U.S. patent application number 13/823373 was filed with the patent office on 2013-09-26 for continuous packing product of absorbent articles, exterior sheets, and method of manufacturing continuous packing product of absorbent articles.
This patent application is currently assigned to UNICHARM CORPORATION. The applicant listed for this patent is Hiroyuki Harada, Yusuke Kosako, Kazuya Nishitani, Ryuji Okano. Invention is credited to Hiroyuki Harada, Yusuke Kosako, Kazuya Nishitani, Ryuji Okano.
Application Number | 20130248398 13/823373 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45892366 |
Filed Date | 2013-09-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130248398 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Harada; Hiroyuki ; et
al. |
September 26, 2013 |
CONTINUOUS PACKING PRODUCT OF ABSORBENT ARTICLES, EXTERIOR SHEETS,
AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING CONTINUOUS PACKING PRODUCT OF ABSORBENT
ARTICLES
Abstract
A continuous packing product of an absorbent article has a
plurality of packing bodies are continuous with the absorbent
article being packed by means of an exterior sheet and the exterior
sheet has: a first resin layer which is formed of a thermoplastic
resin, and a second resin layer which is formed of a thermoplastic
resin with a melting point higher than that of the thermoplastic
resin forming the first resin layer. A bonded region configured to
partition the packing unit by means of thermal bonding is formed on
the exterior sheet. The second resin layer is laminated on the
first resin layer in at least the bonded region and the
thermoplastic resin configuring the second resin layer is soluble
in a solvent.
Inventors: |
Harada; Hiroyuki; (Kagawa,
JP) ; Okano; Ryuji; (Kagawa, JP) ; Kosako;
Yusuke; (Kagawa, JP) ; Nishitani; Kazuya;
(Kagawa, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Harada; Hiroyuki
Okano; Ryuji
Kosako; Yusuke
Nishitani; Kazuya |
Kagawa
Kagawa
Kagawa
Kagawa |
|
JP
JP
JP
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
UNICHARM CORPORATION
Shikokuchuo-shi, Ehime
JP
|
Family ID: |
45892366 |
Appl. No.: |
13/823373 |
Filed: |
September 28, 2011 |
PCT Filed: |
September 28, 2011 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2011/005481 |
371 Date: |
June 3, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/440 ;
53/453 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65B 9/06 20130101; B65B
63/04 20130101; B65D 85/07 20180101; B65B 5/022 20130101; A61F
13/15747 20130101; B65D 75/42 20130101; B32B 27/08 20130101; A61F
13/5514 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/440 ;
53/453 |
International
Class: |
B65D 85/16 20060101
B65D085/16; B65B 5/02 20060101 B65B005/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 28, 2010 |
JP |
2010-217429 |
Claims
1-9. (canceled)
10. A continuous packing product of absorbent articles in which a
plurality of packing units are continuous, with one or more
absorbent articles being packed in each unit by means of an
exterior sheet, wherein: the exterior sheet has: a first resin
layer which is formed of a thermoplastic resin; and a second resin
layer which is formed of a thermoplastic resin with a melting point
higher than that of the thermoplastic resin forming the first resin
layer; the exterior sheet comprises a thermally bonded product
partition region configured to partition the packing product into
packing units; the second resin layer is laminated on the first
resin layer in at least the bonded region; and the thermoplastic
resin of the second resin layer is soluble in a solvent.
11. The continuous packing product of absorbent articles, according
to claim 10, wherein: the packing units individually contain the
absorbent articles.
12. The continuous packing product of absorbent articles, according
to claim 10, wherein: the thermoplastic resin forming the first
resin layer is polyethylene; and the thermoplastic resin forming
the second resin layer is polyamide.
13. The continuous packing product of absorbent articles, according
to claim 10, wherein a print layer to which printing is applied is
formed at a side of the second resin layer of the first resin
layer.
