Individual package of absorbent article

Abstract

To provide an individual package of an absorbent article capable of giving a user a sense of security by making the user aware of a high level of fall prevention while suppressing tearing of a packaging sheet.SOLUTION: An individual package 30 comprises a plurality of fusion parts 4 for joining packaging sheets 20 to each other on each of a pair of both side edges 34 and 34 along a longitudinal direction Y outside a width direction X of an absorbent article 10. A first surface on which an opening end 35 of the packaging sheet located on one end side in the longitudinal direction is exposed to the surface, includes a first exposed surface 30C and a second exposed surface 30D, with an opening end used as a boundary. The first exposed surface includes, from a side close to the opening end, a first colored band area 51, a second colored band area 52 and a background area 53, where the second colored band area, the first colored band area and the background area are arranged in a descending order of density of the colored ink. A lead tape 6 is disposed across the first exposed surface and the second exposed surface, and an area of each fusion part 4 of both side edges corresponding to the first colored band area and the second colored band area is larger than an area of each fusion part of both side edges corresponding to the background area.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to individual packaging for absorbent articles. [Background technology]

[0002] Absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins are known to be sold in individual packaging. For example, pad-type absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins are usually wrapped in a packaging sheet, folded in the longitudinal direction, and stacked in the thickness direction to form an individual package. In such individual packages, a lead tape is attached so as to straddle the opening end and extend along the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article in order to provide a so-called tab for opening and to prevent foreign matter from entering (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). The lead tape is divided into a tape release portion that is pinched and pulled up, and a tape fastening portion that is fixed and held to the packaging sheet, with the opening end as the boundary. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-103809 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2007-521117 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0004] The aforementioned lead tape is used not only when opening the package, but also for packaging and disposing of absorbent articles after use. Therefore, the tape fastening portion needs to have sufficient adhesion to prevent the lead tape from detaching from the packaging sheet from the time the individual package is opened until the absorbent article is disposed of. This non-detachable adhesion allows the user to wrap the used absorbent article in the packaging sheet, and then reattach the tape release portion of the lead tape to the packaging sheet, roll it up, and dispose of it so that the contents are not visible. On the other hand, packaging sheets are generally printed with various colors to enhance their appearance and appeal to consumers. However, as described in Patent Document 1 (see paragraph

[0007] ), in colored packaging sheets, the higher the concentration of the colored ink in the area that adheres to the lead tape, the worse the adhesion between the lead tape and the packaging sheet may become due to the presence of the colored ink. Therefore, there is room for improvement in the adhesion between the colored area of ​​the packaging sheet and the tape fastening area from the standpoint of preventing the lead tape from falling off.

[0005] In this regard, Patent Document 1 states that the adhesion can be improved by making the density of the colored ink of the packaging sheet relatively lower in the area that overlaps with the tape fastening area compared to the tape peeling area. However, in this case, when looking at the lead tape overlapping the packaging sheet, the color of the tape's release portion appears darker than the color of the tape's fastening portion. Users generally perceive a darker color of the lead tape attached to the packaging sheet as indicating a larger contact area and better adhesion, thus easily perceiving it as having higher adhesive strength. In other words, there tends to be an inverse relationship between the actual adhesive strength and the impression of adhesion given by the color difference. Therefore, users may mistakenly believe that the adhesion is weaker in the relatively lighter-colored tape application area, failing to correctly recognize the lead tape's ability to prevent detachment and becoming anxious about it falling off. Furthermore, users may perceive the adhesion as stronger in the relatively darker-colored tape peel-off area, potentially applying excessive force to the lead tape. In this case, the peel-off may begin too quickly, potentially causing the packaging sheet to tear at both boundaries of the tape application area.

[0006] On the other hand, as in the personal care product described in Patent Document 2, the density of the colored ink in the tape fastening area can be increased by intermittently placing tactile indicators using colored printing at the opening edge of the packaging sheet. In this case, the intensity of the color through the tape fastening area of ​​the lead tape can prevent the user from feeling anxious about the tape coming off. However, the actual adhesion between the tape fastening area and the packaging sheet decreases, making the tape more prone to coming off.

[0007] In response to this, it is conceivable to improve adhesion by, for example, increasing the basis weight of the adhesive or other fixing agent at the tape fastening portion of the lead tape. However, simply increasing the basis weight of the adhesive in the colored area overlapping with the tape-fastened portion may cause the packaging sheet to tear at both boundaries of the tape-fastened portion due to its high adhesive strength, indicating room for improvement.

