Method for manufacturing a package of absorbent articles and package of absorbent articles

Abstract

Method for manufacturing an absorbent article package and absorbent article package. A method for manufacturing an absorbent article package including an absorbent article and a packaging member for packaging the absorbent article, the absorbent article having a first direction and a second direction orthogonal to each other. The method includes a plurality of folding steps, a final sealing step, and a joining step. The plurality of folding steps are steps of folding at least one of the absorbent article and a packaging member continuum in the second direction while the absorbent article is conveyed in a conveying direction in a state of being fixed to an inner surface of the packaging member continuum, the packaging member continuum being continuous in the conveying direction. The final sealing step is a step of sealing together portions of the packaging member continuum that are located outward in the first direction with respect to the absorbent article after the final folding step. The joining step is a step of forming a joint for inhibiting a state of folding from returning from a state after a certain folding step to a state before the certain folding step. The joining step is performed before the final sealing step and at a timing after the start of folding in the first folding step.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a manufacturing method of an absorbent article package, and also to an absorbent article package. BACKGROUND

[0002] Conventionally, absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins are sold in a state of being individually packaged by being folded together with a packaging member and sealing predetermined portions of the packaging member. Patent Literature 1 discloses an individually packaged absorbent article including an absorbent article and a packaging member that packages the absorbent article. The packaging member of this individually packaged article has a wide portion that is wider than the absorbent article and a narrow portion that is narrower than the wide portion. The absorbent article and the narrow portion are integrally rolled and / or folded in the longitudinal direction to form a roll, the roll is folded into the wide portion, and then the both end edge portions in the width direction are sealed.

[0003] PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

[0004] PATENT LITERATURE

[0005] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-97923 SUMMARY

[0006] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0007] In a configuration in which the absorbent article and the packaging member are folded (rolled) and then the individually packaged article seals the individually packaged article once like the individually packaged article of Patent Literature 1, if the portions folded in different folding steps are not particularly fixed, portions in the folded portions of the absorbent article can move in the conveying direction before the final sealing, and there is a risk that repulsive force for returning to the unfolded state is generated in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction, so that the folded state is unstable. In particular, in Patent Literature 1, if the roll formed in the narrow portion is in such an unstable state when folded into the wide portion, there is a risk that the conveyance is unstable during high-speed production and the individually packaged absorbent article cannot be formed neatly.

[0008] The present application has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to form an individually packaged absorbent article neatly and compactly in a case where multiple folding is performed to form an individually packaged article during high-speed production.

[0009] Solutions to the problems

[0010] The main aspect of the present application for achieving the above object is a manufacturing method of an absorbent article package, the absorbent article package including an absorbent article having a first direction and a second direction orthogonal to each other and a packaging member for packaging the absorbent article, the method including: a plurality of folding steps in which at least one of the absorbent article and a packaging member continuum is folded in the second direction while the absorbent article is conveyed in a conveying direction in a state of being fixed to an inner surface of the packaging member continuum, the conveying direction being a direction extending along the first direction, the packaging member continuum being continuous in the conveying direction; a final sealing step in which portions of the packaging member continuum that are located outside in the first direction with respect to the absorbent article are sealed together, the final sealing step being performed after a final folding step among the plurality of folding steps; and a joining step in which a joint for inhibiting a state of folding from returning from a state after a certain folding step to a state before the certain folding step is formed, the joining step being performed at a timing before the final sealing step and after a start of folding in a first folding step among the plurality of folding steps.

[0011] Other features of the present application will become apparent from reading the specification of this patent application with its drawings.

[0012] Effects of the invention

[0013] According to the present application, in the case where folding is performed a plurality of times to form independent packages during high-speed production, the absorbent articles of the independent packages can be shaped neatly and compactly. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 is a plan view of the absorbent article package 1 in an unfolded state, and is a view observed from the skin-side of the sanitary napkin 10.

[0015] Figure 2 is a plan view of the absorbent article package 1 in an unfolded state, and is a view observed from the non-skin-side of the sanitary napkin 10.

[0016] Figure 3 is a plan view of the absorbent article package 1 in a folded state.

[0017] Figure 4 is a view showing the folding portions F1 to F6 of the absorbent article package 1.

[0018] Figure 5 is an explanatory view of the manufacturing method of the absorbent article package 1.

[0019] Figure 6 is an explanatory view of the manufacturing method of the absorbent article package 1.

[0020] Figure 7 is a explanatory view of a manufacturing method of the absorbent article package 1.

[0021] Figure 8 is a explanatory view of a manufacturing method of the absorbent article package 1.

[0022] Figure 9 is a explanatory view of a manufacturing method of the absorbent article package 1.

[0023] Figure 10 is a explanatory view of a manufacturing method of the absorbent article package 1.

[0024] Figure 11 is a explanatory view of a manufacturing method of the absorbent article package 1.

[0025] Figures 12A to 12C is a explanatory view of a manufacturing method of the absorbent article package 1.

[0026] Figure 13 is a view showing a modification of the joining step S6.

[0027] Figure 14A and Figure 14B is a view showing a non-overlapping portion NP in which the joining portion 5 and the final sealing portion 2 do not overlap. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] At least the following matters will become clear through the description of this specification and the drawings.

[0029] A manufacturing method of an absorbent article package including an absorbent article having a first direction and a second direction orthogonal to each other and a packaging member for packaging the absorbent article, the method including: a plurality of folding steps in which at least one of the absorbent article and a packaging member continuum is folded in the second direction while the absorbent article is conveyed in a conveying direction in a state of being fixed to an inner surface of the packaging member continuum, the conveying direction being a direction extending along the first direction, the packaging member continuum being continuous in the conveying direction; a final sealing step in which portions of the packaging member continuum that are located outward in the first direction with respect to the absorbent article are sealed together, the final sealing step being performed after a final folding step among the plurality of folding steps; and a joining step in which a joining portion for inhibiting a state of folding from returning from a state after a certain folding step to a state before the certain folding step is formed, the joining step being performed at a timing after the final sealing step and after a start of folding in a first folding step among the plurality of folding steps.

[0030] According to the manufacturing method of the absorbent article package, the joining step for fixing the packaging member and the absorbent article is performed during the plurality of folding steps, whereby the shift of the absorbent article in the conveying direction can be suppressed in the folding steps. This also makes it possible to suppress the repulsive force generated in the direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the folded absorbent article. By using the joint in this way to maintain the folded state, the absorbent article whose thickness increases due to folding can be stably conveyed at a predetermined position until the final sealing step even during high-speed production.

[0031] In such a manufacturing method of the absorbent article package, it is desirable that the absorbent article include an absorbent body configured to absorb excreta, and the joining step is performed after at least a portion of the absorbent body is folded.

[0032] According to the manufacturing method of the absorbent article package, the absorbent body is a relatively hard portion in the absorbent article. Therefore, when a portion of the absorbent body is folded, the repulsive force for returning to the initial shape is high, and the conveyance on the production line easily becomes unstable. By performing the joining step after at least a portion of the absorbent body is folded, the portion that easily generates such a repulsive force can be firmly fixed. And even during high-speed production, the state in which the absorbent article is less likely to shift and can be compactly shaped can be maintained.

[0033] In such a manufacturing method of the absorbent article package, it is desirable that the absorbent article include an absorbent body configured to absorb excreta, and the joining step is performed after the absorbent body is folded at least twice or more.

[0034] According to the manufacturing method of the absorbent article package, the rigidity after the second folding is higher than the rigidity after the first folding, and the non-skin side sheet of the absorbent article is less likely to extend during the second folding than during the first folding. Therefore, the repulsive force for returning to the initial state is higher in the second and subsequent folding steps. By suppressing such a repulsive force, stable conveyance can be performed until the final sealing step.

[0035] In such a manufacturing method of the absorbent article package, it is desirable that, in the joining step, the joint is formed in a continuous portion of the packaging member continuum that is continuous in the conveying direction.

[0036] According to the manufacturing method of the absorbent article package, the joint is formed in a portion of the packaging member continuum that is continuous in the conveying direction of the production line, whereby it becomes possible to continuously suppress the repulsive force for returning to the initial state during high-speed production.

[0037] In such a manufacturing method of an absorbent article package, it is desirable that, in the joining step, a joint is formed in a portion constituted only by the package member continuum.

[0038] According to this manufacturing method of an absorbent article package, a joint is formed in a portion constituted only by the package member, so that joining can be performed without contact with the absorbent article, and damage to the absorbent article or the like can be prevented.

[0039] In such a manufacturing method of an absorbent article package, it is desirable that a plurality of absorbent articles are fixed to the inner surface of the package member continuum at intermittent positions in the conveyance direction, and that, in the joining step, a joint is formed between adjacent absorbent articles.

[0040] According to this manufacturing method of an absorbent article package, the absorbent articles fixed to the package member continuum are further fixed by the joint outside the absorbent articles, so that the absorbent articles are less likely to shift, and conveyance is stable. Therefore, the subsequent steps are also stable, and a package in which the absorbent articles are folded neatly can be manufactured.

