Packaging for sanitary tissue paper products

Abstract

To provide a package of a sanitary tissue product in which peel-off of a printing layer is prevented at a low cost with a simple configuration.SOLUTION: In a package, a sanitary tissue product is packaged by a package base material. The package base material includes a paper base material which has a first surface and a second surface, a transparent heat seal layer which covers a first whole surface of the paper base material, and a printing layer between the paper base material and the heat seal layer. The package base material packages the sanitary tissue product, so that the first surface of the paper base material serves as an outer surface side of the package. The package has a sealing part in which the paper base materials are joined through the heat seal layer, and a non-sealing part. In an external appearance of the package, the printing layer in an area of the non-sealing part can be optically recognized through the heat seal layer.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a package for packaging sanitary tissue products.

Background Art

[0002] In the field of packages for sanitary tissue products such as toilet paper and tissue paper, plastic films are used as packaging substrates, and packages in which sanitary tissue products are packaged with plastic films are widely known. As the plastic film, a transparent one is used, and a printing layer of characters, figures, symbols, etc. is formed on the surface of the plastic film on the inner side of the package. Thereby, the printing layer is visible through the transparent plastic film from the outside of the package, and the printing layer is prevented from being rubbed and peeled off during transportation or the like.

[0003] By the way, in this type of package for sanitary tissue products, in order to reduce the environmental impact, it has been proposed to reduce the use of plastic by using a packaging substrate containing a paper substrate instead of a plastic film as the packaging substrate. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a package for a sanitary tissue product using a packaging substrate in which a heat-sealing layer for sealing is laminated on a paper substrate as the packaging substrate.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] When a packaging substrate is used, which consists of a paper base laminated with a heat-seal layer for sealing, and a printed layer displaying letters, symbols, figures, patterns, or any combination thereof is provided on the packaging substrate, the printed layer will be exposed to the outside of the packaging due to its structure. In order to prevent the printed layer exposed to the outside of the packaging from being rubbed off during transportation, etc., it is necessary to provide a coating layer to cover the printed layer, as is done with food packaging paper (see Reference 2), which results in increased costs.

[0006] The present invention aims to provide a packaging for hygienic tissue paper products that prevents the printed layer from peeling off with low cost and a simple structure. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] As a result of diligent research to solve the above problems, the present inventors have found that the above problems can be solved by using a packaging substrate that includes a paper substrate, a heat-seal layer covering the entire surface of one side of the paper substrate, and a printed layer between the paper substrate and the heat-seal layer, and by using a configuration in which the heat-seal layer seals the packaging and protects the printed layer.

[0008] Specifically, the present invention has the following configuration.

[0009] [1] A package comprising a sanitary tissue paper product packaged in a packaging substrate, the packaging substrate comprising a paper substrate having a first surface and a second surface, a transparent heat-seal layer covering the entire first surface of the paper substrate, and a printed layer between the paper substrate and the heat-seal layer, wherein the packaging substrate packages the sanitary tissue paper product such that the first surface of the paper substrate is on the outer surface side of the package, and the package comprises a sealed portion where the paper substrate is joined via the heat-seal layer and an unsealed portion, wherein the printed layer in the unsealed portion is optically recognizable through the heat-seal layer in the appearance of the package.

[0010] [2] The packaging for the sanitary tissue product according to [1], wherein the paper substrate is transparent and the sanitary tissue product is visible in the appearance of the packaging through the heat-seal layer and paper substrate in the unsealed area.

[0011] [3] A package comprising a sanitary tissue paper product packaged in a packaging substrate, the packaging substrate comprising a transparent paper substrate having a first surface and a second surface, a heat-seal layer covering the entire first surface of the paper substrate, and a printed layer between the paper substrate and the heat-seal layer, wherein the packaging substrate packages the sanitary tissue paper product such that the second surface of the paper substrate is on the outer surface side of the package, and the package comprises a sealed portion to which the paper substrate is joined via the heat-seal layer and an unsealed portion, wherein the printed layer in the unsealed portion is optically recognizable through the paper substrate in the appearance of the package.

[0012] [4] The heat-seal layer is transparent, and the sanitary tissue product is visible in the appearance of the packaging through the paper substrate and heat-seal layer in the unsealed area, as described in [3].

[0013] [5] A package comprising a sanitary tissue paper product packaged in a packaging substrate, the packaging substrate comprising a paper substrate having a first surface and a second surface, a transparent first heat seal layer covering the entire first surface of the paper substrate, a printing layer between the paper substrate and the first heat seal layer, and a second heat seal layer covering the entire second surface of the paper substrate, wherein the packaging substrate packages the sanitary tissue paper product such that the first surface of the paper substrate is on the outer surface side of the package, and the package comprises a sealed portion where the paper substrate is joined via at least one of the first heat seal layer and the second heat seal layer, and an unsealed portion, wherein the printed layer in the unsealed portion is optically recognizable through the first heat seal layer in the appearance of the package.

[0014] [6] The packaging for the sanitary tissue product according to [5], wherein the paper substrate and the second heat seal layer are transparent, and the sanitary tissue product is visible in the appearance of the packaging through the first heat seal layer, the paper substrate and the second heat seal layer in the unsealed area.

[0015] [7] A package comprising a sanitary tissue paper product packaged in a packaging substrate, the packaging substrate comprising: a transparent paper substrate having a first surface and a second surface; a first heat-seal layer covering the entire first surface of the paper substrate; a printing layer between the paper substrate and the first heat-seal layer; and a transparent second heat-seal layer covering the entire second surface of the paper substrate, wherein the packaging substrate packages the sanitary tissue paper product such that the second surface of the paper substrate is on the outer surface side of the package, and the package comprises a sealed portion in which the paper substrate is joined via at least one of the first heat-seal layer and the second heat-seal layer, and an unsealed portion, wherein the printed layer in the unsealed portion is optically recognizable through the second heat-seal layer and the paper substrate in the appearance of the package.

[0016] [8] The packaging of a sanitary tissue product according to [7], wherein the first heat seal layer is transparent and the sanitary tissue product is visible in the appearance of the packaging through the second heat seal layer, paper substrate and first heat seal layer in the unsealed area. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a packaging for hygienic tissue paper products that prevents the printed layer from peeling off with low cost and a simple structure. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0018] [Figure 1] This figure illustrates a packaging for a sanitary tissue paper product according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram illustrating a packaging substrate according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of a packaging substrate according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This figure illustrates a packaging for a sanitary tissue paper product according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This figure illustrates a packaging for a sanitary tissue paper product according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] It is a view for explaining a package of a sanitary tissue paper product according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Embodiments for Carrying out the Invention

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. These are presented for illustrative purposes and do not limit the present invention.

[0020] <First Embodiment> [Package] FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b) are schematic perspective views of a package of a sanitary tissue paper product according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In the first embodiment of the present invention, the package 1 includes a sanitary tissue paper product 2 and a packaging base material 10 for packaging the sanitary tissue paper product 2. The package 1 according to the present invention includes a printing layer G that displays, on the appearance of the package 1, a combination of characters, symbols, figures, patterns, or any combination thereof for decoration and / or for imparting distinctiveness, which can be optically recognized.

[0021] [Sanitary Tissue Paper Product] In the example shown in FIG. 1, the sanitary tissue paper product 2 is a roll-shaped kitchen paper (also referred to as a kitchen towel). The packaging base material 10 wraps two roll-shaped kitchen papers 2 together.

[0022] In the present invention, examples of the sanitary tissue paper product 2 packaged in the package 1 include, but are not limited to, (1) a “roll-shaped sanitary tissue paper product” in which a long sanitary tissue paper sheet such as toilet paper or kitchen paper is wound in a roll shape, (2) a “laminated sanitary tissue paper product” in the form of a laminate in which a plurality of sheets or sets of sanitary tissue paper sheets such as tissue paper or wipes are laminated, and (3) a sanitary tissue paper product in which a laminate in which a plurality of sheets or sets of sanitary tissue paper sheets such as tissue paper or wipes are laminated is housed in a box or a bag (hereinafter, collectively referred to as a “boxed laminated sanitary tissue paper product”).

[0023] In the present invention, the number (number of units) or quantity (number of sheets, number of sets) of sanitary tissue products 2 packaged in the packaging body 1 may be determined by the ease of handling of the packaging body 1, the product sales strategy, etc., based on the dimensions and weight of the sanitary tissue products 2 and the strength (tearability) of the packaging base material 10. The packaging body 1 may, for example, contain 2 to 12 roll-shaped sanitary tissue products, or 2 to 5 boxed laminated sanitary tissue products. Alternatively, the packaging body 1 may contain, for example, one bundle of laminated sanitary tissue products in which 20 to 400 sheets (or 10 to 200 sets) of sanitary tissue sheets are laminated.

[0024] [Packaging base material] Figure 3(a) is a schematic partial cross-sectional view showing the layer structure of the packaging substrate 10. The double arrow T in the figure indicates the thickness direction of the packaging substrate 10. In the figure, the thickness of each layer is shown schematicly and is not to an exact scale.

[0025] Referring to Figure 3(a), the packaging substrate 10 according to this embodiment includes a paper substrate 100, a heat seal layer 110H, and a printed layer G between the paper substrate 100 and the heat seal layer 110H. The paper substrate 100 has a first surface 101 and a second surface 102, and the printed layer G and the heat seal layer 110H are provided on the first surface 101 in this order.

[0026] Figure 2(a) is an unfolded view of the packaging substrate 10 as seen from the heat seal layer 110H side, and Figure 2(b) is an unfolded view of the packaging substrate 10 as seen from the paper substrate 100 side.

[0027] [Heat seal layer] As shown in Figure 2(a), in this embodiment, the heat seal layer 110H (shown by hatching in the figure) is provided so as to cover the entire surface of the first surface 101 of the paper substrate 100.

[0028] In this specification, the term "heat seal layer" refers to a layer formed of a material that exhibits heat sealability (hereinafter also simply referred to as a "heat sealant"). In embodiments of the present invention, the heat seal layer has a heat seal function for sealing the packaging body 1 containing the sanitary tissue paper product 2, and a protective function for covering and protecting the printed layer G printed on the paper substrate 100 so that it does not rub off and peel off during the manufacturing of the packaging body 1 (e.g., the packaging process) or during the transportation of the manufactured packaging body 1.

