Package of sanitary tissue product

Abstract

To provide a package of a sanitary tissue product in which peel-off of a printing layer is prevented at a low cost with a simple configuration.SOLUTION: In a package, a sanitary tissue product is packaged by a package base material. The package base material includes a paper base material which has a first surface and a second surface, a transparent heat seal layer which covers a first whole surface of the paper base material, and a printing layer between the paper base material and the heat seal layer. The package base material packages the sanitary tissue product, so that the first surface of the paper base material serves as an outer surface side of the package. The package has a sealing part in which the paper base materials are joined through the heat seal layer, and a non-sealing part. In an external appearance of the package, the printing layer in an area of the non-sealing part can be optically recognized through the heat seal layer.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a package for packaging sanitary thin paper products.

Background Art

[0002] In the field of packages for sanitary thin paper products such as toilet paper and tissue paper, a plastic film is used as a packaging base material, and a package in which a sanitary thin paper product is packaged with a plastic film is widely known. As the plastic film, a transparent one is used, and a printing layer such as characters, figures, and symbols is formed on the surface of the plastic film on the inner side of the package. Thereby, the printing layer is visible through the transparent plastic film from the outside of the package, and the printing layer is prevented from being rubbed off and peeled off during transportation or the like.

[0003] By the way, in this type of package for sanitary thin paper products, in order to reduce the environmental load, it has been proposed to reduce the use of plastic by using a packaging base material containing a paper base material instead of a plastic film as the packaging base material. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a package for a sanitary thin paper product using, as a packaging base material, a packaging base material in which a heat-sealing layer for sealing is laminated on a paper base material.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] When using a packaging substrate obtained by laminating a heat-sealing layer for sealing on a paper substrate, and providing a printing layer that displays bonding or the like by characters, symbols, figures, patterns, or any combination thereof on the packaging substrate, due to its structure, the printing layer will be exposed on the outer surface of the package. In order to prevent the printing layer exposed on the outer surface of the package from being rubbed off and peeled off during transportation or the like, it is necessary to provide a coating layer that covers the printing layer as in the case of food packaging paper (see Cited Document 2), which has the problem of high cost.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a package for a sanitary tissue product that has a low cost and a simple structure and prevents the printing layer from peeling off.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] As a result of intensive studies to solve the above problems, the present inventors have found that in a package obtained by packaging a sanitary tissue product with a packaging substrate, a packaging substrate including a paper substrate, a heat-sealing layer that covers the entire one surface of the paper substrate, and a printing layer between the paper substrate and the heat-sealing layer can solve the above problems by using a configuration in which the heat-sealing layer seals the package and protects the printing layer.

[0008] Specifically, the present invention has the following configuration.

[0009] [1] A package obtained by packaging a sanitary tissue product with a packaging substrate, wherein the packaging substrate includes a paper substrate having a first surface and a second surface, a transparent heat-sealing layer that covers the entire first surface of the paper substrate, and a printing layer between the paper substrate and the heat-sealing layer. The packaging substrate packages the sanitary tissue product such that the first surface of the paper substrate faces the outer surface side of the package. The package has a sealed portion where the paper substrate is joined via the heat-sealing layer and an unsealed portion. In the appearance of the package, the printing layer in the region of the unsealed portion is optically recognizable through the heat-sealing layer. A package for a sanitary tissue product.

[0010] [2] The paper base material is transparent, and in the appearance of the package, the sanitary tissue paper product is visible through the heat-sealing layer and the paper base material in the region of the unsealed part, the package of the sanitary tissue paper product according to [1].

[0011] [3] A package obtained by packaging a sanitary tissue paper product with a packaging base material, the packaging base material including a transparent paper base material having a first surface and a second surface, a heat-sealing layer covering the entire first surface of the paper base material, and a printing layer between the paper base material and the heat-sealing layer, the packaging base material packaging the sanitary tissue paper product such that the second surface of the paper base material faces the outer surface side of the package, the package having a sealed part where the paper base material is joined via the heat-sealing layer and an unsealed part, and in the appearance of the package, the printing layer in the region of the unsealed part being optically recognizable through the paper base material, the package of the sanitary tissue paper product.

[0012] [4] The heat-sealing layer is transparent, and in the appearance of the package, the sanitary tissue paper product is visible through the paper base material and the heat-sealing layer in the region of the unsealed part, the package of the sanitary tissue paper product according to [3].

[0013] [5] A package obtained by packaging a sanitary tissue paper product with a packaging base material, the packaging base material including a paper base material having a first surface and a second surface, a transparent first heat-sealing layer covering the entire first surface of the paper base material, a printing layer between the paper base material and the first heat-sealing layer, and a second heat-sealing layer covering the entire second surface of the paper base material, the packaging base material packaging the sanitary tissue paper product such that the first surface of the paper base material faces the outer surface side of the package, the package having a sealed part where the paper base material is joined via at least one of the first heat-sealing layer and the second heat-sealing layer and an unsealed part, and in the appearance of the package, the printing layer in the region of the unsealed part being optically recognizable through the first heat-sealing layer, the package of the sanitary tissue paper product.

[0014] [6] The paper base material and the second heat-sealing layer are transparent, and in the appearance of the package, the sanitary tissue paper product is visible through the first heat-sealing layer, the paper base material, and the second heat-sealing layer in the region of the unsealed part, the package of the sanitary tissue paper product according to [5].

[0015] [7] A package obtained by packaging a sanitary tissue product with a packaging base material, the packaging base material including: a transparent paper base material having a first surface and a second surface; a first heat seal layer covering the entire first surface of the paper base material; a printing layer between the paper base material and the first heat seal layer; and a transparent second heat seal layer covering the entire second surface of the paper base material. The packaging base material packages the sanitary tissue product such that the second surface of the paper base material faces the outer surface side of the package. The package has a sealed portion where the paper base material is joined through at least one of the first heat seal layer and the second heat seal layer, and an unsealed portion. In the appearance of the package, the printing layer in the region of the unsealed portion is optically recognizable through the second heat seal layer and the paper base material. A package of a sanitary tissue product.

[0016] [8] The first heat seal layer is transparent, and in the appearance of the package, the sanitary tissue product is visible through the second heat seal layer, the paper base material, and the first heat seal layer in the region of the unsealed portion. The package of the sanitary tissue product according to [7]. [Advantages of the Invention]

[0017] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a package for a sanitary tissue product that has a low cost and a simple structure and prevents the printing layer from peeling off. [Brief Description of the Drawings]

[0018]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. These are presented for illustrative purposes and do not limit the present invention.

[0020] <First Embodiment> [Package] FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b) are schematic perspective views of a package of a sanitary tissue paper product according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In the first embodiment of the present invention, the package 1 includes a sanitary tissue paper product 2 and a packaging base material 10 that packages the sanitary tissue paper product 2. The package 1 according to the present invention includes a printed layer G that displays letters, symbols, figures, patterns, or combinations thereof for decoration and / or for imparting distinctiveness, which can be optically recognized in the appearance of the package 1.

[0021] [Sanitary Tissue Paper Product] In the example shown in FIG. 1, the sanitary tissue paper product 2 is a roll-shaped kitchen paper (also referred to as a kitchen towel). The packaging base material 10 wraps two roll-shaped kitchen papers 2 together.

[0022] In the present invention, examples of the sanitary tissue paper product 2 packaged in the package 1 include, but are not limited to, (1) a "roll-shaped sanitary tissue paper product" in which a long sanitary tissue paper sheet such as toilet paper or kitchen paper is wound into a roll, (2) a "laminated sanitary tissue paper product" in the form of a laminate in which a plurality of sheets or sets of sanitary tissue paper sheets such as tissue paper or wipes are laminated, and (3) a sanitary tissue paper product in which a laminate in which a plurality of sheets or sets of sanitary tissue paper sheets such as tissue paper or wipes are laminated is housed in a box or bag (hereinafter, collectively referred to as a "boxed laminated sanitary tissue paper product").

[0023] In the present invention, the number (quantity) or amount (number of sheets, number of sets) of the sanitary tissue paper products 2 packaged in the package 1 may be determined by the dimensions and weight of the sanitary tissue paper products 2, the strength (easiness to break) of the packaging base material 10, etc., depending on the ease of handling of the package 1, the product sales strategy, and the like. The package 1 may include, for example, 2 to 12 roll-shaped sanitary tissue paper products, or 2 to 5 boxed stacked sanitary tissue paper products. Alternatively, the package 1 may include, for example, a bundle of laminated sanitary tissue paper products in which 20 to 400 sheets (or 10 to 200 sets) of sanitary tissue paper sheets are laminated.

[0024] [Packaging base material] Fig. 3(a) is a schematic partial cross-sectional view showing the layer structure of the packaging base material 10. The double arrow T in the figure indicates the thickness direction of the packaging base material 10. In the figure, the thickness of each layer is schematically shown and is not to an exact scale.

[0025] Referring to Fig. 3(a), the packaging base material 10 according to the present embodiment includes a paper base material 100, a heat seal layer 110H, and a printing layer G between the paper base material 100 and the heat seal layer 110H. The paper base material 100 has a first surface 101 and a second surface 102, and the printing layer G and the heat seal layer 110H are provided in this order on the first surface 101.

[0026] Fig. 2(a) is a developed view of the packaging base material 10 as viewed from the heat seal layer 110H side, and Fig. 2(b) is a developed view of the packaging base material 10 as viewed from the paper base material 100 side.

[0027] [Heat seal layer] As shown in Fig. 2(a), in the present embodiment, the heat seal layer 110H (hatched in the figure) is provided so as to cover the entire first surface 101 of the paper base material 100.

[0028] In this specification, the heat-sealing layer refers to a layer formed of a material that exhibits heat-sealing properties (hereinafter, also simply referred to as a heat-sealing agent). In an embodiment of the present invention, the heat-sealing layer has a heat-sealing function of sealing the package 1 containing the sanitary tissue paper product 2, and a protective function of covering and protecting the printed layer G formed by printing on the paper base material 100 so that the printed layer G does not rub off and peel off during the manufacture of the package 1 (for example, the packaging process) or during the transportation of the manufactured package 1 and the like.

