AN INDIVIDUALLY PACKED SANITARY ARTICLE

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a folded sanitary article (100,200), such as a sanitary napkin or a pantiliner T the sanitary article comprises a topsheet (102,202), a backsheet (103,203) and an absorbent core (104,204) arranged between the topsheet (102,202) and the backsheet (103,203). The sanitary article (100,200) extends in a longitudinal direction (L) and in a transverse direction (T). The sanitary article (100,200) has a first longitudinal side edge (105,205), a second longitudinal side edge (106,206), a front edge (107,207) and a rear edge (108,208). The sanitary article (100,200) has a first fastening wing (109,209) extending at the first longitudinal side edge (105,205) and a second fastening wing (110,210) extending at the second longitudinal side edge (106,206). The first and second fastening wings (109,110,209,210) are asymmetrical with respect to each other, as seen along any longitudinal axis extending in the longitudinal direction (L). The absorbent core (104,204) comprises an absorbent core front edge (111,211), an absorbent core rear edge (112,212), an absorbent core first longitudinal side edge (113,213) and an absorbent core second longitudinal side edge (114,214), the absorbent core (104) having an absorbent core width (Wabs) and a maximum absorbent core width (wabsMAx). The first and the second fastening wings (109,110) of the sanitary article (100,200) are folded onto the topsheet (102,202) of the sanitary article (100,200). The folded sanitary article (100,200) has a folded article width (Wf) and the folded article width (wrs) is not more than 10 mm greater than the maximum absorbent core width (WabsMAx). The present disclosure also relates to a package including a plurality of folded sanitary articles and an array of folded sanitary articles.

Claims

1. A folded sanitary article, such as a sanitary napkin or a pantiliner, the folded sanitary article comprising a topsheet, a backsheet and an absorbent core arranged between the topsheet and the backsheet, the sanitary article extending in a longitudinal direction (L) and in a transverse direction (T), the sanitary article having a first longitudinal side edge, a second longitudinal side edge, a front edge and a rear edge, the sanitary article having a first fastening wing extending outboard at the first longitudinal side edge and a second fastening wing extending outboard at the second longitudinal side edge, the absorbent core comprising an absorbent core front edge, an absorbent core rear edge, an absorbent core first longitudinal side edge and an absorbent core second longitudinal side edge, the absorbent core having an absorbent core width (w.sub.abs) and a maximum absorbent core width (w.sub.absMAX), the first and the second fastening wings of the sanitary article being folded onto the topsheet of the sanitary article, the folded sanitary article having a folded article width (w.sub.f), wherein the first and second fastening wings are asymmetrical with respect to each other, as seen along the longitudinal axis and that the folded article width (w.sub.f) is not more than 10 mm greater than the maximum absorbent core width (w.sub.absMAX).

2. The folded sanitary article according to claim 1, wherein the first and second fastening wings are asymmetrical with respect to any transverse axis extending in the transverse direction (T).

3. The folded sanitary article according to claim 1, wherein the first and the second fastening wings are symmetrically disposed with respect to each other along a diagonal axis extending in a direction (D), in the plane of the sanitary article and with an angle α within the range of from 10° to 65° with respect to a longitudinal centerline (C.sub.L) of the sanitary article, optionally with an angle α within the range of from 30° to 55° with respect to a longitudinal centerline (C.sub.L) of the sanitary article.

4. The folded sanitary article according to claim 1, wherein the first fastening wing has a first wing edge section and the second fastening wing has a second fastening wing edge section, the first and second fastening wing edge sections being arranged opposite and adjacent each other when being folded onto the topsheet of the sanitary article and a distance (d) between the first wing edge section and the second wing edge section is from 0 to 25 mm, optionally the distance (d) between the first wing edge section and the second wing edge section is from 0 to 10 mm.

5. The folded sanitary article according to claim 1, wherein the first fastening wing has a first fastening wing maximum width (w.sub.fm1) and the second fastening wing has a second fastening wing maximum width (w.sub.fm2), each of the fastening wing maximum widths (w.sub.fm1, w.sub.fm2) being measured from the respective first and a second longitudinal edge of the absorbent core and at the widest section of the respective fastening wing as seen in the transverse direction (T), and wherein the sum of the fastening wing maximum widths (w.sub.fm1+w.sub.fm2) is more than 10 mm greater than the absorbent core width (w.sub.absMID), as measured at a transverse centerline (C.sub.T) of the sanitary article.

6. The folded sanitary article according to claim 1, wherein the folded sanitary article is a tri-folded sanitary article, being folded about a first and a second transverse folding line.

