Expandable package

Abstract

The present invention was directed to an expandable package which facilitates packaging of compressible articles, such as sanitary products, disposable diapers and the like. The expandable package includes an outer bag body, and at least one inner expansion element, which is maintained in a folded condition so that articles within the package are maintained in a compressed state. The package includes at least one preferentially weakened area in the outer bag body, which when opened, permits the inner expansion elements to unfold, thus facilitating convenient separation and removal of individual articles from within the package by consumers.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]The present invention relates generally to flexible packaging for compressible articles, such as sanitary protection products, disposable diapers, and the like, and more particularly to an expandable package which facilitates storage and shipment by permitting articles therein to be maintained in a compressed state, with the package being expandable upon opening to facilitate removal of articles therefrom.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Flexible packaging arrangements, typically formed from heat-sealable polymeric film materials, are in wide-spread use by virtue of the efficiency with which they can be manufactured and filled, and the convenience that they provide to consumers for handling and storage of articles therein. For some types of articles, such as sanitary protection products, disposable diapers, and the like, articles within the package are typically maintained in a compressed state to thereby desirably reduce costs associated with storage and shipme...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005]The present invention is directed to an improved package formed from flexible material, which notably is configured to expand upon initial opening, thereby greatly facilitating convenient removal of individual articles from within the package by consumers. The expandability of the package can be provided in an efficient fashion, without excessive expense, and can be filled on conventional filling machines without significant or expensive modifications.

[0007]In accordance with the present invention, the present expandable package includes at least one inner, folded expansion element positioned within and joined to the outer bag body of the package. The expansion element is joined to the bag body at two longitudinally spaced regions of the bag body, with the expansion element having an unfolded, longitudinal dimension greater than the longitudinal spacing of these regions. As used herein, the term folded is intended to encompass any configuration of the inner expansion element which effectively reduces its overall length, including folding, fan-folding, coiling, bunching or the like.

[0008]The bag body defines a preferentially weakened area positioned generally between the longitudinally spaced regions of the bag body to which the inner expansion element is secured. By this arrangement, upon opening of the bag body at the weakened area, the ends of the bag body can separate from each other as the inner expansion element unfolds. In this fashion, removal of articles from within the packages is facilitated.

[0012]After purchase, each individual package can be expanded by opening of the weakened area, whereby the ends of the package move away from each other, under the influence of the compressed articles therein, as the one or more expansion elements within the package unfold and longitudinally extend. Consumers can then conveniently remove articles from within the package.

Problems solved by technology

While these types of machines are capable of applying a relatively high degree of compression to articles being packaged in this fashion, the degree of compression is limited, in certain respects, by convenience for the end user.

In particular, when such articles are subjected to relatively high compression, upon opening of the package, the package can tend “explode”, and the articles therein can be inconveniently discharged from the package.

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