Packaged absorbent products

Abstract

This disclosure relates to a packaged absorbent product for men comprising an incontinence guard and a wrapper, wherein the guard comprises a back sheet, a top sheet, and an absorbent material between the two sheets, the top sheet facing the user when worn, the guard unfolds along a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis, the transverse axis divides the guard into an upper region having an outer boundary edge and a lower region having a lower edge, the guard tapers toward the lower edge and comprises a fixing region that secures to the user's clothing, the fixing region extends along the longitudinal axis, the wrapper covers the fixing region, the wrapper extends along the longitudinal axis between the outer boundary edge and the lower edge, the guard includes a fold line, the fold line extends along the transverse axis to define a lower end region below the fold line, the guard folds along the fold line, and the product comprises a sealing system that keeps the folded guard in that state, the sealing system attaching the wrapper to itself at a position adjacent to the outer boundary edge and the lower edge when the guard is folded along the fold line.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a packaged absorbent article comprising a wrapper sheet and a male incontinence guard. The male incontinence guard comprises an impervious backsheet, a fluid-pervious topsheet, and an absorber disposed between the backsheet and the topsheet. When the incontinence guard is worn by a user, the topsheet faces the user, and the guard has a longitudinal extent along a longitudinal axis and a lateral extent along a lateral axis, the lateral axis dividing the guard into an upper region and a lower region.

Background Art

[0002] Absorbent articles in the form of, for example, incontinence guards, baby diapers, and menstrual pads are well known. A general purpose of such absorbent articles is to absorb, distribute, and store various types of body exudates while providing a high level of comfort and a dry feeling to the wearer during use of the absorbent article. Also, such absorbent articles prevent the wearer's clothing from being soiled by body exudates.

[0003] To protect the wearer from urine leakage, absorbent articles in the form of incontinence guards are used. With respect to male incontinence guards, such articles are clearly configured for male users and designed to cover the genitalia so as to protect against unwanted urine leakage. In particular, men without physical disabilities usually prefer not to use incontinence guards in the form of diapers, which are bulky and too large to wear and are not always suitable for use with conventional clothing. Instead, special male incontinence guards have been developed for men with mild incontinence. Such incontinence guards are relatively thin and are shaped to cover the male genitalia during use. Such incontinence guards can be designed to have sufficient absorbency to absorb the fluids expected to be released into the absorbent article when worn. Previously known male incontinence guards of the type described above are known from WO 2018 / 228710.

[0004] Regarding male incontinence guards, specific requirements exist. Clearly, incontinence guards should be designed to be worn inside the user's everyday underwear and to provide protection from light urinary incontinence. This type of guard can also be worn inside underwear adapted to absorb bodily exudates, or together with disposable absorbents such as diapers or tape-type diapers. For this reason, known male incontinence guards are shaped to fit optimally to the user's underwear and body. Such incontinence guards also feature a core of absorbent material positioned along the longitudinal axis of the product to absorb urine. Furthermore, male incontinence guards usually feature a soft top sheet to give the wearer a fresh and dry feeling. The guard should also be relatively thin and designed in an inconspicuous shape so that it is generally not visible through the wearer's everyday clothing during use. Finally, the guard can be equipped with appropriate adhesives or means, or mechanical fasteners such as hooks in the case of a hook-and-loop system, which allow the guard to be attached to the wearer's underwear.

[0005] When adhesive is used, it is usually covered by a release liner. In such cases, male incontinence guards are very often individually packaged in wrappers to ensure the item remains clean and intact before use. However, improved packaging that reduces the amount of waistbands needed is required. [Overview of the project]

[0006] It is desirable to provide an improved package for male incontinence guards. According to this disclosure, a packaged absorbent product comprising a male incontinence guard and a wrapper sheet is provided, as per the appended claims.

[0007] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a packaged absorbent product is provided comprising a male incontinence guard and a wrapper sheet. The male incontinence guard comprises an impermeable backsheet, a fluid-permeable topsheet, and an absorbent disposed between the backsheet and the topsheet. The topsheet faces the user when the incontinence guard is worn by the user, and the guard has a longitudinal spread along a longitudinal axis and a transverse spread along a transverse axis, the transverse axis dividing the guard into an upper region having an outer boundary edge and a lower region having a lower edge, and the guard tapers at least partially toward the lower edge. The male incontinence guard further comprises a fixing area on the backsheet of the incontinence guard for fixing the guard to the user's clothing, the fixing area extending at least partially along the longitudinal axis. A wrapper sheet covers the fixing area, and the wrapper sheet extends between the outer boundary edge and the lower edge along the longitudinal axis. The guard includes a fold line, which extends along the transverse axis and defines a lower end region below the fold line, and the guard is folded along the fold line. The packaged absorbent product further comprises a sealing system for keeping the folded guard in a folded state, and when the guard is folded along the fold line, the sealing system adheres the wrapper sheet to itself at a position adjacent to the outer boundary edge and adjacent to the lower edge.

[0008] Male incontinence guards should be designed to be worn inside the user's everyday underwear and to provide protection from light urinary incontinence. The guard may also be used with underwear adapted to absorb bodily exudates, or with disposable absorbents such as diapers or tape-type diapers. For this reason, male incontinence guards are provided in a tapered shape to best fit the user's underwear and body. This allows for precise positioning of the guard over the male genitalia during use. The tapered shape is preferably along the lower region. A fastening area is provided on the guard to allow it to be attached to the wearer's underwear. The fastening area may be adhesive.

[0009] The fixed area is covered by a wrapper sheet. In this way, the fixed area is protected from getting dirty or sticking undesirably to other objects or clothing before use.

[0010] Wrapper sheets can be made from single-layer materials. “Single-layer” means that the wrapper sheet contains a single layer of coherent material. Examples of single-layer materials may include paper, plastic films such as polyethylene film, nonwoven fabrics, and metal foils. Single-layer materials can be heterogeneous, such as plastic film materials containing integrated layers, or nonwoven fabrics having varying fiber compositions in different parts of the material. Wrapper sheets can also be made from laminates containing at least two distinct layers. Wrapper sheets can be made from bio-based materials. Materials can also be biodegradable. Materials can be made from renewable resources and / or be compostable.

[0011] The wrapper sheet may also be treated with a release agent, such as silicone, on the side of the wrapper sheet that is in contact with the fixing area. The release agent can reduce the fixing force between the wrapper sheet and the fixing area.

[0012] By having a wrapper sheet extending along the longitudinal axis between the outer boundary edge and the lower edge, the wrapper sheet protects the backsheet of the male incontinence guard in the area of ​​the wrapper sheet along the longitudinal axis. The sealing system attached to the wrapper sheet keeps the guard in a folded state. By having a wrapper sheet in combination with the sealing system, the wrapper sheet can function as a release liner and a separate wrapper, ensuring that the guard remains clean and intact before use. Thus, the conventional combination of a release liner and a wrapper can be eliminated. By not having two different pieces, the amount of material can be reduced, and the manufacturing steps can also be reduced.

[0013] Fold lines extend along the horizontal axis. Fold lines may extend parallel to the horizontal axis. Fold lines may be aligned with the horizontal axis or positioned at a certain distance from the horizontal axis.

[0014] According to one exemplary embodiment, the fixing area includes at least one adhesive area. The adhesive may be a pressure-sensitive adhesive. As described above, the wrapper sheet covers the adhesive and protects it from getting dirty or sticking undesirably to other objects or clothing before use. Once the wrapper sheet is removed, the adhesive is exposed for use. The user then places the guard inward so that it is in contact with the underwear and generally applies pressure to the guard from above so that the pressure-sensitive adhesive of the guard is activated. This activation keeps the guard in contact with the underwear during use. Thus, a quick and convenient method is provided to maintain the guard in a relative fixed position with respect to the wearer's underwear. This relative fixed position should be maintained while the wearer experiences various movements so that the guard is held in approximately the correct position relative to the user's body so that exudate is reliably collected without causing leakage.

