Abstract:
A method for providing a system of absorbent articles including offering a chassis primarily performing a base function, wherein the chassis is an absorbent article; and offering first and second enhancement products, wherein the chassis and the first and second enhancement products are adapted such that the first and second enhancement products may be coupled to the chassis. Further, a method for educating a consumer with regard to various conditions requiring an absorbent article including providing first and second packages, each including a description of a condition and an enhancement product adapted to address the conditions; allowing the consumer to learn about the conditions and what may be used to address the conditions; and providing a third package including a chassis and description of a base condition, such that the chassis may be combined with the first and/or second enhancement products.

Description:
BACKGROUND  
         [0001]    A large number of improvements to absorbent articles such as diapers, feminine care products, and incontinence products have been identified and developed, but not commercially exploited. A great deal of time and money has been expended developing features from consumer concept studies to consumer preference tests. Although many of these product improvements are readily received by consumers, they have not been commercialized.  
           [0002]    Limited add-on products for some absorbent articles such as disposable diapers have been sold commercially with little or no success, e.g. liner doublers.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    The problem with many of these improvements is benefit cost. Incorporating some is of these improvements into every absorbent article designed for daily use would be cost-prohibitive. For example, consumers may desire more absorbency in an absorbent product. More absorbency, however, equates to a higher cost per product. A one cent cost increase per product is generally considered significant. One cent, however, does not purchase a large amount of super-absorbent or absorbent fluff. Likewise, add-on improvements that do not modify current materials of construction may be difficult to deliver in every absorbent article for less than one cent per absorbent article.  
           [0004]    Other improvements may not be commercially exploited because they significantly alter the product form. Some improvements may make the product too thick; others may radically change the product&#39;s packaging requirements. Finally, other improvements may not be commercially exploited because they may not be appropriate for all absorbent articles. For example, an improvement directed toward a skin care benefit may be more applicable to consumers with sensitive skin or a skin condition such as diaper rash. In another example, some consumers may prefer to control the amount of lotion applied to an absorbent article, or whether lotion is applied at all, rather than having the lotion pre-applied to the absorbent article.  
           [0005]    To solve these problems, a new absorbent article system is required. The elements of the absorbent article system are generally a primary absorbent article or chassis, very similar or identical to products currently available, and secondary or enhancement products that are sold separately. Such a system allows a consumer to customize the primary absorbent article to meet the consumer&#39;s individual needs. Each enhancement product may include a description of the condition the enhancement product is used to address. As a result, the enhancement products may be used to educate the consumer.  
           [0006]    The present invention overcomes the problems by providing a method for providing a system of absorbent articles, the method including offering a chassis primarily performing a base function, wherein the chassis is an absorbent article; offering a first enhancement product primarily performing a first enhanced function; and offering a second enhancement product primarily performing a second enhanced function, wherein the chassis and the first and second enhancement products are adapted such that the first and second enhancement products may be coupled to the chassis, and wherein the second enhanced function is different from the first enhanced function.  
           [0007]    The present invention also provides a method for educating a consumer with regard to various conditions requiring an absorbent article, the method including providing a first package including a description of a first condition allowing the consumer to learn about the first condition and what may be used to address the first condition, wherein the first package includes a first enhancement product adapted to address the first condition; providing a second package including a description of a second condition allowing the consumer to learn about the second condition and what may be used to address the second condition, wherein the second package includes a second enhancement product adapted to address the second condition, and wherein the second condition is different from the first condition; and providing a third package including a description of a base condition allowing the consumer to learn about the base condition and what may be used to address the base condition, wherein the third package includes a chassis adapted to address the base condition and adapted such that the chassis may be combined with the first and/or second enhancement products, and wherein the base condition is different from the second condition.  
           [0008]    The present invention also provides a system for addressing various conditions requiring an absorbent article, the system including an absorbent chassis adapted to absorb a bodily fluid; a first enhancement product adapted to perform a first enhanced function, wherein the chassis and the first enhancement product are adapted such that the first enhancement product may be coupled to the chassis; and a second enhancement product adapted to perform a second enhanced function, wherein the chassis and the second enhancement product are adapted such that the second enhancement product may be coupled to the chassis, and wherein the second enhanced function is different from the first enhanced function.  
           [0009]    The present invention also provides a method for a consumer to customize an absorbent article to address a condition, the method including selecting a base absorbent article; examining a plurality of packages, each containing an enhancement product; selecting the enhancement product adapted to address the condition; and combining the enhancement product and the base absorbent article.  
           [0010]    The present invention also provides a method for selling a customizable absorbent article system, the method including displaying on a store shelf a chassis, wherein the chassis is an absorbent article; and displaying, adjacent to the chassis, a plurality of different enhancement products, wherein the chassis and each enhancement product are adapted such that each enhancement product may be coupled to the chassis.  
