Patent Publication Number: US-2005133401-A1

Title: Pre-packaged absorbent article and sun protection accessories arrangement

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates generally to absorbent articles intended for personal wear, and more particularly to such absorbent articles which are typically suitable as swimwear and are pre-packaged with sunscreen and other swim accessories.  
      Absorbent articles such as swim pants, diapers, training pants, incontinence garments and the like have found widespread use in the areas of adult care, infant care and child care. Disposable swim pants, for example, are typically worn by children that have not completed toilet training and are particularly suitable for wear during swimming. Absorbent articles conventionally comprise a liquid permeable body-facing liner, a liquid impermeable outer cover, and an absorbent structure (also referred to as an absorbent body or absorbent core) formed separate from the outer cover and liner and disposed therebetween for taking in and retaining liquid (e.g., urine) exuded by the wearer. Such articles are generally sold or otherwise distributed in multiple article packages.  
      The potentially harmful effects of overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, e.g., from the sun, are well known. For outdoor activities such as swimming, it has become of increasing importance for caregivers to take various accessories (in addition to absorbent articles such as swim pants) to the pool, beach, lake, etc. to use in providing protection for children against UV radiation. Sunscreen compositions, UV indicators (which detect and/or monitor exposure to UV radiation), sunglasses, hats, umbrellas, and the like are all known to be useful sun protection accessories. However, with so many accessories available, some or all of these accessories are often forgotten or inconvenient to purchase separately.  
      There is a need, therefore, for a way to package absorbent articles and sun protection accessories together for distribution as a single unit, such as at the point of sale, to reduce the risk of forgetting to bring such articles and accessories to a swimming locale.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      In general, a pre-packaged absorbent article and sun protection accessories arrangement according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises an absorbent article for personal wear, a sunscreen carrier containing a sunscreen composition, and at least one packaging element. The absorbent article, the sunscreen carrier and the packaging element are arranged relative to each other for distribution together as a single unit.  
      Other features of the invention will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a side perspective of an article of the present invention shown in the form of a pair of swim pants broken open on one side to show an interior of the pants;  
       FIG. 2  is a bottom plan view of the swim pants of  FIG. 1  with the pants in an open, unfolded and laid flat condition, and showing the surface of the pants that faces away from the wearer;  
       FIG. 3  is a top plan view similar to  FIG. 2  showing the surface of the swim pants that faces the wearer when worn and with portions cut away to show underlying features;  
       FIG. 4  is a side elevation of one embodiment of an absorbent article and sun protection accessories arrangement of the present invention;  
       FIG. 5  is a perspective thereof;  
       FIG. 6  is a side elevation of a second embodiment of an arrangement of the present invention;  
       FIG. 7  is a side elevation of a third embodiment of an arrangement of the present invention, with a portion shown in section to reveal internal construction;  
       FIG. 8  is a side elevation of a fourth embodiment of an arrangement of the present invention;  
       FIG. 9  is a side elevation of a fifth embodiment of an arrangement of the present invention, with a wrap shown in section to reveal internal construction;  
       FIG. 10  is a side elevation of a sixth embodiment of an arrangement of the present invention, with a portion broken away to reveal internal construction;  
       FIG. 11  is a perspective of a seventh embodiment of an arrangement of the present invention;  
       FIG. 12  is a perspective of an eighth embodiment of an arrangement of the present invention;  
       FIG. 13  is a side elevation of a ninth embodiment of an arrangement of the present invention;  
       FIG. 14  is a side elevation of a tenth embodiment of an arrangement of the present invention;  
       FIG. 15  is a perspective of an eleventh embodiment of an arrangement of the present invention; and  
       FIG. 16  is a perspective of a twelfth embodiment of an arrangement of the present invention. 
    
    
      Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.  
      Definitions  
      Within the context of this specification, each term or phrase below includes the following meaning or meanings:  
      “Attached” refers to the joining, adhering, connecting, bonding, or the like, of two elements. Two elements will be considered to be attached to one another when they are attached directly to one another or indirectly to one another, such as when each is directly attached to intermediate elements.  
      “Hydrophilic” describes fibers or the surfaces of fibers which are wetted by aqueous liquids in contact with the fibers. The degree of wetting of the materials can, in turn, be described in terms of the contact angles and the surface tensions of the liquids and materials involved. Equipment and techniques suitable for measuring the wettability of particular fiber materials or blends of fiber materials can be provided by a Cahn SFA-222 Surface Force Analyzer System, or a substantially equivalent system. When measured with this system, fibers having contact angles less than 90 degrees are designated “wettable” or hydrophilic, and fibers having contact angles greater than 90 degrees are designated “nonwettable” or hydrophobic.  
