Individual absorbent article packaging

The packaging sheet with widthwise tearable perforations and a sealing tape addresses tearing and sealing issues, ensuring effective packaging and containment of absorbent articles, particularly when swollen, by aligning perforations with the conveyance direction and facilitating easy wrapping.

JP7814218B2Active Publication Date: 2026-02-16NIPPON PAPER CRECIA CO LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2022055985
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2022-03-30
Publication Date
2026-02-16
Estimated Expiration
2042-03-30

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing individual packaging sheets for absorbent articles are prone to tearing during transportation due to perpendicular alignment with the conveying direction, and fail to effectively seal swollen articles, leading to potential leakage and direct contact with used products.

Method used

The packaging sheet features tearable perforations extending widthwise and facing longitudinally at both ends, with differing lengths and positions to align with the conveyance direction, and includes a sealing tape for easy wrapping and sealing, preventing leakage and direct contact.

Benefits of technology

The solution ensures robust packaging that maintains concealment and sealing properties, even for swollen articles, reducing defects and preventing bodily fluid leakage and finger contact during handling.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

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Patent Text Reader

Abstract

To provide an absorbent article packaging body capable of packaging a used article with preferable concealing property and sealing property while preventing body fluid from leaking and fingers from directly contacting the used article, and capable of packaging even a used article swollen comparatively largely.SOLUTION: A packaging body 1 of an absorbent article includes an absorbent article 50 and a packaging sheet 60 for packaging the absorbent article. The packaging sheet 60 includes a first perforation 62 provided in a longitudinal one end side so as to extend in a width direction, and a second perforation 63 provided in the longitudinal other end side so as to extend in the width direction substantially in parallel to the first perforation 62, the second perforation having a different length from that of the first perforation 62.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1
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Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Individually packaged absorbent articles are known, in which pad products such as sanitary napkins, panty liners, light incontinence products, light incontinence liners, and urine absorption pads are individually wrapped in individual packaging sheets and the edges of the individual packaging sheets are sealed with sealing tape. By individually packaging absorbent articles, the absorbent articles can be carried one by one easily and hygienically, and it is also relatively easy to replace used absorbent articles (hereinafter simply referred to as "used articles") with new absorbent articles (hereinafter simply referred to as "new articles") when out and about.

[0003] When replacing a used absorbent article with a new one, the used absorbent article is typically disposed of by wrapping it in a new individual packaging sheet. Specifically, a typical method involves, for example, removing the used absorbent article from its underwear, folding or rolling it into a roll, wrapping it in the individual packaging sheet that came with the new absorbent article, and sealing the resulting package with the sealing tape that came with the new absorbent article. However, this method inevitably involves touching the used absorbent article directly with hands, which can be unhygienic. Furthermore, the sealing tape, once peeled off to remove the new absorbent article, loses its adhesive strength and is difficult to reseal. Specifically, problems such as the package opening, significantly reducing the concealment of the used absorbent article, or leakage of urine, blood, or the like absorbed by the used absorbent article from the package, are likely to occur. There is a demand for an individual absorbent article package that minimizes hand contact with the used absorbent article when replacing it with a new one, packages the used absorbent article with good concealment and sealing properties, and prevents leakage of bodily fluids. Various proposals have been made to address this need.

[0004] Patent Document 1 describes a flexible individual packaging sheet for individually packaging absorbent articles, the individual packaging sheet having an insertion portion penetrating from the front to the back, which can be packaged so that the absorbent articles can be maintained in a columnar state by folding or rolling the absorbent articles into a columnar shape and wrapping the absorbent articles in the individual packaging sheet so that the insertion portion is exposed on the outer surface, and inserting the insertion portion into the insertion portion of the individual packaging sheet from the axial end side of the columnar shape (Claim 1). A typical embodiment of the individual packaging sheet in Patent Document 1 is a form in which two insertion portions are arranged opposite each other in the width direction at one end in the longitudinal direction of the individual packaging sheet (Claim 2 and 3). Furthermore, the insertion portion is formed, for example, as a perforation (Claim 5). Patent Document 1 also describes that the absorbent articles can be maintained wrapped in the individual packaging sheet without using an adhesive member (paragraph 0006). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-067489 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In a mass production line for absorbent articles, absorbent articles and materials constituting parts thereof are typically transported so that the longitudinal direction of the absorbent articles and the conveying direction (MD direction) are perpendicular to each other. When an individual absorbent article package 100 shown in Fig. 8 wrapped in the individual packaging sheet 90 of Patent Document 1 is transported, the longitudinal direction, which is the direction in which perforations 71 for forming the insertion portion extend, and the conveying direction are approximately perpendicular to each other, so tension is applied to the individual packaging sheet 90 and therefore to the perforations 71 in the conveying direction, making the perforations 71 more likely to tear. On the other hand, if the spacing between the perforations 71 is widened in order to make the perforations 71 less likely to tear, the perforations 71 will be more difficult to open during use.

