Package structure for absorbent article

Abstract

To provide a packaging structure of an absorbent article having a stable form without a large difference in winding diameters in a longitudinal direction and a width direction in a continuous package having a plurality of absorbent articles and wound in a roll shape.SOLUTION: In a package structure 1 of an absorbent article 10 in which a continuous package 2 composed of a plurality of absorbent articles 10 and a package sheet 20 is wound in a roll shape, an absorber has both end edges extending in a width direction X opposite to each other in a longitudinal direction Y and both side edges extending in the longitudinal direction Y opposite to each other in the width direction X. The absorbent article 10 has both end flaps formed by extending the front and back sheets to the outside in the longitudinal direction Y of both end edges of the absorber, and both side flaps formed by extending the front and back sheets to the outside in the width direction X of both side edges of the absorber. Both side flaps are folded inward in the width direction X via a folding line extending in the longitudinal direction Y.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a packaging structure for absorbent articles. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, structures in which a plurality of individual packages, each of which is formed by wrapping an absorbent article such as a sanitary napkin in a wrapping sheet, are packaged together are known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a packaging structure for absorbent articles in which a continuous package, each of which is formed by wrapping a plurality of sanitary napkins, each of which has a front and back sheet and an absorbent body disposed therebetween, in a wrapping sheet, is wound into a roll. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-290598 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the packaging structure for absorbent articles disclosed in Patent Document 1, the entire absorbent article, which is a sanitary napkin, is packaged in a packaging sheet, and even when the individual packages are separated through cuts in the packaging sheet, the absorbent article is not exposed to the outside and remains sealed by the packaging sheet, making it possible to package and store multiple absorbent articles in a hygienic and compact manner.

[0005] However, in the packaging structure disclosed in Patent Document 1, the absorbent body of the sanitary napkin has a given thickness, so the thickness differs between the central part where the absorbent body is located and the flap part formed from the front and back sheets located outside the entire periphery of the absorbent body, and when the continuous package is wound into a roll, there is a difference in the winding diameter between the central part where the absorbent bodies of multiple sanitary napkins are overlapped and the other outer peripheral parts of the continuous package.

[0006] As a result, when the continuous package is wound up, air trapped in the outer periphery remains, which can lead to misalignment or wrinkles during storage or transportation. Also, the adhesiveness of the packaging sheet is reduced in the outer periphery, making the package prone to losing its shape, which causes the wound state to collapse when the individual packages are separated from the continuous package along the slits, resulting in a problem of unstable shape.

[0007] Patent document 1 also discloses a sanitary napkin having a pair of wing portions extending laterally outward from both side edges, and the wing portions are folded laterally inward along folding lines located at the base ends of the wing portions.

[0008] In such a case, the thickness of only a portion of the flaps located on the outside of both side edges of the absorbent body, i.e., the portion where the wing portion is folded, increases, reducing the difference in thickness from the area where the absorbent body is present, while the thickness of other portions remains unchanged.As a result, the winding diameter of the roll-shaped continuous packaging body becomes uneven in the longitudinal and width directions, making it difficult to stabilize the shape.

[0009] The object of the present invention is to improve upon conventional worn articles by providing a packaging structure for absorbent articles that has a stable shape by reducing the difference in winding diameter in the longitudinal and width directions in a continuous package wound into a roll containing a plurality of absorbent articles. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention relates to a packaging structure for absorbent articles, which includes a plurality of absorbent articles having a width direction and a longitudinal direction, each of which has a top sheet located on the skin-facing side, a back sheet located on the non-skin-facing side, and an absorbent body located between the top and back sheets, and a packaging sheet that encases the plurality of absorbent articles and extends continuously in the longitudinal direction, and in which a continuous packaging body consisting of the plurality of absorbent articles and the packaging sheet is wound into a roll.

[0011] The packaging structure for absorbent articles according to the present invention is characterized in that the absorbent body has opposite end edges extending in the width direction and facing each other in the longitudinal direction, and opposite side edges extending in the longitudinal direction and facing each other in the width direction, and the absorbent article has opposite end flaps formed by the front and back sheets extending outward in the longitudinal direction from the opposite end edges of the absorbent body, and opposite side flaps formed by the front and back sheets extending outward in the width direction from the opposite side edges of the absorbent body, and the opposite side flaps are folded inward in the width direction via fold lines extending in the longitudinal direction.

