Individually packaged body of absorbent article
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2022210965
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2022-12-27
- Publication Date
- 2025-09-17
- Estimated Expiration
- 2042-12-27
AI Technical Summary
Existing absorbent article packaging designs compromise user confidentiality and emotional well-being by clearly displaying performance indicators, making the use of such products visible to others.
The packaging design includes a first pattern indicating absorption capacity and a second pattern covering or surrounding it, with the second pattern occupying a larger area to obscure the performance indicator, while maintaining user visibility.
This design enhances user understanding of performance without drawing attention to the product's use, reducing the likelihood of others noticing and minimizing user embarrassment.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present invention relates to an individual package for an absorbent article. [Background technology]
[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, individual packages of absorbent articles in which absorbent articles are individually packaged in a packaging sheet are known. Individually packaged absorbent articles are often sold in a state where multiple packages are housed in a single packaging bag. Consumers can take out the required number of packages from the packaging bag and carry them with them, but since the performance of the absorbent article is often indicated on the packaging bag, it is not possible to know the absorption performance of the absorbent article contained in the individual package after it has been taken out. On the other hand, patterns, colors, etc. may be applied to the outer surface of individual packaging for absorbent articles for the purpose of decoration, etc. Patent Document 1 discloses that a first image and a second image are applied to a packaging sheet that packages absorbent articles, and the area ratio of the first image is displayed larger than that of the second image. Furthermore, it is also known to display information about the performance of absorbent articles using patterns, colors, etc. For example, Patent Document 2 discloses that display elements that represent the absorbency performance of absorbent articles are provided on the packaging sheet and sealing sticker of the absorbent articles using patterns and / or symbols. Also, Patent Document 3 discloses that packaging materials for absorbent articles are provided with patterns that show information about the materials and patterns that are partially unfolded and visible. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6145483 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 5711944 [Patent Document 3] Republished 2020-095762 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0004] Incidentally, when performance notations that represent the performance of the absorbent article, such as absorption capacity, are provided as numbers on the surface of the individual packaging along with patterns and colors, for example, if the absorbent article is a light incontinence pad, and the absorption capacity is clearly displayed so that anyone can see it from the outside, this may compromise the confidentiality of the user's use of the light incontinence pad, or may cause the user to feel uneasy about using the light incontinence pad.
[0005] The present invention relates to an individual packaging for absorbent articles that allows the user of the absorbent article to easily understand the performance of the absorbent article and reduces the possibility that others will notice that the user is using an absorbent article that they do not want others to notice, by providing appropriate distinctiveness to performance indications such as absorption capacity and making patterns other than absorption capacity that are unrelated to the performance of the absorbent article stand out. [Means for solving the problem]
[0006] The present invention relates to an individual package of absorbent articles in which absorbent articles are individually packaged in a packaging sheet. The absorbent article is preferably folded in the longitudinal direction together with the packaging sheet with the backsheet side, which is the non-skin-facing side in use, facing the packaging sheet side. The packaging sheet preferably has a first pattern indicating the absorption capacity and a second pattern indicating something other than the absorption capacity. In the region of the packaging sheet that forms the opening or non-opening surface of the individual package, it is preferable that the first pattern is sandwiched or surrounded by the second pattern. It is also preferable that the total area of the first pattern on the opening or non-opening surface of the individual package is smaller than the total area of the second pattern. [Effects of the Invention]
[0007] The individual packaging of the absorbent article of the present invention provides appropriate distinctiveness to performance indications such as absorption capacity, and also makes it possible to highlight patterns other than absorption capacity that are unrelated to the performance of the absorbent article, thereby allowing users of the absorbent article to easily understand the performance of the absorbent article and reducing the possibility of others noticing the use of an absorbent article that they do not want others to notice. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1(a) is an exploded view showing a preferred embodiment of the individual packaging of the present invention, (b) is a plan view of the opening surface of the individual packaging, (c) is a plan view of the non-opening surface of the individual packaging, and (d) is an enlarged view of the design. [Figure 2] FIG. 2(a) is a plan view showing a preferred embodiment of the opening surface of the individual packaging body of the present invention, and FIG. 2(b) is a development view showing a state in which the individual packaging body shown in FIG. 2(a) has been opened by removing the seal with the fastening tape. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a preferred embodiment of the individual packaging body of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view schematically showing a preferred embodiment of the individual packaging body of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view schematically showing a state in which the fastening tape is removed from the individual package shown in FIG. 1 and the package is opened.