[0041] In such a manufacturing method of an absorbent article package, it is desirable that,

[0042] In the joining step, the joint is formed in a portion constituted only by the package member continuum, and

[0043] With respect to a cross direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction,

[0044] The side on which the folded portion is present is defined as a folded side, and

[0045] The side on which the folded portion is not present is defined as an unfolded side,

[0046] In the joining step, the joint is formed along the cross direction in such a manner as to extend from the folded side toward the unfolded side.

[0047] According to this manufacturing method of an absorbent article package, the joint is longer than the folded portion, so that the folded portion is joined firmly, and the shape of the folded portion can be stabilized.

[0048] In such a manufacturing method of an absorbent article package, it is desirable that,

[0049] A plurality of absorbent articles are fixed to the inner surface of the package member continuum at intermittent positions in the conveyance direction,

[0050] In the joining step, a joint is formed between adjacent absorbent articles, and

[0051] In the joining step, the joint is formed at a position overlapping the absorbent article when viewed in the thickness direction of the absorbent article.

[0052] According to the manufacturing method of the absorbent article package, the joint is provided at a position overlapping the absorbent article when viewed in the thickness direction, so the portion of the absorbent article that has been folded by the plurality of folding steps is held and is less likely to shift.

[0053] In such a manufacturing method of the absorbent article package, it is desirable that

[0054] At least a portion of the packaging member includes a resin film, and

[0055] In the joining step, the joint is formed in a manner such that portions of the resin film are adhered together using an adhesive.

[0056] According to the manufacturing method of the absorbent article package, it is possible to prevent the adhesive from seeping to the absorbent article side and to prevent the function of the absorbent article from being impaired. Furthermore, a firm fixation is achieved by adhesion with the adhesive, and the folded portion is stably conveyed.

[0057] In such a manufacturing method of the absorbent article package, it is desirable that

[0058] The absorbent article includes a pair of wing portions,

[0059] The wing portions have been folded inward of the first direction before the plurality of folding steps, and

[0060] The joint is formed in the joining step after at least a portion of the wing portions has been folded.

[0061] According to the manufacturing method of the absorbent article package, the portion overlapping the wing portion in the folding step is a region that is more rigid, and since the joint is formed after the wing portions are folded, it is possible to stably convey on the production line.

[0062] In such a manufacturing method of the absorbent article package, it is desirable that

[0063] With respect to a cross direction orthogonal to the conveying direction,

[0064] The side on which the folded portion exists is defined as a folded side, and

[0065] The side on which the folded portion does not exist is defined as an unfolded side,

[0066] When folding is performed at the position of the final folding line in the final folding step,

[0067] a cross direction length from an unfolded side end of the packaging member continuum to the final fold line

[0068] shorter than

[0069] a cross direction length from a folded side end of the packaging member continuum to the final fold line.

[0070] According to this manufacturing method of the absorbent article package, if the length of the portion to be finally folded is longer than the length of the folded package formed in the final folding step, it is necessary to, for example, roll up the remaining portion after the final folding step. However, if the length of the end portion in the cross direction at the time of the final folding step is short, a compact folded shape can be achieved.

[0071] In such a manufacturing method of the absorbent article package, it is desirable that

[0072] the method further includes a cutting step,

[0073] the cutting step is a step of separating the packaging member continuum into independent absorbent article packages by cutting the packaging member continuum along an imaginary cutting line,

[0074] the imaginary cutting line indicates a planned cutting position and extends in a cross direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction,

[0075] in the joining step, the joining portion is formed so as to extend across the cutting line.

[0076] According to this manufacturing method of the absorbent article package, when the cutting step is performed, if the material to be cut is not cohesive due to floating or fluctuation, it is difficult to perform the cutting, but since the material in the cutting line portion is firmly joined by the joining portion, the cutting is easily performed.

[0077] In such a manufacturing method of the absorbent article package, it is desirable that

[0078] the method further includes a cutting step,

[0079] the cutting step is a step of separating the packaging member continuum into independent absorbent article packages by cutting the packaging member continuum along an imaginary cutting line,

[0080] the imaginary cutting line indicates a planned cutting position and extends in a cross direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction,

[0081] in the joining step, the joining portion is formed so as to not overlap the cutting line.

[0082] According to the manufacturing method of the absorbent article package, the joining step is performed so that the joining portion does not overlap the cutting line, and thus when the package member continuum is cut, it is possible to prevent the end portion (so-called cutting line portion) of the absorbent article package in the first direction from hardening, and it is possible to keep it soft.

[0083] In such a manufacturing method of the absorbent article package, it is desirable that

[0084] In the joining step, when the joining portion is formed on the first direction outer side with respect to the absorbent article,

[0085] With respect to the longest length in the thickness direction of the folded absorbent article before the joining step,

[0086] On one side in the conveying direction, the length from the inner end of the joining portion to the outer end of the absorbent article is shorter than the longest length, and

[0087] On the other side in the conveying direction, the length from the inner end of the joining portion to the outer end of the absorbent article is shorter than the longest length.

[0088] According to the manufacturing method of the absorbent article package, the length (gap) from the joining portion to the absorbent article is shorter on both sides in the conveying direction. Therefore, even if the thickness of the absorbent article increases due to folding, and in the case where the repulsive force to return to the unfolded state is high, the folded absorbent article hardly stands up, and it is possible to firmly maintain the folded state. As a result, it is possible to stably perform the conveying until the final sealing step.

[0089] An absorbent article package including: an absorbent article having a first direction and a second direction orthogonal to each other; a package member for packaging the absorbent article, the absorbent article being fixed to an inner surface of the package member, the absorbent article and the package member having been folded a plurality of times in the second direction; a final sealing portion sealing together the portions of the package member that have been folded a plurality of times, the final sealing portion being disposed on the first direction outer side with respect to the absorbent article; and a joining portion different from the final sealing portion and for suppressing return from a certain folded state to a folded state existing before the certain folded state.

[0090] According to the absorbent article package, the final sealing portion is formed to seal together the portions of the package member on the first direction outer side with respect to the absorbent article, whereby it is possible to prevent the absorbent article from getting dirty and also prevent foreign matter from intruding. Further, since the joining portion is provided, the shape is fixed during folding, and the absorbent article is not easily shifted, and moreover, it is possible to suppress the repulsive force for returning from the folded state to the initial state, and a neatly shaped package is provided.

[0091] In such a manufacturing method of an absorbent article package, it is desirable that

[0092] The absorbent article package has a thickness direction orthogonal to the first direction, and

[0093] The joint portion and the final sealing portion have a non-overlapping portion in which the joint portion and the final sealing portion do not overlap each other when viewed in the thickness direction.

[0094] According to the absorbent article package, the jointing or sealing is performed over a larger area, so that the shape of the package is more easily neat.

[0095] In such a manufacturing method of an absorbent article package, it is desirable that

[0096] The absorbent article package has a thickness direction orthogonal to the first direction, and

[0097] The joint portion and the final sealing portion have a non-overlapping portion in which the joint portion and the final sealing portion do not overlap each other when viewed in the thickness direction.

[0098] According to the absorbent article package, since the joint portion is provided at a position outside the first direction with respect to the absorbent article, the portion of the absorbent article outside the first direction is securely held. Even the absorbent article folded during product delivery is not easily moved or shifted, and the shape of the package is easily maintained even when carried.

[0099] In such a manufacturing method of an absorbent article package, it is desirable that

[0100] The absorbent article package has a thickness direction orthogonal to the first direction, and

[0101] The joint portion and the final sealing portion have a non-overlapping portion in which the joint portion and the final sealing portion do not overlap each other when viewed in the thickness direction.

[0102] According to the absorbent article package, the held folded portion of the absorbent article is not easily shifted.

[0103] In such a manufacturing method of an absorbent article package, it is desirable that

[0104] The absorbent article package has a thickness direction orthogonal to the first direction,

[0105] At least a portion of the package member includes a resin film, and

[0106] The joint portion and the final sealing portion have a non-overlapping portion in which the joint portion and the final sealing portion do not overlap each other when viewed in the thickness direction.

[0107] In the joint, portions of the resin film are adhered together using an adhesive.

[0108] According to the absorbent article package, the joint overlaps the absorbent article, so the absorbent article is securely fixed. Furthermore, because portions of the resin film are adhered using an adhesive, the jointing can be performed without negatively affecting the absorbent article.

[0109] In such a manufacturing method of an absorbent article package, it is desirable that

[0110] When the absorbent article package is opened, a peeling force required to peel the joint is greater than a peeling force required to peel the final seal.

[0111] According to the absorbent article package, when a user opens the absorbent article package, peeling is stopped at the joint where a greater peeling force is required, and the user applies the force for peeling the joint again. Since the package is in a state that has been folded multiple times, particularly if the absorbent article or the like is elongated in the second direction, there is a risk that the absorbent article is damaged or the absorbent article is unexpectedly disabled due to the absorbent article being opened with one force at the time of opening. However, by checking the half-unfolded absorbent article midway and then opening it to completion again, the multiple-folded state can be neatly unfolded.