[0007] Furthermore, absorbent articles often swell relatively significantly as they absorb bodily fluids. In such cases, the individual packaging sheet 90 of Patent Document 1 does not fit into the insertion portion (the cuts of the perforations 71) and cannot be used to wrap the absorbent article. If an attempt is made to force the insertion portion, the insertion portion will tear, making it impossible to package the used article with good concealment and sealing properties. Furthermore, it is not possible to adequately prevent leakage of bodily fluids.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide an individual package for absorbent articles that can package used products with good concealment and sealing properties while preventing leakage of body fluids once absorbed and direct contact with fingers, and that can package even used products that are relatively large and swollen. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The present inventors have conducted extensive research to solve the above problems and have found that by providing tearable perforations extending widthwise and facing longitudinally at both longitudinal ends of the individual packaging sheet, the sheet will not be damaged even when force is applied in the conveyance direction of the product, and used products that have absorbed a relatively large amount of bodily fluid and have swelled significantly can be packaged with good concealment and sealing properties while preventing leakage of the absorbed bodily fluid and direct contact with fingers, and have completed the present invention. The present invention relates to the following individual absorbent article packages.

[0010] (1) An individual package of an absorbent article including an absorbent article and an individual packaging sheet for packaging the absorbent article, The individually wrapped sheet comprises: A first perforation extending in the width direction and provided on one end side in the longitudinal direction; An individually packaged absorbent article having a second perforation that extends widthwise approximately parallel to the first perforation, is provided at the other end in the longitudinal direction, and is of a different length from the first perforation. (2) An individual package of an absorbent article according to (1) above, wherein the longer of the first perforation and the second perforation is 50% to 90% of the maximum width of the individual packaging sheet, and the shorter of the first perforation and the second perforation is 10% to 40% of the maximum width of the individual packaging sheet, and the first perforation and the second perforation are positioned in an area 10 mm to 20 mm from the longitudinal end of the individual packaging sheet. (3) An individually packaged absorbent article of (1) or (2) above, further comprising a sealing tape provided at the end of the individually packaged sheet on the side where the longer of the first perforation and the second perforation is located. (4) An individually packaged absorbent article according to any one of (1) to (3) above, wherein the first perforation and the second perforation each have a middle portion extending linearly in the width direction and both end portions that bend from both ends of the middle portion toward the opposing direction of the first perforation and the second perforation. (5) An individually packaged absorbent article according to (4), wherein the angle formed between the intermediate portion and the both end portions is 35° or more and 55° or less. (6) An individual package of an absorbent article according to any one of (1) to (5) above, in which the area from the first perforation or the second perforation to the edge of the individual package sheet adjacent thereto is colored a different color from the other areas. (7) An individually packaged absorbent article of any of (1) to (6) above, wherein the first perforation and the second perforation are each a linear arrangement of multiple non-penetrating portions and penetrating portions alternating with each other, the length of the non-penetrating portions being in the range of 0.5 mm or more and 3.0 mm or less, and the length of the penetrating portions being in the range of 1.0 mm or more and 3.0 mm or less. (8) An individually packaged absorbent article according to any one of (1) to (7) above, wherein the individually packaged sheet is made of a spunbond nonwoven fabric or a composite nonwoven fabric containing the spunbond nonwoven fabric. (9) An individual package of an absorbent article according to any one of (1) to (8) above, further comprising a release sheet interposed between the individual packaging sheet and the absorbent article, the release sheet being non-removably bonded to the individual packaging sheet and the release sheet, and the absorbent article being removably bonded to the release sheet. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, an individual package for absorbent articles is provided which can package used products with good concealment and sealing properties while preventing leakage of body fluids once absorbed and direct contact with fingers, and which can package even used products that are relatively large and swollen. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a development view showing a schematic configuration of an individual package of an absorbent article according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1A and 1B are diagrams schematically illustrating the configuration of an embodiment of an absorbent article, in which (a) is a plan view and (b) is a cross-sectional view. [Figure 3] 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a first step in packaging used products with the individual packaging sheet of the present embodiment, in which steps (a), (b), and (c) are carried out in this order. [Figure 4] 10 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a second step of packaging used products with the individual packaging sheet of the present embodiment, in which steps (a), (b), and (c) are carried out in this order. [Figure 5] 10 is a perspective view schematically showing a third step of packaging used products with the individual packaging sheet of the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a development view schematically showing the configuration of an individual package of an absorbent article according to a second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a development view schematically showing the configuration of an individual package of an absorbent article according to a third embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view illustrating a problem with the conventional technology. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] In this specification, "wearing an absorbent article" refers to the state in which the absorbent article is worn on the body, regardless of whether bodily fluids have been absorbed or not. In an absorbent article, the length direction is the direction indicated by Y in the figure that extends from the front to the back of the body through the wearer's crotch when the absorbent article is worn on the body, the width direction is the direction indicated by X in the figure that is perpendicular to the length direction, and the thickness direction is the direction indicated by Z in the figure in which the components are stacked. The skin-facing surface is the surface that contacts or faces the wearer's skin when the absorbent article is worn, and the non-skin-facing surface is the surface that contacts or faces the wearer's clothing. Body fluids refer to liquids excreted from the body to the outside, such as urine, blood, and water in loose stools.

