JP2022021729A - Individually packaged absorbent article and manufacturing method of individually packaged absorbent article - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an individually packaged absorbent article reducing sound generated in opening.SOLUTION: An individually packaged absorbent article comprises an absorbent article and a packaging sheet for packaging the absorbent article. A first area including one edge in a first direction of the packaging sheet is folded in an inner surface side of the packaging sheet, a second area including the other edge in the first direction is folded in the inner surface side so as to overlap the first area, and first fold lines are formed over the first direction at respective edges in the second direction orthogonal to the first direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to an individual package absorbent article and a method for manufacturing an individual package absorbent article.

Absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, panty liners and incontinence pads are often provided individually wrapped in wrapping sheets. Then, in such individually packaged absorbent articles (individually packaged absorbent articles), the absorbent articles are folded in the longitudinal direction together with the packaging materials, and the folded and stacked packaging materials are individually packaged. Generally, a pair of edges of the body are joined to each other (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP-A-2007-268015

The joint at the edge of the individual package (individual package absorbent article) described in Patent Document 1 is formed from a plurality of joints formed by joining the packaging materials to each other by a heat seal or the like. Therefore, when opening the individually packaged absorbent article, it is necessary to peel off the packaging materials at the joint to develop the packaging material. However, in that case, the sound of the packaging materials peeling off (peeling sound) is inevitably generated, and many users are concerned about such peeling sound.

One aspect of the present invention is to provide an individually packaged absorbent article in which the sound generated at the time of opening is reduced.

A first aspect of the present invention is an individually packaged absorbent article having an absorbent article and a packaging sheet for packaging the absorbent article, the first region including one end edge of the packaging sheet in the first direction. Is folded toward the inner surface side of the packaging sheet, and the second region including the other end edge in the first direction is folded toward the inner surface side so as to overlap the first region, and is orthogonal to the first direction. A first fold line is formed over the first direction at each edge of the second direction.

According to the first aspect, the first fold line is formed in each edge of the individually packaged absorbent article in which the absorbent article is packaged by folding the packaging sheet at least twice. There is. In this embodiment, both edges are closed or sealed by folding back at the first folding line at each edge, and both edges are sealed using a joint. Is different from. Therefore, in the individually packaged absorbent article according to this embodiment, it is not necessary to form a joint portion at the edge portion, and the sound of peeling the packaging sheets from each other at the joint portion at the time of opening can be eliminated or reduced. Therefore, according to this aspect, the sound generated at the time of opening can be reduced.

Further, since the sealing by folding back at the first folding line in this embodiment is easily removed when the packaging sheet is unfolded in the first direction at the time of opening, the force required for opening can be small.

In the second aspect of the present invention, a second fold line is formed at each edge portion thereof in the first direction so as to be separated outward from the first fold line in the second direction.

According to the second aspect, since the second fold line is provided in addition to the first fold line, each edge can be more reliably closed or sealed by folding back at the second fold line. can.

In the third aspect of the present invention, the folding direction at the second folding line is opposite to the folding direction at the first folding line.

According to the third aspect, since each edge is folded in a bellows shape (accordion shape), when the packaging sheet is unfolded in the first direction at the time of opening, the sealing by folding back can be more easily removed. In addition, when a plurality of individually packaged absorbent articles are housed in a package or case in an upright state, the side surface of the package or case is brought into contact with the edge of the individually packaged absorbent article folded in a bellows shape. , The individually packaged absorbent article is supported from both sides of the package or the case, and the individually packaged absorbent article can be stably housed in the package or the case.

In the fourth aspect of the present invention, the rigidity of the packaging sheet is 100 mm or more.

According to the fourth aspect, since the packaging sheet has a rigidity of a predetermined value or more and a certain degree of rigidity, the folded line is easily formed and the folded state is easily maintained. Therefore, each edge can be closed or sealed more reliably.

In a fifth aspect of the present invention, the packaging sheet comprises paper.

According to the fifth aspect, the use of paper can reduce the burden on the environment at the time of manufacturing and / or disposal of the individually packaged absorbent article.

In the sixth aspect of the present invention, no joint is formed at each of the edges.

According to the sixth aspect, since the packaging sheets are not peeled off from each other at the joint portion of each edge portion at the time of opening, the sound generated at the time of opening can be further reduced.

