MXPA99011073A - Absorbent article wrapper comprising a side flap fastener cover - Google Patents

Abstract

The absorbent article extends in a longitudinal direction and comprises a main body portion (22) having a pair of longitudinal side edges, a pair of end edges, a garment surface, and a body surface. The absorbent article comprises a pair of flaps (24) joined to the main body portion and extending laterally outward beyond the longitudinal side edges of the main body portion. The garment surface of each of the flaps comprises a flap fastener (76) and the flaps are folded over the body surface of the main body portion to expose the flap fastener. A wrapper (78) for the absorbent article comprises a main wrapper sheet (80) and a flap fastener cover (81). The flap fastener cover comprises a pair of longitudinal side portions, a pair of end portions, a releasable surface facing the flap fastener of the flaps, an opposing surface, a first portion, and a second portion. A majority of the first portion extends in the first region, and the flap fastener cover is releasably affixed to the flap fasteners of the flaps. The main wrapper sheet and the main body portion of the absorbent article are folded as a unit about the second axis so that the majority of the flaps superposes with the body surface side of the main body portion in the third region with interposing the first portion of the flap fastener cover therebetween. At least a part of the second portion of the flap fastener cover is joined to the outer surface of the main wrapper sheet.

Description

ENVELOPE FOR ABSORBENT ARTICLE COMPRISING A COVER WITH WINGS SIDE CLAMPS FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an absorbent article, individually packaged by a wrapper comprising a main wrap sheet for the absorbent article and a wing fastener cover for the wing clip fasteners.