[0112] In such a manufacturing method of an absorbent article package, it is desirable that

[0113] The absorbent article package has a thickness direction orthogonal to the first direction,

[0114] The joint is formed on the outside of the first direction with respect to the absorbent article, and

[0115] With respect to the longest length of the absorbent article package in the thickness direction,

[0116] On one side in the first direction, a length from the inner end of the joint to the outer end of the absorbent article is shorter than the longest length, and

[0117] On the other side in the first direction, a length from the inner end of the joint to the outer end of the absorbent article is shorter than the longest length.

[0118] According to the absorbent article package, in the portion outside the first direction with respect to the absorbent article, the rigidity of the portion composed of only the unjoined packaging member is low. However, on both sides of the first direction, the length from the joint to the absorbent article is short, and thus the low rigidity portion is small, and a wrinkle is less likely to be formed in the packaging member. In particular, by shortening the length between the joint and the absorbent article whose rigidity has been increased by folding, it is possible to further reduce the wrinkle. Inhibiting the formation of the wrinkle makes it possible to provide a package that is neatly shaped.

[0119] Embodiment

[0120] Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described using a sanitary napkin as an example of an absorbent article according to the present application. However, the absorbent article is not limited to a sanitary napkin, but only needs to be an absorbent article that is used by being fixed to a garment (an undergarment, a diaper, or the like) of a user, and can also be a sanitary pad, an absorbent pad (a light incontinence pad), or the like.

[0121] Basic configuration of the absorbent article package 1

[0122] Figure 1 And Figure 2 is a plan view of the absorbent article package 1 in an unfolded state. Figure 1 is a view of the skin surface side of the sanitary napkin 10, Figure 2 is a view of the non-skin surface side of the sanitary napkin 10. In Figure 2 , the packaging member 20 is shown by a broken line to make the drawing easier to view. Figure 3 is a plan view of the absorbent article package 1 in a folded state. Figure 4 is a drawing illustrating the folds F1 to F6 of the absorbent article package 1.

[0123] The absorbent article package 1 includes a sanitary napkin 10 and a packaging member 20 for individually packaging the sanitary napkin 10. In the following description, the absorbent article package is also referred to as an "individual package", and the sanitary napkin 10 is also referred to as a "sanitary napkin".

[0124] The sanitary napkin 10 has a width direction, a longitudinal direction, and a thickness direction that are orthogonal to each other. In the longitudinal direction of the sanitary napkin 10, the side that contacts the lower abdomen of the wearer is the front side, and the side that contacts the buttocks of the wearer is the back side. In the thickness direction of the sanitary napkin 10, the side that contacts the skin of the wearer is referred to as the "skin side", and the opposite side is referred to as the "non-skin side".

[0125] The sanitary napkin 10 has an absorbent core (absorbent body) 11 that absorbs excretions, a liquid-permeable front sheet 12 disposed on the skin side of the absorbent core 11, a liquid-impermeable back sheet 13 disposed on the non-skin side of the absorbent core 11, and a pair of side sheets 14 that extend from the widthwise side portions of the skin side surface of the front sheet 12 to the outside in the widthwise direction. Note that the absorbent core 11 can be covered with a liquid-permeable sheet material (not shown) such as tissue paper or the like.

[0126] Further, the sanitary napkin 10 has a pair of wing portions 1W that extend from the longitudinal center portion to the outside in the widthwise direction. The wing portions 1W are formed by the back sheet 13 and the side sheets 14.

[0127] As shown in FIG. 1, anti-slip adhesive portions 15 and 16 are provided on the non-skin side surface of the sanitary napkin 10. The anti-slip adhesive portions 15 and 16 are formed, for example, by applying an adhesive to the back sheet 13. Of the anti-slip adhesive portions 15 and 16, the adhesive portions provided on the main body portion of the sanitary napkin 10 are referred to as central adhesive portions 15, and the adhesive portions provided on the wing portions 1W are referred to as wing adhesive portions 16. Figure 2

[0128] The central adhesive portions 15 function to adhere to the skin side surface of the clothing (underwear) of the user of the sanitary napkin 10. Figure 2 The central adhesive portions 15 shown in FIG. 1 include a plurality of rectangular adhesive portions that have long sides extending in the longitudinal direction of the sanitary napkin 10 and are disposed with gaps between each other in the widthwise direction. The wing adhesive portions 16 function to adhere to the non-skin side surface of the clothing of the user after the wing portions 1W are folded. In each wing portion 1W, Figure 2 The wing adhesive portions 16 shown in FIG. 1 each include two rectangular adhesive portions that have long sides extending in the longitudinal direction of the sanitary napkin 10 and are disposed with a gap between each other in the widthwise direction.

[0129] While the basic configuration of the sanitary napkin 10 has been described above, the configuration of the above-described sanitary napkin 10 (absorbent article) is an example, and the present application is not limited to this configuration. For example, the sanitary napkin 10 need not necessarily have the wing portions 1W. Further, the shapes, numbers, and configurations of the anti-slip adhesive portions 15 and 16 are not limited to those shown in FIG. 1. Figure 2

[0130] The packaging member 20 includes a packaging sheet 21 that forms the outer surface of the individual package 1, a central separation sheet 22 (see FIG. 2) that covers the central adhesive portions 15 of the sanitary napkins 10, and wing separation sheets 23 (see FIG. 3) that cover the wing adhesive portions 16 of the sanitary napkins 10. Figure 2 Figure 4

[0131] ​​​​The packaging sheet 21 is a rectangular sheet member and has an inner surface 21F for securing the sanitary napkin 10 and an outer surface 21L exposed to the outside in the individual package 1. Examples of packaging sheets 21 include resin films, non-woven fabrics, paper, and composite sheets formed by stacking these materials. The sanitary napkin 10 is secured to the packaging sheet 21 such that the longitudinal direction of the sanitary napkin 10 is aligned with the longitudinal direction of the packaging sheet 21 and the width direction of the sanitary napkin 10 is aligned with the width direction of the packaging sheet 21. Furthermore, one longitudinal side of the packaging sheet 21 corresponds to the front side of the sanitary napkin 10, and the other longitudinal side of the packaging sheet 21 corresponds to the rear side of the sanitary napkin 10. One longitudinal end of the packaging sheet 21 is designated as 21a, and the other end is designated as 21b.

[0132] The central separating piece 22 is a rectangular piece and is fixed by a sheet portion 4 formed by coating with hot melt adhesive HMA (see below). Figure 5 And is fixed to the inner surface 21F of the packaging sheet 21. For example... Figure 4 As shown, the wing separation piece 23 is a rectangular piece and is fixed by a pair of wing adhesive portions 16 that have been folded inward in the width direction. On the two surfaces of the central separation piece 22 and the wing separation piece 23, the opposing surfaces facing the anti-slip adhesive portions 15 and 16 are the separation layer (resin film layer), from which the sanitary napkin 10 can be easily peeled off.

[0133] In this embodiment, the central separating piece 22 and the wing separating pieces 23 are separate sheets, but they can be integrated into a single sheet. Furthermore, because the central separating piece 22 is attached to the packaging sheet 21, it is removed from the sanitary napkin 10 together with the packaging sheet 21. Because the wing separating piece 23 is not attached to the packaging sheet 21, it is removed from the sanitary napkin 10 separately from the packaging sheet 21. However, the invention is not limited to this; the wing separating piece 23 can be attached to the packaging sheet 21.

[0134] Furthermore, in the independent packaging 1 of this embodiment, the sanitary napkin 10 is fixed to the packaging sheet 21 via the central adhesive portion 15 of the central separating piece 22. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is possible for the packaging member 20 to not have the central separating piece 22 and for the central adhesive portion 15 of the sanitary napkin 10 to be directly fixed to the packaging sheet 21. In this case, the inner surface 21F of the packaging sheet 21 is formed as a separating layer (resin film layer), from which the sanitary napkin 10 can be easily peeled off.

[0135] In addition, such as Figure 1 As shown, in the individual package 1, the sanitary napkin 10 is secured to the inner surface 21F of the package sheet 21 via the central separating tab 22 with its skin-side surface facing upwards. Then, as... Figure 4As shown, a pair of wing portions 1W are folded inward in the width direction and the wing separating sheet 23 is fixed to the wing adhesive portion 16, and then the folded packaging sheet 21 (packaging member 20) and sanitary napkin 10 are folded.

[0136] As shown, the individual packaging 1 has a plurality of folding portions F1 to F6 extending along the width direction of the sanitary napkin 10, and at least the sanitary napkin 10 or the packaging member 20 is folded multiple times in the longitudinal direction. Specifically, in the individual packaging 1 of the present embodiment, the sanitary napkin 10 and the packaging member 20 are folded six times in the longitudinal direction. Figure 4

[0137] The folding portion formed by the first folding of the individual packaging 1 in the unfolded state is the first folding portion F1, the folding portion formed by the second folding is the second folding portions F2a and F2b, the folding portion formed by the third folding is the third folding portions F3a and F3b, the folding portion formed by the fourth folding is the fourth folding portions F4a and F4b, the folding portion formed by the fifth folding is the fifth folding portion F5, and the folding portion formed by the last sixth folding is the sixth folding portion F6.

