# US 11,896,467 B2 · Folded individual article in a circular package > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,896,467 B2 - Document ID: US11896467B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/625,197 - Filed: 2018-06-28 - Published: 2020-05-07 - Granted: 2024-02-13 - Earliest claimed: 2017-06-30 - Assignees: Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. - Applicants: Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. - Inventors: Agnes Narimatsu Honda; Vivian Pierri - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11896467B2 ## CPC - A61F 13/5514: {each item packaged single} - A61F 13/4704: {having preferential bending zones, e.g. fold lines or grooves} - A61F 13/47236: {characterised by an unusual contour} - A61F 13/55135: {before use} - A61F 2013/4708: {Panty-liner} - 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) ## Abstract A packaged elongate sanitary protection product includes a folded sanitary product and a circular package. The sanitary product has first and second arcuate end portions comprising first and second ends, respectively, separated by a central portion, and a pair of longitudinal side edges connecting the first and second ends. The arcuate end portions have an effective radius and a maximum width, substantially equal to twice the effective radius. The central portion has a minimum width between about 75% and about 90% of the maximum width, and the sanitary product has a length between about 225% and about 285% of the maximum width. In addition, first and second fold lines are located a distance from each end equal to about 85% to about 105% of the maximum width of the arcuate end portions. The sanitary protection product is folded in a Z-configuration on first and second fold lines to form a substantially circular folded sanitary protection product, which is enveloped in the circular package. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A packaged elongate sanitary protection product comprising: a) the sanitary protection product having: i) first and second arcuate end portions comprising first and second ends, respectively, separated by a central portion, the arcuate end portions having an effective radius; ii) a pair of longitudinal side edges connecting the first and second ends; iii) first and second arcuate ends having maximum width substantially equal to twice the effective radius; iv) the central portion having a minimum width between about 75% and about 90% of the maximum width; v) the sanitary protection product having a length between about 225% and about 285% of the maximum width; and vi) first and second fold lines located a distance from each end equal to about 85% to about 105% of the maximum width; wherein the sanitary protection product is folded in a Z-configuration on the first and second fold lines to form a substantially circular folded sanitary protection product; and b) a circular package arranged and configured to envelope the substantially circular Z-folded sanitary protection product. ### Claim 2 The packaged elongate sanitary protection product having a substantially hourglass shape. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The packaged elongate sanitary protection product of claim 2, wherein the pair of longitudinal side edges in the central portion are substantially concave. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The packaged elongate sanitary protection product of claim 3, wherein the pair of longitudinal side edges have a substantially curvilinear transition from the substantially arcuate ends to the substantially concave central portion. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The packaged elongate sanitary protection product of claim 1, wherein the sanitary protection product has a length between about 235% and about 250% of the maximum width. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The packaged elongate sanitary protection product of claim 1, wherein the first and second fold lines are located a distance from each end equal to about 90% to about 95% of the maximum width. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The packaged elongate sanitary protection product of claim 1, wherein the circular package comprises a substantially circular flange seal. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The packaged elongate sanitary protection product of claim 7 wherein the packaging material comprises two sheets of packaging material. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The packaged elongate sanitary protection product of claim 7 wherein the packaging material comprises a folded sheet of packaging material. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The packaged elongate sanitary protection product of claim 1 wherein the sanitary protection product has a thickness of less than about 2 mm. ### Claim 11 A method of packaging an elongate sanitary protection product comprising first and second arcuate end portions comprising first and second ends, respectively, separated by a central portion, the arcuate end portions having an effective radius and a maximum width substantially equal to twice the effective radius, a pair of longitudinal side edges connecting the first and second ends, wherein the central portion has a minimum width between about 75% and about 90% of the maximum width, the sanitary protection product has a length between about 200% and about 300% of the maximum width, the method comprising the steps of: a) forming a first fold, substantially perpendicular to the length of the sanitary protection product, located a distance from the first end approximately equal to the maximum width; b) forming a second fold, substantially perpendicular to the length of the sanitary protection product, located a distance from the second end approximately equal to the maximum width; whereby the first and second folds are in a Z-configuration to form a substantially circular Z-folded sanitary protection product; and c) enveloping the substantially circular Z-folded sanitary protection product with packaging material; d) forming a substantially circular flange seal in the packaging material to envelope the Z-folded sanitary protection product. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11 wherein the sealed packaging material is substantially circular. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11 wherein the packaging material comprises two sheets of packaging material. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11 wherein the packaging material comprises a folded sheet of packaging material.