MXPA00011551A - Individually packaged absorbent article and a method for making the same - Google Patents

Abstract

An individually packaged absorbent article and a method for making the same is disclosed. An individual package of absorbent article comprises an absorbent pad (10) having side tabs (11) and a wrapper (17) having a central release strip (18) which may be parallel or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the wrapper (17). On either side of the central release strip (18) are tab release members (19), the tab release members (19) and the central release strip (18) being permanently attached to the wrapper (17). The wrapper (17) and the absorbent pad (10) are folded as a unit about at least two lateral spaced-apart fold axes. The invention saves the user the steps of removing separate release strips and unfolding the side tabs.

Description

ABSORBENT ARTICLE PACKAGED INDIVIDUALLY AND METHOD TO MANUFACTURE THE SAME BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention is generally related to an individually packaged absorbent article such as a sanitary napkin. More specifically, this invention is directed to packaging and to the method for packaging an absorbent article which effectively protect the absorbent article before use and facilitate the removal of the absorbent article from the package. 2. Description of Previous Art It is well known in the pirevium art that an absorbent article such as a sanitary napkin is individually packaged so that it is protected from dirt or contamination before use. Also, an individually packaged absorbent article allows the wearer to carry one or two absorbent articles in her bag or pocket for later use without being damaged or soiled. U.S. Patent No. 4,556,146 issued to Swanson et al. Describes an individually packaged absorbent article. In accordance with the Swanson patent, an envelope covers a larger surface of the article. The wrapper and the absorbent article are folded as a unit and the side edges of the wrapper are frangibly sealed to provide an individually packaged absorbent article.

Also, it is well known in the art that absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins have side tabs or wings. The side tabs are used to prevent menstrual fluid filtering from the side of the absorbent pad, and to place the absorbent article against the wearer's underwear and to keep the absorbent article in a position of use. For example, sanitary napkins having side tabs are described in U.S. Patent No. 4,285,343 issued to McNair and in U.S. Patent No. 4,589,876 issued to Van Tilburg. European Patent No. 0 527 171 issued to Davis et al. And European Patent No. 0 637 234 issued to 3M Company disclose a sanitary napkin with folded side tabs on the topsheet, which is intended to protect the topsheet from the top sheet. damage or contamination before the tabs are unfolded for use. Furthermore, European patents 0 527 171 and 0 637 234 teach that the side tabs are held in a folded position so that they face the top sheet by means of a release strip attached to the adhesive patches on the lower surface of the side tabs.

However, European patents 0 527 171 and 0 637 234 do not teach or suggest a technology for individually packing the sanitary napkins with side tabs. In addition, in order to install the sanitary napkins inside the wearer's underwear, the wearer has; that remove the release tab from the side tabs or detach the side tabs of the release sheet which is attached to the sides of the pads. Therefore, a technology is needed for the individual packing of an absorbent article having side tabs which effectively protect the absorbent article from damage or contamination and facilitate the removal of the absorbent article from the package for use.

SYNTHESIS OF THE INVENTION Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a structure and method for individually packing an absorbent article with side tabs.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an individual package and method for packaging an absorbent article which promotes protection and cleaning of the absorbent article.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a package structure and a method which ensures that the absorbent article can be removed from the package in a ready-to-use state in which the tabs are unfolded and the release strip and / or leaf are removed from the tabs.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a package structure which can reduce the amount of material required to wrap the package.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a plan view of an absorbent pad with side tabs.

Figure 2 is a sectional view of the absorbent pad of Figure 1 cut along line A-A 'of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the inner surface of a shell with a central release strip and a pair of release tab members attached thereto.

Figure 4 is a plan view of an absorbent pad fastened to the inner surface of the envelope.

Figure 5 is a plan view of an absorbent pad fastened to the inner surface of the wrap bent around two separate and spaced apart lateral bending axes.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of an absorbent article individually packaged with a triple-folded envelope.

Figure 7 is a perspective view showing how the absorbent pad is removed from the wrap according to a first embodiment of the invention.

Figure 8 is a plan view of an absorbent pad fastened to the inner surface of the wrapper in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the invention.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of an absorbent pad showing how the absorbent pad is removed from the wrapper according to an alternate embodiment of the invention.

Figure 10 is a plan view of an absorbent pad fastened to the inner surface of the wrapper in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the invention.