[0012] The packaging structure for absorbent articles according to the present invention may include at least the following embodiments, which may be adopted separately or in combination with each other.

[0013] In the first aspect, the fold lines extend in the longitudinal direction along the side edges of the absorbent body.

[0014] In the packaging structure of the absorbent article of mode 1, the entire side flaps are folded onto the skin-facing side of the absorbent body, and the side laminated portions are formed by the side flaps and the absorbent body, so the side laminated portions located on both sides of the width of the absorbent article are thicker than the central part, and the continuous package can easily maintain its roll shape wound around the side laminated portions of the absorbent article, and when removing the absorbent article from the individual package, the thick side laminated portions can be firmly grasped and removed, making the removal operation easier.

[0015] In aspect 2, the absorbent article has a central fastening area located on the non-skin-facing side of the back sheet and overlapping with the absorbent body in the thickness direction, and both side edges of the central fastening area are located inside the fold line in the width direction.

[0016] In the packaging structure of the absorbent article of aspect 2, the central fastening area is positioned widthwise inward of the fold line, thereby preventing the fastening areas from adhering to each other and allowing both side flaps to be reliably folded along the fold line.

[0017] In a third aspect, the packaging sheet is folded inward in the width direction along the folding lines together with the side flaps of the absorbent article.

[0018] In the packaging structure for absorbent articles of aspect 3, the overall width dimension of the continuous packaging body can be reduced, and since the packaging sheets are adjacent to each other in the thickness direction, the material properties such as slipperiness can be made uniform, allowing the absorbent articles to be stored and preserved more compactly.

[0019] In a fourth aspect, the packaging sheet has overlapping portions where both side edges extending in the longitudinal direction overlap each other, and the overlapping portions are located inside the folding lines in the width direction.

[0020] In the packaging structure of the absorbent article of aspect 4, when both side flaps are folded, the side laminated portions of the absorbent article are thicker than the central portion, and by positioning the overlapping portion of the packaging sheet in the central portion, the difference in thickness with the side laminated portions is reduced, and the difference in thickness between the three regions of both sides and the central portion can be reduced, so that the continuous packaging body can be more stably rolled up and maintained in a roll shape.

[0021] In aspect 5, the continuous package includes a plurality of individual packages that can be separated by cuts located between the absorbent articles lined up in the longitudinal direction, and by separating the individual packages by the cuts, a portion of the absorbent article is exposed to the outside.

[0022] In the packaging structure of the absorbent article of aspect 5, a portion of the absorbent article is exposed to the outside in the individual packaging, allowing the user to directly pick up the absorbent article and remove it from the individual packaging, making the removal process easier. [Effects of the Invention]

[0023] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, in a continuous package wound into a roll, both side flaps extending outward in the width direction of both side edges of the absorbent body of the absorbent article are folded inward in the width direction along folding lines extending in the longitudinal direction, thereby increasing the thickness of both side portions in the width direction of the absorbent article and reducing the difference in winding diameter in the longitudinal and width directions at the wound part of the continuous package. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a packaging structure for absorbent articles according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] (A) A plan view of the individual package. (B) An expanded plan view of the individual package. [Figure 3] (A) A plan view of the sanitary napkin as viewed from the front side, (B) A plan view of the sanitary napkin as viewed from the back side. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 3 . [Figure 5] 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. 1; [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a modified packaging structure for absorbent articles according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] (A) A diagram showing an example of a use of the continuous packaging body. (B) A diagram showing another example of a use of the continuous packaging body. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a packaging structure for absorbent articles according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 9 in an example of a modified example of the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] The following embodiments relate to an absorbent article shown in the accompanying drawings, and include not only essential features of the invention but also optional and preferred features. Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, an embodiment of a packaging structure for a sanitary napkin, which is an example of an absorbent article according to the present invention, will be described.

