Individually packaged absorbent articles

Abstract

To provide an individual package for an absorbent article which allows replacement of an absorbent article without making fingers dirty.SOLUTION: An individual package 1 for an absorbent article for packaging and discarding a used absorbent article includes: a new absorbent article 50 for replacement; a packaging sheet 6 for a used absorbent article for packaging a used absorbent article 50a; a hook member 5 which is fixed on one surface of the packaging sheet 6 for a used absorbent article and has a hook part 2 for locking an individual packaging sheet 2 on the used absorbent article 50a; and a covering sheet 12 which covers the hook member 5 and is provided to be separated from the packaging sheet 6 for a used absorbent article. By separating the covering sheet 12, the hook part 2 is exposed, and the hook part 2 is bonded to a skin surface side of the used absorbent article to use to remove the used absorbent article from underwear.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an individual package for absorbent articles. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, absorbent articles are composed of a liquid-permeable top sheet, a liquid-impermeable back sheet, and an absorbent body disposed between them. For example, light incontinence products are used by fastening the back sheet side to underwear.

[0003] The task of replacing a used absorbent article (hereinafter also referred to as a "used article") with a new absorbent article (hereinafter also referred to as a "new article") is usually carried out by removing the used article from the underwear with both hands, storing the used article in a new packaging bag or the like for disposal, and then attaching the new absorbent article to the underwear. At this time, when removing the used article, the fingers come into direct contact with the used article, and body fluids are likely to adhere to the fingers. Furthermore, when storing a used article that has absorbed body fluids and has expanded and / or deformed in a new packaging bag, part of the used article may get caught on a cut or the like in the packaging bag, staining the fingers with body fluids. Furthermore, storing the used article in a packaging bag or the like does not mean that the used article is sealed, and there is a risk that body fluids may leak along the inner surface of the packaging bag and adhere to clothing or the like.

[0004] Some people also wrap used products in toilet paper instead of packaging bags before discarding them, but toilet paper does not have sufficient water resistance or sealing properties, which can easily lead to problems such as the rolled-up package opening and exposing the used product, or bodily fluids leaking out and tearing the package, or bodily fluids dropping onto the floor of the toilet stall.As such, there is a demand for individual absorbent article packages that allow used products to be replaced with new ones in a clean manner without soiling the hands or the toilet stall with bodily fluids, and that can seal the used product, and various proposals have been made.

[0005] Patent Document 1 discloses a package for absorbent articles, which comprises absorbent articles, a packaging sheet for individually packaging the absorbent articles, and an adhesive tape having one end releasably attached to the surface of the packaging sheet and the other end joined to the longitudinal end of the packaging sheet, the adhesive tape having a first adhesive layer, a first substrate, a second adhesive layer, and a second substrate laminated in this order, and further having a connecting portion connecting the first substrate and the second substrate (Claim 1). In the adhesive tape, the first adhesive layer and the first substrate bonded thereto are releasably attached to the non-skin side of the packaging sheet by the first adhesive layer, and the second adhesive layer and the second substrate bonded thereto are releasably attached to the non-skin side of the first substrate by the second adhesive layer, and the second adhesive layer further serves as an adhesive layer for temporarily attaching the packaging body of the absorbent article to a wall or the wearer's body (paragraphs 0036 to 0037). According to Patent Document 1, the second adhesive layer and the second substrate are peeled off from the adhesive tape starting from the connecting portion to expose the second adhesive layer that is connected to the packaging sheet and the absorbent article via the first substrate, and this second adhesive layer is attached to the wall of the toilet stall or to the wearer's body to secure the absorbent article so that it does not fall to the floor, and after removing the used absorbent article using both hands, only the absorbent article that has been secured as described above is removed and attached to underwear (paragraphs 0015 and 0053). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-198586 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The absorbent article packaging described in Patent Document 1 does not fundamentally solve the problem because even if the packaging is temporarily attached to a wall or the body using the second adhesive layer, the packaging may still fall off. Furthermore, even if the wall in a toilet stall while out and about looks clean, it cannot necessarily be said to be hygienic. Furthermore, the packaging described in Patent Document 1 is not designed to wrap used absorbent articles in a wrapping material such as a wrapping sheet, so when trying to wrap used absorbent articles in a wrapping material or toilet paper, fingertips or the like come into direct contact with the used absorbent article, which can easily soil your hands.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide an individual absorbent article package that allows a used absorbent article to be cleanly replaced with a new absorbent article without soiling the hands and fingers, and that can package the used absorbent article without exposing it, thereby preventing leakage of bodily fluids, and a method for using the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The individual absorbent article package according to the first aspect of the present invention comprises: An individual absorbent article package in which a used absorbent article fixed to underwear is replaced with a new absorbent article, and the used absorbent article is packaged and disposed of, a new replacement absorbent article; a packaging sheet for packaging the used absorbent article; a hook member fixed to one surface of the packaging sheet for used absorbent articles, for fastening the packaging sheet for used absorbent articles to the used absorbent articles; a cover sheet that covers the hook member and is provided so as to be releasable from the packaging sheet for used items; and The hook member is exposed by peeling off the cover sheet, and is used to engage with the skin-facing surface of the used absorbent article, thereby removing the used absorbent article from the underwear. A second aspect of the present invention is an individual absorbent article packaging body according to the first aspect, characterized in that the packaging sheet for used articles is an individual packaging sheet for wrapping the new replacement absorbent article.