[0014] <First embodiment of individual absorbent article packaging body> Hereinafter, an individual absorbent article package 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 shows the individual absorbent article package 1. Fig. 2 shows one embodiment of an absorbent article 50 provided in the individual absorbent article package 1. Figs. 3 to 5 show packaging of used absorbent articles (hereinafter also simply referred to as "used articles") 50 using an individual packaging sheet 60 provided in an individual absorbent article package 2. Figs. 6 and 7 show other types of individual absorbent article packages 3 and 4. These drawings do not specify the shapes, dimensions, size relationships, etc. of the components in the individual absorbent article packages 1, 3 and 4.

[0015] As shown in Fig. 1, the individual absorbent article package 1 of this embodiment includes an absorbent article 50, an individual packaging sheet 60 that packages the absorbent article 50, and a sealing tape 61 attached to one longitudinal end of the individual packaging sheet 60. In the individual absorbent article package 1, the absorbent article 50 and the individual packaging sheet 60 are bonded together by, for example, an adhesive layer 31 for attaching to underwear that is provided on the non-skin-facing surface of a back sheet 30 of the absorbent article 50. The absorbent article 50 wrapped in the individual packaging sheet 60 is commercially available, for example, housed in a flat container made of plastic film that is rectangular in plan view.

[0016] The individual packaging sheet 60 included in the absorbent article individual packaging body 1 of this embodiment is a sheet that is rectangular in plan view and is larger than the absorbent article 50 in both the longitudinal and width directions. The plan view shape is not limited to that of this embodiment and may be, for example, an oval, an ellipse, a rounded rectangle, or the like. The individual packaging sheet 60 of this embodiment has a first perforation 62 and a second perforation 63. The first perforation 62 and the second perforation 63 are disposed opposite one end and the other end of the individual packaging sheet 60 in the longitudinal direction, respectively, and extend in the width direction. The first perforation 62 and the second perforation 63 are configured so that one is longer and the other is shorter. In this embodiment, the first perforation 62 is longer than the second perforation 63. In addition, the sealing tape 61 is provided at the longitudinal end of the individual packaging sheet 60 on the side where the longer of the first perforation 62 and the second perforation is located, and more specifically, in this embodiment, it is provided at the longitudinal end on the side where the first perforation 62 is located.

[0017] Because the first perforation 62 and the second perforation 63 extend in the same direction as the product conveyance direction, they are not subjected to tension in the conveyance direction on the production line, and the perforations are not torn or damaged. If the first perforation 62 and the second perforation 63 were torn from the beginning, the overall rigidity of the individual packaging sheet 60 would decrease, which would tend to increase the rate of defective products in the manufacturing process, reduce the airtightness when packaging used products, increase the frequency of contact between used products and fingers, etc.