[0029] In the first embodiment, the heat-sealing layer 110H is provided on the outer surface side of the package 1 rather than the printed layer G. In this embodiment, the heat-sealing layer 110H is transparent so that the printed layer G can be seen through the heat-sealing layer 110H.

[0030] (Transparent) Generally, "transparent" means that the object on the opposite side or inside of the object can be seen through, "translucent" means that the degree of transparency is low, it is in the middle between transparent and opaque, the shape of the object on the other side of the object cannot be clearly seen, but the color, brightness and darkness can be seen to a certain extent or the state thereof. Also, "opaque" means that the object on the other side cannot be seen through it. In this specification, "transparent" and "translucent" are collectively referred to as simply "transparent".

[0031] [Material of heat-sealing layer] In an embodiment of the present invention, as the material constituting the heat seal layer, any material capable of exhibiting heat sealability can be used. For example, polyolefin resins or other thermoplastic resins can be used, and among these, it is preferable to use polyolefin resins. Examples of such materials include low-density polyethylene, linear low-density polyethylene, high-density polyethylene, ethylene-α-olefin copolymer, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer, ethylene-ethyl acrylate copolymer, ethylene-methyl acrylate copolymer, ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymer, ionomer, amorphous polyester, polypropylene, styrene-acrylic copolymer, propylene-ethylene copolymer (preferably a copolymer having an ethylene content of 10 mol% or less), or a polypropylene-based resin obtained by graft polymerization or copolymerization of polypropylene with an unsaturated carboxylic acid, an unsaturated carboxylic acid anhydride, an ester monomer, etc. Examples also include medium-density polyethylene, high-density polyethylene, etc. The material constituting the heat seal layer 110H, etc. may be used alone as any one kind, or may be used in combination of two or more kinds.

[0032] However, in the first embodiment, it is essential that the formed heat seal layer be transparent.

[0033] [Method for forming heat seal layer] The heat seal layer 110H, etc. can be formed, for example, by the following commonly used methods. (1) A method of forming a film of a thermoplastic resin such as a polyolefin resin or a composition containing a thermoplastic resin on a paper substrate 100 by an extrusion method. (2) A method of attaching a film made of a thermoplastic resin or a film containing a thermoplastic resin to the paper substrate 100 using a known heat seal processing apparatus (laminating apparatus). (3) A method of coating a water-based heat-sealing agent in which a thermoplastic resin or a thermoplastic resin composition is dissolved or dispersed in water, or a solvent-based heat-sealing agent in which a thermoplastic resin or a thermoplastic resin composition is dissolved or dispersed in a solvent, onto a paper substrate 100 by a known method such as roll coating, gravure roll coating, kiss coating, etc.

[0034] [Thickness of the heat-sealing layer] In an embodiment of the present invention, the thickness of the heat-sealing layer 110H is preferably 2 μm or more and 100 μm or less.

[0035] The thickness of the heat-sealing layer 110H can be measured, for example, by cutting the packaging substrate 10 and observing the cut surface with an optical microscope or an electron microscope. In this case, the thickness of the heat-sealing layer 110H can be measured as the thickness of the heat-sealing layer 110H remaining on the surface of the paper substrate 100 without the heat-sealing agent penetrating the paper substrate 100 after the heat-sealing agent has penetrated the paper substrate 100 by the coating treatment and / or the heat-sealing treatment. Since the heat-sealing agent remaining as the heat-sealing layer 110H can contribute to the adhesion (heat fusion) of the sealed portion 12 to be joined, as long as the heating temperature for the heat-sealing treatment is appropriately transmitted to the heat-sealing layer 110H, the adhesiveness tends to improve as the amount of the heat-sealing agent remaining as the heat-sealing layer 110H increases.

[0036] If the thickness of the heat-sealing layer 110H is too thin, the amount of the heat-sealing agent that can contribute to adhesion is small, and sufficient heat-sealability (adhesiveness) may not be obtained to seal the package 1. Also, if the thickness of the heat-sealing layer 110H is too thick, depending on the configuration of the sealed portion 12 to be joined, heat transfer may be insufficient during the heat-sealing treatment, resulting in a decrease in the heating temperature of the heat-sealing layer and the inability to obtain good bonding strength.

[0037] When the thickness of the heat-sealing layer 110H is within the above range, good heat-sealability in the sealed portion 12 of the package 1 can be guaranteed.

[0038] [Printing layer] In the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the package 1 includes a printed layer G formed by printing (coating) ink for decoration and / or for imparting distinctiveness. As shown in FIG. 3(a), the printed layer G is formed by printing on the first surface 101 of the paper substrate 100. The printed layer G may be provided on the paper substrate 100 as one or a plurality of printed portions (ink application portions). The packaging substrate 10 may have, in a plan view, a region where the printed layer G is provided and a non-printed region nG where the printed layer G is not provided. The printed layer G may include characters, symbols, figures, patterns, or combinations thereof such as bonds. The printed layer G is arranged at least at a position optically recognizable in the appearance of the package 1.

[0039] In this specification, "optically recognizable" includes being confirmable (visually recognizable) by the naked eye and being readable by an optical reading device. Examples of optical reading devices include scanners and barcode readers. The printed layer G may include at least one of a one-dimensional code and a two-dimensional code in which optically readable information is encoded so that the code is optically readable in the appearance of the package 1.

[0040] [Ink] In the present invention, various inks can be used for printing the printed layer G. The ink is mainly composed of a resin component, a solvent, a colorant, an auxiliary agent, and the like. Examples of the resin component include nitrocellulose-based resins, polyamide-based resins, polyurethane-based resins, acrylic-based resins, polylactic acid-based resins, rosin-based resins, polyester-based resins, and the like. Examples of the solvent include toluene, xylene, ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, IPA, butanol, MEK, MIBK, and the like. The ink used for forming the printed layer G may be a biomass ink (also referred to as a biomass ink).

[0041] [Biomass Ink] Biomass generally refers to renewable organic resources generated from animals and plants that can be regenerated into energy and substances, excluding fossil resources such as petroleum and coal. In this specification, biomass ink refers to ink that uses biomass-derived components as part of the raw materials. Examples of biomass ink applicable to the embodiments of the present invention include inks manufactured by extracting components from biomass such as cotton, pulp, rice bran, vegetable oil, and seeds of angiosperms.

[0042] [Printing method] As the printing method of the printing layer G, known printing methods such as gravure printing using a gravure roll, flexographic printing, and offset printing can be adopted, and preferably gravure printing.

[0043] [Paper substrate] In the first embodiment, various paper substrates can be used as the paper substrate 100 of the packaging substrate 10 of the package 1.

[0044] The paper substrate 100 can be manufactured, for example, by using pulp components such as waste paper pulp such as wood pulp, non-wood pulp, and deinked pulp as the main raw material and papermaking with a paper machine by a known method.

[0045] One type of pulp component may be used alone, or two or more types may be mixed. Since these pulp components greatly affect the quality of the paper substrate, they are appropriately blended at a predetermined type and blending ratio according to the required quality.

[0046] For example, softwood kraft pulp (NKP) and / or hardwood kraft pulp (LKP) may be used at a blending ratio (mass%) of preferably 0 to 60:100 to 40, more preferably 20 to 60:80 to 40, and even more preferably 40 to 60:60 to 40.

[0047] Coniferous kraft pulp generally has a longer fiber length compared to broadleaf kraft pulp. Therefore, when the blending ratio of coniferous kraft pulp in the pulp raw material is high, generally, the paper strength of the obtained paper base material 100 becomes stronger. For example, the tensile strength in the MD direction (also referred to as the paper-making direction or the longitudinal direction) increases, and a paper base material 100 that is not easily torn even when a force is applied in the MD direction can be obtained.

[0048] The paper base material 100 applicable to the packaging base material 10 of the package 1 may be determined by the processability (ease of bending, strength against bending) during the manufacture of the package 1, the printability during the printing formation of the printing layer G, the strength (ease of breakage) and appearance (transparency, whiteness) of the package 1, etc.

[0049] Various generally used chemicals may be added as optional components to the paper base material 100 for the sake of required quality and the stability of operation during manufacturing. Examples of optional components include dry paper strength agents, wet paper strength agents, softeners, bulking agents, dyes, fragrances, dispersants, drainage improvers, pitch control agents, yield improvers, etc.

[0050] [Basis weight] In an embodiment of the present invention, the basis weight of the paper base material 100 is preferably 30 g / m 2 or more and 65 g / m 2 or less. The basis weight is the basis weight (g / m 2 ) per sheet measured according to JIS P8124.

[0051] When the basis weight of the paper base material 100 is low, generally, the pulp fibers constituting the paper base material 100 are few, the fiber-to-fiber bonding is also few, and the strength of the paper base material 100 itself is low and it tends to be easily torn. At this time, consequently, the packaging base material 10 including the paper base material 100 also tends to be easily torn. Therefore, from the viewpoint of the tear resistance of the packaging base material 10, a higher basis weight of the paper base material 100 is preferable.

[0052] On the one hand, when the basis weight of the paper base material 100 is high, the flexibility and softness of the paper base material 100, and thus the packaging base material 10, decrease. When forming the package 1, it becomes difficult to bend the packaging base material 10, and unintended wrinkles may occur during bending, etc., and the processability tends to decrease. Further, due to an increase in paper thickness or the like, heat transfer becomes insufficient during the heat seal treatment, and the heating temperature of the heat seal layer may decrease, and it may not be possible to obtain good bonding strength. Therefore, from the viewpoints of processability when manufacturing the package 1 and heat sealability (adhesiveness) at the seal portion 12 of the package 1, it is preferable that the basis weight of the paper base material 100 is low.

[0053] When the basis weight of the paper base material 100 is within the above range, the paper base material 100 and the packaging base material 10 have appropriate strength and are difficult to break, and the processability during the formation of the package 1 and the heat sealability at the seal portion 12 can be guaranteed.

[0054] Examples of the paper base material 100 that can be suitably applied to the first embodiment include, for example, transparent papers such as glassine paper and parchment paper, and single-sided glazed papers such as pure white paper, but are not limited thereto. In the example of FIG. 1, glassine paper is used for the paper base material 100, and the sanitary tissue paper product 2 (in this example, two embossed roll-shaped kitchen papers), which is the content of the package 1, can be seen through the paper base material 100.

