CN214679188U

CN214679188U - Absorbent article packaging body and absorbent article packaging

Info

Publication number: CN214679188U
Application number: CN201990000567.5U
Authority: CN
Inventors: 加藤伸亨; 山本千裕; 入户野太朗; 田村竜也
Original assignee: Unicharm Corp
Current assignee: Unicharm Corp
Priority date: 2018-03-15
Filing date: 2019-03-12
Publication date: 2021-11-12
Anticipated expiration: 2029-03-12
Also published as: WO2019176961A1; KR20200002564U; KR200498574Y1

Abstract

The absorbent article package (20) comprises an absorbent article (1) and a packaging member (10), wherein the packaging member (10) is visible from the surface side located on the inner side, the packaging member (10) has an animal pattern (30), the animal pattern (30) has a vertical direction, and when the absorbent article package (20) is unfolded by opening and viewed from the skin side of the absorbent article (1), at least a part of the animal pattern (30) is visible, and the vertical direction of the animal pattern (30) is aligned with the front-rear direction of the absorbent article (1).

Description

Absorbent article package and package of absorbent article

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an absorbent article package and a package of absorbent articles.

Background

As one example of an absorbent article package, patent document 1 discloses a packaged sanitary napkin in which a sanitary napkin main body is covered and adhered to an upper surface of a packaging sheet, and the packaging sheet and the sanitary napkin main body are folded together into three layers. In patent document 1, a pattern is provided on a back sheet of a packaged sanitary napkin.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2005-185858

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

Problem to be solved by utility model

The problem to be solved by the present invention is at least one of the first problem and the second problem described below.

In the case of the first problem, some absorbent articles, such as sanitary napkins, pantiliners, or absorbent pads, have a front side and a rear side. For example, there are some cases as follows: the rear side disposed on the hip side of the wearer is wider and longer than the front side, and the front side disposed in the vicinity of the excretory opening is configured to have a higher absorption capacity than the rear side. However, users who are not skilled in using absorbent articles sometimes wear the absorbent articles upside down.

The pattern provided in the sanitary napkin of patent document 1 is to mask menstrual blood spots absorbed by the absorbent body. Thus, the illustrated pattern is a relatively large leaf or vine-like floral plant, a fine grid pattern, or a large number of relatively small interspersed patterns such as stars and the like. Such a pattern has no directionality, and the user cannot recognize the front and rear sides of the absorbent article by observing such a pattern.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an absorbent article package that guides an inexperienced user to use an absorbent article in a correct front-rear direction, and a package of an absorbent article including the absorbent article package.

In the case of the second problem, the package of absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, pantiliners, or absorbent pads is generally circulated in a state of being packaged in a group together. However, the absorbent article package is often taken out of the package while being stored in the home. Note that if different absorbent articles are used during the day and night, or different products are used by mother and daughter, the various types of absorbent article packages may be mixed together during storage. A design is provided as in the sanitary napkin of patent document 1, and a desired product can be selected from various types of products.

However, the sanitary napkin of patent document 1 is provided with a pattern for masking the menstrual blood spots absorbed by the absorbent body. Thus, the illustrated pattern is a relatively large leaf or vine-like floral plant, a fine grid pattern, or a large number of relatively small interspersed patterns such as stars and the like. This pattern has no directionality. Therefore, the absorbent article packages are sometimes stored in a state of being laid flat (flat stack) on each other. In this case, it is difficult to take out a desired product from the lower side, and there are cases where the lower side product is not used for a long time, and the thickness of the absorbent article is reduced due to the weight of the product stacked thereon, resulting in a reduction in comfort and absorption capacity.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an absorbent article package that guides a user to store the absorbent article package in an upright orientation, and an absorbent article package including the absorbent article package.

Means for solving the problems

A main aspect of the present invention for achieving the above aspect is an absorbent article package, including: an absorbent article having a front-rear direction, the absorbent article being one of a sanitary napkin, a panty liner and an absorbent pad; and a packaging member that packages the absorbent article, wherein the packaging member includes an animal pattern having a vertical direction, the animal pattern being visible from an inner surface side inward when the absorbent article is packaged, at least a part of the animal pattern being visible when viewed from a skin side of the absorbent article in a state where the absorbent article package is opened and unfolded, the vertical direction of the animal pattern being aligned with a front-rear direction of the absorbent article when viewed from the skin side of the absorbent article in the state where the absorbent article package is opened and unfolded.

Preferably, the absorbent article includes an animal pattern having a top-bottom direction and visible from a skin side of the absorbent article, the animal pattern of the absorbent article is the same type of animal as the animal pattern of the packaging member, and the top-bottom direction of the animal pattern of the absorbent article is aligned with the front-back direction of the absorbent article.

Preferably, the absorbent article includes: an absorbent body that absorbs excretory fluid, and a skin side sheet that is located on the skin side of the absorbent body, at least one of the absorbent body and the skin side sheet having a recess that is a portion that is recessed in the thickness direction of at least one of the absorbent body and the skin side sheet, and an animal figure of the absorbent article being formed by the recess.

Preferably, in a state where the absorbent article package is opened and unfolded, the entirety of the at least one animal pattern of the package member is visible when viewed from the skin side of the absorbent article.

Preferably, the absorbent article includes a wide portion which is a portion where a width in a width direction of the absorbent article is widest in a front region of the absorbent article, and a length in the width direction of a portion of the wrapping member extending from the wide portion to one side in the width direction is larger than a length in the width direction of an animal pattern of the wrapping member in a state where the absorbent article package is unsealed and unfolded.

Preferably, the wrapping member is folded together with the absorbent article at a folded position, the folded position being a position extending in a width direction of the absorbent article, and a length in a front-rear direction of the absorbent article from a front-side end portion of the wrapping member to the most forward folded position is greater than or equal to a length in the front-rear direction of an animal figure of the wrapping member in a state where the absorbent article package is unsealed and unfolded.

Preferably, the absorbent article has an adhesive portion for skid prevention, and, in a case where the absorbent article is fixed to the packing member by the adhesive portion, a length in the front-rear direction of the absorbent article from a front end portion of the wrapping member to a front end portion of the adhesive portion in a state where the absorbent article wrapping body is opened and unfolded is greater than or equal to a length in the front-rear direction of the animal pattern of the wrapping member, and in the case where the absorbent article is fixed to the wrapping member via a release sheet covering the adhesive portion, and the release sheet is fixed to the wrapping member by an adhesive, in a state where the absorbent article package is opened and unfolded, a length in the front-rear direction from a front end portion of the wrapping member to a front end portion of the adhesive is greater than or equal to a length in the front-rear direction of an animal figure of the wrapping member.

Preferably, in a state where the absorbent article package is opened and unfolded, a length in a front-rear direction of the absorbent article from a front end portion of the package member to a front end portion of the release sheet is greater than or equal to a length in the front-rear direction of the animal pattern of the package member.

Preferably, the opening end of the wrapping member is fastened using a tape, and the tape is fixed to a front-side end portion of the wrapping member in the front-rear direction in a state where the absorbent article package is opened and unfolded.

Preferably, the packaging member includes an animal design which is visible from the opposite side to the inner surface side, the animal design being the same type of animal as the animal design visible from the inner surface side, and the animal design visible from the inner surface side is darker in color than the animal design visible from the opposite side.

Preferably, the animal design contained in the packaging member and visible from the inner surface side has one of the following sets of colors: black and colored colors other than black; and a reverse color.

Preferably, the absorbent article includes an absorber that absorbs excreta liquid, the outer shape of the absorbent article is symmetrical in the front-rear direction of the absorbent article, and at least one of the shape and the basis weight of the absorber is asymmetrical in the front-rear direction of the absorbent article.

The present invention also provides a package of absorbent articles containing a plurality of the above absorbent article packages, the package including an animal pattern visible from outside the package, the animal pattern being the same type of animal as the animal pattern contained in the package member and visible from the inner surface side of the package member; and the up-down direction of the packaged animal pattern is aligned with the up-down direction of the package.

The present invention also provides a package of an absorbent article containing a plurality of the above-described absorbent article packages, the package including a window portion through which the absorbent article packages can be seen from the outside of the package, each of the absorbent article packages including an animal pattern which can be seen from the outside of the absorbent article package, the animal pattern being of the same type as an animal pattern which is included in the package member and visible from the inner surface side of the package member, and being included in the absorbent article package and passing through the package the up-down direction of the animal pattern which can be seen through the window portion is aligned with the up-down direction of the package.

A package of an absorbent article comprising a plurality of absorbent article packages, each of the absorbent article packages comprising an absorbent article and a packaging member that packages the absorbent article, the absorbent article being one of a sanitary napkin, a panty liner, and an absorbent pad, the absorbent article having a front-to-back direction, the absorbent article comprising an animal figure having a top-to-bottom direction, the top-to-bottom direction of the animal figure of the absorbent article being aligned with the front-to-back direction of the absorbent article, providing at least one of the following configurations: the package has a configuration of an animal pattern, wherein the animal pattern is visible from the outside of the package, the animal pattern being of the same type as the animal pattern of the absorbent article, the up-down direction of the animal pattern being aligned with the up-down direction of the package; and each of the absorbent article packages has a configuration of an animal pattern, wherein the animal pattern is visible from an outside of the absorbent article package, the animal pattern being of the same type as the animal pattern of the absorbent article, and a vertical direction of the animal pattern of the absorbent article package is aligned with a vertical direction of the package in a state where the absorbent article package is accommodated in the package.

Preferably, the package includes a window portion through which at least a part of the absorbent article package is visible from outside of the package, and an up-down direction of an animal figure included in each of the absorbent article packages and visible through the window portion is aligned with an up-down direction of the package.

Preferably, in a state where the absorbent article package is opened and unfolded, a maximum length of the window portion in a vertical direction of the package is greater than or equal to a length of an animal figure of the absorbent article package in the vertical direction.

Preferably, each of the absorbent article packages includes a plurality of animal patterns including a first animal pattern and a second animal pattern, the first animal pattern and the second animal pattern being arranged side by side with an interval in an up-down direction of the animal pattern, the first animal pattern and the second animal pattern overlapping each other in a width direction of the animal pattern, the first animal pattern being arranged on an upper side with respect to the second animal pattern, and a maximum length of the window portion in an up-down direction of the package is greater than or equal to a length from an upper end of the animal pattern of the first animal pattern in the up-down direction to an upper end of the animal pattern of the second animal pattern in a state where the absorbent article package is opened and unfolded.

Preferably, the package accommodates a plurality of the absorbent article packages in a state in which the plurality of the absorbent article packages are arranged side by side in a thickness direction of the plurality of the absorbent article packages, at least a part of the animal pattern of the absorbent article package is located in a folded portion extending in a predetermined direction in a state in which the package member accommodates the absorbent article and is folded at the folded portion, and an up-down direction of the animal pattern of the absorbent article package is aligned with the predetermined direction, and at least a part of the animal pattern located in the folded portion is visible through the window portion of the package.

Preferably, each of the absorbent article packages has a thickness when contained in the package that is greater than or equal to 1/2 of the length in the width direction of the animal figure of the absorbent article package in a state where the absorbent article package is opened and unfolded.

Preferably, each of the absorbent article packages has a thickness when contained in the package that is greater than or equal to a length in a width direction of the animal figure of the absorbent article package in a state where the absorbent article package is opened and unfolded.

Preferably, each of the absorbent article packages has an arrangement region and a non-arrangement region in a state where the absorbent article package is opened and unfolded, the arrangement region is a region where an animal pattern is arranged, the non-arrangement region is a region where no animal pattern is arranged, the arrangement region and the non-arrangement region alternate in a width direction of the animal pattern, and a thickness of the absorbent article package when contained in the package is larger than a width of the non-arrangement region in a state where the absorbent article package is opened and unfolded.

Preferably, with respect to the absorbent article packages adjacent in the thickness direction, at least a part of the animal pattern located in the folded portion of the adjacent absorbent article package is visible through the window portion of the package, and the animal patterns located in the folded portion of the adjacent absorbent article package are not aligned with each other in the up-down direction of the animal pattern.

An absorbent article package, comprising: an absorbent article which is one of a sanitary napkin, a panty liner and an absorbent pad; and a packaging member that packages the absorbent article, wherein the absorbent article package further includes an animal design having an up-down direction in which at least a part of the animal design is located in a folded portion extending in a predetermined direction aligned with an up-down direction of the animal design in a state where the packaging member accommodates the absorbent article and is folded at the folded portion.

Preferably, the thickness of the absorbent article package in the folded state is greater than or equal to 1/2 of the length of the animal pattern in the width direction in the opened and unfolded state of the absorbent article package.

Preferably, the thickness of the absorbent article package in the folded state is greater than or equal to the length of the animal pattern in the width direction in a state where the absorbent article package is opened and unfolded.

Preferably, in a state where the absorbent article package is opened and unfolded, the absorbent article package has an arrangement region where the animal pattern is arranged and a non-arrangement region where the animal pattern is not arranged, the arrangement region and the non-arrangement region alternate in a width direction of the animal pattern, and a thickness of the absorbent article package in a folded state is larger than a width of the non-arrangement region in the state where the absorbent article package is opened and unfolded.

Preferably, in a state where the absorbent article package is opened and unfolded, the absorbent article package has a plurality of animal patterns which are arranged side by side in a width direction of the animal patterns and in the up-down direction, and adjacent animal patterns in the up-down direction are not aligned with each other in the width direction, and the adjacent animal patterns have portions which overlap with each other in the width direction.

The present invention also provides a package for an absorbent article, including a plurality of the absorbent article packages, each of which has a plurality of folded portions, the folded portions including a first folded portion and a second folded portion on the opposite side of the first folded portion, wherein the first folded portion is larger than the second folded portion, the second folded portion is larger than the first folded portion, the second folded portion is larger than the second folded portion, the package is configured in a plurality of directions in the thickness direction of the absorbent article package, and the absorbent article package is stored in a plurality of states in the absorbent article package, each of the absorbent article packages, the first folded portion is located on the same side.

Preferably, the open end of the absorbent article package is fastened using a belt, and the belt is configured to be closer to the second fold than to the first fold.

The present invention also provides a package for an absorbent article, which contains a plurality of the above-described absorbent article packages, wherein the package is configured in a plurality of the absorbent article packages arranged side by side in the thickness direction thereof, and the absorbent article packages are stored in a plurality of states thereof, and when the absorbent article packages are stored in the package, the upper and lower directions of the animal figures in the folded portion are aligned with the upper and lower directions of the package.

Preferably, the package includes a window portion through which at least a part of the folded portion of the absorbent article package is visible from outside the package, and an up-down direction of an animal figure located in the folded portion and viewed through the window portion is aligned with the up-down direction of the package.

Preferably, in a state where the absorbent article package is opened and unfolded, a maximum length of the window portion in a vertical direction of the package is greater than or equal to a length of the animal pattern in the vertical direction of the animal pattern.

Preferably, with respect to the absorbent article packages adjacent in the thickness direction, at least a part of the animal patterns located in the folded portions of the adjacent absorbent article packages can be seen through the window portion of the package, and the animal patterns located in the folded portions of the adjacent absorbent article packages are not aligned with each other in the up-down direction of the animal patterns.

Preferably, the package includes an animal pattern which is visible from the outside of the package, is of the same type as the animal pattern of the absorbent article package, and has the same family color as the animal pattern of the absorbent article package, and the up-down direction of the animal pattern of the package is aligned with the up-down direction of the package.

Features of the present invention other than those described above will become apparent by reading the description of the present specification with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Effect of the utility model

In order to solve the first problem, the present invention has an effect of being able to provide a package of an absorbent article that guides an inexperienced user to use the absorbent article in a correct front-rear direction, and a package of an absorbent article including such an absorbent article package.

In order to solve the second problem, the present invention has an effect that an absorbent article package that guides a user to store the absorbent article package in an upright orientation, and a package of an absorbent article including such an absorbent article package can be provided.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a sanitary napkin 1 viewed from the skin side.

Fig. 2A is a plan view showing the inner surface 101 of the packing member 10, and fig. 2B is a plan view showing the outer surface 102 of the packing member 10.

Fig. 3A is a plan view of one surface of the absorbent article package 20, and fig. 3B is a plan view of the other surface of the absorbent article package 20.

Fig. 4 is a view showing the absorbent article package 20 in an opened and unfolded state when viewed from the skin side of the sanitary napkin 1.

Fig. 5A and 5B are explanatory views of a folding method of the absorbent article package 20.

Fig. 6 is a view showing a part of the individual package 20 in an opened and unfolded state when viewed from the skin side of the sanitary napkin 1.

Fig. 7A is an explanatory view of the adhesive portion 9 of the sanitary napkin 1, and fig. 7B is an explanatory view of the release sheet 13 covering the adhesive portion 9 of the sanitary napkin 1.

Fig. 8 is a diagram showing how the individual package 20 is opened.

Fig. 9A to 9C are explanatory views of a modification of the individual package 20.

Fig. 10 is a schematic perspective view of the package 40 of the individual package 20.

Fig. 11 is a diagram showing the front face 40A of the package 40.

Fig. 12 is an explanatory view of the window 41 of the package 40.

Fig. 13 is a plan view showing the outer surface 102 of the packing member 10.

Fig. 14A is a plan view of the absorbent article package 20, and fig. 14B is an explanatory view of the folded portion 21 of the absorbent article package 20.

Fig. 15 is a view showing the absorbent article package 20 in an opened and unfolded state when viewed from the skin side of the sanitary napkin 1.

Fig. 16A and 16B are explanatory views of a folding method of the absorbent article package.

Fig. 17 is a schematic perspective view of the package 40 of the individual package 20.

Fig. 18A and 18B are views showing the state of the individual package 20 in the package 40.

Fig. 19 is a diagram showing the front face 40A of the package 40.

Fig. 20A and 20B are explanatory views of a case where the animal pattern 31 of the individual package 20 has different orientations.

Fig. 21A and 21B are explanatory views of a modification of the package 40.

