A dispenser is provided for dispensing a hygiene product. The dispenser includes; a time-of-flight sensor for measuring a position of an object relative to the dispenser; and a controller configured to selectively operate at least one function of the dispenser based on the measured position of the object relative to the dispenser. A method of operating at least one function of a dispenser for dispensing a hygiene product is also provided. The method includes measuring with a time-of-flight sensor a position of an object relative to the dispenser; and using a controller to selectively operate the at least one function of the dispenser based on the measured position of the object relative to the dispenser.

A method for manufacturing feminine hygiene pad products is disclosed. The method may include: providing a continuous stream of pads moving along a machine direction; orienting each of the pads such that its longitudinal axis is substantially aligned with a cross direction; providing a continuous web of backsheet adhesive coversheet material moving along the machine direction, the material bearing a series of spaced separation perforations along cross direction lines of separation, or alternatively, providing such separation perforations; providing deposits of backsheet adhesive between the material and the pads; successively disposing the pads in contact with the material, wherein the pads are adhered to the material by the backsheet adhesive; and following such disposition of the pads, successively separating each pad, together with a portion of the material, from a following pad, and from the material, along the separation perforations, thereby creating individual pads each bearing an individual backsheet adhesive coversheet.

A product including a feminine hygiene pad in a folded configuration, provided in an individualized package is disclosed. The pad is folded separately of the package and contained within the package, and folded such that is has a singularized main fold nose.

A product including a feminine hygiene pad provided in a folded configuration within an individualized package is disclosed. The pad is folded separately of the package and contained within the package. The pad may include a backsheet adhesive coversheet including a section of polymeric film adhered to an outward-facing side of the backsheet of the pad, and a deposit of backsheet adhesive disposed between the backsheet adhesive coversheet and the backsheet, the the backsheet adhesive coversheet and the backsheet adhesive being selected and adapted such that the backsheet adhesive coversheet may be peeled away from the pad to expose the backsheet adhesive without substantial damage to a remainder of the pad, and such that the backsheet adhesive remains substantially in place and adhered to the backsheet following peeling away of the backsheet adhesive coversheet.

A product including a feminine hygiene pad in a folded configuration provided within an individualized envelope package is disclosed. The pad is folded separately of the envelope package and is entirely contained within the package. The package has a rectangular shape and includes a section of polymeric film, a pair of side seams, and a closure flap overlapping an opening edge, wherein the package is configured to create an access opening upon lifting of the closure flap, while allowing material along the side seams to remain unseparated.

A package containing a stack of folded disposable absorbent articles, the package being formed of flexible polymeric film, and having a path of perforations or scoring defining a hood opening structure, is disclosed. The hood opening structure may be configured to open proximate the fold noses of the articles for easy tactile identification, grasping and withdrawal of individual ones thereof, and may be configured so as to serve as an effective package reclosure device whereby the package may be used to store the unused supply of articles following opening. The package, and printed commercial artwork and product information on the package surfaces, may be configured such that the fold noses are disposed at the apparent bottom of the package, for improved standing stability when the package is shelved.

A packaged elongate sanitary protection product includes a folded sanitary product and a circular package. The sanitary product has first and second arcuate end portions comprising first and second ends, respectively, separated by a central portion, and a pair of longitudinal side edges connecting the first and second ends. The arcuate end portions have an effective radius and a maximum width, substantially equal to twice the effective radius. The central portion has a minimum width between about 75% and about 90% of the maximum width, and the sanitary product has a length between about 225% and about 285% of the maximum width. In addition, first and second fold lines are located a distance from each end equal to about 85% to about 105% of the maximum width of the arcuate end portions. The sanitary protection product is folded in a Z-configuration on first and second fold lines to form a substantially circular folded sanitary protection product, which is enveloped in the circular package.

A packaged elongate sanitary protection product includes a folded sanitary protection product enveloped in a substantially circular package and having first and second arcuate end portions comprising first and second ends, respectively, separated by a central portion. The topsheet and backsheet are joined in a flange surrounding the absorbent structure, and the absorbent structure comprises at least three intersecting, substantially circular sections aligned along a longitudinal axis. A first circular section is associated with the first arcuate end portion, and a second section is associated with the second arcuate end portion, and a central portion is associated with at least one intervening substantially circular portion. The intersections define folding axes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and enlarged flange sections of the topsheet and backsheet. The product is folded at the fold lines and the enlarged flange sections are folded inwardly to give the product a generally circular form.

An expandable absorbent structure comprises an expansion loop core configured to expand in response to absorption of a liquid and an expansion loop material structure surrounding the expansion loop core and having a trough therein, wherein the trough is formed from a first portion of the expansion loop material structure folded over a second portion of the expansion loop material structure at a first elbow of the expansion loop material structure. In response to an increase in size of the expansion loop core, the expansion loop core presses against the expansion loop material structure to cause a length of the trough to decrease.

A band-fastened packaging for containing absorbent articles includes a pocket component for housing the articles. The pocket component includes a front and back wall, with at least the front wall defining an opening into the pocket component. At least the front and back walls form a packaging closed end. A packaging flap is hingedly connected to the back wall for covering the opening, the packaging flap including a flap wall having an outermost flap wall edge. A band-fastener is attached to the outermost flap wall edge. The band-fastener is capable of separating from the outermost flap wall edge between two spaced-apart points, and includes a flap-facing inner edge. The packaging closed end may be inserted between the outermost flap wall edge and band-fastener, flap-facing inner edge in order to maintain the packaging in a closed configuration.