Absorbent articles packaged in materials containing natural fibers

Abstract

The present invention relates to individually packaged absorbent articles provided in a folded configuration and including a wrapper releasably attached to the absorbent article, the wrapper comprising a material including natural fibers.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an individually packaged absorbent article provided in a folded configuration and including a wrapper releasably attached to the absorbent article, the wrapper comprising a material that includes natural fibers. [Background technology]

[0002] Users / consumers of absorbent articles, such as feminine hygiene pads, have developed many different expectations and preferences for such products over the years, as have the products themselves. These expectations and preferences include (in no particular order): (1) that the absorbent article have suitable absorbency so as to easily accept, absorb, contain, isolate, and effectively retain all discharged bodily fluids away from the user's skin and without leakage over a normal period of use / wear; (2) that the absorbent article be as thin (not bulky), flexible, and soft as possible for comfort, adaptability to the wearer's body movements, and discreet wear under clothing; and (3) that the absorbent article and its packaging provide convenient and discreet carrying, easy opening and access to the absorbent article, and convenient disposal of used absorbent articles. More recently, consumers of absorbent articles, such as feminine hygiene pads, have also sought products that include natural, bio-based, and / or recycled materials. And in the disposal context, consumers are looking for products that include components or packaging that are biodegradable, compostable, recyclable, reusable, and / or otherwise contribute to reducing landfill waste.

[0003] Modern absorbent articles, such as feminine hygiene pads, are highly optimized to meet various consumer expectations and preferences. For example, many feminine hygiene pads are folded and compact, resulting in a thin, individualized package that can be carried in a handbag. Such feminine hygiene pads are typically folded and individually wrapped in thin, flexible packaging, which can then be used for post-consumer disposal. The packaging is typically made of plastic, such as polyethylene film. Plastic is generally preferred because it can withstand the rigors of the manufacturing process due to its ability to flex and stretch. However, there is a growing public demand for alternatives to plastic and non-plastic packaging. Replacing plastic packaging materials with packaging materials containing natural fibers, such as paper, in existing manufacturing processes can pose challenges. Materials containing natural fibers may have lower resistance to the stresses typically encountered during such manufacturing processes. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Therefore, there is a need to provide individually packaged disposable absorbent articles made from materials that include natural fibers that can be manufactured at high speeds under existing process conditions. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In some embodiments, the individually packaged absorbent article comprises: an absorbent article comprising a liquid-permeable topsheet, a liquid-impermeable backsheet, and an absorbent layer disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, wherein the outward-facing surface of the backsheet has adhesive disposed thereon; and a wrapper covering the outward-facing surface of the backsheet and releasably attached to the adhesive disposed thereon, the wrapper comprising a sheet material having a basis weight of about 30 gsm to about 85 gsm, and the sheet material comprising about 70% to about 100% natural fibers, and having a fold angle of about 45° to about 90°; wherein the individually packaged absorbent article is provided in a folded configuration, wherein the absorbent article and the wrapper are folded together along at least one fold line.

[0006] In some embodiments, the individually packaged absorbent article comprises: an absorbent article comprising a liquid-permeable topsheet, a liquid-impermeable backsheet, and an absorbent layer disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, wherein the outward-facing surface of the backsheet has adhesive disposed thereon; and a package covering the outward-facing surface of the backsheet and releasably attached to the adhesive disposed thereon, the package comprising a sheet material having a basis weight of about 30 gsm to about 85 gsm and comprising about 70% to about 100% natural fibers; wherein the individually packaged absorbent article is provided in a folded configuration, wherein the absorbent article and the package are folded together along at least one fold line.

[0007] In some embodiments, the individually packaged absorbent article comprises: an absorbent article comprising a liquid-permeable topsheet, a liquid-impermeable backsheet, and an absorbent layer disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, wherein the outward-facing surface of the backsheet has adhesive disposed thereon; and a wrapper covering the outward-facing surface of the backsheet, the wrapper comprising a sheet material having a basis weight of about 30 gsm to about 85 gsm, the sheet material comprising about 70% to about 100% natural fibers, and having a fold angle of about 45° to about 90°; wherein the individually packaged absorbent article is provided in a folded configuration, wherein the absorbent article and the wrapper are folded together along at least two fold lines to form a front section and a back section. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an unopened feminine hygiene product in which a folded feminine hygiene pad is packaged in a package. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a top view of an opened feminine hygiene product with an unfolded feminine hygiene pad on an unfolded package. [Figure 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view of the feminine hygiene pad and wrapper of FIG. 2 in a folded configuration taken along the longitudinal centerline (L). [Figure 3A] FIG. 1 is a top view of the package showing the fold lines. [Figure 3B] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a feminine hygiene pad folded into four sections in a roll-fold configuration with the major fold tips oriented toward the top of the figure. [Figure 3C] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a feminine hygiene pad folded into four sections in a book-cover fold configuration with the major fold tips oriented toward the top of the figure. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a side view of a machine for producing crepe paper. [Figure 5] 5 is an enlarged view of a portion of the machine of FIG. 4, including illustrations of several stages in the production of crepe paper. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a plan view of an opened feminine hygiene product having an unfolded feminine hygiene pad on an unfolded package, showing where the release agent and sealing aid are located on the wearer-facing surface of the package. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a plan view of an opened feminine hygiene product having an unfolded feminine hygiene pad on an unfolded package, showing where the release agent and sealing aid are located on the wearer-facing surface of the package. [Figure 8A] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a wrapper and one or more coating layers applied to the wrapper. [Figure 8B] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a wrapper and one or more coating layers applied to the wrapper. [Figure 8C] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a wrapper and one or more coating layers applied to the wrapper. [Figure 8D] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a wrapper and one or more coating layers applied to the wrapper. [Figure 9A] FIG. 1 is a top view of an opened feminine hygiene product having an unfolded feminine hygiene pad on an unfolded package, showing where a sealing aid is placed on the package. [Figure 9B] FIG. 1 is a top view of an opened feminine hygiene product having an unfolded feminine hygiene pad on an unfolded package, showing where a sealing aid is placed on the package. [Figure 9C] FIG. 1 is a top view of an opened feminine hygiene product having an unfolded feminine hygiene pad on an unfolded package, showing where a sealing aid is placed on the package. [Figure 9D] FIG. 1 is a top view of an opened feminine hygiene product having an unfolded feminine hygiene pad on an unfolded package, showing where a sealing aid is placed on the package. [Figure 10] 1 is a graph of web modulus (1-2% strain) versus elongation (%) for eight different packaging materials. [Figure 11]11 is a graph showing the effect of paper properties on folding angle for the three paper packaging materials shown in FIG. 10. [Figure 12A] The equipment used in the ultra-sensitive three-point bending method is shown. [Figure 12B] The equipment used in the ultra-sensitive three-point bending method is shown. [Figure 12C] The equipment used in the ultra-sensitive three-point bending method is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] definition As used herein, the term "absorbent article" refers to a device that absorbs and contains bodily exudates, and more specifically, to a device that is placed against or in proximity to the body of a wearer to absorb and contain various bodily exudates. Absorbent articles of the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, diapers, adult incontinence briefs, training pants, diaper holders, diaper outer covers, absorbent inserts for diaper outer covers, feminine hygiene / menstrual pads, incontinence pads, liners, panty liners, tampons, durable feminine hygiene / menstrual pants, disposable swim trunks, and the like.

[0010] The term "renewable" is synonymous with the terms "bio-based," "sustainable," "sustainably derived," or "derived from sustainable sources," and means biologically derived (derived from renewable sources, e.g., plants) or "non-geologically derived." "Geologically derived" means derived, for example, from petrochemicals, natural gas, or coal. "Geologically derived" materials cannot be easily replenished or regenerated (in contrast, for example, to oils produced from plants or algae).

[0011] As used herein, the term "renewable component" refers to a component that is derived from a renewable raw material and contains renewable carbon. Renewable raw materials are derived from renewable sources, e.g., plants, and are of non-geological origin. Materials can be partially renewable (less than 100% renewable carbon content, about 1% to about 50% renewable carbon content) or 100% renewable (100% renewable carbon content). Renewable materials can also be blended with non-renewable materials.

[0012] "Renewable carbon" may be assessed according to ASTM D6866, "Assessment of the Bio-Sourced Content of Materials" method.

[0013] As used herein, the terms "substantially free of" or "substantially free from" refer to either a complete absence or minimal amount of a component simply as an impurity or unintended by-product of another component. A composition "substantially free of" a component means that the composition contains less than about 5%, 3%, 2%, 1%, 0.5%, 0.25%, 0.1%, 0.05%, or 0.01%, or even 0%, by weight of the composition, of the component.

[0014] As used herein, the term "natural fibers" refers to fibers including cellulosic fibers, bamboo-based fibers, and the like. Natural fibers also refer to non-wood fibers such as cotton, abaca, kenaf, saba grass, flax, esparto fiber, straw, jute, bagasse, milkweed floss fiber, and pine leaf fiber; woody, timber, or pulp fibers such as those obtained from deciduous and coniferous trees, including softwood fibers such as northern and southern softwood kraft fibers; and hardwood fibers such as eucalyptus, maple, birch, and aspen. Pulp fibers can be prepared in high-yield or low-yield forms and can be pulped by any known method of chemical or mechanical pulping, including kraft, sulfite, and high-yield pulping. The natural fibers of the present disclosure may be recycled natural fibers, virgin natural fibers, or mixtures thereof. Furthermore, for good mechanical properties in natural fibers, it may be desirable for the natural fibers to be relatively undamaged and largely unrefined or only slightly refined. Natural fiber pulps can be characterized by a Canadian Standard Freeness value, which is widely used to characterize the change in pulp freeness and to express the change in fiber properties during beating and refining. The Canadian Standard Freeness value has been shown to be related to the surface condition and swelling of pulp fibers and can be used to control fiber properties by selecting the optimal level of refining energy required for a selected grade of pulp. The Canadian Standard Freeness value can vary depending on the type of fiber, fiber morphology, and mass concentration in the fiber suspension. The Canadian Standard Freeness value can be determined according to standardized test procedures, such as TAPPI T-227 om-17(2017).

