Absorbent article packaging

Abstract

To provide an absorbent article package which can be folded into a compact size, and can suppress deterioration of a wearing feeling.SOLUTION: An absorbent article package 10 comprises: an absorbent article 11 comprising, a top sheet, a back sheet, an absorber 15, and an adhesive layer 16; and an individual package sheet 12. The absorbent article 11 has; a narrow region 17 which is provided at a center in a longitudinal direction; and a pair of wide regions 18a, 18b which is provided on both sides of the longitudinal direction. A thickness under a load of 35 g / cm2 in a state of expanding the absorbent article 11, is 4.5 mm or smaller, and first fold parts 30a, 30b when folding both sides of the absorbent article 11 and the individual package sheet 12 in a short direction, are along outer ends 15a, 15b on both sides of the absorber 15 in the short direction, and second fold parts 31a, 31b when folding both sides of the absorbent article 11 and the individual package sheet 12 in the longitudinal direction, are provided on front and rear wide regions 18a, 18b of the absorbent article 11.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This disclosure relates to absorbent article packaging. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a packaged absorbent article. This absorbent article comprises a surface sheet that comes into contact with the wearer's skin, a liquid-impermeable back sheet that does not allow liquid to pass through, and an absorbent body. On the surface sheet side, a pair of gathers are arranged at a predetermined distance in the width direction of the absorbent article and extending in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article. The back sheet has a central wing portion. The gathers and the central wing portion are folded back at a position that is widthwise outward from the edges on both sides of the absorbent body on the surface sheet, and widthwise inward from the fixed ends of the gathers relative to the surface sheet. This reduces the widthwise size when folded in use without impairing the function of the gathers. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2011-30801 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0004] In absorbent articles designed to be thin and compact by folding for easy portability, such as the absorbent article described in Patent Document 1, there is a possibility that the absorbent article may fold or lose its shape and become wrinkled when used, which may cause the absorbent article to shift while being worn, potentially reducing the wearing comfort.

[0005] Therefore, this disclosure aims to provide an absorbent article packaging that can be folded compactly while minimizing any decrease in wearing comfort. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To solve the above problems, the absorbent article packaging of the first aspect of the present invention comprises an absorbent article having a liquid-permeable top sheet located on the skin side when worn, a liquid-impermeable back sheet located on the non-skin side when worn, an absorbent material disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet, and an adhesive layer provided on the non-skin side surface of the back sheet, and an individual packaging sheet for individually packaging the absorbent article in a folded state, wherein the absorbent article has a constricted region located in the center of the longitudinal direction with its outer edge in the short direction recessed inward in the short direction, and a pair of wide regions located on both sides of the constricted region in the longitudinal direction with their outer edges in the short direction extending outward in the short direction more than the outer edge of the constricted region, and the absorbent article has a weight of 35 g / cm² when the individual packaging sheet is opened and the absorbent article is unfolded. 2 The thickness under load is 4.5 mm or less, both sides of the absorbent article and the individual packaging sheet in the short direction are folded inward in the short direction, the first folds on both sides in the short direction when folding both sides of the absorbent article and the individual packaging sheet in the short direction are along the outer edge of the absorbent in the short direction, both sides of the absorbent article and the individual packaging sheet in the longitudinal direction are folded inward in the longitudinal direction after both sides of the absorbent article and the individual packaging sheet in the short direction are folded, and the second folds on both sides in the longitudinal direction when folding both sides of the absorbent article and the individual packaging sheet in the longitudinal direction are located in the pair of wide areas of the absorbent article.

[0007] A second aspect of the present invention is an absorbent article packaging according to the first aspect, wherein the adhesive layer has a first adhesive portion that is positioned between the first fold portions on both sides in the short direction and extends longitudinally over the pair of wide regions and the constricted region, and four second adhesive portions that are positioned on both sides of the pair of wide regions in the short direction of the first adhesive portion, the four second adhesive portions of the adhesive layer being located on the first fold portions on both sides in the short direction of the absorbent article.

[0008] A third aspect of the present invention is an absorbent article packaging according to the second aspect, wherein the amount of adhesive applied to the four second adhesive portions of the adhesive layer is greater than the amount of adhesive applied to the first adhesive portion.

