Multi-pack sanitary napkin container and associated method

• US 7,798,327 B1
• Filed: 10/11/2007
• Issued: 09/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Farah M. Charles, Samir Berkani
• Original Assignee: Farah M. Charles, Samir Berkani
• Inventors: Berkani, Samir, Charles, Farah M.
• Primary Examiner(s): BUI, LUAN KIM
• Application Number:
  US11/973,931
• Time in Patent Office: 1,076 Days
• Field of Search: 206/438, 206/440, 206/441, 206/494, 206/581, 534/43, 534/67, 534/69, 534/74, 229/113, 229/116.1, 229/193, 60438501-38505
• US Class Current: 206/440
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/55145 multiple packaged items
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/2023 the folded-up portions being folded along non-rectilinear fold-lines
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/2038 at least two opposed folded-up portions having a non-rectangular shape
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/2047 trapezoidal, e.g. to form a body with diverging side walls B65D5/2033 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/2076 Cooperating flaps glued together
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/26 with extensions of opposite sides mutually interlocking to lie against other sides
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/4204 Inspection openings or windows
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/0894 the articles being positioned relative to one another or to the container in a special way, e.g. for facilitating dispensing, without additional support

Abstract

A multi-pack sanitary napkin container includes a flexible outer container and first, second, third, and fourth pluralities of sanitary napkins respectively. Such first, second, third, and fourth pluralities of sanitary napkins are vertically stacked within an interior portion of the container. The kit further includes a mechanism for securing the container about the first, second, third, and fourth pluralities respectively of sanitary napkins when the first, second, third, and fourth pluralities of sanitary napkins are vertically stacked within the interior portion of the container.

Claims

1. A multi-pack sanitary napkin container for providing a plurality of differently sized sanitary napkins employed during different periods of a user menstrual cycle, said sanitary napkin container comprising:

a flexible outer container formed from disposable material;

first, second, third, and fourth pluralities of disposable sanitary napkins vertically stacked within an interior portion of said container; and

means for securing said container about said first, second, third, and fourth pluralities of sanitary napkins after said first, second, third, and fourth pluralities of sanitary napkins are vertically stacked within said interior portion of said container;

wherein said container comprises;

a generally rectangular and planar base having top, bottom, left, and right sides respectively;

first and second coextensively shaped wings monolithically formed with said left and right sides respectively of said base, each of said first and second wings extending outwardly and away from said base member; and

first and second coextensively shaped walls having bottom edges directly attached to said top and bottom sides of said base respectively, each of said first and second walls having a top edge extending outwardly and away from said base, said top edges having a lateral width that is less than a lateral width of said bottom edges, each of said first and second walls having opposed arcuately shaped outer edges spanning between laterally opposed ends of said top and bottom edges respectively, said top and bottom edges of said first and second walls being oriented parallel to each other;

wherein said container further comprises;

first, second, third, and fourth coextensively shaped flaps having an inner edge monolithically formed with associated ones of said outer edges of said first and second walls respectively, each of said first, second, third, and fourth flaps having an outer edge extending outwardly and away from said outer edges of said first and second walls respectively, said first and second flaps respectively having a notch formed in said outer edges thereof, said second flap further having an opening formed therein, said third flap having a tongue monolithically formed in said outer edge thereof and extending outwardly and away from said outer edge; and

a tab provided with top and bottom and left and right edges respectively, said bottom edge being directly attached to said top edge of said first wall, said top edge of said tab extending outwardly and away from said top edge of said first wall, said tab having a lateral width that is equal to said lateral width of said top edge of said first wall, said top edge of said tab and said top edge of said first wall being respectively registered parallel to each other.

