Diaper packaging

Abstract

The present invention relates to a diaper packaging that maintains its shape even when the number of diapers contained inside decreases after opening, and that makes it easy to remove the diapers. [Solution] The diaper packaging comprises a packaging bag and a plurality of diapers that are folded in half and housed in the packaging bag. The packaging bag has a front section, a back section, a top section, a bottom section, and first and second side sections. Each of the plurality of diapers has a waist end and a crotch end, and a panel section that is folded back and overlapped at the crotch end. The plurality of diapers are arranged along the width direction from the first side section to the second side section in a position where one of the waist end or crotch end forms the upper end and the other forms the lower end. The bottom row of diapers adjacent to the bottom section includes a plurality of folded diapers. The panel section of each of the plurality of folded diapers is folded in the width direction such that the upper end faces upward in the height direction and the lower end faces the center plane in the width direction. At least one of the plurality of folded diapers is arranged on each pair of width-direction side sections.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a diaper package that houses a plurality of diapers.

Background Art

[0002] Diaper packages are known in which a plurality of folded diapers are housed in a packaging bag formed of a soft resin film or the like. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a package having a front face part, a rear face part, a right side face part, a left side face part, an upper face part, and a lower face part, and a plurality of diapers filled in the package in multiple stages in the vertical direction.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] After the diaper package is opened, as the number of diapers housed in the packaging bag decreases with the use of the diapers, it may become difficult to maintain the shape of the soft packaging bag.

[0005] The present invention relates to a diaper package that easily maintains the shape of the packaging bag and allows easy removal of diapers even when the number of diapers housed therein decreases after opening.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A diaper package according to one aspect of the present invention includes a packaging bag and a plurality of diapers housed in the packaging bag in a folded state, and has a height direction, a width direction, and a depth direction that are orthogonal to each other. The diaper package comprises: The diaper packaging further comprises a central width portion located in the middle of the three equal divisions in the width direction, a pair of side width portions located on both sides of the central width portion, and a central width plane consisting of a virtual plane that divides the diaper packaging in two equal parts in the width direction. The aforementioned packaging bag is It has a front portion and a rear portion extending in the height direction and the width direction, respectively; an upper portion and a lower portion extending in the width direction and the depth direction, respectively; and a first side portion and a second side portion extending in the depth direction and the height direction, respectively. Each of the aforementioned multiple diapers is It includes a waist end positioned at the wearer's waist and a crotch end positioned between the wearer's legs, and has a panel portion that is folded back and overlapped at the crotch end. In the aforementioned diaper packaging, Of the aforementioned multiple diapers, at least multiple diapers arranged along the width direction and at the same height level are considered as one diaper group, and one or more diaper groups are housed in the height direction. The multiple diapers belonging to the aforementioned diaper group are: The panel portions are arranged along the width direction from the first side portion to the second side portion, with each facing the first side portion and the second side portion, and one of the waist end or the crotch end portion being positioned as an upper end portion located above the height direction and the other as a lower end portion located below the height direction. The lowest group of diapers adjacent to the lower surface includes multiple folded diapers. Each of the multiple folded diapers has a panel portion that is bent in the width direction such that its upper end faces upward in the height direction and its lower end faces the center plane in the width direction. At least one of the plurality of folded diapers is placed on each of the pair of widthwise side portions. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a diaper package that easily maintains the shape of the packaging bag and allows easy removal of diapers even when the number of diapers stored therein decreases after opening. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view of the diaper package according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a perspective view of the diaper stored in the diaper package, showing the diaper in a form close to that during wearing. [Figure 3] It is a plan view of the diaper, showing the first region of the diaper in a two-folded form. [Figure 4] It is a plan view of the diaper, showing the second region of the diaper in a two-folded form. [Figure 5] It is a cross-sectional view of the diaper package taken along line V-V in Figure 1. [Figure 6] It is a perspective view of the diaper according to the second embodiment of the present invention, showing the diaper in a form close to that during wearing. [Figure 7] It is a plan view of the diaper stored in the diaper package according to the above embodiment, showing the first region of the diaper in a two-folded form. [Figure 8] It is a cross-sectional view of the diaper package corresponding to Figure 5. Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the same reference numerals are assigned to the previously described configurations, and descriptions thereof may be omitted.

[0010] <First Embodiment> [Overall Configuration of Package] First, with reference to Figure 1, the diaper package 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. The diaper package 100 is hereinafter also referred to as "package 100". The package 100 includes a packaging bag 20 and a plurality of diapers 1. The package 100 has a height direction X, a width direction Y, and a depth direction Z that are orthogonal to each other. In the present embodiment, the diaper 1 is a disposable diaper, for example, a pant-type diaper.

[0011] The packaging bag 20 is made of, for example, a soft sheet material. The packaging bag 20 includes, for example, a sheet-shaped base material and a printed layer laminated on the base material. The base material contains, for example, a thermoplastic resin such as polyethylene, polypropylene, or polyamide as a main component. The printed layer is made of a known ink composition. By including the printed layer, various types of information can be printed on the packaging bag 20.

[0012] The packaging bag 20 has a front surface portion 21 and a rear surface portion 22 extending in the height direction X and the width direction Y respectively, an upper surface portion 23 and a lower surface portion 24 extending in the width direction Y and the depth direction Z respectively, and a first side surface portion 25 and a second side surface portion 26 extending in the depth direction Z and the height direction X respectively. The packaging bag 20 is configured in a substantially hexahedral shape in a state where it is unopened and stores a specified number of diapers 1. That is, the front surface portion 21 and the rear surface portion 22 face each other in the depth direction Z, the upper surface portion 23 and the lower surface portion 24 face each other in the height direction X, and the first side surface portion 25 and the second side surface portion 26 face each other in the width direction Y.