[0015] The adhesive should be selected so that the user can peel the wrapper sheet from the guard without requiring too much force. Too much force may cause the wrapper sheet to tear during removal. If the wrapper sheet material tears, the remaining portion of the wrapper sheet on the adhesive often does not provide a leading edge that can be gripped to allow complete removal from the adhesive. Alternatively, in some cases, the already exposed adhesive may stick to the user's fingers or clothing when attempting to remove the remaining strip, causing the product to wrinkle and, in most cases, rendering it unusable. This often leads to the discarding of the product. Similarly, too much force can also result in the removal of areas of pressure-sensitive adhesive from the back sheet, leaving an incomplete adhesive layer on the back sheet, which is obviously undesirable.

[0016] However, similarly, the peeling force required by the user to remove the wrapper sheet from the underlying backing sheet should not be too low. If the force is too low, the user will get the impression that the adhesive strength of the exposed adhesive is insufficient to firmly hold the guard in place while it is in motion. In such cases, the user will think that the adhesive is defective and unable to perform its function, and will often discard the product.

[0017] According to one exemplary embodiment, the wrapper sheet protrudes beyond the outer boundary edge and / or lower edge. Thus, there is more material for the sealing system. This also allows for the possibility of folding one end of the wrapper sheet over the other end of the wrapper sheet before they are adhered together by the sealing system.

[0018] According to one exemplary embodiment, the wrapper sheet does not protrude beyond the outer boundary edge and / or lower edge. The wrapper sheet may extend between the outer boundary edge and / or lower edge; that is, the wrapper sheet may extend just to the outer boundary edge and / or lower edge, or just ahead of the outer boundary edge and / or lower edge.

[0019] According to one exemplary embodiment, the sealing system is positioned on a first transversely extending side edge and a second transversely extending side edge on the opposite side of the wrapper sheet, the first transversely extending side edge being adjacent to the outer boundary edge and the second transversely extending side edge being adjacent to the bottom edge.

[0020] According to one exemplary embodiment, the sealing system is a tape system, which adheres to the wrapper sheet adjacent to the outer boundary edge and adjacent to the bottom edge when the guard is folded along the fold line.

[0021] According to one exemplary embodiment, the tape system includes one folded tape which adheres to the wrapper sheet adjacent to the outer boundary edge and adjacent to the bottom edge when the guard is folded along the fold line.

[0022] According to one exemplary embodiment, the tape system includes two tapes, one tape attached to the wrapper sheet adjacent to the outer boundary edge, and a second tape attached to the wrapper sheet adjacent to the lower edge, such that the first and second tapes adhere to each other when the guard is folded along the fold line.

[0023] According to one exemplary embodiment, the tape comprises a substrate having a non-adhesive surface and an opposite surface having at least a partially adhesive layer. The adhesive layer may be a self-adhesive layer, i.e., the layer adheres without moisture. The adhesive layer may include any suitable adhesive that provides the desired peel strength, quick stick, release from the wrapper sheet, and coat weight properties. The adhesive may be, for example, a hot-melt adhesive coated onto the substrate of the tape by one of the well-known hot-melt coating processes. The peel strength of the tape must be high enough to maintain the packaged absorbent product in a folded form, but not so high that it becomes difficult to open. The adhesive may be a bio-based adhesive. The adhesive may also be a biodegradable adhesive. The material may be made from renewable resources and / or compostable.

[0024] According to one exemplary embodiment, the substrate may be in the form of a paper material, a polymer film material, a nonwoven fabric material, a cloth, or a combination thereof. The substrate may be, for example, a polyester film, a polypropylene film, a paper backing, or other material that provides the necessary strength to be useful as part of a tape used to maintain the packaged absorbent product in a folded form before opening the packaged absorbent product. The substrate may be a bio-based material. The material may also be a biodegradable material. The material may be made from renewable resources and / or be compostable.

[0025] Paper materials should be understood herein as materials produced by pressing wet fibers together, dewatering the fibers, drying them, and preferably forming a soft sheet. Paper materials may be unbleached or bleached. Fibers may be pulp fibers from chemical pulp, e.g., kraft, sulfate or sulfite pulp, mechanical pulp, thermomechanical pulp, chemical mechanical pulp, and / or chemical thermomechanical pulp, abbreviated as CTMP. Pulp derived from both deciduous (hardwood) and coniferous (softwood) trees may be used. Thus, fibers may be natural fibers from wood, e.g., cellulosic fibers, bamboo-based fibers, etc. Natural fibers may also be non-wood fibers, such as cotton, abaca, kenaf, sabay grass, flax, African honeysuckle, straw, jute, bagasse, milkweed down fibers, and pineapple leaf fibers. Paper materials may be made from one type of fiber or a mixture of different fibers. Paper materials can also be treated to better resist moisture, for example, by using a plastic layer on the inside or outside. The paper may be calendered smooth paper. The paper may have a low porosity. Paper materials may contain recycled fibers, unused fibers, or a combination thereof. This applies to packaging sheets, when made from paper materials, as backing sheets for tapes.

[0026] According to one exemplary embodiment, the wrapper sheet protrudes beyond the outer boundary edge and bottom edge, forming respective protruding portions, and the sealing system is embossing, welding, heat sealing, or adhesive, which causes the wrapper sheet to adhere to itself at each protruding portion when the guard is folded along the fold line. One or more sealing systems may also be combined, for example, with embossing and adhesive.

[0027] According to an exemplary embodiment, the packaged absorbent product comprises at least a second sealing system, the second sealing system being attached to the wrapper sheet at a position along the first longitudinally extending side edge of the wrapper sheet between the fold line and the first laterally extending side edge of the wrapper sheet adjacent to the outer boundary edge or the outer boundary edge when folding the guard along the fold line and keeping the folded guard in a folded state, and being attached to the same first longitudinally extending side edge of the wrapper sheet between the fold line and the second laterally extending side edge of the wrapper sheet adjacent to the lower edge or the lower edge, the first longitudinally extending side edge extending along the longitudinal axis of the male incontinence guard. Also, in this way, at least one of the longitudinal sides of the folded packaged absorbent product may be attached to each other, which may further protect the male incontinence guard from pre-use soiling and / or damage.

[0028] According to an exemplary embodiment, the second sealing system is a tape system, and the tape system is a folded tape.

[0029] According to an exemplary embodiment, the second sealing system is a tape system having two tapes.

[0030] According to an exemplary embodiment, the wrapper sheet has a lateral width that is greater than the guard folded in the lateral direction and forms at least one protruding portion extending along a side edge extending in a first longitudinal direction. The second sealing system is welding, embossing, heat sealing, or adhesive bonding that attaches the wrapper sheet to itself at the protruding portion when the guard is folded along the fold line. In this way, at least one of the longitudinal sides of the folded and packaged absorbent product can be attached to each other, either partially or over the entire length. If both longitudinal sides of the folded and packaged absorbent product are attached to each other, they may be attached over the entire length of the sides and completely sealed, providing even more protection for the male incontinence guard from pre-use soiling and / or damage. One or several sealing systems can also be combined, for example, with embossing and adhesives.

[0031] According to an exemplary embodiment, the wrapper sheet has a lateral width that is smaller than, equal to, or greater than the folded guard when the guard is folded along the fold line.

[0032] According to an exemplary embodiment, the wrapper sheet is a rectangular sheet having a side edge extending in a first longitudinal direction and an opposite second longitudinal side edge, and a side edge extending in a first lateral direction and an opposite second lateral side edge. A wrapper sheet having a rectangle is easy to manufacture and can be cut without a waist.