[0015] As used herein, the term "cellulosic fiber" includes cellulose fibers such as wood fibers, regenerated cellulose fibers such as cotton, rayon, or cuprammonium rayon, and high-pulp-yield fibers. The term "cellulosic fiber" also includes chemically treated natural fibers, such as mercerized pulp, chemically stiffened or crosslinked fibers, or sulfonated fibers. Also included are mercerized natural fibers, regenerated natural cellulose fibers, microbially produced cellulose, rayon processes, cellulose dissolution and coagulation spinning processes, and other cellulose materials or cellulose derivatives. Other cellulosic fibers that may be included are broken paper or recycled fibers and high-yield fibers. High-yield pulp fibers are fibers produced by pulping processes that provide a yield of about 65% or greater, more specifically about 75% or greater, and even more specifically about 75% to about 95%, where yield is the resulting amount of processed fiber expressed as a percentage of the initial wood mass. Such pulping processes include bleached chemithermomechanical pulp (BCTMP), chemithermomechanical pulp (CTMP), pressure / pressure thermomechanical pulp (PTMP), thermomechanical pulp (TMP), thermomechanical chemical pulp (TMCP), high-yield sulfite pulp, and high-yield kraft pulp, all of which leave the resulting fibers with high levels of lignin but are still considered natural fibers. High-yield fibers are known for their stiffness in both the dry and wet states compared to typical chemically pulped fibers.

[0016] As used herein, the term "machine direction" or "MD" refers to the path that a material, such as a web, follows through a manufacturing process.

[0017] As used herein, the terms "cross-machine direction" or "CD" refer to the path in the plane of the web that is perpendicular to the machine direction.

[0018] With respect to an absorbent article such as a feminine hygiene pad that is opened and laid flat on a horizontal plane, "lateral" refers to the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and parallel to the horizontal plane. "Width" refers to the dimension measured along the lateral direction.

[0019] With respect to an absorbent article, such as a feminine hygiene pad, that is laid open and flat on a horizontal plane and has a length measured from its front-most end to its rear-most end, "longitudinal direction" refers to the direction parallel to the line along which the length is measured and parallel to the horizontal plane. "Length" refers to the dimension measured in the longitudinal direction.

[0020] With respect to absorbent articles such as feminine hygiene pads, the terms "front," "back," "anterior," and "rear" refer to the position normally worn by a user and to features or areas of the article at the front and rear of the user's body when standing upright.

[0021] With respect to an absorbent article, such as a feminine hygiene pad, that is open and laid flat on a horizontal plane, the "z-direction" refers to the direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane. When the article is being worn by a user (and thus is in a curved configuration), the "z-direction" at any particular point on the article refers to the direction perpendicular to the wearer-facing surface of the article at that particular point.

[0022] With respect to absorbent articles such as feminine hygiene pads, "wearer-facing" is a relative positional term that refers to a component or structural feature of the article that, during use, is closer to the wearer than another feature of the component or structure that is located along the same z-direction. For example, a topsheet has a wearer-facing surface that is located closer to the wearer than the opposite, outward-facing surface of the topsheet.

[0023] With respect to absorbent articles such as feminine hygiene pads, "outward-facing" or "garment-facing" are relative positional terms that refer to a component or feature of the article that, during use, is farther from the wearer than another feature of the component or structure that is located along the same z-direction. For example, a topsheet has an outward-facing or garment-facing surface that is located farther from the wearer than an opposite wearer-facing surface of the topsheet.

[0024] explanation Absorbent feminine hygiene pads Absorbent feminine hygiene pads may have any shape known in the art of feminine hygiene articles, including a generally symmetrical "hourglass" shape, as well as a pear shape, bicycle seat shape, trapezoidal shape, wedge shape, or other shape with one end wider than the other. Sanitary napkins and panty liners may also be provided with lateral extensions (known in the art as "flaps" or "wings"). Such extensions can serve many purposes, including, but not limited to, preventing soiling of the wearer's panties and holding the sanitary napkin securely in place. Absorbent articles have a wearer-facing side that contacts the user's body during use and an opposite garment-facing or outward-facing side that contacts the user's undergarments during use.

[0025] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a disposable feminine hygiene product, and Figure 2 is a top view of a disposable feminine hygiene product according to the present disclosure in an opened state, with an unfolded feminine hygiene pad 20 on an unfolded package 80. The pad 20 (and its component layers) has a wearer-facing surface 22 and a garment-facing surface 24 opposite the wearer-facing surface 22. The feminine hygiene pad 20 shown in Figure 2 is viewed from the wearer-facing surface 22. The feminine hygiene pad 20 has a perimeter 29 that defines the outermost edge of the pad 20. The feminine hygiene pad 20 has two centerlines: a longitudinal centerline L and a lateral centerline T.

[0026] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the feminine hygiene pad and wrapper of FIG. 2 in a folded configuration, taken along the longitudinal centerline (L). The pad 20 may be folded along the two fold lines H shown in FIG. 2 with the wrapper sheet 80. The number of fold lines may vary depending on the size or design of the pad 20. For example, the number of fold lines may be one, two, three, or more, as desired. After folding, an outer surface 94 at one end of the wrapper 80 (the surface facing away from the feminine hygiene pad) is joined to an outer surface 94 at the other end of the wrapper 80 by a resealable tape 98, thereby forming the individual package shown in FIG. 3. A soiled pad may be packaged in the wrapper 80, and the resealable tape 98 may be used to reseal the wrapper 80 to dispose of the soiled pad. Alternatively, the feminine hygiene pad 20 may be placed within the pouch formed by the wrapper, in either a folded or unfolded configuration. In some embodiments, the package 80 may be sealed without reseal tape.

[0027] In some embodiments, the wrapper may be folded along three fold lines H, as shown in FIG. 3A. The wrapper in FIGS. 3A-3C is shown without the absorbent article for ease of illustration. However, it should be understood that the absorbent article is folded along with the wrapper. The wrapper folded along the three fold lines H may be folded in various configurations, such as a roll-fold configuration and a book-fold configuration. A roll-fold configuration is shown in FIG. 3B. In the roll-fold configuration, the rear section 213 is folded onto the rear middle section 212 along about the rear lateral fold line H, then both sections 213 and 212 are folded together onto the front middle section 211 about the central lateral fold line H, and finally, the three sections 213, 212, and 211 are folded together onto the front section 210 about the front lateral fold line H. The foregoing procedure results in a front-section-out roll-fold configuration, in which the front section 210 is positioned on the outside of the folded pad configuration, as shown in FIG. 3B. It will be appreciated that the alternative roll-fold configuration described above may be formed by first folding the front section 210 over the front lateral fold line H and proceeding to fold rearward, thereby resulting in a rear-section-out roll-fold configuration, in which the rear section 210 is located on the outside of the folded configuration. However, a front-section-out roll-fold configuration such as that shown in FIG. 3B may be desirable for user convenience, as it provides a front-to-back unfolding that may be more intuitive for the user. It will be appreciated that a front-section-out roll-fold configuration, or a rear-section-out roll-fold configuration (if desired), may be made via different processes than those described above.

[0028] The second configuration is a book cover folded configuration, shown in FIG. 3C. In the book cover folded configuration, the front section 210 is folded over the front middle section 211 about the front lateral fold line H, and the rear second section 212 is folded over the rear middle section 212 about the rear lateral fold line H (these two folds can occur simultaneously or sequentially). Finally, the two remaining sections, including the front section 210 folded over the front middle section 211 as a unit and the rear section 213 folded over the rear middle section 212, are folded together about the central lateral fold line H to form the book cover folded configuration shown in FIG. 3C. It should be understood that other folded configurations known in the art exist.

[0029] 2 and 3, the absorbent pad 20 may include a liquid pervious topsheet 30, a liquid impervious backsheet 40, and an absorbent layer / core 50 disposed between the topsheet and backsheet. The topsheet and backsheet may be bonded together around the peripheral edges of the absorbent pad by any suitable mechanism, including, but not limited to, adhesive bonding, thermal / heat bonding, pressure bonding, ultrasonic bonding, dynamic mechanical bonding, crimp sealing, or any other suitable bonding method, thereby holding and retaining the absorbent layer / core 50 in place between the topsheet 30 and backsheet 40.

[0030] The absorbent pad 20 may include opposed wings (not shown) extending laterally from the longitudinal side edges of the pad by a width dimension relatively greater than that of the main portion of the pad. The wings may be formed from lateral extensions of the material forming the topsheet 20, the backsheet 30, or both. The wings of the absorbent pads of the present disclosure may be integrally formed as part of the topsheet. In some forms, the wings may be integrally formed as part of the backsheet. In some forms, the wings may be integrally formed as part of the topsheet and the backsheet. In some forms, the wings may be integrally formed with additional layers of the absorbent article (as described herein). In still other forms, the wings may be formed separately and joined to the chassis. The outward-facing surface of the backsheet, which forms the underside of the main portion, and the outward-facing surfaces of the wings may have deposits of adhesive 70 thereon. If present, the wings may be folded onto the wearer-facing surface of the pad, and following such folding, a release film or paper may be applied to the portions of the wings where the adhesive is deposited to cover and protect the adhesive prior to use.

[0031] Adhesive deposits 70 may be provided to allow a user to adhere the pad to the inside crotch region of their pants. The adhesive deposits 70 on the outward-facing surfaces of the wings allow a user to secure the wings around the edges of the leg openings of the undergarment and adhere them to the outside / underside of the undergarment in the crotch region, providing additional support and helping to protect the leg opening edges of the undergarment from soiling. Once the pad 20 is packaged and folded, the adhesive deposits 70 may be covered by the wrapper 80 to protect the adhesive deposits 70 from contact with other surfaces until the user is ready to remove the wrapper 80 and position the pad 20 for use. The wings and / or adhesive deposits 70 on the pad 20 may be covered by one or more removable sheets of release film or paper.