[0138] The second folding portions F2a and F2b, the third folding portions F3a and F3b, and the fourth folding portions F4a and F4b are folding portions formed by folding the portion of the individual packaging 1 that has been folded in the thickness direction by folding at the first folding portion F1. Therefore, in the individual packaging 1 in the unfolded state, Figure 4 ) the second folding portion F2a, the third folding portion F3a, and the fourth folding portion F4a are formed on the one longitudinal side of the first folding portion F1, and the second folding portion F2b, the third folding portion F3b, and the fourth folding portion F4b are formed on the other longitudinal side of the first folding portion F1.

[0139] Figure 3 The individual packaging 1 formed by folding the unfolded individual packaging 1 six times is shown. The individual packaging 1 has an opening end 1a that is a starting point when opened. The opening end 1a corresponds to the longitudinal one end 21a of the packaging sheet 21. Note that although the individual packaging 1 of the present embodiment is not provided with a fastening tape for the user to hold when opening the package, the individual packaging 1 can be provided with a fastening tape.

[0140] The individual packaging 1 has a pair of sealing portions 2 (hereinafter, also referred to as final sealing portions 2) that seal the packaging sheet 21 (packaging member 20) in the side portion that is the width direction outer side with respect to the sanitary napkin 10. In the present embodiment, the sealing portions 2 are formed by fusion bonding (e.g., heat fusion bonding or ultrasonic fusion bonding) the folded packaging sheet 21 (packaging member 20) together.

[0141] ​Further, the individual package 1 has an opening end fixing portion 3 for fixing an end portion of the packaging sheet 21 on the side of the opening end la. As shown in Figure 4 the opening end fixing portion 3 is formed by a hot melt adhesive HMA applied in the longitudinal one end portion of the packaging sheet 21 along the width direction between the two widthwise end portions of the packaging member 20. The individual package 1 is sealed by the opening end fixing portion 3 and the pair of sealing portions 2, whereby the sanitary condition of the sanitary napkin 10 in the packaging sheet 21 (packaging member 20) is maintained.

[0142] Manufacturing method of the individual package 1 and the individual package 1 manufactured by the manufacturing method

[0143] Figures 5 to 11 Further, the individual package 1 has an opening end fixing portion 3 for fixing an end portion of the packaging sheet 21 on the side of the opening end la. As shown in Figures 12A to 12C is a diagrammatic view of the manufacturing method of the individual package 1. The production line of the individual package 1 has a conveying direction and a cross direction intersecting the conveying direction. In the manufacturing method of the individual package 1, the packaging sheet continuous body 21C continuous in the conveying direction (in the width direction of the sanitary napkin 10) is conveyed along the conveying direction. The cross direction intersecting the conveying direction of the production line coincides with the longitudinal direction of the sanitary napkin 10. In other words, the first direction according to the present application corresponds to the width direction of the sanitary napkin 10 of the present embodiment, and the second direction according to the present application corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the sanitary napkin 10 of the present embodiment. Note that in the following description, the longitudinal direction of the sanitary napkin 10 is also simply referred to as "longitudinal direction".

[0144] The manufacturing method of the individual package 1 includes an application step Sl for applying the hot melt adhesive HMA, a disposition step S2 for disposing the sanitary napkin 10, a first folding step S3, a second folding step S4, a third folding step S5, a joining step S6 for forming a joint portion, a fourth folding step S7, a fifth folding step S8, a sixth folding step S9, a final sealing step SlO, and a cutting step Sl l.

[0145] In the application step Sl (S1), the hot melt adhesive HMA is applied to the inner surface (21F) of the packaging sheet continuous body 21C continuously conveyed in the conveying direction. In the application step Sl, the hot melt adhesive HMA for the opening end fixing portion 3 and the hot melt adhesive HMA for the sheet fixing portion 4 for fixing the central separation sheet 22 to the packaging sheet continuous body 21C are applied. Figure 5 As shown in

[0146] the opening end fixing portion 3 is formed by the hot melt adhesive HMA applied in the longitudinal one end portion of the packaging sheet 21 along the width direction between the two widthwise end portions of the packaging member 20. The individual package 1 is sealed by the opening end fixing portion 3 and the pair of sealing portions 2, whereby the sanitary condition of the sanitary napkin 10 in the packaging sheet 21 (packaging member 20) is maintained. Figure 1 the opening end fixing portion 3 continuously extends along the width direction from one end to the other end of the width direction of the packaging sheet 21 (packaging member 20). Therefore, the hot melt adhesive HMA is continuously applied to the end portion on one side of the packaging sheet continuous body 21C in the cross direction of the production line along the conveying direction, whereby the opening end fixing portion 3 is formed.

[0147] Note that the hot melt adhesive HMA for the open end fixing portion 3 does not have to be applied in the application step S1, but only needs to be applied before the sixth folding step S9 is performed.

[0148] The sheet fixing portion 4 is formed by applying the hot melt adhesive HMA to the region of the packaging sheet continuum 21C where the central separation sheet 22 is to be arranged in the next arrangement step S2. Figure 5 An example of the sheet fixing portion 4 is illustrated in which six rectangular application patterns long in the conveying direction are arranged side by side with gaps between two and two in the cross direction of the production line, but the pattern of the sheet fixing portion 4 is not particularly limited. Further, a plurality of sanitary napkins 10 are arranged at intermittent positions in the conveying direction of the packaging sheet continuum 21C. Thus, a plurality of sheet fixing portions 4 are also formed at the intermittent positions in the conveying direction of the packaging sheet continuum 21C.

[0149] In the arrangement step S2( Figure 5 ), the sanitary napkin 10 manufactured in another step is arranged on the inner surface of the packaging sheet continuum 21C. The sanitary napkin 10 is combined with the arrangement step S2 in a state where the central separation sheet 22 has been attached to the central adhesive portion 15 located on the non-skin side surface. Then, the central separation sheet 22 is fixed to the sheet fixing portion 4 that has been formed in the application step S1. In other words, the sanitary napkin 10 is fixed to the packaging sheet continuum 21C via the central separation sheet 22. Further, a plurality of sanitary napkins 10 are fixed to the packaging sheet continuum 21C at intermittent positions in the conveying direction.

[0150] Further, the sanitary napkin 10 enters the arrangement step S2 in a state where the pair of wing portions 1W are folded inward in the width direction and the wing separation sheet 23 has been attached to the wing adhesive portion 16. In the present embodiment, the pair of wing portions 1W are folded back to the skin surface side of the sanitary napkin 10, but the individual package 1 can be configured so that the pair of wing portions 1W are folded back to the non-skin surface side of the sanitary napkin 10. In this case, both the central separation sheet 22 and the wing separation sheet 23 are fixed to the packaging sheet continuum 21C by the hot melt adhesive HMA for the sheet fixing portion 4.

[0151] Further, in the present embodiment, the next folding step is performed in a state where the central adhesive portion 15 of the sanitary napkin 10 is covered by the central separation sheet 22 and the wing adhesive portion 16 is covered by the wing separation sheet 23. Thus, it is possible to prevent the central adhesive portion 15 and the wing adhesive portion 16 from adhering to each other or to other materials in the folding step.

[0152] Further, as described above, the packaging member 20 has the packaging sheet 21, the central separation sheet 22, and the wing separation sheet 23. Therefore, the "packaging member continuum" according to the present application includes the packaging sheet continuum 21C, the central separation sheet 22 fixed to the packaging sheet continuum 21C, and the wing separation sheet 23 fixed to the packaging sheet continuum 21C via the sanitary napkin 10. In the following description, these three members 21C, 22, and 23 are collectively referred to as the packaging member continuum 20C.

[0153] In a first folding step S3( Figure 6 ) in which the sanitary napkin 10 and the packaging member continuum 20C are folded in the longitudinal direction at a first folding position FP1. The first folding position FP1 is located on the other side in the longitudinal direction of the sanitary napkin 10 and the packaging member continuum 20C, that is, on the opposite side of the side on which the opening end fixing portion 3 is located. Specifically, the first folding position FP1 is a position located on the other side (rear side) in the longitudinal direction with respect to the wing portion 1W of the sanitary napkin 10, and is provided at a position overlapping the absorbent core (absorbent body) 11. In the first folding step S3, the portion of the sanitary napkin 10 and the packaging member continuum 20C located on the other side in the longitudinal direction with respect to the first folding position FP1 is folded toward the one side (front side) in the longitudinal direction of the sanitary napkin 10, so that the skin side surface of the sanitary napkin 10 is located on the inner side.

