Individually packaged absorbent articles

Abstract

To provide an individual packaged absorbent article capable of eliminating a pouch tape for sealing an opening edge of an individual packaged absorbent article, contributing to use reduction of plastic, and allowing a user to confirm, specification information of the absorbent article by tactile sense of a hand, in a situation in which the specification information cannot be visually confirmed.SOLUTION: There is provided an individual packaged absorbent article configured so that: on an inner surface of a package sheet 10 provided in the vicinity of an opening edge 14 of an individual packaged sanitary napkin N, an engagement part 20 is formed, the engagement part being formed of a plurality of engagement pins 21, and an external surface of the package sheet 10 to which the engagement part 20 engages, is formed of a member capable of engaging to the engagement part 20. The engagement pins 21 are aligned along any of characters, a pattern, a symbol indicating the specification information of the sanitary napkin 1, or a combination of two or more of them.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an individually packaged absorbent article in which absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, panty liners, incontinence pads, etc. are individually packaged in a packaging sheet, and more particularly to an individually packaged absorbent article in which a pouch tape that seals the opening edge of the individually packaged absorbent article is eliminated and an engagement portion consisting of a plurality of engagement pins is provided on the inner surface of the packaging sheet. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, there has been an urgent need to reduce the use of disposable plastics from the perspective of protecting the habitat of living organisms, reducing the amount of crude oil used as a raw material, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions during incineration.

[0003] Meanwhile, various improvements have been made to individually packaged absorbent articles in which absorbent articles are individually packaged in a packaging sheet, and many proposals have been made, for example, as shown in Patent Documents 1 to 3 below.

[0004] The following Patent Document 1 discloses that, when an absorbent article and a packaging sheet are folded, a base end side of a lead tape is fixed to the surface of a first edge portion located on the outside, and a free end side of the lead tape protruding outward from the first edge portion is releasably attached to the surface of the packaging sheet, and the packaging sheet has a density higher than the specified density and a thickness thinner than the specified thickness in at least a part of the area where the free end side of the lead tape is affixed.

[0005] The following Patent Document 2 discloses a packaging device that encases and seals an absorbent article by partially sealing the overlapping portions of packaging material around the absorbent article, and the sealed portion is a display portion that shows information about the absorbent article.

[0006] Furthermore, the following Patent Document 3 discloses that an engagement portion consisting of a plurality of engagement pins extending in the width direction at a predetermined interval in the longitudinal direction is formed on the inner surface of a packaging sheet located near the opening edge of an individually packaged absorbent article, and the packaging sheet is formed from a member that can engage with the engagement portion. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-149025 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2007-167416 A [Patent Document 3] JP 2018-51079 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] In the present invention, the use of pouch tape for sealing the opening edge of an individually packaged absorbent article as disclosed in the above Patent Documents 1 and 2 is eliminated, thereby reducing the use of plastic.

[0009] Eliminating the pouch tape can lead to problems such as the end of the roll not staying in place when wrapping a used absorbent article in a packaging sheet. However, as disclosed in Patent Document 3 above, by forming an engagement portion consisting of multiple engagement pins on the inner surface of the packaging sheet, it becomes possible to engage the engagement portion with the packaging sheet without using pouch tape, thereby solving such problems.

[0010] However, when absorbent articles are used in situations where there is no lighting, such as at night when the electricity is cut off during a disaster, or when absorbent articles are used by people who are unable to visually determine the specifications, such as visually impaired people, there was no way to understand specification information, such as the length of the absorbent article individually packaged in a packaging sheet or the presence or absence of wings.

[0011] The above-mentioned Patent Document 2 proposes a technology for notifying specification information of the absorbent article contained in the packaging material at the pressure-sealed area where the packaging material envelops the absorbent article and overlaps, but since such a packaging material sealing area is torn off when the individually packaged absorbent article is opened, it is not possible to form a strong compressed area, and clear unevenness is not formed, and the width of the sealed area is narrow, so that the characters notifying the specification information can only be displayed in a small size. Therefore, even if a display area showing information about the absorbent article is provided in such a sealed area, it is possible to recognize it visually, but in a situation where it cannot be judged visually and can only be recognized by touch, it is difficult to judge the unevenness by touch.

