FR2581619A1 - Unitary package forming a sachet for a single-use hygiene article - Google Patents

Abstract

The unitary package for a single-use hygiene article, particularly a sanitary towel, obtained by folding a sheet of substantially rectangular shape in the direction of the largest dimension, a means joining together the adjacent edges of the two folds so as to form a pouch in which the said article is inserted, is characterised in that the sheet 2 consists of two superposed sheets 2' and 2'' linked edge-to-edge on at least three sides, it being possible for the means joining the edges of the sheet to be released in order to permit unfolding of the sheet 2 into a sachet.

Description

UNIT PACKAGE FORMING BAG FOR ARTICLE
SINGLE USE HYGIENE
The invention relates to a unitary or individual packaging for a disposable hygiene article, in particular a period towel or a panty liner, which can also be used as a disposable sachet after use.

Currently, there are on the market towels packed in packages, of an average of ten, in bags. In these bags, an equal number of service bags were placed to receive the towels after use.

There are also towels in unit packaging which have the advantage of being able to be stored and transported individually by the user. These towels do not have a separate service bag; the packaging serves, in principle, as an envelope after use. Thus, from French patent 2494226, a means is known for individually packaging hygiene articles in this way. It is a pocket made of a rectangular sheet folded in three; it comprises a central section, a lateral section folded over this central section and to which it is welded edge to edge, and a second side section forming a flap. The latter is glued to the first side section to form the pocket housing the hygiene article.

When thin, semi-folded napkins are thus conditioned, the volume offered by the pouch after extraction of the napkin is very small. The possibility of using this type of packaging as a disposable bag is therefore much more theoretical than real.

Patents have already provided solutions to the problem of the service bag for disposing of towels after use. We tried to provide a pocket on the waterproof side of the towel coming against the undergarment: pocket that is unfolded and turned over to enclose the towel when necessary. Such solutions are described in the following patents US 4182336, US 3230956 and US 4402689. But they are not very satisfactory because they are not simple to carry out industrially, they require manipulations on the part of the user and the night pocket holding the towel to the undergarment with adhesive.

The invention provides a simple solution combining the advantages of packaging with separate service bag and unit packaging.

In accordance with the invention, the unitary packaging for a single-use hygiene article, in particular a periodic towel, obtained by folding a sheet of substantially rectangular shape in the direction of the largest dimension, a means joining together the edges of the two folds so as to form a pocket in which said article is inserted, is characterized in that the sheet consists of two superposed sheets called inner sheet and outer sheet, linked edge to edge on at least three sides, the means securing the edges of the sheet that can be released to allow its deployment.

The invention is described below in more detail with reference to the drawings where:
Figure 1 shows in section a periodic towel in a package according to the invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view along AA of Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows the double unfolded sheet.

FIG. 4 schematically represents a method of manufacturing the packaging.

Figures 1, 2 and 3 schematically represent the packaging according to the invention in which a periodic towel 1 is wrapped.

This conventionally consists of an absorbent mattress comprised between a permeable sheet and an impermeable sheet. When it comes to marketing so-called thin napkins, it is preferable to present them in packages of reduced volume where they are folded in two or three; in Figure 1, it is shown folded in three.

The pocket containing the towel is made # e, 'from a rectangular sheet 2 folded in the direction of its largest dimension. A first side portion 3 is folded over the central portion 4, two weld lines 5 secure the respective edges. The second lateral part 6 is also folded over the central part and partially covers the part 3. Two weld lines 7 also secure the respective edges of the part 6 with the parts 3 and 4. Instead of being welded together, the edges can be bonded. A line of glue 8, or a weld line, transversely closes the pocket.

This type of packaging is well known per se, patent FR 2494226 gives a method of producing it in a chain manufacturing installation. According to this method, the rectangular sheet has inside the flap and on the upper face of the side part a coating incompatible with the material of the sheet, which is generally polyethylene, so that the resistance of the welds in these places is smaller than that of other welds; in this way, when opening the pocket, there is no risk of tearing the pocket when you pull on the flap.