[0009] The present invention will now be described based on preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the drawings. The absorbent article of the present invention is primarily used to absorb and retain body fluids such as urine and menstrual blood excreted from the body. The absorbent article 10 in the individual absorbent article package 30 of this embodiment is, for example, an incontinence pad, a sanitary napkin, or a panty liner, and the illustrated example is an incontinence pad. The present invention is suitable when the absorbent article in the individual package is an absorbent article such as a light incontinence pad, which many people do not want others to know they are using, and can improve confidentiality from others.
[0010] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 2(b), the individual packaging 30 and the absorbent article 10 contained in the individual packaging 30 have a vertically elongated shape, with a longitudinal direction X corresponding to the front-to-back direction of the wearer and a width direction Y perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the individual packaging 30 has a direction X that coincides with the longitudinal direction X of the absorbent article 10 and a direction Y that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X. In this specification, the longitudinal direction X of the individual packaging 30 coincides with the longitudinal direction X of the absorbent article 10, and the width direction Y of the individual packaging 30 coincides with the width direction Y of the absorbent article 10. In the following description, the longitudinal direction X of the absorbent article 10 and the longitudinal direction X of the individual packaging 30 are also referred to as the "longitudinal direction X," and the width direction Y of the absorbent article 10 and the width direction Y of the individual packaging 30 are also referred to as the "width direction Y." When not in use, the absorbent article 10 is folded from the unfolded state shown in FIG. 2(b) in the longitudinal direction X into an individual package 30 shown in FIG.
[0011] 2(a) and 2(b), the individual packaging body 30 includes an absorbent article 10 and a packaging sheet 20 that packages the absorbent article 10. The absorbent article 10 includes an absorbent body 13, a topsheet 11 arranged on the skin-facing side of the absorbent body 13, a backsheet 12 arranged on the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent body 13, and side gathers 14 arranged on both sides of the absorbent body. The absorbent article 10 also includes slippage prevention portions (not shown) arranged on the backsheet 12 that forms the non-skin-facing side.
[0012] In this specification, the "skin-facing side" refers to the side of the absorbent article 10 or a component thereof (e.g., the absorbent body 13) that faces the skin of the wearer when the absorbent article 10 is worn, i.e., the side that is relatively closer to the wearer's skin, and the "non-skin-facing side" refers to the side of the absorbent article 10 or a component thereof that faces the opposite side from the skin when the absorbent article 10 is worn, i.e., the side that is relatively farther from the wearer's skin. Note that "when worn" here refers to the normal, appropriate wearing position, i.e., a state in which the absorbent article 10 is maintained in the correct wearing position.
[0013] The packaging sheet 20 in the individual package 30 is disposed on the backsheet 12 side of the absorbent article 10, and covers the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent article 10. The absorbent article 10 is releasably adhered to the packaging sheet 20 by a slippage prevention portion (not shown) formed on the non-skin-facing side. The specific configuration of the slippage prevention portion will be described later.
[0014] A slip prevention portion is provided on the non-skin-facing surface of the absorbent article 10. The slip prevention portion is provided on the non-skin-facing surface of the backsheet 12. The slip prevention portion is also used to secure underwear when the absorbent article 10 is in use. The slip prevention portion is preferably formed by coating the backsheet 12 with an adhesive, but means other than adhesive that increase friction may also be used. When applying an adhesive, there are no particular restrictions on the coating pattern. For example, one example is a multiplicity of strip-shaped adhesive portions extending in the width direction, arranged intermittently in the longitudinal direction X at intervals approximately the same as the width of the slip prevention portion. Before use, the slip prevention portion is covered with a release sheet made of film, nonwoven fabric, paper, etc. 1(b)(c), 2(a)(b), and 3, the absorbent article 10 is folded in the longitudinal direction X together with its packaging sheet 20 at multiple positions spaced apart in the longitudinal direction X. Portions of the folded packaging sheet 20 extending from side edges in the width direction Y of the folded absorbent article 10 may be joined by known joining means such as heat sealing.
[0015] In the individual packaging body 30 of this embodiment, the absorbent article 10 is folded in three. Specifically, the absorbent article 10 and the packaging sheet 20 are folded along a first folding line L1 and a second folding line L2 extending in the width direction Y, respectively, with the topsheet 11 facing inward, and are folded in three as a whole.