Fig. 22A to 22D are explanatory views of a modification of the individual package 20.

Fig. 23 is an explanatory view of a modification of the animal pattern 31 of the packaging member 10.

Fig. 24 is a diagram showing an example of a method of storing the individual packages 20 in a home.

Fig. 25A to 25B are explanatory views of a modification of the individual package 20.

Description of the reference numerals

1 (sanitary) sanitary napkin (absorbent article),

2 an absorber, 3a front sheet (skin side sheet),

4 back sheet, 5 wings,

7 compression concave part (concave part), 8 dot compression part, 9 bonding part,

10a packaging material for a member to be packaged,

101 inner surface (inner surface) and 102 outer surface (opposite surface)

11 tapes, 12 release sheets, 13 release sheets, 14 adhesives,

20 individually packaged body (absorbent article packaged body), 21 folded part

211 first fold, 212 second fold

30-35 animal patterns

40 package, 41 window, 42 product name

A1 arrangement region, A2 non-arrangement region, and A3 overlapping part

Detailed Description

At least the following will become apparent from the description of the specification and the accompanying drawings.

An absorbent article package, comprising: an absorbent article having a front-rear direction, the absorbent article being one of a sanitary napkin, a panty liner and an absorbent pad; and a packaging member that packages the absorbent article, wherein the packaging member includes an animal pattern having a vertical direction, the animal pattern being visible from an inner surface side inward when the absorbent article is packaged, at least a part of the animal pattern being visible when viewed from a skin side of the absorbent article in a state where the absorbent article package is opened and unfolded, the vertical direction of the animal pattern being aligned with a front-rear direction of the absorbent article when viewed from the skin side of the absorbent article in the state where the absorbent article package is opened and unfolded.

According to this absorbent article package, when the user opens and unfolds the individually packaged absorbent article and observes the animal pattern of the absorbent article and the packaging member, the user can easily recognize the vertical direction of the animal pattern of the packaging member corresponding to the front-rear direction of the absorbent article. This can guide the user to use the absorbent article in the correct front-rear direction.

In such an absorbent article package, it is desirable that the absorbent article includes an animal pattern which has a vertical direction and is visible from the skin side of the absorbent article, the animal pattern of the absorbent article is the same type of animal as the animal pattern of the package member, and the vertical direction of the animal pattern of the absorbent article is aligned with the front-rear direction of the absorbent article.

According to this absorbent article package, when the user unseals and unfolds the absorbent article package and observes that the vertical direction of the animal pattern of the packaging member is aligned with the vertical direction of the animal pattern of the absorbent article, the user more easily recognizes the vertical direction of these animal patterns corresponding to the front-rear direction of the absorbent article subconsciously.

In such an absorbent article package, it is desirable that the absorbent article includes: an absorbent body that absorbs excretory fluid, and a skin side sheet that is located on the skin side of the absorbent body, at least one of the absorbent body and the skin side sheet having a recess that is a portion that is recessed in the thickness direction of at least one of the absorbent body and the skin side sheet, and an animal figure of the absorbent article being formed by the recess.

According to the absorbent article package, the animal pattern is formed using the concave portion of the general absorbent article, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process of the absorbent article.

In such an absorbent article package, it is desirable that the entirety of at least one animal pattern of the package member is visible when viewed from the skin side of the absorbent article in a state where the absorbent article package is opened and unfolded.

According to this absorbent article package, when the absorbent article package is opened and unfolded, the user can easily recognize the animal pattern of the packaging member and the vertical direction of the animal pattern.

In such an absorbent article package, it is desirable that the absorbent article includes a wide portion that is the widest portion of the width of the absorbent article in the width direction in a front region of the absorbent article, and a length of a portion of the wrapping member extending from the wide portion to one side in the width direction in a state where the absorbent article package is opened and unfolded is larger than a length of the animal pattern of the wrapping member in the width direction.

According to the absorbent article package, the animal pattern of the packaging member is hardly damaged in the width direction. Therefore, when the absorbent article package is opened, the user can easily recognize the animal pattern of the package member and the vertical direction of the animal pattern.

In such an absorbent article package, it is desirable that the wrapping member is folded together with the absorbent article at a folded position that is a position extending in a width direction of the absorbent article, and a length of the absorbent article in a front-rear direction from a front-side end portion of the wrapping member to the most forward folded position is greater than or equal to a length of an animal pattern of the wrapping member in the front-rear direction in a state where the absorbent article package is unsealed and unfolded.

According to this absorbent article package, the animal pattern disposed on the first visible part of the packaging member is hardly damaged in the front-rear direction when the absorbent article package is opened and unfolded. Therefore, when the absorbent article package is opened, the user can easily recognize the animal pattern of the package member and the vertical direction of the animal pattern.

In such an absorbent article package, it is desirable that the absorbent article has an adhesive portion for preventing slipping, a length in the front-rear direction of the absorbent article from a front end portion of the package member to a front end portion of the adhesive portion is greater than or equal to a length in the front-rear direction of an animal pattern of the package member in a state where the absorbent article package is unsealed and unfolded, and the length in the front-rear direction from the front end portion of the package member to the front end portion of the adhesive is greater than or equal to the length in the front-rear direction of the animal pattern of the package member in a state where the absorbent article package is unsealed and unfolded, the length in the front-rear direction from the front end portion of the package member to the front end portion of the adhesive is greater than or equal to the length in the front-rear direction of the animal pattern of the package member The upward length.

According to this absorbent article package, the animal pattern disposed in the portion of the packaging member peeled off from the absorbent article during opening and deployment is hardly damaged in the front-rear direction. Therefore, the user can easily recognize the animal pattern of the packing member and the up-down direction of the animal pattern.

In such an absorbent article package, it is desirable that a length in a front-rear direction of the absorbent article from a front end portion of the package member to a front end portion of the release sheet in a state where the absorbent article package is opened and unfolded is greater than or equal to a length in the front-rear direction of the animal pattern of the package member.

In such an absorbent article package, it is desirable that the opening end of the package member is fastened using a tape, and the tape is fixed to the front-side end portion of the package member in the front-rear direction in a state where the absorbent article package is opened and unfolded.

According to this absorbent article package, the side of the absorbent article that is first viewed when the absorbent article package is opened coincides with the upper side of the animal figure. Therefore, the user can easily use the absorbent article in the correct front-rear direction.

In such an absorbent article package, it is desirable that the package member includes an animal pattern which is visible from the opposite side to the inner surface side, the animal pattern being the same type of animal as the animal pattern visible from the inner surface side, and the animal pattern visible from the inner surface side is darker in color tone than the animal pattern visible from the opposite side.

According to such an absorbent article package, when the individual package is viewed from the outside, the vertical direction of the animal figure is hidden in the mind of the user. Further, when the absorbent article package is opened and unfolded, the user can easily recognize the animal pattern of a dark color tone. Therefore, the user can easily recognize the vertical direction of the animal pattern corresponding to the front-rear direction of the absorbent article.

In such an absorbent article package, it is desirable that the animal design contained in the package member and visible from the inner surface side has one of the following sets of colors: black and colored colors other than black; and a reverse color.

According to the absorbent article package, the animal pattern of the packaging member is conspicuous, and the user can easily recognize the animal pattern of the packaging member.

In such an absorbent article package, it is desirable that the absorbent article includes an absorber that absorbs excreta liquid, the outer shape of the absorbent article is symmetrical in the front-rear direction of the absorbent article, and at least one of the shape and the basis weight of the absorber is asymmetrical in the front-rear direction of the absorbent article.

According to this absorbent article package, even if it is difficult to recognize the front-rear direction from the appearance of the absorbent article, the user can be guided to use the absorbent article in the correct front-rear direction.

In a package of an absorbent article containing a plurality of such absorbent article packages, it is desirable that the package includes an animal pattern visible from the outside of the package, the animal pattern being the same type of animal as the animal pattern contained in the package member and visible from the inner surface side of the package member; and the up-down direction of the packaged animal pattern is aligned with the up-down direction of the package.

According to such a package of absorbent articles, the vertical direction of the animal figure is printed in the subconscious of the user when the package is viewed. Therefore, when the user opens and unfolds the absorbent article package and observes the animal pattern of the absorbent article and the packaging member, the user can more easily recognize the vertical direction of the animal pattern corresponding to the front-rear direction of the absorbent article.

In the package of the absorbent article containing a plurality of such absorbent article packages, it is desirable that the package includes a window portion through which the absorbent article packages are visible from outside the package, each of the absorbent article packages includes an animal pattern visible from outside the absorbent article package, the animal pattern being the same type of animal as the animal pattern included in the package member and visible from the inner surface side of the package member, and an up-down direction of the animal pattern included in the absorbent article package and visible through the window portion of the package is aligned with an up-down direction of the package.

According to the package of the absorbent article, for example, when the user opens the package while observing a state in which the vertical direction of the animal figure of the package is aligned with the vertical direction of the package and/or when the user observes a state in which the vertical direction of the animal figure of the absorbent article package is aligned with the vertical direction of the package, the animal figure and the vertical direction thereof are printed in the subconscious of the user. Therefore, when the user observes the animal pattern of the absorbent article, the user can easily recognize the vertical direction of the animal pattern of the absorbent article corresponding to the front-rear direction of the absorbent article. Therefore, the user can be guided to use the absorbent article in the correct front-rear direction.

In such a package of absorbent articles, it is desirable that the package includes a window portion through which at least a part of the absorbent article package is visible from outside the package, and an up-down direction of an animal figure included in each of the absorbent article packages and visible through the window portion is aligned with an up-down direction of the package.

According to this absorbent article package, a state in which the vertical direction of the animal pattern of the absorbent article package is aligned with the vertical direction of the absorbent article package can be observed from the outside of the absorbent article package.

In such a package of an absorbent article, it is desirable that the maximum length of the window portion in the vertical direction of the package is equal to or greater than the length of the animal figure of the absorbent article package in the vertical direction in a state where the absorbent article package is opened and unfolded.

According to the package of the absorbent article, the animal figures which are not damaged in the up-down direction or the animal figures which are slightly damaged can be observed through the window portion. Therefore, the user can easily recognize the animal figure and the up-down direction thereof.

In such a package of absorbent articles, it is desirable that each of the absorbent article packages includes a plurality of animal patterns, the plurality of animal patterns comprise a first animal pattern and a second animal pattern, the first animal pattern and the second animal pattern are arranged side by side with an interval in the upper and lower direction of the animal pattern, the first animal pattern and the second animal pattern overlap each other in a width direction of the animal pattern, the first animal pattern being arranged on an upper side with respect to the second animal pattern, and a maximum length of the window portion in a vertical direction of the package is greater than or equal to a length from an upper end of the first animal pattern in the vertical direction to an upper end of the second animal pattern in the vertical direction in a state where the absorbent article package is opened and unfolded.

According to this package of the absorbent article, the animal pattern is at least partially disposed in a portion of the absorbent article package that faces the window portion. And the animal figures may be arranged side by side in the up-down direction in the portion. Therefore, the user can easily recognize the animal pattern and the up-down direction thereof.

In such a package of an absorbent article, it is desirable that the package accommodates a plurality of the absorbent article packages in a state where the plurality of the absorbent article packages are arranged side by side in a thickness direction of the plurality of the absorbent article packages, at least a part of an animal figure of the absorbent article package is located in a folded portion extending in a predetermined direction in a state where the package member accommodates the absorbent article and is folded at the folded portion, and an up-down direction of the animal figure of the absorbent article package is aligned with the predetermined direction, and at least a part of the animal figure located in the folded portion is visible through the window portion of the package.

In such a package of absorbent articles, it is desirable that the thickness of each of the absorbent article packages when contained in the package is equal to or greater than 1/2 of the length in the width direction of the animal figure of the absorbent article package in a state where the absorbent article package is opened and unfolded.

According to this absorbent article package, animal figures that are not broken or are slightly broken in the width direction are arranged in the folded portion of the absorbent article package. Therefore, the animal design can be seen through the window portion of the package of the absorbent article. Therefore, the user can easily recognize the animal pattern and the up-down direction thereof.

In such a package of absorbent articles, it is desirable that the thickness of each of the absorbent article packages when contained in the package is equal to or greater than the length in the width direction of the animal figure of the absorbent article package in a state where the absorbent article package is opened and unfolded.

In such a package of an absorbent article, it is desirable that each of the absorbent article packages has an arrangement region which is a region where an animal pattern is arranged and a non-arrangement region which is a region where an animal pattern is not arranged in a state where the absorbent article package is opened and unfolded, the arrangement region and the non-arrangement region alternate in a width direction of the animal pattern, and a thickness of the absorbent article package when contained in the package is larger than a width of the non-arrangement region in a state where the absorbent article package is opened and unfolded.

According to this absorbent article package, at least a part of the animal pattern is disposed in the folded portion of the absorbent article package and can be seen through the window portion of the absorbent article package. Therefore, the user can easily recognize the animal pattern and the up-down direction thereof.

In such a package of absorbent articles, it is desirable that, with respect to the absorbent article packages adjacent in the thickness direction, at least a part of the animal pattern located in the folded portion of the adjacent absorbent article package is visible through the window portion of the package, and the animal patterns located in the folded portion of the adjacent absorbent article package are not aligned with each other in the up-down direction of the animal pattern.

According to the package of the absorbent article, the user can easily recognize the animal pattern and the vertical direction of the animal pattern of the absorbent article package.

In such a package of absorbent articles, it is desirable that the absorbent article includes: an absorbent body that absorbs excretory fluid, and a skin side sheet that is located on the skin side of the absorbent body, at least one of the absorbent body and the skin side sheet having a recess that is a portion that is recessed in the thickness direction of at least one of the absorbent body and the skin side sheet, and an animal figure of the absorbent article being formed by the recess.

According to this package of the absorbent article, the user can see the animal pattern of the absorbent article even after the absorbent article is used. Further, the user can check whether the absorbent article is used in the correct front-rear direction based on the vertical direction of the animal figure.

According to this absorbent article package, if the absorbent article packages are stored in a state of being laid flat over each other, the animal figures on the folded portion will be laid on their sides, thereby making it possible to guide the user to store the absorbent article packages in an upright orientation.

In such an absorbent article package, it is desirable that the thickness of the absorbent article package in the folded state is greater than or equal to 1/2 of the length of the animal pattern in the width direction in the opened and unfolded state of the absorbent article package.

According to the absorbent article package, the animal pattern that is not broken in the width direction or is slightly broken in the width direction may be located in the folded portion, and the user can easily recognize the animal pattern of the folded portion and the up-down direction of the animal pattern. Therefore, the user can be guided to store the absorbent article package in an upright orientation.

In such an absorbent article package, it is desirable that the thickness of the absorbent article package in a folded state is greater than or equal to the length of the animal pattern in the width direction in a state where the absorbent article package is opened and unfolded.

In such an absorbent article package, it is desirable that the absorbent article package has an arrangement region and a non-arrangement region in a state where the absorbent article package is opened and unfolded, the arrangement region is a region where the animal pattern is arranged, the non-arrangement region is a region where the animal pattern is not arranged, the arrangement region and the non-arrangement region alternate in a width direction of the animal pattern, and a thickness of the absorbent article package in a folded state is larger than a width of the non-arrangement region in the state where the absorbent article package is opened and unfolded.

According to the absorbent article package, at least a part of the animal pattern is located in the folded portion, so that the user can easily recognize the animal pattern of the folded portion and the vertical direction of the animal pattern. Therefore, the user can be guided to store the absorbent article package in an upright orientation.

In such an absorbent article package, it is desirable that, in a state where the absorbent article package is opened and unfolded, the absorbent article package has a plurality of animal patterns which are arranged side by side in a width direction of the animal patterns and in the up-down direction, and animal patterns adjacent in the up-down direction are not aligned with each other in the width direction, and the adjacent animal patterns have portions which overlap with each other in the width direction.

In the package of absorbent articles including a plurality of such absorbent article packages, it is desirable that each of the absorbent article packages has a plurality of folded portions including a first folded portion in which the disposition area is larger than the non-disposition area and a second folded portion on an opposite side of the first folded portion in which the non-disposition area is larger than the disposition area, the package accommodates a plurality of the absorbent article packages in a state in which the plurality of the absorbent article packages are disposed side by side in a thickness direction of the plurality of the absorbent article packages, the first folded portions of the absorbent article packages being located on the same side.

According to this absorbent article package, when a user takes out a plurality of absorbent article packages from the package, for example, a group of absorbent article packages arranged side by side in the thickness direction has the following surfaces: a surface having many portions of the animal pattern (a surface on the first folding portion side) and a surface having many portions without the animal pattern (a surface on the second folding portion side). Therefore, it is easy for a user to subconsciously store the individual packages in an upright orientation based on the animal's figure.

In such a package of absorbent articles, it is desirable that the open end of the absorbent article package is fastened using a belt, and the belt is configured to be closer to the second fold portion than to the first fold portion.

According to this absorbent article package, when the user takes out the absorbent article package from the storage position, the plurality of belts on the absorbent article package are easily positioned at the same position, and the absorbent article package can be smoothly opened.

In the package of the absorbent article including a plurality of such absorbent article packages, it is desirable that the package accommodates a plurality of the absorbent article packages in a state where the plurality of the absorbent article packages are arranged side by side in a thickness direction of the plurality of the absorbent article packages, and when the absorbent article packages are accommodated in the package, a vertical direction of an animal figure positioned in the folded portion is aligned with a vertical direction of the package.

According to the package of the absorbent article, for example, when the user opens the package and observes a state in which the vertical direction of the animal pattern of the folded portion is aligned with the vertical direction of the package, both the vertical direction of the animal pattern of the folded portion and the vertical direction of the animal pattern are exposed to the subconscious of the user. Therefore, it is easy for the user to store the absorbent article package in an upright orientation based on the animal figure of the folded portion.

In such a package of the absorbent article, it is desirable that the package includes a window portion through which at least a part of the folded portion of the absorbent article package can be seen from the outside of the package, and an up-down direction of an animal figure located in the folded portion and seen through the window portion is aligned with an up-down direction of the package.