In accordance with the invention, a service bag is produced from a packaging of this type by replacing the sheet constituting the pouch with two superimposed sheets. As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, the envelope 2 is double it is composed of two sheets 2 'and 2 "superimposed, substantially the same dimensions. These two sheets are welded together along the two edges of larger dimensions 10 and 11 and an edge, transverse 12. These two sheets thus form a sachet as shown in FIG. 3, the edges 13 delimiting the opening. As in the case of single-sheet packaging, the pouch is carried out by successive folding of the two lateral parts on the central part. The first lateral part is chosen, that which has the edges 13 so that the opening of the sachet does not come outside the packaging.

The inner sheet 2 ′ is coated at least over its entire internal surface corresponding to the weld zones, with a substance incompatible with the material of the sheet so as to weaken the welds 5 and 7. On the other hand, the welds connecting the two sheets 2 'and 2 "between them must be resistant: the corresponding surfaces of the two sheets are therefore free of any coating or treatment intended to weaken the welds.

In an alternative embodiment, instead of welding two sheets 2 'and 2 "together, we start from a larger sheet which we fold in half.

In another variant, the two sheets 2 ′ and 2 ″ are welded together along their four sides. A pre-perforated line is formed parallel to a large side to allow the opening of the bag lengthwise. It is possible to provide a pre-punched line parallel to a small side to allow the opening of the bag in the width direction.

According to another embodiment, the pocket is obtained by folding the double rectangular sheet in half in the direction of the largest dimension. li niy thus has no flap.

In addition to the convenience of use, an additional advantage provided by the invention relates to the manufacturing process, since these packaging-sachets can be produced without significant modification of the existing machines conditioning the towels in individual packaging.

Indeed, consider Figure 4 which schematically represents the terminal phase of a production line of periodic towels.

The towels 101 are deposited from a conveyor belt on a set 102 of two superimposed films 102 ′ and 102 ″ each unwound from a reel 120 and 121, and guided by a plurality of rollers, one of which is shown 122. Downstream of the latter, after their application one on the other, the films are welded together, at 123 along their common edge 112, or linked by any other means.

  The side panels 103 and 104 of the assembly are folded over the towels at 124 by means of a folding sheet; edge 112 is above. In 125 the two sides are joined together by welding or bonding and then the assembly passed # e between transverse heating bars 126 which have the function, both of welding the films together and of separating each unit.

Alternatively it is possible to use, instead of the reels 120, 121 a single reel unwinding a double film, or else to use a single reel unwinding a single film but of double width which is folded in half by a sheet upstream roller 122.

The invention also includes all equivalents to the scope of
the skilled person, so the internal and external sheets may not
not be identical for example.

Claims (5)

1. Unit packaging for disposable hygiene item, in particular  period towel, obtained by folding a sheet of  substantially rectangular in shape, in the direction of the largest  dimension, a means joining together the adjacent edges  two folds so as to form a pocket in which is  inserted said article, characterized in that the sheet (2) is made up  killed by two overlapping sheets (2 ') and (2 "), bound edge to edge  on at least three sides, the means joining the edges of the  sheet can be released to allow deployment of the  sheet (2) in a sachet. 2. Packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that the open  ture in the bag formed by the two sheets (2 ') and (2 ") is  on one of the sides 113) of small dimension, the sheet (2) being  folded in three so that a flap 6 covers the compor side  both said opening.  3. Packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that the two  sheets (2 ') and (2 ") are linked together edge to edge on the  four sides, a pre-perforated line being formed parallel to  a large side. 4. Packaging according to one of the preceding claims, characterized  in that the sheets (2 ') and (2 ") are obtained by folding a  unique film. 5. Packaging according to one of the preceding claims, characterized  in that the means securing the edges of the sheet are  weld lines, the inner surface of the inner sheet (2 ')  being treated so that the weld can be easily broken  by pulling on the edges.