Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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WO 99/25285 PCTNS97/20812
ABSORBENT ARTICLE WRAPPER COMPRISING
A SIDE FLAP FASTENER COVER
s
FIELD OF INVENTION
to This invention relates to an absorbent article individually packaged by a
wrapper comprising a main wrapper sheet for the absorbent article and a flap
fastener cover for flap fasteners of flaps. More particularly, this invention
relates
to an absorbent article comprising a pair of first flaps and a pair of second
flaps
apart from the first flaps in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent
article,
is wherein each flap comprises flap fasteners, and the flap fasteners are
covered
by the flap fastener cover.
BACKGROUND
2o An absorbent article such as a sanitary napkin comprising a pair of flaps
which extend laterally outward from an absorbent means is well known. One
type of such an absorbent article comprises a pair of flaps which extend
laterally
outward from a central region of both longitudinal side edges of an absorbent
means. The flaps are intended to be folded around the edges of a wearer's
2s undergarment in the crotch region. Thus, in use the flaps are disposed
between
the edges of the wearer's undergarment in the crotch region and the wearer's
thighs. Commonly, the flaps are provided with flap fasteners such as adhesive
for affixing the flaps to the underside of the wearer's undergarment. The
flaps
serve at least two purposes. First, the flaps prevent exudates which otherwise
3o would soil the edges of the wearer's undergarment from doing such. Second,
the
flaps help stabilize the napkin from shifting out of the position chosen by
the
wearer. This is especially so when the flaps are affixed to the underside of
the
undergarment.
The flaps of such sanitary napkins may be folded onto the topsheet side or
3s the backsheet side to conserve space during packaging, i.e., the period
between
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2
manufacture of the sanitary napkin and its intended first use by the wearer.
At
the time of the first use by the wearer, the flaps are usually unfolded to
facilitate ~'"
installation of the sanitary napkin into the wearer's undergarment. The flap
fasteners of the folded flaps are usually covered by a flap fastener cover so
as '
s not to inadvertently adhere to each other or another part of the product
before
the sanitary napkin is used. When the flaps are folded onto the topsheet side,
the flap fasteners of the flaps face outside and are covered by the flap
fastener
cover thereby bridging the flaps to each other over the topsheet. Japanese
Laid-
open Patent publication H5-293139 published on November 9, 1993, Japanese
~o Laid-open Patent publication H6-78953 published on March 22,1994 and
Japanese Laid-open Utility-Model publication H6-26835 published on April 12,
1994 disclose sanitary napkins having flaps which are folded onto the topsheet
and flap fasteners which are covered by a flap fastener cover. The sanitary
napkins disclosed therein further comprise a main fastener for securing the
~s sanitary napkin to the inside of the wearer's undergarment. The main
fastener is
also covered by a main fastener cover. Therefore, when the sanitary napkin is
used, the wearer must remove both the flap fastener cover and the main
fastener
cover. The wearer must then properly dispose of the various fastener covers to
prevent them from becoming litter.
2o Attempts to facilitate removal of a flap fastener cover and a main fastener
cover from the sanitary napkin have been made. Japanese Laid-open Utility-
Model publication H5-9526 published on February 9, 1993 and Japanese Laid-
open Utility-Model publication H5-9529 published on February 9, 1993 disclose
sanitary napkins comprising a sanitary napkin main body with a main body
2s fastener, flaps with flap fasteners and a fastener cover for covering the
flap
fasteners and the main fastener. The fastener cover comprises flap fastener
cover portions and a main fastener cover portion which are connected to each
other. Therefore, as the main fastener cover portions are removed from the
sanitary napkin main body, the flap fastener cover portion is also removed
from
3o the flaps. This publication, however, does not disclose arrangements for
absorbent articles having a wrapper for individually packaging the absorbent
article.
Other attempts to facilitate removal of a flap fastener cover and/or a main
fastener cover from a sanitary napkin main body have been made in connection
3s with removal of a wrapper for individually packaging the sanitary napkin.
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3
Japanese Laid-open Utility-Model publication H6-26833 published on April 12,
1994 discloses a sanitary napkin comprising a sanitary napkin main body with a
main fastener, flaps with flap fasteners, a wrapper for packaging the sanitary
' napkin main body, a flap fastener cover and a main fastener cover. The main
s fastener cover is connected to a part of the wrapper so that the main
fastener
cover is removed from the main body as the sanitary napkin main body is taken
out from the wrapper. However, the flap fastener cover also must be removed
from the flaps.
Japanese Laid-open Utility-Model H7-39820 published on July 18, 1995
~o discloses a sanitary napkin comprising a sanitary napkin main body having a
topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core. The sanitary napkin also
comprises a pair of flaps which are folded around the edges of a wearer's
undergarment in the crotch region when the sanitary napkin is used. Adhesive
layers provided with the main body and the flaps are covered by an adhesive
~s layer cover which may comprise a wrapper for individually packaging the
sanitary
napkin. The flaps are folded to the inside of the main body. The adhesive
layer
cover covering the adhesive layers of the main body extends beyond the
longitudinal sides and transverse edges of the main body. The adhesive layer
cover extends beyond one transverse end and the extending portion of the
2o adhesive layer cover is folded toward the inside to cover the adhesive
layers of
the flaps. Japanese Laid-open Utility-Model H6-75446 published on July 18,
1995 discloses a sanitary napkin comprising a sanitary napkin main body and a
pair of flaps extending laterally outward from the both sides in the
longitudinal
direction of the sanitary napkin. The flaps are folded onto a body facing side
of
2s the sanitary napkin before the sanitary napkin is used, and are folded
around the
edges of a wearer's undergarment in the crotch region when the sanitary napkin
is used. A garment facing side of the sanitary napkin provided with an
adhesive
layer is wrapped by a wrapper releasably treated. The wrapped sanitary napkin
is folded together with the wrapper about a folding line. This publication
further
3o discloses a packaging structure for the sanitary napkin where a part of the
' wrapper covers the adhesive layers of the flaps. Namely, the transverse edge
of
the wrapper extends beyond the end edge of the sanitary napkin and is folded
towards the adhesive layers of the flaps which are folded onto the topsheet.