According to this absorbent article package, after the absorbent article package is viewed through the window portion, the user can easily store the absorbent article package in the same standing direction as the state of the absorbent article package in the package.

In such a package of an absorbent article, it is desirable that the maximum length of the window portion in the up-down direction of the package is equal to or greater than the length of the animal pattern in the up-down direction of the animal pattern in a state where the absorbent article package is opened and unfolded.

According to the package of the absorbent article, the animal pattern of the folded portion which is not broken or is slightly broken in the up-down direction is easily seen through the window portion, and the standing direction of the animal pattern of the folded portion is printed in the subconscious of the user. Therefore, the absorbent article package is easily stored in the same standing direction as the state of the absorbent article package in the package.

In such a package of absorbent articles, it is desirable that each of the absorbent article packages includes a plurality of animal patterns including a first animal pattern and a second animal pattern, the first animal pattern and the second animal pattern are arranged side by side with an interval in the up-down direction of the animal pattern, the first animal pattern and the second animal pattern overlap each other in a width direction of the animal pattern, the first animal pattern being arranged on an upper side with respect to the second animal pattern, and a maximum length of the window portion in a vertical direction of the package is greater than or equal to a length from an upper end of the first animal pattern in the vertical direction to an upper end of the second animal pattern in the vertical direction in a state where the absorbent article package is opened and unfolded.

According to this package of the absorbent article, the animal pattern may be located in a portion of the folded portion of the absorbent article package that faces the window portion, and the standing direction of the animal pattern of the folded portion is printed in the subconscious of the user when the animal pattern of the folded portion is viewed through the window portion. Therefore, the absorbent article package is easily stored in the same standing direction as the state of the absorbent article package in the package.

In such a package of absorbent articles, it is desirable that, with respect to the absorbent article packages adjacent in the thickness direction, at least a part of the animal pattern located in the folded portion of the adjacent absorbent article package is visible through the window portion of the package, and the animal patterns located in the folded portion in the adjacent absorbent article packages are not aligned with each other in the up-down direction of the animal pattern.

According to the package of the absorbent article, the user can easily recognize the animal pattern of the folded portion, and the standing direction of the animal pattern of the folded portion is printed in the subconscious of the user when the animal pattern of the folded portion is viewed through the window portion. Therefore, the absorbent article package is easily stored in the same standing direction as the state of the absorbent article package in the package.

In such a package of the absorbent article, it is desirable that the package includes an animal pattern which is visible from the outside of the package, is of the same type as the animal pattern of the absorbent article package, and has the same family color as the animal pattern of the absorbent article package, and the vertical direction of the animal pattern of the package is aligned with the vertical direction of the package.

According to this absorbent article package, when the user observes a state in which the vertical direction of the packaged animal pattern is aligned with the vertical direction of the package, the vertical direction of the packaged animal pattern and the animal pattern is printed in the subconscious of the user. Therefore, the user can easily store the absorbent article package in an upright orientation based on the animal figure of the absorbent article package similar to the animal figure of the package.

Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings

The absorbent article package of the present invention includes an absorbent article as a sanitary napkin, a panty liner or an absorbent pad, and further includes a packaging member for packaging the absorbent article. In the following embodiments, the absorbent article is described as a sanitary napkin.

< < basic constitution of sanitary napkin 1 >)

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a sanitary napkin 1 (hereinafter also referred to as "sanitary napkin") viewed from the skin side. The sanitary napkin 1 has a front-back direction (longitudinal direction), a width direction (transverse direction), and a thickness direction that are orthogonal to each other. With respect to the front-rear direction, the side corresponding to the ventral side of the wearer is the front side, and the side corresponding to the dorsal side of the wearer is the rear side. In the thickness direction, the side in contact with the wearer is the skin side, and the opposite side is the non-skin side.

The sanitary napkin 1 includes an absorbent body 2 that absorbs excretory fluid, a liquid-permeable topsheet 3 disposed on the skin side of the absorbent body 2, and a liquid-impermeable backsheet 4 disposed on the non-skin side of the absorbent body 2. One example of the absorbent body 2 is an absorbent body obtained by shaping liquid-absorbing fibers such as pulp fibers containing superabsorbent polymers (so-called SAP) into a predetermined shape.

The sanitary napkin 1 further has a pair of wing portions 5, and the pair of wing portions 5 extend outward in the width direction (lateral direction) at substantially central portions in the front-rear direction (specifically, excretion portion-contacting portions that contact the excretion portion of the wearer). As shown in fig. 1, in the front-rear direction, the region of the sanitary napkin 1 having the flap portions 5 is a central region 1B, the region on the front side of the central region 1B of the sanitary napkin 1 is a front region 1A, and the region on the rear side of the central region 1B of the sanitary napkin 1 is a rear region 1C.

The sanitary napkin 1 further has a compressed pocket 7 (recess) recessed in the thickness direction at least in the absorbent body 2 or the topsheet 3 (skin-side sheet). In the present embodiment, the topsheet 3 and the absorbent body 2 are compressed in the thickness direction from the skin-side surface of the topsheet 3, and the topsheet 3 and the absorbent body 2 are joined and integrated. The compressed recesses 7 can prevent the shape of the absorbent body 2 from collapsing, and can improve the liquid diffusion performance of the absorbent body 2.

The compressed concave portion 7 is constituted by a large number of dot-shaped compressed portions 8, the dot-shaped compressed portions 8 are arranged with gaps therebetween along a line in the outer peripheral edge portion of the absorbent body 2, and the compressed concave portion 7 is formed in a substantially annular shape elongated in the front-rear direction as a whole. The compressed recess 7 of the present embodiment is formed in the shape of an animal (cat in fig. 1). In the sanitary napkin 1 of the present embodiment, the compressed concave portions 7 form an "animal pattern 32" which can be seen from the skin side of the sanitary napkin 1. Specifically, the head 321 of the cat is shown in the front region 1A, the torso portion of the cat is shown in the central region 1B, and the legs and tail of the cat are shown in the rear region 1C of the sanitary napkin 1. The surface of the sanitary napkin is generally white and an animal pattern 32 can be formed by three-dimensional shading or density change of the absorbent fibers due to the compressed concave portions 7. Therefore, the animal pattern 32 can be formed without using ink or the like or with a reduced amount of ink used. Note that it is only necessary to be able to see the compressed recesses 7 from the skin side of the sanitary napkin 1, and an animal pattern can be formed by compressing only the absorbent body 2, for example. Further, an animal design may be provided by performing embossing processing only on the front sheet 3. Further, the compression may be performed from the back sheet 4 side.

In addition, at a folding position FL2 (see fig. 16A) of the sanitary napkin 1 described later, when the absorbent body 2 is trisected in the width direction (lateral direction), it is preferable to provide a pair of

compressed portions

324 and 325 extending in the longitudinal direction in the left side region, the center region, or the right side region. In the present embodiment, a pair of

compressed portions

324 and 325 extending in the longitudinal direction are provided in the right side region of the absorbent body 2 in the rear region 1C of the sanitary napkin 1. The tail of the cat is formed by a pair of

compression portions

324 and 325.

In this way, since the pair of compressing

portions

324 and 325 are provided in the region of the absorbent body 2 that is narrow in the width direction, the rigidity of the absorbent body 2 is improved, and the shape distortion and collapse of the absorbent body 2 can be suppressed. In particular, in the rear region 1C of the sanitary napkin 1 which is in contact with the wearer's buttocks, the absorbent body 2 can be easily twisted due to the movement of the buttocks, but even after the sanitary napkin 1 is used, the shape of the cat's tail is easily maintained by the pair of

compressed portions

324 and 325. After the sanitary napkin 1 is used, the entire cat pattern is also easily recognized since the shape of the tail of the cat is maintained.

Note that the absorbent body 2 is thinner and denser in the compressed pocket 7 than in the surrounding area. These comparisons can be made using known methods. For example, the comparison of the thickness of the absorbent body 2 may be performed by a method of comparing values obtained by pressing and measuring a target portion using a dial thickness gauge (dual thickness gauge) ID-C1012C manufactured by sanfeng corporation or an equivalent thereof, or by a visual comparison method. The density of the absorbent body 2 can be compared by, for example, the following method: a target portion of the sanitary napkin 1 was cut out as a sample, the mass and area of the sample were measured, and the mass of the sample was divided by the area to obtain the mass per unit area (g/m) of each sample²) The mass per unit area of each sample was divided by the thickness (m) obtained as described above, and the obtained values (g/m) were compared³)。

In addition, the configuration of the sanitary napkin 1 shown in fig. 1 is merely an example, and there is no limitation on the configuration. For example, the flaps may be omitted from the sanitary napkin. In this case, the front region is a region 1/3 extending the entire length of the sanitary napkin 1 in the front-rear direction from the front end of the sanitary napkin. Further, for example, the following structure is also possible: the sanitary napkin has a pair of side sheets extending outward in the width direction from both width direction (lateral) side portions of the front sheet, and the wings are constituted by the side sheets and the back sheet.

In the first embodiment, the first embodiment is described below

< < packaging Member 10 >)

Fig. 2A is a plan view showing the inner surface 101 of the packing member 10, and fig. 2B is a plan view showing the outer surface 102 of the packing member 10. The packing member 10 is a rectangular sheet-like member having a longitudinal direction and a width direction, and has an inner surface 101 and an outer surface 102 on the opposite side of the inner surface 101. The inner surface 101 of the packaging member 10 is the surface that faces inward when the sanitary napkin 1 is packaged. The outer surface 102 of the packing member 10 is a surface visible from the outside of the absorbent article package 20 (see fig. 3A described later), in which the sanitary napkin 1 is packed in the packing member 10.

A tape 11 for fastening the opening end 10a of the packaging member 10 is provided on an end portion on one side in the longitudinal direction of the packaging member 10. The tape 11 is fixed to the outer surface 102 of the packing member 10 using an adhesive or the like such that a portion of the tape 11 extends outward in the longitudinal direction of the packing member 10.

The packaging member 10 also has a plurality of animal patterns 30 visible from the inner surface 101 side, and a plurality of animal patterns 31 visible from the outer surface 102 side. In the present embodiment, the animal design 30 is printed on the inner surface 101 and can be seen from the outer surface 102 side through the packaging member 10. Therefore, the animal pattern 31 seen from the outer surface 102 side is a pattern which is the reverse of the animal pattern 30 seen from the inner surface 101 side.

The animal figures 30 and 31 of this embodiment are cats and have cat heads 301 and 311, torso 302 and 312, tails 303 and 313, and ribbons 304 and 314 around the neck of the cat. Accordingly, the

animal patterns

30 and 31 have the up-down direction and the width direction orthogonal to each other. With respect to the up-down direction, the side corresponding to the cat heads 301 and 311 is the upper side, and the side corresponding to the cat tails 303 and 313 is the lower side.

Further, the animal figures 30 and 31 are arranged such that the up-down direction thereof is aligned with the longitudinal direction of the packing member 10. One side (belt 11 side) of the packing member 10 in the longitudinal direction is an upper side of the animal figures 30 and 31. Also, all the

animal patterns

30 and 31 are arranged in the same direction.

The

animal patterns

30 and 31 are arranged side by side with an interval in the longitudinal direction and the width direction of the packing member 10, and the

animal patterns

30 and 31 adjacent in the longitudinal direction of the packing member 10 are displaced from each other in the width direction. In other words, the

animal patterns

30 and 31 are arranged in a staggered pattern.

The base color of the packaging member 10 may be white or other color. The main target wearer of the sanitary napkin 1 of the present embodiment is, for example, a young user who uses the sanitary napkin only for a short time or a user who has recently started using the brand of sanitary napkin. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the packing member 10 is a white sheet printed in pink, which is a color that young users tend to like. Also, the portions 301 to 303 and 311 to 313 of the cats of the animal figures 30 and 31 are black so as to form a silhouette of the cat. The ribbons 304 and 314 on the cat are more pink than the pink of the packaging element 10.

Although not shown, the packing member 10 may have designs other than the animal designs 30 and 31 and characters indicating product names, sizes, and the like. In addition, the ground color of the packing member 10 is not limited to one color, and may be, for example, a stripe pattern having light pink and dark pink stripes.

< absorbent article Package (Individual Package) 20 >)

Fig. 3A is a plan view of one surface (surface to which the belt 11 is fastened) of the absorbent article package 20, and fig. 3B is a plan view of the other surface of the absorbent article package 20. Fig. 4 is a view showing the absorbent article package 20 in an opened and unfolded state as viewed from the skin side of the sanitary napkin 1. Fig. 5A and 5B are explanatory views of a folding method of the absorbent article package 20.

The absorbent article package 20 (hereinafter, also referred to as "individual package") is obtained by individually packaging one sanitary napkin 1 in the packaging member 10. As shown in fig. 4, in the individual package 20, the sanitary napkin 1 is disposed on the inner surface 101 of the package member 10 so that the skin-side surface of the sanitary napkin 1 faces upward. The longitudinal direction of the packing member 10 coincides with the front-rear direction of the sanitary napkin 1, and the width direction of the packing member 10 coincides with the width direction of the sanitary napkin 1.

In the individual package 20 of the present embodiment, the package member 10 is folded together with the sanitary napkin 1 with the two folding positions FL1 and FL2 of the skin-side surface of the sanitary napkin 1 extending in the width direction being located inside. Note that it is not limited to having two folding positions, and may be one or more than three folding positions. In addition, the individual packages 20 may be folded at a folding position extending in the longitudinal direction of the packing member 10 in addition to the folding position extending in the width direction.

As shown in fig. 3A and 3B, in the individual package 20, both side end portions 13 in the width direction of the packing member 10 are joined to each other. For example, the bonding can be performed using known bonding methods such as heat sealing, ultrasonic sealing, bonding, or any combination thereof. The tape 11 is fixed to the outer surface 102 of the packaging member 10, and the opening end 10a of the packaging member 10 is fastened by the tape 11.

Fig. 5B shows a state where the belt 11 has been clamped and the sanitary napkin 1 has been unfolded at the folded position FL1 on the front side. At this time, the flap portions 5 of the sanitary napkin 1 are folded inward in the width direction, and the adhesive portions 5A (see fig. 5A) on the upper surfaces of the flap portions 5 are covered with the release sheet 12. Note that when the sanitary napkin 1 is to be used, the flap portions 5 are folded onto the non-skin-side surface side of the wearer's underwear and fixed to the non-skin-side surface of the underwear with the adhesive portions 5A. Fig. 5A shows a state where the napkin 1 is further unfolded at the folded position FL2 on the rear side.

< animal design of Individual Package 20 >)

Fig. 6 is a view showing a part of the individual package 20 in an unsealed and unfolded state when viewed from the skin side of the sanitary napkin 1. Fig. 7A is an explanatory view of the adhesive portion 9 of the sanitary napkin 1, and fig. 7B is an explanatory view of the release sheet 13 covering the adhesive portion 9 of the sanitary napkin 1. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing how the individual packing bodies 20 are opened.

As described above, the packaging member 10 of the individual package 20 has the animal pattern 30 (cat), the animal pattern 30 has the up-down direction and can be seen from the inner surface 101 side, which is inward when the sanitary napkin 1 is packaged. In the following description, the animal design 30 that can be seen from the inner surface 101 side of the packaging member 10 will also be referred to as "animal design 30 of packaging member located at the inner surface" and "animal design 30 of packaging member".

When the individual package 20 is unsealed, unfolded and viewed from the skin side of the sanitary napkin 1 (see fig. 4), at least some portions of the animal pattern 30 of the package member on the inner surface are visible. Specifically, at least some portions of the animal pattern 30 of the package member located on the inner surface are disposed in the blank area of the package member 10 extending beyond the sanitary napkin 1 (the area of the package member 10 where the sanitary napkin 1 is not disposed). Further, the up-down direction of the animal pattern 30 is aligned with the front-back direction of the sanitary napkin 1. In other words, the up-down direction of the animal design 30 is substantially parallel to the front-back direction of the sanitary napkin 1, and the upper side of the animal design 30 coincides with the front side of the sanitary napkin 1. Note that the width direction of the animal pattern 30 is also aligned with the width direction of the packaging member 10 and the sanitary napkin 1.

For this reason, when the individual package 20 is opened and unfolded to use the sanitary napkin 1, the user can see the sanitary napkin 1 and the animal figure 30 having the vertical direction. At this time, the user can easily recognize the up-down direction of the animal pattern 30 on the inner surface of the packing member corresponding to the front-rear direction of the sanitary napkin 1 subconsciously. Therefore, when wearing the sanitary napkin 1, the user can easily subconsciously arrange the front region 1A of the sanitary napkin 1 on the upper side of the animal figure 30 on the front side (ventral side) of their body. Therefore, even if the user is inexperienced in using the sanitary napkin 1, the user can be guided to use the sanitary napkin 1 in the correct front-rear direction.

Even if the sanitary napkin 1 is provided with "arrows" indicating the front-rear direction of the sanitary napkin 1 or letters such as "front side" or the like in place of the animal design 30, it is easy to use the sanitary napkin 1 in the correct front-rear direction. However, if the direction is directly indicated as described above, the user is given pressure to check the front-rear direction of the sanitary napkin 1 before use.

However, in the present embodiment, the front-back direction of the sanitary napkin 1 is presented to the user based on the vertical direction of the animal pattern 30. Therefore, the user can be naturally guided to use the sanitary napkin 1 in the correct front-rear direction. Therefore, this makes it possible to reduce the labor of checking the front-rear direction of the sanitary napkin 1, and to allow the user to quickly wear the sanitary napkin 1. For example, young girl students who are inexperienced in the use of the sanitary napkin 1 may often change the sanitary napkin 1 within a predetermined period of time, such as during a school break. The sanitary napkin 1 is effective because it can be replaced quickly as in the present embodiment.

