Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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ABSORBENT AR~CLE~
FlFTn OF 1~INVENIION
The present invention relates to abso-l~c..l articles such as s~ iL~ n~pkinc, panty
liners, adult incu..l;~ ce devices, and the like. Still more particularly, the present
invention colIc~llls abso-l,t-,l articles such as ;-alliL~ in~ and the like having
15 ~nylo~ed l)role~,liv-e sheets for ylole~Lillg adhesive layers provided on the back surface
of the absorbent article.
BACKGROI~D OF THE INVENI~ON
Abso,l,c.. l articles such as sanitary n~pkin~ , and inCQ~ e-~ce pads
are devices that sre typically worn in the crotch region of an und~ These
devices are dc~ cl to absorb and retain liquid and other di;,~,l,ar~es from the human
body and to prevent body and clothing soiling. Sanitary r~arkin~ are a type of
al~so~ article worn by women in a pair of panties that is nonnally positinned
~ee.l the ~ .'s Iegs, a<~ac~nt to the perineal area of the body. Sanitary napkins
both with and w;lllo~l~ side flaps (or wings) are d;~losed in the Llt:lalul~ and are
in the market place.
Generally, when san.L~y napkins are provided with flaps, the flaps extend
laterally from a central absorbent means and are inten~1ed to be folded around the
edges of the ~.,are-'s panties in the crotch region. The flaps are generally ~ e for
y~ nLing ~ d~tes from soiling the edges of the ~. ~ t'S panties. Sanitary napkins
having flaps of various types are disclosed in U.S. Patent 5,267,992; U.S. Patent
4,687,478; U.S. Patent 4,608,047; U.S. Patent Bl 4,S89,876; U.S. Patent 4,285,343;
U.S. Patent 3.397,697; U.S. Patent 2,787,271.
Co.. ol-ly, flaps are provided with adhesive layers for either affixing the flaps to
the underside of the v~ca-~-'s panties or to the opposing flap. The adhesive layers are
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covered by protective sheets so that the adhesive layers do not stick to undesired
portions such as the central absorbent means before the salllL~y napkins are used.
Several variations of ~aluL~y napkins having fiaps with ploLe~ re sheets of various
types are ~i~closed in the patent literat~re. For f ~ le, 3P Utility-Model laid-open
~blif~ption Nos. 6-26833 and 6-26835 d;~ ~ose a sa~ukuy napkin having a flap
protective sheet for protecting adhesive layers provided on flaps which are folded onto
a topsheet of a s~-laly napkin. The sanitary naplcin also has a main l~ro~ ve sheet
for protecting an adhesive iayer provided on back side of a central abso-l,GIl- means of
a s~u~y napkin. The S~u~ly napkin disclosed therein appears to require the user to
10 remove the flap protective sheet and the main plotcvLiv-e sheet uldividually from the
s~ukuy napkin. It is troL~I ~s ~mf~ operation for the user.
3P Utility-Model laid-open p1-hlir~tion No. 5-9529 is dilwlcl to a s~u~y
napkin having flaps with a cross-shaped proLe~ sheet for adhesive layers. The
15 cross-shaped plulG~iti~e sheet colll~l.3es a first portion for IJlote~lul~, an adhesive layer
provided on back side of a central abso~l~.,.,L means and a second portion for
pro~ adhesive 1ayers provided on flaps which are folded onto a top;Lcet of a
i~Ul~y napkin. The second portion extends PGl~el1~ Y to the first portion. The
cross-shaped plulc~Live sheet for the s~,L~y napkin disclosed therein may tear when
20 the cross sllaped plùtecLiv~; sheet is lwllo~,d from the s~ napkin. Since the first
portion extends perp~ndic~ rly to the second portion, c.~ , pulling force may beapplied to the portion where the first portion and the second portion cross
perpen~ rly each other.
JP Utility-Model 1aid-open p~1bl;r~tion No. 7-39820 is dL~,~lcd to a salli~y
napkin having flaps with a wl~per for w~pillg the ~ i~y napkin. The main body
of the wla~r is a prote~LivG sheet for plute~ g adhesive layers provided on the
back wrface of a napkin body. The portion which extends ouL~ lly from one end ofthe w-~ p~,r in the 1Or~itu-1in~1 direction is a plOlC~ sheet for p-ole~ adhesive
30 layers provided on the back surface of the flaps. Both plùLe~ e sheets are made of
one piece of the wl~pcr. In the sanitaly napkin ~ OSG~ therein, the longjtlldin~l
length of the WI~I~Jp~. iS relatively long conlp~.d with an o~.lu~ wl~per since the
~olecli~e sheet for adhesive layers of the flaps extends from one end of the protective
sheet for adhesive layers of a napkin body. Thererure, it le~lul-~s a long stroke when
35 the protccLive sheets are removed from the SdlliL~ly napkin.
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Further, some of the s~lil~ly napkins are provided with back flaps which extend
laterally from a central absorbent means and are on a position biased ba.,kw~.lly. The
back flaps are intF!n~ecl to stay widespread in the ~.~,~Gl'S panties so that they prevent
body fluids from soiling the back region of the ~e~,fs panties. Sanitary napkins5 having back flaps of various types are r1icclosed in JP Utility-Model laid-open
p~blir~tion Nos. 7-12120 and 7-33314. These pl~b~ tiol do not ~licclose protective
sheets which can be easily removed from back flaps.
Thus, a need exists for an abso,l,elll article, such as a s~lil~y napkin, that is
10 provided with an allc~ c to cou~ on~l protective sheets for adhesives provided
on the back surface of an absorbent article. In a particular, a need exists for a s~lll~y
napkin which provides easy operation and which can co-l~,~.l.e.~ and Pfflc;~rltly solve
the problems caused when ~ P to remove p~oLc~ c sheets from a sallilh,y
napkin.
It is, Illelerore, an object ofthe present il.~c..Lon to provide an absJ~ ..l article,
such as a sal~ila~y napkin, that is able to remove a plolc~ ., sheet for p-ol~lu,g
adhesive layers provided on the back surface of an al~so.t,w-L article from an abso.l,~,.-
article ~y an easy operation.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an abso-l,cnl article, such
as a s~il~y napkin, that is able to remove a ~.ole~ sheet for pl~te~ lg adhesivelayers provided on the back surface of fiaps from an a~Solb~ article by an easy
operation.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide an absoll,~nL article,
such as a SaI~iI~Y napkin, that is able to remove a plolc~ rG sheet for P1OIG~1iadhesive layers provided on the back surface of back flaps on a ba~wa dly biasedposition of an abso-l~c.ll article from an abso~b~ article by an easy op.,.~lion.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a l~lutc~livG sheet for
protecting adhesive layers of an at)so-l,~ article, that is able to provide an easy
opG.~Iion when the prolecliv-e sheet is .~,~ù~,cd from an abso~ L article.
These and other objects of the present illvenlion will be more readily appare.llwhen considered in l-,Ç~.Gncc to the following description and when taken in
conjun~;lion with the accon,pa~illg dl~WI1l~,5.
-
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W O97/31604 PCT~US97/02726
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an abso~ ." article, such as a ;~lil~y napkin.
S The absorbent article of the present invention has a plole~ c sheet for plUI.e~;ling
adhesive layers provided on the back surface of the abs(s~ l article which provides
an easy operation when the protecLh~e sheet is ~lw.ed.
The absorbent article of the present invention comrri~s a liquid p~ ble
10 body-facing side, a liquid impermeable gal-l~ nl-facing side, an absoll,~ .,1 core
interposed ~ ..e~.- the body-facing side and the ~ L-facing side. The adhesive
layers are provided on the Jong~ rJin~l side edges of the abso.b~nL article. The~rotc~iLi~Je sheet COIlll)liSeS pn)lc~Li.re portions for plOI~ the adhesive layers and a
cc,l-nF~ g portion for col-.-ecl;~g the l~loLe.iLive pollions. The protceLi~e sheet has at
15 least one end edge generally e-lc~ ;ng in the transverse direction. The end edge
CO.IllJ.;SeSall in-;linPd portion inrlinine with respect to the 1.~ di e~,Lion.
The abso~ ;nL article of the present ill~c.lLioll preferably co..~ s a main
body co.ll~ ng the ~so-l,~,nl article interposed be~ e.l the body-facing side and the
20 g~l-,.,.-L-facing side, and a pair of flaps eyt~ ir~ lale.~ll)r ou~w~d from the oppos;le
side edges ofthe main body. The flaps are folded around leg cs~t,enil-gs of the ~
The adhesive layers are provided on the ,~--r~ç,~s ofthe flaps. The pr~ ,_ sheetp.olecLs the adhesive layers provided on the ~ .~a~ of the flaps. The end edge ofthe
p-uk;~ e sheet cûlllpl;ses the inr.linf~d portion i~ ;n~ with respect to the h~ ~e
25 direction and toward a region where the adhesive layers are present.
