PACKAGE HAVING A COMPARATIVE SIZE INDICATOR

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to packages having one or more comparative size indicators, and more particularly, to packages having one or more comparative size indicators and further having one or more feminine hygiene articles disposed therein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Feminine hygiene articles can include absorbent articles, such as, e.g., sanitary napkins, liners, tampons, interlabial products, and incontinence articles, as well as other articles such as, e.g., wipes or powder. There are many variations of sizes, shapes, and conformations of feminine hygiene articles, even within a particular brand and/or category. Because of this diversity, customers can have difficulty differentiating between the various types of feminine hygiene articles, even once they have chosen a particular brand and category. Some feminine hygiene articles are designed to be smaller in size prior to use as compared to a traditional feminine hygiene article in the same category. Such articles can be, e.g., individually-packaged in a smaller package and/or can require some assembly and/or configuration prior to use. An example of a feminine hygiene article that is smaller in size prior to use is a tampon with a compact applicator. Instead of a traditional plunger-type applicator that can be large in size relative to the tampon contained therein, compact tampons have applicators that are smaller in size prior to use compared to the larger applicators typically used with traditional tampons. Digital tampons also can be smaller in size prior to use, as digital tampons are typically provided without an applicator. Other examples of feminine hygiene articles that can be smaller in size prior to use can include, e.g., folded liners or sanitary napkins, or interlabial pads. Feminine hygiene articles that are small in size prior to use are desirable for some consumers who may wish to carry one or more feminine hygiene articles in a discreet manner, such as, e.g., in a hand, in a pocket, or in a purse.

Because of the many varieties of feminine hygiene article and packages that the articles are sold and/or displayed in, it can be difficult for a consumer to determine the size, and advantages thereof, of the feminine hygiene article by viewing the external package. Typically, the external package can include labeling, instructions, and/or a picture of the feminine hygiene

article. Nevertheless, the consumer may still be unable to quickly determine the size of the feminine hygiene article. In some instances, the consumer may be inattentative, may be unable to determine the size of the feminine hygiene article by the package exterior, and/or may have a limited amount of time to make a selection of a given feminine hygiene article. In others, language difficulties can contribute to improper selection and usage.

As such, it would be desirable to provide a package having one or more indicators that can convey the size of one or more feminine hygiene articles packaged therein to the consumer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A package comprising one or more comparative size indicators is provided. The package can comprise an interior surface and an exterior surface, the interior surface defining an interior space. One or more feminine hygiene articles can be disposed within the interior space and the exterior surface can include one or more inanimate comparative size indicators.

Also provided is a package comprising an interior surface and an exterior surface, the interior surface defining an interior space, wherein a plurality of tampons is disposed within the interior space. The exterior surface can include one or more inanimate comparative size indicators and one or more images of one or more of the tampons disposed within the interior space.

A method of communicating to a consumer size of a feminine hygiene article disposed within a package is also provided. The method can comprise providing a package comprising an interior surface and an exterior surface, the interior surface defining an interior space, wherein a plurality of feminine hygiene articles can be disposed within the interior space; providing one or more inanimate comparative size indicators on the exterior surface of the package; and providing one or more images of one or more of the feminine hygiene articles on the exterior surface of the package; wherein the one or more inanimate comparative size indicators and the one or more images of one or more of the feminine hygiene articles communicates the size of a feminine hygiene article to the consumer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention. Figure 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to packages having one or more comparative size indicators. The package can have one or more feminine hygiene articles disposed therein. In certain embodiments, the comparative size indicator can communicate to the consumer the size of the feminine hygiene article disposed within the package. Thus, a package having one or more comparative size indicators can permit a consumer of feminine hygiene articles to more accurately choose a feminine hygiene article having a desired size by viewing the packaging.

As used herein, the term "feminine hygiene article" refers to articles such as, e.g., disposable absorbent articles that can be worn by women for menstrual and/or light incontinence control, such as, for example, sanitary napkins, tampons, interlabial products, incontinence articles, and liners. As used herein, the term "feminine hygiene article" can also refer to other articles for use in the pudendal region such as, e.g., wipes and/or powder. Feminine hygiene articles do not include baby diapers. As used herein, a feminine hygiene article can include any associated wrapping or applicator that typically can be associated with the feminine hygiene article. For example, a feminine hygiene article can be a tampon that may or may not include an applicator and/or can be a sanitary napkin that may or may not include a wrapper, such as, e.g., a wrapper that individually encloses the sanitary napkin.