14. The continuous packing product of absorbent articles, according
to claim 11, wherein a print layer to which printing is applied is
formed at a side of the second resin layer of the first resin
layer.
15. The continuous packing product of absorbent articles, according
to claim 12, wherein a print layer to which printing is applied is
formed at a side of the second resin layer of the first resin
layer.
16. The continuous packing product of absorbent articles, according
to claim 13, wherein: the print layer is formed between the first
resin layer and the second resin layer, and is visually discernable
from an outside of the second resin layer.
17. The continuous packing product of absorbent articles, according
to claim 14, wherein: the print layer is formed between the first
resin layer and the second resin layer, and is visually discernable
from an outside of the second resin layer.
18. The continuous packing product of absorbent articles, according
to claim 15, wherein: the print layer is formed between the first
resin layer and the second resin layer, and is visually discernable
from an outside of the second resin layer.
19. The continuous packing product of absorbent articles, according
to claim 13, wherein: the print layer is intermittently formed, and
is not laminated on the first resin layer in the bonded region.
20. The continuous packing product of absorbent articles, according
to claim 14, wherein: the print layer is intermittently formed, and
is not laminated on the first resin layer in the bonded region.
21. The continuous packing product of absorbent articles, according
to claim 15, wherein: the print layer is intermittently formed, and
is not laminated on the first resin layer in the bonded region.
22. A continuous packing product of absorbent articles comprising a
plurality of packing units which are individually packed by means
of an exterior sheet, wherein: the exterior sheet has: a first
resin layer which is formed of polyethylene; a second resin layer
which is formed by applying a solution obtained by dissolving
polyamide in a solvent; and a print layer which is disposed between
the first resin layer and the second resin layer; and a thermally
bonded partition region configured to partition the packing units
by means of thermal bonding is formed on the exterior sheet.
23. An exterior sheet provided with a partition region configured
to pack continuously disposed absorbent articles and separately
partition the absorbent articles by means of thermal bonding,
wherein: the exterior sheet has: a first resin layer which is
formed of a thermoplastic resin; and a second resin layer which is
formed of a thermoplastic resin with a melting point higher than
that of the thermoplastic resin forming the first resin layer; the
second resin layer is laminated on the first resin layer in at
least the partition region; and the thermoplastic resin configuring
the second resin layer is soluble in a solvent.
24. A method of manufacturing a continuous packing product of
absorbent articles, comprising: a first step of, in a resin film
formed of a thermoplastic resin, forming an exterior sheet by
applying a solution which is obtained by dissolving in a solvent a
thermoplastic resin with a melting point which is higher than that
of the thermoplastic resin forming the resin film; a second step of
continuously disposing absorbent articles each on the resin film of
the exterior sheet; a step of folding the exterior sheet and the
absorbent article along a direction which is orthogonal to a
continuous direction in which the absorbent articles are
continuous, and then, wrapping the absorbent article by means of
the exterior sheet; and a fourth step of partitioning the exterior
sheet having the absorbent article wrapped thereby, by means of
thermal bonding, and then, continuously forming a plurality of
packing units by which the absorbent articles are packed.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a continuous packing
product, of absorbent articles, in which a continuous plurality of
packing units which include the absorbent articles are provided.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] In general absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins are
sold in a manner in which a predetermined quantity of the absorbent
articles are contained in a package which is formed by employing an
exterior sheet such as a resin film.
[0003] In addition, it is widely known, mainly among developing
countries that packing bodies for individually packing absorbent
articles on one-by-one piece basis are sold in the manner of a
continuous packing product in which a continuous plurality of
packing units are provided in a longitudinal direction. A demander
can purchase any required number of absorbent articles by
separating a desired number of packing units from the continuous
package of packing units. In addition, since the plurality of
packing units that are continuous in the longitudinal direction can
be sold while these packing bodies are hooked in an appropriate
location in shop, it is convenient where there is limited space in
a shopping facility. Patent Document 1 describes a continuous
packing unit of absorbent articles in which packing units for
individually housing the absorbent articles are continuous in
plurality.