[0016] 1(a) to 1(c), the packaging sheet 20 is folded along the first folding line L1 and the second folding line L2 with the back surface facing inward, and has two front regions 60A, 60B that form the opening surface 40 in the state of the individual package 30, and a back region 70 that forms the non-opening surface 50 opposite the opening surface 40. The back surface of the packaging sheet 20 is the surface that faces the absorbent article 10 in the individual package 30.
[0017] In addition, a fastening tape 21 is provided on one end 20a of the packaging sheet 20 on the side where opening of the individual package 30 begins, and the one end 20a is removably joined to the surface on which the one end 20a is overlapped via the fastening tape 21. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 1(a)(b) and 2(a)(b), the fastening tape 21 has a fixing part 21a that is fixed to one end 20a of the unfolded packaging sheet 20 in a manner that makes it difficult to peel it off, and a fastening part 21b that extends from the one end 20a and is releasably fixed to the outer surface of the packaging sheet 20. The fastening part 21b may be detachable. The one end 20a is releasably joined to the surface on which the one end 20a is overlapped via the fastening tape 21.
[0018] The fastening tape 21 has, at one end in the longitudinal direction, a fixing portion 21a that is fixed to the packaging sheet 20 in a manner that makes it difficult to peel, and at the other end, a fastening portion 21b that is releasably fixed to another member. An adhesive (not shown) is provided on the surface of the fastening portion 21b of the fastening tape 21 that faces the packaging sheet 20 in the individual package 30 (the surface opposite to the surface exposed in the individual package 30). The fastening portion 21b that is releasably fixed to the other front region 60B of the fastening tape 21 can be easily peeled off by gripping it with a hand when opening the individual package 30. The fastening tape 21 functions as a sealing portion for the unused individual package 30, and also functions as an opening tab that can be gripped with fingers when opening the individual package 30.
[0019] In the individual package 30, the absorbent article 10 is folded inward along first and second folding lines L1 and L2 extending in the width direction Y with the surface of the back sheet 12, which will be the surface that does not face the skin when in use, facing the packaging sheet, and then folded in the longitudinal direction together with the packaging sheet 20 to be packaged, and the opening start end is closed with a fastening tape 21 to prevent unintentional opening. The absorbent article 10 is preferably folded in thirds or fourths together with the packaging sheet 20 with the surface of the back sheet 12, which will be the surface that faces the skin when in use, facing the packaging sheet 20.
[0020] In this embodiment, the packaging sheet 20 has, in the area forming the opening surface 40 of the individual package 30, a first pattern 2 indicating the absorption capacity of the absorbent article 10 and a second pattern 3 indicating something other than absorption capacity. The second pattern 3 is preferably a pattern 3b such as a floral pattern or a plant pattern, and is preferably a pattern that is soothing to the user, such as a floral pattern. The second pattern 3 may also be a brand marking 3b.
[0021] In this embodiment, the area forming the opening surface 40 is the entire area of one front area 60A and a part of the other front area 60B that is not covered by the front area 60A, out of the two front areas 60A and 60B that form the opening surface 40. The area forming the opening surface 40 does not include the part that is covered by the fastening tape 21 and that does not allow the pattern, even if there is one, to be seen from the outside. In the packaging sheet 20 of this embodiment, the first pattern 2 is sandwiched or surrounded by the second pattern 3 in the area that forms the opening surface 40. Examples of the first pattern 2 being surrounded by the second pattern 3 include a case in which the first pattern 2 is completely surrounded by a single continuous second pattern 3, and a case in which the first pattern 2 is surrounded by a plurality of second patterns 3 arranged intermittently in the circumferential direction. If the case in which the periphery of a single first pattern 2 is completely surrounded is expressed as being surrounded 360 degrees, it is preferable that the periphery of the first pattern 2 be surrounded by more than 180 degrees but not more than 360 degrees, and it is preferable that the periphery be surrounded by 270 degrees or more but not more than 360 degrees. Examples of the mode in which the first handle 2 is sandwiched by the second handles 3 include a mode in which a single first handle 2 exists between two second handles 3. The first handle 2 and the two second handles 3 sandwiching it may be arranged side by side in the width direction Y of the individual package, in the longitudinal direction X, or in an oblique direction non-parallel to both the width direction Y and the longitudinal direction X.
