Consumer package

Abstract

A consumer package for holding stacked articles includes at least one line of weakness arranged to divide the package into first and second package parts such that when the line of weakness is broken, the package is divided into two separate package parts both having an opening at the line of weakness. The first package part includes a first edge region adjacent to the line of weakness, and the second package part includes a second edge region adjacent to the line of weakness. A device for reducing the size of the opening is arranged in the edge region of the first package part so that the first package part can retain the stacked articles when the second package part is removed. A device for reducing the opening is arranged in the edge region of the second package part so that the second package part becomes a bring-along package.

1 . A consumer package for holding a plurality of stacked absorbent articles, said package comprising end parts and side walls, and at least one line of weakness along which the package can be opened,
 the line of weakness running along the entire periphery of the package and being arranged to divide the package into a first package part and a second package part, such that when the line of weakness is broken, the package is divided into two separate package parts both having an opening at the line of weakness,   said first package part comprising a first edge region adjacent to the line of weakness, and the second package part comprising a second edge region adjacent to the line of weakness, wherein the package is made of wrinkable or pleatable flexible material at least in the edge regions of said first and second package parts,   a means for reducing the size of the opening of the first package part being arranged in the edge region of the first package part so that the first package part retains the stacked articles when the second package part has been removed, and   the second package part being adapted to hold at least one of the absorbent articles, and another means for reducing the opening of the second package part being arranged in the edge region of the second package part so that the second package part becomes a bring-along package.   
     
     
         2 . The consumer package of  claim 1 , wherein the means for reducing the size of opening of the first package part and the another means for reducing the opening of the second package part are at least one of:
 an elastic member arranged on the first edge region or the second edge region;   a single or double string, running in a channel formed on the first edge region or the second edge region;   a tape;   a hook-and-loop fastener; and   a zip lock.   
     
     
         3 . The consumer package of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second package parts are made of one of polymeric film material and nonwoven material. 
     
     
         4 . The consumer package of  claim 1 , wherein the line of weakness is arranged on the side walls of the package between the end parts of the package. 
     
     
         5 . The consumer package of  claim 4 , wherein the line of weakness is arranged at a distance from an end part of the second package part, which corresponds to approximately 20-50% of the height of a stacked absorbent article. 
     
     
         6 . The consumer package of  claim 1 , wherein the edge region of the second package part comprises additional material forming a bellows fold including an outer fold edge, which bellows fold partially overlaps the first package part. 
     
     
         7 . The consumer package of  claim 6 , wherein the line of weakness is arranged at the side walls of the package outside the outer fold edge, and the another means for reducing the opening of the second package part is arranged in the edge region of the second package part in the vicinity of the outer fold edge. 
     
     
         8 . The consumer package of  claim 6 , wherein the line of weakness is arranged in the edge region of the second package part in the vicinity of the outer fold edge, and the means for reducing the opening of the second package part is arranged at the side walls of the package, inside the outer fold edge. 
     
     
         9 . The consumer package of  claim 1 , wherein the second package part is invertible and the another means for reducing the opening of the second package part is arranged so that the opening of the second package part is reducible or closable when the second package part is turned inside out. 
     
     
         10 . The consumer package of  claim 1 , wherein the stacked absorbent articles are single wrapped absorbent articles. 
     
     
         11 . The consumer package of  claim 1 , wherein an end part of the second package part has a length and a width that exceeds a length and a width respectively of an absorbent article that is to be held in the package by 0-20%. 
     
     
         12 . The consumer package of  claim 1 , wherein the absorbent articles are at least one of diapers, incontinence guards, panty liners and sanitary napkins.