[0029] In the first embodiment, the heat seal layer 110H is provided on the outer surface side of the packaging 1, relative to the printed layer G. In this embodiment, the heat seal layer 110H is transparent so that the printed layer G can be seen through it.

[0030] (transparent) Generally, "transparent" refers to an object through which things on the opposite side or inside can be seen, while "semi-transparent" refers to a degree of transparency that is intermediate between transparent and opaque, where the shape of an object on the other side cannot be clearly seen, but the colors and brightness can be seen to some extent. "Opaque," on the other hand, refers to an object through which it is impossible to see what is on the other side. In this specification, "transparent" and "semi-transparent" are collectively referred to simply as "transparent."

[0031] [Materials for the heat seal layer] In embodiments of the present invention, any material exhibiting heat-sealing properties can be used as the material constituting the heat-seal layer. For example, polyolefin resins or other thermoplastic resins can be used, and among these, polyolefin resins are preferred. Examples of such materials include low-density polyethylene, linear low-density polyethylene, high-density polyethylene, ethylene-α-olefin copolymer, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer, ethylene-ethyl acrylate copolymer, ethylene-methyl acrylate copolymer, ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymer, ionomer, amorphous polyester, polypropylene, styrene-acrylic copolymer, propylene-ethylene copolymer (preferably a copolymer with an ethylene content of 10 mol% or less), or polypropylene resins obtained by graft polymerization or copolymerization of polypropylene with unsaturated carboxylic acids, unsaturated carboxylic acid anhydrides, ester monomers, etc., medium-density polyethylene, high-density polyethylene, etc. The materials constituting the heat-seal layer 110H, etc., may be used individually or in combination of two or more types.

[0032] However, in the first embodiment, it is essential that the formed heat seal layer is transparent.

[0033] [Method for forming a heat seal layer] The heat seal layer 110H, etc., can be formed by, for example, the commonly used methods listed below. (1) A method for forming a film on a paper substrate 100 by extrusion of a thermoplastic resin such as a polyolefin resin or a composition containing a thermoplastic resin. (2) A method of attaching a film made of a thermoplastic resin or a film containing a thermoplastic resin to a paper substrate 100 using a known heat sealing apparatus (lamination apparatus). (3) A method of coating a paper substrate 100 with a water-based heat sealant obtained by dissolving or dispersing a thermoplastic resin or thermoplastic resin composition in water, or a solvent-based heat sealant obtained by dissolving or dispersing a thermoplastic resin or thermoplastic resin composition in a solvent, by known methods such as roll coating, gravure roll coating, or kiss coating.

[0034] [Thickness of the heat seal layer] In embodiments of the present invention, the thickness of the heat seal layer 110H is preferably 2 μm or more and 100 μm or less.

[0035] The thickness of the heat seal layer 110H can be measured, for example, by cutting the packaging substrate 10 and observing the cut surface with an optical microscope or electron microscope. In this case, the thickness of the heat seal layer 110H can be measured, for example, as the thickness of the heat seal layer 110H that remains on the surface of the paper substrate 100 without penetrating it after the heat sealant has penetrated the paper substrate 100 by the coating and / or heat sealing process. Since the heat sealant remaining as the heat seal layer 110H can be involved in the adhesion (heat fusion) of the sealing portion 12 to be joined, as long as the heating temperature for the heat sealing process is properly transmitted to the heat seal layer 110H, the greater the amount of heat sealant remaining as the heat seal layer 110H, the better the adhesion tends to be.

[0036] If the heat seal layer 110H is too thin, the amount of heat sealant that can contribute to adhesion will be small, and sufficient heat sealability (adhesion) to seal the package 1 may not be obtained. Also, if the heat seal layer 110H is too thick, depending on the configuration of the sealing portion 12 to be joined, heat transfer may be insufficient during the heat sealing process, causing the heating temperature of the heat seal layer to drop and preventing the acquisition of good bonding strength.

[0037] If the thickness of the heat seal layer 110H is within the above range, good heat sealability at the sealing portion 12 of the package 1 can be guaranteed.

[0038] [Print layer] In the present invention, the packaging 1 includes a printed layer G formed by printing (coating) ink for decorative purposes and / or to provide identifiability, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. As shown in Figure 3(a), the printed layer G is printed on a first surface 101 of the paper substrate 100. The printed layer G may be provided on the paper substrate 100 as one or more printed areas (ink-coated areas). In a plan view, the packaging substrate 10 may have an area where the printed layer G is provided and a non-printed area nG where the printed layer G is not provided. The printed layer G may include letters, symbols, figures, patterns, or any combination thereof. The printed layer G is positioned at least in a location that is optically recognizable in the appearance of the packaging 1.

[0039] In this specification, “optically recognizable” includes being visible to the eye and being readable by an optical reader. Examples of optical readers include scanners and barcode readers. The printed layer G may include at least one of a one-dimensional code and a two-dimensional code, on which optically readable information is encoded, such that the code is optically readable from the appearance of the packaging 1.

[0040] [ink] In the present invention, various inks can be used for printing the printed layer G. The ink mainly consists of a resin component, a solvent, a colorant, an auxiliary agent, etc. Examples of resin components include nitrosene resin, polyamide resin, polyurethane resin, acrylic resin, polylactic acid resin, rosin resin, and polyester resin. Examples of solvents include toluene, xylene, ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, IPA, butanol, MEK, and MIBK. The ink used to form the printed layer G may also be a biomass ink (also called biomass ink).

[0041] [Biomass Inc.] Biomass generally refers to organic resources produced from plants and animals that can be recycled into energy or materials, excluding fossil resources such as petroleum and coal. In this specification, biomass ink refers to ink that uses biomass-derived components as part of its raw materials. Examples of biomass inks applicable to embodiments of the present invention include inks manufactured by extracting components from biomass such as cotton, pulp, rice bran, vegetable oil, and angiosperm seeds.

[0042] [Printing method] The printing method for the printing layer G may be a known printing method such as gravure printing using a gravure roll, flexographic printing, or offset printing, and gravure printing is preferred.

[0043] [Paper base material] In the first embodiment, various paper substrates can be used as the paper substrate 100 of the packaging substrate 10 of the packaging body 1.

[0044] The paper substrate 100 can be manufactured by papermaking using a paper machine in a known manner, using pulp components such as wood pulp, non-wood pulp, and recycled paper pulp such as deinked pulp as the main raw materials.

[0045] The pulp components may be used individually or as a mixture of two or more. Since these pulp components greatly affect the quality of the paper substrate, they are blended appropriately in the specified types and proportions according to the required quality.

[0046] For example, softwood kraft pulp (NKP) and / or hardwood kraft pulp (LKP) may be used in a blending ratio (mass%) preferably 0-60:100-40, more preferably 20-60:80-40, and even more preferably 40-60:60-40.

[0047] Coniferous kraft pulp generally has longer fibers than hardwood kraft pulp. Therefore, as the proportion of coniferous kraft pulp in the pulp raw material increases, the paper strength of the resulting paper base material 100 generally increases. For example, the tensile strength in the MD direction (also called the papermaking direction or longitudinal direction) increases, resulting in a paper base material 100 that is less likely to tear even when force is applied in the MD direction.

[0048] The paper substrate 100 applicable to the packaging substrate 10 of the packaging body 1 may be determined by factors such as processability when manufacturing the packaging body 1 (ease of folding, strength against folding), printability when printing and forming the printing layer G, strength (tearability) and appearance (transparency, whiteness) when used as the packaging body 1.

[0049] The paper substrate 100 may contain various commonly used chemicals as optional components to ensure the required quality and stable operation during manufacturing. Examples of optional components include dry strength agents, wet strength agents, softeners, bulking agents, dyes, fragrances, dispersants, water filtration improvers, pitch control agents, yield improvers, and the like.

[0050] [Basic weight] In an embodiment of the present invention, the basis weight of the paper substrate 100 is 30 g / m². 2 More than 65g / m 2 The following is preferable: The basis weight is the basis weight per sheet (g / m²) measured in accordance with JIS P8124. 2 )

[0051] When the basis weight of the paper substrate 100 is low, generally, there are fewer pulp fibers constituting the paper substrate 100, fewer interfiber bonds, and the paper substrate 100 itself tends to have low strength and be easily torn. In this case, the packaging substrate 10, which includes the paper substrate 100, also tends to be easily torn. Therefore, from the viewpoint of making the packaging substrate 10 tear-resistant, a higher basis weight of the paper substrate 100 is preferable.

[0052] On the other hand, if the basis weight of the paper substrate 100 is high, the flexibility and softness of the paper substrate 100, and consequently the packaging substrate 10, decrease, which tends to reduce processability. This can make it difficult to fold the packaging substrate 10 when forming the package 1, or cause unintended wrinkles to form when folded. Furthermore, increased paper thickness can lead to insufficient heat transfer during the heat sealing process, resulting in a lower heating temperature for the heat sealing layer and potentially failing to achieve sufficient bonding strength. Therefore, from the viewpoint of processability when manufacturing the package 1 and the heat sealing properties (adhesion) of the sealing portion 12 of the package 1, a lower basis weight of the paper substrate 100 is preferable.

[0053] If the basis weight of the paper substrate 100 is within the above range, the paper substrate 100 and the packaging substrate 10 will have appropriate strength and be resistant to tearing, and the processability during the formation of the packaging body 1 and the heat sealability of the sealing portion 12 can be guaranteed.

[0054] Examples of paper substrates 100 suitably applicable to the first embodiment include, but are not limited to, transparent papers such as glassine paper and parchment paper, and glossy papers such as pure white paper. In the example shown in Figure 1, glassine paper is used for the paper substrate 100, and the contents of the packaging 1, which are sanitary tissue paper products 2 (in this example, two rolls of embossed kitchen paper), are visible through the paper substrate 100.

[0055] [Glassine paper] Glassine paper is a transparent tissue paper manufactured by highly beating chemical pulp to create a base paper, then passing it through a calender and applying heat and pressure to flatten the gaps between the fibers. Glassine paper has properties such as high smoothness, gloss, high density, high air permeability (i.e., it takes a long time for a certain amount of air to pass through a certain area of ​​the paper under a certain pressure, in other words, it has low air permeability), and is semi-transparent.