Further, the ~bsurl,~ L article of the present invention pl~,fe.al~ly con.~-;.,es a
pair of back flaps ~ di~g laterally o.ll~d ~om the opposite side edges at a
position biased backwa.dly of the main body. Tke back flaps tends to stay widespread
30 in the g~l~ ll. The back adhesive layers are provided on the sl~ ces of the back
flaps. The back protective sheet p-ule~iLs the back adhesive layers provided on the
snrf~çes of the back flaps. The end edge of the back ~ole_Li~,~, sheet cGn~yllses the
inçlin~d portion in-~.linir~ with respect to the transverse .li~e.i~,oll and toward a region
where the back adhesive layers are present.
The l.role~ , sheet pl~;fe-~bly has a pair of side edges f~ n~inp~ in the
longih~ n~l direction and a pair of end edges having a first end edge and a second end
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edge. The end edges connect the side edges of the protective sheet. The first end
edge pl erel al>ly colllpli3es at least two inclined portions. One in~linPd portion
positions at least in part of the middle of the first end edge PYt~nrlin~ between one side
edge of the protective sheet and the lon~tll-lin~l center line The other inclined portion
S positions at least in part of the middle of the first end edge eYtpnt1i~ b~L~ n the
other side edge of the protective sheet and the lon~it~ in~l center line. Both inrlinPd
~ portions incline toward the same direction in the k~n~tv~lin~l direction. The inr1inçd
portion preferably has an inrlin~tion starting point and an in~lin~tinl t~ g point
on the first end edge. The ;~ ;QI tel..~ P points position laterally oulw~d
10 from the in~ nl;on starting points and apart from transverse lines passing the
inrlin~tion starting po;nts toward the sarne direction in the lon~t~ in~l direction.
Further, pr~rel~bly, the transverse line passing the ilU~ ;or starting point d~ ales
the abso,l.e.lt article into two regions. The adhesive layers are located in one of the
two regions and the inclin~tion tel~ points are located in the region where the
15 adhesive layers are located. Fu~Lhe~ ole, the inc.lin~tion le~ n~ 8 points position
apart from the transverse lines passing the i~ ;on starting points toward the sarne
direction as the predelelll,ined direction where the abso~ L artide is separated from
the prole~iLive sheet by moving the absorbent article.
The prote.;~ e sheet may Cc~ .lisc one single sheet with opposite free side
portions being free from conn~cticn The free side portions may be the plulc~Liveportions being folded on the flaps. Alternatively, the p~u~e~ sheet may coll4,-ise
two sheets and a part of a w~pel for wlapp;ng the absoll,t;,-l artide. The sheets may
be cQ~ ecletl to the wl~ppei. The sheets may be col-l~c~;ted to the w-~pe. so that the
free side portions extend laterally outward from the lon~tlldin~l center line. Then, the
plO~ )ul~iOl~s are folded on the flaps. ~ ;.,~, the sheets are cQI~l~P~le~l to
the wl~p~r so that the free end pol~ions extend laterally inward to the ion~ 1in5~l
center line. Then, the ~.ole~.Li~ ~ portions are ~. p~,posed on the flaps. P'~,fel~bly, the
pl.,te.;li~e portions are joined each other over the main body before the a}~so.l,~..l
30 article is used.
The absoll,e.-L article may have a wrapper for wla~pil~g the abso-l.~.lL article.
The co~ e~ portion may col~ ise a part of the Wl~L~/pe~ and the protective
portions may be co~ e~led to the wl~pper.
The inr.iin~d portion coll.~,ises a curved line, more plc;Ç.,.ably~ an arc-shaped
line. AllelllaLi~ ely, the in~lined portion comprises a straight line.
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The abso,l~.,l article preferably has two folding lines and may be folded into
three parts along the folding lines in the lo~t~ in~l dil~ ion. The protective sheet is
preferably located on the middle part. Further, in the absG-l~ l article having the front
5 p.ole~,~ive sheet and the back protective sheet, the front prvl~ e sheet may be
located on one of the two edge parts and the back prote~ sheet may be located onthe middle part.
The l~,ole~.live sheet of the present invention co~ ;ees a pair of side edges
lQ P~n~ing in the lo~yt~ in~l direction and a pair of end edges having a first end edge
and a second end edge. The end edges connect the side edges of the p,oL,~,Li~e sheet.
The first end edge con",- ises an inclined portion i~ i.~ with respect to the
l.~l .~,~,.;,c direction at least in part of the middle of the first end edge. The first end
edge further comprises straight portions eYt~n~lin~ lale.ally oulw~d on oppo,;le sides
15 ofthe first end edge. The first end edge and the second end edge are formed in a same
shape.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF 1~ DRAW~GS
While the spe~ifie~tion con~ des with clairns p&l;-;ul~ly pointir~g out and
lly cl~ the subiect matter which is regarded as r~s...-;.~K the present
invention, it is believed that the invention will be better u~ld~ lood from the following
description when taken in CQ~ ;on with the acG{i..~ .yi~g dlawin~;s in which:
Fig. 1 is a p~ e.~ e view of the first embo-lim~nt of the s~liLaly napkin of thepresent u~vention with a wlappt;l .
Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the sallll~y napkin shown in Fig. 1 shown with the
sa..lL~, napkin by an im~in~ry line to show the p.ol~ ,e sheets and the wla~)p~,..
Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the sar~L~y napkin shown in Fig. 1 with the flaps
fo}ded onto the Lol,~heel and the pl.~leclivt; sheet folded onto the flaps.
Fig. 4 is a se~,l;Q~ view taken on line IV-IV in Pig. 3.
l~ig. ~ is a p~ e~ e view showing a state wlapping the ~..l~y napkin of Fig.
1 in a a~i~ napkin wl~pe..
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Fig 6 is a sch~m~tic plan view e~cpl~ining a process for m~n~f~ ring the
protective sheet of the present invention
Fig 7 is a secl;o~ view _-l lAi~ a way for removing the s~,il~uy napkin of
Fig. 1 from the s~u"l~y napkin w~pe.-
Fig 8 is a top plan view of the second ~ lI)o~ of the s~l~l~y napk n of the
present invention with the s~,il~ napkin shown by an im~gin~ry line to show the
protective sheets and the w~pe~
Fig 9 is a top plan view of the third embo~lim~nt of the sallikuy napkin of the
present invention with the sllil~y napkin shown by an im~gin~ry line to show theprotective sheets and the wl~ppe
Fig 10 is a top plan view of the ~allil~y napkin shown in Fig 9 with the flaps
folded onto the topshe~;l and the plote.;li~c; sheet folded onto the flaps
Fig 11 is a top plan view of the forth embo~im~nt of the s~lil~y napkin of the
present invention with the ~lil~y napkin shown by an ;~fi~ y line to show the
protective shects and the wiilpper
Fig 12 is a top plan view of the fifth ~ ..I.o~ .1 of the ~ napkin of the
present invention with the s~lilmy napkin shown by an i~5~n~ry line to show the
25 ~.otccli~re sheets and the Wl~pe..
Fig 13 is a p~ ,p~cli~,~, view of the sixth embodiment of the s~il~y napkin of
the present invention having back flaps with a Wl~.,r.
Fig 14 is a top plan view of the salliL~ y napkin shown in Fig 13 shown with the;,~l~y napkin by an ;~A~ y line to show the ~-- lecl;~e sheets and the w~pe~
Fig 1~ is a top plan view of the sanitary napkin shown in Fig 13 with the front
flaps and the back flaps folded onto the top ,he~l and the p-ole.,l~re sheets folded onto
both flaps
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Fig. 16 is a sectil~n~1 view PYpl~inin~ a way for removing the ~all~L~r napk~n of
Fig. 13 ~om the sanitaty napkin wlapper.
PETAII,ED DESCRlPTION OF THE INVENTION
s
A p.~f~ d embodiment of a sal-lL~y napkin 2 of the present invention is
shown in Fig. 1. As shown in Figs. 1 and 4, the sa,f~ napkin 2 has a 1iquid
permeable topshe~,L 4 facing a v~alcl's body, a liquid ~ eable ba~ ~l.f~l 6 facing
a ~..,~e '~ und~ c.-L, and an abso.~t;..L core 8 interposed beL~,~,n the to~:il.e~,L 4
10 andtheb&~L~ e~6.