CITATION LIST
Patent Literature
[0004] [PTL 1] International Patent Application Publication No.
02/094678
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
[0005] However, conventional continuous packaging of absorbent
articles has entailed the following problem. That is, since the
continuous packing unit houses the absorbent articles therein on
one-by-one piece basis, a large number of packing bodies are formed
in comparison with packaging which contains some tens of absorbent
articles. Therefore, an improvement in productivity of packing
bodies is required.
[0006] For example, as such a method of manufacturing a continuous
packaging of absorbent articles, the absorbent articles are
continuously packed by means of exterior sheets, and then, the
exterior sheets are thermally bonded to form a plurality of packing
bodies which are continuous. In an attempt to improve productivity
in such a manufacturing method, it is considered to reduce bonding
time of the exterior sheet. However, if the bonding time is
reduced, heat may not be sufficiently transmitted to the exterior
sheet, and bonding faults may occur.
[0007] Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to
provide a continuous packing product of absorbent articles, which
are efficiently produced while preventing an occurrence of a fault
in thermal bonding; a method of manufacturing a continuous packing
product of absorbent articles which are adapted to manufacture the
continuous packing unit of the absorbent articles; and exterior
sheets for forming the continuous packing product of absorbent
articles.
Solution to Problem
[0008] The first feature of the present invention is summarized in
that A continuous packing product of absorbent articles in which a
plurality of packing units are continuous, with one or more
absorbent articles being packed in each unit by means of an
exterior sheet, wherein: the exterior sheet has: a first resin
layer which is formed of a thermoplastic resin; and a second resin
layer which is formed of a thermoplastic resin with a melting point
higher than that of the thermoplastic resin forming the first resin
layer; the exterior sheet comprises a thermally bonded product
partition region configured to partition the packing product into
packing units; the second resin layer is laminated on the first
resin layer in at least the bonded region; and the thermoplastic
resin of the second resin layer is soluble in a solvent.
[0009] The second feature of the present invention is summarized in
that A continuous packing product of absorbent articles comprising
a plurality of packing units which are individually packed by means
of an exterior sheet, wherein: the exterior sheet has: a first
resin layer which is formed of polyethylene; a second resin layer
which is formed by applying a solution obtained by dissolving
polyamide in a solvent; and a print layer which is disposed between
the first resin layer and the second resin layer; and a thermally
bonded partition region configured to partition the packing units
by means of thermal bonding is formed on the exterior sheet.
[0010] The third feature of the present invention is summarized in
that An exterior sheet provided with a partition region configured
to pack continuously disposed absorbent articles and separately
partition the absorbent articles by means of thermal bonding,
wherein: the exterior sheet has: a first resin layer which is
formed of a thermoplastic resin; and a second resin layer which is
formed of a thermoplastic resin with a melting point higher than
that of the thermoplastic resin forming the first resin layer; the
second resin layer is laminated on the first resin layer in at
least the partition region; and the thermoplastic resin configuring
the second resin layer is soluble in a solvent.
[0011] The fourth feature of the present invention is summarized in
that A method of manufacturing a continuous packing product of
absorbent articles, comprising: a first step of, in a resin film
formed of a thermoplastic resin, forming an exterior sheet by
applying a solution which is obtained by dissolving in a solvent a
thermoplastic resin with a melting point which is higher than that
of the thermoplastic resin forming the resin film; a second step of
continuously disposing absorbent articles each on the resin film of
the exterior sheet; a step of folding the exterior sheet and the
absorbent article along a direction which is orthogonal to a
continuous direction in which the absorbent articles are
continuous, and then, wrapping the absorbent article by means of
the exterior sheet; and a fourth step of partitioning the exterior
sheet having the absorbent article wrapped thereby, by means of
thermal bonding, and then, continuously forming a plurality of
packing units by which the absorbent articles are packed.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0012] According to characteristics of the present invention, there
can be provided a continuous packing product of absorbent articles
which are efficiently produced while preventing an occurrence of a
fault in thermal bonding. That is, productivity of the continuous
packing product of the absorbent articles can be improved.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is an entire perspective view of a continuous packing
product of absorbent articles, according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a packing unit
according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the packing unit taken along
the line A-A of FIG. 2.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the packing unit taken along
the line B-B of FIG. 2.