[0010] A third aspect of the present invention is an individual absorbent article packaging body according to the first aspect, characterized in that an individual packaging sheet for wrapping the new replacement absorbent article is provided on the outside of the used packaging sheet, and the individual packaging sheet is made of nonwoven fabric. A fourth aspect of the present invention is an individual absorbent article packaging body according to any one of the first to third aspects, characterized in that the hook member has a base material portion, a hook portion provided on the base material portion, and an adhesive layer for fixing the base material portion to the used packaging sheet.

[0011] A fifth aspect of the present invention is an individual absorbent article packaging body according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, characterized in that a fixing area is provided at the terminal end position of the peeling direction of the cover sheet to prevent the cover sheet from completely detaching from the used packaging sheet.

[0012] A sixth aspect of the present invention is a method for using an individual absorbent article package, which involves replacing a used absorbent article fixed to underwear with a new absorbent article, and packaging and discarding the used absorbent article, a new replacement absorbent article; a packaging sheet for packaging the used absorbent article; a hook member fixed to one surface of the packaging sheet for used absorbent articles, for fastening the packaging sheet for used absorbent articles to the used absorbent articles; a cover sheet that covers the hook member and is provided so as to be releasable from the packaging sheet for used items; and A method for using an individual absorbent article package, comprising peeling off the cover sheet to expose the hook member, engaging the hook member with the skin-facing surface of the used absorbent article to remove the used absorbent article from the underwear, and packaging the used absorbent article in the used packaging sheet. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present invention, an individually packaged absorbent article and a method for using the same can be provided, which allows a used absorbent article to be replaced with a new one in a clean manner without soiling the hands and fingers, and which can package the used absorbent article without exposing it, thereby preventing leakage of bodily fluids. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a plan view seen from the skin side, schematically showing the configuration of an individual absorbent article package according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view in the width direction taken along the cutting line XX shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] (a) to (c) are figures for explaining how to peel off the cover sheet in the first embodiment, where (a) is a schematic plan view showing the folded state of the absorbent article individual packaging body, and (b) and (c) are figures for explaining the process of peeling off the cover sheet in the unfolded state. [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating an example of the appearance of an individual package of absorbent articles according to a first embodiment. [Figure 5] 1(a) to 1(c) are diagrams illustrating how to use the packaging sheet for used items according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 1(a) to 1(c) are diagrams illustrating how a used absorbent article according to the first embodiment is wrapped in a used packaging sheet and disposed of. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a perspective view schematically illustrating an example of the appearance of an individual package of absorbent articles according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] [First embodiment] In this specification, "wearing the absorbent article 50" refers to a state in which the absorbent article 50 is attached to the wearer's body, regardless of whether it has absorbed bodily fluids or not. The longitudinal direction of the absorbent article 50 is the direction indicated by Y in the figure, which extends from front to back across the wearer's crotch when the absorbent article 50 is worn; the width direction is the direction indicated by X in the figure, which is approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal direction; and the thickness direction is the direction in which the components are stacked. The skin-side surfaces of the absorbent article 50 and its components are the surfaces that contact the wearer's skin or face the skin, and the non-skin-side surfaces are the surfaces that contact the wearer's clothing or face the clothing. Body fluids refer to liquids excreted from the body to the outside, such as urine, blood, and water in loose stools.

[0016] Figures 1 to 6 are diagrams illustrating an individual absorbent article package 1 according to a first embodiment. Figure 1 is a plan view, seen from the skin side, that schematically illustrates the configuration of the individual absorbent article package of this embodiment, Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view in the width direction taken along the XX cutting line shown in Figure 1, Figure 3(a) is a schematic plan view showing the individual absorbent article package 1 folded in three along folding lines described below, Figures 3(b) and (c) are schematic plan views that respectively illustrate an adhesive portion and a cover sheet, Figure 4 is a perspective view of Figure 3(a) and is a perspective view that schematically illustrates an example of individual packaging of the individual absorbent article package according to the first embodiment, Figures 5(a) to (c) are diagrams that respectively illustrate how used absorbent articles are packaged using a packaging sheet for used articles, and Figures 6(a) to (c) are diagrams that respectively illustrate how used absorbent articles are wrapped in a packaging sheet for used articles and disposed of. It should be noted that each drawing is merely a schematic diagram and does not define the shapes, dimensional relationships, etc. of the individual absorbent article packaging body 1, the absorbent article 50, and each of the constituent members.

[0017] The individual absorbent article packaging body 1 of this embodiment is a product that can package and dispose of a used absorbent article 50a (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as a used product 50a, as appropriate) while replacing the used absorbent article 50a fixed to underwear with a new absorbent article 50. The individual absorbent article packaging body 1 includes a new replacement absorbent article 50, a packaging sheet 6 for used absorbent articles 50a that packages used absorbent articles, a hook member 5 that is fixed to one surface of the packaging sheet 6 for used absorbent articles and that fastens the packaging sheet to the used absorbent articles, and a cover sheet 12 that covers the hook member 5. The cover sheet is provided so as to be releasable from the packaging sheet for used absorbent articles. In this first embodiment, the packaging sheet 6 for used absorbent articles is configured as an individual packaging sheet that wraps a new, replacement absorbent article 50. For example, as shown in Fig. 4, the absorbent article 50 and the packaging sheet 6 for used absorbent articles are folded in thirds, and the packaging sheet 6 for used absorbent articles is sold commercially as an individual packaging sheet that wraps around a new absorbent article 50. Also, as shown in Fig. 4, a configuration can be adopted in which both widthwise ends 25a, 25b of the packaging sheet 6 for used absorbent articles are sealed. Each component of this embodiment will be described below.