[0008] The present invention relates to an individual packaging for absorbent articles that suppresses tearing of the packaging sheet at the lead tape boundary along the opening direction, enhances the ability to prevent the lead tape from falling off the packaging sheet, and provides a sense of security to the user by allowing them to recognize the high level of this prevention. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The present invention relates to an individual package for an absorbent article, comprising an absorbent article and a packaging sheet that encloses the absorbent article in a folded state in the longitudinal direction, wherein the individual package has a plurality of fusion portions for joining the packaging sheets together on each of a pair of side edges that are outward in the width direction of the absorbent article and along the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article, and has a first surface on which the opening end of the packaging sheet located on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article is exposed on the surface, and a second surface that is exposed on the opposite side of the first surface, the opening end extends along the width direction of the absorbent article and is included in the side edges, and the first surface has a first exposed surface and a second exposed surface with the opening end as the boundary, and the 1. The exposed surface includes a first colored band area, a second colored band area, and a background area, starting from the end closest to the opening, and the areas are arranged in order of decreasing density of the colored ink as the second colored band area, the first colored band area, and the background area. The first surface has a lead tape that spans the first exposed surface and the second exposed surface and has areas that overlap with the first colored band area, the second colored band area, and the background area, starting from the end closest to the opening, and in a plan view of the first exposed surface, the area of ​​each fused portion on both side edges corresponding to the first colored band area and the second colored band area is larger than the area of ​​each fused portion on both side edges corresponding to the background area.

Advantages of the Invention

[0010] The individual package of the absorbent article according to the present invention can enhance the prevention of the lead tape from falling off the packaging sheet while suppressing the breakage of the packaging sheet at the lead tape boundary along the opening direction, and can make the user recognize the high level of the prevention of falling off to give a sense of security.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011] [Figure 1] It is a plan view schematically showing a preferred embodiment of the individual package of the absorbent article according to the present invention from the first surface side where the opening end is exposed. [Figure 2] It is an enlarged cross-sectional view schematically showing a cross-section taken along line II-II in the individual package shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] It is a drawing substitute photograph showing an enlarged fusion part as viewed from the first surface side. [Figure 4] It is an enlarged plan view schematically showing a lead tape arranged across the first exposed surface and the second exposed surface together with a first colored region, a second colored region, and a background region. [Figure 5] It is an enlarged plan view schematically showing the arrangement of fusion parts arranged at the side edges corresponding to the plan view of the first exposed surface, the first colored region, the second colored region, and the background region, respectively. <۰۰۰۰۰۹۴>

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] The individual package of the absorbent article of the present invention has an absorbent article and a packaging sheet that covers the absorbent article in a state of being folded in the longitudinal direction. Regarding this covering, the absorbent article and the packaging sheet may be folded together so that the packaging sheet is on the outside, or the folded absorbent article may be covered with the packaging sheet. Also, the number of folds can be appropriately set according to the length of the absorbent article, the size of the individual package, etc. The packaging sheet may be composed of one sheet or multiple sheets.

[0013] The aforementioned absorbent articles refer to items that can be attached to clothing such as underwear and worn on the wearer's body to absorb and retain excrement, etc. Examples include sanitary napkins and panty liners. The absorbent article, when unpacked and unfolded, has a vertical shape and has a front section, a middle section, and a rear section corresponding to the wearer's abdominal, crotch, and back sections. In this shape, it has a longitudinal direction corresponding to the direction connecting the wearer's abdominal, crotch, and back sections, and a width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Similarly, the packaging sheet, when unpacked and unfolded, has a longitudinal direction and a width direction. In the individual packaging, the absorbent article is folded along its longitudinal direction as described above. The packaging sheet is also folded along the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article. Therefore, in the individual packaging, the direction along the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article is the folding direction of the absorbent article and the packaging sheet, and is also the opening direction of the individual packaging, which is the opposite direction to the folding direction. Hereinafter, the longitudinal direction and width direction of the absorbent article will be referred to as the longitudinal direction Y and the width direction X, respectively. With respect to the longitudinal direction Y, when distinguishing between the folding direction and the opening direction, they will also be referred to as the folding direction Y1 and the opening direction Y2.

[0014] A preferred embodiment of the individual packaging for absorbent articles according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0015] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the individual packaging 30 of this embodiment includes an absorbent item, a sanitary napkin 10 (hereinafter also simply referred to as napkin 10), and a packaging sheet 20 that encloses the napkin 10 when it is folded in the longitudinal direction Y. The napkin 10 and the packaging sheet 20 are folded along the longitudinal direction Y, with the portion of the napkin 10 including the middle part C in the longitudinal direction Y being folded to form the central part 31, and the individual packaging fold lines L1 and L2 before and after this central part being used as folding axes. At this time, by folding with the packaging sheet 20 on the outside, the napkin 10 is enclosed in the packaging sheet 20 and stored in the individual packaging 30. In this embodiment, the laminated portions of the sanitary napkin 10 and the packaging sheet 20 before and after the folded central portion 31 are referred to as the first folded end 32 and the second folded end 33. In addition, the packaging sheet 20 is divided into a central packaging portion 21, a first folded packaging portion 22, and a second folded packaging portion 23, corresponding to the divisions of the folded central portion 31, the first folded end 32, and the second folded end 33. In this embodiment, the first folded end 32 overlaps the folded central portion 31, and the second folded end 33 is placed on top of it. Similarly, in the packaging sheet 20, the first folded packaging portion 22 overlaps the central packaging portion 21, and the second folded packaging portion 23 is placed on top of it. The individual packaging fold lines determine the number of folds and, as mentioned above, can be set appropriately according to the length of the absorbent material, the size of the individual packaging, etc. Furthermore, the order of folding is not limited to the above configuration and can be set as appropriate.

