Individually packaged absorbent articles

Abstract

To allow a user to clearly determine from external appearance whether to be an unopened normal state.SOLUTION: An individually packaged sheet 10 of an individually packaged sanitary napkin N consisting of a sanitary napkin 1 and the individually packaged sheet 10 for individually packaging the sanitary napkin 1 encloses a gas with a pressure higher than an outside pressure, in the inside thereof. A thickness difference of the individually packaged sanitary napkin N between a state where the gas is enclosed inside the individually packaged sheet 10 and a state where the gas is drawn out therefrom is 5 mm or more. The individually packaged sheet 10 is composed of a translucent sheet, and the sanitary napkin 1 includes a mark 15 attached to a part thereof, where the individually packaged sheet 10 inflated by the enclosed gas pressure separates therefrom. The mark is configured to be invisible from the outside in a state where the individually packaged sheet 10 is inflated by the enclosed gas pressure, and to be visible from the outside through the individually packaged sheet 10, with the individually packaged sheet 10 proximate thereto, where the gas is drawn out therefrom.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an individually packaged absorbent article comprising an absorbent article and an individual packaging sheet for individually packaging the absorbent article. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, efforts have been made to provide sanitary products in shared and public toilets for women in schools, public facilities, commercial facilities, companies, etc., against the backdrop of a growing public understanding of women's menstruation and the issue of "menstrual poverty" - that is, women who cannot purchase sanitary products for economic reasons.

[0003] However, because sanitary napkins and other products are worn in direct contact with delicate parts of the body for long periods of time, there is a concern that if they are made easily accessible to the general public, people will have concerns about hygiene and safety, such as whether someone has opened the individual packaging or inserted a foreign object such as a needle, and will hesitate to use them.

[0004] The following Patent Document 1 discloses an individual package for absorbent articles in which a gas vent is provided in the sealed part of the package to prevent the package from bursting and deteriorating in hygiene due to expansion of the individual package caused by volatilization of volatile components from the absorbent article before use. Also, the following Patent Document 2 discloses an individual package for absorbent articles including a package that stores the absorbent article in an airtight state in a storage space to prevent deformation such as expansion during storage, and has excellent airtightness. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Re-tabled publication 2019 / 092808 [Patent Document 2] JP 2016-209211 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, the above-mentioned patent documents 1 and 2 do not enable one to determine from the outside whether an individually packaged absorbent article has been opened or not, and do not alleviate the above-mentioned hygiene and safety concerns.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE ... It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide an individually packaged absorbent article which allows a clear determination from its appearance whether it is in an unopened and normal condition. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, in a first aspect, an individually packaged absorbent article is provided, which comprises an absorbent article and an individual packaging sheet for individually packaging the absorbent article, and a gas having a pressure higher than the outside air pressure is sealed inside the individual packaging sheet of the individually packaged absorbent article. 、 The individual packaging sheet is made of a semi-transparent sheet, and a mark is affixed to the absorbent article at a portion where the individual packaging sheet expands due to the pressure of the enclosed gas and separates. The mark cannot be seen from the outside when the individual packaging sheet expands due to the pressure of the enclosed gas, but can be seen from the outside through the individual packaging sheet when the gas is released and the individual packaging sheets are close to each other. An individually packaged absorbent article is provided, characterized in that

[0009] In the first aspect, gas at a pressure higher than the outside air pressure is sealed inside the individual packaging sheet, and in an unopened, normal state, the individual packaging sheet has a greatly bulged appearance due to the pressure of the sealed gas. When this individually packaged absorbent article is opened or the individual packaging sheet is punctured with a needle or the like, the sealed gas escapes and the individual packaging sheet deflates. In this way, the appearance of the individual packaging sheet changes significantly between the bulged and deflated states, making it possible to clearly determine from the appearance whether the product is in an unopened, normal state.

[0010] above Description In this embodiment, the individual packaging sheet is made of a semi-transparent sheet, and a mark is attached to the absorbent article to make it easy to distinguish between a state in which gas is enclosed and a state in which the gas has been released. The mark is invisible when the individual packaging sheet, which has expanded due to the pressure of the enclosed gas, is separated from the absorbent article, but when the gas is released and the individual packaging sheet is close to the absorbent article, the mark can be seen from the outside through the individual packaging sheet.