[0009] A fourth aspect of the present invention is an absorbent article packaging according to any of the first to third aspects, wherein the absorbent is formed in layers including a hydrophilic first sheet located on the skin side, a hydrophilic second sheet located on the non-skin side, and a superabsorbent polymer layer located between the first and second sheets, and at least one of the first and second sheets is a paper sheet. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to this disclosure, absorbent articles can be folded compactly, and the reduction in comfort when wearing the absorbent articles can be minimized. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is an unfolded view of an absorbent article packaging according to one embodiment of the present invention, as seen from the non-skin side. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram of the cross-section taken along the line II-II in Figure 1. [Figure 3] This is an explanatory diagram of the adhesive layer. [Figure 4] This is an explanatory diagram of the fold lines when folding absorbent materials. [Figure 5] This is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent article packaging in the short direction, with both sides folded in the short direction. [Figure 6] This is a side view from the short side of an absorbent article packaging with both sides folded in the longitudinal direction. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] The embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings, but these are provided for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the present invention.

[0013] Further, in the description of the present specification, the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article package refers to a direction along the front-back direction of the wearer when the absorbent article is worn, which is the direction along arrow X in the drawings. Further, the lateral direction of the absorbent article package refers to a direction transverse or orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, which is the direction along arrow Y in the drawings. Further, the skin-facing side of the absorbent article package refers to the direction facing the wearer's skin during wearing (the direction indicated by arrow Z in the drawings) in the thickness direction of the absorbent article, and the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent article package refers to the direction facing the side opposite to the wearer's skin during wearing (for example, the underwear side) (the direction opposite to the direction indicated by arrow Z in the drawings). Body fluid refers to liquids excreted from the body to the outside of the body, such as urine, blood, and moisture in loose stools. Furthermore, examples of absorbent articles particularly include sanitary napkins and light incontinence products, but are not limited thereto, and may be other absorbent articles.

[0014] Figure 1 is a developed view of an absorbent article package 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention viewed from the non-skin-facing side. Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II in Figure 1. Figure 3 is an explanatory view of the adhesive layer 16. In Figure 1, the individual packaging sheet 12 is indicated by a two-dot chain line. Further, in Figure 3, the illustration of the individual packaging sheet 12 is omitted.

[0015] [Absorbent article package] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the absorbent article package 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an absorbent article 11 and an individual packaging sheet 12 that individually packages the absorbent article 11 in a folded state.

[0016] The absorbent article 11 is, for example, an article that is attached to underwear to absorb body fluids, and includes a liquid-permeable top sheet 13 positioned on the skin-facing side when worn, a liquid-impermeable back sheet 14 positioned on the non-skin-facing side when worn, an absorbent body 15 disposed between the top sheet 13 and the back sheet 14, and an adhesive layer 16 provided on the non-skin-facing side surface of the back sheet 14. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, directions, dimensions, and the like related to the absorbent article 11 refer to those of the absorbent article 11 in an unfolded state.

[0017] [Absorbent articles] The absorbent article 11 has a constricted region 17 located in the center of the longitudinal direction when divided into three equal parts in the longitudinal direction, and a pair of wide regions 18a, 18b (hereinafter referred to as "front and rear wide regions 18a, 18b") located on both sides in the longitudinal direction. The outer edge 19a of the constricted region 17 in the short direction is recessed inward in the short direction. The front and rear wide regions 18a, 18b are located on both sides of the constricted region 17 in the longitudinal direction. The outer edges 19b, 19c of the front and rear wide regions 18a, 18b in the short direction extend outward in the short direction more than the outer edge 19a of the constricted region 17.

[0018] (Dimensions of absorbent material) The longitudinal dimension L1 of the absorbent article 11 is preferably 150 mm or more and 400 mm or less. The dimension L2 of the shortest point in the constricted region 17 of the absorbent article 11 (hereinafter simply referred to as "short dimension L2") is preferably 50 mm or more and 130 mm or less, and the dimension L3 of the shortest point in the short direction of the front and rear wide regions 18a and 18b (hereinafter simply referred to as "short dimension L3") is preferably 60 mm or more and 180 mm or less. Furthermore, the ratio (%) of the short dimension L3 of the front and rear wide regions 18a and 18b to the short dimension L2 of the constricted region 17 is preferably 103% or more and 130% or less. By adjusting the dimensions of the absorbent article 11 to the above range, an absorbent article 11 suitable for sanitary napkins and light incontinence products can be obtained.