[0018] <Absorbent articles> The absorbent article 50 according to this embodiment can be used as a variety of absorbent articles for babies, adults, and the elderly, and is particularly suitable for use as pad products such as light incontinence pads, light incontinence liners, sanitary napkins, and panty liners. The longitudinal dimension of the absorbent article 50 is, for example, in the range of 100 mm to 300 mm, or in the range of 140 mm to 230 mm, and the width dimension is, for example, in the range of 50 mm to 500 mm. By keeping each dimension within the aforementioned numerical ranges, an absorbent article 50 suitable for use as a light incontinence product, sanitary napkin, panty liners, and the like can be obtained.

[0019] <Hook member 5> In the first embodiment, the hook member 5 is a member that is attached to the non-skin side surface of the packaging sheet 6 for used items, and has a base member 3, an adhesive layer 4 that fixes the base member 3 to the packaging sheet 6 for used items, and a hook member 2 that is provided on the opposite side of the adhesive layer 4 across the base member 3. The hook portion 2 of the hook member 5 has an engaging device (engaging shape, etc.) that can engage with the material of the skin side of the used absorbent article and lock the used packaging sheet. Any hook member 5 commonly used in this field can be used as the hook portion 2, and examples include various types of hook-and-loop fasteners. The size of the hook member 5 is set in the width direction and length direction so that the used absorbent article 50a can be fixed by the hook portion 2. Since the adhesive layer 4 is not intended to be peeled off, there are no particular restrictions on the type and method of joining means, adhesive, etc., as long as it can be stably fixed to the surface of the packaging sheet 6 for used absorbent articles. The hook member 5 according to this embodiment has a predetermined shape such as a rectangular shape, a circular shape, or an elliptical shape in plan view. The hook member 5 can be provided at any position within the packaging sheet 6 for used items. In this embodiment, the hook member 5 is provided at the center of the packaging sheet 6 for used items in the longitudinal direction.

[0020] <Covering sheet> The cover sheet 12 is a sheet member that covers the hook member 5. The cover sheet 12 has a cover area 13 that covers the surface of the hook portion 2 of the hook member 5, and a peel-off area 14. The peel-off area 14 is an area that is provided on the surface of the post-use packaging sheet 6 in a peelable manner. The peel-off area 14 of the cover sheet 12 has the shape of an outer edge band formed by extending the outer edge of the hook member 5 in a plan view. If the hook member 5 is rectangular, a rectangular outer edge band is generally formed. The peel-off area 14 is configured so that part or all of it can be peeled off from the surface of the used-packaging sheet 6. When part of the peel-off area 14 is peeled off, the hook portion 2 is exposed from that part, and the hook portion 2 can be engaged in the partially exposed part to secure the used product 50a. A peel layer 17 may also be provided in the peel region 14 so that the sheet can be easily peeled from the surface of the post-use packaging sheet 6. A sealing structure other than the structure with the peel layer 17 may also be employed. The sealing structure is not particularly limited, and examples include sealing using a hot melt adhesive, heat sealing, ultrasonic sealing, and sealing by crimping.

[0021] In the configuration shown in FIG. 3, a tab (not shown) is provided at a predetermined position on the cover sheet 12 so that the cover sheet 12 can be easily peeled off by holding the tab with one's hand. Furthermore, a fixing region 19 can be provided at the end position in the peeling direction of the cover sheet 12 to prevent the cover sheet 12 from completely detaching from the packaging sheet 6 for used absorbents. Of course, a configuration can also be adopted in which the fixing region 19 is not provided and the cover sheet 12 is completely detached from the packaging sheet 6 for used absorbents. A preferred embodiment is selected appropriately depending on the configuration of the absorbent article, etc. In the configuration shown in Fig. 3, a fixed area 19 that does not peel off is provided in the lower end band portion of Fig. 3 (shown by diagonal lines in Fig. 3(c)). In this configuration, even if the covering sheet 12 is peeled off, it remains attached to the packaging sheet 6 for used products, preventing the peeled covering sheet 12 from becoming waste separate from the used product 50a.

[0022] The cover sheet 12 has the following three main functions. (First Point) The hook portion 2 of the hook member 5 is prevented from being exposed to the outside and becoming engaged with underwear, etc. In other words, the hook portion 2 can be exposed just before engaging with the used item 50a, thereby preventing unintended engagement. (Second point) When a packaging sheet is provided to cover the individual absorbent article packaging body 1, even if the packaging sheet is made of a material that causes the packaging sheet to engage with the hook portion 2, the presence of the cover sheet 12 can separate the hook portion 2 of the hook member 5 from the packaging sheet, allowing for freedom in the selection of the packaging sheet. (Third point) When multiple individually packaged items are packaged together for sale, the hook member 5 attached to an individually packaged item packaged in a packaging sheet made of a material that engages with the hook portion 2 can be prevented from becoming engaged with an adjacent individually packaged item. Since the cover sheet 12 can be applied to individual absorbent article individual packages 1 that differ in shape, purpose of use, form of use, and material of the individual packaging sheet used, it can be said that the cover sheet 12 only needs to have at least one of the above functions. The individual absorbent article packaging body 1 of this embodiment may also include an absorbent article 50, a packaging sheet 6 for used items, a hook member 5, and a cover sheet 12. The absorbent article 50, a release sheet 71, a packaging sheet 6 for used items, a hook member 5, and a cover sheet 12 may also be used as basic constituent units. The components of this embodiment will be described in more detail below in the order of the top sheet 10, absorbent body 20, back sheet 30, standing gathers 40, side sheets 60, release sheet 71, and used packaging sheet 6.