[0011] As a second aspect, there is provided an individually packaged absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the difference in thickness of the individually packaged absorbent article between a gas-filled state and a gas-depleted state is 5 mm or more.

[0012] In the above-mentioned second aspect, the difference in thickness of the individually packaged absorbent article between the state in which the individual packaging sheet is bulging due to the pressure of the enclosed gas and the state in which the individual packaging sheet is deflated as the enclosed gas escapes is set to 5 mm or more, making it possible to more clearly determine from appearance whether the article is in an unopened and normal condition.

[0013] No. 3 In one embodiment, the absorbent article is provided with a slip-prevention adhesive layer for preventing slippage between the absorbent article and an undergarment when the absorbent article is worn, and a release sheet is provided for releasably covering the slip-prevention adhesive layer, The mark is provided on either or both of the absorbent article and the release sheet. Either 1 or 2 A packaged absorbent article as described is provided.

[0014] Above article 3 In the embodiment, it is stipulated that the mark may be attached to the release sheet.

[0015] No. 4 As an embodiment of the present invention, the distance between the fixing portion that fixes the release sheet to the individual packaging sheet and the mark is 20 mm or more. 3 A packaged absorbent article as described is provided.

[0016] Above article 4 In the above aspect, if the fixing portion between the release sheet and the individual packaging sheet is too close to the mark, the individual packaging sheet will not be able to expand sufficiently due to the gas pressure, and there is a risk that the mark will be visible through the individual packaging sheet even when gas is sealed inside, so the fixing portion and the mark are positioned a predetermined distance apart.

[0017] No. 5 As an embodiment of the present invention, the individual packaging sheet is made of a material having elasticity. 4An individually packaged absorbent article as described above is provided.

[0018] The above 5 In the embodiment, the individual packaging sheet is made of an elastic material, so that the individual packaging sheet does not easily burst when pressure is applied from the outside with gas sealed inside.

[0019] No. 6 In one embodiment, a pouch tape is provided at the opening end of the individual packaging sheet, 2. The pouch tape according to claim 1, wherein the pouch tape is formed in a shape that gradually widens in the opening direction. 5 An individually packaged absorbent article as described above is provided.

[0020] Above article 6 In the embodiment, the pouch tape is formed in a shape that gradually widens in the opening direction, so that when the pouch is opened even slightly, the internal gas escapes all at once, making it easier to distinguish the appearance before and after opening.

[0021] No. 7 As an embodiment of the present invention, the absorbent article is provided with a recess extending across the width direction. 6 An individually packaged absorbent article as described above is provided.

[0022] The above 7 In this aspect, when gas is injected into the interior of an individual packaging sheet during the manufacturing process of an individually packaged absorbent article, the gas injected on one side of the width direction quickly flows through the recess to the other side of the width direction, making it easier for the gas to spread quickly throughout the entire interior of the individual packaging sheet.

[0023] No. 8 In one embodiment, the individual packaging sheet is folded together with the absorbent article, and the openings of the individual packaging sheet are closed by sealing portions extending along the opening edges, The sealing portion is formed such that the side receiving the pressure of the enclosed gas is formed as a straight line perpendicular to the direction in which the pressure acts, and the side on the opposite side is formed as any one of an inclined line, a zigzag line, and a curved line, or a combination of two or more thereof. 7 An individually packaged absorbent article as described above is provided.

[0024] Above article 8 In the embodiment, the sealing portion that closes the opening of the individual packaging sheet has an edge that receives the pressure of the enclosed gas formed in a straight line, thereby making the structure durable against the pressure of the enclosed gas, while the edge on the opposite side is formed in an inclined line, a zigzag line, or a curved line, or a combination of two or more thereof, thereby varying the area of ​​the sealing portion and reducing the resistance when opening, thereby making the package easy to open. Effect of the Invention