As used herein, the term "absorbent article" refers to devices that absorb and/or contain a substance, such as, e.g., body exudates. A typical absorbent article can be placed against or in proximity to the body of the wearer to absorb and contain various body exudates.

As used herein, the term "tampon" refers to any type of absorbent structure such as, e.g., an absorbent mass, that can be inserted into the vaginal canal or other body cavity for the purpose of, such as, e.g., absorbing fluid therefrom, aiding in wound healing, and/or for delivering materials, such as moisture or active materials such as medicaments. The term "tampon" can also include the combination of an absorbent structure with any type of applicator that can be associated with the absorbent structure to facilitate insertion of a tampon into the vaginal canal or other body cavity. In certain embodiments, the term "tampon" can also include a wrapper that can individually package the tampon and/or the tampon in combination with an applicator.

As used herein, the term "digital tampon" refers to a tampon that is intended to be inserted into the vaginal canal with the user's finger and generally without the aid of an applicator.

As used herein, the term "image" refers to any type of mark, figure, picture, illustration, symbol, icon, pattern, or any other indicia having a purpose of providing a signal or guide to the consumer. The image can be made in any suitable manner, such as, e.g., by printing, embossing, transferring, stamping, debossing, etching, or any other suitable manner. FIG. 1 shows an example of a package 10 having a comparative size indicator 20. The package has an interior surface and an exterior surface 30. The comparative size indicator 20 can be placed on the exterior surface 30. In this example, the comparative size indicator 20 is an evening bag. The package 10 in this embodiment also includes an image 40 of the feminine hygiene article that is disposed within the package 10, which, in this instance, is an absorbent article that is a compact tampon. The comparative size indicator 20 can communicate to the consumer that the feminine hygiene article, such as, e.g., a tampon, disposed within the package 10 is smaller than the comparative size indicator 20, in this case, an evening bag. In this example, the comparative size indicator 20 can also communicate to the consumer that the tampon disposed within the package 10 can fit inside the evening bag. FIG. 2 shows an example of a package 10 having a comparative size indicator 20. The package 10 has an interior surface and an exterior surface 30. The comparative size indicator 20 can be placed on the exterior surface 30 of the package 10. In this example, the comparative size indicator 20 is a pocket from a piece of clothing. The package 10 in this embodiment further includes an image 40 of a feminine hygiene article that in this instance is an absorbent article, e.g., a small folded and wrapped pantiliner, interacting with the comparative size indicator 20. For example, in this instance, the image 40 of a compact tampon is shown as being inserted into the pocket that is the comparative size indicator 20. The comparative size indicator 20 can communicate to the consumer that the feminine hygiene article, e.g., a tampon, disposed within the package 10 is smaller than the comparative size indicator 20 and/or that the tampon can easily fit inside the pocket.

Comparative size indicators of the present invention can be any indicator suitable for communicating size, such as, e.g., relative size of a feminine hygiene article, to a consumer. Suitable indicators can include, for example, pictures, drawings, or other representations of items of a size typically known to a consumer. In certain embodiments, a comparative size indicator can be inanimate, such as, e.g., an accessory, such as, e.g., a wallet, a card case, and/or a purse, such as, e.g., an evening bag; a pocket, such as, e.g., a pants pocket and/or a jacket pocket; one or

more cosmetics, such as, e.g., a lipstick, a makeup compact, lotion, perfume, and/or nail polish; jewelry, such as, e.g., earrings, a necklace, a bracelet, and/or a watch; an electronic device, such as, e.g., a cellular phone, a music player, and/or other communication device; clothing, such as, e.g., a shoe; food or beverage, such as, e.g., a package of chewing gum, one or more candies, and/or one or more mints; one or more keys and/or keychains; tickets, such as, e.g., theatre tickets, movie tickets, and/or sporting goods tickets; a feminine hygiene article, such as, e.g., a typical full-sized feminine hygiene article; and/or other suitable items. When a package includes one or more comparative size indicators, the one or more comparative size indicators typically will be other than the package itself. The comparative size indicator can be any suitable size. In certain embodiments, the comparative size indicator can be portrayed in actual size. Alternatively, or in addition, the comparative size indicator can be portrayed in relative size, such as, e.g., in a size relative to an image of, or an actual, one or more of the feminine hygiene articles disposed within the package, to the actual size of the item portrayed in the comparative size indicator, to other images on the package, and/or to the size of the package itself. For example, a comparative size indicator portrayed in relative size can be from about 50% to about 150%, such as, e.g., about 80% to about 120%, or any other suitable percentage, of the actual size of the item depicted in the comparative size indicator. In addition, or alternatively, a comparative size indicator portrayed in relative size can be from about 10% to about 10,000% or larger, such as, e.g., about 10% to about 5000%, or any other suitable percentage, of the size of an image of or an actual one or more of the feminine hygiene articles disposed within the package.

