EP4734898A1 - A wrapped absorbent product - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to wrapped absorbent product (100) comprising a male incontinence guard (1, 1´, 1´´) and a wrapper sheet (30), said male incontinence guard (1, 1´, 1´´) comprising a fluid-impermeable backsheet (2, 2´´), a fluid- permeable topsheet (3, 3´´) and an absorbent body (4) arranged between said backsheet (2, 2´´) and said topsheet (3, 3´´), wherein said topsheet (3, 3´´) faces the user when the incontinence guard (1, 1´, 1´´) is worn by said user, said guard (1, 1´, 1´´) having a longitudinal extension along a longitudinal axis (Y1) and a transverse extension along a transverse axis (X1), said transverse axis (X1) dividing said guard (1, 1´, 1´´) into an upper region (5) with an outer boundary edge (18) and a lower region (6) with a lower edge (19), said guard (1, 1´, 1´´) tapering at least partly towards the lower edge (19), said male incontinence guard (1, 1´, 1´´) further comprises a fastening area (37) on the backsheet (2, 2´´) of the incontinence guard (1, 1´, 1´´) so as to fix said guard to a garment of a user, said fastening area (37) extending at least partly along said longitudinal axis (Y1), and said wrapper sheet (30) covering said fastening area (37) wherein said wrapper sheet (30) extending along said longitudinal axis (Y1) between said outer boundary edge (18) and said lower edge (19), said guard (1, 1´, 1´´) comprises a fold line (F) extending along said transverse axis (X1) to define a lower end region (38) below said fold line (F) and said guard is folded along said fold line (F), and said wrapped absorbent product (100) further comprises a closing system (31) to keep said folded guard in a folded condition and said closing system (31) attaches said wrapper sheet (30) to itself at a position adjacent said outer boundary edge (18) and adjacent said lower edge (19) when said guard (1, 1´, 1´´) is folded along said fold line (F).

Description

A WRAPPED ABSORBENT PRODUCT

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to wrapped absorbent article comprising a wrapper sheet and a male incontinence guard. The male incontinence guard comprises a fluid-impermeable backsheet, a fluid-permeable topsheet and an absorbent body arranged between said backsheet and said topsheet, wherein said topsheet faces the user when the incontinence guard is worn by said user, said guard having a longitudinal extension along a longitudinal axis and a transverse extension along a transverse axis, said transverse axis dividing said guard into an upper region and a lower region.

BACKGROUND

Absorbent articles, for example in the form of incontinence guards, baby diapers and sanitary napkins, are well known. The general purpose of such absorbent articles is to absorb, distribute and store various types of body exudates while providing a high level of comfort and sense of dryness to the wearer during use of the absorbent article. Also, such absorbent articles prevent the wearer from getting the clothes soiled by body exudates.

Absorbent articles in the form of incontinence guards are used to protect a wearer against urine leakage. As regards male incontinence guards, such articles are obviously configured for male users and are designed to cover the genital organs so as to protect against unwanted urine leakage. Male persons who are otherwise not physically handicapped will normally prefer not to use an incontinence guard in the form of diaper, since it is considered to be bulky and too large to wear and cannot always be used together with conventional clothing. Instead, special male incontinence guards which are intended for men with light incontinence have been developed. Such incontinence guards are relatively thin and shaped in a manner so as to cover the male genital organs during use. Such incontinence guards can be designed with an absorption capacity which is sufficient in order to absorb the fluid that is expected to be released into the absorbent article when it is worn. A previously known male incontinence guard of the above-mentioned type is known from the patent document WO2018/228710.

As regards male incontinence guards, there exist certain requirements. Obviously, an incontinence guard should be designed so as to be worn inside a user's ordinary underwear and to provide protection against light urine leakage. This kind of guards may also be worn inside an underwear which is adapted to absorb body exudates or together with a disposable absorbent body such as a pants diaper or an open diaper. For this reason, known male incontinence guards are shaped to provide an optimal fit to the user's undergarment and body. Also, such incontinence guards comprise a core of absorbent material arranged along a longitudinal axis of the product in order to absorb urine. Furthermore, a male incontinence guard normally comprises a soft topsheet in order to give the wearer a feeling of freshness and dryness. The guard should also be relatively thin and should be designed with a discreet shape so that it is generally not visible through the wearer's regular clothes during use. Finally, it can be provided with suitable adhesive or means for example mechanical fasteners such as a hook as in a hook and loop system, allowing it to be attached to the wearer's underwear.

When adhesive is being used the adhesive is usually being covered by a release liner. The male incontinence guards are then quite often packaged individually in wrappers, so that the article remains clean and intact prior to use. However, there is a need for an improved packaging which reduces the amount of waist.

SUMMARY

It is desired to provide an improved package for male incontinence guards. In accordance with the present disclosure, there is provided a wrapped absorbent product comprising a male incontinence guard and a wrapper sheet according to the appended claims. In accordance with a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a wrapped absorbent product comprising a male incontinence guard and a wrapper sheet. Said male incontinence guard comprising a fluid-impermeable backsheet, a fluid- permeable topsheet and an absorbent body arranged between said backsheet and said topsheet. Said topsheet faces the user when the incontinence guard is worn by said user and said guard having a longitudinal extension along a longitudinal axis and a transverse extension along a transverse axis, said transverse axis dividing said guard into an upper region with an outer boundary edge and a lower region with a lower edge, said guard tapering at least partly towards the lower edge. Said male incontinence guard further comprises a fastening area on the backsheet of the incontinence guard so as to fix said guard to a garment of a user, said fastening area extending at least partly along said longitudinal axis. Said wrapper sheet covering said fastening area, wherein said wrapper sheet extending along said longitudinal axis between said outer boundary edge and said lower edge. Said guard comprises a fold line extending along said transverse axis to define a lower end region below said fold line and said guard is folded along said fold line. Said wrapped absorbent product further comprises a closing system to keep said folded guard in a folded condition and said closing system attaches said wrapper sheet to itself at a position adjacent said outer boundary edge and adjacent said lower edge when said guard is folded along said fold line.

A male incontinence guard should be designed so as to be worn inside a user's ordinary underwear and to provide protection against light urine leakage. The guard may also be used together with an underwear which is adapted to absorb body exudates or together with a disposable absorbent body such as a pants diaper or an open diaper. For this reason, the male incontinence guard is provided with a tapering shape to provide an optimal fit to the user's undergarment and body. This makes it possible to position the guard in a correct manner over the male genital organs during use. The tapering shape is preferably along the lower region. In order to allow the guard to be attached to the wearer's underwear the guard is provided with a fastening area. The fastening area may adhesive.

The fastening area is being covered by the wrapper sheet. This way the fastening area is protected from becoming dirty or sticking undesirably to other objects or clothing before use.

The wrapper sheet can be made a single ply material. With "single ply" is meant that the wrapper sheet comprising a single ply of a coherent material. Examples of a single ply material may be a paper material, a plastic film, such as a polyethylene film, a nonwoven material, a metallic foil or the like. A single ply material may be a non-homogenous material such as a plastic film material comprising integrated layers or a nonwoven material having varying fibre composition in different parts of the material. The wrapper sheet can also be made of a laminate comprising at least two distinct layers. The wrapper sheet can be a biobased material. It may also be a biodegradable material. It may be made from a renewable resource and/or may be compostable.

The wrapper sheet may also have been treated with a release agent, for example, silicone on the side of the wrapper sheet which will contact the fastening area. The release agent can reduce the fastening force between the wrapper sheet and the fastening area.

By having the wrapper sheet extending along said longitudinal axis between said outer boundary edge and said lower edge it will protect the back sheet of the male incontinence guard in the area of the wrapper sheet along the longitudinal axis. The closing system which is attached to the wrapper sheet keeps the guard in a folded condition. By having the wrapper sheet in combination with a closing system the wrapper sheet can act both as a release liner and as an individually wrapper so that the guard remains clean and intact prior to use. Hence, the traditional combination of a release liner and a wrapper can be eliminated. By not having two different pieces the amount of material is reduced and also manufacturing steps can be reduced.