[0154] Note that, in the present embodiment, the sanitary napkin 10 and the packaging member continuum 20C are folded together in the first folding step S3, but the present application is not limited thereto. In a plurality of folding steps including the first folding step S3, it is sufficient that at least the sanitary napkin 10 or the packaging member continuum 20C is folded in the longitudinal direction. In the present embodiment, the longitudinal rear end 10b of the sanitary napkin 10 is located on the outer side (the other side) in the longitudinal direction with respect to the other side end 21b' of the packaging sheet continuum 21C in the cross direction. However, for example, if the other side end 21b' of the continuum 21C is located on the outer side (the other side) in the cross direction with respect to the rear end 10b of the sanitary napkin 10 (if the length of the continuum 21C in the cross direction is longer than the total length of the sanitary napkin 10 in the longitudinal direction), in the first folding step S3, only the continuum 21C (20C) is folded so that the other side end portion of the continuum 21C (20C) in the cross direction overlaps the rear end portion of the sanitary napkin 10, whereby movement of the rear end portion of the sanitary napkin 10 can be suppressed.

[0155] As Figure 7In the subsequent second folding step S4, the sanitary napkin 10 and the packaging member continuum 20C are folded in the longitudinal direction of the sanitary napkin 10 at a second folding position FP2. The portions of the sanitary napkin 10 and the packaging member continuum 20C that are located on the other side of the longitudinal direction with respect to the second folding position FP2 are folded toward the side end of the sanitary napkin 10 in the longitudinal direction, so that the upper surface (exposed surface) of the portion 101 that has been folded in the previous first folding step S3 is located on the inner side. In the second folding step S4, folding is performed with a folding width W2 that is smaller than the relatively large folding width W1 in the first folding step S3.

[0156] In addition, in the individual package 1 of the present embodiment, the longitudinal length of the packaging sheet 21 is relatively short. Therefore, in the state just before the second folding step S4, Figure 7 ) is performed, the upper surface (exposed surface) of the portion 101 that has been folded in the first folding step S3 has a portion including the outer surface (21L) of the packaging sheet continuum 21C and a portion including the outer surface (220) of the central separation sheet 22 that is located on the side of the longitudinal direction with respect to the former portion. In addition, the second folding position FP2 of the present embodiment is provided at a position overlapping the packaging sheet continuum 21C. Therefore, the opposing surfaces of the portion 102 that has been folded in the second folding step S4 and the unfolded portion 103 overlapping the portion 102 include portions in which the portions of the outer surface (21L) of the packaging sheet continuum 21C that face each other and the portions in which the outer surface (21L) of the packaging sheet continuum 21C and the outer surface (220) of the central separation sheet 22 face each other. However, the present application is not limited to this, and the second folding position FP2 can be provided at a position overlapping the sanitary napkin 10, that is, a position overlapping the outer surface (220) of the central separation sheet 22. In this case, the opposing surfaces of the portion 102 that has been folded in the second folding step S4 and the unfolded portion 103 overlapping the portion 102 include portions in which the portions of the outer surface (220) of the central separation sheet 22 that face each other and the portions in which the outer surface (21L) of the packaging sheet continuum 21C and the outer surface (220) of the central separation sheet 22 face each other.

[0157] As Figure 8In the subsequent third folding step S5, the sanitary napkin 10 and the packaging member continuum 20C are folded in the longitudinal direction of the sanitary napkin 10 at a third folding position FP3. The portions of the sanitary napkin 10 and the packaging member continuum 20C that are located on the other side of the longitudinal direction with respect to the third folding position FP3 are folded toward the side end of the sanitary napkin 10 in the longitudinal direction, so that the upper surface (exposed surface) of the portion 102 that has been folded in the second folding step S4 is located on the inner side. The third folding position FP3 does not overlap the portion that has been folded in the second folding step S4, but is located on one side in the longitudinal direction thereof. Therefore, in the third folding step S5, the portions that have been folded in the second folding step S4 are not folded to face each other. Further, the third folding position FP3 is provided at a position that overlaps the portion 101 that has been folded in the first folding step S3, and therefore two third folded portions F3a and F3b are formed in the individual package 1 in the third folding step S5. Figure 4

[0158] Here, after the third folding step S5, the sanitary napkin 10 and the packaging member continuum 20C have been folded three times at the first folding position FP1 to the third folding position FP3, and if a plurality of folding steps are performed in this manner, the folded portion thickness gradually increases, and a repulsive force for returning to the unfolded state is generated in the cross direction orthogonal to the conveying direction, which can cause the folded state to become unstable. Therefore, the folding width can become uneven, or the folding width can be offset from the predetermined position, thereby making it difficult to perform neat folding in the subsequent folding steps. Further, if the folded portion is not particularly fixed during a plurality of folding steps, the sanitary napkin 10 can also move in the conveying direction in the folded portion before being finally sealed with the seal portion 2. As a result, there is a problem of unstable conveyance during high-speed production of the individual package 1.

[0159] In this regard, in the present embodiment, there is a joining step S6 for forming a joining portion for suppressing the case where the folded portion formed in the third folding step S5 returns to the state before the third folding step. As shown in FIG. 6, the joining step S6 is performed after the third folding step S5 and before the fourth folding step S7. In the joining step S6, the folded portion 102 is joined to the portion 101 that has been folded in the first folding step S3. The joining step S6 is performed by, for example, welding the folded portion 102 to the portion 101 that has been folded in the first folding step S3. The joining step S6 is performed by, for example, welding the folded portion 102 to the portion 101 that has been folded in the first folding step S3. Figure 9 ​As shown, in the joining step S6 of the present embodiment, the joining portion 5 is formed with respect to the portion of the folded packaging member continuum 20C after the sanitary napkin 10 is folded by fusion (e.g., heat fusion or ultrasonic fusion) on the outer side in the conveyance direction. The joining portion 5 formed in this way fixes the folded portion 104 that has been folded in the third folding step S5. The folded portion 104 generates a repulsive force for returning to the unfolded state in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction, and this repulsive force can be suppressed by the joining portion 5. Further, the shift of the sanitary napkin 10 in the conveyance direction can be suppressed in the folded portion. The folded state of the folded portion 104 is maintained in this way by using the joining portion 5, and even during high-speed production, the sanitary napkin 10 whose thickness is increased due to folding can be stably conveyed at a predetermined position until entering the final sealing step S10. As a result, the individual packages 1 can be more easily formed in alignment and compactly.

[0160] Further, in the present embodiment, although the joining step S6 is performed after the third folding step S5, the present application is not limited thereto. As long as the joining step S6 is a step of forming the joining portion 5 for suppressing the case where the folded state of a portion returns from a state after a certain folding step to a state before the certain folding step at a timing after the start of folding in the first folding step (the first folding step S3) among the plurality of folding steps and before the final sealing step S10 described later, the folded state of a portion can be maintained stably even during high-speed production by suppressing the repulsive force for returning to the previous folded state.

[0161] Further, unlike the method of rolling the packaging sheet continuum 21C and the sanitary napkin 10 into a compact state, the plurality of folding steps of the present embodiment are folding steps for making clear folds (i.e., for forming the folded portions F1 to F6). If the individual packages 1 are formed by the step of rolling the packaging sheet continuum 21C and the sanitary napkin 10 together, the rolled portion becomes loose or shifted as the number of layers increases, and it can be difficult to obtain a neatly formed shape. As in the present embodiment, by performing the plurality of folding steps at an arbitrary timing before the final sealing and performing the joining step S6, the folded state with clear fixed folds can be maintained, and thus stable conveyance until the final step can be achieved. Therefore, the individual packages 1 that are formed neatly can be manufactured.

[0162] Further, it is preferable to perform the joining step S6 after at least a part of the absorbent body (absorbent core) 11 of the sanitary napkin 10 has been folded. The absorbent body 11 is a rigid part of the sanitary napkin 10. Therefore, when a part of the absorbent body 11 is folded, repulsive force for returning to the initial shape (shape before folding) is high, and conveyance on the production line can easily become unstable. Therefore, by performing the joining step S6 after at least a part of the absorbent body 11 is folded in one of the plurality of folding steps, the part that is prone to such repulsive force can be firmly fixed, thereby suppressing the repulsive force. According to this configuration, even during high-speed production, it is possible to maintain a state in which the sanitary napkin 10 is less likely to be shifted and can be formed neatly and compactly.

[0163] Further, it is further preferable to perform the joining step S6 after the absorbent body 11 of the sanitary napkin 10 has been folded at least two or more times. Among the parts folded through the plurality of folding steps, the part folded through the second folding step S4 is more rigid than the part folded through the first folding step S3. Further, the non-skin side sheet (back sheet 13) of the sanitary napkin 10 is folded once in the first folding step S3, thereby being less likely to stretch in the subsequent second folding step S4. Therefore, during the second folding step and the subsequent folding steps, repulsive force for returning to the initial shape tends to be large. Suppression of such repulsive force with the joint 5 formed through the joining step S6 can achieve stable conveyance until the final sealing step S10.