[0016] The individual packaging 30 has a pair of side edges 34, 34 that are located outside the width direction X of the napkin 10 and along the longitudinal direction Y of the napkin 10, each of which is provided with a plurality of fusion parts 4 that join the packaging sheets 20 together. The side edges 34 are the laminated portions of the packaging sheet 20 formed by the folding described above without the napkin 10 being interposed. By arranging the plurality of fusion parts 4 on these side edges 34, 34, the side edges 34, 34 form a sealing area that seals the individual packaging 30 in the direction perpendicular to the individual packaging fold lines L1 and L2, i.e., along the longitudinal direction Y of the napkin 10. This prevents foreign matter from entering from the outside. Each fused portion 4 is a portion where sheets are joined together by partial melting of the packaging sheet 20, and can be formed by methods commonly used in this type of article, such as thermal embossing or ultrasonic embossing. Each fused portion 4 is formed, for example, in a dot shape, and its planar shape can be various as long as it has the configuration and function described later. From the viewpoint of improving the ability to prevent foreign matter from entering from the outside, it is preferable that each fused portion 4 is arranged at equal intervals in the extending direction of each side edge 34, 34 (in the direction along the longitudinal direction Y of the absorbent article). Similarly, it is preferable that each side edge 34, 34 has multiple rows of the aforementioned fused portions 4.

[0017] The fused portion 4 is defined as the area within the region of both side edges 34, 34, as shown in Figure 3 when viewed from the first surface 30A side, where the color is darkest and the packaging sheet 20 is joined continuously and integrally in the thickness direction. "Continuous" joining means that the packaging sheet 20 is joined throughout the entire planar region of the fused portion 4 without including any unjoined portions. "Integrated" joining means that the entire laminated structure of the packaging sheet 20 is joined in the thickness direction of the fused portion 4. The darkness of the color is indicated, for example, by the halftone density obtained by the (method for measuring halftone density) described later.

[0018] Furthermore, the individual packaging 30 has a first surface 30A on which the opening end 35 of the packaging sheet 20 located on one end side of the napkin 10 in the longitudinal direction Y is exposed, and a second surface 30B located on the opposite side of the first surface 30A and exposed. Here, one end side of the napkin 10 in the longitudinal direction Y refers to the side of the folded end on the outermost layer in a laminated structure in which the napkin 10 is folded and both ends in the longitudinal direction Y are overlapped. In this embodiment, one end side of the napkin 10 in the longitudinal direction Y is included in the second folded end 33 which is demarcated by the individual packaging fold line L2. The end of the second folded packaging portion 23 of the packaging sheet 20 included in the second folded end 33 is exposed as the opening end 35 of the individual packaging 30. The surface on which the opening end 35 of the second folded end 33 is exposed is the first surface 30A, and the surface on the opposite side on which the folded central portion 31 is exposed is the second surface 30B.

[0019] In such an individual packaging 30, the opening end 35 extends along the width direction X of the napkin 10 and includes a portion of both side edges 34, 34. In other words, the both side edges 34, 34 include a portion of the opening end 35 (specifically, both sides). When opening the individual packaging 30, the user grasps the lead tape 6 (described later) and pulls up the opening end 35 while pulling in the longitudinal direction Y of the napkin 10, i.e., the opening direction Y2 which is opposite to the folding direction Y1 of the individual packaging 30. This causes the fusion of the multiple fused portions 4 of the both side edges 34, 34 extending along the longitudinal direction Y to peel away, opening the individual packaging 30 and exposing the napkin 10 inside.

[0020] The first surface 30A has a first exposed surface 30C and a second exposed surface 30D, with the opening end 35 as the boundary. In this embodiment, the first exposed surface 30C is formed by the second folded packaging portion 23 of the packaging sheet 20 included in the second folded end 33, and the second exposed surface 30D is formed by the first folded packaging portion 22 of the packaging sheet 20 included in the first folded end 32. In this laminated configuration, the first exposed surface 30C is located on the surface side of the second exposed surface 30D.

[0021] The first exposed surface 30C includes a first colored band area 51, a second colored band area 52, and a background area 53, starting from the side closest to the opening end 35. These areas are distinguished by the density of the applied colored ink, and are designated as the second colored band area 52, the first colored band area 51, and the background area 53 in descending order of colored ink density. The density can be expressed, for example, as a percentage of the area occupied by the halftone dot portion that constitutes the colored portion (printed portion) in the image, as shown in the measurement method below.

[0022] (Method for measuring halftone dot density) (1) Cut out a sample piece measuring 10 mm × 10 mm from the first colored band region 51, the second colored band region 52, and the background region 53 of the first exposed surface 30C of the individual packaging body 30. Take a planar image of the sample piece using an optical microscope (for example, VHX-6000 (product name) manufactured by Keyence Corporation). The observation magnification shall be 200x. (2) Determine the percentage of the area occupied by the halftone dots in the captured image. (3) The halftone density is measured at three different locations according to (1) and (2) above, and the average value of each is calculated to determine the halftone density of the first colored band area 51, the second colored band area 52, and the background area 53, respectively.

