Individually packaged absorbent articles

Abstract

To provide an individual packaging absorbent article capable of suppressing odor which is generated when discarding a wrapped absorbent article which has been used.SOLUTION: There is provided an individual packaging absorbent article 1 in which an absorbent article 10 extending in a longitudinal direction L is individually packaged by a packaging sheet 20, where the packaging sheet 20 is configured so that, the absorbent article 10 is arranged on an inside face 21, and the packaging sheet is folded at first and second fold lines 23a, 23b which extend in a width direction W and are set on an intermediate part of the longitudinal direction L so as to direct the inside face 21 inward, and when one end part 20a of the packaging sheet 20 in the longitudinal direction L is set to an opening end part 25, the opening end part 25 is detachably adhered to an outside face 22 of a second region A2 which faces the opening end part in a state of folding the packaging sheet 20, through a hot melt 26 including a flavor 27.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to individually packaged absorbent articles. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, individually packaged absorbent articles have been known in which an absorbent article is releasably fixed to the inner surface of a packaging sheet and folded integrally with the packaging sheet to be individually packaged (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). Here, the individually packaged absorbent article described in Patent Document 1 has a fragrance applied to the area where the surfaces of the packaging sheets face each other in a folded state. Also, the individually packaged absorbent article described in Patent Document 2 has a fragrance encapsulated in the tape base of the sealing tape that fastens part of the packaging sheet. Furthermore, an absorbent article is known in which an adhesive layer is provided on the back sheet to fasten the absorbent article to underwear, and a fragrance loading / releasing agent is embedded in the adhesive layer (see, for example, Patent Document 3). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-058134 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-126445 [Patent Document 3] Special Publication No. 11-506690 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Used absorbent articles are generally wrapped in a packaging sheet before disposal. However, in the individually packaged absorbent article described in Patent Document 1, the fragrance is applied to the surface of the packaging sheet, which easily volatilizes, and the fragrance of the fragrance is weak when the used absorbent article is wrapped. In the individually packaged absorbent article described in Patent Document 2, the fragrance is simply encapsulated in the tape substrate of the sealing tape, and the packaging sheet itself is odorless. Therefore, in these individually packaged absorbent articles, even if the used absorbent article is wrapped in a packaging sheet, it is difficult to suppress the odor generated by the absorbent article. Furthermore, in the absorbent article described in Patent Document 3, although the fragrance is emitted from the back sheet of the absorbent article, no mention is made of the packaging sheet. Therefore, there is a problem in that it is difficult to suppress the odor generated when the used absorbent article is wrapped in a packaging sheet and disposed of.

[0005] The present invention has been made in response to the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an individually packaged absorbent article that can suppress the odor that occurs when a used absorbent article is wrapped in a packaging sheet and disposed of. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an individually packaged absorbent article in which absorbent articles extending in a longitudinal direction from the abdominal side of a wearer through the crotch region toward the back side are individually packaged in a packaging sheet, the packaging sheet having the absorbent articles arranged on its inner surface and folded with the inner surface inward along a fold line set in the middle of the longitudinal direction and extending in a width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and when one end of the packaging sheet in the longitudinal direction is defined as an opening end, the opening end is releasably adhered to an area facing the folded packaging sheet via an adhesive containing a fragrance. A plurality of fold lines are set, the opening end faces the outer surface of the packaging sheet when the packaging sheet is folded, and a sealing tape that connects the opening end and the outer surface and can be peeled and reattached is attached to the outer surface, and the adhesive is set to have an adhesive strength that prevents reattachment. The structure is as follows. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] As a result, the individually packaged absorbent article of the present invention can suppress odors that are generated when a used absorbent article is wrapped in a packaging sheet and disposed of. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an individually packaged absorbent article of Example 1. FIG. [Figure 2] 1 is a plan view showing a state in which the packaging sheet of the individually packaged absorbent article of Example 1 is unfolded. [Figure 3] 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] 1 is an enlarged view showing a main part of an individually packaged absorbent article of Example 1. FIG. [Figure 5] 1A and 1B are explanatory diagrams showing a packaging procedure for an absorbent article, in which (a) shows a state in which the absorbent article is folded starting from the second fold line, and (b) shows a state in which the absorbent article is folded starting from the first fold line. [Figure 6] An explanatory diagram showing the procedure for disposing of used absorbent articles, where (a) shows the state in which the used absorbent article is placed on the packaging sheet, (b) shows the state in which the used absorbent article is in the middle of being wrapped in the packaging sheet, and (c) shows the state in which the used absorbent article is completely wrapped in the packaging sheet. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a first modified example of the individually packaged absorbent article of Example 1 in an unfolded state. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a second modified example of the individually packaged absorbent article of Example 1 in an unfolded state. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a third modified example of the individually packaged absorbent article of Example 1 in an unfolded state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] An embodiment of the individually packaged absorbent article of the present invention will be described based on Example 1 shown in the drawings.