The topsl-ceL 4 should allow body fluids eA~ Led by the user to pf ~f~
Iht;~,Ll~lo~ quickly into the abso-b~,nL core 8 and should not give the wearer an
CA~e.Si~ ly L_~p~ nt feeling when brought into contact with the skin of the wearer.
15 ~l-it~hle materials for the lop~hf~ 4 may be, for .. , 'e, a woven or nonwoven fabric
of natural fibers or synthetic fibers; a thermoplastic s.~l~lL~,~ic resin film provided with
,rvus ap~,lLu~, a sheet of porous ~I~ ic resin foam; a sheet of meshed
synthetic resin foam; a meshed th~,.moplastic synthetic resin film; and a sheet of
thermoplastic synthetic resin scrim.
The b~c1~h~et 6 should prevent the body fluids ~bso,l,ed by the ~so~lJen~ core 8from exuding from the sa,liL~,y napkin 2 to co~ e the wearer and/or the ~ rtl's
cloths. Suitable m~tçri~l~ for the ba~ hçet 6 may be a soft, liquid ~ P~blç,
thermoplastic synthetic resin filrn, such as polyolefin film. Particularly suitable films for
2S the bac~ et 6 may be a }ow density polyethylene film having the thir~ oSC of 0.01 to
0.05 mm; more p~,f~l~bly, about 0.02~ mm, such as Model XP-39385 c~ .r-.,ially
.~,..k~,~e~ by ni~..te~. Dept., Ethyl Corp, and SOPFLEX 1401 ec~ ..;ally ...~-k~ t~1
by Clopay ~orp., Ci~.~ h..~ Ohio, U.S.A
The a~so,l.en~ core 8 should absorb and hold the body fluids ~,r~.Led by the
wearer and ~"",ealed through the top~ e~l 4. .~ llit~le m~teri~lc for the ~so,l,e-,L core
B may be, for ~ ri~llple, a fine, crushed wood pulp called air felt; a craped cell-llose
wadding; melt-blown polymers; chemic~lly ri~i-lifie~1, de~--..rd or bridged cellulose
fibers; abso,be..~ synthetic resin foam; tissue paper; abso,~lio~ gelling materials
~materials that absorb liquids and ~ ,); and s~lit~h'~ co~ onc of those
materials.
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The external shape of the s~l-l~y napkin 2 is defsned by opposite longitll~in~l
side edges 30, and opposite end edges 32 and 33 ~ K pC~I)F.~ rly to the
lon~ n~l direction. In this sperifi~tion~ the terrn ''longiturlin~t~ as used herein,
refers to a line, axis or direction in the plane of the S~lll~y napkin 2 that is generally
S aligned with (e.g., app-o,ul--alely parallel to) a vertical plane which bisects a ~ nllin~
wearer into left and right body halves when the sa,.ilaly nap cin 2 is worn. In this
spe-~;fic~tion the term "transverse" or "lateral" used herein, are i,.Lu.~-~n~c~bte, and
refer to a line, axis or d-fccLioll which lies within the p}ane of the s~liL~y napkin 2 that
is generally perpen~ic~ r to the lon~it~ in~ direction.
The topsheet 4 and the b~ct-ehPet 6 are formed in a shape coinri~lin~ with the
external shape of the salul~y napkin 2 and extend transversely oLllw~d from the
opposite side edges 14 ofthe absorbent core 8 to form a pair offiaps 10. When using
the ;,anil~y napkin 2, the flaps 10 are folded around the leg opPni~e of underwear so
15 as to extend on the outer surface in the crotch region of the u"dc.-.~. The
e~ . p~ hc.~l portions of the topsheet 4 and the b~ L!~hF,~ 6 are joined
togothpr by heat and/or p-cSa~ll., to form a sealed pc,.il,h~ l region 12. Polliolls of the
top~llc_l 4 and the b~ct~rehPet 6 in regions 16 ~ , along the ~ osilc side edges
14 of the al~soll enL core 8 are joined together by heat and/or PIC;~:~LIIC. If desired, the
20 topshe~l 4 and the b~rL-ehset 6 may be joined to~hP~ by other means, such as an
adhesive or the like.
Adhesive layers are provided on the surface of the b~t !~h~ l 6 of the s~ -l~y
napkin 2 to be in contact with the user's underwear. First adhesive layers 38, 40 and
25 42 are ~l~lged at intervals along the lo~ in~l direction ofthe abso~ .,L core 8 on
the surface of the b~ heet 6 facing the u~lde~ ~ar in regions col,~ ondl..g to the
abso.l,~,..l core 8. The adhesive layers 38, 40 and 42 are used for a~rhing the
s~..l~y napkin 2 to the inner surface of the crotch of the underwear. Instead of three
of the adhesive layers 38, 40 and 42, a single continUo~ls adhesive layer eYtçrl~i~ in
30 the lo~t~ in~l direction of the s~t.l~ napkin 2 may be used. In such a case, a
protective sheet de~ ~ ;I,ed h~ .ealhller may be formed in a size l~rc~ for plol~cl;~.g
the single co..~ e adhesive layer. Second adhesive layers 44 are provided on thesurfaces of portions of the back sheet 6 corresponding to the flaps 10. The adhesive
layers 44 are used for atta~-hing the flaps 10 to the outer surface of the underwear
when the flaps 10 are folded back. Century Adhesive A-3050IV1 comm~rcially
n.a.l~eled by Century Adhesive Corp., Coll~mhl~ Ohio, U.S.A. is an adhesive suitable
for those adhesive layers.
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The sanitary napkin 2 is wrapped individually with a w-appillg film 20. A pull
tab 34 is joined to the s~lhst~nti~lly rniddle portion of an upper end 26 of the w~pping
film 20. The pull tab 34 is pulled to unpack the s~lil~y napkin 2. As shown in Fig. 2,
S the w-~ppi"g film 20 has a reC~ r shape PYtPntling along the longitl~lin~l direction
of the sanitary naplcin 2. As shown in Fig. 3, oppo.,;le side portions 22 of thewla~h~g film 20 extend ouLwa~ y beyond folded portions 24 of the flaps when the
flaps are folded. An upper end 26, as viewed in Fig. 2, of the w,~p.l.g film 20
extends ouLw~rdly beyond the upper end edge 32 of the s~uL~y napkin 2. The lowerend 28, as viewed in Fig. 2, of the w-a~)~;ng film 20 coincides s ~ ly with the
lower end edge 33 of the salulaly napkin 2. ~ t~ble materials for the Wl~)pulg fi~m
20 are polyethylene, poly~.lo~ylene and such. The same m~tfri51 as the prote~
sheet described hereinafter, may be used instead of the m~tPri~ls for the Wl ~)ping film.
In the embodimpnt shown in Fig. 2, the upper end 26 of the W~lpillg fiLrn 20
extends beyond the upper end edge 32 of the Sa~ul~y napkin 2. However, the upperend 26 of the w-a~plllg film 20 may be shorter than the upper end edge 32 of the~alùl~y napkin 2. The lower end 28 of the WI~JpLI~ film 20 may extend beyond thelower end edge 33 of the saru~y napkin 2. ~lle.~ , the lower end 28 of the
Wl~.~p~lg film 20 may be shorter than the lower end edge 33 of the s~uliL2. y napkin 2
provided that the s~uLaly napkin 2 can be w-~ped so that any portion of the s~fLal~
napkin 2 is not ~ osed b~L~ .,n the upper end 26 and the lower end 28 of the
w~alJpLI~, film 20; that is, the ~ ~ L- ...I;..p length of the upper end 26 and the lower end
28 may optionally be d~ e~l provided that the ~uL~ napkin 2 can be wl~ped
2~ so that no portion of the s~uL~y napkin is ~,Ayosed.
le~ole~iLi~,e sheets for l~lutC~Lil-g the adhesive layers 38, 40, 42 and 44 on the
b~-~t~l.eeL side of the sanitary napkin 2 are ~ t~d to the inner surface of the
wlalJpillg film 20 to be in contact vith the S~uL~y napkin 2.