[0026] First Embodiment 1 and 2(A) and (B), the packaging structure 1 for sanitary napkins (absorbent articles) 10 has a longitudinal direction Y, a width direction X, and a thickness direction Z that intersect with one another, and is formed by winding a continuous package 2 into a roll, the continuous package 2 including a plurality of sanitary napkins 10 lined up in the longitudinal direction Y and a packaging sheet 20 that encases the sanitary napkins 10 and extends continuously in the longitudinal direction Y. The directions X, Y, and Z coincide with the directions of the continuous package 2, the individual packages 5, and the sanitary napkins 10.

[0027] The continuous package 2 has a wound portion 3 having a winding diameter R and an extending portion 4 extending in the longitudinal direction Y from the wound portion 3.

[0028] The packaging sheet 20 is formed from a fibrous nonwoven fabric of a thermoplastic synthetic resin, a synthetic resin film, or a laminate sheet of a fibrous nonwoven fabric and a synthetic resin film.

[0029] Each decorative element may be printed on the packaging sheet 20 with ink or the like. The decorative elements are not particularly limited, but may include a brand logo, a design of flowers, animals, bubbles, or the like, a message, a QR code (registered trademark) or a URL for accessing an internet site, etc. Providing such decorative elements can give users a sense of excitement, security, and necessary information.

[0030] Here, internet sites include, but are not limited to, information sites about sanitary napkins, company information sites, menstruation-related Q&A sites, various advertisements, chat consultation sites operated by or affiliated with local governments, companies, or schools to which sanitary napkin users belong, etc. By accessing these various sites, sanitary napkin users can relieve their physical or mental anxieties.

[0031] In an unfolded state, the packaging sheet 20 has fold lines 26a, 26b extending in the longitudinal direction Y on both sides of the sanitary napkin 10, and sheet side edge portions 21, 22 facing each other in the width direction X. Both side portions of the packaging sheet 20 are folded inward in the width direction X via the fold lines 26a, 26b. The sheet side edge portions 21, 22 of the packaging sheet 20 are overlapped and separably joined to each other in the central portion in the width direction of the continuous package, forming an overlapping portion 24 extending in the longitudinal direction Y.

[0032] The sheet side edge portions 21, 22 of the packaging sheet 20 folded over at the overlapping portion 24 are separated in the width direction X to form a removal opening, through which the sanitary napkin 10 can be removed from the packaging sheet 20. As shown in FIG. 2(B), the sheet side edge portions 21, 22 are joined to each other via an adhesive line 25 applied with an adhesive and located on the inner side of the sheet side edge portion 21, but they may also be joined separably by known heat welding means.

[0033] The packaging sheet 20 has transverse seals 27 extending in the width direction between the sanitary napkins lined up in the longitudinal direction Y. In the transverse seals 27, overlapping portions of the packaging sheet 20 in the thickness direction Z are joined together by known welding or adhesive means.

[0034] The transverse seal 27 has a predetermined width and has a cut (separation line) 29 extending in the width direction X at approximately the center in the longitudinal direction Y. By separating a part of the continuous package 2 along the cut 29, individual packages 5 containing sanitary napkins 10 can be obtained.

[0035] In the illustrated example, the overlapping portion 24 of the packaging sheet 20 is located in the center of the continuous packaging body 2 in the width direction X, but it may be offset to the left or right in the width direction X. Furthermore, the packaging sheet 20 is formed from a single sheet, but it may also be formed from two sheets: one sheet that covers the front side of the sanitary napkin 10 and the other sheet that covers the back side of the sanitary napkin 10. In that case, the outer edges of the two overlapping sheets are sealed, and the sanitary napkin is stored wrapped between them.

[0036] Referring to Figures 3(A) and (B), the sanitary napkin 10 has first and second end edges (both end edges) 10a, 10b positioned opposite each other in the longitudinal direction Y, and first and second side edges (both side edges) 10c, 10d extending in the longitudinal direction between the first and second end edges 10a, 10b.