[0025] As described above in detail, the present invention makes it possible to provide an individually packaged absorbent article whose appearance can clearly determine whether it is in an unopened and normal condition. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an individually packaged sanitary napkin N according to the present invention in an unfolded state. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an individually packaged sanitary napkin N in a folded state. [Diagram 5] 1A is a perspective view of an individually packaged sanitary napkin N with gas sealed inside, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view of an individually packaged sanitary napkin N with the gas released. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a plan view of an individually packaged sanitary napkin N. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a plan view of an individually packaged sanitary napkin N according to a modified example. [Figure 8]FIG. 1(A) is a plan view of an individually packaged sanitary napkin N according to a modified example, and FIG. 1(B) is a cross-sectional view of a sanitary napkin 1 housed therein. [Figure 9] 2 is a plan view showing a side edge sealing portion 13 of the individual packaging sheet 10. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a plan view of an individually packaged sanitary napkin N according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0027] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0028] The individually packaged sanitary napkin N according to the present invention is composed of a sanitary napkin 1 and an individual packaging sheet 10 that individually packages the sanitary napkin 1.

[0029] [Basic structure of sanitary napkin 1] First, the basic structure of the sanitary napkin 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0030] The sanitary napkin 1 comprises a liquid-impermeable back sheet 2 made of a polyethylene sheet, a polypropylene sheet or the like, a liquid-permeable top sheet 3 that allows menstrual blood, vaginal discharge, etc. (hereinafter collectively referred to as body fluids) to pass through quickly, an absorbent body 4 made of cotton-like pulp or synthetic pulp interposed between the two sheets 2, 3, and side sheets 7, 7 arranged along the front-rear direction on both sides of the skin-contacting surface side, and around the absorbent body 4, the outer edges of the back sheet 2 and the top sheet 3 are joined at the front and rear edges by a joining means such as hot melt adhesive, heat sealing, ultrasonic sealing, etc., and the back sheet 2 and the side sheets 7 extending laterally beyond the absorbent body 4 are joined at both side edges by a joining means such as hot melt adhesive, heat sealing, ultrasonic sealing, etc., to form flap parts without an absorbent body interposed. Note that a covering sheet made of crepe paper or nonwoven fabric may be provided surrounding the absorbent body 4 to maintain its shape and improve its diffusibility. Furthermore, a second sheet made of a porous plastic film, nonwoven fabric or the like may be disposed between the top sheet 3 and the absorbent body 4 and adjacent to the non-skin side of the top sheet 3.

[0031] The structure of the sanitary napkin 1 will be described in more detail below. The back sheet 2 is made of a sheet material such as polyethylene that is at least water-proof, but it is preferable to use a material that is moisture-permeable in order to prevent stuffiness. As the water-proof and moisture-permeable sheet material, a microporous sheet obtained by melt-kneading an inorganic filler in an olefin resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene to form a sheet, and then stretching it in a uniaxial or biaxial direction is preferably used. The back sheet 2 may be made of a polylaminated nonwoven fabric obtained by laminating a plastic film and a nonwoven fabric. On the non-skin side (outer surface) of the back sheet 2 of the main body portion where the absorbent body 4 is interposed, one or more anti-slip adhesive layers 8, 8... are formed along the front-rear direction of the napkin, and three are formed in the illustrated example, so that the sanitary napkin 1 is fixed to the inner surface of the underwear when worn on the body.

[0032] Next, the surface sheet 3 is preferably made of a nonwoven fabric with or without holes, a porous plastic sheet, or the like. The material fibers constituting the nonwoven fabric can be synthetic fibers such as olefins such as polyethylene or polypropylene, polyesters, polyamides, regenerated fibers such as rayon or cupra, and natural fibers such as cotton, and nonwoven fabrics obtained by appropriate processing methods such as spunlace, spunbond, thermal bond, meltblown, and needle punch can be used. Among these processing methods, the spunlace method is excellent in terms of flexibility and drapeability, and the thermal bond method is excellent in terms of bulk and high compression recovery. When a large number of through holes are formed in the surface sheet 3, bodily fluids are quickly absorbed, and the surface sheet 3 has excellent dry touch. The fibers of the nonwoven fabric may be either long or short fibers, but it is preferable to use short fibers to give the towel cloth texture. In addition, in order to facilitate embossing, it is preferable to use olefin fibers such as polyethylene or polypropylene with a relatively low melting point. In addition, composite fibers such as core-sheath type fibers having a fiber with a high melting point as a core and a fiber with a low melting point as a sheath, side-by-side type fibers, and split type fibers can also be suitably used.