A seventh aspect of the present invention is a method for manufacturing an individually packaged absorbent article having an absorbent article and a packaging sheet for packaging the absorbent article, wherein the absorbent article is arranged on the inner surface of the packaging sheet. The first region including one end edge in the first direction of the packaging sheet is folded toward the inner surface side, and the second region including the other end edge in the first direction is placed on the inner surface side so as to overlap the first region. It is folded to form a first folding line along the first direction at each edge of the second direction orthogonal to the first direction.

According to the seventh aspect, it is possible to provide a method for producing an individually packaged absorbent article having the same effect as that of the first aspect.

According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an individually packaged absorbent article in which the sound generated at the time of opening is reduced.

It is a top view of the individual package absorbable article by one embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which developed the individual packaging absorbent article shown in FIG. It is a top view for demonstrating the process of sealing both edges in the individually packaged absorbent article shown in FIG. 1. It is a top view of the individual packaging absorbent article by the modification of this invention. It is a top view for demonstrating the process of sealing both edges in the individually packaged absorbent article shown in FIG. 4. It is a perspective view which shows the state in which a plurality of individually packaged absorbent articles according to the modification of this invention are housed in a package. It is a top view of the individual packaging absorbent article by another modification of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the manufacturing method of the individual packaging absorbent article by one embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the roll in the manufacturing method shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating another example roll in the manufacturing method shown in FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, unless otherwise specified, the same or corresponding configurations may be designated by the same reference numerals and description thereof may be omitted. In addition, the drawings are schematic to help the understanding of the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a plan view of an individually packaged absorbent article 100 including a packaging sheet 10 and an absorbent article 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The absorbent article 1 packaged according to this embodiment may be a flat article such as a sanitary napkin, a panty liner (pantyliner), and a pad for light incontinence. Further, FIG. 2 shows a state in which the individually packaged absorbent article 100 shown in FIG. 1 is unfolded, or a state in which the absorbent article 1 is arranged on the packaging sheet 10 before the absorbent article 1 is packaged.

(Absorbable article)
The absorbent article 1 used in the embodiment of the present invention has an elongated shape in a plan view, but the plan view shape of the absorbent article 1 is not limited to the one shown in the drawing, and is a regular polygon including a square or a circle. It may have a shape such as. Further, the absorbent article 1 may have a shape that can be packaged by the packaging sheet without being folded together with the packaging sheet. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, when the absorbent article 1 has an elongated shape, the total length of the absorbent article 1 can be 140 to 420 mm, and the width of the absorbent article 1 can be 50 to 110 mm. be able to.

The absorbent article 1 may have a structure in which a liquid-impermeable back sheet, an absorber 4, and a liquid-permeable front sheet are laminated in this order. As the back sheet, a sheet material having at least water impermeability, such as an olefin resin sheet such as polyethylene or polypropylene, can be used. It is possible to use a laminated non-woven fabric in which a non-woven fabric is laminated on a polyethylene sheet or the like, or a laminated non-woven fabric sheet in which a waterproof film is interposed to ensure substantially impermeable liquid permeability. Further, those having moisture permeability may be used.

As the surface sheet, a perforated or non-perforated non-woven fabric, a porous plastic sheet, or the like is preferably used. As the material fibers constituting the non-woven fabric, for example, olefins such as polyethylene and polypropylene, synthetic fibers such as polyester and polyamide, recycled fibers such as rayon and cupra, blended fibers thereof, and natural fibers such as cotton are used alone or. Two or more types can be used in combination.

The absorber 4 is not limited as long as it is a material capable of absorbing and retaining body fluid, but preferably contains cotton-like pulp and a water-absorbent polymer. As the water-absorbent polymer, a superabsorbent polymer (SAP), a superabsorbent polymer fiber (SAF), or a combination thereof can be used. Examples of the pulp include chemical pulp obtained from wood, cellulose fibers such as dissolving pulp, and artificial cellulose fibers such as rayon and acetate.

The thickness of the absorber 4 can be in the range of 0.5 to 25 mm, preferably in the range of 1.5 to 6.5 mm. The absorber 4 may have a bulging structure such as a region corresponding to the body fluid discharge port (a region corresponding to the body fluid discharge port) and a region behind the body fluid discharge port corresponding region and facing the groove of the buttocks.