[0012] Therefore, the main objective of the present invention is to provide an individually packaged absorbent article that eliminates the pouch tape that seals the opening edge of the individually packaged absorbent article, thereby contributing to a reduction in the use of plastic, and that allows the specification information of the absorbent article to be perceived by the sense of touch of the hand even in situations where it cannot be perceived visually. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] In order to solve the above problems, as a first aspect, there is provided an individually packaged absorbent article comprising an absorbent article and a packaging sheet for individually packaging the absorbent article, the packaging sheet being folded in the longitudinal direction together with the absorbent article, an engaging portion consisting of a plurality of engaging pins is formed on an inner surface of the packaging sheet located near an opening edge of the individually packaged absorbent article, and an outer surface of the packaging sheet with which the engaging portion engages is formed of a member that is engageable with the engaging portion, The packaging sheet in the region including the engagement portion is subjected to a high-rigidity treatment by applying a chemical solution made of cellulose nanofibers to the packaging sheet; The engaging pin is aligned along one or a combination of two or more of letters, figures, and symbols indicating the specification information of the absorbent article. only The present invention provides an individually packaged absorbent article characterized in that the absorbent articles are arranged in a manner such that the absorbent articles are individually packaged.

[0014] In the above first aspect, an engagement portion consisting of a plurality of engagement pins is formed on the inner surface of the packaging sheet located near the opening edge of the individually packaged absorbent article, and the outer surface of the packaging sheet with which the engagement portion engages is formed of a material that can engage with the engagement portion, such as nonwoven fabric. Therefore, the engagement portion makes it possible to fasten the opening edge of the individually packaged absorbent article and also makes it possible to fasten the end of the rolled-up portion when disposing of the used absorbent article, eliminating the need for pouch tape that was previously used to fasten the opening edge, and reducing the amount of plastic used.

[0015] In addition, the engaging pin is aligned along any one or a combination of two or more of letters, figures, and symbols indicating the specification information of the absorbent article. only Because the engagement pins are arranged in such a way that when the product is used in a dark place without lighting or when used by a visually impaired person or in other situations where it is not visually perceptible, the specification information of the enclosed absorbent article can be read by tracing the hardened part with a fingertip by forming the engagement pins.

[0016] In addition, the packaging sheet in the area including the engagement portion has been subjected to a high rigidity treatment by applying a chemical solution made of cellulose nanofibers, which increases the rigidity of the processing range of the engagement portion, making it easier to process the engagement pin.

[0017] No. 2 In one embodiment of the present invention, the outer surface of the packaging sheet other than the engaging portion is treated to facilitate engagement so that the engaging pin can easily engage with the outer surface of the packaging sheet. 1st article The above individually packaged absorbent articles are provided.

[0018] Above article 2 In the embodiment, the outer surface of the packaging sheet is subjected to an engagement facilitating treatment such as nap raising or pleating so that the engagement pin can easily engage with the outer surface of the packaging sheet.

[0019] No. 3 According to the embodiment of the present invention, a folded portion is formed by folding the packaging sheet located near the opening edge, and the engagement portion is provided at the folded portion. 、2 Any individually packaged absorbent article as described above is provided.

[0020] Above article 3In the embodiment, in order to facilitate the formation of the engagement pin at the engagement portion, the packaging sheet located in the vicinity of the opening edge is folded to form a fold-in portion, and the engagement portion is formed at this fold-in portion. Effect of the Invention