BACKGROUND An absorbent article such as a sanitary napkin comprises a pair of wings which extend laterally outwardly from an absorbent means is well known. Another type of absorbent article comprises a pair of wings, which extend laterally outward from a central region of both longitudinal side rims of an absorbent means. The wings are intended to be folded around the edges of the wearer's underwear in the crotch region. In this way, during use the wings are disposed between the edges of the wearer's underwear in the crotch region and the wearer's thighs. Commonly, the wings are provided with wing clips as is an adhesive for securing the wings to the underside of the wearer's underwear. The wings serve at least for two purposes. First, the wings prevent the exudates from staining the edges of the wearer's underwear. Second, the wings help to stabilize the towel so that it does not move out of the position chosen by the user. This happens especially when the wings are fixed to the bottom of the underwear. The wings of the sanitary napkins can be folded on the side of the upper sheet or the side of the back sheet to conserve space during packaging, that is, the period between the manufacture of the sanitary napkin and its first use intended by the user . At the time of first use by the user, the wings are usually unfolded to facilitate the installation of the sanitary napkin on the wearer's underwear. The wing clips of the bent wings are usually covered by a wing clip cover so that they do not inadvertently adhere to each other or to another part of the product before the sanitary napkin is used. When the wings are folded over the side of the top sheet, the wing wing clips are facing outward and are covered by the wing clip cover with which the wings are joined together on the top sheet. Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication H5-293139 published November 9, 1993, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication H6-78953 published March 22, 1994, and Japanese Publication of Utility Model Open to the Public H6. -26835, published April 12, 1994, describe sanitary napkins having wings which are folded over the topsheet and wing clips which are covered with a wing clip cover. The sanitary napkins described herein further comprise a main fastener for securing the sanitary napkin to the inner part of the wearer's underwear. The main fastener is also covered by a main fastener cover. Therefore, when the sanitary napkin is used, the user must remove both wings clamp covers and the main fastener cover. The user must properly dispose several clamp covers to prevent them from becoming garbage. Attempts have been made to facilitate the removal of the wingtip cover and a main fastener cover of the sanitary napkin. The Japanese Public Utility Model Publication H5-9526 published on February 9, 1993 and the Japanese Public Utility Model Publication H5-9529 published on February 9, 1993, disclose sanitary napkins comprising a main body of sanitary napkin with a main body fastener, wings with wing clips and a fastener cover to cover the wing clips and the main fastener. The fastener cover comprises wings fastener cover portions and a main fastener cover portion, which are connected to each other. Therefore, as the cover portions of the main fastener of the main body of the sanitary napkin are removed, the wing fastener cover portion is also removed from the wings. Other attempts to facilitate the removal of the wingtip cover and / or the main fastener cover of the main body of a sanitary napkin have been made together with the removal of a wrapper for individually packing the sanitary napkin. The Japanese Publication of Utility Model H6-26833, published on April 12, 1994 discloses a sanitary napkin comprising a sanitary napkin main body with a main fastener, wings with wing clips, a wrap to pack the body main of the sanitary napkin, a wing fastener cover and a main fastener cover. The main fastener cover is connected to a portion of the casing so that the main fastener cover is removed from the main body as the main body of the sanitary napkin is taken from the casing. However, the wing clip cover must also be removed from the wings. The Japanese Utility Model Publication H7-39820 published on July 18, 1995 discloses a sanitary napkin comprising a sanitary napkin main body having an upper sheet, a back sheet, and an absorbent center. The sanitary napkin also comprises a pair of wings which are folded around the edges of the wearer's underwear in the crotch region when the sanitary napkin is used. The adhesive layers provided with the main body and the wings are covered by an adhesive layer covering which must comprise a wrapping for individually packing the sanitary napkin. The wings fold into the main body. The adhesive layer covering covering the adhesive layers of the main body extends beyond the longitudinal sides and the transverse edges of the main body. The adhesive layer cover extends beyond a transverse end and the extended portion of the adhesive layer cover is folded inwardly to cover the adhesive layers of the wings. The Japanese Utility Model Publication H6-75446 published on July 18, 1995 discloses a sanitary napkin comprising a sanitary napkin main body and a pair of wings extending laterally outward from both sides in the longitudinal direction of the sanitary napkin. The wings are folded over a body that is facing the sides of the sanitary napkin before the sanitary napkin is worn, and they are folded around the edges of the wearer's underwear in the crotch region when the sanitary napkin is worn. sanitary towel. The side that is facing toward the garment of the sanitary napkin provided with an adhesive layer is wrapped by a releasably treated wrapper. The wrapped sanitary towel is folded together with the wrap around a fold line. This publication further discloses a packaging structure for the sanitary napkin where a portion of the wrap covers the adhesive layers of the wings. That is, the transverse edge of the wrap extends beyond the end edge of the sanitary napkin and is bent towards the adhesive layers of the wings, which are bent over the top sheet. European Patent Publication EP 0 750 896 A2 published on January 2, 1997, discloses a sanitary napkin comprising a towel body and a pair of wings extending from transversely opposite side edges of the towel body. The body of the towel is folded longitudinally thereto in a three layer overlap relationship, and the wings are also folded over an upper surface of the body of the towel. The release sheets are releasably joined over the "adhesive" areas provided on the back surface of the body of the towel and the wings, respectively. A wrapping sheet is also folded together with the body of the towel to wrap the body of the towel like the wings, wherein the respective release sheets are fixedly attached to an inner surface of the wrapping sheet so that the sheet The wrapper and the release sheet can be peeled off in the form of an integrated strip-like sheet of the towel when the towel is taken from the wrapping sheet. While absorbent articles of the prior art such as sanitary napkins have addressed some problems in achieving an individually packaged absorbent article, they have not addressed the problems to an extent or in the manner as in the present invention. Therefore, a primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved individually packaged absorbent article. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an individually packaged absorbent article. In one aspect of the present invention, an absorbent article extends in a longitudinal direction and comprises a main body portion having a pair of longitudinal side edges, a pair of end edges, a garment surface, and a body surface . The garment surface of the main body portion can be placed in a wearer's underwear. The absorbent article comprises a pair of wings attached to the main body portion and extending laterally outwardly "beyond the longitudinal side edges of the main body portion." The garment surface of each of the wings comprises a fastener The wings are folded over the body surface of the main body portion to expose the wing clip A wrap for the absorbent article comprises a main wrapping sheet and a wing clip cover. It comprises a pair of longitudinal side portions, a pair of end portions, an inner surface facing towards the main body portion and an outer surface, the main wrapping sheet being positioned adjacent the garment surface of the portion of main body The main wrapping sheet and the main body portion of the absorbent article comprise two It is transversal and three regions divided by the two axes. The three regions comprise a first region in which most of the wings extend, a second region and a third region which are placed on both longitudinal sides of the first region. The two transverse axes comprise the first axis extending laterally between the first region and the second region and the second axis extending laterally between the first region and the third region. The wing clip cover comprises a pair of longitudinal side portions, a pair of end portions, a releasable surface facing toward the wing wing fastener, an opposite surface, a first portion, and a second portion. Most of the first portion extends into the first region. The wing clip cover is releasably attached to the wing wing fasteners. The main wrapping sheet and the main body portion of the absorbent article are folded to form a unit around the second axis so that the larger of the wings is overlapped with the body surface side of the main body portion in the third region interposing the first portion of the wing clip cover between them. The main wrapping sheet and the main body portion of the absorbent article are folded as a unit around the first axis so that the body surface side of the main body portion in the second region is superimposed with the outer surface side of the body. the main wrapping sheet interposing the second portion of the wing clip cover between them. At least a portion of the second portion of the wing clip cover is attached to the outer surface of the main shell sheet. In another aspect of the present invention, an absorbent article extends in a longitudinal direction and comprises a main body portion having a pair of longitudinal side edges, a pair of end edges, a garment surface provided with a main fastener, and a body surface. The garment surface of the main body portion can be placed in the wearer's underwear. The absorbent article comprises a pair of wings attached to the main body portion and extending laterally outwardly beyond the longitudinal side edges of the main body portion. The garment surface of each of the wings comprises a wing clip. The wings are bent over the body surface of the main body portion to expose the wing clip. A wrapper for the absorbent article comprises a main wrap sheet, a main fastener cover and a wing fastener cover. The main wrapping sheet comprises a pair of longitudinal side portions, a pair of end portions, an inner surface and an outer surface. The main fastener cover comprises a pair of longitudinal side portions, a pair of end portions, an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface covers the main holder of the main body portion and at least a portion of the outer surface is connected to the inner surface of the main wrapping sheet. The main wrapping sheet and the main body portion of the absorbent article comprises two transverse axes and three regions divided by those two axes. The three regions comprise a first region in which most of the wings extend, a second region and a third region which are placed on both longitudinal sides of the first region. The two transverse axes comprise the first axis extending laterally between the first region and the second region and the second axis extending laterally between the first region and the third region. The wing clip cover comprises a pair of longitudinal side portions, a pair of end portions, a release surface facing towards the wing clip, an opposite surface, a first portion, and a second portion. Most of the first portion extends into the first region. The wing clip cover is releasably attached to the wing wing fasteners. The main wrapping sheet and the main body portion of the absorbent article is bent to form a unit around the second axis so that most of the wings overlapped with the body surface side of the main body portion in the third region interposing the first portion of the wing clip cover between them. The main wrapping sheet and the main body portion of the absorbent article are folded as a unit around the first axis so that the side of the body surface of the main body portion in the second region superimposed with the surface side of the garment of the main body portion in the third region interposing the second portion of the wing fastener cover therebetween. At least a portion of the second portion of the wing fastener cover is attached to the main fastener cover.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of a preferred embodiment of the wrapper of the present invention in an open position "with a preferred sanitary napkin placed thereon, and the wings of the sanitary napkin spread. FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the casing of the present invention shown in FIGURE 1 with the wings of the sanitary napkin folded over the top sheet, FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view of FIGURE 2 taken throughout of line III-III FIGURE 4 is a top plan view of the casing of the present invention shown in FIGURE 1 before the flap fastener cover and the main casing sheet are joined together FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the wings of the sanitary napkin folded over the "top sheet. FIGURE 6 is a cross-sectional view of the FIGURE 2 taken along the line VI -VI. FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of a preferred wrapper of the present invention. FIGURE 8 is a cross-sectional view (taken along the center line) of a preferred wrapper of the present invention with a sanitary towel thereon in a folded configuration. "FIGURE 9 is a perspective view of a preferred individually packaged absorbent article of the present invention, FIGURE 10 is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of the wrapper of the present invention with a sanitary napkin placed thereon substantially the same configuration as FIGURE 2. FIGURE 11 is a first cross-sectional view (taken along the longitudinal center line) of the present invention explaining the removal of the wrapping of a sanitary napkin. second cross-sectional view (taken along the longitudinal center line) of the present invention explaining the removal action of the wrapper of a sanitary napkin. FIGURE 13 is a top plan view of another embodiment of the present invention with the wings of the sanitary napkin folded over the topsheet. FIGURE 14 is a cross-sectional view of FIGURE 13 taken along line XIV-XIV. The . FIGURE 15 is a perspective view of the envelope shown in FIGURE 13.