[0055] [Glassine paper] "Glassine paper" is a transparent thin paper manufactured by passing the base paper made by highly beating chemical pulp and then passing it through a calendar under heat and pressure to crush the gaps between fibers. Glassine paper has properties such as high smoothness, gloss, high density, and high air permeability (that is, the time it takes for a certain amount of air to pass through a certain area of the paper under a certain pressure is long, in other words, low air permeability), and exhibits semi-transparency.

[0056] [Transparency] "Transparency" refers to the ratio of light transmitted through the paper expressed as a percentage of the incident light amount. The larger the value of transparency, the clearer the object on the opposite side or inside can be seen through.

[0057] From the perspective of the visibility of the sanitary tissue product 2 as the content, the transparency of the transparent paper preferably applicable to this embodiment is 65% or more, more preferably 75% or more, and even more preferably 78% or more. Further, the transparency of the packaging substrate 10 containing such transparent paper as the paper substrate 100 is preferably 60% or more, more preferably 70% or more, and even more preferably 73% or more.

[0058] The transparency of the paper substrate 100 and the packaging substrate 10 can be measured with a diffuse light transmittance meter DOT-5 (manufactured by Murakami Color Research Laboratory) in accordance with ISO5-2. Note that the measurement of the transparency of the packaging substrate 10 is performed on the region of the packaging substrate 10 where there is no printing layer G (refer to the non-printing region nG in Fig. 3(a)).

[0059] [Effects of the embodiment using glassine paper] Referring to Figs. 1 and 3(a), by using glassine paper as the paper substrate 100 of the packaging substrate 10 in this embodiment, for example, the following effects can be achieved. (1) Since the glassine paper and the heat seal layer 110H are transparent, in the appearance of the package 1, in the region of the non-sealed part and in the non-printing region nG, the sanitary tissue product 2 packaged in the package 1 can be easily seen through the transparent heat seal layer 110H and the transparent glassine paper 100 constituting the packaging substrate 10 (there is internal visibility). For example, the type, quantity, color, pattern, shape (for example, the presence or absence of embossing) of the sanitary tissue product 2 can be confirmed from the outside of the package 1 (refer to Fig. 1). (2) Since the glassine paper has a high air permeability, the sanitary tissue product 2, which is the object to be packaged in the packaging substrate 10, is less likely to be affected by external moisture.

[0060] [Parchment paper] "Parchment paper" is a transparent paper in which some of the cellulose fibers in the base paper have changed into amorphous amyloid, and can be obtained by treating the base paper mainly composed of cellulose fibers with acids such as sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, formic acid, and acetic acid. For example, parchment paper can be made by a series of steps including immersing the base paper in sulfuric acid, repeating neutralization and / or washing with water, and drying. The immersion time cannot be generally limited, but can be appropriately adjusted in consideration of the thickness, density, sizing degree, washing ability, drying ability, etc. of the base paper.

[0061] By immersing the base paper composed of pulp fibers made of cellulose in sulfuric acid, cellulose swells, hydrolyzes, and dissolves. The dissolved cellulose becomes a viscous and semi-transparent gelatinous substance, covers the surface of the base paper, strongly binds between the fibers, fills the pores and voids in the paper layer, and forms a very dense paper layer structure. As a result, the diffuse reflection of light within the paper layer is reduced, and transparency is promoted.

[0062] The gelatinous substance generated by the hydrolysis of cellulose stops the hydrolysis reaction through the neutralization and / or washing process with water and becomes hydrated cellulose. Therefore, due to the cellulose with the same composition as the base paper chemically closing the voids in the paper, the transparency is improved, and the minute white speck unevenness presumably caused by the texture or the voids in the base paper layer is reduced, and as a result, a base paper with uniform transparency without unevenness can be obtained.

[0063] It is also possible to make the paper more transparent by incorporating microfibrillated cellulose with an average fiber width of 2 to 50 nm obtained by chemically treating or defibrating the lignocellulosic raw material in the pulp used.

[0064] [Function and Effect of the Aspect of Using Parchment Paper] By using parchment paper as the paper substrate 100 of the packaging substrate 10, an internal visible effect can be achieved in the same manner as when glassine paper is used. That is, in the appearance of the package 1, in the unsealed portion and in the non-printing area nG, the sanitary tissue product 2 packaged in the package 1 can be easily seen through the transparent heat-sealing layer 110H and the transparent parchment paper 100 of the packaging substrate 10 and discriminated. For example, the type, quantity, color, pattern, shape (for example, the presence or absence of embossing) of the sanitary tissue product 2 can be confirmed from the outside of the package 1 (see FIG. 1).

[0065] [One-sided glossy paper] In one aspect of the present embodiment, the paper substrate 100 may be one-sided glossy paper. One-sided glossy paper is paper with enhanced smoothness and gloss on one side, having a relatively smooth and slippery glossy surface (high-smoothness surface) and a relatively rough and dull non-glossy surface (low-smoothness surface).

[0066] One-sided glossy paper can be manufactured by papermaking in a paper machine equipped with a Yankee dryer with a mirror finish when papermaking from pulp raw materials, and pressing and drying wet paper against the surface of the Yankee dryer with a mirror finish. The smoothness and gloss of the surface in contact with the Yankee dryer are higher than those of the surface not in contact with the Yankee dryer. In this way, a paper substrate (one-sided glossy paper) 100 having a glossy surface and a non-glossy surface can be manufactured.

[0067] In other papers such as fine paper, calendering treatment (pressing and / or heat treatment from both sides) is usually performed to improve the smoothness of both sides. In one-sided glossy paper, in order to obtain a difference in smoothness between the front and back, calendering treatment is not performed or the conditions are mild. Therefore, in one-sided glossy paper, the fiber-to-fiber bond in the base paper is relatively difficult to be broken, and as a result, paper with relatively high paper strength can be obtained.

[0068] [Smoothness] The smoothness of the glossy side and the non-glossy side of the single-sided glossy paper can be measured, for example, in accordance with JIS P 8155:2010. In the present embodiment, the smoothness measured in accordance with JIS P 8155:2010 for the glossy side of the single-sided glossy paper is preferably 210 seconds or more and 310 seconds or less. Also, the smoothness measured in accordance with JIS P 8155:2010 for the non-glossy side of the single-sided glossy paper is preferably 16 seconds or more and 26 seconds or less.

[0069] [Function and effect of the embodiment using single-sided glossy paper] From the viewpoint of printability, it is preferable that the glossy side with high smoothness is the first surface 101 of the paper base material 100 which is the surface for providing the printing layer G.

[0070] When the smoothness of the surface for providing the printing layer G is high, due to the minute surface irregularities, the reproducibility of the plate is high. In the case of a surface with low smoothness, the surface irregularities are prominent and there is a tendency that the fibers of the paper base material 100 absorb the ink excessively and the color development of the ink is likely to deteriorate. On the other hand, in the case of a surface with high smoothness, due to the minute surface irregularities, such a phenomenon is prevented, it is easy to form a uniform ink layer, and bleeding and unevenness are less likely to occur. Also, since a surface with high smoothness is less likely to disperse incident light, it has gloss, and when printing is performed, high-quality printing with vivid color development and good appearance can be obtained. Therefore, the first surface 101 of the paper base material 100 of the packaging base material 10 for forming the printing layer G preferably has a certain degree of high smoothness and is preferably a glossy side.

[0071] Paper with large surface unevenness and significant front-back difference like single-sided glossy paper is manufactured under mild calendar processing conditions compared to paper with both sides being glossy even when calendar processing is applied to the base paper to obtain such front-back difference. Therefore, the fiber-to-fiber bonding of the pulp fibers contained in the base paper is relatively difficult to be broken, and as a result, paper with relatively high paper strength can be obtained. Thus, in the aspect of using single-sided glossy paper for the paper base material 100, compared with the aspect of using paper with both sides being glossy such as high-quality paper for the paper base material 100, the strength of the paper base material 100, and thus the packaging base material 10, is higher. When using this for the package 1, when carrying the package, a phenomenon such as the packaging base material 10 breaking from the part where finger pressure is applied due to the weight of the package when picking up the package is less likely to occur.

[0072] [Pure white paper] In one aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, the paper base material 100 may be pure white paper. Pure white paper is a type of the above-mentioned single-sided glossy paper, which is manufactured using pulp with a high whiteness such as bleached pulp and has a high whiteness.

[0073] [Whiteness] The whiteness of pure white paper is preferably 80% or more, and more preferably 90% or more. The whiteness can be measured in accordance with JIS P8148:2005 (ISO2470).

[0074] [Advantages and effects of the aspect using pure white paper] The aspect of using pure white paper for the paper base material 100 can exhibit the effect that, in addition to the advantages and effects described in the item of the above-mentioned single-sided glossy paper, due to its high whiteness, the background of the printing layer G becomes white and the visibility of the printing layer G is improved.

[0075] [Packaging form and manufacturing method of the package] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a non-limiting example of a packaging form applicable to the package 1 according to the first embodiment and a manufacturing method of the package 1 will be described.

[0076] FIG. 2 is a schematic development view of the packaging base material 10 constituting the package 1 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2(a) is a plan view of the packaging base material 10 as viewed from the first surface 101 side of the paper base material 100, and FIG. 2(b) is a plan view of the packaging base material 10 as viewed from the second surface 102 side of the paper base material 100. In this example, the packaging base material 10 is a rectangle OPQR.

[0077] A heat sealant (adhesive) for sealing the package 1 is applied to the packaging base material 10. Referring to FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b), in the figure, the heat sealant is applied to the region indicated by hatching (the entire surface of the first surface 101 of the paper base material 100), whereby a heat seal layer 110H (see FIG. 3(a)) is formed on the entire surface of the first surface 101 of the paper base material 100 of the packaging base material 10.

[0078] In the example shown in FIG. 1, for the packaging of the package 1, a packaging form called the so-called caramel packaging form, which is known in individual packaging of soft candies such as caramel and packaging of boxed cigarettes, etc., is adopted.

[0079] The package 1 in the caramel packaging form shown in FIG. 1 can be manufactured, for example, through the following steps.