[0033] The absorbent body 4 interposed between the back sheet 2 and the top sheet 3 is composed of, for example, cotton-like pulp and a water-absorbent polymer. The water-absorbent polymer is mixed, for example, as granular powder, into the pulp constituting the absorbent body. Examples of the pulp include chemical pulp obtained from wood, cellulose fibers such as dissolving pulp, and artificial cellulose fibers such as rayon and acetate. Coniferous pulp, which has longer fibers, is more suitable than hardwood pulp in terms of functionality and cost.

[0034] Synthetic fibers may be mixed into the absorbent 4. The synthetic fibers may be, for example, polyolefins such as polyethylene or polypropylene, polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate or polybutylene terephthalate, polyamides such as nylon, or copolymers thereof, or may be a mixture of two of these. Composite fibers such as core-sheath fibers with a fiber having a high melting point as the core and a fiber having a low melting point as the sheath, side-by-side fibers, and split fibers may also be used. In the case of hydrophobic fibers, it is desirable to use synthetic fibers that have been surface-treated with a hydrophilizing agent so that they have affinity for body fluids.

[0035] In the illustrated example, the width of the top sheet 3 is slightly longer than that of the absorbent body 4, and only covers the absorbent body 4, and on the outer side of this is disposed a side sheet 7 separate from the top sheet 3, specifically a side sheet 7 made of a nonwoven fabric material that has been appropriately treated to be water repellent or hydrophilic depending on the purpose of preventing the penetration of menstrual blood or vaginal discharge, or improving the feel on the skin. Such a side sheet 7 can be made of natural fibers, synthetic fibers, regenerated fibers, or the like, and formed by an appropriate processing method, but it is preferable to use a nonwoven fabric with a reduced basis weight to provide breathability in order to eliminate a stiff feeling and prevent stuffiness.

[0036] The side sheet 7 is bonded with an adhesive such as hot melt over a portion outside the widthwise middle portion from a predetermined inner position to the outer edge of the back sheet 2, and the laminated sheet portion of the side sheet 7 and the back sheet 2 forms side flap portions on both sides of the absorbent body 4 without the absorbent body 4 being interposed therebetween. Although not provided in the sanitary napkin 1 shown in the figure, the side flap portions may be formed as a pair of left and right wing-shaped flaps at a side position approximately corresponding to the wearer's body fluid discharge portion H, which has a larger extension from the side edge of the absorbent body 4 than the portions before and after it, or a pair of left and right hip hold flaps at a position closer to the buttocks (rear portion) than the side edge of the absorbent body 4, which has a larger extension from the side edge of the absorbent body 4 than the portions before and after it. The outer surface side of the wing-shaped flaps is provided with a wing slippage prevention adhesive layer, and when worn on the underwear, the wing-shaped flaps are folded back to the opposite side (back sheet 2 side) at the folding line position of the base end, and are wrapped around the crotch portion of the underwear to fasten. The outer surface of the hip hold flap portion is provided with an adhesive layer to prevent the hips from slipping, so that the flap portion is attached to the inner surface of the underwear when worn.

[0037] [Individually packaged sanitary napkins N] The slip-preventing adhesive layers 8, 8... provided on the outer surface of the back sheet 2 are releasably covered by a release sheet 9. The release sheet 9 can be a sheet made of plastic or paper that has been subjected to a release treatment by coating or spraying a release treatment liquid such as a silicone resin, a fluorine resin, or a tetrafluoroethylene resin on the surface that contacts the slip-preventing adhesive layers 8.... Note that a film or a nonwoven fabric may be used as long as it does not substantially reduce adhesive strength even without a special release treatment.

[0038] The release sheet 9 is fixed to the individual packaging sheet 10 at a predetermined fixing portion 11 so as not to be peelable. "Non-peeling" means that the fixed state between the individual packaging sheet 10 and the release sheet 9 will not be released by the pulling force applied when the sanitary napkin 1 is taken out when the individually packaged sanitary napkin N is opened. The fixing portion 11 is formed of a bonding means such as an adhesive such as hot melt, heat sealing, or ultrasonic sealing. The fixing portion 11 is provided at least at one of both longitudinal ends of the individual packaging sheet 10, near the opening edge 10a.

