JP7556292B2 - Packaging absorbent articles - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a packaged absorbent article.

Many absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, panty liners, and incontinence pads are provided individually wrapped in a wrapping sheet. In such individually wrapped absorbent articles (wrapped absorbent articles), the absorbent article is generally folded in its longitudinal direction together with the wrapping material, and the folded and overlapping wrapping materials are joined to each other at a pair of edges of the individual package (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2007-268015 A

The joints at the edges of the individual packaging body (packaged absorbent article) described in Patent Document 1 are formed from multiple joints in which packaging materials are joined together by heat sealing or the like. Therefore, when opening the packaged absorbent article, it is necessary to peel the packaging materials at the joints together and unfold the packaging materials. However, in this case, a sound of the packaging materials peeling away from each other (peeling sound) is inevitably generated, and many users are concerned about this peeling sound.

One aspect of the present invention aims to provide a packaged absorbent article that does not produce a peeling sound when opened.

The first aspect of the present invention is a packaged absorbent article in which an absorbent article having an anti-slip adhesive portion on one side is placed on one side of a packaging sheet in an unfolded state so that the anti-slip adhesive portion faces the one side of the packaging sheet, the packaging sheet and the absorbent article are folded in thirds or more in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article so that the absorbent article is on the inside, and the folded packaging sheet has seal portions at both ends along the longitudinal direction, and has an easy-to-break line on the inside of the seal portion on one side of the seal portions at both ends.

According to the first aspect, when opening the packaged absorbent article, the packaging sheet can be cut along the easy-to-break line formed on the inside of one of the sealed portions at both ends, so there is no need to peel the sealed packaging sheets apart, and the sound of the packaging sheets peeling apart (peeling sound) can be eliminated.

In addition, since the package can be opened by cutting the packaging sheet along the easy-to-break line, less force is required to open it than when peeling apart sealed packaging sheets.

Then, when the packaging sheet is cut along the easy-to-break line formed on the inside of one of the seal portions at both ends, the side of the absorbent article is exposed, and the absorbent article can be removed by pulling out the side (side portion) of the absorbent article. Therefore, there are fewer steps to remove the absorbent article, and the absorbent article can be opened and removed quickly with a simple action.

Furthermore, since the bag-shaped packaging sheet can be left behind after the absorbent article is removed, when disposing of the used absorbent article, the used absorbent article can be easily disposed of and hygienically disposed of by placing the used absorbent article in the bag-shaped packaging sheet.

In addition to cutting the packaging sheet along the easy-to-break line as described above, the sealed packaging sheets can also be opened by peeling them apart at the seals at both ends of the packaging sheet, allowing users to select the opening method that best suits their needs.

In a second aspect of the present invention, the packaging sheet is folded in three along the longitudinal direction, the anti-slip adhesive portion is placed so as to face the upper surface of the three folds, the upper surface is peeled off, the end of the lower surface of the packaging sheet folded in three is included in the seal portion on one side, the pleat lines on the lower surface side of the packaging sheet folded in three are included in the seal portion on the other side of the seal portions on both ends, and the pleat lines on the upper surface side of the packaging sheet folded in three and the end of the upper surface are located inside the seal portions on both ends, respectively.

According to the second aspect, when opening the packaged absorbent article, the packaging sheet is cut along the easy-to-break line formed on the inside of one of the seal parts at both ends, exposing the side of the absorbent article, and the absorbent article can be removed by pulling out the side (side part) of the absorbent article. The end of the lower surface of the three-pleated packaging sheet and the pleat line on the lower surface side are fixed by a seal, and the pleat line on the upper surface side and the end of the upper surface are not sealed, so that when the side of the absorbent article is pulled out, the upper surface, which is adhered to the absorbent article via the anti-slip adhesive part, slides. Then, with the absorbent article pulled out of the packaging sheet, the absorbent article can be peeled off from the packaging sheet. Therefore, the absorbent article can be smoothly removed from the side of the absorbent article.

In a third aspect of the present invention, the packaging sheet is formed by joining a first packaging sheet and a second packaging sheet via a joint, and the joint is located at the pleat fold line on the lower surface side of the packaging sheet folded in three.

According to the third aspect, in the manufacture of a packaged absorbent article, two packaging sheets are positioned on the pleat fold line, and the sealing and joining are performed simultaneously in the sealing process, eliminating the need to prepare a wide packaging sheet. In addition, since the second packaging sheet is held inside the packaging of the packaged absorbent article, it can be made of a material with less strength than the first packaging sheet.

In the fourth aspect of the present invention, the anti-slip adhesive portion of the absorbent article is placed in an unfolded state so as to face the one side of the packaging sheet via a release sheet, the release sheet is folded in half, the anti-slip adhesive portion is placed so as to face the upper surface of the folded release sheet, the lower surface of the folded release sheet is adhered to the surface of the packaging sheet, and the fold line, the edge of the upper surface, and the edge of the lower surface of the release sheet are all located inside the seal portions at both ends.