[0080] (Step 1) Prepare a rectangular OPQR packaging base material 10 in which a heat sealant for sealing the package 1 is applied to a predetermined region (the region indicated by hatching in the figure) of the packaging base material 10 to form a heat seal layer 110H.

[0081] In the example of FIG. 2, the MD direction of the packaging base material 10, and thus the MD direction of the paper base material 100, is made to coincide with the Y direction in the figure. However, in this embodiment, the direction in which the packaging base material 10 (paper base material 100) is used is not limited to this. The direction in which the packaging base material 10 (paper base material 100) is used may be determined according to the fiber orientation of the paper from the viewpoints of processing suitability (ease of bending, strength against bending), posture and strength (ease of breakage) of the package 1 when it is formed into the package 1, etc.

[0082] Step (2): A step of disposing the sanitary tissue product (two roll-shaped kitchen paper rolls) 2, which is an object to be packaged, on the second surface 102 of the paper base material 100 of the packaging base material 10 shown in FIG. 2(b) such that the axial direction of the roll coincides with the direction indicated by the arrow Y in FIG. 2(b).

[0083] Step (3): A step of enclosing the object to be packaged 2 with the packaging base material 10 such that the first surface 101 of the paper base material 100 becomes the outer surface, and overlapping both side end portions of the packaging base material 10 and packaging them in a cylindrical shape.

[0084] By this step (3), the portion indicated by the rectangle OPP1O1 in the heat seal layer 110H shown in FIG. 2(a) and the portion indicated by the rectangle R1Q1QR of the paper base material 100 shown in FIG. 2(b) are overlapped so as to be in contact with each other. As a result, both side end portions of the packaging base material 10 are joined and sealed via the heat seal layer 110H provided on the first surface 101 such that the first surface 101 and the second surface 102 of the paper base material 100 are in contact with each other.

[0085] Hereinafter, the bonding method of bonding the different surfaces 101 and 102 of the paper base material 100 in contact with each other in this way is also referred to as "overlap bonding" in this specification. FIG. 3(c) is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of the sealed portion 12S (see FIG. 1(b)) of the package 1 sealed by overlap bonding in this way in the sealed portion 12 of the package 1. In the figure, the double arrow T indicates the thickness direction of the packaging base material 10.

[0086] Step (4): Next, at each of the both end portions where the cylindrical package formed in step (3) is open, the portions of the packaging base material 10 protruding from the peripheral surface of the sanitary tissue product 2 are folded together so that two pairs of opposing flap-shaped portions are formed, and are joined along the end surface of the sanitary tissue product 2 to enclose the sanitary tissue product 2.

[0087] In FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b), the upper and lower end regions of the packaging base material 10 shown by the rectangles OO2R2R and P2PQQ2 are folded along the mountain fold line UFL (broken line) and the valley fold line DFL (dashed-dotted line) in the figure, and flap-like portions are formed. Through the heat-sealing layer 110H provided on the first surface 101 of the paper base material 100, the flap-like portions are joined along the upper and lower end faces of the package 1, whereby the state shown in FIG. 1 is obtained.

[0088] FIG. 3(d) shows a schematic partial cross-sectional view of the sealing portion 12T at the upper end of the packaging base material 10 joined and sealed in this way. Although not shown, similar joining and sealing are also performed at the sealing portion 12B at the lower end of the packaging base material 10.

[0089] Thus, at the upper and lower ends of the packaging base material 10, mainly, the first surfaces 101 of the paper base material 100 are joined and sealed through the respective heat-sealing layers 110H so as to face each other. Hereinafter, the joining method of making the same surfaces of the paper base material 100 face each other and bonding them in this way shall also be referred to as "palm bonding" in this specification.

[0090] In this specification, the "upper and lower ends" of the packaging base material 10 and the "upper and lower end faces" of the package 1 refer to both ends in the Y direction indicated by the arrow Y in the figure, and the "(both) side ends" of the packaging base material 10 refer to the (both) ends of the winding of the packaging base material 10 in a direction intersecting the Y direction, such as the X direction indicated by the arrow X in FIG. 2.

[0091] In the present embodiment in which the heat-sealing layer 110H is provided on the outer surface side of the package 1, both overlapping seal bonding and palm seal bonding are performed by the above steps. As a result, the package 1 has a sealing portion 12S (first sealing portion) in which both side ends of the packaging base material 10 are overlapped and joined so that the first surface 101 and the second surface 102 of the paper base material 100 face each other, and sealing portions 12T and 12B (second sealing portions) in which each of the upper and lower end portions of the packaging base material 10 is folded and joined mainly with the first surfaces 101 facing each other, and is sealed by the sealing portion 12.

[0092] In the manufacturing process exemplified above, the packaging base material 10 cut into a rectangle of a predetermined size in plan view in advance was prepared to form one package 1, but the manufacturing method of the package 1 is not limited to this. For example, the packaging base material 10 may be prepared in the form of a long continuous sheet, and in a subsequent step, the sanitary tissue product 2 may be disposed on the packaging base material 10 and / or after the disposal, the packaging base material 10 may be cut to form the package 1.

[0093] [Operational Effects of the First Embodiment] The first embodiment of the present invention is a package 1 in which a sanitary tissue product 2 is packaged with a packaging base material 10. The packaging base material 10 includes a paper base material 100 having a first surface 101 and a second surface, a transparent heat seal layer 110H covering the entire first surface 101 of the paper base material 100, and a printing layer G between the paper base material 100 and the heat seal layer 110H. The packaging base material 10 packages the sanitary tissue product 2 such that the first surface 101 of the paper base material 100 faces the outer surface side of the package 1. The package 1 has a sealed portion 12 (12S, 12T, 12B) where the paper base material 100 is joined via the heat seal layer 110H and an unsealed portion. In the appearance of the package 1, the printing layer G in the region of the unsealed portion is optically recognizable through the heat seal layer 110H.

[0094] In the first embodiment, since the packaging base material 10 packages the sanitary tissue product 2 such that the first surface 101 of the paper base material 100 faces the outer surface side of the package 1, the printing layer G is on the outer surface side of the package 1 rather than the paper base material 100, and the heat seal layer 110H is on the outer surface side of the package 1 rather than the printing layer G. Since the heat seal layer 110H is transparent in this embodiment, in the appearance of the package 1, the printing layer G is optically recognizable through the heat seal layer 110H.

[0095] Also, since the printing layer G is located on the outer surface side of the package 1 rather than the paper base material 100, when viewed from the outside of the package 1, in the unsealed portion of the package 1, the printing layer G will not become invisible due to being covered by the paper base material 100. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the paper base material 100 may be transparent or opaque, and various paper base materials can be applied.

[0096] Also, the printing layer G is located between the paper base material 100 and the heat seal layer 110H that covers the entire first surface 101 of the paper base material 100, and is sandwiched and covered from both sides by the paper base material 100 and the heat seal layer 110H.

[0097] Therefore, during the manufacturing process of the package 1 that wraps the sanitary tissue product 2 with the packaging base material 10, during the transportation of the package 1, etc., when the packaging base material 10 is processed by hand or equipment or the package 1 is carried, or when multiple packages 1 collide with each other, etc., for external stimuli from the outside of the package 1 to the packaging base material 10, the printing layer G is protected by the heat seal layer 110H, and rubbing or peeling of the ink forming the printing layer G is less likely to occur.

[0098] Also, for external stimuli from the inside of the package 1 to the packaging base material 10, such as when the sanitary tissue product 2 (for example, the corner of the box of the boxed sanitary tissue product), which is the content of the package 1, hits the packaging base material 10, the printing layer G is protected by the paper base material 100, and rubbing or peeling of the ink forming the printing layer G is prevented.

[0099] Also, within the above-described laminated structure, even if peeling or the like of the ink forming the printing layer G occurs, the presence of the paper base material 100 and the heat seal layer 110H that sandwich and cover the printing layer G from both sides can prevent the peeled ink from detaching (peeling off) from the predetermined position of the printing layer G.

[0100] Therefore, according to the present embodiment, without separately providing a coat layer for a printing layer as in the prior art, the heat-sealing layer 110H that replaces it can protect the printing layer G of the packaging base material 10 against external stimuli with a simple configuration and at low cost, and can achieve a special effect of preventing deterioration of the printed display applied to the package 1.

[0101] Further, in the packaging base material 10 according to the present invention, the heat-sealing layer 110H covers the entire first surface 101 of the paper base material 100, and this first surface 101 faces the outer surface side of the package 1. According to this configuration, for example, in a packaging form such as caramel packaging, it is possible to seal the package 1 by joining the paper base material 100 through the heat-sealing layer 110H. Therefore, it is not necessary to separately provide an adhesive layer for sealing other than the heat-sealing layer 110H, or the amount of additional adhesive used for sealing can be reduced. As a result, the configuration can also be simplified with respect to sealing, leading to a reduction in the number of steps for manufacturing the package 1 and a reduction in the types and amounts of raw materials, thereby reducing costs.

[0102] Furthermore, in one aspect where a transparent paper base material such as glassine paper or parchment paper is applied to the paper base material 100, in the non-sealed area of the appearance of the package 1, in the non-printing area nG where the printing layer G does not exist, the sanitary tissue paper product 2, which is the packaged item of the package 1, can be seen through the transparent heat-sealing layer 110H and the transparent paper base material 100. As a result, the type, color, pattern, shape (for example, the presence or absence of embossing and pattern) of the sanitary tissue paper product 2 can be confirmed from the outside of the package 1 without opening the package 1.

[0103] In one aspect where a paper base material having a glossy surface and a non-glossy surface such as single-sided glossy paper is applied to the paper base material 100, due to the paper strength resulting from its manufacturing method, compared with a paper base material having glossy surfaces on both sides, the packaging base material 10 can have the effect of being less likely to tear. Also, by making the glossy surface the surface on which the printing layer G is provided, a high-quality printing layer can be obtained.

[0104] In one embodiment in which an opaque and highly white paper substrate such as pure white paper is applied to the paper substrate 100, the background of the printing layer G becomes white, and the visibility of the printing layer is improved.

