Package Configuration for Disposable Absorbent Articles

Abstract

A box package containing stacked disposable absorbent articles is disclosed. The package has a pair of top flaps, and a handle cutout on each flap. In one embodiment a handle reinforcing material may be disposed between the handle cutouts. In one embodiment the handle cutouts may be partial, and attached portions of material forming residual cutout flaps may remain attached within the cutouts. Other structural elements may be present to maximize economy of space while maintaining structural integrity, conserving materials and providing a package that is convenient for consumers.

1 . A package, comprising:
 a rectangular box container formed of corrugated cardboard, the box having a rectangular top panel, a rectangular bottom panel, a pair of oppositely-disposed rectangular side panels, a rectangular front panel, and a rectangular back panel;
 the top panel being formed at least in part of a pair of opposing flaps, the flaps being integral with the respective front and back panels and extending from proximal edges at horizontal folds in the cardboard defining upper edges of the front and back and outer edges of the top, and the flaps having distal terminal edges, 
   wherein each of the pair of opposing flaps has a flap width measured along a direction parallel to its associated horizontal fold and a flap length measured along a direction perpendicular to its associated horizontal fold, and each of the pair of opposing flaps has a handle cutout therethrough, the handle cutout having a cutout width and a cutout length and having no sharp inside corner pointing toward a flap edge, the cutout length being oriented along and substantially centered along the flap width, the respective handle cutouts being respectively disposed substantially opposite each other;   wherein the corrugated cardboard comprises a first layer of linerboard, a second layer of linerboard, and a fluted medium disposed between the first linerboard and the second linerboard, the fluted medium being of size C flutes or larger, with the flutes oriented vertically;   wherein the box contains at least one inner package, the inner package comprising a plurality of stacked disposable absorbent articles wrapped in a polymeric film bag; and   wherein there is a top clearance TC between the inner package and the top panel of no more than 1 cm.   
     
     
         2 . The package of  claim 1  wherein the opposing flaps overlap. 
     
     
         3 . The package of  claim 1  wherein the opposing flaps do not overlap, and the package further comprises a handle reinforcing material attached to each of the side panels and extending across the top panel, and disposed between the handle cutouts. 
     
     
         4 . The package of  claim 3  wherein the handle reinforcing material has a longitudinal tensile strength of at least 20 pounds per inch width. 
     
     
         5 . The package of  claim 1  wherein the handle cutout has a profile of a shape selected from the group consisting of circular, bean-shaped, peanut-shaped, oval, ovaloid, egg-shaped, elliptical, rounded rectangle and race-track. 
     
     
         6 . The package of  claim 5  wherein the handle cutout width is from 15 mm to 35 mm and the handle cutout length is from 80 mm to 100 mm. 
     
     
         7 . The package of  claim 5  wherein the handle cutout is partial, having terminal ends, leaving an attached portion of material along a fold line extending between the terminal ends. 
     
     
         8 . The package of  claim 7  wherein the handle cutout is continuous between the terminal ends. 
     
     
         9 . The package  claim 7  wherein the fold line is substantially parallel to the flap edge. 
     
     
         10 . The package of  claim 7  wherein the attached portion of material forms a residual cutout flap within the handle cutout, and the residual cutout flap has a Push-In Force of no more than 18 pounds. 
     
     
         11 . A package, comprising:
 a rectangular box container formed of corrugated cardboard, the box having a rectangular top panel, a rectangular bottom panel, a pair of oppositely-disposed rectangular side panels, a rectangular front panel, and a rectangular back panel;
 the top panel being formed at least in part of a pair of opposing flaps, the flaps being integral with the respective front and back panels and extending from proximal edges at horizontal folds in the cardboard defining upper edges of the front and back and outer edges of the top, and the flaps having distal terminal edges, 
   wherein each of the pair of opposing flaps has a flap width measured along a direction parallel to its associated horizontal fold and a flap length measured along a direction perpendicular to its associated horizontal fold, and each of the pair of opposing flaps has a handle cutout therethrough, the handle cutout having a cutout width and a cutout length, the cutout length being oriented along and substantially centered along the flap width, the respective handle cutouts being respectively disposed substantially opposite each other;   wherein the corrugated cardboard comprises a first layer of linerboard, a second layer of linerboard, and a fluted medium disposed between the first linerboard and the second linerboard, the fluted medium being of size C flutes or larger, with the flutes oriented vertically;   wherein the box contains at least one inner package, the inner package comprising a plurality of stacked disposable absorbent articles wrapped in a polymeric film bag;   wherein there is a top clearance TC between the inner package and the top panel of no more than 1 cm;   wherein the handle cutout is partial, having terminal ends, leaving an attached portion of material along a fold line extending between the terminal ends; and   
       wherein the attached portion of material forms a residual cutout flap within the handle cutout, and the residual cutout flap has a Push-In Force of no more than 18 pounds.