Encapsulated sheets and absorbent materials.

Abstract

DEPCT64 The wrapper for the absorbent material is designed to enclose the absorbent material in a manner that... The first area, which includes one end of the wrapping sheet in the longitudinal direction, overlaps with the second area, which includes... The opposite ends of the wrapping sheet are positioned in the longitudinal direction and are provided with a seal at the edge. The wrapper is openly sealed along its width to allow for the encapsulation of the absorbent material. Where a dye layer is formed on the exposed regions that are revealed when the absorbent material is It is enclosed in a way that the absorbent material is not easily visible from the outside, and where there is a seal between the areas. The first and second areas had no dye layer or had a dye layer at a surface area ratio of 30% or less. -----------------------------------------------------------

Description

Packaging sheets and absorbent packaging articles

[0001] This invention relates to packaging sheets and packaging absorbent articles.

[0002] Conventionally, absorbent products such as sanitary napkins, panty liners, and incontinence pads are generally provided packaged in a packaging sheet for hygiene reasons and for convenience of carrying. Known packaging methods for absorbent products include placing the absorbent product on a long, narrow packaging sheet, wrapping the absorbent product by rolling the packaging sheet in the longitudinal direction and folding it into thirds (tri-fold), and sealing the short edges with heat sealing or the like (for example, Figure 8 in Patent Document 1). In the roll-and-tri-fold method, the packaging sheet is overlapped so that the inner surface of the region at one end of the sheet is in contact with the inner surface of the region at the other end, and then folded.

[0003] Patent No. 6169393

[0004] Incidentally, it is generally undesirable for absorbent materials to be seen by people. Therefore, it is preferable that absorbent materials packaged in packaging sheets have their contents not immediately apparent. For this reason, in order to give the packaging sheet a shielding function, a coloring layer is often formed on the surface of the packaging sheet by printing or other means.

[0005] However, if a coloring agent layer is formed on the outer surface of the packaging sheet, for example, when the packaging sheet is rolled up, folded into thirds, and sealed, the coloring agent layer will be present between the outer surface of one end and the inner surface of the other end that is placed on top of it. This can reduce the sealing performance and make the sealed portion more likely to come undone.

[0006] In view of the above, one aspect of the present invention aims to provide a packaging sheet for absorbent articles that has a shielding function and can constitute a highly sealable packaging absorbent article.

[0007] A first aspect of the present invention is a packaging sheet for an absorbent article, wherein the absorbent article can be wrapped by wrapping the absorbent article such that a first region including one end in the longitudinal direction overlaps a second region including the other end in the longitudinal direction, and the short edge is sealed in an openable manner to form a sealed portion, wherein a coloring agent layer is formed in the exposed region that is exposed to the outside when the absorbent article is packaged, so that the absorbent article is not easily visible from the outside, and in the sealed portion, there is no coloring agent layer between the first region and the second region, or a coloring agent layer is formed with an area ratio of 30% or less.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide a packaging sheet for absorbent articles that has a shielding function and can constitute a highly sealable absorbent packaging article.

[0009] This is a view from the outside of the unfolded state of a packaging sheet according to one embodiment of the present invention. This is a diagram showing a packaged absorbent article formed by packaging an absorbent article with the packaging sheet of Figure 1. This is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I in Figure 2. This is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in Figure 2. This is a partially enlarged view of Figure 1. This is a diagram showing a modified example of the packaged absorbent article. This is a view from the outside of the unfolded state of a packaging sheet according to another embodiment of the present invention. This is a diagram showing a packaged absorbent article formed by packaging an absorbent article with the packaging sheet of Figure 7. This is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in Figure 8. This is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in Figure 8.

[0010] The embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, unless otherwise specified, identical or corresponding components may be denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions may be omitted. Furthermore, the drawings are schematic representations intended to aid in understanding the invention.

[0011] Figure 1 shows one form of a packaging sheet 10 for absorbent articles. Figure 1 is a view from the outside (the side opposite to the side on which the absorbent article 1 is placed) of the packaging sheet 10 with the absorbent article 1 placed on its inner surface. Figure 1 can also be said to show the packaged absorbent article 100 in an unfolded state. Figure 2 shows the state after the absorbent article 1 has been packaged with the packaging sheet 10, i.e., a plan view of the packaged absorbent article 100. Furthermore, Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I in Figure 2, and Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in Figure 2.

[0012] As shown in Figure 1, the packaging sheet 10 has a rectangular, elongated shape. In Figure 1, the first direction D1 is the longitudinal direction of the packaging sheet 10, and the direction perpendicular to the first direction D1 is the short direction D2. The dimensions of the packaging sheet 10 depend on the size and shape of the absorbent article 1 to be packaged, but for example, when the packaging sheet 10 is unfolded (Figure 1), the length in the first direction D1 may be about 120 to 500 mm, and the length in the second direction D2 may be about 75 to 180 mm. Also, when folded (Figure 2), the length in the first direction D1 may be about 50 to 160 mm.