[0010] The individually packaged absorbent article 1 of Example 1 is an absorbent article 10 individually packaged in a packaging sheet 20, as shown in FIG.

[0011] The absorbent article 10 of Example 1 is attached to underwear and used to absorb bodily fluids of a wearer, and is, for example, a sanitary napkin, a panty liner (discharge liner), a light incontinence pad, etc. As shown in Fig. 2, the absorbent article 10 has an elongated shape in a plan view extending in a longitudinal direction L from the wearer's abdominal side through the crotch region to the dorsal side. Note that, although the absorbent article 10 has an elongated shape in a plan view in Example 1, the shape of the absorbent article 10 in a plan view is not limited to that shown in the figure, and may be a regular polygon including a square, a circle, or the like. In the following description, the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L is referred to as a width direction W.

[0012] The absorbent article 10 is composed of a liquid-impermeable backsheet 11, an absorbent body 12, and a liquid-permeable topsheet 13 laminated in this order from the non-skin side. The backsheet 11 is made of a sheet material that is at least water-proof, such as an olefin resin sheet such as polyethylene or polypropylene. The backsheet 11 may be made of a laminated nonwoven fabric in which a nonwoven fabric is laminated on a polyethylene sheet or the like, or a laminated sheet of nonwoven fabric that is substantially liquid-impermeable by interposing a waterproof film therebetween. The backsheet 11 may also be moisture-permeable.

[0013] A perforated or non-perforated nonwoven fabric, a porous plastic sheet, or the like is suitably used for the topsheet 13. The material fibers constituting the nonwoven fabric include, for example, olefins such as polyethylene and polypropylene, synthetic fibers such as polyester and polyamide, regenerated fibers such as rayon and cupra, and blends thereof, as well as natural fibers such as cotton, used alone or in combination of two or more types.

[0014] The absorbent body 12 is not limited to any material that can absorb and retain body fluids, but preferably contains cotton-like pulp and a water-absorbent polymer. The water-absorbent polymer may be a superabsorbent polymer (SAP), a superabsorbent fiber (SAF), or a combination thereof. Pulp may be chemical pulp obtained from wood, cellulose fibers such as dissolving pulp, or artificial cellulose fibers such as rayon or acetate.

[0015] The absorbent body 12 has dimensions and a shape that prevent it from protruding from the back sheet 11 and the top sheet 13. The back sheet 11 and the top sheet 13 sandwich the absorbent body 12, and their outer edges are joined by an adhesive such as a hot melt adhesive, or by an adhesive means such as heat sealing or ultrasonic sealing. Furthermore, the skin-facing side of the absorbent article 10 has recesses 16 formed by embossing. Note that side nonwoven fabrics may be provided along the longitudinal direction L on both sides of the width direction W of the absorbent article 10. The side nonwoven fabrics prevent leakage of body fluids along the groin area, and water-repellent or hydrophilic nonwoven fabrics may be used.

[0016] Furthermore, the absorbent article 10 has an adhesive section 14 (see FIG. 3) on the back side (non-skin side, non-absorbent side) of the backsheet 11. The adhesive section 14 adheres to the underwear when the absorbent article 10 is worn under the underwear, preventing the absorbent article 10 from shifting position.

[0017] The absorbent article 10 is then placed on the inner surface 21 of the packaging sheet 20 with the back sheet 11 facing the packaging sheet 20, and is wrapped by the packaging sheet 20. Here, release paper 15 (see FIG. 3) is provided between the absorbent article 10 and the packaging sheet 20. The release paper 15 is fixed to the inner surface 21 of the packaging sheet 20, and the adhesive portion 14 provided on the back sheet 11 is releasably adhered to the release paper 15. The adhesive portion 14 is releasably adhered to the release paper 15, so that the absorbent article 10 is releasably fixed to the inner surface 21 of the packaging sheet 20.

