peT
`WORLD [N1E.lECTUAL PROPERTY OROANIZATlON
`Internltional Bureau
`INTERNATIONAL APPUCATION PUBLISHED UNDER TIlE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PC!)
`WO 97149618
`
`(11) Inu:rnalbmlf FubliaUon Number;
`
`(51) Inlernational Palenl Classification 6 :
`865075152
`
`AI
`
`(43) lntcrnalional Publication Date:
`
`3 1 December 1997 (31.12.97)
`
`(21) InterlUlUonal ApplkllUon NumblY:
`
`PCrfUS97110721
`
`(22) International FlIln!! Date:
`
`19 June 1991 ( 19.06.97)
`
`(JO) PricM"lIy Data:
`081671,232
`
`27 June 1996 (27.06.96)
`
`us
`
`INC.
`KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE,
`(71) Applkant:
`[US/US]; 40 1 North Lake Street. Neenah. WI 54956 (US).
`
`(72) Invenlors: KUSKE, Marci. Elizabeth; 2179 East Prairie Creek
`Drive, Neenah, W I 54956 (US). MILLER. Anne, Louise;
`2651 West SUMyview Road, ApplelOn, WI 54914 (US).
`KACZMARZYK. Leonard, Michael; W9057 Scbool Road,
`Hononville, WI 54944 (US).
`
`(74) At:entli: MILLER, Douglas. L. et al.; Kimberly.Clark World(cid:173)
`wide, Inl;" 401 North Lake Street, Neenah, WI 54956 (US).
`
`(81) Designated StlIH: AL. AM, AT, AU, AZ. BA, BB, BG, BR,
`BY, CA, CH. eN, CU, C"".l, DE, OK. EE. ES, A, GB, GE,
`HU,IL, IS. W, KE. KG, KP, KR. KZ, Le, LK, LR, LS, LT,
`LU, LV, MD, MG, MK, MN, MW, MX, NO, NZ, PL, PT,
`RO, RU, SD. SE. SO, SI, SK, TJ, 'I'M, TIt, 11, UA, ua,
`uz. VN, ARIPO patent (GH, ICE, LS, MW. SD, Sz. ua,
`ZW). Eurasian p.alenl (AM, AZ. BY, KG, KZ. MD. RU, TJ,
`1M). European patent (AT, BE. CH, DE. OK. £5, Fl. FR.
`G8, GR, IE, IT. LU, Me , NL, PT, SE). OAPI palMI (BF,
`81, CF, CO, CI, eM, GA, ON, ML. MR. NE, SN, TD. TO).
`
`Published
`Willi illltrlWlional ntm;h rlport.
`
`(54) Title: FLEXIBLE PACKAG ING BAG WITIi WINDOW
`
`100
`
`90
`62
`
`88
`
`38 90
`12
`10
`92
`
`52
`
`104
`
`,50
`
`96
`
`92
`94
`
`54
`
`92
`
`~
`
`58
`
`(57) Abstnu.:1
`
`Flexible packaging bag (50) is provided for containina I plu~1ity of anidcs. Each or the anicks has I component which is desirably
`visible 10 a user. purchaser, or thc like. 1'lle flcxible packaging bag includes a window (88) in one of its Wills thai Iw a periphery
`5ubstantially fl1lminl the gl1lphic Ihat is desired 10 be seen. A visual cuc (96) can be provided in anolher wall such that il is visually
`associated with the window in order to draw the anention of the user, purclwer. or lhe like to lhe graphic of the visible ankle. An
`acce5$01)' window (98) is also provided in the HCllibic packasin&: bag so Illal thc number of remaining articles can be easily determined
`¥i~ually.
`
`Page 1 of 26
`
`First Quality Exhibit 1013
`
`

`

`Codes used to Identlfy Slales pony 10 the peT on the front pages d pamphlel5 publ id1ina international applications under the PCT,
`
`FOR THE PURPOSES OF I NFORMA. TlON ONLY
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`
`Page 2 of 26
`
`