[0021] As described above in detail, the present invention makes it possible to eliminate the pouch tape that seals the opening edge of an individually packaged absorbent article, thereby reducing the use of plastic, and also makes it possible to perceive the specification information of the absorbent article by touch even in situations where it cannot be perceived visually. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an individually packaged sanitary napkin N according to the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an individually packaged sanitary napkin N in an unfolded state. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway plan view of an individually packaged sanitary napkin N in an unfolded state. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. [Figure 6] 6 is a view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] 6A to 6C are explanatory diagrams of a method for forming an engagement portion. [Figure 8] FIG. [Figure 9] 2 is a plan view of the outer surface side of the packaging sheet 10, showing the area to be treated to facilitate engagement. FIG. [Figure 10] 1A is a plan view of an individually packaged sanitary napkin N having a fold-in portion 22, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of a main portion thereof. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a plan view of an individually packaged sanitary napkin N, showing the areas to be subjected to a high stiffness treatment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0024] The individually packaged absorbent article according to the present invention is an absorbent article, such as a sanitary napkin, a panty liner, an incontinence pad, etc., individually packaged in a packaging sheet. As an embodiment of the absorbent article, a sanitary napkin will be described.

[0025] [Basic structure of individually packaged sanitary napkins N] As shown in FIG. 1, an individually packaged sanitary napkin N according to the present invention comprises a sanitary napkin 1 and a packaging sheet 10 with which the sanitary napkin 1 is individually packaged.

[0026] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the sanitary napkin 1 comprises a liquid-impermeable back sheet 2 made of a polyethylene sheet or the like, a liquid-permeable top sheet 3 which allows menstrual blood, vaginal discharge, and the like (hereinafter collectively referred to as body fluids) to quickly pass therethrough, an absorbent body 4 made of cotton-like pulp or synthetic pulp sandwiched between the two sheets 2, 3, and a side nonwoven fabric 7 provided on both sides of the skin contacting surface along substantially the entire length in the longitudinal direction, and around the periphery of the absorbent body 4, the outer edges of the back sheet 2 and the top sheet 3 are joined by a joining means such as hot melt adhesive, heat sealing, ultrasonic sealing, etc., and the back sheet 2 and the side nonwoven fabric 7 which extend laterally beyond the absorbent body 4 at both side edges are joined by a joining means such as hot melt adhesive, heat sealing, ultrasonic sealing, etc., to form flap portions without an absorbent body interposed therebetween. In the illustrated example, the absorbent body 4 is surrounded by an envelope sheet 5 made of crepe paper, nonwoven fabric, or the like in order to maintain the shape of the absorbent body 4 and improve diffusion, but this envelope sheet 5 does not have to be provided. In addition, although not illustrated, a second sheet made of hydrophilic nonwoven fabric or the like having approximately the same shape as the topsheet 3 may be disposed adjacent to the non-skin side of the topsheet 3.

[0027] 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 the sheet in a uniaxial or biaxial direction is preferably used. The back sheet 2 may be a polylaminated nonwoven fabric obtained by laminating a plastic film and a nonwoven fabric.

[0028] 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.

[0029] The absorbent 4 interposed between the back sheet 2 and the top sheet 3 is composed of, for example, cotton-like pulp and a water-absorbing polymer. The water-absorbing polymer is mixed in the pulp constituting the absorbent as, for example, granular powder. The pulp may be made of cellulose fibers such as chemical pulp and dissolving pulp obtained from wood, or artificial cellulose fibers such as rayon and acetate. Coniferous pulp, which has a longer fiber length, is more suitable than hardwood pulp in terms of function and cost. When an envelope sheet 5 is provided to surround the absorbent 4, the envelope sheet 5 is interposed between the top sheet 3 and the absorbent 4, and the envelope sheet 5, which has excellent absorbency, quickly diffuses bodily fluids and prevents them from flowing back.

[0030] 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.

[0031] In the illustrated example, the width of the top sheet 3 is slightly longer than the width of the absorbent body 4 as shown in the cross-sectional view of Fig. 4, and only covers the absorbent body 4. Outside of that, a side nonwoven fabric 7 separate from the top sheet 3 is provided. Specifically, the side nonwoven fabric 7 is 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. The side nonwoven fabric 7 may be made of natural fibers, synthetic fibers, regenerated fibers, or the like, and formed by an appropriate processing method. However, it is preferable to use a nonwoven fabric with a low basis weight to provide breathability in order to eliminate stiffness and prevent stuffiness. Specifically, the basis weight is 13 to 25 g / m 2 It is preferable to use a nonwoven fabric prepared as above, and in order to reliably prevent the penetration of body fluids, a water-repellent treated nonwoven fabric coated with a silicone-based, paraffin-based, or alkylchromic chloride-based water repellent agent is preferably used.

