Package comprising bag and stack of absorbent pads

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a package (1) comprising a paper bag (100) and at least one stack of absorbent pads arranged in the bag. The bag has a sealed bottom (101), a sealed top (102), and a peripheral wall (103) comprising a front wall (104), an opposing rear wall (105), and first and second side walls (106, 107). The top is formed by:-bonding a first top portion of the front wall to an adjacent first top portion of the second side wall to form a first bonded portion (111) having a first length (L1),-bonding a second top portion of the front wall to an adjacent first top portion of the first side wall to form a second bonded portion (111) having a second length (L2), -bonding the first top portion of the rear wall to an adjacent second top portion of the second side wall to form a second bonded portion (112) having a second length (L2),-bonding the first top portion of the rear wall to an adjacent second top portion of the second side wall to form a third bonded portion (121) having a third length (L3),-bonding the second top portion of the rear wall to an adjacent second top portion of the first side wall to form a third bonded portion (121) having a third length (L4), and-bonding the third top portion of the front wall to the third top portion of the rear wall to form a fourth bonded portion (122) having a fourth length (L4), and-bonding the third top portion of the front wall to the third top portion of the rear wall to form a fifth bonded portion (130) having a fifth length (L5). The fifth length is less than each of the first, second, third, and fourth lengths.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a package comprising a bag and a stack of absorbent pads arranged in the bag, such as disposable personal hygiene absorbent pads in the form of incontinence guards, sanitary napkins, panty liners, and the like. Background Art

[0002] Disposable personal hygiene absorbent pads, such as incontinence guards or sanitary napkins, are usually provided in the form of multi-packs comprising one or more stacks of pads arranged in a plastic bag. Although plastic materials are versatile and offer a range of advantages, such as light weight, high flexibility and ease of sealing, plastic packaging materials may also be associated with disadvantages, such as low degradability and recyclability, generation of toxic gases during burning, littering, etc. Therefore, efforts are currently underway to replace plastic packaging with more sustainable and / or renewable alternatives, such as paper materials. Summary of the invention

[0003] In at least some aspects, it is an object of the present disclosure to provide an improved package comprising one or more stacks of bags and absorbent pads. This object is achieved by a package according to claim 1.

[0004] Therefore, a kind of package comprising a bag and at least one stack of absorbent pads arranged in the bag is provided, wherein the bag is made of paper material. The absorbent pads can generally be disposable personal hygiene absorbent pads, such as incontinence guards, sanitary towels, panty liners, etc. At least one stack of absorbent pads can be at least one non-compressed stack of absorbent pads. Alternatively, at least one stack of absorbent pads can be a slightly compressed stack of absorbent pads. A stack of absorbent pads includes at least two absorbent pads. As an example only, a stack can include 8 or 10 absorbent pads. However, a stack is not limited to 8 or 10 pads. Therefore, each stack can include more than 10 or less than 8 pads.

[0005] The bag has a sealed bottom, a sealed top, and a peripheral wall extending between the bottom and the top. The peripheral wall includes a front wall, an opposing rear wall, and a first side wall and a second side wall connecting the front wall and the rear wall. The sealed top has been formed by bonding the inner surface top portions of the peripheral wall to each other so that:

[0006] - a first top portion of the front wall is bonded to an adjacent first top portion of the second side wall to form a first bonded portion having a first length,

[0007] - a second top portion of the front wall is bonded to an adjacent first top portion of the first side wall to form a second bonded portion having a second length,

[0008] - the first top portion of the rear wall is bonded to the adjacent second top portion of the second side wall to form a third bonded portion having a third length,

[0009] - the second top portion of the rear wall is bonded to the adjacent second top portion of the first side wall to form a fourth bonded portion having a fourth length, and

[0010] - The third top portion of the front wall is bonded to the third top portion of the rear wall to form a fifth bonded portion having a fifth length.

[0011] According to the present disclosure, the fifth length is smaller than each of the first length, the second length, the third length, and the fourth length.

[0012] Here, the fifth adhesive portion connects the first and third adhesive portions disposed closer to the second sidewall with the second and fourth adhesive portions disposed closer to the first sidewall. Thus, the first and third adhesive portions form a first pair of wings or fins, and the second and fourth adhesive portions form a second pair of wings or fins. By making the fifth length less than the first, second, third, and fourth lengths, a bag that can be easily opened by manually pulling opposite adhesive portions (e.g., the first and fourth adhesive portions or the second and third adhesive portions) is achieved. In the case of a relatively small length of the fifth adhesive portion, the pulling force can generally be sufficient to pull apart the joining portions of the front wall and the rear wall to open the bag.

[0013] Preferably, none of the adhesive portions is bonded to another of the adhesive portions. It is further preferred that none of the adhesive portions is bonded to an outer surface portion of the peripheral wall. In this way, there is no need to provide glue or adhesive on any outer surface portion of the peripheral wall for bonding the wings within the first or second pair of wings to each other or to bond either of the wings to the peripheral wall. By not bonding to any outer surface portion of the peripheral wall, the adhesive portions form suitable gripping members and facilitate opening of the bag as described above.

[0014] Optionally, the fifth length is less than 75% of the shortest length of the first, second, third and fourth lengths, preferably less than 65%. The fifth length may be less than 75% or 65% of each of the first, second, third and fourth lengths.

[0015] Optionally, the fifth length is in the range of 1-30 mm. Depending on the size of the bag, in some embodiments, the fifth length can be in the range of 1-8 mm, such as 2-6 mm or 3-4 mm. In some embodiments, the fifth length can be in the range of 10-30 mm, such as 10-20 mm.