In addition, the use of an animal pattern as the pattern indicating the front-rear direction of the sanitary napkin 1 realizes a lovely pattern of the individual package 20. Therefore, this can reduce the melancholic mood during menstruation.

Note that the animal pattern 30 that can be seen from the inner surface 101 side of the package member 10 and the animal pattern described below need only be patterns that can be recognized as an animal having an up-down direction when viewed by a user. The animal is not limited to cats but may be other animals such as bears or rabbits. For example, the pattern may also be a pattern having an expression (eyes, mouth, nose, etc.), or a pattern having only a head (for example, see fig. 9A described later).

As shown in fig. 1, the outer shape of the sanitary napkin 1 of the present embodiment is symmetrical in the front-rear direction of the sanitary napkin 1. However, the basis weight (g/m) of the absorbent body 2²) Is asymmetrical in the front-rear direction of the sanitary napkin 1. More specifically, the absorbent body 2 has a high basis weight region 2A in the central portion and a low basis weight region 2B around the high basis weight region 2A. Note that the high basis weight region 2A is eccentric toward the front side with respect to a center line CL1 bisecting the sanitary napkin 1 in the front-rear direction. Therefore, the absorption capacity is higher on the front side where the excretory opening of the wearer is located.

In this way, in order to improve the functionality of the sanitary napkin 1, at least the shape or basis weight of the absorbent body 2 may be asymmetrical in the front-rear direction of the sanitary napkin 1. In other words, there is a case where the absorbent body 2, which cannot be seen from the outside of the sanitary napkin 1, is asymmetrical in the front-rear direction although the sanitary napkin 1 appears symmetrical in the front-rear direction. In this case, it is difficult for the user to recognize the front-rear direction of the sanitary napkin 1, and the user may easily use the sanitary napkin 1 in the wrong front-rear direction. Therefore, the present invention is effective.

Note that the basis weight (mass per unit area) of the absorbent body 2 may be compared using a known method. For example, the following method can be employed: a target portion of the sanitary napkin 1 was cut out as a sample, the mass and area of the sample were measured, the mass of each sample was divided by the area, and the obtained values (g/m) were compared²). In addition, the comparison may be performed based on a cross section of the sanitary napkin 1 taken along the front-rear direction.

The sanitary napkin 1 also has an animal pattern 32 visible from the skin side and formed by the compressed recesses 7. The animal pattern 32 of the sanitary napkin 1 has an up-down direction and is the same type of animal, i.e., cat, as the animal pattern 30 on the inner surface of the packaging member.

The up-down direction of the animal pattern 32 of the sanitary napkin 1 is aligned with the front-back direction of the sanitary napkin 1. Specifically, the up-down direction of the animal design 32 of the sanitary napkin 1 is substantially parallel to the front-back direction of the sanitary napkin 1, and the upper side of the animal design 32 of the sanitary napkin 1 matches the front side of the sanitary napkin 1. More specifically, as shown in fig. 1, the head 321 of the cat is located in the front region 1A of the sanitary napkin 1, the trunk 322 of the cat is located in the central region 1B of the sanitary napkin 1, and the tail 323 of the cat is located in the rear region 1C of the sanitary napkin 1.

In this case, when the individual package 20 is opened and unfolded, the user sees the animal figures 30 of the package member and the animal figures 32 of the sanitary napkin 1 at the inner surfaces at the same time, and the upper and lower directions of these animal figures 30 and 32 seen by the user are aligned with each other. Therefore, the user can more easily recognize the up-down direction of the animal figures 30 and 32 corresponding to the front-back direction of the sanitary napkin 1 subconsciously. Therefore, the user can be guided to use the sanitary napkin 1 in the correct front-rear direction.

In addition, since the sanitary napkin 1 has the animal pattern 32, even after the sanitary napkin 1 is separated from the package member 10, the orientation of the sanitary napkin 1 with respect to the animal pattern 30 on the inner surface of the package member can be easily recognized. In other words, when the individual package 20 in the opened and unfolded state is viewed (fig. 4), the vertical direction of the animal pattern 32 of the sanitary napkin 1 corresponding to the front-rear direction of the sanitary napkin 1 is printed in the subconscious of the user. Therefore, even when the sanitary napkin 1 is used independently, the user can use the sanitary napkin 1 in the correct front-rear direction based on the up-down direction of the animal figure 32 of the sanitary napkin 1. Further, since the sanitary napkin 1 has the animal pattern 32, the overall appearance of the sanitary napkin 1 itself is also improved.

Note that, in the case where the animal design 32 of the sanitary napkin 1 is the same type of animal as the animal design 30 on the inner surface of the package member, as long as the animal designs 32 and 30 are both cat designs, for example, and the animal designs 32 and 30 are not limited to having the same shape or a similar shape but may have different shapes. This similarly applies to other animal patterns (the animal pattern 31 and the animal pattern 35 of the package 40 which can be seen from the outer surface 102 side of the package member) described below.

In addition, for example, a general sanitary napkin is provided with compressed recesses in order to prevent deformation of the shape of the absorbent body. Since the animal pattern 32 is formed by using the compressed concave portions 7, the sanitary napkin 1 can be manufactured more easily and at low cost than in the case where the animal pattern is provided on the sanitary napkin 1 by means other than the compressed concave portions 7, such as printing. The surface of the sanitary napkin is generally white, and due to the compressed concave portions 7, the animal pattern 32 can be formed by three-dimensional shading or variation in density of the absorbent fibers. Therefore, the animal pattern 32 can be formed without using ink or the like or with a reduced amount of ink used.

In addition, even after absorption of the excretory fluid, the animal pattern 32 formed by the compressed concave portions 7 can be seen. Therefore, even after using the sanitary napkin 1, the user can check whether or not the sanitary napkin 1 is used in the correct front-rear direction based on the up-down direction of the animal pattern 32 of the sanitary napkin 1.

In addition, it is preferable that, at the folding position FL2 (refer to fig. 5A) of the sanitary napkin 1, when the absorbent body 2 is trisected in the width direction, a pair of

compressed portions

324 and 325 extending in the longitudinal direction are provided in any one of the left side region, the center region, or the right side region. In the present embodiment, a pair of

compressed portions

324 and 325 extending in the longitudinal direction are provided in the right side region of the absorbent body 2 in the rear region 1C of the sanitary napkin 1. The tail of the cat is formed by the pair of

compression portions

324 and 325.

In this way, since the pair of compressing

portions

324 and 325 are provided in the region of the absorbent body 2 that is narrow in the width direction, the rigidity of the absorbent body 2 is improved, and twisting or collapsing of the absorbent body 2 can be suppressed. In particular, in the rear region 1C of the sanitary napkin 1 which is in contact with the wearer's buttocks, the absorbent body 2 can be easily twisted by the movement of the buttocks, but even after the sanitary napkin 1 is used, it is possible to maintain the shape of the cat's tail by the pair of

compressed portions

324 and 325. After the sanitary napkin 1 is used, since the shape of the tail of the cat is maintained, the overall pattern of the cat is easily seen.

Further, it is preferable that when the individual package 20 is opened, the entirety of at least one animal pattern 30(30A) of the animal patterns 30 on the inner surface of the package member is visible when viewed from the skin side of the sanitary napkin 1 (see fig. 4). In other words, as long as the blank area of the packaging member 10 extending beyond the sanitary napkin 1 includes the animal design 30 which does not overlap with the sanitary napkin 1 and is not damaged at the edges of the packaging member 10.

According to this configuration, when the individual package 20 is in the opened and unfolded state, the user can see the animal design 30(30A) without being broken. Therefore, the user can easily recognize the animal pattern 30(30A) of the packing member on the inner surface and the up-down direction thereof, and the user can subconsciously more easily recognize the up-down direction of the animal pattern 30 of the packing member on the inner surface corresponding to the front-back direction of the sanitary napkin 1. Therefore, the sanitary napkin 1 can be easily used in the correct front-rear direction.

In addition, in order to unseal the spread individual package 20, the user first grasps the strap 11 and spreads the individual package 20 at the folded position FL1 to achieve the state shown in fig. 5B. In general, the portion (1A) of the sanitary napkin 1 which is first seen when unfolded may be regarded as the front side of the sanitary napkin 1 in the front-rear direction. In view of this, it is preferable that the tape 11 has been fixed to the front-side end portion of the package member 10 in the front-rear direction of the sanitary napkin 1 when the individual package 20 is in the unsealing unfolded state (fig. 4).

According to this configuration, when opening the individual package 20, the portion (1A) of the sanitary napkin 1 which the user first sees coincides with the upper side of the animal pattern 30 on the inner surface of the package member. Therefore, the user can more easily recognize the up-down direction of the animal pattern 30 on the inner surface of the packing member corresponding to the front-rear direction of the sanitary napkin 1 subconsciously, and can easily use the sanitary napkin 1 in the correct front-rear direction.

Further, it is easy for the user to first notice the animal design 30 on the inner surface of the packaging member seen when the individual packages 20 are in the unfolded state (fig. 5B). Therefore, it is preferable that the animal design 30A not damaged is arranged in the blank area of the packaging member 10 on the front side of the front folded position FL 1. Further, it is preferable that the animal pattern 30 on the inner surface of the packaging member is sized as described below when the individual packaging 20 is in the opened unfolded state.

Note that, in the present embodiment, the animal figures 30 on the inner surface of the package member all have the same size. As shown in fig. 6, L2 is the maximum length of the animal design 30 of the packing member on the inner surface in the up-down direction, and W3 is the maximum width in the width direction. If the animal design 30 on the inner surface of the packaging member has different sizes, it is sufficient to set the size of the smallest animal design 30 as described below, or more preferably, the size of the largest animal design 30 as described below.

First, as shown in fig. 6, the sanitary napkin 1 includes a wide portion 1A1 where the width of the sanitary napkin 1 is widest in the front region 1A of the sanitary napkin 1. It is preferable that the width-directional length (at least W1 or W2) of the portion of the packaging member 10 that extends outward in the width direction beyond the wide portion 1a1 be greater than or equal to the maximum width W3 of the animal design 30 on the inner surface of the packaging member. In other words, preferably W1 ≧ W3 and W2 ≧ W3, or W1 ≧ W3 and W2< W3, or W1< W3 and W2 ≧ W3.

According to this configuration, the animal figures 30 which are not broken in the width direction or the animal figures 30 which are broken by a small amount in the width direction are easily arranged in the blank area of the packing member 10 which extends outward beyond the sanitary napkin 1 in the width direction. Therefore, the animal figure 30 and the up-down direction thereof are easily recognized by the user.

Further, it is preferable that the length L1 in the front-rear direction from the front side end 10a of the package member 10 to the forwardmost folded position FL1 is less than or equal to the maximum length L2 of the animal pattern 30 on the inner surface of the package member with respect to the front-rear direction of the sanitary napkin 1 (L1. gtoreq.L 2).

According to this configuration, when the individual package 20 is first unfolded (fig. 5B), the animal pattern 30 which is not broken in the up-down direction or the animal pattern 30 which is slightly broken in the up-down direction may be arranged in a blank area of the package member 10 which extends beyond the sanitary napkin 1. Therefore, the animal figure 30 and the up-down direction thereof are easily recognized by the user.

When the animal pattern 30 which is not damaged or the animal pattern 30 which is slightly damaged is seen together with the sanitary napkin 1, it is easier for the user to subconsciously recognize the up-down direction of the animal pattern 30 corresponding to the front-back direction of the sanitary napkin 1. Therefore, the sanitary napkin 1 can be easily used in the correct front-rear direction.

The sanitary napkin 1 (main body portion excluding the wing portions 5) has an adhesive portion 9 (adhesive portion of the present invention) for preventing slipping on the non-skin side surface of the back sheet 4. When the sanitary napkin 1 is used, the sanitary napkin 1 is fixed to the skin-side surface of the wearer's underwear by the adhesive portions 9. In fig. 7A, the adhesive portion 9 is shown in phantom on the skin-side surface of the sanitary napkin 1.

There are cases where the packaging member 10 is not provided with a release sheet covering the adhesive portion 9 and the sanitary napkin 1 is directly fixed to the packaging member 10 through the adhesive portion 9. In this case, as shown in fig. 7A, it is preferable that a longitudinal length L3 from the front end 10a of the package member 10 to the front end 9a of the adhesive portion 9 is equal to or longer than a longitudinal length L2 of the animal pattern 30 on the inner surface of the package member (L3 ≧ L2) with respect to the longitudinal direction of the sanitary napkin 1.

There are also cases where the sanitary napkin 1 is fixed to the package member 10 with the release sheet 13 covering the adhesive portion 9, and as shown in fig. 7B, the release sheet 13 is fixed to the package member 10 using the adhesive 14. In this case, it is preferable that a longitudinal length L4 from the front end 10a of the package member 10 to the front end 14a of the adhesive 14 is equal to or greater than a longitudinal length L2 of the animal design 30 on the inner surface of the package member (L4 ≧ L2) with respect to the longitudinal direction of the sanitary napkin 1.

In addition, when the package member 10 is provided with the release sheet 13, it is further preferable that a longitudinal length L5 from the front end 10a of the package member 10 to the front end 13a of the release sheet 13 is equal to or longer than a longitudinal length L2 of the animal pattern 30 located on the inner surface of the package member (L5 ≧ L2) with respect to the longitudinal direction of the sanitary napkin 1.

This is because, for example, when the user opens and unfolds the individual package 20, the wrapping member 10 is easily peeled off starting from the end portion 14a of the adhesive 14 or starting from the end portion 9a (not shown) of the adhesive portion 9 of the sanitary napkin 1 as shown in fig. 8. In this case, since the animal pattern 30 on the inner surface of the packaging member is sized as described above, the animal pattern 30 which is not broken in the up-down direction or the animal pattern 30 which is slightly broken in the up-down direction is easily arranged in a portion of the packaging member 10 which has been peeled off from the sanitary napkin 1 (for example, a portion surrounded by a thick line in fig. 8). Therefore, the animal figure 30 and the up-down direction thereof are easily recognized by the user.

When the user observes the animal pattern 30 in the portion of the packaging member 10 that has been peeled off from the sanitary napkin 1, the up-down direction of the animal pattern 30 is printed in the subconscious of the user. Therefore, when the individual package 20 is in the opened and unfolded state (fig. 4), the user can easily recognize the vertical direction of the animal pattern 30 corresponding to the front-rear direction of the sanitary napkin 1 by the user when observing the animal pattern 30 and the sanitary napkin 1. Therefore, the user can be guided to use the sanitary napkin 1 in the correct front-rear direction.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the animal design 30 on the inner surface of the package member is composed of a black portion (cat portion) and a pink portion (ribbon portion). Thus, it is preferred that the animal design 30 on the inner surface of the packaging member has a black portion and a colored portion other than black. Also, the animal design 30 on the inner surface of the packaging member may have a portion of opposite color. For example, an animal design may have a green-based portion and a red-based (opposite of green) portion.

According to this configuration, the animal design 30 on the inner surface of the packaging member is conspicuous and easily noticeable by the user. Therefore, when viewing the animal pattern 30 and the sanitary napkin 1, it is easier for the user to subconsciously recognize the up-down direction of the animal pattern 30 corresponding to the front-back direction of the sanitary napkin 1, and it is easy to use the sanitary napkin 1 in the correct front-back direction.

Note that the term "colored" means not colorless and transparent, and is a color other than white. The term "white" covers colors denoted by "N9.5" in the munsell color system, colors denoted by "255, 255, 255" in the RGB color space (so-called "pure white") and colors having a color difference of less than 12 from pure white, for example.

The term "color other than black" refers to a color having a color difference of 13 or more from black. Alternatively, it may refer to a color whose color name according to a color table (for example, attached table 1 in Japanese Industrial Standard JIS Z8102: 2001) is not "black".

In addition, the term "opposite color" refers to a color (complementary color) at a positive reverse position in the ostwald color wheel, and also refers to a pair of colors as follows: one color of the pair of colors is at a position adjacent to a position diametrically opposite the other color in the Ostwald color circle.

In the present embodiment, the animal pattern 30 printed on the inner surface 101 of the packaging member 10 is visible through the packaging member 10 from the outer surface 102 side. Thus, the packaging member 10 has an animal design 31; and an animal pattern 31 that can be seen from the outer surface 102 (opposite surface) side, and the animal pattern 31 is the same type of animal as the animal pattern 30 that can be seen from the inner surface 101 side. In addition, although both the

animal patterns

30 and 31 are black, the animal pattern 30 that can be seen from the inner surface 101 side has a darker color tone and higher visibility than the animal pattern 31 that can be seen from the outer surface 102 side.

Therefore, when the animal pattern 31 visible from the outer surface 102 side is observed before the individual package 20 is opened, the animal pattern 31 is printed in the subconscious of the user. Thus, after the individual package 20 is also opened, the user sees the animal design 30 of the same type of animal as the subconscious animal design 31 and the sanitary napkin 1. In particular, since the animal pattern 30 of the packing member on the inner surface has a dark color tone, the animal pattern 30 of the packing member on the inner surface is easily recognized by the user. Therefore, it is easier for the user to consciously recognize the up-down direction of the animal design 30 corresponding to the front-back direction of the sanitary napkin 1, and to use the sanitary napkin 1 in the correct front-back direction.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above configuration, and for example, the packaging member 10 need not have the animal pattern 31 which can be seen from the outer surface 102 side of the packaging member 10. In addition, the shade relation between the animal design printed on the outer surface 102 of the packing member 10 may be reversed, and the individual animal designs 30 and 31 may be printed on the

surfaces

101 and 102. In addition, the

animal patterns

30 and 31 of the packing member 10 are not limited to being formed by printing, and may be, for example, embossed patterns.

In addition, the hues of the

animal patterns

30 and 31 may be compared using known methods. For example, a colorimeter (e.g., a color difference meter CR-300 manufactured by Konica Minolta inc., or the like) can be used to measure the "color difference" between the

animal patterns

30 and 31.

Specifically, first, 10 sheets of white nonwoven fabric (15 g/m) were put together²SMS nonwoven fabric) is disposed below the packing member 10 as a measurement target.