[0032] 4, the side nonwoven fabric 7 is bonded with an adhesive such as hot melt over a range from a predetermined inner position to the outer edge of the backsheet 2 at a portion outside the widthwise middle portion, and the laminated sheet portion of the side nonwoven fabric 7 and the backsheet 2 forms flap portions on both sides of the absorbent body 4 without the absorbent body 4 being interposed. These flap portions form a pair of wing-shaped flaps W, W on the left and right sides of the absorbent body at positions substantially corresponding to the body fluid excretion area H (see FIG. 3) of the wearer.

[0033] 2 to 4, a plurality of main body adhesive layers 8, 8..., three in the illustrated example, are formed in an appropriate application pattern on the non-skin contact surface (outer surface of the back sheet 2) of the main body portion where the absorbent 4 is interposed between the top sheet 3 and the back sheet 2, for fixing to underwear. Also, the underwear contact surfaces (outer surface of the back sheet 2) of the wing-like flaps W, W are each provided with a wing adhesive layer 9, and when worn on the underwear, the wing-like flaps W, W are folded back at their base end positions to the outer surface side (the back sheet 2 side) and wrapped around the crotch part of the underwear to fasten.

[0034] As the adhesive for forming the adhesive layers 8 and 9, for example, those having any one of a styrene-based polymer, an adhesion promoter, and a plasticizer as a main component are preferably used. Examples of the styrene-based polymer include styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene block copolymer, styrene-butylene-styrene block copolymer, styrene-isobutylene-styrene copolymer, etc. Among these, only one kind may be used, or a blend of two or more polymers may be used. Among these, a styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene block copolymer is preferable in terms of good thermal stability. Also, as the adhesion promoter and the plasticizer, those that are solid at normal temperature can be preferably used. Examples of the adhesion promoter include C5 petroleum resin, C9 petroleum resin, dicyclopentadiene-based petroleum resin, rosin-based petroleum resin, polyterpene resin, terpene phenol resin, etc. Examples of the plasticizer include monomer plasticizers such as tricresyl phosphate, dibutyl phthalate, dioctyl phthalate, etc., and polymer plasticizers such as vinyl polymers and polyesters.

[0035] In this individually packaged sanitary napkin N, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the main body adhesive layers 8, 8... are integrally and peelably covered by the main body release sheet 11, and the wing adhesive layers 9, 9 are integrally and peelably covered by the wing release sheet 12 that covers them. The main body release sheet 11 and the wing release sheet 12 are non-peelably fixed to the packaging sheet 10 laminated on their outer surfaces. When the sanitary napkin 1 is taken out from the individually packaged sanitary napkin N, the main body release sheet 11 peels off from the main body adhesive layer 8... and the wing release sheet 12 peels off from the wing adhesive layer 9... and remains on the packaging sheet 10.

[0036] 〔Packaging Sheet〕 The packaging sheet 10 is a rectangular sheet-like member as shown in Fig. 5. In terms of dimensions, the packaging sheet 10 is formed to a size such that at least the front edge of the sanitary napkin 1 extends forward beyond the front end of the sanitary napkin 1 in the longitudinal direction of the sanitary napkin 1, and is formed to be slightly longer in the width direction of the sanitary napkin 1 than the width dimension when the left and right flaps of the sanitary napkin 1 are folded toward the topsheet 3 (see Fig. 5).