      “Layer” when used in the singular can have the dual meaning of a single element or a plurality of elements.  
      “Liquid impermeable,” when used in describing a layer or multi-layer laminate means that liquid body waste, such as urine, will not pass through the layer or laminate, under ordinary use conditions, in a direction generally perpendicular to the plane of the layer or laminate at the point of liquid contact.  
      “Liquid permeable” refers to any material that is not liquid impermeable.  
      “Meltblown” refers to fibers formed by extruding a molten thermoplastic material through a plurality of fine, usually circular, die capillaries as molten threads or filaments into converging high velocity heated gas (e.g., air) streams which attenuate the filaments of molten thermoplastic material to reduce their diameters. Thereafter, the meltblown fibers are carried by the high velocity gas stream and are deposited on a collecting surface to form a web of randomly dispersed meltblown fibers. Such a process is disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,849,241 to Butin et al.  
      “Non-woven” and “non-woven web” refer to materials and webs of material which are formed without the aid of a textile weaving or knitting process.  
      “Superabsorbent” refers to a water-swellable, water-insoluble organic or inorganic material capable, under the most favorable conditions, of absorbing at least about fifteen times its weight and, more desirably, at least about thirty times its weight in an aqueous solution containing 0.9 weight percent sodium chloride. The superabsorbent materials can be natural, synthetic and modified natural polymers and materials, or a combination of such materials. In addition, the superabsorbent materials can be inorganic materials, such as silica gels, or organic compounds such as cross-linked polymers.  
      “Thermoplastic” describes a material which softens when exposed to heat and which substantially returns to a non-softened condition when cooled to room temperature.  
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
      Referring now to the drawings and in particular to  FIG. 1 , an absorbent article useful in the arrangement of the present invention is shown in the form of children&#39;s swim pants and is indicated in its entirety by the reference numeral  20 . The swim pants  20  may or may not be disposable, which refers to articles that are intended to be discarded after a limited period of use instead of being laundered or otherwise conditioned for reuse. It is understood that the arrangements of the present invention may include absorbent articles other than swim pants  20 , including but not limited to diapers, training pants, feminine hygiene products, incontinence products and other personal care or health care garments without departing from the scope of the present invention.  
      The pair of swim pants  20  is illustrated in  FIG. 1  with the pants broken open along a side seam. The pair of swim pants  20  comprises longitudinal end regions, otherwise referred to herein as a front waist region  22  and back waist region  24 , and a center region, otherwise referred to herein as a crotch region  26 , extending longitudinally between and interconnecting the front and back waist regions. The pants  20  also has an inner surface  28  adapted (e.g., positioned relative to the other components of the pants  20 ) for contiguous relationship with the wearer, and an outer surface  30  opposite the inner surface. The front and back waist regions  22 ,  24  comprise those portions of the pants  20 , which when worn, wholly or partially cover or encircle the waist or mid-lower torso of the wearer. The crotch region  26  generally comprises that portion of the pants  20  which, when worn, is positioned between the legs of the wearer and covers the lower torso and crotch of the wearer. With additional reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the pair of swim pants  20  has a pair of laterally opposite side edges  36  and a pair of longitudinally opposite waist edges (broadly, longitudinal ends), respectively designated front waist edge  38  and back waist edge  39 .  
      The illustrated pants  20  comprises a central absorbent assembly, generally indicated at  32 , having a pair of laterally opposite front side panels  34  extending laterally outward at the front waist region  22  and a pair of laterally opposite back side panels  134  extending laterally outward at the back waist region  24 . The central absorbent assembly  32  is illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3  as being generally rectangular. However, it is contemplated that the absorbent assembly  32  may be other than rectangular, such as hourglass shaped, T-shaped, I-shaped, and the like without departing from the scope of this invention.  
      Still referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , the central absorbent assembly  32  comprises an outer cover  40  and a bodyside liner  42  ( FIGS. 1 and 3 ) attached to the outer cover in a superposed relationship therewith by adhesives, ultrasonic bonds, thermal bonds and/or other conventional attachment techniques. The liner  42  is suitably adapted, i.e., positioned relative to the other components of the pants  20 , for contiguous relationship with the wearer&#39;s skin during wear. The absorbent assembly  32  also comprises an absorbent structure  44  ( FIG. 3 ) disposed between the outer cover  40  and the bodyside liner  42  for absorbing liquid body exudates exuded by the wearer, and a pair of containment flaps  46  ( FIG. 3 ) secured to the bodyside liner  42  for inhibiting the lateral flow of body exudates.  
