Package Comprising a Bag and at Least Two Absorbent Articles

Abstract

A package (1) comprising a bag (100) and at least two absorbent articles (300) disposed within the bag, the bag being made from a first paper material and having a sealed bottom (101), a top seal (170), and a peripheral wall (103) extending between the bottom (101) and the top seal (170). The peripheral wall comprises a front wall (104), an opposite rear wall (105), a first side wall (106) and a second side wall (107) connecting the front wall (104) and the rear wall (105), a first top surface (171) extending between the top seal (170) and the front wall (104), and a second top surface (172) extending between the top seal (170) and the rear wall (105). The top seal is formed by bonding top portions of the inner surfaces of the peripheral wall together. The package further comprises at least one adhesive patch (400) configured to hold the top seal folded over one of the first and second top surfaces.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a package comprising a bag and at least two absorbent articles, such as disposable personal absorbent hygiene articles in the form of incontinence shields, sanitary napkins, panty liners, diapers, etc., disposed within the bag. [Background technology]

[0002] Disposable personal absorbent hygiene articles, such as diapers or absorbent pads, such as incontinence shields or sanitary napkins, are typically provided in multipacks, with one or more stacks of the product placed inside a plastic bag. Although plastic materials are versatile and offer a wide range of advantages, such as light weight, high flexibility, and easy sealing, plastic packaging may also be associated with disadvantages, such as low degradability and recyclability, the generation of toxic gases upon combustion, littering, etc. Therefore, efforts are currently underway to replace plastic packaging with more sustainable and / or renewable alternatives, such as paper materials. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an improved package, at least in some aspects, comprising a bag and at least two absorbent articles. This object is achieved by a package as set forth in claim 1. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] Thus, there is provided a package comprising a bag and at least two absorbent articles disposed within the bag, the bag being made of a paper material. The absorbent articles may be disposable personal absorbent hygiene articles such as incontinence shields, sanitary napkins, panty liners, tampons, diapers, etc.

[0005] Disposable sanitary products such as sanitary napkins, panty liners, and the like are generally intended to absorb bodily fluids such as urine and blood.

[0006] Disposable diapers can be pant diapers, open diapers, sometimes called all-in-one diapers or belted absorbent products, and allow the wearer or caregiver to put on the diaper in a standing position. Diapers can be baby, toddler, or adult diapers.

[0007] Belted absorbent products, or belt products, typically have a belt integrally attached to the main body of the absorbent product. The belt may have two belt portions extending on either side of the rear end of the main body. The two belt portions are intended to be fastened around the wearer's waist, while the front end of the absorbent section hangs down between the wearer's legs. When the belt portions are joined together with fasteners, fastening tabs, or the like, the wearer can reach between their legs, pull up the absorbent section from between their legs, and attach the free end of the absorbent section to the belt portion with a second fastener, such as a fastening tab. Similarly, products can be made so that the belt is fastened to the front of the product and secured around the wearer's back. In this case, the absorbent section hangs down in front and is secured to the belt at the back. This type of product is particularly useful for caregivers caring for dementia patients, etc.

[0008] The term "disposable" is generally used to describe absorbent products that are not intended to be laundered or otherwise restored to their original condition or reused as absorbent products; for example, they are intended to be discarded after a single use and may also be configured to be recycled, composted, or disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner.

[0009] The absorbent article may alternatively be a reusable washable absorbent article, such as a washable reusable hygiene article, e.g., a sanitary napkin, panty liner, etc., or a washable reusable absorbent undergarment for urine, vaginal fluid and / or menstrual fluid, or a diaper for urine and feces. Washable reusable diapers may be fully washable or may be diapers having a washable outer shell adapted to receive an absorbent assembly, either a reusable absorbent assembly or a disposable absorbent assembly.

[0010] Preferably, the absorbent article may be an absorbent pad such as an incontinence shield, a sanitary napkin, or a panty liner.

[0011] The bag has a sealed bottom, a top seal, and a peripheral wall extending between the bottom and the top seal. The peripheral wall includes a front wall, an opposing rear wall, and first and second side walls connecting the front and rear walls. The peripheral wall further includes a first top surface extending between the top seal and the front wall and a second top surface extending between the top seal and the rear wall. The top seal is formed by adhering top portions of the inner surfaces of the peripheral wall to each other. The package further includes at least one adhesive patch configured to hold the top seal in a folded state against one of the first and second top surfaces. The at least one adhesive patch may be, for example, a sticker or adhesive tape. The at least one adhesive patch may have any suitable shape, such as a rectangle, a square, an oval, an ellipse, a triangle, a circle, or the like.

[0012] The package according to the present disclosure has a gabled top, which is obtained by adhering the inner surface portions of the peripheral walls to each other after the bag is filled with absorbent articles. By providing an adhesive patch on one of the first and second top surfaces to hold the folded top seal, the package can assume the basic shape of a rectangular block, i.e., a flatter top than it would normally have. This is advantageous from a packaging perspective, because flat-top packages are more stable when stacked while also saving space. Furthermore, the flattening of the top by at least one adhesive patch makes the package less susceptible to breakage. Broken packages can normally be a problem when transitioning from plastic packaging to paper materials, because paper materials are generally more brittle and less flexible than plastic packaging materials.

[0013] Furthermore, the package disclosed herein achieves the above advantages without using hot melt adhesive to attach the top seal to the upper surface, by applying a dot of hot melt adhesive to one surface and pressing the other surface onto it, etc. In this way, the problems in production technology associated with applying hot melt adhesive and the problems associated with recycling paper materials that are provided with hot melt adhesive are reduced.

[0014] Adhesive patches are also useful for providing additional sealing at weak areas of the top seal. Such weak areas, where seal integrity is questionable, can occur along the center of the top seal or in the area between the opposing "wings" or "fins" of a gabled top. This can occur when the inner surface portions of the peripheral wall are sealed together after the absorbent article is filled into the bag, due to uneven thickness of the top seal. The top seal can be achieved by pressing two seal bars together, with the inner surface portions of the peripheral wall to be bonded together between the seal bars. An adhesive, such as a hot melt adhesive applied to the bag, melts and bonds the surface portions together to form the top seal. The uneven thickness, which depends on the outer dimensions of the bag, can create a weak area. An adhesive patch can be positioned on the top seal to cover the weak area, i.e., the area midway between the first and second sides of the bag.

[0015] Optionally, at least one adhesive patch has a non-adhesive front and back surface, with an adhesive layer on at least a portion of the back surface. The adhesive layer may cover the entire back surface or only a portion of the back surface, for example, to provide a non-adhesive portion for gripping to remove the adhesive patch. The adhesive may also be distributed discontinuously on the back surface, for example, as lines in a striped or spiral pattern. The stripes or spirals may be spaced apart or overlapping. The adhesive is not limited to being distributed linearly. Alternatively, the adhesive may be distributed in dots or islands, with the adhesive being distributed regularly or irregularly on the back surface, as long as sufficient adhesion is achieved. The peel strength should be high enough to maintain the package in its folded state, but not so high as to exceed the tensile strength of the bag.

[0016] The front face may comprise a decorated surface, such as a printed surface.

[0017] The adhesive patch can also have embossing. The embossing can be made to give the adhesive patch an aesthetic appearance. The embossing can also aid visually impaired or blind people in using the product within the package. For example, portions of the adhesive patch can be embossed with alphabetic symbols representing conventional Roman letters, or with numerical symbols representing conventional Arabic numerals, or other symbols, such as embossed drops indicating absorbency capacity, or symbols indicating where to open the package.