[0017] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the packing unit taken along
the line C-C of FIG. 2.
[0018] FIG. 6 (a) to (e) are views showing a process for
manufacturing a continuous packing product, according to the
embodiment of the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 7 (a) to (d) are views showing a process for
manufacturing a continuous packing product, according to the
embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 8 (a) to (d) are schematic sectional views of an
exterior sheet according to an exemplary modifications.
[0021] FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a packing unit according to an
exemplary modification.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0022] Next, an embodiment of a continuous packing product 1 of
absorbent articles 10, according to the present invention, will be
described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the
drawings that follows, the same or similar constituent elements are
designated by the same or similar reference numerals. However, it
should be kept in mind that the drawings are merely schematic and
rates of dimensions each are different from an actual one.
Therefore, specific dimensions or the like should be determined in
consideration of the following description. In addition, portions
whose dimensional interrelations or rates are different from each
other can be included in the drawings as well.
[0023] First, a schematic structure of a continuous packing product
1 of the absorbent articles 10 (hereinafter, referred to as the
continuous packing product 1) will be described with reference to
FIG. 1 to FIG. 5. FIG. 1 is an entire perspective view of the
continuous packing product 1 according to the embodiment. As shown
in FIG. 1, the continuous packing product 1 is formed by absorbent
articles 10 which are sanitary napkins and exterior sheets 3 for
wrapping the absorbent articles 10. The exterior sheets 3 are
formed in a continuous sheet shape, and are adapted to pack the
absorbent articles 10 in the shape of a bag.
[0024] Partition units 5 for partitioning the absorbent articles
that are wrapped by the exterior sheets 3 on a one-by-one piece
basis are formed at the continuous packing product 1. Each of the
partition units 5 is formed by a bonded region 3C of the exterior
sheet 3 (refer to FIG. 2) being bonded by means of thermal bonding
(deposition). By means of the partition units 5, a plurality of
packing bodies 2 for packing the absorbent articles 10 on
one-by-one piece basis are continuously formed. In addition, five
packing bodies 2 are continuous, and one continuous packing product
1 is formed.
[0025] In addition, a cutoff line unit 4 to which perforation
processing is applied is formed at the partition unit 5, and
packing bodies 2 can be separated from the continuous packing
product 1 according to a required number of absorbent articles
10.
[0026] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a packing unit 2 which
is separated from the continuous packing product 1. FIG. 3 is a
sectional view of the packing unit 2 taken along the line A-A of
FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the packing unit 2 taken
along the line B-B of FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the
packing unit taken along the line C-C of FIG. 2.
[0027] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a packing unit 2 in a
continuous direction D2 in which the packing bodies 2 extend
continuously; FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a partition region 5 of
the packing unit 2. The partition region 5 is provided at the
bonded region 3C of the exterior sheet 3. A partition region 5 on
which the exterior sheet 3 is deposited is at each end part of the
packing body 2 in FIG. 3. The exterior sheet 3 has a first resin
layer 31, a second resin layer 32, and a print layer 33. The first
resin layer 31 is formed of a thermoplastic resin with a
comparatively low melting point (relative to the second layer 32),
which is melted by means of thermal bonding. Polyethylene can be
employed, for example, as a material for the first resin layer 31,
and further preferably, a straight chain-like low density
polyethylene (LLDPE) and a low density polyethylene (LDPE) can be
employed.