[0018] The packaging sheet 20 is a flexible film sheet formed from synthetic resins such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), urethane, nonwoven fabric, paper, etc. The packaging sheet 20 may have a multilayer structure in which multiple film sheets are laminated, or a single-layer structure made of a single film sheet. The packaging sheet 20 is preferably formed from a material having gas barrier properties. As the gas barrier material, various materials that can maintain airtightness can be used without particular limitation, and for example, polyvinyl alcohol, ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer, polyvinylidene chloride, oriented polyethylene terephthalate, and oriented polyamide resins can be used alone or in combination.

[0019] The packaging sheet 20 preferably has a long, narrow shape or an oblong shape, etc., along the longitudinal direction L in a plan view in the unfolded state (unfolded state) shown in Fig. 2. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 2, the packaging sheet 20 has fold lines, two in this case (hereinafter referred to as "first fold line 23a" and "second fold line 23b"), along the width direction W at the middle of the longitudinal direction L. That is, the packaging sheet 20 of Example 1 is partitioned, based on the first fold line 23a and the second fold line 23b, into a first region A1 from one end 20a in the longitudinal direction L to the first fold line 23a, a second region A2 from the other end 20b in the longitudinal direction L to the second fold line 23b, and an intermediate region A3 between the first region A1 and the second region A2.

[0020] Then, the packaging sheet 20 is valley-folded (folded with the inner surface 21 facing inward so that the folds are hidden inside) integrally with the absorbent article 10, starting from the first fold line 23a and the second fold line 23b. At this time, as shown in FIG. 5(a), the packaging sheet 20 of Example 1 is first valley-folded starting from the second fold line 23b. As a result, the second region A2 overlaps the middle region A3. Next, as shown in FIG. 5(b), the packaging sheet 20 is valley-folded starting from the first fold line 23a. As a result, the first region A1 overlaps the second region A2. As a result, in the folded state of the packaging sheet 20 of Example 1, the first region A1 overlaps the outside of the second region A2 (see FIG. 3), and one end 20a in the longitudinal direction L faces the outer surface 22 of the second region A2.

[0021] In the folded state, both side edges 20c, 20d of the packaging sheet 20 in the width direction W are releasably joined via a sealing section 23 (see FIG. 1). At the sealing section 23, the packaging sheets 20 are welded by heat sealing, ultrasonic sealing, or the like, or opposing packaging sheets 20 are bonded to each other using an adhesive (hot melt).

[0022] Furthermore, a closure tape 24 is attached to one end 20a of the packaging sheet 20 in the longitudinal direction L, which overlaps the second region A2. The closure tape 24 is provided so as to connect the one end 20a in the longitudinal direction L and the outer surface 22 of the second region A2. A tape adhesive 24a is provided on a portion of the closure tape 24 facing the second region A2, which is releasably adhered to the outer surface 22 of the second region A2. The tape adhesive 24a is an adhesive that is solid at room temperature and contains a thermoplastic polymer as its main component. The tape adhesive 24a has higher tack (adhesion strength) than the hot melt 26 and the second hot melt 28 applied to the sealing region 29, which will be described later, and is therefore re-adherable. In other words, the closure tape 24 is attached to one end 20a of the packaging sheet 20 in the longitudinal direction L, and is releasable and re-adherable to the outer surface 22 of the second region A2.

[0023] When opening the individually packaged absorbent article 1, the user first peels the closure tape 24 from the outer surface 22 of the second region A2, and then grasps and pulls the closure tape 24. This pulls one end 20a in the longitudinal direction L of the packaging sheet 20, and the seal portion 23 joining the first region A1 to the second region A2 is peeled off. Next, the user grasps and pulls the other end 20b in the longitudinal direction L of the packaging sheet 20. This peels off the seal portion 23 joining the second region A2 to the middle region A3, unfolds the packaging sheet 20, and the individually packaged absorbent article 1 is opened. In this way, the individually packaged absorbent article 1 is opened from one end 20a in the longitudinal direction L of the packaging sheet 20. For this reason, hereinafter, one end 20a in the longitudinal direction L of the packaging sheet 20 will be referred to as the "opening end 25."

[0024] The opening end 25 of Example 1 is releasably bonded, via a hot melt 26 (adhesive), to the outer surface 22 of the second region A2, which is the region that the opening end 25 faces when the packaging sheet 20 is folded. The hot melt 26 is disposed around the periphery of the opening end 25, in this case, in the vicinity of the longitudinal edge 20e of the packaging sheet 20, and extends along the width direction W. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, a flavoring 27 is applied (sprinkled) on the surface of the hot melt 26. In other words, the hot melt 26 contains the flavoring 27. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the opening end 25 is provided with a sealed region 29 that surrounds the hot melt 26 and to which a second hot melt 28 is applied.