The absorber 4 has a size and shape that does not protrude from the front surface sheet and the back surface sheet, and at the front and rear edge portions of the absorber, the outer edge between the back surface sheet and the front surface sheet is an adhesive such as hot melt. It is joined by an adhesive means such as a heat seal or an ultrasonic seal. Further, a side nonwoven fabric may be provided on the side portion of the absorbent article 1 over the longitudinal direction. As the side non-woven fabric, a water-repellent treated non-woven fabric or a hydrophilic treated non-woven fabric can be used.

(Packaging structure for individually packaged absorbent articles)
As shown in FIG. 1, the individually packaged absorbent article 100 includes an absorbent article 1 and a packaging sheet for packaging the absorbent article 1. Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the individually packaged absorbent article 100 may be one in which one absorbent article 1 is housed in one packaging sheet 10.

The shape of the packaging sheet 10 is not particularly limited, but it is preferable that the packaging sheet 10 has an elongated shape, for example, a rectangle, an ellipse, or the like in an unfolded state (unfolded state) as shown in FIG. By arranging the slender and flat absorbent article 1 on such a packaging sheet 10 and folding both of them, the absorbent article 1 can be easily and hygienically packaged. In the present specification, the surface of the packaging sheet 10 on which the absorbent article 1 is arranged is referred to as an inner surface, and the surface opposite to the inner surface, that is, the surface exposed in the individually packaged absorbent article 100 is referred to as an outer surface.

As shown in FIG. 2, the packaging sheet 10 includes a first region R1 including one end edge 11 of the first direction D1 of the packaging sheet 10 and a second region R2 including the other end edge 12 of the longitudinal direction D1 of the packaging sheet 10. And have. Then, the absorbent article 1 can be wrapped so that the second region R2 is overlapped with the outer surface of the first region R1. More specifically, first, the first region R1 is folded back at the first folding position FL1 extending along the second direction D2 orthogonal to the first direction D1. Further, the second region R2 is folded back at the second folding position FL2 extending along the second direction D2 so as to overlap the first region R1 after the first region R1 is folded back. As a result, the absorbent article 1 is housed in the packaging sheet 10 (FIG. 1). Such a packaging method in which the two regions of the ends of the packaging sheet 10 in the longitudinal direction D1 are overlapped with each other is simple, and the absorbent article can be reliably enclosed and protected without being exposed to the external environment, which is preferable.

In this embodiment, the region between the first region R1 and the second region R2 is referred to as the third region R3 (FIG. 2). Further, in the present embodiment, the first direction D1 is the longitudinal direction of the packaging sheet 10 and also the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article 1 packaged by the packaging sheet 10. The second direction D2 is the lateral direction of the packaging sheet 10 and is also the lateral direction (width direction) of the absorbent article 1 packaged by the packaging sheet 10.

When the first region R1 is folded back at the first folding position FL1, the length of the first region R1 in the longitudinal direction D1 is set so that one end edge 11 of the longitudinal direction D1 of the packaging sheet 10 does not exceed the second folding position FL2. It is preferable to adjust. Further, when the second region R2 is folded back at the second folding position FL2, the other end edge 12 in the longitudinal direction D1 may be folded so as to reach the first folding position FL1 of the first region R1. As shown in the above, the other end edge 12 may be folded so as to be located on the first region away from the first folding position FL1.

After the first region R1 and the second region R2 are folded in order, the other end edge 12 of the packaging sheet 10 is straddled at the center of the lateral direction D2, that is, from the second region R2 to the first region R1. The sealing tape 30 can be provided. At the time of opening, the user peels off the sealing tape 30 from the first region R1 side, lifts it, and continuously pulls it to lift the second region R2 together with the sealing tape 30 and pull it toward the second folding position FL2. Then, the second region R2 can be opened in the longitudinal direction D1.

The dimensions of the packaging sheet 10 depend on the size and shape of the absorbent article 1 to be packaged. For example, when the packaging sheet 10 is unfolded, the length of the longitudinal direction D1 can be 100 to 450 mm, and the length of the packaging sheet 10 can be 100 to 450 mm in the lateral direction. The length (width) of D2 can be 70 to 250 mm.

When packaging an absorbent article having a relatively long length, a packaging sheet 10 having a longer length can be used according to the length of the absorbent article. In that case, the length of the first region R1 to be folded first is made longer than the length of the third region R3, and when the first region R1 is folded, the first region R1 is first set to the first folding position FL1. Fold it to the inner surface side or the outer surface side at the third folding line extending along the lateral direction D2 to be positioned between the one end edge 11 and then fold the entire first region R1 at the first folding position FL1 and then continue. As described above, the second region R2 can be folded at the second folding position FL2 and folded in four as a whole.

