Sanitary napkins rolled up

Abstract

The sanitary napkin roll includes a core and a strip wound around the core. When unfolded, the strip extends along a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the transverse direction. In addition, the strip includes an impermeable layer, an absorbent layer, and weakened areas that extend along the transverse direction and define segments that are severable from the strip. When severed, these segments form a corresponding sanitary napkin. The impermeable layer, which is wider than the absorbent layer, is folded back along the longitudinal direction to form an overlap, thereby enclosing the absorbent layer.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to sanitary pads for public use.

Background Art

[0002] People who use public toilets naturally expect toilet paper to be available.

[0003] However, people who are menstruating encounter a different world. As a result, people who are menstruating often carry sanitary pads or tampons at all times in case their menstrual cycle starts unexpectedly.

[0004] Often, people only realize they need a sanitary pad after using the toilet. If they forget to carry the necessary supplies, an inconvenient and potentially embarrassing situation arises.

[0005] Some public toilets have tampons and pads sold in vending machines. However, for someone who has already sat on the toilet, this is hardly convenient. To retrieve the item, they would have to straighten their clothes and leave the cubicle. Even worse, they would have to find the correct change to use the vending machine.

Summary of the Invention

[0006] In one aspect, the present invention features a strip of individually die-cut sanitary pads wound around a core. Each sanitary pad has an adhesive for attaching to underwear. The strip is folded back over the sanitary pads, thereby having a width sufficient to prevent leakage and protect from soiling. Between each pair of sanitary pads, there is a napkin gap containing a backing material that is perforated to facilitate separation of the individual segments (each containing a sanitary pad).

[0007] In some embodiments, the backing material is welded to itself, thereby forming sealed compartments between each sanitary napkin. This prevents sanitary napkins adjacent to the exposed edge of the strip from getting wet or soiled.

[0008] Ideally, the roll is a cylindrical structure with a circular cross-section, where the radius is independent of the angle. A potential problem is that the gaps between napkins may align with each other, which would make the radius smaller within a certain angular range. As a result, this creates an asymmetry in the roll's cross-section.

[0009] In another configuration, sanitary napkins are not individually die-cut but held together on a continuous strip. Each napkin has an absorbent area surrounded by a seal. The seal is formed by welding the upper layer of the strip to the lower layer. Such welding is carried out by the application of energy, whether thermal or acoustic. Such a seal prevents bleeding at the edges of the strip.

[0010] In some embodiments, the seal does not completely enclose the absorbent area, thereby allowing the absorbent area to remain as a continuous strip rather than being interrupted for each sanitary napkin. This speeds up the manufacturing process, but at the cost of leaving unsealed portions and increasing the risk of leakage.

[0011] In one embodiment, the present invention features a sanitary-pad roll having a core and a strip wrapped around the core. When unfolded, the strip extends along a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the transverse direction. In addition, the strip includes an impermeable layer, an absorbent layer, and a weakening region, the weakening region extending along the transverse direction and defining segments that can be detached from the strip. When detached, these segments form the corresponding sanitary napkins. The impermeable layer, which is wider than the absorbent layer, is folded back along the longitudinal direction to form an overlap, thereby surrounding the absorbent layer.

[0012] In some embodiments, the weakened region includes perforations that penetrate the strip.

[0013] In other embodiments, the core includes a cardboard tube.

[0014] Embodiments include embodiments in which the sanitary napkin is die-cut, and embodiments in which the sanitary napkin includes wings.

[0015] Some embodiments include those in which overlapping portions are joined. These include embodiments in which the overlapping portions are joined by heat and embodiments in which the overlapping portions are joined by mechanical crimping.

[0016] The embodiments further include a configuration in which the absorbent layer comprises multiple absorbent regions separated by a gap between napkins, each of which corresponds to a sanitary napkin. In such embodiments, the fragile region extends across the gap between napkins.

[0017] Furthermore, some embodiments include a configuration in which each segment includes a first end and a second end separated from the first end along the longitudinal direction. In these embodiments, the first end includes a first seal, and the second end includes a second seal. Between these seals is the length of a strip extending between them. The weakened region extends across this length.

[0018] In yet another embodiment, the strip includes a first segment containing a first seal, a second segment containing a second seal, and a length extending between the first and second seals. The thickness of this length is thinner than the thickness of either the first or second seal. On the other hand, the thicknesses of the first and second seals are each thinner than the thickness of the absorbent layer.