      The central absorbent assembly  32  of the illustrated embodiment has longitudinal ends which form portions of the front and back waist edges  38  and  39 , and opposite side edges which form portions of the side edges  36  of the swim pants  20  ( FIGS. 2 and 3 ). For further reference, arrows  48  and  49  depict the orientation of the longitudinal axis and the transverse or lateral axis, respectively, of the swim pants  20 .  
      The front and back side panels  34 ,  134  are suitably frangibly connected to each other at laterally opposite side seams of the pants  20 , such as by using adhesive, or by thermal or ultrasonic bonding, or by other conventional techniques, to define a three-dimensional pants configuration having a waist opening  50  ( FIG. 1 ) and a pair of leg openings  52 . The front and back side panels  34  and  134 , upon wearing of the pants  20 , thus comprise the portions of the training pants  20  which are positioned on the hips of the wearer. The front and back waist edges  38  and  39  of the training pants  20  are configured to encircle the waist of the wearer and together define the waist opening  50  ( FIG. 1 ) of the pants. Portions of the side edges  36  of the pants  20  in the crotch region  26  generally define the leg openings  52  of the pants  20 . In the alternative, the front and back side panels  34  and  134  can be permanently bonded together to form the three-dimensional configuration of the pants  20 , or the side panels may be refastenably connected with one another, such as by suitable hook-and-loop type fasteners (not shown) without departing from the scope of this invention.  
      A flap elastic member  53  ( FIG. 3 ) can be operatively joined with each containment flap  46  in any suitable manner as is well known in the art. The elasticized containment flaps  46  define a partially unattached edge which assumes an upright configuration in at least the crotch region  26  of the swim pants  20  to form a seal against the wearer&#39;s body. The containment flaps  46  can be located along the side edges  36  of the pants  20 , and can extend longitudinally along the entire length of the absorbent assembly  32  or may only extend partially along the length of the absorbent assembly. Suitable constructions and arrangements for the containment flaps  46  are generally well known to those skilled in the art and are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,704,116 issued Nov. 3, 1987 to Enloe, which is incorporated herein by reference.  
      To further enhance containment and/or absorption of body exudates, the swim pants  20  also suitably includes a front waist elastic member  54  ( FIG. 3 ), a rear waist elastic member  56 , and leg elastic members  58 , as are known to those skilled in the art. The waist elastic members  54  and  56  can be operatively joined to the outer cover  40  and/or the bodyside liner  42  along the opposite waist edges  38  and  39 , and can extend along a portion or all of the respective waist edges. The leg elastic members  58  can be operatively joined to the outer cover  40  and/or the bodyside liner  42  along the opposite side edges  36  of the pants  20  and positioned in the crotch region  26  of the swim pants. Each leg elastic member  58  has a front terminal point  63  and a back terminal point  65 , which represent the longitudinal ends of the elastic gathering caused by the leg elastic members.  
      The flap elastic members  53 , the waist elastic members  54  and  56 , and the leg elastic members  58  can be formed of any suitable elastic material. As is well known to those skilled in the art, suitable elastic materials include sheets, strands or ribbons of natural rubber, synthetic rubber, or thermoplastic elastomeric polymers. The elastic materials can be stretched and adhered to a substrate, adhered to a gathered substrate, or adhered to a substrate and then elasticized or shrunk, for example with the application of heat, such that elastic retractive forces are imparted to the substrate.  
      The side panels  34 ,  134  can be permanently bonded along seams  66  to the central absorbent assembly  32  in the respective front and back waist regions  22  and  24 . More particularly, as seen best in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the front side panels  34  can be permanently bonded to and extend transversely outward beyond the side edges of the absorbent assembly  32  at the front waist region  22 , and the back side panels  134  can be permanently bonded to and extend transversely outward beyond the side edges of the absorbent assembly at the back waist region  24 . The side panels  34  and  134  may be bonded to the absorbent assembly  32  using attachment means known to those skilled in the art such as adhesive, thermal or ultrasonic bonding. Alternatively, the side panels  34  and  134  can be formed as an integral portion of a component of the absorbent assembly  32 . For example, the side panels  34 ,  134  can comprise a generally wider portion of the outer cover  40 , the bodyside liner  42 , and/or another component of the absorbent assembly  32 .  