(Seal of the edge of the individually packaged absorbent article)
3 shows a state before sealing the edges 15 and 15 of the individually packaged absorbent article 100 shown in FIG. 1, that is, the first region R1 and the second region of the packaging sheet 10 shown in FIG. 2 are absorbent articles. The plan view of the state after being folded together with 1 is shown. In the present specification, the edge portion 15 of the individually packaged absorbent article 100 is a region in which the absorbent article does not exist in a plan view, and the lateral direction D2 is in a state before a folding line (described later) extending in the longitudinal direction is formed. It is preferable that the region is from the edge of the to a position 10 to 40 mm inward.

As shown in FIG. 3, first folding lines L1 and L1 along the longitudinal direction D1 are formed on both edge portions 15 and 15, respectively. Since the first folding line L1 is formed over the entire longitudinal direction D1, the outer side of the edge portions 15 and 15 in the lateral direction D2 is folded back along the first folding line L1 to form the folded portions 16 and 16. This allows the edges 15, 15 to be sealed (FIG. 1). By sealing the both edge portions 15 and 15, external dust and the like can be prevented from entering the individually packaged absorbent article 100, and the absorbent article 1 can be kept more hygienic.

Conventionally, in order to seal both edges of an individually packaged absorbent article, it is common to form a peelable joint by heat sealing, an adhesive or the like. The joint portion is a portion where the facing surfaces of the stacked packaging sheets are joined to each other. Therefore, at the time of opening, the joint portion is broken, so that a sound of the joint portion being broken, that is, a sound of the packaging sheets being peeled off may be generated. However, since the peeling sound at the time of opening is relatively loud, many users feel uncomfortable especially when exchanging absorbent articles in public toilets. On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, as described above, the edges 15 and 15 of the individually packaged absorbent article 100 are sealed by the first folding lines L1 and L1 (FIGS. 1 and FIG. 3). Therefore, it is not necessary to form the conventional joints on the edges 15 and 15. Therefore, in this embodiment, even if the joints are not formed at the edges 15 and 15, or if they are formed for another purpose, the joints having a very small area are formed. Therefore, at the time of opening, the peeling sound (sound of breaking the joint) that may occur in the conventional configuration is not generated or is generated only slightly. The individual packaging absorbent article 100 according to this embodiment can be opened by the user without worrying about the sound echoing in the surroundings even in a public toilet or the like.

Further, the individually packaged absorbent article 100 according to this embodiment can be opened by the same operation as before. That is, the user pulls the second region R2 away from the first region R1 (and, in some cases, the third region R3) superposed under the second region R2, and opens the second region R2 in the longitudinal direction D1 to absorb individual packaging. Article 100 can be opened. At that time, since the user grips and pulls the sealing tape 30 or directly the second region R2 near the center of the lateral direction D2, the second region R2 is pulled inward in the lateral direction D2. Therefore, even in the vicinity of the first folding lines L1 and L1, the second region R2 naturally deviates from the first region R1 (and, in some cases, the third region R3), and the second region R2 can be easily opened in the longitudinal direction D1. Therefore, the force required for opening can be reduced. Therefore, the individually packaged absorbent article 100 according to this embodiment can be easily opened by a user whose fingertips are difficult to move or a user with weak force.

The length d (FIG. 3) from the edge of the packaging sheet 10 in the lateral direction D2 to the first folding line L1 may be 4 to 10 mm. The length d is the width of the folded portion 16 formed by the first folding line L1 in the examples of FIGS. 1 and 3. When the length d is in the above range, the folding line L1 can be easily folded back, and the folding back portion 16 does not get in the way when the user carries the individually packaged absorbent article 100. The lengths d and d may be the same on both sides of the lateral direction D2, or the length d on one side of the lateral direction D2 and the length d on the other side may be different.

In the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the first folding lines L1 and L1 extend parallel to the longitudinal direction D1, but the folded portions 16 and 16 can be formed at the edge portions 15 and 15. For example, the extending direction of the first folding lines L1 and L1 may be at an angle of 10 ° or less, preferably 5 ° or less with respect to the longitudinal direction D1.