Next, the portions of the

animal patterns

30 and 31 not covered with the

release sheets

12 and 13 were measured using a color difference meter, and the white nonwoven fabric sheet was also measured. In the case of measuring the animal pattern 30 visible from the inner surface 101 side, the inner surface 101 of the packaging member 10 is arranged facing upward, and in the case of measuring the animal pattern 31 visible from the outer surface 102 side, the outer surface 102 of the packaging member 10 is arranged facing upward. Note that the measured values (L, a, and b) are preferably an average of a plurality (e.g., 5) of measured values.

Next, based on the differences (Δ L, Δ a, and Δ b) between the measurement results of the white nonwoven fabric sheet and the measurement results of the

respective animal patterns

30 and 31, the color difference Δ E ab of the

respective animal patterns

30 and 31 with respect to white was calculated using the following expression.

ΔE*ab＝[(ΔL*)²+(Δa*)²+(Δb*)²]^1/2

It can be said that the higher the color difference Δ Ε ab, the higher the color difference between the

animal patterns

30 and 31.

Further, if the animal pattern 30 that can be seen from the inner surface 101 side and the animal pattern 30 that can be seen from the outer surface 102 side are the same color (black here), the color difference Δ E ab between the

animal patterns

30 and 31 is preferably 6.5 or more. According to this configuration, the user can easily have different impressions of the

animal patterns

30 and 31, and can more easily recognize the darker animal pattern 30.

< modification of Individual Package 20 >)

Although the above-described sanitary napkin 1 (fig. 1) has an animal figure 32 extending over a wide range in the front-rear direction of the sanitary napkin 1, it is not limited thereto. For example, as shown in fig. 9A, a plurality of (or one) small animal patterns 33 may be provided in a portion of the sanitary napkin 1.

Further, the animal design 32 of the sanitary napkin 1 formed by the topsheet 3 and the compressed concave portions 7 in which the absorbent body 2 is compressed is not limited. For example, as shown in fig. 9B, the animal design 34 of the sanitary napkin 1 may be formed by a pattern of the welded portions 1D formed in both widthwise side portions of the sanitary napkin 1. Further, an animal pattern may be printed on the skin-side surface of the sanitary napkin 1.

As shown in fig. 9C, the sanitary napkin 1 need not have the same type of animal design as the animal design 30 on the inner surface of the wrapper member.

< Package 40 of Individual Package 20 >)

Fig. 10 is a schematic perspective view of the package 40 of the individual package 20. Fig. 11 is a diagram showing the front face 40A of the package 40. Fig. 12 is an explanatory view of the window 41 of the package 40. As shown in fig. 10, the individual packages 20 are circulated in the form of a group contained in a package 40 (bag).

The package 40 of the present embodiment has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and has a front surface 40A, a rear surface on the opposite side of the front surface 40A, a pair of side surfaces 40B on the opposite sides, and an upper surface 40C and a lower surface on the opposite sides. The package 40 also has a transverse direction, an up-down direction, and a depth direction that are orthogonal to each other. Of the surfaces of the package 40, the surface on which the product name 42 (see fig. 11) is printed is the front surface 40A. The vertical direction of the product name 42 printed on the front face 40A is the vertical direction of the package 40. Note that the shape of the package 40 is not limited to the shape shown in fig. 10, and may be, for example, a bag-like shape in which the upper and lower ends of a cylindrical packaging member are sealed.

A plurality of individual packages 20 are stacked in the thickness direction thereof (direction orthogonal to the paper surface of fig. 3A) in the package 40. The stacking direction of the individual packages 20 is parallel to the lateral direction of the package 40, the width direction of the individual packages 20 is parallel to the depth direction of the package 40, and the flat surface of the individual package 20 faces the side 40B of the package 40.

As shown in fig. 11, the package 40 of the present embodiment has an animal design 35 visible from the outside of the package 40. For example, an animal design 35 is printed on the outer surface of the package 40.

The animal design 35 of the package 40 is the same type of animal, i.e., a cat, as the animal design 30 (see fig. 4) that can be seen from the inner surface 101 side of the package member 10 of the individual package 20. Further, the up-down direction of the animal figure 35 of the package 40 is aligned with the up-down direction of the package 40. In other words, the up-down direction of the animal design 35 is substantially parallel to the up-down direction of the package 40, and the upper side of the animal design 35 coincides with the upper side of the package 40.

As shown in fig. 12, the package 40 of the present embodiment has a transparent window 41. The window 41 allows a part of the individual package 20 to be seen from the outside of the package 40. Also, the window portion 41 is provided in the side surface 40B of the package 40. Therefore, the animal design 31 of the individual package 20 can be seen through the window portion 41.

The animal pattern 31 of the individual package 20 visible through the window 41 is the animal pattern 31 visible from the outer surface 102 side of the packaging member 10. The animal design 31 is the same type of animal (i.e., cat) as the animal design 30 (see fig. 4) that can be seen from the inner surface 101 of the packaging member 10. Further, the vertical direction of the animal pattern 31 of the individual package 20 which can be seen through the window portion 41 is aligned with the vertical direction of the package 40. In other words, the up-down direction of the animal pattern 31 is substantially parallel to the up-down direction of the package 40, and the upper side of the animal pattern 31 coincides with the upper side of the package 40.

Therefore, when a state (fig. 11) in which the vertical direction of the animal design 35 printed on the package 40 is aligned with the vertical direction of the package 40 and a state (fig. 12) in which the vertical direction of the animal design 31 of the individual package 20 visible through the window portion 41 is aligned with the vertical direction of the package 40 are observed, the vertical directions of the animal designs 35 and 31 are hidden in the mind of the user. Therefore, when the individual package 20 is in the opened and unfolded state (fig. 4), it is easier for the user to consciously recognize the up-down direction of the animal pattern 30 corresponding to the front-back direction of the sanitary napkin 1 when viewing the sanitary napkin 1 and the animal pattern 30 of the same animal type as the

animal patterns

35 and 31 seen from the outside of the package 40. Therefore, the sanitary napkin 1 can be easily used in the correct front-rear direction.

Further, as shown in FIG. 12, it is preferable that the maximum length L6 in the vertical direction of the window 41 of the package 40 is equal to or greater than the vertical length L2 of the animal design 31 visible from the outside of the individual package 20 (L6. gtoreq.L 2). Further, it is preferable that the maximum width W4 of the window 41 in the depth direction of the package (the width direction of the individual package 20) is greater than or equal to the width-direction length W3 of the animal design 31 visible from the outside of the individual package 20 (W4. gtoreq.W 3). According to this configuration, the animal pattern 31 of the individual package 20 which can be seen through the window portion 41 is hardly damaged in the up-down direction or the width direction, and the user can easily recognize the animal pattern 31 and the up-down direction thereof.

Further, it is preferable that the animal design 35 on the outer surface of the package 40 and the animal design 31 of the individual package 20 visible through the window portion 41 can be seen from the outside of the package 40, but a configuration in which only the former or the latter can be seen from the outside of the package 40 is possible. Configurations are also possible in which the animal design 35 and the window 41 are not provided in the package 40.

In the second embodiment, the first embodiment is described as follows

< < packaging Member 10 >)

Fig. 13 is a plan view showing the outer surface 102 of the packing member 10. The packaging member 10 of the second embodiment is a rectangular sheet-like member having a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, and having an inner surface 101 and an outer surface 102 located on the opposite side of the inner surface 101. The inner surface 101 of the packaging member 10 is the surface that faces inward when the sanitary napkin 1 is packaged. The outer surface 102 of the packing member 10 is a surface visible from the outside of the absorbent article package 20 (see fig. 14A described later), in which the sanitary napkin 1 is packed in the packing member 10.

The

animal patterns

30 and 31 of the second embodiment are cats and have a cat head (311 in fig. 13), a torso (312), a tail (313), and a ribbon (314) around the neck of the cat. Accordingly, the

animal patterns

30 and 31 have the up-down direction and the width direction orthogonal to each other. Regarding the up-down direction, the side corresponding to the cat head (311) is the upper side, and the side corresponding to the cat tail (313) is the lower side.

Also, the

animal patterns

30 and 31 of the second embodiment are arranged such that the up-down direction thereof is aligned with the lateral direction of the packaging member 10 and the width direction thereof is aligned with the longitudinal direction of the packaging member 10. Further, all the

animal patterns

30 and 31 are arranged in the same direction.

The

animal patterns

30 and 31 are arranged side by side with an interval in the longitudinal and width directions of the packing member 10, and the

animal patterns

30 and 31 adjacent in the transverse direction of the packing member 10 are displaced from each other in the length direction of the packing member 10. In other words, the

animal patterns

30 and 31 are arranged in a staggered pattern.

The base color of the packaging member 10 may be white or other color. The main target wearer of the sanitary napkin 1 of the second embodiment is, for example, a young user who uses the sanitary napkin only for a short time or a user who has recently started using the brand of sanitary napkin. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the packing member 10 is a white sheet printed in pink, which is a color that young users tend to like. Also, the portions 301 to 303 and 311 to 313 of the cats of the animal figures 30 and 31 are black so as to form a silhouette of the cat. The ribbons 304 and 314 on the cat are more pink than the pink of the packaging element 10.

Note that the animal design may be printed on the outer surface 102 of the packaging member 10, and may be a configuration in which the packaging member 10 does not have the animal design 30 visible from the inner surface 101 side. Additionally,

animal graphics

30 and 31 may be printed on

surfaces

101 and 102, respectively. Further, the

animal patterns

< absorbent article Package (Individual Package) 20 >)

Fig. 14A is a plan view of the absorbent article package 20, and fig. 14B is an explanatory view of the folded portion 21 of the absorbent article package 20. Fig. 15 is a view showing the absorbent article package 20 in an opened and unfolded state as viewed from the skin side of the sanitary napkin 1. Fig. 16A and 16B are explanatory views of a folding method of the absorbent article package 20.

An absorbent article package 20 (hereinafter, also referred to as "individual package") is obtained by individually wrapping a sheet of folded sanitary napkin 1 in a wrapping member 10. As shown in fig. 14A and 14B, the individual package 20 has a transverse direction, a longitudinal direction, and a thickness direction orthogonal to each other.

When the individual package 20 is opened and unfolded (fig. 15), the sanitary napkin 1 is arranged on the inner surface 101 of the package member 10 so that the skin-side surface of the sanitary napkin 1 faces upward. The longitudinal direction of the packaging member 10 coincides with the front-rear direction of the sanitary napkin 1, and the lateral direction of the packaging member 10 coincides with the lateral direction of the sanitary napkin 1.

In the individual package 20 of the present embodiment, the package member 10 is folded together with the sanitary napkin 1 with the two folding positions FL1 and FL2 of the skin-side surface of the sanitary napkin 1 extending in the transverse direction being located inside. The extending direction (predetermined direction) of the folded position FL1, that is, the lateral direction of the packing member 10 corresponds to the lateral direction of the individual packages 20, and the longitudinal direction of the packing member 10 corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the individual packages 20.

Since the sanitary napkin 1 has a certain thickness, the individual package 20 has a certain thickness (W3) at the folding positions FL1 and FL2 of the packaging member 10. The side of the individual package 20 which has a certain thickness (W3) and can be seen when the individual package 20 is viewed in its length direction will be referred to as a "fold 21". The folded portion 21 located on one side in the longitudinal direction of the individual package 20 will be referred to as "first folded portion 211", and the folded portion 21 located on the opposite side will be referred to as "second folded portion 212". Specifically, the folded portion 21 at the front side folded position FL1 (fig. 16B) in the front-rear direction of the sanitary napkin 1 is the "first folded portion 211", and the folded portion 21 at the rear side folded position FL2 (fig. 16A) is the "second folded portion 212".

Note that the number of folding positions is not limited to two, and may have one or more than three folding positions. Further, the individual packages 20 may be folded at a folding position extending along the longitudinal direction of the packaging member 10, in addition to the folding position extending along the lateral direction of the packaging member 10. Further, the sanitary napkin 1 may be first folded upon itself, then placed in the packaging member 10, and then folded at a folding position extending in the transverse direction of the packaging member 10.

As shown in fig. 14A and 14B, in the individual package 20, both side end portions 13 in the width direction of the packing member 10 are joined to each other. For example, the bonding can be performed using known bonding methods such as heat sealing, ultrasonic sealing, bonding, or any combination thereof. The tape 11 is fixed to the outer surface 102 of the packaging member 10, and the opening end 10a of the packaging member 10 is fastened by the tape 11.

Fig. 16B shows a state where the belt 11 has been clamped and the sanitary napkin 1 has been unfolded at the folded position FL1 on the front side. At this time, the flap portions 5 of the sanitary napkin 1 are folded inward in the width direction, and the adhesive portions 5A (see fig. 16A) on the upper surfaces of the flap portions 5 are covered with the release sheet 12. Note that when the sanitary napkin 1 is to be used, the flap portions 5 are folded onto the non-skin-side surface side of the wearer's underwear and fixed to the non-skin-side surface of the underwear with the adhesive portions 5A. Fig. 16A shows a state where the sanitary napkin 1 is further unfolded at the folded position FL2 on the rear side.

< Package 40 of Individual Package 20 >)

Fig. 17 is a schematic perspective view of the package 40 of the individual package 20. Fig. 18A and 18B are views showing the state of the individual package 20 in the package 40. Fig. 18A is a view of the package 40 viewed from the front surface 40A side, and fig. 18B is a view of the package 40 viewed from the back surface 40D side. Fig. 19 is a diagram showing the front face 40A of the package 40.

The individual packages 20 circulate in the form of a group contained in a package 40 (bag body). The package 40 of the present embodiment has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The package 40 includes: a front face 40A; and a back face 40D on the opposite side of the front face 40A; a pair of side surfaces 40B facing each other; and an upper surface 40C and a lower surface which are opposite sides to each other. The package 40 also has a transverse direction, an up-down direction, and a depth direction that are orthogonal to each other. Of the surfaces of the package 40, the surface on which the product name 42 (see fig. 19) is set is the front surface 40A. The vertical direction of the product name 42 provided on the front face 40A is the vertical direction of the package 40. Note that the shape of the package 40 is not limited to the shape shown in fig. 17, and may be a bag-like shape in which the upper and lower ends of the cylindrical package member are sealed.

The package 40 includes a plurality of individual packages 20 arranged side by side in the thickness direction of the individual packages 20. The arrangement direction (thickness direction) of the individual packages 20 is parallel to the lateral direction of the package 40, the lateral direction (extending direction of the folded portion 21) of the individual packages 20 is parallel to the vertical direction of the package 40, and the longitudinal direction of the individual packages 20 is parallel to the depth direction of the package 40. Thus, the flat surface (e.g., the surface shown in fig. 14A) of the individual package 20 faces the side 40B of the package 40. The first folded portion 211 of the individual package 20 faces the front surface 40A of the package 40, and the second folded portion 212 of the individual package 20 faces the rear surface 40D of the package 40.

< animal Pattern of Package 40 >)

As described above (see fig. 1), the sanitary napkin 1 has the animal pattern 32 visible from the skin side and formed by the compressed recesses 7. The animal design 32 of the sanitary napkin 1 is a cat having an up-down direction.

The up-down direction of the animal pattern 32 of the sanitary napkin 1 is aligned with the front-back direction of the sanitary napkin 1. Specifically, the up-down direction of the animal pattern 32 of the sanitary napkin 1 is substantially parallel to the front-back direction of the sanitary napkin 1, and the upper side of the animal pattern 32 of the sanitary napkin 1 coincides with the front side of the sanitary napkin 1. More specifically, the head 321 of the cat is located in the front region 1A of the sanitary napkin 1, the trunk 322 of the cat is located in the central region 1B of the sanitary napkin 1, and the tail 323 of the cat is located in the rear region 1C of the sanitary napkin 1.

As shown in fig. 19, the package 40 of the present embodiment has an animal design 35 visible from the outside of the package 40 on the front surface 40A thereof. For example, an animal design 35 is printed on the outer surface of the package 40. The animal design 35 is the same type of animal, i.e., cat, as the animal design 32 of the sanitary napkin 1. Further, the up-down direction of the animal figure 35 of the package 40 is aligned with the up-down direction of the package 40. In other words, the up-down direction of the animal design 35 is substantially parallel to the up-down direction of the package 40, and the upper side of the animal design 35 coincides with the upper side of the package 40.

Therefore, when observing a state in which the vertical direction of the animal design 35 printed on the package 40 is aligned with the vertical direction of the package 40, the animal design 35 and the vertical direction thereof are printed in the subconscious of the user. Therefore, when the individual package 20 is opened and unfolded for using the sanitary napkin 1 (fig. 15), when viewing the animal pattern 32 of the sanitary napkin 1 of the same animal type as the animal pattern 35 of the package 40, it is easier for the user to subconsciously recognize that the animal pattern 32 has the up-down direction, and the up-down direction of the animal pattern 32 corresponds to the front-back direction of the sanitary napkin 1. Therefore, when wearing the sanitary napkin 1, the user can easily subconsciously place the front region 1A of the sanitary napkin 1, which is located on the upper side of the animal pattern 32, on the front side (ventral side) of their body. Therefore, even a user inexperienced in using the sanitary napkin 1 can be guided to use the sanitary napkin 1 in the proper front-rear direction.

In addition, the individual package 20 of the present embodiment has an animal pattern 31 which is visible from the outside of the individual package 20 and is of the same animal type as the animal pattern 32 of the sanitary napkin 1. The animal design 31 which can be seen from the outside of the individual package 20 is the design 31 provided on the packaging member 10. As shown in fig. 13, the design 31 can be seen from the outer surface 102 side of the packaging member 10.

Also, as shown in fig. 13, the up-down direction of the animal pattern 31 of the packing member 10 is aligned with the lateral direction of the packing member 10. Therefore, in a state (fig. 14B) where the packaging member 10 contains the sanitary napkin 1 and the individual package 20 is folded at the fold portion 21 extending in the transverse direction (predetermined direction) of the packaging member 10, the up-down direction of the animal figure 31 of the packaging member 10 located at the fold portion 21 is aligned with the extending direction of the fold portion 21.