[0105] <Second Embodiment> Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a package of a sanitary tissue product according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Unless otherwise specified, the configurations applicable to the first embodiment and their descriptions are applicable to this embodiment.

[0106] FIG. 4(a) is a schematic perspective view of a package of a sanitary tissue product according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4(b) is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line IVb-IVb of the package 1 shown in FIG. 4(a), and illustration of the sanitary tissue product 2 which is the object to be packaged is omitted. Further, FIG. 4(c) is a schematic enlarged view of a portion indicated by reference numeral IVc in FIG. 4(b).

[0107] [Package] Referring to FIG. 4(a), in the second embodiment, the package 1 includes a sanitary tissue product 2 and a packaging substrate 10 for packaging the sanitary tissue product 2. The package 1 has a sealed portion 12 (12S, 12T, 12B) sealed by joining of the packaging substrate 10 and an unsealed portion. The package 1 includes a printing layer G that displays a combination of characters, symbols, figures, patterns, or any combination thereof for decoration and / or imparting distinctiveness that is optically recognizable in the appearance of the package 1.

[0108] [Sanitary Tissue Product] In the example shown in FIG. 4(a), the sanitary tissue paper product 2 is a laminated sanitary tissue paper product. Specifically, it is a laminate of a plurality of hand towel sheets that are alternately folded in a pop-up manner. In this example, the package 1 may have, for example, on the surface that becomes the bottom surface of the package 1 in FIG. 4(a), a perforation (not shown) that serves as an opening for pulling out the hand towel sheet in a pop-up manner when the package is opened, for example, extending in the Y direction along the sealing portion 12S of the package 1. Note that the sanitary tissue paper product applicable to this embodiment is not limited to this, and any sanitary tissue paper product described in the first embodiment can be applied.

[0109] [Packaging substrate] Referring to FIG. 3(a), the layer structure of the packaging substrate 10 according to the second embodiment is the same as the layer structure of the packaging substrate 10 in the first embodiment, and includes a paper substrate 100 having a first surface 101 and a second surface 102, a heat-sealing layer 110H covering the entire surface of the first surface 101 of the paper substrate 100, and a printing layer G between the paper substrate 100 and the heat-sealing layer 110H. Although the heat-sealing layer 110H in the first embodiment must be transparent, the heat-sealing layer 110H in the second embodiment may be transparent or opaque.

[0110] In the sealing portions 12 (12S, 12T, 12B) of the package 1 shown in FIG. 4(a), the paper substrate 100 is joined by heat-sealing (heat fusion) through the heat-sealing layer 110H.

[0111] [Packaging form] In the first embodiment, the packaging substrate 10 packages the sanitary tissue paper product 2 such that the first surface 101 of the paper substrate 100 faces the outer surface side of the package 1 and the second surface 102 of the paper substrate 100 faces the inner side of the package 1. In contrast, in the second embodiment, the packaging substrate 10 is characterized in that it packages the sanitary tissue paper product 2 such that the first surface 101 of the paper substrate 100 faces the inner side of the package 1 and the second surface 102 of the paper substrate 100 faces the outer surface side of the package 1.

[0112] Therefore, as shown in the cross-sectional view of (b) in FIG. 4, in the package 1 according to the present embodiment, the printing layer G is located on the inner side of the package 1 rather than the paper base material 100. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the paper base material 100 is characterized by being transparent so that the printing layer G can be optically recognized in the appearance of the package 1.

[0113] [Paper base material] For the paper base material 100, a transparent paper such as glassine paper or parchment paper can be applied, for example.

[0114] The higher the transparency of the paper base material 100, the clearer the printing of the printing layer G can be recognized in the appearance of the package 1. When the transparency of the paper base material 100 is low, a unique texture like seeing through ground glass can be imparted to the printing of the printing layer G in the appearance of the package 1.

[0115] From the viewpoint of the visibility of the printing layer G, the transparency of the transparent paper preferably applied in the present embodiment, measured according to ISO5-2, is 65% or more, more preferably 75% or more, and still more preferably 78% or more.

[0116] On the other hand, as shown in the cross-sectional view of (b) in FIG. 4, in the package 1 according to the present embodiment, the printing layer G is located on the outer surface side of the package 1 rather than the heat seal layer 110H. Therefore, in the present embodiment, since the heat seal layer 110H is located on the inner side of the package 1 rather than the printing layer G, there is no influence on the optical recognizability of the printing layer G due to the heat seal layer 110H covering the printing layer G in the appearance of the package 1. Therefore, as described above, in the present embodiment, the heat seal layer 110H may be transparent or opaque.

[0117] In one aspect of the present embodiment where the heat seal layer 110H is transparent, in the appearance of the package 1, in the region of the non-sealed portion, particularly in the non-printed area nG where the printing layer G is not provided, the sanitary tissue product 2 packaged in the package 1 can be easily seen through and discriminated through the paper base material 100 and the heat seal layer 110H (there is internal visibility). For example, the type, quantity, color, pattern, shape (for example, the presence or absence of embossing) of the sanitary tissue product 2 can be confirmed from the outside of the package 1 (see (a) of FIG. 4).

[0118] In order to provide such internal visibility, the transparency of the packaging base material 10 measured in accordance with ISO 5-2 is preferably 65% or more, more preferably 70% or more, and still more preferably 75% or more. Further, the transparency of the packaging base material 10 containing such transparent paper as the paper base material 100 is preferably 60% or more, more preferably 70% or more, and still more preferably 73% or more.

[0119] [Printing layer] As described above, in the package 1 according to the present embodiment, the printing layer G is located inside the package 1 rather than the paper base material 100 (see (b) of FIG. 4). Therefore, in the present embodiment, in order to display the decoration of the printing layer G and / or the combination of characters, symbols, figures, patterns, or any combination thereof for imparting distinctiveness in the intended manner in the appearance of the package 1, the orientation is reversed and printed on the first surface 101 of the paper base material 100.

[0120] [Method for manufacturing a package] Examples of the packaging form of the package 1 according to the present embodiment include packaging forms known as pillow packaging and gusset packaging.

[0121] Pillow packaging means that the article to be packaged (sanitary tissue product 2) placed on one surface of the sheet-like packaging base material 10 is wrapped cylindrically. The packaging base material 10 is overlapped with its inner surfaces at both end portions in the width direction, and the overlapped portion is heat-sealed or the like (that is, lap pasted) to form a cylindrical shape. The upper and lower end portions (both end portions in the length direction) are heat-sealed or the like in a horizontal line (that is, lap pasted and sealed) according to the length of the bag (the length corresponding to the length in the Y direction of the package 1 in Fig. 4), and the package 1 is cut one by one (for each bag) at the sealed portion. This is a packaging form. As a modification, a rectangular sheet-like packaging base material 10 of a predetermined size may be prepared in advance, and the packages 1 may be individually manufactured one by one. Pillow packaging can be performed using known devices. Examples of known devices include folding, sealing, and cutting devices, etc.

[0122] Gusset packaging means that the article to be packaged (sanitary tissue product 2) placed on one surface of the sheet-like packaging base material 10 is wrapped cylindrically. The packaging base material 10 is overlapped with its inner surfaces at both end portions in the width direction, and the overlapped portion is heat-sealed or the like (that is, lap pasted) to form a cylindrical shape. The upper and lower end portions (both end portions in the length direction) are woven in according to the length of the bag and heat-sealed or the like in a horizontal line (that is, lap pasted and sealed), and the packages are cut one bag at a time at the sealed portion. This is a packaging form. As a modification, a rectangular sheet-like packaging base material 10 of a predetermined size may be prepared in advance, and the packages 1 may be individually manufactured one bag at a time. Gusset packaging can be performed using known devices. Examples of known devices include folding, sealing, and cutting devices, etc.

[0123] In the example shown in Fig. 4, the package 1 is manufactured by the pillow packaging form, and can be manufactured, for example, through the following steps.

[0124] (Step 1) A step of continuously conveying, in the form of a continuous sheet, a packaging substrate 10 from the upstream in the conveying direction, on which a printing layer G is printed and formed on a first surface 101 of a paper substrate 100, and a heat-sealing agent for sealing the package 1 is applied over the entire surface of the first surface 101 of the paper substrate 100 of the packaging substrate 10 so as to cover the printing layer G, thereby forming a heat-sealing layer 110H.

[0125] (Step 2) A step of arranging a laminated sanitary tissue product 2, which is an object to be packaged, on the first surface 101 of the paper substrate 100 of the packaging substrate 10 such that its longitudinal direction coincides with the conveying direction of the packaging substrate 10 (i.e., the MD direction of the packaging substrate 10).

[0126] (Step 3) A step of enclosing the object to be packaged 2 with the packaging substrate 10 such that the second surface 102 of the paper substrate 100 becomes the outer surface, overlapping both side ends of the packaging substrate 10 (i.e., both ends in the CD direction of the packaging substrate 10) so that the first surfaces 101 of the paper substrate 100 face each other, and performing a heat-sealing treatment on the overlapped portion to package it in a cylindrical shape (see (b) of FIG. 4).

[0127] By this step 3, both side ends of the packaging substrate 10 are joined and sealed via the heat-sealing layer 110H provided on the first surface 101 by a butting bond such that the first surfaces 101 of the paper substrate 100 face each other (see the sealing portion 12S in (c) of FIG. 4).

[0128] (Step 4) Next, in the cylindrical package formed by step 3, the portions of the packaging substrate 10 protruding from the peripheral surface of the object to be packaged 2 are woven into both ends (the upper end portion and the lower end portion) in accordance with the desired length of the package 1 in the conveying direction (corresponding to the length in the Y direction in the completed package 1 shown in (a) of FIG. 4), and heat-sealed and joined in a single row along the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction (the CD direction of the packaging substrate 10) and cut to form a package 1 enclosing the object to be packaged 2.

[0129] In this step 4, both ends of the packaging base material 10 are joined and sealed through the heat-sealing layer 110H provided on the first surface 101 of the paper base material 100 such that the first surfaces 101 of the paper base material 100 are in contact with each other, as shown as the sealing portions 12 (12T, 12B) in Fig. 4(a).