7. The folded sanitary article according to claim 6, wherein the absorbent core has an essentially rectangular or square folded shape.

8. The folded sanitary article according to claim 6, wherein the absorbent core has an essentially rectangular shape having an absorbent core width (w.sub.abs) not varying more than ±20 mm along a length of the absorbent core.

9. The folded sanitary article according to claim 6, wherein the absorbent core has an essentially rectangular shape having an absorbent core width (w.sub.abs) not varying more than ±10 mm along a length of the absorbent core.

10. The folded sanitary article according to claim 6, wherein the folded sanitary article is individually packed in a wrapping sheet, the wrapping sheet having first and second transverse sheet edges and first and second longitudinal sheet edges, a sheet width (w.sub.ws) extending between the first and the second sheet longitudinal edge.

11. The folded sanitary article (100) according to claim 10, wherein the wrapping sheet (18) comprising a first and a second longitudinal sealing area sealing the respective first and second longitudinal edges of the wrapping sheet.

12. The folded sanitary article according to claim 11, wherein a distance between the first longitudinal absorbent core edge and the first longitudinal sealing area of the wrapping sheet and a distance between the second longitudinal absorbent core edge and the second longitudinal sealing area of the wrapping sheet each ranges from 0 mm to 50 mm, as seen along the entire length of the absorbent core, optionally each ranges from 5 mm to 25 mm, as seen along the entire length of the absorbent core.

13. The folded sanitary article according to claim 10, wherein the sheet width (w.sub.ws) is not more than 60% greater than the width (w.sub.absMID) of the absorbent core, as measured at the transverse centerline (C.sub.T), optionally the sheet width (w.sub.ws) is not more than 40% greater than the width (w.sub.absMID) of the absorbent core, as measured at the transverse centerline (C.sub.T).

14. The folded sanitary article according to claim 10, wherein a distance between the first longitudinal absorbent core edge and the first longitudinal sheet edge and a distance between the second longitudinal absorbent core edge and the second longitudinal sheet edge each ranges from 0 mm to 35 mm, optionally each ranges from 5 mm to 30 mm.

15. The folded sanitary article according to claim 10, wherein a total surface area of the wrapping sheet is maximum 150% greater than a total surface area of the absorbent core.

16. The folded sanitary article according to claim 10, wherein the total surface area of the wrapping sheet is maximum 120% greater than the total surface area of the absorbent core.

17. The folded sanitary article according to claim 10, wherein the sanitary article is wrapped by a wrapping sheet having a wrapping sheet length (l.sub.ws) being from 75% to 135% of a length (l.sub.s) of the sanitary article.

18. The folded sanitary article according to claim 10, wherein the wrapping sheet length (l.sub.ws) is from 75% to 100% of the length (l.sub.s) of the sanitary article.

19. A package including a plurality of folded sanitary articles, such as a sanitary napkins or a pantiliners, each of the folded sanitary articles comprising a topsheet, a backsheet and an absorbent core arranged between the topsheet and the backsheet, each of the sanitary articles extending in a longitudinal direction (L) and in a transverse direction (T), each of the sanitary articles having a first longitudinal side edge, a second longitudinal side edge, a front edge and a rear edge, each of the sanitary articles having a first fastening wing extending outboard at the first longitudinal side edge and a second fastening wing extending outboard at the second longitudinal side edge, the absorbent core comprising an absorbent core front edge, an absorbent core rear edge, an absorbent core first longitudinal side edge and an absorbent core second longitudinal side edge, the absorbent core having an absorbent core width (wabs) and a maximum absorbent core width (wabsMAX), the first and the second fastening wings of each of the sanitary articles being folded onto the topsheet thereof, each of the folded sanitary articles having a folded article width (wf), wherein the first and second fastening wings are asymmetrical with respect to each other, as seen along the longitudinal axis and that the folded article width (wf) is not more than 10 mm greater than the maximum absorbent core width (wabsMAX) .