[0033] According to one exemplary embodiment, the guard is divided laterally into a first side portion, a second side portion, and a central portion located between the first side portion and the side portion, with a first fold line between the first side portion and the central portion, and a second fold line between the central portion and the second side portion, the first side portion being folded over the central portion along the first fold line, the second side portion being folded over the central portion along the second fold line to form a first folded form, a third fold line extending along the lateral axis to define a lower end region below the fold line, the lower end region being folded along the third fold line to form a second folded form in which the lower end region at least partially overlaps the first and second side regions to form a second overlapping region, the first folded form being performed before the second folded form. The first and second fold lines may be pre-formed or predetermined fold lines. The fold lines may include lines along which the article is pre-folded, or the fold lines may include predetermined lines along which folding is facilitated by the structure of the article, e.g., channels or a two-layer core structure. The fold lines may be provided by absorbers, or by a backsheet or additional layers within the article. Fold lines formed in absorbers may include, for example, compression lines, embossed areas, notched lines, channels in a core with a lower basis weight, or by the edges of additional layers incorporated into the article, such as additional absorbent layers, films or reinforcing layers. Welding lines (e.g., ultrasonic welding lines) may also provide fold lines suitable for use in the context of this disclosure. The fold lines may be continuous or discontinuous. Discontinuous means that the fold line may include multiple separate fold line sections, e.g., dashed compression or embossed lines.

[0034] In one exemplary embodiment, the first fold line and the second fold line are parallel to each other.

[0035] According to one exemplary embodiment, the first and second fold lines extend in the longitudinal direction parallel to the longitudinal axis.

[0036] According to one exemplary embodiment, the first fold line and the second fold line are symmetrical with respect to an axis, preferably the longitudinal axis.

[0037] According to one exemplary embodiment, when the guard is in a second folded state, the first side region, the second side region, and the lower end region cooperate to substantially completely cover the absorbent surface of the guard.

[0038] According to one exemplary embodiment, when the guard is in a second folded state, the first overlapping region and the second overlapping region overlap each other at least partially.

[0039] According to one exemplary embodiment, the third fold line intersects the first fold line and / or the second fold line.

[0040] According to one exemplary embodiment, the lateral axis extends between a first lower corner and a second lower corner, the first and second lower corners defining the two outermost points of a guard having a first width.

[0041] According to one exemplary embodiment, the upper region includes an inwardly recessed curved portion having an arc shape, extending between a first upper corner and a second upper corner, the upper corners defining a second width, the first width being greater than the second width, and the first lower corner and the first upper corner, and the second lower corner and the second upper corner, are connected by outer edges, respectively. It has been found that by providing the inwardly recessed curved portion described above, the incontinence guard can be positioned to extend downward from below the user's abdomen so that the incontinence guard reliably covers the genitals. In particular, the geometric shape of the incontinence guard defined by the upper and lower corners described above ensures reliable positioning of the guard even when the user is repeatedly sitting and standing, while simultaneously providing the intended protection against incontinence.

[0042] According to one exemplary embodiment, the inwardly recessed curved portion defines an outer boundary edge extending between the upper corner points, and the outer boundary edge lies inside a virtual transverse line extending between the upper corner points.

[0043] According to one exemplary embodiment, the outer boundary edge has a radius in the range of 60 to 1400 mm.

[0044] According to one exemplary embodiment, the ratio between the second width and the first width is in the range of 30 to 80%.

[0045] According to one exemplary embodiment, the first width is in the range of 110 to 280 mm.

[0046] According to one exemplary embodiment, the second width is in the range of 50 to 151 mm.

[0047] According to one exemplary embodiment, the ratio of the distance from any one of the upper corners to the transverse axis to the distance from any one of the lower corners to the longitudinal line, which is defined by a virtual longitudinal line parallel to the longitudinal axis, is in the range of 0.25 to 4.0.

[0048] According to one exemplary embodiment, a straight line is defined so as to extend through the lower and upper corner points, and an angle is defined between the straight line and a virtual longitudinal line, with the angle ranging from 12 to 78 degrees.

[0049] According to one exemplary embodiment, the measurement is defined as the distance between a straight line and the maximum outer dimension of the incontinence guard, and the measurement is in the range of 2 to 10 mm, or the measurement is less than 25% of the distance between the first lower corner point and the first upper corner point.

[0050] According to one exemplary embodiment, the maximum recess depth of the inwardly recessed curved portion does not extend below the lateral axis.

[0051] According to one exemplary embodiment, the maximum recess depth is in the range of 2 to 30 mm.

[0052] According to one exemplary embodiment, the lower region of the guard includes a lower edge having a convex arch shape, the radius of which defines a ratio of 0.9 to 1.1 with respect to the radius of the inwardly recessed curved portion.

[0053] According to one exemplary embodiment, the outer edge is substantially straight.

[0054] According to one exemplary embodiment, the absorbent includes a primary core and a secondary core arranged in a laminated configuration, the primary core having a larger area in the XY plane than the secondary core, and the secondary core being formed with side edges that are at least partially substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. Such an embodiment is suitable during the manufacture of incontinence guards because it allows for the precise and efficient folding of each guard during the manufacturing process.

[0055] According to one exemplary embodiment, the guard is arranged to have an expandable element positioned along the outer edge of the lower region.

[0056] According to one exemplary embodiment, the elastic element is in the form of an elastic film, foam, elastic laminate and / or elastic yarn attached to the guard. The elastic stretch element helps to guide the male incontinence guard into a bowl shape that accommodates the wearer's genitals and maintains a close fit between the male incontinence guard and the wearer's body.

[0057] According to one exemplary embodiment, the fold line extending along the transverse axis is positioned spaced apart from the transverse axis.

[0058] According to one exemplary embodiment, the spacing is half the length of the maximum length of the guard in the longitudinal direction along the longitudinal axis.

[0059] In general, all terms used in the claims should be interpreted according to their ordinary meanings in the art unless otherwise expressly defined herein. All references to “a / an / the [element, device, component, means, step, etc.]” ​​should be interpreted broadly as referring to at least one example of an element, device, component, means, step, etc., unless otherwise specified.

[0060] Other objectives, features, and advantages of the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed disclosure and the drawings. Those skilled in the art will understand that different features of the exemplary embodiments can be combined to create embodiments other than those described below without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0061] The above-mentioned, as well as additional, objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be better understood by the following exemplary and non-limiting detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference numerals are used for similar elements. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0062] [Figure 1] This is a view from above of a male incontinence guard according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a male incontinence guard along the horizontal axis. [Figure 3] The first process step is a diagram showing the process for folding the male incontinence guard during the manufacturing process. [Figure 4] The second process step is a diagram showing the process for folding the male incontinence guard during the manufacturing process. [Figure 5] The third process step is a diagram showing the process for folding the male incontinence guard during the manufacturing process. [Figure 6] Figure 1 shows a male incontinence guard with two absorbent cores. [Figure 7]This is a top view of the second embodiment of the male incontinence guard. [Figure 8] This is a view from below of the male incontinence guard 1 of Figure 1, which includes a first embodiment of a wrapper sheet having a first embodiment of a closure system. [Figure 9] This figure shows a packaged absorbent product comprising a folded male incontinence guard (Figure 8), a wrapper sheet enclosing the folded male incontinence guard, and its closure system in a closed position. [Figure 10] This figure shows a second embodiment of a packaged absorbent product, comprising a folded male incontinence guard as shown in Figure 1, and a second embodiment of a wrapper sheet that encloses the folded male incontinence guard. [Figure 11] This figure shows a third embodiment of a packaged absorbent product, comprising a folded male incontinence guard as shown in Figure 1, a third embodiment of a wrapper sheet that encloses the folded male incontinence guard, and a second embodiment of a closure system. [Figure 12] Figure 9 is a side view of the packaged absorbent product. [Figure 13] Figure 9 shows an alternative method for securing the closure system. [Figure 14] Figure 9 shows a packaged absorbent product having a third embodiment of the closure system. All figures are highly schematic and not necessarily to scale, showing only the parts necessary to illustrate the invention, while other parts are omitted or only suggested. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0063] Next, various aspects of the present disclosure are described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. However, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments described herein, but rather these embodiments are provided for thoroughness and completeness. Throughout the description, similar reference numerals refer to similar elements.