[0130] Through the above manufacturing process, the package 1 according to the present embodiment as shown in Fig. 4(a) can be manufactured. In the present embodiment in which the heat-sealing layer 110H is provided inside the package 1, for sealing, lap sealing can be performed. As a result, the sealing portion 12 of the package 1 includes a sealing portion 12S (first sealing portion) in which both side ends of the packaging base material 10 are overlapped and joined such that the first surfaces 101 of the paper base material 100 are in contact with each other, and sealing portions 12T, 12B (second sealing portions) in which the upper and lower ends of the packaging base material 10 are overlapped and joined mainly such that the first surfaces 101 are in contact with each other.

[0131] In the manufacturing process exemplified above, cutting for individual separation is performed together with the sealing of the package 1, but it is not necessarily required to perform the sealing and cutting simultaneously, and the cutting may be performed separately before or after the sealing. For example, in the above example, the packaging base material 10 is prepared in the form of a long continuous sheet in step 1, and then in a subsequent step, after the object to be packaged 2 is arranged, the packaging base material 10 is cut. However, the packaging base material 10 that has been previously cut into a rectangle of a predetermined size in plan view may be prepared, and the packages 1 may be individually formed one by one without the need for a subsequent cutting process.

[0132] In the manufacturing process exemplified above, the MD direction of the packaging base material 10 is made to coincide with the length direction (Y direction in the figure) of the package 1, and the CD direction of the packaging base material 10 is made to coincide with the circumferential direction of the package 1 that encloses the object to be packaged 2. However, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to this. For example, a configuration in which the CD direction of the packaging base material 10 coincides with the length direction of the package 1 and the MD direction of the packaging base material 10 coincides with the circumferential direction of the package 1 that encloses the object to be packaged 2 is also within the scope of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0133] The paper base material 100 included in the packaging base material 10 generally exhibits higher paper strength (mechanical strength) in the MD direction than in the CD direction due to the orientation of pulp fibers resulting from the manufacturing method. Therefore, the packaging base material 10 including the paper base material 100 also exhibits higher paper strength (mechanical strength) in the MD direction than in the CD direction.

[0134] From the perspective of the strength of the packaging base material 10 against bending during the manufacture of the package 1, and from the perspective of the strength of the packaging base material 10 against breakage due to the posture and weight of the package 1 when carrying the package 1, etc., the desired paper strength of the packaging base material 10 may be determined.

[0135] From the perspective of the strength of the packaging base material 10 against bending during the manufacture of the package 1, for example, in a configuration where the packaging base material 10 is used such that the CD direction of the packaging base material 10 coincides with the circumferential direction of the package 1 that encloses the object to be packaged 2, it is preferable to use a packaging base material 10 having an ISO folding endurance of 50 or more and 1500 or less times in the CD direction, or a bending stiffness of 8 μN·m or more and 145 μN·m or less in the CD direction.

[0136] Also, for example, in a configuration where the packaging base material 10 is used such that the MD direction of the packaging base material 10 coincides with the circumferential direction of the package 1 that encloses the object to be packaged 2, it is preferable to use a packaging base material 10 having an ISO folding endurance of 200 or more and 1200 or less times in the MD direction, or a bending stiffness of 20 μN·m or more and 330 μN·m or less in the MD direction.

[0137] If it is within the range of the folding endurance or bending stiffness as described above, it is possible to suppress the phenomenon that the packaging base material 10 is torn or easily torn by bending in the manufacturing process of the package 1.

[0138] [Folding endurance] The ISO folding endurance in the MD direction and CD direction of the packaging base material 10 can be measured and calculated in accordance with the folding strength test method of JIS P 8115.

[0139] [Bending stiffness] The bending resistance in the MD direction and the CD direction of the packaging substrate 10 can be measured using a bending tester such as an L&W Bending Tester (manufactured by Lorentzen & Wettre) in accordance with the method described in ISO 2493. The bending resistance (μN·m) is determined by the following calculation formula (I), where the measured value when the bending angle is 15 degrees and the bending length (span of the specimen stage) is 10 mm for a test piece of the packaging substrate 10 with a width of 38 mm and a length of 100 mm is taken as the bending resistance (load).

[0140] Bending resistance (μN·m) = 60 × Bending resistance (mN) × Bending length 10 (mm) 2 ÷ (π × Bending angle 15 (°) × Sample width 38 (mm)) ···(I)

[0141] When the MD direction of the packaging substrate 10 is the length direction of the test piece, the bending resistance is the bending resistance in the MD direction of the packaging substrate 10, and when the CD direction of the packaging substrate 10 is the length direction of the test piece, the bending resistance is the bending resistance in the CD direction of the packaging substrate 10. When a test piece with a length of 100 mm cannot be collected, the length of the test piece can be shortened.

[0142] [Operation and Effect of the Second Embodiment] The second embodiment of the present invention is a package 1 in which a sanitary tissue product 2 is packaged with a packaging substrate 10. The packaging substrate 10 includes a transparent paper substrate 100 having a first surface 101 and a second surface 102, a heat-sealing layer 110H covering the entire first surface 101 of the paper substrate 100, and a printing layer G between the paper substrate 100 and the heat-sealing layer 110H. The packaging substrate 10 packages the sanitary tissue product 2 such that the second surface 102 of the paper substrate 100 faces the outer surface side of the package 1. The package 1 has a sealed portion 12 (12S, 12T, 12B) where the paper substrate 100 is joined via the heat-sealing layer 110H and an unsealed portion. In the appearance of the package 1, the printing layer G in the region of the unsealed portion is optically recognizable through the transparent paper substrate 100.

[0143] In the second embodiment, the printing layer G is positioned between the paper base material 100 and the heat-sealing layer 110H that covers the entire first surface 101 of the paper base material 100, and is sandwiched and covered from both sides by the paper base material 100 and the heat-sealing layer 110H. Also, in the package 1, the printing layer G is located on the inner surface side of the package 1 rather than the paper base material 100.

[0144] Therefore, in the manufacturing process of the package 1 for packaging the sanitary tissue paper 2 with the packaging base material 10, when transporting the package 1, etc., when the packaging base material 10 is processed by hand or a device or the package 1 is carried, or when a plurality of packages 1 collide with each other, etc., for external stimuli from the outside of the package 1 to the packaging base material 10, the printing layer G is protected by the paper base material 100, and rubbing or peeling of the ink forming the printing layer G is less likely to occur.

[0145] Also, for external stimuli from the inside of the package 1 to the packaging base material 10, such as when the sanitary tissue paper product 2, which is the content of the package 1, comes into contact with the packaging base material 10, the printing layer G is protected by the heat-sealing layer 110H, and rubbing or peeling of the ink forming the printing layer G is prevented.

[0146] Also, even when peeling or the like of the ink forming the printing layer G occurs within the above-described laminated structure, due to the presence of the paper base material 100 and the heat-sealing layer 110H that sandwich and cover the printing layer G from both sides, detachment (peeling off) of the peeled ink from a predetermined position of the printing layer G can be prevented.

[0147] Therefore, according to the present embodiment, without separately providing a coat layer for the printing layer as in the prior art, the heat-sealing layer 110H that replaces it can protect the printing layer G of the packaging base material 10 against external stimuli with a simple structure and at low cost, and can achieve a special effect of preventing deterioration of the printed display applied to the package 1.

[0148] In addition, in the packaging base material 10 according to the present invention, the heat-sealing layer 110H covers the entire first surface 101 of the paper base material 100. In the present embodiment, this first surface 101 faces the inside of the package 1. According to this configuration, for example, by a packaging form such as pillow packaging or gusset packaging, it becomes possible to seal the package 1 by joining the paper base material 100 through the heat-sealing layer 110H. Therefore, it is not necessary to separately provide an adhesive layer for sealing different from the heat-sealing layer 110H, or alternatively, the amount of additional adhesive used for sealing can be reduced. As a result, the configuration regarding sealing can also be simplified, leading to a reduction in the manufacturing process for the package 1 and a reduction in the types and amounts of raw materials, thereby reducing costs.

[0149] Furthermore, since the heat-sealing layer 110H is located inside the package 1 rather than the printing layer G, in the appearance of the package 1, there is no influence on the optical recognizability of the printing layer G due to the heat-sealing layer 110H covering the printing layer G. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the heat-sealing layer 110H may be transparent or opaque, and the range of material selection is widened.

[0150] In one aspect where the heat-sealing layer 110H is transparent, in the appearance of the package 1, in the region of the unsealed portion of the package 1 where the printing layer G does not exist, the sanitary tissue product 2, which is the packaged item of the package 1, can be seen through the transparent paper base material 100 and the transparent heat-sealing layer 110H. As a result, the type, color, pattern, shape (for example, the presence or absence of embossing and pattern) of the sanitary tissue product 2, etc., can be confirmed from the outside of the package 1 without opening the package 1.

[0151] In one aspect where the heat seal layer 110H is opaque, in the appearance of the package 1, the opaque heat seal layer 110H can be used as the background area of the printing layer G. That is, without separately printing and forming the layer that becomes the background area in the printing layer with ink, the heat seal layer 110H that replaces it can achieve a special effect of enabling a clear display of the printing layer G with a simple configuration and low cost. Also, in the appearance of the package 1, it is possible to prevent the sanitary tissue product 2, which is the packaged item of the package 1, from being seen through the transparent paper base material 100 in the area of the unsealed part of the package 1.

[0152] In one aspect where glassine paper is applied to the paper base material 100, since the glassine paper has a high air permeability, the sanitary tissue product 2, which is the packaged item packaged in the packaging base material 10, is less likely to be affected by external moisture.

[0153] <Third Embodiment> The third embodiment of the present invention is a modification of the first embodiment and the second embodiment. Unless otherwise specified, the configurations and their descriptions applicable to the first embodiment and the second embodiment are applicable to this embodiment.

[0154] Briefly, the third embodiment is characterized in that the packaging base material 10 has heat seal layers on both sides of the paper base material 100, and has a first aspect and a second aspect.

