Sanitary product packaging

Abstract

To provide a sanitary product package that sufficiently reduces consumers' sense of shame in stores and makes it difficult for third persons to recognize the contents.SOLUTION: This invention relates to a sanitary product package 1 in which individually packaged sanitary products 2 are gusset-packaged by a packaging sheet 3. The packaging sheet 3 is a colored film or a laminated film formed by laminating a paper layer 36 and a film layer 37 in order from the outer surface side of the package, and the sanitary product package 1 is characterized by having a two-dimensional bar code 4 on the outer surface of the package.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a hygiene product package.

Background Art

[0002] On the surface of a package for packaging hygiene products such as light incontinence products, disposable diapers, sanitary napkins, etc., product appeal information such as the product name, appearance, size, function, number of sheets, etc. of the hygiene product is often displayed in patterns or characters.

[0003] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a conventional hygiene product package 1. Since each manufacturer displays various types of hygiene products respectively, in order to differentiate from other companies' products and improve consumers' recognition, an appeal display part 6 such as a product name, an appeal logo, and a product illustration is largely arranged on the side surface 33a.

[0004] However, when purchasing hygiene products at a drugstore or a convenience store, etc., consumers have a sense of shame that they do not want the package of the hygiene product they purchase to be known to a third party. Therefore, at the sales store, it is often the case that the hygiene product is separately put into a plastic bag or a paper bag whose contents cannot be seen and handed to the consumer.

[0005] Various proposals have been shown as a device for reducing this sense of shame. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a package provided with a first tab to which product-related display such as size is attached. Also, Patent Document 2 discloses a display package provided with a display that can immediately recognize the positioning of a packaged absorbent article in the same or a different type as the packaged absorbent article without taking the package of the absorbent article in hand. Thereby, the time at the time of purchase is shortened for consumers, the risk of being seen by a third party is reduced, and the product can be purchased.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

[0007] However, even with these conventional technologies, the product name and product appeal of hygiene products are clearly displayed on the packaging, so it cannot be said that consumer embarrassment in stores was sufficiently reduced. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] This invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a hygiene product package that sufficiently reduces the embarrassment consumers feel in stores and makes it difficult for third parties to recognize the contents. As a result of diligent research, the inventors of the present invention discovered that a desired hygiene product package can be obtained by making the contents difficult to recognize using a colored packaging sheet and by indicating the information of the hygiene product with a two-dimensional barcode, leading to the present invention.

[0009] In other words, the present invention provides the following hygiene product packaging.

[0010] (1) A first aspect of the present invention is a sanitary product package in which individually packaged sanitary products are gusset-packaged by a packaging sheet, wherein the packaging sheet is a colored film or a laminated film in which a paper layer and a film layer are laminated in order from the outer surface side of the package, and the outer surface of the package has a two-dimensional barcode. (2) A second aspect of the present invention is the hygiene product package according to (1), further comprising a daily life design display area around the two-dimensional barcode. (3) A third aspect of the present invention is a hygiene product package according to (1) or (2), characterized in that the two-dimensional barcode is located on the top surface of the package. (4) A fourth aspect of the present invention is a hygiene product package according to (3), characterized in that, when the gripping portion formed on the top surface of the package is turned face down, the two-dimensional barcode is positioned so that the entire barcode can be seen when viewed from the top of the package. (5) A fifth aspect of the present invention is a hygiene product package according to any one of (1) to (4), further characterized in that it has an industry self-regulatory standards display section on the bottom surface of the package. (6) A sixth aspect of the present invention is a hygiene product package according to any one of (1) to (5), characterized in that the brightness of the two-dimensional barcode is higher than the brightness of the everyday life design display section or the colored film packaging sheet. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a hygiene product package that significantly reduces the embarrassment consumers feel in stores and makes it difficult for third parties to recognize the contents. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] A perspective view showing one embodiment of the hygiene product package of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional view showing the layer structure of the packaging sheet of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a front view of a hygiene product package having a daily life design display section according to the present invention. [Figure 4] A perspective view showing another embodiment of the hygiene product package having a daily life design display section of the present invention. [Figure 5] This is a plan view showing one embodiment of the hygiene product package of the present invention, as seen from the top side. [Figure 6] This is a perspective view showing the configuration of a conventional hygiene product package. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments for implementing the present invention (hereinafter referred to as "embodiments") will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. These are presented for illustrative purposes and do not limit the present invention.