[0039] The individual packaging sheet 10 for individually packaging the sanitary napkin 1 is a rectangular sheet defined by a pair of left and right longitudinal side edges (10c, 10c) corresponding to the longitudinal direction of the sanitary napkin 1 and a pair of short side edges (10a, 10b) corresponding to the short side direction (width direction) of the sanitary napkin 1, as shown in Fig. 1. In terms of dimensions, the short side dimension is formed to extend on both sides wider than the sanitary napkin 1, as shown in Fig. 3. In addition, in terms of the longitudinal dimension, at least one end side (the opening edge 10a side where the pouch tape 12 is provided) is formed to extend outward from the edge of the sanitary napkin 1, and the other end side (10b side) can be formed to be shorter than the edge of the sanitary napkin 1 as in the illustrated example, or formed to extend outward from the edge of the sanitary napkin 1.

[0040] To individually package the sanitary napkin 1 with the individual packaging sheet 10, first, as shown in Fig. 3, the sanitary napkin 1 is placed on the individual packaging sheet 10 to which a release sheet 9 is fixed at a fixing portion 11. In the actual manufacturing process, the anti-slip adhesive layers 8, 8... are applied onto the release sheet 9, and when the sanitary napkin 1 is placed on this release sheet 9, the anti-slip adhesive layers 8, 8... are transferred to the outer surface of the back sheet 2.

[0041] Next, as shown in Figure 3, the rear end of the napkin is folded toward the center of the napkin along fold line X1 along the width of the napkin, and then the front end of the napkin is folded over on top of it along fold line X2 along the width of the napkin to fold it in thirds (see Figure 4).

[0042] 5(A), gas at a pressure higher than the outside air pressure is injected into the individual packaging sheet 10 to form side edge seals 13, 13 consisting of a suitable sealing means, such as embossing, heat sealing, adhesives, or a combination thereof, along both open side edges 10c, 10c of the individual packaging sheet 10, and later form an opening edge seal 14 consisting of a suitable sealing means, such as embossing, heat sealing, adhesives, or a combination thereof, along the opening edge 10a of the folded individual packaging sheet 10, thereby sealing a gas at a pressure higher than the outside air pressure inside the individual packaging sheet 10. Thereafter, a pouch tape 12 is attached across the opening edge 10a to complete the individually packaged sanitary napkin N.

[0043] In this individually packaged sanitary napkin N, the opening of the folded individual packaging sheet 10 is completely sealed by the side edge seals 13, 13 and the opening edge seal 14, so that the gas inside the individual packaging sheet 10 does not escape. Therefore, gas with a pressure higher than the outside air pressure is sealed inside the individual packaging sheet 10, and as shown in FIG. 5(A), in an unopened normal state, the individual packaging sheet 10 has a greatly bulged appearance due to the pressure of the sealed gas. When this individually packaged sanitary napkin N is opened or the individual packaging sheet 10 is punctured with a needle or the like, the sealed gas escapes and the individual packaging sheet 10 becomes deflated as shown in FIG. 5(B). In this way, the appearance of the individual packaging sheet 10 changes greatly between the bulged state (FIG. 5(A)) and the deflated state (FIG. 5(B)), so it is immediately clear from the appearance whether it is in an unopened normal state or not.

[0044] The gas to be sealed inside the individual packaging sheet 10 is not particularly limited as long as it does not affect the human body if inhaled by the user and does not pose a risk of fire or explosion, and examples of such gas include air, nitrogen gas, carbon dioxide gas, oxygen gas, and helium gas.

[0045] In order to clearly distinguish the state before and after the enclosed gas is released, the difference in thickness of the individually packaged sanitary napkin N between the state in which the gas is enclosed (FIG. 5(A)) and the state in which the gas has been released (FIG. 5(B)) is preferably 5 mm or more, more preferably 10 mm or more. The state in which the gas has been released is a state in which the pressure inside the individual packaging sheet 10 is approximately the same as the external air pressure, and the individual packaging sheet 10 is in contact with the sanitary napkin 1 without expanding due to the gas pressure. The thickness can be measured by directly measuring the height from the top surface of the platen using a ruler or height gauge in a natural state with the individually packaged sanitary napkin N placed on a platen, or by analyzing an image taken with a camera from the side.