[0032] The topsheet 30 may be formed of any suitable liquid pervious web material. Referring again to Figures 2 and 3, the topsheet 30 is positioned adjacent to the wearer-facing surface of the absorbent layer 50 and may be joined to the absorbent layer 50 and the backsheet 40 by any suitable attaching or bonding method. The topsheet 30 and backsheet 40 may be joined directly to each other at the perimeter edges of the absorbent pad (outside of the absorbent layer 50) and / or may be joined indirectly by being directly joined to the wearer-facing and outward-facing surfaces, respectively, of the absorbent layer 50 or to additional optional layers included with the pad.

[0033] The topsheet 30 may be formed of any liquid-permeable web material that conforms favorably to the wearer's skin, is soft-feeling, and is non-irritating. Suitable topsheet materials include liquid-permeable materials that contact the wearer's body and allow menstrual discharge to rapidly pass through. Some suitable examples of topsheet materials include films, nonwovens, laminate structures including film / nonwoven layers, film / film layers, and nonwoven / nonwoven layers. Other exemplary topsheet materials and designs are disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2016 / 0129661, 2016 / 0167334, and 2016 / 0278986.

[0034] Suitable topsheets can be made of various materials, such as woven and nonwoven materials; perforated film materials, including perforated thermoplastic films, perforated plastic films, and intertwined fiber perforated films; hydroformed thermoplastic films; porous foams; reticulated foams; reticulated thermoplastic films; thermoplastic scrims; or combinations thereof.Some suitable examples of films that can be used as topsheets are described in U.S. Patent Nos. 3,929,135, 4,324,246, 4,342,314, 4,463,045, 5,006,394, 4,609,518, and 4,629,643.

[0035] Non-limiting examples of woven and nonwoven web materials that may be suitable for use as topsheets include fibrous materials made from natural fibers, modified natural fibers, synthetic fibers, or combinations thereof. Some suitable examples are disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,950,264, 4,988,344, 4,988,345, 3,978,185, 7,785,690, 7,838,099, 5,792,404, and 5,665,452.

[0036] In some examples, the topsheet is described in U.S. Patent Nos. 8,728,049, 7,553,532, 7,172,801, 8,440,286, 7,648,752, and 7,410,683. The topsheet may have a pattern of individual hair-like fibrils, as described in U.S. Patent Nos. 7,655,176 or 7,402,723. Additional examples of suitable topsheet materials include those described in U.S. Patent Nos. 8,614,365, 8,704,036, 6,025,535, and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 041640. Another suitable topsheet may be formed from a three-dimensional substrate, as described in detail in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0258647. The topsheet may have one or more layers as described in U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2016 / 0167334, 2016 / 0166443, and 2017 / 0258651. The topsheet may be apertured as described in U.S. Patent No. 5,628,097.

[0037] As contemplated herein, the component nonwoven web material from which the topsheet 30 can be cut may be a nonwoven web material that includes, consists primarily (by weight) or entirely of cellulosic plant fibers, such as cotton, flax, hemp, jute, or mixtures thereof, that are naturally hydrophilic or that have been suitably treated to be hydrophilic (or have increased hydrophilicity) and suitably soft to the touch. Plant fibers may be preferred to appeal to consumer preferences for natural products. In other examples, semi-synthetic fibers derived from cellulosic materials such as rayon (including viscose, lyocell, MODAL (a product of Lenzing AG, Lenzing, Austria), and cuprammonium rayon) may be used. In some examples, a topsheet cut from a carded nonwoven that includes, consists primarily (by weight) or entirely of cotton fibers may be preferred. In some examples, the nonwoven web material may be formed by a carding process. In some other embodiments, the nonwoven web material may be any of the materials described in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 8,017,534, U.S. Pat. No. 4,100,324, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003 / 0200991, U.S. Pat. No. 5,508,102, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003 / 0211802, European Patent No. 0 333 As described in WO 2009 / 10938, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0000695, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0002486, U.S. Patent No. 9,944,047, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0022643, and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0002848, nonwoven web materials may be formed in a co-forming process in which finite length vegetable fibers are physically blended or mixed with a stream of indefinite length filaments spun from a polymer resin and placed on a forming belt to form a web.

[0038] To limit the bulk and caliper (thickness) of the pad, it may be desirable to place the topsheet directly face-to-face with the absorbent layer without an intervening layer therebetween. Alternatively, the pad may include an intervening layer, such as a secondary topsheet and / or acquisition layer, positioned between the topsheet and the absorbent core. The secondary topsheet and / or acquisition layer may be formed from a nonwoven web material, such as a spunlaced nonwoven. Suitable spunlaced nonwovens are described in further detail in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0351976. In some configurations, the secondary topsheet may contain a superabsorbent that is similar to or different from the superabsorbent in the absorbent core. The secondary topsheet may have a first end, an opposite second end, and a pair of longitudinally opposed side edges connecting the first end and the second end. The secondary topsheet may be asymmetric or symmetric about the longitudinal centerline.

[0039] Any suitable absorbent layer / core known in the art may be used. The absorbent layer / core may be any absorbent member that is generally compressible, conformable, non-irritating to the wearer's skin, and capable of absorbing and retaining liquids such as urine, menses, and / or other bodily exudates. The absorbent layer / core may be made from a wide variety of liquid-absorbing materials commonly used in disposable absorbent articles, such as ground wood pulp (commonly called airfelt). The absorbent layer / core may contain a superabsorbent polymer (SAP) and less than 15%, less than 10%, less than 5%, less than 3%, or less than 1% airfelt, or may contain no airfelt at all. Examples of other suitable absorbent materials include shrunken cellulose wadding, meltblown polymers containing coform, chemically stiffened, modified or crosslinked cellulosic fibers, tissue including tissue wraps and tissue laminates, absorbent foams, absorbent sponges, superabsorbent polymers, absorbent gelling materials, or any equivalent material or combination of materials.

[0040] The composition and structure of the absorbent layer / core can vary (e.g., the absorbent core may have varying caliper zones, hydrophilic gradients, superabsorbency gradients, or acquisition zones of lower average density and lower average basis weight, or may include one or more layers or structures). In some forms, the absorbent layer / core may include one or more channels, such as 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 channels.

[0041] The absorbent layer / core of the present disclosure may include one or more adhesives, for example, to help secure the SAP or other absorbent material within the core wrap and / or to ensure the integrity of the core wrap, especially when the core wrap is made of two or more substrates. The core wrap may extend to a larger area than is needed to accommodate the absorbent material therein.

[0042] Absorbent layers / cores containing relatively high amounts of SAP with various core designs are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,599,335 to Goldman et al., European Patent No. 1,447,066 to Busam et al., International Publication No. WO 95 / 11652 to Tanzer et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2008 / 0312622(A1) to Hundorf et al., and International Publication No. WO 2012 / 052172 to Van Malderen.

[0043] Other configurations and further details regarding channels and pockets that are free or substantially free of absorbent material, such as SAP, within the absorbent core are described in more detail in U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2014 / 0163500, 2014 / 0163506, and 2014 / 0163511, all published June 12, 2014.

[0044] Other suitable materials for use in the absorbent layer / core include open-cell foam or fragments thereof. The use of foam in absorbent cores is described in further detail in U.S. Patent Nos. 6,410,820, 6,107,356, 6,204,298, 6,207,724, 6,444,716, 8,211,078, and 8,702,668.

[0045] In some embodiments, the absorbent layer / core structure may comprise a heterogeneous mass layer, or may be a composite of layers as described in U.S. Patent Application Nos. 14 / 715,984, filed May 19, 2015, 14 / 750,399, filed June 25, 2015, 14 / 751,969, filed June 26, 2015, 15 / 078,132, filed March 23, 2016, 14 / 750,596, filed June 25, 2015, 14 / 751,969, filed June 26, 2015, 15 / 078,132, filed March 23, 2016, 14 / 750,596, filed March 25, 2016, 14 / 751,969, filed June 26, 2015, 14 / 751,969, filed March 26, 2016, 14 / 751,969, filed May 19, 2015, 14 / 751,969, filed June 26 ... U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 084,902 filed on November 30, 2016, U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 343,989 filed on November 4, 2016, U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 344,273 filed on November 4, 2016, U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 344,294 filed on November 4, 2016, U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 704,110 filed on May 5, 2015, U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 194,894 filed on June 28, 2016, U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 194,894 filed on November 4, 2016, No. 15 / 344,050, filed November 4, 2016, U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 344,117, filed November 4, 2016, U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 344,177, filed November 4, 2016, U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 344,198, filed November 4, 2016, U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 344,221, filed November 4, 2016, U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 344,239, filed November 4, 2016, U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 344,250, filed November 4, 2016 No. 5, U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 464,733, filed November 4, 2016, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 437,208, filed December 21, 2016, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 437,225, filed December 21, 2016, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 437,241, filed December 21, 2016, or U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 437,259, filed December 21, 2016, may be utilized. The heterogeneous mass layer has a depth, a width, and a height.

[0046] In some configurations, a combination of absorbent layer / core materials may be utilized. For example, configurations are contemplated in which a first layer of the absorbent core comprises a foam material or fragments thereof, as described above, and a second layer of the absorbent core comprises an airlaid material. Such combinations are described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0336606 and U.S. Patent No. 9,649,228.

