Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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ABSORBENT ARTICLE WRAPPER COMPRISING
A SIDE FLAP FASTENER COVER
FIELD OF INVENTION
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.
BACKGROUND
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 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 axing the flaps to the underside of the wearer's undergarment.
The flaps
serve at least two purposes. First, the flaps prevent exudates which otherwise
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 the
backsheet side to conserve space during packaging, i.e., the period between
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 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 HS-293139 published on November 9, 1993, Japanese Laid-
open
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Patent publication H6-78953 published on March 22, 1994 and Japanese Laid-open
Utility-Model publication H6-26$35 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 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.
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
HS-9526 published on February 9, 1993 and Japanese Laid-open Utility-Model
publication HS-9529 published on February 9, 1993 disclose sanitary napkins
comprising
a sanitary napkin main body with a main body 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 the
flaps.
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 with
removal of a
wrapper for individually packaging the sanitary napkin. 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 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 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 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
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one transverse end and the extending portion of the 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 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 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
discloses a sanitary napkin comprising a napkin body and a pair of flaps
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 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
the napkin from the wrapping sheet.
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
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 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.
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
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back sides in the longitudinal direction of the sanitary napkin, and a main
adhesive layer
covered by a main release paper. -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 release paper
faces the
backsheet side of the front portion of the sanitary napkin. 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.
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 the present invention is to provide an improved
individually packaged absorbent article.
SUMMARY
The present invention provides an individually packaged absorbent article.
In one aspect of the present invention, an absorbent article extends in a
longitudinal
direction and comprises a main body portion having a pair of longitudinal side
edges, a
pair of end edges, a garment surface, and a body surface. The garment surface
of the
main body portion may be placed in a wearer's undergarment. The absorbent
article
further comprises a pair of first flaps joined to the main body portion 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 outward beyond the longitudinal
side edges
of the main body portion. The garment surface of each of the first and second
flaps
comprises a first flap fastener and a second flap fastener respectively. The
first and
second flaps are folded over the body surface of the main body portion to
expose the flap
fasteners. A wrapper comprises a main wrapper sheet and a flap fastener cover.
The
main wrapper sheet comprises a pair of longitudinal side portions, a pair 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. The three regions comprise a
first region
into which a majority of the first flaps extends, a second region into which a
majority of
the second flaps extends and a third region. The two transverse axes comprise
the first
axis extending laterally between the first region and the second region and
the second axis
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extending laterally between the first region and the third region. The flap
fastener cover
comprises a pair of longitudinal side portions, a pair of end portions, a
releasable surface
facing the flap fasteners of the first and second flaps, an opposing surface,
a first portion,
and a second portion, wherein a majority of the first portion extends in the
first region and
5 a majority of the second portion extends in the second region when the
absorbent article
is folded at the transverse axes. The flap fastener cover is releasably
affixed to the flap
fasteners of the first and second flaps. The main wrapper sheet and the main
body portion
of the absorbent article are folded as a unit about the second axis so that
the majority of
the first flaps superposes with the main body portion of the third region with
interposing
the first portion of the flap fastener cover therebetween. The main wrapper
sheet and the
main body portion of the absorbent article are folded as a unit about the
first axis so that
the majority of the second flaps superposes with the outer surface of the main
wrapper
sheet with interposing the second portion of the flap fastener cover
therebetween. At least
a part of the second portion of the flap fastener cover is joined to the outer
surface of the
main wrapper sheet.
In another aspect of the present invention, an absorbent article extends in a
longitudinal direction and comprises a main body portion having a pair of
longitudinal
side edges, a pair of end edges, a garment surface provided with a main
fastener, and a
body surface. The garment surface of the main body portion may be placed in a
wearer's
undergarment. The absorbent article comprises a pair of first flaps joined to
the main
body portion 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 outward
beyond the
longitudinal side edges of the main body portion. The garment surface of each
of the first
and second flaps comprises a first flap fastener and a second flap fastener
respectively.