European Patent publication EP 0 750 896 A2 published on January 2, 1997
3s discloses a sanitary napkin comprising a napkin body and a pair of flaps
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WO 99/25285 PCT/US97/20812 .
4
extending from transversely opposite side edges of the napkin body. The napkin
,
body is folded longitudinally thereof in a three layer overlapping
relationship and ''
the flaps are also folded onto a top surface of the napkin body. .Release
sheets
are releasably bonded onto adhesive zones provided on back surfaces of the
_ s napkin body and the flaps, respectively. A wrapping sheet is also folded
together
with the napkin body so as to wrap the napkin body as well as the flaps,
wherein
the respective release sheets are fixedly bonded to an inner surface of the
wrapping sheet so that the wrapping sheet and the release sheet can be peeled
off in the form of an integrated strip-like sheet from the napkin when picking
out
~o the napkin from the wrapping sheet. These publications, however, do not
disclose arrangements for absorbent articles having another pair of flaps
apart
from the flaps in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article.
Another type of an absorbent article comprises a pair of flaps which
extend laterally outward from a back region of both longitudinal side edges of
an
~s absorbent means. The flaps of the second type of an absorbent article are
intended to stay widespread in a back region of the inside of a wearer's
undergarment. In use, the flaps are disposed between the wearer's hips and the
wearer's undergarment. The flaps of the second type of an absorbent article
also
prevent exudates which otherwise would soil the back region of the wearer's
2o undergarment. The flaps may be provided with flap fasteners such as
adhesive
for affixing the flaps to the inside of the wearer's undergarment to stabilize
the
napkin shifting in the back region of the wearer's undergarment. The flap
fasteners may be covered by a flap fastener cover not to inadvertently adhere
to
each other or another part of the product before the sanitary napkin is used.
2s Japanese Laid-open Patent publication H8-224269 published on September 3,
1996 discloses an individually packaged sanitary napkin. The sanitary napkin
comprises a topsheet, a backsheet, an absorbent core, a pair of back flap
portions having adhesive layers on both back sides in the longitudinal
direction of
the sanitary napkin, and a main adhesive layer covered by a main release
paper.
3o The back flap portions are folded onto the topsheet side so that the
adhesive
layers of the back flap portions face upwardly and a flap release paper is
attached on the adhesive layers. A wrapper is joined to the non-releasably
treated surface of the main release paper by using a first adhesive. The
sanitary
napkin is folded into three regions together with the wrapper so that the flap
~s release paper faces the backsheet side of the front portion of the sanitary
napkin.
CA 02333067 2004-04-28
The wrapper covering the front portion of the sanitary napkin is joined to the
non
releasably treated surface of the flap release paper by using a second
adhesive.
This publication, however, does not disclose arrangements for absorbent
articles
having another pair of flaps apart from the flaps in the longitudinal
direction of the
s absorbent article.
While prior art absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins have
addressed some of the problems of achieving an individually packaged
absorbent article, they have not. addressed the problems to the extent of or
in the
manner of the present invention. Therefore, a primary object of an aspect of
the
present invention is to provide an improved individually .packaged absorbent
article.
SUMMARY
The present invention provides an individually packaged absorbent article
~s comprising: (a) an absorbent article extending in a longitudinal direction
and
comprising a main body portion having a pair of longitudinal side edges, a
pair of
end edges, a garment surface, and a body surface, wherein the garment surface
of the main body portion may be placed in a wearer's undergarment, and the
absorbent article comprises a pair of first flaps joined to the main body
portion
zo and extending laterally outward beyond the longitudinal side edges of the
main
body portion and a pair of second flaps joined to the main body portion apart
from the first flaps in the longitudinal direction and extending laterally
ouhnrard
beyond the longitudinal side edges of the main body portion, wherein the
garment surface of each of the first and second flaps comprises a first flap
2s fastener and a second flap fastener respectively, and the first and second
flaps
are folded over the body surface of the main body portion to expose the flap
fasteners, (b) a wrapper for the absorbent article, the wrapper comprising a
main
wrapper sheet, a flap fastener cover and a second flap fastener cover, wherein
(c) the main wrapper sheet comprises a pair of longitudinal side portions, a
pair
30 of end portions, an inner surface facing the main body portion and ~ an
outer
surface, the main wrapper sheet is positioned adjacent to the garment surface
of
the main body portion, the main wrapper sheet and the main body portion of the
_ absorbent article comprise two transverse axes and three regions divided by
the
two axes, wherein the three regions comprise a first region into which a
majority
ss of the first flaps extends, a second region into which a majority of the
second
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flaps extends and a third region, and the two transverse axes comprise the
first
axis extending laterally between the first region and the second region and
the ' '
second axis extending laterally between the first region and the third region,
(d)
the first flap fastener cover comprises a pair of longitudinal side portions,
a pair of
s end portions, a releasable surface facing the first flap fasteners, an
opposing
surface, wherein a majority of the first flap fastener cover extends in the
first
region at least when the absorbent article is folded at the first transverse
axis,
and the first flap fastener cover is releasably affixed to the first flap
fasteners, (e)
the second flap fastener cover comprises a pair of longitudinal side portions,
a
~o pair of end portions, a releasable surface facing the second flap
fasteners, an
opposing surface, wherein a majority of the second flap fastener cover extends
in
the second region at least when the absorbent article is folded at the second
transverse axis, and the second flap fastener cover is releasably affixed to
the
second flap fasteners, (f) the second flap fastener cover is joined to the
first flap
~s fastener cover at least at a point in a region between the second flap
fasteners
and the first transverse axis, and (g) the end portion of the first flap
fastener
cover is joined to the end portion of the main wrapper sheet of the second
region.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a preferred embodiment of the wrapper of the
present invention in an opened position with a preferred sanitary napkin
disposed
thereon and the flaps of the sanitary napkin outstretched;
FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the wrapper of the embodiment shown in FIG.
2s 1 with the flaps of the sanitary napkin folded over the topsheet;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 2 taken along the line III-III;
FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the wrapper of the embodiment shown in FIG.