According to the fourth aspect, when opening the packaged absorbent article, the packaging sheet is cut along the easy-to-break line formed on the inside of one of the seal parts at both ends, exposing the side of the absorbent article, and the absorbent article can be removed by pulling out the side (side part) of the absorbent article. Since the fold line, the top edge, and the bottom edge of the release sheet where the release sheet is folded in half are not sealed, when the side of the absorbent article is pulled out, the top surface, which is adhered to the absorbent article via the anti-slip adhesive part, slides to guide the removal of the absorbent article and is peeled off from the absorbent article. Therefore, the absorbent article can be smoothly removed from the side of the absorbent article.

In a fifth aspect of the present invention, the anti-slip adhesive portion of the absorbent article is placed in an unfolded state so as to face the one side of the packaging sheet via a release sheet, and the lower surface of the release sheet is easily peelably adhered to the surface of the packaging sheet.

According to the fifth aspect, when opening the packaged absorbent article, the packaging sheet is cut along the easy-to-break line formed on the inside of one of the sealed portions at both ends, exposing the side of the absorbent article, and the absorbent article can be removed by pulling out the side (side portion) of the absorbent article. Since the lower surface of the release sheet is easily releasably attached to the surface of the packaging sheet, pulling out the side of the absorbent article causes the release sheet to be peeled off from the packaging sheet, and the absorbent article can be removed together with the release sheet. Therefore, the absorbent article can be smoothly removed from the side of the absorbent article.

According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a packaged absorbent article that does not produce a peeling sound when opened.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a packaged absorbent article according to the first embodiment. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II in FIG. 1. 1 is a plan view of a packaged absorbent article according to a first embodiment in an unfolded state, as viewed from the absorbent article side. FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 1. 4A to 4C are diagrams for explaining the operation of opening the packaged absorbent article according to the first embodiment. 4A to 4C are diagrams for explaining the operation of opening the packaged absorbent article according to the first embodiment. 4A to 4C are diagrams for explaining the operation of opening the packaged absorbent article according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a modified example of A in FIG. 4 of the packaged absorbent article according to the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a plan view of a packaged absorbent article according to a second embodiment in an unfolded state, as viewed from the absorbent article side. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 1 according to a second embodiment. 13A to 13C are diagrams for explaining the operation of opening the packaged absorbent article according to the second embodiment. 13A to 13C are diagrams for explaining the operation of opening the packaged absorbent article according to the second embodiment. 13A to 13C are diagrams for explaining the operation of opening the packaged absorbent article according to the second embodiment.

The following describes an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, unless otherwise specified, the same or corresponding configurations may be given the same reference numerals and the description may be omitted. In addition, the drawings are schematic to facilitate understanding of the invention.

First Embodiment
(Overall structure of the packaged absorbent article)
Fig. 1 shows a plan view of a packaged absorbent article 100 including a packaging sheet 10 and an absorbent article 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line II in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 shows a plan view of the packaged absorbent article 100 shown in Fig. 1, in which the absorbent article 1 is placed on the unfolded packaging sheet 10, as viewed from the absorbent article 1 side. Fig. 4 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in Fig. 3.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the packaged absorbent article 100 includes a packaging sheet 10 and an absorbent article 1 packaged by the packaging sheet 10. In other words, the packaged absorbent article 100 is an individual package in which one absorbent article 1 is accommodated in one packaging sheet 10. The packaged absorbent article 100 can be obtained by placing the absorbent article 1 on the unfolded packaging sheet 10, and then folding the packaging sheet 10 at least at one fold line to wrap the absorbent article 1. The packaged absorbent article 100 shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is folded at least in three rolls together with the absorbent article 1 in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article 1 by folding the packaging sheet 10 together with the absorbent article 1 toward the side on which the absorbent article 1 is placed, so that both end regions in one direction overlap. That is, it is folded so that the absorbent article 1 is on the inside.

Here, the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article 1 is the first direction D1, and the lateral direction of the absorbent article 1 is the second direction D2. In this specification, the first direction D1 is the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article 1, but is also used to indicate the direction of the packaged absorbent article 100 in a planar view and the direction of the packaging sheet 10 in the packaged absorbent article 100. The second direction D2 is the width direction of the absorbent article 1, but is also used to indicate the direction of the packaged absorbent article 100 in a planar view and the direction of the packaging sheet 10 in the packaged absorbent article 100. When the packaging sheet 10 has an elongated shape and the absorbent article 1 is arranged such that the front-rear direction of the absorbent article 1 is aligned with the longitudinal direction of the packaging sheet 10, the first direction D1 is the longitudinal direction of the packaging sheet 10, and the second direction D2 is the lateral direction of the packaging sheet 10.