FIGURE 16 is a cross-sectional view (taken along the longitudinal centerline) of the casing shown in FIGURE 13 with a sanitary napkin thereon in a folded configuration. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawings, the present invention is exemplified in a preferred but not limiting embodiment. As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, the invention comprises a wrapper 78 for a disposable absorbent article, particularly a sanitary towel 20. The sanitary pad 20 is used to collect vaginal evacuations, menstruation and prevent the user's garments from stain by such evacuations. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the sanitary napkin 20 basically comprises a main body portion 22 and the wings 24. The main body portion 22 of the sanitary napkin 20 can have a fastener, as is a sensitive adhesive fastener. to the pressure 74 thereon to hold the main body portion 22 in the wearer's underwear. The wings 24 preferably each have fasteners (wing clips) thereon, such as a pressure sensitive adhesive fastener 76, for releasably securing the wings 24 of the sanitary napkin 20 in a folded configuration around the crotch edges. of the user's garment. The wrap 78 of the present invention serves to cover and protect the first wing fasteners 76, and the main body fastener 74 (if any), and is folded around the sanitary napkin 20 to provide an individual packing for the sanitary napkin 20. Before seeing the characteristics of the wrapper 78 in more detail, the properties of the sanitary napkin 20 will be discussed previously. The sanitary napkin 20 (and the main body portion 22 thereof) has two surfaces, a liquid permeable body contact surface or "body surface" 20A that is "intended to be used adjacent to the wearer's body, and a liquid-permeable garment surface 20B.The sanitary napkin 20 as shown in FIGURE 1 as seen from its body surface 20 A. The sanitary napkin 20 has two centerlines, a main longitudinal centerline L and a centerline. main transverse (not shown in FIGURE 1) The term "longitudinal" as used herein refers to a line, axis or direction in the plane of the sanitary napkin 20 which is generally aligned with (eg, approximately parallel to ) a vertical plane which divides the user standing in left and right body halves when the sanitary napkin 20 is used.The terms "transverse", "lateral", or "wide" as used herein, they are interchangeable and refer to a line, axis or direction which is within the plane of the sanitary napkin 20 which is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. FIGURE 1 shows that the main body portion 22 of the sanitary napkin 20 comprises the portion of the sanitary napkin without the wings 24. The main body portion 22 has two separate longitudinal edges 26, two separate end or transverse edges (or "ends") 28, which together form the periphery 30 of the main body portion. The main body portion 22 also has three sections comprising a central section (first section) 36, an end section (second section) 34 and the other end section (third section) 32. The first section 36 is disposed between the second section 34 and the third section 32. The second section 34 and the third section 32 extend outwards in the longitudinal direction from the edges of the central section 36 of the main body portion 22. When the sanitary napkin 20 is packaged individually, the main body portion 22 and the sheath 78 are folded into three regions comprising a first region 39, a second region 41 and a third region 43 divided by two bending axes Fl and F2 (mentioned in FIGURE 2). The first section 36, the second section 34 and the third section 32 of the main body portion 22 generally extend in the first region 39, the second region 41 and the third region 43 respectively.

The main body portion 22 of the sanitary napkin 20 can be of any thickness, including relatively thick, intermediate thick, relatively thin, or even very thin (or "ultra thin"). An "ultrathin" sanitary napkin 20 as described in U.S. Patents 4,950,264 and 5,009,653, issued to Osborn preferably has a caliper of less than about 3 millimeters. The embodiment of the sanitary napkin 20 shown in the drawings is intended to be an example of a sanitary napkin of intermediate thickness. The main body portion 22 of the sanitary napkin 20 can also be relatively flexible, to be comfortable for the user. It should be understood that the sanitary napkin shown is merely one embodiment and that the wrapper of the present invention is not limited to use with absorbent articles of the type or having the specific configurations shown in the drawings. FIGURE 3 shows the individual components of the main body portion 22 of the sanitary napkin 20. The main body portion 22 of the sanitary napkin 20 preferably comprises at least three primary components. These include a liquid-permeable top sheet 38, a liquid-impermeable backsheet 40 and an absorbent center 42 positioned between the topsheet 38 and the sheet 40. The topsheet, the backsheet, and the absorbent center can be assembled in a variety of configurations known in the art (including layered or "sandwich" configurations and wrapped or "tube" configurations). "Suitable materials for the components of the main body portion 22 and some of the various configurations in which such components can be assembled are generally described in U.S. Patents 4,321,924, entitled" Bordered Disposable Absorbent Article "issued to Ahr on March 30, 1982, U.S. Patent 4,425,130, entitled "Compound Sanitary Napkin", issued to DesMarais on January 10, 1984; U.S. Patent 4,950,264, entitled "Thin, Flexible Sanitary Napkin", issued to Osborn on August 21, 1990: U.S. Patent 5,308,346, entitled "Elasticized Sanitary Napkin", issued to Sneller, et al., on May 3, 1994, and U.S. Patent 5,389,094, issued to Lavash. , et al., February 14, 1995. The main body portion 22 of the sanitary napkin 20 can also be composed of one or more extensible components such as sanitary napkins, and like described in U.S. Patent Application Serial Nos. 07 / 915,133, and 07 / 915,284, both filed July 23, 1992, under the name of Osborn, et al.