[0018] The sealing tape 61 not only seals the package made of the individual packaging sheet 60 of a new replacement absorbent article (hereinafter simply referred to as a "new product") 50, but also, when wrapping a used product in the individual packaging sheet 60, by splitting the first perforation 62 and the second perforation 63 to make a hole, and pinching the sealing tape 61 and passing it through the shorter side (the hole made by splitting the second perforation 63), it becomes easier to wrap the used product in the individual packaging sheet 60, improves the sealing performance of the package, and significantly reduces the frequency of direct contact of fingers with the used product.

[0019] According to this embodiment, by arranging a first perforation 62 and a second perforation 63, which extend in the width direction and have different lengths, opposite each other at both longitudinal ends of the individual packaging sheet 60, the following excellent effects can be obtained. First, because the direction in which the first perforation 62 and the second perforation 63 extend coincides with the conveyance direction of the product on the production line, no extra load is placed on the first perforation 62 and the second perforation 63 due to conveyance. As a result, the first perforation 62 and the second perforation 63 are prevented from accidentally splitting on the production line, and the rate of defective products produced as a result is significantly reduced. Secondly, by arranging first and second perforations 62 and 63, which are of different lengths and extend in the width direction, opposite each other at both longitudinal ends of the individual packaging sheet 60, the used product can be wrapped in the individual packaging sheet 60, and the fragment formed by cutting the first perforation 62 can be passed through and tied into the hole formed by cutting the second perforation 63, thereby preventing direct contact with fingers, packaging the used product with good concealment and sealing properties, and preventing leakage of bodily fluids from the used product. Thirdly, even if the used product has absorbed a relatively large amount of bodily fluids and swelled considerably, the individual packaging sheet 60 is configured to be larger than the absorbent article in both the longitudinal and transverse directions, and the configuration of the first and second perforations 62, 63 described above functions, so that the used product can be packaged with good concealment and sealing properties while preventing direct contact with fingers, and the same effect as described above can be obtained, that is, leakage of bodily fluids from the used product can be prevented. The absorbent article 50 and the individual wrapping sheet 60 will be described in more detail below.

[0020] <Absorbent articles> The absorbent article 50 included in the individual absorbent article packaging 1 of this embodiment can be used as a variety of absorbent articles for babies, adults, and the elderly, including pad products such as sanitary napkins, panty liners, panty liners, light incontinence pads, light incontinence liners, and urine absorption pads. The longitudinal dimension of the absorbent article 50 is, for example, in the range of 100 mm to 800 mm, 150 mm to 500 mm, or 150 mm to 350 mm, and the width dimension is, for example, in the range of 50 mm to 250 mm, 50 mm to 180 mm, or 50 mm to 105 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.

[0021] The absorbent article 50 of this embodiment has a top sheet 10, an absorbent body 20, and a back sheet 30 as basic structural units, and can be modified in various known ways, such as providing upright gathers 40 or side sheets (not shown), arranging a second sheet or transfer sheet (not shown) between the top sheet 10 and the absorbent body 20, or covering the absorbent body 20 with a carrier sheet (not shown). Below, the components of the absorbent article 50 of this embodiment will be described in more detail in the order of the top sheet 10, the absorbent body 20, the back sheet 30, the upright gathers 40, and the side sheets.

[0022] <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.

[0023] 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 2 More 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 450 mm, or 150 mm to 350 mm. The widthwise dimension (maximum width) of the absorbent body 20 is, for example, in the range of, for example, 30 mm to 250 mm, or 30 mm to 180 mm. 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, 80 g / m2 from the viewpoint of feel on the skin, body fluid absorption capacity, and the like. 2 More than 800g / m 2 Below range, 200g / m 2 More than 500g / 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 2 The 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] As shown in FIG. 1 , the back sheet 30 has an adhesive layer (hereinafter simply referred to as the “adhesive layer”) 31 for attaching underwear on its non-skin-facing surface. The adhesive layer 31 contains an adhesive that exhibits adhesion to resin films, paper, nonwoven fabrics, etc. The adhesive layer 31 is attached to the individual packaging sheet 60, and a release sheet (not shown) made of a plastic film or the like may be interposed between the adhesive layer 31 and the individual packaging sheet 60. Examples of materials for the release sheet include plastic films, nonwoven fabric sheets, and paper, with silicone-treated paper being preferred. Plastic films and nonwoven fabric sheets may be embossed or stretched to make them easier to handle for elderly people, for example. It is preferable that the surface of the release sheet that contacts the adhesive layer 31 is not silicone-treated or has a weaker silicone treatment than the opposite surface. This allows the release sheet and the individual packaging sheets 60 and 4 to be inseparably bonded together.