`

`W097149618
`
`PCTIUS97/tonl
`
`FLEXIBLE PACKAGING BAG wrrn WINDOW
`
`Background of the Invention
`
`The present invention relates to flexible packaging bags for containing and dispensing
`
`5
`
`artides. More particularly, the present invention relates to a flexible packaging bag
`
`having a visual display feature permitting selected portions of the contained articles to be
`
`visually perceivable.
`
`Packaging bags composed of flexible polymer materials have been used for packaging
`
`10
`
`various types of products , such as infant diapers, training panls, feminine care products,
`
`and adult incontinence garments. These bags allow packaging of the articles to creale a
`
`carton-like look and a configuration facilitating transportation and display on retail
`
`shelves. The bags may include handles to faci litate the carrying of the bags, and can
`
`include mechanisms for providing an access opening in the package.
`
`15
`
`In order to iflform the consumer of the contents of a particular bag, the material of which
`
`the bag is made is printed with written information. illustrations. or the like appropriate for
`
`the particular articles. Generally, the material 01 which the bag is made will be printed
`
`with a background color, and upon this background color will be further printed an
`
`20
`
`illustration of the contained articles and terminology describing the article, its use, the
`
`manufacturer. or the like.
`
`One of the problems with the current printing of these bags is that they may not be truly
`
`representative of the actual product contained therein. This can have the undesirable
`
`25
`
`effect of decreasing the credibility of the consumer in the product's structure, and thus its
`
`performance.
`
`Summary of the Invention
`
`In response to the discussed difficulties and problems encountered in the prior art, a
`
`30
`
`flexible packaging bag having a visual display feature ha s been discovered.
`
`In one form of the invention there is provided a paCkaging bag having a pair of side walts,
`
`a pair of end walts, a top wall, and a bottom wall; all of the walls defining an interior
`space. A stack of articles are contained in the interior space, and each ot the articles
`includes a front panel and a back panel wtth a graphic on one of the panels. One of the
`
`35
`
`Page 3 of 26
`
`

`

`WO 97/49618
`
`PCTIUS97/107l1
`
`walls has a window having a periphery substantially framing at least a portion of the
`
`graphic.
`
`In another fonn of the present invention there is provided a packaging bag having a pair
`
`5
`
`of side walls, a pair of end walls, a top wall , and a bottom waU, all of which defin e an
`
`interior space. A stack of articles are contained in the interior space. A window
`
`substantially wraps around four of the walls, and at least a segment of a component of
`
`the articles is visually perceivable through the window.
`
`10
`
`In yet another form of the present invention there is provided a packaging bag having a
`
`plurality of walls fanning a polyhedral enclosure having an interior space. A stack of
`
`artides is contained in the interior space, and each of the articles has a component
`
`associated therewith. At least a portion of one of the walls is at least substantially clear,
`
`and the stack of articles are positioned in the interior space so that at least a segment of
`
`15
`
`the component is visually perceivable through the substantially clear portion.
`
`In still yet another form of the invention there is provided a packaging bag having a
`
`substantially transparent enclosure defined by a plurality of sides forming an interior
`
`space. A stack of articles are contained in the interior space, and each article has a front
`
`20
`
`panel and a back panel. At least one of the panels of each article includes a graphic
`
`thereon . A mechanism is provided for accessing the interior space for dispensing the
`
`articles.
`
`Brief Description of the Drawings
`
`25
`
`The above-mentioned and other features of the present invention and the manner of
`
`atta ining them will become more apparent. and the invention itself w ill be better
`
`understood by reference to the following description of the invention, taken in conjunction
`
`with the accompanying drawings wherein:
`
`30
`
`Fig. 1 illustrates a front view of one article having a graphic thereon:
`
`Fig. 2 illustrates a front view of another article having a graphic thereon ;
`
`Fig. 3 illustrates a perspective view of one bag of the present invention;
`
`35
`
`2
`
`Page 4 of 26
`
`