As shown in fig. 18A, the direction in which the folded portion 21 of the individual package 20 extends is aligned with the vertical direction of the package 40. Therefore, when the individual packages 20 are accommodated in the package 40, the up-down direction of the animal figures 31 of the individual packages 20 is aligned with the up-down direction of the package 40. In other words, the vertical direction of the animal design 31 of the individual package 20 is substantially parallel to the vertical direction of the package 40, and the upper side of the animal design 31 coincides with the upper side of the package 40.

The package 40 of the present embodiment has a transparent window 41 on the front surface 40A. The window 41 allows a part of the individual package 20 to be seen from the outside of the package 40. In the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 18A and 18B, in the folded portion 21 of the individual package 20, the area including the animal pattern 31 is larger in the first folded portion 211 than in the second folded portion 212. In view of this, the individual package 20 is arranged in the package 40 such that the first fold portion 211 faces the window portion 41 of the front face 40A of the package 40.

Accordingly, as shown in fig. 19, at least a portion of the animal design 31 located in the first fold 211 of the individual package 20 can be seen through the window 41 of the package 40. The vertical direction of the animal design 31 of the individual package 20 (first folded portion 211) visible through the window portion 41 of the package 40 is aligned with the vertical direction of the package 40.

In this case, similarly to the above description, when the user sees a state in which the vertical direction of the animal pattern 31 of the individual package 20 visible through the window portion 41 is aligned with the vertical direction of the package 40, the animal pattern 31 and the vertical direction thereof are printed in the subconscious of the user. Therefore, when the individual package 20 is opened and unfolded in order to use the sanitary napkin 1 (fig. 15), when viewing the animal pattern 32 of the sanitary napkin 1 of the same animal type as the animal pattern 31 of the individual package 20, the user can easily recognize subconsciously that the animal pattern 32 has the up-down direction, and the up-down direction of the animal pattern 32 corresponds to the front-back direction of the sanitary napkin 1. Therefore, even a user inexperienced in using the sanitary napkin 1 can be guided to use the sanitary napkin 1 in the correct front-rear direction.

In addition, even if the sanitary napkin 1 is provided with "arrows" indicating the front-rear direction of the sanitary napkin 1 or characters such as "front side" instead of the animal pattern 32, it is easy to use the sanitary napkin 1 in the correct front-rear direction. However, if the direction is directly indicated as described above, the user is given pressure to check the front-rear direction of the sanitary napkin 1 before use. In particular, the sanitary napkin 1 is generally worn in a relatively small and dark toilet, thus making the task of checking the orientation of the sanitary napkin 1 cumbersome for the user.

However, in the present embodiment, the front-back direction of the sanitary napkin 1 is presented to the user based on the vertical direction of the animal figures 35, 31, and 32 of the package 40, the individual package 20, and the sanitary napkin 1. Therefore, the user can be naturally guided to use the sanitary napkin 1 in the correct front-rear direction. Therefore, this makes it possible to reduce the pressure and labor for inspecting the front-rear direction of the sanitary napkin 1, and to allow the user to quickly wear the sanitary napkin 1. For example, young girl students who are inexperienced in the use of the sanitary napkin 1 may often change the sanitary napkin 1 within a predetermined period of time, such as during a school break. Since the sanitary napkin 1 can be replaced quickly as in the present embodiment, it is suitable.

In addition, the use of an animal pattern as the pattern indicating the front-rear direction of the sanitary napkin 1 realizes a lovely pattern of the individual package 20. Therefore, this can alleviate the melancholic mood of young girl students during menstruation.

Note that it is preferable that both the animal design 35 on the outer surface of the package 40 visible through the window portion 41 and the animal design 31 of the individual package 20 be visible from the outside of the package 40. But may be a configuration in which only the former or the latter is visible from the outside of the package 40. In other words, the outer surface of the package 40 may have the animal design 35 but not the window 41, or the outer surface of the package 40 may have the window 41 but not the animal design 35. Further, the outer surface of the package 40 may have the animal pattern 35, but the individual package 20 (package member 10) may not have the animal pattern 31.

Further, the animal design 35 on the outer surface of the package 40 and the window 41 through which the animal design 31 of the individual package 20 can be observed may be provided on different surfaces of the package 40. In this case, they may be provided on the same surface, in particular on the front face 40A such as the package 40. According to this configuration, the animal pattern 35 of the package 40 and the animal pattern 31 of the individual package 20 are easily noticed by the user and are more easily printed in the subconscious of the user.

So long as the

animal patterns

35, 31 and 32 of the package 40, the individual packages 20 and the sanitary napkin 1 are patterns recognized as animals having up-down directions by the user when viewed. For example, the animal is not limited to being a cat, and may be other animals such as a bear or a rabbit. Further, the pattern of the animal is not limited to the outline, and may be a pattern having an expression (eye, mouth, nose, or the like). Also, the pattern is not limited to having a head and a torso, and may be a pattern having only a head (for example, see fig. 22A described later).

Also, in the case where the

animal patterns

35 and 31 of the package 40 and the individual packages 20 are the same type of animal as the animal pattern 32 of the sanitary napkin 1, the

animal patterns

35, 31, and 32 may be, for example, cat patterns, and these animal patterns are not limited to having the same shape or similar shapes, and may have different shapes.

In addition, for example, a general sanitary napkin is provided with compressed concave portions in order to prevent the shape of the absorbent body from collapsing. Since the animal pattern 32 is formed using the compressed concave portions 7, the sanitary napkin 1 can be manufactured more easily and at a lower cost than in the case where the animal pattern is provided on the sanitary napkin 1 by means other than the compressed concave portions 7, such as printing. The surface of the sanitary napkin is generally white, and due to the compressed concave portions 7, the animal pattern 32 can be formed by three-dimensional shading or density change of the absorbent fibers. Therefore, the animal pattern 32 can be formed without using ink or with a reduced amount of ink used.

In addition, even after the excretory fluid is absorbed, the animal pattern 32 formed by the compressed concave portions 7 can be seen. Therefore, even after using the sanitary napkin 1, the user can check whether the sanitary napkin 1 is used in the correct front-rear direction based on the vertical direction of the animal pattern 32 of the sanitary napkin 1.

In addition, it is preferable that, at the folded position FL2 (see fig. 16A) of the sanitary napkin 1, when the absorbent body 2 is trisected in the width direction, a pair of

compressed portions

324 and 325 extending in the longitudinal direction are provided in one of the left side region, the center region, or the right side region. In the present embodiment, a pair of

compressed portions

compression portions

324 and 325.

In this way, since the pair of compressing

portions

324 and 325 is provided in the region of the absorbent body 2 that is narrow in the width direction, the rigidity of the absorbent body 2 is improved, and twisting or collapse of the absorbent body 2 can be suppressed. In particular, in the rear region 1C of the sanitary napkin 1 which is in contact with the wearer's buttocks, the absorbent body 2 may be easily twisted by the movement of the buttocks, but even after the sanitary napkin 1 is used, the shape of the cat's tail is easily maintained by the pair of

compressed portions

324 and 325. The overall design of the cat is also readily visible after use of the sanitary napkin 1, since the shape of the tail of the cat is maintained.

In order to improve the functions of the sanitary napkin 1 such as absorbency, at least the shape and the basis weight of the absorbent body 2 may be asymmetrical in the front-back direction of the sanitary napkin 1. In other words, there is a case where the absorbent body 2, which cannot be seen from the outside of the sanitary napkin 1, is asymmetrical in the front-rear direction although the sanitary napkin 1 appears symmetrical in the front-rear direction. In this case, it is difficult for the user to recognize the front-rear direction of the sanitary napkin 1, and the user may easily use the sanitary napkin 1 in the wrong front-rear direction. Therefore, it is effective to adopt the present invention.

The dimensions of the animal design 31 of the individual package 20 that can be seen through the window 41 of the package 40 are described below. Specifically, the size of the animal design 31 which can be seen from the outer surface 102 side of the packing member 10 is explained below. Therefore, the developed state of the packaging member 10 shown in fig. 13 will be used for the following description of the size of the animal pattern 31 when the individual packaging body 20 is in the opened and developed state.

In the present embodiment, the animal patterns 31 of the packing member 10 all have the same size. However, even if the animal pattern 31 of the packing member 10 has different sizes, the animal pattern 31 that can be seen through the window portion 41 may have the following sizes.

First, as shown in fig. 19, it is preferable that the maximum length L2 of the window portion 41 in the up-down direction of the package 40 is greater than or equal to the up-down direction length L1 (see fig. 13) of the animal design 31 of the individual package 20 when the individual package 20 is in the opened and unfolded state (L2 ≧ L1).

According to this configuration, the animal design 31 of the individual package 20 which is not broken in the up-down direction or the animal design 31 which is slightly broken in the up-down direction can be seen from the window portion 41 of the package 40. Therefore, when viewing the package 40, the user can easily recognize the animal pattern 31 of the individual package 20 and the up-down direction thereof, and a state where the up-down direction of the animal pattern 31 of the individual package 20 is aligned with the up-down direction of the package 40 is printed in the subconscious of the user. Therefore, when viewing the animal pattern 32 of the sanitary napkin 1, it is easy for the user to use the sanitary napkin 1 in the correct front-rear direction based on the up-down direction of the animal pattern 32.

When the individual package 20 is opened and unfolded, the animal patterns 31 are arranged side by side with an interval in the vertical direction of the animal patterns 31 as shown in fig. 13. The animal patterns 31 in the rows are arranged side by side in the width direction of the animal patterns 31, and the positions in the width direction of the animal patterns 31 in the respective rows are aligned (overlapped). The length L3 is a length in the up-down direction from the upper end of one animal pattern (first animal pattern) 31a in the row of animal patterns 31 to the upper end of an animal pattern (second animal pattern) 31b below the animal pattern. The length L3 is a length in the vertical direction from the upper end of one animal pattern 31 disposed in the folded part 21 of the individual package 20 to the upper end of the animal pattern 31 below the animal pattern. In view of this, it is preferable that the maximum length L2 of the window 41 in the up-down direction of the package 40 be greater than or equal to the length L3(L2 ≧ L3).

According to this configuration, at least a part of the animal design 31 is arranged in a portion of the folded portion 21 of the individual package 20 facing the window portion 41. The plurality of animal patterns 31 are easily arranged side by side in the vertical direction. Accordingly, the animal design 31 of the individual package 20 can be seen through the window portion 41 of the package 40. Therefore, the state in which the vertical direction of these animal figures 31 is aligned with the vertical direction of the package 40 is easily printed in the subconscious of the user. Therefore, when viewing the animal pattern 32 of the sanitary napkin 1, it is easy for the user to use the sanitary napkin 1 in the correct front-rear direction based on the up-down direction of the animal pattern 32.

Also, it is preferable that the thickness W3 of the individual package 20 when contained in the package 40 is equal to or greater than 1/2 (W3. gtoreq.W 1/2) of the widthwise length W1 (see FIG. 13) of the animal design 31 when the individual package 20 is in the open and spread state. It is further preferable that the thickness W3 of the individual package 20 when contained in the package 40 is equal to or greater than the width-directional length W1 of the animal design 31 when the individual package 20 is in the opened and unfolded state (W3. gtoreq.W 1).

According to this configuration, the animal design 31 which is not broken in the width direction or the animal design 31 which is broken by a small amount in the width direction is arranged in the portion of the folded portion 21 of the individual package 20 which faces the window portion 41, and such animal design 31 can be seen through the window portion 41 of the package 40. Therefore, when viewing the package 40, the user can easily recognize the animal pattern 31 of the individual package 20 and the up-down direction thereof, and a state where the up-down direction of the animal pattern 31 of the individual package 20 is aligned with the up-down direction of the package 40 is printed in the subconscious of the user. Therefore, when viewing the animal pattern 32 of the sanitary napkin 1, it is easy for the user to use the sanitary napkin 1 in the correct front-rear direction based on the up-down direction of the animal pattern 32.

As shown in fig. 13, in the opened and unfolded state, the individual package 20 has an arrangement region a1 in which the animal pattern 31 is arranged and a non-arrangement region a2 in which the animal pattern 31 is not arranged, and these two regions alternate in the width direction of the animal pattern 31. In view of this, it is preferable that the thickness W3 of the individual package 20 housed in the package 40 is larger than the width W4 of the non-arrangement region a2 when the individual package 20 is in the opened and unfolded state (W3> W4).

According to this configuration, at least a part of the arrangement region a1 including the animal pattern 31 is located in a portion of the folded portion 21 of the individual package 20 facing the window portion 41. Therefore, the animal patterns 31 of the individual packages 20 can be seen through the window portion 41 of the package 40, and a state in which the up-down direction of those animal patterns 31 is aligned with the up-down direction of the package 40 is easily impressed in the subconscious of the user. Therefore, when viewing the animal pattern 32 of the sanitary napkin 1, it is easy for the user to use the sanitary napkin 1 in the correct front-rear direction based on the up-down direction of the animal pattern 32.

Note that in this embodiment, both the arrangement region a1 and the non-arrangement region a2 have a uniform width. However, if the widths are not uniform, the thickness W3 of the individual packages 20 when contained in the package 40 need only be greater than the width W4 of the smallest non-disposition region a2, or more preferably, greater than the width W4 of the largest non-disposition region a 2.

As shown in fig. 19, in the package 40, a plurality of individual packages 20 are arranged side by side in the thickness direction thereof. Preferably, with respect to the individual packages 20 adjacent in the thickness direction of the individual package 20, at least a part of the animal patterns 31(31c and 31d) located in the folded portion 21 of the adjacent individual package 20 are arranged not to be aligned with each other in the up-down direction of the animal patterns 31.

If the positions of the animal patterns 31 in the up-down direction completely coincide with each other in the adjacent individual packages 20, the outlines of the animal patterns 31 are difficult to recognize, and it is difficult for the user to recognize the animal patterns 31. In view of this, if the animal patterns 31 are arranged so as not to be aligned with each other as described above, the user can easily recognize the animal patterns 31 of the individual packages 20 and the up-down direction thereof when viewing the package 40, and a state in which the up-down direction of the animal patterns 31 of the individual packages 20 is aligned with the up-down direction of the package 40 is printed in the subconscious of the user. Therefore, when viewing the animal pattern 32 of the sanitary napkin 1, it is easy for the user to use the sanitary napkin 1 in the correct front-rear direction based on the up-down direction of the animal pattern 32.

Note that, when the individual package 20 is contained in the package 40, the thickness W3 thereof may be measured using a known method. For example, the thickness of the individual package 20 observed through the window 41 of the package 40 may be measured using a ruler or the like. In addition, if the package 40 does not have the window 41, the following method may be used: for example, the lateral length of the package 40 is measured, the thickness of the package 40 (bag body) is subtracted from the measurement value, and the resulting value is divided by the number of individual packages 20.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the animal design 31 visible from the outside of the individual package 20 and the animal design 35 of the package 40 include a black portion (cat portion) and a pink portion (ribbon portion). In this way, it is preferable that the

animal patterns

31 and 35 have a black portion and a portion of a colored color other than black. Also, the

animal patterns

31 and 35 may have opposite color portions. For example, the animal pattern may have a green-system portion and a red-system portion (opposite color of the green system).

According to this configuration, the animal pattern 35 on the outer surface of the package 40 and the animal pattern 31 of the individual package 20 are conspicuous, and the user easily recognizes the

animal patterns

35 and 31 when viewing the appearance of the package. Therefore, the state in which the vertical directions of the animal figures 35 and 31 of the package 40 and the individual packages 20 are aligned with the vertical direction of the package 40 is easily printed in the subconscious of the user.

< modification >

Fig. 20A and 20B are explanatory views of a case where the animal patterns 31 of the individual packing bodies 20 have different directions. Fig. 20A is a plan view of the individual package 20, and fig. 20B is a view showing the window portion 41 of the package 40. As shown in fig. 20A, the up-down direction of the animal pattern 31 may be aligned with the length direction of the individual package 20 (the longitudinal direction of the package member 10), and the width direction of the animal pattern 31 may be aligned with the lateral direction of the individual package 20 (the lateral direction of the package member 10). In other words, it is not necessary to align the up-down direction of the animal pattern 31 with the extending direction of the folded portion 21 of the individual package 20.

In this case, as shown in fig. 20B, it is preferable that the individual packages 20 are accommodated in the package 40 in such a manner that the lateral direction of the individual packages 20 is aligned with the depth direction of the package 40. Further, it is preferable that the side face 40B of the package 40 is provided with a window portion 41, and the window portion 41 allows a flat surface (e.g., the surface shown in fig. 20A) of the individual package 20 to be seen. According to this configuration, the vertical direction of the animal pattern 31 of the individual package 20 visible through the window portion 41 of the side surface 40B of the package 40 can be aligned with the vertical direction of the package 40. Therefore, the state shown in fig. 20B is impressed in the subconscious of the user, and the user can easily use the sanitary napkin 1 in the correct front-rear direction based on the up-down direction of the animal pattern 32 of the sanitary napkin 1.

Fig. 21A and 21B are explanatory views of a modification of the package 40. It is possible that the package 40 does not have the same type of animal design 35 as the animal design 32 of the sanitary napkin 1 and also does not have the configuration of the window portion 41. In this case, when the individual packages 20 are accommodated in the package 40, the animal figures 31 of the individual packages 20 may be aligned with the vertical direction of the package 40.

For example, it is assumed that a perforation line 43a (see fig. 17) for taking out the individual package 20 from the package 40 is provided in the upper surface 40C of the package 40. In this case, as shown in fig. 21A, when the individual package 20 is taken out from the package 40, the user can see a state in which the vertical direction of the animal pattern 31 of the individual package 20 is aligned with the vertical direction of the package 40.