The fold line extends along the transversal axis. The fold line may extend parallel with the transversal axis. The fold line may align with the transversal axis or be arranged a distance from the transversal axis.

According to one example embodiment said fastening area comprises at least one adhesive area. The adhesive may be a pressure-sensitive adhesives. As said above the wrapper sheet covers the adhesive and protect it from becoming dirty or sticking undesirably to other objects or clothing before use. When the wrapper sheet is removed the adhesive is exposed for use. The user then places the guard inside and into contact with their undergarment and generally applies pressure to the guard from above such that the pressure sensitive adhesive of the guard is activated. This activation maintains the guard in contact with the undergarment during use. Thus a fast and convenient way of maintaining the guard in a relatively fixed position with respect to the wearer's undergarment is provided. This relatively fixed position should be maintained while the wearer undergoes a variety of movements, such that the guard is held generally in the correct position with respect to the user' s body so as to allow exudate to be reliably collected and without giving rise to leaks.

The adhesive should be chosen in such a way that the user is able to peel the wrapper sheet away from the guard without requiring too great a force. When the force is too high, this can lead to tearing of the wrapper sheet during removal. When the wrapper sheet material tears, the remainder of the wrapper sheet on the adhesive often provides no leading edge which can be grasped so as to allow complete removal from the adhesive. Or, in some cases the already exposed adhesive sticks to the user' s fingers or clothing when trying to remove the remaining strip parts which can lead in the product becoming wrinkled and, in most cases, ruined. This often leads to the product being discarded. Similarly, too great a force can also result in removal of areas of the pressure sensitive adhesive from the back sheet, leaving thus an incomplete adhesive layer on the back sheet, which is clearly undesirable.

Similarly however, the release force which the user requires to peel the wrapper sheet away from the underlying backsheet should not be too low. If the force is too low, the user is left with the impression that there is insufficient adhesive force in the exposed adhesive to maintain the guard securely in place during movement. The user in such cases often discards the product believing the adhesive to be defective and unable to perform its function.

According to one example embodiment said wrapper sheet is protruding over said outer boundary edge and/or said lower edge. This way there is more material for the closing system. This also accomplish the possibility to folding one end of the wrapper sheet over the other end of the wrapper sheet before it is attached to each other by the closing system.

According to one example embodiment said wrapper sheet is not protruding over said outer boundary edge and/or said lower edge. The wrapper sheet may extend between the outer boundary edge and/or said lower edge. That is, the wrapper sheet may extend just to the outer boundary edge and/or said lower edge or end just before the outer boundary edge and/or said lower edge.

According to one example embodiment said closing system is arranged at a first transversally extending side edge and at an opposite second transversally extending side edge of said wrapper sheet, said first transversally extending side edge is arranged adjacent said outer boundary edge and said second transversally extending side edge is adjacent said lower edge. According to one example embodiment said closing system is a tape system and said tape system is attached to said wrapper sheet adjacent said outer boundary edge and to said wrapper sheet adjacent said lower edge when said guard is folded along said fold line.

According to one example embodiment the tape system comprises one folded tape which is attached to said wrapper sheet adjacent said outer boundary edge and to said wrapper sheet adjacent said lower edge when said guard is folded along said fold line.

According to one example embodiment said tape system comprises two tapes, one tape attached to said wrapper sheet adjacent said outer boundary edge and the second tape attached to said wrapper sheet adjacent said lower edge and said first and said second tape being attached to each other when said guard is folded along said fold line.

According to one example embodiment said tape comprises a backing material having a non-adhesive surface and an opposite surface which comprises at least partly an adhesive layer. The adhesive layer may be a self-adhesive layer, i.e., a layer sticks without wetting. The adhesive layer may comprise any suitable adhesive that provides desired peel strength, quick stick, releasability from the wrapper sheet, and coat weight properties. The adhesive can, for example, be a hotmelt adhesive which is coated onto the backing material of the tape by any of the well-known hotmelt coating processes. A peel strength of the tape should be high enough to maintain the wrapped absorbent product in a folded configuration, but not so high that it is hard to open. The adhesive may be a biobased adhesive. It may also be a biodegradable adhesive. It may be made from a renewable resource and/or may be compostable.

According to one example embodiment said backing material is in the form of a paper material, a polymer film material, a nonwoven material, fabric or a combination thereof. It may, for example, be a polyester film, polypropylene film, paper backing, or other material which provide the required strength to be useful as part of a tape used to maintain the wrapped absorbent product in a folded configuration before opening the wrapped absorbent product. The backing material may be a biobased material. It may also be a biodegradable material. It may be made from a renewable resource and/or may be compostable.

By a paper material is herein to be understood a material produced by pressing together moist fibres, dewatering and drying the fibres into preferably flexible sheets. The paper material may be an unbleached paper material or a bleached material. The fibres may be pulp fibres from chemical pulp, e.g. kraft, sulphate or sulphite, mechanical pulp, thermo-mechanical pulp, chemo-mechanical pulp and/or chemo-thermo-mechanical pulp, abbreviated as CTMP. Pulps derived from both deciduous (hardwood) and coniferous (softwood) may be used. The fibres may hence be natural fibres from wood, for example, cellulose-based fibres, bamboo based fibres, and the like. Natural fibres can also be fibres which are not wood, such as cotton, abaca, kenaf, sabai grass, flax, esparto grass, straw, jute hemp, bagasse, milkweed floss fibres, and pineapple leaf fibres. The paper material can be made of one kind of fibres or a mix of different fibres. The paper material may also be treated in a way to stand moisture better, for example with a plastic layer on the inside or the outside. The paper may be a smooth paper which has been calendared. The paper may be a paper with low porosity. The paper material may include recycled or virgin fibres or a combination thereof. This apply both to the backing sheet of the tape and to the wrapping sheet if it is made of a paper material.

According to one example embodiment said wrapper sheet protrudes over said outer boundary edge and said lower edge and forming respective protruding portions and said closing system is an embossing, welding, heat sealing or adhesive which attaches said wrapper sheet to itself at said respective protruding portions when said guard is folded along said fold line.

One or several closing systems can also be combined for example embossing and adhesive.

According to one example embodiment said wherein said wrapped absorbent product comprises at least a second closing system attached to said wrapper sheet at a position along a first longitudinally extending side edge of said wrapper sheet between said fold line and said outer boundary edge or a first transversally extending side edge of said wrapper sheet adjacent said outer boundary edge and attached to said same first longitudinally extending side edge of said wrapper sheet between said fold line and said lower edge or a second transversally extending side edge of said wrapper sheet adjacent said lower edge when said guard is folded along the fold line to keep said folded guard in a folded condition, said first longitudinally extending side edge extending along said longitudinal axis of said male incontinence guard. This way also at least one of the longitudinal sides of the folded wrapped absorbent product may be attached to each other, which may further protect the male incontinence guard from dirt and/or being damage before use.

According to one example embodiment said second closing system is tape system and said tape system is a folded tape.

According to one example embodiment said second closing system is tape system with two tapes.

According to one example embodiment said wrapper sheet has a width in the transverse direction, which is larger than the folded guard in the transverse direction forming at least one protruding portion extending along said first longitudinally extending side edge and said second closing system is a welding, an embossing, a heat bonding or an adhesive bonding attaching said wrapper sheet to itself at said protruding portion when said guard is folded along said fold line. This way, at least one of the longitudinal sides of the folded wrapped absorbent product are attached to each other and can be attached partly or over the whole length. If both longitudinal sides of the folded wrapped absorbent product are attached to each other they may be attached over the whole length the sides and be fully sealed and protecting the male incontinence guard even further from dirt and/or being damage before use. One or several closing systems can also be combined for example embossing and adhesive.