[0023] The first colored band region 51 and the second colored band region 52 extend in a direction along the width direction X of the napkin 10. The length of their extension can be set as appropriate. In this embodiment, the first colored band region 51 and the second colored band region 52 extend continuously along the width direction X of the napkin 10, but are not limited to this, and may extend intermittently. Also, in this embodiment, the first colored band region 51 and the second colored band region 52 extend along the entire length of the individual packaging 30 in the width direction X and are included in the side edges 34, 34, but are not limited to this. For example, the first colored band region 51 and the second colored band region 52 may stop inward in the width direction X from the side edges 34, 34 to the extent that the correspondence between the position of each of the first colored band region 51 and the fused portion 4 of the side edges 34, 34 can be understood.

[0024] The first colored area 51, the second colored area 52, and the background area 53 can have various colors, subject to the aforementioned requirement of a sequence based on halftone density. These colors include chromatic colors as well as achromatic colors such as gray and black. For example, the first colored area 51 and the second colored area 52 are preferably composed of chromatic colors, and more preferably composed of the same or similar chromatic colors, from the viewpoint of significantly enhancing the visual effect of adhesion by color, as described later. Furthermore, the background area 53 is preferably composed of a different color from the first colored area, subject to the condition that it satisfies the aforementioned requirement of halftone density relationship, in addition to enhancing the visual effect of adhesion by color and actually improving adhesion, from the viewpoint of the aesthetic appeal of the first exposed surface 30C of the individual packaging 30. It is more preferably composed of achromatic colors, and even more preferably composed of two or more colors, including achromatic and chromatic colors. The background area may also have designs or patterns that express product information or concepts. The above-mentioned coloring can be formed by methods commonly used in this type of article. For example, it can be formed using pigments or dyes by flexographic printing, gravure printing, inkjet printing, etc.

[0025] In this specification, the difference in color is represented by the color difference ΔE measured as follows. From the above perspective, when the first colored band region 51 and the second colored band region 52 are similar colors, the value of the color difference ΔE between them is preferably 20 or less, more preferably 15 or less, and even more preferably 13 or less. In this specification, "the same color" means that the color difference ΔE between the two is 5 or less. (Method for Measuring Color Difference) The difference between two colors is indicated by "color difference ΔE" as shown below. The color difference ΔE is L standardized by the International Commission on Illumination (CIE) in 1976 * , 1 / 2 , * , * , a * b * Color space (CIE1976 (L * a * b * )) based on the color space) and the chromaticity a measured * , chromaticity b * and lightness L * are calculated by the following formula (1). Note that ΔL * , Δa * , Δb * represent the differences in the L * value, a * value, and b * value between two points compared in the hue space, respectively. ΔE = { (ΔL * ) 2 + (Δa * ) 2 + (Δb * ) 2} 1 / 2 (1) The measurement of the color difference ΔE can be performed by using a color difference meter (for example, SE-2000 manufactured by Nippon Denshoku Industries Co., Ltd.). Regarding the measurement conditions, in the reflection measurement method with a light beam diameter of 30 mmφ, using the attached standard white calibration plate (L * = 98.59, a * = 0.55, b *After standardization using a ratio of 0.36, measurement of the sample piece is started. Note that, in order to meet the minimum area required for color difference measurement of the sample piece, measurements may also be performed using a color print made from an image of the sample piece magnified with an optical microscope (e.g., Keyence VHX-6000) and printed using a printer (e.g., Ricoh Color Basic) with specified colored inks (e.g., Ricoh MP P toner Cyan C6003, Yellow C6003, Magenta C6003, Black C6003).

[0026] In addition, as shown in Figure 4, the first surface 30A has a lead tape 6 that spans the first exposed surface 30C and the second exposed surface 30D, and has areas that overlap with the first colored band area 51, the second colored band area 52, and the background area 53, in order from closest to the opening end 35. The lead tape 6 is attached across the first exposed surface 30C and the second exposed surface 30D to suppress the entry of foreign matter and other contaminants from the opening end 35.

[0027] The lead tape 6 is divided at the opening end 35 into a tape release portion 61 that is peelably attached to the second exposed surface 30D and a tape fastening portion 62 that is fixedly held to the first exposed surface 30C. The tape release portion 61 is the part that is pinched and pulled up when opening the individual packaging 30, and is designed to be peelable from the packaging sheet 20 (first folded packaging portion 22) on the second exposed surface 30D by the force applied during opening. On the other hand, the tape fastening portion 62 has adhesive strength that allows it to be fixedly held without peeling off from the packaging sheet 20 (second folded packaging portion 23) on the first exposed surface 30C, even during opening, napkin use, and disposal after use.

[0028] The lead tape 6 can have various planar shapes, as long as it has a shape that extends along the longitudinal direction Y of the napkin 10 so as to span the first exposed surface 30C and the second exposed surface 30D when viewed from the first surface 30A side. In this embodiment, there is one lead tape 6, but there may be multiple. When there is one lead tape 6, it is preferable that it is positioned midway along the width X of the napkin 10, from the viewpoint of smoothly opening the individual packaging 30. When there are multiple lead tapes 6, it is preferable that they are arranged symmetrically from the same viewpoint as above.

