Reclosable flexible package for absorbent articles

Abstract

A package for containing and dispensing absorbent articles, specifically a flexible pouch-like container enclosing absorbent articles. The container is provided with a drawing means, which can be pulled for closing the package. The drawing means is located inside a channel and has two free ends, which can be grasped by the user. Pulling the free ends closes the upper end of the container. Further, a process for making such a package is disclosed.

1 . A package comprising: 
 a container made of flexible material, said container having an interior surface and an exterior surface, said interior surface defining an interior space;    a plurality of absorbent articles disposed within said interior space;    said container having a top end and a bottom end;    said container has a channel at or near said top end, said channel at least partially enclosing drawing means; wherein said drawing means is able to move freely inside said channel, said drawing means having two free ends extending outside of the channel for being graspable to the user and wherein said free ends extend outside of said channel at adjacent locations; and    a frangible closure being located at or near said top end and being arranged such that said plurality of absorbent articles is enclosed in said interior space between said bottom end and said closure.    
   
   
       2 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein said drawing means is a drawing ribbon or draw string.  
   
   
       3 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein said frangible closure is selected from perforation lines, weakness lines, tear tapes, and openings in the package covered by a flap.  
   
   
       4 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein said free ends of said drawing means extending out of the channel are joined to each other outside said channel.  
   
   
       5 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein said top end is provided with a top panel and side extensions extending above the top panel, wherein said channel enclosing said drawing means is disposed in side extensions.  
   
   
       6 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein said two free ends of said drawing means are joined by a frangible joint, which breaks when the user pulls on said free ends.  
   
   
       7 . A process for making a container, said process comprising the following steps: 
 supplying a continuous package material in a machine direction;    folding said continuous package material such that said continuous package material assumes an M-shaped cross section in a cross-direction, which extends perpendicularly to said machine direction, whereby forming tips;    feeding one continuous string-like material in said machine direction into each of the two tips of the M-shaped folded continuous package material, said string-like material being thermally incompatible to said package material;    forming channels in said tips by sealing said continuous package material in said machine direction near said tips, thereby enclosing said continuous string-like material into said channels;    heat cutting said continuous package material in said cross direction intermittently, whereby individual compartments are formed;    displacing said individual compartments away from said continuous package material along said machine direction; and    feeding said individual compartments through a cut and join unit, where said two continuous string-like materials are cut and the ends generated thereby are joined directly adjacent the end of the channels.    
   
   
       8 . The process according to  claim 7 , wherein said ends of said string-like material are joined by at least one of stitching, adhesive bonding, thermo bonding, pressure bonding, binding, mechanical entanglement, knotting or joining by clamps.  
   
   
       9 . The process of  claim 7 , wherein said string-like material is a ribbon.