`

`WO 97149618
`
`PCTIUS97flDnI
`
`Fig. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a stack of articles;
`
`F;g. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a second bag of the present invention;
`
`5
`
`Fig. 6 illustrates a front view of a third bag of the present invention;
`
`10
`
`15
`
`Fig. 7 illustrates a front view of a fourth bag of the present invention:
`
`Fig. 8 illustrates a top view of a fifth bag of the present invention;
`
`Fig. 9 illustrates a top view of a sixth bag of the present invention;
`
`Fig. 10 illustrates a bag that has been opened to expose the interior space and the
`
`articles contained therein ;
`
`Fig. 11 illustrates a perspective view of a sevenlh bag of the present invention: and
`
`Fig. 12 illustrates an eighth bag of the present invention.
`
`20
`
`Description of a Preferred Embodiment
`
`Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate a child's disposable absorbent training pant. in which the term
`
`"disposable- means that the training pant;s designed to be used until soiled and then
`
`discarded, rather than being washed and being reused again. Examples of other
`
`suitable disposable absorbent articles that can be used with the flexible packaging bag of
`
`25
`
`the present invention include. but are not limited to, disposable absorbent pants, diapers,
`
`feminine care products, incontinence products, disposable apparel, or the like.
`
`Hereafter, when used with reference to, by way of example, a disposable training pant,
`
`the term "component" can refer, but is not limited, to all or a segment of a deSignated
`
`selected region , such as edges, comers, sides or the like; structural members such as
`
`30
`
`elastic strips, absorbent pads, elastic layers or panels, layers of material, or the like; or a
`
`graphic. The term "graphicM can refer, but is not limited, to an image. design, pattern,
`
`symbology, indicia, or the like.
`
`A disposable absorbent article, such as the training pant illustrated in Figs. 1 or 2, can
`
`35
`
`have multiple appearance-related and/or function-rela ted components. Examples of
`
`3
`
`Page 5 of 26
`
`

`

`W097149618
`
`PCTIUS97110721
`
`components that are appearance·related include, but are not limited to, graphics; the
`
`highlighting or emphasizing of leg and waist openings in order to make product shaping
`
`more evident or visible; the highlighting or emphasizing of areas of the article to simulate
`
`5
`
`functional components such as elastic leg bands, elashc waistbands, simulated "fly
`openings" for boys, or ruffles tor girls; the highlighting of areas of the product to change
`the appearance of the size of the product; selectively positioned wetness indicators; back
`
`labels or front labels; and selectively positioned written instructions at a desired location
`
`on the article.
`
`10
`
`Examples of functional components include. but are nOl limited to, waist elastics , leg
`
`elastics, areas of breathability, fluid repellent areas, fluid wettable areas, adhesives,
`
`coatings, encapsulated inks, chemically-sens itive materials, environmentally-sensitive
`
`materials, heat-sensitive materials, moisture-sensitive materials, perfumes, odor control
`
`agents, inks, fasteners, fluid storage areas, textured or embossed areas, or the like.
`
`15
`
`Referring now to Fig. 1, there is illustrated a child's disposable training pant 10 generally
`
`comprising a front panel 12, a back panel 14, a crotch panel 16 interconnecting front and
`
`back panels 12, 14, and a pair of elastic side panels 18. Each elastic side panel 18 is
`
`formed from two separate elastic portions and are suitably joined together, such as by
`
`20
`
`ultrasonic bonding, to form a side seam 20. Upon the construction of side seams 20, a
`
`waist opening 22 and leg openings 24 are formed . The side seams 20 may be
`
`constructed to be manually tearable in order to allow training pant 10 to be disassembled
`
`manually by the caregiver, so that it can be easily removed from the child after a bowel
`
`movement. A more detailed description of the construction and design of the above·
`
`25
`
`described training pant 10 can be found in U.S. Patent No. 4,940,464 , the contents of
`
`which are incorporated by reference herein. One specific manner of supplying elastic
`
`sKte panels 18 is described in U.S. Patent No. 5,224.405 and in U.S. Patent No.
`
`5,104,116, both of which are incorporated by reference herein. The provision of side
`
`seams 20 can be accomplished in the manner described in U.S. Patent No. 5,046,272
`
`30 which is incorporated by reference herein.
`
`Training pant 10 further comprises a front waist elastic 26, suitably joined to front panel
`
`12, a back waist elastic 28 suitably joined to back panel 14, leg elastics 30 suitably
`
`positioned in crotch panel 16, and an absorbent pad (not shown) pOSitioned between a
`
`35
`
`liquid impermeable outer cover or backsheet 34 and a liquid permeable liner or topsheet
`
`4
`
`Page 6 of 26
`
`

