IP Library Granted Patent US 12,303,371
Granted Patent B2
US 12,303,371 · App. 18/419,600 · Granted May 20, 2025

Recyclable packages

Inventors: Andreas Peter Motsch (Taunus, DE); Jonathan Hodgetts (Taunus, DE); Jürgen Hügel (Liederbach Deutschland, DE); Paul Thomas Weisman (Cincinnati, OH); Claudia Wessel (Taunus, DE); Selina Pacios Keklik (Taunus, DE)
Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
A61F13/5511A61F13/55115B65D65/38B65D75/26B65D75/563B65D2565/385B65D2565/387
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,303,371
App. No.
18/419,600
Filed
Jan 23, 2024
Granted
May 20, 2025
Kind
B2
Art Unit
3736
USPC
206/524.2
Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to a package configured to receive one or more absorbent articles. The package comprises a package material comprising natural fibers. The package comprises a plurality of panels comprising a consumer-facing panel and a back panel having one or more wicket holes in a portion thereof. The package is configured to be sealed such that the one or more absorbent articles are enclosed therein. The back panel comprises a first chamfered side edge and a second chamfered side edge in an area proximate to the one or more wicket holes. The package material comprises a barrier film layer disposed on an inner surface of the package material. The package is recyclable.

Claims (24)

1. A package configured to receive one or more absorbent articles, the package comprising a package material;

wherein the package material comprises natural fibers, wherein the package comprises a plurality of panels comprising a consumer-facing panel and a back panel having one or more wicket holes in a portion thereof, wherein the package is configured to be sealed such that the one or more absorbent articles are enclosed therein;

wherein the back panel comprises a first chamfered side edge and a second chamfered side edge in an area proximate to the one or more wicket holes;

wherein the package material comprises a barrier film layer disposed on an inner surface of the package material; and

wherein the package is recyclable.

2. The package of claim 1 , wherein one or more slits or lines or perforation extend outwardly from the one or more wicket holes.

3. The package of claim 1 , comprising a handle having a cut or perforated slit or slot therethrough, wherein the handle is integral with the package material.

4. The package of claim 1 , wherein the barrier film layer comprises low density polyethylene.

5. The package of claim 1 , wherein the barrier film layer comprises a first layer and a second layer, wherein the first layer comprises a first polyolefin material in contact the natural fibers, wherein the second layer comprises a second polyolefin material, wherein the first polyolefin material is different than the second polyolefin material, and wherein the second layer is in contact with the first layer.

6. The package of claim 5 , wherein the second layer only overlaps about 5% to about 25% of the second layer.

7. The package of claim 5 , wherein the first layer comprises high-density polyethylene.

8. The package of claim 7 , wherein the second layer comprises low-density polyethylene.

9. The package of claim 1 , wherein a portion of an outer surface of the package material comprises a heat sealable lacquer, adhesive, and/or polymer.

10. The package of claim 1 , wherein the package comprises a vertical side seal having a side seal strength, and wherein the side seal strength is greater than about 5.1 N/15 mm to about 15 N/15 mm, according to Seal Tensile Strength Test.

11. The package of claim 5 , wherein the first and second layers are 10 weight percent or less, 5 weight percent or less, 4 weight percent or less, or 3 weight percent or less, but at least 1 weight percent of the package material.

12. The package of claim 1 , wherein the package exhibits a recyclable paper percentage of between about 60 percent to about 99.9 percent.

13. The package of claim 1 , wherein the package material comprises about 70 percent to about 99 percent by weight of the natural fibers.

14. The package of claim 1 , wherein the natural fibers comprise wood fibers or pulp fibers, and wherein the package is substantially free of adhesive.

15. The package of claim 1 , wherein the one or more absorbent articles within the package comprise taped diapers, pants, or adult incontinence products, and wherein each of the one or more absorbent articles comprise a substantially unactivated wetness indicator.

16. The package of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of panels comprise the consumer-facing panel, a back panel, a left side panel, a right side panel, a bottom panel, a first top panel, and a second top panel.

17. The package of claim 16 , wherein the consumer-facing panel, the back panel, the bottom panel, and the first and second top panels are formed of a continuous packaging material.

18. The package of claim 17 , wherein the left side panel comprises a vertical left side seam and two angled left side seams, wherein the right panel comprises a vertical right side seam and two angled right side seams, wherein a length of the vertical left side seam is greater than a length of the two angled left side seams, and wherein a length of the vertical right side seam is greater than a length of the two angled right side seams.

19. The package of claim 17 , wherein the consumer-facing panel has a consumer-facing panel height, wherein the consumer-facing panel height is greater than the length of the vertical left side seam, wherein the back panel has a back panel height, and wherein the back panel height is greater than the length of the vertical right side seam.

20. The package of claim 17 , wherein the bottom panel is generally rectangular, and wherein the bottom panel, the consumer-facing panel, and the back panel are free of seams.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 27, 2024
From: MOTSCH, ANDREAS PETER; HODGETTS, JONATHAN; HUGEL, JURGEN; WEISMAN, PAUL THOMAS; WESSEL, CLAUDIA; KEKLIK, SELINA PACIOS
To: THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY
Reel/Frame 066568/0650 →
Continuity (3)
Provisional Application 63514817 · Jul 21, 2023
Provisional Application 63441001 · Jan 25, 2023
Related Publication 20240245559A1 · Jul 25, 2024
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Cited By (1)
US 12,678,347