Further, for example, it is assumed that a perforation line 43B is provided on the side surface 40B of the package 40. In this case, as shown in fig. 21B, when the package 40 is opened, the user can see a state in which the vertical direction of the animal pattern 31 of the individual package 20 is aligned with the vertical direction of the package 40. This state is impressed in the subconscious of the user, and the user can easily use the sanitary napkin 1 in the correct front-rear direction based on the up-down direction of the animal pattern 32 of the sanitary napkin 1.

Although the above-described sanitary napkin 1 (fig. 1) included in the individual package 20 has an animal pattern 32 extending over a wide range in the front-rear direction of the sanitary napkin 1, it is not limited thereto. For example, as shown in fig. 22A, a plurality of (or one) small animal patterns 33 may be provided in a portion of the sanitary napkin 1.

Further, the animal design 32 of the sanitary napkin 1 formed by the topsheet 3 and the compressed concave portions 7 in which the absorbent body 2 is compressed is not limited. For example, as shown in fig. 22B, the animal design 34 of the sanitary napkin 1 may be formed by a pattern of the welded portions 1D formed in both widthwise side portions of the sanitary napkin 1. Further, an animal pattern may be printed on the skin-side surface of the sanitary napkin 1.

In addition, the animal design 31 visible from the outside of the individual package 20 is not limited to being provided on the packing member 10. For example, as shown in fig. 22C, the animal design 31 may be provided on the back sheet 4 of the sanitary napkin 1, and the back sheet may be provided with the adhesive portion 9 for preventing slipping. As another example, as shown in fig. 22D, an animal design 31 may be provided on the release sheet 13 covering the adhesive portion 9 to prevent slippage of the sanitary napkin 1.

Fig. 23 is an explanatory view of a modification of the animal pattern 31 of the packaging member 10. The packaging member 10 shown in fig. 13 has a non-disposed region a2 where the animal pattern 31 is not disposed, but there is no limitation thereto. For example, as shown in fig. 23, the following configuration may be possible: when the individual package 20 (packaging member 10) is in the opened and developed state, the plurality of animal patterns 31 are arranged side by side in the width direction and the up-down direction thereof, the

animal patterns

31e and 31f adjacent in the up-down direction are arranged offset from each other in the width direction, and the packaging member 10 has a portion a3 where the

adjacent animal patterns

31e and 31f overlap each other in the width direction.

In this case, the animal design 32 is arranged in the entire area in the width direction of the animal design 32 (the longitudinal direction of the packaging member 10 in fig. 23), and the packaging member 10 does not have a non-arranged area. Therefore, at least a part of the animal design 31 is disposed in the folded portion 21 of the individual package 20 facing the window portion 41 of the package 40. Therefore, the animal patterns 31 of the individual packages 20 can be seen through the window portion 41 of the package 40, and a state in which the up-down direction of those animal patterns 31 is aligned with the up-down direction of the package 40 is printed in the subconscious of the user. Therefore, the user can easily use the sanitary napkin 1 in the correct front-rear direction based on the up-down direction of the animal figure 32 of the sanitary napkin 1.

In the third embodiment, the first and second embodiments are described below

The third embodiment will be described by taking, as an example, a packing member 10 (fig. 13) and an individual packing body 20 (fig. 14 to 16) which are the same as those of the second embodiment. The sanitary napkin 1 of the third embodiment need not have an animal figure.

< animal design 31 of Individual Package 20 (absorbent article Package) >

Fig. 24 is a diagram showing an example of a method of storing the individual packages 20 in a home, and shows a container 50 for storing the individual packages 20 as viewed from above in a vertical direction. The individual packages 20 are circulated in the form of a group contained in a package 40 (see fig. 19) described later. After purchasing the package 40, the user often takes the individual packages 20 out of the package 40 and stores them individually. In addition, if there are different sanitary napkins for daytime use and for night time use, or different products for mother and daughter, the

individual packages

20, 51, and 52 of the various types of sanitary napkins may be mixed together when stored as shown in fig. 24.

Note that if the

individual packages

20, 51, and 52 are stored in a state of being stacked on top of each other (flat stack), it is difficult to take out a desired product from the lower side. In addition, there are cases where the lower side product is not used for a long time, and the thickness of the sanitary napkin is reduced due to the weight of the product stacked thereon, resulting in a reduction in comfort and absorption capacity.

In order to solve this problem, the individual package 20 of the present embodiment has an animal pattern 31, and the animal pattern 31 has a vertical direction and can be seen from the outside of the individual package 20. In the present embodiment, the packaging member 10 is provided with the animal pattern 31 visible from the outer surface 102 side, and the up-down direction of the animal pattern 31 is aligned with the lateral direction of the packaging member 10.

In a state (fig. 14B) where the packaging member 10 of the individual package 20 contains the sanitary napkin 1 and has been folded at the fold portion 21 extending in the lateral direction (predetermined direction) of the packaging member 10, at least a part of the animal pattern 31 of the packaging member 10 is located in the fold portion 21, and the up-down direction of the animal pattern 31 is aligned with the extending direction of the fold portion 21.

Therefore, if the individual package 20 of the present embodiment is laid flat, the animal design 31 on the fold portion 21 is laid down. Therefore, the user easily disposes the individual packages 20 in such a manner that the up-down direction of the animal design 31 on the folded portion 21 is aligned with the vertical direction, or the user easily disposes the individual packages 20 in such a manner that the animal design 31 on the folded portion 21 faces upward in the vertical direction as shown in fig. 24. In other words, the user can be guided to store the individual packages 20 in an upright orientation. In other words, a group of the individual packages 20 arranged side by side in the thickness direction thereof is stored so as to extend in the horizontal direction (not the vertical direction). Therefore, this prevents the problems that occur when the individual packages 20 are stacked flat (it is difficult to take out the individual packages 20, and the thickness of the individual packages 20 is reduced).

Further, the user can easily store the individual packages 20 in an arrangement that allows viewing of the animal design 31 as a subconscious reference for the orientation of the individual packages 20. Therefore, as shown in fig. 24, the individual package 20 of the present embodiment having the animal pattern 31 can be selected from the plurality of

individual packages

20, 51, and 52 and easily taken out.

Even if "arrow" or characters such as "up" are provided on the folded portion 21 of the individual package 20 instead of the animal design 31, the user can be guided to store the individual package 20 in an upright direction. However, if the direction is directly indicated as described above, the user feels pressure to check the direction of the individual packing bodies 20 when arranging the individual packing bodies 20. In contrast, in the present embodiment, the arrangement direction of the individual packages 20 is presented to the user only based on the vertical direction of the animal pattern 31 of the individual package 20, thereby preventing the user from feeling stress.

Note that the animal pattern 31 on the folded portion 21 of the individual package 20 only needs to be a pattern that can be recognized as an animal having an up-down direction when viewed by the user. For example, the animal is not limited to being a cat, and may be other animals such as a bear or a rabbit. In addition, the animal pattern is not limited to the outline, and may be a pattern having an expression (eye, mouth, nose, or the like). Also, the pattern is not limited to having a head and a torso, and may be a pattern having only a head.

The dimensions of the animal design 31 of the packaging unit 10 are explained below. In the present embodiment, the animal patterns 31 of the packing member 10 all have the same size. However, even if the animal pattern 31 of the packing member 10 has different sizes, it is preferable that the animal pattern 31 located on the folded portion 21 has the following sizes.

First, it is preferable that the thickness W3 (see fig. 14B) of the individual package 20 in the folded state is greater than or equal to 1/2(W3 ≧ W1/2) of the widthwise length W1 (see fig. 13) of the animal design 31 when the individual package 20 is in the unsealed and unfolded state. It is further preferable that the thickness W3 of the individual packing body 20 in the folded state is greater than or equal to the width-directional length W1 of the animal design 31 when the individual packing body 20 is in the opened and unfolded state (W3. gtoreq.W 1).

According to this configuration, the animal pattern 31 that is not broken in the width direction or the animal pattern 31 that is slightly broken in the width direction is arranged in the folded portion 21 of the individual package 20. Therefore, the user can easily recognize the animal pattern 31 on the folded portion 21 and the up-down direction thereof, and can guide the user to store the individual packages 20 in the standing direction based on the animal pattern 31 on the folded portion 21.

The thickness W2 of the individual packages 20 in the folded state may be measured using a known method. For example, a dial thickness gauge ID-C1012C manufactured by Sanfeng corporation or its equivalent can be used at 20cm²Area of the contactor and 3gf/cm²(294N/m²) The contact pressure of (a) is measured.

As shown in fig. 13, in the opened and developed state, the individual package 20 has an arrangement region a1 in which the animal pattern 31 is arranged and a non-arrangement region a2 in which the animal pattern 31 is not arranged, and these two regions alternate in the width direction of the animal pattern 31. In view of this, it is preferable that the thickness W3 of the individual packaged body 20 in the folded state is larger than the width W4 of the non-arrangement region a2 when the individual packaged body 20 is in the opened and unfolded state (W3> W4).

According to this configuration, at least a part of the arrangement region a1 including the animal pattern 31 is located in the fold portion 21 of the individual package 20. Therefore, the user can easily recognize the animal pattern 31 on the folded portion 21 and the up-down direction thereof, and can guide the user to store the individual packages 20 in the standing direction based on the animal pattern 31 on the folded portion 21.

Note that in this embodiment, both the arrangement region a1 and the non-arrangement region a2 have a uniform width. However, if the widths are not uniform, the thickness W3 of the individual packages 20 need only be greater than the width W4 of the smallest non-disposition region a2, or more preferably greater than the width W4 of the largest non-disposition region a 2.

< Package 40 of Individual Package 20 >)

The individual packages 20 circulate in the form of a group contained in a package 40 (bag body). The package 40 of the present embodiment has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The package 40 includes: a front face 40A; a back surface 40D on the opposite side of the front surface 40A; a pair of side surfaces 40B facing each other; and an upper surface 40C and a lower surface which are opposite sides to each other. The package 40 also has a transverse direction, an up-down direction, and a depth direction that are orthogonal to each other. Of the surfaces of the package 40, the surface on which the product name 42 (see fig. 19) is set is the front surface 40A. The vertical direction of the product name 42 provided on the front face 40A is the vertical direction of the package 40. Note that the shape of the package 40 is not limited to the shape shown in fig. 17, and may be a bag-like shape in which the upper and lower ends of the cylindrical package member are sealed.

The package 40 includes a plurality of individual packages 20 arranged side by side in the thickness direction of the individual packages 20. The arrangement direction (thickness direction) of the individual packages 20 is parallel to the lateral direction of the package 40, the lateral direction (extending direction of the folded portion 21) of the individual packages 20 is parallel to the vertical direction of the package 40, and the longitudinal direction of the individual packages 20 is parallel to the depth direction of the package 40. Thus, the flat surface (e.g., the surface shown in fig. 14A) of the individual package 20 faces the side 40B of the package 40. Further, the first folded portion 211 of the individual package 20 faces the front face 40A of the package 40, and the second folded portion 212 of the individual package 20 faces the back face 40D of the package 40.

In the individual package 20 (fig. 14B) of the present embodiment, at least a part of the animal design 31 visible from the outside of the individual package 20 is located in the folded part 21, and the up-down direction of the animal design 31 is aligned with the extending direction of the folded part 21. Therefore, as described above, if the extending direction of the folded part 21 of the individual package 20 is aligned with the up-down direction of the package 40, the up-down direction of the animal pattern 31 positioned in the folded part 21 of the individual package 20 is aligned with the up-down direction of the package 40. In other words, the vertical direction of the animal pattern 31 in the folded portion 21 is substantially parallel to the vertical direction of the package 40, and the upper side of the animal pattern 31 coincides with the upper side of the package 40.

The package 40 of the present embodiment has a transparent window 41 on the front surface 40A. In view of this, the individual package 20 is arranged in the package 40 such that the first fold portion 211 faces the window portion 41 of the front face 40A of the package 40. Thus, as shown in fig. 19, at least a portion of the first fold 211 of the individual package 20 and at least a portion of the animal design 31 located in the first fold 211 can be seen through the window 41 of the package 40. The up-down direction of the animal pattern 31 in the first folded portion 211 which can be seen through the window portion 41 is aligned with the up-down direction of the package 40.

In this case, when viewing the package 40, the user sees a state in which the animal design 31 in the folded portion 21 of the individual package 20 stands upright in the up-down direction of the package 40 rather than lying on its side when viewing the package 40. Therefore, when the package 40 is viewed, the individual package 20 and the animal design 31 stand upright and are thus printed in the subconscious of the user. Therefore, when the user takes out the individual packages 20 from the package 40 to store them, the user easily and subconsciously disposes the individual packages 20 in an upright orientation as in the state of the individual packages 20 in the package 40 (fig. 17).

The dimensions of the window portion 41 will be described below. Although all the animal patterns 31 of the packing member 10 have the same size in the present embodiment, it is preferable that the size of the window portion 41 with respect to the animal patterns 31 located in the folded portion 21 is as follows even if the animal patterns 31 of the packing member 10 have different sizes.

According to this configuration, the animal design 31 of the individual package 20 which is not broken in the up-down direction or the animal design 31 which is slightly broken in the up-down direction can be seen from the window portion 41 of the package 40. Therefore, when the package 40 is viewed, the animal design 31 of the individual package 20 stands upright and is hidden in the user's mind. Therefore, the user can easily store the individual packages 20 in an upright orientation, as in the state of the individual packages 20 in the package 40.

According to this configuration, at least a part of the animal pattern 31 is arranged in a portion of the folded portion 21 of the individual package 20 facing the window portion 41, and the plurality of animal patterns 31 are easily arranged side by side in the up-down direction. Therefore, the animal design 31 of the individual package 20 can be seen through the window portion 41 of the package 40, and the state in which the animal design 31 of the individual package 20 stands upright when viewing the package 40 is printed in the subconscious of the user. Therefore, the user can easily store the individual packages 20 in the upright direction in the same state as the individual packages 20 in the package 40.

As shown in fig. 19, the state in which the plurality of individual packages 20 are arranged side by side in the thickness direction can be seen through the window portion 41 of the package 40. In the package 40, at least a part of the animal patterns 31(31c and 31d) in the folded part 21 of the individual package 20 adjacent to each other in the thickness direction of the individual package 20 are preferably arranged so as not to be aligned with each other in the up-down direction of the animal patterns 31.

If the positions of the animal patterns 31 in the up-down direction completely coincide with each other in the adjacent individual packages 20, the outlines of the animal patterns 31 are more difficult to recognize, and it is difficult for the user to recognize the animal patterns 31. In view of this, if the animal patterns 31 are arranged not to be aligned with each other as described above, it is easy for the user to recognize the animal patterns 31 of the individual packages 20 when viewing the package 40, and a state in which the animal patterns 31 of the individual packages 20 stand upright when viewing the package 40 is printed in the subconscious of the user. Therefore, the user can easily store the individual packages 20 in the same upright direction as the state of the individual packages 20 in the package 40.

As described above, in the opened and developed state (fig. 13), the individual package 20 has the arrangement region a1 where the animal pattern 31 is arranged and the non-arrangement region a2 where the animal pattern 31 is not arranged. In the first fold 211 (fig. 18A) of the individual package 20, the arrangement region a1 is larger than the non-arrangement region a2, and in the second fold 212 (fig. 18B) of the individual package 20, the non-arrangement region a2 is larger than the arrangement region a 1. In other words, the animal pattern 31 is more easily seen in the first fold portion 211 of the individual package 21 than in the second fold portion 212.

In this case, it is preferable that, in the package 40, the individual packages 20 are arranged side by side in the thickness direction thereof, as shown in fig. 18A, the first folded portions 211 of the individual packages 20 are located on the same side, and as shown in fig. 18B, the second folded portions 212 of the individual packages 20 are located on the same side.

According to this configuration, when the package 40 is opened and a set of the individual packages 20 is taken out from the package 40, the user sees the surface on which the animal design 31 is arranged on the individual package 20 (fig. 18A) and the surface on which almost no portion of the animal design 31 is arranged on the individual package 20 (fig. 18B). In this case, it is easy for the user to subconsciously determine the arrangement direction of the individual packages 20 based on the animal pattern 31 and store the individual packages 20 in an upright direction. The user also easily stores the individual packages 20 in a configuration in which the surface having the animal design 31 (fig. 18A) can be seen. Therefore, the user can select the individual package 20 having the animal design 31 of the present embodiment and easily take it out of various types of individual packages.

Further, in the case where the individual packages 20 may be stored in such an arrangement that the first fold portions 211 are located on the same side as described above, it is preferable to arrange the tape 11 fastening the opening end 10a of the individual package 20 closer to the second fold portion 212 than to the first fold portion 211 in the longitudinal direction of the individual package 20 as shown in fig. 14A.

According to this configuration, when the user takes out the individual packages 20 from the storage position, the tapes 11 of the individual packages 20 are always in the same position. Specifically, when the user grips and takes out the first fold portion 211 of the individual package 20 from the storage position with one hand, the belt 11 is located at a position closer to the second fold portion 212 on the opposite side of the gripped portion. In this case, the user can hold the band 11 with the other hand and unseal the individual package 20. In this way, the operation of taking out the individual package 20 from the storage position and peeling the tape 11 can be made the same every time, and the individual package 20 can be opened smoothly.

Note that, for example, the sizes of the arrangement region a1 and the non-arrangement region a2 can be visually compared, and the lengths of the arrangement region a1 and the non-arrangement region a2 in the thickness direction of the individual package 20 can be measured and then compared with a ruler or the like. Further, although not shown, a window portion 41 that allows the individual package 20 to be seen may be provided on the back surface 40D of the package 40 in addition to the front surface 40A. According to this configuration, the user can see the surface shown in fig. 18A and the surface shown in fig. 18B from the appearance of the package 40.

Further, as shown in fig. 19, the package 40 has an animal design 35 on its front face 40A, which is visible from the outside of the package 40. For example, an animal design 35 is printed on the outer surface of the package 40. The animal design 35 is the same type of animal as the animal design 35 of the individual package 20, and is the same color. In other words, the animal design 35 of the package 40 is also a cat, and the cats are black. Further, the animal design 35 of the package 40 also has pink ribbons 351, similar to the animal design 31 of the individual package 20.