[0013] As the packaging sheet 10, polyolefin films such as polypropylene and polyethylene, resin films such as polyester and polyvinyl alcohol, nonwoven fabrics, laminated nonwoven fabrics (including poly-laminated nonwoven fabrics in which a polymer layer is laminated on one or both sides of a nonwoven fabric), etc. Resin films are preferred if the design by printing is important, while nonwoven fabrics are preferred if the texture and softness are important.

[0014] The packaging sheet 10 can wrap the absorbent article 1 by placing the absorbent article 1 on its inner surface and then performing a tri-fold. In other words, it can cover and contain the absorbent article 1. Here, a tri-fold refers to a folding method in which a sheet-like material is divided into three regions in one direction, and the two outermost regions of the three regions are folded to the same side so that they overlap at least partially. In this embodiment, the first region R1, which includes one end 11 in the longitudinal direction D1, can be folded so that it overlaps the second region R2, which includes the other end 12 in the longitudinal direction D2. More specifically, as seen in Figure 1, the packaging sheet 10 can be folded by mountain-folding the second region R2 along the fold line L2, and then mountain-folding the first region R1 along the fold line L1.

[0015] The packaging sheet 10 is folded together with the absorbent article 1, thereby obtaining the packaged absorbent article 100 as shown in Figures 2 to 4. A tag tape 15 is provided at one end 11 of the packaging sheet 10, and after the packaging sheet 10 is folded together with the absorbent article 1, the first region R1 can be secured to the second region R2 with this tag tape 15. Furthermore, when opening, the packaged absorbent article 100 can be unfolded by pulling on the tag tape 15.

[0016] Furthermore, the central region between the first region R1 and the second region R2 is designated as the third region R3. Also, the region within the first region R1 that overlaps with the second region R2 is designated as the first overlapping region R Ａ１ The region within the second region R2 where the first region R1 overlaps is called the second overlapping region R Ａ２ Let's assume that.

[0017] Immediately after wrapping the absorbent article 1 in the packaging sheet 10 by rolling it into thirds, the edges 13, 13 in the short direction D2 remain open. By sealing the edges 13, 13 in the short direction D2 in a way that allows them to be opened, the absorbent article 1 can be sealed within the space formed by the packaging sheet 10. This prevents the absorbent article 1 from being exposed to dust and dirt, allowing the absorbent article 1 to be carried hygienically as a packaged absorbent article 100. In the illustrated packaged absorbent article 100, the edges 13, 13 in the short direction D2 are sealed in a way that allows them to be opened, forming sealed portions S, S (shown by diagonal lines in Figures 2 and 4).

[0018] As shown in Figure 4, the sealed portions S, S are areas where multiple layers formed by folding the packaging sheet 10 are joined together. Therefore, when three or more layers of the packaging sheet 10 are stacked, two of the contacting layers are joined together.

[0019] In this specification, an openable seal is a seal that is formed by joining in such a way that it does not open spontaneously during normal handling, such as carrying it before use, but can be opened by hand by the user when using it. Furthermore, while the strength of the openable seal is not particularly limited, it is preferable that the packaging sheet 10 is less likely to tear when the user opens it.

[0020] The type of seal for the seal portion S, S is not particularly limited as long as it can be sealed with sufficient strength to be opened by hand without the use of special tools. It can be formed by heat sealing, ultrasonic sealing, or by using an adhesive.

[0021] The sealing portions S, S may be formed within a range of up to 25 mm from the short edge of the packaging sheet 10. Furthermore, the sealing portions S, S can be formed with a width of approximately 5 to 25 mm within the above range. Therefore, the sealing portions S, S can be formed at a distance of 20 mm or less from the short edge, for example. In the illustrated embodiment, the sealing portions S, S are formed with the same width from the short edge of the packaging sheet 10 to a predetermined position and along the longitudinal direction D1 of the packaging sheet 10 in the state in which the absorbent article 1 is packaged. The width of the sealing portions S, S may not be constant along the longitudinal direction D1, but may vary.

[0022] In the unfolded packaging sheet 10, the area where the seal portions S, S are formed is defined as the seal zone SZ (Figure 1). As shown by the diagonal lines in Figure 1, the seal zones SZ, SZ extend from one end 11 to the other end 12 in the longitudinal direction D1 at both edges 13, 13 in the short direction of the packaging sheet 10.

[0023] Furthermore, the sealing portion S (sealing zone SZ) may include not only the portion where the sealing process was actually performed, but also the surrounding portion whose properties or state have changed as a result of the process. For example, if the sealing method is heat sealing, it includes not only the joint formed by the heat sealing, but also the portion around the joint where the material has changed or deformed due to thermal deformation or other reasons.