[0025] In Example 1, as shown in Fig. 4, the distance K1 in the longitudinal direction L from the longitudinal edge 20e of the packaging sheet 20 to the hot melt 26 is set to 5 mm to 10 mm. At this time, the hot melt 26 and the sealing tape 24 attached to the opening edge 25 overlap with each other in a plan view, sandwiching the packaging sheet 20 therebetween. In other words, the hot melt 26 is provided in an area that overlaps with the area where the sealing tape 24 is attached. In addition, the distance K2 in the width direction W from the widthwise edge 20f of the packaging sheet 20 to the hot melt 26 is set to 5 mm to 10 mm. Furthermore, the width K3 of the hot melt 26 in the longitudinal direction L is set to 1 mm to 10 mm, and more preferably 3 mm to 5 mm.

[0026] The hot melt 26 is an adhesive primarily composed of a thermoplastic polymer that is solid at room temperature. Here, it is assumed to have low tack and be non-removable. The hot melt 26 is applied by any coating method, such as slot coating, bead coating, or pattern coating. The slot coating method involves discharging the hot melt 26 from a narrow, elongated outlet in a fixed direction to apply the hot melt 26 in a strip of a predetermined width. The bead method involves discharging the hot melt 26 continuously or intermittently from a small outlet to apply the hot melt 26 in a line or dot pattern. The pattern coating method involves pressing a relief plate, on the surface of which the hot melt 26 has been previously applied, against the packaging sheet 20 to transfer the hot melt 26.

[0027] Fragrance 27 is an aromatic agent capable of volatilizing its fragrant components into the atmosphere under normal temperature and pressure. Fragrance 27 may be either a natural fragrance or a synthetic fragrance, or a combination of two or more components. Examples of natural fragrances that can be used include agave incense, benzoin, sea lion incense, spirit cat incense, clove oil, galbanum, jasmine absolute, lovetanum, melilot, mimosa, musk tonkin, myrrh, oakmoss, moss de chene, frankincense, juniper incense, orris, baturi, rosemary oil, sandalwood oil, vetiver oil, and violet leaf absolute.

[0028] Furthermore, it is preferable to use a synthetic fragrance that is highly volatile, having a boiling point of about 250° C. or less, or a medium-volatile, having a boiling point of about 250 to about 300° C. Examples of highly volatile fragrance components that can be used include anisole, benzaldehyde, benzyl acetate, benzyl alcohol, benzyl formate, isobornyl acetate, citronellal, citronellol, citronellyl acetate, para-cymene, decanal, dihydrolinalool, dihydromyrcenol, dimethylphenylcarbinol, eucalyptol, l-carvone, geranial, geraniol, geranyl acetate, geranyl nitrile, neryl acetate, nonyl acetate, linalool, ethyl linalool, linalyl acetate, phenylethyl alcohol, α-pinene, β-pinene, γ-pinene, α-ionone, β-ionone, γ-ionone, α-terpineol, β-terpineol, terpinyl acetate, and tentalome.

[0029] Furthermore, examples of medium-volatile fragrance components that can be used include amyl cinnamaldehyde, methyl dihydrojasmonate, isoamyl salicylate, β-caryophyllene, cedrene, cedryl methyl ether, cinnamic alcohol, coumarin, dimethylbenzyl carbinyl acetate, ethyl vanillin, eugenol, isoeugenol, γ-methylionone, heliotropin, hexyl salicylate, cis-3-hexenyl salicylate, phenylhexanol, pentalide, etc. The high-volatile fragrance components and medium-volatile fragrance components can be any one of the above-mentioned components used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0030] Furthermore, it is preferable that fragrance 27 has a masking function that can suppress the wearer's bodily fluid odor (menstrual blood odor, urine odor, etc.) Specifically, the masking function is a function that cancels out the bodily fluid odor with the strong scent of fragrance 27, or harmonizes the scent of fragrance 27 with the bodily fluid odor to change it into a scent that is less perceived as unpleasant.