The first and second flaps are folded over the body surface of the main body
portion to
expose the flap fasteners. A wrapper for the absorbent article comprises a
main wrapper
sheet, a main fastener cover and a flap fastener cover. The main wrapper sheet
comprises
a pair of longitudinal side portions, a pair of end portions, an inner surface
and an outer
surface. The main fastener cover comprises a pair of longitudinal side
portions, a pair of
end portions, an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface covers
the main
fastener of the main body portion and at least a part of the outer surface is
connected to
the inner surface of the main wrapper sheet. The main wrapper sheet, the main
fastener
cover and the main body portion of the absorbent article comprise two
transverse axes
and three regions divided by the two axes. The three regions comprise a first
region into
which a majority of the first flaps extends, a second region into which a
majority of the
second flaps extends and a third region. The two transverse axes comprise the
first axis
extending laterally between the first region and the second region and the
second axis
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extending laterally between the first region and the third region. The flap
fastener cover
comprises a pair of longitudinal side portions, a pair of end portions, a
releasable surface
facing the flap fasteners of the first and second flaps, an opposing surface,
a first portion,
and a second portion. A majority of the first portion extends in the first
region and a
majority of the second portion extends in the second region when the absorbent
article is
folded at the transverse axes. The flap fastener cover is releasably affixed
to the flap
fasteners of the first and second flaps. The main wrapper sheet and the main
body portion
of the absorbent article are folded as a unit about the second axis so that
the majority of
the first flaps superposes with the body surface side of the main body portion
in the third
region with interposing the first portion of the flap fastener cover
therebetween. The
main wrapper sheet and the main body portion of the absorbent article are
folded as a unit
about the first axis so that the majority of the second flaps superposes with
the garment
surface side of the main body portion in the third region with interposing the
second
portion of the flap fastener cover therebetween. At least a part of the second
portion of
the flap fastener cover is joined to the main fastener cover.
In another aspect of the present invention, an absorbent article extends in a
longitudinal direction and comprises a main body portion having a pair of
longitudinal
side edges, a pair of end edges, a garment surface provided with a main
fastener, and a
body surface. The garment surface of the main body portion may be placed in a
wearer's
undergarment. The absorbent article comprises a pair of rear flaps joined to
the main
body portion and extending laterally outward beyond the longitudinal side
edges of the
main body portion. The garment surface of each of the rear flaps comprises a
rear flap
fastener and the rear flaps are folded over the body surface of the main body
portion to
expose the rear flap fasteners. A wrapper for the absorbent article comprised
a main
wrapper sheet, a main fastener cover and a rear flap fastener cover. The main
wrapper
sheet comprises a pair of longitudinal side portions, a pair of end portions,
an inner
surface and an outer surface. The main fastener cover comprises a pair of
longitudinal
side portions, a pair of end portions, an inner surface and an outer surface.
The inner
surface covers the main fastener of the main body portion and at least a part
of the outer
surface is connected to the inner surface of the main wrapper sheet. 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. The three regions comprise a first
region between
a second region and a third region. The two transverse axes comprise the first
axis
extending laterally between the first region and the second region and the
second axis
extending laterally between the first region and the third region. A majority
of the rear
flaps extends in the second region. The rear flap fastener cover comprises a
pair of
longitudinal side portions, a pair of end portions, a releasable surface
facing the rear flap
fasteners, an opposing surface. The rear flap fastener cover is releasably
affixed to the
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rear flap fasteners. The main wrapper sheet and the main body portion of the
absorbent
article are folded as a unit about the second axis so that the main body
porEion in the f rst
region superposes with the main body portion in the third region. The main
wrapper
sheet and the main body portion of the absorbent article are folded as a unit
about the first
axis so that the majority of the rear flaps superposes with the garment
surface side of the
main body portion in the third region with interposing the flap fastener cover
therebetween. At least a part of the flap fastener cover is joined to the main
fastener
cover.
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 present invention shown in
FIG. 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 present invention shown in
FIG. 1
before the flap fastener cover and the main wrapper sheet are joined.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of the flaps of
the
sanitary napkin folded over the topsheet.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 2 taken along the line VI-VI.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of one preferred wrapper of the present
invention.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of FIG. 2 taken
along the line VI-VI.
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view (taken along the longitudinal centerline) of
one
preferred wrapper of the present invention with a sanitary napkin therein in a
folded
configuration.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of one preferred individually packaged absorbent
article of the present invention.