[0047] The backsheet 40 can be positioned adjacent to the outward-facing surface of the absorbent layer / core 50 and can be joined to this surface by any suitable attachment method. For example, the backsheet 40 can be secured to the absorbent layer 50 by a uniform continuous layer of adhesive, a patterned layer of adhesive, or an array of individual lines, spirals, or dots of adhesive. Exemplary, but non-limiting, adhesives include those manufactured by HB Fuller Company (St. Paul, Minn., USA) and commercially available as HL-1358J. One example of a suitable attachment means comprising an open-pattern network of adhesive filaments is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,573,986, entitled "Disposable Waste-Containment Garment," issued March 4, 1986 to Minetola et al. Another suitable attachment means, comprising several lines of adhesive filaments wound in a spiral pattern, is exemplified by the apparatus and method shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,911,173, issued Oct. 7, 1975 to Sprague, Jr.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,785,996, issued Nov. 22, 1978 to Ziecker et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,842,666, issued Jun. 27, 1989 to Werenicz. Alternatively, the attachment method may include thermal bonding, pressure bonding, ultrasonic bonding, dynamic mechanical bonding, or any other suitable attachment mechanism, or combinations thereof. In other examples, it is contemplated that the absorbent layer 50 is not directly bonded to the backsheet 40. The topsheet 30 may be joined to the backsheet 40 by the attachment methods described above. The topsheet and backsheet may be joined directly to each other around the periphery of the pad and / or may be joined indirectly to each other by directly bonding each to the absorbent core 50 by any suitable attachment method.

[0048] The backsheet 40 may be impermeable or substantially impermeable to liquids (e.g., urine, menstrual fluid) and may be fabricated from a thin plastic film, although other flexible, liquid-impermeable materials may also be used. As used herein, the term "flexible" refers to a material that is conformable and readily conforms to the general shape and contours of the human body. The backsheet 40 may prevent, or at least substantially prevent, fluids absorbed and contained within the absorbent layer 50 from leaking out and reaching articles of the wearer's clothing that may come into contact with the pad 20, such as undergarments and garments. However, in some instances, the backsheet 40 may be constructed and / or adapted to allow vapors to escape from the absorbent layer 50 (i.e., the backsheet may be constructed to be breathable), while in other instances, the backsheet 40 may be constructed to prevent vapors from escaping (i.e., the backsheet may be constructed to be non-breathable). Thus, the backsheet 40 may comprise a polymeric film, such as a thermoplastic film of polyethylene or polypropylene. A suitable material for the backsheet 40 is a thermoplastic film having a thickness of, for example, from about 0.012 mm (0.5 mil) to about 0.051 mm (2.0 mil). Any suitable backsheet known in the art may be utilized with the present invention.

[0049] Some suitable examples of backsheets are described in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,885,265, 4,342,314, and 4,463,045. Suitable single-layer breathable backsheets for use herein include those described in, for example, British Patent Nos. A2184389, A2184390, and A2184391; U.S. Patent Nos. 4,591,523, 3,989,867, and 3,156,242; International Publication No. 97 / 24097; and U.S. Patent Nos. 6,623,464, 6,664,439, and 6,436,508.

[0050] The backsheet can have two layers, namely, a first layer comprising a vapor-permeable apertured film layer and a second layer comprising a breathable microporous film layer, as described in U.S. Patent No. 6,462,251.Other suitable examples of two-layer or multi-layer breathable backsheets for use herein include those described in U.S. Patent Nos. 3,881,489, 4,341,216, 4,713,068, 4,818,600; European Patent Nos. 203821, 710471, 710472, and 0793952.

[0051] packaging The absorbent pads disclosed herein are individually packaged in a wrapper. The wrapper comprises a material, preferably a sheet material, containing natural fibers. Conventional wrappers are manufactured from thin, flexible materials that may be liquid-impermeable. For example, conventional wrappers may be made from a plastic film or a nonwoven web. The inner surface of the film or nonwoven web (the surface facing the feminine hygiene pad) may be coated with a release agent, such as a silicone release agent, to provide a protective wrapper releasably attached to the pad to protect the adhesive 70 before use, as shown in FIG. 2. Such a protective wrapper also prevents the adhesive 70 from inadvertently adhering to other portions of the pad 20 before use. Alternatively, some conventional individually packaged pads include a release sheet (not shown) that may be attached to the inner surface of an uncoated film or uncoated nonwoven web. The release sheet may be formed from any suitable material known in the art, such as paper or plastic film. The inner surface of the release sheet (the surface facing the feminine hygiene pad) may be coated with a release agent, such as a silicone release agent. Preferably, the release sheet is attached to the wrapper and removed from the pad at the same time as the wrapper, so that an extra step for removing the release sheet is not required. Coated wrappers may be preferred because they eliminate the need for a release sheet. Importantly, for both of these conventional individually packaged pads, the wrapper itself and / or the coated release sheet are generally not recyclable (paper release sheets coated with silicone release agents are generally not recyclable). And, as mentioned above, there is an increasing public demand for materials that are recyclable or otherwise generate minimal landfill waste. Preferably, the wrapper according to the present disclosure is manufactured using recyclable and / or biodegradable materials.

[0052] Packaging according to the present disclosure may comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of paper, where the term "paper" refers to a material manufactured in sheet form from wood pulp or other fibrous substances and may include additives such as synthetic or biodegradable fibers. Packaging comprising paper, such as kraft paper, creped paper, and creped kraft paper, may be recyclable, compostable, and / or biodegradable. Indeed, existing recycling infrastructure may be better positioned to accept and process post-consumer creped paper than post-consumer plastic.

[0053] The paper may be kraft paper, which refers to paper produced from wood pulp by the kraft process, which removes almost all of the lignin from wood, resulting in nearly pure cellulose fibers. The kraft process is known in the art. Kraft paper sheets are characterized by good overall strength properties and high porosity, and are therefore suitable for a variety of applications.

[0054] The paper may contain a blend of hardwood and softwood fibers, preferably a blend consisting primarily of softwood fibers, which can provide the toughness necessary to withstand the creping process and maintain sufficient strength and bond integrity within the fibers. The paper may contain about 50% to about 80% softwood fibers by weight. The paper may contain about 20% to about 50% hardwood fibers by weight. The hardwood fibers may be selected from the group consisting of maple, oak, elm, birch, poplar, aspen, or eucalyptus fibers, and combinations thereof, preferably birch fibers. The softwood fibers may be selected from the group consisting of pine, fir, spruce, hemlock, larch, and combinations thereof, preferably northern pine fibers. The paper may also contain other natural fibers from plants such as cotton, flax, bamboo, straw, red algae and / or other seaweeds, and hemp. The paper may also contain recycled fibers. Preferably, the presence of other natural and / or recycled fibers does not affect the recyclability of the paper. The fibers used in the paper may have a Canadian Standard Freeness of at least 200 mL, more particularly at least 300 mL, even more particularly at least 400 mL, and most particularly at least 500 mL.

[0055] The paper may have a MD web modulus in the 1% to 2% strain range of less than 600 N / cm, preferably less than 450 N / cm, to avoid variations in wrapper placement on the pad and variations in pad fold length. The paper may have an elongation, calculated as MD elongation at break, of at least 9%, most preferably 15% or more.

[0056] The paper may have a basis weight of from about 30 gsm to about 70 gsm, preferably from about 40 gsm to about 70 gsm, and more preferably from about 45 gsm to about 65 gsm, as determined by test method ISO 536-Basis Weight, as modified herein. Papers having lower basis weights, for example, less than 30 gsm, may not be sufficiently opaque, based on consumer preference.

[0057] The paper may have a water penetration time of at least 10 seconds, more preferably at least 17 seconds, according to test method EN 868-2:2017 EN ISO 1924-2. Because absorbent products of the present disclosure may inadvertently come into contact with water or moisture, the packaging of the present disclosure preferably exhibits some degree of water repellency to prevent moisture and water from contaminating the absorbent pad within the packaging. Water repellency may be imparted or enhanced by the presence of lignin, a hydrophobic high molecular weight natural polymer found in wood, wax, or a sizing agent in or on the paper. Other hydrophobic components may be incorporated into a water-based varnish or primer applied to the surface of the paper. Preferably, any hydrophobic coating on the paper is applied in minimal amounts and does not affect the recyclability of the packaging containing the paper.

[0058] In some embodiments, a small amount of lignin may remain in the pulp after the pulping process to provide some hydrophobicity. To increase hydrophobicity, lignin may be coated onto the paper using various methods.

[0059] In some embodiments, waxes may be added and / or applied to the paper to enhance its hydrophobicity. Waxes include natural waxes such as carnauba wax, beeswax, candelilla wax, rice bran wax, and soybean wax, as well as emulsions of petroleum-based waxes such as paraffin wax and montan wax, and food-grade synthetic waxes such as oxidized LDPE and HDPE. Wax emulsions may be added to the pulp, or a light coating of wax may be applied to the surface of the paper. Wax may be applied before subsequent processing, such as creping.

[0060] In some embodiments, a size may be added to and / or applied to paper to enhance its hydrophobicity. Sizes include internal sizes added to pulp during paper production and surface sizes coated on paper. Internal sizes include acidic internal sizes such as rosin and rosin derivatives containing aluminum rosinate, derived from natural resins and aluminum salts. Basic and neutral internal sizes include synthetic sizes such as alkylated ketene dimers (stable hydrophobic wax-like substances) and alkenyl succinic anhydrides (reactive hydrophobic oil-like substances). Surface sizes include modified starches and gelatins, which may be naturally derived, and synthetic agents such as styrene polymers (e.g., styrene maleic anhydride, styrene acrylic emulsion, styrene acrylic acid, ethylene acrylic acid, and polyurethanes).

[0061] As mentioned above, paper wrappers are intended to be an alternative to traditional polymeric wrappers. However, for a paper wrapper to be a viable alternative, the paper must possess properties that allow it to withstand relatively rigorous manufacturing processes and adequately protect the absorbent articles contained within the wrapper. One method for improving the properties of paper is to crepe it. "Creping" is a mechanical process for creating paper with a low density and increased caliper ("creped paper"). Figure 4 shows the major components of a machine used to carry out the creping process, as is well known in the art. Creping involves a rapidly rotating heated roller ("Yankee cylinder" or "Yankee dryer") 102, which advances the paper web, also referred to herein as a paper sheet, to dry the paper and provide a platform on which the creping process occurs. The web is held firmly on the surface of the Yankee cylinder 102 by a mixture of natural pulp products, such as lignin and hemicellulose, and applied chemicals that form a thin, sticky layer ("Yankee coating") on the Yankee cylinder 102. The Yankee coating may be sprayed onto the sheet or Yankee cylinder by a coating sprayer 104. A stationary doctor blade ("crepe blade") 106 expands the width of the Yankee cylinder 102, removing the sheet from the Yankee cylinder 102 and forming a crepe paper, as described in more detail below. The formed crepe paper is then wound onto a parent roll 108.