According to one example embodiment said wrapper sheet has a width in the transverse direction, which is smaller, equal or larger than the folded guard when said guard is folded along the fold line.

According to one example embodiment the wrapper sheet is a rectangular sheet with a first longitudinally extending side edge and an opposite second longitudinally extending side edge and a first transversally extending side edge and an opposite second transversally extending side edge. A wrapper sheet having a rectangular shape are easy to manufacture and may be cut without any waist.

According to one example embodiment the guard is divided into a first side portion, a second side portion, and a central portion located between said first and side portions in the transverse direction, wherein a first fold line is provided between the first side portion and the central portion and a second fold line is provided between the central portion and the second side portion, wherein the first side portion is folded along the first fold line over the central portion ; wherein the second side portion is folded along the second fold line over the central portion in a first folded configuration; said fold line extending along said transverse axis to define said lower end region below said fold line is a third fold line and said lower end region is folded along the third fold line to form a second folded configuration in which the lower end region at least partially overlaps the first and second side regions to form a second overlap region and said first folded configuration is performed before said second folded configuration. The first and second fold lines may be pre-formed or pre-determined fold lines. The fold lines may comprise a line along which the article is pre-folded, or they may comprise pre-determined lines along which folding is facilitated by means of the structure of the article, for example channels or two layer core structure. The fold line can be provided by the absorbent body or by the backsheet, or additional layers in the article. Fold lines formed in the absorbent body can comprise, for example, compression lines, embossed regions, score lines, channels in the core having a lower basis weight, etc. or by the edge of an additional layer incorporated into the article, such as an additional absorbent layer, a film or a reinforcing layer. Weld lines (e.g. ultrasonic weld lines) may also provide fold lines suitable for use in the context of the present disclosure. The fold lines can be continuous or discontinuous. By discontinuous it is meant that the fold line can comprise a plurality of discrete fold line sections, e.g. a dashed compression or embossing line.

According to one example embodiment the first and second fold lines are parallel to each other.

According to one example embodiment the first and second fold lines extend in a longitudinal direction, which is parallel to the longitudinal axis.

According to one example embodiment the first and second fold lines are symmetric to each other with respect to an axis, preferably the longitudinal axis.

According to one example embodiment said guard when it is in said second folded configuration, the first and second side regions, and the lower end region cooperate to substantially completely cover an absorbent surface of the guard. According to one example embodiment the first overlap region and the second overlap region at least partially overlap each other when the guard is in the second folded configuration.

According to one example embodiment the third fold line intersects the first fold line and/or the second fold line.

According to one example embodiment said transverse axis extends between a first lower corner point and a second lower corner point which define two outermost points of said guard between which said guard has a first width.

According to one example embodiment said upper region comprising an inwardly recessed curvature portion extending between a first upper corner point and a second upper corner point and having an arcuate shape, said upper corner points defining a second width ; wherein the first width is greater than the second width, and wherein said first lower corner point and first upper corner point and said second lower corner point and second upper corner point , respectively, are connected by outer side edges. It has been found that the provision of the above mentioned inwardly recessed curvature portion allows the incontinence guard to be positioned so that it extends from below the user's belly and downwards so as to cover the genital organs in a secure manner. In particular, the geometry of the incontinence guard as defined by means of the above-mentioned upper and lower corner points will provide a secure positioning of the guard even when the user is sitting down and standing up repeatedly, while at the same time providing the intended protection against incontinence.

According to one example embodiment said inwardly recessed curvature portion defines an outer boundary edge extending between said upper corner points and wherein said outer boundary edge lies inwardly of an imaginary transverse line extending between said upper corner points. According to one example embodiment wherein said outer boundary edge has a radius which is in the range of 60-1400 mm.

According to one example embodiment wherein the ratio between the second width and the first width is in the range of 30-80%.

According to one example embodiment the first width is in the range of 110- 280 mm.

According to one example embodiment the second width is in the range of 50-151 mm.

According to one example embodiment the ratio between a distance defined by an imaginary longitudinal line, being parallel to said longitudinal axis and extending from any one of said upper corner points to said transversal axis, and a distance extending from any one of said lower corner points to said longitudinal line, is in the range of 0.25-4.0.

According to one example embodiment a straight line is defined as extending through a lower corner point and an upper corner point, and wherein an angle is defined between said straight line and said imaginary longitudinal line, said angle being in the range of 12-78 degrees.

According to one example embodiment a measurement is defined as the distance between said straight line and the maximum outer extension of said incontinence guard, said measurement being in the range of 2-10 mm, or wherein said measurement is less than 25% of the distance between first lower corner point and the first upper corner point.

According to one example embodiment a maximum recess depth of said inwardly recessed curvature portion does not extend below said transversal axis. According to one example embodiment said maximum recess depth is the range of 2-30 mm.

According to one example embodiment said lower region of said guard comprises a lower edge having a convex arcuate shape with a radius defining a ratio of 0.9-1 .1 to said radius of said inwardly recessed curvature portion.

According to one example embodiment said outer side edges are generally straight.

According to one example embodiment said absorbent body comprises a primary core and a secondary core arranged in a stacked configuration, wherein said primary core has an area in an XY plane which is greater that the area of said secondary core, and in that the secondary core is formed with side edges being at least partly generally parallel to said longitudinal axis. Such an embodiment is advantageous during manufacturing of said incontinence guard, since it allows a precise and efficient folding of each guard during a manufacturing process.

According to one example embodiment said guard is arranged having elasticized elements arranged along an outer edge of the lower region, along the outer edges of said lower region.

According to one example embodiment said elasticized elements are in the form of an elasticized film, foam, elastic laminate and/or elastic threads attached to said guard. The elastic elasticized elements urge the male incontinence guard into a basin-like shape cupping the genitals of the wearer and helping to maintain a close fit between the male incontinence guard and the wearer's body. According to one example embodiment said fold line, which extends along the transversal axis, is arranged at a distance from said transverse axis.

According to one example embodiment said distance is half the length of the maxim length of the guard in the longitudinal direction along said longitudinal axis.

Generally, all terms used in the claims are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the technical field, unless explicitly defined otherwise herein. All references to "a/an/the [element, device, component, means, step, etc]" are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of said element, device, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise.

Other objectives, features and advantages of the example embodiments of the present disclosure will appear from the following detailed disclosure, as well as from the drawings. The skilled person realize that different features of the example embodiments may be combined to create embodiments other than those described in the following, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention, will be better understood through the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention, with reference to the appended drawings, where the same reference numerals will be used for similar elements, wherein:

Fig. 1 shows a view from above of a male incontinence guard according to a first embodiment. Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the male incontinence guard, taken along the transversal axis in Figure 1 .

Fig. 3 shows a process for folding the male incontinence guard during a manufacturing process, in a first process step.

Fig. 4 shows a process for folding the male incontinence guard during a manufacturing process, in a second process step.

Fig. 5 shows a process for folding the male incontinence guard during a manufacturing process, in a third process step.

Fig. 6 shows the male incontinence guard in Fig. 1 with two absorbent cores.

Fig. 7 shows a second embodiment of a male incontinence guard in a view from above.

Fig. 8 shows the male incontinence guard 1 in Fig. 1 in a view from below with a first embodiment of a wrapper sheet with a first embodiment of a closure system.

Fig. 9 shows a wrapped absorbent product with the folded male incontinence guard in Fig. 8 and the wrapper sheet wrapped around the folded male incontinence guard and its closure system in a closed position.

Fig. 10 shows a second embodiment of a wrapped absorbent product with the folded male incontinence guard in Fig. 1 and with a second embodiment of the wrapper sheet wrapped around the folded male incontinence guard.

Fig 11 shows a third embodiment of a wrapped absorbent product with the folded male incontinence guard in Fig. 1 and with a third embodiment of the wrapper sheet wrapped around the folded male incontinence guard and a second embodiment of the closure system.