[0023] <Top sheet> The top sheet 10 is a liquid-permeable sheet-like substrate that allows bodily fluids to pass quickly toward the absorbent body 20 and diffuse the bodily fluids in the plane direction of the absorbent body 20. The top sheet 10 is preferably a substrate that is soft to the touch and does not irritate the skin so that it may come into direct contact with the wearer's skin. Examples of such substrates include hydrophilic sheets, composite nonwoven fabrics that are laminates of the same or different hydrophilic sheets, apertured films such as apertured polyethylene films, and foamed films such as polyethylene foam and urethane foam. Examples of hydrophilic sheets include air-through nonwoven fabrics, thermal-bonded nonwoven fabrics, spunlace nonwoven fabrics, and spunbonded nonwoven fabrics made from synthetic fibers made of synthetic resins such as polypropylene and polyethylene, regenerated fibers such as rayon, and natural fibers such as cotton. Among these, the various nonwoven fabrics are preferred. The surface of the top sheet 10 may be embossed or perforated to improve liquid permeability. The top sheet 10 may contain one or more of lotions, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory ingredients, pH adjusters, antibacterial agents, moisturizers, etc. to reduce irritation to the skin. The basis weight of the top sheet 10 is set to, for example, 15 g / m² from the viewpoints of strength, processability, and liquid wetting-back. 2 More than 40g / m 2 The following range or 19g / m 2More than 35g / m 2 The shape of the top sheet 10 is not particularly limited, and may be any shape that covers part or all of the absorbent body 20, which is necessary to guide bodily fluids to the absorbent body 20 without leakage.

[0024] <Absorbent> The absorbent body 20 has a longitudinal dimension (maximum length) in the range of, for example, 100 mm to 800 mm, 150 mm to 500 mm, or 270 mm to 500 mm. The widthwise dimension (maximum width) of the absorbent body 20 is, for example, 50 mm to 500 mm, 60 mm to 400 mm, or 70 mm to 105 mm. When the absorbent body 20 has an hourglass-shaped planar shape, the longitudinal dimension is in the range of 180 mm to 800 mm, the widthwise dimensions of the front and rear portions that contact the wearer's abdomen and back, respectively, are both in the range of 60 mm to 400 mm, and the widthwise dimension of the central portion that contacts the wearer's crotch is in the range of 90 mm to 250 mm. Examples of planar shapes of the absorbent body 20 include an hourglass shape, an I-shape, a rectangle, a rounded rectangle, and an oval. The absorbent body 20 may be, for example, a fluff absorbent body containing absorbent fibers and a superabsorbent polymer.

[0025] (absorbent fiber) The absorbent fiber is not particularly limited as long as it is one generally used in absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, disposable diapers, and urine absorption pads, and examples thereof include fluff pulp, cotton, rayon, acetate, tissue, absorbent paper, and hydrophilic nonwoven fabric. Among these, fluff pulp is preferably used from the viewpoint of absorbency. Examples of fluff pulp include wood pulp (e.g., bleached coniferous kraft pulp (N-BKP) such as southern pine or Douglas fir), synthetic fiber, resin fiber, and non-wood pulp defibrated into a cotton-like state. When fluff pulp is used as the absorbent fiber base material in the absorber 20, the basis weight of the absorbent fiber is, for example, 100 g / m2 from the viewpoint of feel on the skin, body fluid absorption capacity, and the like. 2 More than 800g / m 2The following range: 325g / m 2 More than 615g / m 2 The range is as follows:

[0026] (Superabsorbent polymer) The superabsorbent polymer (hereinafter also referred to as "SAP") is not particularly limited as long as it can absorb body fluids and prevent backflow, and examples thereof include polyacrylates, polyaspartates, (starch-acrylic acid) graft copolymers, (acrylic acid-vinyl alcohol) copolymers, (isobutylene-maleic anhydride) copolymers, and saponified products thereof. Among these, from the viewpoint of absorption per weight, polyacrylates are preferred, alkali metal polyacrylates are more preferred, and sodium polyacrylate is even more preferred. The superabsorbent polymers can be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0027] The superabsorbent polymer is used in various forms, such as particulate or fibrous, but is preferably used in particulate form for ease of handling. By avoiding the use of a finely powdered superabsorbent polymer with poor powder flowability and using a superabsorbent polymer with a median particle size, basic absorption performance can be improved and the rough feel that occurs when the absorbent body 20 hardens after absorbing body fluids can be reduced. The median particle size of the superabsorbent polymer 12 is, for example, in the range of 50 μm to 600 μm or in the range of 100 μm to 500 μm. The content of the superabsorbent polymer in the absorbent body 20 is in the range of 40 wt % or more, or in the range of 40 wt % to 70 wt % of the total weight of the absorbent body 20.

