ABSORBENT ARTICLES WITH CHARACTERISTICS INDICATED BY COLOR SIGNALS

Abstract: The present invention encompasses a line of consumer products having two or more varying degrees of a pre-determined product performance characteristic, the line comprising: a first product having a first color identifier and a first degree of the pre-determined product performance characteristic; and a second product having a second color identifier and a second degree of the pre- determined product performance characteristic, wherein the first color identifier has a first color intensity, the second color identifier has a second color intensity, the first color intensity is less than the second color intensity, and wherein the first color identifier corresponds to the first degree of the product performance characteristic, the second color identifier corresponds to the second degree of the product performance characteristic. In a preferred mode, a lighter intensity of color of the color indicator indicates less of the performance characteristic and a deeper intensity of color of the color indicator indicates more of the performance characteristic.

Description: ABSORBENT ARTICLES WITH CHARACTERISTICS INDICATED BY COLOR SIGNALS FIELD OF INVENTION The present invention relates to lines of consumer products. Proper selection and use of such products within a line is communicated by means of a distinctive color- coding system associated with the articles, or preferably, with their packaging. In preferred embodiments, the invention relates to articles for absorbing body fluids, especially menses. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Differentiation and selection of consumer products on store shelves is difficult due to the many types of products and variations of product characterizations within these product type. Differentiation and selection of catamenial products on store shelves are particularly difficult due to the many choices of product absorbencies such as: light absorbency, regular absorbency, and extra absorbency and product configurations, for example, daytime products, nighttime products, winged versions and the like. Surprisingly, some of the problems associated with the proper selection and use of such products is traceable to modern developments in the technologies used to improve their performance. In the past, the absorbency of catamenials, as well as other absorbent articles such as baby diapers and adult incontinence garments, could be estimated by visual inspection of their size, shape, and bulk. However, improvements made in modern absorbent articles in an effort to increase in-use comfort and to increase the compactness for ease-of-packaging have resulted in the development of thin, and even ultra-thin, products. Rather than relying on size and bulk to achieve absorbency, such modern articles typically employ absorbent gelling materials (AGM's; "superabsorbents"), new methods of forming absorbent batts or pads of cellulosic fibers and/or various structural improvements to achieve the desired absorbency. Whatever the technology, the result is that the performance or absorbent capacity of such articles can no longer be reliably judged solely on the basis of their size and bulk. Moreover, a woman's menstrual cycle is typically characterized by initial "mild flow" days, followed by "medium flow" days and concluding with "low flow" days. In order to meet the need for feminine protection during the entire sequence, at least one manufacturer has begun the sale of kits which contain multiple disposable absorbent catamenials having extra, regular, and light absorbent capacities, respectively. In this way, the need for protection can be met with as little discomfort as possible to the user over the entire menstrual cycle. Alternatively, light, regular, and extra absorbency articles can be sold separately or as a complete line of products. Compliance with the prescribed sequence of usage is a prerequisite for the successful completion of any multi-phase regimen. This also applies to the aforesaid kits. The inadvertent selection of a low absorbency catamenial for use on a high flow day can result in considerable dissatisfaction due to the perceived "failure" of the product. Accordingly, the proper usage of extra, regular, or light capacity absorbent articles, whether packaged separately or provided as kits, begins with the proper selection of such articles. The present invention provides an easy and intuitive method for selecting the proper absorbency, particularly when the article is then moved from the original container and placed in the bathroom drawer, purse, etc. Proper selection of consumer products requires explicit labeling and/or instructions. Despite considerable attention being given to such matters, mistakes continue to be made by consumers. In some'instances, this may be due to inattention, or may be attributable to the limited amount of time a consumer has in making a selection of a given product. In others, linguistic difficulties may contribute to improper selection and usage. As noted above, the proliferation of sizes, shapes, conformations and brands in the field of disposable absorbent articles such as feminine care products may exacerbate the problem. Whatever the reason, it is problematic for a manufacturer when a well-designed product is judged by its users to be sub-optimal in