[0019] (Top sheet) The top sheet 13 is formed from a substrate that has liquid permeability, allowing bodily fluids to move to the absorbent material 15. Examples of substrates include nonwoven fabrics such as air-through nonwoven fabric, thermal-bonded nonwoven fabric, and spunbond nonwoven fabric, as well as composite nonwoven fabrics formed by laminating thermal-bonded / spunbonded materials. The top sheet 13 may also be embossed or perforated on its surface to improve liquid permeability. Known methods can be used without limitation for these embossing and perforating processes. Furthermore, to reduce skin irritation, the top sheet 13 may contain lotions, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory components, pH adjusters, antibacterial agents, moisturizers, etc.

[0020] (Back seat) The backsheet 14 is formed using a liquid-impermeable base material to prevent the bodily fluids held by the absorbent material 15 from wetting the clothing. Examples of the base material for the backsheet 14 include liquid-impermeable plastic films that are either breathable or impermeable. To make the backsheet 14 breathable, for example, a filler can be compounded into the resin film of the base material, or the backsheet 14 can be embossed. Calcium carbonate can be used as a filler, and the compounding method can be any known method without limitation.

[0021] (Absorbent) As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the absorbent body 15 is a portion capable of absorbing and retaining bodily fluids, and is formed in layers by alternately laminating multiple hydrophilic sheets 20 and superabsorbent polymer layers 21 (SAP), preferably without containing fluff pulp. The absorbent body 15 extends continuously in the longitudinal direction from the front wide region 18a of the absorbent article 11 through the constricted region 17 to the rear wide region 18b. The absorbent body 15 extends in the longitudinal direction across the front and rear wide regions 18a, 18b and the constricted region 17. The dimension L4 in the short direction of the absorbent body 15 is preferably 40 mm or more and 100 mm or less, and more preferably 40 mm or more and 80 mm or less. Furthermore, the dimension L5 in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent body 15 is preferably 130 mm or more and 360 mm or less.

[0022] The absorbent body 15 of this embodiment is a seven-layer absorbent body 15 formed by alternately laminating a plurality of hydrophilic sheets 20 and a plurality of superabsorbent polymer layers 21. The absorbent body 15 is laminated in the following order from the skin side to the non-skin side: a hydrophilic skin-side sheet (first sheet) 20a, a first superabsorbent polymer layer 21a, a hydrophilic first intermediate sheet 20b, a second superabsorbent polymer layer 21b, a hydrophilic second intermediate sheet 20c, a third superabsorbent polymer layer 21c, and a hydrophilic non-skin-side sheet (second sheet) 20d. That is, the absorbent body 15 is formed in layers including the hydrophilic skin-side sheet 20a located closest to the skin, the hydrophilic non-skin-side sheet 20d located closest to the non-skin, and the superabsorbent polymer layers 21a to 21c located between the skin-side sheet 20a and the non-skin-side sheet 20d. The layers of the absorbent material 15 are not limited to the seven layers described above, and it is sufficient to have at least a skin-side sheet 20a, a non-skin-side sheet 20d, and a superabsorbent polymer layer 21 between them. For example, the absorbent material 15 may have five layers without providing a hydrophilic second intermediate sheet 20c and a third superabsorbent polymer layer 21c.

[0023] The multiple hydrophilic sheets 20 are formed from a permeable substrate, similar to the top sheet 13. Examples of substrates for the hydrophilic sheets 20 include nonwoven fabrics similar to those used for the top sheet 13, or paper. At least one of the skin-side sheet 20a and the non-skin-side sheet 20d is preferably a paper sheet.

[0024] The superabsorbent polymers constituting the multiple superabsorbent polymer layers 21 are not particularly limited as long as they can absorb bodily fluids and prevent backflow. Materials such as sodium polyacrylate, polyaspartate, (starch-acrylic acid) graft copolymer, (acrylic acid-vinyl alcohol) copolymer, (isobutylene-maleic anhydride) copolymer, and their saponified products can be used. Among these, sodium polyacrylate is preferred from the viewpoint of absorption per unit weight. The superabsorbent polymer may, for example, constitute the superabsorbent polymer layers 21 by being supported between multiple napped fibers of a hydrophilic nonwoven fabric (base nonwoven fabric).