Figure 11 is a perspective view of an absorbent pad showing how the absorbent pad is removed from the wrapper in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention provides an individually packaged absorbent article comprising an absorbent pad having two lateral and two longitudinal margins, a liquid-permeable upper sheet, a liquid-impermeable lower sheet having adhesive elements formed thereon, an absorbent core interposed between the top sheet and bottom sheet, and two tabs wherein each one extends outwardly from each longitudinal margin of said absorbent pad and which have adhesive elements on the coextensive surface of said bottom sheet, and a wrapper having a central release strip which is attached to the envelope so that the longitudinal axis of the central release strip generally makes a right angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the envelope and a pair of release tab members which are attached to the envelope on each side of the central release strip. In the packaged absorbent article, the adhesive elements on the lower sheet and on the tabs are fastened to the central Release strip and to the release tab members, respectively, and the absorbent pad is bent around at least two lateral bent axes spaced apart and spaced, and the wrap and tabs are bent as a unit around at least two laterally bent, spaced apart axles to enclose the bent absorbent pad.

The invention also provides a method for individually packaging an absorbent article comprising an absorbent pad having a liquid-permeable top sheet, a liquid-impermeable bottom sheet having adhesive elements formed therein, an absorbent core interposed between the top sheet and the lower sheet, and the two tabs each extend outwardly from the longitudinal margins of said absorbent pad and having the adhesive elements on the surface coextensive with said topsheet. The method comprises the steps of providing a wrap in a generally flat position, adhering the central release strip to the envelope so that its longitudinal axis generally makes a right angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of said envelope and adhering a pair of release tab members to the envelope on each side of the release strip , freely attaching the adhesive element on the lower sheet to the central release strip and freely attaching the adhesive elements on the tabs to the release tab members, by folding the absorbent pad around at least two separate laterally bended axes apart, and folding the wrap and the tabs as a unit around at least two spaced apart and side bent shafts to enclose the bent absorbent pad.

It should be understood that the present invention can be modified in several embodiments, which are explained below referring to the attached drawings.

Figures 1 and 2 are plan and sectional views, respectively, of the absorbent pad 10 with the side tabs 11, respectively. The absorbent pad has two longitudinal and two lateral margins, a liquid-permeable upper sheet 13, a liquid-impermeable lower sheet 14 having the adhesive elements 15 formed thereon, an absorbent core 12 interposed between the upper sheet 13 and the sheet bottom 14, and two tabs 11 each extending outward from each longitudinal margin of said absorbent pad 10 and having adhesive elements 16 on the coextensive surfaces of said lower sheet 14. The side tabs 11 are either formed from the upper sheet 13 and / or of the lower sheet 14 extend beyond the longitudinal margins of the absorbent pad 10 or formed of separate members attached to the longitudinal margins of the absorbent pad. The side tabs 11 are used to prevent menstrual fluid filtering from the sides of the absorbent pad and to secure the absorbent article in the wearer's undergarments and to keep the absorbent pad in the position of use.

The adhesive elements 15 are formed in the lower sheet 14 of the absorbent pad 10. The adhesive elements 15 can be pressure sensitive adhesives which are formed by conventional technology such as printing, coating, or the like. Although, the adhesive elements 15 on the lower sheet are preferably formed in the form of strips, these can have any suitable shape for maintaining the position of the absorbent pad 10. The adhesive elements 15 on the lower sheet 14 are attached to the underwear in the crotch part when the absorbent pad 10 is installed in the wearer's underwear. An adhesive element 16 is also formed on the surface of each side tab 11 which is coextensive with the lower sheet 14 of the absorbent pad 10. The adhesive elements 16 on the side tabs 11 can be formed of the same material as that used for the adhesive elements 15 on the lower sheet 14. The adhesive elements 16 are the side tabs are fastened to the outer surface of the wearer's clothing at the crotch portion when the absorbent pad is worn. The adhesive elements 16 on the side tabs 11 are fastened to the outer surface of the wearer's underwear in the part of the leg between when the absorbent pad is worn. The adhesive elements 16 of the tabs 11 can have a rectangular shape, but can be formed in any appropriate pattern.

