A packaging wrap for a disposable hygiene article and a packaging unit comprising both

Abstract

A packaging wrap (10) for a disposable hygiene article (78) is disclosed. The packaging wrap comprises an elongated sheet (12) having a first and a second folding axis (26; 28) dividing the elongated sheet into a first end region (30), a second end region (32) and a central region (34) between the first end region (30) and the second edge region (32). The elongated sheet (12) has a first side edge zone (36) and a second side edge zone (38). The packaging wrap (10) further comprises strips of adhesive in the first and second side edge zones (36, 38). The strips of adhesive including a first pair of strips of adhesive (40) in the first end region (30), a second pair of strips of adhesive (42) in the second end region (32), and a central pair of strips of adhesive (44) in the central region (34), with each strip of the pair of strips having a width (ws) extending in a transverse direction (T) from its respective longitudinal edge. The first pair of strips of adhesive (40) has a first grammage, the second pair of strips of adhesive (42) has a second grammage, and the central pair of strips of adhesive (44) has a third grammage, the third grammage being less than said first and second grammage.

Description

[0001] A PACKAGING WRAP FOR A DISPOSABLE HYGIENE ARTICLE AND A PACKAGING

[0002] UNIT COMPRISING BOTH

[0003] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0004] The present invention relates to a packaging wrap for a disposable hygiene article and to a packaging unit comprising a packaging wrap and a disposable hygiene article.

[0005] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Disposable hygiene articles, such as sanitary napkins and panty liners, are normally packaged individually in e.g. an easy wrap or a single wrap. Individual packages facilitate hygienic carrying of single articles for future use, e.g. in a handbag. The edges of the individual packages are often sealed by means of ultrasonic welding or heat welding. Further, the packaging units are often used both as a means for packaging an unused article and for disposal of the used article. It is desirable that used articles of this kind can be disposed of discretely and hygienically. This may be particularly important when the user lacks the possibility to dispose of the used article immediately after the used article has been replaced, e.g. when there is no waste bin available in the toilet area. In this case, the user may need to temporarily store the used article in a handbag or backpack, which requires that the package is tightly sealed in order to avoid staining and odour.

[0007] WO 88 / 10219 discloses a packaging unit which is formed by folding an elongated sheet of material provided along the mutually parallel edges thereof with a continuous or broken narrow coating of pressure-sensitive adhesive by means of which the container part is held together, with adhesive surfaces lying against and bonding to adhesive surfaces. The packaging unit further comprises a lid coated at least partially with a pressure-sensitive adhesive so as to enable the lid to be refastened to the outside of the container part. Such a packaging unit thus has very strongly sealed side seams where the adhesive-coated surfaces are in contact with each other, and a resealable lid providing a tightly sealed disposal package. However, since the adhesive-coated surfaces are in contact with each other, it is impossible to unfold the sheet completely for positioning of a used item, which thus has to be inserted into the rather limited container part. This may be disadvantageous, since a used hygiene article often becomes more bulky than before use, making it difficult to insert it into the container part. A conventional type of packaging unit intended for packaging single articles comprises an elongated rectangular sheet of material which is folded to form a bag-like package with a folded-over lid, also called e-folding. These known packaging units are welded along the edges by means of heat or ultrasound, and are opened by tearing along the welded seams at the edges, so that the package may be unfolded to expose the contents of the package.

[0008] The main drawback of welded packaging units of this kind is that they cannot be used satisfactorily as disposal bags since, once opened, the packages cannot be resealed and therefore do not allow a used article to be packaged in an acceptable manner with regard to hygiene. Furthermore, the unfolded packaging sheet has non-aesthetic appearance, since the broken welds are often uneven and frilly.

[0009] WO 2015 / 060770 discloses a packaging unit for hygiene articles The packaging unit for is formed from a sheet of material having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface comprising an edge zone comprising an inner edge portion and an outer edge portion. The sheet has two folding axes dividing the sheet into a first region, a second region and a third region, such that the packaging unit may be folded along the folding axes with the first, second and third regions in an overlapping configuration. One of the inner edge portion and the outer edge portion of the edge zone of the second region is provided with resealable adhesive, and the other of the inner edge portion and the outer edge portion of the edge zone of the second region is adhesive-free and is provided with a release agent. The release agent is provided in order to be able to control the adhesive strength of the resealable adhesive. Further, one of the inner edge portion and the outer edge portion of the edge zone of the first region and one of the inner edge portion and the outer edge portion of the edge zone of the third region are provided with resealable adhesive in a complementary manner to the edge portion being provided with resealable adhesive in the second region such that a chessboard pattern of resealable adhesive is formed along the edge zone. Moreover, the other of the inner edge portion and the outer edge portion of the edge zone of the first region and the other of the inner edge portion and the outer edge portion of the edge zone of the third region are free from resealable adhesive and from release agent. When the sheet is folded about the first folding axis, the edge portion carrying resealable adhesive in the first region is brought in contact with the edge portion carrying release agent in the second region, and the edge portion carrying resealable adhesive in the second region is brought in contact with the adhesive-free edge portion in the first region, thus forming a pocket. When the packaging unit is folded around the second folding axis, the edge portion carrying resealable adhesive in the third region is brought in contact with the outer surface of the packaging unit in the first region, thus forming a lid. Such a folding of a packaging unit is commonly referred to as e-folding. As the adhesive-coated edge portions of the packaging unit of WO 2015 / 060770 are not in contact with each other when the packaging unit is folded, the packaging unit can be readily opened and resealed, providing a tight disposal package. At the same time, due to the presence of release agent in the second region, tensile strength of the adhesively sealed edges of the pocket of the packaging unit using the adhesive pattern of the present invention is sufficient to provide a tight package for both a new and a used article, and low enough to provide a readily-opened package.