1 to 4, the packaging sheet 10 is folded in three at a third fold line L3 and a fourth fold line L4 along the first direction D1. Folding in three means that when the packaged absorbent article 100 is unfolded and viewed from a cross section taken along line III-III as shown in FIG. 4, the packaging sheet 10 is folded in three into a Z shape with the end 13 of the top surface S1 of the three folds, the fold line (third fold line) L3 on the top surface, the fold line (fourth fold line) L4 on the bottom surface, and the end 14 of the bottom surface S2 as vertices. In the packaging sheet 10 folded in three, the end 13 of the top surface S1 is located inside the fold line L4 on the bottom surface (towards the center in the second direction D2 of the absorbent article 1). Additionally, the pleat fold line L3 on the upper surface side is located inside a breakable line 20 (described below) that is provided along the inside of the end portion 14 of the lower surface S2 (the center side of the absorbent article 1 in the second direction D2).

The packaging sheet 10 also includes a first region R1 including one end 11 in the first direction D1 of the packaging sheet 10, and a second region R2 including the other end 12 in the first direction D1 of the packaging sheet 10. The absorbent article 1 can be wrapped by overlapping the first region R1 on the outer surface of the second region R2. At that time, the first region R1 is folded back at a first fold line L1 along a second direction D2 perpendicular to the first direction D1. The second region R2 is folded back at a second fold line L2 along the second direction D2 before the first region R1 is folded back. In this embodiment, the region between the first region R1 and the second region R2 is referred to as a third region R3.

The position of the second fold line L2 for folding back the second region R2 may be such that the other end 12 in the first direction D1 reaches the first fold line L1 of the first region R1, i.e., the length of the first direction D1 of the second region R2 is approximately equal to the length of the first direction D1 of the third region R3. Alternatively, the position of the second fold line L2 may be such that the other end 12 is located away from the first fold line L1, i.e., the length of the first direction D1 of the second region R2 is shorter than the length of the first direction D1 of the third region R3, as shown in FIG. 1. In addition, when folding back the first region R1 at the first fold line L1, it is preferable that one end 11 in the first direction D1 of the packaging sheet 10 does not extend beyond the second fold line L2 and protrude from the second region R2, i.e., the length of the first direction D1 of the first region R1 is shorter than the length of the first direction D1 of the third region R3. This packaging method, in which the absorbent article is packaged by folding the packaging sheet 10 at least in three in the first direction D1 by overlapping the regions at both ends of the packaging sheet 10, is preferable because it is simple and can reliably enclose the absorbent article in the packaging sheet without exposing it to the outside environment. The packaging sheet may also be folded in four or more in the first direction D1.

After the absorbent article 1 is wrapped in the packaging sheet 10, the packaged absorbent article 100 may be provided with a detachable sealing tape 50 on the outer surface of the packaging sheet 10 near the center in the second direction D2 across the first region R1 and the second region R2 (FIGS. 1 to 3). By providing the sealing tape 50, the first region R1 can be at least partially fastened to the second region R2, so that the first region R1 cannot be opened. Therefore, before the packaged absorbent article 100 is opened, it is possible to prevent dust and the like from entering between the first region R1 and the second region R2. It is also possible to prevent a hand or an object from accidentally entering between the first region R1 and the second region R2 and peeling the first region R1 from the second region R2. In addition, when opening, the center of the first region R1 can be lifted by holding the sealing tape 50, making the opening operation easier. However, in this embodiment, the sealing tape 50 does not have to be provided. In this case, a color or pattern can be added, or material can be added, so that the user can identify the position to be grasped when opening, i.e., the position of one end 11 of the packaging sheet 10.

The following provides a more detailed explanation of the packaged absorbent article 100 in which the absorbent article 1 is packaged in the packaging sheet 10.

(Absorbent article)
The absorbent article 1 used in the first embodiment of the present invention is not particularly limited as long as it is a planar (sheet-like) absorbent article, but is preferably a sanitary napkin, a panty liner (discharge sheet), a light incontinence pad, or the like. As shown in FIG. 3 and the like, the absorbent article 1 is preferably elongated in a planar view, but the planar view shape of the absorbent article 1 is not limited to an elongated shape. When the absorbent article 1 is elongated, the longitudinal direction (first direction D1) of the absorbent article 1 becomes the front-rear direction. Here, the front-rear direction of the absorbent article 1 is a direction that corresponds to the front-rear direction of the body when the absorbent article 1 is used. In this specification, the direction (second direction D2) perpendicular to the front-rear direction of the absorbent article 1 is called the width direction. When the absorbent article 1 is elongated, the total length of the absorbent article 1 can be 140 to 420 mm. The width of the absorbent article 1 can be 50 to 180 mm.

The absorbent article 1 may have a structure in which a liquid-impermeable back sheet, an absorbent body, and a liquid-permeable top sheet are layered in this order. When the absorbent article 1 is worn, the top sheet faces the skin and the back sheet faces the underwear. Therefore, the side of the top sheet of the absorbent article 1 may be called the skin side, and the back sheet side may be called the non-skin side.

