The Procter Gamble Company

The Proctor 'gamble Company

Charles J Berg

Donald Carroll Roe

Frank H Lahrman

Charles D Cook

Mark Douglas Young

John P Erspamer

Delmar R Muckenfuhs

Mark Edwin Forry

Thomas Ward Osborn, Iii

Nicholas Albert Ahr

Steven Ray Gilbert

Terrill Alan Young

Douglas Toms

Gary William Kingry

Alan E Byrd

Jane L Bavely

John A Chang

Michael E Hilton

Mark D Seymour

Daniella J Fisher

William P Maxam, Jr

Miguel Alemany

An improved method is disclosed for forming a strata of overlapping sheets suitable for use in a pop-up dispensing system. The sheets are cut from ribbons which initially have edges essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the ribbon. At least one side edge of each ribbon is stretched to form a knee-like protrusion, with the opposing side edge being either, substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the ribbon, or also stretched to form one or more knee-like protrusions on the opposing edge. The ribbons are then aligned so that a knee-like protrusion on one edge aligns with either the essentially parallel edge of an adjacent ribbon or a knee-like protrusion on the side edge of an adjacent ribbon. After phasing, the ribbons are overlapped creating a series of predetermined areas of greatest overlap adjoining areas of least or no overlap, such that successive ribbons are bonded only by the interfacial interaction between each ribbon. By overlapping multiple ribbons in this manner a strata is formed which is then folded to interleave the ribbons. A resulting stack of interleaved ribbons is cut in a direction essentially normal to the longitudinal axis of the ribbons at predetermined intervals to form blocks of individual interleaved sheets. The process can be accomplished manually or in a continuous production process.

Sheet products for use in a pop-up dispenser and method for forming from

A pouch package, containing a volatile solution-impregnated patch, is made of a peelable barrier film. The pouch envelops an absorbent substrate saturated preferably with bug repellent fluid. A PSA (pressure sensitive adhesive) coated backing film is laminated to the absorbent substrate. The backing film has a connecting portion which is peelably sealed to the inside of the pouch. When the pouch is peeled open, the PSA coated backing film is exposed and placed against a target surface, such as a patch wearer's clothing. Finally, the side of the pouch facing the absorbent substrate is peeled off the backing film connecting portion to expose the absorbent substrate. A key to functionality of the pouch package is differential adhesion. First, the pouch barrier film must be peelable from itself, yet it must not adhere to the pressure sensitive adhesive on the backing film. A release paper may be used to cover the PSA when peeling the pouch open. Second, the pouch film must be peelable from the backing film connecting portion without disturbing the bond between the fastening surface and the target surface. Third, the backing film must be laminated to the absorbent substrate more strongly than the PSA adheres to the backing film, so that when the patch is removed from the target surface, the PSA stays with the patch.

Package for containing and applying a bug repellent patch

An improved method is disclosed for forming a strata of overlapping sheets suitable for use in a pop-up dispensing system. The sheets are cut from ribbons having at least one side edge which has a knee-like protrusion, with the opposing side edge being either, substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the ribbon, or having one or more knee-like protrusions formed on the opposing edge. The ribbons are then phased so that the knee-like protrusion on one edge aligns with either the essentially parallel edge of an adjoining ribbon or a knee-like protrusion on the side edge of the adjoining ribbon. Phasing can be accomplished by either, aligning knee-like protrusions on the side edges of adjoining ribbons, or reversing the orientation of the side edges of alternating ribbons. After phasing, the ribbons are overlapped creating a series of predetermined, areas of greatest overlap adjoining areas of least overlap such that successive ribbons are bonded only by the interfacial interaction between ribbons. By overlapping multiple ribbons in this manner a strata is formed which is then folded to interleave the ribbons. A resulting stack of interleaved ribbons is cut to form blocks of individual interleaved sheets. The process can be accomplished manually or in a continuous production process.

Sheet products for use in a pop-up dispenser and method for forming

An individually packaged sanitary napkin having a cleansing wipe packaged therewith. The individually packaged sanitary napkin includes a wrapper that covers the sanitary napkin's adhesive fastener prior to use. The sanitary napkin wrapper can be provided with a flap or pouch for securing the used sanitary napkin for disposal. A number of alternative arrangements are disclosed for packaging the cleansing wipe with the wrapped sanitary napkin.

Individually packaged sanitary napkin having cleaning wipe packaged

A tissue package comprising a plurality of tissues and a dispensing package. The plurality of tissues is compressed in two discrete stages, each of which stage can be released independently from the other. The first stage of compression is less than the second stage of compression. The tissues are transported and stored while under the second stage of compression. The user releases the second stage of compression, whereby the tissues can expand up to the first stage of compression. The user releases the first stage of compression just before installing the plurality of tissues into a dispensing package or dispenses the tissues through a restraint while they are held in the first stage compression.