[0037] A substantially rectangular main release sheet 11 that is elongated in the longitudinal direction of the sanitary napkin 1 and integrally covers the main adhesive layer 8 of the sanitary napkin 1 is disposed on the inner surface of the packaging sheet 10 at a portion facing the main adhesive layer 8 of the sanitary napkin 1, and a substantially rectangular wing release sheet 12 that is elongated in the width direction of the sanitary napkin 1 and integrally covers the wing adhesive layer 9 is disposed on the inner surface of the packaging sheet 10 at a portion facing the wing adhesive layer 9 of the sanitary napkin 1. The main release sheet 11 and the wing release sheet 12 are fixed via an adhesive portion provided at the overlapping portion. The main release sheet 11 and the wing release sheet 12 are fixed in an unremovable manner to the packaging sheet 10 that is laminated on the outer surfaces of the main release sheet 11 and the wing release sheet 12, and when the sanitary napkin 1 is removed from the individually packaged sanitary napkin N, the main release sheet 11 is peeled off from the main adhesive layer 8, and the wing release sheet 12 is peeled off from the wing adhesive layer 9 and left on the packaging sheet 10.

[0038] The release sheets 11, 12 may be paper or plastic sheets that have 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 anti-slip adhesive layers 8, 9. 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.

[0039] As the material of the packaging sheet 10, any material that can be engaged with the engagement pins 21 to be described in detail later on the outer surface may be used. For example, it may be composed of a single non-woven fabric or a laminated sheet in which an engaged member (non-woven fabric) is laminated on at least the outer surface of a resin film. The non-woven fabric constituting the packaging sheet 10 is preferably used alone as thermoplastic fibers, and may also be used by mixing thermoplastic fibers and cotton fibers.

[0040] The thickness of the packaging sheet 10 is 0.01 to 0.5 mm, preferably 0.05 to 0.3 mm, and the fiber basis weight is 10 to 45 g / m 2 preferably 15 to 25 g / m 2 shall be.

[0041] As the thermoplastic fibers constituting the packaging sheet 10, olefin-based such as polyethylene or polypropylene, polyester-based, polyamide-based, etc., or composite fibers, copolymers, and blends thereof can be used. The fiber length of the fibers used may be any of long fibers, short fibers, or a mixture thereof. The fineness is preferably 1.5 to 20 dtex.

[0042] Any known method can be used without limitation to individually package the sanitary napkin 1 with the packaging sheet 10. For example, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the sanitary napkin 1 is placed on the packaging sheet 10 to which the main body release sheet 11 and the wing release sheet 12 are fixed, so that the main body adhesive layer 8 is covered with the main body release sheet 11 and the wing adhesive layer 9 is covered with the wing release sheet 12, and then, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the left and right flap portions are folded together with the wing release sheet 12 towards the topsheet 3. As another individual packaging method, although not shown, a main body release sheet 11 may be fixed to the packaging sheet 10 at a position corresponding to the main body adhesive layer 8..., and a wing release sheet 12 may be fixed to the rear end of the packaging sheet 10, and the sanitary napkin 1 may be placed on the packaging sheet 10 so that the main body adhesive layer 8... is covered by the main body release sheet 11.Then, the left and right wing-shaped flaps W are folded toward the top sheet 3, and the rear part of the sanitary napkin 1 is folded longitudinally together with the packaging sheet 10 at the fold line X1 along the width direction, so that the wing adhesive layers 9, 9 are covered by the wing release sheet 12 provided at the rear end of the packaging sheet 10. In the actual manufacturing process, the main adhesive layer 8... is applied to the sanitary napkin placement surface of the main release sheet 11, and the wing adhesive layers 9, 9 are applied to the sanitary napkin placement surface of the wing release sheet 12, and then the sanitary napkin 1 is placed on these release sheets 11, 12, so that the adhesive is transferred to the designated surface of the sanitary napkin 1.

[0043] 5, the rear portion behind the wing-like flap W is folded longitudinally along fold line X1 along the width direction together with the packaging sheet 10 toward the middle portion having the wing-like flap W, and then the front portion in front of the wing-like flap W is folded longitudinally along fold line X2 along the width direction together with the packaging sheet 10, and the front portion is laminated on the outer surface of the previously folded rear portion of the packaging sheet 10 to form a third fold. The rear portion may also be folded multiple times along multiple fold lines to form a fourth or more fold.