Fig. 12 shows the wrapped absorbent product in Fig. 9 from the side.

Fig. 13 shows an alternative way to fasten the closure system shown in Fig. 9.

Fig. 14 shows the wrapped absorbent product in Fig. 9 with a third embodiment of a closure system.

All the figures are highly schematic, not necessarily to scale, and they show only parts which are necessary in order to elucidate the invention, other parts being omitted or merely suggested.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various aspects of the disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the disclosure are shown. The example embodiments of the disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiment set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided for thoroughness and completeness. Like reference character refer to like elements throughout the description.

With initial reference to Fig. 1 , there is shown a view from above of an absorbent article in the form of a male incontinence guard 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The male incontinence guard 1 is an incontinence protector article which is designed and optimized to absorb light urine leakage for male users. For this reason, and as will be described in detail below, the incontinence guard 1 is based on an absorbent structure for rapidly wicking away urine from the wearer in order to provide a dry, comfortable and odor-free feeling for the wearer. Fig. 1 shows the male incontinence guard 1 in a view from above, from which can be understood that it comprises a fluid impermeable backsheet 2 and a fluid permeable topsheet 3. The male incontinence guard 1 also comprises an absorbent core 4, also called absorbent body, which is sandwiched between the backsheet 2 and the topsheet 3.

The topsheet 3 is arranged at the surface, i.e. the side facing a wearer, of the incontinence guard 1 . The backsheet 2 is arranged at the underside of the incontinence guard 1 , i.e. facing an undergarment of the wearer. Furthermore, both the backsheet 2 and the topsheet 3 extend laterally outside of the absorbent core 4 along the whole perimeter of the incontinence guard 1 . The topsheet 3, backsheet 2 and the absorbent core 4 may consist of any materials suitable for their particular purposes, as will be discussed in further detail below. According to further embodiments, one or more additional layers may be provided in the male incontinence guard 1 . For example, an acquisition layer may be arranged between the absorbent core 4 and the topsheet 3.

The above-mentioned layers of the incontinence guard 1 may be connected to each other by any conventional means such as by means of an adhesive, heat bonding or ultrasonic bonding.

As shown in Figure 1 , the male incontinence guard 1 has a longitudinal extension along a longitudinal axis Y1 and a transverse extension along a transverse axis X1 . The transverse axis X1 divides the incontinence guard 1 into an upper region 5 and a lower region 6, as regarded when being worn by a user. This means that the upper region 5 is intended to be oriented upwards towards the user's belly during use of the incontinence guard 1 , whereas the lower region 6 is intended to be facing downwards to cover the genital organs of the wearer during use. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view as taken along transversal axis X1 shown in Figure 1 . The various layers 2, 3, 4 which form part of the incontinence guard 1 will now be described more in detail, with reference primarily to Figures 1 and 2. According to an embodiment, the backsheet 2 is constituted by a fluid-impermeable and breathable layer such as a polymeric film, for example a film of polyethylene or polypropylene. According to different embodiments, the materials which can be used for manufacturing the backsheet 2 include thin and flexible fluid impermeable plastic films, or fluid impermeable nonwoven materials, fluid impermeable foams and fluid impermeable laminates.

According to the embodiment shown in the drawings, the backsheet 2 is formed by a single layer, but can alternatively be formed by a multi-layered structure, i.e. a laminate, wherein at least one layer is fluid impermeable. Furthermore, the backsheet 2 can optionally be elastic in any direction. Also, backsheet materials that are not fully fluid impermeable but only resistant to fluid penetration may be used, particularly in cases where relatively small amounts of urine are expected to be absorbed by the incontinence guard 1 . According to further embodiments, the backsheet 2 may be breathable, implying that air and vapor may pass through the backsheet 2. Furthermore, the backsheet 2 may optionally have an outer, garment-facing surface of a textile material such as nonwoven.

Furthermore, the topsheet 3 is according to an embodiment formed by a fluid permeable nonwoven fabric or film which is made of thermoplastic synthetic fibers. The topsheet 3 is sufficiently fluid permeable to allow discharged body fluids such as urine to penetrate through the thickness of the topsheet 3. Also, the topsheet 3 is suitably manufactured from a material which is compliant and soft feeling to the skin of the wearer.

According to different embodiments, the topsheet 3 may be manufactured from various web materials such as woven and nonwoven webs and films, foams, or combinations of the above-mentioned materials. The nonwoven materials to be used for the topsheet 3 may be for example carded resin bonded materials, carded through-air bonded materials, spunbond-meltbond- spunbond materials, carded hydroentangled materials or carded thermobonded materials. The topsheet 3 may also have elastic properties which allow it to be stretchable.

According to an additional embodiment, the topsheet 3 may be in the form of a perforated plastic film which then serves as a liquid-permeable sheet.

Furthermore, according to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, the incontinence guard 1 comprises an absorbent core 4, also called absorbent body, which is formed by one or more layers comprising fibres of cellulosic fluff pulp. According to alternative embodiments, the absorbent core 4 can be made up of any suitable absorbent or fluid-absorbing material as known in the art, for example foam, fiber waddings and similar materials.

According to a further embodiment, the absorbent core 4 comprises a suitable amount of superabsorbent particles. Such superabsorbent material is well known in the field of absorbent articles, and is constituted by a water- swellable and water-insoluble material which is capable of absorbing large quantities of fluid upon formation of a hydrogel. Normal superabsorbent materials are capable of absorbing fluids of at least 10 times its own weight.

According to an embodiment, the amount of said superabsorbent particles is at least 10% by weight, i.e. in relation to the total weight of the absorbent core 4. The superabsorbents are mixed into the material of the absorbent core 4. The absorbent core 4 may further incorporate components for improving the properties of the absorbent core. Some examples of such components are binder fibers, fluid-dispersing materials, fluid acquisition materials, etc. as known in the art. According to an embodiment, a mixture of cellulose fluff pulp and superabsorbent articles is mixed in a generally homogeneous manner throughout the entire absorbent core 4.

According to further embodiments, the absorbent core 4 may be a homogeneous structure or may be a layered structure with laminates of the same or different materials. The absorbent layers may have uniform thickness or may vary in thickness in different parts of the layers. Also, the basis weight and composition of the absorbent core 1 may vary within such absorbent layers. Fig. 1 shows a view of the side of the incontinence guard 1 that is intended to be facing towards a wearer's body when the incontinence guard 1 is being worn. It can be seen from Figure 1 that the incontinence guard 1 according to the embodiment has a shape which is generally triangular, and which is tapered along its lower region 6. This means that, for instance, the corners and sides of the incontinence guard 1 may be more or less rounded, as shown in Figure 1 .

Furthermore, as mentioned above, the backsheet 2 and the topsheet 3 are connected to each other along an edge region 9 which extends around the perimeter of the incontinence guard 1 . The absorbent core 4 is of a size having an area which is slightly smaller than the area of the backsheet 2 and the topsheet 3. According to an embodiment, the edge region 9 has substantially the same width along the entire perimeter of the incontinence guard 1 . In other words, the absorbent core 4 is arranged to follow the perimeter of the incontinence guard 1 so that the distance between the outer edge of the absorbent core 4 and the outer edge of the guard 1 remains generally equal along the edge region 9.

The male incontinence guard 1 according to the embodiment shown in Figure 1 is arranged so that the transverse axis X1 extends between a first lower corner point 10 and a second lower corner point 11 . These lower corner points 10, 1 1 define two outermost points of the incontinence guard 1 along the transverse axis X1 . The distance between these lower corner points 10, 11 , i.e. the maximum width of the incontinence guard 1 is defined by a first width w1 as indicated in Figure 1 .

Referring to Figure 1 , it should be pointed out that, according to different embodiments, the lower corner points 10, 11 can be constituted by different shape and roundness, for example a softly rounded shape or a more sharply pointed corner shape.