(PCT Publication Nos. WO 93/01785 and 93/01786, both published on February 4, 1993). Figures 1-3 show a preferred embodiment of sanitary napkin 20 assembled in a sandwich construction in which upper sheet 38 and rear sheet 40 they have length and width dimensions generally greater than that of the absorbent center 42. The topsheet 38 and the backsheet 40 extend beyond the edges of the absorbent center 42 to form portions of the periphery 30. The topsheet 38 is preferably bonded to the side facing toward the body of the absorbent center 42 and the back sheet 40 is preferably attached to the side that is facing the garment of the absorbent center 42. The topsheet 38 and the backsheet 40 can be attached to the absorbent center 42 in any manner known in the art for this purpose, as it is by means of an open pattern of adhesives. The portions of the topsheet 38 and the backsheet 40 that extend beyond the edges of the absorbent core 42 are preferably also joined together. These portions of the top sheet 38 and the back sheet 40 can also be joined in any suitable manner known in the art. Preferably, in the embodiment shown, these portions of the topsheet 38 and the backsheet 40 are joined using adhesives on substantially all of the portions extending beyond the edges of the absorbent center 42, and a pleating seal around the periphery 30. of the main body portion 22 where the top sheet 38 and the back sheet 40 are densified by the application of pressure or heat and pressure. The sanitary napkin 20 shown in FIGURES 1-3, as discussed above, also comprises a pair of wings 24 which are attached to the main body portion 22. The wings 24 extend laterally outwardly beyond the longitudinal side edges 26 of the main body portion 22 of its edge 44 proximate its distant edges (or "free ends") 46. The wings 24 extend laterally outward from at least a portion of the first section 36 of the main body portion 22 and most of the wings 24 extend in the first region 39 divided by the bending axes Fl and F2. The wings 24 can be attached to the main body portion 22 in any suitable manner. The term "joined", as used herein, includes configurations in which one element is directly secured to another element by joining the element directly to the other element; the configurations in which the elements are indirectly secured to the other element by joining the element to the member or members which in turn is attached to the other element; and configurations in which one element is integrated with another element, that is, one element is essentially part of the other element. Preferably, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3, the wings 24 are integrated with the main body portion 22 (ie, the wings 24 comprise integral extensions of the rear leaf 40. Alternatively, the wings 24 may comprise integral extensions. of the upper sheet 38 and the rear sheet 40). In other alternative embodiments, the wings 24 may comprise one or more separate components that are attached to the side facing toward the garment of the main body portion 22. Preferably, in such a case, the wings 24 each comprise a component separate that attaches to the side facing the garment of the main body portion 22. In such alternative embodiments, the wings 24 preferably do not otherwise join the side facing the garment of the body portion 22 of the sanitary napkin 20 between the points where they are attached to the main body portion 22 and the longitudinal side edges 26 of the main body portion 22. The wings 24 in these latter embodiments can be attached to the side facing towards the garment of the main body portion 22 by any joining mechanism. Suitable bonding mechanisms include, but are not limited to, adhesives, and the like. The wings 24 can be attached to the main body portion 22 by different methods of joining one to the other.

The places or regions in the sanitary napkin 20 where the wings 24 join (or extend from) the main body portion 22, are referred to herein as "junctions". These regions will typically be longitudinally oriented (or "longitudinal") junctions, such as junction lines 48. These regions may be curved or straight lines, but are not limited to lines. In this way, the joints may comprise ridges, strips, intermittent lines, and the like. The wings 24 may be of any desired configuration, with a preferred configuration shown in FIGURE 1. FIGURE 1 shows that the wings 24 are provided with extensibility zones (or "difference extensibility zones") 56 on the front edge and the trailing edge of each wing 24. The zones of extensibility 56 release tensions that are created in the wings 24 by folding the wings 24 around the crotch of the wearer's underwear. The extensibility zones 56 thereby help to eliminate the e of the wings 24 caused by said stresses. Preferably, in the embodiment shown in FIGURE 1, the zones of extensibility 56 comprise pre-corrugated or "ring-shaped laminated" regions of the wings 24 in which the corrugations 58 define ridges and valleys that are oriented at an angle a the main longitudinal L central line. Suitable structures for providing the wings 24 with extension extensibility zones 56 are described in more detail in U.S. Patent 5,389,094 issued to Lavash, et al. and commonly assigned co-pending US Patent Application 08 / 380,769 entitled "Absorbent Article Having Flaps With Gathered Portions" filed under the "name of Sue A. Mills, et al., on January 30, 1995. The sanitary napkin 20 preferably it also has fasteners for securing the sanitary napkin 20 in place in the wearer's underwear, Figures 1 and 2 show a preferred arrangement of fasteners which comprise a main body portion fastener (or central pad) such as an adhesive. central pad 74, and wing clips, such as wing adhesives 76. The fasteners used with sanitary napkin 20 are not limited to adhesive fasteners Any suitable type of fastener known in the art can be used for this purpose. , the sanitary napkin 20 could be secured in place in the wearer's underwear by mechanical fasteners, such as VELCRO® or by a combination ion of adhesive fasteners. However, for simplicity, the fasteners will be described in terms of adhesive fasteners and these fasteners are preferably pressure sensitive adhesive fasteners. Suitable pressure sensitive adhesive fasteners are described in detail in U.S. Patent 4,917,697.