Further, the direction in which the folded portions 16 and 16 are folded may be the side on which the first region R1 and the second region R2 are overlapped as shown in FIG. 1, or the opposite side, that is, the third. It may be on the side of region R3. That is, the first fold lines L1 and L1 may be valley fold lines or mountain fold lines. Further, the folding directions at the first folding lines L1 and L1 may be the same or may be opposite to each other.

Further, in the folding at the first folding lines L1 and L1, the folding portions 16 and 16 may be formed so as to stand up along the thickness direction of the individually packaged absorbent article 100 and the absorbent article 1. , It may be formed so as to lie along a plane direction orthogonal to the thickness direction, or it may be formed so as to extend to an angle in the middle thereof. As described above, the folded portions 16 and 16 can be formed at a desired angle according to the method of forming the first folded lines L1 and L1.

(Modification example)
FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the individually packaged absorbent article 100A, which is a modification of the present embodiment. Further, FIG. 5 absorbs the state before sealing the edges 15 and 15 of the individually packaged absorbent article 100A shown in FIG. 4, that is, the first region R1 and the second region of the packaging sheet 10 shown in FIG. The plan view of the state after being folded together with the sex article 1 is shown.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, in the individually packaged absorbent article 100A, in addition to the first fold lines L1 and L1, the second fold lines L2 and L2 extending in the longitudinal direction D1 are formed. , Different from the individually packaged absorbent article 100 (FIGS. 1 and 3). As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the second fold lines L2 and L2 are formed outside the first fold lines L1 and L1 in the lateral direction D2, apart from the first fold lines L1 and L1. ..

There may be two or more fold lines in one edge 15, which allows the edge to be sealed more reliably. The number of fold lines along the longitudinal direction D1 at one edge 15 can be 1 to 6, preferably 2 to 4.

In the examples shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the first fold lines L1 and L1 are valley fold lines when viewed from the side where the first region R1 and the second region R2 of the individually packaged absorbent article 100 are overlapped. The two fold lines L2 and L2 are mountain fold lines. However, the folding directions at the first folding lines L1 and L1 and the second folding lines L2 and L2 are not limited to those shown in the drawings. For example, the first fold lines L1 and L1 may be used as mountain fold lines, and the second fold lines L2 and L2 may be used as valley fold lines.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, if the folding direction of the first folding lines L1 and L1 and the folding direction of the second folding lines L2 and L2 are different, the edges 15 and 15 are folded in a bellows shape. Can be done. Compared with the case where the first folding lines L1 and L1 and the second folding lines L2 and L2 are folded in the same direction, the sealing by folding can be more easily removed at the time of opening, so that the second region R2 can be easily lifted. ..

Further, the bellows-shaped folded edges 15 and 15 also have an advantage when the plurality of individually packaged absorbent articles 100A are housed in the package (or case) in an upright state. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, the side surface 62 of the package 60 is brought into contact with the edges 15 and 15 of the individually packaged absorbent article 100A folded in a bellows shape, so that the individually packaged absorbent article is made of the package 60. It is in a state of being supported from both side surfaces 61 and 61. Since the edges 15 and 15 folded in a bellows shape can be expanded and contracted in the lateral direction D2, the edges 15 and 15 function like cushions, so that the individually packaged absorbent article 100A is contained in the package 60. Can be stably accommodated in.

The first fold lines L1 and L1 and the second fold lines L2 and L2 can all be valley fold lines. This form is preferable from the viewpoint of improving the sealing property. In that case, the portion including the end edge in the lateral direction D2 is folded back at the second folding lines L2 and L2, and then the portion folded back by the second folding lines L2 and L2 is arranged inside. It can be folded back at the folding lines L1 and L1.

Further, the configurations obtained by the plurality of folds may be different on both sides of the lateral direction D2. That is, the above-mentioned folded form can be independently adopted and combined at each of the edges 15 and 15 in the lateral direction D2.

At each edge 15, the length db from the second fold line L2 to the end edge in the lateral direction D2 (the length of the portion _16b in FIG. 4), the length from the first fold line L1 to the second fold line L2. The da (the length of the portion _16a in FIG. 4) may be the same or different. When the length _db and the length da _a are the same or substantially the same, the discomfort is reduced when the individually packaged absorbent article 100A is held in the hand and the edges 15 and 15 are touched, and the appearance is also good. The length _db is preferably 4 to 10 mm. When the length _db and the length da _a are different, it is preferable that the average of the length _db and the length da _a is a value in the above range. When the length _db or the average of the length _db and the length da _a is in the above range, the outermost fold line in the lateral direction D2 (the second fold line L2 in this example) is used. The folding back is easy, and the folding back portion 16 does not get in the way when the user carries the individually packaged absorbent article 100A.