2. The sanitary napkin container of claim 1, wherein said container further comprises:

first, second, and third coextensively shaped flanges monolithically formed with said left, top, and right edges respectively of said tab, each of said first and third flanges having respective longitudinal lengths that are equal to a height of said tab, said second flange having a longitudinal length that is equal to said lateral width of said tab; and

first, second, and third panels attached along respective top and bottom longitudinal edges thereof, said top edge of said first panel is monolithically formed with said top edge of said second wall, said top edge of said second panel is monolithically formed with said bottom edge of said first panel, said top edge of said third panel is monolithically formed with said bottom edge of said second panel, said first panel having a longitudinal length that is equal to said lateral width of said top edge of said second wall, each of said first, second, and third panels having equal longitudinal lengths and equal lateral widths respectively, each of said respective top and bottom edges of said first, second, and third panels being registered parallel to each other;

wherein a series of apertures is formed in said top and bottom edges of said first and second panels respectively and said second and third panels respectively, said apertures is equidistantly spaced along said top and bottom edges of said first and second panels respectively and said second and third panels respectively.

3. The sanitary napkin container of claim 2, wherein said securing means comprises:

a lip monolithically formed with said bottom edge of said third panel and extending outwardly and away therefrom, said lip having a longitudinal length that is equal to said longitudinal length of said third panel; and

a fastening material adhered to an inner surface of said lip such that said fastening material contacts an outer surface of said covering when said covering is folded about said vertically stacked first, second, third, and fourth pluralities of sanitary napkins;

wherein said fastening material prohibits said container from prematurely and undesirably unfolding during storage and transport procedures.

4. The sanitary napkin container of claim 1, wherein each of said first, second, and third pluralities of sanitary napkins respectively comprises:

a top cover stock layer having a pair of tabs monolithically formed in respective upper and lower opposed edges thereof, said tabs extending outwardly and away from said upper and lower edges respectively;

a pair of side barriers attached to said cover stock layer and situated adjacent to said tabs;

an acquisition layer attached to said side barriers and disposed medially thereof;

a liquid absorbent core member attached to said acquisition layer, said core member having a longitudinal length and a lateral width that are respectively less than a longitudinal length and a lateral width of said acquisition layer;

a backsheet positioned about said core member, said backsheet being suitably sized and shaped such that said acquisition layer and said core member and said side barriers are respectively intercalated between said backsheet and said cover stock;

a glue layer attached to spaced regions along said backsheet, said glue layer extending beyond an outer perimeter of said core member; and

a bottom silicon paper layer attached directly to said glue layer.

5. The sanitary napkin container of claim 4, wherein said backsheet said core member are respectively liquid permeable while said acquisition layer and said side barriers and said cover stock layer are respectively liquid impermeable;

wherein liquid from the user body is transferred to said core member via said liquid permeable layers respectively and penetrates therein, said liquid is absorbed and contained by said core member during operating conditions.

6. The sanitary napkin container of claim 5, wherein each of said fourth plurality of sanitary napkins respectively comprises:

a top barrier layer extending about a perimeter of said fourth plurality of sanitary napkins for preventing fluids from traveling beyond the perimeter;

a polyethylene layer attached to said top barrier and extending downwardly therefrom, said polyethylene layer being perforated for allowing fluids to enter therethrough;

a fabric layer connected to said polyethylene layer;

an absorbent core connected to said fabric layer;

a fluid impermeable backsheet layer connected to said absorbent layer;

a glue layer attached to said backsheet layer; and

a bottom silicon paper layer removably attached to said glue layer.

7. A method for providing a plurality of differently sized sanitary napkins employed during different periods of a user menstrual cycle, said method comprising the steps of:

a. providing a flexible outer container;

b. vertically stacking first, second, third, and fourth pluralities of sanitary napkins within an interior portion of said container; and

c. securing said container about said first, second, third, and fourth pluralities of sanitary napkins after said first, second, third, and fourth pluralities of sanitary napkins are vertically stacked within said interior portion of said container;

wherein said container comprises

a generally rectangular and planar base having top, bottom, left, and right sides respectively;

first and second coextensively shaped wings monolithically formed with said left and right sides respectively of said base, each of said first and second wings extending outwardly and away from said base member; and

first and second coextensively shaped walls having bottom edges directly attached to said top and bottom sides of said base respectively, each of said first and second walls having a top edge extending outwardly and away from said base, said top edges having a lateral width that is less than a lateral width of said bottom edges, each of said first and second walls having opposed arcuately shaped outer edges spanning between laterally opposed ends of said top and bottom edges respectively, said top and bottom edges of said first and second walls being oriented parallel to each other;