[0025] (Adhesive layer) As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the adhesive layer 16 is provided on the non-skin side of the backsheet 14 for attaching the absorbent article 11 to the wearer's underwear, etc. Known materials can be used for the adhesive constituting the adhesive layer 16. In this embodiment, the adhesive layer 16 is formed by applying a hot-melt adhesive to the non-skin side of the backsheet 14.

[0026] The ratio (%) of the total area of ​​the adhesive layer 16 to the total area of ​​the non-skin side of the absorbent article 11 (the non-skin side of the back sheet 14) is set to 20% or more and 45% or less.

[0027] The adhesive layer 16 has a plurality of (five in this embodiment) first adhesive portions 22a to 22e located on the central side in the short direction of the absorbent article 11, and four second adhesive portions 23a to 23d located on the outer sides on both sides in the short direction of the plurality of first adhesive portions 22a to 22e.

[0028] (1st adhesive part) The multiple first adhesive portions 22a to 22e are arranged in parallel to the inner side in the short direction of the absorbent body 15, beyond the outer ends 15a and 15b on both sides in the short direction, and extend linearly in the longitudinal direction. The multiple first adhesive portions 22a to 22e extend linearly from the front wide region 18a of the absorbent article 11 through the constricted region 17 to the rear wide region 18b. That is, the multiple first adhesive portions 22a to 22e extend longitudinally across the front and rear wide regions 18a and 18b and the constricted region 17. In this embodiment, multiple first adhesive portions 22a to 22e are provided, but the embodiment is not limited to this, and it is sufficient to provide at least one first adhesive portion.

[0029] In this embodiment, the longitudinal length L6 of the multiple first adhesive sections 22a to 22e is set to 200 mm. The spacing S1 between the multiple first adhesive sections 22a to 22e is set to 3 mm. Of the multiple first adhesive sections 22a to 22e, the width L7 (length in the short direction) of the first adhesive sections 22a and 22e at both ends in the short direction is set to 10 mm, and the width L8 of the remaining three first adhesive sections 22b to 22d is set to 5 mm. The coating amount for the multiple first adhesive sections 22a to 22e is 40 g / m². 2 That is the case.

[0030] (Second adhesive part) The four second adhesive portions 23a to 23d are arranged on both sides in the short direction of the multiple first adhesive portions 22a to 22e in the front and rear wide regions 18a and 18b. Specifically, the four second adhesive portions 23a to 23d are the second adhesive portions 23a and 23b provided on both sides in the short direction of the front wide region 18a of the absorbent article 11, and the second adhesive portions 23c and 23d provided on both sides in the short direction of the rear wide region 18b. Of the four second adhesive portions 23a to 23d, the second adhesive portions 23a and 23c on one side in the short direction are positioned to overlap in the thickness direction with the outer end 15a on one side in the short direction of the absorbent body 15. Furthermore, of the four second adhesive portions 23a to 23d, the second adhesive portions 23b and 23d on the other side in the short direction are positioned to overlap in the thickness direction with the other outer end 15b of the absorber 15 in the short direction.

[0031] In this embodiment, the longitudinal length L9 of the four second adhesive sections 23a to 23d is set to 30 mm. The width L10 (shorter length) of the four second adhesive sections 23a to 23d is set to 10 mm. The spacing S2 between the second adhesive sections 23a, 23c and the first adhesive section 22a, and the spacing S3 between the second adhesive sections 23b, 23d and the first adhesive section 22e are each set to 5 mm. The coating weight of the four second adhesive sections 23a to 23d is 60 g / m². 2 Thus, it is preferable that the amount of coating applied to the four second adhesive portions 23a to 23d is greater than the amount of coating applied to the first adhesive portions 22a to 22e, but it is not limited to this.

