Compact absorbent article

• US 20040167489A1
• Filed: 02/14/2003
• Published: 08/26/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Incorporated (Kimberly-Clark Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Incorporated (Kimberly-Clark Corporation)
• Inventors: Nelson, Denise J., Kellenberger, Stanley R., Roessler, Thomas Harold, Velazquez, Herb F., Radwanski, Fred R., McDonald, Duane L., Weyenberg, Roman A. Jr.
• Application Number:
  US10/366,872
• Publication Number:
  US 20040167489A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/385.01
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/15747 Folding; Pleating; Coiling; Stacking; Packaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/5511 characterized by the container A61F15/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/55115 characterized by the features before use, e.g. how are the diapers folded or arranged in a package
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/8497 having decorations or indicia means
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 75/30 Articles or materials enclosed between two opposed sheets or blanks having their margins united, e.g. by pressure-sensitive adhesive, crimping, heat-sealing, or welding
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 75/58 Opening or contents-removing devices added or incorporated during package manufacture B65D75/36, B65D85/1027 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/2007 under vacuum
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 85/07 for compressible or flexible articles for wearing apparel B65D85/18
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2801/57 Diaper manufacture
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 45/04 Folding sheets

Abstract

A disposable absorbent article which is compactly packaged is provided, which has a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration. A ratio between the folded configuration and the unfolded configuration is less than 0.09.

Claims

1. A disposable absorbent article having a folded configuration and an folded configuration, wherein a ratio between the folded configuration and the unfolded configuration is less than 0.09.

2. The disposable absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the article is positioned and sealed in a package, and the article has a configuration in the package which is smaller in at least two dimensions than the un-packaged folded article.

3. The disposable absorbent article of claim 2, wherein the article is vacuum packaged.

4. The disposable absorbent article of claim 2, wherein the article is maintained prior to and during packaging at a moisture content of less than 10 percent.

5. The disposable absorbent article of claim 4, wherein the article is maintained and packaged at a moisture content of less than 5 percent.

6. The disposable absorbent article of claim 5, wherein the article is maintained and packaged at a moisture content of less than 3 percent.

7. The disposable absorbent article of claim 2, wherein the article is packaged in a package having a gas permeability range of less than about 3.0 cc/100 in²/24 hours to about 0.10 cc/100 in²/24 hours.

8. The disposable absorbent article of claim 7, wherein the article is packaged in a package having a gas permeability range of less than about 2.0 cc/100 in²/24 hours to about 0.10 cc/100 in²/24 hours.

9. The disposable absorbent article of claim 1 wherein the article is a diaper.

10. The disposable absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the article is a training pant.

11. The disposable absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the article is an adult incontinence garment.

12. A compact packaged disposable absorbent article, comprising:

a disposable absorbent article having a folded configuration and an folded configuration, wherein a ratio between the folded configuration and the unfolded configuration is less than 0.12; and

a package having a gas permeability in a range of less than about 5.0 cc/100 in²/24 hours to about 0.05 cc/100 in²/24 hours,

wherein the disposable absorbent article is folded to have more than three overlapping folds in its folded configuration, and it is maintained and packaged in the package at a moisture content of less than 5 percent.

13. The compact packaged disposable absorbent article of claim 12 wherein the article is vacuum packaged.

14. The compact packaged disposable absorbent article of claim 12 wherein the article is a single packaged article.

15. The compact packaged disposable absorbent article of claim 14, wherein the article is a diaper.

16. The compact packaged disposable absorbent article of claim 14, wherein the article is a training pant.

17. The compact packaged disposable absorbent article of claim 14, wherein the article is an adult incontinence garment.

18. The compact packaged disposable absorbent article of claim 14, wherein a plurality of single packaged articles are releasably coupled together.

19. The compact packaged disposable absorbent article of claim 12, wherein the article is maintained and packaged at a moisture level of less than 3 percent.

20. The compact packaged disposable absorbent article of claim 12, wherein the package is selected from the group consisting of a blister package, an injection molded package, and a form-fill-seal package.

21. A compact packaged disposable absorbent article, comprising:

a disposable absorbent article having a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration, wherein a ratio between the folded configuration and the unfolded configuration is less than 0.12; and

a package having a low degree of gas permeability and a pull tab, the package configured to remain in one piece after being opened and having the article removed therefrom,

wherein the article is maintained and packaged at a moisture content of less than about 3 percent such that when the article is positioned and sealed in the package, the article has a configuration in the package which is at least 30 percent less in volume than an un-packaged identically folded article.

22. The compact packaged disposable absorbent article of claim 21 wherein the article is a single packaged article.

23. The compact packaged disposable absorbent article of claim 22, wherein the article is a diaper.

24. The compact packaged disposable absorbent article of claim 22, wherein the article is a training pant.

25. The compact packaged disposable absorbent article of claim 22, wherein the article is an adult incontinence garment.

26. The compact packaged disposable absorbent article of claim 21, wherein the article is packaged in a package having a gas permeability range of less than about 5.0 cc/100 in²/24 hours to about 0.05 cc/100 in²/24 hours.

27. The compact packaged disposable absorbent article of claim 26, wherein the article is packaged in a package having a gas permeability range of less than about 3.0 cc/100 in²/24 hours to about 0.10 cc/100 in²/24 hours.

28. The compact packaged disposable absorbent article of claim 27, wherein the article is packaged in a package having a gas permeability range of less than about 2.0 cc/100 in²/24 hours to about 0.10 cc/100 in²/24 hours.

29. The compact packaged disposable absorbent article of claim 21, wherein the package is selected from the group consisting of a blister package, an injection molded package, and a form-fill-seal package.

30. The compact packaged disposable absorbent article of claim 21 wherein the article is vacuum packaged.