      The side panels  34 ,  134  suitably, although not necessarily, comprise an elastic material capable of stretching in a direction generally parallel to the transverse axis  49  of the swim pants  20 . Suitable elastic materials, as well as one process of incorporating elastic side panels into absorbent pants, are described in the following U.S. Pat. No. 4,940,464 issued Jul. 10, 1990 to Van Gompel et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,224,405 issued Jul. 6, 1993 to Pohjola; U.S. Pat. No. 5,104,116 issued Apr. 14, 1992 to Pohjola; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,046,272 issued Sep. 10, 1991 to Vogt et al.; all of which are incorporated herein by reference. In particular embodiments, the elastic material may comprise a stretch-thermal laminate (STL), a neck-bonded laminate (NBL), a reversibly necked laminate, or a stretch-bonded laminate (SBL) material. Methods of making such materials are well known to those skilled in the art and described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,663,220 issued May 5, 1987 to Wisneski et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,226,992 issued Jul. 13, 1993 to Morman; European Patent Application No. EP 0 217 032 published on Apr. 8, 1987 in the name of Taylor et al.; and PCT application WO 01/88245 in the name of Welch et al.; all of which are incorporated herein by reference. Alternatively, the side panel material may comprise other woven or non-woven materials, such as those described later herein as being suitable for construction of the outer cover  40  and/or the bodyside liner  42 ; mechanically pre-strained composites; or stretchable but inelastic materials.  
      The outer cover  40  suitably comprises a material that is substantially liquid impermeable. For example, the outer cover  40  can be a single layer of liquid impermeable material, but more suitably comprises a multi-layered laminate structure in which at least one of the layers is liquid impermeable. One such laminate includes a liquid permeable outer layer and a liquid impermeable inner layer that are suitably joined together by laminate adhesive, ultrasonic bonds, thermal bonds, or the like. Suitable laminate adhesives, which can be applied continuously or intermittently as beads, a spray, parallel swirls, or the like, can be obtained from Bostik Findley Adhesives, Inc., of Wauwatosa, Wis., U.S.A., or from National Starch and Chemical Company, Bridgewater, N.J. U.S.A. The liquid permeable outer layer can be any suitable material and is desirably one that provides a generally cloth-like texture. The outer layer may also be made of those materials of which the liquid permeable bodyside liner  42  is made. While it is not a necessity for the outer layer to be liquid permeable, it is suitable that it provides a relatively cloth-like texture to the wearer.  
      The inner layer of the outer cover  40  can be both liquid and vapor impermeable, or it may be liquid impermeable and vapor permeable. The inner layer can be manufactured from a thin plastic film, although other flexible liquid impermeable materials may also be used. The inner layer, or the liquid impermeable outer cover  40  when a single layer, prevents waste material from wetting articles, such as clothing, as well as the wearer and caregiver. The outer cover  40  is suitably sized (e.g., in length and width) larger than the absorbent structure  44  to extend outward beyond the periphery thereof. For example, the outer cover  40  may extend outward beyond the absorbent structure  44  periphery a distance in the range of about 1.3 centimeters to about 2.5 centimeters (about 0.5 to 1 inch).  
      The bodyside liner  42  is suitably compliant, soft-feeling, and non-irritating to the wearer&#39;s skin. The bodyside liner  42  is also sufficiently liquid permeable to permit liquid body exudates to readily penetrate through its thickness to the absorbent structure  44 . A suitable bodyside liner  42  may be manufactured from a wide selection of web materials, such as porous foams, reticulated foams, apertured plastic films, woven and non-woven webs, or a combination of any such materials. For example, the bodyside liner  42  may comprise a meltblown web, a spunbonded web, or a bonded-carded-web composed of natural fibers, synthetic fibers or combinations thereof. The bodyside liner  42  may be composed of a substantially hydrophobic material, and the hydrophobic material may optionally be treated with a surfactant or otherwise processed to impart a desired level of wettability and hydrophilicity.  
      The bodyside liner  42  and outer cover  40  are suitably attached to one another. For example, the bodyside liner  42  may be directly attached to the outer cover  40  by affixing the bodyside liner  42  directly thereto, or it may be indirectly attached to the outer cover by affixing the bodyside liner to intermediate components which in turn are affixed to the outer cover. The bodyside liner  42  and the outer cover  40  can, for example, be attached to each other along at least a portion of their periphery by adhesive, ultrasonic bonding, thermal bonding or other suitable attachment techniques known in the art.  
      The absorbent structure  44  is compressible, conformable and capable of absorbing and retaining liquid body exudates released by the wearer. It should be understood, for purposes of this invention, that the absorbent structure  44  may comprise a single, integral piece of material, or alternatively it may comprise a plurality of individual separate pieces of material which are layered or otherwise operatively assembled together.  