Figure 3 illustrates a wrapper 17 which is used to individually pack the absorbent pad in Figures 1 and 2. The wrapper 17 is made of any suitable material such as paper, plastic or the like. On the inner surface of the casing, a central release strip 18 is permanently adhered so that the longitudinal axes of the release strip 18 and the casing 17 each intersect generally at a right angle. The release strip 18 extends beyond the longitudinal edges of the envelope and is permanently attached to the inner surface of the envelope in at least the central portion thereof. On each side of the central release strip 18, a pair of release members 19 are permanently fastened to the inner surface of the wrapper. The release members 19 are located in the positions where the adhesive elements 16 of the side tabs 11 are positioned when the adhesive elements 15 on the lower surface 14 are fastened on the release strip 18. The central release strip 18 and the members releasing tab 19 are permanently attached to casing 17 by conventional technical means such as heat bonding, the stuck or similar. At one end of the wrapper, an adhesive member 20 is provided. The adhesive member 20 is used to hold the package of the absorbent article and is also used to unfold the package by removing the adhesive member 20 from the wrapper. Preferably, the side adhesive strip 21 can further provide an interior surface at one end of the wrapper in order to improve the sealing property of the package.

According to the invention described in Figure 4, the adhesive elements 15 on the lower sheet 14 are releasably attached to the central release strip 18 so that the longitudinal axis of the absorbent pad 10 generally makes a right angle with the longitudinal axis of the wrapper 17. The adhesive elements 16 on the tabs 11 are also releasably attached to the release tab members 19. The central release strip 18 and the release tab members 19 are made of any material suitable for releasably fastening Adhesive elements such as silicone coated paper or the like. The central release strip 18 and the release tab members 19 protect the surface of the adhesive elements on the lower sheet 14 and the tabs 11 while the absorbent pad 10 is packaged in the wrapper 17. These also allow the wearer to detach the absorbent pad from the wrap after the wrap is unfolded for use.

Figures 5 and 6 show how the absorbent pad is individually packaged according to the present invention. After fastening the absorbent pad 10 to the casing 17 as explained with reference to Fig. 4, the absorbent pad is folded around two separate spaced apart fold lines BB ', CC as shown in Fig. 4. Preferably, the distance between the lateral bending lines BB 'and CC is greater than the longitudinal width of the side tabs and smaller than the lateral width of the casing 17. When the absorbent pad 10 is folded three times around two separate bent lines and spaced apart, the end portions of the absorbent pad are placed on top sheet 13 and the end portions may or may not overlap one over the other depending on the distance between the side fold lines. After the absorbent pad is folded three times around two lateral fold lines BB 'and CC, the wrap 17 and the tabs 11 are folded as a unit around two lateral fold lines DD' and EE 'as shown in the figure 5. Preferably, the side fold lines DD 'and EE' are made to align with the longitudinal margins of the triple-folded absorbent pad. When the envelope is folded around two lateral fold lines D-D 'and E-E', the side tabs 11 fastened to the release members 19 on the casing 17 are also folded around the side fold lines D-D 'and E-E'. When the wrap is folded three times around the side fold lines, the side tabs 11 are placed in a face-to-face relationship with respect to the lower blade 14 of the bent absorbent pad 10.

After the casing 17 is folded in a triple form, an adhesive member 20 provided at one end of the casing is releasably attached to the outer surface of the casing to hold the casing in a closed position as shown in Figure 6. An area of placement (not shown) may be provided at a location on the outer surface of the wrapper 17 where the adhesive member is fastened. As explained above, a side adhesive strip 21 provided at one end of the wrapper 17 can be fastened freely to the outer surface of the wrapper in order to provide a more reliable package of the absorbent article. The lateral margins 22 of the wrapped envelope are frangibly sealed by means of conventional technology such as heat bonding, gluing, ultrasonic bonding or the like. Therefore, an individually packaged absorbent article illustrated in Figure 6 is provided.

Figure 7 illustrates how the absorbent pad 10 is removed from the package for use. In order to open the package for use, the wearer can unfold the wrapper by pulling the adhesive tab 20 from the outer surface of the wrapper 17. After unfolding the wrapper 17, the wearer can grab one end of the wrapper with one hand and grasp one end of a side tab 11. which is in turn releasably fastened to a release tab member 19. When the side tab 11 is pulled out of the wrapper 7, the adhesive elements 16 on the side tab are separated from the release tab member 19 and then the adhesive elements 15 in the lower sheet 14 of the absorbent pad are also separated from the central release strip 18 to which they are releasably fastened. Finally, the other side tab is separated from a tongue release member 19 on the other side of the shell. Meanwhile, the central release strip 18 and a pair of tongue release members 19 spaced apart from the adhesive elements 15 in the lower sheet 14 and the adhesive elements 16 on the tabs 11 remain attached to the wrapper 17 since they are permanently fastened to the envelope. As such, the absorbent pad can easily be removed from the wrapper in a ready-to-use condition. The same result can be obtained when the user grasps one end of the absorbent pad and pulls the pad out from the release tab strip 18 to which the lower sheet of the absorbent pad is releasably fastened.