[0028] Since polyethylene is comparatively low in melting point
among thermoplastic resins (for example, in comparison with
polypropylene), it is possible for resin layer 31 to have a
difference in melting point to a resin forming the second resin
layer 32. Therefore, when thermal bonding is done, only the first
resin layer 31 can be melted without melting the second resin layer
32. In addition, since polyethylene UV-resistance (ultraviolet-ray
resistance), it is possible to prevent degradation due to the UV of
the absorbent articles that are housed therein.
[0029] The second resin layer 32 is a thermoplastic resin having a
higher melting point than that of the thermoplastic resin forming
the first resin layer, and may be formed of a resin which is
soluble in solvent. The second resin layer is formed of a
thermoplastic resin which is insoluble by means of thermal bonding,
and is adapted to thermally resist and protect the first resin
layer 31 without being melted at the time of thermal bonding.
Polyamide such as nylon or imide can be exemplified as a material
for the second resin layer 32.
[0030] Any solvent may be employed as long as it melts the
thermoplastic resin forming the second resin layer 32, and a
hydrocarbon having its boiling point of 150 degrees or less can be
exemplified. Solvents include, but are not limited to, hexane,
xylene, toluene, ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, isopropanol,
butanol, and methyl ethyl ketone.
[0031] The print layer 33 is disposed between the first resin layer
31 and the second resin layer 32. A method of forming the print
layer is not limited. For example, the print layer 33 may be formed
by means of a printing method such as flexographic printing, a sink
printing or the like, or alternatively, may be formed by blowing
ink through spraying. In addition, by providing the print layer 33,
visible light can be hardly transmitted, and then, the absorbent
articles 10 that are housed therein can be hardly visually
recognized from the outside of the exterior sheets 3.
[0032] The exterior sheet 3 is disposed so that the second resin
layer 32 configures an outside face 7B of the exterior sheet 3 and
the first resin layer 31 configures an inside face 7A of the
exterior sheet 3. Thermal bonding is done from the outside face
side of the exterior sheet 3, whereby the first resin layer 31 is
melted, the exterior sheet 3 of a bonding region 3C is bonded
therewith, and the partition region 5 is formed.
[0033] In addition, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 5, the packing unit
2 may be formed, in some embodiments, with the absorbent article 10
and the exterior sheet 3 folded together in a state in which a back
face 6B which is a cloth (clothing) contact surface of the
absorbent article 10 and the inside face 7Af the exterior sheet 3
are opposite to each other.
[0034] Specifically, the exterior sheet 3 is disposed at the side
of the back face 6B of the absorbent article 10, and then, at least
a part of the back face 6B of the absorbent article 10 is fixed to
the inside face 7A of the exterior sheet 3. The back face 6B of the
absorbent article 10 and the inside face 7A of the exterior sheet 3
are fixed to each other via an adhesive unit 14 and an adhesive
unit 15. The absorbent article 10 and the exterior sheet 3 that are
fixed to each other by means of the adhesive unit 14 and the
adhesive unit 15 are folded into three together along a folding
direction D1 toward the side of the surface 6A which is a skin
contact surface of the absorbent article 10.
[0035] The absorbent article 10 and the exterior sheet 3 are folded
together, whereby an overlap region 21 (refer to FIG. 2) in which
an end part 3A and an end part 3B in the folding direction D1 of
the exterior sheet 3 are superimposed on each other is formed. At
the packing unit 2, an opening cutoff line part 8 is formed along a
continuous direction D2 in which the packing units 2 are
continuous. The opening cutoff line part 8 is cut off, whereby the
packing unit 2 is released, and then, the absorbent article that is
housed therein is exposed.
[0036] A bonding region 22 (refer to FIG. 2) in which the end part
3A and the end part 3B of the exterior sheet 3 are bonded with each
other is formed at a part of the overlap region 21. The bonding
region 22 is formed by being adhesively bonded by means of thermal
bonding, a biting emboss, an adhesive agent, an adhesive tape or
the like.