1 before the flap fastener cover and the main wrapper sheet are joined;
F1G. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of the flaps of
3o the sanitary napkin in an alternative topsheet protecting position;
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 2 taken along the line VI-VI;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the wrapper of FIG. 1;
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a first alternative embodiment of joint of
the flap fastener covers;
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WO 99/25285 PCT/US97/20812
7
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a second alternative embodiment of
joint of the flap fastener covers;
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the wrapper of the embodiment shown
in FIG. 1 with the sanitary napkin therein in a folded configuration;
s FIG. 11 is a perspective view of one preferred individually packaged
absorbent article;
FIG. 12 is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment wrapper with a
sanitary napkin placed thereon in substantially the same configuration as FIG.
2;
FIG. 13 is a first cross-sectional view of the present invention explaining
~o an action of removing a wrapper from a sanitary napkin;
FIG. 14 is a second cross-sectional of the present invention explaining an
action of removing a wrapper from a sanitary napkin; and
FIG. 15 is a third cross-sectional of the present invention explaining an
action of removing a wrapper from a sanitary napkin.
~s
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring now to the drawings, the present invention is embodied in a
2o preferred but non-limiting embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the
invention comprises a wrapper 78 for a disposable absorbent article,
particularly
a sanitary napkin 20.
The sanitary napkin 20 is used to collect vaginal discharges, such as
menses, and prevent soiling of the wearer's clothing by such discharges. As
2s shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the sanitary napkin 20 basically comprises a main
body
portion 22 and first flaps 24 and second flaps 25. The main body portion 22 of
the sanitary napkin 20 may have a fastener, such as a pressure sensitive
adhesive fastener 74 thereon for fastening the main body portion 22 in the
wearer's undergarment. The first flaps 24 preferably each have first fasteners
3o thereon, such as a pressure sensitive adhesive fastener 76, for releasably
affixing the first flaps 24 of the sanitary napkin 20 in a configuration
folded
around the edges of the crotch of the wearer's undergarment. The second flaps
25 preferably each have second fasteners thereon, such as a pressure sensitive
adhesive fastener 77, for releasably affixing the second flaps 25 of the
sanitary
3s napkin 20 in a configuration staying widespread in a back region of the
inside of
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a wearer's undergarment. The wrapper 78 of the present invention serves to
cover and protect the first flap fasteners 76, the second flap fasteners 77,
and
the main body fastener 74 (if there is one), and is folded around the sanitary
napkin 20 to provide an individual package for the sanitary napkin 20. Before
s looking at the characteristics of the wrapper 78 in greater detail, the
properties of
the sanitary napkin 20 will be briefly discussed.
The sanitary napkin 20 (and the main body portion 22 thereof) has two
surfaces, a liquid pervious body-contacting surface or "body surface" 20A that
is
intended to be worn adjacent to the body of the vvearer, and a liquid
impervious
to garment surface 20B. The sanitary napkin 20 is shown in FIG. 1 as viewed
from
its body surface 20A. The sanitary napkin 20 has two centerlines, a principal
longitudinal centerline L and a principal transverse centerline (not shown in
FIG.
1 ). The term "longitudinal," as used herein, refers to a line, axis or
direction in
the plane of the sanitary napkin 20 that is generally aligned with (e.g.
~s approximately parallel to) a vertical plane which bisects a standing wearer
into
left and right body halves when the sanitary napkin 20 is worn. The terms
"transverse," "lateral" or "width" used herein, are interchangeable, and refer
to a
line, axis or direction which lies within the plane of the sanitary napkin 20
that is
generally perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.
2o FIG. 1 shows that the main body portion 22 of the sanitary napkin 20
comprises the portion of the sanitary napkin without the first flaps 24 and
the
second flaps 25. The main body portion 22 has two spaced apart longitudinal
edges 26, two spaced apart transverse or end edges (or "ends") 28, which
together form the periphery 30 of the main body portion 22. The main body
2s portion 22 also has three sections comprising a central section (first
section) 36,
one end section (second section) 34 and the other end section (third section)
32.
The first section 36 is disposed between the second section 34 and the third
section 32. The second section 34 and the third section 32 extend outwardly in
the longitudinal direction from the edges of the central section 36 of the
main
3o body portion 22. When the sanitary napkin 20 is individually packaged, the
main
body portion 22 and the wrapper 78 are folded into three regions comprising a
first region 39, a second region 41, and a third region 43 divided by two fold
axes
F1 and F2 (refer to FIG. 2). The first section 36, the second section 34 and
the
third section 32 of the main body portion 22 generally extend in the first
region
3s 39, the second region 41 and the third region 43, respectively.
~i
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9
The main body portion 22 of the sanitary napkin 20 can be of any
thickness, including relatively thick, intermediate thickness, relatively
thin, or
even very thin (or "ultra thin"). An "ultra-thin" sanitary napkin 20 as
described in
U.S. Patents 4,950,264 and 5,009,fi53 issued to Osborn preferably has. a
.caliper
s of less than about 3 millimeters. The embodiment of the sanitary napkin 20
shown in the drawings is intended to be an example of a sanitary napkin of an
intermediate thickness. The main body portion 22 of the sanitary napkin 20 may
also be relatively flexible, so that it is comfortable for the wearer. It
should be
understood that the sanitary napkin shown is merely one embodiment, and that
~o the wrapper of the present invention is not limited to use with absorbent
articles
of the type or having the specific configurations shown in the drawings.
FlG. 3 shows the individual components of the main body portion 22 of the
sanitary napkin . 20. The main body portion 22 of the sanitary napkin 20
preferably comprises at least three primary components: These include a liquid
15 pervious topsheet 38, a liquid impervious backsheet 40, and an absorbent
core
42 positioned between the topsheet 38 and the backsheet 40. .The topsheet, the
backsheet, and the absorbent core may be assembled in a variety of
configurations known in the~art (including layered or "sandwich"
configurations
and wrapped or "tube" configurations).