[0064] Referring first to Figure 1, a top view of an absorbent article in the form of a male incontinence guard 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown. The male incontinence guard 1 is an incontinence protective article designed and optimized for male users to absorb light urinary leakage. For this reason, as will be described in detail below, the incontinence guard 1 is based on an absorbent structure to quickly absorb urine from the wearer in order to provide the wearer with an odorless, dry, and comfortable feeling.

[0065] Figure 1 shows a top view of the male incontinence guard 1, from which it can be seen that the male incontinence guard 1 comprises an impermeable backsheet 2 and a permeable topsheet 3. The male incontinence guard 1 also comprises an absorbent core 4, also called an absorbent, sandwiched between the backsheet 2 and the topsheet 3.

[0066] The top sheet 3 is positioned on the surface of the incontinence guard 1, i.e., the side facing the wearer. The back sheet 2 is positioned on the underside of the incontinence guard 1, i.e., facing the wearer's underwear. Furthermore, both the back sheet 2 and the top sheet 3 extend outward from the absorbent core 4 along the entire circumference of the incontinence guard 1. The top sheet 3, the back sheet 2, and the absorbent core 4 may be composed of any material suitable for their particular purposes, as will be described in more detail below. According to further embodiments, one or more additional layers may be provided in the male incontinence guard 1. For example, an absorption layer may be placed between the absorbent core 4 and the top sheet 3.

[0067] The aforementioned layers of the incontinence guard 1 can be connected to each other by any conventional means, such as adhesive, heat fusion, or ultrasonic bonding.

[0068] As shown in Figure 1, the male incontinence guard 1 has a longitudinal extension along the longitudinal axis Y1 and a lateral extension along the transverse axis X1. The transverse axis X1 divides the incontinence guard 1 into an upper region 5 and a lower region 6 when worn by the user. This means that the upper region 5 is intended to be directed upward toward the user's abdomen when the incontinence guard 1 is in use, while the lower region 6 is intended to be directed downward to cover the wearer's genitals when in use.

[0069] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view along the transverse axis X1 shown in Figure 1. Here, the various layers 2, 3, and 4 that form part of the incontinence guard 1 will be described in more detail, mainly with reference to Figures 1 and 2. According to one embodiment, the backsheet 2 is composed of an impermeable and breathable layer, such as a polymer film, for example, a polyethylene or polypropylene film. According to a different embodiment, materials that may be used to manufacture the backsheet 2 include thin, flexible impermeable plastic films, or impermeable nonwoven fabrics, impermeable foams, and impermeable laminates.

[0070] According to the embodiments shown in the drawings, the backsheet 2 is formed by a single layer, but alternatively, it may be formed by a multilayer structure, i.e., a laminate, in which at least one layer is impermeable. Furthermore, the backsheet 2 may optionally be elastic in any direction. Also, a backsheet material that is not completely impermeable but only resistant to fluid penetration may be used, especially when relatively small amounts of urine are expected to be absorbed by the incontinence guard 1. According to further embodiments, the backsheet 2 may be breathable, meaning that air and vapor can pass through the backsheet 2. Furthermore, the backsheet 2 may optionally have a surface of textile material, such as a nonwoven fabric, facing the outer garment.

[0071] Furthermore, according to one embodiment, the top sheet 3 is formed from a fluid-permeable nonwoven fabric or film made from thermoplastic synthetic fibers. The top sheet 3 is sufficiently fluid-permeable to allow excreted bodily fluids, such as urine, to penetrate through to the thickness of the top sheet 3. The top sheet 3 is also preferably manufactured from a soft-feeling material that is comfortable against the wearer's skin.

[0072] According to different embodiments, the top sheet 3 can be manufactured from a variety of web materials, such as woven and nonwoven webs and films, foams, or combinations of the materials described above. Examples of nonwoven materials used in the top sheet 3 include card resin bonding materials, card through air bonding materials, spunbond-meltbond-spunbond materials, card water entanglement materials, or card heat fusion materials. The top sheet 3 may also have elastic properties, which makes the top sheet 3 stretchable.

[0073] According to an additional embodiment, the top sheet 3 may be in the form of a perforated plastic film, which functions as a liquid-permeable sheet.

[0074] Furthermore, according to the embodiments shown in Figures 1 and 2, the incontinence guard 1 comprises an absorbent core 4, also called an absorbent body, which is formed of one or more layers containing cellulose fluff pulp fibers. According to alternative embodiments, the absorbent core 4 may be made from any suitable absorbent or fluid-absorbing material known in the art, such as foams, fiber fillers, and similar materials.

[0075] According to further embodiments, the absorbent core 4 comprises an appropriate amount of highly absorbent particles. Such highly absorbent materials are well known in the field of absorbent articles and consist of water-swellable and water-insoluble materials that can absorb large amounts of fluid during hydrogel formation. Typical highly absorbent materials can absorb at least 10 times their own weight in fluid.

[0076] According to one embodiment, the amount of highly absorbent particles is at least 10% by weight, i.e., the total weight of the absorbent core 4. The highly absorbent is mixed into the material of the absorbent core 4. The absorbent core 4 may further contain components to improve the properties of the absorbent core. Some examples of such components are binder fibers, fluid dispersion materials, fluid acquisition materials, etc., as are known in the art. According to one embodiment, the mixture of cellulose fluff pulp and the highly absorbent article is mixed substantially homogeneously throughout the absorbent core 4.

[0077] In further embodiments, the absorbent core 4 may have a homogeneous structure or a layered structure having laminates of the same or different materials. The absorbent layer may have a uniform thickness or may have different thicknesses in different parts of the layer. The basis weight and composition of the absorbent core 1 may also vary within such an absorbent layer. Figure 1 shows a side view of the incontinence guard 1, intended to face the wearer's body when the incontinence guard 1 is worn. From Figure 1, it can be seen that the incontinence guard 1 according to this embodiment has a shape that is substantially triangular and tapers along its lower region 6. This means that the corners and sides of the incontinence guard 1 may be more or less rounded, for example, as shown in Figure 1.

[0078] Furthermore, as described above, the backsheet 2 and topsheet 3 are connected to each other along the edge region 9 that extends around the incontinence guard 1. The absorbent core 4 is sized to have an area slightly smaller than that of the backsheet 2 and topsheet 3. According to one embodiment, the edge region 9 has substantially the same width along the entire circumference of the incontinence guard 1. In other words, the absorbent core 4 is positioned along the circumference of the incontinence guard 1 such that the distance between the outer edge of the absorbent core 4 and the outer edge of the guard 1 remains substantially equal along the edge region 9.

[0079] The male incontinence guard 1 according to the embodiment shown in Figure 1 is positioned such that the lateral axis X1 extends between a first lower corner point 10 and a second lower corner point 11. These lower corner points 10 and 11 define the two outermost points of the incontinence guard 1 along the lateral axis X1. The distance between these lower corner points 10 and 11, i.e., the maximum width of the incontinence guard 1, is defined by the first width w1 as shown in Figure 1.

[0080] Referring to Figure 1, it should be noted that, according to different embodiments, the lower corners 10, 11 may be composed of different shapes and curvatures, for example, a gently rounded shape or a sharper, pointed corner shape.

[0081] Furthermore, the upper region 5 includes an inwardly recessed curved portion 12 extending between the first upper corner point 13 and the second upper corner point 14. The curved portion 12 has a roughly arc-shaped form extending within the upper region 5. The distance between the upper corner points 13 and 14 along the transverse direction is defined by a second width w2.