[0016] Optionally, the first length, the second length, the third length and the fourth length are equal. Therefore, the top is mirror-symmetrical with respect to at least two symmetry planes. "Equal" should be understood in this article as being equal within manufacturing tolerances.

[0017] Optionally, the total length of the top portion, ie the sum of the first length, the second length and the fifth length, is equal to the total length of the bottom portion measured in the same direction. "Equal" is to be understood herein as equal within manufacturing tolerances.

[0018] The package may have the basic shape of a cuboid. The bottom may be rectangular and have a width of 70-100 mm measured between the front wall and the rear wall, and a length of 80-110 mm measured between the first side wall and the second side wall, wherein the length is preferably greater than the width. For a bag with two rows of absorbent articles stacked on top of each other, the package may have a fill height of 150-170 mm measured from the bottom to the top, excluding the sealed top portion of the bag. However, for a bag with a stack of absorbent articles, the package may have a fill height of 70-100 mm measured from the bottom to the top, excluding the sealed top portion of the bag. The size of the bag may preferably be arranged so that the at least one stack of absorbent pads fits tightly within the bag.

[0019] Optionally, the bag includes an adhesive layer disposed on the inner surface portion of the peripheral wall, the adhesive layer being used to bond the inner surface portions to each other. The adhesive layer may preferably be disposed only partially on the top portion to be bonded to each other, or alternatively disposed on a large portion of the inner surface of the bag or substantially the entire inner surface. The adhesive layer may be applied as a continuous or discontinuous layer. When applied as a discontinuous layer, the corner areas of the bag may be free of adhesive, which prevents the corners from being accidentally bonded to each other during the manufacture of the bag, i.e. before the bag is filled with an absorbent pad. In certain embodiments, the adhesive layer may extend over the closed perimeter inner portion of the inner surface of the bag. This ensures a good seal of the bag without any non-sealed portion (s) at the top of the bag.

[0020] Optionally, the basis weight of the adhesive layer is 28-45 g / m 2 , preferably 30-40g / m 2 , or more preferably 34-38g / m 2 In the range of at least 28g / m 2 , or 30g / m 2 , or 34g / m 2 Within the basis weight of 45 g / m 2 , or 40g / m 2 , or 38g / m 2 , it can be ensured that the amount of adhesive is not excessive for the purpose of forming a strong bond. In some embodiments, the adhesive layer can have a lower basis weight, for example, in the range of 5-28 g / m 2 , or 7-25g / m 2, or 8-20g / m 2 Basis weight within the range.

[0021] Optionally, the ratio between the basis weight of the paper material and the basis weight of the adhesive layer is in the range of 1.6-2.5, preferably in the range of 1.8-2.2.

[0022] Alternatively, the adhesive layer is a hot melt adhesive layer, i.e. a solid adhesive layer that has been applied in a molten state and hardened. During the sealing process, the hot melt adhesive melts again when heated, with the result that a seal is formed when cooled. Such hot melt adhesive layers can be used for almost instantaneous bonding. Hot melt adhesive layers are water-insoluble thermoplastic adhesives.

[0023] However, the adhesive of the adhesive layer is not limited to hot melt adhesives, and it can be any type of adhesive suitable for forming a seal in the present application. Other types of adhesives include water-soluble adhesives. Such adhesives include starch-based adhesives, polyvinyl alcohol-based adhesives, and polyethylene oxide-based adhesives. If the adhesive is not water-soluble, a water-dispersible adhesive can be used similarly. Suitable examples of water-dispersible adhesives include thermoplastic elastomer-based adhesives and polyvinyl acetate-based adhesives. Any suitable pressure-sensitive adhesive can also be used.

[0024] The adhesive may be a bio-based adhesive.

[0025] Optionally, the paper material has a density of 50 g / m2 measured according to ISO 536. 2 and 90g / m 2 The paper material having a basis weight within this range is thick and strong enough to provide accurate protection of the absorbent pad within the bag from environmental contamination, and can also withstand the stress generated during bag formation and loading of the absorbent pad into the bag. The paper material can be a single layer (one layer) or several layers.

[0026] Paper material herein is understood to be a material produced by pressing wet fibers together, dehydrating and drying the fibers into a preferably flexible sheet. Paper material can be an unbleached paper material or a bleached material. Fibers can be pulp fibers from chemical pulps, such as kraft paper, sulfate or sulfite, mechanical pulp, thermomechanical pulp, chemical mechanical pulp and / or chemical thermomechanical pulp (abbreviated as CTMP). Pulps derived from both deciduous (hardwood) and coniferous trees (softwood) can be used. Therefore, fibers can be natural fibers from wood, such as cellulose-based fibers, bamboo-based fibers, etc. Natural fibers can also be non-wood fibers, such as cotton, abaca, kenaf, sabai grass, flax, Spanish grass, straw, jute, bagasse, milkweed floss fibers and pineapple leaf fibers. Paper material can be made of a mixture of one fiber or different fibers. Paper material can also be treated in a better moisture-resistant manner, such as having a plastic layer on the inside or outside. Paper can be a smooth paper that has been calendered. The paper can be a paper with low porosity. The paper material may include recycled or virgin fibers, or a combination thereof.

[0027] Optionally, the bag comprises at least one weakening line for opening the bag. Such a weakening line facilitates the opening of the bag.

[0028] Optionally, at least one line of weakness comprises a perforated line or a scored line. Other fragile elements may also be used in place of the line of weakness, which allow the user to easily tear the package at a specific location to access the interior of the package in which the personal hygiene absorbent pad is located. In a specific embodiment, the fragile element is an open-ended arcuate line or a closed geometric shape, such as an ellipse or circle with a perforated perimeter. Such a line or shape may be located entirely within a single wall or extend between at least two adjacent walls.