[0022] Also, when only considering the region forming the opening surface 40, the total area of the first handle 2 is smaller than the total area of the second handle 3. When the first handle 2 sandwiched or surrounded by the second handle 3 is present on the opening surface 40, the total area of the first handle 2 and the total area of the second handle 3 are the total areas of the first handle 2 and the second handle 3 present on the opening surface 40, respectively. If the total area of the first handle 2 is smaller than the total area of the second handle 3, the display of the second handle 3 indicating other than the absorption capacity occupies most of the display of the packaging sheet 20. Therefore, even if others visually recognize the individual package from the outside, it is difficult to notice the type of the absorbent article of the individual package, and this has an effect. Also, even when viewed by the user himself / herself, while the first handle 2 indicating the performance display can be grasped, due to the presence of the second handle 3, the first handle 2 is not conspicuous. Therefore, the worry of being noticed by others when using is reduced, and it is also possible to reduce the possibility of making the user feel depressed by using the absorbent article.
[0023] Examples of the first handle 2 indicating the absorption capacity include numbers with units and those composed of numbers. Examples of the units of the numbers with units include cc and ml. Also, it is preferable that the numbers are only the numbers obtained by removing the unit from the absorption capacity. For example, when the absorption capacity is 3 mL, it is preferable that the notation of the first handle 2 is "3". The numerical value indicating the absorption capacity may be Arabic numerals, Roman numerals, Chinese characters such as one or 壱 instead of arithmetic numerals. Also, the first handle 2 indicating the absorption capacity may be a display indicating the section when the absorption capacity is divided into a plurality of sections according to its size. If the first handle 2 indicating the absorption capacity is a number, it has the effect of making the first handle 2 conspicuous from the outside and making it easy for the user to visually recognize the first handle 2.
[0024] Numbers also include circled numbers with a circle surrounding the number. Numbers in circles are considered to be numbers including the circle, and the area of the entire inside of the circle, including its outline, is defined as the area of the first pattern 2. Furthermore, if the first pattern 2 consists only of numbers, the area of the smallest circle surrounding the numbers is defined as the area of the first pattern 2. If the first pattern 2 consists only of numbers with units, the area of the smallest circle surrounding the entire number with units, including the unit portion, is defined as the area of the first pattern 2. If the second pattern 3 is, for example, a pattern whose outline is represented by colored lines, such as a pattern of flowers or petals, the area of the uncolored part inside the outline is also included in the area of the second pattern 3.
[0025] The total area of the first pattern 2 and the total area of the second pattern 3 can be calculated by the following method. The first pattern 2 and the second pattern 3 of the individual packaging of the absorbent article are scanned with a personal computer scanner (Canon CanoScan MP Navigator EX), and the area of each is determined using image analysis software (Nexus New Qube, Nexus Co., Ltd.). The areas of the first pattern 2 and the second pattern 3 are added together to determine the total area of each of the first pattern 2 and the second pattern 3.
[0026] 1(a) and 1(b), in the individual packaging body 30 of this embodiment, the first pattern 2 is not present on the non-opening surface 50 opposite to the opening surface 40. In other words, the first pattern 2 is not present in the back region 70 of the packaging sheet 20, which is the region that forms the non-opening surface 50. By having the first pattern 2 on only one of the opening surface 40 and the non-opening surface 50, it is possible to further reduce the possibility that others will find out that the light incontinence pad is being used because of the first pattern 2, which indicates the absorption capacity. Furthermore, by having the first pattern 2 on the opening surface 40 and not having the first pattern 2 on the non-opening surface 50, it is less likely that others will find out that the absorbent article is being used, and the user can easily understand the absorption capacity of the absorbent article when opening it, etc. Instead of the opening surface 40, the non-opening surface 50 may have a first pattern 2 and a second pattern 3 that sandwiches or surrounds the first pattern 2. In that case, within the region 4 that forms the non-opening surface 50 of the packaging sheet 20, the total area of the first pattern 2 and the total area of the second pattern 3 are compared. The individual packaging of the present invention may have first and second regions that satisfy the above-mentioned conditions on at least one of the opening surface 40 and the non-opening surface 50.
[0027] It is preferable that the distance from the first pattern 2 to the second pattern 3 that sandwiches or surrounds it is not too large, from the viewpoint of making the first pattern 2 less noticeable due to the second pattern 3. For example, on each of the opening surface 40 and the non-opening surface 50 having the first pattern 2, the second pattern 3 sandwiching or surrounding the first pattern 2 preferably has a portion sandwiching or surrounding the first pattern 2 within a circle with a radius of 30 mm centered at the centroid of the first pattern 2, and more preferably has a portion sandwiching or surrounding the first pattern 2 within a circle with a radius of 20 mm centered at the centroid of the first pattern 2. When the first pattern is composed of numbers, the centroid of the first pattern 2 is the center of the smallest circle that surrounds the numbers. The numbers referred to here also include numbers with units.