[0018] Optionally, a first portion of the at least one adhesive patch is adhered to the top seal, and a second portion of the at least one adhesive patch is adhered to one of the first and second upper surfaces and / or one of the front and rear walls, around which the top seal is folded. Thus, the at least one second portion of the at least one adhesive patch is used to maintain the top seal folded onto the upper surface. Preferably, the at least one adhesive patch has an elongated shape with its long side extending perpendicular to the top seal. Preferably, when a single adhesive patch is provided, it may be positioned midway between the first and second sides of the bag to cover potentially weak areas of the top seal. The length of the at least one adhesive patch may be selected so that the at least one adhesive patch adheres to one of the upper surfaces and the adjacent one of the rear and front walls. Alternatively, the at least one adhesive patch may be selected so that the at least one adhesive patch adheres only to the upper surface around which the top seal is folded. Of course, the first portion of the at least one adhesive patch may also extend to the other of the first and second upper surfaces. Optionally, at least one adhesive patch may extend from the rear surface through the second top surface, the top seal, the first top surface, and the front surface. Depending on the length of the top seal, the at least one adhesive patch may extend from the top seal to the front or back surface, or from the rear surface to the second top surface, the top seal, and the front surface. That is, the folded top seal may partially or completely overlap the first or second top surface. The folded top seal may even partially overlap the front or rear surface. If the at least one adhesive patch has an embossing, it may be provided on the second portion. The embossing may weaken the adhesion of the second portion to the package, making it easier to open.

[0019] Optionally, a first portion of the at least one adhesive patch is adhered to the top seal and a second portion of the at least one adhesive patch is adhered to one of the first and second side walls, in which case the at least one adhesive patch preferably has an elongated shape with a long side extending parallel to the top seal along the first portion of the at least one adhesive patch.

[0020] Optionally, a third portion of the at least one adhesive patch is adhered to the other of the first and second side walls, in which case the adhesive patch has an elongated shape with a first portion extending along the top seal, a second portion adhered to one of the first and second side walls, and a third portion adhered to the other of the first and second side walls.

[0021] In the above embodiments, the adhesive layers of the first, second, and, if applicable, third portions of the at least one adhesive patch may use the same adhesive. In this case, the area of ​​the first portion adhered to the top seal is preferably larger than the area of ​​the second and / or third portions, thereby reducing the risk of the at least one adhesive patch peeling from the top seal in connection with opening compared to peeling from other surfaces of the bag. Alternatively, a different adhesive may be used for the first portion than for the second and / or third portions. The first portion may comprise an adhesive that securely attaches the at least one adhesive patch to the top seal of the bag. The second and / or third portions may comprise an adhesive that forms a severable bond with another surface of the bag.

[0022] Optionally, the at least one adhesive patch comprises a non-adhesive gripping portion configured to be grasped by a user to peel at least a second portion of the at least one adhesive patch from the bag, the gripping portion preferably being positioned adjacent to the second portion of the at least one adhesive patch and / or adjacent to a third portion of the at least one adhesive patch, such that the at least one adhesive patch may remain attached to the bag while allowing the bag to be opened.

[0023] Optionally, the at least one adhesive patch comprises a first adhesive patch and a second adhesive patch. Thus, at least two adhesive patches are provided. The second adhesive patch may have the same characteristics as the first adhesive patch. In some cases, the second adhesive patch may have a different shape from the first adhesive patch. Using two adhesive patches can improve the flatness of the top.

[0024] Optionally, the first adhesive patch is attached to the top seal near the first side wall, and the second adhesive patch is attached to the top seal near the second side wall. "Near the first side wall" here means that the first adhesive patch is positioned between the first side wall and a central portion of the top seal located midway between the side walls. "Near the second side wall" means that the second adhesive patch is positioned between the second side wall and a central portion of the top seal. Thus, the first and second adhesive patches are preferably spaced apart. This configuration is advantageous for packages with relatively long top seals.

[0025] Optionally, the adhesive layer is a self-adhesive layer, i.e., a layer that adheres without wetting. The adhesive layer can comprise any suitable adhesive that provides the desired peel strength, fast adhesion, separability from the package, and coating weight characteristics. The adhesive can be, for example, a hot melt adhesive that is coated onto the backing material of the adhesive patch by any of the well-known hot melt coating processes.

[0026] The peel strength of the adhesive patch should be high enough to maintain the package in the folded configuration, but not so high as to exceed the tensile strength of the bag or landing member thereon to ensure resealability.

[0027] The adhesive may be a bio-based adhesive, may be biodegradable, may be made from renewable resources, and / or may be compostable.

[0028] For example, if the first paper material of the bag is very thin, the package may be provided with a landing member (or "landing surface"), which may have an adhesive surface to which the adhesive of the adhesive patch can be resealably adhered.

[0029] The properties of the overall fastening system, including the properties of the adhesive of the adhesive patch and the properties of the landing member or paper material, are important design criteria in the performance of the packages disclosed herein: The fastening system must provide a bond that can be opened by the wearer to remove the absorbent article for use, and preferably also provided a bond that can be refastened, without destroying or damaging the landing surface and paper bag.

[0030] Optionally, the self-adhesive layer is configured to allow the bag to be resealed by at least one adhesive patch. Thus, the self-adhesive layer comprises a resealable adhesive. In this way, a user can easily reseal the package to a compact shape after removing the absorbent articles. Paper packaging is generally more voluminous and rigid than plastic packaging, and therefore tends to bounce back when folded after opening. The use of a resealable self-adhesive layer makes it easier to fold the package compactly after opening to save space and better protect the absorbent articles inside. This is particularly important for packages containing two stacks of absorbent articles, as excess material may remain after the top stack is used up.

[0031] As used herein, a "resealable adhesive" refers to an adhesive in which an object can be attached to a surface using such an adhesive and then removed from that surface with little or no damage to the object or surface, and further, the removed object can be reattached to the surface.

[0032] The resealable adhesive may be a pressure-sensitive hot melt adhesive. Such adhesives have an unlimited open time, meaning that the resealable adhesive can be attached to another substrate at any time. Such resealable adhesives may provide "Post-it-like" adhesive properties. Thus, the package may be reclosable. Therefore, the pressure-sensitive hot melt adhesive used in the package is one that has very strong self-adhesive strength but can be easily severed or separated from other materials.

[0033] Optionally, the top seal and the first and / or second top surfaces of the package form a flat or substantially flat surface that extends parallel to the sealed bottom when the at least one adhesive patch holds the top seal in a folded position against one of the first and second top surfaces, thereby providing a brick-shaped package that is easy to pack and transport in a multipack comprising multiple packages within a larger box.

[0034] Optionally, at least one adhesive patch comprises a backing material in the form of a second paper material.

[0035] Optionally, the backing material of the at least one adhesive patch, i.e., the material on which the adhesive layer is provided, can be any type of tape backing material known in the art. For example, polyester film, polypropylene film, paper backing, or other materials that provide the necessary strength to be useful as part of an adhesive patch used to maintain the package in a folded configuration before opening and to maintain the package in a folded configuration for storage after opening, are suitable for use as backing materials. The backing material can be a bio-based material, a biodegradable material, made from renewable resources, and / or compostable.