[0082] According to this embodiment, the first lower corner point 10 and the first upper corner point 13 are connected by a first outer edge 15 having a slightly rounded shape outward. A virtual straight line 16 extending through the first lower corner point 10 and the first upper corner point 13 can also be defined. Similarly, the second lower corner point 11 and the second upper corner point 14 are connected by a second outer edge 17 having the same slightly rounded shape outward. The first outer edge 15 and the second outer edge 17 extend outward along the direction of the transverse axis X1, i.e., from the upper corner points 13, 14 to the lower corner points 10, 11.

[0083] As shown in Figure 1, the first width w1 is greater than the second width w2, meaning that the lower corner points 10 and 11 define the outermost lateral points of the incontinence guard 1.

[0084] The purpose of the incontinence guard 1 configuration shown in Figures 1 and 2 is to contribute to favorable characteristics regarding a safe and comfortable fit for the user while maintaining appropriate absorption properties.

[0085] The incontinence guard 1 according to the embodiment shown in Figure 1 is symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis Y1. Furthermore, the guard 1 has a tapered shape that tapers downward along the lower region 6 when viewed from the lower corners 10 and 11. In addition, according to the embodiment in Figure 1, the lower region 6 is formed by substantially straight sides. In alternative embodiments, the sides of the lower region 6 may be convex, i.e., not generally curved inward.

[0086] According to the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the inwardly recessed curved portion 12 defines an outer boundary edge 18 extending between two upper corner points 13 and 14. The outer boundary edge 18 is substantially parallel to the lateral axis X1 and lies inside a virtual transverse line X2 extending between the upper corner points 13 and 14.

[0087] Referring to the embodiments shown in Figures 1 and 2, it should be noted that the outer boundary edge 18 has a radius r1 in the range of 60 to 1400 mm, preferably in the range of 120 to 500 mm.

[0088] Furthermore, the ratio between the value of the second width w2 and the value of the first width w1 is in the range of 30-80%, preferably 40-75%. Regarding the actual measurements of the first width w1 and the second width w2, it should be noted that the first width w1 is in the range of 110-280 mm, and the second width (w2) is in the range of 50-151 mm.

[0089] Furthermore, according to one embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, the ratio between the distance d1 extending from any one of the upper corners 13 and 14 to the lateral axis X1, defined by a virtual longitudinal line Y2 and parallel to the longitudinal axis Y1, and the distance d2 extending from any one of the lower corners 10 and 11 to the virtual longitudinal line Y2, is in the range of 0.25 to 4.0, preferably in the range of 0.5 to 2.0.

[0090] Referring further to Figure 1, the straight line 16 can be defined such that it extends through the first lower corner point 10 and the first upper corner point 13. Then, an angle α can be defined between the straight line 16 and the aforementioned virtual longitudinal line Y2. The angle α is in the range of 12 to 78 degrees, preferably in the range of 22 to 68 degrees.

[0091] Furthermore, as shown in the drawings, the lower region 6 of the male incontinence guard 1 may include a lower edge 19 having a convex arch shape with radius r2 defining a ratio of 0.9 to 1.1 with respect to the radius r1 of the inwardly recessed curved portion 12. Alternatively, this embodiment may be configured such that the inwardly recessed curved portion 12 has a geometric shape that is not equivalent to a circle, i.e., cannot be defined by a radius. In such a case, the maximum recess depth d3 of the inwardly recessed curved portion 12 can be defined. According to one embodiment, the curved portion 12 does not extend downward along the lateral axis X1. Furthermore, the maximum recess depth d3 is in the range of 2 to 30 mm, preferably in the range of 2 to 20 mm.

[0092] Another measurement d4 can be defined as the distance between the aforementioned straight line 16 extending through the first lower corner point 10 and the first upper corner point 13, as shown in Figure 1, and the maximum dimension of the upper left corner of the incontinence guard 1. According to one embodiment, the distance d4 is in the range of 2 to 10 mm. Another way of defining this distance d4 is by stating that the distance d4 is less than 25% of the distance between the first lower corner point 10 and the first upper corner point 13.

[0093] As described above, the male incontinence guard 1 shown in the figure comprises an absorbent 4 having an outer edge that substantially follows the outer edge of the guard 1. As shown in Figure 1, the outer edge defines a marginal region 9 having substantially equal width along the entire outer edge of the guard 1.

[0094] Furthermore, according to the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the male incontinence guard 1 comprises an elastic element 20 positioned along the outer edge 9 of the lower region 6. The elastic element 20 is preferably in the form of an elastic film attached to the incontinence guard 1. According to an alternative embodiment, the elastic element 20 may be in the form of an elastic yarn, elastic foam, or elastic laminate attached to the guard 1.

[0095] Figure 6 shows one embodiment of the present invention in which two absorbent cores are used, namely, a male incontinence guard 1' having an absorbent body comprising a primary absorbent core 4' and a secondary absorbent core 4''. In the configuration corresponding to Figure 1, the incontinence guard 1' according to Figure 6 is arranged along the longitudinal axis Y1. The primary absorbent core 4' generally corresponds to the absorbent core 4 described above with reference to Figures 1 and 2. The remaining components of the incontinence guard 1' in Figure 6 are also the same as the corresponding components in the embodiment of Figure 1.

[0096] The difference between the embodiment in Figure 6 and the embodiment in Figure 1 is that the primary absorbent core 4' and the secondary absorbent core 4'' shown in Figure 6 are arranged in a laminated configuration. Preferably, this means that the secondary core 4'' is positioned on top of the primary core 4', i.e., that the secondary core 4'' is closest to the wearer's body during use of the incontinence guard 1'. The embodiment according to Figure 6 is particularly intended to simplify the manufacturing process described above, i.e., the folding procedure described with reference to Figures 3 to 5. For this purpose, the secondary absorbent core 4'' is formed with side edges 28, 29 that are at least partially substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis Y1. Furthermore, according to a further embodiment, the positions of the side edges 28, 29 correspond to fold lines 22, 24 shown, for example in Figure 4 and described below.

[0097] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments shown in Figures 1 and 6 and can be modified. For example, the specific shape of the incontinence guard 1 as shown in Figures 1 and 2 should not be considered limiting. For example, the male incontinence guard 1 is not limited to having an inwardly recessed curved portion 12 defining the outer boundary edge 18, as described in Figures 1 and 6. The inwardly recessed curved portion 12 may be straight or outwardly recessed.

[0098] Figure 7 shows a top view of a second embodiment of the male incontinence guard 1", from which it can be understood that the male incontinence guard 1 comprises an impermeable backsheet 2" and a permeable topsheet 3". The male incontinence guard 1" also comprises an absorbent 4"' sandwiched between the backsheet 2" and the topsheet 3". Instead of the inwardly recessed curved portion 12 as described in Figure 1, the male incontinence guard 1" has a straight outer boundary edge 18". The construction and materials used may be the same as in the case of the incontinence guard of Figure 1. Furthermore, the materials and dimensions used for the different layers forming the absorbent article 1 may be modified as described above.

[0099] Figure 8 shows the male incontinence guard 1 of Figure 1 viewed from below, i.e., from the backsheet 2 side of the guard which will face the wearer's underwear. The back side of the backsheet 2 includes a fixing area 37 (not shown in Figures 1 and 2) on the backsheet 2 of the guard to secure the incontinence guard 1 to the user's clothing. The fixing area 37 extends along the longitudinal axis Y1. In this exemplary embodiment, the fixing area 37 consists of two adhesive areas 7 that extend longitudinally on each side of the longitudinal axis Y1. The fixing area is not limited to two adhesive areas, and may consist of one or more adhesive areas. One example is a single adhesive area that is aligned and extends along the longitudinal area.