The adhesive 74 of the central pad and the adhesive 76 of the wings can be provided in any suitable configuration. In the preferred embodiment shown, the adhesive 74 of the central pad is provided in the form of a longitudinally oriented strip of adhesive that is centered around the main longitudinal center line L. The wing adhesives 76 are provided in the form of a generally rectangular patch of adhesive on each wing 24. The central pad adhesive 74 provides adhesive attachment means for securing the main body portion 22 of the sanitary napkin 20 at the portion of the between leg of a underwear. The wing adhesives 76 are used to help keep the wings 24 in position after they have been wrapped around the edges of the under-leg portion of a underwear. The wings can be held in position by fixing the wings 24 to the underwear or the opposite wing. Figures 1-4 and 6-7 show a preferred version of the wrapper 78 of the present invention. As shown in FIGURE 1, the envelope, generally designated by the reference number 78, comprises several elements. These elements may comprise integral portions of a single member or article, or may comprise separate components attached to a member or article. The elements comprising the wrapper 78 include: a main wrapper sheet 80; an optional release component, such as a release paper (or release liner) 82 disposed on one side of the main wrap sheet 80; a wing clip cover, such as a wing adhesive cover 81. The main wrap sheet 80 (or "wrap sheet") is the portion of the wrap 78 which is to be folded around the sanitary napkin 20 to provide an individual package for the sanitary napkin 20. The main shroud sheet 80 preferably covers and is releasably attached to the central pad adhesive 74. The main shroud sheet 80 preferably has dimensions that are slightly larger than that of the body portion main 22 of the sanitary napkin 20. Preferably, as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 7, the main wrap sheet 80 has longitudinal side portions 80D which extend beyond the longitudinal side edges 26 of the body portion main 22 of the sanitary napkin 20. The main shroud sheet 80 preferably also has a first end portion 80A and a second portion of end 80B which extend beyond the end edges 28 of the main body portion 22 of the sanitary napkin 20. It is recognized, however, that satisfactory protection of the sanitary napkin 20 can be achieved by a wrapping that does not is larger than the main body portion 22 of the sanitary napkin 20. The main shroud sheet 80 may be made of any suitable material. The main wrap sheet 80 is preferably made of a thin flexible material which is impervious to the liquid so that the wrap 78 may be suitable for wrapping and discarding a used sanitary napkin 20. For example, polyethylene films have been found to work all right. The main wrapping sheet 80 can be provided with the optional release component, as is the release paper (or release liner) 82 so that the main wrapping sheet 80 can be released from the adhesive of the central pad 74 when the The user removes the sanitary napkin 20 from the wrapper 78. If a separate release paper is used, it may comprise any suitable material known in the art for this purpose, such as coated papers. Suitable release papers are described in U.S. Patent 4,917,697. Such release paper 82 may be laminated to the inner surface of the main wrapper sheet 80 as shown in Figures 3 and 6. If a release coating is used, the coating may be applied directly to the inner surface of the sheet. of main wrapping 80. Such a coating may comprise any material known in the art for this purpose, preferring coatings with silicone. If a coating is used, the coating 82 can be provided by coating only that area of the main wrapping sheet 80 which will substantially be in contact with the central pad adhesive 74. Alternatively, the entire inner surface of the main wrapping sheet 80 It can be coated. The coating of the entire inner part of an envelope is described in United States Patent 5,181,610 entitled "Flexible Container with Nonstick Interior" which is issued to Quick et al. on January 26, 1993. The wing adhesive cover (or "wing release strip") 81 covers and protects the adhesives of the wing 76 and keeps the wings 24 in a folded position on the top sheet 38 for packaging . In the preferred embodiment shown in Figures 1, 2 and 6, the wing adhesive cover 81 is placed in the third region 43 and is adjacent to the second end portion 80B of the main cover sheet 80 in a folded configuration. The wing adhesive cover 81 is bent to interpose the second end portion 80B and the end edge 28 of the sanitary napkin 20. The wing adhesive cover 81 is preferably attached to the main cover sheet 80. As shown in FIGURE 4, the wing adhesive cover 81 may preferably extend into the first region 39 in a tapered configuration before the wing adhesive cover 81 is bent and joined to the main wrap sheet 80. The flange adhesive cover 81 preferably comprises a single sheet having a first end portion 81C, a second end portion 81D and a pair of longitudinal side portions 81E. The wing adhesive cover 81 also comprises a transverse bend axis F3, a first portion 84 and a second portion 85. The transverse bend axis F3 divides the wing adhesive cover 81 into the first portion 84 and the second portion 85. The first portion 84 extends from the transverse bending axis F3 to the bending axis F2 generally in the first region 39 and the second portion 85 extends from the transverse bending axis F3 to the first end portion 80A of the envelope Main generally in the second region 41. The first portion 84 covers and protects the wing adhesives 76 and the second portion 85 is attached to the main wrapping sheet 80. The wing adhesive cover 81 also has two faces, one of which is a non-tacky face (or releasable face) 81A, which is capable of releasably attaching with the wing clips, and an opposite face or side 81B. Preferably, as shown in FIGURE 4, the non-tacky face 81A of the wing adhesive cover 81 is facing toward the adhesives of the wing 76 in a stretched configuration so that it is capable of releasably adhering to the wing adhesive. 76. When the wing clips 76 comprise adhesive fasteners, the non-tacky face 81A may be provided by attaching a separate release paper or element to the wing adhesive cover 81 which is treated with a non-tacky material, or treating all or a portion of the wing adhesive cover 81 with a non-tacky coating, such as by silicon coating a portion of the wing adhesive cover 81. Alternatively, if the wing clips 76 comprise mechanical fasteners, such as the VELCRO® fasteners. , the non-sticky face may be provided with a non-woven material capable of being released and coupling the mechanical fastening material. The opposite side 81B is away from the first wing adhesives 76. The opposite side 8IB of the wing adhesive cover 81 does not need, and preferably does not have, a release liner thereon. The wing adhesive cover 81, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, is attached to the main wrapping sheet 80 in a folded configuration. The wing adhesive cover 81 is bent around the transverse bend axis F3 so that the main wrapping sheet 80 in the third region 43 is interposed between the first portion 84 and the second portion 85 of the wing adhesive cover 81. Alternatively, the wing adhesive cover 81 may be bent around the transverse bend axis Fl. In such a case, the transverse bending axis F3 may coincide with the bending axis Fl. In the bent configuration, the opposite side 81B is facing towards the inside and the non-sticky face 81A is facing towards the outside. As shown in FIGURE 6, the opposite side 81B of the second portion 85 is attached to the outer surface of the sheet 80 of the main wrapper in the third region 43 adjacent to the second end position 80B of the wrapper sheet 80 principal by applying a layer 83 of adhesive. The wing adhesive cover 81 may have any suitable shape, although the figures represent a configuration of wing adhesive 81 which has a width and length sufficient to cover and protect the adhesives of the first wings 76. The envelope 78 preferably also comprises an optional package holder 86 for retaining the package formed by folding the wrap and sanitary napkin in its folded configuration. The pack holder 86 may be attached to the first end portion 80A of the main wrapping sheet. The package fastener 86 can be releasably attached to the package and can be resealed. The package fastener 86 may be comprised of any resealable and releasably attachable fastener known in the art., such as spot or adhesive patches, adhesive tapes and mechanical fasteners. A tab of adhesive tape with a pressure sensitive adhesive located thereon has been found to work well. The package fastener 86 may be disposed at any suitable location in the wrapper 78. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, the package fastener 86 is preferably placed in the first opposite end portion 80A of the first wrap sheet Main 80. For the initial packing of the sanitary napkin 20 in the wrapper 78, the side facing toward the garment 20B of the main body portion 22 is placed on the upper part of the main wrapper sheet 80. The towel sanitary 20 is positioned in such a way that the central pad holder 74 lies on the release paper or release liner 82 on the main wrapping sheet 80. The wings 24 are then preferably folded over the upper sheet 38 so that the wings 24 are in a configuration shown in Figures 2 and 3. By folding the wings 24 in the configuration shown in Figures 2 and 3, the patches of adhesive 76 arranged in the sides that are facing towards the garment of the wings 24 and causes the wings 24 to cover at least a portion of the upper sheet 38. By folding the wings 24 onto the upper sheet 38 it can thus be considered that they provide a degree of protection to prevent the top sheet 38 from leaving before use. In alternative embodiments, where one or both of the wings 24 have a greater extension (that is, their dimension is measured in the transverse dimension), the wings 24 can be folded over the upper sheet 38 so that one of the first wings 24 at least partially it is superimposed on the other wing 24 as shown in FIGURE 5. The wing 24B is superimposed, joins, and protects the wing attachment means 76 of the wing 24A. The wing adhesive cover 84 will then be overlaid, attached and will protect the wing clip 76 of the wing 24B. After folding the wings 24 on the upper sheet 38, the sanitary napkin 20 and the main wrapping sheet 80 will then preferably be bent to form three regions that are defined by the bending axes Fl and F2 shown in FIGURE 2. The shafts fold F and F2 will divide both the sanitary napkin 20 and the main shroud sheet 80 into three regions comprising the first region 39, the second region 41 and the third region 43. As shown in FIGURE 2, the central region (the first region) 39 is between the preferred fold axes Fl and F2. The second and third regions 41 and 43 are longitudinally outward of the bending axes Fl and F2. As described above, the main body portion 22 is also separated on the fold axes Fl and F2 to form three sections comprising the first section 36, the second section 34, and the third section 32. Each section 36, 34 and 32 generally extend in each region 39, 41 and 43 respectively. FIGURE 8 represents the package for the sanitary napkins formed by folding the wrapper 78 and the sanitary napkin 20 in a preferred configuration for transport, sale and for the user to transport it conveniently. After the wings 24 are folded over the upper sheet 38 as described above, the first portion 84 of the wing adhesive cover 81 is placed over the sanitary napkin 20 in the third region 43 so that the non-tacky face 81A the wing adhesive cover 81 is facing outwards (refer to FIGURE 2). As shown in FIGURE 8, the third region 43 (i.e., the second end portion 80B of the main envelope 80, together with the third section 32 of the main body portion 22, and the cover 81 of the wing clip bent) is bent around the fold axis F2 over the first region 39 (ie, the central portion 80C of the main casing 80, the first section 36 of the portion 22 of the main body, the wings 24 and the wing adhesives 76). When bent in this manner, the non-sticky face 81A of the first portion 84 of the wing adhesive cover 81 is placed over the wing clips 76 and releasably attached to each patch 76 of adhesive. In addition, the wing adhesive cover 81 provides a connection between each wing 24 extending the wings 24, thereby keeping the wings 24 in the desired position until the wing adhesive cover 81 is removed. After that, the second region 41 (ie, the first end portion 80A of the main casing 80, together with the second section 34 of the main body portion 22) is folded about the fold axis Fl over the third region. 43. By pressing the adhesive tape tab 86 on the outside of the wrapper 78 in the position shown in FIGURE 8, the sanitary pad 20, its wings 24 and the wrapper 78 remain in the configuration shown. Preferably, to complete the individual packing of the sanitary napkin 20 in the wrapper 78 of the present invention, each longitudinal side edge 80D of the main wrapper sheet 80 is then frangibly sealed after the sanitary napkin 20 and the wrapper 78 are in place. the bent configuration shown in FIGURE 9. The frangible seal of the side edges 80D of the main wrapper sheet 80 can be achieved by any suitable sealing technique. By way of example, the longitudinal side edges 80D may be heat sealable, adhesive, or ultrasonically bonded as shown in FIGURE 10. All sanitary napkin 20 is thereby protected until the envelope 78 is opened. Suitable methods for tangibly sealing the longitudinal side edges are described in U.S. Patent 4,556,146, issued to S anson. The various embodiments of the wrapper 78 described herein can be made in any suitable way. The wing adhesive cover 81 can be made of the same material as the main wrapping sheet or any adhesive cover material known in the art, the wing adhesive cover 81, if they are separate elements, can be attached to the sheet of main wrap 80 at any time during the manufacture of the individually packaged sanitary napkin 20 of the present invention. Preferably, to facilitate manufacture, the wing adhesive cover 81 will be attached to the main wrapping sheet 80 after the sanitary napkin 20 is already placed on the main wrapping sheet 80. This will eliminate the need to temporarily remove the Wing adhesive cover 81 of the main wrapping sheet 80 to allow the sanitary napkin 20 to be placed on the main wrapping sheet 80. The release liner or release paper 82 in the main wrapping sheet 80, the surface does not sticky 81A and the wing adhesive cover 81 are preferably applied before the wing adhesive cover 81 is attached to the main cover sheet 80. More preferably, to facilitate manufacture, the wing adhesive cover 81 can be place on the wings 24 as shown in FIGURE 10, before the wing adhesive cover 81 attaches to the main cover sheet 80. The non-sticky surface 81A of the wing adhesive cover 81 covers the adhesives of the first wings 76. In addition, the wing adhesive cover 81 covers and protects most of the body contact surface 20A from being contaminated while the article is manufactured. absorbent. Opposite sides 81B of the second portion 85, which are not releasably treated can be provided with the adhesive layer 83 adjacent the second end portion 8ID, either before or after the wing adhesive cover 81 is placed on the wings 24. Alternately, the adhesive layer 83 may be provided with the region 83A of the outer surface of the main wrapping sheet 80 in the third region 43. The third region 43 is bent over the first region 39 about the bend axis Fl. After that, the second region 41 is bent over the third region 43 which is already bent over the first region 39. When the second region 41 is bent, the adhesive layer 83 applied to the flange adhesive cover 81 is bonded not detachably to region 83A at second end portion 80B of main wrapping sheet 80. When the individually packaged sanitary napkin 20 is opened, the wing adhesive cover 81 is removed from the wings 24, but remains with the second portion 80B of the main wrapping sheet 80. The consumer will ordinarily carry the individually packaged sanitary napkin of the present invention in the manner shown in FIGURES 8 and 9. As shown in FIGURE 11, the individually packaged sanitary napkin of the present invention can be opened by peeling off the adhesive tape flange 86 from the wrapper 78 and breaking the frangible seals along the longitudinal side edges 80D of sheet 80 of the main wrapping. This gives the consumer access to the end edge 28 of the main body portion 22 of the second region 41. The consumer will then be able to hold the end edge 28 of the main body portion 22 of the second region 41 and pull the flange 86. of sanitary napkin adhesive tape 20 as shown in Figure 11. As the sanitary napkin 20 is separated from the sheath 78, the adhesive 74 of the central pad is separated from the release paper 82. When the first section 36 and the second section 34 of the main body portion 22 are separated from the sheath 78, the first portion 84 of the wing adhesive cover 81 begins to separate from the wing adhesives 76 provided on the wings 24. as shown in FIGURE 12. The sanitary napkin 20 is additionally pulled from the wrap 78, the sanitary napkin 20 and the sheath 78 are separated from one another. The separation of the sanitary napkin 20 from the wrapper 78 is preferably achieved with a single movement. Once the sanitary napkin is removed from the wrapper 78 and installed in the wearer's underwear, the consumer can fold the wrap 78, secure the wrap 78 in its bent orientation by re-attaching the release tape tab 86 to the wrapping 78. The consumer can then store the folded wrap 78 to re-wrap and dispose of the used sanitary napkin. The user need not worry about collecting and discarding the free-wing adhesive release strips, which were previously required, since all the release strips are either attached to, or integrated into the wrapper 78. The present invention, It both provides the user with a clean sanitary napkin 20, which is easily installed and without additional pieces of waste, which must be collected. Figures 14 to 17 show another preferred embodiment of the present invention. The sanitary napkin 20 shown in FIGURE 14, generally has the same structure as the sanitary napkin shown in Figures 1 and 2. The sheath 178 comprises several elements. The elements comprising the wrapper 178 include: a main wrap sheet 180; a release paper (main fastener cover) 182 disposed on one side of the main wrap sheet 180; a wing adhesive cover 181. The wing adhesive cover 181 generally has the same structure as the wing adhesive cover shown in Figures 1 and 2. As shown in FIGURE 14, the end edge 28 of the sanitary napkin 20 extends beyond the second end portion 18OB of the main wrapping sheet 180 in the third region 43. The release paper 182 comprises a pair of longitudinal side portions 182A, a pair of end portions 182B and 182C, an interior surface 182D and an exterior surface 182E. The inner surface 182D covers the adhesive of the central pad 74 of the main body portion 22. At least a portion of the outer surface 182E is connected to the inner surface of the main wrap sheet 180. The end portion 182B release paper 182 in the third region 43 also extends beyond the second end portion 18OB of the main wrapping sheet 180. The outer surface 182E of the end portion 182B is exposed outside. The flange adhesive cover 181 is attached to the outer surface 182E of the end portion 182B in a configuration bent by a layer of adhesive 183. FIGURE 17 depicts the packing for the sanitary towel formed by folding the wrapper 178 and the sanitary napkin 20 in a preferred configuration for transport, sale, and for the user to carry it conveniently.