The p~oL~cLivc sheets 46 and 48 are provided the inner sur~ce of the wlappLllg
film 20 to co--~spond the adhesive layers 38 and 42. The plote~.Li~.., sheets 46 and 48
are fonned in size large enough to cover the adhesive layers 38 and 42, ~~ ~e-;Li~ Iy
and have .~cl~ r shapes as shown in Fig. 2. Each ~,iol.,~ ,e sheets 46 and 48 are
3S ~ t~d to the wlapping film 20 by two adLesi~,~, regions 52 ~ along the
1On~h-~lin~l direction of the sal~ital~ napkin 2. AlL~,naLi~,ly, the plol~Li~e sheets 46
and 48 may be ~ hed to the wlappll~g iilIIl 20 by a single or three or more
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11
lon i~l-1in~1 adhesive regions, or a single or more adhesive regions ~ f~ g
transversely. Preferably, the surfaces of the p.ole.;Li~,e sheets 46 and 48 facing the
adhesive layers 38 and 42 of the sanll~y napkin 2 are coated with a surface lubricant,
such as ~ilicQ~e The protective sheets 46 and 48 may be made of an oldhl~ paper
sheet. A suitable material for the protective sheets 46 and 48 is MGA Silox C3R/01
available from Akrosil Co., U.S.A. Alternatively, the ~ule~;Li~G sheets 46 and 48 may
be made of the same material as the Wl~ping film. The p.uleeLive sheets 46 and 48
may be formed integrally with a plùte-;Li~e sheet 5~ des~ ed hc.~.. ~Ler. Regions of
the wl~ppillg filrn 20 coll~,~on~in~ to the adhesive layers 38 and 42 may be coated
10 with a surface l~briC~nt such as silicone or the lilce, thereby the ~lolceLi~e sheets 38
and 42 may be omitted Both the adhesive layers 38 and 42 or one of the adhesive
layers 38 and 42 may be omitt~ ~ and both the plole-;Li~,e sheets 46 and 48 or one of
the protective sheets 46 and 48 may be omitted accol.lhlgl~l.
The plu~e~ re sheet 50 is provided to the inner surface ofthe wl~ppillg film 20
to co--~ond the adhesive layers 40 and 44. As shown in Fig. 2, the pr~le~ , sheet
50 has a shape D~ DI~ ty r~emhlin~ an arc-shaped band. More concretely, the
plûte~ e sheet 50 has a pair of side edges 53 e,~ ;f~3~ in the lo~yt~ n~l direction
of the s~.i~ napl~in 2, and a pa~ ~e~ edgcs 54 ~ 6 in~erc~nnc~ p ~ile pair of
2û side edges 53 and gcn~ g in the ll~lD~De direction. As shown in Fig. 2,
the end edge 54 conl~lises a curved-line. ~lcrcl~ /, the end edge 54 has an arc-shaped portion 57 i~rl;~;.,g with respect to the L1j~ID~/e~ di.~ ion of the sal il~y
napkin 2, and straight end portions 59 located on the oppos;le sides of the arc-shaped
portion 57 and ~ P transversely oulwald lhe~;w~l. The end edge 56 also has
an arc-shaped portion 61 and straight end pulliolls 63 located on the oppos;le sides of
the arc L~ed portion 61 and ~ iQg transversely ~lwdld lL_ c~um. The straight
end portions 60 and 62 project transversely <sulw~d at the oppo~te sides of the
prole~ re sheet 50. The arc-shaped portions 57 and 61 curve in the same direction
with respect to the longi~lin~l direct;on of the sal il~y napkin 2 and are spaced a
30 pred~Lellled ~ ce apart. The prolecli~te sheet 50 has a pair of plole~ ,e
portions 55 for protecting the adhesive layers 44 on oppos.le sides of the plote~;li~.,
sheet 50. The protective sheet 50 also has a cot~Pc~ portion 65 for co~ P~ Y theopposite plote.~ e po.~ions 55 in the middle of the ~rùle~ e sheet 50. In this
embo~im~nt the opposite straight end portions 59, 59 and 63, 63 project at di~erenl
lengths as shown in Fig. 2. Alternatively, the opposite straight end portions 59, 59 and
63, 63 may project at the same length.
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12
The arc-shaped portion 57 of the end edge 54 of the l~lu~e~i~ive sheet 50
reduces reA~i~tAnAe when removing the sa~ ~y napkin 2 from the w.~p~,g fiLfn 20.The arc-shaped portion 57 has two inclined portions syrnmptr~ with respect to the
lnngit~lAin~1 center axis X ofthe sanitary napkin 2 on the ll~r.s~ ely opposite sides of
5 the lon itnrlin~l center axis X as shown in Fig. 2. Each inclined portion of the arc-
shaped portion 57 iS defined by an inclinAtirJn starting point 69, an ;~ ;on
te~ point 71 and an inA~ined line 75f~Yt~n~linp~b-Lv~ n the il~r.~ ;r n starting
point 69 and the inAlin~tinn te,.-~ g point 71. In the embodirnent shown in Fig. 2,
the inc~;n~tion starting point 69 po~ilions on the lon~ih~ l center axis X of the
0 5a~ hy napkin 2. AIL- ~llali- ely~ the inAtin~tion starting points may be apart from each
other. The inA~in !d line 75 inclines so that the inrlinA~tinn tc....;-~Al;-~g point 71 iS
spaced from a ll~"s~ e line 73 passing the ;...~linA1;Qll starting point 69. In other
words, the in~ ned line 75 inclines toward the adhesive iayer 44 with respect to the
lldlls~ .e Iine 73 passing the inAlin~tinn starting point 69 so that the i~ ion
t~ point 71is located near the adhesive layer 44. Further, the inAlir(ed line 75inclines so that the il~. ti~ ;ol~ t~ ,o point 71 is spaced from the h~ e line
73 passing the ;~.rll..Al;nn starting point 69 toward a dilc;clion Z (shown in Figs. 1 and
2) in which the sanlld,y napkin 2 is pulled relative to the w.~pL,~ film 20 whenremoving the S~ljldly napkin 2 from the w,~ppjng film 20. Plcr~ .al,ly, the inrline~i line
75 extends through at least a point of i~ e-;Lion of the end edge 54 of the proLeclivc;
sheet 50 and the folded portion 24 along which the flap 10 is to be folded. The arc-
shaped portion 57 having such an inclined portion reduces l~ .re becdusc of the
filnAtion of the arc-shaped portion 57 as des.;,il~cd later when the sallil~y napkin 2 is
removed from the Wld~Jp;ll~; film 20. The straight end portions 59 of the end edge 54
extend o~lLw~dly from the in(~1in~tion lw~ g points 71 where the curves 75
dLeS to the side edges 53.
The inclined line 75 in the emhodiment shown in Fig. 2 is a part of an arc o~ a
circle. Alternatively, a part of the end edge 54 may be an inAI;..ed straight line or a
c~. ~k ~ ;o-- of a part of an arc and an inclined straight line. The other end edge 56 of
30 the plulc.l;~e sheet 50 may be formed in the same shape a~ the end edge 54.
Alte.naLii~.ly, the end edge 56 may have a straight edge ~If~ 3 in the transverse
direction ofthe s~ilaly napkin 2 and not having the arc ~ hapcd portion 61.
The f~ ns of the prolc~ e sheet 50 are delc.llll.lcd selectively taking
3~i into conC;~ la~ion the ~ nSionc of the sanitaly naplcin 2 or those of the wl~ g
film 20. The ~l;-n- -,~;onc of the ~n,lc~live sheet 50 are d t~ n~l ~r~ fel~ly, not
~cce~A-ily, so as to meet the following con~litionc Plef~.ably, the length S, i.e., a
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13
~imPneinn along the lon~t~ inAI direction of the sanitary napkin 2, of the piote~;li.~e
sheet S0 is shorter than the ~ ce T between folding lines 66 and 68 folding the
sanitary napkin 2 into three parts and being folded therealong. The width P along the
transverse direction of the :.dnil~y napkin 2 of the p~ule~;live sheet 50 is equal to or
S greater than the tlict~nce R between the outer sides of each adhesive layer 44 provided
on the back c~ ces of the flaps 10. More plerel~ly, the -width P is twice as long as
the ~l;c~ ce Q bel~,~n the folded portions 24 or above. The piule~;li.~e sheet 50
having the length S des~ ed above is not folded when the s~,iL~y napkin 2 is folded
into three to be wl~ped with the w,~pi"g film 20. Accol.l.l,~, the protccli~e sheet
10 50 made of a paper sheet usually need not be folded and hence the s~ napkin 2can easily be folded. The protective sheet 50 having the width P ~es-~;bcd aboveensures to protect the adhesive layers 44 provided on the flaps 10. The verticalproje~l,ons 60 and 62 of the protective sheet 50 can be o~e.lapped and col~l-e~,led as
shown in Fig. 3 when the protective sheet 50 is folded in a shape as des_,il,ed later.