FIG. I 1 is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment wrapper of the
present
invention with a sanitary napkin placed thereon in substantially the same
configuration as
FIG. 2.
FIG. I2 is a first cross-sectional view (taken along the longitudinal
centerline) of
the present invention explaining an action of removing a wrapper from a
sanitary napkin.
FIG. 13 is a second cross-sectional view (taken along the longitudinal
centerline)
of the present invention explaining an action of removing a wrapper from a
sanitary
napkin.
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FIG. 14 is a top plan view of another embodiment of the present invention with
the flaps of the sanitary napkin folded over the topsheet.
FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 14 taken along the line XV-XV.
FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the wrapper shown in FIG. 14.
FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view (taken along the longitudinal centerline) of
the
wrapper shown in FIG. 14 with a sanitary napkin therein in a folded
configuration.
FIG. 18 is a top plan view of another embodiment of the present invention with
the flaps of the sanitary napkin folded over the topsheet.
FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view (taken along the longitudinal centerline) of
the
wrapper shown in FIG. 18 with a sanitary napkin therein in a folded
configuration.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring now to the drawings, the present invention is embodied in a
preferred
but non-limiting embodiment. As shown in FIGS. l, 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 shown in FIGS.
1 and 2,
the sanitary napkin 20 basically comprises a main body portion 22 and first
flaps (front
flaps) 24 and second flaps (rear 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 (front flap fasteners) 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 (rear
flap
fasteners) thereon, such as a pressure sensitive adhesive fastener 77, for
releasably
affixing the second flaps 25 of the sanitary napkin 20 in a configuration
staying
widespread in a back region of the inside of 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
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 wearer, and a liquid impervious garment surface
20B. The
sanitary napkin 20 is shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from its body surface 20A. The
sanitary
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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. 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.
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. The main body 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
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 39, the second region 41 and the third
region 43,
respectively.
The main body portion 22 of the sanitary napkin 20 can be of any thickness,
including relatively thick, intermediate 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 5,009,653 issued to Osborn preferably has a caliper of less than about 3
millimeters.
The embodiment of the sanitary napkin 20 shown in the drawings is intended to
be an
example of a sanitary napkin of 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 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.
FIG. 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 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
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may be assembled in a variety of configurations known in the art (including
layered or
"sandwich" configurations and wrapped or "tube" configurations).
Suitable materials for the components of the main body portion 22, and some of
the
various configurations in which such components can be assembled are described
5 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 on January 10, 1984; U.S. Patent 4,950,264,
entitled "Thin,
Flexible Sanitary Napkin" issued to Osborn on August 21, 1990: U.S. Patent
5,308,346,
entitled "Elasticized Sanitary Napkin" issued to Sneller, et al. on May 3,
1994; and U.S.
10 Patent 5,389,094, entitled "Absorbent Article Having Flaps and Zones of
Differential
Extensibility" issued to Lavash, et al. on February 14, 1995. The main body
portion 22 of
the sanitary napkin 20 may also be comprised of one or more extensible
components such
as those sanitary napkins, and the like described in U.S. Patent Application
Serial Nos.
07/915,133 and 07/915,284, both filed July 23, 1992, in the name of Osborn, et
al. (PCT
Publication Nos. WO 93/01785 and 93/01786, both published February 4,1993).
FIGS. 1 - 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 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 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 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
comprises a
pair of first flaps (front flaps) 24 and a pair of second flaps (rear 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 f rst section 36 of the main body portion 22 and majority
of the first
flaps 24 extends in the first region 39 divided by the fold axes F 1 and F2.
The second
T
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11
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 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 F2.
The first flaps 24 and the second flaps 25 can be joined to the main body
portion 22
in any suitable manner. The term "joined", as used herein, 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; 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 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 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-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 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.
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
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12
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 24 by the folding of the first
flaps 24 around
the crotch of the wearer's 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 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 Lavash, et al. and in commonly
assigned
copending U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 08/380,769, entitled "Absorbent
Article
Having Flaps With Gathered Portions" filed in the name of Sue A. Mills, et al.
on January
30, I 995.
The sanitary napkin 20 preferably also has fasteners for securing the sanitary
napkin 20 in place in a wearer's undergarment. FIGS. l 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 as first flap
adhesives (front flap
adhesives) 76 and second flap adhesives (rear 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 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 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 adhesive on each first flap 24 and each second flap 25
respectively.