The descriptions of all patents, patent applications (and any patents issued below, as well as any corresponding published foreign patent applications) and publications mentioned in this description are incorporated herein for reference. However, it is not expressly allowed that any of the documents incorporated for reference herein teach or describe the present invention. It should be recognized that the above detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is given merely by way of illustration and that numerous modifications and variations may be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention will be determined by reference to the appended claims

Claims (10)

1. An individually packaged absorbent article characterized in that it comprises: (a) an absorbent article extending in a longitudinal direction and comprising a main body portion having a pair of longitudinal side edges, a pair of end edges, a surface of garment, and a body surface, wherein the garment surface of the main body portion can be placed in a wearer's underwear, and the absorbent article comprises a pair of wings attached to the main body portion and that they extend laterally outwardly beyond the longitudinal side edges of the main antibody portion, wherein the garment surface of each of the wings comprises a wing clip, and the wings are bent over the body surface of the portion of main body to expose the wing clips, (b) a wrap for the absorbent article, the shell comprises a wrap sheet main and a wing clip cover, wherein (c) the main wrap sheet comprises a pair of longitudinal side portions, a pair of end portions, an inner surface facing towards the main body portion and a surface outside, the main wrapping sheet is positioned adjacent to the garment surface of the main body portion, wherein the main wrapping sheet and the main body portion of the absorbent article comprise two transverse axes and three regions divided by the two axes, wherein the three regions comprise a first region in which most of the wings extend, a second region and a third region which are placed on both longitudinal sides of the first region, and the two transverse axes comprise the first axis extending laterally between the first region and the second region and the second axis extending laterally between the first was region and the third region, (d) the wing clip cover comprises a pair of longitudinal side portions, a pair of end portions, a releasable surface that is facing toward the wing wing clip, an opposite surface , a first portion, and a second portion, wherein most of the first portion extends into the first region, and the wing fastener cover is releasably attached to the wing wing fasteners, wherein (e) the The main wrapping sheet and the main body portion of the portion of the absorbent article are folded as a unit around the second axis so that most of the wings are superimposed with the body surface side of the main body portion in the third region interposing the first portion of the wing clip cover therebetween, and the main shell sheet and the main body portion of the absorbent article are folded as a A unit around the first axis so that the surface side of the body of the main body portion in the second region is superimposed with the outer surface side of the main wrapping sheet by interposing the second portion of the wing fastener cover. between these, and (f) at least a portion of the second portion of the wing fastener cover is attached to the outer surface of the main wrapping sheet.

