# US 10,864,122 B2 · Absorbent article package with enhanced opening and recloseability

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 10,864,122 B2
- Document ID: US10864122B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/525,636
- Filed: 2019-07-30
- Published: 2020-02-13
- Granted: 2020-12-15
- Earliest claimed: 2018-08-13
- Assignees: The Procter & Gamble Company
- Applicants: The Procter & Gamble Company
- Inventors: Astrid Annette Sheehan
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10864122B2

## CPC

- A61F 13/5511: {characterized by the container (A61F15/00 takes precedence)}
- B65D 33/02: Local reinforcements or stiffening inserts, e.g. wires, strings, strips or frames {(B65D33/007 takes precedence)}
- B65D 75/08: with the ends of the tube closed by folding
- B65D 75/12: with the ends of the tube closed by flattening and heat-sealing
- B65D 75/5833: {for tearing out a portion of the wall}
- B65D 85/07: for compressible or flexible articles (for wearing apparel B65D85/18)
- B65D 2575/586: with means for reclosing
- A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C)
- 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

## Abstract

A package containing a stack of folded disposable absorbent articles, the package being formed of a flexible polymeric film defining a cuboid package having top and bottom surfaces and rear, front, first and second side walls. One or more folding tabs are provided proximal the top surface and extending along a width of one or both of the first and second side walls. Each folding tab has a height of between about 10 mm and about 50 mm in a direction perpendicular to the length of the folding tab and comprises a higher bending stiffness than the flexible polymeric film.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A package formed of a flexible polymeric film, the package comprising:
a. a plurality of absorbent articles;
b. the flexible polymeric film enclosing the plurality of absorbent articles to define a cuboid package having a top surface, a bottom surface, a front wall, a rear wall, a first side wall, and a second side wall;
c. one or more folding tabs proximal to the top surface and extending along a portion of a width of one or both of the first and second side walls;
wherein each folding tab has a height of between about 10 mm and about 50 mm in a direction perpendicular to a length of the folding tab, and wherein each folding tab has a higher bending stiffness than the flexible polymeric film; and
d. a first seam and a second seam extending from a top surface to a bottom surface of the respective first and second side walls;
wherein a single folding tab is provided extending along a portion of a width of three or more walls of the package, and wherein the single folding tab is provided with a weakened portion coincident with each junction between the first or second side walls and the front or rear walls and each seam over which the single folding tab extends.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The package of claim 1, wherein the one or more folding tabs are formed of a material selected from the group of: elastomeric bands, elastomeric strands, foam, nonwoven fibrous web, woven fibrous web, scrim, polymeric film, a bead of cured polymer, a line of cured polymer, and hot-melt adhesive formulation.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The package of claim 2, wherein the one or more folding tabs have a first edge proximal to the top surface of the package and a second edge distal to the top surface of the package, and wherein the distance between the first edge and the top surface is less than 33% of a total height of the package.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The package of claim 1, wherein the one of more folding tabs are adhered to an inside surface of the package.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The package of claim 1, wherein each of the one or more folding tabs extends along the portion of the width of at least one of the first and second side walls and one of the front and rear walls, and wherein each folding tab is provided with a weakened portion coincident with each junction between the first or second side wall and the front or rear walls and each seam.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The package of claim 1, wherein each folding tab provided on one of the first and second side walls extends between one of the first and second seams and the front wall or the rear wall.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The package of claim 6, wherein a first folding tab is provided on a first side surface, extending between the first seam and one of the front and rear walls and a second folding tab is provided on a second side wall, extending between the second seam and the other of the front and rear walls.

### Claim 8

A package formed of a flexible polymeric film, the package comprising:
a. a plurality of absorbent articles;
b. the flexible polymeric film enclosing the plurality of absorbent articles to define a cuboid package having a top surface, a bottom surface, a front wall, a rear wall, a first side wall, and a second side wall;
c. one or more folding tabs proximal to the top surface and extending along a portion of a width of one or both of the first and second side walls;
wherein each folding tab has a height of between about 10 mm and about 50 mm in a direction perpendicular to a length of the folding tab, and wherein each folding tab has a higher bending stiffness than the flexible polymeric film;
wherein the one of more folding tabs are adhered to an inside surface of the package; and
d. a first seam and a second seam extending from a top surface to a bottom surface of the respective first and second side walls;
wherein a single folding tab is provided extending along a portion of a width of three or more walls of the package, and wherein the single folding tab is provided with a weakened portion coincident with each junction between the first or second side walls and the front or rear walls and each seam over which the single folding tab extends.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The package of claim 8, wherein the one or more folding tabs are formed of a material selected from the group of: elastomeric bands, elastomeric strands, foam, nonwoven fibrous web, woven fibrous web, scrim, polymeric film, a bead of cured polymer, a line of cured polymer, and hot-melt adhesive formulation.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The package of claim 9, wherein the one or more folding tabs have a first edge proximal to the top surface of the package and a second edge distal to the top surface of the package, and wherein the distance between the first edge and the top surface is less than 33% of a total height of the package.

### Claim 11 (depends on 8)

The package of claim 8, wherein each folding tab provided on one of the first and second side walls extends between one of the first and second seams and the front wall or the rear wall.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The package of claim 11, wherein a first folding tab is provided on a first side surface, extending between the first seam and one of the front and rear walls and a second folding tab is provided on a second side wall, extending between the second seam and the other of the front and rear walls.

### Claim 13

A package formed of a flexible polymeric film, the package comprising:
a. a plurality of absorbent articles;
b. the flexible polymeric film enclosing the plurality of absorbent articles to define a cuboid package having a top surface, a bottom surface, a front wall, a rear wall, a first side wall, and a second side wall;
c. one or more folding tabs proximal to the top surface and extending along a portion of a width of one or both of the first and second side walls;
wherein each folding tab has a height of between about 10 mm and about 50 mm in a direction perpendicular to a length of the folding tab, and wherein each folding tab has a higher bending stiffness than the flexible polymeric film; and
d. a first seam and a second seam extending from a top surface to a bottom surface of the respective first and second side walls;
wherein each of the one or more folding tabs extends along a portion of a width of at least one of the first and second side walls and one of the front and rear walls, and wherein each folding tab is provided with a weakened portion coincident with each junction between the first or second side wall and the front or rear walls and each seam.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The package of claim 13, wherein the one or more folding tabs are formed of a material selected from the group of: elastomeric bands, elastomeric strands, foam, nonwoven fibrous web, woven fibrous web, scrim, polymeric film, a bead of cured polymer, a line of cured polymer, and hot-melt adhesive formulation.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The package of claim 14, wherein the one or more folding tabs have a first edge proximal to the top surface of the package and a second edge distal to the top surface of the package, and wherein the distance between the first edge and the top surface is less than 33% of a total height of the package.

### Claim 16 (depends on 13)

The package of claim 13, wherein each folding tab provided on one of the first and second side walls extends between one of the first and second seams and the front wall or the rear wall.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The package of claim 16, wherein a first folding tab is provided on a first side surface, extending between the first seam and one of the front and rear walls and a second folding tab is provided on a second side wall, extending between the second seam and the other of the front and rear walls.