[0044] 1, side edge seal portions 13, 13 are formed on a pair of open side edges of the packaging sheet 10 by a suitable sealing means, such as embossing, heat welding, adhesives, or a combination of these. In this manner, an individually packaged sanitary napkin N is obtained, in which the sanitary napkins 1 are individually packaged in the packaging sheet 10.

[0045] [Engagement portion] In the individually packaged sanitary napkin N according to the present invention, an engagement portion 20 consisting of a plurality of engagement pins 21, 21 . . . is formed on the inner surface of the packaging sheet 10 located near the opening edge 14 of the individually packaged sanitary napkin N.

[0046] As shown in Figures 3 and 5, the engagement portion 20 is formed on the inner surface of the packaging sheet 10 extending outward from the front edge of the sanitary napkin 1, and is adapted to engage with the outer surface of the packaging sheet 10 at the rear side that was previously folded when the sanitary napkin 1 is folded longitudinally at the fold lines X1 and X2, as shown in Figure 1. When a used sanitary napkin is rolled up in the packaging sheet 10 removed from a newly opened individually packaged sanitary napkin N and disposed of, the engagement portion 20 is adapted to engage with the outer surface of the packaging sheet 10 at the end of the roll. The front edge of the packaging sheet 10 is formed as an opening edge 14 when the sanitary napkin 1 and the packaging sheet 10 are folded at the fold lines X1 and X2 and the sanitary napkin 1 is individually packaged in the packaging sheet 10. As a result, the opening edge 14, which is the front edge of the packaging sheet 10, and the end of the rolled up sanitary napkin can be engaged with the outer surface of the packaging sheet 10 by the engaging portion 20 without using adhesive tape (pouch tape) or the like, making it possible to eliminate pouch tape and reduce the amount of plastic used. The engaging portion 20 is formed in a position near the opening edge 14, and in this specification, "nearby" refers to a portion 0 to 10 mm away from the opening edge 14 in the longitudinal direction.

[0047] The inner surface of the packaging sheet 10 is the surface on which the sanitary napkin 1 is placed when the individually packaged sanitary napkin N is formed, and the outer surface of the packaging sheet 10 is the surface opposite thereto.

[0048] A method for forming the engaging portion 20 on the inner surface of the packaging sheet 10 that forms the single-pack sanitary napkin N will be described. The engaging portion 20 is formed by an ultrasonic processing device 30 shown in FIG. 7.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 7, the ultrasonic processing device 30 is disposed below the packaging sheet 10 and includes an ultrasonic vibration device 31 that transmits ultrasonic vibrations to the packaging sheet 10, and an anvil roller 32 having a groove of the engaging pin 21 engraved on the outer peripheral surface disposed above the ultrasonic vibration device 31. The inner surface of the packaging sheet 10 is transferred in the MD direction at a constant speed while being brought into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the anvil roller 32. Thereby, a saw shape illustrated in FIG. 8(A) or a T shape illustrated in FIG. 8(B) of the engaging pin 21 can be formed on the inner surface of the packaging sheet 10.

[0050] In the single-pack sanitary napkin N according to the present invention, the engaging pins 21... are arranged along any one or a combination of two or more of characters, figures, and symbols indicating the specification information of the sanitary napkin 1.

[0051] Since the engaging pin 21 is formed by melting and solidifying a part of the packaging sheet 10 by the ultrasonic processing device 30, it is hardened compared to the surrounding packaging sheet 10. By tracing this hardened part with a fingertip, the characters, figures, and symbols in which the engaging pins 21 are arranged can be read. Therefore, even in situations where visual recognition is not possible, such as when used in a dark place without lighting due to a power outage caused by a disaster or when used by a visually impaired person, the specification information of the contained sanitary napkin 1 can be recognized.

[0052] The specification information may include, when the absorbent article is a sanitary napkin, its total length, thickness, whether it has a wing-like flap W, whether it is for day or night, etc., and when the absorbent article is an incontinence pad, its total length, thickness, water absorption, etc. In the example shown in Fig. 1, "23" indicates that the total length of the sanitary napkin 1 is 23 cm, and "W" indicates that it has a wing-like flap. When the specification information is in the form of letters, they are arranged in a direction that allows them to be read when touched from the outer surface side of the packaging sheet 10, as shown in Fig. 1.