[0036] Optionally, the first paper material of the bag has a weight of 50 to 90 g / m when measured according to the ISO 536 standard.2 The paper material has a basis weight between 1000 and 1500 lbs. Paper materials with a basis weight within this range are thick and strong enough to reliably protect the absorbent pads within the bag from environmental contamination, and also able to withstand the stresses that arise during the forming of the bag and the filling of the bags with absorbent pads. The paper material can be single-ply (one-ply) or multi-ply.

[0037] Paper material, i.e., when referring to a first paper material and a second paper material, is understood herein as a material produced by pressing wet fibers, dewatering, and drying the fibers into a preferably flexible sheet. The paper material may be an unbleached paper material or a bleached material. The fibers may be pulp fibers from chemical pulps, such as kraft pulp, sulfate or sulfite pulp, mechanical pulp, thermo-mechanical pulp, chemo-mechanical pulp, and / or chemo-thermo-mechanical pulp (abbreviated CTMP). Pulps obtained from both deciduous (hardwood) and coniferous (softwood) trees may be used. Thus, the fibers may be natural fibers derived from wood, such as cellulosic fibers, bamboo fibers, etc. The natural fibers can be non-wood fibers, such as cotton, abaca, kenaf, sabai grass, flax, esparto grass, straw, jute, bagasse, milkweed floss fibers, and pineapple leaf fibers. The paper material can be made from one type of fiber or a mixture of different fibers. The paper material can also be treated to better withstand moisture, for example by providing an inner or outer plastic layer. The paper can be a smooth, calendered paper. The paper can also have low porosity. The paper material can contain recycled or virgin fibers, or a combination thereof.

[0038] Optionally, the sealed bottom of the bag is formed by folding and gluing a portion of the paper material to form a flat rectangular bottom. The sealed bottom may advantageously be formed using an overlap seam to provide a flat bottom. The bottom may preferably be a block bottom, a narrowed bottom, or any other type of bottom.

[0039] Personal absorbent hygiene articles can be used to absorb bodily exudates, such as blood, urine, sweat, and feces. These personal absorbent hygiene articles can be individually packaged in a cover to keep them clean and intact before use. However, two, three, or more personal absorbent hygiene articles can also be held in a cover, which may be suitable for carrying and using during the day. The cover can be a covering in which the article is folded together with the cover material before the side edges or marginal areas are sealed, or it can be a type of pouch in which the folded article is inserted into the pouch before the pouch is sealed. Individual packages facilitate hygienic transport of individual articles for future use, for example, in a handbag. Furthermore, packaging units are often used as a means of packaging unused articles and also as a means of disposing of used articles.

[0040] Optionally, the at least two absorbent articles are arranged as at least one stack of absorbent articles. In this case, the absorbent articles may be, for example, incontinence shields, sanitary napkins, panty liners, diapers, etc. The at least one stack of absorbent articles may be at least one uncompressed stack of absorbent articles. Alternatively, the at least one stack of absorbent articles may be a compressed stack of absorbent articles. The stack of absorbent articles comprises at least two absorbent articles. The stack may comprise, purely by way of example, eight or ten absorbent articles, particularly when the bag comprises two stacks of articles. However, the stack is not limited to eight or ten absorbent articles. Thus, each stack may comprise more than ten or fewer than eight articles. When a single stack of absorbent articles is provided in the bag, the stack may comprise a larger number of absorbent articles, such as 15 to 25 absorbent articles, for example 16 or 20 absorbent articles.

[0041] Optionally, each of the at least one stack of absorbent articles comprises a plurality of folded, individually covered absorbent articles. Alternatively, each of the at least one stack of absorbent articles may comprise a plurality of folded, individually uncovered absorbent articles. In either case, the absorbent articles may be folded once or twice so that each folded absorbent article is folded into two or three folded layers. The one or more folds may preferably be arranged parallel to the peripheral wall of the bag, i.e., perpendicular to the bottom of the bag. Alternatively, the one or more folds may be arranged parallel to the bottom of the bag.

[0042] The folded absorbent article may have a width of 110 to 130 mm and a length of 70 to 95 mm.

[0043] Optionally, the at least one stack of absorbent articles comprises two stacks of absorbent articles. The two stacks of absorbent articles can be a bottom stack located at the bottom of the bag and a top stack located at the top of the bag. In some embodiments, the at least one stack of absorbent articles can comprise more than two stacks of absorbent articles, for example, four stacks of absorbent articles. For example, two bottom stacks and two top stacks may be provided, with a first bottom stack and a first top stack located toward a first side wall and a second bottom stack and a second top stack located toward a second side wall.

[0044] Optionally, the at least one stack of absorbent articles comprises a single stack of absorbent articles.

[0045] Optionally, the bag is opaque, so that the absorbent article, for example the cover of an individually covered absorbent article, or the absorbent article itself cannot be seen through the bag. This allows information printed on the package to be clearly visible to the user. Of course, the article in the bag may be an uncovered article, such as a diaper or an uncovered pad.

[0046] Optionally, the absorbent article is a disposable absorbent article such as a diaper, or an absorbent pad such as an incontinence shield or sanitary napkin, or a washable and reusable absorbent article.

[0047] Further advantages and advantageous features of the present invention are disclosed in the following description and in the dependent claims. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0048] [Figure 1a] 1 is a perspective view of a package in a first state according to one embodiment. FIG. [Figure 1b] 1b is a perspective view of the package of FIG. 1a in a second state; FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 1b is a perspective view of the package of FIG. 1a without the adhesive patch. [Figure 3] FIG. 1c is a top view of the package of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 1B is a top view of the package of FIGS. 1a-b in an open state. [Figure 5] FIG. 1c is another perspective view of the package of FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 1c is a side view of the package of FIG. 1b. [Figure 7] 1 shows a schematic representation of a folded and covered absorbent pad. [Figure 8] 8 shows the absorbent pad of FIG. 7. [Figure 9] 1 illustrates a paper sheet used to form a package according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] 10 illustrates a paper sheet used to form a package according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a package according to a second embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a package according to a third embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a package according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a resealed package according to one embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a package according to a fifth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0049] Various aspects of the present disclosure will now be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in order to illustrate, and not to limit, the disclosure, where like designations refer to like elements, and variations of the described aspects are not limited to the specifically shown embodiments but are applicable to other variations of the disclosure.

[0050] A package 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown schematically in Figures 1-6. In the illustrated embodiment, the package 1 comprises a bag 100 and two stacks 201, 202 of absorbent articles 300 in the form of absorbent pads 300 disposed within the bag 100. The upper stack 201 is disposed above the lower stack 202. The bag 100 has a sealed bottom 101 made of a first paper material, a top seal 170, and a peripheral wall 103 extending between the bottom 101 and the top seal 170. The peripheral wall 103 comprises a front wall 104, an opposing rear wall 105, and first and second side walls 106, 107 connecting the front wall 104 and the rear wall 105. The peripheral wall 103 further comprises a first top surface 171 extending between the top seal 170 and the front wall 104, and a second top surface 172 extending between the top seal 170 and the rear wall 105. The two top surfaces 171, 172, together with the top seal 170, form the sealed top 102 of the package 1. The top seal 170 has a first outer surface 170a facing forward that is directly connected to the first top surface 171, and a second outer surface 170b facing rearward that is directly connected to the second top surface 172.

