Sanitary Napkin Packaging Structure with Selective Medium Joining
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for packaging absorbent articles, such as sanitary napkins, face challenges when the length of the packaging medium is shorter than the article, leading to incomplete folding due to the inability to join one end portion with the medium, resulting in complexity and inefficiency in manufacturing.
Innovation Solution
A package structure and manufacturing method where the absorbent article is folded into four with the packaging medium only joined to specific portions, allowing reliable folding and reduced packaging medium usage, using a conveyor and folding devices to manage the folding process effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If the length of the packaging medium is made shorter than the length of the absorbent article to reduce packaging medium usage, then the required amount of packaging medium is reduced, but one end portion of the absorbent article cannot be joined to the packaging medium, causing incomplete folding
Solution Approach 1:
The absorbent article is divided into multiple sections (first section with first end portion, second section with second end portion, and third section) along its lengthwise direction. The packaging medium is selectively joined to different sections: it is joined to the second end portion in the second section and to the third section, but intentionally not joined to the first end portion in the first section. This segmentation allows the packaging medium to be shorter than the full article length while still achieving reliable folding of the critical portions.
Solution Approach 2:
Different joining characteristics are applied to different portions of the absorbent article. Specifically, the packaging medium is joined to the second end portion and third section, but not joined to the first end portion. This local differentiation in joining quality allows the packaging medium to be shortened while maintaining folding reliability where it matters most (at the second end portion), and the first end portion can be folded using alternative mechanisms.
2Reliability
If the absorbent article is disposed on the packaging medium with one end portion folded in advance to enable successful folding, then folding reliability is improved, but the apparatus structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The packaging medium is pre-positioned and joined to specific portions of the absorbent article (the second end portion and third section) before the folding process begins. This preliminary joining action creates a stable base that guides the folding process, ensuring that when folds are made, the packaging medium provides structural support and prevents unfolding. This eliminates the need for complex apparatus structures while maintaining high folding reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A packaging medium is provided only on non-skin side surfaces of a third portion and a fourth portion. The length of the packaging medium in a lengthwise direction of a sanitary napkin is shorter than the length of the sanitary napkin. A second portion includes a folded end portion which is formed by a first folded portion provided on a side of a first portion of the sanitary napkin which opposes a first folding portion. The folded end portion is folded over a non-skin side surface of the second portion.