[0010] A disadvantage with the packaging unit of WO 2015 / 060770 is that the chessboard pattern of resealable adhesive along the edge zones occupies a greater area than a single linear strip of adhesive. This means that, for a given size of hygiene article, the sheet of material of the packaging unit must be wider than that for packaging units having a single linear strip of adhesive along each edge zone. A larger sheet of material implies increased costs.

[0011] When seeking to use as little an amount of packaging material as possible, it would be advantageous to use a sheet of material for the packaging unit that is only slightly wider than the packaged hygiene article. However, due to manufacturing tolerances, there is a risk that the hygiene article will not be perfectly centered on the sheet of material such that the backsheet of the hygiene article may inadvertently come into contact with the adhesive along the edge zones. Particularly when packaging a hygiene article having a lightweight backsheet, there is a risk that the backsheet will be torn when trying to remove the hygiene article from the packaging unit. This risk is exacerbated if the hygiene article is provided with wings folded over the topsheet. This is because, during production, the wings may be dislodged from their intended position and come into contact with the adhesive along the edges of the central region of the sheet of material.

[0012] Hence there is a need for a compact packaging wrap which is suitable for packaging a disposable hygiene article having a lightweight backsheet.

[0013] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, the above need is fulfilled by the packaging wrap of claim 1.

[0015] Thus, the invention pertains to a packaging wrap for a disposable hygiene article. The packaging wrap comprises an elongated sheet of material having an inner surface and an outer surface, the elongated sheet having a sheet length extending in a longitudinal direction and a sheet width extending in a transverse direction substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal direction. The elongated sheet comprises a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge, the first and second longitudinal edges extending in the longitudinal direction. The elongated sheet further comprises a first transverse edge and a second transverse edge, the first and second transverse edges extending in the transverse direction. The elongated sheet has a first and a second folding axis dividing the elongated sheet into a first end region extending in the longitudinal direction from the first transverse edge to the first folding axis, a second end region extending in the longitudinal direction from the second transverse edge to the second folding axis, and a central region between the first end region and the second edge region. The elongated sheet has a first side edge zone extending along the first longitudinal edge and a second side edge zone extending along the second longitudinal edge, the first and second side edge zones extending from the first transverse edge to the second transverse edge. The packaging wrap further comprises strips of adhesive on the inner surface in the first and second side edge zones. The strips of adhesive in the first side edge zone are contiguous with the first longitudinal edge and the strips of adhesive in the second side edge zone are contiguous with the second longitudinal edge. The strips of adhesive include a first pair of strips of adhesive in the first end region, a second pair of strips of adhesive in the second end region, and a central pair of strips of adhesive in the central region, each strip of the pairs of strips having a width extending in the transverse direction from its respective longitudinal edge. The first pair of strips of adhesive has a first grammage, the second pair of strips of adhesive has a second grammage, and the central pair of strips of adhesive has a third grammage, the third grammage being less than the first and second grammage.

[0016] Since the grammage of the central pair of strips of adhesive is less than that of the first and second pairs of adhesive, i.e. the grammage is less in the region where the risk that the backsheet of the hygiene article will inadvertently come into contact with adhesive is greatest, there is a lower likelihood of the backsheet of the hygiene article becoming damaged should it come into contact with either strip of the central pair of strips of adhesive. At the same time, the higher grammage of the first and second pairs of strips of adhesive will ensure that there is sufficient adhesive force to maintain the packaging wrap in a folded configuration when the packaging wrap packages a hygiene article.

[0017] In an embodiment, the third grammage is between 10 % and 90 % of a highest of the first and second grammages, preferably between 30 % and 70 %, most preferably between 45 % and 55 %. These ratios may provide a suitable balance between mitigating the risk of damage to the backsheet of the hygiene article and providing adequate adhesive force to maintain the packaging wrap in a folded configuration.

[0018] In an embodiment, the first and second grammages are substantially the same. This can facilitate production of the packaging wrap.

[0019] The third grammage may be between 1 and 9 g / m2, preferably between 3 and 7 g / m2and most preferably about 5 g / m2. In this manner, even a hygiene article having very thin backsheet may be packaged in the packaging wrap without undue risk of damage.

[0020] In an embodiment, the width of each strip of the pairs of strips of adhesive is substantially the same. This can facilitate production of the packaging wrap.