(Another variant)
FIG. 7 shows another modification of the present invention. In the individual packaging absorbent article 100B shown in FIG. 7, the points where the first folding lines L1 and L1 are formed on the edges 15 and 15, respectively, indicate the individual packaging absorbent article 100 (FIGS. 1 and 3) and the individual packaging. Similar to the absorbent article 100A (FIGS. 4 and 5), but in the individually packaged absorbent article 100B, in addition to the first fold lines L1 and L1, the peelable linear linear joints BD and BD. Is formed.

As shown in FIG. 7, the linear joints BD and BD are formed along the extending direction of the first folding lines L1 and L1, that is, along the longitudinal direction D1. The linear joints BD and BD are provided to such an extent that they do not interfere with the effect of reducing the sound generated at the time of opening, and the width thereof is about 0.3 to 1 mm. When the linear joints BD and BD are formed adjacent to the first folding lines L1 and L1, the rigidity of the packaging sheet 10 in the linear joints BD and BD becomes high, and the linear joints BD and BD Since the rigidity of the linear joints BD and the portions adjacent to the BD can be made different, folding at the first folding lines L1 and L1 becomes easy. In addition, the folded state at the first folding lines L1 and L1 can be maintained for a longer period of time.

In the example shown in FIG. 7, the linear joints BD and BD are continuously formed over the longitudinal direction D1, but may be formed intermittently. Further, the linear joints BD and BD may be formed in contact with the first folding lines L1 and L1, and the function of easily folding back at the first folding lines L1 and L1 is not impaired. It may be provided apart from the first folding lines L1 and L1. Further, in the example shown in FIG. 7, the linear joints BD and BD are formed inside the first fold lines L1 and L1 in the lateral direction D2, but the first fold lines L1 and L1 are formed in the lateral direction D2. It may be formed on the outside.

The joints BD and BD have a function of facilitating folding back, but from the viewpoint of reducing noise at the time of opening, it is preferable that the joints BD and BD are provided in as small an area as possible. The area of one joint portion BD is, for example, one edge portion 15 of the individually packaged absorbent article 100B (a region outside the lateral direction D2 of the individual packaged absorbent article 100B, in which the absorbent articles 1 do not overlap in a plan view. ) May be preferably 5% or less, more preferably 1% or less.

(Material of packaging sheet)
The material used for the packaging sheet 10 constituting the individually packaged absorbent articles 100, 100A, and 100B is not particularly limited, and may be a fiber-containing sheet such as paper or non-woven fabric, or may be made of resin. It may be a film. However, the rigidity of the packaging sheet 10 is preferably 100 mm or more, and more preferably 105 mm or more. The rigidity may be a value measured according to the 45 ° cantilever method described in JIS L1096: 2010, 8.21. When the packaging sheet 10 having the above-mentioned rigidity and softness is used, it becomes easy to form a fold line, and once the fold line is formed, it becomes easy to maintain the folded state by the fold line. In the case of the individually packaged absorbent article 100A, the bellows-shaped folding structure is easily maintained.

When the wrapping sheet 10 contains paper, it is preferable because fold lines are easily formed on the wrapping sheet 10. Further, it is also preferable in that the environmental burden at the time of manufacturing and / or disposal of the individually packaged absorbent article or the packaging sheet 10 is small, and a natural texture can be imparted. Further, it is preferable that the packaging sheet 10 is made of paper or is a sheet obtained by processing the paper in some way. In addition, in this specification, the paper can refer to the thing which made into a flat plate shape by sticking a plant fiber or other fiber with a sticking agent. In particular, it can refer to those using plant fiber (pulp) as a main raw material, for example, those containing 50% or more of plant fiber, preferably 80% or more of the contained fibers. The type of pulp contained in the paper may include wood pulp, non-wood pulp, and used paper pulp, and these may be mechanical pulp or chemical pulp. Additives may be added to the paper. Further, as an example of the specific paper used for the wrapping sheet 10, various types of paper such as Western paper, Japanese paper, processed paper, and synthetic paper can be mentioned. In addition, papers conventionally used for other purposes, such as newspapers, printing papers (including high-quality papers), writing papers, drawing papers, wrapping papers, thin leaf papers, mixed papers, etc., are unprocessed or processed. Can also be used.