performance, when the real problem stems from selection errors which result in misuse. Typical instructional matter pertaining to the proper selection and use of absorbent articles conventionally comprises printed text, diagrams, labels, and combinations thereof. The objective of any optimal instructional matter is to be univocal, i.e. , to convey a message regarding proper selection and usage in such a clear, concise, and exact manner that essentially any user, regardless of distractions or adverse conditions, is prompted to choose and employ the product correctly. Often color is used to convey a particular performance characteristic of a given product. For example, at least one manufacturer of catamenial tampons uses color-based signals on both the outer packaging and the wrapper of such tampons to denote absorbent capacity. In such products, however, different colors are used to represent different product characteristic levels (in this case absorbency). For example, a green band on the package and wrapper of a tampon might signal a "super" absorbency tampon, while a blue band might signal a "regular" absorbency tampon. Such a system requires the memorization of arbitrary color/product characteristic associations which are not necessarily intuitive to the consumer. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention encompasses a line of consumer products having two or more varying degrees of a pre-determined product performance characteristic, the line comprising: a first product having a first color identifier and a first degree of the pre-determined product performance characteristic; and a second product having a second color identifier and a second degree of the pre-determined product performance characteristic, wherein the first color identifier has a first color intensity, the second color identifier has a second color intensity, the first color intensity is less than the second color intensity, and wherein the first color identifier corresponds to the first degree of the product performance characteristic, the second color identifier corresponds to the second degree of the product performance characteristic. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as forming the present invention, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is the color line for the light lavender, medium lavender, and dark lavender. Figure 2 is the side view of a package of interlabial devices for a low capacity interlabial device, a medium capacity interlabial device, and an extra capacity interlabial device. Figure 3 is a color line for light gray, medium gray, and dark gray. Figure 4 is the side view of a package for junior absorbency, regular absorbency, and super absorbency tampons. DETAELED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION By the present invention, a system of distinct signal colors is used to implement the proper selection and use of consumer products, including catamenials, especially sanitary napkins and interlabial devices. The present invention may also be used in other fields such as beauty care, food and beverage, health care, laundry and cleaning, and tissues and towels. For example, color signals may be used in beauty care to denote more product performance characteristics of more or less moisture; in coffee products to differentiate between light, medium, and dark roast levels; in the health care area to denote stronger medicine such as cough drops and chloraseptics; in laundry and cleaning to indicate a higher concentration of detergent; and in tissues and towels to denote greater levels of absorbency. The use of signal colors in this manner univocally and unequivocally connotes performance characteristics, thereby improving user satisfaction with the product and decreased anxiety in choosing the correct product. Signal colors may be placed on a product or its packaging in any shape such as droplets, circles, parallelepipeds, or the like. The signal colors may also be placed on the product or its packaging in any convenient size, for example, they may encompass the entire product or may encompass part of the product. Furthermore, the overall trade dress of the product may use the signal colors in a variety of ways. Specifically, signal colors may be placed anywhere on the product, or package, e.g on the top, sides, or inside, or all three. When so employed, the color intensity range provides an easy and intuitive method for selecting the proper product (for example, that with the desired absorbency). When used on inner or outer wrap packaging the signals provide a method for selecting the proper products when the article is then removed from the original container and placed in the bathroom drawer, purse, etc. Many embodiments of absorbent articles are well-known in the art. Sanitary napkins, sanitary panties, interlabial devices, intravaginal devices (tampons), adult incontinence products, infant diapers, pantiliners, and the like, have been described in the extensive patent literature and many such articles are in the stream of commerce. See, for example: for sanitary napkins U.S. Patents: 4,463,045 issued to Ahr et al. and 4,556,146 issued to Swanson et al; for tampons such as U.S. Patents: 5,087,239 issued to Beastall et al. and 5,279,541 issued to Frayman et al.; and for diapers such as U.S. Patents: 4,573,986 issued to Minetola et al.; 4,695,278 