As the back sheet, a sheet material having at least water impermeability, such as an olefin resin sheet such as polyethylene or polypropylene, can be used. A laminated nonwoven fabric in which a nonwoven fabric is laminated to a polyethylene sheet, or even a laminated sheet of nonwoven fabric in which a waterproof film is interposed to ensure substantial liquid impermeability, can be used. A material having moisture permeability may also be used.

As the surface sheet, a nonwoven fabric with or without holes, a porous plastic sheet, etc., is preferably used. As the material fiber constituting the nonwoven fabric, for example, olefins such as polyethylene and polypropylene, synthetic fibers such as polyester and polyamide, regenerated fibers such as rayon and cupra, and blends of these, as well as natural fibers such as cotton, can be used alone or in combination of two or more kinds.

The absorbent is not limited to any material that can absorb and retain bodily fluids such as blood, urine, and vaginal discharge, but it is preferable that the absorbent contains cotton-like pulp, and more preferably contains cotton-like pulp and a water-absorbent polymer. Examples of pulp include chemical pulp obtained from wood, cellulose fibers such as dissolving pulp, and artificial cellulose fibers such as rayon and acetate. Examples of water-absorbent polymers that can be used include superabsorbent polymer granular powder (superabsorbent polymer (SAP)), superabsorbent polymer fiber (superabsorbent fiber (SAF)), and combinations thereof.

The absorbent body has dimensions and a shape that do not protrude from the top sheet and back sheet. At the front and rear edge portions of the absorbent body, the outer edges of the back sheet and top sheet are joined by an adhesive such as hot melt, heat sealing, ultrasonic sealing, or other adhesive means. The absorbent article 1 may also have side nonwoven fabrics provided along the front-to-rear direction (first direction) D1 at both ends of the width direction (second direction) D2. As the side nonwoven fabric, a water-repellent nonwoven fabric or a hydrophilic nonwoven fabric can be used.

The thickness of the absorbent article 1 can be 1.0 to 20 mm, and is preferably 1.5 to 15 mm. The thickness does not have to be uniform across the surface of the absorbent article 1; for example, the thickness of the absorbent body can be partially increased to create a bulging configuration in the area corresponding to the bodily fluid outlet (the bodily fluid outlet corresponding area) and in the area facing the buttocks crease behind the bodily fluid outlet corresponding area.

The absorbent article 1 may have a pair of wings to securely fix the absorbent article 1 to the underwear when worn. The pair of wings are formed by bonding together the side nonwoven fabric and the back sheet that extend outward in the second direction D2 from both sides of the absorbent body. When the absorbent article 1 is packaged in the packaging sheet 10, the wings may be configured to be folded inward in the width direction before the absorbent article 1 is folded in the front-rear direction.

(Adhesive part to prevent slippage)
One surface side (non-skin surface or back sheet side) of the absorbent article 1 is provided with an anti-slip adhesive portion 9 for fixing the absorbent article to an undergarment while being worn (FIGS. 1 to 4). The anti-slip adhesive portion 9 is preferably made of an adhesive layer. The absorbent article 1 is placed in an expanded state on the packaging sheet 10 so that the anti-slip adhesive portion 9 faces the inner surface (one surface side) of the packaging sheet 10, and is folded in the front-rear direction D1. In the example shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 4, a plurality of anti-slip adhesive portions 9 are provided along the front-rear direction D1, but the arrangement and size of the anti-slip adhesive portions 9 are not limited to those shown in the drawings. In addition, as shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 4, the anti-slip adhesive portion 9 may be continuous along the front-rear direction D1, or may be divided and arranged at the boundaries of the first fold line L1 and the second fold line L2.

(packaging sheet)
The shape of the packaging sheet 10 is not particularly limited, but it is preferable that the packaging sheet 10 has an elongated shape, such as a rectangle or an oblong shape, when unfolded (unfolded) in the front-rear direction D1 of the absorbent article 1, as shown in Fig. 3. The elongated packaging sheet 10 is suitable for packaging the elongated and planar absorbent article 1. As described above, the packaged absorbent article 100 can be formed by placing the absorbent article 1 on the packaging sheet 10 so that the back sheet side (non-skin side) of the absorbent article 1 faces one side of the packaging sheet 10, and folding the packaging sheet 10 together with the absorbent article 1 in the front-rear direction D1 of the absorbent article 1 so that the absorbent article 1 faces inward. When placing the absorbent article 1, it is preferable that the front-rear direction D1 of the absorbent article 1 is aligned with the longitudinal direction of the packaging sheet 10.