While the vertical projections 60 and 62 of the pl ulc~ e sheet 50 allows the width P
of the protective sheet 50 to be long eno~l~h, the vertical projections 60 and 62 allows
the length ofthe plole~ re sheet 50 to be short Pnnugh
The protective sheet 50 is ~t~Ached to the w,~pi"~ film 20 by the two
adhesiveregions52~ flinpinthelon ihl-lin~ldi,,~,Liollofthes~,il~ynapkin2. A
single or three or more adhesive regions may be used instead of the two adhesiveregions 52 to attach the protective sheet S0 to the w,~pin~, fi~n 20. AlL~.Ilali~ly, a
single or more adhesive regions P~tPntling transversely may be used. The pr~lc~
sheet 50 is Att~chP,d to the wl~ ing film 20 so that its center line dividing the
protective sheet S0 into sul,~ ;Ally equal two parts coinr;dpc with the longjhlr1inAI
center axis X of the s~"l~r napkin 2. The adhesive regions 52 are located on theh~/el~ely inner side of the folded portions 24 along which the flaps 10 are folded
back. Po,liolls of the ~,.,le.;li~re sheet PYt~pr~ ng on the outer sides of the adhesive
regions 52 are free to move relative to the w,~p~g film 20. The su&ce of the
protc~,l;.~e sheet S0 facing the adhesive layers 40 and 44 is coated with a surface
lub~ L, such as ~iliconP~ The adhesive layer 40 on the back surface of the sdl~il~y
napkin 2 may be omittc(l When the adhesive layer 40 is omi~te~i~ only regions on the
surface ofthe protective sheet col.c~ondi"g to the adhesive layers 44 may be coated
with a surface l~lbriç~rlt The plûte.;~ive sheet 50 may be an Grdi~ r paper sheet or
may be MGA Silox C3R/01 available from Akrosil Co., U.S.A The same material as
fo"""-~ the Wl~ img filrn may be used for forrning the ploLe:~ilive sheet.
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14
The sanitary napkin 2, the wl ~p~uing film 20 snd the protective sheet 50 may beassembled by the following steps. First the sanitary napkin 2 is fabricated. Next, the
protective sheets 46 and 48 are ~tf~Ch~d to the sani~y napkin 2, and the protective
sheet 50 is attached to the ~lihly napkin 2. Subseq -~ntly, after the flaps 10 are
5 folded, the ~~ .ng film 20 is ~tt~hPd to the s&lli~y napkin 2. Finally the sal il~y
napkin 2 is folded into three to complete a Dal~il~y napkin packet.
The steps will be described in further detail. An adhesive is applied to
p~ulc~,Li~e sheet 46 to form the adhesive layer 38 on each protecLive sheet 46. The
10 protective sheet 46 each having the adhcsi~e layer 38 are cut in the pfl,d~t~ ed
length. Then the p.olecli~e sheets 46 are arranged at intervals. The protc~livc sheet
46 is stt~ched to the s~'il~y napkin 2 at an appl~û~ e position on the san l~ napkin
2 with the adhesive layers 38 in contact v~th the b~-t cheet 6 of the sa- ila.r napkin 2
while the sanitary napkin 2 are conveyed contin-lol-cly. Sirnilarly, the protective sheet
~5 48 is att~ch~d to the bnr~ e~l 6 of the s~ iL~uy napkin 2.
The adhesive layers 40 and 44, and an adhesive 64 which will be ~IF .~;I,ed
Ister, are applied to the pro~,liv-e sheet 50. Then, the plolecli~/c sheet 50 is cut in a
length being applied to a product. Af'rer that, a pl~d~t~ F~d interval is secured
20 bcL~n the pl~,cF.li-.g and succeeAill~ protective sheet 50. Thus the pl~o~e~ , sheet
50 is ~tt~-,hed to the sal il~y napkin 2 at an approl,.iale pocitinrl on the sanila.y napkin
2 with the adhesive layers 40 and 44 in contact with the b~ch~et 6 of the sanil2..y
napkin 2 while the sa~liL~y napkin 2 are co..vcycd contim~ollcly
Since the :,.. -races of the ~lolcc~iv-e sheets 46, 48 and 50 facing the sa~lik.. y
napkin 2 are coated with a surface 1..1~ such as silir~ne~ the adhesive layers 38,
42, 40 and 44 are l,~L.~ed virtually from the ~lulc~,livc sheets 46, 48 and 50 to the
s~uf~l~y napkin 2. When the plule~ e sheets 46, 48 and 50 are l~.,.o~,ed from the
~d~f~lmy napkin 2, the adhesive layers 38, 42, 40 and 44 remain on the sd~ napkin
30 2 to achieve their ~u-~oscs.
The flaps 10 ofthe sa- iln~y napkin 2 provided with the ploLe~ c sheets 46, 48
and 50 are folded along the folded portion 24 onto the topsl.ee~ 4 toge~her with free
side portions of the prolc~,live sheet 50 ~n~inp transversely u~ll~&d from the
35 folded portion 24. The free side portions of the ~role~i~ive sheet 50 may be folded
onto the lopsLe~L 4 after folding the flaps 10 onto the ~o~sl-e~l 4. The vertical
~roie.,Liolls 60 and 62 of the protective sheet 50 are joined together by the adhesive
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64. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the fiaps 10 are folded on top of the topsl-e~L 4 of the
sanitary napkin 2, and the protective sheet 50 is folded on top of the flaps 10 and held
fixedly in place.
.
Subsequently, after an adhesive is applied to the protective sheets 46, 48 and
50 in portions cc"~ onding to the adhesive regions 52, the wla~ film 20 is joined
to the protective sheets 46, 48 and 50 attA~ched to the ba L~l.ee~ 6 of the saniLa y
napkin 2. Then, as shown in Fig. 3, the sa-~y napkin 2 is folded together with the
w.~p;~3 film 20 along the folding lines 66 and 68 folding the Sd~ ~y napkin 2 into
three parts. The lower part 74, as viewed in Fig. 3, of the three parts of the sal.il~uy
napkin 2 is folded onto the middle part 72, and then the upper part 70, to which the
tape 34 is A~ Ach~d, is folded onto the middle part 72. The tape 34 may be a~rhed to
the Wl~pil~g film 20 after co~ ,tely folding up the S~lil~y napkin 2 or may
previously be ~tt~hed to the w.~ping film 20. After thus w-a~pillg the folded
~5 s~f~L~y napkin 2 in the wla~ ng film 20, the OppG;~.~O side edges of the w
film 20 are joined together by a suitable means, such as hot-melt welding, pl~
bonding or heat-sealing using heat and p-~u-e, or with an adhesive to cnmplete as&nll~y napkin w-al)per CQI~ g the sdllila-y napkin 2 as shown in Fig. 5.
Preferably, creases 80 of the folded protc~ e sheet 50 in this embodiment
extend in a region cGI--,~olldil~g to the middle part 72 as shown in Fig. 3 so that the
creases 80 may not extend beyond the folding lines 66 or 68 and the creases 80 may
not be folded by the folding lines 66 or 68. When the creases 80 extend in the region
co~ ,onding to the middle part 72, the guiding filnction of the end edge 54 of the
p~ e~ e sheet 50 is not obstructed which will be de~ il cd later since the protective
sheet 5~ does not have creases in the transverse direction.
As shown in Figs. 2 to 4, the adhesive 64 joins to~ll- the vertical proj~ -
60 and 62 of the plote~ e sheet 50. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the adhesive 64 is
provided S~ %~I;AI1Y at the middle of the vertical plu;e -- 60 with respect to the
long~hl~lin~l d,leclion. The position of the adhesive 64 is not ~-o,ce~c--;ly limited
thereto; the adhesive 64 may be formed at a posiliol~ 164 IQ~yt~ in~lly f~rthest from
the inrlined portion of the end edge 54 on the vertical projection 60 or 62. Theadhesive 64 may be formed of an adhesive having a relatively weak bon~liltg sl.en~lh
so that the vertical projections 60 and 62 can easily be sep~u~led from each other. The
adhesive 64 may be omitte~
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16
The protective sheet 50 of the above-mt~nticned shape has the following
advantages. The straight end portions 59 and 63 of the protective sheet 5Q allow a
cutting process for the protective sheet 50 described later to ~t~col~nt for tracking
variation in the protective sheet 50. Without the straight end portions 59 and 63, if the
5 protective sheet 50 is o~track, even by a few mill;~ .S going into a cutter, the cutter
will cut the opposite end edges of the protective sheet 50 at di~, 't~ll times and the
shape of the resulting protective sheet will not be ~ el~ic~l The straight end
portions 59 and 63 allow the process to A.- co~lnt for tracking variation such that the
opposite end edges of the p.ole.;li~.~ sheet 50 are always cut at the same tirne and
10 results in a much more ùllirv.... ~ lulc. This would be p~Li~;ul~]~ UllpOI~ in a
cutting process where cut and slip lec~ ology is used. ~ cutting process of making the
protective sheet 50 by the cut and slip technology will be des~i,il)ed with ,t;fcl~,nce to
Fig. 6. The protective sheet 50 before cutting is a.lva.lced in the dil~lion of the arrow.