[0031] Furthermore, the fragrance 27 can be used in any form, such as granular, powdery, or liquid, as long as it can be applied or scattered on the surface of the hot melt 26. When using a liquid fragrance 27, the fragrance 27 is used with a moisture content (concentration) that does not inhibit the adhesive strength of the hot melt 26. The amount of fragrance 27 applied (scattered) is set to 5 μl (microliters) to 10 μl per individually packaged absorbent article 1. As shown in FIG. 4, the fragrance 27 is applied (scattered) in the center of the area where the hot melt 26 is applied (applied area). The area where the fragrance 27 is applied (scattered) is set to be smaller than the area where the hot melt 26 is applied. As a result, an area where the fragrance 27 is not applied (scattered) remains at the periphery of the area where the hot melt 26 is applied.

[0032] Furthermore, the fragrance 27 is preferably encapsulated in microcapsules. Microcapsules are tiny hollow containers made of resin. When the microcapsules are ruptured (opened) by stimuli such as friction or pressure, the encapsulated fragrance 27 is released, releasing a fragrance. The material forming the microcapsules can be inorganic or organic, and examples of materials that can be used include sugars, monosaccharides (e.g., glucose), disaccharides (e.g., sucrose), polysaccharides (e.g., dextrin, glucomannan, sodium alginate, water-soluble starch, etc.), gelatin, gelatin-gum arabic, water-soluble polymers (e.g., polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, etc.), melamine resin, urea-formalin resin, urethane resin, polystyrene, ethyl cellulose, polyamide, polyacrylic acid, silicone resin, and carboxymethyl cellulose.

[0033] The second hot melt 28 is an adhesive that is solid at room temperature and contains a thermoplastic polymer as its main component, similar to the hot melt 26. The second hot melt 28 has low tackiness and is not re-adhesive, and has the same level of tackiness as the hot melt 26.

[0034] The sealing area 29 is an annular area surrounding the entire periphery of the hot melt 26. The width of the sealing area 29 can be set as desired. By applying the second hot melt 28 to the entire sealing area 29, the sealing area 29 is releasably adhered to the outer surface 22 of the second area A2, sealing the hot melt 26 between the opening end 25 and the outer surface 22 of the second area A2. That is, by applying the second hot melt 28 to the sealing area 29, which is set to surround the periphery of the hot melt 26, the opening end 25 is releasably adhered to the area facing the packaging sheet 20 in a folded state, thereby sealing the periphery of the hot melt 26. Like the hot melt 26, the second hot melt 28 is applied by any application method, such as slot coating, bead coating, or pattern coating.

[0035] The function of the individually packaged absorbent article 1 of Example 1 will be described below.

[0036] In an individually packaged absorbent article 1 in which absorbent articles 10 are individually packaged in a packaging sheet 20, a used absorbent article 10' is wrapped in the packaging sheet 20 after the absorbent article 10 has been removed and then discarded. At this time, as shown in FIG. 6(a), the used absorbent article 10' is first placed on the other end 20b side in the longitudinal direction L of the packaging sheet 20 where the sealing tape 24 is not provided. Then, as shown in FIG. 6(b), the packaging sheet 20 is wrapped around the used absorbent article 10' along the longitudinal direction L, and the used absorbent article 10' is packaged in the packaging sheet 20. Then, after the used absorbent article 10' is wrapped in the packaging sheet 20, it is sealed by re-adhering the sealing tape 24 as shown in FIG. 6(c).

[0037] At this time, the other end 20b of the packaging sheet 20 in the longitudinal direction L is rolled inward, and one end 20a in the longitudinal direction L, that is, the opening end 25, is wrapped around the outermost periphery.

[0038] In contrast, in the individually packaged absorbent article 1 of Example 1, the opening end 25 is releasably adhered to the outer surface 22 of the second region A2 via a hot melt 26 containing a fragrance 27. Therefore, when a used absorbent article 10' is wrapped in the packaging sheet 20, the odor (body fluid odor) emitted by the used absorbent article 10' can be suppressed by the scent of the fragrance 27 contained in the hot melt 26 provided at the opening end 25. As a result, the individually packaged absorbent article 1 of Example 1 can suppress the odor that occurs when a used absorbent article 10' is wrapped in the packaging sheet 20 and disposed of.

[0039] Furthermore, the hot melt 26 is provided at the opening end 25 that wraps around the outermost periphery when the packaging sheet 20 wraps around the used absorbent article 10'. This allows the scent of the fragrance 27 to easily spread outside the packaging sheet 20, effectively suppressing the odor emitted by the used absorbent article 10'. In particular, in Example 1, the hot melt 26 is arranged at the peripheral edge of the opening end 25 (in the vicinity of the longitudinal edge 20e of the packaging sheet 20) and extends along the width direction W. This means that the hot melt 26 is provided at a position through which the odor emitted by the used absorbent article 10' passes when it flows out of the packaging sheet 20, thereby enhancing the odor suppression effect of the fragrance 27.