2. The absorbent article according to claim 1, characterized in that the wing clip cover comprises a single separate element attached to the main wrap sheet.

3. The absorbent article according to claim 1, characterized in that the casing further comprises a cover of the main fastener, wherein the main fastener cover comprises a pair of longitudinal side portions, a pair of end portions, an inner surface and a surface outer, wherein the inner surface covers the main fastener of the main body portion and at least a portion of the outer surface is connected to the inner surface of the main wrap sheet.

. The absorbent article according to claim 1, characterized in that the longitudinal side portions of the main wrapping sheet extend beyond the longitudinal side edges of the main body portion, and at least one of the end portions of the main wrapping sheet extends beyond the end edge of the main body portion.

5. The absorbent article according to claim * 4, characterized in that the end portion of the main wrapping sheet of the second region extends beyond the end edge of the main body portion of the second region, wherein the portion The end of the main wrapping sheet joins the outer surface of the main wrapping sheet.

6. The absorbent article according to claim 5, characterized in that the second portion of the wing clip cover is attached to the outer surface of the main shell sheet of the third region in at least one point adjacent to the end portion. of the main wrapping sheet of the second region.

7. The absorbent article according to claim 4, characterized in that the end portion of the main wrapping sheet of the third region extends beyond the end edge of the main body portion of the third region.

8. The absorbent article according to claim 8, characterized in that a part of the wing fastener cover is attached to the inner surface of the main wrapping sheet at the end portion of the main wrapping sheet of the third region.

9. An individually packaged absorbent article, characterized in that it comprises: (a) an absorbent article that extends in a longitudinal direction and comprises a main body portion having a pair of longitudinal side edges, a pair of end edges, a garment surface , and a body surface, wherein the garment surface of the main body portion can be placed in the undergarments of the wearer, and the absorbent article comprises a pair of wings attached to the main body portion and extending laterally. outwardly beyond the longitudinal side edges of the main body portion and a pair of second wings attached to the main body portion away from the first wings in a longitudinal direction and extending laterally outwardly beyond the lateral edges longitudinal portions of the main body portion, wherein the garment surface of each of the wings comprises a wing clip, and the wings are folded over the body surface of the main body portion to expose the wing clips, (b) a shell for the absorbent article, the shell comprises a main shell sheet and a cover wing clip, wherein (c) the main wrap sheet comprises a pair of longitudinal side portions, a pair of end portions, an interior surface and an exterior surface, (d) the main fastener cover comprises a pair of portions longitudinal sides, a pair of end portions, an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the inner surface covers the main fastener of the main body portion and at least a portion of the outer surface is connected to the inner surface of the main body portion. the main wrapping sheet, wherein the main wrapping sheet, the main bra cover and the main body portion of the article abs orbent comprise two transverse axes and three regions divided by the two axes, wherein the three regions comprise a first region between a first region in which the majority of the wings extends, a second region and a third region that are placed in the two longitudinal sides of the first region, and the two transverse axes comprise the first axis that extends laterally between the first region and the second region and the second axis extends laterally between the first region and the third region, (e) the wing fastener cover comprises a pair of longitudinal side portions, a pair of end portions, a releasable surface facing towards the wing clips, an opposite surface, wherein the wing clip cover is releasably attached to the wing clips, wherein ( f) the main cover sheet and the main body portion of the absorbent article are folded to form a unit around the second axis so that the majority of the wings superimposed with the body surface side of the main body portion in the third region with the first interposed portion of the wrapper with the wing clamp cover therebetween, and the main wrap sheet and the cue portion The main portion of the absorbent article is folded as a unit in the first axis so that the side of the body surface of the main body portion in the second region interposing with the side of the garment surface of the main body portion in the third region interposed to the second portion of the wing clip cover therebetween, and (g) at least a portion of the second portion of the wing clip cover is attached to the main fastener cover.

10. The absorbent article according to claim 8, characterized in that the end portion of the main fastener cover extends beyond the end portion of the main wrapping sheet to the end edge of the main body portion of the third. region, wherein a portion of the second region of the wing clip cover is attached to the end portion of the main fastener cover. SUMMARY The absorbent article extends in a longitudinal direction and comprises a main body portion (22) having a pair of longitudinal side edges, a pair of end edges, a garment surface, and a body surface. The absorbent article comprises a pair of wings 24 attached to the main body portion and extending laterally outwardly beyond the longitudinal side edges of the main body portion. The garment surface of each of the wings comprises a wing fastener (76) and the wings are bent over the body surface of the main body portion to expose the "wing fastener." A wrapper (78) for the article The absorbent comprises a main wrapping sheet (80) and a wing fastener cover (81) The wing fastener cover comprises a pair of longitudinal side portions, a pair of end portions, a release surface that is viewed towards the flange fastener of the wings, an opposite surface, a first portion, and a second portion.Most of the first portion extends into the first region, and the wing fastener cover is releasably joined to Wing wing clips The main wrapping sheet and the main body portion of the absorbent article are folded as a unit around the second axis so that "most of the wings are superimposed with the body surface side of the main body portion in the third region interposing the first portion of the wing clip cover therebetween. At least a portion of the second portion of the wing clip cover is attached to the outer surface of the main wrap sheet.