HYGIENE PRODUCTS

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an individually packaged hygiene article comprising an absorbent article and a packaging means that preferably completely encloses the article and preferably largely seals it off from its surroundings, wherein the absorbent article has at least a body-facing topsheet, a body-facing backsheet, and an absorbent body arranged between them, wherein a body-facing outer surface of the backsheet has an adhesive coating in certain areas for releasable adhesion of the absorbent article to a garment. In the absorbent articles in question, a body-facing topsheet is understood to be a liquid-permeable layer facing the body, usually based on nonwoven fabric or film, and a body-facing backsheet is understood to be a largely liquid-impermeable, and in particular breathable, i.e., water vapor-permeable, layer, usually based on film.

[0002] Individually wrapped absorbent products are typically feminine hygiene items, but can also include absorbent incontinence products. These products are now designed to be visually appealing, often using single- or multi-color printing. Visually perceptible markings or decorations can be applied to the product itself, such as its backsheet, or to the product packaging, particularly individual outer packaging.

[0003] WO 2021 / 153377 A1 discloses an individually wrapped hygiene product in the form of a sanitary napkin with a cover layer that overlaps the adhesive coating on the outside of the backsheet. This cover layer has a non-stick surface, at least on its side facing the backsheet, and serves to prevent the adhesive coating from sticking to the outer packaging. After removal from the outer packaging, this adhesive strip is detached in a manner known per se, allowing the absorbent product to adhere to the crotch of a garment. This cover layer has a decorative design and includes at least one decorative element that forms a decorative area. This decorative area of ​​the cover layer is arranged so that it faces the packaging layer and also overlaps a joint between the cover layer and the outer packaging layer in order to conceal it.The outer packaging is made of a non-woven fabric or plastic film.

[0004] WO 2013 / 080757 A1 also discloses an individually wrapped hygiene product whose packaging is made of a multilayer nonwoven material. This multilayer nonwoven material comprises an inner meltblown nonwoven layer and an outer spunbond nonwoven layer. Because meltblown nonwoven layers have much thinner fibers and typically a higher density than spunbond nonwoven layers due to the manufacturing process, they are better suited for printing, as the ink can penetrate the capillary spaces between the fibers. Therefore, decorative printing is applied to the inner side of the nonwoven packaging facing the product. Since the outer spunbond nonwoven layer has longer and thicker fibers and a lower density, it is sufficiently translucent and not too dense to allow the printing on the inner nonwoven layer to be visually perceptible.It also seems that a certain degree of diffuse light scattering through the non-woven material is desirable, so that the hygiene product contained in the packaging is not immediately recognizable as such.

[0005] JP 4518325 B2 discloses a single-packaged hygiene article with a plurality of different design variants with and without a release layer for covering the adhesive coating on the backsheet of the hygiene article, wherein marking or decoration means are provided in the different design variants on the backsheet of the hygiene article itself and / or on the release layer and / or on the outer packaging.

[0006] A single-packaged hygiene article having the features of the preamble of claim 1 is previously known from WO 2019 / 176961.

[0007] The applicant has determined that problems can arise with conventionally printed packaging, particularly for individually wrapped hygiene products. During the manufacturing process, these products may move against conveyor belts or guide rails, potentially causing the printed design to rub off. Furthermore, individually wrapped hygiene products are often stacked and compressed before being placed in outer packaging for storage, transport, and sale.When handling such compressed product stacks, significant frictional forces occur on the outside of the stacks due to the restoring forces of the compressed products. These forces interact with handling components of packaging units, and frictional forces also occur between the outer surfaces of the individually wrapped hygiene products or any additional packaging surrounding the stack. This friction can lead to the abrasion of any printing applied to the outside of the packaging. However, printing on the backsheet of the absorbent product itself presents manufacturing difficulties and is not practical in the case of adhesive coatings. Furthermore, this would increase the visibility of the absorbent product in an undesirable way.

[0008] The present invention is based on the objective of creating an individually packaged hygiene product which can be manufactured in a simple and therefore economical and reliable manner, in which the problem of impairment of an applied decoration described above can be better controlled without having to accept excessive design restrictions.

[0009] This problem is solved according to the invention by a single-packaged hygiene article having the features of claim 1.