The dimensions of the packaging sheet 10 depend on the size and shape of the absorbent article 1 to be packaged, but are not particularly limited. For example, when the packaging sheet 10 is elongated in the first direction D1 as shown in FIG. 3, the length (longitudinal length) of the packaging sheet 10 when deployed in the first direction D1 can be 100 to 450 mm. The width (shortitudinal length) of the packaging sheet 10 in the same state can be 70 to 250 mm. Here, when the packaging sheet 10 is pleated along the first direction D1, the above-mentioned dimensions of the packaging sheet 10 refer to the outer dimensions in the pleated state. The length of the packaging sheet 10 in the first direction D1 when the absorbent article 1 is packaged can be 50 to 140 mm. The width of the packaging sheet in the second direction D2 before pleating is preferably 2.3 to 2.7 times the width in the pleated state as shown in FIG. 3. More preferably, it is 2.4 to 2.6 times.

The material constituting the packaging sheet 10 is not particularly limited, and may be a material that has orientation or may not have orientation. In this specification, "having orientation" means that the elements (fibers, polymer molecules, etc.) constituting the material have a tendency to exist along a specific direction, and strengths such as tensile strength and tear strength vary depending on the direction in the plane. Specific examples of materials for the packaging sheet 10 include resin films, nonwoven fabrics, and paper. Paper often has orientation, and nonwoven fabrics and resin films may also have orientation depending on the molding method.

When a resin film is used for the packaging sheet 10, examples of the resin used include polyolefins such as polypropylene and polyethylene, polyester, polyvinyl alcohol, and the like. The resin film is preferably one that has been stretched. The resin film may be either a non-breathable film or a breathable film. When a resin film is used, the outline of the print becomes clear and the color of the coloring agent is well developed, improving the design of the packaging sheet.

When nonwoven fabric is used for the packaging sheet 10, the texture and softness can be improved. As the nonwoven fabric, melt-blown nonwoven fabric, spunbond nonwoven fabric, etc. are preferable, and a combination of multiple layers of these nonwoven fabrics can also be used. In addition, the fibers constituting the nonwoven fabric may be polyolefins such as polypropylene and polyethylene, polyester, polyamides such as nylon, etc.

When paper is used for the packaging sheet 10, it is preferable because it places less of a burden on the environment when it is disposed of and gives the appearance and feel of natural materials with a gentle impression. In this specification, paper can refer to a flat sheet made by bonding plant fibers and other fibers with an adhesive. In particular, it can refer to a material made primarily from plant fibers (pulp), for example, one in which the plant fibers make up 50% or more of the fiber content, and preferably 80% or more.

In addition, when using a paper packaging sheet 10, there is a possibility that noise (e.g., rustling noises) may be generated from the packaging sheet 10 when handling the packaged absorbent article 100, so it is preferable to treat the packaging sheet 10 to make it less likely to generate such noise.

As for the packaging sheet 10, one packaging sheet 10 may be a single layer sheet made of the above-mentioned material, or one packaging sheet 10 may be a laminated sheet made by laminating multiple layers made of different materials. Thus, for example, it may be constructed by laminating a resin film onto the above-mentioned paper sheet.

(Packaging Structure)
The packaging structure according to the first embodiment will now be described in more detail.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the packaging sheet 10 is preferably folded in three pleats at a third fold line L3 and a fourth fold line L4 along the first direction D1. The packaging sheet 10 folded in three pleats as described above is unfolded in the first direction D1 as shown in Figure 3, and the anti-slip adhesive portion 9 of the absorbent article 1 is placed on the upper surface S1. In this case, it is preferable that the upper surface S1 is treated (peeling treated) to be peelable from the anti-slip adhesive portion 9 at least in the area facing the anti-slip adhesive portion 9 of the absorbent article 1.

The packaging sheet 10 shown in Figures 1 to 4 is formed by folding one packaging sheet 10 in three pleats and then rolling it in three in the first direction D1. However, the packaging sheet 10 may be formed by joining two or more packaging sheets. When joining two or more packaging sheets, for example, the form shown in Figure 9 can be used. Figure 9 is an enlarged view of part A in Figure 4, showing the form in which two packaging sheets are joined. That is, it is an enlarged view of part A in Figure 4, showing the case in which one continuous packaging sheet 10 is joined to two packaging sheets.

In one modified example shown in FIG. 9(a), the packaging sheet 10 is formed by joining a first packaging sheet 10-1 and a second packaging sheet 10-2 via a joint 16 using an adhesive or the like. When manufacturing a packaging sheet 10 folded in three using the first packaging sheet 10-1 and the second packaging sheet 10-2, the first packaging sheet 10-1, which is not pleated, and the second packaging sheet 10-2, which is folded in half along the first direction D1, may be overlapped and joined together. In this case, the joint 16 can be positioned at the pleat line L4 on the underside of the packaging sheet 10 folded in three.