[0021] In a further embodiment, the width of each strip of the central pair of strips of adhesive is less than the width of each strip of the first and second pairs of strips of adhesive. In this manner, there is less risk of the backsheet material of the hygiene article coming into contact with the adhesive in the central region of the elongated sheet of the packaging wrap.

[0022] The first pair of strips of adhesive in the first end region and the central pair of strips of adhesive may terminate short of the first folding axis, and the central pair of strips of adhesive and the second pair of strips of adhesive terminate short of the second folding axis such that adhesive-free regions are present in the first and second side edge zones at the first and second folding axes. The absence of adhesive at the first and second folding axes implies that the packaging wrap may be folded more easily.

[0023] In an embodiment, the elongated sheet has a first end edge zone extending along the first transverse edge and a second end edge zone extending along the second transverse edge. A first transverse strip of adhesive may be present in the first end edge zone and a second transverse strip of adhesive may be present in the second end edge zone. Preferably, the first transverse strip of adhesive is parallel to, and spaced from, the first transverse edge and the second transverse strip of adhesive is parallel to, and spaced from, the second transverse edge. The transverse strips of adhesive can aid in maintaining the packaging wrap in a folded condition. The first and second transverse strips of adhesive may have a fourth grammage, with the fourth grammage being greater than any of the first, second and third grammages, preferably between 30 and 70 % greater, more preferably between 40 and 60 % greater, most preferably about 50 % greater. In this manner, the risk of the first end region of the elongated sheet inadvertently peeling off the second end region of the elongated sheet when the packaging wrap is in a folded configuration is mitigated.

[0024] In an embodiment, the elongated sheet has a central adhesive attachment strip. The central adhesive attachment strip may extend, preferably continuously, in the longitudinal direction from within the first end region to within the second end region. The central adhesive attachment strip may assist in securing a hygiene article to the packaging wrap when providing a packaging unit.

[0025] In a further embodiment, the first and second side edge zones of the elongated sheet may intersect the first and second end edge zones at corner regions of the elongated sheet, the corner regions being free of adhesive. In this manner, a graspable portion of the packaging wrap is provided, thereby facilitating opening of a folded packaging wrap.

[0026] Preferably, the elongated sheet may be made of a material selected from the group consisting of a thin plastic film, e.g., a polyethylene or polypropylene film or a film comprising a mixture of polyethylene and polypropylene polymer and has a basis weight of from 14 to 20 g / m2, preferably from 16 to 18 g / m2, most preferably about 17 g / m2.

[0027] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a packaging unit comprising a packaging wrap according to any one of the embodiments described above and a disposable hygiene article releasably attached to the elongated sheet of the packaging wrap. The disposable hygiene article has a topsheet and a backsheet.

[0028] The backsheet may be made of a material selected from the group consisting of a thin plastic film, e.g., a polyethylene or polypropylene film, or a film comprising a mixture of polyethylene and polypropylene polymer.

[0029] In an embodiment of the second aspect, the backsheet is made of a non-breathable film material having a basis weight of from 10 to 16 g / m2, preferably from 13 to 15 g / m2, more preferably about 14 g / m2. In a further embodiment, the backsheet is made of a breathable film comprising fillers, the film having a basis weight of from 10 to 20 g / m2, preferably from 13 to 16 g / m2, more preferably about 14 g / m2.

[0030] It has been shown that the claimed adhesive pattern and relative amounts of adhesive allow for a disposable hygiene article to be used that has a lightweight backsheet material with reduced risk of the backsheet material rupturing after having contacted the adhesive along the edges of the central region of the sheet of material forming the packaging wrap.

[0031] In an embodiment of the second aspect, the disposable hygiene article is releasably attached to the elongated sheet at least by means of the central adhesive attachment strip contacting said backsheet of said disposable hygiene article. This ensures that the hygiene article is kept in place during production of the packaging unit.

[0032] In a further embodiment, part of the disposable hygiene article projects beyond the second transverse edge of the second end region of the elongated sheet such that the backsheet of the disposable hygiene article is releasably attached to the elongated sheet at least by means of the second strip of adhesive in the second end edge zone. The part of the disposable hygiene article that projects beyond the second transverse edge of the elongated sheet can serve as a gripping tab to facilitate release of the hygiene article from the packaging wrap.

[0033] The packaging unit is particularly useful for packaging a disposable hygiene article that has a pair of garment attachment wings, the wings being folded over the topsheet.

[0034] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] The invention will be described in the following by way of example only and with reference to the attached drawings in which:

[0036] Fig. 1 is a plan view of a packaging wrap according to the present invention;

[0037] Fig. 2 is a plan view of a packaging unit according to the present invention in a non-folded state, and

[0038] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the packaging unit of Fig. 2 in a partially folded state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

[0039] In the drawings, reference number 10 generally denotes a packaging wrap according to the present invention. As illustrated in Fig. 1 , the packaging wrap 10 comprises an elongated sheet of packaging material 12 having an inner surface 14 and an outer surface 16.