[0037] The sanitary napkin 10 also includes a skin-facing side and a non-skin-facing side opposite to the skin-facing side, a liquid-permeable top sheet 11 located on the skin-facing side, a liquid-impermeable back sheet 12 located on the non-skin-facing side, and a liquid-absorbent body 13 located between these two sheets.

[0038] The absorbent body 13 has first and second end edges (both end edges) 13a, 13b positioned opposite each other in the longitudinal direction Y, and first and second side edges (both side edges) 13c, 13d extending in the longitudinal direction Y between the first and second end edges 13a, 13b.

[0039] The front and back sheets 11, 12 extend outward from the periphery of the absorbent body 13, and a pair of side sheets 14 extending in the longitudinal direction Y are arranged on the skin-facing side of the top sheet 11 so as to face each other laterally. The pair of side sheets 14 are joined to the top sheet 11 via side adhesive parts (not shown).

[0040] The sanitary napkin 10 further has an outer peripheral edge portion extending from the outer peripheral edge of the absorbent body. The outer peripheral edge portion has end flaps 15 formed from the topsheet 11, backsheet 12, and sidesheets 14, extending in the width direction X outside the first and second end edges 13a, 13b of the absorbent body 13 in the longitudinal direction Y, and side flaps 16 extending in the longitudinal direction Y outside the first and second side edges 13c, 13d of the absorbent body 13 in the width direction X.

[0041] Here, the both-side flaps 16 refer to regions extending from the first and second side edges 10c, 10d of the sanitary napkin 10 to the first and second side edges 13c, 13d of the absorbent body 13 in the width direction X, and extending from the first edge 10a to the second edge 10b of the sanitary napkin 10 in the longitudinal direction Y. In addition, the both-side flaps 15 refer to regions extending between the both-side flaps 16 from the first and second edges 10a, 10b of the sanitary napkin 10 to the first and second edges 13a, 13b of the absorbent body 13.

[0042] Each of the side flaps 16 has wing portions 18 that protrude outward in the width direction X. The sheets stacked together to form the outer peripheral edge are joined together via a peripheral seal portion 19 located along the outer peripheral edge of the sanitary napkin 10.

[0043] 2(A), (B) and 3(B), a plurality of fastening regions 51, 52 are arranged on the back side of the sanitary napkin 10. The fastening regions 51, 52 are for fastening the sanitary napkin 10 to clothing such as underwear, and are formed of a pressure-sensitive adhesive or adhesive applied in a plurality of lines extending in the longitudinal direction Y. The fastening regions 51, 52 include a central fastening region 51 that extends in the longitudinal direction Y in the region overlapping with the absorbent body 13, and side fastening regions 52 located in the wing portions 18.

[0044] The fastening areas 51, 52 are directly attached to the inner surface of the packaging sheet 20. Unlike the illustrated example, the fastening areas 51, 52 may be covered with a separator (not shown) made of a plastic film or the like, and the separator may be attached to the packaging sheet 20 via an adhesive.

[0045] A sheet that is permeable to liquid components contained in bodily fluids, such as an apertured plastic film, woven fabric, or nonwoven fabric, can be suitably used for the top sheet 11. A thermoplastic resin film mainly made of a thermoplastic resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene can be suitably used for the back sheet 12.

[0046] The side sheets 14 can be made of the same sheet material as the top sheet 11. However, it is preferable to use a hydrophobic or water-repellent sheet material to prevent body fluids from flowing out of the sanitary napkin 10. In the illustrated example, the pair of side sheets 14 are fixed to the skin-facing side of the top sheet 11, but they may also be fixed between the absorbent core 13 and the back sheet 12.

[0047] The absorbent body 13 may be, for example, a compression molded body of an aggregate of hydrophilic and / or water-absorbent fibers, a compression molded body of a mixture of water-insoluble, highly water-absorbent polymer particles having a water absorption capacity of at least 10 times its own mass and hydrophilic and / or absorbent fibers, or a body covered with such a compression molded body by tissue paper or a liquid-permeable fibrous nonwoven fabric, and such a compression molded body may contain a binder such as a water-soluble binder. Examples of the hydrophilic and / or water-absorbent fibers include rayon fiber and acetate fiber staple (wood pulp, synthetic pulp), etc.