[0028] In the absorbent body 20, the absorbent fibers and SAP may be in the form of a mixture of SAP particles in absorbent fibers, or an SAP sheet in which SAP particles are fixed between absorbent fibers. In addition to the fluff absorbent body described above, the absorbent body 20 may also be an absorbent sheet containing multiple hydrophilic sheets with a superabsorbent polymer fixed and supported between them. To prevent leakage of SAP particles from the absorbent body 20 and to stabilize the shape of the absorbent body 20, a carrier sheet (not shown) may be provided under the absorbent body 20 or to completely wrap the absorbent body 20. The substrate of the carrier sheet may be any hydrophilic material, including tissue, absorbent paper, and hydrophilic nonwoven fabrics such as air-laid nonwoven fabrics. When multiple carrier sheets are provided, the substrates of the multiple carrier sheets may be the same or different.

[0029] <Back seat> The backsheet 30 may be formed using a liquid-impermeable substrate that prevents the body fluids retained by the absorbent sheet 20 from wetting the wearer's clothing. Examples of such substrates include resin films and composite sheets that are laminates of resin films and nonwoven fabrics. The nonwoven fabrics used in the composite sheets may be made by any method, and examples include single-layer nonwoven fabrics such as spunbonded nonwoven fabrics and meltblown nonwoven fabrics, composite nonwoven fabrics such as spunbonded nonwoven fabric / meltblown nonwoven fabric laminates, and spunbonded nonwoven fabric / meltblown nonwoven fabric / spunbonded nonwoven fabric laminates, as well as composite materials thereof. Examples of resin films include polyester, polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene, polypropylene, and composite films of polyethylene and polypropylene.

[0030] The basis weight of the back sheet 30 is, for example, 15 g / m from the viewpoint of strength and processability. 2 More than 60g / m 2The range is as follows. In order to prevent stuffiness during wear, it is preferable that the back sheet 30 be breathable. To make the back sheet 30 breathable, for example, a filler may be blended into the resin film of the base material, or the back sheet 30 may be embossed. An example of the filler is calcium carbonate, and the blending method may be any known method without any restrictions.

[0031] The backsheet 30 has a first adhesive layer 80 on its non-skin-facing surface. For example, in an embodiment in which a release sheet 71 is provided, the first adhesive layer serves to releasably adhere the release sheet 71, or ultimately serves as an adhesive layer for attaching a new product to underwear. The first adhesive layer 80 contains an adhesive that exhibits adhesion to resin films, paper, nonwoven fabrics, etc. The adhesive contained in the first adhesive layer 80 is not particularly limited, and known adhesives can be used, such as hot melt adhesives. Hot melt adhesives with melting points of 100°C or higher and 180°C or lower can be used without particular limitation, and examples include synthetic rubber hot melt adhesives such as styrene-butadiene-styrene copolymers and styrene-isoprene-styrene copolymers, and olefin hot melt adhesives such as ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers. Known methods for applying hot melt adhesives include the curtain coating method and spiral method, which apply molten hot melt adhesive from a nozzle in a non-contact manner, and the slot method, which applies molten hot melt adhesive in a contact manner. The same adhesive may be used for the first adhesive layer 80 and the second adhesive layer 81 (described later), or different adhesives may be used for the first adhesive layer 80. Also, double-sided tape or the like may be used for the first adhesive layer 80.

[0032] <3D gathers> The three-dimensional gathers 40 may be provided at both widthwise ends of the skin-facing surface of the top sheet 10 so as to extend along the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article 50, for example, in order to prevent side leakage of bodily fluids excreted by the wearer of the absorbent article 50. The three-dimensional gathers 40 include an elastic stretchable member 40a and a water-repellent and / or waterproof sheet member 40b.

[0033] The elastically stretchable member 40a is disposed along the longitudinal direction near the free end (other end) of the sheet member 40b, imparting upstanding property to the free end and allowing the free end and its neighboring area of ​​the sheet member 40b to deform to fit the wearer's body shape. In this embodiment, one widthwise end (fixed end) of the sheet member 40b is fixed to the skin-side surface of the backsheet 30 near both widthwise ends, a middle portion in the widthwise direction is fixed to the skin-side surface of the topsheet 10 near both widthwise ends, and the other widthwise end is a free end that is upstanding. The fixing position of the fixed end (one widthwise end) of the sheet member 40b is not limited to this embodiment, and examples include the non-skin-side surface of the backsheet 30, near both widthwise ends of the skin-side or non-skin-side surface of the joint between the topsheet 10 and the backsheet 30, which has the absorbent body 20 housed therein, and near both widthwise ends of the skin-side surface of the topsheet 10.

[0034] The sheet member 40b is a water-repellent and / or waterproof sheet, and is made of, for example, a nonwoven fabric. The nonwoven fabric for the first sheet member can be any water-repellent and / or waterproof (liquid-impermeable) nonwoven fabric made of hydrophobic fibers, and examples thereof include spunbond nonwoven fabric, meltblown nonwoven fabric, and composite nonwoven fabric (SMS nonwoven fabric) which is a spunbond nonwoven fabric / meltblown nonwoven fabric / spunbond nonwoven fabric laminate. The basis weight of the sheet member 40b is, for example, 13 g / m 2 More than 20g / m 2 The range is as follows: As the elastic and stretchable member 40a, for example, thread-, string- or band-shaped members made of natural rubber, synthetic rubber, polyurethane or the like can be used as appropriate.

[0035] <Side seat> A pair of side sheets 60 may be provided at both longitudinal ends of the skin-facing surface of the top sheet 10, extending in the width direction of the absorbent article 50. The material for the side sheets 60 can be any liquid-impermeable nonwoven fabric or resin film similar to that used for the back sheet 30, without any particular limitation. The side sheets 60 are provided, for example, so as to cover both longitudinal ends of the top sheet 10 along its shape, with the longitudinal dimensions of one and the other being, for example, in the range of 10 mm to 30 mm.