[0019] In yet another embodiment, the strip includes a length that separates adjacent segments, and that length portion has a thickness of 0.5 mm to 2 mm.

[0020] In some embodiments, each segment includes a first end and a second end, the second end being longitudinally separated from the first end. The strip includes a seal extending from the first end to the second end, with the weakened region extending across the seal.

[0021] In other embodiments, the strip includes a seal that separates adjacent segments, the thickness of which is thinner than the thickness of the absorbent layer.

[0022] Embodiments include embodiments in which a strip has a thickness that periodically changes along its length with a spatial frequency that is a function of the number and length of sanitary napkins on the strip, and embodiments in which the thickness of the strip has a first value along the sanitary napkins and a second value between the sanitary napkins, thereby defining a square wave. Among these, there are embodiments in which the second value transitions between a third and a fourth value, thereby defining another square wave.

[0023] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the strip-like material has a thickness that varies along its longitudinal direction, with the thickness having a first value along the first portion, a second value along the second portion, a third value along the third portion, a second value along the fourth portion, and a first value along the fifth portion. The first and fifth portions each contain a sanitary napkin. The second, third, and fourth portions are located between the first and fifth portions, and the third portion is located between the second and fourth portions. In such embodiments, the third value is smaller than the second value, and the second value is smaller than the first value.

[0024] The embodiments further include embodiments having pairs of notches in the absorbent strip. These notches extend toward each other along the transverse direction and mark the boundaries between sanitary napkins. The embodiments also include embodiments having a centrally punched hole that penetrates the strip at intervals defining the longitudinal range of the sanitary napkins.

[0025] In addition, among the embodiments, there are embodiments in which the strip includes a terminal segment attached to only one other segment. This terminal segment includes a terminal edge extending along the transverse direction. In some of these embodiments, the terminal edge includes sealed corners on both sides of the unsealed space. In other embodiments, the terminal edge includes a sealed central portion and unsealed corners.

[0026] In addition, among the embodiments, there are embodiments in which the impermeable layer includes a backing material that is welded to itself to form an overlap and thereby forms a sealed compartment for each sanitary napkin to prevent the sanitary napkin from getting wet or soiled.

[0027] In some embodiments, the sanitary napkin is not die-cut. Instead, it is formed by tearing the strip in a transverse direction at a weakened area. In other embodiments, such as those in which the sanitary napkin is die-cut, the sanitary napkin is released by tearing the strip in a transverse direction at the weakened area.

[0028] The embodiments further include embodiments in which the absorbent layer is discontinuous along the longitudinal direction of the strip and embodiments in which the absorbent layer is continuous along that direction. Among the latter, there are embodiments in which the absorbent layer includes features periodically arranged along the layer at intervals equal to the length of the segment. Such features include examples of notches in the absorbent layer and examples of holes in the absorbent layer. In other embodiments, the product includes a wall-mounted dispenser for placement adjacent to a toilet. Such a dispenser includes a spindle. When a core is placed on the spindle and the strip is pulled, torque is generated to rotate the core. Embodiments in which the spindle is one of two spindles and the other spindle supports a roll of toilet paper are also among them.

[0029] In another aspect, the invention features a segment that includes a sanitary napkin disposed between a first layer and a second layer. The sanitary napkin includes a backing layer, an absorbent fabric, an absorption region between the backing layer and the absorbent fabric, and an adhesive layer disposed on the backing layer. The segment includes an edge portion at its end and a side edge portion along its side. The first and second layers are joined at these edges to form a seal around the sanitary napkin. At least one of the edge portions is torn to separate the segment from another similar segment. Then, the first and second layers are removed to obtain the sanitary napkin.