[0010] A plastic film layer printed on its inner surface is used as the packaging material. The desired transparency and degree of diffuse light scattering of these plastic film layers can be freely selected, so that any marking or decorative element applied to their inner surface can be clearly visible through the plastic film layer, especially under reflected light. By applying the marking or decorative element directly to the packaging material itself, and not to the backsheet of the absorbing article, the design of the article and any additional decoration remain unaffected.Furthermore, according to the invention, it is proposed that in the overlap area with the adhesive coating on the outside of the backsheet, the marking or decorative element is covered by a layer acting as a protective cover and is thereby protected from abrasion and interaction with the adhesive coating. In this way, a design of the packaging material with a visually perceptible marking or decorative element that is protected from external and internal influences can be achieved, even if the absorbent article has an adhesive coating for releasable adhesion to an undergarment.

[0011] According to the invention, it is proposed that the protective layer is formed as a coating, at least partially, on the inward-facing surface of the plastic film layer. This coating is applied directly and over the entire surface of the plastic film layer, so that the marking or decoration element is sandwiched between the plastic film layer and the coating. This has the advantage that the coating protecting the marking or decoration element can simultaneously serve as a release layer for the adhesive coating on the backsheet, thus eliminating the need for an additional release layer or layer.

[0012] Furthermore, it proves advantageous if the coating of at least part of the inward-facing surface of the plastic film layer is formed by a preferably colorless and preferably transparent coating compound with non-stick properties, in particular a silicone-based coating compound. This coating can be formed and applied in any manner. For example, it could be another film layer produced previously and then applied. Alternatively, it is proposed that the coating compound be laminated with the aforementioned properties during the production of the plastic film layer after the application of the marking or decoration element.

[0013] It is further proposed that the coating of at least part of the inward-facing surface of the plastic film layer be present across the entire overlap area between the marking or decoration material and the adhesive coating on the outer surface of the backsheet, facing away from the body, forming a continuous, even coating. A continuous, even coating is defined as one without openings, holes, or similar uncoated areas. In this case, it is possible to pre-assemble the plastic film layer as a packaging material.

[0014] Furthermore, it can prove advantageous if the coating covers at least some of the inward-facing surface of the plastic film layer. However, it would also be conceivable and advantageous to leave the plastic film layer partially uncoated, particularly in edge areas, especially along longitudinal edges, so that only the original material of the plastic film layer is present there. This would be useful, for example, for applying sealing seams, which can be produced using ultrasonic welding techniques or as heat seals with or without the use of additional adhesion promoters.

[0015] Furthermore, it proves advantageous that no additional layer or layer exists between the partial coating of the inward-facing surface of the plastic film layer and the adhesive coating of the backsheet, so that the partial coating is in direct contact with the adhesive coating of the backsheet. In this way, the coating, at least partially, on the inward-facing surface of the plastic film layer, which covers and protects the applied marking or decoration material, simultaneously forms a cover for the adhesive coating on the backsheet.

[0016] It has also proven advantageous if the plastic film layer comprises or consists of a thermoplastic polymer, particularly from the class of polyolefins, especially polypropylene and / or polyethylene. However, this does not preclude the plastic film layer from having a thin and transparent nonwoven coating on its outer surface to provide a textile-like appearance and a pleasant tactile feel.

[0017] Furthermore, it is conceivable and advantageous for many applications if the plastic film layer comprises non-polymeric fillers, such as pigments, titanium dioxide or carbonates, plasticizers, fragrances, and antimicrobial substances. In particular, by introducing granular substances and slightly stretching the plastic film layer in a manner known per se, microporosity and thus breathability to a desired extent can be achieved.

[0018] The plastic film layer forming the packaging material should be sufficiently stable, while ensuring economical resource utilization. It is advantageous if the plastic film layer has a basis weight of at least 10 g / m², in particular at least 12 g / m² and at most 35 g / m², in particular at most 30 g / m², in particular at most 28 g / m², and further, in particular, at most 24 g / m².

[0019] It is further advantageous if the marking or decoration material is essentially water-insoluble. A marking or decoration material is considered water-insoluble if, in its form applied to the plastic film layer, it retains its shape and appearance upon contact with water or moisture and does not, for example, run or detach from the plastic film layer. In the field of printing technology, this is referred to as "wet fastness".