20. An array of folded sanitary articles , such as a sanitary napkins or a pantiliners, wherein each of the folded sanitary articles includes a topsheet, a backsheet and an absorbent core arranged between the topsheet and the backsheet, each of the sanitary articles extending in a longitudinal direction (L) and in a transverse direction (T), each of the sanitary articles having a first longitudinal side edge, a second longitudinal side edge, a front edge and a rear edge, each of the sanitary articles having a first fastening wing extending outboard at the first longitudinal side edge and a second fastening wing extending outboard at the second longitudinal side edge, the absorbent core comprising an absorbent core front edge, an absorbent core rear edge, an absorbent core first longitudinal side edge and an absorbent core second longitudinal side edge, the absorbent core having an absorbent core width (wabs) and a maximum absorbent core width (wabsMAX), the first and the second fastening wings of each of the sanitary articles being folded onto the topsheet thereof, each of the folded sanitary articles having a folded article width (wf), wherein the first and second fastening wings are asymmetrical with respect to each other, as seen along the longitudinal axis and that the folded article width (wf) is not more than 10 mm greater than the maximum absorbent core width (wabsMAX) , the array comprising a first folded sanitary article the folded sanitary articles and a second folded sanitary article of the folded sanitary articles, wherein the first folded sanitary article has a first sanitary article length (l.sub.s1) and the second folded sanitary article has a second folded sanitary article length (l.sub.s2) and wherein the a first sanitary article length (l.sub.s1) is at least 20% longer than the second folded sanitary article length (l.sub.s2).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0058] The present invention will be further explained hereinafter by means of non-limiting examples and with reference to the appended drawings wherein:

[0059] FIG. 1 illustrates an unfolded sanitary article according to the present disclosure;

[0060] FIG. 2 illustrates an unfolded alternative sanitary article according to the present disclosure;

[0061] FIG. 3a-3f illustrate folding and wrapping of a sanitary article according to FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0062] The invention will be described more closely below by reference to an exemplary embodiment. The invention may however be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth in the drawings and the description thereto.

[0063] FIG. 1 illustrates a sanitary article 100 according to the present disclosure. The sanitary article comprising a topsheet 102, a backsheet 103 and an absorbent core 104 arranged between the topsheet 102 and the backsheet 103. The sanitary article 100 extends in a longitudinal direction L and in a transverse direction T. A longitudinal centerline C.sub.L of the sanitary article 100 extends in the longitudinal direction L. The sanitary article 100 has a first longitudinal side edge 105 and a second longitudinal side edge 106, a front edge 107 and a rear edge 108. The sanitary article 100 has a first fastening wing 109 extending outboard at the first longitudinal side edge 105 and a second fastening wing 110 extending outboard at the second longitudinal side edge 106. The absorbent core 104 comprises an absorbent core front edge 111, an absorbent core rear edge 112, an absorbent core first longitudinal side edge 113 and a second longitudinal side edge 114. The absorbent core 104 has an absorbent core width wabs and a maximum absorbent core width w.sub.absMAX. Since the absorbent core 104 depicted in this figure has an essentially rectangular shape, the absorbent core width wabs is equal to the maximum absorbent core width w.sub.absMAX along the entire length of the absorbent core 104. The first and the second fastening wing 109,110 are asymmetrical with respect to any transverse axis extending in the transverse axis and with respect to each other, as seen along a longitudinal axis extending in a longitudinal direction L. The first and the second fastening wings 109,110 are furthermore symmetrically disposed with respect to each other along a diagonal axis extending in a direction D in the plane of the sanitary article and with an angle α within the range of from 10° to 65° with respect to the longitudinal centerline C.sub.L of the sanitary article 100, such as for example within the range of from 30° to 55°. Hence, as may be seen in this FIG. 1, the first fastening wings 109 may be a mirror-image of the second fastening wing 110 if the first fastening wings 109 is turned 180° and be arranged to extend outboard at the respective first and second longitudinal side edge 105,106 at a respective location along the respective first and second longitudinal side edge 105,106 such that they are symmetrically disposed with respect to each other.

[0064] The first fastening wing 109 has a width w.sub.f1 continuously increasing over at least 75 of the first fastening wing 9, as seen from the rear edge 108 and towards the front edge 107 of the sanitary article 100. The second fastening wing 110 has a width w.sub.f2 continuously increasing over at least 75% of the second fastening wing 100, as seen from the front edge 107 and towards the rear edge 108 of the sanitary article 100. The sum of the first and the second wing maximum widths w.sub.fm1+w.sub.fm2 is greater than a width w.sub.absMID of the absorbent core 4 as measured at the sanitary article transverse centerline C.sub.T, however due to the asymmetry of the fastening wings 109,110, the fastening wings 109,110 may be folded narrowly about the longitudinal edges 105,106 of the sanitary articles 100 in a non-overlapping configuration.