[0013] The packaging bag 20 may further include a handle 27. The handle 27 is joined to, for example, the upper surface portion 23 by a joining means such as fusion bonding. In addition, the packaging bag 20 may further include an opening guide portion 28 that has relatively low rigidity and guides a user to cut and open the bag.

[0014] The plurality of diapers 1 are housed in the packaging bag 20 in a state of being folded in two. Hereinafter, the detailed configuration of the diaper 1 will be described.

[0015] [Diaper Configuration] Figure 2 is a perspective view of diaper 1 in a form close to how it looks when worn. Figures 3 and 4 show diaper 1 in a folded state. Note that diaper 1 in the state where it is contained in the packaging bag 20 is in a folded state and will hereinafter also be referred to as "diaper 1 in the contained state". In this specification, the direction connecting the waist (waist end 11) and the crotch (crotch end 12) of diaper 1 is defined as the vertical direction x, and the direction perpendicular to the vertical direction x and corresponding to the left-right direction of the wearer is defined as the horizontal direction y. Note that the vertical direction x can also be expressed as the direction extending from the wearer's ventral side through the crotch area to the dorsal side when worn. Furthermore, "folded state" as used here refers to the state in which diaper 1 is folded in half in the vertical direction x, but in the case of pant-type diapers, it refers to the state in which the first region 10a on the ventral side and the second region 10b on the dorsal side are superimposed in the product state in which the side seal portion 8 described later is formed.

[0016] As illustrated in Figures 2 to 4, the diaper 1 includes a panel section 10. The panel section 10 includes a waist end 11 positioned at the wearer's waist and a crotch end 12 positioned between the wearer's legs, and is folded over and overlapped at the crotch end 12. In this embodiment, the panel section 10 further includes a first region 10a and a second region 10b, which are separated and overlapped by the crotch end 12. The first region 10a and the second region 10b are regions positioned on the wearer's ventral side or back side, respectively. In the example shown in Figures 2 to 4, the first region 10a is positioned on the wearer's ventral side and the second region 10b is positioned on the wearer's back side, but is not limited to this, and the first region 10a may be positioned on the wearer's back side and the second region 10b may be positioned on the wearer's ventral side.

[0017] The waist end 11 is composed of a first waist end 11a positioned in the first region 10a and a second waist end 11b positioned in the second region 10b. When worn, as illustrated in Figure 2, the first waist end 11a and the second waist end 11b separate to form a tubular shape, thereby forming a waist opening 1W that is attached around the wearer's waist.

[0018] The crotch end 12 is formed by the fold of the panel portion 10. In the stored state, the crotch end 12 constitutes the end opposite to the waist end 11 in the vertical direction x (height direction X of the package 100).

[0019] In the illustrated example, the diaper 1 further includes a side seal portion 8 and a pair of leg openings 1L. The side seal portion 8 is formed on the lateral y-side edges of the first region 10a and the second region 10b, and has a configuration in which the first region 10a and the second region 10b are overlapped and joined together. The side seal portion 8 can be formed by known joining means such as heat sealing or ultrasonic sealing. Furthermore, by forming the side seal portion 8 on the waist end 11 side of the lateral y-side edges of the first region 10a and the second region 10b, the leg openings 1L are formed on the crotch end 12 side of the lateral y-side edges of the first region 10a and the second region 10b.

[0020] Furthermore, the panel section 10 includes an outer casing 5 and an absorbent 4.

[0021] The outer casing 5 constitutes the outer surface of the panel portion 10. In this specification, the outer surface of the diaper 1 refers to the surface that is positioned on the wearer's clothing side when worn. The outer casing 5 may constitute the entire outer surface of the panel portion 10, but is not limited to examples where it is composed of a sheet structure that is continuous across the entire outer surface. For example, it may be composed of a sheet structure formed by laminating sheets that are divided into abdominal, crotch, and back sections. Each sheet structure of the outer casing 5 may be composed, for example, as a laminate of multiple thermoplastic sheets. The outer casing 5 may also have, for example, elastic materials (such as elastic threads) between multiple thermoplastic sheets to form gathers around the waist and legs. Examples of thermoplastic resins that make up the main body of the thermoplastic sheet include polyolefins such as polyethylene and polypropylene; polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate; polyamides such as nylon 6 and nylon 66; polyacrylic acid, polyalkyl methacrylate, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, etc., and one of these can be used alone or in combination of two or more. The thermoplastic fibers may be short fibers or long fibers. As thermoplastic fibers, composite fibers such as core-sheath type or side-by-side type, split fibers, irregularly shaped cross-section fibers, heat-shrinkable fibers, etc., can also be used.

[0022] The absorbent material 4 is positioned on the skin side of the outer casing 5. In this specification, "skin side" in diaper 1 refers to the side that is positioned against the wearer's skin when worn. The absorbent material 4 includes a liquid-retaining absorbent core and may further include a core wrap sheet covering the absorbent core. Furthermore, one or more liquid-permeable sheets may be positioned on the skin side of the absorbent material 4, and a leak-proof sheet may be positioned between the absorbent material 4 and the outer casing 5. The materials for the absorbent material 4, liquid-permeable sheets, and leak-proof sheets can be any material used in the art of absorbent articles without particular limitations.

[0023] [Form of diapers in a confined space] The characteristic form of the diapers 1 in their contained state will be described below. Unless otherwise specified, the forms of the packaging 100 and the diapers 1 in the contained state below are those in which the packaging bag 20 is unopened and a specified number of diapers 1 are contained. In this specification, "upper in the height direction X" means the direction approaching the upper surface portion 23 of the substantially hexahedral packaging 100, and "lower in the height direction X" means the direction approaching the lower surface portion 24 of the substantially hexahedral packaging 100. The packaging 100 also has a widthwise central portion 102 located in the center of the width direction Y which is divided into three equal parts, a pair of widthwise side portions 103a and 103b located on both sides of the widthwise central portion 102, and a widthwise central surface 101 which is a virtual surface that divides the packaging 100 in the width direction Y into two equal parts. The criteria for dividing the width direction Y into three and two equal parts is the center of the depth direction Z of the lower surface portion 24 of the package body 100, which is unopened and contains the specified number of diapers 1.