[0032] (Width of the adhesive layer) It is preferable that the ratio (%) of the width L11 of the multiple first adhesive parts 22a to 22e (length in the short direction from the outer end of the first adhesive part 22a to the outer end of the first adhesive part 22e) to the dimension L2 in the short direction of the constricted region 17 of the absorbent article 11 is 40% or more and 60% or less. It is also preferable that the ratio (%) of the width L12 of the second adhesive parts 23a to 23d (length in the short direction from the outer ends of the second adhesive parts 23a, 23c to the outer ends of the second adhesive parts 23b, 23d) to the dimension L3 in the short direction of the front and rear wide regions 18a, 18b of the absorbent article 11 is 50% or more and 80% or less. Furthermore, it is preferable that the ratio (%) of the width L12 of the second adhesive parts 23a to 23d to the width L11 of the multiple first adhesive parts 22a to 22e is 150% or more and 200% or less.

[0033] (Three-dimensional gathers) Furthermore, it is preferable to provide three-dimensional gathers (not shown) along the longitudinal direction on both sides of the short-side surface of the absorbent article 11 to prevent lateral leakage of bodily fluids. When three-dimensional gathers are provided, the three-dimensional gather sheets are located only on the outside in the short-side direction of the first folds 30a and 30b.

[0034] [Individually packaged sheets] The individual packaging sheet 12 is a sheet for individually packaging the absorbent article 11 and is capable of holding the absorbent article 11 in a folded state. The individual packaging sheet 12 can individually package the absorbent article 11 by folding it back to enclose the absorbent article 11 with the non-skin side of the absorbent article 11 adhered to one side of the individual packaging sheet 12. One side of the individual packaging sheet 12 is peelably adhered to the adhesive layer 16 of the back sheet 14 of the absorbent article 11.

[0035] The individual packaging sheet 12 is made of nonwoven fabric, resin film, paper, or a laminate of two or more of these materials. Preferably, a release agent such as a silicone-based release agent or a fluorine-based release agent is applied to one side of the individual packaging sheet 12.

[0036] (Thickness under load) The absorbent material 11 is unfolded after opening the individual packaging sheet 12 and has a load capacity of 35 g / cm². 2The thickness under load is set to 4.5 mm or less. Absorbent article 11: 35 g / cm 2 The thickness under load is, for example, 35 g / cm² for the absorbent article 11 when it is spread out and placed on a reference surface. 2 A pressurized weight is placed on top, and the height from the reference surface to the predetermined position of the weight is measured using a height gauge. The measured value is then subtracted from the height from the bottom surface of the weight itself to the predetermined position.

[0037] Next, we will explain how to fold the absorbent article 11 when individually packaging it.

[0038] Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram of the folds when the absorbent article 11 is folded. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent article packaging 10 in the short direction with both sides in the short direction folded. Figure 6 is a side view of the absorbent article packaging 10 in the short direction with both sides in the long direction folded. Note that, as with Figure 1, Figure 4 shows the absorbent article 11 as viewed from the non-skin side.

[0039] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, when folding and individually packaging the absorbent article 11 from an unfolded state, first, with the absorbent article 11 placed on the individual packaging sheet 12, both sides of the absorbent article 11 and the individual packaging sheet 12 in the short direction are folded toward the skin and then folded inward in the short direction.

[0040] When folding both sides of the absorbent article 11 and the individual packaging sheet 12 in the short direction, the first folds 30a and 30b on both sides in the short direction (shown as dashed lines 30a and 30b in Figure 4) are aligned with the outer edges 15a and 15b on both sides in the short direction of the absorbent material 15. The first folds 30a and 30b are located outside in the short direction of the first adhesive portions 22a to 22e of the adhesive layer 16 and overlap with the four second adhesive portions 23a to 23d in the thickness direction. That is, the first adhesive portions 22a to 22e of the adhesive layer 16 are located between the first folds 30a and 30b on both sides in the short direction, and the four second adhesive portions 23a to 23d of the adhesive layer 16 are located on the first folds 30a and 30b on both sides in the short direction. Specifically, the second adhesive portions 23a and 23c are located on the first fold portion 30a on one side, and the second adhesive portions 23b and 23d are located on the first fold portion 30b on the other side. Note that the first fold portions 30a and 30b being aligned with the outer ends 15a and 15b on both sides in the short direction of the absorbent material 15 means not only that the first fold portions 30a and 30b are located at the same position in the short direction as the outer ends 15a and 15b of the absorbent material 15, but also that the first fold portions 30a and 30b are close enough to the outer ends 15a and 15b of the absorbent material 15 that no creases are formed on the absorbent material 15. Furthermore, the first fold portions 30a and 30b are the parts that form creases in the absorbent material 11 when the absorbent material 11 is folded, and may or may not have special features for folding (e.g., features to facilitate folding).