[0014] 1. Hygiene product package An embodiment of the hygiene product package 1 of the present invention (hereinafter also referred to as "package") will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the hygiene product package 1 has individually packaged hygiene products 2 gusset-packaged by a packaging sheet 3. Further, the hygiene product package 1 is provided with a top surface portion 31, a bottom surface portion 32, and side surface portions 33a, 33b, 33c, 33d, and has a two-dimensional barcode 4 on its outer surface.

[0015] Moreover, it is preferable to provide a gripping portion 34 on the top surface portion 31 side of the hygiene product package 1 to facilitate handling. Further, in order to enhance the transportability, it is more preferable for the gripping portion 34 to be provided with a finger-hooking opening 35. Note that the shape of the finger-hooking opening 35 and the like are not limited to the shape shown in FIG. 1, and known shapes and the like can be adopted. [[ID=**12]]

[0016] 2. Packaging sheet FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the layer structure of the packaging sheet of the present invention. The packaging sheet 3 is a laminated film formed by laminating a paper layer 36 and a film layer 37 in order from the outer surface side of the colored film or the hygiene product package 1. The packaging sheet 3 has concealability so that the hygiene product 2, which is the contents, cannot be visually recognized from the outside by coloring the layer in contact with the outer surface. There is no particular limitation on the base material used for the colored film, and known materials can be used. For example, resin films such as polyolefin (such as polyethylene and polypropylene), polyester (such as PET), polyamide (such as nylon), polycarbonate, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, and polyimide can be mentioned. Among these, polyethylene and polypropylene are preferable, and polyethylene is more preferable in terms of stretchability and strength.

[0017] By blending various pigments and dyes into these resins and molding them using various molding methods, a desired colored film can be obtained. There are no particular limitations on the method for manufacturing a colored film, and for example, the following method can be used. First, pre-dried resin chips such as polyethylene, which have been blended with pigments and dyes, are supplied to an extruder and heated to a temperature above the melting point of the resin to melt it. Next, the molten polymer is extruded from the die as a molten sheet via a gear pump and a filter. Then, the molten sheet is rapidly cooled on a rotating cooling drum to a temperature below the glass transition temperature to obtain a colored film.

[0018] Furthermore, the colored film may be given a textured finish on at least its outer surface in order to improve its aesthetic appeal (luxury feel) and tactile quality. The textured finish can be formed, for example, by roughening the front and back surfaces of the colored film with fine embossing, matte rolling, sandblasting (matte finish), or other similar processes.

[0019] The thickness of the colored film is preferably 22 μm to 70 μm, more preferably 32 μm to 60 μm, and even more preferably 45 μm to 55 μm.

[0020] The packaging sheet 3 may be composed of a laminated film in which a paper layer 36 and a film layer 37 are laminated. The film layer 37 can be a transparent resin film such as polyolefin (polyethylene or polypropylene, etc.), polyester (PET, etc.), polyamide (nylon, etc.), polycarbonate, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, or polyimide, or a colored film as described above.

[0021] The paper layer 36 can be made from a paper base material such as paper or synthetic paper, which are known materials for packaging, and has opacity so that the sanitary products 2 contained inside cannot be seen from the outside. The paper layer 36 can be made from a paper base material that has been colored by common methods such as adding colorants such as dyes and pigments to pulp raw materials during papermaking, or by coating the surface of the paper base material of the paper layer 36 with an ink containing a colorant. Furthermore, the basis weight of the paper layer 36 is not particularly limited, but for example, 25 g / m² is acceptable. 2More than 85g / m 2 Preferably, it should be 32 g / m 2 More than 70g / m 2 The following is more preferable: 40g / m 2 More than 50g / m 2 The following is even more preferable: By setting the basis weight of the paper layer 36 to above the lower limit, the rigidity and mechanical strength of the laminated film can be improved. On the other hand, by setting the basis weight of the paper layer 36 to below the upper limit, the handling properties of the laminated film can be improved.

[0022] As for the manufacturing method of the laminated film, known methods can be used. For example, one method involves applying an adhesive such as polyethylene or ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymer onto a resin film unwound from an unwinding roll, and then laminating and adhering a paper layer 36 on top of it.