[0030] These and other aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and the appended claims.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0031] [Figure 1] A dual-roll dispenser for dispensing toilet paper and sanitary napkins is shown. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a view of a sanitary napkin held in the dispenser, showing an absorption region and a seal region surrounding the absorption region for preventing fluid leakage. [Figure 2A] FIG. 2 shows a modified example of the sanitary napkin, including wings that wrap around underwear for a more secure placement. [Figure 2B] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the sanitary napkin of FIG. 2, with cross-sectional dimensions enlarged for clarity of explanation. [Figure 3] FIG. 24 shows a continuous roll of sanitary napkins having an outer margin of the napkin and an outer layer that is folded back on both sides to completely cover the napkin. [Figure 3A] FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view of the sanitary napkin on the roll shown in FIG. 3. [Figure 4] FIG. 30 shows various states related to an assembly of a continuous strip of the sanitary napkin shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 4A] FIG. 33 is a segment separated from a continuous strip shown in FIG. 4, showing the torn edge. [Figure 4B] Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a continuous strip of material, illustrating the long, substantially thin portion between the segments of a sanitary napkin. [Figure 5] This is a diagram of an assembly of continuous strip-shaped materials having the cross-section shown in Figure 4B, illustrating the bias that occurs when the thin parts align with each other in the roll. [Figure 6] The image shows a sanitary napkin strip similar to the one shown in Figure 3, which is not die-cut and instead consists of a continuous strip containing rows of absorbent regions surrounded by sealing regions. [Figure 6A] Figure 4 shows a separated segment of a continuous strip assembly, illustrating the cut-off edge. [Figure 6B] This is a napkin removed from the assembly segment shown in Figure 6A, with its cut-off edge visible. [Figure 6C] Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view of a continuous strip-like material, illustrating the shortened, thinner portion. [Figure 7] Figure 6 shows a modified design of the napkin in which the absorbent area and the sealing area are continuous. [Figure 7A] Figure 7 shows a segment of the napkin design example obtained as a result of separation, indicating the area where leakage may occur. [Figure 7B] Figure 6 shows a second design variation of the napkin, in which the absorbent and sealing areas are continuous. [Figure 7C] Figure 7B shows a segment of the napkin design example obtained as a result of separation, indicating a corner where leakage may occur. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0032] Detailed explanation Figure 1 shows a wall-mounted dual dispenser 1 having two spindles 3, one of which holds a toilet paper roll 4 and the other holds a sanitary napkin roll 2. The dual dispenser 1 is typically mounted on the wall near the toilet.

[0033] The sanitary napkin roll 2 includes a strip-like material 40, as can be clearly seen in Figure 3. The strip-like material 40 includes connected segments 5 that are attached to each other at the weakened portion weakened by the perforation 6. Among these connected segments 5 is the outermost connected segment 5, which is characterized by being attached to only one of the other connected segments 5.

[0034] Referring to Figure 2, each connected segment 5 contains a sanitary napkin 10. A user who needs a sanitary napkin grasps the outermost connected segment 5 and pulls it in the tearing direction 9. This breaks the perforation 6. As a result, the user deforms the connected segment 5 into a separated segment 7. The user then removes the sanitary napkin 10 from the separated segment 7 and makes it available for use for its intended purpose.

[0035] Referring further to Figure 2, the sanitary napkin 10 has a width 12 and a length 13. In a typical embodiment, the sanitary napkin 10 is 30mm to 60mm along its width 12 and 140mm to 240mm along its length 13. The overall footprint 11 of the sanitary napkin is determined by the mold used to punch out the napkin 10. In some embodiments, such as that shown in Figure 2A, the mold used to form the sanitary napkin 10 results in a profile 11 with laterally extending wings 18 that wrap around underwear for further retention.

[0036] The sanitary napkin 10 includes an absorbent area 14 surrounded by a seal 15. The absorbent area 14 absorbs fluid (body fluid). The seal 15 prevents these absorbed fluids from leaking out of the absorbent area 14.

[0037] Figure 2B shows a cross-section of the sanitary napkin 10 in Figure 2, viewed from the line "AA". As is clear from Figure 2B, the absorbent area 14 includes absorbent material 23 located between the backing layer 21 and the absorbent fabric 24. The adhesive layer 22 allows the sanitary napkin 10 to adhere to underwear when in use.

[0038] The absorbent fabric 24 extends beyond the periphery of the absorbent region 14. As a result, a portion of the absorbent fabric 24 can be welded to the backing layer 21. This forms a fluid-impermeable seal 15. The total thickness 26 of the seal 15 is approximately 0.5 mm to 2 mm.

[0039] In some embodiments, the absorbent material 23 comprises a low-density polyethylene film, and the absorbent fabric 24 is a cotton nonwoven fabric. Other embodiments include those in which the absorbent material 23 comprises cotton, cellulose, a laminate, or an assembly comprising a superabsorbent polymer.