[0041] Next, both longitudinal sides of the absorbent article 11 and the individual packaging sheet 12 are folded toward the skin and then folded inward along their longitudinal directions. That is, after folding both short sides of the absorbent article 11 and the individual packaging sheet 12, both longitudinal sides of the absorbent article 11 and the individual packaging sheet 12 are folded. When folding both longitudinal sides of the absorbent article 11 and the individual packaging sheet 12, one longitudinal side (e.g., the rear) is folded first, and the other longitudinal side (e.g., the front) is folded afterward. As a result, the absorbent article 11 is in a tri-fold state (see Figure 6). It is preferable to provide a tab tape 24 on the other longitudinal end of the individual packaging sheet 12, as shown in Figure 6, and to secure the tab tape 24 to hold the absorbent article 11 in a tri-fold state. In this way, the individual packaging sheet 12 individually packages the absorbent article 11 in its folded state.

[0042] The second folds 31a and 31b on both sides in the longitudinal direction when folding the absorbent article 11 and the individual packaging sheet 12 (shown as dashed lines 31a and 31b in Figure 4) are located in the wide areas 18a and 18b at the front and back of the absorbent article 11. The second folds 31a and 31b are the parts that become folds in the absorbent article 11 when it is folded, and may or may not have special features for folding (for example, features to make it easier to fold).

[0043] (Dimensions when folded) The dimensions of the absorbent article packaging 10 in its folded state in the shorter direction are preferably 40 mm to 100 mm, and more preferably 40 mm to 80 mm. The dimensions of the absorbent article packaging 10 in its folded state in the longer direction are preferably 50 mm to 150 mm, and more preferably 50 mm to 100 mm. By setting the dimensions of the absorbent article packaging 10 in its folded state within the above ranges, the dimensions of the absorbent article packaging 10 become similar in size to pocket tissues, making it easy to put in a pouch or pocket and extremely easy to carry.

[0044] In the absorbent article packaging 10 configured as described above, the absorbent content is 35 g / cm² when the individual packaging sheet 12 is opened and the absorbent article 11 is spread out. 2 Since the thickness under load is 4.5 mm or less, discomfort when wearing the absorbent article 11 can be minimized, resulting in a good wearing experience, and the absorbent article 11 does not become bulky overall even when folded.

[0045] Furthermore, since the absorbent article 11 has a constricted area 17 on the central side when divided into three equal parts in the longitudinal direction, the width of the area of ​​the absorbent article 11 located in the crotch of the wearer (constricted area 17) is narrowed, which can reduce discomfort when wearing it.

[0046] Furthermore, the first folds 30a and 30b, formed when folding both sides of the absorbent article 11 and the individual packaging sheet 12 in the shorter direction, are aligned with the outer ends 15a and 15b of the absorbent material 15. In other words, since the absorbent material 15 is not folded when both sides of the absorbent article 11 in the shorter direction are folded, no creases are formed on both sides of the absorbent material 15 in the shorter direction when the absorbent article 11 is unfolded. Therefore, even if both sides of the absorbent article 11 in the shorter direction are folded to make the absorbent article 11 more compact in its packaging, no creases are formed on both sides of the absorbent material 15 in the shorter direction when worn. This prevents the absorbent article 11 from becoming creased or wrinkled due to the creases in the absorbent material 15, and reduces slippage when worn. This helps to minimize a decrease in the comfort of wearing the absorbent article 11.

[0047] Furthermore, the second folds 31a and 31b, formed when folding both sides of the absorbent article 11 and the individual packaging sheet 12 in the longitudinal direction, are located in the wide front and back regions 18a and 18b of the absorbent article 11. That is, even if the absorbent article 11 is unfolded and creases form at the second folds 31a and 31b, these creases do not form in the constricted region 17 located in the crotch area when worn. Therefore, even with an absorbent article 11 that can be folded compactly, a decrease in the feeling of wearing it in the crotch area can be suppressed. In addition, since no creases form in the constricted region 17 located in the crotch area when worn, it is possible to prevent the absorbent article 11 from folding or wrinkling due to creases, and to suppress slippage when worn.