[0023] The thickness of the film layer 37 is preferably 10 μm or more and 50 μm or less, and more preferably 10 μm or more and 35 μm or less. The thickness of the paper layer 36 is preferably 20 μm or more and 55 μm or less, more preferably 25 μm or more and 55 μm or less, and even more preferably 30 μm or more and 55 μm or less.

[0024] A two-dimensional barcode 4 is printed on the outer surface of package 1. Consumers can scan the two-dimensional barcode 4 with their smartphones or other devices to read and confirm information about the hygiene products 2 contained within. This information includes details such as the name (product name, brand name, series name), material, number of items included, usage (wearing condition, application method), purpose, timing of use (daytime, nighttime, heavy flow), and usage pattern (during sports, while sleeping), which are helpful in selecting the hygiene products 2. It is preferable that no text is printed on the sides 33a to 33d and / or top 31 of the outer surface of the hygiene product package 1 regarding the hygiene products 2, and in particular, it is preferable that the product name of the hygiene products 2 is not printed in text. The absence of text makes it difficult for third parties to recognize the contents of the hygiene products 2, while consumers can obtain this information via the two-dimensional barcode 4, thus reducing embarrassment when purchasing in stores. To make it even more difficult for third parties to recognize the contents of the hygiene products 2, it is preferable that information about the hygiene products 2 is not printed using images.

[0025] Figure 3 is a front view of a hygiene product package having the daily life design display section 5 of the present invention. It is preferable to have the daily life design display section 5, which is unrelated to the appeal of the hygiene product 2, around the two-dimensional barcode 4. The daily life design display is an illustration of activities that are repeated every day, such as eating, studying, working, exercising, and hobbies. By having the daily life design display section 5, the aesthetic appeal of the hygiene product package 1 can be improved compared to one without it. Also, even when consumers are scanning the two-dimensional barcode 4 with a scanner or the like in a store, their gaze will be drawn to the daily life design display section 5, which can reduce the impression that they are scanning the two-dimensional barcode 4. The dimensions and number of the daily life design display sections 5 are arbitrary and not limited as long as the present invention can be achieved, but it is preferable that at least one of the individual daily life design display sections 5 is larger than the area of ​​the two-dimensional barcode 4 in order to attract the attention of third parties. There are no particular limitations on where the everyday life design display section 5 is placed. For example, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, it may be located on the side sections 33a to 33d or the top section 31, or in a position that overlaps with the two-dimensional barcode 4. The two-dimensional barcode 4 is usually printed in black to make it easy to read with a scanner, but it is preferable that the brightness of the two-dimensional barcode 4 is higher than the brightness of the everyday life design display section 5. This makes it possible to relatively reduce the ease with which the practical two-dimensional barcode 4 can be recognized by the eye. Furthermore, the brightness of the two-dimensional barcode 4 may be higher than the brightness of the packaging sheet. By creating a contrast similar to a white background, it is possible to make the two-dimensional barcode even more difficult to see with the eye. By adjusting the brightness in this way, if a third party sees a consumer scanning a product in a store, it becomes more difficult for the third party to recognize that the consumer is scanning a two-dimensional barcode on a hygiene product package, further reducing the psychological burden on the consumer when scanning. The brightness can be measured using a calibrated spectrophotometer using a known method.When using a calibrated spectrophotometer, you can measure the L value in a 1cm square area where the two-dimensional barcode 4 and the everyday design display unit 5 do not exist, measure the L value in a 1cm square area including the two-dimensional barcode 4, and measure the L value in a 1cm square area where the everyday design display unit 5 exists, and then compare these L values. For example, you can use a UV-1700 ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer (manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation) with a C light source as the standard light source and measure the color at a 2-degree field of view to determine the L value.