[0032] The adhesive contained in the adhesive layer 31 is not particularly limited, and known adhesives can be used, such as hot melt adhesives. Hot melt adhesives with a melting point of 100°C or higher and 180°C or lower can be used without any 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 the hot melt adhesive include the curtain coating method and spiral method, in which the molten hot melt adhesive is applied from a nozzle in a non-contact manner, and the slot method, in which the hot melt adhesive is applied in a contact manner. Double-sided tape or the like can also be used for the adhesive layer 31.

[0033] <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.

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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.

[0036] <Side seat> A pair of side sheets (not shown) 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 of the side sheets is not particularly limited and may be a liquid-impermeable nonwoven fabric or resin film similar to that used for the back sheet 30. The side sheets are provided, for example, so as to cover both longitudinal ends of the top sheet 10 along its shape, and the longitudinal dimension of the side sheets in one and the other longitudinal directions is, for example, in the range of 10 mm to 30 mm.

[0037] <Individually wrapped sheets> As described above, the individual packaging sheet 60 provided in the absorbent article individual packaging body 1 of this embodiment is configured so that the first and second perforations 62, 63 extending in the width direction of the individual packaging sheet 60 are arranged substantially parallel to each other at both ends in the longitudinal direction, and here the first perforation 62 is longer than the second perforation 63. With this configuration, when used products are packaged in the individual packaging sheet 60 as shown in Figures 3 to 5 described below, the concealment and sealing properties of the resulting package are improved, and leakage of bodily fluids from the used products can be prevented. Note that in this embodiment, the second perforation 63 may be configured to be longer than the first perforation 62.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment, the longer of the first and second perforations 62, 63 has a length that is 50% to 90% of the maximum width of the individual packaging sheet 60, and the shorter has a length that is 10% to 40% of the maximum width of the individual packaging sheet 60. If the length of the longer perforation is less than 50% of the maximum width of the individual packaging sheet 60, it will be difficult to insert the sheet piece formed by splitting the longer perforation (for example, the sheet piece in the area sandwiched between the tear in the perforation and the longitudinal end of the individual packaging sheet 60) into the hole formed by the shorter perforation, which will tend to increase the likelihood of contact between the used product and fingers. On the other hand, if the length exceeds 90% of the maximum width of the individual packaging sheet 60, problems will occur such as the sheet piece breaking or tearing from the individual packaging sheet when being inserted into the hole formed by the shorter perforation, which will tend to result in insufficient packaging of the used product by the individual packaging sheet 60. Furthermore, if the length of the shorter perforation is less than 10% of the maximum width of the individual packaging sheet 60, it will be difficult to insert the sheet piece formed by splitting the longer perforation into the tear of the shorter perforation, and fingers will tend to come into direct contact with the used product, while if the length exceeds 40% of the maximum width of the individual packaging sheet 60, the airtightness of the resulting package will tend to be reduced. If the two perforations are the same length and the perforation is long, there will be slack, allowing the absorbent article 50 inside to be seen, resulting in poor concealment, and if the two perforations are the same length and the perforation is short, it will be difficult to thread the sheet piece through the hole.

[0039] In a preferred embodiment, the first and second perforations 62, 63 are positioned in an area 10 mm to 20 mm from the longitudinal end of the individual packaging sheet 60. According to this embodiment, the package containing the used product is rigidly packaged using the individual packaging sheet 60, so that good concealment and sealing properties are maintained even after disposal. If the first and second perforations 62, 63 are positioned less than 10 mm from the longitudinal end of the individual packaging sheet 60, problems may occur such as the sheet piece being torn or torn from the individual packaging sheet when the sheet piece formed by cutting the longer perforation is inserted into the hole created by the shorter perforation, resulting in insufficient packaging of the used product using the individual packaging sheet 60. If the first and second perforations 62, 63 are positioned more than 20 mm from the longitudinal end of the individual packaging sheet 60, it becomes difficult to insert the sheet piece formed by splitting the longer perforation into the hole created by splitting the shorter perforation, which tends to make it easier for the used product to come into contact with fingers or for bodily fluids to leak from the used product.

[0040] In another preferred embodiment, the individual packaging sheet 60 has a sealing tape 61 provided at the end on the side where the longer of the first and second perforations 62, 63 is located (in this embodiment, the end on the side of the first perforation 62). The sealing tape 61 not only seals the packaging of the individual absorbent article package 1 of this embodiment, but also serves as a lead wire for the sheet piece formed by tearing the longer perforation when inserting the sheet piece into the hole made by the shorter perforation when packaging a used product, making it easier to insert the sheet piece into the hole made by the shorter perforation.