[0024] In the packaging 100, a group of diapers 1 arranged at least along the width direction Y and at the same height level are considered as one diaper group 50, and one or more diaper groups 50 are contained in the height direction X. "A group of diapers 1 arranged at the same height level" means a group of diapers 1 arranged such that 70% or more of the area of ​​the folded panel portion 10 of adjacent diapers 1 in the width direction Y is in contact with each other.

[0025] In the packaging 100, the number of layers of diaper groups 50 contained within is preferably one to three layers, more preferably one or two layers, taking into consideration the prevention of the packaging 100 tipping over and the ease of removing the diapers 1 from the packaging 100. Figure 5 shows an example of packaging 100 containing two layers of diaper groups 50, the bottom layer of diaper group 50a and the top layer of diaper group 50b.

[0026] Multiple diapers 1 belonging to diaper group 50 are arranged along the width direction Y from the first side portion 25 to the second side portion 26, with the panel portion 10 facing the first side portion 25 and the second side portion 26, respectively, and one of the waist end portion 11 or the crotch end portion 12 forming an upper end portion 13 positioned above the height direction X, and the other forming a lower end portion 14 positioned below the height direction X. In the example shown in Figure 5, the upper end portion 13 forms the crotch end portion 12, and the lower end portion 14 forms the waist end portion 11. In this orientation, the vertical direction x of the diaper 1 corresponds to the height direction X of the packaging body 100, the horizontal direction y of the diaper 1 corresponds to the depth direction Z of the packaging body 100, and the thickness direction of the panel portion 10 perpendicular to the vertical direction x and horizontal direction y corresponds to the width direction Y of the packaging body 100 (see Figures 3 and 4).

[0027] Furthermore, the lowest group of diapers 50a adjacent to the bottom surface 24 includes multiple folded diapers 1F. Each panel portion 10 of the multiple folded diapers 1F is folded in the width direction Y such that the upper end portion 13 faces upward in the height direction X and the lower end portion 14 faces the width direction center plane 101. In other words, the folded diaper 1F has a starting point for the fold between the upper end portion 13 and the lower end portion 14 of the panel portion 10, and the portion from the starting point to the lower end portion 14 extends toward the width direction center plane 101. As a result, the center that bisects the lower end portion 14 in the thickness direction of the panel portion 10 is closer to the width direction center plane 101 than the center that bisects the upper end portion 13 in the thickness direction of the panel portion 10. Preferably, the starting point for the fold extends in the depth direction Z. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, the folded diaper 1F positioned between the widthwise center surface 101 and the first side surface 25 is folded to the right when viewed from the paper, and the folded diaper 1F positioned between the widthwise center surface 101 and the second side surface 26 is folded to the left when viewed from the paper. Note that the upper end 13 side of the folded diaper 1F, which faces upward in the height direction X, may be inclined in the width direction Y (for example, the widthwise center surface 101).

[0028] Furthermore, at least one of the multiple folded diapers 1F is placed on each of the pair of widthwise side sections 103a and 103b. "A diaper 1F is placed on the widthwise side section 103a or 103b" means that, in the configuration viewed from the depth direction Z as illustrated in Figure 5, 50% or more of the area of ​​the diaper 1F is placed on the widthwise side section 103a or 103b. At least one of the folded diapers 1F may be placed on the widthwise central section 102.

[0029] The package 100 having the folded diaper 1F as described above may be manufactured, for example, by filling a packaging bag 20 with a diaper 1F that has been folded by a pressurizing process or the like. Alternatively, a diaper 1 without folds may be filled into a packaging bag 20, and then a folded diaper 1F may be formed by applying pressure from the height direction X to the widthwise side portions 103a and 103b of the diaper 1.

[0030] In the above configuration, at the widthwise side portion 103a on the first side portion 25 side, the panel portion 10 of the folded diaper 1F is folded so as to follow the line from the first side portion 25 to the bottom portion 24. Similarly, at the widthwise side portion 103b on the second side portion 26 side, the panel portion 10 of the folded diaper 1F is folded so as to follow the line from the second side portion 26 to the bottom portion 24. By arranging the folded diapers 1F at the bottom widthwise side portions 103a and 103b, even if the number of diapers 1 contained in the packaging bag 20 after opening decreases, the lower end portion 14 of the folded diaper 1 prevents the bottom portion 24 of the packaging bag 20 from lifting. Furthermore, the upper end portion 13 of the folded diaper 1 extends along the depth direction Z and the height direction X, preventing the first side portion 25 and the second side portion 26 from collapsing. As a result, the folded diaper 1F helps maintain the shape of the bottom portion 24, the first side portion 25, and the second side portion 26 of the packaging bag 20. Furthermore, by maintaining the shape of the bottom portion 24, the first side portion 25, and the second side portion 26 of the packaging bag 20, the collapse of the packaging bag 20 and the scattering of the diaper 1 remaining in the packaging bag 20 are suppressed. Therefore, with the above configuration, the shape of the packaging bag 20 after opening can be maintained, and the difficulty in removing the diaper 1 due to the collapse of the shape of the packaging bag 20 can be prevented.

[0031] [Example of diaper arrangement on the bottom shelf] In this embodiment, it is preferable that the multiple folded diapers 1F include diapers 1F adjacent to at least one of the first side portion 25 or the second side portion 26, as illustrated in Figure 5. Furthermore, it is preferable that the multiple folded diapers 1F include diapers 1F adjacent to each of the first side portion 25 and the second side portion 26.