2o Suitable materials for the components of the main body portion 22, and
some of the various configurations in which such components can be assembled
are described generally in U.S. Patent 4,321,924, entitled "Bordered
Disposable
Absorbent Article" issued to Ahr on March 30, 1982; U.S. Patent 4,425,130,
entitled "Compound Sanitary Napkin" issued to DesMarais ron January 10, 1984;
2s U.S. Patent 4,950,264, entitled "Thin, Flexible Sanitary Napkin" issued to
~Osbom
on August 21, 1990: U.S. Patent 5,308,346, entitled "Elasticized Sanitary
Napkin"
issued to Speller, et al. on May 3, 1994; and U.S. Patent 5,389,094, entitled
"Absorbent Article Having Flaps and Zones of Differential Extensibility"
issued to
L.avash, et al. on February 14, 1995. The main body portion 22 of the sanitary
3o napkin 20 may also be comprised of one or more extensible components such
as
those sanitary napkins, and the like described in WO 93101785 and WO
93101786, both published February 4, 1993.
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FIGS. 1 and 3 show a preferred embodiment of the sanitary napkin 20
assembled in a sandwich construction in which the topsheet 38 and the
backsheet 40 have length and width dimensions generally larger than those of
the absorbent core 42. The topsheet 38 and the backsheet 40 extend beyond
s the edges of the absorbent core 42 to form portions of the periphery 30. The
topsheet 38 is preferably joined to the body-facing side of the absorbent core
42
and the backsheet 40 is preferably joined to the garment-facing side of the
absorbent core 42. The topsheet 38 and backsheet 40 can be joined to the
absorbent core 42 in any suitable manner known in the art for this purpose,
such
to as by an open pattern of adhesives. The portions of the topsheet 38 and
backsheet 40 that extend beyond the edges of the absorbent core 42 are
preferably also joined to each other. These portions of the topsheet 38 and
backsheet 40 can also be joined in any suitable manner known in the art.
Preferably, in the embodiment shown, these portions of the topsheet 38 and
is backsheet 40 are joined using adhesives over substantially the entire
portions
that extend beyond the edges of the absorbent core 42, and a crimp seal around
the periphery 30 of the main body portion 22 where the topsheet 38 and
backsheet 40 are densified by the application of pressure or heat and
pressure.
The sanitary napkin 20 shown in FIGS. 1 - 3, as discussed above, also
2o comprises a pair of first flaps 24 and a pair of second flaps 25 that are
joined to
the main body portion 22. The first flaps 24 extend laterally outward beyond
the
longitudinal side edges 26 of the main body portion 22 from their proximal
edges
44 to their distal edges (or "free ends") 46. The first flaps 24 extend
laterally
outward from at least a part of the first section 36 of the main body portion
22
2s and majority of the first flaps 24 extends in the first region 39 divided
by the fold
axes F1 and F2. The second flaps 25 extend laterally outward beyond the
longitudinal side edges 26 of the main body portion 22 from their proximal
edges
45 to their distal edges (or "free ends") 47. The second flaps 25 are
positioned
adjacent to one end edge 28 of the main body portion 22 apart from the first
flaps
30 24 in the longitudinal direction of the main body portion 22. The second
flaps 25
extend laterally from at least a part of the second section 34 of the main
body
portion 22 and majority of the second flaps 25 extend in the second region 41
divided by the fold axis F1.
The first flaps 24 and the second flaps 25 can be joined to the main body
3s portion 22 in any suitable manner. The term "joined", as used herein,
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encompasses configurations in which an element is directly secured to another
element by affixing the element directly to the other element; configurations
in
which the element is indirectly secured to the other element by affixing the
element to intermediate members) which in turn are affixed to the other
element;
s and configurations in which one element is integral with another element,
i.e.,
one element is essentially part of the other element. Preferably, in the
embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 - 3, the first flaps 24 and the second flaps 25
are
integral with the main body portion 22 (that is, the flaps 24 and 25 comprise
integral extensions of the backsheet 40. Alternatively, the flaps 24 and 25
may
~o comprise integral extensions of the topsheet 38 and the backsheet 40.).
In other alternative embodiments, the flaps 24 and 25 can comprise one or
more separate components that are joined to the garment-facing side of the
main
body portion 22. Preferably, in such a case, the flaps 24 and 25 each comprise
a
separate component that is joined to the garment-facing side of the main body
~s portion 22. In such alternative embodiments, the flaps 24 and 25 are
preferably
otherwise unattached to the garment-facing side of the main body portion 22 of
the sanitary napkin 20 between the points where they are attached to the main
body portion 22 and the longitudinal side edges 26 of the main body portion
22.
The flaps 24 and 25 in these latter embodiments can be joined to the garment-
2o facing side of the main body portion 22 by any suitable attachment
mechanism.
Suitable attachment mechanisms include, but are not limited to adhesives, and
the like. The first flaps 24 and the second flaps 25 may be joined to the main
body portion 22 by different attachment method from each other.
The places or regions on the sanitary napkin 20 where the flaps 24 and 25
2s are joined to (or extend from) the main body portion 22, are referred to
herein as
"junctures". These regions will typically be longitudinally-oriented (or
"longitudinal") junctures, such as lines of juncture 48. These regions can be
any
of various curved or straight lines, but they are not limited to lines. Thus,
the
junctures can comprise flanges, strips, intermittent lines, and the like.
3o The first flaps 24 and the second flaps 25 may be of any configuration
desired, with one preferred configuration being shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 1 shows
that the first flaps 24 are provided with zones of extensibility (or "zones of
differential extensibility") 56 in the front edge and the back edge of each
flap 24.
The zones of extensibility 56 relieve stresses which are created in the first
flaps
3s 24 by the folding of the first flaps 24 around the crotch of the wearer's
m
CA 02333067 2004-04-28
12
undergarment. The zones of extensibility 56 thereby help eliminate bunching of
the first flaps 24 caused by said stresses. Preferably, in the embodiment
shown
in FIG. 1, the zones of extensibility 56 comprise pre-corrugated or "ring
rolled"
regions of the first flaps 24 in which the corrugations 58 define ridges and
valleys
s that are oriented at an angle to the principal longitudinal centerline L.