issued to Lawson; 4,081,301 issued to Buell; and 4,515,595 issued to Kievit. Such articles contain an absorbent structure, typically in the form of a "core" or pad. Various fluid-permeable topsheets, fluid- impermeable backsheets, panty-protective "wings," tape fasteners and the like, are optionally used to construct elements for such articles and are all within the experience of those of ordinary skilled in the art. Likewise, the manufacture of such articles having differing absorbent capacities (here, for the sake of simplicity, designated as "extra," "regular," and "light") is also a matter of routine. By way of example and not intending to limit the present invention, a modern "extra" absorbent article will typically have an absorbent core comprising an AGM in combination with a cellulosic batt of fibers. Conversely, a "light" absorbent article may comprise only the fibrous batt, without the AGM. A "medium" absorbent article may contain some intermediate level of AGM. Again, without intending to limit the present invention, the following capacities (for menses) of absorbency designated as "extra," "regular," and "light," respectively, will typically, but non-quantitatively, fall within ranges FOR ULTRA THIN PADS Size Retained Capacity Regular Length 25 - 30 grams Long Length 30 grams Long Overnights 34 - 35 grams FOR INTERLABIAL DEVICES: Product Product Retained Capacity Size Length (mm) Caliper (mm) g @ .25 psi g @ 1.0 psi Light 76 (-16%) 4.5 3.7 (-35%) 2.7 (-32%) Regular 91 (Base) 5.5 5.7 (Base) 4.0 (Base) Long 106 (+16%) 6.5 10.5 (+84%) 6.7 (+67%) FOR TAMPONS: Size Retained Capacity Junior absorbency: < 6 grams Regular absorbency: 6 - 9 grams Super absorbency: 9 - 12 grams Superplus absorbency: 12 -15 grams FOR DISPOSABLE DIAPERS fAS URINE): There are no mandatory absorbency ranges for diapers. The diapers are marketed according to weight: Premie Newborn Small Small - Medium Large Extra-Large. Of course, the absorbent values of such capacities can be adjusted by the manufacturer, as evidenced by the fact that it has become commonplace to designate absorbency using various descriptive, but non-quantitative, terms such as "mini," "regular," "super," "maxi," "overnight," and the like, as a guide to selection based on the user's conception of expected absorbency performance, and perceived need. In its broadest aspect, the present invention relates to color indicators for use with the consumer articles (such as these mentioned previously) or their packaging. The term "color," as used herein, relates to the phenomenon of visual perception that enables one to differentiate otherwise identical objects. Colors may be expressed in terms of "hue," i.e., that attribute of colors that permits them to be classified as red, yellow, green, blue, etc., or as an intermediate between any contiguous pair of colors. Colors (hues) are also commonly perceived and referred to in terms of their relative intensities, using terms such as "light/medium/dark," "bright," "intensity" (i.e. "saturation" or "shades") and the like, either between colors or within a range of "shades" for otherwise the same color. Thus, one can readily perceive the difference between "light" (or "pale"), medium, and dark (or "deep") "shades" of red, blue, green, etc. In the context of one embodiment the present invention, a light or pale color (or shade) signals a "light" absorbency article; a medium color (or shade) signals a "regular" absorbency article; and a dark color signals an "extra" absorbency article. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the visual arts that the terms "light/medium/dark" or "pale/medium/deep" are relative, not absolute, terms that can be used to compare the intensity of colors/ hues with each other. While a wide palette of colors (including blacks and grays) can be employed herein, it is preferred to use a member selected from the group consisting of lavender, red, green, blue, yellow, violet, gray, and black. Moreover, while the use of different colors, especially those having differing intensities, can be used to signal absorbency or other product performance characteristic such as size and strength, it is preferred to use differing intensities or shades of the same basic hue. For example, over the range of intensities for the lavender hue: light lavender can signal light absorbency; medium lavender i.e. medium "purple" can signal regular absorbency; and deep purple can signal extra absorbency. An important advantage of using a range of intensity within the same hue is that continuity for the visual selection of the overall product line is maintained, while the user is provided with the desired, intuitive, selection, and usage means which is the object of this invention. For example, if the product performance characteristic being represented is absorbency, a pale lavender might represent low absorbency. A deep or high intensity purple might represent high absorbency, while an intermediate shade of lavender could represent regular absorbency. With such a line up, the consumer is able to remember easily that light intensity of color corresponds to lower absorbency while higher absorbency corresponds to a higher intensity shade of the color signal. Preferably, the variation in color intensity is great enough to be readily perceived by a consumer without having to refer to an external basis or calibration