A cutter 101 cuts the leading end ofthe IJlutc~;Li~e sheet 50 in the shape ofthe end edge
15 54. Usually, the cutter 101 is mollnted on a lulaLillg cy1intlnc~l roller, not shown. In
Fig. 6, the cutter 101 starts cutting the l~lule.,Li~ sheet 50 at a position cC,~l~s~,o~
to the in~ Al;Ql~ starting point 69 (Fig. 2). An intie;~ n in the p,olc~ e sheet 50
develops as the roller holding the cutter 101 rotates. Finally, portions of the lJlot6~ ,e
sheet 50 co...,~.olld;~ to the straight end portions 59 are cut to produce the ~lùlc~
sheet 50. Then, the cut ~-ute~ live sheet 50 is pulled on a CO.. ~ 8 roll (not shown) by
vacuum and is co,~ ,d at a speed higher than a speed at which the p.ul~li~, sheet 50
before being cut are fed to the cutter 101, so that the protective sheets 50 sepal~l~d by
cutting are a,.al ged at intervals.
In this process, the plu~e~ Live sheet 50isusually fed to a pre~l~t~ ed position(pG~;lioninr~ ted by cortimlolls lines in Fig. 6) relative to the cutter 101. However,
the protective sheet 50 so~ r,s gets offtrack pcl~e ~ rly to the feed direction,such as ~om a correct po;,;lio.~ to a position ~ -- ...p~ rd by 5~ e long and tmo short
dashed lines in Fig. 6. The straight end portions 59 ar~ surely given to the protective
sheet 50 even if the position of the cutter 101 relatively ~1ielnc~t~s with respect to the
~,ruLe~ re sheet 50, because the cutter 101 has straight portions 103. Co--e~ ly~ the
width of the arc-shaped portion 57 of the in~linPd portion ûf the prole..Li~re sheet 50 is
not ~ff~cte~1 Since the plùLevli~re sheet 50 is thus f~nn~ the vertical ~rujevLions 60
and 62 can surely overlap each ûther ûn the Lop~lle~l 4. More illl~ol~llly~ if the
35 protective sheet wiLlluuL the straight end portions gets offtrack, the oppGs;le end edges
may be cut at ~ rc.-t times. If one end edge of the plol~vli~re sheet 50 is cut before
the other end edge, one end edge of the prolevLi~,e sheet 50 will be accel~ ~aLcd prior to
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17
the other end edge being cut because the conveying roll pulls a vscuum on the
protective sheet 50 and is rotating faster than the protective sheet 50 that is being cut
This may result in the protective sheet 50 tearing or m~n~lering. As shown in Fig 6,
the opposite end edges 65 and 67 ofthe p..~te.ili~re sheet 50 are always cut at the same
S time because of the presence of the straight end portions S9 and 63 Thert;rul.; they
prevent the cut protective sheet 50 from tearing and/or m~n~ering~
When taking the sanitary napkin 2 thus p~L~P.ed in the -Wl~pillg film 20 from
the s~lil~y napkin packet, the tape 34 is pulled in the di~ecLioll of the arrow 76 (Fig
5) and the sealed side edge portions 22 of the Wl~Jpill~, film 20 are tom apart, thereby
the upper part 70 is 11nfo1~1ed first Then the lower part 74 is ~mfolded to unfold the
sall.kuy napkin 2 in the state shown in Fig 3 Subsequently, the upper end edge 32 of
the sanitary napkin 2 is pulled in a direction out of the paper, as viewed in Fig.. 3,
relative to the wl~ph~g film 20 As the upper end edge 32 of the sa-lil~y napkin 2 is
thus pulled, first, the adhesive layer 38 sticking to the back surface of the san.l~y
napkin 2 is sepa aled from the protective sheet 46 In the initia1 stage of separation of
the adhesive layer 38 from the p-uLe~ sheet 46, the vertical proje ~i- - 60 and 62
joined together by the adhesive 64 are not .~ leased; .~ ~cd; 1~ 1y from each other even
if the sanila-y napkin 2 is raised from the wla~lJiny~ film 20 As the s~ , napkin 2 is
raised further from the w.~ping film 20, the p-utccli~e sheet 50 is raised tope11
with the sar i~y napkin 2 as shown in Fig 7 Since the arc-shaped end edge 54 of the
p.~le~ sheet 50 is able to guide the ~ iL~y napkin 2 as the sal.ll~r napkin 2 isseparated gradually from the Wl~pillg film 20, the p.oLc~,Li~e sheet 50 does not tear
As the sanil2-,y napkin 2 is further pulled apart from the Wl~pl~l~ film 20, the vertical
proje~ e 60 and 62 joined togel~ by the adhesive 64 are sep~aLed from each
other Next, the adhesive layers 44 formed on the flaps 10 are sep~al~.d from thepro~c~ sheet 52 Finally, the adhesive layer 42 is sep~a~d from the p~otec~
sheet 50 to se~.~ale the s~..l~y napkin 2 comrlet~ y from the wl~ping film 20
Fig 8 shows a sallll~y napkin 2 in a second embodi-m--ent acco.d.ng to the
present invention In the second embo~liment the ploLc~ sheet 50 colll~ es a pairof side edges 53 ~Yt n-~ing in the 1O~t~ in~1 direction of the Sdl il~y napkin 2, and a
pair of end edges 54 and 56 intelco~ e~ g the pair of side edges 53 The end edges
54 has an only arc-shaped portion 57 However, the straight end portions 59 and 63 in
the first embodiment may not be provided
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18
Figs. 9 and 10 show a sanil~y napkin 2 in a third embodiment according to the
present invention. Whereas the protective sheets 46, 48 and 50 employed in the first
embodiment for protecting the adhesive layers 38, 40, 42 and 44 cv~ ;se s~,p~alesheets and ~tf~h~d to the wrapping film 20, the third embodiment may employ a
S single protective sheet 100 for p~utecLi-lg adhesive layers 38, 40, 42 and 44. The
S~ulh,y napkin 2 need not nec~oss~rily be provided on its back surface with the
ae~,alaLe adhesive layers. Allell.aliv~l~, the sat~itary napkin 2 may be provided with a
single cross-shaped adhesive layer 102 in~lic~t~od by altemate long and two short
dashes lines in Fig. 9. The protective sheet 100 may be ~tt~rh~d to a W~a~plll~13 film 20
10 by adhesive regions 52 and the llans~ ely outer end portions of the prot~liv~ sheet
100 may be free to move relative to the Wl~pillg film 20. The opposite IQ~itll~iend edges 104 of the protective sheet 100 may be fonned in the shape of an arc.
Th~refore, the p,oLc~;Li~,re sheet 100 may have inclined edges ~ ..t;.~g b~ n the
ion starting points 101 and the il~r~ l;on tc....;l~ ;3 points 103 at the
15 lo ~ tU~tin~loppG~;lc ends thereo~ As is obvious from Fig. 10 sl.ow~.~ the flaps 10 of
the S&~ aly napkin and the protective sheet 100 in a folded state, both end edges 104
formed in the shape of an arc of the plule.;li~c sheet 100 may serve as a guide when
S~&alillg the sallilaly napkin 2 from the ~rvlc~ , sheet 100. Hence the scuul~y
napkin 2 may be pulled from any l--ngit~ in~l direction when sep&a~ the ;~a~ ~y
20 nspkin 2 from the Wlh~pillg film 20. In the third emborliment~ creases 80 in the
plote.,li~c sheet 100 also extend within a middle part of the Sdlulhly napkin 2 folded
into three along folding lines 66 and 68. The single p~vh~ /e sheet 100 formed as
one sheet to protect each the adhesive layer as shown in Fig. 9 of the third
embodiment may not be ~tt~rhed to the w-a~ing fflm 20. The protc~ c sheet 100
25 may be ~'~"-,~,~id from the s~ula,~ napkin 2 after taking the s~,il~y napkin 2 with the
plulccli~c sheet 100 out from the wla~pillg film 20.