Furthermore, the upper region 5 comprises an inwardly recessed curvature portion 12 which extends between a first upper corner point 13 and a second upper corner point 14. The curvature portion 12 has a generally arcuate shape which extends into the upper region 5. Also, the distance between the upper corner points 13, 14 along the transversal direction is defined by a second width w2.

The first lower corner point 10 and the first upper corner point 13 are connected by a first outer side edge 15 which according to the embodiment has an outwardly and slightly rounded shape. An imaginary straight line 16, which extends through the first lower corner point 10 and the first upper corner point 13, can also be defined. In a similar manner, the second lower corner point 11 and the second upper corner point 14 are connected by a second outer side edge 17 which also has an outwardly and slightly rounded shape. The first and second outer side edges 15, 17 extend outwards as regarded along the direction of the transverse axis X1 , i.e. from the upper corner points 13, 14 to the lower corner points 10, 11.

As shown in Figure 1 , the first width w1 is greater than the second width w2, i.e. the lower corner points 10, 11 define the laterally outermost points of the incontinence guard 1.

The purpose of the configuration of the incontinence guard 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2 is to contribute to advantageous properties regarding a secure and comfortable fit for the user, while maintaining adequate absorption properties.

The incontinence guard 1 according to the embodiment shown in Figure 1 is symmetrical with reference to the longitudinal axis Y1 . Also, the guard 1 has a tapering shape as regarded from the lower corner points 10, 1 1 and downwards along the lower region 6. Furthermore, the lower region 6 is according to the embodiment in Figure 1 formed with generally straight sides. In an alternative embodiment, the sides of the lower region 6 may be convex, i.e. generally without being curved inwards.

According to the embodiment shown in Figure 1 , the above-mentioned inwardly recessed curvature portion 12 defines an outer boundary edge 18 which extends between the two upper corner points 13, 14. The outer boundary edge 18 lies inwardly of an imaginary transverse line X2 which is generally parallel to the transverse axis X1 and extends between the upper corner points 13, 14.

With reference to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, it can be noted that the outer boundary edge 18 has a radius r1 which is in the range of GO- MOO mm, preferably in the range of 120-500 mm.

Also, the ratio between the value of the second width w2 and the value of the first width w1 is in the range of 30-80%, preferably in the range of 40- 75%. Regarding the actual measurements of the first width w1 and the second width w2, it can be noted that the first width w1 is in the range of 1 10-280 mm. Also, the second width (w2) is in the range of 50- 151 mm.

Furthermore, according to an embodiment, the ratio between a distance d1 defined by an imaginary longitudinal line Y2 as shown in Figure 1 , and being parallel to the longitudinal axis Y1 and extending from any one of said upper corner points 13, 14 to the transversal axis X1 , and a distance d2 extending from any one of said lower corner points 10, 11 to said imaginary longitudinal line Y2, is in the range of 0.25-4.0, preferably in the range of 0.5-2.0.

With further reference to Figure 1 , a straight line 16 can be defined as extending through the first lower corner point 10 and the first upper corner point 13. An angle a can then be defined between said straight line 16 and the above-mentioned imaginary longitudinal line Y2. The angle a is in the range of 12-78 degrees, preferably in the range of 22-68 degrees.

Furthermore, as shown in the drawings, the lower region 6 of the male incontinence guard 1 may comprise a lower edge 19 which has a convex arcuate shape with a radius r2 defining a ratio of 0.9-1 .1 to the radius r1 of said inwardly recessed curvature portion 12. Furthermore, the embodiment can alternatively be arranged so that the inwardly recessed curvature portion 12 has a geometry which is not equivalent to a circle, i.e. so that it cannot be defined by means of a radius. In such case, a maximum recess depth d3 of the inwardly recessed curvature portion 12 can be defined. According to an embodiment, the curvature portion 12 does not extend below said transversal axis X1 . Furthermore, the maximum recess depth d3 is the range of 2-30 mm, preferably in the range of 2-20 mm.

Yet another measurement d4 can be defined as the distance between the above-mentioned straight line 16 extending through the first lower corner point 10 and the first upper corner point 13 and the maximum extension of the upper left corner of the incontinence guard 1 , as shown in Figure 1 . According to an embodiment, the distance d4 is in the range of 2-10 mm. Another way of defining this distance d4 is by stating that said distance d4 is less than 25% of the distance between first lower corner point 10 and the first upper corner point 13.

As mentioned above, the male incontinence guard 1 as shown in the drawings is provided with an absorbent body 4 which has an outer edge which generally follows the outer edge of the guard 1 . As shown in Figure 1 , the outer edge defines an edge region 9 which has a width which is generally equal along the entire outer edge of the guard 1 .

Furthermore, according to the embodiment shown in Figure 1 , the male incontinence guard 1 comprises elasticized elements 20 which are arranged along the outer edge 9 of the lower region 6. The elasticized elements 20 are preferably in the form of an elasticized film which is attached to the incontinence guard 1 . According to alternative embodiments, the elasticized elements 20 can be in the form of elastic threads, an elastic foam or an elastic laminate attached to said guard 1 .

Figure 6 shows an embodiment of the invention in which two absorbent cores are used, i.e. a male incontinence guard 1 ' with an absorbent body which comprises a primary absorbent core 4' and a secondary absorbent core 4".

In a manner which corresponds to Figure 1 , the incontinence guard

1 ' according to Figure 6 is arranged along a longitudinal axis Y1 . The primary absorbent core 4' corresponds generally to the absorbent core 4 described above with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Also, the remaining components of the incontinence guard 1 ' of Figure 6 are also the same as the corresponding components of the embodiment in Figure 1 .

A difference between the embodiment of Figure 6 and the embodiment of Figure 1 is that the primary absorbent core 4' and the secondary absorbent core 4" shown in Figure 6 are arranged in a stacked configuration.

Preferably, this means that the secondary core 4" is arranged on top of the primary core 4', i.e. so that the secondary core 4" is closest to the wearer's body during use of the incontinence guard 1 '. The embodiment according to Figure 6 is particularly intended to simplify the above mentioned manufacturing process, i.e. with regard to the folding procedure described with reference to Figures 3-5. To this end, the secondary absorbent core 4" is formed with side edges 28, 29 which at least partly generally parallel to the longitudinal axis Y1 . Also, according to a further embodiment, the positions of the side edges 28, 29 correspond to the folding lines 22, 24 shown for example in Figure 4 and being described below.

The disclosure is not limited to the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 6, but can be varied. For example, the particular shape of the incontinence guard 1 as shown in Figures 1 and 2 should not be considered as limiting. For example the male incontinence guard 1 is not limited to have an inwardly recessed curvature portion 12 which defines the outer boundary edge 18 as described in Figure.1 and Figure. 6. It may be straight or outwardly recessed.

Figure. 7 shows a second embodiment of a male incontinence guard 1 " in a view from above, from which can be understood that it comprises a fluid impermeable backsheet 2" and a fluid permeable topsheet 3". The male incontinence guard 1 " also comprises an absorbent body 4'" which is sandwiched between the backsheet 2" and the topsheet 3". Instead of the inwardly recesses curvature portion 12, as described in Fig. 1 it has a straight outer boundary edge 18". The built up and the materials used may be the same as for the incontinence guard in Fig. 1 . Furthermore, the materials and dimensions used for the different layers forming the absorbent article 1 can be varied, as indicated above.

Fig. 8 shows the male incontinence guard 1 in Figure 1 in a view from below, i.e. from the backsheet 2 side of the guard, which will be facing an undergarment of the wearer. The rear side of the backsheet 2 comprises a fastening area 37 (not shown in Figs. 1 and 2) on the backsheet 2 of the incontinence guard 1 so as to fix said guard to a garment of a user. The fastening area 37 extends along said longitudinal axis Y1 . The fastening area 37 is in this example embodiment two adhesive areas 7 extending longitudinally on each side of the longitudinal axis Y1 . The fastening area is not limited to be only two adhesive areas, there may be one or several adhesive areas. One example is one adhesive area extending aligned and along the longitudinal area.