means for comparison. In a preferred mode, the product herein is displayed in a manner such that the consumer's attention is drawn to the entire product line. The product line may be but is not limited to the fields of beauty care; food and beverage; health care; laundry and cleaning; and tissues and towels. The product line may contain two or more products. Thus, on a store shelf or display rack, the products have the gradation of absorbencies are preferably placed in a side-by-side array, most preferably in ascending order of absorbency. The ascending order may be from left to right; right to left; up to down; down to up; horizontally; or diagonally. It is noted that side-by-side herein means that all articles in the product line are in sufficient proximity to each other, either horizontally, vertically, or diagonally to be within the consumer's zone of perception at the same time. The products should be in close enough proximity to prevent undue confusion for the consumer. Thus, in a horizontal display reading from left-to-right, products having low absorbency (light intensity), medium absorbency (medium intensity) and high absorbency (deepest intensity) are displayed together. This not only draws attention to the entire product line, but also provides additional visual signals to the consumer by virtue of the side-by-side display. The following Example illustrates the practice of the invention, but is not intended to be limiting thereof. Example I Multiple absorbent interlabial devices such as those described in PCT publication WO 98/57608 are separately packaged in film unit wrappers having the colors: light lavender, medium lavender, and dark lavender ("purple") respectively to create a product line. The lowest capacity interlabial devices are packaged in light lavender wrappers. The medium capacity interlabial devices are packaged in medium lavender wrappers. The extra capacity interlabial devices are packaged in dark lavender wrappers. The product line is shown to panelists who readily perceive the variation in absorbency by visual inspection of the colors. Figure 1 is the color line for the light lavender, medium lavender, and dark lavender. Figures 2 shows the lowest capacity interlabial device 1 packaged in a light lavender; the medium capacity interlabial device 2 packaged in medium lavender; and the extra capacity interlabial device 3 packaged in dark lavender. Example II A "multi-pack" kit comprising light, regular, and extra absorbency tampons is prepared. The kit consists of a three different intensities of the same hue to denote the respective absorbencies of the products within the kits. In an alternate mode, the kit can comprise a combination of pantiliners, sanitary napkins, and interlabial devices, each appropriately color-coded to indicate their respective differences in absorbencies in the mam er described above. Figure 3 is the color line for the light gray, medium gray, and dark gray. Figure 4 shows a kit containing a tampon package for junior absorbency 4 packaged in light gray, regular absorbency 5 packaged in medium gray, and super absorbency tampons 6 packaged in dark gray. Example III A diaper having the performance characteristic of size. Multiple diapers are separately packaged in film unit wrappers having the colors: light lavender, medium lavender, and dark lavender ("purple") respectively to create a product line. The Premie- sized diapers are packaged in extra-light lavender wrappers. The Newborn-sized diapers are packaged in light lavender wrappers. The Small-sized diapers are packaged in medium lavender wrappers. The Small - Medium-sized diapers are packed in dark lavender wrappers. The Large-sized diapers are packed in extra dark lavender wrappers. l l The product line is shown to panelists who readily perceive the variation in absorbency by visual inspection of the colors. There are various systems of defining color and intensity. Two common color systems are the HSB system and the L,a,b system. In Adobe Photoshop 5.0, the color charts define a specific color by using three characters of HSB. For example, in the HSB color system a color H can be defined along the circumference of a cone from 0 to 360, S refers to saturation which is the distance from 0 to 100 from the center of the cone, and B which is the black-white scale ranges from 0 to 100. In the L,a,b system, L refers to the white-black axis and the corresponding color identified in the L,a,b color solid is defined along three orthogonal axes. For example, H S B L a b Pure White 0 0 100 100 0 0 Pure Black 100 0 0 0 0 0 Red 0 100 100 54 81 70 Blue 240 100 100 30 68 - 112 There are an unlimited number of colors available and the various intensities of what appears to be the same color that can be made by varying H, S, and B. For example, in the HSB system, if H is constant about 240, and B is constant at about 100 while S is changed from about 100 to 60 the color remains a distinct blue but changes in the depth or intensity of color. Similarly, if H is constant about 250 and S is about 100 and B is about 100 the color which is a color that is definitely blue but as B changes from about 100 to 80 the color changes so it is a darker and more gray blue which causes a darker intensity. In another example, if S and B are about 100 a distinct range of dark to light blue occurs as the H changes from about 190 to 