[0029] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, in a plan view of the first exposed surface 30C, the areas M1 and M2 of the fused portions 4A and 4B of the side edges 34A and 34B, corresponding to the first colored band region 51 and the second colored band region 52, respectively, are made larger than the area M3 of the fused portion 4C of the side edge 34C corresponding to the background region 53. Regarding the above area configuration (M1>M3, M2>M3), the side edge 34C corresponding to the background region 53 may be entirely satisfied or partially satisfied. If partially satisfied, it is preferable that the area M3 of the fused portion 4C in both side edges 34C corresponding to the region adjacent to the second colored band region 52 within the background region 53 is smaller than the areas M1 and M2 of the fused portions 4A and 4B, respectively.

[0030] (Method for measuring the area of ​​the fused portion 4 in a plan view of the first exposed surface 30C) For each fused portion 4 (4A, 4B, 4C) viewed from the first exposed surface 30C, the boundary of the continuous, integrated region with the darkest coloration is traced using the line drawing tool attached to the optical microscope. The area of ​​the traced boundary is defined as the area (M1, M2, M3) of the fused portion 4 (4A, 4B, 4C) on the first exposed surface 30C.

[0031] In such individual packaging 30, the area of ​​the lead tape 6 where the tape fastening portion 62 overlaps with the first colored band area 51 and the second colored band area 52, and the area surrounding the tape fastening portion 62, appears relatively darker due to the relatively high density of the aforementioned colored ink. Upon seeing this, the user can perceive that the adhesive area between the tape fastening portion 62 and the packaging sheet 20 (second folded packaging portion 23) is large and that the adhesion is strong. This provides the user with a sense of security regarding the prevention of the tape fastening portion 62 falling off. On the other hand, in the first colored band area 51 and the second colored band area 52, the actual adhesive strength is relatively weakened due to the relatively high density, which helps to suppress tearing of the packaging sheet 20 at both boundaries of the tape fastening portion 62 when the package is opened. At the same time, the actual detachment prevention of the tape fastening portion 62 is also improved. This is due to the following configuration: The second colored band region 52, which has the highest density, is sandwiched between the first colored band region 51, which has a lower density, and the background region 53, which has an even lower density. As a result, the low actual adhesive strength due to the density in the second colored band region 52 is compensated for by the relatively high adhesive strength in the first colored band region 51 and the background region 53, improving the overall adhesion and retention of the tape fastening portion 62, and providing high detachment prevention. In particular, among the three regions overlapping with the tape fastening portion 62, the adhesive strength in the background region 53, which has the lowest density, is the highest. Therefore, when the lead tape 6 is pulled in the opening direction Y2, the background region 53 becomes the final area that prevents the tape from coming off, thus preventing the tape from coming off. Furthermore, even after opening, the tape can be prevented from coming off until the napkin 10 is removed and used, and the remaining packaging sheet 20 is stored with the lead tape 6 still attached and used for disposal. Furthermore, users can recognize the fixing mechanism of the tape fastening portion 62 in the background area 53 when opening the package, thereby gaining a greater sense of security regarding the tape's ability to prevent detachment. In addition, during the opening process of the individual packaging 30, the difference in adhesive strength increases sharply at the boundary between the second colored band area 52 and the background area 53. This acts as a signal to the user, making them aware of the risk of the tape coming off and giving them an opportunity to refrain from applying too much force. As a result, it is possible to avoid applying excessive force to the tape fastening area 62 in the part that actually overlaps with the background area 53, which has the strongest adhesive strength, and to suppress the occurrence of tearing of the packaging sheet 20 at both boundaries of the tape fastening area 62.

[0032] Furthermore, when opening the individual packaging 30, the seals of the multiple fused portions 4 located on both side edges 34, 34 are sequentially peeled off by pinching the tape peel portion 61 of the lead tape 6 and pulling it along the opening direction Y2. In this opening operation, the relative sizes of the fused portions 4 (M1>M3, M2>M3) further enhance the ability to prevent tearing of the packaging sheet 20 at both side boundaries of the tape fastening portion 62. Specifically, the large area of ​​the fused portions 4A and 4B near the opening end 35 of both side edges 34 (M1>M3, M2>M3) increases their visibility. This gives the user a relatively strong impression of the adhesion between the packaging sheets 20, leading them to believe that they should open it with a little more force, and thus encouraging them to start opening it. Even if a little more force is applied at the start of opening, and even if the opening operation is carried out vigorously as a result, the adhesive strength is relatively weaker in the tape-fastened portion 62 that overlaps with the first colored band region 51 and the second colored band region 52, so the packaging sheet 20 is less likely to tear. As the seal peeling progresses further and reaches the side edges 34B corresponding to the background region 53, the user perceives the relatively small area M3 of the fused portion 4C as a relatively low fusion force between the packaging sheets 20. This prompts the user to ease the opening force in the background region 53. This allows for good seal peeling of the fused portion 4C while simultaneously avoiding the application of excessive force to the tape fastening portion 62, which has the highest adhesive strength at the background region 53. As a result, tearing of the packaging sheet 20 at both side boundaries of the tape fastening portion 62 and the resulting detachment of the tape fastening portion 62 from the packaging sheet 20 can be suppressed.