[0024] Figure 5(a) shows an enlarged view of the seal zone SZ of the packaging sheet 10 shown in Figure 1. Figure 5(a) shows the seal zone SZ near the other end 12 of the second region R2 (zone SZ Ａ２ (Zone SZ) Ａ２ This is a magnified view of a portion of the seal zone SZ (which will be described in more detail later). The seal zone SZ is a strip-shaped zone with a predetermined width, but when viewed microscopically, as shown in Figure 5(a), it is an aggregate of dot-shaped seal processing units SD. The pattern of the seal processing units SD in this seal zone SZ corresponds to the pattern of the joint of the seal portion S in the absorbent packaging article 100.

[0025] The pattern of the sealing section SD may be discontinuous within the sealing zone SZ, regardless of the type of seal (Figure 5(a)), or it may be continuous. For example, the sealing section SD may extend across the entire sealing zone SZ. That is, the layers of the packaging sheet 10 may be joined together over the entire area of ​​the sealing section S. Also, linear sealing sections may be arranged in parallel or in a mesh pattern.

[0026] In the configuration shown in Figure 5(a), the contour of the seal zone SZ (the boundary line between the seal zone SZ and the surrounding area) includes a curve and can be recognized as a wavy line during normal use or when viewed from a distance. By making the contour of the seal zone SZ a wavy line or similar and varying the width of the seal zone SZ, the design can be improved, and a balance can be achieved with the strength of the seal treatment by creating areas with locally weaker seal strength.

[0027] Figure 5(b) shows a modified example of the seal zone SZ. The seal zone SZ in Figure 5(a) is also composed of a collection of dot-shaped sealing processing units SD, but in this example, the plan view shape of the sealing processing units SD is square, and the outline of the seal zone SZ is a straight line.

[0028] Furthermore, the planar shape of the sealing processing unit SD can be an ellipse, a polygon (including triangles, quadrilaterals other than squares, etc.), a heart shape, a teardrop shape, a star shape, or a part of any of these shapes.

[0029] The entirety of the first region R1 and the third region R3, as well as a portion of the second region R2, of the packaging sheet 10 form an exposed region Re (Figure 1). The exposed region Re is the area that is exposed to the outside when the absorbent article 1 is packaged (Figures 2, 3, etc.). A coloring agent layer 18 is formed in this exposed region Re so that the absorbent article 1 is not easily visible from the outside when it is packaged.

[0030] In this specification, "difficult to see" means that when the packaging absorbent article 100 comes into a person's field of vision, that person cannot immediately recognize that its contents are absorbent article 1. Therefore, it is not relevant whether, for example, the absorbent article 100 can be recognized as containing absorbent article 1 when it is carefully examined, such as by being held up to the light.

[0031] Generally, when carrying absorbent items, it is desirable to keep them out of sight of others as much as possible. Therefore, when carrying absorbent items when going out, some users make efforts to conceal the contents by further wrapping the packaged absorbent items in cloth or placing them in a pouch. In contrast, in this embodiment, a coloring agent layer 18 is formed in the exposed area Re so that the absorbent item 1 packaged by the packaging sheet 10 is difficult to see from the outside, thus providing sufficient shielding. As a result, users can carry absorbent items easily, without wrapping them in cloth, with the same or similar feeling as carrying other items such as pocket tissues or handkerchiefs.

[0032] The colored layer can be formed, for example, by applying ink or paint to the surface of the packaging sheet 10. Methods of ink application include printing, more specifically, gravure printing, flexographic printing, inkjet printing, and screen printing. The formation of the colored layer allows for the creation of patterns, letters, and symbols on the packaging sheet 10. Furthermore, the color of the colorant (ink or paint) used in forming the colored layer is not limited. Colors of the colorant include red, blue, yellow, black, and white.

[0033] The coloring layer formed on the packaging sheet 10 may be formed on either side of the packaging sheet 10, as long as it is formed in such a way that the absorbent article is not easily visible from the outside. The coloring layer may also be formed on both sides of the packaging sheet 10. In the configurations shown in Figures 1 to 4, the coloring layer 18 is partially formed on the outer surface of the packaging sheet 10 and not on the inner surface.

[0034] Depending on the type and amount of colorant, some colorants may easily transfer to objects they come into contact with. However, as shown in the figure, if a colorant layer is not formed on the inner surface of the packaging sheet 10, or if the amount of the colorant layer formed on the inner surface is reduced, the colorant in the colorant layer will be less likely to adhere to the absorbent article 1. On the other hand, if a colorant layer is not formed on the outer surface of the packaging sheet 10, or if the amount of the colorant layer formed on the outer surface is reduced, it is possible to reduce or prevent the colorant in the colorant layer from adhering to objects that come into contact with the packaged absorbent article when it is carried.

[0035] A colorant layer can be formed in the exposed area Re with an area ratio of more than 30% to 100%. In this specification, the area ratio of the colorant layer (also called the colorant area ratio) refers to the percentage of the area occupied by the applied colorant in a predetermined area. Therefore, when a colorant layer is formed in a predetermined area on one side of the packaging sheet 10 by printing ink, the colorant area ratio is the percentage of the area in that predetermined area that is printed. In this case, if the predetermined area is not printed at all, the area ratio is 0%, and if it is printed to cover the entire predetermined area (i.e., solid print), the area ratio is 100%.