The absorbent articles of the prior art use separate strips and / or release sheets to hold the side tabs in a face-to-face relationship with the topsheet. In order to secure the absorbent article to the underwear, the wearer required an extra step to remove the release strips and / or the sheets and unfold the side tabs. In accordance with the present invention, however, the wearer may remove the absorbent pad from the wrapper in a ready-to-use condition without the need to perform this extra step. In addition, since the release strip and the members are permanently affixed to the wrapper, the user need not bother to discard the release strip and members. Also, in a conventional package of an absorbent pad, the wrap had to have an area substantially greater than the total area of the unfolded absorbent pad. In the invention, a smaller wrap can be used because the wrapper is considered to wrap around the absorbent pad folded in a triple fashion. Therefore, the present invention has the added environmental and economic advantages of reducing the amount of material required for the structure of the material.

Figures 8 and 9 illustrate an alternate embodiment of the invention wherein an absorbent pad 10, the same absorbent pad as that shown in Figure 1, is fastened to a casing 17 having a central release strip 18. The release strip central 18 is fixed permanently to the inner surface of a casing 17 so that the longitudinal axis of the central release strip 18 is parallel with the longitudinal axis of the casing 17. The adhesive elements 15 in the lower sheet 14 of the absorbent pad are releasably attached to the central release strip 18 so that the longitudinal axis of the absorbent pad is generally parallel to the longitudinal axes of the casing 17 and the central release strip 18. Then, the side tabs 11 are folded over the top sheet 13. and a release member 19 'is attached to the adhesive member 16 of each side tab to protect the surface the adhesive element 16. One end of each tongue release member 19 'extends beyond the edge of the absorbent pad and is permanently affixed to the inner surface of the wrapper 17 at the location adjacent to the fold line of each side tab 11.

The casing 17 and the absorbent pad 10 are bent as a unit around two separate laterally oriented fold lines FF 'and GG' and the adhesive member 20 at one end of the casing 17 is fixed to the outer surface of the casing for complete an individual package of the absorbent article. As explained with respect to the above embodiment, a plain zone may be provided in the region of the outer surface of the wrapper 17 where the adhesive member 20 is fastened. Preferably, a side adhesive strip 21 may be provided at one end of the wrapper to improve the security of the package.

Figure 9 illustrates how the absorbent pad of Figure 8 is removed from the wrapper for use. First, the sheath 17 is unfolded by detaching the adhesive member 20 and the side adhesive strip 21 from the outer surface of the sheath or preferably from the planar zone provided therein. After the wrap is unfolded, the absorbent pad 10 is separated from the wrapper 17 by pulling out one end of the absorbent pad with one hand, and with the other hand grasping the wrapper at the same end. In doing so, the adhesive elements 15 on the lower sheet and the adhesive elements 16 on the side tabs 11 are detached from the central release strip 18 and the release tab members 19 ', respectively.

Figures 10 and 11 illustrate a further alternate incorporation of the embodiments illustrated in Figures 8 and 9. Referring to Figure 10, an absorbent pad 10 is placed in a wrapper 17 in a similar manner as shown in Figure 8 except that each of the release tab members 19 ', which are releasably attached to the adhesive members 16 of the side tabs 11, extend laterally around the side margin of the pad 10. The end of the release tab member 19' , which extends around a lateral margin of the absorbent pad, is permanently fixed to the casing 17 or the central release strip 18 which is in turn permanently fixed to the casing. The absorbent pad 10 in Figure 10 is packaged as explained with respect to Figures 8 and 9. As illustrated in Figure 11, the individually packaged absorbent article can be unfolded and removed from the wrapper in the same manner as illustrated in figure 9.

The individual package of an absorbent pad and the method for packaging thereof explained referring to Figures 8 to 11 effectively protect the upper sheet of the absorbent pad and the adhesive elements of the side tabs and the lower sheet until the package is unfolded and The absorbent pad is removed from the wrapper. In accordance with the present invention, the absorbent pad can be easily removed from the wrapper in a ready-to-use condition saving the user the step of removing the release limbs / strips and unfolding the side tabs or the like. Additionally, the present invention facilitates the disposal of the removed wrap and the release limbs / strips, since they can remain as a unitary assembly after the absorbent pad is removed for use.

