Absorbent article dispensing system

• Main Author: PRICE CINDY LOU,UNDERHILL DIANE MICHELE,ZANDER TERESA MARIE
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 12.09.2007
• Subjects: ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS,e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES,DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; CONVEYING; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF,TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, E.G. STENTS; FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; FIRST-AID KITS; FOMENTATION; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL; HUMAN NECESSITIES; HYGIENE; MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; PACKAGES; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKING; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; PROSTHESES; STORING; TRANSPORTING; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS

An article dispensing system ( 80 ) comprises a package ( 82 ) and a plurality of personal care articles ( 20 ) contained in the package. Each article ( 20 ) can include a topsheet ( 26 ) and a backsheet ( 28 ) operatively connected with the topsheet. Each article ( 20 ) also includes a releasable, sequence-attachment mechanism ( 34 ) operatively connected to that article. In a particular aspect, the sequence attachment mechanism ( 34 ) can be operatively connected to at least a portion of an outward-facing surface of the article. In another aspect, the articles ( 20 ) can be connected to provide a sequencing of the articles in an operative zig-zag arrangement. In a further aspect, the package ( 82 ) can include an exit mechanism ( 84 ) which provides a package opening ( 86 ) through which the articles ( 20 ) can be removed from the package ( 82 ). In a particular configuration, individual articles ( 20 ) can be sequentially removed from the package ( 82 ), and an individual article can be readily separated from other articles, particularly other following articles.