[0036] If the area ratio of the colorant in the exposed area Re is 30% or less, the shielding function will decrease, and the contents may become more easily visible from the outside. Furthermore, the area ratio of the colorant in the exposed area Re can preferably be 40% or more, more preferably 50% or more, even more preferably 65% ​​or more, even more preferably 80% or more, and even more preferably 90% or more.

[0037] As described above, the surface on which the colorant layer is formed may be the outer surface, the inner surface, or both of the exposed region Re. Therefore, the colorant area ratio in the exposed region Re can be the ratio of the planar area of ​​the portion of the exposed region Re to which the colorant layer extends, regardless of whether it is formed on the outer or inner surface, to the total area of ​​the exposed region Re of the packaging sheet 10.

[0038] The colorant area ratio in the packaging sheet 10 can be adjusted by adjusting the intensity of the colorant across a predetermined area, or by locally forming solid-printed areas that are 100% covered with colorant and unprinted areas without colorant, and combining them. For example, a strip-shaped solid-printed area or an area that is not solid-printed but has a relatively high colorant area ratio can be alternated with a similar strip-shaped unprinted area. Alternatively, a small area with a predetermined area of ​​solid print or an area that is not solid-printed but has a relatively high colorant area ratio (for example, an area with a planar shape such as a circle or a square) can be locally formed, and the remaining area can be an unprinted area.

[0039] The packaging sheet 10 can be used to wrap the absorbent article 1 so that the first region R1 overlaps the second region R2, thereby forming a packaged absorbent article 100 (Figures 1 to 4). Therefore, when the absorbent article 1 is packaged with the packaging sheet 10, the inner surface of the first region R1 and the outer surface of the second region R2 are in at least partial contact. Thus, when sealing the short-side D2 edges 13, 13 of the packaging sheet 10, for example by heat sealing or ultrasonic sealing, the inner surface of the first region R1 and the outer surface of the second region R2 are usually joined together by the partial melting and fusion of the inner material of the first region R1 and the outer surface of the second region R2.

[0040] However, if a coloring agent layer is formed between the first region R1 and the second region R2, for example, if printing is applied to the inner surface of the first region R1, the outer surface of the second region R2, or both, then when the first region R1 is simply placed on top of the second region R2 (without applying force or heat, and without deformation or alteration of the materials of the first region R1 and the second region R2), there may be areas where the material on the inner surface of the first region R1 and the material on the outer surface of the second region R2 cannot directly contact each other. Therefore, even if the packaging sheet 10 is rolled and folded into thirds to wrap the absorbent article 1, and then sealed at the short-side D2 edges 13, 13, the coloring agent layer may interfere, resulting in areas where the sealing performance is reduced, and the overall sealing performance of the sealed portion may be reduced.

[0041] In contrast, in this embodiment, in the seal portions S, S, a colorant layer is not formed between the first region R1 and the second region R2, or the colorant layer is formed with an area ratio of 30% or less. That is, regardless of whether it is formed on the inner surface of the first region R1 or the outer surface of the second region R2, the first region R1 and the second region R2 in the seal portions S, S directly overlap, forming an overlapping seal portion S Ａ , S Ａ (shown shaded in FIG. 2), the planar area occupied by the colorant existing between the first region R1 and the second region R2 is 0 to 30% of the area of the overlapping seal portion S Ａ , S Ａ . That is, in the overlapping seal portions S

[0042] , S Ａ , S Ａ , there is no colorant layer between the first region R1 and the second region R2, or it exists with a colorant area ratio of 30% or less.

[0043] Thus, in this embodiment, while the colorant layer 18 is formed in the exposed region Re as described above so that the absorbent article is difficult to be visually recognized from the outside, in the seal portions S, S, the planar area ratio of the colorant layer in the portion where the first region R1 and the second region R2 overlap (the overlapping seal portion) S Ａ , S Ａ is set to 30% or less. Therefore, while maintaining the shielding function of the packaging sheet 10, the sealing performance in the seal portions S, S can be improved. In addition, since the colorant layer 18 is provided in the exposed region Re, the design property is improved.

[0043] In FIG. 1, the seal zones that become the overlapping seal portions S Ａ , S Ａ are shown as zones SZ Ａ１ , SZ Ａ１ in the first region R1 and zones SZ Ａ２ , SZ Ａ２ in the second region R2 (both are shown shaded). The zone SZ Ａ１ is included in the first overlapping region R Ａ１ , and the zone SZ Ａ２ is included in the second overlapping region R Ａ２ .

[0044] The overlapping seal portions S Ａ , S ＡThe area ratio of the coloring agent in the overlapping seal portion S is preferably 20% or less, more preferably 15% or less, even more preferably 10% or less, and even more preferably 5% or less. Ａ、 S Ａ It is even more preferable that a coloring agent layer is not substantially formed. Here, "not substantially formed" means that the coloring agent layer is 1% or less, preferably 0.5% or less.