[0029] Optionally, at least one line of weakness is formed in or adjacent to, for example just below, at least one of the adhesive portions as seen when the package is in an upright position with its bottom resting on a supporting surface.

[0030] Optionally, the bag comprises at least one notch for tearing the bag. The notch may be a V-shaped or U-shaped cut, allowing a user to grasp the portion of the bag located on the opposite side of the notch to tear the bag.

[0031] Optionally, as seen when the package is in an upright position with the bottom resting on a support surface, the at least one notch is formed in or adjacent to at least one of the adhesive portions, such as just below at least one of the adhesive portions. Preferably, the notch may be located at the top of one of the first adhesive portion, the second adhesive portion, the third adhesive portion, and the fourth adhesive portion.

[0032] Optionally, the stacking direction of each of the at least one stack of absorbent pads is perpendicular to the first side wall and the second side wall of the bag. Thus, within each of the at least one stack of absorbent pads, the absorbent pads are stacked with their side surfaces facing each other and aligned with the first side wall and the second side wall of the bag. Alternatively, the stacking direction of each of the at least one stack of absorbent pads may be perpendicular to the front wall and the rear wall of the bag.

[0033] Personal hygiene absorbent pads can be used to absorb body exudates, such as blood, urine and / or sweat. These personal hygiene absorbent pads can be individually packaged in a bag set so that the pad remains clean and intact before use. However, it is also possible to have two or three or more personal hygiene absorbent pads in a bag set, which may be suitable for carrying and using during the day. The bag set can be a bag in which the pad and the bag set material are folded together before the side edges (i.e., the edge areas) are sealed, or a small capsule, in which the folded pad is inserted before the small capsule is sealed. Individual packaging is convenient for carrying a single item hygienically for future use, such as in a handbag. In addition, the packaging unit is usually used as a device for unused pads of the package, and also as a device for processing used pads.

[0034] Optionally, each of the at least one stack of absorbent pads comprises a plurality of folded and individually wrapped absorbent pads. Alternatively, each of the at least one stack of absorbent pads may comprise a plurality of folded absorbent pads without an individual wrapping set. In both cases, the absorbent pads may be folded once or twice so that each folded absorbent pad is folded into two or three folded layers. One or more folds may preferably be arranged parallel to the peripheral wall of the bag, i.e. perpendicular to the bottom of the bag. Alternatively, one or more folds may be arranged parallel to the bottom of the bag.

[0035] The folded absorbent pad may have a width of 110-130 mm and a length of 70-95 mm.

[0036] Optionally, the wrapping of each individually wrapped absorbent pad includes a sealed wrapping portion facing upward within the bag. Thus, a user can easily remove the wrapped absorbent pad from the top of the bag by grasping the sealed wrapping portion. The sealed wrapping portion of each individually wrapped absorbent pad can be aligned with the first side wall and the second side wall of the bag.

[0037] Optionally, the sealed bottom of the bag is formed by folding and gluing a portion of the paper material to form a flat rectangular bottom. The sealed bottom can advantageously be formed using overlapping seams, thereby providing a flat bottom. The bottom can preferably be a block bottom.

[0038] Optionally, the bag comprises an air displacement hole at or near the bottom of the bag for allowing air to escape from the bag. The air displacement hole is particularly advantageous for allowing air to escape during filling of the bag, i.e. when at least one stack of absorbent pads is loaded into the bag. The air displacement hole should preferably be located near one of the side walls.

[0039] Optionally, at least one stack of absorbent pads comprises two stacks of absorbent pads, preferably two parallel stacks of absorbent pads, whose stacking direction is perpendicular to the first side wall and the second side wall of the bag. The two stacks of absorbent pads can be a bottom stack located in the bottom of the bag and a top stack located in the top of the bag. In some embodiments, at least one stack of absorbent pads can include more than two stacks of absorbent pads, such as four stacks of absorbent pads. For example, two bottom stacks and two top stacks can be provided, wherein the first bottom stack and the first top stack are located closer to the first side wall, and wherein the second bottom stack and the second top stack are located closer to the second side wall.

[0040] Optionally, the peripheral wall of the bag includes an overlapping seam extending from the bottom of the bag to the top of the bag, wherein the overlapping seam is formed at the front wall or the back wall. The other three walls have no seams. The overlapping seam is preferably formed at the back wall, near one of the side walls. Thus, the bag can be formed from a single sheet of paper material.

[0041] Optionally, the bag is opaque and the absorbent pad cannot be seen through the bag, such as a package of absorbent pads wrapped individually. Thus, the information printed on the packaging can be clearly visible to the user.

[0042] Further advantages and advantageous features of the invention are disclosed in the following description and in the dependent claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0043] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a package according to one embodiment,

[0044] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a package according to another embodiment,

[0045] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A top view of the package in FIG.

[0046] Figure 4 is in open state Figure 1 A top view of the package in FIG.

[0047] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 Another perspective view of the package in

[0048] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 A side view of the package in FIG.

[0049] Figure 7 schematically showing a folded and wrapped absorbent pad,

[0050] Figure 8 Shows Figure 7 Absorbent pads,

[0051] Fig. 9 A paper sheet for forming a package according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown, and

[0052] Fig.10 A paper sheet for forming a package according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] Various aspects of the disclosure will be described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings to illustrate rather than limit the disclosure, wherein like reference numerals represent like elements, and variations of the described aspects are not limited to the specifically illustrated embodiments but are applicable to other variations of the disclosure.