[0036] <Release sheet> As shown in FIG. 2, the release sheet 71 is releasably adhered to the back sheet 30 by a first release layer 85 interposed between the first adhesive layer 80 and the release sheet 71. The first release layer 85 is, for example, provided on the surface of the release sheet 71. The release sheet 71 includes, for example, a substrate and a first release layer 85 provided on the entire surface or a portion of the substrate and containing a release agent, and may further include a sealing layer (not shown) between the substrate and the first release layer 85. Examples of the substrate include paper substrates such as semi-bleached kraft paper, kraft paper, fine paper, medium-quality paper, alkaline paper, glassine paper, semi-glassine paper, paperboard, and white paperboard, as well as various synthetic resin films. Examples of the release agent contained in the first release layer 85 include silicone-based release agents and fluorine-based release agents. The sealing layer is intended to prevent the release agent from penetrating into the paper substrate when the release agent is applied to the paper substrate, and is formed as a thin layer of about several μm to several tens of μm made of a thermoplastic resin such as polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamide, or polyvinyl alcohol. The sealing layer may be a clay coating layer. The release sheet 71 includes a paper substrate, which has higher rigidity than the nonwoven fabric or resin film that constitutes the packaging sheet 6 for used paper, and therefore has the advantage that the packaging sheet 6 for used paper is easy to peel off.

[0037] <Wrapping sheet for used items> 2, the packaging sheet 6 for used containers is adhered to the release sheet 71 by a second adhesive layer 81. The packaging sheet 6 for used containers has a hook member 5 fixed to the surface (non-skin-facing surface in this embodiment) opposite to the adhesive surface (skin-facing surface in this embodiment) with the second adhesive layer 81. The packaging sheet 6 for used containers is preferably made of a nonwoven fabric, an antibacterial nonwoven fabric, or a laminate of two or more of these. In the packaging sheet 6 for used products of this embodiment, it is preferable to use a pulp-containing composite nonwoven fabric with an opacity of 75% or more. This is because, as will be explained later with reference to Figures 5 and 6, the packaging sheet 6 for used products is used so that it covers the skin-facing side of the used product 50a to cover the used product 50a. Even in this case, if bodily fluids are visible through the packaging sheet 6 for used products, this is not suitable in terms of concealment, and therefore it is preferable to use a nonwoven fabric with high opacity so as to hide bodily fluid stains. By using a pulp-containing composite nonwoven fabric having such opacity as the used packaging sheet 6, the concealment of the absorbent articles 50 in the individual packaging body 1 is significantly improved. If the opacity is less than 75%, the concealment of the absorbent articles 50 contained in the individual packaging body 1 tends to decrease. The opacity is a value measured based on JIS P 8148:2018 (ISO2470-1:2016).

[0038] The pulp-containing composite nonwoven fabric comprises a nonwoven fabric and a wood pulp layer laminated on at least one surface of the nonwoven fabric. In a preferred embodiment, the pulp-containing composite nonwoven fabric comprises a nonwoven fabric and a wood pulp layer integrated with at least one surface of the nonwoven fabric. Here, "integrated" means that the nonwoven fabric and the wood pulp layer are in a state where they do not peel even partially from each other before and after use of the absorbent article 1, thereby preventing a significant reduction in their functionality. The basis weight of the nonwoven fabric is preferably 7 g / m 2 More than 30g / m 2 The basis weight of the wood pulp layer is preferably 30 g / m 2 More than 70g / m 2 The basis weight of the pulp-containing composite nonwoven fabric is preferably 30 g / m or less from the viewpoints of opacity, strength, body fluid absorbency, etc. 2 More than 80g / m 2 By setting the basis weights of the nonwoven fabric and the wood pulp layer within the above ranges, it becomes easy to adjust the basis weight of the pulp-containing composite nonwoven fabric within the above ranges. By setting the basis weight of the pulp-containing composite nonwoven fabric within the above ranges, it becomes easy to obtain an opacity of 75% or more.

[0039] Among pulp-containing composite nonwoven fabrics, those integrated by hydroentanglement are preferred. For example, such integrated fabrics are pulp-containing composite nonwoven fabrics in which wood pulp fibers are entangled and integrated with a water jet on the surface of a nonwoven fabric without using a binder, forming a wood pulp layer. In such pulp-containing composite nonwoven fabrics, the fibers constituting the nonwoven fabric and the wood pulp fibers are entangled with each other on one surface of the nonwoven fabric to form an integrated wood pulp layer, and some of the wood pulp fibers penetrate the nonwoven fabric in the thickness direction and are exposed on the other surface, resulting in an extremely strong bond between the nonwoven fabric and the wood pulp layer.

[0040] Here, the nonwoven fabric is not particularly limited, and various nonwoven fabrics can be used, but spunbond nonwoven fabrics are preferred. Spunbond nonwoven fabrics can be made using any method, including spunbonding, meltblowing, and flash spinning. Preferred materials include synthetic resins such as nylon (trade name), vinylon, polyester, acrylic resin, polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene. Spunbond nonwoven fabrics may contain multiple synthetic resin fibers. Among these, spunbond nonwoven fabrics made of polypropylene are preferred from the viewpoints of strength, softness, absorbency, and the like. Furthermore, the wood pulp fibers constituting the wood pulp layer are not particularly limited, and examples include bleached coniferous kraft pulp (hereinafter also referred to as "NBKP") such as radiata pine, slash pine, southern pine, lodgepole pine, spruce, and Douglas fir. The wood pulp fibers can be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0041] The weight ratio of the nonwoven fabric to the wood pulp layer (nonwoven fabric / wood pulp layer) is preferably 40 / 60% by weight or more and 10 / 90% by weight or less. If the wood pulp layer content is less than 60% by weight, the pulp-containing composite nonwoven fabric tends not to be stable in terms of body fluid absorbency, while if it exceeds 90% by weight, the pulp-containing composite nonwoven fabric tends to become hard, making it difficult to use as a post-consumer packaging sheet 6.