[0033] In this way, the individual packaging 30 can suppress the high tear resistance of the packaging sheet 20 even when the user opens it forcefully, while simultaneously achieving high adhesiveness to prevent the tape from falling off and providing the user with a sense of security regarding said tape fall-off prevention.

[0034] In the individual packaging 30 of this embodiment, from the viewpoint of making the aforementioned effects due to the difference in concentration more effective, the ratio (N2 / N3) of the concentration N2 of the colored ink in the second colored zone region 52 to the concentration N3 of the colored ink in the background region 53 is preferably 1.5 or higher, more preferably 1.8 or higher, and even more preferably 2.0 or higher. The concentrations N2 and N3 of the above-mentioned colored inks, as well as the concentration N1 of the following colored inks, are indicated by the halftone dot density obtained, for example, by the (method for measuring halftone dot density) described above.

[0035] From a similar viewpoint, the ratio (N2 / N1) of the concentration N2 of the colored ink in the second colored zone 52 to the concentration N1 of the colored ink in the first colored zone 51 is preferably 1.1 or higher, more preferably 1.3 or higher, and even more preferably 1.5 or higher.

[0036] From a similar viewpoint, the ratio (N1 / N3) of the density N1 of the colored ink in the first colored area 51 to the density N3 of the colored ink in the background area 53 is preferably 1.5 or higher, more preferably 1.8 or higher, and even more preferably 2.0 or higher.

[0037] Furthermore, in the individual packaging 30 of this embodiment, from the viewpoint of making the aforementioned effects due to differences in the area of ​​the fused portions 4 more effective, the ratio (M1 / M3) of the area M1 of each fused portion 4A of both side edges 34A corresponding to the first colored band region 51 to the area M3 of each fused portion 4C of both side edges 34C corresponding to the background region 53, and the ratio (M2 / M3) of the area M2 of each fused portion 4B of both side edges 34B corresponding to the second colored band region 52 to the area M3 of each fused portion 4C of both side edges 34C corresponding to the background region 53, is preferably 1.5 or more, more preferably 1.7 or more, and even more preferably 2.0 or more. Furthermore, the ratios (M1 / M3) and (M2 / M3) are preferably 7.0 or less, more preferably 6.5 or less, and even more preferably 6.0 or less, from the viewpoint of preventing anxiety caused by the area being too small and visible at each fused portion 4C of the side edges 34C corresponding to the background region 53.

[0038] In the packaging 30 of this embodiment, it is preferable that the length H1 of the overlapping region H1 between the lead tape 6 and the first colored band region 51 in the direction along the longitudinal direction Y of the napkin 10 is longer than the length H2 of the overlapping region H2 between the lead tape 6 and the second colored band region 52 (see Figure 4). This makes it possible to more effectively suppress the detachment of the lead tape 6 from the packaging sheet 20 in the region where the lead tape 6 and the first fusion band region 51 overlap.

[0039] From this perspective, the ratio (H1 / H2) of the length H1 of the overlapping region H1 between the lead tape 6 and the first colored band region 51 to the length H2 of the overlapping region H2 between the lead tape 6 and the second colored band region 52 is preferably 5.0 or more, more preferably 7.0 or more, and even more preferably 9.0 or more.

[0040] Furthermore, it is preferable that the length H3 of the overlapping region H3 between the lead tape 6 and the background region 53 in the direction along the longitudinal direction Y of the napkin 10 is longer than the length H2 of the overlapping region H2 between the lead tape 6 and the second colored band region 52. This allows for a time lag for the user to apply force after a signal is emitted due to a sudden change in adhesive strength at the boundary between the second colored band region 52 and the background region 53. This makes it more reliable to avoid tape detachment in the background region 53 by the user applying force.

[0041] From this perspective, the ratio (H3 / H2) of the length H3 of the overlapping region H3 between the lead tape 6 and the background region 53 to the length H2 of the overlapping region H2 between the lead tape 6 and the second colored band region 52 is preferably 5.0 or more, more preferably 7.0 or more, and even more preferably 9.0 or more.

[0042] Furthermore, in the individual packaging 30 of this embodiment, it is preferable that the second colored area 52 contains both the colored ink constituting the first colored area 51 and the colored ink constituting the background area 53. When the colored inks constituting the first colored area 51 and the background area 53 are mixed in the second colored area 52, the intensity of the color of the second colored area 52 becomes more prominent and easier to see. This further enhances the effects mentioned above, such as giving the user a sense of security regarding the tape's ability to prevent it from falling off.

[0043] In the individual packaging 30 of this embodiment, it is preferable that the lead tape 6 is light-transmitting, and that the colors of the first colored band area 51, the second colored band area 52, and the background area 53 are visible through the lead tape 6. This makes it easier to see the intensity of the color not only in the area surrounding the tape fastening portion 62 of the lead tape 6, but also in the area where the tape fastening portion 62 overlaps with the first colored band area 51 and the second colored band area 52, before pulling the lead tape 6. This further enhances the effect of giving the user the reassurance that the tape will not fall off.