[0045] Also, overlapping seal portion S Ａ S Ａ In this configuration, the inner surface of the first region R1 and the outer surface of the second region R2 are preferably free of solid printing areas, or if there are continuous solid printing areas, the minimum length of such areas is preferably less than 5 mm, and more preferably less than 3 mm.

[0046] Overlapping seal portion S Ａ S Ａ In this case, the area ratio of the coloring agent may differ in parts. For example, overlapping seal portion S Ａ S Ａ A portion S near one end 11 (near the tag tape 15) in the longitudinal direction D1 Ｅ、 S Ｅ (Figure 2) The area ratio of the coloring agent is the overlapping seal portion S Ａ S Ａ This part S can be made smaller than the other parts. Ｅ、 S Ｅ The sealed portion S is the part that is first opened (unsealed), and is susceptible to force, so portion S Ｅ、 S Ｅ If the sealing ability is low, the mouth tends to open easily. In contrast, for example, part S Ｅ、 S Ｅ By substantially eliminating or eliminating the coloring agent layer, the absorbent article 1 can be prevented from being unintentionally opened before use. Ｅ、 S Ｅ This can be a portion located 5 to 15 mm away from one end 11 in the longitudinal direction D1.

[0047] In the illustrated configuration, the sealing portions S, S are formed on both edges 13, 13 in the short direction D2 of the packaging sheet 10, respectively, and the overlapping sealing portion S Ａ S Ａ These are also present on both edges 13, 13 in the short direction D2 of the packaging sheet 10. These two overlapping seal portions S Ａ S Ａ The area ratio of the coloring agent in each of the two overlapping seal portions S may be the same or different. It is preferable that the area ratio of the coloring agent in both is the same, as this results in similar sealing properties and balance at both edges 13, 13 in the short direction D2. In this specification, unless otherwise specified, the area ratio of the coloring agent in the overlapping seal portion is the same as that of the two overlapping seal portions S Ａ S Ａ This can be used as the average of the colorant area ratios.

[0048] Overlapping seal portion S Ａ S Ａ The area ratio of the colored agent is smaller than the area ratio of the colored agent in the exposed area Re. Also, the overlapping seal portion S Ａ S Ａ If a coloring agent layer is present, overlapping seal portion S Ａ S Ａ The ratio of the coloring agent area ratio to the coloring agent area ratio of the exposed area Re is preferably about 0.001 to 0.8.

[0049] In the configurations shown in Figures 1 to 4, no coloring agent layer is formed on the inner surface of the packaging sheet 10, and the outer surface of the region where the first region R1 overlaps the second region R2, i.e., the second overlapping region R Ａ２ Substantially no coloring layer is formed on the outer surface. Therefore, in the packaged state of the absorbent article 1, substantially no coloring layer is formed between the first region R1 and the second region R2 over the entire area where the second region R2 and the first region R1 overlap.

[0050] In this way, the overlapping seal portion S Ａ S ＡFurthermore, if the absorbent article 1 is packaged in such a way that no coloring agent layer is formed between the first region R1 and the second region R2, or if a coloring agent layer is formed but the coloring agent area ratio is 30% or less, then the first overlapping region R Ａ１ In Seal Zone SZ Ａ１ Either divide the region into this area and the other areas, or create a second overlapping region R. Ａ２ In Seal Zone SZ Ａ２ There is no need to separate this region from other regions. For example, the first overlapping region R Ａ１ In Seal Zone SZ Ａ１ The method or pattern of forming the coloring agent layer can be the same in the second overlapping region R. Ａ２ In Seal Zone SZ Ａ２ The method or pattern of forming the coloring agent layer can be the same in the area and the other areas. Therefore, for example, in the process of manufacturing a packaging sheet 10 by printing on a roll-shaped sheet and then cutting it, if the width of the roll-shaped sheet corresponds to the length D1 of the packaging sheet 10 and the short direction D2 is the transport direction during printing, even if a misalignment occurs in the short direction D2, the overlapping seal portion S Ａ S Ａ This makes it easier to maintain the colorant area ratio within the desired range.

[0051] Figures 6(a) and (b) show modified examples of the absorbent packaging article 100. The examples shown in Figures 6(a) and (b) are similar to the form shown in Figure 2, but the region included in the exposed region Re of the second region R2 (the second overlapping region R in the second region R2) Ａ２ The composition of the coloring agent layer differs in areas other than those mentioned above.