In another modified example shown in FIG. 9(b), the packaging sheet 10 is formed by joining the first packaging sheet 10-3 and the second packaging sheet 10-4 via the joint 17. This joint is formed by overlapping the first packaging sheet 10-3, which is not pleated, with the second packaging sheet 10-4, which is folded in half along the first direction D1. Then, in the sealing process, one end of the first packaging sheet 10-3 in the second direction D2 and one end of the lower surface of the second packaging sheet 10-4 in the second direction D2 can be sealed and joined at the joint 17 at the same time. FIG. 9(b) shows the state after sealing. This eliminates the need to prepare a wide packaging sheet 10. In addition, since the second packaging sheets 10-2 and 10-4 are held inside the packaging of the packaged absorbent article, they can be made of a material with lower toughness than the first packaging sheets 10-1 and 10-3.

The packaging sheet 10 may be made up of three or more packaging sheets joined together, and the number of pleats is not limited to three.

Since the length of the packaging sheet 10 in the second direction D2 is greater than the width of the absorbent article 1, the absorbent article 1 is not present at both edges of the packaging sheet 10 in the second direction D2, and the overlapping packaging sheets 10 are stacked in contact with each other. Sealed portions 15a, 15b along the first direction D1 can be formed at both edges of the packaging sheet 10 in the second direction D2. The sealed portions 15a, 15b are formed by joining the overlapping packaging sheets 10 together.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 5, the end of the lower surface S2 of the packaging sheet 10 folded in three and the pleat fold line L4 on the lower surface side are fixed by a seal at both ends of the packaging sheet 10 in the second direction D2 in the state folded in the first direction D1 side as described above. Therefore, each is included in the seal portion 15a on one side and the seal portion 15b on the other side. On the other hand, the end of the upper surface S1 of the packaging sheet 10 folded in three and the pleat fold line L3 on the upper surface side are located inside the seal portions 15a and 15b on both ends, respectively, and are not sealed, and can slide in the second direction D2.

The seal parts 15a and 15b can be formed by a joining method such as adhesive, fusion of the sheet surface, mechanical method, etc. The above joining methods may be used alone or in combination. More specifically, the seal parts 15a and 15b can be formed by heat sealing, ultrasonic sealing, etc., or by adhesive. When the packaging sheet 10 is paper, it is preferable to form the seal parts 15a and 15b by joining using an adhesive or by physical pressure bonding. The seal parts 15a and 15b may be peelable or non-peelable when opened by a user in a normal manner. However, according to this embodiment, since it is not necessary to peel off the packaging sheet 10 at the seal parts 15a and 15b when opening, the strength of the seal parts 15a and 15b can be made difficult to peel off before opening. In addition, there is no need to perform a process to make it easy to peel off by the force of the user's hands when opening.

The provision of the sealing portions 15a and 15b prevents the absorbent article 1 from being exposed to the outside, and also prevents dust and other foreign matter from entering the inside of the packaged absorbent article 100 from the second direction D2.

The packaging structure formed by folding such a packaging sheet 10 is preferable because it can be easily produced and the absorbent article 1 can be securely enclosed within the packaging sheet 10 without being exposed to the external environment.

1, 3 and 4, the packaging sheet 10 has an easy-to-break line 20 formed inside the seal portions 15a and 15b at both ends. The method of forming the easy-to-break line 20 is not limited as long as it is a line that can be cut. The easy-to-break line 20 can be formed, for example, by a perforation. The surface of the packaging sheet 10 may also be weakened by scratching it linearly or by applying a chemical linearly. The perforation is formed by alternately arranging cut portions (cut portions) and uncut portions (tie portions) of the packaging sheet 10. However, the cut portions do not have to completely penetrate the packaging sheet 10. If the cut portions completely penetrate the packaging sheet 10, it is preferable to form the easy-to-break line 20 outside the pleat fold line L3 so that the pleats of the pleat fold line L3 are not cut when the packaging sheet 10 is opened.

The operation of opening the packaged absorbent article 100 will be described below with reference to Figures 5 to 8.

Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the packaged absorbent article 100 before opening. To open the packaged absorbent article 100, the packaging sheet 10 is cut along the easy-to-break line 20 provided on the inside of the sealed portion 15a on one side. Therefore, when opening, it is not necessary to peel the packaging sheets 10 apart at the sealed portions 15a and 15b, and the sound of the packaging sheets 10 peeling apart (peeling sound) can be eliminated. Also, less force is required when opening than when peeling the packaging sheets 10 apart at the sealed portions 15a and 15b.

