent window region. A plurality of disposable absorbent pants are placed within the enclosure part. Each pantyhose defines a region of waist band which is butted with one end of the waist. Each waistband region comprises a front waistband portion and a rear waistband portion. Each panty also defines a crotch region which is butted with a crotch end. At least one first pant is folded and positioned so that at least a portion of the waistband region of the first pant is visible through the transparent window region. The specified portions of the first brief may be obscured by an opaque boundary region. The first brief may include a back label indicator that is visible through the transparent window region. A second brief may also be visible through the transparent window region.