[0032] With this configuration, the folded diaper 1F is adjacent to both the first side portion 25 and / or the second side portion 26 and the bottom portion 24, and the first side portion 25 and / or the second side portion 26 and the bottom portion 24 are more securely supported by the folded diaper 1F. Therefore, with the above configuration, the collapse of the first side portion 25 and / or the second side portion 26 and the lifting of the bottom portion 24 are more effectively prevented, and the shape of the packaging bag 20 can be maintained more effectively.

[0033] Furthermore, as illustrated in Figure 5, in this embodiment, it is preferable that at least one bent diaper 1F lower end portion 14 is positioned between the diaper 1 adjacent to the widthwise central surface 101 and the lower surface portion 24.

[0034] This configuration allows the lower end 14 of the folded diaper 1F to be pressed towards the lower surface 24 by the adjacent diaper 1, thereby stabilizing its folded shape. Therefore, the shape-retaining effect of the packaging bag 20 can be more consistently achieved. In addition, the height of the upper end 13 of the folded diaper 1F in the height direction X can be set relatively low, while the height of the upper end 13 of the adjacent diaper 1 on the width direction center surface 101 side can be set relatively high. As a result, after opening the packaging bag 20, the diaper 1 located on the width direction center surface 101 side is more easily removed by the user, and the folded diaper 1F can remain in the packaging bag 20 longer than the adjacent diaper 1. Therefore, with the above configuration, after opening the packaging bag 20, the folded diaper 1F can remain in the packaging bag 20 for a longer period, and even if the number of diapers 1 decreases, the shape-retaining effect of the folded diaper 1F on the packaging bag 20 can be continuously achieved.

[0035] In this embodiment, the multiple folded diapers 1F may have different degrees of folding. Here, "degree of folding" refers to the degree of folding in the width direction Y of the diaper 1F, and can be evaluated by the height dimension H1 of the diaper 1F in its stored state. Referring to Figure 5, the height dimension H1 of the diaper 1F in its stored state refers to the height dimension in the height direction X of the diaper 1 when it is stored in the packaging bag 20. For example, a folded diaper 1F with a greater degree of folding will have a smaller height dimension H1. On the other hand, an unfolded diaper 1 will have the maximum height dimension H1. A folded diaper 1F with a greater degree of folding will have a longer length along the bottom surface 24, making it easier to conform to the shape of the first side surface 25 or the second side surface 26 and the bottom surface 24, thus making it easier for the packaging bag 20 to exhibit the shape-retaining effect described above.

[0036] In this context, in this embodiment, among the multiple diapers belonging to the lowest diaper group 50a, it is preferable that the greater the height dimension H1 in the height direction X when stored, the greater the distance H2 between the upper end portion 13 and the lower portion 24 in the height direction X. Referring to Figure 5, the distance H2 between the upper end portion 13 and the lower portion 24 in the height direction X can also be rephrased as the height of the upper end portion 13 from the lower portion 24 in the height direction X.

[0037] In this configuration, the height (distance H2) from the lower surface 24 to the upper end 13 of the unfolded diaper 1 is the highest, and the height (distance H2) from the lower surface 24 to the upper end 13 of the folded diaper 1F, which is more folded, is lower. After opening the packaging bag 20, the user is more likely to use the diaper 1 with the highest upper end 13 first, so the unfolded diaper 1 or the folded diaper 1F with a small degree of folding is used first, and the folded diaper 1F with a large degree of folding is more likely to remain in the packaging bag 20. By leaving the folded diaper 1F with a large degree of folding in the packaging bag 20, the shape-retaining effect of the packaging bag 20 can be continuously exercised even if the number of diapers contained decreases after opening.

[0038] Furthermore, in the above configuration, in the lowest diaper group 50a, a plurality of diapers 1, including a folded diaper 1F, are arranged between the widthwise central surface 101 and the first side portion 25, and between the widthwise central surface 101 and the second side portion 26. In at least one of the plurality of diapers 1 arranged between the widthwise central surface 101 and the first side portion 25, or between the widthwise central surface 101 and the second side portion 26, it is preferable that the diaper 1 with a smaller distance H2 between the upper end portion 13 and the lower end portion 24 is arranged further away from the widthwise central surface 101. In other words, it is preferable that a folded diaper 1F with a smaller height dimension H1 and a greater degree of folding is arranged further away from the widthwise central surface 101.

[0039] In this configuration, the height (distance H2) from the lower surface 24 of the upper end 13 of the diaper 1 gradually decreases as you move from the widthwise center surface 101 toward the first side portion 25 and / or the second side portion 26. As a result, after opening, the diapers 1 closer to the widthwise center surface 101, where the height (distance H2) from the lower surface 24 of the upper end 13 is higher, are used first, and the folded diapers 1F that are closer to the first side portion 25 and / or the second side portion 26 and have a greater degree of folding tend to remain. Therefore, after opening the packaging bag 20, the folded diapers 1F that are closer to the first side portion 25 and / or the second side portion 26 and have a high shape-retaining effect of the packaging bag 20 can remain in the packaging bag 20 for a long period of time, and the shape-retaining effect of the packaging bag 20 can be continuously exercised.

[0040] Furthermore, in the above configuration, for each of the multiple diapers 1 arranged between the widthwise central surface 101 and the first side surface 25, and for each of the multiple diapers 1 arranged between the widthwise central surface 101 and the second side surface 26, it is preferable that the diaper 1 with a smaller distance H2 between the upper end 13 and the lower end 24 is arranged further away from the widthwise central surface 101.

[0041] In this configuration, the diapers 1, which are positioned on both sides of the widthwise central surface 101, are configured such that the height (distance H2) of the upper end 13 from the lower surface 24 gradually decreases as you move from the widthwise central surface 101 toward the first side surface 25 and the second side surface 26. As a result, after opening, the folded diapers 1F that are close to the first side surface 25 and the second side surface 26, where the shape-retaining effect of the packaging bag 20 is high, can be more reliably retained for a long period of time, and the shape-retaining effect of the packaging bag 20 can be effectively and continuously exercised.