[0041] In each embodiment, the first and second perforations 62, 63 each have multiple non-penetrating portions and penetrating portions arranged alternately in a line. The non-penetrating portions are portions where the individual packaging sheet 60 remains intact, and the penetrating portions are portions where the individual packaging sheet 60 is not present. In a preferred embodiment, the length of the non-penetrating portions is in the range of 0.5 mm to 3.0 mm, and the length of the penetrating portions is in the range of 1.0 mm to 3.0 mm. By adjusting the lengths of the non-penetrating portions and the penetrating portions to fall within the above-described ranges, it is possible to achieve both resistance to tearing of the first and second perforations 62, 63 during manufacturing, transportation, etc., and ease of opening the first and second perforations 62, 63 during use, packaging, etc.

[0042] The material of the individual wrapping sheet 60 is not particularly limited, and various materials can be used, such as nonwoven fabric, resin film, and paper sheet with at least the surface rendered water-repellent. However, nonwoven fabric is preferred from the viewpoints of durability in terms of tear resistance at the perforations, lightness and bulkiness for carrying when out and about. As the nonwoven fabric, the nonwoven fabric used for the back sheet 30 is preferred, and from the viewpoint of strength, spunbond nonwoven fabric, composite nonwoven fabric including spunbond nonwoven fabric, etc. are more preferred. Examples of composite nonwoven fabric including spunbond nonwoven fabric include spunbond nonwoven fabric / meltblown nonwoven fabric / spunbond nonwoven fabric, etc. The basis weight of the nonwoven fabric used is, for example, 13 g / m 2 More than 25g / m 2 The range is as follows:

[0043] Next, the packaging of used products 50 with the individual packaging sheet 60 will be described with reference to Figures 3 to 5. In Figures 3 and 4, steps proceed in the order of (a), (b), and (c), respectively.

[0044] In step (a) of Fig. 3, an individual absorbent article packaging 2 of the second embodiment is prepared. The individual absorbent article packaging 2 has the same configuration as the individual absorbent article packaging 1 of the first embodiment, except that a release sheet 64 is interposed between a new absorbent article 50 and an individual packaging sheet 60. Fig. 3(a) shows the state in which the new absorbent article 50 has been removed from the individual absorbent article packaging 2. The new absorbent article 50 is to replace the used absorbent article 50. In step (b) of FIG. 3, the used products 50 are attached to the individual wrapping sheet 60 via the release sheet 64 without being rolled up, to obtain a laminate. In step (c) of FIG. 3, in the state of the laminate shown in FIG. 3(b), the first and second perforations 62 and 63 are opened, and then the second perforation 62 is opened and the index finger is passed through the hole formed, The laminate is folded in half with the individual wrapping sheet 60 on the outside and the used product on the inside. Next, the process moves to step (a) in FIG.

[0045] In step (a) of FIG. 4, the strip-shaped sheet piece formed by opening the first perforation 62 is passed from the outside through the hole formed by opening the second perforation 63. In step (b) of FIG. 4, the first perforation 62 side is lifted and the weight of the used product 50 is used to tighten the bag. In step (c) of FIG. 4, the second perforations 63 are opened and the formed sheet piece is tightly clamped and fixed. The resulting package shown in FIG. 5 is tightly fastened, and therefore has high rigidity, excellent sealing and concealing properties, and can remarkably prevent leakage of bodily fluids.

[0046] Third Embodiment The absorbent article individual package 3 according to the third embodiment has the same configuration as the absorbent article individual package 1 according to the first embodiment, except for the first and second perforations 62, 63. As shown in Fig. 6, the first and second perforations 62, 63 according to this embodiment each have a middle portion that extends linearly in the width direction, and both end portions that bend from both ends of the middle portion in the direction facing the other perforation (in the case of the first perforation 62, the other perforation is the second perforation 63, and in the case of the second perforation 63, the other perforation is the first perforation 62). According to this embodiment, when inserting the sheet piece formed by splitting the longer perforation into the hole made by the shorter perforation, the ends of the longer and / or shorter perforations are prevented from tearing, and the used product can be packaged with high rigidity in the individual package sheet 60. As a result, a package is obtained that has good airtightness and concealment properties and is less likely to leak bodily fluids.