[0053] The engagement pins 21 are arranged in one or more rows along the lines of the characters when the specification information is characters, and in one or more rows along the contours of the figures or symbols when the specification information is figures or symbols. The engagement pins 21 are only arranged along the characters, figures, or symbols that indicate the specification information, and are not provided anywhere else.

[0054] The spacing between adjacent engagement pins 21, 21 is preferably such that the engagement pins 21, 21 do not overlap, and have a separation width such that when touched with a fingertip, at least two adjacent engagement pins touch the fingertip simultaneously; specifically, the separation width between adjacent engagement pins 21, 21 is preferably 0.5 to 5 mm.

[0055] 5, the engagement portion 20 is provided on an area of ​​the packaging sheet 10 that does not overlap with the sanitary napkin 1 when the packaging sheet 10 is laid out in the longitudinal direction and before being folded longitudinally at the fold lines X1 and X2 after the sanitary napkin 1 is placed on the packaging sheet 10. Preferably, the engagement portion 20 is provided in a widthwise central portion of a portion of the packaging sheet 10 extending outward from the sanitary napkin 1, the portion extending forward from the front edge of the sanitary napkin 1.

[0056] The preferred range for providing the engaging portion 20 is 20 to 50 mm in the longitudinal direction of the napkin and 30 to 70 mm in the width direction of the napkin.

[0057] The outer surface of the packaging sheet 10 at the portion where the engagement pin 21 is formed is flat and has a height substantially equal to that of the outer surface of the surrounding packaging sheet 10. It is as follows.

[0058] As a modified example of the individually packaged sanitary napkin N, as shown in FIG. 9, an engagement facilitating treatment area 24 may be provided on the outer surface of the packaging sheet 10 other than the engagement portion 20, so that the engagement pin 21 can easily engage with the outer surface of the packaging sheet 10. The engagement facilitating treatment is a treatment to increase the specific surface area of ​​the packaging sheet 10, such as a raising treatment or pleating, so that the engagement pin 21 can easily engage with the outer surface of the packaging sheet 10. The raising treatment can be performed by using a raising device in which a raising roll and an anvil roll are arranged opposite each other, and passing the nonwoven fabric web (packaging sheet web) between these rolls. The surface of the raising roll is provided with a number of pins or needles, or is treated with a raising means such as a sandy surface treatment in which particles are fixed, and the nonwoven fabric of the packaging sheet 10 is raised by contacting the packaging sheet 10 with the packaging sheet 10 while rotating at a speed faster than the line speed of the web (packaging sheet 10). When raising the nap with pins or needles, it is preferable to use ones without hooks or the like at the tip. The pleating process is a process for creating creases or pleats in the packaging sheet 10. In addition to the pleating process, accordion-like folding, crepe paper-like folding, corrugated folding, etc. may also be used.

[0059] By providing the engagement facilitation treatment area 24, when the packaging sheet 10 removed from a newly opened individually packaged sanitary napkin N is used to wrap a used sanitary napkin, roll it up lengthwise, and discard it, the engagement pin 21 can be firmly engaged with the outer surface of the packaging sheet 10 provided with the engagement facilitation treatment area 24, and the end of the roll can be firmly secured.

[0060] As a modified example of the individually packaged sanitary napkin N, as shown in FIG. 10, the packaging sheet 10 located near the opening edge 14 may be folded to form a folded-in portion 22, and the engaging portion 20 may be provided in the folded-in portion 22. The folded-in portion 22 is a laminated sheet portion formed by folding the front end portion of the packaging sheet 10 inward. In the example shown in FIG. 10, a double sheet portion is formed by folding it once, but a triple or more layered sheet portion may be formed by folding it multiple times. The folded-in portion 22 may be provided over the entire width of the packaging sheet 10 as in the illustrated example, but it is preferable to form it only in the widthwise center portion where the engaging portion 20 is provided, since this reduces the amount of material used. By forming the folded-in portion 22, the rigidity of the processing range of the engaging portion 20 is increased, and the engaging pin 21 can be easily processed.