[0062] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a portion of the Yankee cylinder 102 adjacent to the crepe blade 106. FIG. 5 illustrates four stages during the formation of creases in the paper sheet 200. The fibers are bonded to one another by hydrogen bonds. The impact of the paper sheet 200 against the crepe blade 106 generates large forces within the paper sheet 200, partially breaking the interfiber hydrogen bonds, disrupting the Yankee coating-fiber interface, deforming the fibers, and forming micro- and / or macro-folds in the paper substrate. As a result, the paper sheet expands in the z-direction. As shown in FIG. 5, some fibers buckle and bend. Depending on the adhesive strength, the expanded, buckled sheet peels a short distance from the surface of the Yankee cylinder 102, as shown in stage 1. The greater the adhesive strength, the shorter this distance. Thus, small folds or crepes form in the tissue before the retained sheet re-impacts the crepe blade 106, and the process repeats.

[0063] The completed crepe continually leaves the crepe pocket as the sheet 200 is wound onto the parent roll 108. The creping process shortens the length of the sheet 200 while increasing its caliper; therefore, the reel that winds the parent roll 108 operates slower than the Yankee cylinder 102. The sheet's caliper expands first due to the breaking of hydrogen bonds in the x-direction and then due to the creping action. However, the crepe itself is not necessarily uniform. The crepe may consist of large folds (macrofolds, as shown in stage 4) interspersed with many smaller folds (microfolds, as shown in stage 3).

[0064] The crepe bar of the creped paper allows the creped paper to stretch at least in the longitudinal direction, and the creped paper may maintain some elasticity after being stretched. Creped paper is generally more elastic than paper that has not undergone the creping process. Therefore, the stretchability and elasticity make the creped paper a suitable alternative to plastic in the context of packaging for absorbent pads. Preferably, the absorbent pads may be packaged with the creped paper wrapper on a high-speed production line using essentially the same processes and equipment as those used for current absorbent pads packaged with plastic film. In other words, it is desirable to provide such articles (e.g., pads) without compromising process conditions, such as line speed.

[0065] Process for making individually packaged absorbent articles Processes for producing individually packaged folded feminine hygiene products are known in the art and are described, for example, in European Patent Application No. 1941852 A1.

[0066] Generally, in existing high-speed production lines, the package 80 material is typically provided in a continuous web. The adhesive 70 (as shown in FIG. 2 ) disposed on the outward-facing surface of the absorbent pad's backsheet 40 may be provided directly onto the continuous web of package 80 material in selected areas, and absorbent pads may then be provided on each adhesive by adhering the outward-facing side of the backsheet 40 of each absorbent pad thereto. The continuous web of package material may be folded with the absorbent articles or pads applied, cut, and sealed to form individually packaged articles. When a user unfolds the package and separates the absorbent articles or pads from the package material after breaking one or more seals, at least a portion of the adhesive remains on the outward-facing surface of the backsheet because each surface of the package is generally coated with a release agent and has low adhesion to the adhesive material.

[0067] Packaging materials can be subjected to significant stresses in known high-speed processes for producing individually packaged absorbent articles. The stresses can be both mechanical and thermal. Thermal stresses can be due, at least in part, to the adhesive material, typically a hot-melt adhesive, being placed on the packaging material in a molten state at a relatively high temperature. Mechanical stresses can be due, at least in part, to tensions and forces exerted on the packaging during the manufacturing process. Over the years, the absorbent feminine hygiene product industry has invested in manufacturing equipment designed to run plastic packaging materials, using highly optimized materials and processes to achieve high throughput, precision, efficiency, and low-cost production. In contrast, the paper used to manufacture traditional paper bags, for example, is processed on equipment specifically designed for processing paper and at speeds significantly slower than those used to produce absorbent hygiene products (which can exceed 100 meters per minute). Also, conventional kraft paper (e.g., used in packaging or label release liners) cannot stretch sufficiently to withstand the package folding, shipping, and sealing operations typically used in the production of absorbent sanitary products without wrinkling, tearing, or web sagging, which results in lost productivity, increased scrap, and an overall lower quality package.

[0068] Furthermore, most existing folding processes involve some stretching of the package web. Generally, to fold a package, a folding surface (e.g., fingers, bars, rollers, idlers, folding boards, etc.) may be used to apply force to the package and form one or more fold lines. It should be understood that any folding surface may be replaced by one or more elements, objects, or media used to apply force to create a similar or identical fold in the web. Some existing folding processes rely on equal folding path lengths between a first edge of the package web and a second edge of the package web extending over an idler to force the fold line. This process may be used to create two or more folds in the package, with the number of folds generally related to the desired height of the pad being packaged. Alternatively, the folding process may utilize one or more folding boards to fold the package web and pad. As mentioned above, most existing folding processes involve some stretching of the package web, and traditional kraft paper can tend to tear in these processes due to its lack of stretch.

[0069] Traditional kraft paper is characterized by an elongation of less than 5%, where elongation is measured as the percent strain of the paper at its break point, and elongation is calculated as the MD elongation at break. As previously mentioned, the paper may be creped to add elongation, or a paper may be selected that has the ability to elongate based on its material properties. With regard to creped paper, the increased elongation is believed to be due to micro-folds in the creped paper that allow it to elongate under tension. Paper packaging according to the present disclosure preferably includes paper, such as creped paper, with an elongation of at least 9%, preferably at least 10% or more, or at least 17% or more, to withstand existing folding processes.

[0070] Some folding processes, such as those utilizing equal fold path lengths and idlers to compress the fold lines, may require the package web to have a fold angle of at least about 45°, or from about 45° to about 90°, or preferably from about 45° to about 65°. The fold angle is related to the bending stiffness of the package web in the fold direction and the caliper of the package web by the following formula: Folding angle = arctangent ((2 x 9.81N / Kg x density x folded width^3) / (flexural modulus x thickness^2)) where density of the package web is calculated by measuring the paper basis weight in kilograms per square meter and dividing the measured basis weight by the measured paper thickness in meters measured using a Thwing-Albert ProGauge Instrument with a 50.8 mm diameter foot and 2.00 kPa pressure according to the ISO 536 test method described herein, flexural modulus is calculated as (0.3125 * slope) / (compression caliper^3) and expressed in megapascals, where the compression caliper measurement is obtained using a TMI 49-70 high-force caliper with a 16 mm anvil and 50.40 kPa pressure, and slope is obtained using the ultra-sensitive three-point bending method described below, and fold width is the distance between the fold line and the edge of the paper and is expressed in meters. Generally, materials with high bending stiffness and high compression caliper are characterized by lower fold angles, which makes the material more difficult to fold, especially in folding processes that utilize equal fold path lengths and idlers to compress the fold lines.

[0071] coating As noted above, the wrapper of the present disclosure functions to protect the absorbent article, and more specifically, in some embodiments, to protect the adhesive 70 on the outwardly facing surface of the backsheet 40 of the absorbent pad 20, as shown in Figure 2. Thus, as shown in Figure 6, the inner surface 92 of the wrapper and / or wrapper web (the surface facing the feminine hygiene pad) may be coated with a release agent 90 to provide a protective wrapper that is releasably attached to the pad to protect the adhesive prior to use. Such a protective wrapper also prevents the adhesive 70 from inadvertently sticking to other portions of the pad 20 prior to use.

[0072] The release agent 90 is about 0.5 g / m 2 ~about 10g / m 2 , or about 1.0 g / m 2 ~about 6g / m 2 , or about 1.0 g / m 2 ~approx. 4g / m 2 , or about 2 g / m 2 ~approx. 4g / m 2 The amount of release agent 90 may be applied to the wrapper in an amount of 0.1 to 1.0 μg / cm 2 . The amount of release agent 90 depends on the type, concentration, and effectiveness of the release-aiding compound in the release coating formulation. As shown in FIG. 6 , the release agent 90 is applied to at least a portion or area of ​​the inner surface 92 of the wrapper (rather than the entire inner surface of the wrapper), i.e., the area of ​​the inner surface of the wrapper that contacts the adhesive 70 on the pad. The release agent 90 may be applied to the inner surface 92 of the wrapper to the area that contacts the adhesive 70 on the pad and / or to an area beyond the area that contacts the adhesive 70. The release agent 90 may be applied to the inner surface 92 of the wrapper such that the release agent does not extend beyond the perimeter of the absorbent pad. The release agent 90 may be applied to the inner surface 92 of the wrapper such that the release agent extends beyond at least a portion of the perimeter of the absorbent pad.

[0073] The package also protects the absorbent pad by sealing it within the package. To seal a package of the present disclosure, such as a paper package, using existing equipment designed to convert plastic film packages (sealing equipment commonly used today relies on heat and pressure to bond plastic films), the package may be coated with a sealing aid. The sealing aid 95 is applied to a portion or area of ​​the package surface that needs to be sealed to another portion or area of ​​the package surface. For example, as shown in FIG. 4 , the sealing aid is applied to a portion or area of ​​the package's inner surface, i.e., the longitudinal side edges of the package. The sealing aid 95 may be incompatible with the release agent 90, which is also applied to the inner surface of the package as shown in FIG. 6 (sealed as shown in FIG. 1 ). Therefore, the area of ​​the package's inner surface where the release agent 90 is located that will contact the adhesive 70 on the pad (and optionally beyond this area) is preferably substantially free of the sealing aid 95. Similarly, the inner surfaces of the longitudinal side edges of the package, upon which the sealing aid 95 is disposed, are preferably substantially free of the release agent 90. The sealing aid 95 may be substantially abutting the release agent 90, as shown in Figure 4, or alternatively, one or more gaps 96 may exist between the sealing aid 95 and the release agent 90, as shown in Figure 7.