[0040] The elongated sheet of packaging material 12 can be a single-ply material or a laminate material. By the term "single ply" is meant a single ply of a coherent material. Examples of a single ply packaging material may be a plastic film, such as a polyethylene film, a nonwoven material, a metallic foil or the like. A single ply material may be a non- homogenous material, such as a plastic film material comprising integrated layers, or a nonwoven material having varying fibre composition in different parts of the material. A single ply material as used herein does not comprise materials having separable layers. The single-ply material may be of polyolefin that may comprise or be based on polyethylene and / or polypropylene.

[0041] By the term "laminate" is meant a material comprising at least two united separable plies of material that can be the same or different. In the context of the present invention, the laminate may for example be constituted of two separable plies of plastic film, a film and nonwoven, two plies of nonwoven or the like.

[0042] The plastic film in the laminate or single-ply may be olefin-based, such as polyethylene or polypropylene film, or it may be any other known plastic packaging film material, such as polyester-based, nylon, polyvinyl chloride, biodegradable plastic, etc.

[0043] The elongated sheet 12 may have a basis weight of from 14 to 20 g / m2, preferably from 16 to 18 g / m2, more preferably about 17 g / m2.

[0044] The elongated sheet of the packaging material 12 has a sheet length extending in a longitudinal direction L and a sheet width extending in a transverse direction T substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The elongated sheet 12 has a first longitudinal edge 18 and a second longitudinal edge 20, the first and second longitudinal edges extending in the longitudinal direction L. The elongated sheet 12 further includes a first transverse edge 22 and a second transverse edge 24, the first and second transverse edges extending in the transverse direction T. Although the elongated sheet of packaging material 12 is illustrated as having a rectangular geometrical shape, it is to be understood that the actual geometrical shape can vary depending on the type of disposable hygiene article to be packaged. Thus, the first and second longitudinal edges 18, 20 do not have to be parallel. The same applies for the first and second transverse edges 22, 24. For example, one or more of the edges may be curved or wavy. Nevertheless, for ease of manufacture and to reduce material consumption, it is preferable that the elongated sheet of packaging material 12 is an equiangular rectangle.

[0045] To enable it to be folded to form a packaging unit, the elongated sheet of packaging material 12 has a first folding axis 26 and a second folding axis 28. The folding axes 26, 28 divide the elongated sheet 12 into a first end region 30, a second end region 32 and a central region 34. The first end region 30 extends in the longitudinal direction L from the first transverse edge 22 to the first folding axis 26. The second end region 32 extends in the longitudinal direction L from the second transverse edge 24 to the second folding axis 28. The central region 34 extends from the first end region 30 to the second edge region 32 such that it is located between the first end region and the second end region.

[0046] The elongated sheet 12 has edge zones, By the term “edge zones” is meant the portion of the sheet adjacent to the edges. A rectangular sheet will therefore have four edge zones. Each edge zone has a width wemeasured from the respective edge of the sheet. The width weof each edge zone may be between 1.5 mm and 20 mm. A first side edge zone 36 extends along the first longitudinal edge 18 and a second side edge zone 38 extends along the second longitudinal edge 20. The first and second side edge zones 36, 38 extend from the first transverse edge 22 to the second transverse edge 24.

[0047] In order to form a packaging unit, the packaging wrap 10 further comprises strips of adhesive on the inner surface 14 of the elongated sheet 12 in the first and second side edge zones 36, 38. The strips of adhesive in the first side edge zone 36 are contiguous with the first longitudinal edge 18 and the strips of adhesive in the second side edge zone 38 are contiguous with the second longitudinal edge 20. By the term “contiguous” is meant that the adhesive of the strips of adhesive extend in the transverse direction T up to, and terminate at, the respective edge.

[0048] A suitable adhesive to be used with the packaging wrap of the present invention is a resealable adhesive. By the term “resealable adhesive” is meant an adhesive that allows an object to be attached to a surface using such an adhesive and subsequently detached therefrom causing little, if any, disruption to the object and the surface. Moreover, an object that has been peeled off may also be reattached to a surface again. A suitable adhesive may be a pressure-sensitive hotmelt adhesive having an unlimited open time, meaning that the adhesive can bond to another substrate at any time. One, non-limiting, example of a pressure-sensitive hotmelt adhesive that may be used in the present invention is Lunatack® D656 BD 19 available from H. B. Fuller.

[0049] The strips of adhesive include a first pair of strips of adhesive 40 in the first end region 30, a second pair of strips of adhesive 42 in the second end region 32, and a central pair of strips of adhesive 44 in the central region. Each strip of each pair of strips of adhesive 40, 42, 44 has a width wsextending in the transverse direction from its respective longitudinal edge. In the illustrated embodiment, the width wsof each strip of the pairs of strips of adhesive is substantially the same. By “substantially the same” is meant that the widths are intended to be as similar as possible within manufacturing tolerances. However, embodiments are contemplated in which, for example, the width of each strip of the central pair of strips of adhesive 44 may be less than the width of each strip of the first and second pairs of strips of adhesive 40, 42. In such an embodiment, the width wsof each strip of the first and second pairs of strips of adhesive correspond to the width weof the first and second side edge zones 36, 38, whereas the width of each strip of the central pair of strips of adhesive 44 will be less than the width weof the first and second side edge zones 36, 38.