[0046] A non-breathable sheet such as polyethylene or polypropylene is used as the individual packaging sheet 10. This maintains airtightness and makes it difficult for the internal gas to escape.

[0047] The individual packaging sheet 10 may be a transparent, semi-transparent, or opaque sheet, but is formed from a semi-transparent sheet when adding a discrimination function using a mark 15 described below. "Semi-transparent" means that it is intermediate between transparent and opaque, and has a low degree of transparency. In other words, when it is separated by a certain distance or more, it becomes difficult to see through the individual packaging sheet 10 to see what is on the other side, but when it is closer than this, it has a degree of transparency that makes it possible to see through the individual packaging sheet 10.

[0048] The discrimination function of the above-mentioned mark 15 is such that a mark 15 is provided on the sanitary napkin 1 at a portion where the individual packaging sheets 10, which have expanded due to the pressure of the enclosed gas, are separated. The mark 15 cannot be seen from the outside when the individual packaging sheets 10 are in a state where they are expanded due to the pressure of the enclosed gas, but can be seen from the outside through the individual packaging sheets 10 when the gas has escaped and the individual packaging sheets 10 are close to each other. That is, as shown in Fig. 5(A), when gas is sealed inside the individual packaging sheet 10, the individual packaging sheet 10 swells due to the pressure of the gas, and the sanitary napkin 1 and the individual packaging sheet 10 are separated by a certain distance or more (for example, 5 mm or more), so that the mark 15 on the sanitary napkin 1 cannot be seen from the outside through the individual packaging sheet 10, whereas as shown in Fig. 5(B), when the gas has been released due to opening or the like, the individual packaging sheet 10 is placed in contact with the outer surface of the sanitary napkin 1, so that the mark 15 on the sanitary napkin 11 can be seen from the outside through the individual packaging sheet 10. Therefore, the user can determine whether the individually packaged sanitary napkin N has been opened or the like based not only on the appearance of the individually packaged sanitary napkin N but also on whether the mark 15 is visible or not. The mark 15 is affixed to the side of the sanitary napkin 1 opposite to the side on which the pouch tape 12 is provided, i.e., the outer surface of the back sheet 2 at the rear end of the napkin folded along fold line X1 in Figure 3, or the outer surface of the back sheet 2 at the front end of the napkin folded along fold line X2.

[0049] In the illustrated example, the mark 15 is composed of a rectangular figure colored in a color different from that of the sanitary napkin 1, but it may also be a figure or symbol of other shape, such as a circle, a polygon, a star, a heart, etc., or it may be an illustration of an animal or character, or letters, etc.

[0050] The mark 15 may be provided on the release sheet 9 instead of on the sanitary napkin 1, or on both the sanitary napkin 1 and the release sheet 9.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 6, the mark 15 is provided in a mark arrangement area 16 where the packaging sheet 10 bulges out from the sanitary napkin 1 by the pressure of the enclosed gas by a predetermined distance or more. This allows the mark 15 to reliably perform its distinguishing function. The mark arrangement area 16 is preferably an area in which the sanitary napkin 1 is arranged, and where the portion of the packaging sheet 10 folded first and the portion of the packaging sheet 10 folded later do not overlap when individually packaged. The mark 15 is provided at a position spaced apart from the fixing part 11 by a predetermined distance A or more, and this distance A is preferably 20 mm or more. By setting the distance A to 20 mm or more, the mark 15 is provided at a position sufficiently spaced apart from the fixing part 11, so that the packaging sheet 10 can bulge out by the pressure of the gas by a necessary distance or more, and the visibility of the mark 15 can be reliably changed between a state in which the gas is enclosed and a state in which the gas is released. The fixed portion 11 serving as the reference for the distance A is the fixed portion 11 provided on the same surface of the individually packaged sanitary napkin N as the surface on which the mark 15 is provided (the surface on which the pouch tape 12 is provided).

[0052] The individual packaging sheet 10 can be made of a material that easily generates static electricity and / or a material that is charged with static electricity by performing corona treatment, plasma treatment, etc. By charging the individual packaging sheet 10 with static electricity, even if some gaps occur in the sealed portion due to defects in the joining process, the adhesive force between the statically charged materials maintains airtightness and makes it difficult for air to escape.