Suitable
structures for providing the flaps 24 with zones of extensibility 56 are
described in
greater detail in U.S. Patent 5,389,094 issued to l.avash, et al, and WO
96!23469
entitled "Absorbent Article Having Flaps With Gathered Portionsn filled in the
name of Sue A. Mills, et al. on January 30; 1995.
to
The sanitary napkin 20 preferably also has fasteners for securing the
sanitary napkin 20 in place in a wearer's undergarment. FIGS. 1 and 2 show a
preferred arrangement of fasteners which comprises a main body portion (or
central pad) fastener, such as central pad adhesive 74, and flap fasteners,
such
is as first flap adhesives 76 and second flap adhesives 77. The fasteners used
with the sanitary napkin 20 are not limited to adhesive fasteners. Any
suitable
type of fastener known in the art can be used for this purpose. For example,
the
sanitary napkin 20 could be secured in place in a wearer's undergarment by
mechanical fasteners, such as VELCRO#, or by a combination of adhesive and
2o mechanical fasteners. For simplicity, however, the fasteners will be
described in
terms of adhesive fasteners and these fasteners are preferably pressure
sensitive adhesive fasteners. Suitable pressure sensitive adhesive fasteners
are
described in greater detail in U.S. Patent 4,917,697.
The central pad adhesive 74, the first flap adhesives 76 and the second
2s flap adhesives 77 can be provided in any suitable configuration. In the
preferred
embodiment shown, the central pad adhesive 74 is provided in the form of a
longitudinally oriented strip of adhesive that is centered about the principal
longitudinal centerline L. The first flap adhesives 76 and . the second flap
adhesives 77 are provided in the form of a generally rectangular patch of
3o adhesive on each fast flap 24 and each second flap 25 respectively.
Alternatively, the first flap adhesives 76 and the second flap adhesives 77
may
be any shape, such as circle, oval; triangle. In the preferred embodiment
shown
in FIG. 1, the second flap adhesives 77 have a first end edge 77A and a second
end edge 77B and longitudinal side edges. . If the shape of the second flap
3s adhesives 77 are circle, then the first and second end edges 77A and 77B
are a
Trade -mark
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point which locates at the ends in the longitudinal direction. The central pad
adhesive 74 provides an adhesive attachment means for securing the main body
portion 22 of the sanitary napkin 20 in the crotch portion of a panty. The
first flap
adhesives 76 are used to assist in maintaining the first flaps 24 in position
after
s they are wrapped around the edges of the crotch portion of the panty. The
second flap adhesives 77 are used to assist in maintaining the second flaps 25
in
position after they are rendered widespread in a back region of the inside of
the
panty. The flaps can be maintained in position by attaching the flaps 24 to
the
undergarment, or to the opposing flap.
to FIGS. 1 - 4 and 6 - 7 show one preferred version of the wrapper 78 of the
present invention. The wrapper, generally designated by reference number 78
comprises several elements. These elements can comprise integral portions of a
single member or article, or preferably they can comprise separate components
joined to a member or article. The elements comprising the wrapper 78 include:
is a main wrapper sheet 80; an optional release component, such as a release
paper (or release coating) 82 disposed on one side of the main wrapper sheet
80; flap fastener covers, such as a first flap adhesive cover 87 and a second
flap
adhesive cover 89. In the preferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 1, these
elements comprise separate components and are joined to each other in an
2o assembled configuration.
The main wrapper sheet 80 (or "wrapper sheet") is the portion of the
wrapper 78 which will be folded around the sanitary napkin 20 to provide an
individual package for the sanitary napkin 20. The main wrapper sheet 80
preferably covers and is releasably attached to the central pad adhesive 74.
The
2s main wrapper sheet 80 preferably has dimensions that are slightly larger
than
those of the main body portion 22 of the sanitary napkin 20. Preferably, as
shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 7, the main wrapper sheet 80 has longitudinal side
portions 80D which extend beyond the longitudinal side edges 26 of the main
body portion 22 of the sanitary napkin 20. The main wrapper sheet 80
preferably
3o also has a first end portion 80A and a second end portion 80B which extend
beyond the end edges 28 of the main body portion 22 of the sanitary napkin 20.
It is recognized, however, that satisfactory protection of the sanitary napkin
20
may be afforded by a wrapper which is not larger than the main body portion 22
of the sanitary napkin 20.
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14
The main wrapper sheet 80 can be made from any suitable material. The
main wrapper sheet 80 is preferably manufactured from a thin flexible material
which is liquid impermeable so that the wrapper 78 will be suitable for
wrapping
and disposing of a used sanitary napkin 20. For example, polyethylene films
s have been found to work well.
The main wrapper sheet 80 can be provided with the optional release
component, such as release paper (or release coating) 82 so that the main
wrapper sheet 80 will release from the central pad adhesive 74 when the wearer
removes the sanitary napkin 20 from the wrapper 78. If a separate release
paper
to is used, it can comprise any suitable material known in the art for this
purpose,
such as coated papers. Suitable release papers are described in U.S. Patent
4,917,697. Such a release paper 82 can be laminated to the inside surface of
the main wrapper sheet 80 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6. If a release coating is
used, the coating can be applied directly to the inside surface of the main
is wrapper sheet 80. Such a coating can comprise any material known in the art
for
this purpose, with silicone coatings being preferred. If a coating is used,
the
coating 82 may be provided by coating only that zone of the main wrapper sheet
80 which will substantially contact the central pad adhesive 74.
Alternatively, the
entire inside surface of the main wrapper sheet 80 may be coated. Coating the
2o entire inside of a wrapper is disclosed in U.S. Patent 5,181,610 entitled
"Flexible
Container with Nonstick Interior" which issued to Quick et al. on January 26,
1993.
The first flap adhesive cover (or "flap release strip") 87 and the second
flap adhesive cover 89 cover and protect the first flap adhesives 76 and the
2s second flap adhesives 77 respectively, and maintain the first flaps 24 and
the
second flaps 25 in position folded over the topsheet 38 for packaging. In the
preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the first flap adhesive cover 87 and the
second flap adhesive cover 89 generally extend in the second region 41 in a
configuration where the first flap adhesive cover 87 and the second flap
adhesive
3o cover 89 are assembled together with the main wrapper sheet 80. The first
flap
adhesive cover 87 is preferably joined to the main wrapper sheet 80 and the
second flap adhesive cover 89 is preferably joined to the first flap adhesive
cover
87.