           [0011]    The present invention provides several attributes that are advantageous. An absorbent article system in which consumers may customize a basic absorbent article through the use of supplementary products enhances the efficiency of the absorbent-article-using process, helps to better care for the user, and may be more cost effective. Benefits of such a system to a business include a reduction of absorbent article machine capital expenditure, optimized manufacturing, more rapid evaluation and introduction of product improvements in the form of supplementary products, and potentially higher margins for supplementary products.  
           [0012]    Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the following description and the accompanying drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]    [0013]FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an absorbent article system of the present invention.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of an exemplary toilet training system of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0015]    The invention described herein is a system of a primary absorbent article with secondary enhancement products. Such a system allows a consumer to customize the primary absorbent article to meet the consumer&#39;s individual needs.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an absorbent article system  10  of the present invention. The system  10  includes a primary absorbent article or chassis  15  and a number of secondary or enhancement products  20 . The absorbent article system  10  may include any type of absorbent article at its core, including, but not limited to, a diaper, a training pant, a swim pant, a youth pant, a feminine hygiene product, an incontinence product, or the like. For purposes of illustration, and not for purposes of limitation, the absorbent article system  10  is described as it would apply to a diaper. The same system, however, may be described using another suitable absorbent article.  
         [0017]    The absorbent article system  10  includes a chassis  15  that may be very similar or identical to absorbent article products available to consumers. The chassis  15  is used to treat a base condition, typically the need for absorbency. The base function performed by the chassis  15  is typically waste collection and absorption. In the case of a diaper, the chassis  15  is a diaper that may be used on its own as a standard diaper. Again in the case of a diaper, the chassis  15  or basic diaper component of the absorbent article system  10  is preferably a more premium-level disposable diaper, but may also be a lower-end, non-premium diaper, or any other suitable disposable diaper. The term “basic” in this instance implies that the diaper performs the typical and expected duties of a disposable diaper including a certain level of urine and fecal absorbency and containment, along with an acceptable level of comfort, fit, and skin health. For example, a diaper fitting the basic classification may include a breathable cloth-like outer cover, mechanical fasteners, superabsorbent material and/or fluff absorbents, stretch ears, surge, feces or bowel movement (BM) containment flaps, gentle leg elastics, and a back waist elastic system. This type of product is generally sold as a premium diaper.  
         [0018]    The chassis or basic diaper  15  will meet the needs of most consumers, and performs better than, or at least as well as, other premium disposable diapers.  
         [0019]    The absorbent article system  10  also includes a variety of secondary or enhancement products  20 . Each of these enhancement products  20  performs at least one primary function such as humidity or odor control. Enhancement products  20  are designed to complement the chassis  15  by being disposed within or around the chassis  15 , or otherwise coupled to the chassis  15 , as described in more detail herein. The enhancement products  20  deliver benefits that allow the consumer to customize the chassis  15  to the consumer&#39;s needs.  
         [0020]    While the enhancement products  20  may take any suitable form or function, a variety of examples are described herein for use in a diaper-based system. Similar enhancement products  20  may be used in systems based on other absorbent articles. The following enhancement products  20  are among those that may be used in a diaper-based system:  
         [0021]    An extra absorbency liner  50  is an absorbent-containing liner sized to fit within the diaper, between the diaper and a wearer of the diaper. As used herein, the term “liner” implies that the enhancement product  20  is put on the inside of the product. The liner does not need to extend over the entire width or length of the product. The extra absorbency liner  50  supplements the absorbent capacity of the chassis  15 . The extra absorbency liner  50  may be inserted for overnight use of the chassis, for long car trips, or whenever extra absorbency is desired.  
         [0022]    A BM liner  55  is designed to quickly separate BM from skin contact with the wearer to limit the exposure of the skin. The BM liner  55  is sized to fit within the diaper, between the diaper and the wearer of the diaper.  
         [0023]    A lotion liner  60  is a liner coated, impregnated, or otherwise treated with a lotion designed to promote skin health. The lotion may be applied in stripes or other patterns to help to maintain the absorbency of the diaper. In the diaper example, the lotion may prevent or treat diaper rash. A lotion liner  60  such as this may be used consistently, or, more likely, it may be used only on occasions when diaper rash is anticipated based on stool consistency, the wearer&#39;s health, etc. Diaper rash lotions may be difficult to remove from the applier&#39;s fingers; simply inserting a lotion liner  60  would avoid such a mess. In alternate embodiments, any other suitable lotion may be used in conjunction with the lotion liner  60 . Further examples include petrolatum, zinc oxide, and cornstarch.  