[0056] [Transparency] "Transparency" refers to the percentage of light that passes through paper, expressed as a percentage of the amount of incident light. A higher transparency value indicates that objects on the opposite side or inside the paper are more clearly visible.

[0057] From the viewpoint of the visibility of the contents, which are sanitary tissue paper products 2, the transparency of the transparent paper suitably applied in this embodiment is 65% or more, more preferably 75% or more, and even more preferably 78% or more. Furthermore, the transparency of the packaging substrate 10 containing such transparent paper as the paper substrate 100 is preferably 60% or more, more preferably 70% or more, and even more preferably 73% or more.

[0058] The transparency of the paper substrate 100 and the packaging substrate 10 can be measured using a diffuse light transmittance meter DOT-5 (manufactured by Murakami Color Technology Laboratory Co., Ltd.) in accordance with ISO 5-2. The transparency of the packaging substrate 10 is measured in the area of ​​the packaging substrate 10 that does not have a printed layer G (see the non-printed area nG in Figure 3(a)).

[0059] [Effects and benefits of using glassine paper] Referring to Figures 1 and 3(a), in this embodiment, by using glassine paper as the paper base material 100 of the packaging base material 10, the following effects can be achieved, for example. (1) Because the glassine paper and the heat seal layer 110H are transparent, in the appearance of the packaging body 1, in the unsealed area and non-printed area nG, the sanitary tissue paper product 2 packaged in the packaging body 1 can be easily seen and identified through the transparent heat seal layer 110H and transparent glassine paper 100 that constitute the packaging substrate 10 (internal visibility). For example, the type, quantity, color and pattern, shape (e.g., presence or absence of embossing), etc. of the sanitary tissue paper product 2 can be confirmed from the outside of the packaging body 1 (see Figure 1). (2) Because glassine paper has high air permeability, the sanitary tissue paper product 2, which is the packaged item wrapped in the packaging base material 10, is less susceptible to external moisture.

[0060] [Parchment paper] Parchment paper is a transparent paper in which some of the cellulose fibers in the base paper are transformed into amorphous amyloid. It can be obtained by treating base paper, which is mainly composed of cellulose fibers, with acids such as sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, formic acid, and acetic acid. For example, parchment paper can be produced by a series of processes in which the base paper is immersed in sulfuric acid, followed by repeated neutralization and / or washing with water, and then drying. The immersion time cannot be limited in general, but it can be adjusted as appropriate considering the thickness, density, size, washing ability, and drying ability of the base paper.

[0061] When a base paper composed of cellulose pulp fibers is immersed in sulfuric acid, the cellulose swells, hydrolyzes, and dissolves. The dissolved cellulose becomes a viscous, translucent, gelatinous substance that coats the surface of the base paper, strongly binding the fibers together and filling the pores and voids within the paper layer, forming a very dense paper layer structure. As a result, diffuse reflection of light within the paper layer is reduced, promoting transparency.

[0062] The gelatinous substance produced by the hydrolysis of cellulose undergoes a neutralization and / or washing process, which stops the hydrolysis reaction and results in hydrated cellulose. Therefore, because the voids in the paper are filled with cellulose that is chemically identical to the base paper, transparency is improved, and minute white spots and unevenness, which are presumed to be caused by voids in the base layer or the paper layer, are reduced. As a result, a base paper with uniform transparency without unevenness can be obtained.

[0063] By incorporating fine fibrous cellulose with an average fiber width of 2-50 nm, obtained by chemically treating or defibrating lignocellulose raw materials, into the pulp used, it is possible to produce paper with higher transparency.

[0064] [Effects and benefits of using parchment paper] By using parchment paper as the paper base material 100 of the packaging base material 10, an internal visibility effect can be achieved, similar to the case where glassine paper is used. That is, in the appearance of the package 1, in the unsealed portion and non-printed area nG, the sanitary tissue paper product 2 packaged in the package 1 can be easily seen and identified through the transparent heat seal layer 110H of the packaging base material 10 and the transparent parchment paper 100. For example, the type, quantity, color, pattern, and shape (e.g., presence or absence of embossing) of the sanitary tissue paper product 2 can be confirmed from the outside of the package 1 (see Figure 1).

[0065] [One-glazed paper] In one embodiment of this design, the paper substrate 100 may be a glossy paper on one side. A glossy paper on one side is a paper in which the smoothness of one side is enhanced and it has a glossy surface (high-smooth surface) that is relatively smooth and has a smooth feel, and a matte surface (low-smooth surface) that is relatively smooth and has a rough feel.

[0066] Glossy paper on one side can be manufactured by making paper from pulp raw materials in a paper machine equipped with a mirror-finished Yankee dryer, and by pressing wet paper onto the mirror-finished surface of the Yankee dryer and drying it. The smoothness and gloss of the surface in contact with the Yankee dryer are higher than those of the surface not in contact with the Yankee dryer, and in this way, a paper substrate (glossy paper on one side) 100 having a glossy surface and a matte surface can be manufactured.

[0067] For example, in other papers such as fine paper, calendering (pressure and / or heat treatment from both sides) is usually performed to improve the smoothness of both sides. However, in single-sided glossy paper, calendering is either not performed or is performed under mild conditions in order to obtain a difference in smoothness between the front and back sides. Therefore, in single-sided glossy paper, the interfiber bonds of the pulp fibers contained in the base paper are relatively less likely to be broken, and as a result, paper with relatively high paper strength can be obtained.

[0068] [Smoothness] The smoothness of the glossy and matte surfaces of the single-sided glossy paper can be measured, for example, according to JIS P 8155:2010. In this embodiment, the smoothness of the glossy surface of the single-sided glossy paper, measured according to JIS P 8155:2010, is preferably 210 seconds or more and 310 seconds or less. The smoothness of the matte surface of the single-sided glossy paper, measured according to JIS P 8155:2010, is preferably 16 seconds or more and 26 seconds or less.

[0069] [Effects and benefits of using glossy paper on one side] From the viewpoint of printability, it is preferable that the first surface 101 of the paper substrate 100, which is the surface on which the printing layer G is provided, be a glossy surface with high smoothness.

[0070] When the surface on which the printing layer G is applied has high smoothness, the reproducibility of the printing plate is improved due to the minimal surface irregularities. On surfaces with low smoothness, surface irregularities are prominent, and the fibers of the paper substrate 100 tend to absorb excess ink, which reduces the color development of the ink. On surfaces with high smoothness, however, the minimal surface irregularities prevent this phenomenon, making it easier to form a uniform ink layer and reducing bleeding and unevenness. Furthermore, surfaces with high smoothness do not easily disperse incident light, resulting in a glossy finish and producing high-quality printing with vivid colors and a good appearance when printed. Therefore, it is preferable that the first surface 101 of the paper substrate 100 of the packaging substrate 10 on which the printing layer G is formed has a certain degree of smoothness, and is preferably a glossy surface.

[0071] Paper with a large difference in surface unevenness between the front and back sides, such as one-sided glossy paper, is either not calendered at all, or if calendered, is manufactured under milder calendering conditions compared to paper with glossy surfaces on both sides, in order to achieve that difference. As a result, the interfiber bonds of the pulp fibers contained in the base paper are relatively less likely to be broken, and as a result, paper with relatively high paper strength can be obtained. Therefore, in the embodiment where one-sided glossy paper is used as the paper base material 100, the strength of the paper base material 100, and by extension the packaging base material 10, is higher compared to the embodiment where paper with glossy surfaces on both sides, such as high-quality paper, is used as the paper base material 100. In the packaging 1 using this, when the packaging is carried, the phenomenon of the packaging base material 10 tearing at the part where finger pressure is applied due to the weight of the packaging when the packaging is picked up is less likely to occur.

[0072] [Pure blank paper] In one embodiment of the present invention, the paper substrate 100 may be pure white paper. Pure white paper is a type of glossy paper as described above, and is manufactured using pulp with a high degree of whiteness, such as bleached pulp, and has a high degree of whiteness.

[0073] [Whiteness] The whiteness of pure white paper is preferably 80% or higher, and more preferably 90% or higher. Whiteness can be measured in accordance with JIS P8148:2005 (ISO2470).

[0074] [Effects and benefits of using pure white paper] In addition to the effects described in the section on glossy paper above, the use of pure white paper as the paper substrate 100 can also provide the effect of improving the visibility of the printed layer G due to its high whiteness, as the background of the printed layer G becomes white.

[0075] [Packaging format and manufacturing method of the packaging] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, non-limiting examples of packaging forms and methods for manufacturing the packaging 1 applicable to the first embodiment will be described.

[0076] Figure 2 is a schematic unfolded view of the packaging base material 10 that constitutes the packaging body 1 shown in Figure 1. Figure 2(a) is a plan view of the packaging base material 10 as seen from the first surface 101 side of the paper base material 100, and Figure 2(b) is a plan view of the packaging base material 10 as seen from the second surface 102 side of the paper base material 100. In this example, the packaging base material 10 is a rectangular OPQR.

[0077] The packaging substrate 10 is coated with a heat-sealing agent (adhesive) for sealing the package 1. Referring to Figures 2(a) and 2(b), the heat-sealing agent is applied to the area indicated by hatching in the figure (the entire surface of the first surface 101 of the paper substrate 100), thereby forming a heat-seal layer 110H (see Figure 3(a)) on the entire surface of the first surface 101 of the paper substrate 100 of the packaging substrate 10.

[0078] In the example shown in Figure 1, the packaging of package 1 employs a packaging format known as the caramel packaging format, which is familiar from the individual packaging of soft candies such as caramels and the packaging of cigarette boxes.

[0079] The caramel-shaped packaging 1 shown in Figure 1 can be manufactured, for example, through the following process.

[0080] (Step 1) A step to prepare a rectangular OPQR packaging base material 10, in which a heat sealant for sealing the package 1 is applied to a predetermined area of ​​the packaging base material 10 (the area indicated by hatching in the figure), as shown in Figure 2, to form a heat seal layer 110H.

[0081] In the example shown in Figure 2, the MD direction of the packaging substrate 10, and consequently the MD direction of the paper substrate 100, coincides with the Y direction in the figure. However, in this embodiment, the direction in which the packaging substrate 10 (paper substrate 100) is used is not limited to this. The direction in which the packaging substrate 10 (paper substrate 100) is used may be determined according to the directionality caused by the fiber orientation of the paper, from the viewpoint of processability when manufacturing the package 1 (ease of folding, strength against folding), and the posture and strength (tearability) when the package 1 is made.