[0051] The package 1 further includes at least one adhesive patch 400 configured to hold the top seal 170 in a folded state over one of the first and second upper surfaces 171, 172. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1a-b, a single adhesive patch 400 is provided, which includes a non-adhesive front surface 401 and a back surface 402. The back surface 402 is provided with an adhesive layer. FIG. 1a shows the package 1 with the top seal 170 sealed but unfolded, in which the adhesive patch 400 is attached only to the first outer surface 170a of the top seal 170. FIG. 1b shows the package 1 with the top seal 170 sealed and folded, in which a first portion 403 of the adhesive patch 400 is adhered to the first outer surface 170a of the top seal 170 and a second portion 404 is adhered to the second upper surface 172 of the top seal 170 folded over, extending to and adhering to the rear wall 105. Of course, the top seal 170 may instead be folded onto the first upper surface 171, in which case the first portion 403 is adhered to the second outer surface 170b of the top seal 170, and the second portion 404 of the adhesive patch 400 is adhered to the first upper surface 171 and the front wall 104. In some embodiments, the adhesive patch 400 may have another shape and may not extend all the way to the front wall 104 or the rear wall 105. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the first portion 403 of the adhesive patch 400 may extend onto the upper surface 171 connected to the outer surface of the top seal 170 to which the first portion 403 of the adhesive patch 400 is adhered, and may optionally extend all the way to one of the rear wall 105 and the front wall 104 connected thereto.

[0052] The bag 100 is formed from a single rectangular sheet of paper 110, as shown in Figure 9, which is folded, glued, and cut to form the bag 100. Once the bottom 101 and peripheral wall 103 of the bag 100 are formed and sealed, and the bag 100 is filled with an absorbent pad 303, the bag 100 is folded and sealed at the top 102 to form the top seal 170, and the excess top portion 109 above the cut line 108 as shown in Figure 9 is cut away.

[0053] The top seal 170 is formed by folding and adhering the inner top portions of the paper sheet 110 together to form wings or fins. Figure 9 shows the rectangular sheet 110 with a first side facing outward, which will form the exterior of the bag 100 after being folded and sealed. The inner top portion is located on a second side of the sheet 110, which will form the interior of the bag 100 after being folded and sealed. The location of the inner top portion, although located on the second side, is shown in Figure 9. The inner surface top portions include: a first top portion 113 of the first upper surface 171 and an adjacent first top portion 123 of the second side wall 107; a second top portion 114 of the first upper surface 171 and an adjacent first top portion 124 of the first side wall 106; a first top portion 115 of the second upper surface 172 and an adjacent second top portion 125 of the second side wall 107; a second top portion 116 of the second upper surface 172 and an adjacent second top portion 126 of the first side wall 106; a third top portion 117 of the front wall 104 located between the first and second top portions 113, 114 of the first upper surface 171; and a third top portion 118 of the second upper surface 172 located between the first and second top portions 115, 116 of the second upper surface 172.

[0054] The first top portion 113 of the first top surface 171 is bonded to the adjacent first top portion 123 of the second sidewall 107 to form a first bonded portion 111 having a first length L1 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 9. The second top portion 114 of the first top surface 171 is bonded to the adjacent first top portion 124 of the first sidewall 106 to form a second bonded portion 112 having a second length L2. The first top portion 115 of the second top surface 172 is bonded to the adjacent second top portion 125 of the second sidewall 107 to form a third bonded portion 121 having a third length L3. The second top portion 116 of the second top surface 172 is bonded to the adjacent second top portion 126 of the first sidewall 106 to form a fourth bonded portion 122 having a fourth length L4. The third top portion 117 of the first upper surface 171 is bonded to the third top portion 118 of the second upper surface 172 to form a fifth bonded portion 130 having a fifth length L5. The fifth length L5 is smaller than each of the first length L1, the second length L2, the third length L3, and the fourth length L4. The lengths L1, L2, L3, L4, and L5 are all measured in a direction parallel to the front wall 104 with the bonded portions 111, 112, 121, 122, and 130 stretched as far as possible.

[0055] In the illustrated embodiment, the first length L1, the second length L2, the third length L3, and the fourth length L4 are all equal, within manufacturing tolerances. The fifth length L5, as used herein, is less than 75%, preferably less than 65%, or less than 60% of each of the first length L1, the second length L2, the third length L3, and the fourth length L4. The first length L1, the second length L2, the third length L3, and the fourth length L4 may be between 30 and 50 mm, preferably between 35 and 45 mm. The fifth length L5 may be between 1 and 30 mm, more preferably between 3 and 25 mm. The overall length L of the front wall 104 and / or the rear wall 105 of the bag 100, as measured at the bottom of the package 1 between the side walls 106, 107, is tot is the sum of the first length L1, the second length L2, and the fifth length L5 、 and / or the third length L3, the fourth length L 4、 and the fifth length L5.

[0056] In the embodiment shown, the first length L1 is 39 mm and the fifth length L5 is 22 mm, i.e., 56% of the first length L1. In the embodiment shown, the bag 100 has an overall length L of 100 mm measured between the side walls 106, 107. tot and an overall width W of 78 mm measured between the front and rear walls 104, 105. The fill height H of the bag 100 is 163 mm in the embodiment shown.

[0057] In another embodiment, the first length L1 is 45 mm and the fifth length L5 is 10 mm, or 22% of the first length L1. The bag 100 has an overall length L of 100 mm measured between the side walls 106, 107. tot and an overall width W of 88 mm measured between the front and rear walls 104, 105. The fill height H of the bag 100 is 165 mm in the embodiment shown.

[0058] As best seen in FIG. 2 , the fifth adhesive portion 130 connects the first and third adhesive portions 111, 121 located near the second side wall 107 to the second and fourth adhesive portions 112, 122 located near the first side wall 106. Thus, the first and third adhesive portions 111, 121 form a first pair of wings, and the second and fourth adhesive portions 112, 122 form a second pair of wings. None of the adhesive portions 111, 112, 121, 122, 130 is bonded to another one of the adhesive portions 111, 112, 121, 122, 130, for example, by an overlap seam or a butt seam. Furthermore, none of the adhesive portions 111, 112, 121, 122, 130 is directly bonded to an exterior portion of the peripheral wall 103. Being not bonded to any outer surface portion of the peripheral wall 103, the first, second, third and fourth bonded portions 111, 112, 121, 122 form gripping members suitable for opening the bag.

[0059] In alternative embodiments, the first and third adhesive portions 111, 121 may be adhered to one another and / or the second and fourth adhesive portions 112, 122 may be adhered to one another.

[0060] 1-6, the adhesive patch 400 is positioned on the top seal 170 midway between the first and second side walls 106, 107 of the bag 100. In other words, it is adhered onto the fifth adhesive portion 130 shown in FIG. 2. For clarity, the fifth adhesive portion 130 is shown in FIG. 2 without the adhesive patch 400 adhered thereto. The fifth portion 130 may form a weak link in the top seal 170, which will be further described below with reference to FIG. 9, and therefore, the adhesive patch 400 located thereon is useful in ensuring that the package 1 is properly sealed.

[0061] The adhesive layer of the adhesive patch 400 may be a self-adhesive layer, such as a self-adhesive layer configured to enable the adhesive patch 400 to reseal the bag 100. A self-adhesive layer is an adhesive layer that adheres without getting wet. FIG. 14 shows a package 1, such as the package 1 shown in FIGS. 1-6, in an opened, folded, and resealed state, with the adhesive patch 400 being used to reseal the package 1. Herein, the adhesive patch 400 includes a non-adhesive gripping portion 410 configured to be gripped by a user to peel at least a second portion 404 of the adhesive patch 400 from the bag 100. The gripping portion 410 is disposed adjacent to the second portion 404 of the adhesive patch 400.