[0100] The incontinence guard 1 includes a fold line F extending parallel to the transverse axis X1, defining a lower end region 38 below the fold line F and an upper end region 39 above the fold line F. The guard 1 is intended to fold along the fold line F such that the top sheet 3 in the lower end region 38 faces the top sheet 3 in the upper end region 39, and possibly in contact with the top sheet 3. The fold line F is spaced apart from the transverse axis X1. This space may be half the maximum length of the guard in the longitudinal direction along the longitudinal axis Y1.

[0101] The wrapper sheet 30 is attached to the fixed area 37, that is, in this example, to the two adhesive areas 7. Here, the wrapper sheet 30 is exemplified as a rectangular sheet having a first longitudinally extending side edge 35 and a second longitudinally extending side edge 36 on the opposite side, and a first transversely extending side edge 41 and a second transversely extending side edge 42 on the opposite side. The first transversely extending side edge 41 is positioned adjacent to the outer boundary edge 18. The second transversely extending side edge 42 is positioned adjacent to the bottom edge 19.

[0102] The wrapper sheet 30 extends along the longitudinal axis Y1 between the outer boundary edge 18 and the lower edge 19. In Figure 8, the wrapper sheet protrudes beyond the outer boundary edge 18 and the lower edge 19, forming laterally extending protruding portions 61, 62. However, the wrapper sheet 30 is not limited to protruding beyond those edges. For example, the wrapper sheet 30 may not protrude beyond the outer boundary edge 18 and / or the lower edge 19. The wrapper sheet 30 is intended to at least partially wrap the folded male incontinence guard 1, forming a packaged absorbent product 100 comprising the male incontinence guard 1 and the wrapper sheet 30.

[0103] The wrapper sheet is not limited to having a rectangular shape. The wrapper sheet can have any suitable shape. For example, the first transversely extending side edge 41 and the second transversely extending side edge 42 on the opposite side may be curved and may follow the shape of, for example, the outer boundary edge 18 and the lower edge 19.

[0104] A sealing system 31, exemplified as tape, is attached to the wrapper sheet 30. The sealing system 31 is intended to keep the folded guard in a folded state.

[0105] Figure 9 shows the male incontinence guard 1, wrapper sheet 30, and sealing system 31 as they combine to form the packaged absorbent product 100 shown in Figure 8. This is also shown in Figure 12, which shows the packaged male incontinence guard 100 viewed from the side.

[0106] The sealing system 31 is intended to adhere the wrapper sheet 30 to itself at a position adjacent to the outer boundary edge 18 and adjacent to the lower edge 19 when the guard is folded along the fold line F as shown in Figure 9.

[0107] In Figures 9 and 12, the male incontinence guard 1 is folded along with the packaging sheet 30 near the fold line F to form the packaged absorbent product 100. The male incontinence guard in Figure 9 is also folded in the previous step so that the sides 21, 23 (described later) of the incontinence guard 1 are folded toward the center of the guard 1 in order to obtain a more compact packaged male incontinence guard 100.

[0108] The sealing system 31 shown in Figures 8, 9 and 12 is a tape system 51. The tape system 51 is a single folded tape 51' which adheres to the wrapper sheet 30 at a first transversely extending side edge 41 and a second transversely extending side edge 42, i.e., at protruding portions 61 and 62, when the guard is folded along the fold line F.

[0109] The tape 51' includes, for example, a substrate having a non-adhesive surface and an opposite surface containing an adhesive. The adhesive surface adheres to the wrapper sheet 30 and may also adhere to itself if the tape 51' protrudes outward from the first transversely extending side edge 41 and the second transversely extending side edge 42. The substrate is exemplified here as a paper material, but the substrate may be a polymer film material, a nonwoven material, a cloth, or a combination thereof, which provides the strength necessary to be useful as part of an adhesive tape used to maintain the packaged male incontinence guard 100 in a folded form before opening the packaged male incontinence guard 100. The tape may include a non-adhesive gripping portion 54 configured to be gripped by the user to peel the tape from the wrapper 30. The gripping portion 54 may be located adjacent to one end of the tape (see Figure 9) positioned relative to the fold line F.

[0110] Figure 13 shows an alternative method for attaching the tape 51'. Instead of folding the tape 51', a portion of the wrapper sheet 30 may be folded over the opposite end of the wrapper sheet. That is, the end of the wrapper sheet where the first transversely extending edge 41 is located is folded so that it overlaps with the opposite end where the second transversely extending edge 42 is located. The tape 51' is then positioned without being folded, and when the guard is folded along the fold line F, it attaches itself to the wrapper sheet 30 at a position adjacent to the outer boundary edge 18 and adjacent to the lower edge 19.

[0111] The tape system 51 is not limited to a tape system comprising one tape 51. Alternatively, the tape system may comprise two tapes 51', 51'', as shown in Figure 14, in which one tape 51' is attached to the wrapper sheet 30 adjacent to the outer boundary edge 18, i.e., at a first laterally extending side edge 41, and a second tape 51'' is attached to the wrapper sheet adjacent to the bottom edge 19, i.e., at a second laterally extending side edge 42, with the first tape 51' and the second tape 51'' being attached to each other. Each of the two tapes 51', 51'' comprises a substrate, for example, paper having a non-adhesive surface and an opposite surface containing an adhesive, and the two adhesive regions protruding beyond the wrapper sheet 30 are arranged to overlap and be attached to each other. Alternatively, one side of the tape does not contain adhesive in the area that protrudes beyond the wrapper sheet 30, so the two areas that protrude beyond the wrapper sheet 30 overlap and are adhered to each other with the help of the adhesive applied to one of the tapes.

[0112] The wrapper sheet 30 in Figures 8 and 9 has a smaller lateral width than the folded male incontinence guard 1.

[0113] Figure 10 shows a further embodiment in which the wrapper sheet 30 has a greater lateral width than the folded male incontinence guard 1, and the packaged absorbent product 100 comprises a first sealing element 31 as in Figures 8 and 9 and a second sealing system 31', the second sealing system 31' being attached to the wrapper sheet 30 at a position along the first longitudinally extending side edge 35 of the wrapper sheet between the fold line F and the first transversely extending side edge 41, and to the same first longitudinally extending side edge 35 of the wrapper sheet between the fold line F and the second transversely extending side edge 42. When the third sealing system 31” folds the guard along the fold line F and keeps the folded guard in a folded state, it adheres to the wrapper sheet 30 at a position along the second longitudinally extending side edge 36 of the wrapper sheet between the fold line F and the first transversely extending side edge 41, and adheres to the same second longitudinally extending side edge 36 of the wrapper sheet between the fold line F and the second transversely extending side edge 42.

[0114] The second sealing system 31' and the third sealing system 31'' are also tape systems, each including a folded tape 51' that attaches a folded wrapper sheet to keep the folded guard in the folded state in the same manner as the first sealing system 31.

[0115] Alternatively, the second sealing system 31' is a tape system having two tapes (not shown), one tape being attached to the wrapper sheet at a position along the first longitudinally extending side edge 35 of the wrapper sheet between the fold line F and the first transversely extending edge 41 when the guard is folded along the third fold line F, and the second tape being attached to the same longitudinally extending side edge 35 of the wrapper sheet between the fold line F and the second transversely extending edge 42. The first and second tapes are attached to each other as shown in Figure 14. Alternatively, a third sealing system is a tape system having two tapes (not shown), one tape being attached to the wrapper sheet at a position along a second longitudinally extending side edge 36 of the wrapper sheet between a fold line F and a first transversely extending edge 41, and the second tape being attached to the same longitudinally extending side edge 36 of the wrapper sheet between a fold line F and a second transversely extending edge 42, such that when the guard is folded along the third fold line (F), the first tape and the second tape are attached to each other. The first tape and the second tape are attached to each other as shown in Figure 14.