[0048] Furthermore, the four second adhesive portions 23a to 23d of the adhesive layer 16 are located on the first fold portions 30a and 30b on both sides in the short direction. Therefore, when the absorbent article 11 is unfolded, the four second adhesive portions 23a to 23d can suppress the formation of creases in the first fold portions 30a and 30b. This suppresses the upward movement of both sides in the short direction of the absorbent article 11 when it is unfolded, thereby preventing a decrease in the comfort of wearing the absorbent article 11.

[0049] Furthermore, by increasing the amount of adhesive applied to the four second adhesive sections 23a to 23d compared to the amount applied to the first adhesive sections 22a to 22e, the formation of creases in the first fold sections 30a and 30b when the absorbent article 11 is unfolded can be further suppressed by the four second adhesive sections 23a to 23d. In addition, the shifting of the absorbent article 11 during attachment can be further suppressed.

[0050] Furthermore, by forming the absorbent body 15 in layers by alternately laminating multiple hydrophilic sheets 20 and superabsorbent polymer layers 21, and by not including fluff pulp in the absorbent body 15, the thickness of the absorbent article 11 can be reduced. As a result, the absorbent article 11 can be folded compactly, and the deterioration of the wearing comfort of the absorbent article 11 can be minimized.

[0051] Furthermore, if at least one of the skin-side sheet 20a and the non-skin-side sheet 20d of the absorbent material 15 is made of paper, the rigidity of the paper can suppress the folding and wrinkling of the absorbent material 15 during wear, thereby reducing slippage during wear and preventing a decrease in wearing comfort.

[0052] Thus, according to this embodiment, the absorbent article 11 can be folded compactly, and the decrease in the comfort of wearing the absorbent article 11 can be suppressed.

[0053] As described above, the present invention has been described based on the above embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the content of the above embodiments, and appropriate modifications can naturally be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. That is, it goes without saying that all other embodiments, examples, operation techniques and the like made by those skilled in the art based on this embodiment are all included in the scope of the present invention. [Examples]

[0054] The present invention will be described with reference to examples below, but the present invention is not limited in any way by the examples.

[0055] Absorbent article packages of Examples 1 to 8 and Comparative Examples 1 to 3 were produced. Then, 10 panelists actually used each of the produced absorbent article packages, and performed sensory evaluation on the following three items: ease of carrying, resistance to displacement and wrinkling, and good wearing comfort.

[0056] In the absorbent article packages of Examples 1 to 8, the top sheet of the absorbent article has a basis weight of 25 g / m 2 air-through nonwoven fabric, and the back sheet has a basis weight of 32 g / m 2 breathable polyethylene sheet. As described in the above embodiment, the absorber is formed into a 7-layer structure that does not contain fluff pulp. The individual packaging sheet is a silicon-coated polyethylene sheet with a basis weight of 25 g / m 2 The length between the first fold portions on both sides in the transverse direction of the absorbent article is 70 mm, and the length between the second fold portions on both sides in the longitudinal direction is 100 mm. Further, in the absorbent article packages of Examples 1 to 7, among the plurality of hydrophilic sheets of the absorber, the skin-side sheet, the first intermediate sheet, and the second intermediate sheet have a basis weight of 15 g / m 2 spunbond nonwoven fabric, the non-skin-side sheet has a basis weight of 16 g / m 2 tissue (paper sheet), and in the absorbent article package of Example 8, all hydrophilic sheets of the absorber have a basis weight of 15 g / m 2The spunbond nonwoven fabric was used. Specifically, "Sheet + SAP" in the "Absorbent" column of Table 1 indicates that the non-skin side sheet of the layered absorbent, which does not contain fluff pulp, is made of tissue (paper sheet), and "No Tissue" in the "Absorbent" column indicates that tissue (paper sheet) is not used for either the skin side or the non-skin side sheet of the layered absorbent, which does not contain fluff pulp.