[0054] The package 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is Figure 1-6 Schematically shown in FIG. 1 . In the illustrated embodiment, the package 1 comprises a bag 100 and two stacks 201 and 202 of absorbent pads 300 arranged in the bag 100. One stack 201 is arranged on top of the other stack 202. The bag 100 is made of paper material and has a sealed bottom 101, a sealed top 102, and a peripheral wall 103 extending between the bottom 101 and the top 102. The peripheral wall 103 comprises a front wall 104, an opposite rear wall 105, and a first side wall 106 and a second side wall 107 connecting the front wall 104 and the rear wall 105.

[0055] Bag 100 made of Fig. 9 The bag 100 is formed of a single sheet 110 of rectangular paper as shown, which is folded, glued and cut to form the bag 100. Once the bottom 101 and peripheral side walls 103 of the bag 100 have been formed and sealed, and the bag 100 has been filled with the absorbent pad 303, the bag 100 is folded and sealed at the top 102 and is then sealed as shown. Fig. 9 Excess top portion 109 above cut line 108 is shown cut away.

[0056] The sealed top 102 of the bag 100 has been formed by bonding the inner surface top portions of the peripheral walls 103 (i.e., the inner surface top portions of the sheet 110) to each other to form wings or fins. Fig. 9, and includes: a first top portion 113 of the front wall 104 and an adjacent first top portion 123 of the second side wall 107; a second top portion 114 of the front wall 104 and an adjacent first top portion 124 of the first side wall 106; a first top portion 115 of the rear wall 105 and an adjacent second top portion 125 of the second side wall 107; a second top portion 116 of the rear wall and an adjacent second top portion 126 of the first side wall 106; a third top portion 117 of the front wall 104, which is located between the first top portion 113 and the second top portion 114 of the front wall 104; and a third top portion 118 of the rear wall 105, which is located between the first top portion 115 and the second top portion 116 of the rear wall 105.

[0057] The first top portion 113 of the front wall 104 is bonded to the adjacent first top portion 123 of the second side wall 107 to form a first bonded portion 111 having a first length L1, such as Figure 2 and Fig. 9 As shown. The second top portion 114 of the front wall 104 is bonded to the adjacent first top portion 124 of the first side wall 106 to form a second bonded portion 112 having a second length L2. The first top portion 115 of the rear wall 105 is bonded to the adjacent second top portion 125 of the second side wall 107 to form a third bonded portion 121 having a third length L3. The second top portion 116 of the rear wall 105 is bonded to the adjacent second top portion 126 of the first side wall 106 to form a fourth bonded portion 122 having a fourth length L4. The third top portion 117 of the front wall 104 is bonded to the third top portion 118 of the rear wall 105 to form a fifth bonded portion 130 having a fifth length L5. The fifth length L5 is less than each of the first length L1, the second length L2, the third length L3, and the fourth length L4. The lengths L1 , L2 , L3 , L4 and L5 are all measured in a direction parallel to the front wall 104 , with the adhesive portions 111 , 112 , 121 , 122 , 130 extending as far as possible.

[0058] In the illustrated embodiment, the first length L1, the second length L2, the third length L3 and the fourth length L4 are all equal within manufacturing tolerances. The fifth length L5 is less than 75% of each of the first length L1, the second length L2, the third length L3 and the fourth length L4 in this article, preferably less than 65% or less than 60%. The first length L1, the second length L2, the third length L3 and the fourth length L4 can be between 30mm and 50mm, preferably between 35mm and 45mm. The fifth length L5 can be 1-30mm, more preferably 3-25mm. The total length L of the front wall 104 and / or the rear wall 105 of the bag 100 as measured between the side walls 106 and 107 at the bottom of the package 1 totSubstantially equal to the sum of the first length L1 , the second length L2 and the fifth length L5 and / or the sum of the third length L3 , the fourth length L4 and the fifth length L5 .

[0059] In the embodiment shown, the first length L1 is 39 mm and the fifth length L5 is 22 mm, ie, 56% of the first length L1. In the embodiment shown, the bag 100 has an overall length L1 measured between the side walls 106, 107 of 100 mm. tot and an overall width W of 78 mm measured between the front wall 104 and the rear wall 105. In the embodiment shown, the fill height H of the bag 100 is 163 mm.

[0060] In another embodiment, the first length L1 is 45 mm and the fifth length L5 is 10 mm, ie, 22% of the first length L1. The bag 100 has an overall length L measured between the side walls 106, 107 of 100 mm. tot , an overall width W of 88 mm measured between the front wall 104 and the rear wall 105. In the embodiment shown, the filling height H of the bag 100 is 165 mm.

[0061] like Figure 3 As best seen in the figure, the fifth adhesive portion 130 connects the first and third adhesive portions 111, 121 disposed closer to the second side wall 107 to the second and fourth adhesive portions 112, 122 disposed closer to the first side wall 106. Thus, the first and third adhesive portions 111, 121 form a first pair of wings, and the second and fourth adhesive portions 112, 122 form a second pair of wings. None of the adhesive portions 111, 112, 121, 122, 130 is bonded to another of the adhesive portions 111, 112, 121, 122, 130, such as by overlapping seams or butt seams. In addition, none of the adhesive portions 111, 112, 121, 122, 130 is bonded to an outer surface portion of the peripheral wall 103. Since they are not bonded to any outer surface portion of the peripheral wall, the first, second, third, and fourth adhesive portions 111, 112, 121, 122 form suitable gripping members for opening the bag.