[0116] The packaged absorbent articles are not limited to having one closure system on each extended edge, i.e., the transversely extended edges 41, 42 and the longitudinally extended side edges 35, 36. They may each have one or more closure systems.

[0117] Figure 11 shows an alternative pre-packaged absorbent product 100 having an alternative sealing system 31 for the tape system 51. When the wrapper sheet 30 protrudes beyond the outer edge of the folded male incontinence guard, the sealing system 31 may be embossed, welded, heat-sealed, adhesive, or any other suitable sealing technique. In Figure 11, the wrapper sheet 30 protrudes beyond the outer edge of the folded male incontinence guard 1 in both the longitudinal and transverse directions. Protruding portions 61, 62 are formed, which are positioned opposite the fold line F and extend transversely, and further protruding portions 63, 64 are formed on both sides of the guard 1 in the longitudinal direction. The material of the folded wrapper sheet 30 is embossed together at the laterally extending protrusions 61, 62 and the longitudinally extending protrusions 63, 64 to form a sealing system along the first laterally extending edge 41 and the second laterally extending edge 42, and the first longitudinally extending edge 35 and the second longitudinally extending edge 36 of the wrapper sheet 30. The embossing along the laterally extending protrusions 61, 62 may be considered the first sealing system, and the embossing along the protrusions 63, 64 may be considered the second and third sealing systems. The pattern of the sealing system may extend continuously or discontinuously along the edge of the wrapper sheet, for example, if it is embossed or welded. This pattern and extension may differ between the first, second, and third sealing systems.

[0118] A further alternative is to have an adhesive that attaches the wrapper sheet 30 to itself, instead of using embossing, welding, or heat fusion. The wrapper sheet 30 in Figures 10 and 11 is wider laterally than the folded male incontinence guard 1.

[0119] The first sealing system 31, the second sealing system 31', and the third sealing system 31'' in Figure 10 may all be the same tape system or different. For example, the tape system may be combined with an embossed, welded, heat-sealed, or adhesive sealing system. For example, the first transversely extending edge 41 and the second transversely extending edge 42 of the wrapper sheet 30 may be joined by tape systems 51', 51'', and the first longitudinally extending edge 35 and the second longitudinally extending edge 36 of the wrapper sheet may be joined by adhesive, or by embossing, welding, heat sealing, or any other suitable joining technique, or a combination thereof.

[0120] As described above, the male incontinence guard 1 can be folded before the guard and wrapper sheet are folded along the fold line F. This will be explained with reference to Figures 3, 4, and 5.

[0121] First, referring to Figure 3, the first (left side in the figure) portion 21 of the incontinence guard 1 in Figures 1 and 8 is folded toward the center of the guard 1 such that a first longitudinally extending fold line 22 is defined essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis Y1 and extending on the first side of the longitudinal axis. The top sheet 2 within the area of ​​the first portion 21 faces the top sheet 2 at the center of the guard. Next, as shown in Figure 4, the second (right side in the figure) portion 23 of the incontinence guard 1 is folded toward the center of the guard such that it partially covers the back sheet in the area of ​​the left portion 21, thereby defining a second longitudinally extending fold line 24 that extends essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis and is located on the side of the axis opposite to the first fold line 22. The wrapper sheet 30 is illustrated here to be slightly smaller laterally than the center of the guard, so that only the male incontinence guard is folded along the first longitudinal fold line 22 and the second longitudinal fold line 24. If the wrapper sheet 30 is wider than the center of the guard, the portions of the wrapper sheet 30 that are within the areas of the first portion 21 and the second portion 22 may also be folded together with the first and second sides 21 and the second side 22. Alternatively, only the first portion 21 and the second portion 22 are folded, without folding the portions of the wrapper sheet 30 that are within the areas of the first portion 21 and the second portion 22 before folding.

[0122] Finally, as shown in Figure 5, the lower end region 38 of the guard, together with the wrapper sheet 30, is folded upward along a fold line F essentially parallel to the transverse axis X1 so as to partially cover both the left portion 21 and the right portion 23. During this process, it is also ensured that the lower end region 38 folds upward toward the upper edge 26 of the incontinence guard 1. There may be a gap formed by the distance between the upper edge 26 of the incontinence guard 1 and the edge 27 of the bottom portion 25, as defined by the distance d5 shown in Figure 5. In the folded state, the upper edge 26 may extend beyond the edge 27 of the lower end region 38 (d5 is a positive number), as shown in Figure 5, or the edge 27 of the bottom portion may extend beyond the upper edge 26 (not shown in Figure 5, d5 is a negative value). According to one embodiment, this distance d5 is a maximum of ±30 mm, preferably a maximum of ±10 mm.

[0123] Since the wrapper sheet 30 is long in the longitudinal direction, it protrudes beyond the upper edge 26, and when the product is folded, the first lateral extension edge 41 and the second lateral extension edge 42 are positioned adjacent to each other. The first lateral extension edge 41 and the second lateral extension edge 42 may be aligned as shown in the figure, or there may be a small gap formed by the distance between the first lateral extension edge 41 and the second lateral extension edge 42.

[0124] The tape system 31, already positioned on the second laterally extending edge 42, may in the next step be folded onto the wrapper sheet adjacent to the first laterally extending edge 41 and adhered to the wrapper sheet by its adhesive. Alternatively, the tape system may be adhered after the incontinence guard and the wrapper sheet 30 have been folded. Instead of adhering the tape system, the wrapper sheet may be adhered by adhesive, welding, embossing, heat fusion, or any other suitable bonding technique.

[0125] After the male incontinence guards are individually packaged, the packaged absorbent products are placed in a packaging unit (not shown), such as a plastic or paper bag or box.

[0126] The material of the wrapper sheet may be a single layer sheet of any suitable material known to those skilled in the art, such as paper, polymer film, or nonwoven fabric. The wrapper sheet may also be a laminate comprising at least two distinct layers. Laminates suitable for packaging sanitary articles are assumed to be known to those skilled in the art and are not limited in any way to this disclosure.

[0127] The wrapper sheet may be opaque and / or may include printing.

[0128] Furthermore, the wrapper sheet may include a coating layer having release properties, such as silicone or other agents having release properties in at least the area in contact with the fixed area. The release agent can reduce the fixing force between the release liner and the fixed area.

[0129] This disclosure also encompasses all possible combinations of the described aspects, variations, alternatives, and exemplary embodiments of this disclosure.

[0130] Furthermore, this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments or examples described above, but is naturally applicable to other embodiments and exemplary embodiments within the following claims.

[0131] Reference numerals used in patent claims should not be considered to limit the scope of the subject matter protected by the claims; their sole function is to make the claims easier to understand.

Claims

1. A pre-packaged absorbent product (100) comprising a male incontinence guard (1, 1', 1") and a wrapper sheet (30), The male incontinence guard (1, 1', 1") comprises an impermeable backsheet (2, 2"), a permeable topsheet (3, 3"), and an absorbent (4) positioned between the backsheet (2, 2") and the topsheet (3, 3"), wherein when the incontinence guard (1, 1', 1") is worn by the user, the topsheet (3, 3") faces the user, the guard (1, 1', 1") has a longitudinal extension along the longitudinal axis (Y1) and a lateral extension along the transverse axis (X1), the transverse axis (X1) divides the guard (1, 1', 1") into an upper region (5) having an outer boundary edge (18) and a lower region (6) having a lower edge (19), and the guard (1, 1', 1") tapers at least partially toward the lower edge (19). The male incontinence guard (1, 1', 1") further comprises a fixing area (37) on the back sheet (2, 2") of the incontinence guard (1, 1', 1") for securing the guard to the user's clothing, wherein the fixing area (37) extends at least partially along the longitudinal axis (Y1), and the wrapper sheet (30) covers the fixing area (37), The wrapper sheet (30) extends along the longitudinal axis (Y1) between the outer boundary edge (18) and the lower edge (19), The guard (1, 1', 1") has a fold line (F), the fold line (F) extends along the transverse axis (X1) to define a lower end region (38) below the fold line (F), and the guard is folded along the fold line (F). The packaged absorbent product (100) further comprises a sealing system (31) for keeping the folded guard in a folded state, wherein when the guard (1, 1', 1") is folded along the fold line (F), the sealing system (31) causes the wrapper sheet (30) to adhere to itself at a position adjacent to the outer boundary edge (18) and adjacent to the lower edge (19).