The first flap adhesive cover 87 preferably extends in the first region 39
3s and the second flap adhesive cover 89 preferably extends in the second
region
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is
41 in a configuration before the first flap adhesive cover 87 and the second
flap
' adhesive cover 89 are assembled together with the main wrapper sheet 80 as
shown in F1G. 4. The first flap adhesive cover 87 preferably comprises a
single
' separate sheet having a first end portion 87C, a second end portion 87D and
a
~_ s pair of longitudinal side portions 87E. The first flap adhesive cover 87
has
sufficient length and width to cover and protect the first flap adhesives 76,
however, it is preferably shorter than the length of the first region 39. The
second flap adhesive cover 89 preferably comprises a single separate sheet
having a first end portion 89C, a second end portion 89D and a pair of
to longitudinal side portions 89E. The second flap adhesive cover 89 has
sufficient
length and width to cover and protect the first flap adhesives 76, however, it
is
preferably shorter than the length of the second region 41. Alternatively, the
first
flap adhesive cover 87 may extend beyond the first axis F1 and/or the second
axis F2. The second flap adhesive cover 89 may extend beyond the first axis
F1.
~s The first flap adhesive cover 87 also has two faces, one of which is a non-
stick face (or releasable face) 87A, which is capable of releasable attachment
with the flap fasteners, and an opposite face or side 87B. Similarly, the
second
flap adhesive cover 89 also has two faces, one of which is a non-stick face
(or
releasable face) 89A, which is capable of releasable attachment with the flap
2o fasteners, and an opposite face or side 89B. Preferably, as shown in FIG.
4, the
non-stick face 87A (only the opposite face 87 B is shown in FIG. 4) of the
first
flap adhesive cover 87 and the non-stick face 89A (only the opposite face 89 B
is
shown in FIG. 4) of the second flap adhesive cover 89 face the first flap
adhesives 76 and the second flap adhesives 77 respectively so that they will
be
2s able to releasably adhere to the first flap adhesive 76 and the second flap
adhesives 77. When the flap fasteners 76 and 77 comprise adhesive fasteners,
the non-stick faces 87A and 89A can be provided by attaching a separate
release paper or element to the first and second flap adhesive covers 87 and
89
which are treated with a non-stick material, or by treating all or a portion
of the
_ 3o first and second flap adhesive covers 87 and 89 with a non-stick coating,
such as
by silicone coating a portion of the first and second flap adhesive covers 87
and
89. Alternatively, if the first and second flap fasteners 76 and 77 comprise
mechanical fasteners, such as VELCRO~ fasteners, the non-stick face may be
provided by a nonwoven material capable of releasably engaging the mechanical
3s fastening material. The opposite faces 87B and 89B faces away from the
first
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and second flap adhesives 76 and 77. The opposite faces 87B and 89B of the
flap adhesive covers 87 and 89 need not have, and preferably does not have a
release coating thereon.
The first flap adhesive cover 87, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 6 and 7, is joined
s to the main wrapper sheet 80 and the second flap adhesive cover 89 is joined
to
the first flap adhesive cover 87 in an assembled configuration. More
concretely,
the first flap adhesive cover 87 generally extends in the second region 41 in
an
assembled configuration and the non-stick face 87A of the first flap adhesive
cover 87 faces upwardly as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. The opposing face 87B
to faces the second flap adhesive cover 89 and the main wrapper sheet 80. The
first end portion 87C of the first flap adhesive cover 87 extends beyond the
second end portion 89D of the second flap adhesive cover 89 and the end edge
28 of the main body portion 22. The second end portion 80B of the main
wrapper sheet 80 extends beyond the end edge 28 of the main body portion 22.
is Thereby, the first end portion 87C faces the main wrapper sheet 80 and is
joined
to the inner surface of the second end portion 80B of the main wrapper sheet
80
by applying an adhesive layer 83. The opposite face 87B of the first flap
adhesive cover 87 is joined to the opposite face 89B of the second flap
adhesive
cover 89 near the first end portion 89C and the second end portion 87D by
2o applying an adhesive layer 90. Thus, the second flap adhesive cover 89 is
joined to the main wrapper sheet 80 through the first flap adhesive cover 87.
In a
preferred embodiment, the first flap adhesive cover 87 and the second flap
adhesive cover 89 are joined to each other at least at a point in a region R
of the
longitudinal direction of the sanitary napkin 20 between the second flap
adhesive
2s 77 (or the first end edge 77A) and the first transverse axis F1 as shown in
FIGS.
2 and 6. More preferably, the first end portion 89C of the second flap
adhesive
cover 89 and the second end portion 87D of the first flap adhesive cover 87 do
not extend beyond the first transverse axis F1. The first flap adhesive cover
87
and the second flap adhesive cover 89 are joined to each other at a point in a
3o region between the second flap adhesive 77 and either of the first end
portion
89C or the second end portion 87D. In a preferred embodiment shown in FIGS.
2 and 6, since the second end portion 87D is more adjacent to the second flap
adhesive 77 than the first end portion 89C, the flap adhesive covers 87 and 89
are joined in a region R1 between the second flap adhesive 77 and the second
3s end portion 87D. If the first end portion 89C is more adjacent to the
second flap
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17
adhesive 77, then the covers 87 and 89 are joined in a region between the
second flap adhesive 77 and the first end portion 89C. As the position of the
adhesive layer 90 becomes adjacent to the second flap adhesive 77, the length
of the first flap adhesive cover 87 and the second flap adhesive cover 89 may
be
s shorter at the second end portion 87D and the first end portion 89C
respectively.
This saves material for the first and second flap adhesive cover 87 and 89.