[0050] Irrespective of the relative widths of the pairs of strips of adhesive in the first and second side edge zones 36, 38, and in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the first pair of strips of adhesive 40 have a first grammage, the second pair of strips of adhesive 42 have a second grammage, and the central pair of strips of adhesive 44 have a third grammage, the third grammage being less than the first and second grammages. In various embodiments, the third grammage may be between 10 % and 90 % of a highest of the first and second grammages, preferably between 30 % and 70 %, most preferably between 45 % and 55 %. In some embodiments, the first and second grammages may be substantially the same. In absolute terms, the third grammage can be between 1 and 9 g / m2, preferably between 3 and 7 g / m2and most preferably about 5 g / m2. In order to facilitate accurate folding of the packaging wrap 10 when forming a packaging unit, the first pair of strips of adhesive 40 in the first end region 30 and the central pair of strips of adhesive 44 may terminate short of the first folding axis 26 such that a first pair of adhesive-free regions 46 are present in the first and second side edge zones 36, 38 at the first folding axis 26. Similarly, the central pair of strips of adhesive 44 and the second pair of strips of adhesive 42 in the second end region 32 may terminate short of the second folding axis 28 such that a second pair of adhesive-free regions 48 are present in the first and second side edge zones 36, 38 at the second folding axis 28.

[0051] The elongated sheet 12 also has a first end edge zone 50 that extends along the first transverse edge 22 and a second end edge zone 52 that extends along the second transverse edge 24. In a particular embodiment, a first transverse strip of adhesive 54 may be present in the first end edge zone 50 and a second transverse strip of adhesive 56 may be present in the second end edge zone 52. The first and second transverse strips of adhesive 54, 56 may assist in sealing a packaging unit utilizing the packaging wrap 10 of the present invention. The first transverse strip of adhesive 54 may be parallel to, and spaced from, the first transverse edge 22 and the second transverse strip of adhesive 56 may be parallel to, and spaced from, the second transverse edge 24. Although each of the first and second transverse strips of adhesive is illustrated as being a continuous stirp of adhesive, it is to be understood that one or both strips may be interrupted. Each of the transverse strips of adhesive 54, 56 have a width wst which may be the same or different. Generally, any width wst of the first and second transverse strips of adhesive 54, 56 is less than the width wsof the adhesive strips in the first and second side edge zones 36, 38.

[0052] The first transverse strip of adhesive 54 has a first distal boundary edge 58 which marks the furthest extension of the strip of adhesive from the first transverse edge 22 of the elongated sheet 12. The first distal boundary edge 58 forms a part of an inner boundary 60 of the first end edge zone 50. Thus, the first end edge zone 50 has a width wfezextending from the first transverse edge 22 to the inner boundary 60. Similarly, the second transverse strip of adhesive 56 has a second distal boundary edge 62 which marks the furthest extension of the strip of adhesive from the second transverse edge 24. The second distal boundary edge 62 forms a part of an inner boundary 64 of the second end edge zone 52. Thus, the second end edge zone 52 has a width wsezextending from the second transverse edge 24 to the inner boundary 64 of the second end edge zone. The first transverse strip of adhesive 54 also has a first end boundary edge 66 and an opposite, second end boundary edge 68. Each of the first and second end boundary edges 66, 68 are spaced from the first and second longitudinal edges 18, 20, respectively, of the elongated sheet 12.

[0053] The first and second transverse strips of adhesive 54, 56 have a fourth grammage. In an embodiment, the fourth grammage is greater than any of said first, second and third grammages. The fourth grammage may be between 30 and 70 % greater, more preferably between 40 and 60 % greater, most preferably about 50 % greater than any of the first, second and third grammages.

[0054] In the illustrated packaging wrap 10, the first pair of strips of adhesive 40 in the first end region 30 extend in the longitudinal direction L towards the first transverse edge 22 of the elongated sheet 12, though terminate at a first distance dftherefrom. Similarly, the second pair of strips of adhesive 42 in the second end region 32 extend in the longitudinal direction L towards the second transverse edge 24, though terminate at a second distance dstherefrom. The first distance df may be greater than the width Wfezof the first end edge zone 50. The second distance dsmay be greater than the width wsezof the second end edge zone 52. Consequently, the first and second side edge zones 36, 38 can intersect the first and second end edge zones 50, 52 at corner regions 70 of the elongated sheet 12, with the corner regions 70 being free of adhesive. Since the first transverse strip of adhesive 54 is spaced from the first transverse edge 22 of the elongated sheet 12, an adhesive-free zone 71 extending across the entire width of the elongated sheet 12 is provided.