[0155] [First Aspect of the Third Embodiment] The first aspect of the present embodiment is a modification of the first embodiment. That is, the first aspect of the third embodiment is a package in which a sanitary tissue product is packaged with a packaging substrate, the packaging substrate including a paper substrate having a first surface and a second surface, a transparent first heat-sealing layer covering the entire first surface of the paper substrate, a printing layer between the paper substrate and the first heat-sealing layer, and a second heat-sealing layer covering the entire second surface of the paper substrate. The packaging substrate packages the sanitary tissue product such that the first surface of the paper substrate faces the outer surface side of the package. The package has a sealed portion where the paper substrate is joined via at least one of the first heat-sealing layer and the second heat-sealing layer, and an unsealed portion. In the appearance of the package, the printing layer in the region of the unsealed portion is optically recognizable through the first heat-sealing layer. It is a package of a sanitary tissue product characterized by this.

[0156] [Second Aspect of the Third Embodiment] The second aspect of the present embodiment is a modification of the second embodiment. That is, the second aspect of the third embodiment is a package in which a sanitary tissue product is packaged with a packaging substrate, the packaging substrate including a transparent paper substrate having a first surface and a second surface, a first heat-sealing layer covering the entire first surface of the paper substrate, a printing layer between the paper substrate and the first heat-sealing layer, and a transparent second heat-sealing layer covering the entire second surface of the paper substrate. The packaging substrate packages the sanitary tissue product such that the second surface of the paper substrate faces the outer surface side of the package. The package has a sealed portion where the paper substrate is joined via at least one of the first heat-sealing layer and the second heat-sealing layer, and an unsealed portion. In the appearance of the package, the printing layer in the region of the unsealed portion is optically recognizable through the second heat-sealing layer and the paper substrate. It is a package of a sanitary tissue product characterized by this.

[0157] [Packaging Substrate] (b) of FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the packaging substrate 10 according to the third embodiment. Compared with the layer configuration of the packaging substrate 10 according to the first and second embodiments shown in (a) of FIG. 3, this embodiment is different in that it also has a heat-sealing layer 120H on the second surface 102 of the paper substrate 100.

[0158] That is, referring to FIG. 3(b), the packaging base material 10 according to the third embodiment includes a paper base material 100 having a first surface 101 and a second surface 102, a first heat-sealing layer 110H covering the entire first surface 101 of the paper base material 100, a printing layer G between the paper base material 100 and the first heat-sealing layer 110H, and a second heat-sealing layer 120H covering the entire second surface 102 of the paper base material 100.

[0159] [Second heat-sealing layer] The material of the heat-sealing layer applicable to the second heat-sealing layer 120H, the method of forming the heat-sealing layer, the thickness of the heat-sealing layer, and whether it is transparent or opaque are the same as those of the heat-sealing layer applicable to the first heat-sealing layer 110H, including the material of the heat-sealing layer, the method of forming the heat-sealing layer, the thickness of the heat-sealing layer, and whether it is transparent or opaque, and the description here is omitted.

[0160] [Packaging form] In this embodiment, since the paper base material 100 has heat-sealing layers 110H and 120H on both of its surfaces, the degree of freedom in applicable packaging forms is high. That is, for sealing, either overlapping seal or clasp seal can be adopted, and as the packaging form of the package 1, the above-described caramel packaging method, pillow packaging method, gusset packaging method, and any combination of their characteristic parts can be adopted. Therefore, the sealing part 12 of the package 1 according to the third embodiment may include a sealing part through the first heat-sealing layer 110H, a sealing part through the first heat-sealing layer 110H and the second heat-sealing layer 120H, and a sealing part through the second heat-sealing layer 120H.

[0161] FIG. 5 shows a configuration example of the package 1 according to the first aspect of this embodiment, which is a modification of the first embodiment.

[0162] Fig. 5(a) is a schematic perspective view of a package of a sanitary tissue product according to the first aspect of the third embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5(b) is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line Vb-Vb of the package 1 shown in Fig. 5(a), and illustration of the sanitary tissue product 2 as the object to be packaged is omitted. Further, Fig. 5(c) is a schematic enlarged view of the portion indicated by reference numeral Vc in Fig. 5(b). Fig. 5(d) is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line Vd-Vd of the package 1 shown in Fig. 5(a), and Fig. 5(e) is a schematic enlarged view of the portion indicated by reference numeral Ve in Fig. 5(d).

[0163] [Package] Referring to Fig. 5(a), in the first aspect of the third embodiment, the package 1 includes a sanitary tissue product 2 and a packaging base material 10 for packaging the sanitary tissue product 2. The package 1 has a sealed portion 12 (12S, 12T, 12B) sealed by joining the packaging base material 10 and an unsealed portion. In the present embodiment, the package 1 includes a printing layer G that displays a combination of characters, symbols, figures, patterns, or any combination thereof for decoration and / or imparting distinctiveness that can be optically recognized in the appearance of the package 1.

[0164] [Sanitary tissue product] In the example shown in Fig. 5(a), the sanitary tissue product 2 is a roll-shaped sanitary tissue product. Specifically, a total of eight toilet rolls are stacked in 4×2 layers such that the axial direction of the toilet roll coincides with the height direction (the length direction indicated by arrow Y) of the package. Note that the sanitary tissue product applicable to the present embodiment is not limited to this, and any sanitary tissue product described in the first embodiment can be applied.

[0165] [Packaging form] Referring to Figs. 5(b) and 5(c), in this example, the packaging base material 10 is formed by laminating four sheets.

[0166] Each sheet of the packaging base material 10 is arranged such that the first surface 101 of the paper base material 100 faces the outer surface side of the package 1, and wraps and packages the sanitary tissue product 2. As shown in FIGS. 5(a) and 5(c), in the sealing portion 12S of the package 1, the sheets of adjacent packaging base materials 10 are joined via the heat-sealing layer 120H such that the second surfaces 102 of the paper base material 100, which face the inner surface side of the package 1, are in contact with each other (that is, they are sealed by overlapping and pasting).

[0167] Also, referring to FIGS. 5(a) and 5(d), in the sealing portion 12T of the package 1, four sheets are joined such that a pair of opposing sheets are folded to form a plate shape. In this example, a hole having dimensions that allow an average adult to hold it is formed in the center of the plate-shaped portion, and the plate-shaped portion functions as a handle. Note that such a hole for the handle is not an essential component in the present invention.

[0168] Referring to FIG. 5(e), in the sealing portion 12T, two outer sheets of the paper base material 100 that form both sides of the plate-shaped portion and the central sheet of the paper base material 100 sandwiched therebetween are joined via the heat-sealing layer 120H (that is, they are sealed by overlapping and pasting). Also, the central sheet of the paper base material 100 is joined via the heat-sealing layer 110H at the portion where it is folded and in contact (that is, they are sealed by overlapping and pasting).

[0169] As a result, the sheets of the paper base material 100 that form the plate-shaped portion are joined as a whole via both the heat-sealing layer 110H and the heat-sealing layer 120H, and the sealing portion 12T has an integral plate shape without separating.

[0170] [Operation and Effect of the Third Embodiment] In the first aspect of the third embodiment, in addition to the operation and effect of the first embodiment described above, further, since the packaging base material 10 has the heat-sealing layers 110H and 120H on both sides of the paper base material 100, sealing via one or both of the heat-sealing layers 110H and 120H becomes possible, and the range of applicable packaging forms is widened.

[0171] Also, the same applies to the second aspect of the third embodiment (not shown). In addition to the effects of the second embodiment described above, further, since the packaging base material 10 has heat-sealing layers 110H and 120H on both sides of the paper base material 100, sealing by heat-sealing through one or both of the heat-sealing layers 110H and 120H becomes possible, and the range of applicable packaging forms is widened.

[0172] More specifically, in this specification, as examples of the packaging forms of the package 1, a caramel packaging form involving overlapping seal, a pillow packaging form involving clasp seal, and a gusset packaging form have been given. However, in the third embodiment, it is not limited to these typical packaging forms, and there is an exceptional effect that other known packaging forms or packaging forms obtained by arbitrarily combining characteristic parts of those packaging forms can be applied.

[0173] For example, the sealing portion 12 of the package 1 may be an overlapping seal in which the first surface 101 and the second surface 102 of the paper base material 100 are joined through both the heat-sealing layer 110H and the heat-sealing layer 120H. Also, the sealing portion 12 of the package 1 may be a clasp seal in which the first surfaces 101 of the paper base material 100 are joined through the heat-sealing layers 110H. Also, the sealing portion 12 of the package 1 may be a clasp seal in which the second surfaces 102 of the paper base material 100 are joined through the heat-sealing layers 120H.

[0174] According to the present embodiment, in the sealing portion 12, both of the two surfaces of the paper base material 100 joined so as to be adjacent to each other are provided with the heat-sealing layer 110H or the heat-sealing layer 120H. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, joining through two heat-sealing layers becomes possible, the amount of the heat-sealing agent that can contribute to adhesion by heat-sealing is ensured, and sufficient heat-sealability (adhesiveness) for sealing the package 1 is easily obtained.

[0175] <Fourth Embodiment> FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the package 1 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. Unless otherwise specified, the configurations applicable to the above-described embodiments and the above explanations are applicable to this embodiment.

[0176] Referring to FIG. 6, the package 1 according to the fourth embodiment includes a package main body 1b and a belt-shaped handle 20 whose both ends are joined to the outer surface of the package main body 1b. The handle 20 includes a handle paper base material 200 and a handle heat seal layer 210H on the handle paper base material 200, and the handle 20 is joined to the outer surface of the package main body 1b via the handle heat seal layer 210H.

[0177] [Package main body] In this embodiment, as the package main body 1b, the packages 1 according to the above-described embodiments can be applied. Therefore, hereinafter, in this specification, the term "package main body 1b" and the term "package 1" may be used interchangeably.

[0178] In the example of FIG. 6, the package main body 1b is the package 1 adopting the caramel method described in the first embodiment. Referring to FIGS. 6(a) and 6(c), the packaging base material 10 of the package main body 1b includes a paper base material 100, a heat seal layer 110H covering the entire one surface of the paper base material 100, and a printing layer G between the paper base material 100 and the heat seal layer 110H.

[0179] The sanitary tissue product 2 packaged in the package main body 1b is, in this example, a tissue box (boxed laminated sanitary tissue product) in which a laminate of tissue papers is housed in a box, and five tissue boxes are stacked and packaged together in the package 1, but the present embodiment is not limited to this.