The incontinence guard 1 comprises a fold line F extending parallel along the transverse axis X1 to define a lower end region 38 below said fold line F and an upper end region 39 above the fold line F. The guard 1 is intended to be folded along the fold line F so that the topsheet 3 in the lower end region 38 is arranged opposite, and most probably in contact with the topsheet 3 in the upper end region 39. The fold line F is arranged at a distance from said transverse axis X1 . The distance may be half the length of the maxim length of the guard in the longitudinal direction along said longitudinal axis Y1 .

A wrapper sheet 30 is attached to the fastening area 37, i.e. in this example attached to the two adhesive areas 7. The wrapper sheet 30 is here exemplified as a rectangular sheet with a first longitudinally extending side edge 35 and an opposite second longitudinally extending side edge 36 and a first transversally extending side edge 41 and an opposite second transversally extending side edge 42. The first transversally extending side edge 41 is arranged adjacent the outer boundary edge 18. The second transversally extending side edge 42 is arranged adjacent the lower edge 19. The wrapper sheet 30 extends along said longitudinal axis Y1 between said outer boundary edge 18 and said lower edge 19. The wrapper sheet in Fig. 8 protrudes over the outer boundary edge 18 and said lower edge 19 and forms protruding portions 61 , 62 that extends in the transversal direction. However the wrapper sheet 30 is not limited to protruding over the edges. For example said wrapper sheet 30 may not protrude over said outer boundary edge 18 and/or said lower edge 19. The wrapper sheet 30 is intended to wrap at least partly around the folded male incontinence guard 1 forming a wrapped absorbent product 100 comprising the male incontinence guard 1 and the wrapper sheet 30. The wrapper sheet is not limited to have a rectangular shape. It may have any suitable shape. For example may the first transversally extending side edge 41 and the opposite second transversally extending side edge 42 be curved, for example they may following the shape of the outer boundary edge 18 and said lower edge 19.

A closing system 31 , exemplified as a tape, is attached to the wrapper sheet 30. The closing system 31 is intended to keep the folded guard in a folded condition.

Figure 9 shows the male incontinence guard 1 , the wrapper sheet 30 and the closing system 31 in Fig. 8 when they together form the wrapped absorbent product 100. This is also shown in Fig. 12 where the wrapped male incontinence guard 100 is shown from the side.

The closing system 31 is intended to attach said wrapper sheet 30 to itself at a position adjacent said outer boundary edge 18 and adjacent said lower edge 19 when said guard is folded along said fold line F as shown in Figure 9.

In Figs. 9 and 12 the male incontinence guard 1 has been folded around the folding line F together with the wrapping sheet 30 forming the wrapped absorbent product 100. The male incontinence guard in Fig. 9 has also in a previous step been folded so that side portions 21 , 23 (which will later be described) of the incontinence guard 1 is folded towards the centre of the guard 1 in order to get a more compact wrapped male incontinence guard 100.

The closing system 31 shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 12 is a tape system 51 . The tape system 51 is a folded single tape 51 ', which is attached to said wrapper sheet 30 at the first transversally extending side edge 41 and the second transversally extending side edge 42, i.e. at the protruding portions 61 , 62, when said guard is folded along said fold line F.

The tape 51 ' comprises a backing material, for example paper having a nonadhesive surface and an opposite surface which comprises adhesive. The adhesive surface attaches to the wrapper sheet 30 and may also attach to itself if the tape 51 ' is protruding outside the first transversally extending side edge 41 and the second transversally extending side edge 42. The backing material is here exemplified as a paper material, but the backing material may be a polymer film material, a nonwoven material, fabric or a combination thereof, which provides the required strength to be useful as part of an adhesive tape used to maintain the wrapped male incontinence guard 100 in a folded configuration before opening the wrapped male incontinence guard 100. The tape may comprise a non-adhesive gripping portion 54 configured to be gripped by a user for releasing the tape from the wrapper 30. The gripping portion 54 may located adjacent one end of the tape (see Fig. 9) which is arranged towards the fold line F.

Fig. 13 shows an alternative way of attaching the tape 51 '. Instead of folding the tape 51 ' one portion of the wrapper sheet 30 may be folded over the opposite end of the wrapper sheet. That is, the end of the wrapper sheet where the first transversally extending edge 41 is positioned is folded so it overlaps with the opposite end, where the second transversally extending edge 42 is positioned. The tape 51 ' is then positioned unfolded and attaches said wrapper sheet 30 to itself at a position adjacent said outer boundary edge 18 and adjacent said lower edge 19 when said guard is folded along said fold line F.

The tape system 51 is not limited to a tape system comprising one tape 51 . Alternatively, the tape system may comprise two tapes 51 ', 51 ". This is shown in Fig. 14 where one tape 51 ' is attached to said wrapper sheet 30 adjacent said outer boundary edge 18, i.e. at the first transversally extending side edge 41 , and the second tape 51 " attached to said wrapper sheet adjacent said lower edge 19, i.e. at the second transversally extending side edge 42, and said first and said second tape 51 ', 51 " being attached to each other. The two tapes 51 ', 51 " each comprises a backing material, for example paper having a non-adhesive surface and an opposite surface which comprises adhesive, where the two adhesive areas protruding over the wrapper sheet 30 are overlapping arranged to attach to each other. Alternatively, one of the tapes are free of adhesive in the area protruding over the wrapper sheet 30, so the two areas protruding over the wrapper sheet 30 are overlapping and attaches to each other with the aid of the adhesive applied on one tape.

The wrapper sheet 30 in Figure. 8 and 9 has a width in the transverse direction which is smaller than the folded male incontinence guard 1 .

Fig. 10 shows a further embodiment where the wrapper sheet 30 has a width in the transverse direction which is larger than the folded male incontinence guard 1 and the wrapped absorbent product 100 comprises a first closing element 31 as in Figure 8 and 9 and a second closing system 31 ' attached to said wrapper sheet 30 at a position along the first longitudinally extending side edge 35 of said wrapper sheet between said fold line F and said first transversally extending side edge 41 and attached to said same first longitudinally extending side edge 35 of said wrapper sheet between said fold line F and said second transversally extending side edge 42 when said guard is folded along the fold line F to keep said folded guard in a folded condition. A third closing system 31 " is attached to said wrapper sheet 30 at a position along the second longitudinally extending side edge 36 of said wrapper sheet between said fold line F and said first transversally extending side edge 41 and attached to said same second longitudinally extending side edge 36 of said wrapper sheet between said fold line F and said second transversally extending side edge 42 when said guard is folded along the fold line F to keep said folded guard in a folded condition. The second and the third closing system 31 ', 31 " are also tape systems each comprising a folded tape 51 ' attaching said folded wrapper sheet to keep said folded guard in a folded condition in the same way as the first closing system 31 .

Alternatively, the second closing system 31 ' is tape system with two tapes (not shown), one tape attached to said wrapper sheet at a position along said first longitudinally extending side edge 35 of said wrapper sheet between said fold line F and said first transversally extending edge 41 and a second tape attached to said same longitudinally extending side edge 35 of said wrapper sheet between said fold line F and said second transversally extending edge 42 when said guard is folded along said third fold line F. The first and said second tape being attached to each other in as similar way as shown in Fig. 14. Alternatively the third closing system is tape system with two tapes (not shown), one tape attached to said wrapper sheet at a position along said second longitudinally extending side edge 36 of said wrapper sheet between said fold line F and said first transversally extending edge 41 and a second tape attached to said same second longitudinally extending side edge 36 of said wrapper sheet between said fold line F and said second transversally extending edge 42 and when said guard is folded along said third fold line (F) said first and said second tape being attached to each other. The first and said second tape being attached to each other in as similar way as shown in Fig. 14.