[0062] like Fig. 9 As shown, the bag 100 includes an adhesive layer 150 disposed on the inner surface portions 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 123, 124, 125, 126 of the peripheral wall 103, wherein the adhesive layer 150 is shown as a shaded area. The adhesive layer 150 is used to bond the inner surface portions to each other to form a butt seam as described above. The adhesive layer may have a thickness of 28-45 g / m 2 , preferably 30-40g / m 2 , or more preferably 34-38g / m 2The base weight may be a hot melt adhesive layer.

[0063] The basis weight of the adhesive layer can be determined by weighing a first sample of the sheet 110 on which the adhesive layer 150 is disposed and a second sample of the same size on which the adhesive layer is not disposed. Alternatively, the adhesive layer can be removed from the first sample and then weighed again. The total weight of the adhesive layer disposed on the first sample is thus obtained as the weight difference between the sample with and without the adhesive layer. The weight of the adhesive layer is divided by the surface area of ​​the first sample to obtain the basis weight (also referred to as the weight per unit area).

[0064] Adhesive layer 150 may, for example, include or be composed of a hot melt adhesive. However, the adhesive is not limited to a hot melt adhesive and may be any type of adhesive suitable for the application. Other types of adhesives may be water-soluble adhesives. Such adhesives include starch-based adhesives, polyvinyl alcohol-based adhesives, and polyethylene oxide-based adhesives. If the adhesive is not water-soluble, a water-dispersible adhesive may be used similarly. Suitable examples of water-dispersible adhesives include thermoplastic elastomer-based adhesives and polyvinyl acetate-based adhesives. Any suitable pressure-sensitive adhesive may also be used.

[0065] Here, the adhesive layer 150 is partially disposed on the excess top portion 109 cut off after sealing. Before bonding, folding and cutting, the adhesive layer 150 may have a width W of 30-60 mm measured in the height direction of the bag 100. ad .

[0066] The seal at the top 102 of the bag 100 can be achieved by pressing two sealing strips against each other, wherein the folded top portion 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 123, 124, 125, 126 of the bag 100 comprises an adhesive layer 150 interposed between the sealing strips. Thereby, the hot melt adhesive applied to the inside of the bag 100 melts and the folded top portions 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 123, 124, 125, 126 are attached to each other. The width of the seal achieved by the sealing strips can be 3-10 mm, more preferably 3-6 mm, measured in the height direction of the bag 100. After the bag 100 has been cut, the seal width can be smaller or the same, depending on whether the cut line 108 along which the cut is made is above the seal.

[0067] The seal of the package can have a tensile strength of at least 1N / 25.4mm. For example, each of the multiple seals of the package of the present disclosure can have a tensile strength of between 1N / 25.4mm and about 22N / 25.4mm, more preferably from about 3N / 25.4mm to about 17N / 25.4mm. The tensile strength of the seal mentioned herein can be determined by the tensile test method described in ASTM F88-21 as modified herein.

[0068] As used herein, paper material is understood to be a material produced by pressing wet fibers together, dewatering and drying the fibers into a preferably flexible sheet. The paper material used herein may have a relative humidity of 50 g / m2 as measured according to ISO 536 standard. 2 and 90g / m 2 The ratio between the basis weight of the paper material used for the bag 100 and the basis weight of the adhesive layer 150 may be in the range of 1.6 to 2.5, preferably in the range of 1.8 to 2.2. For example, the paper material may have a basis weight of 70 g / m 2 The basis weight of the adhesive layer 150 (such as a hot melt adhesive layer) may have a basis weight of about 36 g / m 2 The basis weight.

[0069] Paper materials may have any one or more of the following properties:

[0070] - a tensile strength of between 4 and 10 kN / m, preferably between 6 and 8 kN / m, in the machine direction and between 2 and 6 kN / m, preferably between 3-5 kN / m, in the transverse direction, measured according to ISO 1924-3 standard;

[0071] - 8 mNm in machine direction measured according to ISO 1974 2 / g and 14mNm 2 / g and in the transverse direction between 8mNm 2 / g and 15mNm 2 / g tear index;

[0072] - a tear strength between 400 mN and 1300 mN in the machine direction and between 450 mN and 1400 mN in the transverse direction, measured according to ISO 1974 standard,

[0073] - a stretch between 1% and 6% in the machine direction and between 5% and 12% in the transverse direction, measured according to ISO 1924-3 standard.

[0074] like Figure 2As shown, in some embodiments, the bag 100 may include a first notch 160 for tearing the bag 100. The first notch 160 is formed at the top edge of the second adhesive portion 112 herein, although it may alternatively be provided in any one of the first adhesive portion 111, the third adhesive portion 121, and the fourth adhesive portion 122. As further shown, the bag 100 may alternatively or additionally include a second notch 160' for tearing the bag 100, the second notch 160' being formed just below one of the adhesive portions, here below the first adhesive portion 111. In alternative embodiments, the notches 160, 160' may be formed by, for example Figure 3 The weakening line 161 in the form of a perforated line or a scored line as shown may be substituted or supplemented. The weakening line may be, for example, located below one or more of the adhesive portions 111, 112, 121, 122, for example Figure 3 The third adhesive portion 121 is shown below. In other embodiments, no notch or weakening line is provided. In these cases, the bag 100 can be opened by, for example, manually pulling the opposing adhesive portion. Figure 4 The package 1 is shown in an opened state.