[0052] Second overlapping region R Ａ２ When the area ratio of the coloring agent is reduced, the sealing performance at the seal improves, but the second overlapping region R Ａ２ The colorant area ratio in region R1 may differ significantly from that in region R1. For example, in region R1. Ａ２In some cases, a coloring agent layer is not substantially formed in one region, while the coloring agent area ratio in the first region R1 is, for example, 90%. In such cases, if the overlapping position of the first region R1 and the second region R2 is shifted, the second overlapping region R Ａ２ When exposed, the colorant area ratio of the first region R1 and the second overlapping region R Ａ２ In some cases, the coloring agent area ratio may appear noticeably unnatural. This is especially true in the second overlapping region R. Ａ２ If the area ratio of the coloring agent near the end furthest from the other end 12 is significantly different from the area ratio of the coloring agent near one end 11 of the first region R1, then when the absorbent packaging article 100 is viewed from above, the difference in the area ratio of the coloring agent around one end 11 of the first region R1 will be more noticeable.

[0053] In contrast, the exposed portion of the second region R2 (second overlap R in the second region R2) Ａ２ By configuring the coloring agent area ratio in the areas other than the above, including a portion that gradually or stepwise increases as it moves away from the other end 12 in the longitudinal direction D1, the difference in the coloring agent area ratio can be made less noticeable. For example, in the example shown in Figure 6(a), the exposed portion of the second region R2 (the second overlapping R in the second region R2) Ａ２ The area ratio of the coloring agent in the areas other than the specified area is configured to increase in steps as it moves away from the other end 12 in the longitudinal direction D1. As a result, in the second area R2, the second overlapping area R Ａ２ Near the boundary between the exposed portion of the second region R2 and the exposed portion of the second region R2, the difference in the coloring agent area ratio between the two can be reduced while maintaining the coloring agent area ratio of the exposed region Re to an extent that the shielding function is not impaired. In Figure 6(a), the coloring agent area ratio can be set to three or more stages, and preferably to four or more stages. As the number of stages for increasing the coloring agent area ratio is increased, the user can visually perceive that the coloring agent area ratio is gradually increasing.

[0054] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6(b), the exposed portion of the second region R2 (second overlap R in the second region R2) Ａ２The area ratio of the coloring agent in areas other than the first region can be locally varied. In this example, in the exposed portion of the second region R2, portions where the coloring agent layer is substantially absent or absent, and portions where the coloring agent layer covers, for example, 90% or more, can be alternately arranged as strip-shaped portions extending in the short direction D2. Since the positional displacement of the overlap between the first region R1 and the second region R2 is about ±5 mm, it is preferable that the width of the above-mentioned strip-shaped portion (length in the longitudinal direction D1) be 3 to 7 mm.

[0055] The absorbent article 1 packaged by the packaging sheet 10 in this embodiment is a sanitary napkin, panty liner (discharge liner), incontinence pad, etc. Specifically, it may consist of an impermeable back sheet, a permeable front sheet, and a main body (absorbent article body) having an absorbent material provided between these two sheets. The absorbent article 1, like the packaging sheet 10, may have an elongated shape with the first direction (longitudinal direction of the packaging sheet 10) D1 in Figure 1 as the longitudinal direction and the second direction (short direction of the packaging sheet 10) D2 as the short direction.

[0056] As the backing sheet of absorbent article 1, a sheet material having at least water-impermeable properties, such as polyethylene or polypropylene olefin resin sheets, can be used. Alternatively, laminated nonwoven fabrics, such as polyethylene sheets laminated with nonwoven fabric, or laminated nonwoven fabric sheets with a waterproof film interposed to ensure substantially liquid impermeability can be used. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of preventing stuffiness, it is even more desirable to use a material that has moisture permeability.

[0057] The surface sheet is a permeable sheet that allows bodily fluids such as menstrual blood, vaginal discharge, and urine to pass through quickly. Suitable surface sheets include perforated or non-perforated nonwoven fabrics and porous plastic sheets. As material fibers constituting the nonwoven fabric, for example, synthetic fibers such as polyethylene, polypropylene and other olefins, polyester, and polyamide, regenerated fibers such as rayon and cupro, and blends thereof, as well as natural fibers such as cotton, can be used individually or in combination of two or more. Composite fibers combining synthetic fibers with different melting points can also be used.

[0058] The absorbent material interposed between the back sheet and the front sheet is not limited to any material capable of absorbing and retaining bodily fluids, but it preferably contains cotton-like pulp and a superabsorbent polymer. As the superabsorbent polymer, superabsorbent polymer granules (SAP), superabsorbent polymer fibers (SAF), and combinations thereof can be used. As the pulp, examples include cellulose fibers such as chemical pulp and dissolved pulp obtained from wood, and artificial cellulose fibers such as rayon and acetate. As the raw material for chemical pulp, hardwoods and softwoods can be used, but softwoods are preferred due to their longer fiber length. Synthetic fibers may also be mixed into the absorbent material.

[0059] The thickness of the absorbent article 1 can be in the range of 1 to 20 mm, and preferably in the range of 2 to 10 mm. This thickness does not have to be uniform across the entire surface of the absorbent article 1, and by changing the thickness of the absorbent material, it is possible to create a structure in which the central part in the longitudinal direction D1, or the part corresponding to the groove of the buttocks, etc., are bulged.