[0037] The partition region 5 that corresponds to the bonded region
3C of the exterior sheet 3 is at each end part of the packing
bodies 2 in a continuous direction D2 in which the packing bodies 2
are continuous. Since the partition region 5 is adhesively bonded
by means of thermal bonding of the exterior sheet 3, the absorbent
article 10 is established in a sealed sanitary state.
[0038] Next, a method of manufacturing a continuous packing product
1, according to the embodiment, will be described. Herein, in
particular, a method of manufacturing exterior sheets 3 and a
continuous packing product 1 will be mainly described. Other
portions such as the absorbent articles 10 can be manufactured in
accordance with well known manufacturing methods.
[0039] FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 are views schematically showing a process
of manufacturing a continuous packing product 1. FIG. 6 shows a
cross section taken along a conveyance direction MD of absorbent
articles 10; and FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the absorbent
article 10 and the exterior sheet 3. As shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7,
the process of manufacturing a continuous packing product 10
includes: a print layer forming step S10; a second resin layer
forming step S20; an absorbent article placement step S30; a
folding step S40; an exterior sheet bonding step S50; a packing
body forming step S60; and a cutoff line part forming step S70. The
print layer forming step S10 and the second resin layer forming
step S20 are included in the process of manufacturing exterior
sheets 3. In addition, the folding step S40, as shown in FIG. 6,
includes a first folding step S41 and a second folding step
S42.
[0040] In the print layer forming step S10, as shown in FIG. 6 (a),
gravure printing is applied to the first resin layer 31 made of a
resin film, and then, the print layer 33 is formed. An applying
device for applying gravure printing is provided with: a reservoir
unit 101 in which ink is reserved; a transfer roll 102 to which ink
is transferred from the reservoir unit 101; and an applying roll
103 to which ink is transferred from the transfer roll 102. Ink is
applied to the first resin layer 31 by means of the applying roll
103.
[0041] In the second resin layer forming step S20, as shown in FIG.
6 (b), the second resin layer 32 is formed on the print layer 33.
Specifically, a solution obtained by melting a nylon, which is a
thermoplastic resin with higher melting point than that of the
resin forming the first resin layer 31, in hexane as a solvent, is
applied onto the print layer 33. The applying device for applying a
solution is similar to that in the print layer forming step S10,
and therefore, a duplicate description is omitted. In this manner,
since the print layer forming step S10 and the second resin layer
forming step S20 can be carried out by means of the applying device
having the similar structure, both of these steps can be carried
out in the same facility, and productivity can be improved. In
addition, the exterior sheets 3 are manufactured by means of the
print layer forming step S10 and the second resin layer forming
step S20.
[0042] In the absorbent article placement process S30, as shown in
FIG. 6 (c) and FIG. 7 (a), the absorbent articles 10 are fixed at
predetermined intervals on the exterior sheets 3 which are
continuous along the conveyance direction MD. At this time, the
exterior sheet 3, the first resin layer 31, and the back face of
the absorbent article 10 are opposite to each other and are
disposed so that a lengthwise direction of the absorbent article 10
is orthogonal to the conveyance direction MD.
[0043] A folding step S40 has the first folding step S41 shown in
FIG. 7 (b) and the second folding step S42 shown in FIG. 7 (c). In
the first folding step S41, the exterior sheet 3 and the absorbent
article 10 are lifted from one end side in the folding direction D1
that is orthogonal to the conveyance direction MD, and then, are
folded together toward a centerline CL in the folding direction D1.
A folding line of the exterior sheet 3 and the absorbent article 10
that have been folded is taken along the continuous direction D2
that is parallel to the conveyance direction MD.