[0075] Rectangular sheet 110 in Fig. 9 100. As shown by the dashed fold lines, the sheet 109 is folded along the dashed lines to form the bag 100. To form the circumferential side wall 103, the edge portion 105a of the back wall 105 overlaps with the rectangular seam portion 127 located next to the second side wall 107 on the rectangular sheet 110. After folding the sheet 110, the edge portion 105a of the back wall 105 overlaps with the seam portion 127 to form an overlapping seam 140. Therefore, the seam portion 127 forms a part of the back wall 105 after folding and sealing. Figure 6 As shown, the overlapping seam 140 extends from the bottom 101 of the bag 100 to the top 102 of the bag 100. An adhesive can be used to form the overlapping seam 140. The adhesive can be the same type of adhesive as used for the adhesive layer 150, or it can be a different type of adhesive. The adhesive can be, for example, a hot melt adhesive, i.e., a thermoplastic adhesive that is insoluble in water. However, the adhesive is not limited to a hot melt adhesive, and it can be any type of adhesive suitable for the application. Other types of suitable adhesives can be water-soluble adhesives. Such adhesives include starch-based adhesives, polyvinyl alcohol-based adhesives, and polyethylene oxide-based adhesives. If the adhesive is not water-soluble, a water-dispersible adhesive can be used similarly. Suitable examples of water-dispersible adhesives include thermoplastic elastomer-based adhesives and polyvinyl acetate-based adhesives. Any suitable pressure-sensitive adhesive can also be used.

[0076] Fig. 9The seam portion 127 shown in the figure comprises an end portion 151 of an adhesive layer 150, which is arranged on an inner surface portion 115b, which forms a part of a first top portion 115 of the rear wall 105 after the overlapping seam 140 has been formed. Thus, the inner surface portion 115b forms the first top portion 115 of the rear wall 105 together with the adjacent inner surface portion 115a. The seam portion 127 is located inside the edge portion 105a of the rear wall 105, i.e. inside the package 1, after the overlapping seam 140 has been formed. The edge portion 105a of the rear wall 105 is formed without an adhesive layer 150. The edge portion 105a of the rear wall may have a width of about 25 mm in this context.

[0077] Fig. 9 The adhesive layer 150 is shown as a continuous adhesive layer. Fig.10 An alternative is shown in , in which the adhesive layer 150' is a discontinuous adhesive layer, which includes a first layer portion 150a arranged on the back wall 105, a second layer portion 150b arranged on the first side wall 106, a third layer portion 150c arranged on the front wall 104, a fourth layer portion 150d arranged on the second side wall 107 and an end layer portion 151 arranged on the seam portion 127. Between every two adjacent layer portions 150a-d, 151, an adhesive-free area is provided. The dotted folding line is located in the adhesive-free area. The distance D between every two adjacent layer portions 150a-d, 151 can be in the range of 5-15mm, preferably 8.5-11.5mm, such as about 10mm. This prevents the corners from becoming bonded during the manufacture of the bag 100 before the bag 100 is filled with the absorbent pad 300. In Fig.10 In the embodiment shown, the edge portion 105a of the rear wall 105 and the edge portion 127a of the seam portion 127 are also free of adhesive. The adhesive-free edge portion 127a of the seam portion 127 may herein have a width of about 5 mm.

[0078] The bag 100 may also include an air displacement hole (not shown) located at or near the bottom 101 of the bag 100 for allowing air to escape from the bag 100, for example, when the pad 300 is loaded into the bag 100, and for reducing tension that may occur when the bag 100 is subjected to pressure. The air displacement hole may be located near the edge between any two adjacent walls. It may preferably be located at one of the side walls 106, 107 adjacent to the bottom 101. Alternatively, it may be formed as a non-sealed lower portion of the overlapping seam 140.

[0079] An exemplary configuration of the bottom 101 is Figure 5. The sealed bottom 101 of the bag 100 is a block bottom, here formed by folding a rectangular lower portion 119 of the sheet 110 and gluing the resulting folded portions to each other to form a flat rectangular bottom 101. The sealed bottom 101 is formed using overlapping seams to provide a flat bottom. A rectangular patch 180 forming a bottom label is glued to the bottom 101 as a cover.

[0080] All outsides of the bag 100 may be covered with a layer of varnish, thereby protecting any printed parts of the bag 100. The printed parts may be provided on the peripheral wall 103 as well as on the top 102 and / or on the bottom label.

[0081] Since the absorbent pad 300 is not compressed or only slightly compressed, the package 1 has relatively sharp 90° edges. The front wall 104 and the rear wall 105 as well as the first side wall 106 and the second side wall 107 are relatively flat. Therefore, the length L of the package 1 is tot and the width W is nearly constant along the height H of the package, as can be seen from Figure 1 The maximum overall length L of the package 1 measured anywhere along the stack height H tot Preferably with a minimum overall length L measured at the seal bottom 101 or seal top 102 tot The difference is 10 mm or less, more preferably 8 mm or less. In other words, the side walls 106, 107 do not bulge significantly.

[0082] In the embodiment shown, two stacks 201 , 202 of folded and individually wrapped absorbent pads 300 , for example disposable personal hygiene absorbent pads in the form of incontinence guards, sanitary napkins, panty liners or the like, are arranged in a bag 100 .

[0083] Figure 7-8 An absorbent pad 300 in the form of an incontinence guard according to an exemplary embodiment is shown. Such incontinence guards are described, for example, in WO2017086849. Purely by way of example, the absorbent pad 300 may comprise a liquid permeable topsheet 309 bonded to an underlying acquisition or distribution layer (not shown), a liquid impermeable backsheet (not shown), and an absorbent core (not shown) sandwiched between the acquisition or distribution layer and the liquid impermeable backsheet. However, many different configurations are possible.

[0084] The absorbent pad 300 shown is a wingless incontinence guard, which is intended to be adhered to the user's underwear, for example by means of an adhesive provided on the outer side of the backsheet for fastening the absorbent pad 300 to the underwear. However, the present disclosure is equally applicable to wing-type absorbent pads, in which transversely protruding wings are intended to be folded around the edges of the user's underwear to fasten the absorbent pad 300 to the underwear.