While the particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (14)

R E I V I N D I C A C I O N S

1. An individually packaged absorbent article comprising: an absorbent pad having two longitudinal and two lateral margins, said absorbent pad comprises, a top sheet permeable to liquid, a lower sheet impermeable to liquid having adhesive elements formed thereon, an absorbent core interposed between said upper sheet and said lower sheet, two tabs each extending outward from each longitudinal margin of said absorbent pad and having adhesive elements on the coextensive surface of said lower sheet; Y an envelope having a central release strip which is fastened to said envelope in such a way that the longitudinal axis of said central release strip generally makes a right angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of said envelope and a pair of tab members of release which are subject to. said wrapper on each side of said central release strip, wherein said adhesive elements on said lower sheet and said tabs are releasably fastened to said central release strip and said release tab members, respectively, and said absorbent pad is bent around at least two separate lateral fold axes , and said wrap and said tabs are bent as a unit around at least two laterally spaced apart bent axes and spaced apart to enclose said bent absorbent pad.

2. The individually packaged absorbent article as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said central release strip and said release tab members are permanently affixed to said wrapper.

3. The individually packaged absorbent article as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said wrap has an adhesive member at one end.

4. The individually packaged absorbent article as claimed in clause 2, characterized in that said wrapping further has a side adhesive strip at one end.

5. The absorbent article individually packaged as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the longitudinal margins of said wrapping are fragilely sealed.

6. The individually packaged absorbent article as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the fold axes of said wrapping are aligned with the longitudinal margins of said absorbent pad.

7. A method for individually packing an absorbent pad having two longitudinal and two lateral margins, a liquid-permeable upper sheet, a liquid-impermeable lower sheet having adhesive elements formed therein, an absorbent core interposed between said top sheet and said sheet bottom, and two tabs each extending outward from the longitudinal margins of said absorbent pad and having the adhesive elements on the coextensive surface of said top sheet, said method comprising the steps of: providing a wrap in a generally flat position, attaching a central release strip to said wrapping in such a way that its longitudinal axis generally makes a right angle with respect to said longitudinal axis of said wrapping and that fixes a pair of tab release members to said wrapping on each side of said strip central release, releasably fastening said adhesive elements on said lower sheet to said central release strip and releasably attaching said adhesive elements on said tabs to said tab release members, folding said absorbent pad around at least two separated and spaced apart lateral bending axes, and folding said wrap and said tabs as a unit around at least two spaced apart laterally spaced apart axles to enclose said bent absorbent pad.

8. The method as claimed in clause 7, characterized in that in said central release strip and said pair of release members, they are permanently fixed to said envelope.

9. The method as claimed in clause 7, characterized in that it comprises the step of frangibly sealing said longitudinal margins of said folded envelope.

10. An individually packaged absorbent article comprising: an absorbent pad having two lateral and two longitudinal margins, said absorbent pad comprises: an upper sheet permeable to the liquid, a lower sheet impervious to liquid that has elements formed on it, an absorbent core interposed between said upper sheet and said lower sheet, two tabs each extending outward from each longitudinal margin of said absorbent pad and having adhesive elements on the coextensive surface of said lower sheet; Y a casing having a central release strip which is fastened to said casing such that the longitudinal axis of said central release strip is generally parallel to said longitudinal axis of said casing and a pair of release tab members which they are attached to said envelope on each side of said central release strip, wherein, said adhesive elements on said lower sheet are releasably attached to said central release strip, and said tabs are folded on the upper sheet, and each of said release tab members is attached to said adhesive element of said tab on one end and is fastened to said wrap at the other end, and said wrapper and said absorbent pad are folded as a unit around at least two separate and laterally spaced bent axes.

11. Individually packaged absorbent article as claimed in clause 10, characterized in that said central release strip and said release tab members are permanently affixed to said wrapper.

12. The individually packaged absorbent article as claimed in clause 10, characterized in that said wrap has an adhesive member and a side adhesive strip at one end.

13. The individually packaged absorbent article as claimed in clause 10, characterized in that the longitudinal side margins of said wrapping are frangibly sealed.

14. The individually packaged absorbent article as claimed in: clause 10, characterized in that the end of the release tab member that is attached to said wrap extends laterally around a side margin of said absorbent pad. R E S U E N An individually packaged absorbent article and a method for making the same are described. A single package of an absorbent article comprises an absorbent pad having the side tabs and an envelope having a central release strip which may be parallel or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the casing. On each side of the central release strip are the release tab members, the release tab members and the central release strip are permanently attached to the envelope. The wrap and the absorbent pad are bent as a unit around at least two spaced apart and spaced apart lateral axes. The invention saves the user the steps of removing the separate release strips and unfolding the side tabs.