[0062] The adhesive patch 400 includes a backing material having an adhesive layer thereon. The backing material can be any type of tape backing material known in the art. For example, a paper material, a polyester film, a polypropylene film, a paper backing, or other materials can be used as the backing material.

[0063] 14, a user removes all of the items 300 from the top stack 201 and rolls the bag 100 down before resealing it using the adhesive patch 400. The entire adhesive patch 400 is removed from the bag 100 in connection with rolling the bag 100, and then reattached with the first portion 403 adhered to the portion of the bag 100 that, in the sealed state, constituted the front wall 104, and the second portion 404 adhered to the rear wall 105. Here, the adhesive layers of the first and second portions 403, 404 of the adhesive patch 400 can use the same adhesive, allowing the entire adhesive patch 400 to be separated and resealed.

[0064] In alternative embodiments, a different adhesive may be used for the first portion 403 than for the second portion 404. The first portion 403 may comprise an adhesive that securely attaches the adhesive patch 400 to the top seal 170 of the bag 100. The second portion 404 may comprise an adhesive that forms a severable attachment with another surface of the bag 100. In such embodiments, resealing of an opened bag 100 may be accomplished by folding over the top of the bag 100, including the broken top seal 170, and attaching the second portion 404 of the adhesive patch 400 to, for example, the front wall 104 or the back wall 105. The first portion 403 of the adhesive patch 400 remains securely attached to the broken top seal 170 during resealing.

[0065] FIG. 11 shows a second embodiment of the package 1, which differs from the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-6 only in that a first adhesive patch 400 and a second adhesive patch 400' are provided instead of a single adhesive patch. The patches 400, 400' are both configured to hold the top seal 170, which is folded over one of the first and second top surfaces 171, 172, to the second top surface 172. The two adhesive patches 400, 400' are identical here, but may have different shapes or be different in other embodiments. The first adhesive patch 400 has a first portion 403 attached to the first outer surface 170a of the top seal 170 near the first side wall 106, i.e., the second adhesive portion 112, between the fifth adhesive portion 130 and the first side wall 106. The second adhesive patch 400' has a first portion 403' attached to the first outer surface 170a of the top seal 170 near the second side wall 107, i.e., the first adhesive portion 111, between the fifth adhesive portion 130 and the second side wall 107. Both adhesive patches 400, 400' have second portions 404, 404' adhered to the second top surface 172 and the rear wall 105 connected thereto.

[0066] 12 shows a third embodiment of the package 1, which differs from the second embodiment only in the way the first and second adhesive patches 400, 400′ are adhered to the bag 100. In the third embodiment, a first portion 403 of the first adhesive patch 400 is adhered to the first outer surface 170a of the top seal 170, while a second portion 404 is adhered to the first side wall 106. A first portion 403′ of the second adhesive patch 400′ is adhered to the first outer surface 170a of the top seal 170, while a second portion 404′ is adhered to the second side wall 107. In this embodiment, the adhesive patches 400, 400′ are not adhered to either the front wall 104 or the rear wall 105.

[0067] 13 shows a fourth embodiment of the package 1, which differs from the third embodiment only in that instead of two adhesive patches 400, 400′ adhered to the opposite side walls 106, 107, there is a single adhesive patch 400 extending from the first side wall 106 to the second side wall 107. The adhesive patch 400 has a first portion 403 adhered to the first outer surface 170a of the top seal 170, a second portion 404 adhered to the first side wall 106, and a third portion 405 adhered to the second side wall 107. It therefore has an elongated shape and may be referred to as an adhesive strip.

[0068] In any one of the embodiments shown in Figures 11-13, each adhesive patch 400, 400' may of course also comprise at least one non-adhesive gripping portion, as described with reference to Figure 14.

[0069] In the embodiment shown, the sealed top 102 of the package 1 forms a plane or essentially plane surface extending parallel to the sealed bottom 101 when the adhesive patch 400 or patches 400, 400′ hold the folded top seal 170 against one of the first and second top surfaces 171, 172. Thus, the package 1 has the basic shape of a cube (rectangular block) when in the sealed and folded state shown, for example, in FIG.

[0070] The bag 100 includes an adhesive layer 150 on the inner surface portions 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 123, 124, 125, and 126 of the peripheral wall 103, as shown in FIG. 9, where the adhesive layer 150 is shown as a shaded area. The adhesive layer 150 is on the second side of the sheet 110, which forms the interior of the bag 110. The adhesive layer 150 is used to bond the inner surface portions together to form a butt seam, as described above. The adhesive layer has a density of 28 to 45 g / m 2 , preferably 30 to 40 g / m 2 , more preferably 34 to 38 g / m 2 and may be a hot melt adhesive layer.

[0071] The basis weight of adhesive layer 150 can be determined by weighing a first sample of sheet 110 with adhesive layer 150 and a second sample of the same size without the adhesive layer. Alternatively, the adhesive layer can be removed from the first sample and then re-weighed. This gives the total weight of the adhesive layer on the first sample as the difference between the weights of the sample with and without the adhesive layer. Dividing the weight of the adhesive layer by the surface area of ​​the first sample gives the basis weight.

[0072] The adhesive layer 150 can comprise or consist of, for example, a hot melt adhesive. However, the adhesive is not limited to a hot melt adhesive and can be any type of adhesive suitable for the application. Other types of adhesives can include water-soluble adhesives. Such adhesives include starch-based adhesives, polyvinyl alcohol-based adhesives, polyethylene oxide-based adhesives, and the like. If the adhesive is not water-soluble, a water-dispersible adhesive can also be used. Suitable examples of water-dispersible adhesives include thermoplastic elastomer-based adhesives and polyvinyl acetate-based adhesives. Any suitable pressure-sensitive adhesive can also be used.

[0073] The adhesive layer 150 is partially provided in the present specification on the excess top portion 109 that is cut off after sealing. The adhesive layer 150 has a width W of 30 to 60 mm measured in the height direction of the bag 100 before gluing, folding, and cutting. ad may have:

[0074] The top seal 170 at the top 102 of the bag 100 can be achieved by pressing two seal bars together, with the folded top portions 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 123, 124, 125, and 126 of the bag 100, which comprise the adhesive layer 150, inserted between the seal bars. This melts the hot melt adhesive applied to the inside of the bag 100, bonding the folded top portions 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 123, 124, 125, and 126 together to form the top seal 170. The seal width achieved by the seal bars can be 3 to 10 mm, more preferably 3 to 6 mm, measured along the height of the bag 100. After the bag 100 is cut, the seal width can be smaller or the same, depending on whether the cut line 108 at which the cut was made is above the seal.

[0075] The seal of the package may have a tensile strength of at least 1 N per 25.4 mm. For example, each of the seals of the package of the present disclosure may have a tensile strength of from 1 N per 25.4 mm to about 22 N per 25.4 mm, more preferably from about 3 N per 25.4 mm to about 17 N per 25.4 mm. The tensile strength of the seals described herein may be determined by the tensile test method set forth in ASTM F88-21, as modified herein.