When paper is used as the material of the packaging sheet 10, the paper may be processed after papermaking. Examples of the above-mentioned processing include crepe processing, embossing processing, calendar processing, water-repellent processing, slit processing, ply processing, printing processing and the like. By performing crepe processing and embossing processing, both the strength and flexibility of the paper can be improved. When the packaging sheet 10 is water-repellent, for example, a water-repellent agent containing a silicone-based resin, a paraffin-based resin, a fluororesin, or the like is applied to the outer surface of the packaging sheet 10 (in a state where the absorbent article 1 is packaged). It can be applied to at least one of the exposed side) and the inner surface opposite to the outer surface.

When paper is used as the material of the wrapping sheet 10, the basis weight of the wrapping sheet can be preferably 50 g / m ² or less, more preferably 40 g / m ² or less, and further preferably 30 g / m ² or less. The lower limit of the basis weight of the packaging sheet 10 is not particularly limited as long as it can function as the packaging sheet 10, but it can be preferably 20 g / m ² or more, and more preferably 25 g / m ² or more. The thickness of the paper packaging sheet 10 can be preferably 40 to 200 μm, more preferably 100 to 200 μm.

When the packaging sheet 10 contains a non-woven fabric, it is preferable because the texture and softness can be improved. The non-woven fabric used is preferably a melt-blown non-woven fabric, a spunbonded non-woven fabric, or the like, and a plurality of layers of these non-woven fabrics can be combined and laminated. The fibers constituting the non-woven fabric may be polyolefins such as polypropylene and polyethylene, and polyamides such as polyester and nylon.

When the packaging sheet 10 contains a resin fill, examples of the resin used include polyolefins such as polypropylene and polyethylene, polyester, polyvinyl alcohol, and the like. As the resin film, a stretched film is preferable. Further, the resin film may be a non-breathable film or a breathable film. When a resin film is used, the outline of printing becomes clear and the color development of the colorant becomes good, so that the design of the packaging sheet can be improved.

As the wrapping sheet 10, one wrapping sheet 10 may be a single-layer sheet made of the above-mentioned material, or one wrapping sheet 10 is formed by laminating a plurality of layers made of different materials. It may be a laminated sheet. Therefore, for example, it may be configured by laminating a resin film on the above-mentioned paper sheet.

(Manufacturing method of individually packaged absorbent articles)
FIG. 8 shows, as an example, the manufacturing apparatus 500 for the individually packaged absorbent article 100A (FIGS. 4 and 5). As shown in FIG. 8, the individually packaged absorbent article 100A can be manufactured by using the opposed pressure rolls 51 and 52. More specifically, a plurality of absorbent articles 1 are arranged on the inner surface of the long original packaging sheet 10a transported in the transport direction Dt so as to be separated from each other, and the original packaging sheet 10a is arranged together with the absorbent article 1 in the transport direction. Fold it in the direction orthogonal to Dt. At this time, the area including one end edge and the area including the other end edge of the original packaging sheet 10a are folded inward. Subsequently, pressure is applied by the pressure rolls 51 and 52, whereby the edges 15 and 15 are sealed or closed.

The pressure roll 51 is provided with protrusions 151, 151, ... Intermittently in the circumferential direction, and the pressure roll 52 intermittently protrudes in a position facing the protrusions 151, 151, ... In the circumferential direction. Parts 152, 152, ... Are provided. Then, the protrusion 151 and the protrusion 152 are configured to apply pressure to the region where the absorbent article 1 is not arranged. Thereby, the sealing of the edge portion 15 of one individually packaged absorbent article 100A and the sealing of the edge portion 15 of the adjacent individually packaged absorbent article 100A can be performed at the same time.

In the manufacturing apparatus 500 shown in FIG. 8, on the surface of the protruding portion 151 of the pressure roll 51, mountain portions and ridges extending in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction Dt are formed, and the pressure roll 52 has a mountain portion and a ridge portion. Mountains and ridges are also formed on the surface of the protrusion 152. The ridges and ridges of the protrusion 152 correspond to the ridges and ridges of the protrusion 151 of the pressure roll 51, respectively.