[0044] Furthermore, it is preferable that the lead tape 6 is colored, and that the color difference R1 between the color of the first colored band area 51 and the color of the second colored band area 52 visible through the lead tape 6 is smaller than the color difference R2 between the color of the first colored band area 51 and the color of the second colored band area 52 at a position adjacent to the lead tape 6. This makes the first colored band area 51 and the second colored band area 52 appear more integrated on the lead tape 6 compared to adjacent areas of the lead tape 6. This appearance allows the user to perceive a larger overlapping area with the lead tape 6 and a stronger bond, further enhancing the effect of providing the user with a sense of security regarding tape detachment prevention.

[0045] In the individual packaging 30 of this embodiment, in a plan view of the first exposed surface 30C, it is preferable that the color of the fused portion 4 is darker than the color of the area where the fused portion 4 is not present. For example, it is preferable that the color of the fused portion 4A on both side edges 34A corresponding to the first colored band area 51 is darker than the color of the first colored band area 51 where the fused portion 4A is not present. It is preferable that the color of the fused portion 4B on both side edges 34B corresponding to the second colored band area 52 is darker than the color of the second colored band area 52 where the fused portion 4B is not present. Furthermore, it is preferable that the color of the fused portion 4C on both side edges 34C corresponding to the background area 53 is darker than the color of the background area 53 where the fused portion 4C is not present. This color intensity can be determined, for example, by the halftone density obtained by the (method for measuring halftone density) described above. This further enhances the visibility of the fused portions 4 (4A, 4B, 4C), thereby increasing the user's confidence in the tape's resistance to detachment and improving their ability to control the force they use when opening the tape.

[0046] In a package in which multiple individual packages 30 of this embodiment are stored in a packaging bag, it is preferable that at least one side of the packaging bag contains information regarding the overlap between the aforementioned lead tape 6 and at least two of the first colored band region 51, the second colored band region 52, and the background region 53, which have different concentrations of colored ink, as well as information regarding the correspondence between fused parts 4 (4A, 4B, 4C) with different fused areas and at least two of the first colored band region 51, the second colored band region 52, and the background region 53. As an example of displaying this information, one embodiment may be one in which at least one side of the packaging is transparent or translucent, and the side of the individual package 30 containing the information is visible from that side of the packaging. This makes it easier for users to visually inspect the packaging at the point of sale or before opening after purchase, and to be aware of the amount of force required to open each colored area, thereby making it easier to achieve the aforementioned effects more reliably.

[0047] The materials used to form the napkin 10 and packaging sheet 20 that constitute the individual packaging 30 can be any materials used for this type of article without any particular limitations.

[0048] As the packaging sheet 20, various materials capable of forming the fused portion 4 can be used without particular limitation. For example, it can be formed using polyolefin polymer resins such as polyethylene resin or polypropylene resin. Examples include polyethylene [linear low-density polyethylene (L-LDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE)], polypropylene, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer (EA), styrene-isoprene copolymer (SIS), styrene-butadiene copolymer (SBS), olefin elastomers, and one or a mixture thereof.

[0049] The napkin 10 preferably has a surface sheet on the side that comes into contact with the skin, a back sheet on the side that does not come into contact with the skin, and an absorbent material disposed between the surface sheet and the back sheet. As the absorbent material, various forms commonly used in absorbent articles can be used without particular limitation. For example, it may be a stack of hydrophilic fibers or a mixed stack of hydrophilic fibers and a superabsorbent polymer material covered with a hydrophilic coating sheet. Alternatively, it may consist of a thin absorbent sheet in which a superabsorbent polymer material is sandwiched and fixed between two sheet-like fiber layers made of hydrophilic fibers. In forming the absorbent sheet, the superabsorbent polymer material can be integrated using the adhesive force that develops when wet or by using a binder such as an adhesive or adhesive fibers added separately. The manufacturing can be carried out by various commonly used methods, and either a wet or dry method may be used. The absorbent sheet has a thickness of 3.0 mm or less, and the highly absorbent polymer material is dispersed in the planar direction of the sheet, making it less prone to gel blocking and giving it high absorbency. For example, the one described in paragraphs

[0019] to

[0131] of Japanese Patent Publication No. Hei 8-246395 can be cited.

[0050] Examples of hydrophilic fibers constituting the absorbent include hydrophobic fibers that have been treated to become hydrophilic, and fibers that are hydrophilic in themselves. In particular, fibers that are hydrophilic in themselves and also have water-retaining properties are preferred. As the latter type of hydrophilic fiber, natural fibers, cellulose-based regenerated fibers, or semi-synthetic fibers are preferred examples. As hydrophilic fibers, pulp and rayon are particularly preferred, with pulp being even more preferred. Furthermore, cross-linked cellulose fibers obtained by cross-linking cellulose fibers intramolecularly and / or intermolecularly, or bulky cellulose fibers obtained by mercerizing wood pulp may also be used. Examples of pulp include, but are not limited to, wood pulp such as softwood kraft pulp or hardwood kraft pulp, and natural cellulose fibers such as cotton pulp or straw pulp. One or more of these pulps can be used.