[0076] As mentioned above, the fifth portion 130 may form a weak link in the top seal 170. This may be due to the uneven thickness of the top seal 170 when the inner surface portions of the peripheral wall are sealed together after the absorbent article 300 is filled into the bag 100. As described, the top seal 170 may be achieved by pressing two seal bars together, with the folded top portions 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 123, 124, 125, and 126 of the bag 100, which make up the adhesive layer 150, inserted between the seal bars. This melts the hot melt adhesive applied to the inside of the bag 100, attaching the folded top portions 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 123, 124, 125, and 126 to each other and forming the top seal 170. Due to the uneven thickness of fifth portion 130 resulting from having only two layers of material compared to the four layers of material in first and third adhesive portions 111, 121 and second and fourth adhesive portions 112, 122, insufficient heat and / or pressure may be applied in the area of ​​fifth portion 130, which may cause the two layers forming fifth portion 130 to not adhere properly.

[0077] As used herein, paper material is understood as a material produced by pressing wet fibers together, dewatering and drying them into a preferably flexible sheet. Paper material as used herein is defined as a material having a density of 50 to 90 g / m2 measured according to the ISO 536 standard. 2 The ratio between the basis weight of the paper material used in the bag 100 and the basis weight of the adhesive layer 150 may be in the range of 1.6 to 2.5, preferably 1.8 to 2.2. For example, the paper material may have a basis weight of 70 g / m 2 and the adhesive layer 150, such as a hot melt adhesive layer, may have a basis weight of about 36 g / m 2 The sheet may have a basis weight of

[0078] The first paper material may have any one or more of the following properties: - a tensile strength, measured according to the ISO 1924-3 standard, between 4 and 10 kN / m, preferably between 6 and 8 kN / m, in the machine direction and between 2 and 6 kN / m, preferably between 3 and 5 kN / m, in the cross direction; - 8-14mNm in machine direction measured according to ISO 1974 standard 2 / g and 8 to 15 mNm in the cross direction 2 / g specific tear strength; - tear strength between 400 and 1300 mN in the machine direction and between 450 and 1400 mN in the cross direction, measured according to the ISO 1974 standard; - Elongation between 1 and 6% in the machine direction and between 5 and 12% in the cross direction, measured according to the ISO 1924-3 standard.

[0079] The second paper stock may have the same properties or may be different.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 2 , the bag 100 can, in certain embodiments, include a first notch 160 for tearing the bag 100. Here, the first notch 160 is formed at the upper edge of the second adhesive portion 112, but alternatively, the first notch 160 may be provided in any one of the first, third, and fourth adhesive portions 111, 121, and 122. As further shown, the bag 100 can alternatively or additionally include a second notch 160′ for tearing the bag 100, the second notch 160′ being formed immediately below one of the adhesive portions, here, below the first adhesive portion 111. In alternative embodiments, the notches 160, 160′ can be replaced or supplemented by a first line of weakness 161 in the form of a perforation or score line, such as that shown in FIG. 3 . The first line of weakness may be located below the top seal 170, for example, as shown in FIG. 3 . In yet other embodiments, the notch or first line of weakness is not provided. In such cases, the bag 100 can be opened, for example, by manually pulling on the opposing adhesive portions. The package 1 in an opened state is shown in FIG. 4.

[0081] The package 1 may further include one or more second lines of weakness 162, 163 configured to remove a portion of the bag 100 in connection with use. In the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-6 , an upper second line of weakness 162 and a lower second line of weakness 163 are provided, both extending around the perimeter wall 103. The upper second line of weakness 162 extends at a level such that when a user weighs the bag along the upper second line of weakness 162, the articles 300 in the upper stack 201 are exposed and easily accessible to the user. The lower second line of weakness 163 extends at a level such that when the bag 100 is weighed along the lower second line of weakness 163, the articles 300 in the lower stack 202 are exposed and easily accessible to the user.

[0082] Rectangular sheet 110 is shown in FIG. 9 with dashed fold lines along which sheet 109 is folded to form bag 100. As previously mentioned, rectangular sheet 110 is shown from its first side, which will form the outer wall of bag 100 after folding and sealing. To form peripheral side wall 103, edge portion 105a of rear wall 105 overlaps rectangular seam portion 127 located adjacent second side wall 107 of rectangular sheet 110. After sheet 110 is folded, edge portion 105a of rear wall 105 overlaps seam portion 127, forming overlap seam 140. Seam portion 127 is thus hidden behind edge portion 105a and forms part of rear wall 105 after folding and sealing. The overlap seam 140 extends from the bottom 101 of bag 100 to the top 102 of bag 100, as shown in FIG. 6. An adhesive (not shown) may be used to form the overlap seam 140. The adhesive for forming the overlap seam 140 may be disposed as a layer on the inner side of the edge portion 105a. Preferably, however, the adhesive is disposed as a layer on the seam portion 127, i.e., on the first side of the rectangular sheet 110 that faces outward after folding and sealing. Thus, the adhesive layer for forming the overlap seam 140 and the adhesive layer 150 are disposed on opposite sides of the sheet 110. The adhesive for forming the overlap seam 140 may be the same type as that used for the adhesive layer 150, or may be a different type. The adhesive may be, for example, a hot-melt adhesive, i.e., a thermoplastic adhesive that is not water-soluble. However, the adhesive is not limited to hot-melt adhesives and may be any type of adhesive suitable for the application. Other types of suitable adhesives include water-soluble adhesives. Examples of such adhesives include starch-based adhesives, polyvinyl alcohol-based adhesives, polyethylene oxide-based adhesives, and the like. If the adhesive is not water-soluble, a water-dispersible adhesive may also be used. Suitable examples of water-dispersible adhesives include thermoplastic elastomer adhesives and polyvinyl acetate adhesives. Any suitable pressure-sensitive adhesive may also be used.

[0083] 9 includes an end 151 of an adhesive layer 150 provided on an inner surface portion 115b that will form part of the first top portion 115 of the second upper surface 172 after the overlap seam 140 is formed. Thus, the inner surface portion 115b, together with the adjacent inner surface portion 115a, forms the first top portion 115 of the second upper surface 172. The inner surface portion 115b is located inside the edge portion 172a of the second upper surface 172, i.e., inside the package 1, after the overlap seam 140 is formed. The adhesive layer 150 does not extend over the edge portion 172a of the second upper surface 172. The edge portion 105a of the rear wall 105 and the edge portion 172a of the second upper surface 172 may have a width of approximately 25 mm.

[0084] The adhesive layer 150 shown in FIG. 9 is a continuous adhesive layer. However, an alternative is shown in FIG. 10, in which the adhesive layer 150′ is a discontinuous adhesive layer, comprising a first layer portion 150a on the second top surface 172, a second layer portion 150b on the first sidewall 106, a third layer portion 150c on the first top surface 171, a fourth layer portion 150d on the second sidewall 107, and an end layer portion 151 on the seam portion 127. An adhesive-free area is provided between each two adjacent layer portions 150a-d, 151. The dashed fold lines are located in the adhesive-free areas. The distance D between each two adjacent layer portions 150a-d, 151 may be in the range of 5 to 15 mm, preferably 8.5 to 11.5 mm, e.g., approximately 10 mm. This prevents the corners from sticking together during the manufacture of the bag 100 before filling with the absorbent pad 300. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the discontinuous adhesive layer 150' does not extend over the edge portion 105a of the rear wall 105 or over the edge portion 127a of the seam portion 127. The adhesive-free edge portion 127a of the seam portion 127 may here have a width of about 5 mm. The overlap seam 140 can be formed in a similar manner as described above with reference to FIG. 9, for example, by providing an adhesive layer over the seam portion 127, i.e., on the first side of the rectangular sheet 110 that faces outward after folding and sealing. Like FIG. 9, FIG. 10 shows the sheet 110 from its first side, which will form the outer wall of the bag 100 after folding and sealing.