[0180] [Handle] As shown in FIG. 6(c), the handle 20 includes a handle paper base material 200 and a handle heat seal layer 210H on the handle paper base material 200. As shown in FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b), both ends of the handle 20 are joined to the outer surface of the package body 1b, and the central portion of the handle 20 is in a free state without being joined to the outer surface of the package body 1b so that it can be gripped by hand.

[0181] In this example, the package body 1b is the package 1 according to the first embodiment and has a first heat seal layer 110H on its outer surface. Therefore, the handle paper base material 200 is joined at the joint 22 via the paper base material 100 of the package 1, the handle heat seal layer 210H on the handle paper base material 200, and the heat seal layer 110H on the first surface 101 of the package 1.

[0182] In the present embodiment, as long as the handle heat seal layer 210H is provided in the region that becomes the joint 22, it may be provided only on a part of the handle paper base material 200 instead of the entire surface of the handle paper base material 200.

[0183] When the handle heat seal layer 210H is provided on the entire surface of the handle paper base material 200, there is an advantage that even if a misalignment occurs in attaching the handle 20 to the package body 1b in the manufacturing process of the package 1, a joining defect due to the absence of the handle heat seal layer 210H in the portion to be joined does not occur. Further, since the handle heat seal layer 210H is provided on the entire surface of the handle paper base material 200, a strength reinforcing effect can be obtained for the handle 20 as compared with the case where it is provided only on a part of the handle paper base material 200.

[0184] When the handle heat seal layer 210H is provided only on a part of the handle paper base material 200, the ratio of the handle heat seal layer 210H in the handle 20 becomes lower and the ratio of the handle paper base material 200 becomes higher as compared with the case where it is provided on the entire surface. Therefore, the effect of reducing the use of plastic in the handle 20 can be enhanced.

[0185] [Handle heat seal layer] The material of the heat-sealing layer applicable to the handle heat-sealing layer 210H, the method of forming the heat-sealing layer, and the thickness of the heat-sealing layer are the same as those of the heat-sealing layer applicable to the first heat-sealing layer 110H, and the description thereof is omitted here. The handle heat-sealing layer 210H may be transparent or opaque. A printing layer may be provided between the handle paper base material 200 and the handle heat-sealing layer 210H. In that case, at least one of the handle heat-sealing layer 210H and the handle paper base material 200 is made transparent.

[0186] [Handle paper base material] For the handle paper base material 200, various paper base materials can be used in the same manner as the paper base material 100 of the packaging base material 10 of the package 1.

[0187] It is preferable to use a pure white paper, which is a kind of single-sided glossy paper with a high whiteness, for the handle paper base material 200. By using pure white paper for the handle paper base material 200, there are, for example, the following advantages. (1) Since the paper strength of the handle paper base material 200 is strong, the handle 20 is not easily torn. (2) Since the glossy surface of the handle paper base material 200 has luster and a high whiteness, when printing is performed on the glossy surface, a printed matter with excellent color development and good appearance can be obtained. (3) Since the non-glossy surface of the handle paper base material 200 has many surface irregularities, by laminating the handle heat-sealing layer 210H on the non-glossy surface, an anchor effect is produced in which the material constituting the handle heat-sealing layer 210H enters the surface irregularities of the handle paper base material 200 and becomes a fitting state, and a high adhesive force is obtained between the handle paper base material 200 and the handle heat-sealing layer 210H. Therefore, when a tensile force is applied to the handle 20 during carrying the package 1 or the like, peeling between the handle paper base material 200 and the handle heat-sealing layer 210H is prevented.

[0188] [Effects of the Fourth Embodiment] The package 1 of this embodiment has a configuration including a handle 20. Without separately using an adhesive for the handle, the handle 20 can be attached to the package body 1b with a simple configuration and at low cost by a substitute handle heat-sealing layer 210H, and thus a special effect can be achieved.

[0189] In the example of FIG. 6, the package body 1b was the package 1 according to the first embodiment. However, the package 1 applicable to the package body 1b of this embodiment is not limited to this, and any of the packages 1 according to the above-described embodiments is applicable. That is, an aspect in which the outer surface of the package body 1b does not have a heat-sealing layer is also within the scope of this embodiment.

[0190] When the package body 1b is a package 1 having a heat-sealing layer 110H or 120H on the outer surface, such as in the first and second aspects of the first and third embodiments, the joining of the handle 20 and the package body 1b is performed not only through the heat-sealing layer 210H of the handle 20 but also through the respective heat-sealing layers (210H and 110H or 120H). Therefore, joining through two heat-sealing layers becomes possible, the amount of the heat-sealing agent that can contribute to adhesion by heat-sealing is ensured, and stronger heat-sealing properties (adhesiveness) for joining the handle 20 and the package body 1b can be easily obtained.

[0191] <Fifth Embodiment> Next, the fifth embodiment will be described. The fifth embodiment is a preferred aspect of the above-described embodiments. Unless otherwise specified, the configurations applicable to the above-described embodiments and the above explanations are applicable to this embodiment.

[0192] In this embodiment, the printing layer G is characterized by being formed by printing (coating) with an ink containing biomass ink. Examples of the biomass ink applicable to this embodiment are as described above in the first embodiment.

[0193] Specifically, in the present embodiment, for printing the printing layer G, ink using a biomass-derived component as part of the raw material of the resin component in the ink component is used. The resin component using the biomass-derived component is preferably contained in an amount of 10% by mass (dry weight ratio) or more in the ink component. That is, in the present embodiment, the printing layer G contains a component using a plant-derived raw material in an amount of 10% by mass or more in the solid content.

[0194] [Operation and Effect of the Fifth Embodiment] Since the package 1 of the sanitary tissue product according to the embodiment of the present invention includes the paper base material 100 as the packaging base material instead of the conventional plastic film, the generation of dioxin is suppressed during the incineration of the discarded packaging base material 10 after the opening of the package 1, and the environmental load is lower than that of the conventional package of the sanitary tissue product.

[0195] In addition, in the aspect of the fifth embodiment using biomass ink for printing the printing layer G, it is possible to further reduce the consumption of petroleum resources. Even if CO2 is generated during the incineration of the discarded packaging base material 10 after the opening of the package 1, since the plants of the raw materials of the paper base material 100 and the biomass ink absorb CO2 during the growth process, "carbon neutral" can be realized in which the amount of CO2, also called a greenhouse gas that causes global warming, does not increase as a whole. Therefore, in this aspect using biomass ink, it is possible to further reduce the environmental load.

[0196] [Others] 1. Layer Structure of Printing Layer In an embodiment of the present invention, the printing layer G may have a multi-layer structure including a first printing layer that displays characters, symbols, figures, patterns, or combinations thereof for decoration and / or for imparting distinctiveness, and a second printing layer that displays a background area presenting a background color or pattern. The first printing layer and the second printing layer are printed and formed on the first surface 101 of the paper substrate 100 in a stacking order such that the first printing layer is on the outer surface side of the package 1 relative to the second printing layer, and such that the characters, symbols, figures, patterns, or combinations thereof are displayed in the intended manner (orientation) in the appearance of the package 1.

[0197] To achieve such a configuration, in the first embodiment, the second printing layer and then the first printing layer are printed and formed in this order on the first surface 101 of the paper substrate 100. In the second embodiment, contrary to the first embodiment, the first printing layer and then the second printing layer are printed and formed in this order on the first surface 101 of the paper substrate 100.

[0198] The second printing layer may be a white area presenting white. According to this aspect, the characters, symbols, figures, patterns, or combinations thereof for decoration and / or for imparting distinctiveness printed and formed on the first printing layer are clearly displayed with high contrast against the white background printed and formed on the second printing layer, and excellent optical readability of the printing layer G is obtained. This aspect can be preferably applied, for example, when the first printing layer includes the display of at least one of a one-dimensional code and a two-dimensional code in which optically readable information is encoded.

[0199] 2. Layer configuration of the packaging substrate In one embodiment of the present invention, in addition to the printing layer G and the heat seal layers 110H and 120H, other layers may be provided on the packaging base material 10. Examples of other layers include layers having functionality such as a water vapor barrier layer, an oxygen barrier layer, and a light shielding layer. These other layers may be provided, as necessary, for example, on the surface of the packaging base material 10 on the outer surface side of the package 1, on the surface of the packaging base material 10 on the inner surface side of the package 1, between the packaging base material 10 and the heat seal layers 110H and 120H, on the upper surface of the heat seal layer in a manner that does not impair the adhesiveness (heat sealability) of the heat seal layer, and so on. The other layers may be a single layer or a plurality of two or more layers.

[0200] Further, the heat seal layer 110H and the second heat seal layer 120H may each have a multilayer structure in which a plurality of two or more heat seal layers are laminated. According to the multilayer structure, the thickness of the heat seal layer can be increased, and the amount of the heat sealant that can contribute to heat sealing can be increased.

[0201] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and the modification examples described herein, and appropriate changes and modifications can be made without departing from the technical idea of the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0202] 1 Package 1b Package Body 2 Sanitary Tissue Product (Packaged Item, Contents) 10 Packaging Base Material 12 (12S, 12T, 12B) Sealing Portion 20 Handle 22 Joint Portion 100 Paper Base Material 101 First Surface of Paper Base Material (Printing Surface) 102 Second Surface of Paper Base Material 110H, 120H Heat Seal Layers 200 Handle Paper Base Material 210H Handle Heat Seal Layer UFL Mountain Fold Line DFL Valley Fold Line

Claims

【Claim 1】 A package obtained by packaging a sanitary tissue product with a packaging substrate, wherein the packaging substrate includes a paper substrate having a first surface and a second surface, a transparent heat-sealing layer covering the entire first surface of the paper substrate, and a printing layer between the paper substrate and the heat-sealing layer; the packaging substrate packages the sanitary tissue product such that the first surface of the paper substrate faces the outer surface side of the package; the package has a sealed portion where the paper substrate is joined via the heat-sealing layer and an unsealed portion; and in the appearance of the package, the printing layer in the region of the unsealed portion is optically recognizable through the heat-sealing layer. A package for a sanitary tissue product, characterized by the above.

Images