Fig. 11 shows a s~ y napkin 2 in a forth ~mhor~im~nt aceo.di..g to the
present i.l~elllion. In the forth Pmhor1im~nt, adhesive layers 44 provided on the back
s-~ces of flaps 10 may be p~)Lc~led by p~ sheets .li~G.lL in shape from the
~role~ e sheet c.l.pl~ d in the first embor~im~nt More concr,tcly, the adhesive
layers 44 may be protected by a pair of ~luLc~ e sheets 110 having the protective
portions 113. The opposite IQt~gihl(?in~l end edges 116 of the pair of pr~lc~ . sheets
110 may cor,.p,ise in~ n~cl straight lines ~Yten~ins~ b~,h.~,~,n the ;~ n starting
points 115 and the in~lin~til~n t~ points 117 as shown in Fig. 11. Each
proLG~ C sheet 110 has one side edge 112 near to the lor~tlldin~l center a~cis of the
saniL~uy napkin 2. The side edge 112 is co....e~;led to the wla~pillg film 20 by the
CA 02247839 1998-08-21
W O97/31604 PCT~US97/02726
19
adhesive layer 114. The~GîolG, the wl~ppcl film 20 col~le.;ls the opposite protective
sheets 110 each other as the connecting portion 111. Since the opposite side edges
112 ofthe prote.li~e sheets 110 are spaced from each other, the san~l~y napkin 2 in
the forth embo-lim~nt may not be provided with any adhesive layer co-L~ondin~g to
the adhesive layer 40 of the sal il~ y napkin 2 in the first embo~;m~ont If a portion of
the WL~pil~g film 20 co~ ol1ding to the space between the opposite side edges 112
is coated with a surface lubricant, the s~LnilaLy nspkin 2 may be provided with an
adhesive layer corresponding to the adhesive layer 40. When the flaps 10 are folded
along the folded portions 24 and the pl'ole~livG sheets 110 are folded onto the folded
10 flaps 10, the end edges 116 having inclined portions serve as a guide when peeling off
the S~lLl~Y napkin 2.
In the forth embo~lim~nt~ creases 80 in the plùte~live sheet 110 extend within amiddle part of the s~L;l~uy napkin 2 folded into three along folding lines 66 and 68.
FII11LG11110~ the entire protective sheet 110 lies within the middle part of the salfil~Ly
napkin 2. T}.e.~rorG, the protective sheet 110 need not be folded when fo1ding the
sa"i~L~r napkin 2 into three.
Fig. 12 shows a sa~ Ly napkin 2 in a fifth ~mho~;nn~nt ~ dLll~ to the
20 present il~Vell~iOIl. In the fifth embodiment, the outer side edges 122 of plul~Li~_
sheets 120 are ~ l to a Wl~l~iLlg film 20 to po.Lons near the side edges 22 ofthe
wL~L~ping film 20 by adhesive layers 124. Th_.~,fùle, the free side poLLol s of the
p-ute~ e sheets 120 not ~ hed to the wlappiLlg film 20 extend toward the
lo~ihlrl;n~l center line of the s~lil~Ly napkin 2. These p~olccli~,_ sheets 120 may be
25 superposed onto flaps 10 of the sal,il~y napkin 2. When s_p~aliLlg the s&nil~y
napkin 2 from the Wl~LppiLlg film 20, the free side portions of the plule~ sheets 120
can be e~-ten~ed away from the longihl~lin~l center line. As shown in Fig. 12, the
plol~ ,., sheets 120 may be ~ ched to the w~ ing film 20 so as to protect
adhesive layers provided on the flaps 10 a~er folding back the flaps 10 of the s~uf~l~y
30 napkin 2 along the folded portions 24. The width, i.e., the llana~e~e ~h~ L cl~, of
the protective sheets 120 may be so-~ al greater than the transverse ~ c n of
the s~ul~uy napkin 2 in a state where the flaps 10 are folded back, i.e., the sum of the
.e, rlim-~n~ion of the ~ uy napkin 2 in a state where the fiaps 10 are folded
back and the width of a portion of the ~lole.,li~., sheet 120 ~ h~l to the w. ,~ ~
35 film 20. Thus, the width of the p-ult~ re sheets 120 need not be very large so the
cost is reduced. It is desirable to form a margin of a width L b~ the outer sideedge 122 of each protective sheet 120 and the collt;~pûnding side edge of the
.
CA 02247X39 l998-08-2l
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w.~ing film 20 to enable the opposite side edge portions 22 ofthe ~ldppillg film 20
to be sealed as shown in Fig. 5. In the fifth embodiment also, each of the end edges
126 of the protective sheets 120 has an inclined portion and serves as a guide when
remov ng the sani~ary napkin 2 from the w. dppillg film 20.
s
In the fifth embodiment shown in ~ig. 12, the longitlltl;n~1 end edge 126 of
each protective sheet 120 intersect the folded portion 24 along which a flap 10 is
folded at ;..~ e~l;on points 130 and 132, lc~e~liv-ely. It is ~lGr~ab1e that the
il,ltl~eeLion points 130 and 132 are in a middle part of the s~il~y napkin 2 as folded
into three along folding lines 66 and 68, and the protective sheets 120 are in the middle
part ofthe Sd~t~y napkin 2 as folded into three.
Figs. 13 to 16 show a Sdllil~y napkin 2 in a sixth embOdlment$CCO-dill3 to the
present invention. In the sixth embodiment, the opposile side edges of the topsllecl 4
15 and the b~rt~shPet 6 extend at the position biased backwardly of the ~nila.y napkin 2
I.~s~ ely outward from the opposite side edges 14 of the a~so,b~lll core 8 to form
a pair of back flaps 210, in additi~n to the front flaps 10 in the first embofim~nt which
are folded back around the leg c~)e.~ s of underwear. When using the s~~ y
napkin 2, the back flaps 210 tend to stay widespread in the ~..,~t:l'S panties so that
20 they prevene body fluids from soiling the back region of the ~ ZIG1'S panties.
In the sixth embodiment, adhesive layers 38, 40, 42 and 240 are a-ldl.ged
longituAin~lly at u.le.v~ls on the surface ofthe barl~ oet 6 in regions CO~I~iSl~Ollding to
the al~SGII~e~ll core 8. The adhesive layers 38, 40, 42 and 240 are used for ~t~h;ng
25 the ;.~..l~ ~ napkin 2 to the inner surface of the crotch of the underwear. Furthermore,
adhe~;vG layers 244 are provided on the surfaces of portions of the b~,t!~hç~l 6
corresponding to the flaps 210. The adhesive layers 244 attach the flaps 210 to the
inner surface ofthe underwear to hold the flaps 210 in a spread state.
Protective sheets for protecting the adhesive layers 38, 40, 42, 240, 44 and 244
are ;~ ed to the inner surface of the Wl~p;-lg fil~n 20 to be in contact with the
sal~ y napkin 2. The prù~e~ e sheets 46, 48 and the front protective sheet 50 are
provided to cover the adhesive layers 38, 42, 40 and 44 as ~esçnhed in the first
embodiment and are ~tt~çhrd to the inner surface of the wla~ , film 20 by two
longitu~in~l adhesive lines 52. In the sixth embo~1impnt~ the back ~ ,te~ re sheet 250
may be provided to cover the adhesive layers 240 and 244 and att~rhpd to the inner
surface ofthe wld~ping film 20. The front p-otG-;live sheet 50 and the back plute~
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21
sheet 250 may be formed in the same shape. The.eÇole, the back p.uleeli~ sheet 250
has a shape substantially 1~S~;;A~IbIi~Ig an arc-shaped band. More concretely, the back
plole~live sheet 250 has a pair of side edges 253 parallel to the lon ihl-~in~l axis of the
saluL~y napkin 2, and a pair of end edges 254 and 256 e~en~in~ belween the pair of
S side edges 2S3. As shown in Fig. 14, the end edge 254 has an arc-shaped portion 257
curving with respect to a transverse direction and straight end portions 259 PYtendins~
outwardly from the opposite ends of the arc-shaped portion 257, r~s~e~,lively. The
end edge 256 also has an arc-shaped portion 261 and straight end portions 263
Oulwa~ldly from the opposite ends of the arc-shaped portion 261,
lQ r~e~ 1y. The straight end portions 260 and 262 project II~S~.SeI~ uul~d at
the opposite sides of the ploteeli~re sheet 50. The arc-shaped portions 257 and 261
curve in the same lon it~lin~l direction ...~ g a fixed di~t~nre lL~.el,~ . An
area between the arc-shaped pol~ions 257 and 261 is an arc-shaped main portion 265
of the back plule~live sheet 250. The coll~ -d; ~ straight end portions 259 and
263 are spaced a fixed ~ t~nce apart. The pr~lc~;li.re sheet 250 has a pair of
pr~;,le~ ., pol lions 255 for pl ~ l~,clin~ the adhesive layers 244 on oppos ::e sides of the
plu~ re sheet 250. The plû~eclive sheet 250 also has the col~ portion 265 for
con~-e~ the OppG;,;le p-olecli~e portions 255 in the n~iddle of the ~-u~ sheet
250.