[0085] The bag 100 may further include an air displacement hole (not shown) located at or near the bottom 101 of the bag 100 to allow air to escape from the bag 100, such as when the pad 300 is loaded into the bag 100, and to reduce tension that may occur when the bag 100 is under pressure. The air displacement hole may be located near the edge between any two adjacent walls, preferably in one of the side walls 106, 107 adjacent to the bottom 101. Alternatively, the air displacement hole may be formed as an unsealed lower portion of the overlap seam 140.

[0086] An example configuration of the bottom 101 is shown in Figure 5. The sealed bottom 101 of the bag 100 is a block bottom, formed here by folding a rectangular lower portion 119 of the sheet 110 and adhering the resulting folds together to form a flat, rectangular bottom 101. The sealed bottom 101 is formed with an overlap seam to provide a flat bottom. A rectangular patch 180 forming a bottom label is glued to the bottom 101 as a cover.

[0087] All exterior sides of the bag 100 may be covered with a layer of varnish to protect the printed portion of the bag 100. The printed portion may be provided on the peripheral wall 103 as well as on the top 102 and / or on the bottom label.

[0088] Because the absorbent pad 300 is uncompressed or only slightly compressed, the package 1 has relatively sharp 90° edges. The front and rear walls 104 and 105 and the first and second side walls 106 and 107 are relatively flat. Therefore, the length L of the package 1 is tot The width W is approximately constant along the height H of the package, as can be seen from Figure 1. The maximum overall length L of package 1 measured anywhere along the stacking height H is tot is the minimum overall length L measured at the sealed bottom 101 or the sealed top 102. tot The difference is preferably 10 mm or less, more preferably 8 mm or less. In other words, the side walls 106 and 107 do not bulge significantly.

[0089] In another example of the package 1, the absorbent articles 300 may be diapers, such as diapers arranged in stacks of one or two within the bag 100. The diapers are often significantly compressed within the bag 100, which can cause the side walls 106, 107 to bulge. In such cases, the maximum overall length L of the package 1 may be tot is the minimum overall length L measured at the sealed bottom 101 or the sealed top 102 tot may differ by more than 10 mm.

[0090] In most of the embodiments shown, two stacks 201, 202 of folded and individually packaged absorbent pads 300, such as disposable personal hygiene absorbent pads in the form of incontinence shields, sanitary napkins, panty liners, etc., are placed within the bag 100.

[0091] In the fifth embodiment shown in Figure 15, the package 1 comprises a single stack 200 of folded and individually wrapped absorbent pads 300. The single stack 200 now comprises a greater number of folded and optionally individually wrapped pads 300 than the package 1 shown in Figure 1a. The package 1 according to the fifth embodiment therefore has a smaller height H and a greater length L than the package 1 according to the first embodiment. tot 15. In particular, the fifth adhesive portion 130 is longer than in the first embodiment. The bag 100 includes two adhesive patches 400, 400' for holding down the top seal 170. In FIG. 15, the package 1 stands on its closed bottom 101. However, the package 1 can be positioned, for example, in a store or on a shelf, so that it stands on its first or second side walls 106, 107. In that case, the top seal 170 is positioned vertically on the shelf, rather than horizontally. Alternatively, the package 1 can be positioned so that it stands on its closed top 102 with the top seal 170.

[0092] 7-8 show an absorbent pad 300 in the form of an incontinence shield according to an exemplary embodiment. Such an incontinence shield is described, for example, in WO2017086849. The absorbent pad 300 may, purely by way of example, comprise a liquid pervious topsheet 309 attached to an underlying acquisition or distribution layer (not shown), a liquid impervious backsheet (not shown), and an absorbent core (not shown) sandwiched between the acquisition or distribution layer and the liquid impervious backsheet. However, many different configurations are possible.

[0093] The illustrated absorbent pad 300 is a wingless incontinence shield intended to be adhesively attached to a user's undergarment, for example, by adhesive provided on the outside of the backsheet to secure the absorbent pad 300 to the undergarment. However, the present disclosure is equally applicable to wing-type absorbent pads in which laterally projecting wings are intended to be folded around the edges of the user's undergarment to secure the absorbent pad 300 to the undergarment.

[0094] The liquid-permeable topsheet 309 can comprise a nonwoven material, such as a spunbond, meltblown, carded, hydroentangled, or wet-laid material, which can be composed of natural fibers such as wood pulp or cotton, synthetic fibers such as polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, or viscose, or mixtures thereof. The topsheet 309 material can also be composed of tow fibers, porous foams, perforated plastic films, and the like. Materials suitable for use as topsheet materials should be soft, nonirritating to the skin, readily permeable to bodily fluids such as urine or menstrual fluid, and exhibit low rewet characteristics. The topsheet 309 may also include weldable fibers to enable attachment to an underlying sheet by a welding means such as ultrasonic welding. Alternatively, the topsheet 309 can be attached to the underlying material with an adhesive or simply placed on top of the underlying material.

[0095] The acquisition or distribution layer may comprise a material suitable for attachment to the topsheet 309, if such a layer is used in the absorbent pad 300. For example, if welding techniques are used to attach the topsheet 309 to the acquisition or distribution layer, the acquisition or distribution layer material should comprise at least partially weldable fibers. For example, the weldable fibers may be polyethylene fibers coated with a layer of polypropylene. The acquisition or distribution layer may further comprise pure polyethylene fibers. In a specific example, less than 30% of the fibers in the acquisition or distribution layer are polyethylene fibers, and more than 70% of the fibers are weldable fibers consisting of polyethylene fibers coated with polypropylene.

[0096] The absorbent core may comprise any conventional material suitable for absorbing discharged body exudates, such as cellulosic fluff pulp, tissue layers, superabsorbent polymers (superabsorbents), absorbent foam materials including hydrogel foam materials, absorbent nonwoven materials, etc. As above, if welding techniques are used to directly attach the topsheet 309 to the absorbent core, the material of the absorbent core should at least partially comprise weldable fibers.

[0097] The liquid impervious backsheet may comprise a thin plastic film such as a polyethylene or polypropylene film, a nonwoven material coated with a liquid impervious material, a hydrophobic nonwoven material that resists liquid penetration, or a laminate of a plastic film and a nonwoven material. The backsheet material may be breathable to permit vapors to escape from the absorbent core while preventing liquids from passing through the backsheet material.

[0098] In one embodiment, the absorbent pads 300 may be those sold under the name TENA discreet Mini by Essity Hygiene and Health AB. Purely by way of example, the package 1 may comprise two stacks 201, 202 with eight or ten absorbent pads 300 in each stack 201, 202.

[0099] In another embodiment, the absorbent pad 300 may be an absorbent pad sold under the name TENA discreet Mini Plus by Essity Hygiene and Health AB. The package 1 may comprise, purely by way of example, two stacks 201, 202 with eight or ten absorbent pads 300 in each stack 201, 202.