[0082] (Step 2) The step of placing the sanitary tissue paper product (two roll-shaped kitchen paper rolls) 2, which is the item to be packaged, on the second surface 102 of the paper substrate 100 of the packaging substrate 10 shown in Figure 2(b), such that the axial direction of the rolls coincides with the direction indicated by arrow Y in Figure 2(b).

[0083] (Step 3) Wrap the object to be packaged 2 with the packaging base material 10 so that the first surface 101 of the paper base material 100 becomes the outer surface, and overlap both ends of the packaging base material 10 to package it in a cylindrical shape.

[0084] In this step 3, the portion of the heat seal layer 110H shown in Figure 2(a), indicated by the rectangle OPP1O1, and the portion of the paper substrate 100 shown in Figure 2(b), indicated by the rectangle R1Q1QR, are superimposed so that they are in contact with each other. As a result, both ends of the packaging substrate 10 are joined and sealed via the heat seal layer 110H provided on the first surface 101, so that the first surface 101 and the second surface 102 of the paper substrate 100 are in contact with each other.

[0085] Hereinafter, the bonding method in which different surfaces 101 and 102 of the paper substrate 100 are brought into contact and bonded together will also be referred to as "overlapping bonding" in this specification. Figure 3(c) is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of the sealing portion 12S of the packaging body 1 (see Figure 1(b)) which is sealed by overlap bonding in this manner. In the figure, the double arrow T indicates the thickness direction of the packaging substrate 10.

[0086] (Step 4) Next, at each of the opening ends of the cylindrical packaging formed in Step 3, the portion of the packaging base material 10 that protrudes from the circumferential surface of the sanitary tissue paper product 2 is folded toward each other so as to form two pairs of opposing flap-like portions, and joined along the end surface of the sanitary tissue paper product 2 to enclose the sanitary tissue paper product 2.

[0087] In Figures 2(a) and 2(b), the upper and lower end regions of the packaging substrate 10, indicated by rectangles OO2R2R and P2PQQ2, are folded according to the mountain fold line UFL (dashed line) and valley fold line DFL (dotted line) in the figure to form a flap-like portion. The flap-like portion is joined along the upper and lower end surfaces of the packaging body 1 via a heat seal layer 110H provided on the first surface 101 of the paper substrate 100, resulting in the state shown in Figure 1.

[0088] Figure 3(d) shows a schematic partial cross-sectional view of the sealing portion 12T at the upper end of the packaging substrate 10, which has been joined and sealed in this manner. Although not shown, a similar joining and sealing process is also performed at the sealing portion 12B at the lower end of the packaging substrate 10.

[0089] In this manner, the upper and lower ends of the packaging substrate 10 are mainly joined and sealed via the respective heat seal layers 110H so that the first surfaces 101 of the paper substrate 100 are in contact with each other. Hereinafter, this joining method, in which the same surfaces of the paper substrate 100 are brought into contact and bonded together, will also be referred to as "gable bonding" in this specification.

[0090] In this specification, the "upper and lower ends" of the packaging substrate 10 and the "upper and lower end surfaces" of the packaging body 1 refer to both ends in the Y direction indicated by arrow Y in the figure, and the "(both) side ends" of the packaging substrate 10 refer to both ends of the winding of the packaging substrate 10 in a direction intersecting the Y direction, such as the X direction indicated by arrow X in Figure 2.

[0091] In this embodiment, where the heat seal layer 110H is provided on the outer surface of the packaging body 1 through the above process, both overlapping sealing and gusset sealing are performed. As a result, the packaging body 1 is sealed by a sealing portion 12 which has a sealing portion 12S (first sealing portion) where both ends of the packaging base material 10 are overlapped and joined so that the first surface 101 and the second surface 102 of the paper base material 100 are in contact with each other, and sealing portions 12T, 12B (second sealing portions) where the upper and lower ends of the packaging base material 10 are folded and joined so that mainly the first surfaces 101 are in contact with each other.

[0092] In the manufacturing process illustrated above, a packaging base material 10 cut into a rectangle of a predetermined size in plan view was prepared in advance to form one package 1. However, the method of manufacturing the package 1 is not limited to this. For example, the packaging base material 10 may be prepared in the form of a long continuous sheet, and in a subsequent step, the sanitary tissue paper product 2 may be placed on the packaging base material 10, or after placement, the packaging base material 10 may be cut to form the package 1.

[0093] [Effects of the First Embodiment] A first embodiment of the present invention is a package 1 in which a sanitary tissue paper product 2 is packaged with a packaging base material 10, wherein the packaging base material 10 includes a paper base material 100 having a first surface 101 and a second surface, a transparent heat seal layer 110H covering the entire first surface 101 of the paper base material 100, and a printed layer G between the paper base material 100 and the heat seal layer 110H, wherein the packaging base material 10 packages the sanitary tissue paper product 2 such that the first surface 101 of the paper base material 100 is on the outer surface side of the package 1, and the package 1 has sealed portions 12 (12S, 12T, 12B) to which the paper base material 100 is joined via the heat seal layer 110H, and unsealed portions, and the printed layer G in the unsealed portion area is optically recognizable through the heat seal layer 110H in the appearance of the package 1.

[0094] In the first embodiment, the packaging substrate 10 is used to package the sanitary tissue paper product 2 such that the first surface 101 of the paper substrate 100 faces the outer surface of the packaging body 1. Therefore, the printed layer G is on the outer surface of the packaging body 1, beyond the paper substrate 100, and the heat seal layer 110H is on the outer surface of the packaging body 1, beyond the printed layer G. In this embodiment, since the heat seal layer 110H is transparent, the printed layer G is optically recognizable through the heat seal layer 110H in the appearance of the packaging body 1.

[0095] Furthermore, since the printed layer G is located on the outer surface side of the packaging 1 relative to the paper substrate 100, when viewed from the outside of the packaging 1, the printed layer G is not obscured by the paper substrate 100 in the unsealed portion of the packaging 1. Therefore, in this embodiment, the paper substrate 100 may be transparent or opaque, and various paper substrates can be applied.

[0096] Furthermore, the printed layer G is located between the paper substrate 100 and the heat seal layer 110H that covers the entire first surface 101 of the paper substrate 100, and is sandwiched and covered from both sides by the paper substrate 100 and the heat seal layer 110H.

[0097] Therefore, in the manufacturing process of the packaging body 1 in which the sanitary tissue paper product 2 is packaged with the packaging base material 10, and during the transportation of the packaging body 1, when the packaging base material 10 is processed by hand or with equipment, when the packaging body 1 is carried, or when multiple packaging bodies 1 bump into each other, the printed layer G is protected by the heat seal layer 110H from external stimuli to the packaging base material 10, making it difficult for the ink forming the printed layer G to rub off or peel.

[0098] Furthermore, in the event of external stimuli from the inside of the packaging body 1 to the packaging substrate 10, such as when the contents of the packaging body 1, the sanitary tissue product 2 (for example, the corner of the box of a boxed sanitary tissue product), come into contact with the packaging substrate 10, the printed layer G is protected by the paper substrate 100, preventing the ink forming the printed layer G from being rubbed off or peeling.

[0099] Furthermore, even if peeling of the ink forming the printed layer G occurs within the aforementioned laminated structure, the presence of the paper substrate 100 and the heat seal layer 110H that sandwich and cover the printed layer G from both sides can prevent the peeled ink from detaching (falling off) from its predetermined position on the printed layer G.

[0100] Therefore, according to this embodiment, without providing a separate coating layer for the printing layer as in the conventional technology, the heat-seal layer 110H can be used to protect the printing layer G of the packaging substrate 10 from external stimuli in a simple and low-cost manner, thereby achieving the exceptional effect of preventing deterioration of the printed markings applied to the packaging 1.

[0101] Furthermore, in the packaging substrate 10 according to the present invention, the heat seal layer 110H covers the entire first surface 101 of the paper substrate 100, and this first surface 101 faces the outer surface of the package 1. With this configuration, for example, in a packaging format such as caramel packaging, the package 1 can be sealed by joining the paper substrate 100 via the heat seal layer 110H. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a separate adhesive layer for sealing other than the heat seal layer 110H, or the amount of additional adhesive used for sealing can be reduced. As a result, the sealing configuration can be simplified, leading to a reduction in the manufacturing process for the package 1 and a reduction in the types and quantities of raw materials, thereby reducing costs.

[0102] Furthermore, in one embodiment in which a transparent paper substrate such as glassine paper or parchment paper is applied to the paper substrate 100, the sanitary tissue paper product 2, which is the packaged item of the package 1, can be seen through the transparent heat seal layer 110H and the transparent paper substrate 100 in the non-printed area nG of the package 1, which is the area of ​​the unsealed part where the printed layer G does not exist. This makes it possible to check the type, color, pattern, shape (e.g., presence or absence of embossing and pattern) of the sanitary tissue paper product 2 from the outside of the package 1 without opening the package 1.

[0103] In one embodiment in which a paper substrate having a glossy surface and a non-glossy surface, such as single-sided glossy paper, is applied to the paper substrate 100, the resulting strength of the paper compared to a paper substrate with glossy surfaces on both sides, due to the manufacturing method, can result in the packaging substrate 10 being less prone to tearing. Furthermore, by making the glossy surface the surface on which the printing layer G is provided, a high-quality printing layer can be obtained.

[0104] In one embodiment where an opaque, highly white paper substrate, such as pure white paper, is applied to the paper substrate 100, the background of the printed layer G becomes white, improving the visibility of the printed layer.

[0105] <Second Embodiment> A packaging for sanitary tissue paper products according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 3 and 4. Unless otherwise specified, the configurations and descriptions applicable to the first embodiment are applicable to this embodiment.

[0106] Figure 4(a) is a schematic perspective view of a packaging for a sanitary tissue paper product according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4(b) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the packaging 1 shown in Figure 4(a) taken along the line IVb-IVb, and the illustration of the sanitary tissue paper product 2, which is the packaged item, is omitted. Figure 4(c) is a schematic enlarged view of the portion indicated by reference numeral IVc in Figure 4(b).