[0020] It is further suggested that the marking or decorative element be applied by means of flexographic printing, inkjet printing or screen printing.

[0021] The marking or decorative element may include or consist of at least one dye or color pigment.

[0022] A multi-colored design is also considered advantageous. In this respect, it is proposed that the marking or decorative element comprise at least a first area of ​​a first color, in particular at least the first area and a second area of ​​a second color different from the first color, and further in particular at least the first area and the second area and a third area of ​​a third color different from the first and the second color.

[0023] It is further proposed that the marking or decoration means extend over at least 5%, in particular at least 8%, in particular at least 10%, in particular at least 15%, in particular at least 20%, in particular at least 30% and over at most 100%, in particular up to at most 90%, in particular up to at most 80%, in particular up to at most 70%, in particular up to at most 60%, in particular up to at most 50% of a total area of ​​the inwardly facing surface of the plastic film layer.

[0024] The marking or decoration means any optically and visually perceptible information in the broadest sense. In particular, it can be advantageous if the marking or decoration means forms a coherent structure, especially in the form of a periodically repeating pattern, and / or has separate elements that are completely surrounded by, or consist of, unprinted areas of the inward-facing surface of the plastic film layer.

[0025] Furthermore, it would be conceivable and advantageous for the transmission of information if the marking or decoration means included characters that are printed in reverse on the inward-facing top side of the plastic film layer, so that they can be visually perceived in positive lettering through the plastic film layer when viewing the packaged hygiene product from the outside.

[0026] Furthermore, the marking or decoration means may include machine-readable information, in particular a barcode or matrix code.

[0027] The absorbent article in question may be selected from the group of absorbent pads, liners, sanitary napkins, bed pads, open or closed type diapers, wherein the absorbent article may comprise a fluid absorption and / or distribution layer arranged between the topsheet and the absorbent body.

[0028] Further functional layers or features already known in modern absorbent products, such as rising lateral spillage barriers or additional chassis or absorption body elements, may also be provided.

[0029] Furthermore, it is conceivable that the absorbent article is at least partially detachably connected to the plastic film layer of the packaging material by means of an adhesive bond, in particular by means of an adhesive material.

[0030] Furthermore, it is conceivable and advantageous that the absorbent article be applied over a large area to the

[0031] a plastic film layer is applied and is folded onto itself along at least one, in particular at least two, and further in particular exactly two fold lines, such that the entire outer surface of the hygiene article is formed by the packaging material.

[0032] It is advantageous if the absorbent article and its packaging are folded in such a way that the marking or decoration material applied to the inner surface of the plastic film layer does not come into direct contact with the topsheet of the absorbent article. This also prevents color transfer or damage to the marking or decoration material caused by friction with the topsheet of the absorbent article.

[0033] Furthermore, it proves advantageous if an outer surface of the packaging material does not have any marking or decorative elements.

[0034] As already indicated, it can be advantageous if the packaging material is joined to itself at two lateral longitudinal edge areas, in particular by means of a seal or adhesive seam, so that the packaging material forms a receiving space for the absorbent article contained therein, which is closed at least along its longitudinal edges. Typically, a transverse edge remains open for the user's fingers to grasp, but this is only one embodiment.

[0035] It is also conceivable and advantageous if the packaging includes a closure means, in particular an adhesive or mechanically bonded closure strip, by means of which a folded configuration of absorbent article and packaging can be detachably fixed, thus also enabling the reuse of the packaging as disposal packaging for the used absorbent article. Typically, this closure strip is provided in the area of ​​an unbonded transverse edge of the packaging.

[0036] Further features, details, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the attached claims and from the drawings and subsequent description of embodiments of the present invention. The drawing shows: Figure 1 is a top view of an absorbent article placed on a packaging medium according to a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a schematic sectional view with section plane II in Figure 1 Figure 3 is a top view of an absorbent article placed on a packaging medium according to a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 is a schematic sectional view with section plane II-II in Figure 3 Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a single-packaged hygiene article according to the invention, obtained by folding the absorbent article and the packaging material twice. Figure 1 and 2 or 3 and 4 and sealing of longitudinal side edges; and Figure 6 a top view of the individually wrapped hygiene article according to Figure 5 .