[0085] Liquid permeable top sheet 309 may include nonwoven materials, such as spunbond, meltblown, carding, spunlace, wet-laid, etc., which may be composed of natural fibers such as wood pulp or cotton fibers; synthetic fibers such as polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, viscose, etc. or their mixtures. Top sheet 309 material may also be composed of tow fibers, porous foam, porous plastic film, etc. The material suitable as top sheet material should be soft and non-irritating to the skin, and easily penetrated by body fluids such as urine or menstrual fluid, and show low rewetting performance. Top sheet 309 may include weldable fibers for being able to be bonded to the following sheet by welding (e.g., ultrasonic welding). Alternatively, top sheet 309 may be bonded to the following material with an adhesive, or simply placed on the top of the following material.

[0086] If an acquisition or distribution layer is used in the absorbent pad 300, the acquisition or distribution layer may include a material suitable for bonding to the top sheet 309. For example, if welding techniques are used to bond the top sheet 309 to the acquisition or distribution layer, the material of the acquisition or distribution layer should include at least partially weldable fibers. For example, the weldable fibers may be polyethylene fibers coated with a polypropylene layer. The acquisition or distribution layer may further include pure polyethylene fibers. In a specific example, less than 30% of the fibers in the acquisition or distribution layer are polyethylene fibers, and more than 70% of the fibers are welded fibers consisting of polyethylene fibers coated with polypropylene.

[0087] The absorbent core may include any conventional material suitable for absorbing discharged body waste, such as cellulose fluff pulp, tissue paper layers, high absorbent polymers (superabsorbents), absorbent foam materials including hydrogel foam materials, absorbent nonwoven materials, etc. Similar to the above, if welding techniques are used to directly bond the top sheet 309 to the absorbent core, the material of the absorbent core should include at least partially weldable fibers.

[0088] The liquid impermeable backsheet may comprise a thin plastic film, such as a polyethylene or polypropylene film, a nonwoven coated with a liquid impermeable material, a hydrophobic nonwoven resistant to liquid penetration, or a laminate of a plastic film and a nonwoven. The backsheet material may be breathable to allow vapor to escape from the absorbent core while still preventing liquid from passing through the backsheet material.

[0089] In one embodiment, the absorbent pad 300 may be an absorbent pad commercially sold by Essity Hygiene and Health AB under the name TENA discreet Mini.The package 1 may then comprise two stacks 201 , 202, wherein, by way of example only, there are 8 or 10 absorbent pads 300 in each stack 201 , 202.

[0090] In another embodiment, the absorbent pad 300 may be an absorbent pad commercially sold by Essity Hygiene and Health AB under the name TENA discreet Mini Plus.

[0091] The package 1 may then comprise two stacks 201 , 202 , wherein, by way of example only, there are 8 or 10 absorbent pads 300 in each stack 201 , 202 .

[0092] In the illustrated embodiment, each absorbent pad 300 is disposed in a separate bag 301, such as a thin sheet or the like, to which the absorbent pad 300 is releasably bonded before use. The sheet material used to form the bag 301 can be a single-layer sheet of any suitable material known to those skilled in the art, such as a polyethylene or polypropylene film or a nonwoven or paper. The bag 301 can also be a laminate comprising at least two different layers. Laminated materials suitable for packaging sanitary products are considered to be known to those skilled in the art and are not intended to limit the present disclosure in any way.

[0093] The absorbent pad 300 attached to a single bag set 301 is folded twice herein to form three folded layers, wherein the front portion 303 overlaps the rear portion 304, and both the front portion 303 and the rear portion 304 overlap the center portion 305. Figure 8 In the illustrated embodiment, the pad 300 is folded together with the bag 301. Alternatively, the pad may be pre-folded and inserted into the bag. Each individually wrapped absorbent pad 300 includes two sealed bag portions 302 extending perpendicular to opposite folded edges 306, 307 of the absorbent pad 300. Figure 1 and Figure 4 As shown, one of the sealed bag portions 302 faces upward within the bag 100. Thus, a user can easily remove the enclosed absorbent pad 300 from the open top of the bag 100 by grasping the sealed bag portion 302. However, the sealed bag portion 302 is not limited to being arranged upward in the bag 100. Alternatively, it can face any one of the other surfaces of the bag 100.

[0094] The sealed enveloping portion 302 may be sealed by an adhesive (e.g., a resealable adhesive or a non-resealable adhesive) and / or sealed by ultrasonic welding or heat welding. The term "resealable adhesive" refers to an adhesive that provides a non-permanent adhesive bond between two adhesive surfaces, i.e., a bond that can be broken by applying a tensile force to the adhesive and regenerated by applying a compressive force to the adhesive. The resealable adhesive may be a pressure-sensitive hot melt adhesive.

[0095] The stacking direction SD of each stack 201, 202 in the bag 100 is perpendicular to the first side wall 106 and the second side wall 107 of the bag 100, see Figure 1 Thus, within each stack 201 , 202 , the folded and individually wrapped absorbent pads 300 are stacked with their side surfaces 310 facing each other. The side surfaces 310 are aligned with the first side wall 106 and the second side wall 107 of the bag 100 .

[0096] To manufacture a package 1 according to the present disclosure, at least one stack 201, 202 of absorbent articles 300 is arranged in a bag 100 as described above, wherein the bag has a closed bottom 101, an open top 102, and a peripheral wall 103 between the bottom 101 and the top 102. Thereafter, the inner surface top portions of the peripheral wall 103 provided with the adhesive layer 150 are bonded to each other as described above to obtain a closed top 102.