[0040] Embodiments relying on superabsorbent polymers are particularly useful due to the superabsorbent polymer's ability to absorb a considerable amount of liquid. The superabsorbent polymer is sprayed in powder form in a continuous operation. This results in a sanitary napkin 10 that absorbs as much fluid as thicker napkins that rely on cotton or cellulose. The number of sanitary napkins 10 that can be contained in a sanitary napkin roll 2 having a certain maximum diameter is limited to some extent by the thickness of the sanitary napkins 10. As a result, providing the thinnest possible sanitary napkins 10 makes it cost-effective to produce a sufficient number of napkins in roll form.

[0041] Figure 3 shows a continuous strip 40 of sanitary napkin 10, which is wound around a core 53 to form the sanitary napkin roll 2 shown in Figure 1. The core 53 of the sanitary napkin roll 2 is preferably a cardboard tube very similar to the core of a typical toilet paper roll 4.

[0042] The sanitary napkins 10 shown in Figure 3 are arranged sequentially along a continuous strip 40, on the outer layer 43 of the strip, in the direction of the roll 44. Suitable materials for the outer layer 43 are fluid-impermeable materials such as polyethylene film. Each sanitary napkin 10 is arranged such that its width 12 extends between a pair of outer margins 46.

[0043] The outer layer 43 extends laterally outward beyond the outer margins 46 on both sides of the sanitary napkin 10. The process of creating the strip 40 involves making two folds in the outer layer 43. Each of these folds lies along one of the two outer margins 46. This gives the outer layer 43 an overlapping portion 55 that overlaps itself and extends longitudinally. In some embodiments, the application of heat or adhesive forms a longitudinal joint 56 that holds the overlapping portion 55 in place. This longitudinal joint 56 is clearly visible in Figure 3A, a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in Figure 3.

[0044] Laterally extending perforations 6 penetrate the entire length of a continuous strip-like material 40. This makes it easy for the user to detach the segment 5 attached to the outermost end.

[0045] Referring to the cross-section BB in Figure 3A, this manufacturing process yields a layer 57 with folded edges 54. These folded edges 54 form a barrier 58 against contamination and water intrusion passing through the outer edge.

[0046] As shown in Figure 2B, the seal 15 is much thinner than the absorbent area 14. This causes irregularity in the cross-section (profile) of the sanitary napkin. This irregularity hinders the rolling of the strip 40 to form the sanitary napkin roll 2. This is because the seal's lack of rigidity prevents it from supporting parts that are radially outward from the seal. As a result, when the seal 15 is rolled onto the sanitary napkin roll 2, if the seals align along the same radial vector, something similar to a sinkhole is created. This causes an overall unevenness in the sanitary napkin roll 2, as shown in Figure 5.

[0047] As can be seen by comparing Figure 2B and Figure 3A, the edge fold 54 shown in Figure 3A adds enough height to function as a shim. This results in a more uniform thickness and enhances the ability to form a sanitary napkin roll 2.

[0048] Referring to Figure 4, one version of the assembly of a continuous strip 40 includes arranging die-cut sanitary napkins 10 on an outer layer 43 along a rolling direction 44, with each pair of sanitary napkins 10 separated by a space between napkins 61.

[0049] In the folded region 60, the outer layer 43 is folded back to form an overlapping portion 55. In a preferred embodiment, the overlapping portion 55 is heated or bonded to form a longitudinal joint 56.

[0050] In some embodiments, it is also useful to form a lateral joint 62 that extends laterally across the napkin space 61. The lateral joint 62 is particularly useful in preventing the lateral edge of the outermost segment 5 from being exposed. The lateral joint 62 is formed by mechanically crimping, heating, or bonding in the napkin space 61, thereby bonding the outer layer 43 to itself. The lateral joint 62 forms a compartment 63 that protects the sanitary napkin 10 enclosed therein from dust and soiling. As a result, the connected segments 5 shown in Figure 1 are obtained.

[0051] Next, the space 61 between the napkins is weakened to make it easier to detach the outermost segment 5 from the napkin roll 2. This is usually done by creating perforations 6 through the layers of material.

[0052] Referring to Figure 4A, after being separated from the sanitary napkin roll 2, the separated segment 7 will have torn or cut edges 71 at each end. Then, when the separated segment 7 is unfolded, a sanitary napkin 10 can be obtained.