[0057] The "ease of carrying" was evaluated using a three-level sensory assessment based on the number of monitors who rated each individually packaged absorbent material as "easy to carry" among 10 monitors. The evaluation criteria were as follows: ◎: More than 8 monitors found it "easy to carry around". ○: 4 to 7 monitors found it "easy to carry." △: Three or fewer monitors found it "easy to carry."

[0058] The evaluation of "resistance to shifting and bunching" was conducted using a three-level sensory evaluation among 10 monitors, based on the number of monitors who evaluated the absorbent material as "less prone to shifting and bunching" when used. The evaluation criteria are as follows: ◎: More than 8 monitors felt that the product was "less prone to shifting or wrinkling." ○: 4 to 7 monitors felt that the product was "less prone to shifting or wrinkling." △: Three or fewer monitors felt that the product was "less prone to shifting or wrinkling."

[0059] The evaluation of "comfort (i.e., minimal discomfort during wear)" was conducted using a three-level sensory evaluation among 10 monitors, based on the number of monitors who rated the absorbent material as "comfortable to wear" when using it. The evaluation criteria are as follows: ◎: More than 8 monitors felt that the fit was good. ○: 4 to 7 monitors felt that the fit was good. △: Three or fewer monitors felt the fit was good.

[0060] The results obtained are shown in Table 1.

[0061] [Table 1]

[0062] Based on the above, it has been confirmed that the absorbent article packaging of the present invention allows absorbent articles to be folded compactly, while also suppressing a decrease in the comfort of wearing the absorbent articles. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 10: Absorbent article packaging 11: Absorbent articles 12: Individually packaged sheets 13: Top sheet 14: Back seat 15: Absorbent material 16: Adhesive layer 17: Waistline 18a, 18b: A pair of broad regions 20a: Skin-facing sheet (first sheet) 20d: Non-skin side sheet (2nd sheet) 21: Superabsorbent polymer layer 22a~22e: 1st adhesive part 23a~23d: Four second adhesive parts 30a, 30b: First fold 31a, 31b: Second fold section

Claims

1. An absorbent article comprising: a liquid-permeable top sheet located on the skin side when worn; a liquid-impermeable back sheet located on the non-skin side when worn; an absorbent material positioned between the top sheet and the back sheet; and an adhesive layer provided on the non-skin side of the back sheet. The system comprises an individual packaging sheet for individually packaging the absorbent article in a folded state, The absorbent article has a constricted region located in the center of the longitudinal direction when divided into three equal parts in the longitudinal direction, with its outer edge in the short direction recessed inward in the short direction, and a pair of wide regions located on both sides of the constricted region in the longitudinal direction, with their outer edges in the short direction extending outward in the short direction beyond the outer edge of the constricted region. The absorbent material is 35 g / cm² when the individual packaging sheet is opened and the absorbent material is spread out. ２ The thickness under load is 4.5 mm or less. Both sides of the absorbent article and the individual packaging sheet in the short direction are folded inward in the short direction. When folding both sides of the absorbent article and the individual packaging sheet in the short direction, the first folds on both sides in the short direction do not overlap the absorbent material and are along the outer edge of the absorbent material in the short direction. The longitudinal sides of the absorbent article and the individual packaging sheet are folded inward in the longitudinal direction after the short sides of the absorbent article and the individual packaging sheet have been folded. The second folds on both sides in the longitudinal direction when folding both sides in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article and the individual packaging sheet are located in the pair of wide areas of the absorbent article. The adhesive layer has a first adhesive portion that is positioned between the first fold portions on both sides in the short direction and extends in the longitudinal direction over the pair of wide regions and the constricted region, and four second adhesive portions that are positioned on both sides of the pair of wide regions in the short direction of the first adhesive portion. The four second adhesive portions of the adhesive layer are located on the first fold portions on both sides in the short direction of the absorbent article. An absorbent article packaging characterized by the following features.

2. The amount of adhesive applied to the four second adhesive portions of the adhesive layer is greater than the amount of adhesive applied to the first adhesive portion. The absorbent article packaging according to feature 1.

3. The absorbent material is formed in layers, comprising a hydrophilic first sheet located closest to the skin, a hydrophilic second sheet located closest to the non-skin side, and a superabsorbent polymer layer located between the first and second sheets. At least one of the first sheet and the second sheet is a paper sheet. The absorbent article packaging according to claim 1 or 2.

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