[0055] The first and second side edge zones 36, 38 and the first and second end edge zones 50, 52 delimit an inner area 72 of the elongated sheet 12. The inner area 72 has a central adhesive attachment strip 74 for the releasable attachment of a disposable hygiene article 78 to the packaging wrap 10. In one embodiment, the adhesive attachment strip 74 is transferred from the elongated sheet 12 to the disposable hygiene 78 article itself. In other words, a backsheet of the hygiene article 78, during manufacturing, is provided with a strip of attachment adhesive. The adhesive attachment strip 74 is easily transferred to the backsheet of the hygiene article 78 as the inner area 72 of the elongated sheet 12 has been treated with a release agent in that region where the central adhesive attachment strip 74 is positioned. When the hygiene article 78 is placed with its backsheet on the elongated sheet 12 of the packaging wrap 10, some of the adhesive of the strip of attachment adhesive is transferred from the elongated sheet to the backsheet of the hygiene article. The second transverse strip of adhesive 56 will not be transferred from the inner area 72 of the elongated sheet 12 to the backsheet of the hygiene article, as the inner area 72 of the elongated sheet 12 has not been treated with release agent in the region of the second transverse adhesive trip 56. That means that the second transverse adhesive strip 56 will stay on the inner side area 72 of the elongated sheet 1 when the article is released from the elongated sheet prior to use. The grammage weight of the adhesive attachment strip 74 is from 18 to 32 g / m2.

[0056] The central adhesive attachment strip extends, preferably continuously, in the longitudinal direction L from within the first end region 30 of the elongated sheet 12 to within the second end region 32.

[0057] Fig. 2 illustrates a packaging unit 76 in accordance with the present invention. The packaging unit 76 comprises a packaging wrap 10 as described above and a disposable hygiene article 78. The packaging unit 76 is shown in Fig. 2 in a non-folded condition. The hygiene article 78 is positioned substantially centrally in the transverse direction T on the elongated sheet 12 of the packaging wrap 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the disposable hygiene article 78 is a feminine hygiene product in the form of a sanitary napkin. However, it is to be understood that the disposable hygiene article 78 can be any disposable hygiene article 78 that would benefit from bring packaged using a packaging wrap. For example, the disposable hygiene article may be a panty liner, incontinence pad, etc.

[0058] The hygiene article 78 has a topsheet 80 and a backsheet 82. The topsheet 80 may consist of any material which is suitable for the purpose, i.e. it should be soft and liquid pervious. Examples of commonly found topsheet materials are nonwoven materials, perforated plastic films, plastic or textile mesh, and fluid permeable foam layers. Laminates consisting of two or more topsheet materials are also commonly employed, as are top sheets consisting of different materials within different parts of the fluid permeable wearer-facing surface.

[0059] The backsheet 82 should be fluid impermeable. However, backsheet materials that are only fluid repellent may be used particularly in instances where relatively small amounts of bodily fluids are expected to be taken up. The backsheet 82 may be constituted by a thin, flexible, fluid-impermeable plastic film from the group consisting group consisting of a thin plastic film, e.g., a polyethylene or polypropylene film, or a film comprising a mixture of polyethylene and polypropylene polymer, but fluid-impermeable nonwoven materials, fluid impermeable foams and fluid impermeable laminates are also contemplated within the scope of the invention. The backsheet 82 may be breathable, implying that air and / or vapour may pass through the backsheet 82. Furthermore, the backsheet 82 may have an outer, garment-facing surface of a textile material such as nonwoven.

[0060] In an embodiment, the backsheet is made of a non-breathable film material having a basis weight from 10 to 16 g / m2, preferably from 13 to 15 g / m2, more preferably about 14 g / m2.

[0061] In another embodiment, the backsheet is made of a breathable film comprising fillers. The film material having a basis weight from 14 to 20 g / m2, preferably from 13 to 16 g / m2, more preferably about 14 g / m2.

[0062] The basis weight film used for the backsheet is commonly stated and specified by the film manufacturer. On a commercial hygiene article, the basis weight of the film can be determined by first carefully separating the film from adjacent materials. Glue residues are removed by gently washing the film in a solvent that does not affect the components of the proper film (this can be heptane for a polyethylene film). The film is then placed flat, the area is determined, and the sample is weighed. The film basis weight (in the unit g / m2) is calculated by dividing the weight of the film by its area.

[0063] As explained above in relation to the packaging wrap 10, the backsheet 82 of the hygiene article 78 has a strip of attachment adhesive 84. When the hygiene article is placed with its backsheet 82 on the elongated sheet 12 of the packaging wrap 10, some of the adhesive of the strip of attachment adhesive 84 will be transferred from the elongated sheet 12 to the backsheet 82 of the hygiene article.

[0064] The hygiene article 78 further has a front region 86, a rear region 88 and a crotch region 90, the crotch region being disposed between the front region and the rear region. The hygiene article 78 is positioned on the elongated sheet 12 such that the front region 86 is within the first end region 30 of the elongated sheet. Preferably, no part of the front region 86 contacts any of the strips of adhesive in the first end region 30. In other words, the front region 80 of the hygiene article 78 is within the inner area 72 of the elongated sheet 12.

[0065] The rear region 88 of the hygiene article 78 extends over the second end region 32 of the elongated sheet 12 such that a rear tip portion 92 of the rear region 88 projects beyond the second transverse edge 24 of the elongated sheet 12. Consequently, the backsheet 82 of the hygiene article 78 is releasably attached to the elongated sheet also by means of the second transverse strip of adhesive 56 in the second end edge zone 52 of the elongated sheet 12. The rear tip portion 92 serves as a gripping tab to facilitate release of the hygiene article 78 from the packaging wrap 10.