The arc-shaped portion 257 of the end edge 254 of the back pn-le~ ,., sheet
250 .e.lu.,es .- ~ ee when removing the ~alUl~ napkin 2 from the Wl~pillg film
20. The arc-shaped portion 257 has two inrlined portions s~ ;c~l with respect tothe lo~itu~in~l center axis X of the s~ukuy napkin 2 on the ~ ely oppo3;le
25 sides of the lo~it~ldin~l center axis X as shown in Fig. 14. Each i~ &cl portion of
the ar~shaped portion 257 is defined by the ;~ ;Qrl starting point 269, the
n~ n t~ n~ g point 271 and the inrlinPd line 275 ~ n~l.ng b~lw~en the
5n starting point 269 and the ;... r1;.. ~1;on t.. ~ g point 271. In the
od;~ l shown in Fig. 14, the ;nl,ti~l;on starting point 269 pGC l;onc on the
30 lon~tlltlin~l center axis X of the s~ul~ napkin 2. The inclinPd line 275 inclines so
that the ;n~ ;on 14~ Q~ ; point 271 is spaced from a lla.. ,~c :ie line 273 passing
the in.~ .AIion starting point 269. Ln other words, the inrlined line 275 inclines toward
the adhesive layer 244 with respect to the ~ l;.vel~e line 273 passing the ;n. l;n~;on
starting point 269 so that the ;-,~ l-Al;~n tel~ point 271 is located near the
adhesive layer 244. Further, the inclined line 275 inclines so that the ;~ ;nAl;~n
le~ point 271 is spaced from the ~1~n~ 4 line 273 passing the inrlin~tion
starting point 269 toward a direction Z (shown in Figs. 13 and 14) in which the
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22
s~~ uy napkin 2 is pulled relative to the Wl~)ping film 20 when removing the sa.l,laly
napkin 2 from the Wl~:lpping film 20. Preferably, the inriined line 275 extends through
at least a point of intersection of the end edge 254 of the back plule~ sheet 250
and the folded portion 24 along which the flap 2}0 is to be folded. The arc-shaped
S portion 257 having such an inrlined portion reduces re~ict~n~e be~n~ee of the filn~iQn
of the arc-shaped portion 257 as dPs~- ;bed later when the sal--~y napkin 2 is removed
from the wrapping film 20. The straight end portions 259 of the end edge 254 extend
outwardly from the ;I~cl;~ ion t~ points 271 where the curves 275 t~ Ales
to the side edges 253. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 14, the curve 75 of the front
plolc~;Li~re sheet 50 and the curve 275 of the back protective sheet 250 curve in the
same direction along the lon ih1-~in~l direction of the sanil~y napkin 2 with respect to
the transverse lines 73 and 273"~,sl,ec~ ely.
The tiimPncions of the back ploleclivc sheet 250 may be del~~ Pd selecli~,ely
15 taking into consideration the d;...~ ol-c of the s~iila.y napkin 2 or those of the
Wl~pillg film 20. The dim~ncions ofthe back prol~li~e sheet 250 may be dCIf ~ Pii
pl~.f~..ably, not nececc,..ily, SO as to meet the following CQn~1;1;01~C It is ~r,r~ ble that
the back ~lole~ re sheet 250 extend within the back part 74 so that the back
protective sheet 250 may not ;~ e~,l the folding line 68 along which the sdlfi~r20 napkin 2 is folded. More pl~r~ bly, the length S, i.e., a ~ aiong the
lon it~lin~l duc~lion of the ;,aui~y nap}cin 2, of the back p,olecli~c sheet 250 is
shorter than the ~1ict~nce T beL~ en folding lines 68 and the end edge 28 of thewla~ing film 20. The width P along the ~lah ,~rcl~e direction of the s&nil&,y napWn 2
of the back pl ulc~ sheet 250 is equal to or ~eater than the ~ e R bel~ell the
outer sides of each ~I}.esi.,e layer 244 provided on the back s~ .. r~ce 5 of the flaps 210.
More plcfe~ , the width P is twice as long as the .Ji~ )r~ Q be~ the folded
portions 24 or above.
The back p.olc~ sheet 250 may be ~ chpd to the wl~pin~ film 20 by the
30 two adhesive regions 52 eYten~ing in the longitllAin~l diu~ion of the S~IikUY napk n
2. The surface ofthe back ~-ole~ e sheet 250 facing the adhesive layers 240 and 244
may be coated with a surface lubricant, such as silicone
The front ~l.JLccli~e sheet 50 and the back ~lote.~ , sheet 250 may be placed
35 in the follo-wing arr~ngemrnt The sanita{y napkin 2 is folded into a front part 70, a
middle part 72 and a back part 74 by folding lines 66 and 68. The front p~olc~ c
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23
sheet 50 is located in the middle part 72, and the back p.ùlec~iv~ sheet 250iS located
in the back part 74.
The sanitary napkin 2, the wrrapping film 20, the front protective sheet 50 in
the sixth embodiment may be assembled by the same manner as the first embodiment.
The back protective sheet 250 is ~tt~he~l to the b~ heet 6 ofthe s~uliL~y napkin 2
by the same process as the front p,ule~ re sheet 50. The front prote~ r_ sheet 50
and the back p~ute~;livc; sheet 250 is ~tt~ehP,d to the ~la y napkin 2 by the same
app~z~ s or by two &~uz lu~es z-u~zu~gcd along a direction in which the Sd~ il~ynapkin 2 is cO--~rr"~r~,d. The front prole.,li~re sheet 50 and the back ~rOle~Li~re sheet 250
employed in this embodiment have the same shape. The~r~o._, the front prote~ ,r
sheet 50 and the back prote~ilive sheet 250 may be ~tt~Chpd to the sa~ zuy napkin 2
succe~ively by making one appz-u~Lus carry out two p-ùler.~ re sheet ~tt~hing cycles
while the s~ulzuy napkin 2 passes the a~palz lus. Thus, both the front pro~ce~i~,e sheet
50 and the back protective sheet 250 can be ~ chPd to the s~la.y napkin 2 by a
single appala~ùs. When the adhesive layers 44 and 244 are provided in the same shape
and the adhesive layers 40 and 240 are provided in the same shape, those adhesive
layers may be formed by a single adhesive applying appz-uz lus.
As shown in Fig. 15, preferably, creases 80 ofthe folded front p-ùte~ sheet
50 in this embodiment may extend in a region co--. ~ond;ng to the middle portion 72
and creases 280 of the folded back piolccli~, sheet 250 may extend in a region
CO11 ,~JO~ g to the back part 74 so that the creases 80 and 280 may not extend
beyond the folding lines 66 or 68 and the creases 80 and 280 may not be folded.
As shown in Figs. 14 to 15, the adhesive 264 3Oins together the vertical
projections 260 and 262 of the back plul~,live sheet 250. The adhesive 264 may be
provided s~sL~.~i&lly at the middle of the vertical projection 26û with respect to the
longit~ldinS-I direction. AlLe11!a~ IY~ the adhesive 264 may be formed at a position
364 lon~ 1inS-lly farthest from the inf~lin~d portion of the end edge 254 on theverlical projection 260 or 262. The adhesive 264 may be formed of an adhesive
having a lclalively weak bonding strength so that the vertical plo; ~ 260 and 262
- can easily be sep&.z led from each other. The adhesive 264 may be omitterl
A way for removing the sanil~-y nap~cin of Fig. 13 from the sz~ul~uy napkin
Wl~l).,. iS show in Fig. 16. Until the adhesive layer 42 is sepalaled from the
~ûle~;live sheet 50, the same procedure is used as des~-;bed in the first ~mho~impnt
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W O97/31604 PCT~US97102726 24
After that, the sanitary napkin 2 is sepa.~ed ~om the back p~u~e~live sheet 250 as the
same way tha~ the ~ont protective sheet 50 is removed
In the sixth embodiment, the ~ont Ilaps 10 may be omitted if desired and the
S front protective sheet 50 may be omitted accoldingly In such a case, the plote.,Li~c
sheet co..esponding to the adhesive layer 40, the protective sheets 46 and 48 may be
;,.lb~ d by a single p-ote~ e sheet Some or all of the vertical pro~ectiQn~ 60, 62,
260 and 262 of the front p~ule~ re sheet 50 and the back protective sheet 250 may be
nmitted In such a case, the front protective sheet 50 and the back proLc.,~h~e sheet
250 may have the arc-shaped main portions 65 and 2~5, rc,~cc~ ly The all~.llaL~r~,s
for the protective sheet shown in Figs 8 - 12 may be applied to the back ploL~,~,L~ e
sheet 250
While particular embo~imente of the present invention have been illU~
15 and des~rihe~ it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other
es and ~nodifir~tinns can be made without depa,~ om the sprit and scope of
the invention