      In a particularly suitable embodiment, the absorbent structure  44  comprises a matrix of hydrophilic fibers, and more suitably cellulosic fluff, such as wood pulp fluff. One suitable pulp fluff is identified with the trade designation CR1654, commercially available from Bowater of Coosa Pines, Ala., U.S.A., and is a bleached, highly absorbent sulfate wood pulp containing primarily soft wood fibers and about 16 percent hardwood fibers. As an alternative to wood pulp fluff, synthetic fibers, polymeric fibers, meltblown fibers, short cut homofil bicomponent synthetic fibers, or other natural fibers may be used without departing from the scope of this invention. It is also contemplated that the absorbent structure may, in some embodiments, further comprise superabsorbent material.  
      With reference now to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a pre-packaged absorbent article and sun protection accessories arrangement generally comprises an absorbent article, such as the swim pants  20  shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , a sunscreen carrier, generally indicated at  202  and containing a sunscreen composition, and a packaging element, generally indicated at  204 , arranged relative to each other for distribution together as a single unit. The swim pants  20  are shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5  in a folded configuration with the side panels  34 ,  134  generally tucked between the front and back waist regions  22 ,  24  of the pants. However, the pants  20  may instead be unfolded or otherwise in a configuration other than the folded configuration shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5  and remain within the scope of this invention.  
      The sunscreen carrier  202  is shown in the form of a relatively small envelope, or packet  206  containing enough sunscreen composition for a single use. The packet  206  may be constructed of paper, plastic, foil, another suitable material or a combination thereof. Product information (not shown but substantially the same as product information  256  shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 10 ), such as the product name, manufacturer, product description, content quantity, use instructions and the like may be imprinted on the packet  206 . Alternatively, or additionally, the packet  206  may be constructed of a relatively transparent or translucent material so that the contents of the packet are visible through the packet.  
      The sunscreen composition may generally be any sunscreen composition intended for application to a person&#39;s skin to protect the skin against ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Suitable sunscreen compositions may comprise organic and/or inorganic materials. Such sunscreen compositions are well known in the art and will not be further described herein except to the extent necessary to set forth the present invention. Some examples of suitable sunscreen compositions are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,309,626, issued Oct. 30, 2001 to Raman; U.S. Pat. No. 6,395,269 issued May 28, 2002 to Fuller et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,432,389 issued Aug. 13, 2002 to Hansenne et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,440,402 issued Aug. 27, 2002 to Gonzalez et al. The sunscreen composition may be delivered in any of a number of forms, such as creams, foams, gels, lotions, milks, mousses, oils, sticks, tonics and the like. It is also understood that the sunscreen carrier  202  for the sunscreen composition may be in a form other than the packet  206 , such as a tube, a pour bottle, a spray bottle, a wipe containing sunscreen composition, and the like without departing from the scope of this invention.  
      In the illustrated embodiment of  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the packaging element  204  comprises a layer of adhesive  208  securing the sunscreen carrier  202  to the outer cover  40  of the folded swim pants  20 . The adhesive  208  is suitably sufficiently tacky to hold the sunscreen carrier  202  on the swim pants  20  for distribution yet allow easy removal of the sunscreen carrier from the pants (e.g., without tearing or otherwise damaging the outer cover of the pants) when the sunscreen composition is to be used. For example, one suitable adhesive comprises a flexible self-sustaining backing coated with a stable viscous copolymer latex formed from monomers of (1) major amounts of certain alkyl acrylates, (2) minor amounts of certain emulsifier monomers, and (3) if desired, minor amounts of zwitterionic monomers, and the water evaporated from the latex to leave a tacky and pressure-sensitive adhesive. As an alternative example, the adhesive may suitably be a repositionable pressure-sensitive adhesive comprising from about 70% to about 99% solid, polymeric, acrylate, inherently tacky, infusible, solvent-insoluble, solvent-dispersible, elastomeric microspheres comprising at least one alkyl acrylate or alkyl methacrylate ester; and at least one polar monomer, and correspondingly, from about 30% to about 1% of a binder copolymer comprising an elastomeric polymeric backbone.  