[0107] [Packaging] Referring to Figure 4(a), in a second embodiment, the packaging 1 includes a sanitary tissue product 2 and a packaging base material 10 for packaging the sanitary tissue product 2. The packaging 1 has sealed portions 12 (12S, 12T, 12B) sealed by joining the packaging base material 10 and unsealed portions. The packaging 1 includes a printed layer G displaying letters, symbols, figures, patterns, or any combination thereof, which are optically recognizable on the appearance of the packaging 1 for decorative purposes and / or to provide distinctiveness.

[0108] [Hygienic tissue paper products] In the example shown in Figure 4(a), the tissue paper product 2 is a laminated tissue paper product, specifically a laminate of multiple hand towel sheets that are folded alternately in a pop-up manner. In this example, the packaging 1 may have perforations (not shown) that serve as openings for popping out the hand towel sheets when opened, for example on the bottom surface of the packaging 1 in Figure 4(a), extending in the Y direction along the sealing portion 12S of the packaging 1. Note that the tissue paper products applicable to this embodiment are not limited to those shown, and any tissue paper products described in the first embodiment can be used.

[0109] [Packaging base material] Referring to Figure 3(a), the layer configuration of the packaging substrate 10 according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the packaging substrate 10 in the first embodiment, and includes a paper substrate 100 having a first surface 101 and a second surface 102, a heat seal layer 110H covering the entire surface of the first surface 101 of the paper substrate 100, and a printed layer G between the paper substrate 100 and the heat seal layer 110H. While the heat seal layer 110H in the first embodiment is required to be transparent, the heat seal layer 110H in the second embodiment may be transparent or opaque.

[0110] In the sealing portion 12 (12S, 12T, 12B) of the packaging body 1 shown in Figure 4(a), the paper substrate 100 is joined by heat sealing (heat fusion) via the heat seal layer 110H.

[0111] [Packaging format] In the first embodiment, the packaging base material 10 packaged the sanitary tissue paper product 2 such that the first surface 101 of the paper base material 100 was on the outer side of the packaging body 1 and the second surface 102 of the paper base material 100 was on the inner side of the packaging body 1. In contrast, in the second embodiment, the packaging base material 10 packaged the sanitary tissue paper product 2 such that the first surface 101 of the paper base material 100 was on the inner side of the packaging body 1 and the second surface 102 of the paper base material 100 was on the outer side of the packaging body 1.

[0112] Therefore, as shown in the cross-sectional view of Figure 4(b), in the packaging 1 according to this embodiment, the printed layer G is located inside the packaging 1, relative to the paper substrate 100. Accordingly, in this embodiment, the paper substrate 100 is transparent so that the printed layer G can be optically recognized from the appearance of the packaging 1.

[0113] [Paper base material] For example, transparent paper such as glassine paper or parchment paper can be used as the paper substrate 100.

[0114] The higher the transparency of the paper substrate 100, the more clearly the printing of the printing layer G can be recognized in the appearance of the packaging 1. If the transparency of the paper substrate 100 is low, the printing of the printing layer G can be given a unique texture in the appearance of the packaging 1, similar to looking through frosted glass.

[0115] From the viewpoint of the visibility of the printed layer G, the transparency of the transparent paper suitably applied to this embodiment, as measured in accordance with ISO 5-2, is 65% or more, more preferably 75% or more, and even more preferably 78% or more.

[0116] On the other hand, as shown in the cross-sectional view of Figure 4(b), in the packaging 1 according to this embodiment, the printed layer G is located on the outer side of the packaging 1 than the heat seal layer 110H. Therefore, in this embodiment, since the heat seal layer 110H is located inside the packaging 1 than the printed layer G, there is no effect on the optical recognizability of the printed layer G due to the heat seal layer 110H covering the printed layer G in the appearance of the packaging 1. For this reason, as described above, in this embodiment, the heat seal layer 110H may be transparent or opaque.

[0117] In one embodiment of this design, where the heat-seal layer 110H is transparent, the external appearance of the packaging 1 allows for easy viewing and identification of the sanitary tissue paper product 2 packaged in the packaging 1 through the paper substrate 100 and the heat-seal layer 110H, particularly in the non-printed area nG where the printing layer G is not provided (internal visibility). For example, the type, quantity, color, pattern, and shape (e.g., presence or absence of embossing) of the sanitary tissue paper product 2 can be confirmed from the outside of the packaging 1 (see Figure 4(a)).

[0118] To provide such internal visibility, the transparency of the packaging substrate 10, measured in accordance with ISO 5-2, is preferably 65% ​​or higher, more preferably 70% or higher, and even more preferably 75% or higher. Furthermore, the transparency of the packaging substrate 10 containing such transparent paper as the paper substrate 100 is preferably 60% or higher, more preferably 70% or higher, and even more preferably 73% or higher.

[0119] [Print layer] As described above, in the packaging 1 according to this embodiment, the printed layer G is located inside the packaging 1 relative to the paper substrate 100 (see Figure 4(b)). Therefore, in this embodiment, letters, symbols, figures, patterns, or any combination thereof for decoration and / or identification of the printed layer G are printed on the first surface 101 of the paper substrate 100 with their orientation reversed so that they are displayed in the intended manner on the exterior of the packaging 1.

[0120] [Manufacturing method for packaging] Examples of packaging formats for the package 1 according to this embodiment include pillow packaging and gusset packaging.

[0121] Pillow packaging is a packaging method in which a packaged item (sanitary tissue paper product 2) placed on one side of a sheet-like packaging base material 10 is wrapped in a cylindrical shape by overlapping the inner surfaces of the packaging base material 10 at both ends in the width direction, and then heat-sealing the overlapped portion (i.e., gusset sealing). The upper and lower ends (both ends in the length direction) are then sealed horizontally with heat-sealing or the like to match the length of the bag (corresponding to the length in the Y direction of the packaging body 1 in Figure 4(a)) (i.e., gusset sealing), and the packaging body 1 is cut into individual pieces (each bag) at the sealed portion. As a variation, a rectangular sheet-like packaging base material 10 of a predetermined size may be prepared in advance, and the packaging body 1 may be manufactured individually. Pillow packaging can be carried out using known equipment. Examples of known equipment include folding, sealing, and cutting devices.

[0122] Gusset packaging is a type of packaging in which a packaged item (sanitary tissue paper product 2) placed on one side of a sheet-like packaging base material 10 is wrapped in a cylindrical shape by overlapping the inner surfaces of the packaging base material 10 at both ends in the width direction, and then heat-sealing the overlapped portion (i.e., gusset sealing). The upper and lower ends (both ends in the length direction) are folded in to match the length of the bag and sealed horizontally with heat-sealing or the like (i.e., gusset sealing), and then the sealed portion is cut into individual bags. As a variation, a rectangular sheet-like packaging base material 10 of a predetermined size may be prepared in advance, and the packaging body 1 may be manufactured individually, one bag at a time. Gusset packaging can be carried out using known equipment. Examples of known equipment include folding, sealing, and cutting devices.

[0123] In the example shown in Figure 4, the packaging 1 is manufactured in a pillow packaging format and can be manufactured, for example, through the following process.

[0124] (Step 1) A step of transporting the packaging substrate 10 in the form of a continuous sheet from upstream in the transport direction, in which a printed layer G is printed and formed on the first surface 101 of the paper substrate 100, and a heat sealant for sealing the package 1 is applied to the entire surface of the first surface 101 of the paper substrate 100 of the packaging substrate 10 so as to cover the printed layer G, thereby forming a heat seal layer 110H.

[0125] (Step 2) A step of placing the laminated sanitary tissue paper product 2, which is the item to be packaged, on the first surface 101 of the paper substrate 100 of the packaging substrate 10, such that its longitudinal direction coincides with the transport direction of the packaging substrate 10 (i.e., the MD direction of the packaging substrate 10).

[0126] (Step 3) Wrap the object to be packaged 2 with the packaging base material 10 so that the second surface 102 of the paper base material 100 becomes the outer surface, overlap both ends of the packaging base material 10 (i.e., both ends of the packaging base material 10 in the CD direction) so that the first surfaces 101 of the paper base material 100 are in contact with each other, and heat seal the overlapped portion to package it in a cylindrical shape (see Figure 4(b)).

[0127] In this step 3, both ends of the packaging substrate 10 are joined and sealed via a heat seal layer 110H provided on the first surface 101, by a gusset-like bonding method where the first surfaces 101 of the paper substrate 100 face each other (see sealing portion 12S in Figure 4(c)).

[0128] (Step 4) Next, in the cylindrical packaging formed in Step 3, the portion of the packaging base material 10 that protrudes from the circumferential surface of the packaged item 2 is folded in at both ends (the upper end portion and the lower end portion) to match the desired length of the packaging body 1 in the transport direction (corresponding to the length in the Y direction of the completed packaging body 1 shown in Figure 4(a)), and the two ends are joined horizontally by heat sealing along a direction perpendicular to the transport direction (the CD direction of the packaging base material 10) and then cut to form a packaging body 1 that encloses the packaged item 2.

[0129] In this step 4, both ends of the packaging substrate 10 are joined and sealed via a heat seal layer 110H provided on the first surface 101 of the paper substrate 100, so that the first surfaces 101 of the paper substrate 100 are mainly in contact with each other, as shown as sealing portions 12 (12T, 12B) in Figure 4(a).

[0130] Through the above manufacturing process, a package 1 according to this embodiment, as shown in Figure 4(a), can be manufactured. In this embodiment, in which a heat seal layer 110H is provided on the inside of the package 1, a gusseted seal can be performed for sealing. As a result, the sealing portion 12 of the package 1 includes a sealing portion 12S (first sealing portion) in which both ends of the packaging base material 10 are overlapped and joined so that the first surfaces 101 of the paper base material 100 are in contact with each other, and sealing portions 12T, 12B (second sealing portions) in which the upper and lower ends of the packaging base material 10 are overlapped and joined so that the first surfaces 101 are mainly in contact with each other.

[0131] In the manufacturing process illustrated above, the packaging 1 was sealed and cut for individual separation was performed simultaneously. However, sealing and cutting do not necessarily have to be done at the same time; cutting may be performed separately before or after sealing. For example, in the above example, the packaging base material 10 was prepared in the form of a long continuous sheet in step 1, and in a subsequent step, the packaging base material 10 was cut after the items to be packaged 2 were placed. However, the packaging base material 10 may be prepared in advance by cutting it into rectangles of a predetermined size in plan view, and the packaging 1 may be formed individually one by one without the need for a subsequent cutting step.