260. One of skill in the art would readily appreciate that a similar set of examples can be made for several other colors by simply going to Photoshop and going to the "color picking", or double clicking on the background-foreground color area of the tools. The disclosures of all patents, patent applications (and any patents which issue thereon, as well as any corresponding published foreign patent applications), and publications mentioned throughout this description are hereby incorporated by reference herein. It is expressly not admitted, however, that any of the documents incorporated by reference herein teach or disclose the present invention. While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that the various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims: CLAIMS What is claimed is: 1. A line of consumer products having two or more varying degrees of a pre-determined product performance characteristic, said line comprising: a first product having a first color identifier and a first degree of said predetermined product performance characteristic; and a second product having a second color identifier and a second degree of said predetermined product performance characteristic, wherein said first color identifier has a first color intensity, said second color identifier has a second color intensity, said first color intensity is less than said second color intensity, and wherein said first color identifier corresponds to said first degree of said product performance characteristic, said second color identifier corresponds to said second degree of said product performance characteristic. 2. The line of consumer products of Claim 1 wherein said first degree of said product performance characteristic is less than said second degree of said product performance characteristic. 3. The line of consumer products of Claim 1, wherein said first and said second color identifiers have a similar hue. 4. The line of consumer products of Claim 1 wherein said consumer products comprise catamenial articles. 5. The line of consumer products of Claim 1 wherein said consumer products comprise sanitary napkins and interlabial devices. 6. The line of consumer products according to Claim 1 which comprises two or more of said products displayed in a side-by-side array. 7. A consumer product kit comprising: at least two consumer products having at least two varying degrees of a predetermined product performance characteristic wherein at least two consumer products has a first product having a first color identifier and a first degree of said pre-determined product performance characteristic; a second product having a second color identifier and a second degree of said predetermined product performance characteristic wherein said first color identifier having a first color intensity, said second color identifier having a second color intensity, said first color intensity being less than said second color intensity, and wherein said first color identifier corresponds to said first degree of said product performance characteristic, said second color identifier corresponds to said second degree of said product performance characteristic; and a common package which encompasses said first product and said second product. 8. The consumer product kit of Claim 7 wherein each of said at least two consumers products is further packaged in an individual product wrapper. 9. The consumer product kit according to Claim 8 wherein said color indicators are provided on a surface which is a member selected from the group consisting of: a.) an outer package; b.) said individual product wrapper; c.) said products; d.) usage instructions packaged with said kit; and e.) mixtures of two or more of a), b), c), and d). 10. A method of improving user compliance in a usage regimen which involves a line of consumer products having two or more varying degrees of a pre-determined product performance characteristic, comprising signaling said performance characteristic to the user by means of color identifier of the line of consumer products according to Claim 1. 11. The method according to Claim 10 wherein said color identifiers comprise different intensities of the same hue. 12. The method according to Claim 10 a line of consumer products comprises three varying of a pre-determined product performance characteristic, and wherein said predetermined product performance characteristic is absorbent capacity. 13. A method of providing a line of consumer products, said method comprising the steps of: a) providing a first consumer product, said first consumer product having a first absorbent capacity; b) providing a second consumer product, said second consumer product having a second absorbent capacity; c) providing a third consumer product, said third consumer product having a third absorbent capacity wherein said first consumer product has a first color identifier having a first color intensity; wherein said second consumer product has a second color identifier having a second color intensity; and wherein said third consumer product has a third color identifier having a third color intensity.

Inventors: FARRIS DIANE DUNN, REDWINE NONA JANE, FARRIS, DIANE, DUNN, REDWINE, NONA, JANE
Applicants: PROCTER & GAMBLE, THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY
Application year: 2001
Main classification: A61F15
IPC codes: A61F15, G09F3