[0042] Furthermore, in the bottom row of diapers 50a, it is sufficient for one folded diaper 1F to be placed on each widthwise side portion 103a, 103b, but from the viewpoint of enhancing the shape retention effect of the packaging bag 20, it is preferable to place more. Specifically, it is preferable to place two or more folded diapers 1F on at least one of the pair of widthwise side portions 103a, 103b. With this configuration, multiple folded diapers 1F can be placed on the widthwise side portions 103a, 103b close to the first side portion 25 and / or the second side portion 26, and the shape retention effect on the first side portion 25 and / or the second side portion 26 can be effectively exerted. Moreover, from the viewpoint of effectively exerting the shape retention effect on both the first side portion 25 and the second side portion 26, in this embodiment, it is more preferable that two or more folded diapers 1F are placed on each of the pair of widthwise side portions 103a, 103b.

[0043] For example, the ratio of the number of folded diapers 1F to the total number of diapers 1 belonging to the bottom row of diapers 50a is preferably 3% or more, more preferably 5% or more, preferably 80% or less, and more preferably 60% or less, from the viewpoint of improving the shape retention effect of the packaging bag 20. Specifically, the total number of diapers 1 belonging to the bottom row of diapers 50a is not particularly limited, but for example, it is 10 to 50. Also, the ratio of the number of folded diapers 1F to the total number of diapers 1 placed on the widthwise sides 103a, 103b of the bottom row of diapers 50a is preferably 10% or more, more preferably 20% or more, preferably 95% or less, and more preferably 80% or less, from the viewpoint of improving the shape retention effect of the packaging bag 20.

[0044] For example, the minimum height dimension H1 of a folded diaper 1F belonging to the bottom row of diapers 50a is preferably 30% or more, more preferably 40% or more, preferably 90% or less, and more preferably 80% or less, when the maximum height dimension H1 of an unfolded diaper 1 is set to 100%. This allows the folded diaper 1F to effectively maintain the shape of the packaging bag 20.

[0045] Similarly, for example, the minimum distance H2 of a folded diaper 1F belonging to the bottom row of diapers 50a is preferably 32% or more, more preferably 42% or more, preferably 92% or less, and more preferably 82% or less, when the maximum distance H2 of an unfolded diaper 1 is taken as 100%. This allows the folded diaper 1F to maintain the shape of the packaging bag 20 while ensuring that the folded diaper 1F remains in the opened packaging 100 for a longer period of time.

[0046] [Example of the configuration of the opening guidance section] As illustrated in Figure 1, in this embodiment, it is preferable that the packaging bag 20 further has an opening guide portion 28 located on the top surface portion 23. The opening guide portion 28 can be configured to be easier to open than the surrounding area, and examples include a portion having a plurality of closely spaced through holes (so-called perforations) or a plurality of low-basis-weight portions, or a portion where the opening is sealed with an easily peelable tape or the like. The shape of the opening guide portion 28 may extend in the width direction Y as a whole, as shown in the illustrated example, or it may be formed in a U-shape, for example. When the opening guide portion 28 extends in the width direction Y, the user can pinch both sides of the opening guide portion 28 to form an opening. When the opening guide portion 28 is formed in a U-shape, the portion cut along the U-shape becomes a cut piece that the user can pinch, making it easier to form an opening.

[0047] The placement of the opening guide section 28 on the top surface 23 allows the user to grasp the upper end 13 and pull out the diaper 1. This makes it easier to maintain the shape of the remaining diaper 1, and also maintains the shape of any folded diapers 1F, allowing the packaging bag 20 to continuously maintain its shape. Furthermore, the placement of the opening guide section 28 on the top surface 23 makes it easier to use the diapers 1 from the uppermost diaper group 50 if the multiple diapers 1 in the packaging body 100 are arranged in multiple layers of diaper groups 50. This allows any folded diapers 1F included in the lowest layer of diaper group 50 to remain.

[0048] Furthermore, it is preferable that at least a portion of the opening guide portion 28 be positioned in the widthwise center portion 102. By positioning the opening guide portion 28 in the widthwise center portion 102 of the top portion 23, it is possible to guide the user to use the diaper 1 positioned in the widthwise center portion 102 after opening the packaging bag 20, and the folded diapers 1F positioned in the widthwise side portions 103a and 103b are more likely to remain. Also, as described above, if the diaper 1 positioned in the widthwise center portion 102 is not folded much, the height (distance H2) from the bottom portion 24 of the upper end portion 13 of the diaper 1 positioned in the widthwise center portion 102 is high, so it is possible to more effectively guide the user to use the diaper 1 positioned in the widthwise center portion 102. In this way, the above configuration makes it easier to continuously exert the shape-maintaining effect of the folded diaper 1F on the packaging bag 20.

[0049] [Example of diaper composition] The following describes a preferred configuration example of diaper 1. In the diaper 1 in the storage state shown in Figures 3 and 4, the vertical direction x of diaper 1 corresponds to the height direction X of the packaging 100, and the horizontal direction y of diaper 1 corresponds to the depth direction Z of the packaging 100.