[0060] The above primarily describes a form in which the packaging sheet is folded in three along its length (a form in which it is folded in two places along its length). However, the folding method of the packaging sheet is not limited to three-folding. For example, the packaging sheet may be folded in four or more ways, that is, folded in three or more places along its length. Furthermore, when an absorbent article is folded together with the packaging sheet, the absorbent article can also be configured to be folded in four or more ways.

[0061] Figure 7 shows a packaging sheet 210 that is folded into quarters along its longitudinal direction. Similar to Figure 1, Figure 7 is a view from the outside of the packaging sheet 210 with the absorbent article 201 placed on its inner surface, and also shows the packaged absorbent article 200 in an unfolded state. Figure 8 shows the state after the absorbent article 201 has been packaged by the packaging sheet 210, i.e., a plan view of the packaged absorbent article 200. Furthermore, Figure 9 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III of Figure 8, and Figure 10 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV of Figure 8. The cross-sectional view in Figure 9 corresponds to Figure 3, and the cross-sectional view in Figure 10 corresponds to Figure 4. The configurations shown in Figures 7 to 10 can be the same as those described in Figures 1 to 4, unless otherwise specified.

[0062] The packaging sheet 210 can be folded in the same way as the packaging sheet 10 (Figure 1, etc.) by overlapping a first region R1 including one end 211 in the longitudinal direction D1 with a second region R2 including the other end 212 in the longitudinal direction D1. That is, as seen in Figure 7, the packaging sheet 210 can be folded by mountain folding the second region R2 along the second fold line L2, and then mountain folding the first region R1 along the fold line L1. However, in the configuration shown in Figure 7, before folding along the second fold line L2, a part of the second region R2 is mountain folded back along the third fold line L3 as seen in Figure 1. More specifically, the folded region R of the second region R2 closer to the other end 212. Ｂ However, the absorbent article 201 is folded back in advance on the side on which it is placed. That is, the packaging sheet 210 has a folded area R Ｂ After folding it in, it is rolled up and folded into thirds.

[0063] The region that overlaps the first region R1 with the second region R2 is the first overlapping region R Ａ１ Let the region of the second region R2 that overlaps with the second region R2 be called the second overlapping region R Ａ２ Let's assume the first overlapping region R. Ａ１ This is a region that is in contact with and overlaps with the second region R2, and the second overlapping region R Ａ２ This is the region that is in contact with and overlaps with the first region R1.

[0064] After the packaging sheet 210 and the absorbent article 201 are both folded, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, both edge portions 213, 213 in the short side direction D2 can be sealed in an openable manner to form seal portions S, S (shown by oblique lines in FIGS. 8 and 10). The seal portions S, S are portions where a plurality of layers formed by folding the packaging sheet 210 are joined to each other, and the seal portions S, S in the forms shown in FIGS. 7 to 10 include two-layer joints, three-layer joints, and four-layer joints.

[0065] In the packaged absorbent article 200, similar to the packaged absorbent article 100 (FIGS. 1 to 4), a colorant layer 218 is formed in the exposed region Re so that the absorbent article is difficult to be visually recognized from the outside. On the other hand, among the seal portions S, S, the overlapping seal portion S which is the portion where the first region R1 and the second region R2 overlap Ａ , S Ａ (FIGS. 8 and 10) has a planar view area ratio (colorant area ratio) of the colorant layer of 30% or less. Thereby, while maintaining the shielding function and designability of the packaging sheet 210, the sealing property of the seal portions S, S can be improved.

[0066] In the unfolded packaging sheet 210, the region where the seal portions S, S are formed is defined as a seal zone SZ (shown by oblique lines in FIG. 7). The seal zones SZ, SZ extend from one end 211 to the other end 212 in the longitudinal direction D1 at both edge portions 213, 213 in the short side direction D2 of the packaging sheet 210, respectively. And the seal zone that becomes the overlapping seal portion S Ａ , S Ａ is designated as zone SZ Ａ１ , SZ Ａ１ in the first region R1, and as zone SZ Ａ２ , SZ Ａ２ in the second region R2 (both are shown by shading).

[0067] The colorant area ratio of the folding region R Ｂ in the second region R2 is not particularly limited, but can be the same as the colorant area ratio of the second overlapping region R Ａ２ . The second overlapping region R Ａ２ and the folding region R ＢSince they can be printed with the same coloring agent area ratio, the structure becomes simpler. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, in the second overlapping region R Ａ２ and the folding region R Ｂ a configuration can be adopted in which the coloring agent layer is not substantially formed.

[0068] In the case of five or more folds, it is preferable to fold back a portion including one end and / or the other end in the longitudinal direction D1 of the packaging sheet so that two or more folding lines are formed in advance, and then to perform a three-fold roll wrapping.

[0069] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be appended.