[0048] The sheets in the peripheral seal portion 19 can be joined by adhesive bonding, ultrasonic welding, heat welding, laser welding, high-frequency welding, or other known welding methods, or by embossing, either singly or in combination. The sheets stacked in the thickness direction Z are joined to each other via an adhesive such as a hot-melt adhesive. Examples of methods for applying the hot-melt adhesive include spiral coating, coater coating, curtain coater coating, and spray coating.

[0049] 3 to 5, both side flaps 16 of the sanitary napkin 10 are folded inward in the width direction X along a pair of folding lines 53, 54 extending in the longitudinal direction Y, thereby forming side laminated portions 55.

[0050] When the sanitary napkin 10 is unfolded and not folded along a pair of fold lines 53, 54, the thickness differs between the part where the absorbent body 13 is located and the end flaps 15 and both side flaps 16 formed from the front and back sheets 11, 12 and the side sheets 14 located outside the entire periphery of the absorbent body 13. Therefore, if these parts are not folded or if only the wing portions 18 are folded, when the continuous package 2 is rolled up, when the continuous package 2 is viewed in the width direction X, there will be a difference in thickness between the central part where the absorbents 13 of multiple sanitary napkins 10 are overlapped and the other parts.

[0051] As a result, the winding diameter R of the wound portion 3 of the continuous packaging body 2 differs between the central portion and the other portions, which causes the wound shape to easily collapse and the shape to become unstable when the absorbent article is wound during the manufacturing process and when the absorbent article is separated along the cuts.

[0052] In the sanitary napkin 10 of this embodiment, the flaps 16 on both sides of the sanitary napkin 10 are folded inward in the width direction X via fold lines 53, 54 extending in the longitudinal direction Y, so that the thickness of the sanitary napkin 10 on both sides in the width direction X is thicker than that of the central portion, at least in the width direction X, and the winding diameter is stable on both sides in the width direction X. Therefore, the wound state is maintained during the manufacturing process and when in use, and the shape is less likely to collapse.

[0053] The fold lines 53, 54 extend in the longitudinal direction Y along the first and second side edges 13c, 13d of the absorbent body 13. The flaps 16 are folded along the side edges of the absorbent body 13, which have different rigidities, allowing for a stable folding operation. Furthermore, the flaps 16 are folded entirely onto the skin-facing side of the absorbent body 13, forming side laminated portions 55 by the flaps 16 and the absorbent body 13. This thickens the sanitary napkin 10 at least in the width direction X at the location of the side laminated portions 55, stabilizing the shape of the rolled portion 3 of the continuous package 2.

[0054] Furthermore, because the side laminated portions 55 located on both sides of the sanitary napkins 10 in the width direction X are thicker than the central portion of the sanitary napkins 10, the continuous package 2 can easily maintain the roll shape wound around the side laminated portions 55 of the sanitary napkins 10. Furthermore, when removing the sanitary napkins 10 from the individual packages 5, the thick side laminated portions 55 can be firmly grasped and removed, making the removal operation easier.

[0055] The side laminated portions 55 extend from the first edge 10a to the second edge 10b of the sanitary napkin 10, across the entire length of the sanitary napkin 10 in the longitudinal direction Y. This allows the wound portion 3 of the continuous package 2 to maintain its roll shape more stably.

[0056] In the illustrated example, the side flaps 16 are fixed to the packaging sheet 20 via the side fastening regions 52 of the sanitary napkins 10, so the packaging sheet 20 is folded together with the side flaps 16. By having the continuous packaging body 2 have such a configuration, the overall width dimension can be made smaller than when only the sanitary napkins 10 are folded within the continuous packaging body 2 and separation spaces consisting only of the packaging sheet 20 are formed between the side edges of the continuous packaging body 2 and the side edges of the sanitary napkins 10, allowing for more compact storage and storage.

[0057] Unlike the illustrated example, the folding lines 53, 54 may be located at a given distance outside the side edges 13c, 13d of the absorbent body 13 in the width direction X. In such a case, a part of the side laminated portion 55 is formed only by the side flaps 16, but since the thickness increases when the side flaps 16 are folded, the difference in the winding diameter R of the continuous package 2 can be reduced compared to when the side flaps 16 are not folded.