2. The packaged absorbent product (100) according to claim 1, wherein the wrapper sheet (30) protrudes beyond the outer boundary edge (18) and / or the lower edge (19).

3. The packaged absorbent product (100) according to claim 1, wherein the wrapper sheet (30) does not protrude beyond the outer boundary edge (18) and / or the lower edge (19).

4. The packaged absorbent product (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the sealing system (31) is positioned on a first laterally extending side edge (41) and a second laterally extending side edge (42) on the opposite side of the wrapper sheet (30), the first laterally extending side edge (41) being positioned adjacent to the outer boundary edge (18), and the second laterally extending side edge (42) being adjacent to the bottom edge (19).

5. The packaged absorbent product (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the fixed area (37) includes at least one adhesive area (7).

6. The packaged absorbent product (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the sealing system (31) is a tape system (51), and the tape system (51) adheres to the wrapper sheet (30) adjacent to the outer boundary edge (18) and to the wrapper sheet adjacent to the lower edge (19) when the guard is folded along the fold line (F).

7. The tape system (51) includes a single bendable tape (51'), the bendable tape (51') being a folded tape that adheres to the wrapper sheet (30) adjacent to the outer boundary edge (18) and to the wrapper sheet (30) adjacent to the lower edge (19) when the guard is folded along the fold line, the packaged absorbent product (100) according to claim 6.

8. The packaged absorbent product (100) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the tape system (51) comprises two tapes (51', 51"), the first tape (51') being attached to the wrapper sheet (30) adjacent to the outer boundary edge (18), and the second tape (51") being attached to the wrapper sheet (30) adjacent to the lower edge (19), and the first tape (51') and the second tape (51") being attached to each other when the guard (1, 1', 1") is folded along the fold line (F).

9. The packaged absorbent product (100) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the tape (51', 51") comprises a substrate having a non-adhesive surface and an opposite surface having at least a partially adhesive layer.

10. The packaged absorbent product (100) according to claim 9, wherein the base material is in the form of a paper material, a polymer film material, a nonwoven fabric material, a cloth, or a combination thereof.

11. The packaged absorbent product (100) according to any one of claims 2, 4, or 5, wherein the wrapper sheet (30) protrudes beyond the outer boundary edge (18) and the lower edge (19), forming respective protruding portions (61, 62), and the sealing system (31) is embossing, welding, heat sealing, or adhesive, and when the guard is folded along the fold line (F), the wrapper sheet (30) adheres to itself at the respective protruding portions (61, 62).

12. The packaged absorbent product (100) comprises at least one second sealing system (31'), and the second sealing system (31') folds the guard along the fold line (F) and keeps the folded guard in a folded state, at a position along the first longitudinal side edge (35) of the wrapper sheet (30) between the fold line (F) and the outer boundary edge (18) or the first transversely extending side edge (41) of the wrapper sheet (30) adjacent to the outer boundary edge (18) A pre-packaged absorbent product (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the material is attached to the wrapper sheet (30) and to the same first longitudinally extending side edge (35) of the wrapper sheet (30) between the fold line (F) and the lower edge (19) or a second laterally extending side edge (42) of the wrapper sheet (30) adjacent to the lower edge (19), and the first longitudinally extending side edge (35) extends along the longitudinal axis (Y1) of the male incontinence guard (1,1',1").

13. The packaged absorbent product (100) according to claim 12, wherein the second sealing system (31') is a tape system (51), and the tape system (51) is a folded tape.

14. The packaged absorbent product (100) according to claim 12, wherein the second sealing system (31') is a tape system having two tapes.

15. The packaged absorbent product (100) according to claim 12, wherein the wrapper sheet (30) has a width in the transverse direction (X1) and the width is greater than the guard (1, 1', 1") folded in the transverse direction, and forms at least one projection (63) extending along the first longitudinal side edge (35), and the second sealing system (31') is welding, embossing, heat sealing or adhesive bonding, and when the guard is folded along the fold line (F), the wrapper sheet adheres to itself at the projection (63).

16. The packaged absorbent product (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the wrapper sheet (30) has a lateral width that is smaller than, equal to, or larger than the folded guard when the guard is folded along the fold line (F).

17. The packaged absorbent product (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the wrapper sheet (30) is a rectangular sheet having a side edge (35) extending in a first longitudinal direction, a side edge (36) extending in a second longitudinal direction on the opposite side, a side edge (41) extending in a first transverse direction, and a side edge (42) extending in a second transverse direction on the opposite side.

18. The guard (1, 1', 1") is divided in the lateral direction (X1) into a first side portion (21), a second side portion (23), and a central portion located between the first side portion (21) and the side portion (23), a first fold line (22) is provided between the first side portion (21) and the central portion, a second fold line (24) is provided between the central portion and the second side portion (23), the first side portion (21) is folded over the central portion along the first fold line (21), and the second side portion (23) is folded over the central portion along the second fold line (24) to form a first folded form. The packaged absorbent product (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the fold line (F) extending along the lateral axis and defining the lower end region (38) below the fold line (F) is a third fold line, and the lower end region (38) is folded along the third fold line (F) to form a second folded form in which the lower end region (38) at least partially overlaps the first side region (21) and the second side region (23) to form a second overlapping region, and the first folded form is performed before the second folded form.

19. The packaged absorbent product (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the lateral axis (X1) extends between a first lower corner point (10) and a second lower corner point (11), and the first lower corner point (10) and the second lower corner point (11) define two outermost points of the guard (1) having a first width (w1).

20. The packaged absorbent product (100) according to claim 19, wherein the upper region (5) includes an inwardly recessed curved portion (12) having an arc shape, extending between a first upper corner (13) and a second upper corner (14), the upper corners (13, 14) define a second width (w2), the first width (w1) is greater than the second width (w2), and the first lower corner (10) and the first upper corner (13), and the second lower corner (11) and the second upper corner (14) are connected by outer edges (15, 17), respectively.

21. The packaged absorbent product (100) according to claim 20, wherein the inwardly recessed curved portion (12) defines an outer boundary edge (18) extending between the upper corner points (13, 14), and the outer boundary edge (18) is located inside a virtual transverse line (X2) extending between the upper corner points (13, 14).

22. The packaged absorbent product (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein the absorbent (4) includes a primary core (4') and a secondary core (4") arranged in a stacked configuration, the primary core (4') has a larger area in the XY plane than the area of ​​the secondary core (4"), and the secondary core (4") is formed by side edges (28, 29) that are at least partially substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis (Y1).

23. The packaged absorbent product (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 22, wherein the guard (1) is arranged to have an expandable element (20) positioned along the outer edge (9) of the lower region (6).

24. The packaged absorbent product (100) according to claim 23, wherein the stretchable element (20) is in the form of a stretchable film, foam, elastic laminate and / or elastic yarn attached to the guard (1').

25. A packaged absorbent product (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 24, wherein the fold line (F) extending along the transverse axis (X1) is positioned spaced apart from the transverse axis (X1).

26. The packaged absorbent product (100) according to claim 25, wherein the spacing is half the length of the maximum length of the guard in the longitudinal direction along the longitudinal axis (Y1).

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