The up-down direction of the animal figure 35 of the package 40 is preferably aligned with the up-down direction of the package 40. In other words, it is preferable that the up-down direction of the animal design 35 is substantially parallel to the up-down direction of the package 40, and the upper side of the animal design 35 matches the upper side of the package 40.

Therefore, when the state in which the vertical direction of the animal pattern 35 of the package 40 is aligned with the vertical direction of the package 40 is observed, the animal pattern 35 and the vertical direction thereof are printed in the subconscious of the user. Therefore, when the individual packages 20 are taken out of the package 40 to be stored, the user may subconsciously recognize the up-down direction of the animal pattern 31 of the individual package 20 when viewing the animal pattern 31 of the individual package 20 similar to the animal pattern 35 of the package 40. Therefore, it is easy for the user to dispose the individual packages 20 subconsciously based on the up-down direction of the animal pattern 31 of the individual package 20 and to store the individual packages 20 in an upright direction.

Note that, in the case where the animal design 35 of the package 40 is the same type of animal as the animal design 31 of the individual package 20, as long as the animal designs 35 and 31 are, for example, cat designs, and these animal designs are not limited to having the same shape or similar shapes, and may have different shapes. The same color is a state in which the color difference between the color included in the animal pattern 35 of the package 40 and the color (for example, black) included in the animal pattern 31 of the individual package 20 is less than 12.

Note that it is preferable that both the animal design 35 on the outer surface of the package 40 visible through the window portion 41 and the animal design 31 of the individual package 20 be visible from the outside of the package 40. But may be a configuration in which only the former or the latter is visible from the outside of the package 40. In other words, the outer surface of the package 40 may have the animal design 35 but not the window 41, or the outer surface of the package 40 may have the window 41 but not the animal design 35.

animal patterns

31 and 35 may have opposite color portions. For example, the animal pattern may have a green-system portion and a red-system portion (opposite color of the green system). According to this configuration, the animal pattern 35 of the package 40 and the animal pattern 31 of the individual package 20 are conspicuous, and the user can easily recognize the

animal patterns

35 and 31.

< modification >

Fig. 21A and 21B are explanatory views of a modification of the package 40. It is possible that the package 40 does not have the same type of animal design 35 as the animal design 31 of the individual package 20 and does not have the configuration of the window portion 41. In this case, when the individual packages 20 are accommodated in the package 40, the animal figures 31 of the individual packages 20 may be aligned with the vertical direction of the package 40.

Further, for example, it is assumed that a perforation line 43B is provided on the side surface 40B of the package 40. In this case, as shown in fig. 21B, when the package 40 is opened, the user can see a state in which the vertical direction of the animal pattern 31 of the individual package 20 is aligned with the vertical direction of the package 40.

When these states are observed, the animal pattern 31 of the individual package 20 and the vertical direction thereof are printed in the subconscious of the user. Therefore, when the user takes out the individual packages 20 from the package 40 to store them, the user easily disposes the individual packages 20 subconsciously based on the up-down direction of the animal pattern 31 of the individual package 20 and disposes the individual packages 20 in an upright direction. However, in the package 40, it is not required that the vertical direction of the animal pattern 31 of the individual package 20 be aligned with the vertical direction of the package 40.

Fig. 25A and 25B are explanatory views of a modification of the individual package 20. Further, the animal design 31 visible from the outside of the individual package 20 is not limited to being provided on the packing member 10. For example, as shown in fig. 25A, an animal design 31 may be provided on the back sheet 4 of the sanitary napkin 1, and the adhesive portion 9 for non-slip may be coated on the back sheet 4. As another example, as shown in fig. 25B, an animal design 31 may be provided on the release sheet 13 covering the adhesive portion 9 to prevent slippage of the sanitary napkin 1.

animal patterns

adjacent animal patterns

31e and 31f overlap each other in the width direction.

In this case, the animal design 32 is arranged in the entire area in the width direction of the animal design 32 (the longitudinal direction of the packaging member 10 in fig. 23), and the packaging member 10 does not have a non-arranged area. Therefore, at least a part of the animal design 31 is disposed in the folded portion 21 of the individual package 20 facing the window portion 41 of the package 40. The animal design 31 of the individual package 20 can be seen through the window 41. Therefore, when the package 40 is viewed, the animal design 31 of the individual package 20 stands upright and is hidden in the subconscious of the user. Therefore, the user easily stores the individual packages 20 in an upright orientation similar to the state of the individual packages 20 in the package 40.

The above embodiments are only for the purpose of promoting an understanding of the present invention and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention in any way. Various changes or modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit thereof, and equivalents thereof may be covered.

Claims

1. An absorbent article package comprising:

an absorbent article having a front-to-rear orientation,

the absorbent article is one of a sanitary napkin, a pantiliner, and an absorbent pad; and

A packaging member for packaging the absorbent article, characterized in that:

the packaging member includes an animal pattern,

The animal pattern has an up-down direction,

The animal pattern can be seen from the inner surface side facing inward when the absorbent article is packaged,

When the absorbent article package is unsealed and unfolded, at least a part of the animal pattern is visible when viewed from the skin side of the absorbent article,

When the absorbent article package is unsealed and unfolded, when viewed from the skin side of the absorbent article, the up-down direction of the animal pattern is aligned with the front-rear direction of the absorbent article,

The absorbent article further includes a wide portion,

The wide portion is a portion having the widest width in the width direction of the absorbent article in the front region of the absorbent article,

In a state in which the absorbent article package is unsealed and unfolded,

The length in the width direction of a portion of the packaging member extending from the wide portion to one side in the width direction is greater than the length in the width direction of the animal pattern of the packaging member.

2. The absorbent article package according to claim 1, wherein

The absorbent article includes an animal pattern having an up-down direction and visible from the skin side of the absorbent article,

the animal design of the absorbent article is the same type of animal as the animal design of the packaging member, and

The up-down direction of the animal pattern of the absorbent article is aligned with the front-rear direction of the absorbent article.

3. The absorbent article package according to claim 2, wherein

The absorbent article includes:

Absorbers, which absorb excretions, and

a skin side sheet, which is located on the skin side of the absorbent body,

At least one of the absorber and the skin side sheet has a recess,

The recessed portion is a portion recessed in the thickness direction of at least one of the absorber and the skin side sheet, and

The animal pattern of the absorbent article is formed by the recesses.

4. The absorbent article package according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein

In the unsealed and unfolded state of the absorbent article package, the entirety of at least one animal pattern of the packaging member is visible when viewed from the skin side of the absorbent article.

5. The absorbent article package according to claim 1, wherein:

the packaging member is folded together with the absorbent article in a folded position,

the folded position is a position extending in the width direction of the absorbent article, and

In a state in which the absorbent article package is unsealed and unfolded,

The length in the front-rear direction of the absorbent article from the front side end of the packaging member to the most forward folded position is greater than or equal to the length in the front-rear direction of the animal pattern of the packaging member.

6. The absorbent article package according to claim 1, wherein

The absorbent article has an adhesive portion for slip resistance,

In the case where the absorbent article is fixed to the packaging member by the adhesive portion,

In a state in which the absorbent article package is unsealed and unfolded,

The length in the front-rear direction of the absorbent article from the front-side end of the packaging member to the front-side end of the adhesive portion is greater than or equal to the length in the front-rear direction of the animal pattern of the packaging member ,as well as

In the case where the absorbent article is fixed to the packaging member via a release sheet covering the adhesive portion, and the release sheet is fixed to the packaging member by an adhesive,

In a state in which the absorbent article package is unsealed and unfolded,

The length in the front-rear direction from the front-side end of the packaging member to the front-side end of the adhesive is greater than or equal to the length in the front-rear direction of the animal pattern of the packaging member.

7. The absorbent article package according to claim 6, wherein

In a state in which the absorbent article package is unsealed and unfolded,

The length in the front-rear direction of the absorbent article from the front-side end of the packaging member to the front-side end of the release sheet is greater than or equal to the length in the front-rear direction of the animal pattern of the packaging member .

8. The absorbent article package according to claim 1, wherein

use tape to secure the unsealed end of the packaging member, and

In a state in which the absorbent article package is unsealed and unfolded,

The tape is fixed to the front-side end portion of the packaging member in the front-rear direction.

9. The absorbent article package according to claim 1, wherein

the packaging member includes an animal pattern that is visible from the side opposite to the inner surface side, the animal pattern being the same type of animal as the animal pattern that can be seen from the inner surface side, and

The color tone of the animal pattern that can be seen from the inner surface side is darker than the color tone of the animal pattern that can be seen from the opposite side.

10. The absorbent article package according to claim 1, wherein

The animal pattern contained in the packaging member and visible from the inner surface side has one of the following sets of colors:

Colored colors other than black and black; and

Opposite color.

11. The absorbent article package according to claim 1, wherein

The absorbent article includes an absorbent body that absorbs excretions,

The outer shape of the absorbent article is symmetrical in the front-rear direction of the absorbent article, and

At least one of the shape and basis weight of the absorber is asymmetrical in the front-rear direction of the absorbent article.

12. A package of absorbent articles comprising a plurality of absorbent article packages according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that:

the package includes an animal design visible from the outside of the package, the animal design being the same type of animal as the animal design contained in the packaging member and visible from the inner surface side of the packaging member; as well as

The top-bottom direction of the animal pattern of the package is aligned with the top-bottom direction of the package.

13. A package of absorbent articles comprising a plurality of absorbent article packages according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that:

the package includes a window through which the absorbent article package can be seen from the outside of the package,

Each of the absorbent article packages includes an animal design visible from the outside of the absorbent article package, the animal design being included in the packaging member and visible from the inner surface side of the packaging member the animal pattern of the same type of animal, and

The top-bottom direction of the animal pattern included in the absorbent article package and visible through the window portion of the package is aligned with the top-bottom direction of the package.

14. A package of absorbent articles comprising a plurality of absorbent article packages,

Each of the absorbent article packages includes an absorbent article and a packaging member for packaging the absorbent article,

the absorbent article is one of a sanitary napkin, a pad and an absorbent pad,

The absorbent article has a front-to-rear direction,

the absorbent article includes an animal pattern with an up-down orientation,

the up-down direction of the animal pattern of the absorbent article is aligned with the front-rear direction of the absorbent article,

Provide at least one of the following constructs:

The packaging has an animal print configuration, wherein,

The animal pattern can be seen from the outside of the package,

the animal design is the same type of animal design as the animal design of the absorbent article,

The top-bottom direction of the animal design is aligned with the top-bottom direction of the package; and

Each of the absorbent article packages has an animal-patterned configuration, wherein,

The animal pattern can be seen from the outside of the absorbent article package,

In a state where the absorbent article package is accommodated in the package, the up-down direction of the animal pattern of the absorbent article package is aligned with the up-down direction of the package,

the package includes a window through which at least a portion of the absorbent article package is visible from the exterior of the package, and

The up-down direction of the animal pattern included in each of the absorbent article packages and visible through the window portion is aligned with the up-down direction of the package.

15. The package of absorbent articles according to claim 14, wherein

In a state in which the absorbent article package is unsealed and unfolded,

The maximum length of the window portion in the vertical direction of the package is greater than or equal to the length in the vertical direction of the animal pattern of the absorbent article package.

16. The package of absorbent articles of claim 15, wherein

Each of the absorbent article packages includes a plurality of animal designs,

the plurality of animal patterns include a first animal pattern and a second animal pattern,

The first animal pattern and the second animal pattern are arranged side by side at intervals in the up-down direction of the animal pattern,

the first animal pattern and the second animal pattern overlap each other in the width direction of the animal pattern,

the first animal pattern is arranged on the upper side with respect to the second animal pattern, and

In a state in which the absorbent article package is unsealed and unfolded,

The maximum length of the window in the up-down direction of the package is greater than or equal to the length from the upper end of the first animal pattern in the up-down direction of the animal pattern to the upper end of the second animal pattern in the up-down direction of the animal pattern .

17. The packaging of absorbent articles according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein

The package accommodates a plurality of the absorbent article packages in a state where the plurality of the absorbent article packages are arranged side by side in the thickness direction of the plurality of the absorbent article packages,

in a state in which the packaging member accommodates the absorbent article and is folded at the folded portion extending in a predetermined direction,

at least a portion of the animal design of the absorbent article package is located in the fold, and

the up-down direction of the animal pattern of the absorbent article package is aligned with the predetermined direction, and

At least a portion of the animal design in the fold can be viewed through the window of the package.

18. The package of absorbent articles of claim 17, wherein

The thickness of each of the absorbent article packages when housed in the package is greater than or equal to the thickness in the width direction of the animal pattern of the absorbent article package when the absorbent article package is unsealed and unfolded 1/2 of the length.

19. The package of absorbent articles of claim 18, wherein

The thickness of each of the absorbent article packages when housed in the package is greater than or equal to the thickness in the width direction of the animal pattern of the absorbent article package in a state where the absorbent article package is unsealed and unfolded length.

20. The package of absorbent articles of claim 17, wherein

In a state in which the absorbent article package is unsealed and unfolded,

Each of the absorbent article packages has an arrangement area and a non-arrangement area,

the arrangement area is an area in which an animal pattern is arranged,

The non-disposition area is an area in which the animal pattern is not disposed,

The configuration area and the non-configuration area alternate in the width direction of the animal pattern, and

The thickness of the absorbent article package when accommodated in the package is larger than the width of the non-disposition area in a state in which the absorbent article package is unsealed and unfolded.

21. The package of absorbent articles of claim 17, wherein

Regarding the absorbent article packages adjacent in the thickness direction,

At least a portion of the animal design in the folded portion of the adjacent absorbent article package is visible through the window portion of the package, and

The animal designs in the folded portions of the adjacent absorbent article packages are not aligned with each other in the up-down direction of the animal designs.

22. The package of absorbent articles of claim 14, wherein

The absorbent article includes:

Absorbers, which absorb excretions, and

a skin side sheet, which is located on the skin side of the absorbent body,

At least one of the absorber and the skin side sheet has a recess,

The animal pattern of the absorbent article is formed by the recesses.

23. An absorbent article package comprising:

An absorbent article, which is one of a sanitary napkin, a pad, and an absorbent pad; and

a packaging member that packages the absorbent article,

It is characterized in that, the said absorbent article package body also includes animal pattern,

The animal pattern has an up-down direction,

at least a portion of the animal pattern is located in the fold,

the predetermined direction is aligned with the up-down direction of the animal pattern,

The thickness of the absorbent article package in the folded state is greater than or equal to 1/2 of the length in the width direction of the animal pattern in the unsealed and unfolded state of the absorbent article package.

24. The absorbent article package according to claim 23, wherein

The thickness of the absorbent article package in the folded state is greater than or equal to the length in the width direction of the animal pattern in the state in which the absorbent article package is unsealed and unfolded.

25. The absorbent article package according to claim 23 or 24, wherein

In a state in which the absorbent article package is unsealed and unfolded,

The absorbent article package has an arrangement area and a non-arrangement area,

the arrangement area is an area where the animal pattern is arranged,

the non-arrangement area is an area in which the animal pattern is not arranged,

the disposition area and the non-disposition area alternate in the width direction of the animal pattern, and

The thickness of the absorbent article package in the folded state is larger than the width of the non-disposition area in the unsealed and unfolded state of the absorbent article package.

26. The absorbent article package according to claim 23 or 24, wherein

In a state in which the absorbent article package is unsealed and unfolded,

The absorbent article package has a plurality of animal designs,

the plurality of animal patterns are arranged side by side in the width direction and the up-down direction of the animal pattern, and

Animal patterns adjacent in the up-down direction are not aligned with each other in the width direction, and

The adjacent animal patterns have portions overlapping each other in the width direction.

27. A package of absorbent articles comprising a plurality of absorbent article packages according to claim 25, wherein:

Each of the absorbent article packages has a plurality of folded parts,

the plurality of folds include a first fold and a second fold on an opposite side of the first fold,

In the first folded portion, the arrangement area is larger than the non-arrangement area,

In the second folding portion, the non-arrangement area is larger than the arrangement area,

The said 1st folded part of each said absorbent article package is located in the same side.

28. The package of absorbent articles of claim 27, wherein

securing the unsealed end of the absorbent article package with a tape, and

The strap is configured to be closer to the second fold than to the first fold.

29. A package of absorbent articles comprising a plurality of absorbent article packages according to any one of claims 23 to 26, characterized in that:

When the absorbent article package is accommodated in the package,

The up-down direction of the animal pattern in the fold is aligned with the up-down direction of the package.

30. The package of absorbent articles of claim 29, wherein

the package includes a window through which at least a portion of the folded portion of the absorbent article package can be viewed from outside the package, and

The up-down direction of the animal pattern located in the folded portion and seen through the window portion is aligned with the up-down direction of the package.

31. The package of absorbent articles of claim 30, wherein

In a state in which the absorbent article package is unsealed and unfolded,

The maximum length of the window portion in the up-down direction of the package is greater than or equal to the length of the animal pattern in the up-down direction of the animal pattern.

32. The package of absorbent articles of claim 31, wherein

Each of the absorbent article packages includes a plurality of animal designs,

a plurality of the animal patterns include a first animal pattern and a second animal pattern,

In a state in which the absorbent article package is unsealed and unfolded,

33. The package of absorbent articles of claim 30, wherein

Regarding the absorbent article packages adjacent in the thickness direction,

At least a portion of the animal design in the adjacent folds of the absorbent article package is visible through the window of the package, and

The animal designs in the folds in the adjacent absorbent article packages are not aligned with each other in the up-down direction of the animal designs.

34. The package of absorbent articles of claim 29, wherein

The package includes an animal pattern of the same type as the animal pattern of the absorbent article package, visible from the outside of the package, and having the same color as the animal pattern of the absorbent article package ,and