[0050] In this embodiment, it is preferable that the panel portion 10 of the diaper 1 has a configuration that easily induces bending. From this viewpoint, in this embodiment, as illustrated in Figures 3 to 5, it is preferable that the upper end portion 13 is composed of the crotch end portion 12 and the lower end portion 14 is composed of the waist end portion 11. As will be described later, the crotch end portion 12 generally has an absorbent material such as the absorbent body 4 that absorbs excrement, while the waist end portion 11 is positioned at the wearer's waist and can therefore be configured to be more flexible than the crotch end portion 12. For this reason, by making the relatively flexible waist end portion 11 the lower end portion 14, it becomes easier to induce bending of the panel portion 10 on the lower end portion 14 side. Furthermore, when an opening guide portion 28 is positioned on the upper surface portion 23, the upper end portion 13 being composed of the crotch end portion 12 makes it easier to grasp the upper end portion 13 and remove the diaper 1. This makes it easier to maintain the shape of the remaining diaper 1, and the shape-retaining effect of the packaging bag 20 due to the maintenance of the shape of the bent diaper 1F can be exerted more effectively.

[0051] In relation to the above configuration, it is preferable that the panel portion 10 has a low-rigidity region 16 including the lower end portion 14, a high-rigidity region 15 including the upper end portion 13 and having higher rigidity than the low-rigidity region 16, and a boundary portion 17 located at the boundary between the low-rigidity region 16 and the high-rigidity region 15 and extending along the depth direction Z. In other words, in this configuration, the boundary portion 17 is located between the upper end portion 13 and the lower end portion 14, the low-rigidity region 16 is located from the lower end portion 14 to the boundary portion 17, and the high-rigidity region 15 is located from the upper end portion 13 to the boundary portion 17. At least a part of the boundary portion 17 needs to extend along the depth direction Z. In Figures 3 and 4, the portion of the boundary portion 17 extending along the depth direction Z is shown with a thick line. Note that "the boundary portion 17 extends along the depth direction Z" means that the boundary portion 17 as a whole extends along the depth direction Z, and the boundary portion 17 does not need to be strictly parallel to the depth direction Z.

[0052] With the above configuration, the boundary portion 17 having a difference in rigidity acts as a bending guide portion, making it easier for the low-rigidity region 16 located on the lower end portion 14 side to bend toward the widthwise center plane 101. Furthermore, since the boundary portion 17 extends along the depth direction Z, the bending guide portion of the diaper 1F can be formed along the depth direction Z. As a result, the bent diaper 1F bends along the depth direction Z extending from the connection portion between the first side portion 25 and / or the second side portion 26 and the lower portion 24, allowing the shape-retaining effect of the first side portion 25 and / or the second side portion 26 and the lower portion 24 to be effectively exerted. In addition, even when multiple bent diapers 1F are arranged adjacent to each other, these bent diapers 1F bend in an orderly manner along their corresponding positions and directions, allowing the shape-retaining effect of these bent diapers 1F to be exerted synergistically.

[0053] In the above configuration, the high-rigidity region 15 is preferably a region with a higher basis weight than, for example, the low-rigidity region 16. Specifically, the high-rigidity region 15 is preferably a region where the absorber 4 is located. In other words, the low-rigidity region 16 is preferably a region where the absorber 4 is not located. Since the absorber 4 has a higher basis weight and higher rigidity compared to the outer casing 5, the presence of the absorber 4 can increase the overall rigidity. As illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, the low-rigidity region 16 may extend in the vertical direction x on the lateral side y of the absorber 4.

[0054] As described above, the absorbent material 4 extends in the vertical direction x from the first region 10a through the crotch end 12 to the second region 10b in the wearing state shown in Figure 2, for example. When the panel portion 10 is housed, the absorbent material 4 is folded back and overlapped with the panel portion 10 at the crotch end 12. Therefore, the high-rigidity region 15 in the panel portion 10 only needs to be the region in which the absorbent material 4 is placed in at least one of the first region 10a and the second region 10b.

[0055] Furthermore, in the above configuration, it is preferable that the boundary portion 17 extends along the end portion 4a in the height direction X (vertical direction x) of the absorbent material 4. That is, it is preferable that at least one of the end portion 4a in the first region 10a or the end portion 4a in the second region 10b of the absorbent material 4 extends along the depth direction Z (horizontal direction y of the diaper 1) to form the boundary portion 17. In this example, if the end portion 4a in the first region 10a and the end portion 4a in the second region 10b of the absorbent material 4 do not overlap, the boundary portion 17 shall extend along the end portion 4a located closer to the waist end portion 11 in the vertical direction x. Alternatively, it is more preferable that the end portion 4a in the first region 10a and the end portion 4a in the second region 10b of the absorbent material 4 overlap, and these two overlapping end portions 4a form the boundary portion 17.

[0056] In the above configuration, the area where the absorbent material 4 is placed constitutes a high-rigidity region 15 including the upper end portion 13, so that the high-rigidity region 15 extends along the height direction X (vertical direction x) of the diaper 1. As a result, when stored, each group of diapers 50 in each layer is more easily positioned stably in the height direction X, and the packaging 100 is less likely to tip over. Furthermore, since the upper end portion 13 is formed by the folded crotch end portion 12 of the absorbent material 4, it becomes easier to grasp the upper end portion 13 when removing the diaper 1 from the packaging 100, and it becomes easier to guide the removal of the diaper 1 from the upper end portion 13. In addition, by removing the diaper 1 from the upper end portion 13, the risk of the shape of the diaper 1 remaining in the packaging bag 20 being distorted is reduced, and it becomes easier to continuously exert the shape-retaining effect of the folded diaper 1F.

[0057] As an example, the basis weight of the high-rigidity region 15 is preferably 250 g / m², from the viewpoint of providing sufficient rigidity and contributing to the stability of the diaper 1. 2 Above, a comfortable 300g / m 2 The above is preferable, preferably 800 g / m² 2 More preferably, 700g / m² 2 The following applies. On the other hand, the basis weight of the low-rigidity region 16 is preferably 10 g / m², from the viewpoint of providing the rigidity necessary for the alignment of the diaper 1 while also providing the flexibility to promote the bending of the diaper 1F. 2 Above, a comfortable 15g / m 2 The above is preferable, preferably 300 g / m² 2 More preferably, 250 g / m² 2 The following applies. Note that the basis weight for each area is calculated by taking the basis weight at 10 or more points within each area and taking the average of those measurements.