`

`WO 97149618
`
`Pcr1US97f10721
`
`36. A graphic 38 is selectively positioned on front panel 12, and as illustrated comprises
`
`a design of a simulated "fly opening" 40, typical of a male's underwear, along with a
`
`rainbow, sun , clouds, and cars. The graphic 38 can be any type of desired pattern,
`
`artistic feature, or the like . and is desired to be positioned in the article at a selected
`
`5
`
`location.
`
`Fig. 2 illustrates another training pant 42 that can be typically used for young girts. This
`
`training pant 40 includes a graphic 44 representative of the different types of
`
`appearance-related components that can be included in a disposable absorbent artide.
`
`10
`
`The graphic 44 includes simulated waist ruffles 46, simulated leg ruffles 48. along with a
`
`rainbow, sun, clouds . wagon. and ba lloon. Again . any suitable graphic can be utilized so
`
`as 10 convey an aesthetically and/or functionally pleasing appearance to the user and
`
`caregiver.
`
`15
`
`Referring primarily to Fig. 3, there is illustrated a flexible packaging bag 50 having a
`
`polyhedral shape defining or forming a polyhedral enclosure. Specifically. bag 50 has a
`
`hexahedral shape that forms or defines a hexahedral enclosure. Bag 50 is defined by a
`
`pair of end walls 52. a pair of side walls 54. a top wall 56, and a bottom wall 58. Each of
`
`the walls has a periphery, such as periphery 62 for an end wall 52. The walls 52, 54, 56,
`
`20
`
`56 define an interior space 60 (Fig. 10) for containing a compressed stack 64 (Fig. 4) of
`
`articles. such as training pants 10. The term "compressed articles" or similar tenninology
`
`will mean that the stack of articles, such as training pants 10 in Fig. 4, are compressed
`
`inwardly by a compression force at their front and back surfaces or panels. such as front
`
`panel 12 and back panel 14, in a direction parallel to stack direction 66 (Fig. 4). so as to
`
`25
`
`decrease the length dimension 68 of the originally, uncompressed artides. The
`
`compressed stack 64 also includes a widlh dimension 70 and a height dimension 72
`
`The term "compression packed" or similar terminology describes the state or condition of
`
`training pants 10 after they have been compressed and inserted into bag 50. The term
`
`"expansion force M or similar terminology refers to that generally equal force exerted by
`
`30
`
`the compressed stack 64 in a direction generally opposite and parallel to the
`
`compression force and against primarily end walls 52. Naturally, all of the walls of bag
`
`50 experience some degree of tension.
`
`Bag 50 may be composed of different materials. or may be composed of substantially the
`
`35
`
`same type of materials. Typically, the material is a polymer film which is sufficiently
`
`5
`
`Page 7 of 26
`
`

`

`W097/49618
`
`PCTIUS97110711
`
`flexible to assume a desired, generally hexahedral shape when bag 50 Is substantially
`
`filled with training pants 10. In addition. the material should have sufficient strength to
`
`hold and contain the training pants 10, or other artides. without breaking and without
`
`excessive bulging or stretching of the film material. For example. the film material may
`
`5
`
`be composed of a polyethylene film or film laminate having a thickness of about 2 .5 mils
`
`(about 0.0635 millimeters). Other examples include a LOPE (low density polyethylene)
`
`film, a LOPE/LLDPE (linear low density polyethylene) film laminate, a LOPE/MOPE
`
`(medium density polyethylene) film laminate. a LOPE/HOPE (high density potyethylene)
`
`film laminate or the like. Naturally, the dimensions of bag 50 will depend upon the types
`
`10
`
`of artides to be contained therein as well as the desired or aesthetically preferred shape.
`
`A suitable bag, and its method of construction. is illustrated and described in U.S. Patent
`
`No. 5.282.687, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.
`
`Bag 50 further includes a means, in at least one of the walls. for accessIng the interior
`
`15
`
`space 60 (Fig. 10) for dispensing the training pants 10 therefrom . The means for
`
`accessing can be a frangible line that is easily broken . A frangible Hne 74 (Fig. 3) can be
`
`disposed or manufactured at any position or location on bag 50 that would permit
`
`dispensing training pants 10 therefrom. As illustrated in Fig. 3. frangible line 74 is
`
`partially located in one side wall 54. continues underneath along bottom wall 58. and
`
`20
`
`then upwardly along the opposite side wall 54 about the same distance as in the other
`
`side wall 54. This is also illustrated in Fig. 10 where frang ible line 74 has been tom in
`
`order to provide an opening 76 for accessing and dispensing training pants 10. Frangible
`
`line 74 may, for example, be provided by partially cutting or otherwise thinning through
`
`the thickness of the bag material in a predeterm ined pattern. providing a selected pattern
`
`25
`
`of perforations along the desired sections or walls of the bag, providing a desired pattern
`
`of stress-fatigue weakening along a desired line of the bag, or the like. As illustrated,
`
`frang ible line 74 is provided by a line of perforations in which there can be approximately
`
`2-10 perforations per lineal inch.
`
`30
`
`Referring now primarily to Fig . 4. each training pant 10 has been folded such that the
`
`elastic side panels 18 (Fig. 1) are inwardly disposed between front panel 12 and back
`
`panel 14. As illustrated in Fig. 4. each training pant 10 generally defines opposing side
`
`edges 78, a top edge 80. a bottom edge 82. opposing face surfaces 84 (only one of
`
`which is illustrated in Fig. 4). and a periphery 86. When the pants are compression
`
`35
`
`packed in bag 50, surfaces 84 face along stack direction 66. Accordingly. the top edges
`
`6
`
`Page 8 of 26
`
`