[0051] Examples of superabsorbent polymer materials constituting the absorbent include hydrogel materials obtained by polymerizing water-soluble ethylenically unsaturated monomers mainly composed of acrylic acid or acrylate salts, with the addition of a crosslinking agent if necessary. Other examples include crosslinked products of polyethylene oxide, polyvinylpyrrolidone, sulfonated polystyrene and polyvinylpyridine, saponified products of starch-poly(meth)acrylonitrile graft copolymers, starch-poly(meth)acrylic acid graft copolymers, and hydrolyzed products of starch-poly(meth)acrylic ester graft copolymers. These superabsorbent polymer materials can be used individually or in combination of two or more. Preferably, the superabsorbent polymer material is capable of absorbing and holding liquid at least 20 times its own weight and can gel. The shape of the superabsorbent polymer material can be any of the various types used in absorbents without any particular limitations. Examples include spherical, granular, fibrous, cylindrical, and lumpy shapes.

[0052] Various liquid-permeable materials can be used for the surface sheet. Considering the pleasant feel to the touch, hydrophilic nonwoven fabrics are preferred, thermal bonded nonwoven fabrics are more preferred, and air-through nonwoven fabrics are particularly preferred. Hydrophilic treated thermoplastic resin fibers are preferred, and the fibers are preferably three-dimensionally crimped, such as secondary or tertiary crimp. Specifically, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, nylon, and composite fibers thereof are prepared and coated with various hydrophilizing agents before cutting to a predetermined length and forming staples. As hydrophilizing agents, hydrophilic treatment with commonly used hydrophilizing agents can be used, such as various alkyl sulfonates represented by α-olefin sulfonates, acrylates, acrylate / acrylamide copolymers, esteramides, salts of esteramides, polyethylene glycol and its derivatives, water-soluble polyester resins, various silicone derivatives, various sugar derivatives, and mixtures thereof.

[0053] Various materials with leak-proof properties can be used as the backing sheet. For example, a non-permeable or permeable film alone, a film laminated with a nonwoven fabric, or a water-repellent nonwoven fabric (such as SMS or SMMS) can be used. From a cost perspective and compatibility with anti-slip adhesives, it is most preferable to use a non-permeable film alone as the leak-proofing material. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0054] 10 sanitary napkins 20 packaging sheets 30 pieces package 30A 1st side 30B 2nd side 30C 1st exposed surface 30D 2nd exposed surface 34 Side edge 35 Open end 4 Fusion part 51 First colored zone region 52 Second colored zone region 53 Background area 6 Lead Tape 61 Tape peel-off section 62 Tape fastening part X Width direction Y-direction (longitudinal direction) Y1 Folding direction Y2 Opening direction

Claims

1. An individual package of an absorbent article, comprising an absorbent article and a packaging sheet that wraps the absorbent article in a folded state in the longitudinal direction, The individual packaging body includes a plurality of fused portions that join the packaging sheets together on each of a pair of side edge portions along the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article, which are outside the width direction of the absorbent article, and has a first surface on which an opening end of the packaging sheet located on one end side of the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article is exposed, and a second surface located opposite to the first surface and exposed, the opening end extending along the width direction of the absorbent article and included in the side edge portions, the first surface has a first exposed surface and a second exposed surface with the opening end as a boundary, the first exposed surface includes a first colored band region, a second colored band region, and a background region from the side closer to the opening end, the second colored band region, the first colored band region, and the background region being arranged in descending order of color ink concentration, a lead tape is disposed on the first surface, the lead tape straddling the first exposed surface and the second exposed surface, and having an area overlapping the first colored band area, the second colored band area, and the background area in that order from the opening end; In a plan view of the first exposed surface, an area of ​​each of the fused portions of the side edges corresponding to the first colored band region and the second colored band region is larger than an area of ​​each of the fused portions of the side edges corresponding to the background region. Individually packaged absorbent articles.

2. An individually packaged absorbent article as described in claim 1, wherein the length of the overlapping area between the lead tape and the first colored band area in a direction along the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article is longer than the length of the overlapping area between the lead tape and the second colored band area.

3. An individually packaged absorbent article as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein in a direction of the lead tape along the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article, the length of the overlapping area between the lead tape and the background area is longer than the length of the overlapping area between the lead tape and the second colored band area.

4. 3. The individually wrapped absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the second colored band region includes both the colored ink constituting the first colored band region and the colored ink constituting the background region.

5. The individual package of absorbent articles according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lead tape is optically transparent, and the colors of the first colored band region, the second colored band region and the background region are visible through the lead tape.

6. The individually packaged absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in a plan view of the first exposed surface, the fused portion has a darker color than an area where the fused portion is not provided.

7. A package in which a plurality of the individual packages of the absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2 are contained in a packaging bag, A package, wherein at least one surface of the packaging bag contains information regarding the overlap between the lead tape and at least two or more of the first colored band region, the second colored band region, and the background region, which have different concentrations of colored ink, and information regarding the correspondence between the fused portion, which has a different fused area, and at least two or more of the first colored band region, the second colored band region, and the background region.

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