[0100] Each absorbent pad 300 is, in the embodiment shown, provided within an individual cover 301, such as a thin sheet or the like, to which the absorbent pad 300 is releasably adhered before use. The sheet material for forming the cover 301 may be a single-layer sheet of any suitable material known to those skilled in the art, such as polyethylene or polypropylene film or nonwoven fabric or paper. The cover 301 may also be a laminate comprising at least two different layers. Laminates suitable for packaging hygiene articles are assumed to be known to those skilled in the art and do not limit the present disclosure in any way.

[0101] The absorbent pad 300 attached to the individual cover 301 is here folded twice to form three folded layers, with the front portion 303 overlapping the back portion 304, and both the front portion 303 and the back portion 304 overlapping the center portion 305. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the pad 300 is folded together with the cover 301. Alternatively, the pad may be pre-folded and inserted into the cover. Each individually packaged absorbent pad 300 includes two sealed cover portions 302 extending perpendicular to the opposite folded edges 306, 307 of the absorbent pad 300 (see FIG. 7). One of the sealed cover portions 302 faces upward within the bag 100, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. Therefore, a user can easily remove the packaged absorbent pad 300 from the opened top of the bag 100 by grasping the sealed cover portion 302. However, the sealed cover portion 302 is not limited to being positioned upward within the bag 100. Alternatively, it may face any one of the other surfaces of the bag 100 .

[0102] The sealed cover portion 302 may be sealed with an adhesive, such as a resealable or non-resealable adhesive, and / or may be sealed by ultrasonic or heat welding. The term "resealable adhesive" refers to an adhesive that provides a non-permanent adhesive bond between two adhesive surfaces, i.e., a bond that can be broken by applying a pulling force to the adhesive and reformed by applying a compressive force to the adhesive. The resealable adhesive may be a pressure-sensitive hot melt adhesive.

[0103] The stacking direction SD of each stack 201, 202 within the bag 100 is perpendicular to the first and second side walls 106, 107 of the bag 100 (see FIG. 1 ). Thus, within each stack 201, 202, the folded and individually wrapped absorbent pads 300 are stacked with their sides 310 facing each other. The sides 310 are aligned with the first and second side walls 106, 107 of the bag 100. A further, alternative way of stacking the articles 300 within the bag 100 is to position them so that their sides 310 are parallel to the bottom 101. The package 1 can comprise one stack of absorbent articles 300 or two side-by-side stacks of absorbent articles 300.

[0104] To manufacture a package 1 according to the present disclosure, at least one stack 201, 202 of absorbent articles 300 is placed in a bag 100 as described above, the bag having a closed bottom 101, an open top 102, and a peripheral wall 103 between the bottom 101 and the top 102. The inner surface top portions of the peripheral wall 103 provided with an adhesive layer 150 are then adhered to each other as described above to obtain the closed top 102.

[0105] It will be understood that the foregoing description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, its application, or uses. While specific examples have been described herein and illustrated in the drawings, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, as defined in the claims. Since mixing and matching of features, elements, and / or functions between various examples is expressly contemplated herein, those skilled in the art will appreciate from this disclosure that features, elements, and / or functions of one example may be incorporated into other examples, as appropriate, unless otherwise stated above. Furthermore, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the essential scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the present disclosure is not limited to the specific examples illustrated by the drawings and described herein, but the scope of the present disclosure is intended to include all embodiments within the scope of the foregoing description and the appended claims.

[0106] Reference signs appearing in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the matter protected by the claims, but their only function is to facilitate the understanding of the claims.

Claims

1. A package (1) comprising a bag (100) and at least two absorbent articles (300) disposed in said bag (100), said bag (100) being made from a first paper material; The bag (100) comprises a sealed bottom (101), a top seal (170), and a peripheral wall (103) extending between the bottom (101) and the top seal (170), the peripheral wall (103) comprising a front wall (104), an opposite rear wall (105), a first side wall (106) and a second side wall (107) connecting the front wall (104) and the rear wall (105), a first top surface (171) extending between the top seal (170) and the front wall (104), and a second top surface (172) extending between the top seal (170) and the rear wall (105); the top seal (170) is formed by bonding together the inner surface top portions (113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 123, 124, 125, 126) of the peripheral wall (103); The package (100) further comprises at least one adhesive patch (400) configured to hold the top seal (170) in a folded state onto one of the first upper surface (171) and the second upper surface (172).

2. 2. The package of claim 1, wherein the at least one adhesive patch (400) comprises a non-adhesive front surface (401) and a back surface (402), at least a portion of the back surface (402) being provided with an adhesive layer.

3. 3. The package of claim 1, wherein a first portion (403) of the at least one adhesive patch (400) is adhered to the top seal (170), and a second portion (404) of the at least one adhesive patch (400) is adhered to one of the first upper surface (171) and the second upper surface (172) around which the top seal (170) is folded, and / or one of the front wall (104) and the rear wall (105).

4. 3. The package of claim 1, wherein a first portion (403) of the at least one adhesive patch (400) is adhered to the top seal (170) and a second portion (404) of the at least one adhesive patch (400) is adhered to one of the first side wall (106) and the second side wall (107).

5. The package of claim 4, wherein a third portion (405) of the at least one adhesive patch (400) is adhered to the other of the first side wall (106) and the second side wall (107).

6. 6. The package of claim 3, wherein the at least one adhesive patch (400) comprises a non-adhesive gripping portion (410) configured to be gripped by a user to separate the second portion (404) of the at least one adhesive patch (400) from the bag (100).

7. The package according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one adhesive patch (400) comprises a first adhesive patch (400) and a second adhesive patch (400').

8. 8. The package of claim 7, wherein the first adhesive patch (400) is attached to the top seal (170) near the first side wall (106) and the second adhesive patch (400′) is attached to the top seal (170) near the second side wall (107).

9. The package according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the adhesive layer is a self-adhesive layer.

10. 10. The package of claim 9, wherein the self-adhesive layer is configured to allow resealing of the bag (100) by the at least one adhesive patch (400).

11. 11. The package according to claim 1, wherein when the at least one adhesive patch (400) holds the top seal (170) in a folded state onto one of the first upper surface (171) and the second upper surface (172), the top seal (170) together with the first upper surface (171) and / or the second upper surface (172) of the package (1) forms a flat or essentially flat surface extending parallel to the sealed bottom (101).

12. A package according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one adhesive patch (400) is provided with a backing material in the form of a second paper material.

13. The first paper material of the bag (100) has a density of 50 to 90 g / m2 measured according to the ISO 536 standard. ２ The package of any one of claims 1 to 12, having a basis weight of

14. 14. The package of any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the sealed bottom (101) of the bag (100) is formed by folding and gluing a portion (119) of the paper material to form a flat, rectangular bottom (101).

15. The package according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least two absorbent articles (300) are arranged in at least one stack (200, 201, 202) of absorbent articles (300).

16. 16. The package of claim 15, wherein said at least one stack (201, 202) of absorbent articles (300) comprises two stacks (201, 202) of absorbent articles (300).

17. 16. The package of claim 15, wherein said at least one stack (200) of absorbent articles (300) comprises a single stack (200) of absorbent articles (300).

18. The package according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the bag (100) is opaque and the absorbent article (300), such as a cover (301) of an individually covered absorbent article (300) or the absorbent article (300), cannot be seen through the bag (100).

19. The package according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the absorbent article (300) is a disposable absorbent article such as a diaper, or an absorbent pad such as an incontinence shield or a sanitary napkin, or a washable and reusable absorbent article.

Images