[0164] Further, in the joining step S6 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the joint 5 is formed in a part of the folded part 104 that is composed only of the packaging member continuum 20C and does not include the sanitary napkin 10. By joining these parts of the packaging member continuum 20C to each other in the part composed only of the packaging member continuum 20C, the joint 5 can be formed without contacting the sanitary napkin 10. This can prevent damage to the sanitary napkin 10 or the like. Figure 9

[0165] Further, in the present embodiment, in the arranging step S2, the plurality of sanitary napkins 10 are fixed to the packaging member continuum 20C at intermittent positions in the conveyance direction via the sheet fixing part 4. Also, in the subsequent joining step S6, the joint 5 is formed between the sanitary napkins 10 adjacent to each other in the conveyance direction. Therefore, the sanitary napkins 10 fixed to the packaging member continuum 20C can also be fixed by the joint 5 outside the sanitary napkin 10, and the sanitary napkins 10 are less likely to be shifted. Therefore, the subsequent conveyance and steps are stable, so that it is possible to manufacture the individual packages 1 that are folded neatly.

[0166] ​Furthermore, in the joining step S6, the joining portion 5 is formed in a continuous portion that is continuous along the conveying direction in the packaging sheet continuous body 21C (packaging component continuous body 20C). Assume that the packaging component continuous body 20C has a shape where the other side in the intersecting direction is intermittent and discontinuous in the conveying direction. In this case, if the sanitary napkin 10 and the packaging component continuous body 20C are folded longitudinally (in the intersecting direction of the production line) to form the joining portion 5 in the intermittent portion, the repulsive force can be intermittently suppressed. However, this does not lead to continuous stability of the production line. However, by forming the joining portion at the continuous portion of the packaging component continuous body 20C in the conveying direction of the production line, the repulsive force for returning to the initial state can be continuously suppressed during high-speed production. Note that the above-mentioned "the packaging component continuous body 20C has a shape where the other side in the intersecting direction is intermittent and discontinuous in the conveying direction" refers to a situation where, for example, the shape of the packaging component 20 in the manufactured individual package 1 is not rectangular as in this embodiment, but has a shorter (narrower) length (width) in the width direction on the rear side in the longitudinal direction.

[0167] Relative to the direction of intersection, let the side with the folded portion be the folded side ( Figure 9 (the other side in the intersection direction), and let the side without the folded part be the folded side ( Figure 9 In this embodiment, during the joining step S6, the joining portion 5 is formed along the intersecting direction, extending from the folded side toward the unfolded side. Specifically, the joining portion 5 is formed such that it extends not only to the folded portion 104 but also beyond the fold width W3 of the third folding step S5 to one side (the unfolded side) in the intersecting direction, thus extending across the folded portion 104. In this way, by setting the joining portion 5 to be longer on the unfolded side than the folded portion 104 in the intersecting direction, the folded portion 104, which is prone to generating repulsive forces, is firmly joined to the end of the unfolded side. Therefore, the repulsive forces that would cause the folded portion 104 to return to its initial shape can be suppressed, and the shape of the folded portion 104 can be stabilized.

[0168] In addition, such as Figure 7 As shown, in the stage prior to the folding step, the wings 1W of the sanitary napkin 10 are folded inward in the width direction and covered by the wing separation piece 23. Preferably, the joining portion 5 is formed in the joining step S6 after at least a portion of the wings 1W has been folded. After the wings 1W have been folded in multiple folding steps, the folded portion has higher rigidity. Therefore, by fixing the folded portion by forming the joining portion 5 after folding the wings 1W, more stable conveying can be performed on the production line.

[0169] After the joining step S6, in the subsequent fourth folding step S7 (Figure 10 ) and the subsequent fifth folding step S8 ( Figure 11 ) in which the sanitary napkin 10 and the packaging member continuum 20C are folded in the longitudinal direction of the sanitary napkin 10 at the fourth folding position FP4 and the fifth folding position FP5. Specifically, the portions of the sanitary napkin 10 and the packaging member continuum 20C that are located on the other side in the longitudinal direction with respect to the folding positions FP4 and FP5 are folded toward the side in the longitudinal direction of the sanitary napkin 10, so that the upper surfaces (exposed surfaces) of the portions that have been folded in the immediately preceding folding steps S5 and S7 are located on the inner side. Furthermore, the fourth folding position FP4 and the fifth folding position FP5 do not overlap the portions that have been folded in the immediately preceding folding steps S5 and S7, but are located on one side in the longitudinal direction thereof. Furthermore, the fourth folding position FP4 is provided at a position overlapping the portion 101 that was folded in the first folding step S3, and therefore, in the fourth folding step S7, two fourth folded portions F4a and F4b ( Figure 4 ) are formed in the individual package 1.

[0170] In the final sixth folding step S9 (hereinafter, also referred to as the final folding step), the portion of the sanitary napkin 10 and the packaging member continuum 20C that is located on one side in the longitudinal direction with respect to the sixth folding position FP6 (see Figure 11 ) is folded to the other side in the longitudinal direction and onto the portion that was folded in the preceding folding step ( Figure 12A ). Note that the sixth folding position FP6 does not overlap the portion that was folded in the immediately preceding fifth folding step S8, but is located on one side in the longitudinal direction thereof. Furthermore, in the sixth folding step S9, the hot melt adhesive HMA applied to the inner surface of the packaging sheet continuum 21C for the opening end fixing portion 3 is fixed to the portion that was folded in the fifth folding step S8 (the outer surface of the packaging sheet continuum 21C).

[0171] With respect to the cross direction, the side on which the portion that was folded previously is defined as the folded side ( Figure 12A ), and the side on which the portion that was not folded is defined as the non-folded side ( Figure 12A(One side of the cross direction in the final folding step S9). In the final folding step S9, when folding at the sixth folding position FP6 (hereinafter also referred to as the final folding line FP6), the cross direction length R1 is shorter than the cross direction length W6. The cross direction length R1 is the length from the folded side end 21a' of the packaging sheet continuum 21C to the final folding line FP6, and the cross direction length W6 is the length from the folded side end 21C' of the packaging sheet continuum 21C to the final folding line FP6. If the cross direction length (R1) of the portion to be folded is longer than the cross direction length (W6) of the portion to be folded in the final folding step S9, then, for example, the remaining portion after the final folding step S9 needs to be rolled up. However, if the length of the folded side (i.e., the aforementioned length R1) is shorter in the final folding step S9, a compact folding shape can be achieved.

[0172] After the sixth folding step S9, a final sealing step S10 is performed to form the final sealing part 2, thereby sealing the portion of the package sheet continuous body 21C on the outside of the sanitary napkin 10 in the conveying direction together. Figure 12B The method for forming the final sealing part 2 and the method for forming the joint part 5 ( Figure 9 The same applies to the sealing portion 2 and the joining portion 5, which are ultimately formed to overlap each other in the thickness direction of the sanitary napkin 10.

[0173] In this way, a continuum of independent packaging 1 is formed. Figure 12B Finally, the cutting step S11 of the continuous packaging component 20C is performed. Figure 12B An imaginary cutting line SL is shown to indicate the planned cutting location. In cutting step S11, the continuous packaging sheet 21C is cut along the cutting line SL and separated into individual absorbent article packages 1. Figure 12C ).

[0174] The individual package 1 manufactured through these steps has a joint 5 that is different from the final seal 2, thereby fixing its shape during folding. As a result, the repulsive force that would otherwise cause the package to return to its original shape is suppressed and the folded state is maintained. The sanitary napkin 10 is less likely to shift in the folded portion, and an individual package 1 that has been shaped into a neat form can be provided. Furthermore, by forming the final seal 2 that seals the sealing portion of the packaging member 20 together with the sanitary napkin 10 on the outer side in the width direction, the sanitary napkin 10 can be prevented from becoming soiled and foreign matter can also be prevented from entering.

[0175] Further, in the present embodiment, in the joining step S6, the joining portion 5 is formed in the individual package 1 on the outer side in the conveying direction of the sanitary napkin 10, and the joining portion 5 does not overlap the sanitary napkin 10 when viewed in the thickness direction orthogonal to the width direction. By forming the joining portion 5 on the outer side in the width direction of the sanitary napkin 10, that is, at both ends in the width direction of the individual package 1, and holding the sanitary napkin 10 folded between one joining portion 5 and another joining portion 5 in a so-called bag shape, the movement of the sanitary napkin 10 can be suppressed not only in the width direction but also in the thickness direction. The shape of the folded sanitary napkin 10 is also maintained when the product (individual package 1) is conveyed.

[0176] Further, the position of the imaginary cutting line SL serving as a reference when cutting the packaging member continuum 20C in the cutting step S11 is also shown in Figure 9 The joining step S6 is described. In the joining step S6, when the joining portion 5 is formed, the joining portion 5 is formed so as to extend across the cutting line SL in the conveying direction. In general, when the cutting step S11 is performed, if the material to be cut is already raised or uneven, it is difficult to perform the cutting, but by forming the joining portion 5 so as to extend across the cutting line SL in the conveying direction, the material (here, the packaging member continuum 20C) in the portion corresponding to the cutting line SL is firmly joined, thereby making the cutting easier to perform.