`

`wo 97149618
`
`PCfIUS97/t0721
`
`80 (as viewed in Fig. 4) of training pants 10 contact bottom wall 58, the bottom edges 82
`
`of the training pants 10 contact the top wall 56 of bag 50, the side edges 78 of the
`
`training pants 10 contact the bag side walls 54, and the outermost face surface 84 of the
`
`end training pants 10 contact end walls 52. Note that the bottom edge 82 of a training
`
`5
`
`pant 10 in Fig. 4 corresponds to the waist openi ng 22 (Fig. 1).
`
`With reference primarily to Figs. 3 and 10, bag 50 is opened by breaking frangible line 74
`to gain access via opening 76 to training pants 10. Typically , the separation of frangible
`line 74 is initiated by breaking a portion thereof, and then propagating the break or tear
`
`10
`
`along frangible line 74 through bottom wall 58 and those portions of side walls 54 into
`
`which frangible line 74 is manufactured. By thus breaking frangible line 74 , the user can
`insert a finger or thumb through opening 76 in order to gain access to tra ining pants 10.
`Thereafter, the user can grasp the top of a training pant 10 and pull it out of bag 50.
`
`while the remaining training pants 10 are maintained within the confines or interior space
`
`15
`
`60 .
`
`Referring primarily to Fig. 3, bag 50 further includes a window 88 disposed or positioned
`
`within a portion of end wall 52. Window 88 includes a window periphery 90 that has a
`shape thai is substantially similar to the periphery of end wall 52. Window 88 at least
`
`20
`
`substantially frames a component of the training pants 10 contained within bag 50. In
`Fig. 3, the component framed by window 88 is a portion or segment of graphic 38, which
`is visually perceivable through window 88. Training pant 10 also could have another
`graphic on back panel 14, and in this case, it may be desirable 10 have that graphic on
`
`back panel 14 visually perceivable through the end wall 52 opposite from the end wall 52
`
`25
`
`that has w indow 88 framing graphic 38. In this case, the opposite end wall, i.e., that end
`wall not visible in Fig. 3, would also have a window.
`
`Depending upon the type of articles to be contained in bag 50, and the components.
`
`such as graphics, of those articles, it may be desirable to have a window in a different
`
`30 wall from end wails 52. For example, should a stack of articles be pacKaged in a
`
`different orientation in bag 50, then one of the side walls 54, or the top waif 56 or the
`
`bottom wall 58, can have a window to permit a component to be visually perceived
`
`therethrough.
`
`7
`
`Page 90f26
`
`