[0053] The individual packaging sheet 10 may be made of a material having elasticity. By making the individual packaging sheet 10 out of an elastic material, when the individual packaging sheet 10 bulges due to the pressure of the enclosed gas receives pressure from the outside, the individual packaging sheet 10 expands to release the pressure, thereby preventing the individual packaging sheet 10 from bursting. Examples of the elastic material include a film made by mixing an olefin resin with a styrene resin, and an ethylene-long chain olefin copolymer. Examples of the elastic material include a material made by mechanically processing a non-elastic material made of polyethylene or polypropylene to give it elasticity, for example, a material made by stretching the non-elastic material in a uniaxial or biaxial direction.

[0054] As shown in Fig. 6, the individual packaging sheet 10 has a non-jointed portion B between the side edge seals 13 on both sides of the sanitary napkin 1, where the sanitary napkin 1 is not present and the individual packaging sheets 10, 10 are not joined to each other and can swell due to gas pressure. By providing the non-jointed portion B, the individual packaging sheet 10 can easily swell due to gas pressure. The length of the non-jointed portion B (the length in the width direction of the sanitary napkin 1) is preferably 3.5 mm or more.

[0055] The pouch tape 12 attached to the opening edge 10a of the individual packaging sheet 10 may be a rectangular shape long in the direction perpendicular to the opening edge 10a as shown in Fig. 6, but is preferably formed into a substantially inverted trapezoid (a substantially trapezoid when the individually packaged sanitary napkin N in the illustrated example is turned upside down) that gradually widens in the opening direction as shown in Fig. 7. By forming the pouch tape 12 in a shape that widens in the opening direction, when the tip of the pouch tape 12 is pinched and opened, the opening width (the width of the pouch tape 12) is large, so that even a small opening can easily release the internal gas all at once, and it can be clearly determined that the individual packaging sheet 10 has already been opened based on the degree of swelling. The dimensions of the pouch tape 12 are such that the width of the part that intersects with the opening edge 10a of the individual packaging sheet 10 is 6 mm or more, preferably 8 mm or more, and the width of the base end (the length of the bottom base of the trapezoid) is 12 mm or more, preferably 16 mm or more.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 8, the sanitary napkin 1 may be provided with a linear recess 17 consisting of a continuous groove that crosses the width direction. When gas is injected into the individual packaging sheet 10 during the manufacturing process of the individually packaged sanitary napkin N, the gas injected into one side in the width direction may be quickly circulated to the other side in the width direction through the recess 17, so that the gas may quickly spread throughout the entire individual packaging sheet 10. The gas quickly spreads throughout the entire individual packaging sheet 10, thereby improving the manufacturing speed of the individually packaged sanitary napkin N. In the illustrated example, the recess 17 is provided on the outer surface (surface facing the back sheet 2) of the folded sanitary napkin 1, but it may also be provided on the inner surface (surface facing the top sheet 3). The number of the recess 17 may be one, but preferably two or more, more preferably two to three.

[0057] The side edge sealed portion 13 and the opening edge sealed portion 14 are joints that join the individual packaging sheets 10, 10 together without any gaps to prevent gas leakage, and the side edge sealed portion 13 is provided in a band-shaped region (the shaded region shown in FIG. 6 ) along the side edge of the individual packaging sheet 10 at its opening, and the opening edge sealed portion 14 is provided in a band-shaped region along the opening edge of the individual packaging sheet 10 at its opening. Of the two sides of this band-shaped region, one side faces the inside of the individual packaging sheet 10 and is the side that receives the pressure of the enclosed gas. In addition, the other side faces the side edge 10c of the individual packaging sheet 10 in the case of the side edge sealed portion 13, and faces the opening edge 10a in the case of the opening edge sealed portion 14.