[0028] The second pattern 3 in this embodiment includes a design 3a distributed throughout the entire packaging sheet 20. The design 3a is visible from the outside of the individual packaging body 30. The first pattern 2 in this embodiment is printed on the outer surface of the packaging sheet 20, i.e., the surface facing away from the absorbent article 10, together with the second pattern 3, which is a design unrelated to the absorption capacity of the absorbent article, so that the first pattern 2 is not noticeable. This gives the user an impression of glamour and ingenuity regarding the absorbent article 10, and can alleviate any depression the user may have about using the absorbent article 10 before wearing it. Furthermore, by using a highly aesthetic design, the absorbent article 10 is more likely to be given an impression of glamour and ingenuity to the user.
[0029] In the packaging sheet 20, in one or both of the regions forming the opening surface 40 or the non-opening surface 50, which have the first pattern 2 and the second pattern 3 sandwiching or surrounding it, it is preferable that the second pattern 3 includes a pattern 3a having a larger area than the first pattern 2. For example, on the opening surface 40, if the second pattern 3 includes a pattern 3a having a larger area than the first pattern 2, the proportion of the second pattern 3 increases, making it difficult to visually recognize the first pattern 2. This makes the first pattern 2 even less noticeable when viewing the individual package from the outside. From the same viewpoint, it is preferable that at least one, and preferably more than one, of the plurality of second patterns 3 sandwiching or surrounding the first pattern 2 is a pattern 3a having a larger area than the first pattern 2.
[0030] In the packaging sheet 20, the first pattern 2 and the second pattern 3 are preferably similar colors. By matching the color of the first pattern 2, which indicates the absorption capacity, with the color of the other part of the second pattern 3, the first pattern 2 is made less noticeable. Similar colors refer to a combination of similar hues, and examples of combinations in which the first pattern 2 and the second pattern 3 are similar colors include a combination in which the first pattern 2 is red and the second pattern 3 is orange, or a combination in which the first pattern 2 is navy blue and the second pattern 3 is blue. Furthermore, it is preferable that the color of the first pattern 2 and the background color of the packaging sheet 20, i.e., the base color of the packaging sheet 20, are similar colors. By matching the first pattern 2 with the background color, the numbers in the performance notation of the first pattern 2 are made less noticeable. The colors of the first pattern 2 and the second pattern 3 are displayed in a color different from the color of the back sheet 12 of the absorbent article 10, and typical examples include, but are not limited to, colors such as red or blue that are close to white. The colors are mainly monochromatic, but may also be a combination of multiple colors.
[0031] In addition to the design 3a, the second pattern 3 may also include the brand designation 3b of the absorbent article 10. The brand designation 3b may be a combination of graphics and letters, or may consist solely of graphics evocative of the product, or may consist solely of letters representing the brand name. The brand designation 3b is often the same as that used for other absorbent articles, such as sanitary napkins. Therefore, even when using a light incontinence absorbent article, which tends to make users feel depressed, the packaging is indistinguishable from other sanitary napkin packaging, reducing the feeling of depression. Furthermore, even when viewed from the outside by others, the brand designation 3b is less likely to be recognized as a light incontinence absorbent article. Unlike the first pattern 2, which indicates the absorbent capacity, the brand designation 3b is often less resistant to being seen by others. Furthermore, unlike the first pattern 2, which indicates the absorbent capacity, the brand designation 3b, together with the design 3a, can easily form a striking pattern. Therefore, including the brand designation 3b as the second pattern 3 can also improve the design of the individual package. In the first pattern 2, it is preferable that the numerical values indicating the absorption capacity, which are the first pattern 2, and the brand indicia 3b, which is the second pattern 3, are arranged alternately in parallel. Furthermore, it is preferable that at least one of the first pattern 2 and the brand indicia 3b is fully visible without any partial loss in one or both of the two front regions 60A, 60B of the opening surface 40. This allows the user to accurately see the entire image of the brand indicia 3b, and the next time they purchase a similar product, they can easily purchase and use the individual package 30, packaged product thereof, absorbent article 10, etc., that has the same brand indicia 3b, which is advantageous for products that are purchased repeatedly. Furthermore, the first pattern 2 may be arranged in several diagonal rows.