[0065] The first fastening wing 109 has a first fastening wing maximum width w.sub.fm1 and the second fastening wing 110 has a second fastening wing maximum width w.sub.fm2. The first fastening wing maximum width w.sub.fm1 is measured from the first longitudinal absorbent core edge 113 and at the widest section of the first fastening wing 109 as seen in the transverse direction T. The second fastening wing maximum width w.sub.fm2 is measured from the second longitudinal absorbent core edge 114 and at the widest section of the second fastening wings 110 as seen in the transverse direction T. The sum of the first and the second fastening wing maximum widths w.sub.fm1+w.sub.fm2 is at least 10 mm greater than the maximum absorbent core width w.sub.absMAX. The sum of the first and the second fastening wing widths w.sub.fm1+w.sub.fm2 is furthermore at least 10 mm greater than the absorbent core width w.sub.absMID, as measured at a transverse centerline C.sub.T of the sanitary article 100. In this FIG. 1, the sanitary article 100 is illustrated in an unfolded configuration.

[0066] The topsheet may include or consist of fibrous nonwoven layer(s) being spunbonded, meltblown, carded, hydroentangled, wetlaid. Suitable nonwoven materials can be composed of natural fibers, such as woodpulp or cotton fibers, synthetic thermoplastic fibers, such as polyolefins, polyesters, polyamides and blends and combinations thereof or from mixtures of natural and synthetic fibers. The materials suited as topshet material should be soft and non-irritating to the skin and be readily penetrated by body fluid, such as menstrual fluid and urine.

[0067] The absorbent core may be of any conventional kind. Examples on commonly used absorbent materials are cellulosic fluff pulp, tissue layers, highly absorbent polymers (co-called superabsorbents), absorbent foam materials, absorbent nonwoven materials or the like. It is common to combine cellulosic fluff pulp with superabsorbents in an absorbent structure. It is also common to have absorbent structures comprising layers of different material with different properties with respect to liquid acquisition capacity, liquid distribution capacity and storage capacity.

[0068] The backsheet may consist of a thin plastic film, e.g. a polyethylene or polypropylene film, a nonwoven material coated with a liquid impervious material, a hydrophobic nonwoven, which resist liquid penetration. Laminates of plastic films and nonwoven materials may also be used. The backsheet material can be breathable to allow vapor to escape from the absorbent structure, while still preventing liquids from passing through the backsheet material.

[0069] FIG. 2 illustrates a sanitary article 200 according to the present disclosure. The sanitary article 200 comprising a topsheet 202, a backsheet 203 and an absorbent core 204 positioned between the topsheet 202 and the backsheet 203. The sanitary article 200 has a longitudinal axis extending in a longitudinal direction L and a transverse axis extending in a transverse direction T. The sanitary article 200 has a first longitudinal side edge 205, a second longitudinal side edge 206, a front edge 207 and a rear edge 208. The sanitary article 200 has a first fastening wing 209 extending at the first longitudinal side edge 205 and a second fastening wing 210 extending at the second longitudinal side edge 206. The first and the second fastening wings 209,210 are asymmetrical with respect to any transverse axis and with respect to each other, as seen along the longitudinal axis and with respect to a longitudinal centerline of the sanitary article. The absorbent core 204 comprises an absorbent core front edge 211, an absorbent core rear edge 212 and absorbent core first and second longitudinal edges 213,214. The sanitary article 200 is illustrated in an unfolded configuration. However, when the sanitary article 200 is folded, it has a folded article width and the folded article width is maximum 10 mm greater than the maximum absorbent core width w.sub.absMAX. The folded article width being taken in the transverse direction T and at the widest section of the folded article. The folded sanitary article width is the width of the folded sanitary article as packaged. Hence if only the fastening wings are folded and the sanitary article is provided without transverse folding in a package, then the width is measured at the widest section along the entire length of the sanitary article. If the article is folded over one, two or three transverse fold lines, the width is measured at the final folded article.

[0070] FIGS. 3a-3f illustrate folding of the sanitary article 100 according to FIG. 1 and the wrapping of the folded sanitary article in a wrapping sheet 18 to provide an individually packaged sanitary article 300, shown in FIGS. 3e and 3f. However, the sanitary article 200 according to FIG. 2 may be folded in the same manner as illustrated in FIGS. 3a-3f. The wrapping sheet 18 has a first transverse sheet edge 19 and a second transverse sheet edge 20. The wrapping sheet 18 has a first longitudinal sheet edge 21 and a second longitudinal sheet edge 22. The wrapping sheet 18 has a sheet width w.sub.ws extending between the first sheet longitudinal edges 21 and the second sheet longitudinal edges 22. The wrapping sheet 18 comprises a first longitudinal sealing area 23 and a second longitudinal sealing area 24 sealing the respective first and second longitudinal sheet edges 21,22 of the wrapping sheet 18. The length of the sanitary article 100 is greater than a wrapping sheet length l.sub.ws, which is from 75% to 90% of the length l.sub.s of the sanitary article 100. The length l.sub.s of the sanitary article 100 corresponds to the greatest length of the sanitary article 100, meaning that if the front edge 107 and/or the rear edge 108 are irregular as in this figure a respective transverse line is drawn at the frontmost point of the front edge and at the rearmost point of the rear edge and the length is measured therebetween.