When the packaging sheet 10 is cut along the easy-to-break line 20, the side of the absorbent article 1 is exposed as shown in FIG. 6. As described above, the end 13 of the upper surface S1 of the packaging sheet 10 folded in three pleats and the pleat fold line L3 on the upper surface side can move in the second direction D2. Therefore, when the side (side portion) of the absorbent article 1 is pulled out, as shown in FIG. 7, the upper surface S1 adhered to the absorbent article 1 via the anti-slip adhesive portion 9 slides in the direction of the arrow to guide the removal of the absorbent article 1. Finally, as shown in FIG. 8, the upper surface S1 of the packaging sheet 10 peels off from the anti-slip adhesive portion 9 of the absorbent article 1, and the absorbent article 1 is removed. According to this embodiment, the absorbent article 1 can be smoothly removed from the side. In addition, the opening of the packaged absorbent article 100 and the removal of the absorbent article 1 can be performed in one direction and in one operation, respectively, so that the number of steps required to remove the absorbent article 1 is small, and the absorbent article 1 can be quickly opened and removed with a simple operation. After the absorbent article 1 is removed, the bag-shaped packaging sheet 10 can be left behind as shown in FIG. 7, so that when the used absorbent article 1 is to be disposed of, the used absorbent article 1 can be placed in the bag-shaped packaging sheet 10, making disposal easy and hygienic. Furthermore, in addition to opening the packaging sheet by cutting it along the easy-to-break line as described above, the sealed packaging sheets can also be opened by peeling them apart at the seals at both ends of the packaging sheet, so that the user can select the opening method according to their needs.

In addition, since the packaging sheet 10 is folded in three and then rolled in three, it can be made easier to pull out by forming, for example, perforations on the pleat fold line L3 on the upper surface side so that it can be easily torn when pulled out.

In this embodiment, the packaging sheet 10 is subjected to a peel-off treatment, but this is not limiting and a separate peel-off sheet may be provided.

Second Embodiment
Fig. 10 shows a plan view of the unfolded packaged absorbent article 200 according to the second embodiment, seen from the side on which the absorbent article 1 is placed. Fig. 11 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in Fig. 10. Fig. 12 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in Fig. 1 according to the second embodiment. Figs. 13 to 15 show diagrams for explaining the operation of opening the packaged absorbent article 200. In the example shown in Figs. 10 to 15, the packaging sheet 60 is not folded in three as in the first embodiment (Fig. 5, etc.), but is flat, and a release sheet 30 is provided between the packaging sheet 60 and the absorbent article 1.

As shown in Figs. 10 and 11, the release sheet 30 is folded in half at a fifth fold line L5 along the first direction D1. In a state where the release sheet 30 is unfolded in the first direction D1, the bottom surface S4 of the release sheet 30 is adhered to the packaging sheet 10 by an adhesive layer 40, and the anti-slip adhesive portion 9 of the absorbent article 1 is placed on the top surface S3. Thereafter, as in the first embodiment, the packaging sheet 60 is folded at the first fold line L1 and the second fold line L2, and folded at least in thirds in the first direction D1 to wrap the absorbent article 1.

Sealed portions 15a, 15b can be formed along the first direction D1 on both edge portions 63, 64 of the packaging sheet 60 in the second direction D2. The sealed portions 15a, 15b are formed by joining the overlapping packaging sheets 60 together. The sealed portions 15a, 15b can be formed by the same joining method as in the first embodiment.

The operation of opening the packaged absorbent article 200 will be described below with reference to Figures 12 to 15.

As shown in FIG. 12, the fold line (fifth fold line) L5 of the release sheet 30, the end 31 of the upper surface S3, and the end 32 of the lower surface S4 are all located inside the seal portions 15a, 15b at both ends and are not sealed. Furthermore, since the lower surface 4 of the release sheet 30 is fixed to the packaging sheet 60 by the adhesive layer 40, the end 31 of the upper surface S3 of the release sheet 30 is movable along the second direction D2.

To open the packaged absorbent article 200, the packaging sheet 60 is cut along the easy-to-break line 70 provided on the inside of the sealed portion 15a on one side. Therefore, when opening, it is not necessary to peel the packaging sheets 60 at the sealed portions 15a and 15b from each other, and the sound of the packaging sheets 60 peeling from each other (peeling sound) can be eliminated. Also, less force is required when opening than when peeling the packaging sheets 60 at the sealed portions 15a and 15b from each other.

When the packaging sheet 60 is cut along the frangible break line 70, the side of the absorbent article 1 is exposed, as shown in FIG. 13. As described above, the end 31 of the top surface S3 of the folded release sheet 30 can move in the second direction D2, so when the side (side portion) of the absorbent article 1 is pulled out, the top surface S3, which is adhered to the absorbent article 1 via the anti-slip adhesive portion 9, slides in the direction of the arrow to guide the removal of the absorbent article 1, as shown in FIG. 14. Finally, as shown in FIG. 15, the top surface S3 of the release sheet 30 peels off from the anti-slip adhesive portion 9 of the absorbent article 1, and the absorbent article 1 is removed.

The release sheet 30 is folded in half and then rolled in thirds. By forming easy-to-break lines such as perforations on the fold lines (L1, L2) of the release sheet 30, the release sheet 30 is torn along the fold lines when the absorbent article 1 is removed, making it easy to remove.