`

`wo 97/49618
`
`PCTIUS97110721
`
`In refening to window s6 framing a component, such as graphic 38, the term ''framing'',
`
`~s ubstantiaUy framing", or variations thereof, means that the window periphery surrounds
`
`or encompasses all or at least a portion of the component for visual display. Within 1M
`context of this description, a component is visuaUy perceivable if it is dear or substantially
`clear to the person viewing it. The term ·clear' refers to the material capability of
`
`5
`
`transmitting light so that the component, or a portion thereof, can be seen as clearly as if
`
`there were no intervening material between the component and the individual. The tenn
`
`"substantially clear' refers to the capability of transmitting light. but causing sufficient
`
`diffusion of the light to eliminate perception of distinct images, shapes, forms. or the like.
`
`10
`
`The present invention thus provides the feature of permitting a user, caregiver, or the
`
`like , to visually see or perceive a component. or a portion thereof, of the article that they
`
`are purchasing, which is particularly desirable when the articles are packaged in a bag.
`
`The purChaser also can see or determine the size of the article . thereby providing a
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`15
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`degree of confidence in proper fit. This provides product visibility at the time of purchase
`which is important both to the user and caregiver. For example, when bag 50 contains
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`training pants 10, a child can see the gender-specific graphic, as well as the specific
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`product being selected. This provides the child with a sense of ownership and an active
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`role in the toilet training process. This is extremely important in encouraging the ch ild to
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`become toilet trained. Equally important is that the caregiver can see a desirable feature
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`or component of the product. For example, if a training pant 10 has a unique outer cover
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`that is, for example, both doth-like in texture and includes a unique design or graphic,
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`then the caregiver can have a high degree of confidence in the product being selected
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`for purchase.
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`25
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`In manufacturing packaging bags, such as bag 50, for containing and dispensing artiCles,
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`such as training pants 10, it is customary to print the bag material. either on its outermost
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`surface or its innermost surface, with a color, illustrations, written instructions, source of
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`manufacture, or the like. In this description, the term "background" or variations thereof
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`30
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`will refer to the surrounding, primarily discernible or perceivable color or ink image printed
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`on the bag 50. For example, if training pants 10 are manufactured as gender-specific
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`pants, such as training pant 10 in Fig. 1 and training pant 42 in Fig. 2, then bag 50 can
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`have a background color of blue for boys, and pink for girls. In this case, the
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`surrounding, primarily perceivable or discernible color would be the blue or pink. The
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`term "copy" will refer 10 written indicia. numbers, letters, symbols, artistic images or
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`patterns, or the like. Generally, copy is either printed over the background, or over areas
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`of the bag 50 not printed with background. In the example above of a background being
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`a blue color for boys, the blue colored bag 50 could have a printed iJJustration of the
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`training pant, along with other illustrations and written instructions for proper use.
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`5
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`Similarly, a pink colored bag 50 could have an illustration of the girl's training pant, as
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`well as instructions on proper use. The term "substantially transparent" refers to that
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`portion of bag 50, or all of bag 50, that is tree of background, but which may have copy.
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`An example of this would be one of the walls of bag 50 being free of background, but
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`including printed written instructions for use.
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`10
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`Referring primarily to Fig. 3, bag 50 includes copy 92 illustrated as generally horizontal
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`lines. That portion of bag 50 outside of copy 92 can have a background, such as a
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`printed blue or pInk color earlier described. Consequently, in viewing end wall 52 having
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`window BB, an individual would visually see a background 94. for example a blue or pink
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`15
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`color; copy 92 , which could be written instructions or other data: and window 88 through
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`which graphic 38 can be visually perceived.
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`In some instances of arranging bags 50 on a shelf for retail purpos es, it may not be
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`practical to orient the bags 50 so that windows 88 are visible. In this Instance, for
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`example. bags 50 might be oriented on the shelf space such that one of the side walls 54
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`is visible. In order to draw attention to end wall 52 having window 88 with graphic 38
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`viewable therethrough. a visual cue 96 is disposed or arranged in at least one of the side
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`walls 54. Visual cue 96 is at least substantial ly clear, and as illustrated in Fig. 3, has the
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`shape or. by way of example, a lightening bolt. It should be noted that for purposes of
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`25
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`explanation and clarity, visual cue 96 does not show the side edges 78 (Fig. 4) of the
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`individuallraining pants 10 contained therein. Once a viewer sees visual cue 96. his or
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`her attention will be drawn to the end wall 52, so that a component, such as a graphic 3B,
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`of an article. such as a training pant 10, can be visually perceived. Visual cue 96 also
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`can serve as a product-remaining indicator or gauge, so that a caregiver can easily
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`determine the number of pants 10 remaining in bag 50.
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`Visual cue 96 mayor may not be continuous with window 88. In other words, as
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`illustrated in Fig. 3, visual cue 96 and window 88 form a closed loop pattem or periphery.
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`However, it may be desirable for manufacturing, printing. or packaging purposes to have
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`visual cue 96 and window 8B provided as separate areas of visibility. In the latter case,