[0037] The Figure 1 and 2The figures show, in a partially schematic representation, the components for forming a single-packaged hygiene article 2 according to the invention, which is in Figures 5 and 6 The components are shown in their folded and fully packaged state. These components comprise an absorbent article 4, shown here by way of example in the form of a sanitary napkin, panty liner or incontinence pad, and a packaging material 6 in the form of an initially flat section of a plastic film layer 8. The absorbent article 4 is placed in its flattened state on the equally flattened plastic film layer 8.

[0038] The absorbent article 4 comprises a liquid-permeable topsheet 10 facing the body, optionally an adjoining liquid-absorbing and distributing layer, and a liquid-impermeable backsheet 12 with an absorbent body 14 arranged between them. An adhesive coating 18 is provided on an outer surface 16 of the backsheet 12 facing away from the body, enabling the absorbent article 4 to be releasably bonded to a garment. The adhesive coating 18 is, by way of example, formed in the form of three parallel adhesive strips 20.

[0039] The packaging element 6 formed by the plastic film layer 8 comprises a visually perceptible marking or decoration element 22. According to the invention, this marking or decoration element 22 is printed onto an inwardly facing surface 24 of the plastic film layer 8. At least in this area, the plastic film layer 8 is transparent such that the marking or decoration element 22 is visually perceptible from the outside through the plastic film layer 8. In an overlap area 26 of the marking or decoration element 22 with the adhesive coating 18 on the outer surface 16 of the backsheet 12 facing away from the body, a layer 28 acting as a protective cover is present between the marking or decoration element 22 and the adhesive coating 18.This protective layer 28 completely covers both the marking or decorative element 22 and, preferably, the entire adhesive coating 18 in this overlap area 26. This prevents direct contact between the adhesive coating 18 and the marking or decorative element 22. Damage to the marking or decorative element 22 caused by such contact is therefore avoided. In particular, this prevents the marking or decorative element 22 from being detached, worn away, or otherwise damaged, especially smudged, by the adhesive coating. At the same time, this protective layer 28 can also serve to deactivate the adhesive coating 18 until it is actually used and adheres to an undergarment.In the exemplary case of this embodiment, this layer 28 is formed by a flat material section 30, preferably with non-stick properties at least on the side facing the adhesive coating 18, in particular with a non-stick coating. The flat material section 30 thus has a dual function here; it supports the marking or decoration element 22 and acts as a "release liner," i.e., a removable cover, for the adhesive coating 18. As mentioned at the outset, during manufacturing, the flat material section 30 can first be attached to the absorbent article 4 and then placed with it onto the plastic film layer 8, or the flat material section 30 could first be applied to the plastic film layer 8. In particular, it is conceivable and advantageous if the flat material section has a [missing information - likely a specific feature or characteristic] Figure 1The joining connection 32, which is only schematically indicated, is attached to the inwardly facing surface 24 of the plastic film layer 8, so that it remains on the plastic film layer 8 when the absorbent article 4 is removed from the plastic film layer 8.

[0040] In Figure 1 Furthermore, two fold lines 34 are indicated, around which the absorbent article 4, together with the plastic film layer 8, is folded onto itself. In this way, a folded configuration is created, as shown in Figures 5 and 6 The fold lines 34 run orthogonally to a line in Figure 1 The longitudinal direction of the absorbent article 4, shown with reference numeral 36, is thus in a transverse direction 38. Longitudinal edge areas 40 of the folded packaging material 6, i.e. the plastic film layer 8, running in the longitudinal direction 36, are joined against each other, for example in one or the other way mentioned above.

[0041] The in Figures 3 and4The further embodiment of the individually packaged hygiene article 2 shown here differs from the embodiment described above in that, instead of the flat material section 30 forming a layer 28 that acts as a protective cover for the marking or decoration element 22, a continuous coating 42 is formed on the inward-facing surface 24 of the plastic film layer 8. It would be conceivable that this coating 42 is only formed in certain areas in the overlap region 26 with the adhesive coating 18. However, in the example shown, it is applied over the entire inward-facing surface 24 of the plastic film layer 8, so that the marking or decoration element 22 on the plastic film layer 8 is completely covered by the coating 42, which acts as a protective cover, and sandwiched between the plastic film layer 8 and this coating 42.The coating 42, the marking and decoration agent 22, and the plastic film layer 8 thus form a composite layer. The coating 42 can optionally also be designed such that the [missing information] Figures 5 and 6 The longitudinally extending and joined longitudinal edge regions 40 of the folded packaging material shown are free of the coating. The coating 42 can be of the type described in detail above and preferably has non-stick properties at least on its side facing the backsheet 12 or the adhesive coating 18.