[0058] 4 and 5, both side edges of the central fastening region (fastening region) 51 located in the region where the absorbent body 13 exists are located inside the folding lines 53 and 54 in the width direction X.

[0059] If a part of the central fastening region 51 is located outside the fold lines 53, 54 in the width direction X, the fold lines 53, 54 are located in the central fastening region 51, which may cause the central fastening region 51 to self-adhere when folded. As shown in the illustrated example, by positioning the central fastening region 51 more inward in the width direction than the fold lines 53, 54, the both side flaps 16 can be reliably folded along the fold lines 53, 54 and the central fastening regions 51 can be prevented from self-adhesion to each other.

[0060] As described above, the packaging sheet 20 has overlapping portions 24 where both side portions extending in the longitudinal direction Y overlap each other, and the overlapping portions 24 are located inside the folding lines 53, 54 in the width direction X. When the both side flaps 16 are folded, the side laminated portions 55 of the sanitary napkins 10 are thicker than the central portion. However, by positioning the overlapping portions 24 of the packaging sheet 20 in the central portion, the difference in thickness with the side laminated portions 55 is reduced, allowing the rolled portion 3 of the continuous packaging body 2 to be more stably wound and maintained in a roll shape. Furthermore, even in the region formed only by the packaging sheet 20 located between adjacent sanitary napkins 10 in the longitudinal direction Y, the thickness of the central portion is increased, thereby reducing the difference in thickness with the portion where the sanitary napkins 10 are located, and stabilizing the shape of the rolled portion 3 of the continuous packaging body 2.

[0061] The continuous package 2 is wound into a roll so that the surface of the sanitary napkins 10 faces inward. This allows the sanitary napkins 10 to be curved overall, with both side portions curling toward the surface when removed, making them easier to fit snugly against the body when worn. Furthermore, even when the sanitary napkins 10 are folded in thirds and stored in the individual packages 5, the sanitary napkins 10 themselves are less likely to develop creases extending in the width direction X, thereby preventing leakage of bodily fluids due to creases.

[0062] Although not shown, the fold lines 53, 54 may be located on the absorbent body 13, and portions of the absorbent body 13 located outside the side flaps 16 and the fold lines 53, 54 in the width direction X may be folded inward in the width direction X via the fold lines 53, 54. In such a case, the absorbent body 13 is overlapped in the thickness direction Z, and the side laminated portions 55 of the sanitary napkin 10 become even thicker, which further increases the thickness and rigidity of the side edge portions of the continuous package 2 and allows it to be wound and maintained in a roll more stably.

[0063] In this embodiment, the side flaps 16 have wing portions 18 that protrude outward in the width direction X, but the wing portions 18 may be omitted.

[0064] Figure 6 shows an example of a modified continuous packing body 2 according to the first embodiment, in which the packing sheet 20 has an inner cover sheet 20A that covers the skin-facing side of the sanitary napkins 10, and an outer cover sheet 20B that covers the non-skin-facing side of the sanitary napkins 10, and the inner and outer cover sheets 20A, 20B are joined to each other by known welding means at both side seals 28 that extend in the longitudinal direction Y along both side edges of the continuous packing body 2, and at cross seals 27 that extend in the width direction between the sanitary napkins 10 lined up in the longitudinal direction Y.

[0065] In this modification, the sanitary napkins 10 are stored with the side flaps 16 folded inward in the width direction X along the fold lines 53, 54, and the packaging sheet 20 itself is not folded. Even in this embodiment, the difference in the winding diameter R between the side portions and the central portion of the continuous packaging body 2 can be reduced, thereby achieving the technical effect of the present invention.