[0132] In the manufacturing process illustrated above, the MD direction of the packaging base material 10 coincides with the longitudinal direction (Y direction in the figure) of the packaging body 1, and the CD direction of the packaging base material 10 coincides with the circumferential direction of the packaging body 1 that encloses the packaged item 2. However, embodiments of the present invention are not limited to this. For example, a configuration in which the CD direction of the packaging base material 10 coincides with the longitudinal direction of the packaging body 1, and the MD direction of the packaging base material 10 coincides with the circumferential direction of the packaging body 1 that encloses the packaged item 2, is also within the scope of embodiments of the present invention.

[0133] The paper substrate 100 contained in the packaging substrate 10 generally exhibits higher paper strength (mechanical strength) in the MD direction than in the CD direction due to the orientation of pulp fibers resulting from the manufacturing method. Therefore, the packaging substrate 10 containing the paper substrate 100 also exhibits higher paper strength (mechanical strength) in the MD direction than in the CD direction.

[0134] The desired paper strength of the packaging material 10 may be determined from the standpoint of the strength of the packaging material 10 against bending during the manufacturing of the packaging 1, and from the standpoint of the strength of the packaging material 10 against tearing due to the posture and weight of the packaging 1 when carrying the packaging 1.

[0135] From the viewpoint of the strength of the packaging base material 10 against bending when manufacturing the packaging 1, for example, in a configuration in which the packaging base material 10 is used such that the CD direction of the packaging base material 10 coincides with the circumferential direction of the packaging 1 that wraps around the packaged item 2, it is preferable to use a packaging base material 10 in which the ISO number of folds in the CD direction is 50 to 1500, or the bending stiffness in the CD direction is 8 μN·m to 145 μN·m.

[0136] Furthermore, in a configuration in which the packaging substrate 10 is used such that the MD direction of the packaging substrate 10 coincides with the circumferential direction of the packaging body 1 that encloses the packaged item 2, it is preferable to use a packaging substrate 10 in which the ISO folding resistance in the MD direction is 200 to 1200 times, or the bending stiffness in the MD direction is 20 μN·m to 330 μN·m.

[0137] Within the range of the number of folds or bending stiffness described above, it is possible to suppress the phenomenon of the packaging base material 10 tearing or becoming easily torn due to bending during the manufacturing process of the packaging 1.

[0138] [Number of times it can be folded] The ISO folding endurance of the packaging substrate 10 in the MD and CD directions can be measured and calculated in accordance with the folding strength test method of JIS P 8115.

[0139] [bending and breaking] The bending stiffness of the packaging substrate 10 in the MD and CD directions can be measured using a bending tester such as an L&W bending tester (manufactured by Lorentzen & Wettre) in accordance with the method described in ISO 2493. The bending stiffness (μN·m) is calculated using the following formula (I), with the measured bending resistance (load) being taken from a test specimen of the packaging substrate 10 with a width of 38 mm and a length of 100 mm, at a bending angle of 15 degrees and a bending length (span of the sample stage) of 10 mm.

[0140] Bending stiffness (μN·m) = 60 × Bending resistance (mN) × Bending length 10 (mm) 2 ÷(π × bending angle 15(°) × sample width 38(mm)) ···(I)

[0141] The bending stiffness of the packaging substrate 10 in the MD direction is defined as the bending stiffness of the packaging substrate 10 in the MD direction when the MD direction of the packaging substrate 10 is defined as the bending stiffness of the packaging substrate 10 in the CD direction when the CD direction of the packaging substrate 10 is defined as the bending stiffness of the packaging substrate 10 in the CD direction when the CD direction of the packaging substrate 10 is defined as the bending stiffness of the packaging substrate 10 in the CD direction when the CD direction of the packaging substrate 10 is defined as the bending stiffness of the packaging substrate 10 in the CD direction when the CD direction of the packaging substrate 10 is defined as the bending stiffness of the packaging substrate 10 in the CD direction when the CD direction of the packaging substrate 10 is defined as the bending stiffness of the packaging substrate 10 in the MD CD direction.

[0142] [Effects of the second embodiment] A second embodiment of the present invention is a package 1 in which a sanitary tissue paper product 2 is packaged with a packaging base material 10, wherein the packaging base material 10 includes a transparent paper base material 100 having a first surface 101 and a second surface 102, a heat seal layer 110H covering the entire first surface 101 of the paper base material 100, and a printed layer G between the paper base material 100 and the heat seal layer 110H, wherein the packaging base material 10 packages the sanitary tissue paper product 2 such that the second surface 102 of the paper base material 100 is on the outer surface side of the package 1, and the package 1 has sealed portions 12 (12S, 12T, 12B) to which the paper base material 100 is joined via the heat seal layer 110H, and unsealed portions, and the printed layer G in the unsealed portion area is optically recognizable through the transparent paper base material 100 in appearance of the package 1.

[0143] In the second embodiment, the printed layer G is located between the paper substrate 100 and the heat-seal layer 110H that covers the entire first surface 101 of the paper substrate 100, and is sandwiched and covered from both sides by the paper substrate 100 and the heat-seal layer 110H. In addition, the printed layer G is located on the inner side of the packaging 1, relative to the paper substrate 100.

[0144] Therefore, in the manufacturing process of the packaging body 1 in which the sanitary tissue paper 2 is wrapped in the packaging base material 10, and during the transportation of the packaging body 1, when the packaging base material 10 is handled by hand or with equipment, when the packaging body 1 is carried, or when multiple packaging bodies 1 bump into each other, the printed layer G is protected by the paper base material 100 from external stimuli to the packaging base material 10, making it difficult for the ink forming the printed layer G to rub off or peel.

[0145] Furthermore, in the event of external stimuli from the inside of the packaging body 1 to the packaging substrate 10, such as when the sanitary tissue paper product 2, which is the contents of the packaging body 1, comes into contact with the packaging substrate 10, the printed layer G is protected by the heat-seal layer 110H, preventing the ink forming the printed layer G from being rubbed off or peeling off.

[0146] Furthermore, even if peeling of the ink forming the printed layer G occurs within the aforementioned laminated structure, the presence of the paper substrate 100 and the heat seal layer 110H that sandwich and cover the printed layer G from both sides can prevent the peeled ink from detaching (falling off) from its predetermined position on the printed layer G.

[0147] Therefore, according to this embodiment, without providing a separate coating layer for the printing layer as in the conventional technology, the heat-seal layer 110H can be used to protect the printing layer G of the packaging substrate 10 from external stimuli in a simple and low-cost manner, thereby achieving the exceptional effect of preventing deterioration of the printed markings applied to the packaging 1.

[0148] Furthermore, in the packaging substrate 10 according to the present invention, the heat seal layer 110H covers the entire first surface 101 of the paper substrate 100, and in this embodiment, this first surface 101 faces the inside of the package 1. With this configuration, the package 1 can be sealed by joining the paper substrate 100 via the heat seal layer 110H, for example, in packaging forms such as pillow packaging or gusset packaging. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a separate adhesive layer for sealing other than the heat seal layer 110H, or the amount of additional adhesive used for sealing can be reduced. As a result, the sealing configuration can be simplified, leading to a reduction in the manufacturing process for the package 1 and a reduction in the types and quantities of raw materials, thereby reducing costs.

[0149] Furthermore, since the heat seal layer 110H is located inside the packaging 1, there is no impact on the optical recognizability of the printing layer G due to the heat seal layer 110H covering the printing layer G in the appearance of the packaging 1. Therefore, in this embodiment, the heat seal layer 110H may be transparent or opaque, broadening the range of material choices.

[0150] In one embodiment where the heat-seal layer 110H is transparent, the sanitary tissue product 2, which is the packaged item of the package 1, can be seen through the transparent paper substrate 100 and the transparent heat-seal layer 110H in the unsealed area of ​​the package 1 where the printing layer G is absent. This allows the type, color, pattern, shape (e.g., presence or absence of embossing and pattern) of the sanitary tissue product 2 to be confirmed from the outside of the package 1 without opening the package 1.

[0151] In one embodiment where the heat seal layer 110H is opaque, the opaque heat seal layer 110H can serve as the background area for the printed layer G in the appearance of the packaging 1. That is, without separately printing a background layer for the printed layer with ink, the heat seal layer 110H can be used instead, providing the exceptional effect of enabling clear display of the printed layer G with a simple structure and low cost. Furthermore, in the appearance of the packaging 1, it is possible to prevent the sanitary tissue paper product 2, which is the packaged item in the packaging 1, from being visible through the transparent paper substrate 100 in the unsealed area of ​​the packaging 1.

[0152] In one embodiment where glassine paper is applied to the paper substrate 100, since glassine paper has high air permeability, the sanitary tissue paper product 2, which is the packaged item wrapped in the packaging substrate 10, becomes less susceptible to external moisture.

[0153] <Third Embodiment> A third embodiment of the present invention is a modification of the first and second embodiments. Unless otherwise specified, the configurations and descriptions applicable to the first and second embodiments are applicable to this embodiment.

[0154] In short, the third embodiment is characterized in that the packaging substrate 10 has heat-seal layers on both sides of the paper substrate 100, and has a first embodiment and a second embodiment.

[0155] [First aspect of the third embodiment] The first aspect of this embodiment is a modification of the first embodiment. That is, the first aspect of the third embodiment is a package in which a sanitary tissue product is packaged with a packaging substrate, wherein the packaging substrate includes a paper substrate having a first surface and a second surface, a transparent first heat seal layer covering the entire first surface of the paper substrate, a printing layer between the paper substrate and the first heat seal layer, and a second heat seal layer covering the entire second surface of the paper substrate, wherein the packaging substrate packages the sanitary tissue product such that the first surface of the paper substrate is on the outer surface side of the package, and the package has a sealed portion in which the paper substrate is joined via at least one of the first heat seal layer and the second heat seal layer, and an unsealed portion, wherein the printed layer in the unsealed portion area is optically recognizable through the first heat seal layer in the appearance of the package.