[0044] In the second folding step S42, the exterior sheet 3 and the
absorbent article 10 are lifted from the opposite side from that of
the first folding step S41, and then, are folded together toward
the centerline CL in the folding direction D1. By means of this
step, the overlap region 21 (FIG. 2) is formed at continuous
packing bodies 2. FIG. 6 (d) shows the exterior sheet 3 and the
absorbent article 10 which are folded by means of the folding step
S40.
[0045] In the exterior sheet bonding step S50, as shown in FIG. 7
(c), a bonding region 22 is bonded by means of an adhesive agent in
an overlap region 21 which is formed when both end parts 3A and 3B
in the folding direction D1 of the exterior sheet 3 are folded on
each other.
[0046] In the packing product forming step S60, as shown in FIG. 6
(e) and FIG. 7 (d), the bonding region 3C of the exterior sheet 3
is thermally bonded, whereby adhesive bonding treatment to
partitioning the absorbent articles 10 on a one-by-one piece basis
is made. By means of this step, packing units 2 for packing the
absorbent articles 10 on a one-by-one piece basis are formed.
[0047] In a cutoff line part forming step S70, perforation forming
process is performed at the partition unit 5. By the perforation
forming process, a cutoff line part 4 which is capable of
individually cutting off the packing body 2 can be formed. The
steps S10 to S70 described above are executed, whereby a continuous
packing product 1 is completed.
[0048] As has been described above, according to the continuous
packing product 1 of the embodiment, since the second resin layer
32 is formed by dissolving the thermoplastic resin forming the
second resin layer 32 in a solvent and then applying the melted
resin, the second resin layer 32 can be thinly formed in comparison
with the first resin layer 31 which is a resin film. Therefore,
heat of thermal bonding is easily transmitted to the first resin
layer 31, a heating time of thermal bonding is reduced, and
productivity can be improved. Further, since transmission
efficiency of the heat to the first resin layer is improved without
increasing the heating temperature of thermal bonding, it is
possible to prevent melting of the second resin layer 32
constituting the outside face 7B of the exterior sheet 3 due to a
rise of the heating temperature and then prevent the melted resin
from adhering to a bonding jig.
[0049] As an example, melting points of the straight chain-like
low-density polyethylene and low density polyethylene which form
the first resin layer 31 are about 110 degrees Celsius, and a
melting point of nylon forming the second resin layer 32 is about
160 degrees Celsius to 170 degrees Celsius, and since a difference
in the melting points are 50 degrees Celsius or more, only the
first resin layer 31 can be melted without melting the second resin
layer 32 in a thermal bonding, and the sealing property of the
first resin layer 31 can be maintained.
[0050] As has been described above, while the contents of the
present invention were disclosed through the embodiment of the
present invention, it should not be understood that the discussion
and drawings forming a part of this disclosure limit the present
invention. From this disclosure, a variety of alternative
embodiments, examples, and operational techniques would be
self-evident to one skilled in the art.
[0051] Exterior sheets according to exemplary modifications will be
described with reference to FIG. 8. FIGS. 7 (a) to (d) are a
sectional view of the exterior sheet 3 according to exemplary
modifications. FIG. 7 (a) is an enlarged view showing a portion D
shown in FIG. 3 of the exterior sheet according to the embodiment
above, and FIGS. 7 (b) to (d) are enlarged sectional views of
portions corresponding to the portion D in the exterior sheet 3
according to modifications. Like constituent elements of the
embodiment in the exterior sheet 3 according to the exemplary
modification are designated by like reference numerals, and a
duplicate description is omitted.
[0052] As shown in FIG. 7 (a), on the exterior sheet 3 according to
the embodiment, the print layer 33 is laminated in a full region of
the first resin layer 31, and the second resin layer 32 is
laminated in a full region of the print layer 33. In this way,
since the print layer 33 is laminated in the full region of the
first resin layer 31, a decorative effect due to characters or
patters and the like of the print layer 33 can be attained in the
full region of the exterior sheet 3.