[0061] From the viewpoint of increasing the rigidity of the processing range of the engagement portion 20 and facilitating processing of the engagement pin 21, as shown in Fig. 11, a high rigidity treatment region 23 in which a chemical solution capable of increasing the rigidity of the packaging sheet 10 is applied to the packaging sheet 10 in the region including the engagement portion 20 may be provided. As an example of the high rigidity treatment, a method of applying a chemical solution made of cellulose nanofibers to the packaging sheet 10 in order to increase the rigidity of the packaging sheet 10 may be mentioned.

[0062] The cellulose nanofibers are fine cellulose fibers obtained by defibrating pulp fibers. Generally, the cellulose nanofibers are cellulose fibers containing cellulose fine fibers having an average fiber width of nano size (1 nm or more and 1000 nm or less), but the average fiber width (median diameter) is 100 nm or less. of too Of In addition, cellulose fiber is mainly composed of β-glucose. - It is a chain of innumerable 1,4 glycosidic bonds. - H group, - Contains OH groups etc.

[0063] The cellulose nanofibers can be applied by a known method, such as dissolving the cellulose nanofibers in a solvent to form a cellulose nanofiber dispersion, applying the cellulose nanofiber dispersion to the packaging sheet 10, and drying the cellulose nanofiber dispersion to form a cellulose nanofiber layer on the packaging sheet 10. When the cellulose nanofibers are applied to a fiber sheet such as a nonwoven fabric by the manufacturing method of applying liquid cellulose nanofibers in this way, the cellulose nanofibers are partially absorbed into the sheet, but the cellulose nanofibers are concentrated on the surface, so that a cellulose nanofiber layer can be formed and adhered on the sheet. The solvent for dispersing the cellulose nanofibers is not particularly limited, but water, lower alcohols such as ethanol, and volatile organic solvents such as acetone can be used. The cellulose nanofiber dispersion can be applied by spraying it onto the target surface, or by a transfer method such as a letterpress method.

[0064] The high rigidity treatment area 23 may be provided only in the central portion in the width direction including the engagement portion 20, and not on either side thereof, or may be provided across the entire width in a specified longitudinal section including the engagement portion 20. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] Reference Signs List 1... sanitary napkin, 2... back sheet, 3... top sheet, 4... absorbent body, 5... encapsulating sheet, 7... side nonwoven fabric, 8... main body adhesive layer, 9... wing adhesive layer, 10... packaging sheet, 11... main body release sheet, 12... wing release sheet, 13... side edge seal portion, 14... opening edge, 20... engagement portion, 21... engagement pin, 22... fold-in portion, 23... high rigidity treatment region, 24... easy engagement treatment region, N... individually packaged sanitary napkin, W... wing-shaped flap

Claims

1. An individually packaged absorbent article comprising an absorbent article and a packaging sheet for individually packaging the absorbent article, the packaging sheet being folded in a longitudinal direction together with the absorbent article, an engaging portion consisting of a plurality of engaging pins is formed on an inner surface of the packaging sheet located near an opening edge of the individually packaged absorbent article, and an outer surface of the packaging sheet with which the engaging portion engages is formed of a member that is engageable with the engaging portion, An individually packaged absorbent article, characterized in that the packaging sheet in the area including the engagement portion has been subjected to a high-rigidity treatment by application of a chemical solution consisting of cellulose nanofibers, and the engagement pins are arranged only along any one or a combination of two or more of letters, figures, and symbols that indicate specification information of the absorbent article.

2. 2. The individually packaged absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein an outer surface of said packaging sheet other than said engaging portion is treated to facilitate engagement with said engaging pin.

3. 3. The individually packaged absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein a folded portion is formed by folding the packaging sheet located in the vicinity of the opening edge, and the engaging portion is provided in the folded portion.

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