[0042] In the individual package 1 of this embodiment, the pulp-containing composite nonwoven fabric is preferably arranged so that its wood pulp layer forms the outer surface of the individual package 1. In this configuration, the spunbond nonwoven fabrics face each other inside the individual package 1. As will be described later, when sealing both widthwise ends 25a, 25b (FIG. 4) of the individual package 1, the facing of the spunbond nonwoven fabrics improves sealing efficiency, resulting in an advantage of reducing the rate of defective products. Furthermore, because the wood pulp layer has good bodily fluid absorption properties, even if bodily fluid leaks from the absorbent article 50 after use, the wood pulp layer can prevent further leakage of the bodily fluid.

[0043] As mentioned above, pulp-containing composite nonwoven fabrics have high opacity. Therefore, the opacity of commercially available packaging sheets and that of pulp-containing composite nonwoven fabrics are compared as shown in Table 1 below. When commercially available packaging sheets are made of cloth, their opacity is measured in accordance with JIS L 1912. For pulp-containing composite nonwoven fabrics, the basis weight of the entire composite nonwoven fabric is 55 g / m. 2 , the basis weight of the wood pulp layer is 43 g / m 2 , and the basis weight of the spunbond nonwoven fabric is 12 g / m 2 The composite nonwoven fabric used was made of 79% by weight of wood pulp and 21% by weight of spunbond nonwoven fabric. Table 1 shows that the pulp-containing composite nonwoven fabric has a much higher opacity than the packaging sheets (films and spunbond nonwoven fabrics) used in conventional individual packages.

[0044] (Antibacterial nonwoven fabric is included in the packaging sheet for used items) By using an antibacterial nonwoven fabric for part or all of the packaging sheet 6 for the used-up absorbent article, the growth of bacteria is prevented, which reduces the generation of odors that accompany the growth of bacteria, and the replacement of the absorbent article 50 can be carried out hygienically and safely. For example, a resin film, paper, or an antibacterial nonwoven fabric is used for the packaging sheet 6 for the used-up absorbent article. From the viewpoints of strength and processability, the basis weight of the packaging sheet 6 for the used-up absorbent article is, for example, 15 g / m when it is a resin film, nonwoven fabric, or antibacterial nonwoven fabric. 2 More than 50g / m 2In the case of paper, for example, 30 g / m 2 More than 70g / m 2 The range is as follows:

[0045] Examples of antibacterial nonwoven fabrics include nonwoven fabrics that contain antibacterial fibers with an antibacterial activity of 2.0 or higher as the main component and also contain other fibers, and nonwoven fabrics made of antibacterial fibers with an antibacterial activity of 2.0 or higher. "Containing as the main component" means that the content exceeds 50% by weight of the total. Examples of fibers that can be contained in addition to antibacterial fibers include synthetic fibers made from synthetic resins such as polypropylene and polyethylene, regenerated fibers such as rayon, and natural fibers such as cotton.

[0046] Antibacterial fibers are not particularly limited as long as they have antibacterial properties, but are preferably made by kneading inorganic antibacterial agents into synthetic fibers. Inorganic antibacterial agents can be inorganic compounds containing antibacterial metal ions such as silver, copper, and zinc, without any particular limitations. Examples include metal compounds containing the aforementioned antibacterial metal ions, zeolites, hydrotalcites, hydroxyapatite, clay minerals, and inorganic porous materials such as alumina, silica, and bentonite. The inorganic antibacterial agents can be used alone or in combination of two or more. Antibacterial fibers can be produced, for example, by adding one or more inorganic antibacterial agents to a molten synthetic resin and kneading the mixture, followed by spinning the synthetic resin. Examples of synthetic resins to which inorganic antibacterial agents can be added include polyester resins such as polyester and polyethylene terephthalate, polyolefin resins such as polyethylene and polypropylene, polyacrylamide, polyvinyl alcohol, crosslinked polyvinyl alcohol, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, and polyvinyl formal. The amount of inorganic antibacterial agent to be blended with synthetic resin is, for example, in the range of 0.005% by weight to 0.5% by weight, based on 100% by weight of the total amount of inorganic antibacterial agent and synthetic resin, from the viewpoint of keeping the antibacterial activity value within a predetermined range and the strength of the obtained antibacterial fiber. For example, an antibacterial test is conducted using Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli in accordance with the bacterial liquid absorption method of JIS L 1902, with a standard cloth (cotton cloth) as a control, and an antibacterial fiber with an antibacterial activity value of 2.0 or higher is used. Here, the antibacterial activity value is measured according to the bacterial liquid absorption method of JIS L 1902.