[0097] It should be understood that the above description is only exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, its application or use. Although specific examples have been described in the specification and shown in the drawings, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes can be made and equivalents can be used to replace its elements without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as defined in the claims, and the mixing and matching of features, elements and / or functions between various examples is explicitly contemplated herein, so that those of ordinary skill in the art will understand from the present disclosure that, unless otherwise described above, the features, elements and / or functions of one example can be appropriately incorporated into another example. In addition, without departing from the basic scope of the present disclosure, many modifications can be made to adapt specific situations or materials to the teachings of the present disclosure. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure is not limited to the specific examples shown in the drawings and described herein, but that the scope of the present disclosure will include any embodiment falling within the foregoing description and the appended claims.

[0098] Reference signs mentioned in the claims should not be considered as limiting the scope of the matter protected by the claims, and their sole function is to make the claims easier to understand.

Claims

1. A package (1) comprising a bag (100) and at least one stack (201, 202) of absorbent pads (300) arranged in the bag (100), the bag (100) being made of a paper material, The bag (100) comprises a sealed bottom (101), a sealed top (102) and a peripheral wall (103) extending between the bottom (101) and the top (102), wherein the peripheral wall (103) comprises a front wall (104), an opposite rear wall (105), and a first side wall (106) and a second side wall (107) connecting the front wall (104) and the rear wall (105), wherein the sealed top (102) has been formed by bonding the inner surface top portions (113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 123, 124, 125, 126) of the peripheral wall (103) to each other such that: - the first top portion (113) of the front wall (104) is bonded to the adjacent first top portion (123) of the second side wall (107) to form a first length (L 1 ), - the second top portion (114) of the front wall (104) is bonded to the adjacent first top portion (124) of the first side wall (106) to form a second length (L 2 ), - the first top portion (115) of the rear wall (105) is bonded to the adjacent second top portion (125) of the second side wall (107) to form a third length (L 3 ), - the second top portion (116) of the rear wall (105) is bonded to the adjacent second top portion (126) of the first side wall (106) to form a fourth length (L 4 ), and - the third top portion (117) of the front wall (104) is bonded to the third top portion (118) of the rear wall (105) to form a fifth length (L 5 ), Wherein the fifth length (L 5 ) is less than the first length (L 1 ), the second length (L 2 ), the third length (L 3 ) and the fourth length (L 4 ) in each of the .

2. The package according to claim 1, wherein the fifth length (L 5 ) is less than the first length (L 1 ), the second length (L 2 ), the third length (L 3 ) and the fourth length (L 4 ), preferably less than 65%.

3. The package according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the fifth length (L 5 ) is in the range of 1-30mm.

4. A package according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first length (L 1 ), the second length (L 2 ), the third length (L 3 ) and the fourth length (L 4 )equal.

5. A package according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bag (100) includes an adhesive layer (150) arranged on the inner surface portions (113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 123, 124, 125, 126) of the peripheral wall (103), and the adhesive layer (150) is used to bond the inner surface portions (113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 123, 124, 125, 126) to each other.

6. The package according to claim 5, wherein the basis weight of the adhesive layer (150) is 28 g / m 2 Up to 45g / m 2 , preferably 30g / m 2 Up to 40g / m 2 , or more preferably 34 g / m 2 Up to 38g / m 2 .

7. A package according to claim 6, wherein the ratio between the basis weight of the paper material and the basis weight of the adhesive layer (150) is in the range of 1.6 to 2.5, preferably in the range of 1.8 to 2.

2.

8. The package according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the adhesive layer (150) is a hot melt adhesive layer.

9. A package according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the paper material has a relative humidity of 50 g / m2 measured according to ISO 536. 2 and 90g / m 2 The basis weight between.

10. Package according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the bag (100) comprises at least one weakening line (161) for opening the bag (100).

11. The package according to claim 10, wherein the at least one weakening line (161) comprises a perforation line or a score line.

12. A package according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the at least one weakening line (161) is formed in or adjacent to at least one of the adhesive portions (111, 121, 112, 122, 130).

13. Package according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bag comprises at least one notch (160, 160') for tearing open the bag (100).

14. The package of claim 13, wherein the at least one recess (160, 160') is formed in or adjacent to at least one of the adhesive portions (111, 121, 112, 122, 130).

15. A package according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the stacking direction (SD) of each of the at least one stack (201, 202) of absorbent pads (300) is perpendicular to the first side wall (106) and the second side wall (107) of the bag (100).

16. A package according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the at least one stack (201, 202) of absorbent pads (300) comprises a plurality of folded and individually wrapped absorbent pads (300).

17. A package according to claim 16, wherein the wrapping (301) of each individually wrapped absorbent pad (300) comprises a sealed wrapping portion (302) facing upwardly within the bag (100).

18. A package according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealed bottom (101) of the bag (100) is formed by folding and gluing a portion (119) of the paper material to form a flat rectangular bottom (101).

19. A package according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bag (100) comprises air displacement holes at or near the bottom (101) of the bag (100) for allowing air to escape from the bag (100).

20. The package according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one stack (201, 202) of absorbent pads (300) comprises two stacks (201, 202) of absorbent pads (300).

21. A package according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the peripheral wall (103) of the bag (100) comprises an overlapping seam (140) extending from the bottom (101) of the bag (100) to the top (102) of the bag (100), wherein the overlapping seam (140) is formed at the front wall (104) or at the rear wall (105).

22. A package according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bag (100) is opaque and the absorbent pad (300), such as the package (301) of individually wrapped absorbent pads (300), is not visible through the bag (100).

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