The wrapped absorbent article is not limited to having one closure system on each extending edge, i.e. the transversal extending edges 41 , 42 and the longitudinal extending side edges 35, 36. They may each be provided with one or more closure systems.

Fig. 1 1 shows an alternative wrapped absorbent product 100 with an alternative closing system 31 to a tape system 51 . When the wrapper sheet 30 protrudes over the outer edges of the folded male incontinence guard the closing system 31 may be an embossed bonding, a welded bonding, a heat bonding, adhesive bonding or any other suitable bonding techniques. In Fig.

11 the wrapper sheet 30 protrudes over the outer edges of the folded male incontinence guard 1 both in the longitudinal direction and in the transversal direction. Protruding portions 61 , 62 are formed and they are arranged opposite the folding line F and extends in the transverse direction and further protruding portions 63, 64 are formed on each side of the guard 1 in the longitudinal direction. The materials of the folded wrapper sheet 30 has been embossed together in the protruding portions 61 , 62 extending in the transversal direction and in the protruding portions 63, 64 extending in the longitudinal direction forming the closing system along the first and second transversally extending edges 41 , 42 and said first and second longitudinally extending edges 35, 36 of the wrapper sheet 30. The embossing along the protruding portions 61 , 62 extending in the transversal direction may be considered being a first closing system, and the embossing along the protruding portions 63, 64 may be considered being a second and a third closing system. The pattern of the closing system, if for example, it is an embossing or a welding can extend continuous or discontinuous along the edges of the wrapper sheet, The pattern and extension may differ between the first, second and third closing system.

A further alternative is having an adhesive attaching said wrapper sheet 30 to itself instead of using embossing, welding or heat bonding. The wrapper sheet 30 in Fig. 10 and 1 1 has a width in the transverse direction which is larger than the folded male incontinence guard 1

The first, second and third closing system 31 , 31 ', 31 " in Fig. 10 may all be the same tape system or differ. For example, a tape system may be combined with an embossed, welded, heat bonded or adhesive closing system. For example, the first and second transversally extending edges 41 , 42 of the wrapper sheet 30 can be attached with a tape system 51 ', 51 ", and at the first and second longitudinally extending edges 35, 36 of the wrapper sheet can be attached by an adhesive or by embossing, welding, heat bonding or any other suitable bonding technique or a combination thereof.

As mentioned above the male incontinence guard 1 may be folded before the guard and the wrapper sheet is folded along the folding line F. This will now be described with reference to Figures 3, 4 and 5.

Firstly, with reference to Figure 3, a first (left in the figure) portion 21 of the incontinence guard 1 in Figs. 1 and 8 is folded towards the centre of the guard 1 so that a first longitudinally extending fold line 22 is defined extending essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis Y1 and on the first side of the longitudinal axis. The topsheet 2 in the area of the first portion 21 will be facing the topsheet 2 in the in the centre of the guard. Next, as shown in Figure 4, a second (right in the figure) portion 23 of the incontinence guard 1 is folded towards the centre of the guard, so that a second longitudinally extending fold line 24 is defined, extending essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis and positioned on the opposite side of the axis from the first fold line 22, in a manner so as to partly cover the backsheet in the area of the left portion 21 . The wrapper sheet 30 is here exemplified to be slightly smaller in the transversal direction than the centre of the guard so hence only the male incontinence guard is folded along the first and second longitudinally extending fold lines 22, 24. If the wrapper sheet 30 is wider than the centre of the guard, the portions of the wrapper sheet 30 which are in the area of the first and second portion 21 , 22 may also be folded together with the first and second side portions 21 , 22. As an alternative, only the first and second portions 21 , 22 are folded without folding the portions of the wrapper sheet 30 which are in the area of the first and second portion 21 , 22 before folding.

Finally, as shown in Figure 5, the lower end region 38 of the guard together with the wrapper sheet 30 is folded upwards along the fold line F which is essentially parallel to the transversal axis X1 so as to partly cover both the left portion 21 and the right portion 23. During this process, it is also secured that the lower end region 38 is folded upwards towards a top edge 26 of the incontinence guard 1 . There may be a gap formed by the distance between the top edge 26 of the incontinence guard 1 and the edge 27 of the bottom portion 25, as defined by the distance d5 shown in Figure 5. In folded condition, the top edge 26 may extend beyond the edge 27 of the lower end region 38 (giving d5 a positive number), as shown in the figure 5, or alternatively, the edge 27 of the bottom portion may extend beyond the top edge 26 (not shown in the figure 5, giving the d5 a negative value). According to an embodiment, this distance d5 is up to ±30 mm, preferably up to ±10 mm.

The wrapper sheet 30 is so long in the longitudinal direction that the wrapper sheet 30 is protruding over the top edge 26 and the first and second transversal extending edges 41 , 42 are arranged adjacent each other when the product has been folded. The first and second transversal extending edges 41 , 42 may be aligned, as shown, or there may be a minor gap formed by a distance between the first and second transversal extending edges 41 , 42.

The tape system 31 which is already arranged at the second transversally extending edge 42 may in a next step be folded over and attach to the wrapper sheet adjacent the first transversally extending edge 41 with help of its adhesive. Alternatively, the tape system is attached after the incontinence guard and the wrapper sheet 30 had been folded. Alternatively, to attaching the tape system the wrapper sheet can be attached by adhesive, welding, embossing, heat bonding or any other suitable bonding technique.

After the male incontinence guards have been individually wrapped the wrapped absorbent products are positioned in a packaging unit (not shown in the drawings) such as a plastic or paper bag or box. The material of the wrapper sheet may be a single ply sheet of any suitable material known to the person skilled in the art, such as paper, polymer film or nonwoven. The wrapper sheet may also be a laminate comprising at least two distinct layers. Laminates suitable for packaging of hygiene articles are assumed to be known to the person skilled in the art, and are not in any way limiting for the present disclosure.

The wrapper sheet may be opaque and/or comprise print.

Further the wrapper sheet may comprise a coated layer with release properties, such as silicone or other agent which has release properties least in the areas to be in contact with the fastening area. The release agent can reduce the fastening force between the release liner and the fastening area.

The disclosure also covers all conceivable combinations of the described aspects, variants, alternatives and example embodiments of the disclosure.

Furthermore, the disclosure is not limited to the aforesaid aspects or examples, but is naturally applicable to other aspects and example embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

Reference signs mentioned in the claims should not be seen as limiting the extent of the matter protected by the claims, and their sole function is to make claims easier to understand.

Claims

1 . A wrapped absorbent product (100) comprising a male incontinence guard (1 , 1 ', 1 ") and a wrapper sheet (30), said male incontinence guard (1 , 1 ', 1 ") comprising a fluid-impermeable backsheet (2, 2"), a fluid- permeable topsheet (3, 3") and an absorbent body (4) arranged between said backsheet (2, 2") and said topsheet (3, 3"), wherein said topsheet (3, 3") faces the user when the incontinence guard (1 , 1 ', 1 ") is worn by said user, said guard (1 , 1 ', 1 ") having a longitudinal extension along a longitudinal axis (Y1 ) and a transverse extension along a transverse axis (X1 ), said transverse axis (X1 ) dividing said guard (1 , 1 ', 1 ") into an upper region (5) with an outer boundary edge (18) and a lower region (6) with a lower edge (19), said guard (1 , 1 ', 1 ") tapering at least partly towards the lower edge (19), said male incontinence guard (1 , 1 ', 1 ") further comprises a fastening area (37) on the backsheet (2, 2") of the incontinence guard (1 , 1 ', 1 ") so as to fix said guard to a garment of a user, said fastening area (37) extending at least partly along said longitudinal axis (Y1 ), and said wrapper sheet (30) covering said fastening area (37), wherein said wrapper sheet (30) extending along said longitudinal axis (Y1 ) between said outer boundary edge (18) and said lower edge (19), said guard (1 , 1 ', 1 ") comprises a fold line (F) extending along said transverse axis (X1 ) to define a lower end region (38) below said fold line (F) and said guard is folded along said fold line (F), and said wrapped absorbent product (100) further comprises a closing system (31 ) to keep said folded guard in a folded condition and said closing system (31 ) attaches said wrapper sheet (30) to itself at a position adjacent said outer boundary edge (18) and adjacent said lower edge (19) when said guard (1 , 1 ', 1 ") is folded along said fold line (F).