[0156] [Second aspect of the third embodiment] A second aspect of this embodiment is a modification of the second embodiment. That is, a second aspect of the third embodiment is a package in which a sanitary tissue product is packaged with a packaging substrate, wherein the packaging substrate includes a transparent paper substrate having a first surface and a second surface, a first heat seal layer covering the entire first surface of the paper substrate, a printing layer between the paper substrate and the first heat seal layer, and a transparent second heat seal layer covering the entire second surface of the paper substrate, the packaging substrate packages the sanitary tissue product such that the second surface of the paper substrate is on the outer surface side of the package, the package has a sealed portion in which the paper substrate is joined via at least one of the first heat seal layer and the second heat seal layer, and an unsealed portion, and the printed layer in the unsealed portion is optically recognizable through the second heat seal layer and the paper substrate in the appearance of the package, which is a package for a sanitary tissue product.

[0157] [Packaging base material] Figure 3(b) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the packaging substrate 10 according to the third embodiment. Compared with the layer configuration of the packaging substrate 10 according to the first and second embodiments shown in Figure 3(a), this embodiment differs in that it also has a heat seal layer 120H on the second surface 102 of the paper substrate 100.

[0158] That is, referring to Figure 3(b), the packaging substrate 10 according to the third embodiment includes a paper substrate 100 having a first surface 101 and a second surface 102, a first heat seal layer 110H covering the entire first surface 101 of the paper substrate 100, a printing layer G between the paper substrate 100 and the first heat seal layer 110H, and a second heat seal layer 120H covering the entire second surface 102 of the paper substrate 100.

[0159] [Second heat seal layer] The material, method of forming the heat seal layer, thickness, and transparency / opacity of the heat seal layer applicable to the second heat seal layer 120H are the same as those applicable to the first heat seal layer 110H, and are therefore omitted from this description.

[0160] [Packaging format] In this embodiment, since the paper substrate 100 has heat-seal layers 110H and 120H on both sides, there is a high degree of freedom in the applicable packaging format. That is, either overlap-pasting or gusset-pasting can be used for sealing, and the packaging format of the package 1 can be the caramel packaging method, pillow packaging method, gusset packaging method, or any combination thereof. Therefore, the sealing portion 12 of the package 1 according to the third embodiment may include a sealing portion via the first heat-seal layer 110H, a sealing portion via the first heat-seal layer 110H and the second heat-seal layer 120H, and a sealing portion via the second heat-seal layer 120H.

[0161] Figure 5 shows one example of the configuration of the packaging 1 according to the first aspect of this embodiment, which is a modified example of the first embodiment.

[0162] Figure 5(a) is a schematic perspective view of a packaging body for a sanitary tissue paper product according to the first aspect of the third embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5(b) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the packaging body 1 shown in Figure 5(a) taken along the line Vb-Vb, and the illustration of the sanitary tissue paper product 2, which is the packaged item, is omitted. Figure 5(c) is a schematic enlarged view of the portion indicated by the symbol Vc in Figure 5(b). Figure 5(d) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the packaging body 1 shown in Figure 5(a) taken along the line Vd-Vd, and Figure 5(e) is a schematic enlarged view of the portion indicated by the symbol Ve in Figure 5(d).

[0163] [Packaging] Referring to Figure 5(a), in the first embodiment of the third embodiment, the packaging 1 includes a sanitary tissue product 2 and a packaging base material 10 for packaging the sanitary tissue product 2. The packaging 1 has sealed portions 12 (12S, 12T, 12B) sealed by joining the packaging base material 10 and unsealed portions. In this embodiment, the packaging 1 includes a printed layer G displaying letters, symbols, figures, patterns or any combination thereof for decorative and / or distinctive purposes, which are optically recognizable on the appearance of the packaging 1.

[0164] [Hygienic tissue paper products] In the example shown in Figure 5(a), the sanitary tissue product 2 is a roll-shaped sanitary tissue product, specifically consisting of eight toilet rolls stacked in a 4x2 arrangement such that the axial direction of the toilet rolls coincides with the height direction of the packaging (the length direction indicated by arrow Y). Note that the sanitary tissue products applicable to this embodiment are not limited to this example, and any sanitary tissue product described in the first embodiment can be used.

[0165] [Packaging form] Referring to Figures 5(b) and 5(c), in this example, the packaging base material 10 is constructed by laminating four sheets together.

[0166] Each sheet of the packaging substrate 10 is arranged so that the first surface 101 of the paper substrate 100 faces the outer surface of the packaging body 1, surrounding and packaging the sanitary tissue paper product 2. As shown in Figures 5(a) and (c), in the sealing portion 12S of the packaging body 1, adjacent sheets of the packaging substrate 10 are joined via a heat seal layer 120H so that the second surfaces 102 of the paper substrate 100 that face the inner surface of the packaging body 1 are in contact with each other (i.e., sealed with a gusseted joint).

[0167] Furthermore, referring to Figures 5(a) and 5(d), in the sealing portion 12T of the packaging 1, four sheets are joined together so that opposing pairs of sheets are folded and form a plate. In this example, a hole of a size that allows for grasping by an average adult hand is formed in the center of the plate-like portion, and the plate-like portion functions as a handle. Note that such a handle hole is not an essential component of the present invention.

[0168] Referring to Figure 5(e), in the sealing portion 12T, the two outer sheets of paper substrate 100 that make up both sides of the plate-like portion and the central sheet of paper substrate 100 sandwiched between them are joined via the heat seal layer 120H (i.e., sealed using a gusseting method). In addition, the central sheet of paper substrate 100 is joined via the heat seal layer 110H at the portion where it is folded and comes into contact (i.e., sealed using a gusseting method).

[0169] As a result, the paper substrate 100 sheets constituting the plate-like portion are joined together via both the heat seal layer 110H and the heat seal layer 120H, and the sealing portion 12T is a single, unified plate without separation.

[0170] [Effects of the third embodiment] In the first embodiment of the third embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment described above, the packaging substrate 10 further has heat seal layers 110H and 120H on both sides of the paper substrate 100, which allows sealing via one or both of the heat seal layers 110H and 120H, thus broadening the range of applicable packaging formats.

[0171] Furthermore, the same applies to the second embodiment of the third embodiment (not shown), and in addition to the effects of the second embodiment described above, the packaging base material 10 has heat seal layers 110H and 120H on both sides of the paper base material 100, which allows sealing by heat sealing via one or both of the heat seal layers 110H and 120H, thus broadening the range of applicable packaging types.

[0172] More specifically, in this specification, examples of packaging forms for the package 1 have been given, such as caramel packaging with overlapping seals, pillow packaging with gusseted seals, and gusseted packaging. However, in the third embodiment, the special effect is that it is not limited to these typical packaging forms, but other known packaging forms or packaging forms that arbitrarily combine characteristic parts of those packaging forms can be applied.

[0173] For example, the sealing portion 12 of the packaging body 1 may be a lap sealing method in which the first surface 101 and the second surface 102 of the paper substrate 100 are joined via both the heat seal layer 110H and the heat seal layer 120H. Alternatively, the sealing portion 12 of the packaging body 1 may be a gusset sealing method in which the first surfaces 101 of the paper substrate 100 are joined together via the heat seal layers 110H. Alternatively, the sealing portion 12 of the packaging body 1 may be a gusset sealing method in which the second surfaces 102 of the paper substrate 100 are joined together via the heat seal layers 120H.

[0174] According to this embodiment, in the sealing portion 12, both surfaces of the paper substrate 100 that are joined in opposition to each other are provided with either a heat seal layer 110H or a heat seal layer 120H. Therefore, according to this embodiment, joining via two heat seal layers becomes possible, ensuring an amount of heat sealant that can contribute to adhesion by heat sealing, and making it easier to obtain sufficient heat sealability (adhesion) to seal the package 1.

[0175] <Fourth Embodiment> Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating a packaging body 1 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Unless otherwise specified, the configurations and descriptions applicable to the above embodiments are applicable to this embodiment.

[0176] Referring to Figure 6, the packaging body 1 according to the fourth embodiment includes a packaging body 1b and a strip-shaped handle 20 whose ends are joined to the outer surface of the packaging body 1b. The handle 20 includes a handle base material 200 and a handle heat seal layer 210H on the handle base material 200, and the handle 20 is characterized in that it is joined to the outer surface of the packaging body 1b via the handle heat seal layer 210H.

[0177] [Packaging body] In this embodiment, the packaging body 1b can be the packaging body 1b as the packaging body 1b described above. Therefore, in this specification, the terms "packaging body 1b" and "packaging body 1" may be used interchangeably.

[0178] In the example shown in Figure 6, the packaging body 1b is a packaging body 1 employing the caramel method described in the first embodiment. Referring to Figures 6(a) and 6(c), the packaging substrate 10 of the packaging body 1b includes a paper substrate 100, a heat-seal layer 110H covering the entire surface of the paper substrate 100, and a printed layer G between the paper substrate 100 and the heat-seal layer 110H.

[0179] In this example, the sanitary tissue product 2 packaged in the packaging body 1b is a tissue box (boxed laminated sanitary tissue product) in which a laminate of tissue paper is housed in a box. In the packaging body 1, five tissue boxes are stacked and packaged together, but this embodiment is not limited to this.

[0180] [Handle] As shown in Figure 6(c), the handle 20 includes a handle base material 200 and a handle heat-seal layer 210H on the handle base material 200. As shown in Figures 6(a) and (b), both ends of the handle 20 are joined to the outer surface of the packaging body 1b, while the central part of the handle 20 is free from being joined to the outer surface of the packaging body 1b so that it can be grasped by hand.

[0181] In this example, the packaging body 1b is the packaging body 1 according to the first embodiment, and has a first heat seal layer 110H on its outer surface. Therefore, the handle material 200 is joined at the joint 22 to the paper material 100 of the packaging body 1 via the handle heat seal layer 210H on the handle material 200 and the heat seal layer 110H on the first surface 101 of the packaging body 1.

[0182] In this embodiment, the handle heat seal layer 210H may be provided only on a part of the handle base material 200, rather than on the entire surface of the handle base material 200, as long as it is provided in the area that forms the joint 22.