[0040] Furthermore, if the fragrance 27 has a masking function that can suppress the wearer's bodily fluid odor (menstrual blood odor, urine odor, etc.), the bodily fluid odor can be made even less noticeable, thereby improving the odor suppression effect.

[0041] Moreover, in the individually packaged absorbent article 1 of Example 1, the fragrance 27 is contained in the hot melt 26 that releasably adheres the opening edge 25 of the packaging sheet 20. Therefore, until the packaging sheet 20 is opened, the hot melt 26 is sandwiched between the packaging sheets 20, making it difficult for the fragrance 27 to volatilize. As a result, the scent of the fragrance 27 is unlikely to be emitted from an unopened, unused individually packaged absorbent article 1, and for example, when an unused individually packaged absorbent article 1 is placed in a bag or the like, the smell of the fragrance 27 can be prevented from transferring to the contents of the bag or the like.

[0042] Furthermore, in Example 1, the fragrance 27 is contained in the hot melt 26 by being applied (sprayed) onto the surface of the hot melt 26. This allows the fragrance 27 to volatilize quickly as the hot melt 26 is peeled off, and effectively suppresses the odor emitted by the used absorbent article 10'.

[0043] Furthermore, in the individually packaged absorbent article 1 of Example 1, a seal area 29 is provided at the opening end 25, surrounding the periphery of the hot melt 26 and having the second hot melt 28 applied thereto, thereby releasably adhering the opening end 25 to the outer surface 22 of the second region A2 and sealing the periphery of the hot melt 26. Therefore, in the individually packaged absorbent article 1 of Example 1, the seal area 29 having the second hot melt 28 applied thereto can prevent the fragrance 27 from volatilizing, and can suppress a decrease in the scent of the fragrance 27 before the packaging sheet 20 is opened.

[0044] Furthermore, when the fragrance 27 is encapsulated in microcapsules, the microcapsules are broken (opened) by the stimulus of peeling off the hot melt 26, and the fragrance 27 volatilizes. Therefore, the fragrance 27 can be further prevented from volatilizing before the packaging sheet 20 is opened.

[0045] Furthermore, in the individually packaged absorbent article 1 of Example 1, when the packaging sheet 20 is a film sheet made of synthetic resin and has gas barrier properties, it is possible to make it difficult for odors emitted by a used absorbent article 10' to permeate the packaging sheet 20. As a result, the individually packaged absorbent article 1 of Example 1 can further suppress odors that are generated when a used absorbent article 10' is wrapped in the packaging sheet 20 and disposed of.

[0046] Furthermore, in the individually packaged absorbent article 1 of Example 1, a peelable and re-adherable sealing tape 24 is attached to the opening end 25, connecting the opening end 25 and the outer surface 22 of the second region A2. Furthermore, the hot melt 26 and the second hot melt 28 applied to the seal region 29 are set to have adhesive strength that prevents re-adhesion. Therefore, when a used absorbent article 10' is wrapped in the packaging sheet 20, the sealing is performed using the sealing tape 24, but the hot melt 26 and the second hot melt 28 do not adhere to the packaging sheet 20. As a result, the hot melt 26 and the second hot melt 28 do not inhibit the volatilization of the fragrance 27, and the odor emitted by the used absorbent article 10' can be appropriately suppressed.

[0047] The individually packaged absorbent article 1 of the present invention has been described above based on Example 1, but the specific configuration is not limited to Example 1, and design changes and additions are permitted as long as they do not deviate from the gist of the invention according to each claim.

[0048] In the individually packaged absorbent article 1 of Example 1, an example was shown in which the hot melt 26 containing a fragrance 27 was arranged in the peripheral portion of the opening end 25 (in the vicinity of the longitudinal edge 20e of the packaging sheet 20) and extended along the width direction W. However, as shown in FIG. 7, the hot melt 26 and the sealed region 29 (second hot melt 28) may be arranged in the peripheral portion of the opening end 25 in the vicinity of the width direction edge 20f of the packaging sheet 20 and extend along the longitudinal direction L. In this case, it is desirable that the hot melt 26 and the sealed region 29 (second hot melt 28) be positioned so as not to interfere with the sealed portion 23 that joins both side edges 20c, 20d of the packaging sheet 20 in the width direction W. Furthermore, the hot melt 26 and the sealed region 29 (second hot melt 28) may extend across the first fold line 23a to the middle region A3.