The
adhesive layer 90 may extend toward the second end portion 89D of the second
flap adhesive cover 89 so that a part of the adhesive layer 90 superposes at
least a part of the second flap adhesive 77 as shown in FIG. 8. Alternatively,
the
~o adhesive layer 90 may further extend toward the second end portion 89D so
that
a part of the adhesive layer 90 superposes a whole of the second flap adhesive
77 as shown in FIG. 9. In both cases, the flap adhesive covers 87 and 89 are
joined at least a point in the region R.
The flap adhesive covers 87 and 89 can be of any suitable size and
~s shape, though the figures depict a flap adhesive covers 87 and 89 which are
only
of sufficient width and length to cover and protect the first flap adhesives
76 and
the second flap adhesives 77.
The wrapper 78 preferably also comprises an optional package fastener
86 for retaining the package formed by folding the wrapper and sanitary napkin
in
2o its folded configuration. The package fastener 86 is preferably both
releasably
attachable to the package and resealable. The package fastener 86 may be
comprised of any releasably attachable and resealable fastener known in the
art,
such as spots or patches of adhesive, tapes, and mechanical fasteners. A tape
tab with a pressure sensitive adhesive located thereon has been found to work
2s well. The package fastener 86 can be disposed at any suitable location on
the
wrapper 78. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the package fastener
86 is preferably positioned at the first end portion 80A of the main wrapper
sheet
80.
For the initial packaging of the sanitary napkin 20 in the wrapper 78, the
3o garment-facing side 20B of the main body portion 22 is placed on top of the
main
wrapper sheet 80. The sanitary napkin 20 is positioned so that the central pad
fastener 74 lies over the release paper or release coating 82 on the main
wrapper sheet 80. The first flaps 24 and the second flaps 25 are then
preferably
folded over the topsheet 38 so that the first flaps 24 and the second flaps 25
are
3s in the configuration shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Folding the flaps 24 and 25 in
the
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configuration shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 exposes the patches of adhesive 76 and
77 disposed on the garment-facing side of flaps 24 and 25 and causes the flaps
24 and 25 to cover at least a portion of the topsheet 38. Folding the flaps 24
and
25 over the topsheet 38 can, thus, be considered to provide a degree of
s protection to prevent the topsheet 38 from becoming soiled prior to use. In
alternative embodiments, where one or both of the first flaps 24 has a greater
span (that is, its dimension measured in the transverse direction), the first
flaps
24 can be folded over the topsheet 38 so that one of the first flaps 24 at
least
partially overlays the other flap 24 as shown in FIG. 5. The first flap 24B
to overlays, attaches to, and protects the flap attachment means 76 of the
first flap
24A. The flap adhesive cover 84 will then overlay, attach to and protect the
flap
fastener 76 of the first flap 24B. The second flaps 25 may have the same
structure as the first flaps 24 that have a greater span.
After folding the flaps 24 and 25 over the topsheet 38, the sanitary napkin
~ s 20 and main wrapper sheet 80 will then preferably be folded into three
regions
that are defined by the fold axes F1 and F2 shown in FIG. 2. The fold axes F1
and F2 will divide both the sanitary napkin 20 and the main wrapper sheet 80
into
three regions comprising the first region 39, the second region 41 and the
third
region 43. As shown in FIG. 2, the central region (the first region) 39 lies
2o between preferred fold axes F1 and F2. The second and third regions 41 and
43
lie longitudinally outboard of the fold axes F1 and F2. As described above,
the
main body portion 22 is also separated at the fold axes F1 and F2 into three
sections comprising the first section 36, the second section 34, and the third
section 32. Each section 36, 34 and 32 generally extends in each region 39, 41
2s and 43 respectively.
FIG. 10 depicts the package for the sanitary napkin formed by folding the
wrapper 78 and sanitary napkin 20 in one preferred configuration for shipment,
sale, and convenient carrying by the wearer. When the second flaps 25 are
folded over the topsheet 38 as stated hereinabove, the non-stick face 89A of
the
3o second flap adhesive cover 89 is placed over the second flap adhesives 77
and
is releasably attached to each adhesive patch 77 as shown in FIG. 2. In
addition, the second flap adhesive cover 89 provides a connection between each
flap 25 that spans the flaps 25, thereby keeping the second flaps 25 in the
desired position until the flap adhesive cover 89 is removed. Then, as shown
in
3s FIG. 10, the second region 41 (i.e., the second end portion 80B of the main
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19
wrapper 80, along with the second section 34 of the main body portion 22, the
second flaps 25, the second flap adhesives 77 and the second flap adhesive
cover 89 with the first flap adhesive cover 87) is folded about the fold axis
F1
onto the first region 39 (i.e., the central portion 80C of the main wrapper
80, the
s first section 36 of the main body portion 22, the first flaps 24 and the
first flap
adhesives 76). When the sanitary napkin 20 and wrapper 78 are folded in this
manner, the non-stick face 87A of the first flap adhesive cover 87 is placed
over
the first flap adhesives 76 and is releasably attached to each adhesive patch
76.
In addition, the first flap adhesive cover 87 provides a connection between
each
to flap 24 that spans the flaps 24, thereby keeping the first flaps 24 in the
desired
position until the first flap adhesive cover 87 is removed. The third region
43
(i.e., the first end portion 80A of the main wrapper 80, along with the third
section
32 of the main body portion 22) is then folded about the fold axis F2 onto the
second region 41 which is already folded onto the first region 39. By pressing
is the tape tab 86 onto the exterior of wrapper 78 in the position depicted in
FIG.
10, the sanitary napkin 20, its flaps 24 and 25 and wrapper 78 remain in the
configuration shown.
Preferably, to complete the individual packaging of the sanitary napkin 20
in the wrapper 78 of the present invention, each longitudinal side edge 80D of
2o the main wrapper sheet 80 is then frangibly sealed after the sanitary
napkin 20
and the wrapper 78 are in the folded configuration shown in F1G. 10. The
frangible sealing of the side edges 80D of the main wrapper sheet 80 can be
accomplished by any suitable sealing technique. By way of example only, the
longitudinal side edges 80D may be heat sealed, glued, or ultrasonically
bonded
2s as shown in F1G. 11. The entire sanitary napkin 20 is thereby protected
until the
wrapper 78 is opened. Suitable methods for frangibly sealing the longitudinal
side edges are described in U.S. Patent 4,556,146 issued to Swanson.