Dispensing package for discrete stage compressed tissues, compressed

A tissue package comprising a dispensing package and tissues. The dispensing package has a dispensing opening which constricts the tissues as they are withdrawn through the opening. The tissues are disposed in the dispensing package in a non-interleaved pattern. Each tissue is releasably attached to the adjacent tissue, so that upon withdrawal through the dispensing opening, the tissue pulls an adjacent tissue through the dispensing opening. Both reach-in and pop-up dispensing are possible.

Sequential dispensing of tissues and dispenser therefor

Methods of producing particulate, absorbent, polymeric compositions comprising interparticle crosslinked aggregates. In the methods of the present invention, an interparticle crosslinking agent is applied onto precursor particles; the precursor particles are physically associated to form a multiplicity of aggregates; and the interparticle crosslinking agent is reacted with the polymer material of the precursor particles of the aggregates, while maintaining the physical association of the precursor particles, to form crosslink bonds between the precursor particles to form interparticle crosslinked aggregates. The interparticle crosslinked aggregates are formed to such an extent that the mass average particle size of the polymeric composition is at least about 25% greater than the mass average particle size of the precursor particles.

Method for producing compositions containing interparticle crosslinked

A sanitary napkin wrapper and adhesive tab construction for such a wrapper are disclosed. The adhesive tab can, in a preferred embodiment, be applied to the package formed by the wrapper contemporaneously with its own landing member to form a complete fastening system. The sanitary napkin wrapper can also be provided with a flap or pouch in several variations for securing the used sanitary napkin for disposal.

Sanitary napkin wrapper and adhesive tab construction for the same

Particulate, absorbent, polymeric compositions comprising interparticle crosslinked aggregates. The interparticle crosslinked aggregates comprise precursor particles of substantially water-insoluble, absorbent, hydrogel-forming, polymer material; and an interparticle crosslinking agent reacted with the polymer material of the precursor particles to form crosslink bonds between the precursor particles. Sufficient interparticle crosslinked aggregates are formed when the mass average particle size of the resultant polymeric composition has been increased by at least about 25% over the mass average particle size of the precursor particles. The resultant polymeric composition provides improved structural integrity, an increased acquisition rate, and minimal gel blocking properties.

Particulate, absorbent, polymeric compositions containing interparticle

Particulate, absorbent, polymeric compositions comprising interparticle crosslinked aggregates formed from precursor particles having a relatively small particle size. (i.e., fine precursor particles). The interparticle crosslinked aggregates comprise fine precursor particles of substantially water-insoluble, absorbent, hydrogel-forming, polymer material; and an interparticle crosslinking agent reacted with the polymer material of the precursor particles to form crosslink bonds between the precursor particles. The mass average particle size of the precursor particles is generally less than about 300 microns. Interparticle crosslinked aggregates formed from fine precursor particles have particularly high rates of fluid uptake with minimal gel blocking properties. The present invention also relates to methods for producing polymeric compositions containing such interparticle crosslinked aggregates and to absorbent products such as absorbent members or absorbent articles (sanitary napkins or diapers) incorporating such polymeric compositions.

Particulate polymeric compositions having interparticle crosslinked

A disposable, compactable package for reliably dispensing a stack of sheet products even after the package has been deformed or compacted. The package comprises a top wall and a bottom wall comprised of a resiliently deformable material. The top and bottom walls are spaced from and oriented generally parallel to one another. They are connected to one another about their peripheries by means of a thinner more easily deformable substantially continuous tube or hoop which is also comprised of resiliently deformable material. The substantially continuous tube or hoop, which is preferably integrally formed with either the top wall, defines the side walls of the package. The tube, which may be of any desired cross-sectional shape, is also produced from material having a sufficient resilient memory that it easily and resiliently deforms when the external force is applied to the package, yet by virtue of its tubular configuration and its resilient memory exhibits a strong tendency to self-restore once the external applied force is removed. The package, which is preferably rectangular, includes a preformed dispensing aperture or means for providing a dispensing aperture in its top or its bottom wall. The dispensing aperture is smaller than the cross-sectional profile, i.e., the cross-sectional 'footprint', of the sheet products contained within the stack to retain the sheet products inside the package throughout the package's useful life. The sheet products may be in discrete or continuous form.

Disposable, compactable, shape-restorable packages for storing and

The present invention presents improved packages for single-use, disposable folded towels, and more particularly to single- and multi-towel packages which provide for readily grasping a defined portion of the towel upon opening the package and automatic unfolding of the towel upon removal from the package without a separate unfolding step requiring additional consumer action. Single-towel embodiments are disclosed which provide for complete unfolding of the towel by the use of: (a) an opening bearing a particular geometrical relationship to the dimensions of the folded towel; or (b) a flexible bar within the package to provide unfolding of the towel in the longitudinal direction. A multi-towel embodiment which provides for the advantageous dispensing features and convenience of an improved single-towel package while providing the added capability of multi-towel transportation is also disclosed. These packages provide for complete containment and protection of the folded towel prior to use, while providing ease of dispensing and unfolding for the consumer at the time of use. Several methods of folding folded towels for use with packages according to the present invention are also disclosed, as well as various methods of fabricating the improved packages according to the present invention.

Growing community of inventors

Cincinnati, OH, United States of America

Charles J Berg