[0053] Further, the second resin layer 32 is laminated in the full
region of the print layer 33, whereby the print layer 33 can be
protected by the second resin layer 32. In order to visually
recognize the print layer 33 from the outside of the packing unit
2, it is desirable to configure the print layer 33 so as to be
visually discernable from the side of the second resin layer 32
forming the outside face 7B of the exterior sheet 3. Specifically,
the second resin layer 32 may be formed of a transparent or
semitransparent material.
[0054] An exterior sheet 3, as shown in FIG. 7 (b), may be
configured to have the first resin layer 31 and the second resin
layer 32 without comprising the print layer 33. With such a
structure, since the step of forming print layer 33 is eliminated,
productivity can be further improved, and reduction of production
time and cost can be attained.
[0055] In an exterior sheet 3, as shown in FIG. 7 (c), the second
resin layer 32 may be formed in only the bonded (partition) region
3C. In the region 3C, heat resistance processing is made by means
of the second resin layer 32, whereby, when thermal bonding is
applied from the side of the second resin layer 32, the first resin
layer 31 can be protected by means of the second resin layer
32.
[0056] While, in the exemplary modification shown in FIG. 7 (c),
the exterior sheet 3 is formed by means of the first resin layer 31
and the second resin layer 32, a print layer may be formed between
the first resin layer 31 and the second resin layer 32, or
alternatively, a print layer may be formed in the full region of
the first resin layer 31.
[0057] In a modification, as shown in FIG. 7 (d), the print layers
33 are intermittently formed on the exterior sheet 3 and the print
layers 33 need not be formed in the bonded region 3C. In this way,
the print layers 33 need not be formed in the bonded region 3C,
whereby the heat from the bonding jig can be easily transmitted to
the first resin layer 31.
[0058] Next, a packing unit according to an exemplary modification
will be described with reference to FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is a sectional
view of the folding direction D1 that is orthogonal to the
continuous direction of the packing bodies 2 according to the
exemplary modification. The exterior sheets 3 of the packing bodies
2 according to the exemplary modification are bonded with each
other by means of thermal bonding while the first resin layer 31
and the first resin layer 31 are opposite to each other at both end
parts 11A and 11B in the folding direction D1. In this way, these
resin layers may be bonded with each other by means of thermal
bonding, not only at the partition units 5 for partitioning the
packing body 2 and the packing body 2 but also in a bonding region
22 in which both end pats in the folding direction D1 of the
exterior sheet 3 is to be bonded as well.
[0059] In addition, while, in the embodiment of the present
invention, one absorbent article was housed in a packing unit, two
or more absorbent articles may be configured so as to be housed in
a packing unit.
[0060] Further, the absorbent article of the present invention may
be a panty liner (a vaginal discharge sheet), an incontinent pad or
the like other than the above absorbent article.
[0061] Thus, it is a mater f course that the present invention
encompasses a variety of embodiments or the like, which are not
described herein. Therefore, technical scope of the present
invention is defined only by the specific matters of the invention
according to the claims that are reasonable from the foregoing
description.
[0062] Embodiments, and variations of any aspect of the invention,
may be such that an absorbent article and exterior sheet in a
packing unit are folded in at least a first direction which is
orthogonal to the continuous direction of the packing product.
[0063] Embodiments may be such that the absorbent article and
exterior sheet are also folded in the opposite direction to the
first orthogonal direction to form an overlap region.
[0064] A method of manufacturing a continuous package may, in any
aspect, include a step of folding the exterior sheet and the
absorbent article along a direction which is orthogonal to a
continuous direction in which the absorbent articles are
continuous, and then, wrapping the absorbent article by means of
the exterior sheet.
[0065] They may further include a step which the exterior sheet and
absorbent article are also folded in a second orthogonal direction
opposite to the first orthogonal direction to form an overlap
portion.
[0066] The above features and steps may be used in any embodiments
or aspects of the invention.
* * * * *