[0074] Sealing aids include cold seal adhesives and heat seal adhesives. Heat seal adhesives are preferred. Sealing aids also include water-based adhesives containing acrylic copolymers, vinyl acetate polymers, or blends thereof with low-density polyethylene or high-density polyethylene. Preferred sealing aids, such as heat seal adhesives, are also water-soluble to avoid contamination in the recycling stream. Preferred sealing aids, such as heat seal adhesives, also have a viscosity of 30s to 60s, as measured using ASTM D1084 with a Zahn EZ#3 cup, in which a sample is taken from the reservoir as the adhesive is coated onto the paper. Sealing aids with higher viscosities can contribute to uneven application, inconsistent package opening forces, and difficult and / or noisy package opening.

[0075] Sealing aids generally do not adhere to surfaces coated with a release agent. Therefore, as described above, the release agent is preferably applied to a target area on the inside surface of the package, i.e., the area of ​​the inside surface of the package that contacts the adhesive 70 on the pad, and optionally slightly beyond this area. Preferably, the inside surfaces of the longitudinal side edges of the package to which the sealing aid is applied are substantially free of release agent. Importantly, applying a release agent, particularly a curable silicone release agent, to only one area of ​​the package requires special application and curing equipment.

[0076] Surprisingly, packaging according to the present disclosure may utilize release agents that can be applied using readily available and installable printing equipment, such as flexographic and gravure presses. More specifically, preferred release agents for use with packaging according to the present disclosure are substantially free of, or free of, silicone acrylates, cationically curable silicones, and / or polydimethylsiloxanes, which require nitrogen inerting, ultraviolet light, or other specialized equipment and can contaminate recycling streams. The release agent may also be substantially free of, or free of, fluoropolymers. The release agent may include an aliphatic-modified polyurethane dispersion, a hydrophobic acrylic polymer, a vinyl acrylic copolymer, or a mixture thereof. Bio-based acrylic polymers and other biomass-derived polymers made from renewable feedstocks, such as vegetable oils and cellulose, may also be used in the release agent formulation.

[0077] The release agent may contain natural substances that can provide release through the mechanism of electrochemical interaction. Some of these substances are used as release agents in the food industry and may be derived from lecithin, vegetable oils, or animal fats. The release agent may also contain particles such as clay, silica, and / or ceramics (e.g., hexagonal boron nitride or zinc stearate) to further improve release by increasing the wrinkles of the applied surface, by electrochemical interaction of dipoles, or by molecular planar slip. Preferably, the release agent is an aqueous or water-soluble formulation that can be easily removed in available paper recycling streams.

[0078] Furthermore, paper tends to be porous, and creped paper can become even more porous. Therefore, coatings applied to paper can be absorbed through the pores of the paper, reducing the effectiveness of the coating or requiring a larger amount of coating to be applied. To increase the effectiveness of the coating and minimize the amount of coating, a primer can be applied to the paper surface to reduce the porosity of the paper by reducing the size of the pores. Primers can also improve the appearance of printed graphics, maintain line definition, and reduce dot gain. Preferred primers are water-based and / or water-soluble. Primers may be formulated with polymer resins such as nitrocellulose, polyamides, acrylic polymers, and polyurethanes, as well as adhesion promoters such as polyimides, silanes, and aziridines. Primer formulations may also include bio-based polymers such as cellulose, starch, chitin, chitosan, xylan, other types of hemicellulose, and polyesters derived from vegetable oils. Primer formulations may also contain minerals such as clay, silica, talc, and calcium carbonate (sometimes referred to as inorganic fillers). The use of primers can be particularly useful with creped paper due to the relatively large porosity of creped paper. Primers may be used to reduce the porosity of creped paper by reducing the size of the pores in the paper.

[0079] The coatings described herein can be applied to a paper wrapper in various configurations, depending, at least in part, on the type of paper, the fold configuration, and the area of ​​the wrapper to be sealed. In some embodiments, as shown in the cross-sectional view of the wrapper 80 in FIG. 8A , the wrapper 80, such as a paper wrapper, includes an inner surface 92 and an outer surface 94 as described above. The inner surface 92 of the wrapper 80 can include a sealing aid 95 disposed in a first portion and a sealing aid 95 disposed in a second portion. The first and second portions including the sealing aid 95 can be adjacent to the outermost longitudinal edges of the wrapper 80. Additionally, a release agent 90 can be disposed on a third portion of the inner surface 92 of the wrapper 80. The release agent 90 can be disposed between the first portion and the second portion including the sealing aid 95. As previously described herein, a sealing aid may be disposed on areas used to seal the package when in a folded configuration, and a release agent 90 may be used to protect the adhesive on the absorbent pad prior to use and allow the absorbent pad to be easily and readily removed from the package for use. Additionally or optionally, a primer 97 may be disposed on the inner surface 92 of the package 80. The primer 97 may be applied to the entire inner surface 92 of the package such that the primer extends from adjacent longitudinal and lateral edges of the package. The primer 97 may also be disposed on specific areas of the inner surface 92 of the package such that the primer does not cover the entire inner surface 92. For example, a primer may be applied to areas of the inner surface 92 where it is necessary to reduce the porosity of the package, so that other coatings or materials can be applied to the package without being adversely affected by the pores in the package. For example, the primer 97 may be applied to substantially the same areas of the first and second portions as the sealing aid 95, and / or the primer 97 may be applied to substantially the same areas as the release agent. Thus, there may be one or more gaps between regions or sections of primer.

[0080] 8A , one or more coatings may be disposed or applied on the outer surface 92 of the package 80. A primer 97 may be applied to the entire outer surface or to one or more areas of the outer surface. Additionally, a sealing aid 95 may be applied or disposed on the primer 97. The sealing aid 95 and the primer may each be applied or disposed to the entire outer surface or to a portion of the outer surface. The sealing aid 95 and the primer 97 may be applied to the same area, different areas, or overlapping areas of the outer surface. For example, the primer 97 may be applied to the entire outer surface, and the sealing aid may be applied to one or more areas of the outer surface.

[0081] 8B-8D illustrate various configurations for applying coatings. As shown in FIG. 8B, the wrapper 80 may not include a primer, and the sealing aid 95 and release agent 90 may be applied or disposed directly onto the surface of the wrapper 80. It should be understood, of course, that the coating may be applied or disposed onto the surface of the wrapper 80 such that it is applied along the longitudinal edges of the wrapper, or the coating may be applied such that a gap exists between the coating and the longitudinal edges of the wrapper. As shown in FIGS. 8C and 8D, a coating, such as the sealing aid 95, may be applied or disposed only on certain areas of the wrapper 80. Furthermore, certain coatings may be applied only to certain sides of the wrapper 80. For example, the release agent 90 may be applied only to the inner surface 92 of the wrapper 80.

[0082] It should also be understood that ink may be applied to the package to form one or more decorative patterns or elements. The ink may be disposed directly on the interior or exterior surface of the package. The ink may be disposed over a primer and / or a sealing aid and / or a release coating. In some embodiments, the ink may be disposed over a primer so that the pores in the package are smaller and less ink needs to be applied to achieve the same visual intensity, since the ink will not be absorbed into the pores of the package.

[0083] As previously mentioned, the sealing aid 95 may be positioned within the area of ​​the package 80 such that the sealing aid 95 is positioned within the area of ​​the package that will be sealed when the package is in a folded configuration. These portions of the package that will be sealed may be sealed by one or more techniques, such as ultrasonic bonding, pressure bonding, crimping, and / or thermal bonding. As shown in FIG. 9A , the package 80 may be folded along a single fold line H. The sealing aid 95 may be positioned on the inner surface 92 of the package 80 in a continuous manner along a portion of the periphery of the package 80. The portion of the package 80 that includes the sealing aid 95 is the portion that will be sealed. It should be understood that the sealing aid 95 may also be positioned in the rear section 213, or alternatively, in the rear section 102. As shown in FIG. 9B , the wrapper 80 may be folded along a first fold line H and a second fold line H to form a front section 210, a middle section 214, and a rear section 213. The sealing aid 95 may be disposed on the inner surface 92 or the outer surface 94 of the front section 210 such that, when the wrapper is folded, the front section 210 engages with the rear section 213 and a portion of the wrapper within the front section 210 is sealed to the rear section 213. It should also be understood that the sealing aid 95 may be disposed in the rear section 213 or the middle section 214. The placement of the sealing aid 95 depends on how the wrapper is folded. As shown in FIG. 9C , the wrapper 80 may be folded along a first fold line H, a second fold line H, and a third fold line H. The sealing aid 95 may be disposed on the front section 210 and the front middle section 211, as shown in Figure 9C. It should also be understood that the sealing aid 95 may be disposed on the rear middle section 212 and the rear section 213, and the sealing aid may be disposed on at least one of the inner surface 92 and the outer surface 94. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 9D, the sealing aid 95 may be disposed on various portions of the wrapper 80 on the inner surface 92 and / or the outer surface 94. The sealing aid 95 may be applied discontinuously to the wrapper 80 to form distinct areas of the sealing aid 95.The placement of the sealing aid 95 depends on the type of fold and the area of ​​the package that is intended to be sealed. The sealing aid 95 makes it possible to seal cellulosic packages, such as paper packages.

[0084] The absorbent pad package is preferably easy to open and convenient to use, and the seal of the package is preferably strong enough to withstand shipping, for example, in a handbag or bag. Preferably, the sealing aid forms a bond that opens with a force greater than about 0.5 N and less than about 3.0 N, preferably about 1.0 N to about 2.0 N. Bond strength is measured using a tester conforming to ASTM D76-93 standard for constant rate of extension, using a test speed of 300 mm / min, and a tester conforming to ASTM D1876-08, which peels open the bond in a direction perpendicular to the seal so that the test length is equal to the width of the seal. The values ​​expressed above represent the peak force recorded over the test length.