The various embodiments of the wrapper 78 described herein can be
made in any suitable manner. The first and second flap adhesive covers 87 and
30 89 may be made of the same material as the main wrapper sheet or any
adhesive cover material known in the art. The first and second flap adhesive
covers 87 and 89 can be joined to the main wrapper sheet 80 at any time during
the manufacture of the individually packaged sanitary napkin 20 of the present
invention. Preferably, for ease of manufacture, first, the first and second
flap
;s adhesive covers 87 and 89 are joined to each other. Then, the first second
flap
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WO 99/25285 PCT/US97/20812
adhesive cover 87 will be joined to the main wrapper sheet 80 after the
sanitary
napkin 20 is already placed on the main wrapper sheet 80. This will eliminate
the
need to temporarily remove the first and second flap adhesive covers 87 and 89
from the main wrapper sheet 80 to allow the sanitary napkin 20 to be placed on
s the main wrapper sheet 80. The release paper or release coating 82 on the
main
wrapper sheet 80, the non-stick surfaces 87A and 87B on the first and second
flap adhesive covers 87 and 89 are preferably applied before the first and
second
flap adhesive covers 87 and 89 are joined and the first flap adhesive cover 87
is
joined to the main wrapper sheet 80.
~o More preferably, for ease of manufacture, the first flap adhesive cover 87
and the second flap adhesive cover 89 may be placed onto the first flaps 24
and
the second flaps 25 respectively as shown in FIG. 12 before the first flap
adhesive cover 87 and the second flap adhesive cover are joined to each other.
The non-stick surfaces 87A and 89A of the first and second flap adhesive
covers
is 87 and 89 cover the first flap adhesives 76 and the second flap adhesives
77
respectively. In addition, the first and second flap adhesive covers 87 and 89
cover and protect majority of the body contacting surface 20A from
contamination
while manufacturing the absorbent article. The opposing sides 87B which are
not treated releasably may be provided with the adhesive layer 83 and 90
either
2o before or after the first flap adhesive cover 87 is placed onto the flaps
24. Then
the second region 41 is folded onto the first region 39 about the fold axis
F1.
Thereby, the adhesive layer 90 applied to the first flap adhesive cover 87 is
undetachabiy joined to the region 90A on the opposite face 89B of the second
flap adhesive cover 89 and the adhesive layer 83 is undetachably joined to the
2s region 83A in the second end portion 80B of the main wrapper sheet 80.
After
that, the third region 43 is folded onto the second region 41 which is already
folded onto the first region 39. Alternatively, the adhesive layer 83 may be
provided the region 83A of the main wrapper sheet 80 andlor the adhesive layer
90 may be provided the region 90A on the opposite face 89B of the second flap
3o adhesive cover 89. When the individual packaged sanitary napkin 20 is
opened,
the flap adhesive cover 81 is removed from the first flaps 24 and 25 but it
stays
with the second end portion 80B of the main wrapper sheet 80.
The consumer will ordinarily carry the individually packaged sanitary
napkin of the present invention in the form depicted in FIGS. 10 and 11. As
3s shown in F1G. 13, the individually packaged sanitary napkin of the present
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21
invention may be opened by peeling the tape tab 86 from the wrapper 78 and
breaking the frangible seals along the longitudinal side edges 80D of the main
wrapper sheet 80. This gives the consumer access to the end edge 28 of the
main body portion 22 of the third region 43. The consumer may then take hold
of
s the end edge 28 of the main body portion 22 of the third region 43 and pull
the
tape tab 86 from the sanitary napkin 20 as shown in FIG. 13. As the sanitary
napkin 20 is separated from the wrapper 78, the central pad adhesive 74 is
separated from the main wrapper sheet 80 as shown in FIG. 14. At the same
time, the first flap adhesives 76 are separated from the first flap adhesive
cover
l0 87. Because the first end portion 87C of the first flap adhesive cover 87
adjacent
to the peeling starting side of the first flap adhesives 76 is joined to the
second
end portion 80B of the main wrapper sheet 80, it is easy and smooth to
separate
the first flap adhesives 76 from the first flap adhesive cover 87. When or
after
the main body portion 22 separates from the main wrapper sheet 80, the second
is flap adhesives 77 provided on the second flaps 25 begin to separate from
the
second flap adhesive cover 89 as shown in FIG. 15. Because the first end
portion 89C adjacent to the peeling starting side of the second flap adhesives
77
is joined to the second end portion 87D of the first flap adhesive cover 87
(which
is joined to the main wrapper sheet 80) and the first end portion 89C of the
2o second flap adhesive cover 89 and the second end portion 87D are joined by
the
adhesive layer 90 at least a point beyond the second adhesive layer 77
opposite
the direction A of pulling the sanitary napkin 20, it is easy and smooth to
separate the second flap adhesives 77 from the second flap adhesive cover 89.
The sanitary napkin 20 is further pulled from the wrapper 78, the sanitary
napkin
2s 20 and the wrapper 78 are separated from one another. The separation of the
sanitary napkin 20 from the wrapper 78 is preferably achieved in a single
motion.
Once the sanitary napkin is removed from the wrapper 78 and installed in
the wearer's panties, the consumer may fold the wrapper 78, secure the wrapper
78 in its folded orientation by reattaching resealable tape tab 86 to wrapper
78.
3o The consumer may then store the folded wrapper 78 for rewrapping and
disposing of the used sanitary napkin. The wearer need not worry about
collecting and disposing of loose flap adhesive release strips, that were
previously required, since all release strips are attached to or integral with
the
wrapper 78. The present invention, therefore, provides the wearer with a clean
i
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z2
sanitary napkin 20 which is easily installed and without extra pieces of waste
which must be collected.
It is to be recognized that the foregoing detailed description of the
preferred embodiment: of the present invention is given merely by way of
s illustration, and that numerous modifications and variations may become
apparent to those, skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and
scope of
the invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention is to be
determined
by reference to the appended claims.
io