[0049] Even in this case, when the used absorbent article 10' is wrapped in the packaging sheet 20, the hot melt 26 is placed at a position through which the odor emitted by the used absorbent article 10' passes before flowing out of the packaging sheet 20, thereby enhancing the odor suppression effect of the fragrance 27.

[0050] 8, the hot melt 26 containing the flavoring 27 and the sealed region 29 (second hot melt 28) may be arranged in the peripheral portion of the opening end 25, in the vicinity of the longitudinal edge 20e and the widthwise edge 20f of the packaging sheet 20, and may extend from one side portion 20c in the width direction W, through one end portion 20a in the longitudinal direction L, to the other side portion 20d in the width direction W. In other words, the hot melt 26 containing the flavoring 27 and the sealed region 29 (second hot melt 28) may extend along the longitudinal direction L and the width direction W, and may be U-shaped in plan view.

[0051] Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 9, the hot melt 26 containing the fragrance 27 and the seal region 29 (second hot melt 28) may be provided only in the region of the periphery of the tearing end 25 that overlaps with the sealing tape 24 in a planar view. In this case, the evaporation of the fragrance 27 can be promoted by the stimulation of pulling the sealing tape 24, so that although the application area of ​​the hot melt 26 is narrower than in Example 1, the fragrance 27 can be sufficiently evaporated. Therefore, even if the hot melt 26 and the seal region 29 (second hot melt 28) are provided only in the region that overlaps with the sealing tape 24 in a planar view, it is possible to ensure the odor suppression effect while reducing the amount of fragrance 27 used.

[0052] It is not necessary to provide the sealed area 29. That is, the opening end 25 may be provided with only the hot melt 26 containing the flavoring agent 27.

[0053] Furthermore, in the individually packaged absorbent article 1 of Example 1, an example was shown in which the fragrance 27 was contained in the hot melt 26 by being applied (sprayed) onto the surface of the hot melt 26. However, the fragrance 27 may also be contained in the hot melt 26 by being kneaded into the hot melt 26. When the fragrance 27 is kneaded into the hot melt 26, the fragrance 27 volatilizes more slowly than when the fragrance 27 is applied (sprayed) onto the surface of the hot melt 26. Therefore, the fragrance 27 kneaded into the hot melt 26 can emit a fragrance for a longer period of time than the fragrance 27 applied (sprayed) onto the surface of the hot melt 26, and the duration of the odor suppression effect can be improved.

[0054] Furthermore, in the individually packaged absorbent article 1 of Example 1, the distance K1 in the longitudinal direction L from the longitudinal edge 20e of the packaging sheet 20 to the hot melt 26 is set to 5 mm to 10 mm, and the distance K2 in the width direction W from the widthwise edge 20f of the packaging sheet 20 to the hot melt 26 is set to 5 mm to 10 mm. This makes it possible to prevent the sealing area 29 and the sealing portion 23 from interfering with the hot melt 26 due to misalignment in the manufacturing machine when providing the sealing area 29 and the sealing portion 23. Note that the distances K1 and K2 are not necessarily limited to the above ranges and can be set to any length depending on the size of the individually packaged absorbent article 1, the precision of the manufacturing machine, etc.

[0055] Furthermore, in the individually packaged absorbent article 1 of Example 1, the width K3 of the hot melt 26 in the longitudinal direction L is set to 1 mm to 10 mm, and more preferably 3 mm to 5 mm. Here, the wider the width K3 of the hot melt 26, the stronger the tackiness (adhesive strength) of the hot melt 26, which may make it difficult to open the packaging sheet 20. On the other hand, the narrower the width K3 of the hot melt 26, the less the amount of flavoring 27 contained in the hot melt 26, which may reduce the odor-suppressing effect of the flavoring 27. Therefore, by setting the width K3 to 1 mm to 10 mm (more preferably 3 mm to 5 mm), the tackiness of the hot melt 26 and the content of the flavoring 27 can be made appropriate. Note that the width K3 is not necessarily limited to the above range and can be set to any length depending on the size of the individually packaged absorbent article 1 and the specifications of the hot melt 26 and the flavoring 27.