[0058] Furthermore, it is preferable that the panel portion 10 further includes a waste tape 18 positioned near the boundary 17 in the high-rigidity region 15. This allows the rigidity of the waste tape 18 to be imparted to the high-rigidity region 15 near the boundary 17, thereby increasing the rigidity difference with the low-rigidity region 16. Therefore, the boundary 17 can function more reliably as the starting point for bending. Note that "a waste tape 18 positioned near the boundary 17 in the high-rigidity region 15" refers to a waste tape 18 that is positioned within 10 mm of the boundary 17 in the high-rigidity region 15.

[0059] [Example of the composition of the diaper group in the second tier] In this embodiment, in the second and subsequent diaper groups 50b, which are positioned above the lowest diaper group 50a in the height direction X, it is preferable that in at least one of the multiple diapers 1 positioned between the widthwise center surface 101 and the first side portion 25, or the multiple diapers 1 positioned between the widthwise center surface 101 and the second side portion 26, the diapers 1 with a smaller distance H2 between the upper end portion 13 and the lower end portion 24 are positioned further away from the widthwise center surface 101. Furthermore, it is even more preferable that in each of the multiple diapers 1 positioned between the widthwise center surface 101 and the first side portion 25, and the multiple diapers 1 positioned between the widthwise center surface 101 and the second side portion 26, the diapers 1 with a smaller distance H2 between the upper end portion 13 and the lower end portion 24 are positioned further away from the widthwise center surface 101.

[0060] In this configuration, the height of the upper end 13 of the diaper 1 gradually decreases as you move from the widthwise center surface 101 toward the first side portion 25 and / or the second side portion 26. As a result, after opening, the diapers 1 closer to the widthwise center surface 101 are used first, and the diapers 1 closer to the first side portion 25 and / or the second side portion 26 tend to remain in the packaging bag 20. This allows the presence of the diapers 1 closer to the first side portion 25 and / or the second side portion 26 to support the first side portion 25 and / or the second side portion 26, making it easier to maintain the shape of the first side portion 25 and / or the second side portion 26 even with the second and subsequent layers of diaper groups 50a.

[0061] Furthermore, it is preferable that the second and subsequent diaper groups 50b have one or more inclined diapers 1T, the upper end portion 13 of which is located closer to the widthwise center plane 101 than the lower end portion 14. The inclined diapers 1T are positioned such that the center dividing the lower end portion 14 into two equal parts in the thickness direction of the panel portion 10 is further from the widthwise center plane 101 than the center dividing the upper end portion 13 into two equal parts in the thickness direction of the panel portion 10. At least one of the inclined diapers 1T is positioned on at least one of the pair of widthwise side portions 103a, 103b.

[0062] This configuration ensures that, in the second and subsequent rows of diapers 50b, the height from the lower surface 24 of the upper end 13 of the tilted diaper 1T positioned on the pair of widthwise side sections 103a, 103b (the distance between the upper end 13 and the lower surface 24) is reliably lower than the height from the lower surface 24 of the upper end 13 of the non-tilted diaper 1 positioned near the widthwise center surface 101 (the distance between the upper end 13 and the lower surface 24), thereby encouraging the preferential use of diapers 1 located closer to the widthwise center surface 101. As a result, the tilted diapers 1T are more likely to remain in the packaging bag 20, and the shape of the first side section 25 and / or the second side section 26 can be maintained even in the second and subsequent rows of diapers 50a.

[0063] <Second Embodiment> The packaging 100 of the second embodiment of the present invention comprises a diaper 1 with a different configuration from the diaper 1 of the first embodiment. In this embodiment, components corresponding to those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions are omitted.

[0064] As illustrated in Figures 6 to 8, the panel portion 10 of the diaper 1 in this embodiment includes a first region 10a and a second region 10b, which are separated and overlapped by the crotch end portion 12, similar to the first embodiment. The waist end portion 11 includes a first waist end portion 11a located in the first region 10a and a second waist end portion 11b located in the second region 10b. In the example shown in Figures 6 and 7, the first region 10a is the ventral region and the second region 10b is the dorsal region, but the first region 10a may be the dorsal region and the second region 10b may be the ventral region.

[0065] In this embodiment, the second region 10b of the panel portion 10 preferably further includes an extension portion 19 that extends from the first waist end 11a to the second waist end 11b on the opposite side of the crotch end 12. In the diaper 1 shown in Figures 6 and 7, the extension portion 19 is a portion that does not face the first region 10a and protrudes upward from the first waist end 11a. "Extending on the opposite side of the crotch end 12" means extending outward from the diaper 1 along the vertical direction x connecting the waist end 11 and the crotch end 12 of the diaper 1. In the illustrated example, the second waist end 11b is a straight line extending in the horizontal direction y, but is not limited to this, and may be a curved shape (round shape) that gently bulges upward in the vertical direction x, for example. In this embodiment, the extension portion 19 is preferably composed of an outer casing 5. The extension portion 19 may or may not include an elastic body.

[0066] As illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, in this embodiment as well, it is preferable that in the stored state, the upper end 13 is composed of the crotch end 12 and the lower end 14 is composed of the waist end 11. In this configuration, in the folded diaper 1F, the waist end 11 on which the extension portion 19 is located is positioned on the lower surface portion 24 side, and the lower end 14 side of the panel portion 10 bends toward the widthwise center surface 101. As a result, in addition to the bending being guided by the relatively flexible lower end 14 side, the area extending along the lower surface portion 24 by the extension portion 19 increases. Therefore, with the above configuration, the folded shape of the folded diaper 1F can be stabilized, and the shape-retaining effect of the folded diaper 1F on the packaging bag 20 can be exerted more effectively.