[0066] In the illustrated embodiment, the crotch region 90 of the hygiene article 78 is provided with a pair of garment attachment wings 94 to facilitate attachment of the hygiene article 78 to a crotch portion of an undergarment. The pair of garment attachment wings 94 is formed by coextensions of the topsheet 80 and backsheet 82 of the hygiene article 78. However, it is possible that the wings only formed from the material from the backsheet 82. This embodiment is not illustrated in any drawing. The pair of wings 94 is folded over the topsheet 80 of the hygiene article. Although not illustrated in the drawings, each wing 94 may have a strip of adhesive on its backsheet 82, with a strip of release paper bridging the pair of wings to protect the strips of adhesive from contamination and to keep the pair of wings in its folded configuration until the hygiene article 78 is to be used.

[0067] The hygiene article 78 is placed on the packaging wrap 10 such that the crotch region 90, including the pair of garment attachment wings 94, is located within the central region 34 of the elongated sheet 12. In this manner, the pair of garment attachment wings is located between the first folding axis 26 and the second folding axis 28 of the elongated sheet 12. Consequently, the pair of wings 94 will not interfere with the folding of the packaging unit.

[0068] Fig. 3 illustrates the packaging unit 76 in a partially folded state. To form a sealed packaging, the second end region 32 of the elongated sheet 12 of the packaging wrap 10 is folded about the second folding axis 28 so that the rear end region 88 of the hygiene article 78 overlies the crotch region 90. In doing so, the second pair of strips of adhesive 42 in the second end region 32 of the elongated sheet 12 comes into contact with the central pair of strips of adhesive 44 in the central region 34 of the elongated sheet 12 to thereby maintain the second end region 32 in its folded condition over the central region 34. The first end region 30 is thereafter folded about the first folding axis 26 so that the front region 86 of the hygiene article 78 overlies the second end region 32 of the elongated sheet 12. In doing so, the first pair of strips of adhesive 40 and the first transverse strip of adhesive 54 in the first end region 30 of the elongated sheet 12 come into contact with the outer surface 16 of the second end region 32. A sealed packaging unit 76 is thereby attained.

[0069] Due to the provision of the adhesive-free zone 71 adjacent the first transverse edge 22 of the elongated sheet 12, a grasping tab is created which allows a user to grasp the adhesive-free zone 71 of the first end region 30 when opening the sealed packaging unit 76. Once the first end region has been peeled off the outer surface 16 of the second end region 32 of the elongated sheet and folded back about the first folding axis 26 to attain a position essentially corresponding to that shown in Fig. 3, the rear tip portion 92 of the hygiene article 78 becomes exposed. As mentioned previously, the rear tip portion 92 serves as a gripping tab. The second end region 32 may be peeled off the central region 34 by applying a lifting force to the rear tip portion 92 of the hygiene article. The second end region 32 can then be folded back about the second folding axis 28 such that the packaging unit tends towards a flat configuration. By maintaining a grip on the rear tip portion 92 of the hygiene article 78, the hygiene article can be peeled off the elongated sheet 12 to leave an empty packaging wrap 10.

[0070] The empty packaging wrap 10 may be used for the disposal of a used hygiene article. Thus, the hygiene article can be placed on the packaging wrap, for example with its backsheet 82 against the inner surface 14 of the elongated sheet 12. The packaging wrap 10 can then be rolled up, for example starting from the second transverse edge 24 of the elongated sheet 12, with the first, second and central pairs of adhesive 40, 42, 44 and the first transverse strip of adhesive 54 assisting in maintaining the packaging unit 76 in a rolled up configuration suitable for disposal.

[0071] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to various embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of protection conferred by the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A packaging wrap (10) for a disposable hygiene article (78), the packaging wrap comprising: an elongated sheet of material (12) having an inner surface (14) and an outer surface (16), said elongated sheet having a sheet length extending in a longitudinal direction (L) and a sheet width extending in a transverse direction (T) substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal direction, said elongated sheet (12) comprising a first longitudinal edge (18) and a second longitudinal edge (20), said first and second longitudinal edges extending in said longitudinal direction (L), said elongated sheet (12) further comprising a first transverse edge (22) and a second transverse edge (24), said first and second transverse edges extending in said transverse direction (T), said elongated sheet (12) having a first and a second folding axis (26; 28) dividing said elongated sheet into a first end region (30) extending in said longitudinal direction from said first transverse edge (22) to said first folding axis (26), a second end region (32) extending in said longitudinal direction from said second transverse edge (24) to said second folding axis (28), and a central region (34) between said first end region (30) and said second edge region (32), said elongated sheet (12) having a first side edge zone (36) extending along said first longitudinal edge (18) and a second side edge zone (38) extending along said second longitudinal edge (20), said first and second side edge zones (36, 38) extending from said first transverse edge (22) to said second transverse edge (24), said packaging wrap (10) further comprising strips of adhesive on said inner surface (14) in said first and second side edge zones (36, 38), wherein said strips of adhesive in said first side edge zone (36) are contiguous with said first longitudinal edge (18) and said strips of adhesive in said second side edge zone (38) are contiguous with said second longitudinal edge (20), said strips of adhesive including a first pair of strips of adhesive (40) in said first end region (30), a second pair of strips of adhesive (42) in said second end region (32), and a central pair of strips of adhesive (44) in said central region (34), each strip of said pair of strips having a width (ws) extending in the transverse direction (T) from its respective longitudinal edge,said first pair of strips of adhesive (40) having a first grammage, said second pair of strips of adhesive (42) having a second grammage, and said central pair of strips of adhesive (44) having a third grammage, said third grammage being less than said first and second grammage.