[0056] Furthermore, in the individually packaged absorbent article 1 of Example 1, both the hot melt 26 and the second hot melt 28 applied to the seal region 29 have low tackiness and are not re-adhesive, and a sealing tape 24 is provided so that when a used absorbent article 10' is wrapped in the packaging sheet 20, it is sealed with the sealing tape 24. However, the hot melt 26 or the second hot melt 28 may have tackiness that allows for re-adhesion. In this case, the sealing tape 24 does not necessarily have to be provided.

[0057] Furthermore, in the individually packaged absorbent article 1 of Example 1, the second hot melt 28 is applied to the seal area 29 surrounding the hot melt 26, thereby sealing the periphery of the hot melt 26 with the seal area 29. However, the seal area 29 may simply peelably adhere the opening edge 25 to the area that faces the packaging sheet 20 when it is folded, thereby sealing the periphery of the hot melt 26. Therefore, the seal area 29 may be configured to peelably adhere the opening edge 25 with, for example, heat sealing that bonds films together with heat.

[0058] Furthermore, the individually packaged absorbent article 1 of Example 1 has been shown as an example in which two fold lines (first fold line 23a and second fold line 23b) are set along the width direction W in the middle of the longitudinal direction L of the packaging sheet 20, and the packaging sheet 20 is folded by a so-called inward three-fold (rolled three-fold). However, the folding method of the packaging sheet 20 is not limited to this. For example, the packaging sheet 20 may have one fold line set along the width direction W in the middle of the longitudinal direction L, and may be folded in half in the longitudinal direction L starting from the fold line.

[0059] In addition, the packaging sheet 20 may be folded by a so-called roll fold, in which three fold lines are set along the width direction W in the middle part of the longitudinal direction L, and valley folds are made starting from each fold line and sequentially from the other end 20b in the longitudinal direction L toward one end 20a in the longitudinal direction L.

[0060] Furthermore, for example, the packaging sheet 20 may have two fold lines set in the longitudinal direction L at a middle portion in the width direction W, and two fold lines set in the width direction W at a middle portion in the longitudinal direction L. In this case, the packaging sheet 20 is first folded inward in three in the width direction W starting from the two fold lines along the longitudinal direction L, and then folded inward in three in the longitudinal direction L starting from the two fold lines along the width direction W. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 1 individually packaged absorbent article 10 Absorbent articles 11 Back sheet 12 Absorbent 13 Surface sheet 20 Packaging Sheet 21 Inner surface 22 External surface 23a First fold line 23b Second fold line 24 Sealing tape 25 Open end 26 Hot melt (adhesive) 27 Flavorings 28 No. 2 Hot Melt 29 Sealing Area

Claims

1. An individually packaged absorbent article in which an absorbent article extending in a longitudinal direction from a wearer's abdomen side through a crotch region to a back side is individually packaged in a packaging sheet, The packaging sheet has the absorbent article placed on its inner surface, and is folded with the inner surface inward along a fold line that is set in the middle of the longitudinal direction and extends in a width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, When one end of the packaging sheet in the longitudinal direction is defined as an opening end, the opening end is releasably adhered to an area of ​​the packaging sheet facing the opening end in a folded state via an adhesive containing a flavoring agent, A plurality of the folding lines are set, The opening end faces the outer surface of the packaging sheet when the packaging sheet is folded, and a sealing tape that connects the opening end and the outer surface and can be peeled and reattached is attached to the outer surface, The adhesive is set to an adhesive strength that makes it impossible to reattach the adhesive. An individually packaged absorbent article characterized by:

2. In the individually packaged absorbent article described in claim 1, The adhesive is disposed on the peripheral edge of the opening end and extends along at least one of the longitudinal direction and the width direction. An individually packaged absorbent article characterized by:

3. The individually packaged absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, The opening end is provided with a seal area that surrounds the adhesive and seals the adhesive by peelably adhering the opening end to an area that faces the opening end when the packaging sheet is folded. An individually packaged absorbent article characterized by:

4. The individually packaged absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The fragrance is incorporated into the adhesive by being kneaded into the adhesive or by being applied onto the adhesive. An individually packaged absorbent article characterized by:

5. The individually packaged absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The fragrance is encapsulated in microcapsules. An individually packaged absorbent article characterized by:

6. The individually packaged absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The fragrance has a masking function that can suppress the body fluid odor of the wearer. An individually packaged absorbent article characterized by:

7. The individually packaged absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 6, The packaging sheet is a film sheet made of synthetic resin and has gas barrier properties. An individually packaged absorbent article characterized by:

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