[0066] Figure 7(A) shows an example of how the continuous packing body 2 is used. In this example, the continuous packing body 2 is disposed in a holder 9 for holding toilet rolls (paper rolls) that is installed in a toilet or the like. Specifically, the continuous packing body 2 is attached in a wound state to a core rod 8 of the holder 9. By rotatably winding the continuous packing body 2 around the core rod 8 in this way in a room such as a toilet, it is possible to achieve excellent storage capacity and also to allow the user to easily take out the sanitary napkins 10 from the continuous packing body 2 and use them, which is highly convenient.

[0067] Furthermore, it is preferable that the length L1 of the mandrel 8 is 110 to 115 mm, and the width W1 of the continuous packing body 2 is ±20 mm of the length L1 of the mandrel 8. In particular, when the width W1 of the continuous packing body 2 is smaller than the length L1 of the mandrel 8, the continuous packing body 2 does not protrude outward from both sides of the mandrel 8. This prevents a situation in which part of the continuous packing body 2 comes into contact with both wall portions of the holder 9 located on both sides of the mandrel 8, thereby hindering its rotation.

[0068] FIG. 7(B) shows another example of use of the continuous packing body 2, in which two continuous packing bodies 2A, 2B are attached in a wound state around a core rod 8 that passes through them.

[0069] In this case, since a plurality of continuous packs 2A, 2B can be stored, the frequency with which the continuous packs 2A, 2B are replaced can be reduced, resulting in even greater storage capacity. Furthermore, one pack can be a continuous pack 2A containing nighttime sanitary napkins, and the other can be a continuous pack 2B containing daytime or morning sanitary napkins, for example. By storing different types of sanitary napkins 10 in this way, the user can select and use them according to the purpose, resulting in even greater convenience.

[0070] Even when multiple continuous packaging bodies 2A, 2B are attached to the core rod 8, it is preferable that the total width dimension of the multiple continuous packaging bodies 2A, 2B is smaller than the longitudinal dimension of the core rod 8. In the illustrated example, two continuous packaging bodies 2A, 2B are arranged on the core rod 8, but three or more may be arranged.

[0071] Second Embodiment The basic structure of the continuous packing body 2 according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, so only the differences will be explained below.

[0072] Referring to Figures 8 and 9, in this embodiment, the transverse cuts 71, 72 of the packaging sheet 20 have a first portion 71 formed in the front cover portion 121 of the packaging sheet 20 that covers the front side of the sanitary napkin 10, and a second portion 72 formed in the back cover portion 122 that covers the back side of the sanitary napkin 10.

[0073] The first portion 71 has a shape that convex toward the sanitary napkin 10, and has both side portions 71a extending diagonally and a central portion 71b located between the both side portions 71a and extending in the width direction X. The second portion 72 extends linearly in the width direction X in the rear cover portion 122.

[0074] The individual packages 5 can be separated from the continuous package 2 by cutting and separating the packaging sheet 20 along the transverse cuts 71, 72. At one end of the individual package 5, an opening is formed along the first portion 71, exposing a portion of the sanitary napkins 10 contained therein. Meanwhile, at the other end of the individual package 5, a generally trapezoidal gripping flap 74 that follows the first portion 71 protrudes outward.

[0075] In this way, by exposing a portion of the sanitary napkin 10 to the outside in the individual package 5, the user can easily pick up and remove the sanitary napkin 10 from the individual package 5. Furthermore, when removing the sanitary napkin 10, the user can pinch the exposed portion of the sanitary napkin 10 with one hand and pinch the gripping flap 74 on the opposite side with the other hand, and then pull out the sanitary napkin 10, allowing for quick removal.

[0076] The first portion 71 has a convex shape that is symmetrical about the longitudinal center line P that bisects the width direction X of the individual packaging body 5, making it easier to grasp the center position of the sanitary napkin 10 in the individual packaging body 5, and can also be used to align the sanitary napkin 10 when storing a used sanitary napkin 10 in the packaging sheet 20 of the individual packaging body 5, rolling it up, and discarding it.

[0077] 8, the gripping flap 74 is located at the tip of the extension portion 4 of the continuous package 2 that remains after the individual packages 5 have been separated, and is sealed by the transverse seal 27 so that the sanitary napkins 10 are not exposed to the outside. This allows the sanitary napkins 10 to be stored hygienically.