         [0024]    An odor tab  65  is designed to be inserted in or attached to the chassis  15  to reduce or eliminate odors emanating from the diaper. The odor tab  65  may include baking soda and/or activated charcoal to absorb urine or BM odor. While some consumers may prefer to have some odor remain as indicator of the need to change the diaper, a reduction in odor may still be desirable for those consumers. Multiple odor tabs  65  may be used for additional odor reduction or elimination.  
         [0025]    Similarly, an aromatherapy tab  70  is designed to be inserted in or attached to the chassis  15  to produce beneficial aromas such as lavender or chamomile to soothe and relax or peppermint to refresh the wearer, similar to the aromas produced by aromatherapy candles and bathing products.  
         [0026]    A humidity tab  72  may be a small packet that sticks to the inside of the wasteband to help control humidity inside the diaper and keep the wearer&#39;s skin dryer.  
         [0027]    A health screen  75  may be inserted into or attached to the chassis  15  to screen for one or more health conditions. A health screen  75  may test for one or multiple conditions.  
         [0028]    In addition, one or more health screens  75  may be used. Examples of health screens  75  include, but are not limited to, a dehydration sensor, a rash screen, a urinary tract infection screen, and medical diagnostic screens such as indicators of sugar content in urine and urine pH. Health screens for elderly incontinent adults who are often institutionalized with a variety of medical conditions present a large opportunity for a variety of enhancement products. Health screens  75  may not be typically used on a daily basis, but may be purchased to be ready in case a health condition is suspected.  
         [0029]    A wetness monitor  80  is designed to indicate to a caregiver when the absorbent article has been made wet. Such an indication is particularly useful in newborn&#39;s whose wet diapers are difficult to detect. The wetness monitor  80  may generate a light or sound in the presence of wetness, may transmit a signal to a monitor, may change colors or cause a graphic to appear or disappear in the presence of wetness, or may provide any other suitable indication of wetness.  
         [0030]    An air dry liner  85  is a liner that provides additional air circulation between the chassis and the wearer&#39;s skin to promote skin health and dryness.  
         [0031]    A bio tissue  90  is designed to be folded into a diaper prior to disposal to promote biodegradation of the diaper to minimize environmental loading due to disposable diapers.  
         [0032]    A diaper cover  100  is worn by the wearer over and outside of the diaper and is designed to improve the fit of the diaper and to promote leakage protection. The diaper cover  100  may be a mesh cover, and the diaper cover  100  may be decorative.  
         [0033]    Suspenders  105  may be used to help keep diapers up on babies who have a hard time keeping clothes up. The suspenders  105  may be made from a soft, stretchy material, and soft fasteners may be used to fasten the suspenders  105  to the diaper without harming the skin of the wearer.  
         [0034]    In addition to enhancement products  20 , the absorbent article system  10  may also include tertiary or associated products  140 . Associated products  140  are products that would likely be used by those who use the chassis  15  and enhancement products  20 . Associated products  140  may be used to enhance the use of the absorbent article system  10 , to assist in the education provided by the absorbent article system  10 , or for any other suitable use. In the diaper example, associated products  140  may include infant bathing products, infant toys, infant powders and ointments, changing pads, specialty wipes, and the like.  
         [0035]    In an example of a specific application of the absorbent article system  10 , a toilet training system  150  of products related to toilet training may be provided.  
         [0036]    The chassis  15  as described herein for a toilet training system  150  may be either a diaper or a training pant. A useful enhancement product  20  in the toilet training system  150  may be a disposable shell designed to be worn over the chassis  15 .  
         [0037]    Another useful enhancement product in the toilet training system  150  is one that would provide notification to the wearer of wetness, allowing the wearing to associate the notification with certain body signals that indicate that wetness is imminent. A wetness notification liner or insert  155  may include a bicomponent spunbond web that includes a water absorbing component, a bonded carded web containing a hydrophilic material such as cotton or rayon, or a hydrophobic spunbond web that is treated with a durable wettable treatment such as a surfactant. The wetness notification liner  155  may function by cooling, warming, releasing a gas, releasing an astringent, changing texture, reducing porosity such that any liquid is absorbed more slowly into an absorbent core, releasing a scent, or changing in the z-dimension (towards the wearer) when wet, or some combination thereof. The wetness notification liner  155  may also function by including items that attach to the liner  155  or chassis  15  and produce noise or light to alert both the wearer and a caregiver of the wetness.  
         [0038]    In another embodiment, in the toilet training system  150  example, associated products  140  may include graphics activated by oxygen or electricity that appear with time to signal how long the chassis  15  has been on the child; attachments to the wetness notification liner  155  or other liner or the chassis  15  that cause graphics to appear or disappear with wetness, stickers; progress charts; toilet training educational materials such as videos, books, and hint sheets; coloring books and/or crayons and markers; urine targets; and graphics on the shell that disappear when wet. Other associated products  140  may include bibs, changing pads, onesies, and medicated or other specialty wipes.  