[0042] The coating 42 thus serves both as a protective covering for the marking or decoration material 22 and simultaneously as a release layer for the adhesive coating 18. As can be seen, no additional release layer / release liner is used. The folding of the absorbent article 4 and the packaging material 6 is carried out as in the first embodiment.

Claims

1. Individually packaged sanitary article (2), comprising an absorbent article (4) and a packaging means (6) which preferably completely encloses the article (4), the absorbent article (4) having at least one top sheet (10) facing the body, a back sheet (12) facing away from the body, and an absorbent body (14) arranged therebetween, an outer side (16) of the back sheet (12) facing away from the body having, in regions, an adhesive coating (18) for releasably adhering the absorbent article (4) to a garment, and the outer side (16) of the back sheet (12) facing away from the body facing an inward-facing surface (24) of the packaging means (6), the packaging means (6) being formed by a plastics material film layer (8) which has a visually perceptible marking or decoration means (22), the visually perceptible marking or decoration means (22) being printed on the inward-facing surface (24) of the plastics material film layer (8), and the plastics material film layer (8) being designed to be transparent, at least in this region, such that the marking or decoration means (22) is also visually perceptible from the outside through the plastics material film layer (8), and the marking or decoration means (22) being covered, at least in an overlapping region (26) with the adhesive coating (18), by a layer (28) acting as a protective cover between the adhesive coating (18) and the marking or decoration means (22), characterized in that the layer (28) acting as a protective cover is designed in the form of a coating (42) of the inward-facing surface (24) of the plastics material film layer (8), at least in regions, which layer is applied directly and in a planar manner to the inward-facing surface (24) of the plastics material film layer (8) such that the marking or decoration means (22) is arranged in a sandwich-like manner between the plastics material film layer (8) and the coating (42), and in that the coating (42) of the inward-facing surface (24) of the plastics material film layer (8), at least in regions, is formed by a coating composition which has anti-adhering properties, and in that the coating (42) of the inward-facing surface (24) of the plastics material film layer (8), at least in regions, is present in the entire overlapping region (26) between the marking or decoration means (22) and the adhesive coating (18) on the outer side (16) of the back sheet (12) facing away from the body, and said coating forms a planar, continuous coating, and in that, between the coating (42) of the inward-facing surface (24) of the plastics material film layer (8) and the adhesive coating (18) of the back sheet (12), there is no additional layer or ply, such that, in regions, the coating (42) directly abuts the adhesive coating (18) of the back sheet (12).

2. Individually packaged sanitary article (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the coating (42) of the inward-facing surface (24) of the plastics material film layer (8), at least in regions, is formed by a colorless and transparent coating composition which has anti-adhering properties, in particular by a silicone-based coating composition.

3. Individually packaged sanitary article (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the coating (42) covers the entire inward-facing surface (24) of the plastics material film layer (8), at least in regions.

4. Individually packaged sanitary article (2) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plastics material film layer (8) comprises or consists of a thermoplastic polymer, in particular from the class of polyolefins, in particular polypropylene and / or polyethylene.

5. Individually packaged sanitary article (2) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plastics material film layer (8) has an area density of at least 10 g / m2, in particular at least 12 g / m2, and at most 35 g / m2, in particular at most 30 g / m2, in particular at most 28 g / m2, and more particularly at most 24 g / m2.

6. Individually packaged sanitary article (2) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the marking or decoration means (22) is substantially water-insoluble.

7. Individually packaged sanitary article (2) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the absorbent article (4) and its packaging means (6) are folded such that the marking or decoration means (22) applied to the inward-facing surface (24) of the plastics material film layer (8) does not come into direct contact with the top sheet (10) of the absorbent article (4).