According to this embodiment, the absorbent article 1 can be smoothly removed from the side of the absorbent article 1. In addition, since the packaged absorbent article 200 can be opened and the absorbent article 1 can be removed in one direction and in one operation, the number of steps required to remove the absorbent article 1 is small, and the absorbent article 1 can be quickly opened and removed with a simple operation. After the absorbent article 1 is removed, the bag-shaped packaging sheet 60 can be left behind as shown in FIG. 15, so that when the used absorbent article 1 is disposed of, the used absorbent article 1 can be placed in the bag-shaped packaging sheet 60, which makes disposal easy and hygienic. In addition to cutting and opening the packaging sheet 60 along the easy-to-break line 70 as described above, the packaging sheets 60 can also be peeled off from each other at the seal portions 15a and 15b at both ends of the packaging sheet 60, so that the user can select an opening method according to his/her needs.

The release sheet does not have to be folded in half as shown in FIG. 11, and the underside of the release sheet may be attached to the packaging sheet so that it can be easily peeled away. In this case, when the packaging sheet is cut along the easy-to-break line and the side of the absorbent article 1 is pulled out, the release sheet is easily separated from the packaging sheet and is removed together with the absorbent article 1. The user then peels the release sheet off the absorbent article 1 and puts on the absorbent article 1.

1 Absorbent article 9 Anti-slip adhesive portion 10, 60 Packaging sheet (packaging material)
10-1, 10-3 First packaging sheet 10-2, 10-4 Second packaging sheet 11, 61 One end 12, 62 of the packaging sheet in the longitudinal direction The other end 13 of the packaging sheet End 14 of the upper surface of the packaging sheet folded in three End 15 of the lower surface of the packaging sheet folded in three Sealed portion 15a Sealed portion on one side 15b Sealed portion on the other side 16, 17 Joint portion 20, 70 Easy-to-break line 30 Release sheet 31 End 32 of the upper surface of the release sheet End 40 of the lower surface of the release sheet Adhesive layer 50 Sealing tape 63 End 64 of one side of the packaging sheet End 100, 200 of the packaging sheet on the other side Packaged absorbent article D1 First direction (longitudinal direction of the packaging sheet, front-to-rear direction of the absorbent article)
D2: Second direction (short side direction of the packaging sheet, width direction of the absorbent article)
L: Fold line L1; First fold line L2; Second fold line L3; Third fold line (the fold line on the top side of the packaging sheet folded in three folds)
L4 Fourth fold line (the fold line on the lower surface side of the packaging sheet folded in three)
L5 Fifth fold line (fold line of release sheet)
R1 First region R2 Second region R3 Third region S1 Top surface S2 of the packaging sheet folded in three folds Bottom surface S3 of the packaging sheet folded in three folds Top surface S4 of the release sheet Bottom surface

Claims (3)

A packaged absorbent article, comprising: an absorbent article having an anti-slip adhesive portion on one side thereof, which is placed on one side of a packaging sheet in an unfolded state so that the anti-slip adhesive portion faces the one side of the packaging sheet; the packaging sheet and the absorbent article are folded in thirds or more in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article so that the absorbent article is on the inside; and the folded packaging sheet has seal portions at both ends along the longitudinal direction,
A breakable line is provided on the inside of one of the seal portions at both ends,
The packaging sheet is folded in three along the longitudinal direction,
The anti-slip adhesive portion is placed so as to face the upper surface of the three pleats,
The upper surface is subjected to a release treatment,
The edge of the lower surface of the three-pleated packaging sheet is included in the one-side seal portion,
The pleat lines on the lower surface side of the three-pleated packaging sheet are included in the other seal portion of the seal portions at both ends,
A packaged absorbent article , wherein the pleat lines on the upper surface side of the package sheet folded in three and the ends of the upper surface are located inside the seal portions at both ends . The packaging sheet is formed by joining a first packaging sheet and a second packaging sheet via a joint,
The packaged absorbent article according to claim 1 , wherein the joint is located at a pleat line on the lower surface side of the package sheet folded in three. A packaged absorbent article, comprising: an absorbent article having an anti-slip adhesive portion on one side thereof, which is placed on one side of a packaging sheet in an unfolded state so that the anti-slip adhesive portion faces the one side of the packaging sheet; the packaging sheet and the absorbent article are folded in thirds in a longitudinal direction of the absorbent article so that the absorbent article is on the inside; and the folded packaging sheet has seal portions at both ends along the longitudinal direction,
A breakable line is provided on the inside of one of the seal portions at both ends,
The anti-slip adhesive portion of the absorbent article is placed in an unfolded state so as to face the one surface side of the packaging sheet via a release sheet,
The release sheet is folded in half along a fold line along the longitudinal direction , and then folded in thirds in the longitudinal direction;
The anti-slip adhesive portion is placed so as to face the upper surface of the folded release sheet,
The lower surface of the folded release sheet is adhered to a surface of the packaging sheet,
the fold line, the upper end and the lower end of the release sheet are all located inside the seal portions at both ends ,
A packaged absorbent article , wherein an easy-to-tear line is formed on the fold line of the release sheet where the release sheet is folded in three .

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