[0032] The first pattern 2 is usually provided by printing on the non-skin-facing surface of the packaging sheet 20. The printing of the first pattern 2 can be carried out according to a known printing method, such as offset printing, gravure printing, flexographic printing, screen printing, sticker printing, inkjet printing, etc.
[0033] The opening surface 40 of the packaging sheet 20 is formed by connecting two front regions 60A, 60B in a partially overlapping state, and the fastening tape 21 is provided on one of the front regions 60A. The one front region 60A on which the fastening tape 21 is provided is the front region 60A on which the fastening tape 21 is fixed by a fixing portion 21a so as to be difficult to peel off. It is preferable that the first patterns 2 form a row in which multiple first patterns 2 are lined up in one direction, and the row in which multiple first patterns 2 are lined up in one direction may extend in the width direction Y, may extend in the longitudinal direction X, or may extend in a diagonal direction relative to both the longitudinal direction X and the width direction Y. It is also preferable that the row of first patterns 2 aligned in one direction has a brand mark 3 between the first patterns 2. On the opening surface 40, the area of the fastening tape 21 is preferably larger than the area of the first pattern 2. By making the fastening tape 21 larger and more visible than the first pattern 2, the first pattern 2 becomes less noticeable, and the confidentiality of the absorbent article, such as a light incontinence pad, that you do not want others to know about, can be further improved. From the same viewpoint, it is preferable that the color of the fastening tape 21 is different from the first pattern 2 and the second pattern 3 and is composed of a color that stands out more than the two patterns. Making the fastening tape 21 more noticeable than the first pattern 2 has the effect of making the first pattern 2 even less noticeable when viewed from the outside.
[0034] The absorbent article 10 preferably has a pattern similar to the second pattern 3 of a part of the packaging sheet 20 on the top sheet 11 side that forms the skin-facing surface. For example, in one example of an individual package 30, the absorbent article 10 is folded in thirds or fourths, and of two regions outward from a pair of fold lines L1, L2 located near the end of the individual package 30 in the longitudinal direction X of the absorbent article 10, it is preferable that the skin-facing surface of the region that unfolds first when the opening surface 40 is opened, i.e., the skin-facing surface of the region outward from the first fold line, has a pattern similar to the second pattern 3a of the packaging sheet 20. More specifically, in the individual package 30 shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, as shown in Fig. 5, an enlarged floral pattern that forms a part of the second pattern 3a is embossed on the skin-facing surface of the uppermost layer of the three-layered absorbent article 10 shown in Fig. 3. The outline of the pattern on the absorbent article 10 is formed by compression grooves formed by compressing the top sheet 11 and the absorbent body 13 together from the top sheet 11 side. By applying a pattern similar to the second pattern 3 to the skin-facing side of the area that is opened first, a sense of unity is created between the soothing second pattern 3a and the pattern on the absorbent article 10. Even if the absorbent article is for light incontinence, the second pattern 3a and similar patterns on the absorbent article 10 are not related to light incontinence symptoms, so that the user's depressed mood is soothed even when using the absorbent article. Furthermore, since the pattern similar to the pattern on the individual packaging is located in a position that can be easily recognized when the individual packaging is opened, the pattern provides a soothing effect even when using the absorbent article. The pattern applied to the top sheet 11 is not limited to a floral pattern and can be changed as appropriate.
[0035] Next, the constituent materials of each part of the individual packaging body will be described. The topsheet 11 can be a liquid-permeable sheet, such as a nonwoven fabric or a perforated film. The skin-facing side of the topsheet 11 may have an uneven shape. For example, a plurality of scattered convex portions can be formed on the skin-facing side of the topsheet 11. Alternatively, ridges and grooves extending in one direction can be formed alternately on the skin-facing side of the topsheet 11. For such purposes, the topsheet 11 can be formed using two or more sheets of nonwoven fabric.
[0036] The backsheet 12 may be made of, for example, a liquid-impermeable film or a spunbond, meltblown, or spunbond laminated nonwoven fabric. A plurality of micropores may be formed in the liquid-impermeable film to impart water vapor permeability to the film. To further improve the feel of the absorbent article 10, a sheet with a pleasant texture, such as a nonwoven fabric, may be laminated on the outer surface of the backsheet 12.