[0177] However, the present application is not limited to forming the joining portion 5 so as to extend across the cutting line SL as in the joining step S6 of the present embodiment. In other words, the joining portion 5 can be formed so as not to overlap the cutting line SL. If the joining portion 5 is formed so as not to overlap the cutting line SL, when the packaging sheet continuum 21C (packaging member continuum 20C) is cut, the width direction end (so-called cutting line portion) of the individual package 1 does not become hard, and feels soft when touched by the user.

[0178] Further, in the joining step S6, when the joining portion 5 is formed on the outer side in the conveying direction with respect to the sanitary napkin 10, the following is preferable. The conveying direction length from the inner end 5c of the joining portion 5 to the outer end 10c of the sanitary napkin 10 is defined as the length PI. Further, on the other side (upstream side) in the conveying direction, the conveying direction length from the inner end 5d of the joining portion 5 to the outer end 10d of the sanitary napkin 10 is defined as the length P2. It is preferable that both the length PI and the length P2 be shorter than the maximum thickness (the longest length in the thickness direction of the sanitary napkin 10) of the folded portion 104 (sanitary napkin 10 + packaging member 20) folded by the joining step 6. The thickness of the folded portion 104 can be measured by a known method. For example, a dial thickness gauge ID-C1012C manufactured by Mitutoyo Co., Ltd. or the like is used, and the thickness is measured, for example, at 3.0 gf / cm2. 2The value measured when the target portion is pressed is used as the thickness. The measurement is made at ten positions in the folded portion 104, and the maximum value among the obtained measurement values is used as the maximum thickness of the folded portion 104.

[0179] It is recommended that the joint 5 is formed in this way so that the length (gap) of the sanitary napkin 10 in the conveying direction from the joint 5 is short on both sides in the conveying direction. Even in the case where the length (so-called thickness) of the sanitary napkin 10 in the thickness direction is increased due to the plurality of folding steps and the repulsive force for returning to the state before folding is increased, it is possible to press the portion of the wrapping sheet 21 having a short length in the conveying direction firmly from above, thereby making it easier to maintain the folded shape of the sanitary napkin 10 and the wrapping member 20. In other words, since the lengths PI and P2 are short, it is easier to reliably suppress the repulsive force.

[0180] Further, in the individual package 1, the rigidity of only the portion including the unjoined portion of the wrapping member 20 is low in the portion of the sanitary napkin 10 outside in the width direction, and it is likely to be easy to generate a wrinkle. However, as described above, by shortening the length (gap) of the sanitary napkin 10 from the joint 5 on both sides in the width direction of the individual package 1, the area of such a low-rigidity portion is reduced, and it is not easy to form a wrinkle in the wrapping member 20. In particular, the length between the sanitary napkin 10 and the joint 5 whose rigidity is increased due to folding is short, thereby further suppressing a wrinkle and enabling neat molding. Further, by shortening the length (gap) of the sanitary napkin 10 in the width direction from the joint 5, it is possible to make the length in the width direction of the individual package 1 more compact. The folding step can reduce not only the length of the sanitary napkin 10 in the longitudinal direction but also the length in the width direction, and thus it is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost.

[0181] Figure 13 is a view illustrating a modification of the jointing step S6. Figure 13 shows the joint 5 formed in the jointing step S6 described with reference to the first embodiment. Figure 9 a modification of the joint 5 formed in the jointing step S6 described with reference to the first embodiment. In this modification, the joint 5 is formed so as to extend in the longitudinal direction of the sanitary napkin 10 in the portion of the sanitary napkin 10 outside in the width direction. Figure 13When viewed in the thickness direction (i.e., the direction of the plane of the paper), the joint 6 is formed at a position overlapping the sanitary napkin 10 in the conveyance direction. Specifically, in this modification, the surface of the folded portion after the second folding step S4 is the outer surface 21L of the packaging sheet continuum 21C. At least a portion of the packaging sheet continuum 21C (i.e., at least the portion in which the joint 6 is formed) is composed of a resin film. An adhesive (e.g., a hot-melt adhesive) is applied to the surface of the folded portion (the outer surface 21L), and as a result of the subsequent third folding step S5, the central separation sheet 22 of the sanitary napkin 10 and the folded portion are adhered together by the adhesive, thereby forming the joint 6. Furthermore, in this modification, the central separation sheet 22 is preferably made of a resin film, and thus the joint 6 is formed by attaching a plurality of portions of the resin film to each other with the adhesive.

[0182] In this way, by providing the joint 6 at a position overlapping the sanitary napkin 10 in the thickness direction, the portion of the sanitary napkin 10 that has been folded by the plurality of folding steps is held and is not easily displaced. As a result, conveyance can be stably performed even in the subsequent folding steps. In this modification, the adhesive is applied to form the joint 6 before the third folding step S5, but the present application is not limited to this. The joint 6 can be formed at a time after the first folding step and before the final sealing step S10. In this case as well, in order to avoid damage to the sanitary napkin 10 at this time, it is preferable that the portion of the sanitary napkin 10 not be joined together with the adhesive. By adhering a plurality of portions of the resin film to each other as in this modification to form the joint 6, it is possible to prevent the adhesive from seeping to portions of the sanitary napkin 10 other than the central separation sheet 22, making it possible to prevent impairment of the function of the sanitary napkin 10. Furthermore, a firm fixation is achieved by the adhesion with the adhesive, and the folded portion is stably conveyed.

[0183] Furthermore, in the individual package 1 of this modification having the joint 6 formed by the joining step S6, the joint 6 is formed so as to overlap the sanitary napkin 10 when viewed in the thickness direction, and thus the sanitary napkin 10 is firmly fixed in the individual package 1. Furthermore, because a plurality of portions of the resin film are adhered to each other with the adhesive, it is possible to provide the joint 6 without adversely affecting the sanitary napkin 10.

[0184] Figure 14A and Figure 14B is a view illustrating a non-overlapping portion NP in which the joint 5 and the final seal 2 do not overlap. In the absorbent article package 1 manufactured by the joining step S6 and the folding step of the present embodiment, as shown in Figure 14A the joint 5 and the final seal 2 have a non-overlapping portion NP in which they do not overlap each other when viewed in the thickness direction orthogonal to the width direction (the so-called thickness direction of the individual package 1). Figure 14B is a view illustrating a non-overlapping portion NP in which the joint 5 and the final seal 2 do not overlap. In the absorbent article package 1 manufactured by the joining step S6 and the folding step of the present embodiment, as shown in Figure 11A magnified view of a portion, showing the non-overlapping part NP. (As shown...) Figure 14B As shown, the non-overlapping portion NP is the following part of the folded portion: after the joining portion 5 is formed by joining step S6 and subsequently folded inward using the joining portion 5 in another folding step, in the thickness direction (through) Figure 14B When viewed from the direction of the paper surface, there is no joint 5 in the folded portion. Furthermore, the final seal 2 extends from one end of the sanitary napkin 10 in the longitudinal direction intersecting the width direction of the individual package 1 to the other end. In other words, in the individual package 1, the final seal 2 also exists in the portion (NP) where the joint 5 is not provided when viewed along the thickness direction. Therefore, by joining or sealing a larger area in this way, the individual package 1 tends to be formed more neatly.

[0185] In addition, Figure 14A In the final seal 2 shown, when viewed along the thickness direction of the individual package 1, the portion other than the non-overlapping portion NP has a portion that overlaps with the joint 5, and in the area where the joint 5 is formed, multiple portions of the packaging member 20 are further welded together, thereby providing the final seal 2. Therefore, in the folded state of the individual package 1, the welded joint 5 is less likely to return to the state before folding, and the folded state of the individual package 1 can be neatly maintained.

[0186] When opening the individual package 1, the user pinches the opening end 1a with their fingers and unfolds the individual package 1 to remove the packaging component 20. At this time, the peeling force when peeling off the joint 5 is greater than the peeling force when peeling off the final seal 2, which is the part peeled off before peeling off the joint 5. In other words, when the user opens the absorbent item package 1, the peeling is temporarily stopped at the joint 5 where a large peeling force is required, and the user applies force again to peel off the joint 5. Since the absorbent item package 1 is in a state of multiple folds, especially when the sanitary napkin 10 has a shape that is long in the longitudinal direction, there is a risk of damaging the sanitary napkin 10 by opening it with a single force. However, by checking the half-unfolded sanitary napkin 10 halfway and then unfolding the sanitary napkin again until it is fully unfolded, the multiple folds can be neatly unfolded.

[0187] Note that the peeling force is measured as follows. Ten final seal pieces are prepared by cutting out a region of the final seal portion 2 of the absorbent article package 1 corresponding to the seal portion width, attaching a tape piece to the open end 1a and the final seal piece, and folding the tape piece to form a grip portion. The grip portion is placed in the chuck of a tensile testing machine, the load of the tensile testing machine is set to 0, and then the measurement is started. Because the final seal portion 2 seals the folded package member 20, the initial peeling strength is first measured when peeled to the position of the sixth fold portion F6. Next, the tape of the final seal piece is attached again to form the grip portion again, and then the peeling strength when peeled to the position of the fifth fold portion F5 is measured. The peeling strength is repeatedly measured for the position of each fold portion until the first fold portion Fl is peeled. In the measurement, the maximum load is read and compared with the average of the converted results of N / 25 mm. The peeling strength is measured at a speed of 100 mm / min with a chuck distance of 10 mm in a constant temperature and humidity environment (20 ± 2°C, 60 ± 5 RH%). The average obtained as described above is used as the peeling force when the final seal portion 2 is peeled.