         [0039]    The absorbent article system  10  described herein may also employ as a chassis  15  a feminine hygiene product, an adult incontinence product, or other similar absorbent product. Each type of chassis  15  may be supplemented with suitable enhancement products  20  and associated products  140 , including products similar to those described herein for use in conjunction with a diaper.  
         [0040]    The absorbent article system  10  described herein allows a manufacturer to produce a chassis  15 , enhancement products  20 , and associated products  140  and package these separately. Each separate package of enhancement product  20  and associated product  160  may include a description of the condition intended to be addressed by that enhanced or associated product  20 ,  160 , a description of the primary function of that enhancement or associated product  20 ,  160 , a description of the entire absorbent article system  10 , or some combination thereof. The descriptions may be placed on the packaging, in the packaging, or some combination of both. The descriptions may allow a consumer to become educated as to the conditions that typically dictate the use of an absorbent article, and the further conditions that may be associated with or experienced in conjunction with the use of an absorbent article. Such education allow a consumer to make informed decisions as to which enhancement and associated products  20 ,  160  to purchase such that the consumer may assemble a customized absorbent article to address to various conditions.  
         [0041]    Consumer education may be further enhanced by providing indicia on the packaging to indicate various different but associated components of the absorbent article system. The indicia may include graphic design features, text, branding, or any other suitable indicia. For example, all of the packages may exhibit similar graphic design components and branding to identify their association, yet have different coloring and illustrations to identify their differences. These indicia may help a consumer to quickly discern which products may be needed for a particular purpose.  
         [0042]    In other words, the absorbent article system  10  described herein allows a consumer to customize an absorbent article on an as-needed basis to address whatever conditions the wearer may be experiencing without spending more every day for an absorbent article that contains every enhancement. Consumers desire a high quality, consistent product at a good price with the ability to upgrade for certain circumstances.  
         [0043]    The various components of the absorbent article system  10  may be sold through any retailer, including Internet retailers. Various distributors, wholesalers, hospitals, doctors&#39; offices, and other suitable parties may also be involved. A retailer, for example, locates the various components of the absorbent article system  10 , including packages of the chassis  15 , packages of enhancement products  20 , and packages of associated products  140 , in general proximity to each other on one or more store shelves. Additionally, targeted enhancement devices allow for opportunities for advertising systems. For example, a health screen device could be co-marketed with the appropriate remedy for the health condition. This proximity allows a consumer to see the components of the absorbent article system  10  in one place, allows the consumer to read the packaging to learn about the absorbent article system  10 , and allows the consumer to select those components that will address the consumer&#39;s needs.  
         [0044]    As an example, a consumer wishes to prevent diaper rash in a baby susceptible to diaper rash because of periodic illness. The consumer also needs an ample supply of diapers for every day use. The consumer, as a part of a typical shopping trip, enters the baby aisle of a store and examines the diaper options. The consumer selects a brand of diapers, and notices other products located adjacent to and associated with these diapers. Upon closer examination, the consumer reads some of the other product packaging and learns that a simple lotion liner  60 , when added to the diaper the consumer is already purchasing, may prevent diaper rash. The consumer thus purchases the package of diaper rash lotion liners  60  to have on hand for use only during those times when the baby is susceptible to diaper rash. The consumer may also purchase a package of extra absorbency liners  50  to have on hand for use only during occasional long car trips. The consumer may also purchase an infant toy and a package of specialty wipes. The consumer benefits from not needing to pay extra for an every day diaper that contains all of these features. The consumer also benefits because the various enhancement and associated products  20 ,  160  are located in one place, rather than being spread across various shelves or an entire store.  
         [0045]    For a manufacturer, incorporating improvements into enhancement products rather than the basic absorbent article allows the manufacturer to make minimal changes to absorbent article machines, resulting in lower capital expenditures and optimizing manufacturing. In addition, researchers may focus on product improvements without considering the effect of the improvements on absorbent article machines. The manufacturer may contract manufacturing of secondary products and enter into joint marketing agreements with makers of related items. Enhancement products may be rapidly introduced and evaluated, and enhancement products need not be as cost sensitive as improvements incorporated into every absorbent article. Finally, customized enhancement products allow the manufacturer to more effectively meet global needs.  
         [0046]    From a business standpoint, an absorbent article system may expand a category because enhancement products may be used with competitors&#39; absorbent articles. Introduction of improvements in enhancement products may carry a lower risk than incorporating those improvements in an absorbent article.  
         [0047]    Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the following description and the accompanying drawings.  
         [0048]    The invention has been described with reference to various specific and illustrative embodiments and techniques. However, it should be understood that many variations and modifications may be made while remaining within the spirit and scope of the invention. Many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, this invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.