In certain embodiments, the package can include one or more feminine hygiene articles disposed within the package and can also include one or more comparative size indicators and one or more images of one or more of the feminine hygiene articles that are disposed within the package. The comparative size indicator can be actual size and the image of the feminine hygiene article can be actual size. An example would include a package having an actual size image of a lipstick and an actual size image of a compact tampon to communicate to the consumer the size of the tampon relative to the size of a lipstick. Alternatively, the comparative size indicator can be actual size and the image of the feminine hygiene article can be relative size or the comparative size indicator can be relative size and the image of the feminine hygiene article can be actual size. For example, in certain embodiments, depiction of the actual size of

the comparative size indicator and/or the actual size of the feminine hygiene article may not be necessary to communicate to the consumer the size of the feminine hygiene article relative to the size of the comparative size indicator. In certain embodiments, the comparative size indicator and the image of the feminine hygiene article can be depicted on the package in relative size. In certain embodiments, the comparative size indicator and the image of the feminine hygiene article can be proportionate.

In certain embodiments, the package can include one or more comparative size indicators wherein one or more of the feminine hygiene articles disposed within the package can be viewable by the consumer, such as, e.g., through a window and/or other opening on the package. The one or more feminine hygiene articles can be viewable by the consumer at any suitable location on the package, such as, e.g., from the front of the package and/or from any other side typically viewed by the consumer, such as, e.g., in a retail location. In certain embodiments, the one or more feminine hygiene articles can be viewable by the consumer at a location that is proximal to the location of one or more comparative size indicators. For example, the one or more feminine hygiene article can be viewable by the consumer on the same external side of the package as one or more comparative size indicators.

In certain embodiments, the consumer can typically have knowledge of the actual and/or approximate dimensions of the item depicted in the comparative size indicator. Alternatively, or in addition, the consumer need not have knowledge of the actual dimensions of the item depicted in the comparative size indicator but can instead have knowledge of the general size of the item depicted in the comparative size indicator, such as, e.g., where knowledge of the general size of the item is sufficient to communicate to the consumer the size of the article disposed within the package. For example, in certain embodiments, the consumer can have general knowledge of the size of the item depicted in the comparative size indicator, such as, e.g., whether the item is typically large, medium, or small in size.

Comparative size indicators can include any suitable image and/or design, such as, for example, any type of mark, figure, picture, symbol, icon, or pattern, or any other indicator having a purpose of providing a signal or guide to the consumer. Alternatively, or in addition, the comparative size indicator can be an actual item, such as, e.g., an item that can be viewable by the consumer prior to purchase, such as, e.g., through a window and/or other opening in a package, by joining the item with the package, and/or by wrapping or otherwise co-packaging the

package with the comparative size indicator. In certain embodiments, the comparative size indicator can be an actual item that is co-marketed with a package, such as, e.g., a package including one or more feminine hygiene articles. The comparative size indicator can also or in addition be an actual item that is a gift with purchase, such as, e.g., a lipstick included with a package, such as, e.g., a package including one or more feminine hygiene articles, such as, e.g., tampons and/or liners.

In certain embodiments, the comparative size indicator can be coordinated with one or more portions of one or more of the feminine hygiene articles disposed within a package, such as, e.g., an applicator and/or a wrapper. Alternatively, or in addition, the comparative size indicator can be coordinated with one or more portions of an image of one or more of the feminine hygiene articles disposed within a package. In certain embodiments, the comparative size indicator can be coordinated with other images, printing, coloration, and/or information included on the package. The comparative size indicator can be coordinated in any suitable manner, such as, e.g., by related colors, contrasting colors, theme, pattern, or any other suitable manner. In certain embodiments, the comparative size indicator can be coordinated to accentuate the image of the one or more feminine hygiene articles and/or the one or more feminine hygiene articles contained in the package.