wherein said container further comprises

first, second, third, and fourth coextensively shaped flaps having an inner edge monolithically formed with associated ones of said outer edges of said first and second walls respectively, each of said first, second, third, and fourth flaps having an outer edge extending outwardly and away from said outer edges of said first and second walls respectively, said first and second flaps respectively having a notch formed in said outer edges thereof, said second flap further having an opening formed therein, said third flap having a tongue monolithically formed in said outer edge thereof and extending outwardly and away from said outer edge; and

a tab provided with top and bottom and left and right edges respectively, said bottom edge being directly attached to said top edge of said first wall, said top edge of said tab extending outwardly and away from said top edge of said first wall, said tab having a lateral width that is equal to said lateral width of said top edge of said first wall, said top edge of said tab and said top edge of said first wall being respectively registered parallel to each other.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said container further comprises:

first, second, and third coextensively shaped flanges monolithically formed with said left, top, and right edges respectively of said tab, each of said first and third flanges having respective longitudinal lengths that are equal to a height of said tab, said second flange having a longitudinal length that is equal to said lateral width of said tab; and

first, second, and third panels attached along respective top and bottom longitudinal edges thereof, said top edge of said first panel is monolithically formed with said top edge of said second wall, said top edge of said second panel is monolithically formed with said bottom edge of said first panel, said top edge of said third panel is monolithically formed with said bottom edge of said second panel, said first panel having a longitudinal length that is equal to said lateral width of said top edge of said second wall, each of said first, second, and third panels having equal longitudinal lengths and equal lateral widths respectively, each of said respective top and bottom edges of said first, second, and third panels being registered parallel to each other;

wherein a series of apertures is formed in said top and bottom edges of said first and second panels respectively and said second and third panels respectively, said apertures is equidistantly spaced along said top and bottom edges of said first and second panels respectively and said second and third panels respectively.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein step c. comprises the steps of:

i. providing a lip monolithically formed with said bottom edge of said third panel and extending outwardly and away therefrom, said lip having a longitudinal length that is equal to said longitudinal length of said third panel; and

ii. providing a fastening material adhered to an inner surface of said lip such that said fastening material contacts an outer surface of said covering when said covering is folded about said vertically stacked first, second, third, and fourth pluralities of sanitary napkins;

wherein said fastening material prohibits said container from prematurely and undesirably unfolding during storage and transport procedures.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein each of said first, second, and third pluralities of sanitary napkins respectively comprises:

a top cover stock layer having a pair of tabs monolithically formed in respective upper and lower opposed edges thereof, said tabs extending outwardly and away from said upper and lower edges respectively;

a pair of side barriers attached to said cover stock layer and situated adjacent to said tabs;

an acquisition layer attached to said side barriers and disposed medially thereof;

a liquid absorbent core member attached to said acquisition layer, said core member having a longitudinal length and a lateral width that are respectively less than a longitudinal length and a lateral width of said acquisition layer;

a backsheet positioned about said core member, said backsheet being suitably sized and shaped such that said acquisition layer and said core member and said side barriers are respectively intercalated between said backsheet and said cover stock;

a glue layer attached to spaced regions along said backsheet, said glue layer extending beyond an outer perimeter of said core member; and

a bottom silicon paper layer attached directly to said glue layer.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said backsheet said core member are respectively liquid permeable while said acquisition layer and said side barriers and said cover stock layer are respectively liquid impermeable;

wherein liquid from the user body is transferred to said core member via said liquid permeable layers respectively and penetrates therein, said liquid is absorbed and contained by said core member during operating conditions.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein each of said fourth plurality of sanitary napkins respectively comprises:

a top barrier layer extending about a perimeter of said fourth plurality of sanitary napkins for preventing fluids from traveling beyond the perimeter;

a polyethylene layer attached to said top barrier and extending downwardly therefrom, said polyethylene layer being perforated for allowing fluids to enter therethrough;

a fabric layer connected to said polyethylene layer;

an absorbent core connected to said fabric layer;

a fluid impermeable backsheet layer connected to said absorbent layer;

a glue layer attached to said backsheet layer; and

a bottom silicon paper layer removably attached to said glue layer.