[0085] To gently and easily peel the pad from the wrapper, the release force of the pad from the inner surface (coated with a release agent) of the wrapper is less than about 5.0 N, or about 0.5 N to about 3.0 N, preferably less than 3.0 N and more than about 1.0 N. Peel force is measured in accordance with ASTM D1876-08 using a testing machine conforming to ASTM D76-93 standard at a constant extension rate, with the pad and wrapper loaded into the instrument by clamping the wrapper in the moving jaw and the top of the pad in the fixed jaw. A test speed of 3000 mm / min is used to peel the wrapper from the pad along the length of the pad.

[0086] The packaging of the present disclosure can be recyclable, thereby minimizing material sent to landfills. There are two known industry standards for paper recyclability: the Western Michigan University Recyclability Standard, available through the WMU Paper Pilot Plants, located at 4651 Campus Dr, Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5441 USA, and Papiertechnische Stiftung Test Method PTS-RH 021:2012, available through PTS, Ham Strasse 37, 01809 Heidenau, Germany. As used herein, the term "recyclable" refers to materials that meet a 75% yield of good pulp according to the West Michigan University Standard. [Example]

[0087] The data in Table 1 below is shown graphically in Figure 10. The data in Table 1 / Figure 10 show that packaging materials with elongation less than 9% exhibit rupture and tearing, while materials with MD web modulus greater than 550 N / cm (at 1-2% strain) exhibit sagging and challenges in maintaining web tension.

[0088] [Table 1]

[0089] The data in Table 2 below is presented graphically in Figure 11. The data in Table 2 / Figure 11 show that certain properties of the packaging material (the three sample paper materials listed in Table 1) affect the fold angle of the material.

[0090] [Table 2]

[0091] Test Method ISO 536: Basis weight The basis weight of a test sample is the mass in grams per unit area in square meters of a single layer of material and is measured according to official method ISO 536. A block of test sample is cut to a known area and the mass of the sample is determined using an analytical balance accurate to 0.0001 grams. All measurements are performed in a laboratory maintained at 23°C ± 2°C and 50% ± 2% relative humidity, with the test sample conditioned in this environment for at least two hours before testing.

[0092] Measurements are made on test samples taken from rolls or sheets of raw material or from finished packages. When test samples are cut from finished packages, care is taken not to contaminate or deform the sample in any way during the process. The cut sample must be free of residual adhesive and must be taken from an area of ​​the package that is free of seams or folds. The test sample should be as large as possible to account for any inherent material variations. Measure the dimensions of the single-ply test sample using a NIST-traceable, calibrated steel metal ruler or equivalent. Calculate the area of ​​the test sample and record to the nearest 0.0001 square meter. Obtain the mass of the test sample using an analytical balance and record to the nearest 0.0001 gram. Calculate the basis weight by dividing the mass (in grams) by the area (in square meters) and record to the nearest 0.01 grams per square meter (gsm). Repeat in the same manner for a total of 10 replicate test samples. Calculate the arithmetic mean of the basis weight and report to the nearest 0.01 grams per square meter.

[0093] ISO1924-3 - Tensile properties (tensile strength, elongation, energy absorption) The tensile properties of the test sample (tensile strength, elongation, and energy absorption) are calculated from the measured force and extension values ​​obtained using a constant rate of extension until the sample breaks. Testing is performed according to compendial method ISO 1924-3 with the modifications described herein. Measurements are performed on a constant rate of extension tensile tester using a load cell in which the measured force is within 1% to 99% of the cell's limits. A suitable instrument is the MTS Alliance using Test Suite Software, available from MTS Systems Corp. (Eden Prairie, Minn.), or equivalent. All measurements are performed in a laboratory maintained at 23°C ± 2°C and 50% ± 2% relative humidity, and the test sample is conditioned in this environment for at least 2 hours before testing.

[0094] Measurements are performed on both MD (machine direction) and CD (cross direction) test samples taken from rolls or sheets of raw material, or from finished packages. When cutting test samples from finished packages, care is taken to avoid any contamination or deformation of the samples during the process. The cut samples must be free of residual adhesive and must be taken from an area of ​​the package without seams or folds. Test samples are cut to a width of 25.4 mm with a length that can accommodate a 50.8 mm test span. The long edge of the sample is parallel to the direction of interest (MD, CD). Typically, on finished packages, the MD runs from the bottom to the top of the package, but this can be verified in case of doubt by determining the fiber orientation. Ten replicate test samples should be prepared from the MD, and ten additional replicates from the CD.

[0095] The tensile tester is programmed for uniaxial extension at a constant rate of extension to failure as follows: The gauge length (test span) is set to 50.8 mm using a calibrated gauge block, and the crosshead is zeroed. The test sample is inserted into the grips with the long edge parallel to and centered on the central tensile axis of the tensile tester. The crosshead is raised at a rate of 508 mm / min until the test sample breaks, and force (N) and extension (mm) data are collected at 100 Hz throughout the test. A graph of force (N) versus extension (mm) is generated.

[0096] Read the maximum force (N) from the graph and record it as peak force to the nearest 0.1 N, and note down the MD or CD. Read the elongation at the maximum force (N) from the graph and record it as elongation at break to the nearest 0.01 mm, and note down the MD or CD.

[0097] Calculate the arithmetic mean peak force for all MD replicates and then for all CD replicates and record the mean MD peak force and mean CD peak force, respectively, to the nearest 0.1 N. Calculate the arithmetic mean elongation to break for all MD replicates and then for all CD replicates and record the mean MD elongation to break and mean CD elongation to the nearest 0.01 mm, respectively.

[0098] The tensile strength is calculated by dividing the average peak force (N) by the width of the test sample (25.4 mm). The tensile strength of the MD replica and then the tensile strength of the CD replica are calculated and reported to the nearest 0.1 kN / m for the MD and CD tensile strengths, respectively.

[0099] The elongation at break is calculated by dividing the average elongation at break (mm) by the initial test length (test span) of 50.8 mm, then multiplying by 100. The elongation at break for the MD replicate and then the elongation at break for the CD replicate are calculated and reported as a percentage for the MD and CD elongations at break, respectively.

[0100] Web Modulus in MD: Take the force data (N) and divide by the width of the specimen (2.54 cm in this case) to get force per cm. Take the elongation data (mm) and divide by the initial test length of 50.8 mm to get strain (mm / mm). Construct a graph of force per mm against strain. Calculate the slope of the curve between 1%-2%, 2%-3%, 3%-4%, and 4%-5% strain intervals and report the results in N / cm.

[0101] Ultra-sensitive three-point bending method The flexural properties of the test samples are measured using an ultra-sensitive three-point flexural test on a universal constant rate of extension test frame (a suitable instrument is MTS Alliance using TestSuite Software available from MTS Systems Corp., Eden Prairie, MN, or equivalent) equipped with a load cell appropriate for the force to be measured. Testing is performed on specimens prepared for both MD (machine direction (parallel to the longitudinal axis of the absorbent article)) bending and CD (cross direction (perpendicular to the longitudinal axis)) bending. All testing is performed in a controlled room at 23°C ± 3°C and 50% ± 2% relative humidity.

[0102] The ultra-sensitive three-point bend method is designed to maximize the force signal-to-noise ratio when testing materials at very low bending forces. The force signal is maximized by using a highly sensitive load cell (e.g., 5 N), a small span (the load is proportional to the cube of the span), and a wide specimen width (the total measured load is directly proportional to the width). The fixture is designed so that bending measurements are performed under tension, allowing the fixture mass to be kept to a minimum. Force signal noise is minimized by holding the load cell stationary to reduce mechanical vibration and inertial effects and by keeping the mass of the fixture attached to the load cell as small as possible.

[0103] Referring to Figures 12A-12C, a load cell 1001 is mounted on the fixed crosshead of a universal testing frame. The ultra-sensitive fixture 1000 consists of three thin blades constructed from a lightweight, rigid material (such as aluminum or equivalent). Each blade has a thickness of 1.0 mm, rounded edges, and a length capable of accommodating a 100 mm bending width. Each of the blades has cavities 1004a and 1004b (outer blades) and 1005 (center blade) cut out along their horizontal edges to create a 5 mm height (h) of the blade material. The two outer blades 1003a and 1003b are mounted horizontally on the movable crosshead of the universal testing frame, aligned parallel to each other, with their horizontal edges aligned vertically. The span (s) between the two outer blades 1003a and 1003b is 5 mm ± 0.1 mm (from inner edge to inner edge). The central blade 1002 is attached to a load cell on the fixed crosshead of the universal test frame. When in position, the central blade 1002 is parallel to the two outer blades 1003a and 1003b and centered at the midpoint between them. The blade fixture includes an integrated adapter suitable for fitting into each position on the universal test frame and locking them into place so that the horizontal edges of the blades are perpendicular to the movement of the crossbeam of the universal test frame.

[0104] Prior to testing, absorbent article samples are conditioned for 2 hours at 23°C ± 2°C and 50% ± 2% relative humidity. Test specimens are taken from areas of the sample that are free of seams and signs of folds or wrinkles. Test specimens are prepared by cutting to dimensions of 100 mm x 50 mm. For MD bending (i.e., bending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the article), the long side of the specimen is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the article. For CD bending (i.e., bending perpendicular to the transverse axis of the article), the long side of the specimen is parallel to the transverse axis of the article. The side of the specimen that faces the surface of the absorbent article (or the side intended to face the surface of the finished product) is marked, and the orientation (i.e., MD and CD) is maintained after cutting the specimen. Similarly, five replicate specimens are prepared for MD bending, and five separate specimens are prepared for CD bending.