[0078] Figure 11 shows an example of a modified example of the continuous packing body 2 according to the second embodiment. In this modified example, the front cover portion 121 and the back cover portion 122 of the packing sheet 20 are formed from separate sheets, and the front and back cover portions 121, 122 are joined to each other by known welding means at a side seal portion 81 extending in the longitudinal direction Y along one side edge of the continuous packing body 2, and at a transverse seal portion 82 extending in the width direction X between the sanitary napkins 10 lined up in the longitudinal direction Y.

[0079] The packaging sheet 20 also has a longitudinal cut 75 extending in the longitudinal direction Y at the center of the surface cover portion 121 in the width direction X.

[0080] By positioning the vertical cut 75 in the surface cover portion 121, even if the sanitary napkin 10 is relatively thick or is strongly fixed to the inner surface of the packaging sheet 20 via the fastening area 52 and is difficult to remove, by cutting the packaging sheet 20 along the vertical cut 75, most of the sanitary napkin 10 can be exposed and the sanitary napkin 10 can be taken out while being firmly grasped.

[0081] In this specification, the term "absorbent article" includes, in addition to sanitary napkins, various known sanitary products that have the ability to absorb body fluids, such as disposable pants-type diapers, disposable open-type diapers, panty liners, light incontinence pads, and breast pads.

[0082] Unless otherwise specified, various known materials commonly used in this field can be used without limitation for the components constituting the sanitary napkin 10 of the present invention. Furthermore, terms such as "first" and "second" are used in this specification merely to distinguish between similar elements, positions, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 2 Continuous packaging 10. Sanitary napkins 11 Surface sheet 12 Back sheet 13 Absorbent 13a Edge of absorber 13b Edge of absorber 13c Side edge of absorbent body 13d Side edge of absorber 15 Both end flaps 16 Both side flaps 20 Packaging Sheet 21 Side edge of packaging sheet 22 Side edge of packaging sheet 29 cuts 53 Bending Line 54 Bending Line 51 Central attachment area 52 Side fastening area 71 Part 1 72 Part 2 X Width direction Y Longitudinal direction

Claims

1. A packaging structure for absorbent articles, comprising: a plurality of absorbent articles having a width direction and a length direction, each of the absorbent articles having a top sheet positioned on the skin-facing side, a back sheet positioned on the non-skin-facing side, and an absorbent body positioned between the top and back sheets; and a packaging sheet that wraps the plurality of absorbent articles and extends continuously in the length direction, wherein a continuous packaging body consisting of the plurality of absorbent articles and the packaging sheet is wound into a roll, the absorbent body has opposite end edges extending in the width direction and opposed to each other in the longitudinal direction, and opposite side edges extending in the longitudinal direction and opposed to each other in the width direction, The absorbent article has both end flaps formed by the front and back sheets extending outward from both end edges of the absorbent body in the longitudinal direction, and both side flaps formed by the front and back sheets extending outward from both side edges of the absorbent body in the width direction, A packaging structure for absorbent articles, characterized in that the both side flaps are folded inward in the width direction along fold lines extending in the longitudinal direction.

2. The packaging structure for absorbent articles according to claim 1, wherein the fold lines extend in the longitudinal direction along the side edges of the absorbent body.

3. 3. The packaging structure for absorbent articles according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the absorbent article has a central fastening region located on the non-skin-facing side of the back sheet and overlapping with the absorbent body in the thickness direction, and both side edges of the central fastening region are located inside the fold line in the width direction.

4. 3. The packaging structure for absorbent articles according to claim 1, wherein the packaging sheet is folded inward in the width direction along the folding lines together with the both side flaps of the absorbent article.

5. The packaging structure for absorbent articles according to claim 4, wherein the packaging sheet has overlapping portions where both side edges extending in the longitudinal direction overlap each other, and the overlapping portions are located more inward in the width direction than the fold lines.

6. 3. The packaging structure for absorbent articles according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the continuous package includes a plurality of individual packages that can be separated by slits located between the absorbent articles lined up in the longitudinal direction, and by separating the individual packages by the slits, a portion of the absorbent articles is exposed to the outside.

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