2. A wrapped absorbent product (100) according to claim 1 , wherein said wrapper sheet (30) is protruding over said outer boundary edge (18) and/or said lower edge (19).

3. A wrapped absorbent product (100) according to claim 1 , wherein said wrapper sheet (30) is not protruding over said outer boundary edge (18) and/or said lower edge (19).

4. A wrapped absorbent product (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said closing system (31 ) is arranged at a first transversally extending side edge (41 ) and at an opposite second transversally extending side edge (42) of said wrapper sheet (30), said first transversally extending side edge (41 ) is arranged adjacent said outer boundary edge (18) and said second transversally extending side edge (42) is adjacent said lower edge (19).

5. A wrapped absorbent product (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said fastening area (37) comprises at least one adhesive area (7).

6. A wrapped absorbent product (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said closing system (31 ) is a tape system (51 ) and said tape system (51 ) is attached to said wrapper sheet (30) adjacent said outer boundary edge (18) and to said wrapper sheet adjacent said lower edge (19) when said guard is folded along said fold line (F)

7. A wrapped absorbent product (100) according to claim 6, wherein the tape system (51 ) comprises one folded tape (51 ') which is attached to said wrapper sheet (30) adjacent said outer boundary edge (18) and to said wrapper sheet (30) adjacent said lower edge (19) when said guard is folded along said fold line.

8. A wrapped absorbent product (100) according to claims 6 or 7, wherein said tape system (51 ) comprises two tapes (51 ', 51 ") one tape (51 ') attached to said wrapper sheet (30) adjacent said outer boundary edge (18) and the second tape (51 ") attached to said wrapper sheet (30) adjacent said lower edge (19) and said first and said second tape (51 ', 51 ") being attached to each other when said guard (1 , 1 ', 1 ") is folded along said fold line (F).

9. A wrapped absorbent product (100) according to any one of claims 6-8, wherein said tape (51 ', 51 ") comprises a backing material having a nonadhesive surface and an opposite surface which comprises at least partly an adhesive layer.

10. A wrapped absorbent product (100) according to claim 9, wherein said backing material is in the form of a paper material, a polymer film material, a nonwoven material, a fabric or a combination thereof.

1 1 .A wrapped absorbent product (100) according to any one of claims 2, 4 or 5, wherein said wrapper sheet (30) protrudes over said outer boundary edge (18) and said lower edge (19) and forming respective protruding portions (61 , 62) and said closing system (31 ) is an embossing, welding, heat sealing or adhesive which attaches said wrapper sheet (30) to itself at said respective protruding portions (61 , 62) when said guard is folded along said fold line (F).

12. A wrapped absorbent product (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said wrapped absorbent product (100) comprises at least a second closing system (31 ') attached to said wrapper sheet (30) at a position along a first longitudinally extending side edge (35) of said wrapper sheet (30) between said fold line (F) and said outer boundary edge (18) or a first transversally extending side edge (41 ) of said wrapper sheet (30) adjacent said outer boundary edge (18) and attached to said same first longitudinally extending side edge (35) of said wrapper sheet (30) between said fold line (F) and said lower edge (19) or a second transversally extending side edge (42) of said of said wrapper sheet (30) adjacent said lower edge (19) when said guard is folded along the fold line (F) to keep said folded guard in a folded condition, said first longitudinally extending side edge (35) extending along said longitudinal axis (Y1 ) of said male incontinence guard (1 , 1 ', 1 ")

13. A wrapped absorbent product (100) according to claim 12, wherein said second closing system (31 ') is tape system (51 ) and said tape system (51 ) is a folded tape.

14. A wrapped absorbent product (100) according to claim 12, wherein said second closing system (31 ') is tape system with two tapes.

15. A wrapped absorbent product (100) according to claim 12, wherein said wrapper sheet (30) has a width in the transverse direction (X1 ), which is larger than the folded guard (1 , 1 ', 1 ") in the transverse direction forming at least one protruding portion (63) extending along said first longitudinally extending side edge (35) and said second closing system (31 ') is a welding, an embossing, a heat bonding or an adhesive bonding attaching said wrapper sheet to itself at said protruding portion (63) when said guard is folded along said fold line (F).

16. A wrapped absorbent product (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said wrapper sheet (30) has a width in the transverse direction, which is smaller, equal or larger than the folded guard when said guard is folded along the fold line (F).

17. A wrapped absorbent product (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the wrapper sheet (30) is a rectangular sheet with a first longitudinally extending side edge (35) and an opposite second longitudinally extending side edge (36) and a first transversally extending side edge (41 ) and an opposite second transversally extending side edge (42).

18. A wrapped absorbent product (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the guard (1 , 1 ', 1 ") is divided into a first side portion (21 ), a second side portion (23), and a central portion located between said first and side portions (21 , 23) in the transverse direction (X1 ), wherein a first fold line (22) is provided between the first side portion (21 ) and the central portion and a second fold line (24) is provided between the central portion and the second side portion (23), wherein the first side portion (21 ) is folded along the first fold line (21 ) over the central portion; wherein the second side portion (23) is folded along the second fold line (24) over the central portion in a first folded configuration; said fold line (F) extending along said transverse axis to define said lower end region (38) below said fold line (F) is a third fold line and said lower end region (38) is folded along the third fold line (F) to form a second folded configuration in which the lower end region (38) at least partially overlaps the first and second side regions (21 , 23) to form a second overlap region and said first folded configuration is performed before said second folded configuration.

19. A wrapped absorbent product (100) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said transverse axis (X1 ) extends between a first lower corner point (10) and a second lower corner point (1 1 ) which define two outermost points of said guard (1 ) between which said guard (1 ) has a first width (w1 ).

20. A wrapped absorbent product (100) according to claim 19, wherein said upper region (5) comprising an inwardly recessed curvature portion (12) extending between a first upper corner point (13) and a second upper corner point (14) and having an arcuate shape, said upper corner points (13, 14) defining a second width (w2); wherein the first width (w1 ) is greater than the second width (w2), and wherein said first lower corner point (10) and first upper corner point (13) and said second lower corner point (1 1 ) and second upper corner point (14), 10 respectively, are connected by outer side edges (15, 17).

21 .A wrapped absorbent product (100) according to claim 20, wherein said inwardly recessed curvature portion (12) defines an outer boundary edge (18) extending between said upper corner points (13, 14) and wherein said outer boundary edge (18) lies inwardly of an imaginary transverse line (X2) extending between said upper corner points (13, 14).

22. A wrapped absorbent product (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said absorbent body (4) comprises a primary core (4') and a secondary core (4") arranged in a stacked configuration, wherein said primary core (4') has an area in an XY plane which is greater that the area of said secondary core (4"), and in that the secondary core (4") is formed with side edges (28, 29) being at least partly generally parallel to said longitudinal axis (Y1 ).

23. A wrapped absorbent product (100) according according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said guard (1 ) is arranged having elasticized elements (20) arranged along an outer edge (9) of the lower region (6), along the outer edges of said lower region (6).

24. A wrapped absorbent product (100) according to claim 23, wherein said elasticized elements (20) are in the form of an elasticized film, foam, elastic laminate and/or elastic threads attached to said guard (1 ').

25. A wrapped absorbent product (100) according according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said fold line (F), which extends along the transversal axis (X1), is arranged at a distance from said transverse axis (X1 ).

26. A wrapped absorbent product (100) according according to claim 25, wherein said distance is half the length of the maxim length of the guard in the longitudinal direction along said longitudinal axis (Y1 ).