[0067] From the viewpoint of stabilizing the folded shape of the folded diaper 1F described above, the extension portion 19 is preferably 5 mm to 50 mm in length from the first waist end 11a to the second waist end 11b. The extension dimension of the extension portion 19 is the minimum length in the vertical direction x from the area in the second region 10b facing the first waist end 11a to the second waist end 11b when the folded panel portion 10 is placed on an arbitrary plane without further folding. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of obtaining the above effects more effectively, the extension dimension of the extension portion 19 is more preferably 10 mm to 40 mm.

[0068] <Note> Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0069] In the embodiments described above, an example was described in which the upper end 13 is composed of the crotch end 12 and the lower end 14 is composed of the waist end 11. However, the invention is not limited to this, and for example, the upper end 13 may be composed of the waist end 11 and the lower end 14 may be composed of the crotch end 12.

[0070] Furthermore, the arrangement of the multiple diapers 1 and the multiple folded diapers 1F belonging to diaper groups 50a and 50b is not limited to the examples shown in Figures 5 and 8. For example, in diaper group 50a, at least one folded diaper 1F is provided on each of the pair of widthwise side sections 103a and 103b.

[0071] In the embodiments described above, a pant-type diaper was given as an example, but the invention is not limited to this, and a tape-type diaper may also be used. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0072] 1 diaper 1F Bent diapers 10 Panel section 11 Waist end 12 Inseam end 13 Upper end 14 Lower end 20 packaging bags 21 Front part 22 Rear part 23 Top part 24 Bottom part 25 First side part 26 Second side part 50 Diaper Group 50a Bottom row of diapers 100 diaper packaging (packaging) 101 Width center 102 Center part in width direction 103a, 103b Sides in the width direction

Claims

1. A diaper packaging body comprising a packaging bag and a plurality of diapers that are folded in half and housed in the packaging bag, having mutually orthogonal height, width and depth directions, The diaper packaging further comprises a central width portion located in the middle of the three equal divisions in the width direction, a pair of side width portions located on both sides of the central width portion, and a central width surface consisting of a virtual plane that divides the diaper packaging in two equal parts in the width direction. The aforementioned packaging bag is It has a front portion and a rear portion extending in the height direction and the width direction, respectively, an upper portion and a lower portion extending in the width direction and the depth direction, respectively, and a first side portion and a second side portion extending in the depth direction and the height direction, respectively. Each of the aforementioned multiple diapers is It includes a waist end positioned at the wearer's waist and a crotch end positioned between the wearer's legs, and has a panel portion that is folded back and overlapped at the crotch end, In the aforementioned diaper packaging, Of the aforementioned multiple diapers, at least multiple diapers arranged along the width direction and at the same height level are considered as one diaper group, and one or more diaper groups are housed in the height direction. The multiple diapers belonging to the aforementioned diaper group are: The panel portions are arranged along the width direction from the first side portion to the second side portion, with each facing the first side portion and the second side portion, and one of the waist end or the crotch end is positioned as an upper end located above the height direction, and the other as a lower end located below the height direction. The lowest group of diapers adjacent to the lower surface includes multiple folded diapers, Each of the aforementioned multiple folded diapers has a panel portion that is folded in the width direction such that its upper end faces upward in the height direction and its lower end faces the center plane in the width direction. Each of the pair of widthwise side portions is provided with at least one of the plurality of folded diapers. Diaper packaging.

2. The aforementioned multiple folded diapers, A diaper adjacent to at least one of the first side portion or the second side portion, The diaper packaging according to claim 1.

3. At least one of the lower ends of the folded diaper is Displaced between the diaper adjacent to the widthwise central surface and the lower surface portion, The diaper packaging according to claim 1 or 2.

4. Among the multiple diapers belonging to the lowest diaper group, the greater the height dimension in the height direction when the diaper is contained in the packaging bag, the greater the distance in the height direction between the upper end and the lower part. The diaper packaging according to claim 1 or 2.

5. In the bottommost diaper group, the multiple diapers, including the folded diaper, are arranged between the widthwise central surface and the first side surface, and between the widthwise central surface and the second side surface. In at least one of the plurality of diapers arranged between the widthwise central plane and the first side portion, or between the widthwise central plane and the second side portion, the diaper with a smaller distance between its upper end and lower portion is positioned further away from the widthwise central plane. The diaper packaging according to claim 4.

6. In each of the plurality of diapers arranged between the widthwise central surface and the first side portion, and in each of the plurality of diapers arranged between the widthwise central surface and the second side portion, the diaper with a smaller distance between the upper end and the lower portion is arranged further away from the widthwise central surface. The diaper packaging body according to claim 5.

7. The aforementioned packaging bag is The above-mentioned upper portion further comprises an opening guide portion, The diaper packaging according to claim 1 or 2.

8. The upper end is composed of the crotch end, The lower end is formed by the waist end. The diaper packaging according to claim 1 or 2.

9. The aforementioned panel section is The low-rigidity region including the lower end, A high-rigidity region, which includes the upper end and has higher rigidity than the low-rigidity region, A boundary portion is located between the low-rigidity region and the high-rigidity region and extends along the depth direction, The diaper packaging according to claim 8.

10. The aforementioned panel section further comprises, The outer casing that makes up the outer surface, The outer casing has an absorbent body that is placed on the skin side, The aforementioned high-rigidity region is the region where the absorber is arranged. The boundary portion extends along the end of the absorber in the height direction, The diaper packaging body according to claim 9.

11. The aforementioned panel section further comprises, Having a first region and a second region, which are separated and overlapped by the aforementioned crotch end, The waist end includes a first waist end located in the first region and a second waist end located in the second region. The second region further has an extension portion on the opposite side of the crotch end, extending from the first waist end to the second waist end by 5 mm to 50 mm. The diaper packaging according to claim 8.

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