[0070] (Appended Note 1) The aspect according to Appended Note 1 is a packaging sheet for absorbent articles, which wraps the absorbent article so that a first region including one end in the longitudinal direction overlaps a second region including the other end in the longitudinal direction, and is sealed at the edge in the short side direction so as to be openable, and a seal portion is formed, whereby the absorbent article can be packaged. In an exposed region that is exposed to the outside when the absorbent article is packaged, a coloring agent layer is formed so that the absorbent article is difficult to be visually recognized from the outside. In the seal portion, no coloring agent layer is formed between the first region and the second region, or a coloring agent layer is formed at an area ratio of 30% or less.

[0071] The packaging sheet according to the aspect according to Appended Note 1 can package an absorbent article by wrapping the absorbent article so that a first region including one end in the longitudinal direction overlaps a second region including the other end in the longitudinal direction and sealing a seal zone at the edge in the short side direction so as to be openable. Therefore, a highly sealable packaged absorbent article can be configured without going through a complicated process.

[0072] And in this aspect, since a coloring agent layer is formed in the exposed region so that the absorbent article is difficult to be visually recognized from the outside, it is difficult to see the contents of the packaged absorbent article at a glance, and it has a sufficient shielding function. On the other hand, in the seal portion, since no coloring agent layer is formed between the first region and the second region, or a coloring agent layer is formed at an area ratio of 30% or less, it is possible to provide a highly sealable packaged absorbent article in the seal portion while maintaining the above shielding function.

[0073] (Note 2) In the embodiment relating to Note 3, a coloring agent layer is formed in the exposed area with an area ratio of more than 30% to 100% or less.

[0074] According to the embodiment described in Appendix 2 above, since the coloring agent layer is formed with a predetermined area ratio, the shielding function can be enhanced, and the design can also be improved.

[0075] (Note 3) In the embodiment relating to Note 3, the sealing portion has a width of 5 to 25 mm.

[0076] According to the embodiment described in Appendix 3 above, the sealing portion having a predetermined width ensures sufficient sealing performance and facilitates re-opening.

[0077] (Note 4) In the embodiment relating to Note 4, the portion of the second region included in the exposed region includes a portion in which a coloring agent layer is formed such that the area ratio gradually or stepwise increases as it moves away from the other end in the longitudinal direction.

[0078] According to the embodiment described in Appendix 4 above, even if there is a misalignment when overlapping the first region with the second region, the boundary between the exposed and unexposed regions in the second region can be made less noticeable, thereby enhancing the design.

[0079] (Note 5) The embodiment relating to Note 5 is a packaged absorbent article comprising a packaging sheet described in any of the first to fourth embodiments above, and an absorbent article packaged by the packaging sheet.

[0080] According to the embodiment described in Appendix 5 above, a packaging absorbent article can be obtained that produces the same effects as those obtained in any of the embodiments described in Appendix 1 to Appendix 4 above.

[0081] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2018-182549, filed with the Japan Patent Office on September 27, 2018, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0082] 1, 201 Absorbent article 10, 210 Packaging sheet 11, 211 One end in the longitudinal direction 12, 212 The other end in the longitudinal direction 15, 215 Tag tape 18, 218 Coloring layer 100, 200 Packaging absorbent article D1 Longitudinal direction D2 Short direction (width direction) L1 First fold line L2 Second fold line L3 Third fold line S Seal area S Ａ Overlapping seal area SD, seal treatment area SZ, seal zone SZ Ａ１ Overlapping seal portion S in the first region R1 Ａ The zone SZ Ａ２ Overlapping seal portion S in the second region R2 Ａ The zones are R1 (first region), R2 (second region), and R3 (third region). Ａ１ First overlapping region R Ａ２ Second overlapping region R Ｂ Folding area Re exposed area

Claims

DEPCT641. Wrapping sheet for absorbent material which is specified to enclose the absorbent material in such a way that the first region, including one end of the wrapping sheet in the longitudinal direction, overlaps the second region, including the opposite end of the wrapping sheet in the longitudinal direction, and which is provided with an exposed seal at the edge of the wrapping sheet in the width direction, enabling the encapsulation of the absorbent material where the dye layer is formed on the exposed region when the absorbent material is encapsulated in such a way that the absorbent material is not easily visible from the outside, and where the seal area between the first and second regions has no dye layer or has a dye layer at a ratio of 30% or less.

2. Wrapping sheet according to claim 1 where the dye layer is formed with a ratio of more than 30% and 100% or less in the exposed region.

3. Wrapping sheet according to claim 1 where the seal width is 5 to 25 millimeters. 4.Encapsulated sheet according to claim 1 in which the exposed portion of the second region consists of a portion where the dye layer has been formed so that the dye area ratio increases gradually or in stages, as well as the dye area increases in distance from the opposite end of the encapsulated sheet in the longitudinal direction.

5. Encapsulated absorbent material consisting of the encapsulated sheet of claim 1 and the absorbent material encapsulated by the encapsulated sheet.