[0047] <How to use the first embodiment> First, the seals at both widthwise ends 25a, 25b of the individual packaging sheet shown in Figure 4 (the state in Figures 3(a) and 4) are removed, and the folded individual absorbent article packaging body 1 is unfolded (Figure 3(b)). Next, the tab of the cover sheet 2 is picked up and pulled off to expose the hook portion 2 of the hook member 5 as shown in FIG. 3(c). Then, the packaging sheet 6 for used items is turned inside out (FIG. 5(a)), the hook portions 2 of the hook members 5 are attached to the top sheet 10 side of the used absorbent article 50a fixed to the underwear, and the packaging sheet 6 for used items is placed over the used absorbent article 50 (FIGS. 5(b)(c)). Here, the release sheet 71 may be used together with the packaging sheet 6 for used items, or may be used as a stand for new absorbent articles 50. With the hook portion 2 of the hook member 5 engaged with the top sheet 10 of the used absorbent article 50a, the used absorbent article 50a is peeled off from the underwear through the used packaging sheet 6, leaving the used packaging sheet 6 fixed to the used absorbent article 50a (Figure 5(c)). 6(a) to 6(c), the used absorbent article 50a is then wrapped in the used packaging sheet 6 and disposed of. By carrying out the disposal in this manner, the skin-facing surface of the absorbent article 50a containing bodily fluids and excrement is covered with the used packaging sheet 6, and the hook portions 2 prevent the used packaging sheet 6 from slipping off the used absorbent article 50a, so the used absorbent article 50a can be disposed of without getting hands dirty or dropping bodily fluids or the like on the floor or the like. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the packaging sheet 6 for used articles can also be used as an individual packaging sheet for new replacement absorbent articles 50. The presence of the cover sheet 12 can prevent unintended engagement of the hook members 5. Furthermore, as described above, the use of a highly opaque nonwoven fabric can improve concealment. Furthermore, in an embodiment in which a new absorbent article and a packaging sheet 6 for used absorbent articles having hook members 5 fixed to one surface are integrated with a peel-off sheet 71 or the like, the peel-off sheet 71 is configured to be peelable from the new absorbent article, so that the used absorbent article 50a can be packaged with two layers of sheets, the peel-off sheet 71 and the packaging sheet 6 for used absorbent articles, thereby further improving the cleanliness of hands and the packaging ability of the used absorbent article 50a.

[0048] [Second embodiment] Next, a second embodiment will be described. Note that members having the same functions as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted. As shown in Fig. 7, the main feature of the second embodiment is that an individual packaging sheet for wrapping new replacement absorbent articles is provided on the outside of a packaging sheet 6 for used absorbent articles, and the individual packaging sheet is made of a nonwoven fabric exterior sheet 8. With this configuration, even if the individual packaging sheet is made of nonwoven fabric, there is an advantage that the hook member 5 does not engage because of the cover sheet 12.

[0049] Although the present invention has been described above using embodiments, it goes without saying that the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments and examples. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and improvements can be made to the above embodiments. Furthermore, it is clear from the claims that such modifications and improvements can also be included within the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 1: Individually packaged absorbent articles 2: Hook part 3: Base material part 4: Adhesive layer 5: Hook member 6: Used packaging sheet 8: Nonwoven fabric outer sheet (individually wrapped nonwoven fabric sheet) 12: Cover sheet 19: Fixed area 50: New absorbent articles 50a: Used absorbent articles

Claims

1. An individual absorbent article package in which a used absorbent article fixed to underwear is replaced with a new absorbent article, and the used absorbent article is packaged and disposed of, a new replacement absorbent article; a packaging sheet for packaging the used absorbent article; a hook member fixed to one surface of the packaging sheet for used absorbent articles, for fastening the packaging sheet for used absorbent articles to the used absorbent articles; a cover sheet that covers the hook member and is provided so as to be releasable from the packaging sheet for used items; and The new replacement absorbent article is wrapped in the used packaging sheet, The individual absorbent article packaging body is characterized in that the hook member is exposed by peeling off the cover sheet, and the hook member is engaged with the skin-facing surface of the used absorbent article to remove the used absorbent article from the underwear.

2. 2. The individual absorbent article package according to claim 1, wherein the packaging sheet for used absorbent articles is an individual packaging sheet for wrapping the new absorbent article for replacement.

3. 2. The individual absorbent article package according to claim 1, wherein an individual packaging sheet for wrapping the new replacement absorbent article is provided outside the packaging sheet for used absorbent articles, and the individual packaging sheet is made of nonwoven fabric.

4. 4. The individual absorbent article packaging body according to claim 1, wherein the hook member has a base material portion, a hook portion provided on the base material portion, and an adhesive layer for fixing the base material portion to the used packaging sheet.

5. 5. The individual absorbent article packaging body according to claim 1, wherein a fixing area is provided at the end position of the cover sheet in the peeling direction to prevent the cover sheet from completely detaching from the used packaging sheet.

6. A method for using an individual absorbent article package, which involves replacing a used absorbent article fixed to underwear with a new absorbent article, and packaging and discarding the used absorbent article, a new replacement absorbent article; a packaging sheet for packaging the used absorbent article; a hook member fixed to one surface of the packaging sheet for used absorbent articles, for fastening the packaging sheet for used absorbent articles to the used absorbent articles; a cover sheet that covers the hook member and is provided so as to be releasable from the packaging sheet for used items; and The new replacement absorbent article is wrapped in the used packaging sheet, A method for using an individual absorbent article package, characterized by peeling off the cover sheet to expose the hook member, engaging the hook member with the skin-facing surface of the used absorbent article to remove the used absorbent article from the underwear, and packaging the used absorbent article in the used packaging sheet.

Images