[0071] In a first step illustrated in FIG. 3a, the first and the second fastening wings 109,110 are folded onto of the topsheet 102 of the sanitary article 100. FIG. 3b illustrates the sanitary article 100 with the first and the second fastening wings 109,110 being folded on top of the topsheet 102. The first fastening wing 109 is arranged close to, such as from 0 mm to 6 mm, the second fastening wing 110 when the fastening wings 109,110 are in a folded, non-overlapping, position. When the absorbent core 104 is essentially rectangular while a width of the sanitary article 100 varies along the length of the sanitary article 100, such as if the sanitary article has an hourglass shape, a portion along the first and second longitudinal side edge 105,106 may be folded on top of the topsheet 102, essentially along the longitudinal side edges 113,114 of the absorbent core 104, such that the folded sanitary article has an essentially rectangular shape, as illustrated in FIG. 3c. As the folded longitudinal edge portions only comprise topsheet and backsheet material, the portion is very flexible and easy to fold.

[0072] In FIG. 3c, a distance between the first longitudinal absorbent core edge 113 and the first longitudinal sealing area 23 of the wrapping sheet 18 and a distance between the second longitudinal absorbent core edge 114 and the second longitudinal sealing area 24 of the wrapping sheet 18 each range from 10 mm to 25 mm, as seen along the entire length of the absorbent core 104. A distance between the first longitudinal absorbent core edge 113 and the first longitudinal sheet edge 21 and a distance between the second longitudinal absorbent core edge 114 and the second longitudinal sheet edge 22 each range from 10 mm to 35 mm. However, the distance may be from 0 mm, such as if the wrapping sheet is open along the longitudinal side edges. The distance may for example also be up to 50 mm.

[0073] In FIG. 3c, a rear portion 125 of the sanitary article 100, together with the wrapping sheet 18, is subsequently folded over central portion 126 of the sanitary article 100, about a first fold line 128 and on top of the folded fastening wings 109,110. The sanitary article 100 is provided with adhesive on the backsheet 103 thereof and may either be releasably attached to the wrapping sheet 18 directly or be releasably attached to a release paper which may be attached, such as permanently attached, to the wrapping sheet 18.

[0074] In a subsequent step illustrated in a step 3d, a front part 127 of the sanitary article 100 is folded over the rear folded portion 125 of the sanitary article 100 about a second fold line 129 such that the sanitary article 100 is completely wrapped with the wrapping sheet 18, as shown in FIG. 3e.

[0075] When the sanitary article 100 is folded, as seen in FIG. 3e, it has a folded article width wf and the folded article width wf is maximum 10 mm greater than the maximum absorbent core width w.sub.absMAX (see FIG. 3e). The folded article width being taken in the transverse direction T and at the widest section of the folded article. The folded sanitary article width is the width of the final folded sanitary article as packaged. Hence if only the fastening wings are folded and the sanitary article is provided without transverse folding in a packages, then the width is measured at the widest section along the entire length of the sanitary article. If the article is folded over one, two or three transverse fold lines, the width is measured at the final folded article.

[0076] FIG. 3f illustrates the wrapping sheet 18 sealed around the sanitary article 100. The wrapping sheet 18 has been sealed along the first and second longitudinal sealing areas 23,24 to close the package along the longitudinal sides 21,22 of the wrapping sheet 18 and form an individually package of a folded sanitary article 100. The longitudinal sides 21,22 of the wrapping sheet 18 may for example be adhesive sealed or ultrasonically sealed.

[0077] The sanitary article according to the present disclosure may thus be provided with an adhesive, such as a pressure-sensitive adhesive on the backsheet. The elongated wrapping sheet may be releasably adhered the adhesive-bearing backsheet of the sanitary article. The wrapping sheet may be coated with material which enables the release of the wrapping sheet, such as silicone, so that the wrapping sheet may be peeled away from the adhesive-bearing backsheet of the sanitary article and so that the sanitary article may be attached to an undergarment. The adhesive-bearing region of the backsheet may also be covered with a release paper. The release paper may be attached to the wrapping sheet, for example with a permanent attachment, such that the sanitary article is attached to the wrapping sheet via the release paper.