[0047] In this embodiment, the angle θ (FIG. 6) formed between the middle portion and both end portions is not particularly limited, but is, for example, in the range of 35° to 55°. Within this range, the above-mentioned effects can be reliably obtained. If the angle θ is less than 35°, the effect of providing the middle portion and both end portions becomes insufficient and tends to be little different from the effect of providing linear perforations. Furthermore, if the angle θ exceeds 55°, forces in the conveying direction are more likely to be applied to the end portions, which tends to make the end portions and, in turn, the entire perforation more likely to tear.

[0048] <Fourth embodiment> As shown in FIG. 7 , the absorbent article individual package 4 according to the fourth embodiment has the same configuration as the absorbent article individual package 1 according to the first embodiment, except that it has two colored regions 62B, 63B. The colored regions 62B, 63B are regions extending from the first and second perforations 62, 63 to the longitudinal ends of the individual packaging sheet 60 adjacent thereto, and are colored in a color different from the remaining regions. The colored regions 62B, 63B may be configured to have the same widthwise length as the first and second perforations 62, 63, as in this embodiment, or may be configured to be shorter or longer. According to this embodiment, it is possible to easily identify the locations where the first and second perforations 62, 63 need to be torn.

[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, 2, 3, 4 Individual absorbent article packaging 10 Topsheet 20 Absorbent 30 Back Seat 40 Three-dimensional gathers 40a Elastic and stretchable member 40b Sheet member 50 Absorbent articles, used items 60 individual sheets 61 Sealing tape 62 First Perforation 62a First colored area 63 Second Perforation 63a Second colored area 64 Peel-off sheet

Claims

1. An individual package of an absorbent article, comprising an absorbent article and an individual packaging sheet for packaging the absorbent article, The individually wrapped sheet comprises: a first perforation extending in the width direction and provided on one end side in the longitudinal direction; a second perforation extending in the width direction substantially parallel to the first perforation and provided at the other end in the longitudinal direction, the second perforation having a length different from that of the first perforation; The first perforation is The fragment formed by splitting the first perforation is passed through a hole formed by splitting the second perforation and tied. Individually packaged absorbent articles.

2. The individually wrapped absorbent article according to claim 1 , further comprising a sealing tape provided at an end of the individually wrapped sheet on the side where the longer of the first perforation and the second perforation is located.

3. An individual package of an absorbent article, comprising an absorbent article and an individual packaging sheet for packaging the absorbent article, The individually wrapped sheet comprises: a first perforation extending in the width direction and provided on one end side in the longitudinal direction; A second perforation extending in the width direction substantially parallel to the first perforation and provided on the other end side in the longitudinal direction, the second perforation having a length different from that of the first perforation; The packaging further includes a sealing tape provided at an end portion on which the longer of the first perforation and the second perforation is located. Individually packaged absorbent articles.

4. 4. An individually packaged absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the longer of the first perforation and the second perforation has a length of 50% to 90% of the maximum width of the individual packaging sheet, and the shorter of the first perforation and the second perforation has a length of 10% to 40% of the maximum width of the individual packaging sheet, and the first perforation and the second perforation are arranged in an area of ​​10 mm to 20 mm from the longitudinal end of the individual packaging sheet.

5. An individually packaged absorbent article as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first perforation and the second perforation each have a middle portion extending linearly in the width direction and both end portions that bend from both ends of the middle portion toward the opposing direction of the first perforation and the second perforation.

6. The individually wrapped absorbent article according to claim 5 , wherein the angle formed between the intermediate portion and the both end portions is equal to or greater than 35° and equal to or less than 55°.

7. 7. An individually packaged absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the area from the first perforation or the second perforation to the edge of the individually packaged sheet adjacent thereto is colored a color different from that of the remaining area.

8. 8. An individually packaged absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein each of the first perforations and the second perforations is a linear arrangement of alternating non-penetrating portions and penetrating portions, the length of the non-penetrating portions being in the range of 0.5 mm or more and 3.0 mm or less, and the length of the penetrating portions being in the range of 1.0 mm or more and 3.0 mm or less.

9. 9. An individually packaged absorbent article according to claim 1, further comprising a release sheet interposed between the individual packaging sheet and the absorbent article, the release sheet being non-removably bonded to the individual packaging sheet and the release sheet, and the absorbent article being removably adhered to the release sheet.

Citation Information

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