FIG. 9 shows an example of the shapes of the protruding portion 151 of the pressure roll 51 and the protruding portion 152 of the pressure roll 52. FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the protrusion 151 of the pressure roll 51 and the protrusion 152 of the pressure roll 52 cut along the transport direction Dt. As shown in FIG. 9, the contour of the protrusion 151 of the pressure roll 51 and the contour of the protrusion 152 of the pressure roll 52 are symmetrical to each other. Then, on the left side of the figure, the mountain portion m1a of the protruding portion 151 and the ridge portion r2a of the protruding portion 152 face each other and can be meshed with each other. The first folding line L1 is formed by sandwiching the edge portion 15 between the mountain portion m1a of the protruding portion 151 and the ridge portion r2a of the protruding portion 152. Further, the ridge portion r1a of the protruding portion 151 and the m2a of the protruding portion 152 are opposed to each other and can be meshed with each other. The second fold line L2 is formed by sandwiching the edge portion 15 between the ridge portion r1a of the protrusion portion 151 and the m2a of the protrusion portion 152. On the right side of FIG. 9, the mountain portion m1a'of the protrusion 151 and the ridge portion r2a'of the protrusion 152 function in the same manner, and the ridge portion r1a'of the protrusion 151 and the m2a'of the protrusion 152 also function in the same manner. do.

After forming the first fold line L1 and the second fold line L2 with the pressure rolls 51 and 52, the original packaging sheet 10a can be cut so that the individually packaged absorbent article 100A can be obtained.

The formation of the fold line and the cutting of the original packaging sheet 10a may be performed at the same time. For example, instead of the protrusions 151 and 152 shown in FIG. 9, the protrusions 151 and 152 as shown in FIG. 10 can be used. The example shown in FIG. 10 differs from the form shown in FIG. 9 in that the cutter Ct is provided in the central mountain portion m1c. By forming and cutting the fold line at the same time, it is not necessary to arrange a specific device for the cutting process, which is preferable from the viewpoint of space saving and cost reduction.

1 Absorbent article 4 Absorber 10 Packaging sheet 10a Original packaging sheet 11 One end edge in the first direction (longitudinal direction) 12 The other end edge 16, 16a, 16b in the first direction (longitudinal direction) Folded portion 30 Sealing tape 51, 52 Pressurized roll 60 Package 62 Package side surface 100, 100A, 100B Individually packaged absorbent article 151 Protruding portion of pressure roll 51 152 Protruding portion of pressure roll 52 500 Manufacturing device for individually packaged absorbent article Ct cutter D1 Packaging sheet First direction (longitudinal direction)
D2 Packaging sheet 2nd direction (short direction)
FL1 1st area folding position FL2 2nd area folding position m1a, m1a', m2a, m2a', m1c Yamabe r1a, r1a', r2a, r2a', r1c Unebe L1 1st folding line (1st edge folding line) )
L2 2nd fold line (2nd edge fold line)
R1 1st region R2 2nd region R3 3rd region

Claims (7)

An individually packaged absorbent article having an absorbent article and a packaging sheet for packaging the absorbent article.
The first region including one end edge in the first direction of the packaging sheet is folded toward the inner surface side of the packaging sheet, and the second region including the other end edge in the first direction overlaps the first region. It is folded to the inner surface side and
An individual packaging absorbent article in which a first folding line is formed over the first direction at each edge of the second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The individual packaging absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein a second fold line is formed at each edge portion of the first fold line so as to be separated outward from the first fold line in the first direction. The individually packaged absorbent article according to claim 2, wherein the folding direction at the second folding line is opposite to the folding direction at the first folding line. The individual packaging absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the packaging sheet has a rigidity of 100 mm or more. The individually packaged absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the packaging sheet contains paper. The individual packaging absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein no joint is formed on each of the edges. A method for manufacturing an individually packaged absorbent article having an absorbent article and a packaging sheet for packaging the absorbent article.
Place the absorbent article on the inner surface of the packaging sheet and place it.
The first region including one end edge in the first direction of the packaging sheet is folded toward the inner surface side.
The second region including the other end edge in the first direction is folded toward the inner surface so as to overlap the first region.
A method for manufacturing an individually packaged absorbent article, in which a first fold line along the first direction is formed at each edge of a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.

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