[0105] The universal test frame is programmed so that the movable crosshead is set to move in the opposite direction to the fixed crosshead at a rate of 1.0 mm / sec. The crosshead movement begins with the specimen 1006 on the outer blades 1003a and 1003b flat and undistorted, continues with the inner horizontal edge of the cavity 1005 in the central blade 1002 in contact with the surface of the specimen 1006, and continues for an additional 7 mm of crosshead movement before stopping to end the test. The crosshead then returns to zero. Force (N) and displacement (mm) are collected throughout at 50 Hz.

[0106] Prior to loading the test specimen 1006, the outer blades 1003a and 1003b are moved toward the central blade 1002 until there is a clearance c of approximately 3 mm between the inner horizontal edges of the cavities 1004a and 1004b in the outer blades 1003a and 1003b and the inner horizontal edge of the cavity 1005 in the central blade 1002, and then pass through the central blade 1002 (see FIG. 7c). The test specimen 1006 is positioned within the clearance c so that it straddles the inner horizontal edges of the cavities 1004a and 1004b in the outer blades 1003a and 1003b. For MD bending, the specimen is oriented so that the CD (short side) of the specimen is perpendicular to the horizontal edges of the blades and the surface of the specimen facing the article is facing upward. For CD bending, the specimen is oriented so that the MD (short side) of the specimen is perpendicular to the horizontal edge of the blades and the surface of the specimen facing the article is facing up. The specimen 1006 is centered between the outer blades 1003a and 1003b. The outer blades 1003a and 1003b are slowly moved in the opposite direction from the fixed crosshead until the inner horizontal edge of the cavity 1005 in the central blade 1002 contacts the top surface of the specimen 1006. The test begins and force and displacement data are continuously collected.

[0107] Plot force (N) against displacement (mm). Record the maximum peak force to the nearest 0.001 N. Determine the slope of the linear portion of the force versus displacement curve and record as the slope to the nearest 0.001 N / mm. Calculate the area under the curve from the onset of loading to the maximum peak force and record as the peak energy to the nearest 0.001 N-mm. Repeat the entire test sequence for a total of five MD bend specimens and five CD bend specimens.

[0108] For each specimen type (MD and CD), calculate the arithmetic mean of maximum peak forces among like specimens to the nearest 0.001 N and report as MD Peak Load and CD Peak Load, respectively. For each specimen type (MD and CD), calculate the arithmetic mean of slope among like specimens to the nearest 0.001 N / mm and report as MD Slope and CD Slope, respectively. For each test sample type (MD and CD), calculate the arithmetic mean of energy to peak among like samples to the nearest 0.001 N-mm and report as MD Energy to Peak and CD Energy to Peak, respectively.

[0109] combination A. Individually packaged absorbent articles, an absorbent article comprising a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet, and an absorbent layer disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, wherein an outwardly facing surface of the backsheet has an adhesive disposed thereon; a wrapper covering the outwardly facing surface of the backsheet and releasably attached to an adhesive disposed thereon, the wrapper comprising a sheet material having a basis weight of from about 30 gsm to about 85 gsm, the sheet material comprising from about 70% to about 100% natural fibers and having a fold angle of from about 45° to about 90°; The individually packaged absorbent article is provided in a folded configuration, wherein the absorbent article and the wrapper are folded together along at least one fold line.

[0110] B. The packaged absorbent article of paragraph A, wherein the folding angle is between about 45° and about 65°.

[0111] C. A packaged absorbent article according to any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein a release agent is disposed on the inner surface of the package in an area that contacts the adhesive disposed on the backsheet of the absorbent article.

[0112] D. A packaged absorbent article according to paragraph C, wherein the peel force between the inner surface of the package and the adhesive-containing backsheet of the absorbent article is less than about 5.0 N.

[0113] E. The packaged absorbent article of any one of paragraphs A-D, wherein the sealing aid is disposed on the inside surface of the longitudinal side edge of the package.

[0114] F. The packaged absorbent article of paragraph E, wherein the sealing aid is combined such that the wrapper has an opening force of greater than about 0.5 N to about 3.0 N.

[0115] G. The packaged absorbent article of paragraph E, wherein the inner surfaces of the longitudinal side edges of the package are substantially free of release agent.

[0116] H. The packaged absorbent article of paragraph E, wherein the longitudinal side edges of the package are sealed with heat and pressure.

[0117] I. The packaged absorbent article of any one of paragraphs A-H, wherein the sheet material comprises paper.

[0118] J. Individually packaged absorbent articles, an absorbent article comprising a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet, and an absorbent layer disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, wherein an outwardly facing surface of the backsheet has an adhesive disposed thereon; a wrapper covering the outwardly facing surface of the backsheet and releasably attached to an adhesive disposed thereon, the wrapper comprising a sheet material having a basis weight of about 30 gsm to about 85 gsm and containing about 70% to about 100% natural fibers; The individually packaged absorbent article is provided in a folded configuration, wherein the absorbent article and the wrapper are folded together along at least one fold line.

[0119] K. The packaged absorbent article of paragraph J, wherein the sheet material has a fold angle of from about 45° to about 90°.

[0120] L. The packaged absorbent article of any one of paragraphs A-K, wherein the sheet material comprises paper.

[0121] M. The packaged absorbent article of any one of paragraphs A-L, wherein the sheet material comprises creped paper. N. The packaged absorbent article of paragraph M, wherein the creped paper has a MD web modulus of less than about 450 N / cm at 1% to 2% strain and an elongation of at least 9%. O. The packaged absorbent article of any one of paragraphs A-N, wherein the paper comprises about 50% to about 80% by weight softwood fibers and about 20% to about 50% by weight hardwood fibers.

[0122] P. Individually packaged absorbent articles, an absorbent article comprising a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet, and an absorbent layer disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, wherein an outwardly facing surface of the backsheet has an adhesive disposed thereon; a wrapper covering the outwardly facing surface of the backsheet, the wrapper comprising a sheet material having a basis weight of about 30 gsm to about 85 gsm, the sheet material comprising about 70% to about 100% natural fibers, and having a fold angle of about 45° to about 90°; The individually packaged absorbent articles are provided in a folded configuration, and the absorbent articles and wrapper are folded together along at least two fold lines to form a front section and a back section, forming a packaged absorbent article.

[0123] Q. The packaged absorbent article of paragraph P, wherein at least one primer, release agent, and sealing aid is disposed on at least one of the front section, the middle section between the front and rear sections, and the rear section of the package.

[0124] R. The packaged absorbent article of any one of paragraphs A-Q, wherein a primer and a sealing aid are disposed on the front section, and the primer is positioned between the sealing aid and the surface of the package.

[0125] S. The packaged absorbent article of any one of paragraphs A-Q, wherein a primer and a sealing aid are disposed on the rear section, and the primer is positioned between the sealing aid and the surface of the package.

[0126] T. The packaged absorbent article of any one of paragraphs A-S, wherein the absorbent article and wrapper are folded along three fold lines to form a front section, a front middle section, a rear middle section, and a rear section, and at least one of the front section, the front middle section, the rear middle section, and the rear section includes at least one of a primer and a sealing aid.

[0127] Dimensions and values ​​disclosed herein should not be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values ​​recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as "40 mm" is intended to mean "approximately 40 mm."

[0128] All documents cited herein, including any cross-referenced or related patents or patent applications, and any patent applications or patents to which this application claims priority or benefit, are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety, unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document shall not be deemed to be prior art to any invention disclosed or claimed herein, or to teach, suggest, or disclose any such invention, either alone or in combination with any other reference or references. Furthermore, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall control.

[0129] While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.

Claims

1. 1. An individually packaged absorbent article comprising: an absorbent article comprising a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet, and an absorbent layer disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, wherein an outwardly facing surface of the backsheet has an adhesive disposed thereon; a wrapper covering the outwardly facing surface of the backsheet and releasably attached to an adhesive disposed thereon, the wrapper comprising a sheet material having a basis weight of from about 30 gsm to about 85 gsm, the sheet material comprising from about 70% to about 100% natural fibers and having a fold angle of from about 45° to about 90°; The individually packaged absorbent article is provided in a folded configuration, the absorbent article and the wrapper being folded together along at least one fold line.

2. 10. The packaged absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the fold angle is from about 45 degrees to about 65 degrees.

3. 3. The packaged absorbent article of claim 1, wherein a release agent is disposed on the inner surface of the package in an area that contacts the adhesive disposed on the backsheet of the absorbent article.

4. 4. The packaged absorbent article of claim 3, wherein the peel force between the inner surface of the wrapper and the backsheet of the absorbent article containing the adhesive is less than about 5.0 N.

5. The packaged absorbent article of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a sealing aid is disposed on the inner surfaces of the longitudinal side edges of the package.

6. 6. The packaged absorbent article of claim 5, wherein said sealing aid is combined such that said wrapper has an opening force of greater than about 0.5N to about 3.0N.

7. 6. The packaged absorbent article of claim 5, wherein the inner surfaces of the longitudinal side edges of the wrapper are substantially free of release agent.

8. 6. The packaged absorbent article of claim 5, wherein the longitudinal side edges of the package are heat and pressure sealed.

9. The packaged absorbent article of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the sheet material comprises paper.

10. The packaged absorbent article of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the sheet material comprises creped paper.

11. 11. The packaged absorbent article of claim 10, wherein said creped paper has a MD web modulus of less than about 450 N / cm at 1% to 2% strain and an elongation of at least 9%.

12. 10. The packaged absorbent article of claim 9, wherein the paper comprises from about 50% to about 80% by weight softwood fibers and from about 20% to about 50% by weight hardwood fibers.

13. 13. The packaged absorbent article of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein at least one of a primer, a release agent, and a sealing aid is disposed on at least one of the front section, the middle section between the front and rear sections, and the rear section of the package.

14. 14. The packaged absorbent article of any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein a primer and a sealing aid are disposed on the front section, the primer being positioned between the sealing aid and the surface of the wrapper.

15. 15. The packaged absorbent article of any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein a primer and a sealing aid are disposed on the rear section, the primer being positioned between the sealing aid and the surface of the wrapper.

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