2. The packaging wrap (10) according to claim 1, wherein said third grammage is between 10 % and 90 % of a highest of said first and second grammages, preferably between 30 % and 70 %, most preferably between 45 % and 55 %.

3. The packaging wrap (10) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said first and second grammages are substantially the same.

4. The packaging wrap (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said third grammage is between 1 and 9 g / m2, preferably between 3 and 7 g / m2and most preferably about 5 g / m2.

5. The packaging wrap (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said width (ws) of each strip of said pairs of strips of adhesive (40, 42, 44) is substantially the same.

6. The packaging wrap (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the width (ws) of each strip of said central pair of strips of adhesive (44) is less than the width (ws) of each strip of the first and second pairs of strips of adhesive (40, 42).

7. The packaging wrap (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first pair of strips of adhesive (40) in said first end region (30) and said central pair of strips of adhesive (44) terminate short of said first folding axis (26), and said central pair of strips of adhesive (44) and said second pair of strips of adhesive (42) terminate short of said second folding axis (28) such that adhesive- free regions (46, 48) are present in said first and second side edge zones (36, 38) at said first and second folding axes (26, 28).

8. The packaging wrap (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said elongated sheet (12) has a first end edge zone (50) extending along said first transverse edge (22) and a second end edge zone (52) extending along said second transverse edge (24), a first transverse strip of adhesive (54) beingpresent in said first end edge zone (50) and a second transverse strip of adhesive (56) being present in said second end edge zone 52), said first transverse strip of adhesive (54) being parallel to, and spaced from, said first transverse edge (22) and said second transverse strip of adhesive (56) being parallel to, and spaced from, said second transverse edge (24).

9. The packaging wrap (10) according to claim 8, wherein said first and second transverse strips of adhesive (54, 56) have a fourth grammage, said fourth grammage being greater than any of said first, second and third grammages, preferably between 30 and 70 % greater, more preferably between 40 and 60 % greater, most preferably about 50 % greater.

10. The packaging wrap (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said elongated sheet (12) has a central adhesive attachment strip (74), said central adhesive attachment strip extending, preferably continuously, in said longitudinal direction (L) from within said first end region (30) to within said second end region (32).

11. The packaging wrap (10) according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein said first and second side edge zones (36, 38) intersect said first and second end edge zones (50, 52) at corner regions (70) of said elongated sheet, said corner regions being free of adhesive.

12. The packaging wrap (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said elongated sheet (12) is made of a material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene or polypropylene film or a film comprising a mixture of polyethylene and polypropylene polymer and has a basis weight of from 14 to 20 g / m2, preferably from 16 to 18 g / m2, most preferably about 17 g / m2.

13. A packaging unit (76) comprising a packaging wrap (10) according to any one of the preceding claims and a disposable hygiene article (78) releasably attached to said elongated sheet (12) of said packaging wrap (10), said disposable hygiene article having a topsheet (80) and a backsheet (82).

14. The packaging unit (76) according to claim 13, wherein said backsheet (82) is made of a non-breathable film material having a basis weight of from 10 to 16 g / m2, preferably from 13 to 15 g / m2, more preferably about 14 g / m2.

15. The packaging unit (76) according to claim 13, wherein said backsheet (82) is made of a breathable film comprising fillers, said film material having a basis weight of from 14 to 20 g / m2, preferably from 13 to 16 g / m2, more preferably about 14 g / m2.

16. The packaging unit (76) according to any one of claims 13 to 15 when dependent on claim 10, wherein said disposable hygiene article (78) is releasably attached to said elongated sheet (12) at least by means of said central adhesive attachment strip (74) contacting said backsheet (82) of said disposable hygiene article (78).

17. The packaging unit (76) according to any one of claims 13 to 16 when dependent on claim 8, wherein part (92) of said disposable hygiene article (78) projects beyond said second transverse edge (24) of said second end region (32) of said elongated sheet (12) such that said backsheet (82) of said disposable hygiene article (78) is releasably attached to said elongated sheet (12) at least by means of said second transverse strip of adhesive (56) in said second end edge zone (52).

18. The packaging unit (76) according to any one of claims 13 to 17, wherein said disposable hygiene article (78) has a pair of garment attachment wings (94), said wings being folded over said topsheet (80).

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