      The adhesive  208  can be initially applied to the packet  206  and/or to the outer cover  40  of the swim pants  20  and then the packet and outer cover brought together to adhere the packet to the swim pants. It is also understood that the adhesive  208  may be applied in generally any pattern, such as a continuous stream, intermittent stream, spray, swirl, separated beads or other suitable patterns. While in the illustrated embodiment the sunscreen carrier  202  is adhered to the outer cover  40  of the swim pants  20 , it is contemplated that the sunscreen carrier may instead be adhered to the liner  42  of the swim pants and disposed between the front and back waist regions  22 ,  24  in the folded configuration of the swim pants without departing from the scope of this invention.  
       FIG. 6  illustrates an alternative embodiment in which the sunscreen carrier  202  comprises a tube  210  containing sunscreen composition. The tube  210  is sized to contain enough sunscreen composition for a single use and is adhered to the outer cover  40  of the swim pants  20  by adhesive  208 , such as any of the adhesives described previously.  
      In another embodiment of an arrangement of the present invention, shown in  FIG. 7 , the sunscreen carrier  202  comprises a wipe  220  that contains sunscreen composition. The packaging element  204  of this embodiment generally comprises a cover sheet  222  sized to overlay the wipe  220  with a peripheral edge margin  224  of the cover sheet extending outward beyond the wipe to overlay the outer cover  40  of the swim pants  20 . The cover sheet  222  is releasably secured to the swim pants  20  at the peripheral edge margin  224  of the cover sheet, such as by adhesive  208 , so that the swim pants, wipe  220  and cover sheet are distributable as a single unit. The adhesive  208  is suitably any of the adhesives described previously herein.  
      The cover sheet  222  is suitably constructed of a plastic film. However, it is understood that the cover sheet  222  may instead, or may additionally, be constructed of foil, paper or other suitable materials without departing from the scope of this invention. The cover sheet  222  may have product information (not shown but substantially similar to the product information  256  shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 10 ), such as product name, manufacturer, product description, content quantity, use instructions and the like imprinted thereon. Alternatively, or additionally, the cover sheet  222  may be relatively transparent, or translucent, so that the wipe  220  is visible through the cover sheet.  
       FIG. 8  illustrates an alternative embodiment in which the sunscreen carrier  202  comprises a small bottle  230  containing a single use amount of sunscreen composition. The packaging element  204  comprises a sleeve  232  encircling the folded swim pants  20  and bottle  230  to hold the swim pants, bottle and sleeve together for distribution as a single unit. The sleeve  232  is suitably constructed of a plastic film. For example, a single strip of film may be wrapped around the swim pants  20  and bottle  230  and secured in place, such as by overlapping the film upon itself and securing the overlapping portion to the underlying portion by adhesive or other conventional bonding technique. Alternatively, the sleeve  232  may be fully formed prior to the folded swim pants  20  and bottle  230  being inserted there through. It is also contemplated that the sleeve  232  may be constructed of a heat-shrinkable material so that the sleeve may be heated and shrunk after being placed around the swim pants  20  and bottle  230  to more tightly hold the pants, bottle and sleeve together.  
      The sleeve  232  may have product information (not shown but substantially similar to the product information  256  shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 10 ), such as product name, manufacturer, product description, content quantity, use instructions and the like imprinted thereon. Alternatively, or additionally, the sleeve  232  may be relatively transparent, or translucent, so that the swim pants  20  and/or bottle  230  are visible through the sleeve. It is also understood that while in the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 8  the sunscreen carrier  202  is a bottle  230 , the sunscreen carrier and the sunscreen composition therein may be any of those carriers and/or compositions described either previously or later herein.  
      The sleeve  232  is illustrated in  FIG. 8  as having a width that is somewhat smaller than the length (e.g., the height as shown in  FIG. 8 ) of the bottle  230 . However, it is contemplated that the sleeve  232  may have a width sized substantially greater than the length of the sunscreen carrier  202  (e.g., the bottle  230 ) and may even extend the full length of the folded swim pants  20 . It is also contemplated that the sleeve  232  may have a width that is smaller than is shown in  FIG. 8  without departing from the scope of this invention.  
       FIG. 9  illustrates another embodiment of the present invention in which the sunscreen carrier  202  is substantially similar to that of the illustrated embodiment of  FIGS. 4 and 5 , i.e., in the form of a packet  206  containing sunscreen composition. However, it is understood that the sunscreen carrier  202  and sunscreen composition contained therein may be any of the carriers and/or compositions described previously or later herein.  