[0188] After the junction portion 5 is formed, the region of the junction portion 5 of the individual package 1 is further folded and fusion-bonded when the final seal portion 2 is formed, and thus the aforementioned region is a region in which the fusion-bonding of the junction portion 5 itself and the fusion-bonding of the final seal portion 2 overlap each other. Therefore, in the aforementioned measurement of the peeling strength of the final seal portion 2, the peeling strength when the junction portion 5 is peeled is included in the peeling strength when peeled to the positions of the third fold portions F3a and F3b. Therefore, the peeling force when the junction portion 5 is peeled is a value obtained by subtracting the average of the final seal portion 2 described above from the measured value of the peeling strength when peeled to the positions of the third fold portions F3a and F3b.

[0189] Furthermore, when the junction portion 5 is the junction portion 6 formed by applying an adhesive at a position overlapping the sanitary napkin 10 as described in the aforementioned modification (see Figure 13 ), the peeling force of the junction portion 6 is measured as follows. Ten junction pieces are prepared by cutting out a region having the adhesive width from the junction portion 6 in a state in which the junction portion 6 is joined and the third fold portions F3a and F3b are folded, and then the tensile strength of the portion having the junction portion 6 is measured by the formed grip portion similarly to the measurement of the peeling strength of the final seal portion 2. Then, the obtained average is used as the peeling force when the junction portion 6 is peeled. In the individual package 1, it is preferable that the peeling force when the junction portion 6 is peeled be greater than the peeling force when the final seal portion 2 is peeled, instead of opening the package with force all at once, by stopping the peeling at the portion of the junction portion 6 and then checking the sanitary napkin 10 in a half-unfolded state, and then opening the sanitary napkin again until completely unfolded, the multiple-folded state can be neatly unfolded, and damage to the sanitary napkin 10 can also be suppressed.

[0190] Other implementation methods

[0191] While embodiments of this disclosure have been described above, these embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the disclosure in any way. This disclosure may be changed or modified in various ways without departing from its spirit and covers its equivalents.

[0192] For example, in the manufacturing method of the above embodiment, the packaging component continuous body 20 is continuous in the width direction (first direction) of the sanitary napkin 10 and is conveyed in a conveying direction extending along the width direction of the sanitary napkin 10, while the sanitary napkin 10 and the packaging component continuous body 20 are folded along the longitudinal direction (second direction) of the sanitary napkin 10. Conversely, the following manufacturing method is possible: the packaging component continuous body 20 is continuous in the longitudinal direction (first direction) of the sanitary napkin 10 and is conveyed in a conveying direction extending along the longitudinal direction of the sanitary napkin 10, while the sanitary napkin 10 and the packaging component continuous body 20 are folded in the width direction (second direction) of the sanitary napkin 10. In this case, a compact and neatly folded individual package 1 can also be manufactured.

[0193] Figure Labels

[0194] 1 Individually packaged (absorbent packaging), 1W wings,

[0195] 2. Sealing part; 3. Open end fixing part; 4. Sheet fixing part.

[0196] 5. Joint, 6. Joint

[0197] 10. Sanitary napkins (absorbent), 11. Absorbent core, 12. Front panel.

[0198] 13 Back panel, 14 Side panel

[0199] 15. Central adhesive section.

[0200] 16. Wing bonding section,

[0201] 20 Packaging components, 21 Packaging sheets, 22 Central separator sheet, 23 Wing separator sheet,

[0202] F1~F6 folding section

Claims

1. A manufacturing method of an absorbent article package, the absorbent article package including an absorbent article and a packaging member, the absorbent article having a first direction and a second direction orthogonal to each other, the packaging member serving to package the absorbent article, the method including: a plurality of folding steps in which at least one of the absorbent article and a packaging member continuum is folded in the second direction while the absorbent article is conveyed in a conveying direction in a state of being fixed to an inner surface of the packaging member continuum, the conveying direction being a direction extending along the first direction, the packaging member continuum being continuous in the conveying direction; a final sealing step in which portions of the packaging member continuum that are located outside in the first direction with respect to the absorbent article are sealed together, the final sealing step being performed after a final folding step among the plurality of folding steps; and a joining step in which a joint for inhibiting a state of folding of the absorbent article from returning from a state after a certain folding step to a state before the certain folding step is formed, the joining step being performed at a timing after a folding start in a first folding step of the absorbent article among the plurality of folding steps and before the final sealing step of the absorbent article, in the joining step, the joint is formed in a portion constituted only by the packaging member continuum, and with respect to a cross direction orthogonal to the conveying direction, a side on which a portion in which folding is present is defined as a folded side, and a side on which the portion in which the folding is not present is defined as an unfolded side, in the joining step, the joint is formed along the cross direction in a manner extending from the folded side toward the unfolded side, the packaging member has a packaging sheet including a resin film, the joint is a portion formed by fusion bonding of portions on the packaging sheet, and the joint is formed to extend to a position exceeding a folding position in a next folding step to the certain folding step in the cross direction.

2. The manufacturing method of an absorbent article package according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the absorbent articles are fixed to the inner surface of the packaging member continuum at intermittent positions in the conveying direction, in the joining step, the joint is formed between adjacent absorbent articles.

3. The manufacturing method of an absorbent article package according to claim 1, wherein the absorbent article includes a pair of wing portions, the wing portions have been folded inward of the first direction before the plurality of folding steps, and the joint is formed in the joining step after at least a portion of the wing portions has been folded.

4. The manufacturing method of an absorbent article package according to claim 1, wherein when folding is performed at a position of a final folding line in the final folding step, a cross direction length from an unfolded side end of the packaging member continuum to the final folding line is shorter than a cross direction length from a folded side end of the packaging member continuum to the final folding line.

5. The manufacturing method of an absorbent article package according to claim 1, characterized in that, the method further includes a cutting step, the cutting step is a step of separating the packaging member continuum into independent absorbent article packages by cutting the packaging member continuum along an imaginary cutting line, the imaginary cutting line indicates a planned cutting position and extends in a cross direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction, in the joining step, the joining portion is formed so as to extend across the cutting line.

6. The manufacturing method of an absorbent article package according to claim 1, characterized in that, the method further includes a cutting step, the cutting step is a step of separating the packaging member continuum into independent absorbent article packages by cutting the packaging member continuum along an imaginary cutting line, the imaginary cutting line indicates a planned cutting position and extends in a cross direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction, in the joining step, the joining portion is formed so as to not overlap the cutting line.

7. The manufacturing method of an absorbent article package according to claim 1, characterized in that, in the joining step, when the joining portion is formed on the outside of the first direction with respect to the absorbent article, with respect to the longest length in the thickness direction of the folded absorbent article before the joining step, on one side in the conveyance direction, the length from the inner end of the joining portion to the outer end of the absorbent article is shorter than the longest length, and on the other side in the conveyance direction, the length from the inner end of the joining portion to the outer end of the absorbent article is shorter than the longest length.

8. An absorbent article package manufactured by the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the absorbent article package comprising: an absorbent article having a first direction and a second direction orthogonal to each other; a packaging member for packaging the absorbent article, the absorbent article is fixed to an inner surface of the packaging member, the absorbent article and the packaging member have been folded multiple times in the second direction; a final seal portion that seals together the portions of the packaging member that have been folded multiple times, the final seal portion is disposed on the outside of the first direction with respect to the absorbent article; and a joining portion, which is different from the final seal portion, and for inhibiting return from a certain folded state to a folded state existing before the certain folded state.

9. The absorbent article package according to claim 8, characterized in that, the absorbent article package has a thickness direction orthogonal to the first direction, and when viewed in the thickness direction, the joining portion and the final seal portion have a non-overlapping portion in which the joining portion and the final seal portion do not overlap each other.

10. The absorbent article package according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, the absorbent article package has a thickness direction orthogonal to the first direction, and when viewed in the thickness direction, the joining portion does not overlap the absorbent article.

11. The absorbent article package according to claim 8, characterized in that, ​ When the absorbent article package is opened, a peeling force required to peel the joint portion is greater than a peeling force required to peel the final seal portion.

12. The absorbent article package according to claim 8, characterized in that, the absorbent article package has a thickness direction orthogonal to the first direction, the joint portion is formed outside the first direction with respect to the absorbent article, and with respect to a longest length of the absorbent article package in the thickness direction, on one side in the first direction, a length from an inner end of the joint portion to an outer end of the absorbent article is shorter than the longest length, and on the other side in the first direction, a length from an inner end of the joint portion to an outer end of the absorbent article is shorter than the longest length.

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