[0053] Figure 4B shows a cross-section CC of the portion of Figure 4 that includes the napkin space 61. As is clear from the figure, there is a discontinuity in thickness 77 in the strip 40. In particular, the thickness of the absorbent region 14 far exceeds the thickness of the napkin space 61. This discontinuity 77 further includes an embedded discontinuity 76 within its range. This embedded discontinuity 76, which is typically only 0.04 mm thick, includes only the outer layer 43.

[0054] Figure 5 shows the height direction of the discontinuities 77 that are undesirably misaligned when forming the sanitary napkin roll 2. This can occur when the radial vector intersects with multiple discontinuities 77. As a result, the sanitary napkin roll 2 becomes uneven. This creates manufacturing difficulties, the degree of which depends on the difference between the thinnest and thickest parts of the strip 40 and the length of the discontinuities 77. To avoid these problems, it is preferable to make the discontinuities 77 as short as possible and to minimize the height difference caused by the discontinuities 77.

[0055] Figure 6 shows an embodiment that avoids the type of discontinuity 77 shown in Figure 4B. In the embodiment of Figure 6, the strip 40 includes a napkin support web 91 in which rows 92 of sanitary napkins 10 are arranged along the roll direction 44. The napkin support web 91 is arranged on an outer layer 43 along the roll direction 44. Each sanitary napkin 10 has an absorbent area 14 surrounded by a sealing area 15, similar to the embodiment shown in Figure 4B. In this embodiment, the pitch 94 when the sanitary napkins 10 are arranged is equal to the length of a single segment 5.

[0056] In the folded region 60, the outer layer 43 is folded back to form an overlap 55. In some embodiments, the application of heat or adhesive forms a longitudinal joint 56 that holds the overlap 55 in place.

[0057] In some embodiments, it is useful to form a transverse joint 95. The transverse joint 95 is formed by mechanically crimping, heating, or bonding in the napkin-to-napkin space 61 so that the outer layer 43 is joined to the seal 15 between each segment 5. This, in turn, forms a compartment 63 that protects the sanitary napkin 10 from dust and soiling. Subsequently, the layers of material between each napkin segment 5 are punched out to form perforations 6, or otherwise weakened, to allow for easy separation of the segments 5 attached to the ends from the continuous strip 40.

[0058] Using a conventional assembly machine, segments 5 can be cut from a continuous roll of absorbent material 23, and the joining operation can be timed so that the lateral joints 62 are positioned precisely between the material of the sealing area 15, while maintaining space between each segment 5. This is done in the rolling process without the use of special machinery to handle the individual cut components. The aforementioned method also avoids material waste when the segments 5 are rectangular. The aforementioned method also avoids delays when sanitary napkins must be die-cut, thereby enabling faster manufacturing.

[0059] In some embodiments, the transverse joint 62 is a thin strip. This geometric shape reduces the stress on the seal 15 when the user of the sanitary napkin 10 peels off the outer layer 43.

[0060] As shown in Figure 6A, the separated segment 7 will have torn or cut edges 71 at each end after being separated. This segment 7 can then be used in the same way as a standard sanitary napkin by peeling off the outer layer 43 and using the sanitary napkin 10 inside. As shown in Figure 6B, the sanitary napkin 10 obtained as a result of removing it from the separated segment 7 has a rectangular structure with an absorbent area 14 in the center surrounded by a sealing area 15 and torn edges 71 at each end.

[0061] Figure 6C shows a cross-section viewed from the line "CC" in Figure 6. As is clear, the resulting discontinuity 77 is significantly smaller than the discontinuity shown in Figure 4B. Therefore, this configuration reduces the likelihood of producing a biased sanitary napkin roll 2 as shown in Figure 5.

[0062] Referring to Figure 7, the alternative napkin support web 91 is characterized by having continuous absorbent areas 14 with notches 122 at regular intervals 123. These notches 122 mark the boundaries between adjacent sanitary napkins 10. In the rolling assembly process, the continuous absorbent areas 14 as shown in Figure 7 improve the production speed.

[0063] Referring to Figure 7A, the sanitary napkin 10 has seals at each of its corners 131 after being detached from the napkin support web 91. However, the inter-corner space 132 between the corners 131 allows fluid 133 to leak.

[0064] In another embodiment shown in Figure 7B, a centrally punched hole 142 along the napkin support web 91 allows for the formation of a seal 15 at regular intervals 123 corresponding to the length of the sanitary napkin 10.