      The packaging element  204  of the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 9  is in the form of a wrap  240  that is closed about its periphery to fully enclose the swim pants  20  and packet  206  within an interior space  244  of the wrap. The wrap  240  is suitably constructed of plastic, such as a plastic film, although the wrap may alternatively, or additionally, be constructed of paper or other suitable wrap materials. As an example, in one embodiment the wrap  240  may be formed from an opposed pair of plastic sheets that are secured together, such as by adhesive, thermal bonding or ultrasonic bonding, or other suitable technique, at peripheral edge margins  246  thereof along three sides to form a bag-like configuration having one open side. The swim pants  20  and packet  206  are positioned therein and the edge margins  246  along the remaining open side are secured together to enclose the swim pants and packet therein. Alternatively, the wrap  240  may include a hinged flap (not shown) or other closure to frangibly or releasably close the wrap. It is also contemplated that the wrap  240  may be constructed of a heat shrinkable material so that the wrap may be heated and shrunk after the swim pants  20  and packet  206  are enclosed therein.  
      The wrap  240  may have product information (not shown but similar to the product information  256  shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 10 ), such as product name, manufacturer, product description, content quantity, use instructions and the like imprinted thereon. Alternatively, or additionally, the wrap  240  may be transparent, or translucent, so that the swim pants  20  and/or packet  206  are visible through the wrap. In the illustrated embodiment the packet  206  (e.g., the sunscreen carrier  202 ) is enclosed within the interior space  244  of the wrap  240  along with the swim pants  20  but is otherwise unsecured to the swim pants. However, it is understood that the packet  206  may secured to the swim pants by an additional packaging element, such as by adhesive  208  as shown in  FIG. 4  and described previously herein. It is also contemplated that the swim pants  20  may be enclosed within the wrap  240  while the sunscreen carrier  202  is disposed exterior of the wrap and secured thereto by an additional packaging element, such as adhesive, without departing from the scope of this invention.  
       FIG. 10  illustrates another embodiment in which a plurality of swim pants  20 , each in its respective folded configuration, is enclosed within an interior space  254  of a single wrap  250  (broadly defining the packaging element  204 ) along with a sunscreen carrier  202  so that the swim pants, sunscreen carrier and wrap are distributable as a single unit. The wrap  250  is suitably substantially similar in construction to the wrap  240  illustrated in  FIG. 9  and described previously herein, but sized sufficiently larger to enclose multiple swim pants  20 . The sunscreen carrier  202  of the illustrated embodiment is a bottle  252  containing sunscreen composition in an amount sufficient for multiple uses. It is understood that the sunscreen carrier  202  and sunscreen composition therein may instead be substantially similar to any of the other carriers and/or compositions described previously or later herein, as long as the sunscreen carrier is sufficiently sized to contain enough sunscreen composition for multiple uses.  
      With reference now to  FIG. 11 , the packaging element  204  is illustrated therein in the form of a pail  260  having an interior space  262 . The pail  260  is suitably of the type commonly taken to the beach for playing in the sand. One or more swim pants  20  (one is shown in  FIG. 11 ) and at least one sunscreen carrier  202  (one is shown in  FIG. 11  in the form of a bottle  252 ) are disposed within the interior space  262  of the pail such that the pail, swim pants and sunscreen carrier are distributable as a single unit. It is contemplated that the sunscreen carrier  202  may be secured to the swim pants  20 , such as in the manner of any of the embodiments of  FIGS. 4-9  described previously herein. It is also contemplated that the sunscreen carrier  202  and/or the swim pants  20  may instead, or may additionally, be secured within the pail  260 , such as by being adhered to a bottom wall (not shown) or side wall  266  of the pail, to inhibit the sunscreen carrier and/or swim pants against falling out of the pail.  
      The pail  260  is suitably constructed of plastic or metal for repeated use. However, the pail  260  may instead be constructed of paper or other material whereby the pail is generally intended for disposal after a short duration, such as at the end of a day of playing at the beach. A closure (not shown), such as a lid or a suitable wrap, may cover the open top of the pail  260  to enclose the swim pants  20  and sunscreen carrier  202  in the pail for distribution. It is also understood that the sunscreen carrier  202  may be secured to an outer surface  268  of the side wall  266  of the pail  260 , such as by adhesive, by a sleeve (not shown but similar to the sleeve  232  of  FIG. 8 ) extending about the side wall  266  of the pail, or by other suitable securement techniques, without departing from the scope of this invention.  