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`visual cue 96 still serves to draw the attention to window 88 and graphic 38. Thus, visual
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`cue 96 is visually associated with window 88 to draw attention of the purchaser, user, or
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`the like, to window 88 and graphic 38.
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`5 Continuing to refer primarily to Fig. 3, bag 50 further includes an accessory window 98 in
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`top wall 56. Due to the particular construction of bag 50, top wall 56 includes a top
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`gussel100, while bottom wall 58 includes a bottom gusset 102. This particular
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`construction is described in greater detail in the aforementioned, incorporated U.S.
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`Patent No. 5 ,282,687. Irrespective of whether top wall 56 has a top gusset 100 or not,
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`10
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`accessory window 98 permits at least a portion of the contents therein, such as training
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`pants 10, to be visually perceived. Accessory window 98 can be positioned or
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`manufactured in any of the walls of bag 50, but it is desired that it is in top wall 56, so
`that the user can determine the number of training pants 10 remaining in bag 50. It will
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`be noticed that there is a seal 104 in lOp wall 56 which is associated with the
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`15 manufacturing of top gusset 100, as well as a similar seal in bottom gusset 102.
`Accessory window 98 is not required to be in the particular wall having a gusset. As with
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`window 88, accessory window 96 can be either clear or substantially clear, and may
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`include copy as long as that does not interfere with the desired purpose of accessory
`window 98. If desired, accessory window 98 can also be used to draw the attention of
`the purchaser, user, or the like, to window 88 and g raphic 38. Accessory window 98 can
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`20
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`take any shape, design, or form that is aesthetically pleasing and/or that provides a
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`means to draw attention to window 88. Fig. 9 illustrates accessory window 98 in top wall
`56, while Fig. 8 illustrates a modification thereto in which accessory window 98 extends
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`to the extremities or ends of top wall 56 that are adjacent or contiguous with end walls
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`25
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`52.
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`The present invention contemplates various features as represented in the drawings. In
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`Fig. 5, all of bag 50 is made of a clear. or substantially clear, material, so that most. if not
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`all, of the individual training pants 10 can be visible . However, it may be necessary to
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`30
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`include some copy material, and to that extent. most of training pants 10 will be visible.
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`Fig. 6 illustrates a bag 50 in which window B6 is positioned completely within the
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`periphery of end wall 52. Copy material 92 is illustrated , but may be eliminated if desired.
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`Again, window 68 may be clear or substantially clear.
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`Fig. 7 illustrates another varialion in which end wall 52 is completely dear, or
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`substantially clear, so that all of the front portion of training pant 10 is illustrated, such as
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`front waist elastic 26 and at least a portion of graphic 38.
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`5
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`Figs. 11 and 12 illustrate a wraparound window 106 in bag 50. In Fig. 11 . window 106
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`substantially wraps around four walls of bag 50. specifically end walls 52 and side walls
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`54. The term Msubstantially wraps around" means that window 106 may not be
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`continuous around bag 50 due to manufacturing or sealing requirements. However. it is
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`desired that window 106 should continuously wrap around bag 50. The wraparound
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`10 window 106 also serves to identify the remaining training pants 10 in bag 50. In Fig. 12.
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`window 106 substantially wraps around end walls 52. top wall 56. and bottom wall 58.
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`While this invention has been described as having a preferred embodiment. it 'Hill be
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`understood that it is capable of further modifications. It is therefore intended to cover any
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`15
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`variations , equivalents. uses, or adaptations of the invention following the general
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`principles thereof, and including such departures from the present disclosure as come or
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`may come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains
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`and falls within the limits of the appended claims.
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`What is claimed :
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`1.
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`A packaging bag, comprising:
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`a pair of side walls, a pair of end walls, a top wall, and a bottom wall; said walls
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`defining an interior space,
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`a stack of articles contained in said interior space, each one of said articles
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`5
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`comprising a front panel and a back panel.
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`a graphic on one of said panels of each said artiCle,
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`a window in one of said walls and having a periphery,
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`said periphery substantially framing at least a portion of said graphic, and
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`means for accessing said interior space for dispensing said articles.
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`2.
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`The bag of Claim 1 further comprising:
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`a second window in another of said walls and having a periphery, and
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`a graphic on Ihe olher of said panels of each said artide,
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`said periphery of said second window substantially framing at least a portion of
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`5
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`said graphic on said other panel.
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`3.
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`The bag of claim 1 further comprising a visual cue on another of sa id walls and
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`positioned thereon to be visually associated with said window
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`4.
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`The bag of claim 3 wherein said one wall comprises