The comparative size indicator can be located at any suitable location on the package. In certain embodiments, the comparative size indicator can be located on the exterior surface of the package. In certain embodiments, the comparative size indicator can be located on the front surface of the package, e.g., a surface of the package that typically can be viewed first by a consumer in a retail environment. In certain embodiments, the comparative size indicator can be located on a wrapper or other secondary packaging enclosing the package. Alternatively, or in addition, the comparative size indicator can be located other than on the package. For example, in certain embodiments, the comparative size indicator can be located on an advertisement, such as, e.g., an advertisement located in proximity to the package at a predetermined time in a retail environment and/or an advertisement located inside the package prior to sale. In certain embodiments, the comparative size indicator can be located inside the package and can include an image of a product that is different from the one or more feminine hygiene articles disposed within the package, such as, e.g., an advertisement for an article that is different from the article disposed within the package.

The package can be any suitable shape, such as, for example, a square, a rectangle, a polyhedral shape, and/or a circular shape. In certain embodiments, the package can comprise an interior surface and an exterior surface. The interior surface can define an interior space. The exterior surface of the package can have at least a front and a back, wherein the front of the package can be the side typically viewed first by a consumer, such as, e.g., the side predetermined to be viewed first by a consumer. In certain embodiments, the exterior surface of the package can have a front, a back, at least two sides, a top, and a bottom, wherein the comparative size indicator is located on the front of the package. In certain embodiments, the exterior surface of the package can have a front and a back and can individually package one feminine hygiene article.

The package can be made of any suitable material. In certain embodiments, the package can comprise one or more inflexible materials, such as, for example, cardboard, paperboard, cartonboard, chipboard, plywood, SBS, metal, plastic, paper, card stock, fabric, ceramic, polymer, natural or synthetic fibers, webs, mesh, screen, wood, composite, mixtures or combinations thereof, or any other suitable material. Alternatively, or in addition, the package can be made of a flexible material, such as, e.g., blown or cast film in a blend of low density polyethylene and linear low density polyethylene, metallocenes, ethylene vinyl acetate, surlyn, polyethylene terephthalate, biaxally oriented polypropylene, nylon, combinations thereof, or any other suitable material. The package can include at least one window, such as, e.g., a region of transparency. As used herein, "transparency" means having the property of transmitting light without substantial scattering so that items lying beyond can be visible to a person. The window can comprise a transparent covering, such as, for example, a transparent film. In addition, or alternatively, the window can comprise an opening in the package that does not include a covering. In certain embodiments, the window can comprise a transparent covering that can be clear, translucent, tinted and/or opaque. The transparent covering can be tinted in any suitable color or combination of colors. The transparent covering can also, or alternatively, be printed and/or embossed. In certain embodiments, the window can be one or more images that depict and/or give the perception of a window, such as, e.g., one or more images that depict a region of transparency and/or an opening.

The window can be disposed on at least one side, such as, e.g., the front, the back, and/or one or more sides. In certain embodiments, the window can be disposed on more than one side. The window can be at any location on the side and can comprise any appropriate amount of the package side, such as, for example, from about 5% to about 95% of the side, such as, for example, about 5% to about 75%, about 5% to about 50%, about 5% to about 25%, or any other suitable amount of the side. In certain embodiments, the window can be located in the central region of a side, such as, for example, wherein the window is not located at the edge of the side. In certain embodiments, one or more feminine hygiene articles and/or one or more comparative indicators can be positioned adjacent the window such that at least a portion of one or more of the feminine hygiene articles and/or, optionally, one or more comparative indicators, can be visible through the window.

Any suitable feminine hygiene article and/or combination of feminine hygiene articles can be disposed in the package. Suitable feminine hygiene articles include, e.g., absorbent articles, such as, e.g., tampons, sanitary napkins, pantiliners, incontinence articles, and/or interlabial pads, and other articles such as, e.g., wipes and/or powder. In certain embodiments, the feminine hygiene article can be smaller in size prior to use than a traditional feminine hygiene article. For example, in certain embodiments, the feminine hygiene article can be a compact tampon, such as, e.g., tampons that can have an applicator that is smaller prior to use than a typical applicator, such as, e.g., compact tampons described in, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,726,805; 4,846,802; and 4,960,417. The package can contain any number or type of suitable feminine hygiene articles. In certain embodiments, the package can include one or more feminine hygiene articles disposed therein that are smaller in size prior to use as compared to a traditional feminine hygiene article of the same category. The package can have a plurality of feminine hygiene articles and/or an array of different feminine hygiene articles. In certain embodiments, the feminine hygiene articles can be individually wrapped prior to being disposed within the package. In certain embodiments, the package can contain a single feminine hygiene article.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as "40 mm" is intended to mean "about 40 mm".

All documents cited in the Detailed Description of the Invention are, in relevant part, incorporated herein by reference; the citation of any document is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior art with respect to the present invention. To the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this written document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to the term in this written document shall govern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.