[0183] When the handle heat seal layer 210H is provided over the entire surface of the handle base material 200, even if misalignment occurs when attaching the handle 20 to the packaging body 1b during the manufacturing process of the packaging body 1, there is an advantage that joining defects will not occur due to the absence of the handle heat seal layer 210H in the part to be joined. In addition, by providing the handle heat seal layer 210H over the entire surface of the handle base material 200, the handle 20 gains a strength reinforcement effect compared to when it is provided only on a part of the handle base material 200.

[0184] When the handle heat seal layer 210H is provided only on a portion of the handle base material 200, the proportion of the handle heat seal layer 210H in the handle 20 becomes lower and the proportion of the handle base material 200 becomes higher compared to when it is provided on the entire surface. Therefore, the effect of reducing the use of plastic in the handle 20 may be enhanced.

[0185] [Handle heat seal layer] The material of the heat seal layer applicable to the handle heat seal layer 210H, the method of forming the heat seal layer, and the thickness of the heat seal layer are the same as those applicable to the first heat seal layer 110H, and are therefore omitted from this description. The handle heat seal layer 210H may be transparent or opaque. A printing layer may be provided between the handle letter substrate 200 and the handle heat seal layer 210H, in which case at least one of the handle heat seal layer 210H and the handle letter substrate 200 shall be transparent.

[0186] [Paper material for carrying letters] The base material 200 for the carrying letter can be made from various types of paper, similar to the paper base material 100 of the packaging base material 10 of the packaging body 1.

[0187] For the letter base material 200, it is preferable to use pure white paper, a type of glossy paper with high whiteness. Using pure white paper for the letter base material 200 offers the following advantages, for example: (1) Because the paper strength of the base material 200 for the hand-held letter is high, the handle 20 is less likely to tear. (2) The glossy surface of the paper base material 200 is glossy and has high whiteness, so when printing is applied to the glossy surface, a good-looking print with excellent color reproduction can be obtained. (3) Because the non-glossy surface of the handle base material 200 has many surface irregularities, laminating the handle heat seal layer 210H onto the non-glossy surface creates an anchoring effect where the material constituting the handle heat seal layer 210H fits into the surface irregularities of the handle base material 200, resulting in a tight fit and high adhesive strength between the handle base material 200 and the handle heat seal layer 210H. Therefore, when tensile force is applied to the handle 20 when carrying the package 1, delamination between the handle base material 200 and the handle heat seal layer 210H is prevented.

[0188] [Effects of the fourth embodiment] The packaging body 1 of this embodiment has a configuration that includes a handle 20, and it has the exceptional advantage that the handle 20 can be attached to the packaging body 1b with a simple configuration and low cost by using a handle heat-seal layer 210H instead of using a separate adhesive for the handle.

[0189] In the example shown in Figure 6, the packaging body 1b was the packaging body 1 according to the first embodiment. However, the packaging body 1 applicable to the packaging body 1b of this embodiment is not limited to this, and any packaging body 1 according to any of the above embodiments is applicable. That is, an embodiment in which the outer surface of the packaging body 1b does not have a heat-seal layer is also within the scope of this embodiment.

[0190] If the packaging body 1b is a packaging body 1 having a heat seal layer 110H or 120H on its outer surface, as in the first and second embodiments of the first and third embodiments, the handle 20 and the packaging body 1b are joined not only through the heat seal layer 210H of the handle 20, but also through each respective heat seal layer (210H and 110H or 120H). Therefore, joining via two heat seal layers becomes possible, ensuring an amount of heat sealant that can contribute to adhesion by heat sealing, and making it easier to obtain stronger heat sealability (adhesion) for joining the handle 20 and the packaging body 1b.

[0191] <Fifth Embodiment> Next, a fifth embodiment will be described. The fifth embodiment is a preferred form of the embodiment described above. Unless otherwise specified, the configurations and descriptions applicable to the embodiments described above are applicable to this embodiment.

[0192] In this embodiment, the printed layer G is characterized by being printed (coated) with an ink containing biomass ink. Examples of biomass inks applicable to this embodiment are as described above in the first embodiment.

[0193] In detail, in this embodiment, the printing of the printing layer G uses an ink in which a portion of the raw materials of the resin component in the ink component is derived from biomass. Preferably, the resin component derived from biomass is contained in an amount of 10% by mass (dry weight ratio) or more in the ink component. That is, in this embodiment, the printing layer G contains a component made from plant-derived raw materials in an amount of 10% by mass or more in the solid content.

[0194] [Effects of the Fifth Embodiment] The packaging 1 for sanitary tissue paper products according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a paper base material 100 instead of conventional plastic film as the packaging base material. Therefore, when the packaging base material 10 is incinerated after opening the packaging 1, the generation of dioxins is suppressed, resulting in a lower environmental impact compared to conventional packaging for sanitary tissue paper products.

[0195] In addition, in the fifth embodiment, where biomass ink is used for printing the printing layer G, it is possible to further reduce the consumption of petroleum resources. Even if CO2 is generated when the packaging substrate 10 is incinerated after the packaging 1 is opened, the paper substrate 100 and the plants that are the raw materials for the biomass ink absorb CO2 during their growth process, so "carbon neutrality" can be achieved, where the total amount of CO2, also known as a greenhouse gas that causes global warming, does not increase. Therefore, in this embodiment using biomass ink, it is possible to further reduce the environmental burden.

[0196] <Other> 1. Layer structure of the printed layer In embodiments of the present invention, the printed layer G may be a multilayer structure including a first printed layer that displays characters, symbols, figures, patterns, or any combination thereof for decorative purposes and / or to provide identifiable features, and a second printed layer that displays a background area exhibiting a background color or pattern. The first and second printed layers are printed on the first surface 101 of the paper substrate 100 in a stacking order in which the first printed layer is on the outer surface side of the packaging 1 than the second printed layer, and so that the characters, symbols, figures, patterns, or any combination thereof are displayed in the intended manner (orientation) on the appearance of the packaging 1.

[0197] To achieve this configuration, in the first embodiment, a second printing layer is first printed on the first surface 101 of the paper substrate 100, followed by a first printing layer. In the second embodiment, contrary to the first embodiment, a first printing layer is first printed on the first surface 101 of the paper substrate 100, followed by a second printing layer.

[0198] The second printed layer may be a white area exhibiting white color. In this embodiment, characters, symbols, figures, patterns, or any combination thereof printed on the first printed layer for decoration and / or to provide identifiability are clearly displayed with high contrast against the white background printed on the second printed layer, resulting in excellent optical readability of the printed layer G. This embodiment can be preferably applied, for example, when the first printed layer includes the display of at least one of a one-dimensional code and a two-dimensional code containing optically readable information.

[0199] 2. Layer composition of the packaging substrate In one embodiment of the present invention, the packaging substrate 10 may have other layers in addition to the printing layer G and the heat seal layers 110H and 120H. Examples of other layers include functional layers such as a water vapor barrier layer, an oxygen barrier layer, and a light-shielding layer. These other layers may be provided as needed on, for example, the outer surface of the packaging substrate 10 of the package 1, the inner surface of the packaging substrate 10 of the package 1, between the packaging substrate 10 and the heat seal layers 110H and 120H, or on the upper surface of the heat seal layers in a manner that does not impair the adhesion (heat sealability) of the heat seal layers. The other layers may be one layer or two or more layers.

[0200] Furthermore, the heat seal layer 110H and the second heat seal layer 120H may each be a multi-layer structure in which two or more heat seal layers are laminated. A multi-layer structure allows for an increase in the thickness of the heat seal layer, thereby increasing the amount of heat sealant that can contribute to the heat seal.

[0201] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above or the modifications mentioned throughout, and can be modified or altered as appropriate without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0202] 1 package 1b Package body 2 Sanitary tissue paper products (packaged items, contents) 10 Packaging base material 12(12S, 12T, 12B) Sealing part 20 Handles 22 Joint 100 Paper base material 101 First surface (printing surface) of the paper substrate 102 Second surface of paper substrate 110H, 120H heat seal layer 200 Letter base material 210H Handle Heat Seal Layer UFL mountain fold line DFL Valley Fold Line

Claims

1. A package in which a sanitary tissue paper product is wrapped in a packaging material, The packaging substrate includes a paper substrate having a first surface and a second surface, a transparent first heat-seal layer covering the entire first surface of the paper substrate, a printing layer between the paper substrate and the first heat-seal layer, and a second heat-seal layer covering the entire second surface of the paper substrate. The packaging substrate is used to package the sanitary tissue paper product such that the first surface of the paper substrate becomes the outer surface of the packaging body. The packaging has a sealed portion in which the paper substrate is joined via at least one of the first heat-seal layer and the second heat-seal layer, and an unsealed portion. In the appearance of the package, the printed layer in the unsealed portion is optically recognizable through the first heat seal layer. The packaging for a sanitary tissue paper product is characterized in that the paper substrate and the second heat seal layer are transparent, and in the appearance of the packaging, the sanitary tissue paper product is visible through the first heat seal layer, the paper substrate and the second heat seal layer in the unsealed area.

2. The packaging for a sanitary tissue paper product according to claim 1, characterized in that the sealing portion includes a region in which the paper substrate is joined via the first heat seal layer or the second heat seal layer, and a region in which the paper substrate is joined via both the first heat seal layer and the second heat seal layer.

3. The packaging for a sanitary tissue paper product according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the paper substrate is glassine paper.

4. A packaging body in which a sanitary tissue paper product is wrapped with a packaging material, The packaging substrate includes a paper substrate having a first surface and a second surface, a transparent first heat-seal layer covering the entire first surface of the paper substrate, a printing layer between the paper substrate and the first heat-seal layer, and a second heat-seal layer covering the entire second surface of the paper substrate. The packaging substrate is used to package the sanitary tissue paper product such that the first surface of the paper substrate becomes the outer surface of the packaging body. The packaging has a sealed portion in which the paper substrate is joined via at least one of the first heat-seal layer and the second heat-seal layer, and an unsealed portion. In the appearance of the package, the printed layer in the unsealed portion is optically recognizable through the first heat seal layer. The packaging for sanitary tissue paper products is characterized in that the paper substrate is a glossy paper on one side, and the smoothness of the first surface of the paper substrate is 210 seconds or more and 310 seconds or less.

5. The packaging for a sanitary tissue paper product according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the thickness of the first heat seal layer and the thickness of the second heat seal layer are each 2 μm or more and 100 μm or less.

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