[0026] The location where the two-dimensional barcode 4 is placed is not particularly limited as long as it is on the outer surface of the package 1, but it is preferable to place it on the top surface 31, for example. By placing the two-dimensional barcode 4 on the top surface 31, the position of the two-dimensional barcode 4 is easier to recognize compared to when it is placed on the side surfaces 33a to 33d, allowing consumers to start scanning more quickly, and making it easier for store staff to scan at the register. In addition, when store staff arrange the hygiene product packages 1 contained in cardboard cases on display shelves, they can scan the two-dimensional barcode 4 immediately when they open the top of the cardboard box, thus increasing the efficiency of information verification. Furthermore, the dimensions and number of the two-dimensional barcodes 4 are arbitrary and not limited as long as they achieve the objectives of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 5 is a plan view showing one embodiment of the hygiene product package 1 of the present invention as seen from the top surface 31 side. The packaging sheet 3 is colored, and if even a part of the two-dimensional barcode 4 becomes invisible when the gripping portion 34 is face down, the gripping portion 34 must be moved to scan, which takes time to read the information. Therefore, when the two-dimensional barcode 4 is on the top surface 31, it is preferable that the two-dimensional barcode 4 is positioned so that it is fully visible when viewed from the top of the package 1, with the gripping portion 34 formed on the top surface 31 of the package face down.

[0028] The hygiene product package 1 may be provided with an industry self-regulatory standards display section (not shown) for displaying information based on the industry self-regulatory standards of the Japan Hygiene Materials Industry Association (JSAMA). If the industry self-regulatory standards display section includes textual information, it is preferable that the content is displayed in a size that makes it unreadable when viewed from a distance of 1 m or more from the hygiene product package 1. Specifically, the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the font are preferably 1 mm to 10 mm, and more preferably 1 mm to 5 mm. In this way, even if a third party views the package 1 from a distance of 1 m or more, it will be difficult to identify the contents, thus keeping consumers' sense of embarrassment low. There are no particular limitations on the location of the industry self-regulatory standards display section, but it is preferable to place it on the side sections 33a to 33d for quick recognition by consumers, and to add pictograms to the industry self-regulatory standards display section and place it on the bottom section 32 to make it difficult for third parties to see during transport. Furthermore, the industry-standard display section may include a one-dimensional barcode (a common barcode).

[0029] 3. Sanitary products There are no particular restrictions on hygiene products 2 as long as they are generally known, and examples include incontinence products such as absorbent napkins, light incontinence pads, and urine absorption pads, sanitary napkins and tampons, panty liners, and disposable diapers. Among these, incontinence products or sanitary products, which tend to be strongly desired to be kept private from others, are preferred. Hygiene products 2 are individually packaged in packaging material. There are no particular restrictions on the packaging material as long as it is generally known, and examples include paper, nonwoven fabric, resin film, or laminates thereof.

[0030] A known method can be used to gusset-package the sanitary product 2 with the packaging sheet 3. For example, one method involves forming the base material (colored film or laminated film) of the packaging sheet 3 into a rectangular parallelepiped shape with one side of the bag open, then folding it inward along folds formed in the center of both sides to form a gusset, filling it with the sanitary product 2, and then sealing the opening.

[0031] Although the present invention has been described above using embodiments, it goes without saying that the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments and examples. It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications or improvements can be made to the above embodiments. Furthermore, it is clear from the claims that such modified or improved forms may also be included in the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0032] 1. Sanitary product packaging (packaging) 2 Hygiene products 3 Packaging sheets 31 Top section 32 Bottom part 33a, 33b, 33c, 33d side part 34 Gripping part 35 Opening for finger rest 36 paper layer 37. Colored film layer 4. Two-dimensional barcode 5. Display section for everyday life design 6 Appeal display section

Claims

1. A hygiene product package in which individually packaged hygiene products are gusset-packaged with a packaging sheet, The aforementioned packaging sheet is a laminated film in which a paper layer and a colored film layer are laminated in order from the outer surface side of the package. The basis weight of the aforementioned paper layer is 25 g / m² or more and 85 g / m² or less. The package has a two-dimensional barcode on its outer surface, The information about the hygiene product will not be written on the side and top surfaces of the outer surface of the package. Furthermore, the hygiene product package is characterized by having an industry self-regulatory standards display section on the bottom surface of the package.

2. The hygiene product package according to claim 1, further comprising a daily life design display area around the two-dimensional barcode.

3. The hygiene product package according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the two-dimensional barcode is located on the top surface of the package.

4. With the gripping portion formed on the top surface of the package facing downwards, The hygiene product package according to claim 3, characterized in that the two-dimensional barcode is positioned so that it can be fully viewed when viewed from the top of the package.

5. The hygiene product package according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the brightness of the two-dimensional barcode is higher than the brightness of the everyday life design display section or the packaging sheet.

Images