      In alternative embodiment, the packaging element  204  may instead comprise a carrying bag  270  (e.g., a tote bag, diaper bag, beach bag, waist pouch, back pack, etc.), as shown in  FIG. 12 , or other suitable article commonly used to pack items taken to the beach or outdoor venues. The carrying bag  270  shown in  FIG. 12  has a generally open top. However, it is understood that the carrying bag  270  may be closeable at the top (e.g., by zipper, hook-and-loop fasteners or other suitable fasteners) to substantially enclose the swim pants  20  and sunscreen carrier  202  within the bag for distribution. The bag  270  may be constructed of any suitable fabric, netting, plastic and the like, or it may instead be constructed of a material (e.g., paper) intended for disposal after a short duration.  
      With particular reference now to  FIG. 13 , each of the arrangements shown in  FIGS. 4-12  and described previously herein may further comprise an ultraviolet (UV) indicator, generally indicated at  302  in  FIG. 13 , suitable for detecting UV radiation (in which instance the indicator may be otherwise sometimes referred to as a UV detector) or for determining the level of exposure to UV radiation (in which instance the indicator may be otherwise sometimes referred to as a dosimeter). As used herein, ultraviolet radiation generally refers to radiation in the range of about 100 to about 400 nanometers. In one embodiment, the UV indicator  302  suitably comprises a photochromic or photosensitive composition that changes color upon exposure to UV radiation. Such compositions are well known to those skilled in the art and will not be further described herein except to the extent necessary to describe the present invention. For example, photochromic and photosensitive UV indicators are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,581,090 (Goudjil), issued Dec. 3, 1996; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,132,681 (Faran et al.), issued Oct. 17, 2000, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. It is contemplated that UV indicators other than those comprising a photochromic or photosensitive composition (e.g., other than those that change colors upon exposure) may be used without departing from the scope of this invention.  
      In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 13 , the swim pants  20 , sunscreen carrier  202  and packaging element  204  are substantially the same as those illustrated in  FIG. 4 . The UV indicator  302  is shown in the form of a substrate  306  having a photochromic or photosensitive composition applied to or otherwise formed integrally with the substrate. The UV indicator  302  is suitably permanently secured to the swim pants  20  by another packaging element, generally indicated at  304 , such as adhesive  308  (e.g., in the manner of a sticker), for distribution together with the swim pants and sunscreen carrier  202  as a single unit. In this manner, the UV indicator  302  remains on the swim pants  20  during use. Alternatively, the UV indicator  302  may be releasably secured to the swim pants  20 , such as by a less tacky adhesive  308 , by a hook-and-loop fastener (not shown) or by other suitable releasable fastening techniques so that the UV indicator may be removed from the swim pants and placed elsewhere (e.g., on skin, clothing or other articles to be exposed to UV radiation) during use. Instead of being secured directly to the swim pants  20 , the UV indicator  302  may be secured (permanently or releasably) to the sunscreen carrier  202  as shown in  FIG. 14  by adhesive  308 .  
       FIG. 15  illustrates a pail  260  having substantially the same construction as that illustrated in  FIG. 11 , with a pair of swim pants  20  and a sunscreen carrier  202  disposed therein. A UV indicator  302  similar to that shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14  is secured (permanently or releasably) to the outer surface  268  of the pail  260  for distribution with the pail, swim pants  20  and sunscreen carrier  202  as a single unit. For example the UV indicator may be secured to the outer surface  268  of the pail  260  by adhesive (not shown), by hook-and-loop fasteners (not shown) or by other suitable fastening techniques.  
      It is also contemplated that in some embodiments the UV indicator  302  may be formed integrally with the packaging element  204 . For example, the cover sheet  222  of the embodiment of  FIG. 7 , the sleeve  232  of the embodiment of  FIG. 8 , the wrap  240  of the embodiment of  FIG. 9 , the wrap  250  of the embodiment of  FIG. 10 , the pail  260  of the embodiment of  FIG. 11  and the carrying bag  270  of the embodiment of  FIG. 12  may be constructed in part of a photochromic or photosensitive composition. Alternatively, or additionally, the UV indicator  302  may be formed integrally with the swim pants  20 , such as by forming one or more components of the swim pants (e.g., the outer cover  40 ) from a photochromic or photosensitive substance. The UV indicator  302  may also, or may instead, be formed integrally with the sunscreen carrier  202  and remain within the scope of this invention.  
       FIG. 16  illustrates a pail  260 , swim pants  20  and sunscreen carrier  202  substantially as shown in  FIG. 11  with additional accessories disposed within the pail for distribution with the swim pants and sunscreen carrier  202  as a single unit. For example, a pair of sunglasses  282  and a hat  284  (shown in a folded configuration) is disposed within the pail  260 .  
      When introducing elements of the present invention or the preferred embodiment(s) thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the”, and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,” “including”, and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.  
      As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.