[0037] The absorbent core of the absorbent body 13 is composed of, for example, a stack of hydrophilic fibers such as cellulose, including pulp, a mixed stack of such hydrophilic fibers and absorbent polymers, or a pile of absorbent polymers. At least the skin-facing surface of the absorbent core may be covered with a liquid-permeable core wrap sheet, or the entire surface, including the skin-facing and non-skin-facing surfaces, may be covered with the core wrap sheet. Examples of the core wrap sheet that can be used include tissue paper made of hydrophilic fibers and liquid-permeable nonwoven fabric. The absorbent body 13 may consist of only the absorbent core.
[0038] The absorbent core may be mainly composed of an absorbent sheet, which is a sheet-like absorbent body. The absorbent sheet typically comprises a fiber sheet mainly composed of a fiber material such as wood pulp, and a water-absorbing material such as an absorbent polymer fixed to the interior or surface of the fiber sheet. The absorbent sheet may have a configuration in which absorbent polymer particles are interposed between two opposing sheets.
[0039] The packaging sheet 20 can be any sheet commonly used in packaging for absorbent articles. For example, a single-layer or multi-layer nonwoven fabric is preferably used. A resin film can also be used, or a laminate of a nonwoven fabric and a resin film can also be used. The laminate sheet is preferably used so that the nonwoven fabric is positioned on the outer surface of the packaging.
[0040] The second pattern 3a, which is the design printed on the packaging sheet 20, is not limited to the one shown in the figure and can be changed as appropriate depending on the intended use of the absorbent article 10. For example, it may be a design imitating a starry sky, or a simpler design consisting only of a checkered pattern or straight lines. For example, a design imitating a starry sky may be suitably applied to the individual packaging 30 of the absorbent article 10 to be used at night, while a simple design increases the concealment of the absorbent article 10 contained therein and is suitably applied to the individual packaging 30 of a men's absorbent article 10. The row of multiple first patterns 2 lined up in one direction may not include a brand marking.
[0041] Although the present invention has been described above based on the preferred embodiments, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]
[0042] 10 Absorbent articles 30 individual packages X Longitudinal direction Y width direction 13 Absorbent 11 Surface sheet 12 Back sheet 13 Absorbent 14 Side gathers 20 Packaging Sheet 20a One end 21 Fastening tape 21a Fixed part 21b Fastening part 2 First pattern 3 Second pattern 3a Designs other than brand markings 3b Brand notation 22 Multiple performance notations2 arranged in one direction L1 First bending line L2 Second bending line 40 Opening side 50 Unopened side 60A, 60B Two frontal areas 70 Back area
Claims
1. An individual package of absorbent articles in which absorbent articles are individually packaged in a packaging sheet, the absorbent article is folded in the longitudinal direction together with the packaging sheet with the back sheet side, which is the non-skin facing side in use, facing the packaging sheet side; The packaging sheet is It has a first pattern that indicates the absorption capacity and a second pattern that indicates something other than the absorption capacity, In the area forming the opening surface or the non-opening surface of the individual package, the first handle is sandwiched or surrounded by the second handle; and An individual package of an absorbent article, wherein the total area of the first pattern is smaller than the total area of the second pattern.
2. The individual package of absorbent articles according to claim 1 , wherein the second pattern includes a design having a larger area than the first pattern.
3. The package for absorbent articles according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first pattern and the second pattern are in similar colors.
4. The individual package of absorbent articles according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first pattern and a background color of the packaging sheet are similar in color.
5. The individual package of absorbent articles according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first pattern is made up of numbers.
6. The package for an absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second pattern includes a brand marking of the absorbent article.
7. The packaging sheet has two front regions forming the opening surface and a back region forming the non-opening surface, A fastening tape is provided on one of the two front regions, The package for absorbent articles according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the fastening tape has a color different from the first pattern and the second pattern.
8. The individual package of absorbent articles according to claim 7 , wherein the area of the fastening tape is larger than the first pattern.
9. The absorbent article package according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the absorbent article has a pattern similar to the second pattern of the part of the packaging sheet on a top sheet side that forms a skin-facing surface.
10. 3. The absorbent article packaging body according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the absorbent article is folded in three or four, and the skin-facing surface of the area that is first unfolded when the opening surface is opened, out of two areas outside a pair of fold lines located near the end of the individual packaging body in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article, has a pattern similar to the second pattern of the packaging sheet.