[0065] As shown in Figure 7C, the sanitary napkin 10 from the napkin support web 91 shown in Figure 7B includes a sealed central portion 151 and an unsealed corner 152 through which the fluid 133 absorbed by the absorbent region 14 may leak out.

[0066] In the embodiment shown in Figure 7C, as the fluid 154 spreads from the absorbent region 14, it eventually reaches the corner region 155, which is close to the unsealed corner 152. These corner regions are furthest from the center of the absorbent region 14. Therefore, if it is necessary to choose not to seal a portion of the edge of the sanitary napkin as a compromise to facilitate ease of manufacturing, the corner 152 would be a better choice than the central portion 132 shown in Figure 7A. This is because the corner region 155 is furthest from the part of the absorbent region 10 that is expected to swell the most with the absorbed fluid.

[0067] For clarity, details of the economical manufacturing methods of these rolls, including materials, joining, adhesives, mounting methods to the rolls, perforation, and die-cutting, have been omitted, but it is assumed that a person skilled in the field of continuous fabric or paper manufacturing can manufacture the rolls described.

[0068] It should be understood that the above detailed description is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention as defined by the attached claims. Other embodiments are included in the following claims.

Claims

1. Products including sanitary napkin rolls, The aforementioned sanitary napkin roll includes a core and a strip-like material wrapped around the core. The strip extends along a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the transverse direction and includes an impermeable layer, an absorbent layer, and a weakening region, the weakening region extending along the transverse direction and defining connected segments that, when separated from the strip, form a corresponding sanitary napkin. The connected segments include the segment connected to the very end, and the segment connected to the very end is connected to only one of the other connected segments. The outer layer, which is an impermeable layer and is wider than the absorbent layer, is folded back along the longitudinal direction to form an overlapping portion. The overlapping portion of the outer layer is formed by being joined to itself along the longitudinal direction, The absorbent layer includes a plurality of absorbent regions separated along the longitudinal direction of the strip-shaped object, and each of the absorbent regions corresponds to a sanitary napkin. The outer layer itself is joined along the lateral direction so as to span the space between adjacent absorbent areas of the sanitary napkins, and has a lateral joint that forms each individual compartment of the sanitary napkin as a sealed compartment. The weakened region is formed within the lateral joint so as to extend across the gap between the napkins, The strip-like object includes a napkin support web in which rows of sanitary napkins are arranged along a roll direction which is the longitudinal direction, the napkin support web is arranged on the outer layer along the roll direction, each of the sanitary napkins is surrounded by a seal that prevents leakage of fluid from the absorbent area, and the outer layer is joined to the seal to form the lateral joint, As a result of being located within the compartment, the segment, including the most terminally connected segment, is prevented from having exposed lateral edges, and the sanitary napkin within the compartment is protected from wetting and soiling.

2. The product according to claim 1, wherein the weakened region includes a perforation that extends through the strip-shaped material.

3. The product according to claim 1, wherein the sanitary napkin is die-cut.

4. The product according to claim 1, wherein the sanitary napkin includes wings.

5. The product according to claim 1, wherein each segment includes a first end and a second end, the second end being separated from the first end along the longitudinal direction, the strip includes a seal extending from the first end to the second end, and the weakened region extending across the seal.

6. The product according to claim 1, wherein the strip includes a seal that separates adjacent segments, and the thickness of the seal is thinner than the thickness of the absorbent layer.

7. The product according to claim 1, wherein the strip has a length along the longitudinal direction, and the strip has a thickness that periodically changes along the length at a spatial frequency which is a function of the number of sanitary napkins on the strip and the length.

8. The product according to claim 1, wherein the strip has a thickness that varies along the longitudinal direction, and the thickness has a first value along the sanitary napkin and a second value between the sanitary napkins.

9. The product according to claim 1, wherein the number of lateral joints is equal to or greater than the number of segments.

10. The product according to claim 1, wherein the sanitary napkin is laid flat in each segment and the absorbent layer of the sanitary napkin is not folded.

11. The product according to claim 1, wherein the lateral joint is formed in the space between the napkins by mechanical crimping, heating, or bonding.

12. The product according to claim 1, wherein the absorbent region includes an absorbent material located between the absorbent fabric and the backing layer, and a portion of the absorbent fabric is welded to the backing layer beyond the range of the absorbent region, and the welded portion forms a fluid-impermeable seal.

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