[0058] The side edge sealing portion 13 and the opening edge sealing portion 14 may be provided in a belt shape of equal width over the entire length, but in order to perform smooth opening, it is preferable that the side portion 13a on the side receiving the pressure of the enclosed gas is formed as a straight line perpendicular to the direction in which the pressure acts, and the opposite side portion 13b (the side portion close to the side edge 10c or the opening edge 10a of the individual packaging sheet 10) is formed as any one or a combination of two or more of (A) an inclined line, (B) a zigzag line, and (C) a curved line (wavy line) as shown in Fig. 9. By forming the side portion 13a on the side receiving the pressure of the enclosed gas as a straight line, the structure is made to withstand the pressure of the enclosed gas, while by forming the opposite side portion 13b as any one or a combination of two or more of an inclined line, a zigzag line, and a curved line, the area of ​​the sealed portion is changed to suppress the resistance at the time of opening, and the package can be easily opened. In particular, as shown in Fig. 9, it is preferable to form the side edge seal portion 13 with a portion overlapping with the opening edge 10a with a relatively small area compared to the front and rear regions thereof, so that the resistance in the initial stage of opening is small, making opening easier and smoother.

[0059] As a method for injecting gas into the interior of the individual packaging sheet 10, as shown in FIG. 10, there can be mentioned a method in which the opening portion of the individual packaging sheet 10 is sealed by the side edge sealing portions 13, 13 and the opening edge sealing portion 14, a needle is then pierced into the intended portion of the pouch tape 12 to open a pinhole 18 and the gas is injected, and once the injection of the gas has been completed, the pouch tape 12 is attached so as to close the pinhole 18.

[0060] As another method, a foaming agent that generates nitrogen gas, carbon dioxide gas, etc. may be placed inside the individual packaging sheet 10, and the opening portion of the individual packaging sheet 10 is sealed by the side edge sealing portions 13, 13 and the opening edge sealing portion 14, and then the foaming agent is reacted to fill the inside of the individual packaging sheet 10 with gas.

[0061] Furthermore, as another method, a method can be used in which the opening portion of the individual packaging sheet 10 other than the other side edge sealing portion 13 is sealed with one side edge sealing portion 13 and the opening end sealing portion 14, and then gas is sent into the inside from the other side edge opening while simultaneously forming the other side edge sealing portion 13 to seal the other side edge opening. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] Reference Signs List 1... sanitary napkin, 2... back sheet, 3... top sheet, 4... absorbent body, 7... side sheet, 8... anti-slip adhesive layer, 9... release sheet, 10... individual packaging sheet, 11... fixing portion, 12... pouch tape, 13... side edge sealing portion, 14... opening edge sealing portion, 15... mark, 16... mark arrangement area, 17... recess, 18... pinhole

Claims

1. An individually packaged absorbent article is composed of an absorbent article and an individual packaging sheet for individually packaging the absorbent article, and a gas having a pressure higher than the outside air pressure is sealed inside the individual packaging sheet of the individually packaged absorbent article, The individual packaging sheet is made of a translucent sheet, and a mark is affixed to the absorbent article at a portion where the individual packaging sheet separates after expanding due to the pressure of the enclosed gas, the mark being invisible from the outside when the individual packaging sheet is in a state where it ...

2. 2. The individually packaged absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the difference in thickness of said individually packaged absorbent article between the gas-filled state and the gas-depleted state is 5 mm or more.

3. The absorbent article is provided with a slip-prevention adhesive layer for preventing slippage between the absorbent article and an undergarment when the absorbent article is worn, and a release sheet is provided for releasably covering the slip-prevention adhesive layer, 3. The individually packaged absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the mark is provided on either or both of the absorbent article and the release sheet.

4. 4. The individually packaged absorbent article according to claim 3, wherein a distance between a fixing portion for fixing the release sheet to the individual packaging sheet and the mark is 20 mm or more.

5. 5. The individually packaged absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the individual packaging sheet is made of a stretchable material.

6. A pouch tape is provided at the opening end of the individual packaging sheet, 6. The individually packaged absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the pouch tape is formed in a shape that gradually widens in the opening direction.

7. 7. The individually packaged absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the absorbent article is provided with a recess extending across the width of the absorbent article.

8. The individual packaging sheet is folded together with the absorbent article, and the openings of the individual packaging sheet are closed by sealing portions extending along the edges of the openings, The sealed portion is an individually packaged absorbent article as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the side receiving the pressure of the enclosed gas is formed as a straight line perpendicular to the direction in which the pressure acts, and the opposite side is formed as an inclined line, a zigzag line, a curved line, or a combination of two or more thereof.

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