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 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.
T
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13
FIGS. 1 - 4 and 6 - 7 show one preferred version of the wrapper 78 of the
present
invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the wrapper, generally designated by reference
number
78 comprises several elements. These elements can comprise integral portions
of a single
member or article, or they can comprise separate components joined to a member
or
article. The elements comprising the wrapper 78 include: a main wrapper sheet
80; an
optional release component, such as a release paper (or release coating) 82
disposed on
one side of the main wrapper sheet 80; a flap fastener cover, such as a flap
adhesive cover
81.
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 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. l, 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
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 sanitary napkin 20 may be afforded by
a wrapper
which is not larger than the main body portion 22 of the sanitary napkin 20.
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 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 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
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 entire inside of a
wrapper is
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14
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 flap adhesive cover (or "flap release strip") 81 covers and protects the
first
flap adhesives 76 and the second flap adhesives 77, and maintains the first
flaps 24 and
the second flaps 25 in position folded over the topsheet 38 for packaging. In
the preferred
embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 6, the flap adhesive cover 81 positions in
the third
region 43 and adjacent to the second end portion 80B of the main wrapper sheet
80 in a
folded configuration. The flap adhesive cover 81 is folded to interpose the
second end
portion 80B and the end edge 28 of the sanitary napkin 20. The flap adhesive
cover 81 is
preferably joined to the main wrapper sheet 80.
As shown in FIG. 4, the flap adhesive cover 81 preferably may extend in the
first
region 39 and the second region 41 in a stretched configuration before the
flap adhesive
cover 81 is folded and joined to the main wrapper sheet 80. The flap adhesive
cover 81
preferably comprises a single sheet having a first end portion 81 C, a second
end portion
81 D and a pair of longitudinal side portions 81 E. The flap adhesive cover 81
also
comprises a transverse fold axis F3, a first portion 84 and a second portion
85. The
transverse fold axis F3 divides the flap adhesive cover 81 into the first
portion 84 and the
second portion 85. The first portion 84 extends from the transverse fold axis
F3 toward
the fold axis F2 generally in the first region 39 and the second portion 85
extends from
the transverse fold axis F3 toward the first end portion 80A of the main
wrapper 80
generally in the second region 41. The first portion 84 covers and protects
the first flap
adhesives 76 and the second portion 85 covers and protects the second flap
adhesives 77.
The flap adhesive cover 81 also has two faces, one of which is a non-stick
face (or
releasable face) 81 A, which is capable of releasable attachment with the flap
fasteners,
and an opposite face or side 81B. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 4, the non-
stick face 81A
of the flap adhesive cover 81 faces the first flap adhesives 76 and the second
flap
adhesives 77 in a stretched configuration so that it will be 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 face 81 A can be provided by
attaching a
separate release paper or element to the flap adhesive cover 81 which is
treated with a
non-stick material, or by treating all or a portion of the flap adhesive cover
81 with a non-
stick coating, such as by silicone coating a portion of the flap adhesive
cover 81.
Alternatively, if the 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 fastening material. The opposing
side 81 B
faces away from the first flap adhesives 76 and the second flap adhesives 77.
The
opposing side 81 B of the flap adhesive cover 81 need not have, and preferably
does not
have, a release coating thereon.
.t. .. ._... _.. _.......
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The flap adhesive cover 81, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 6 and 7, is joined to the
main
wrapper sheet 80 in a folded configuration. The flap adhesive cover 81 is-
folded about
the transverse fold axis F3 so that the main wrapper sheet 80 in the third
region 43 is
interposed between the first portion 84 and the second portion 85 of the flap
adhesive
S cover 81. Alternatively, the flap adhesive cover 81 may be folded about the
transverse
fold axis F 1. In such a case, the fold transverse axis F3 may coincide with
the fold axis
F 1. In the folded configuration, the opposing side 81 B faces inside and the
non-stick face
81 A faces outside. As shown in FIG. 6, the opposing side 81 B of the second
portion 85 is
joined to the outer surface of the main wrapper sheet 80 in the third region
43 adjacent to
10 the second end portion 80B of the main wrapper sheet 80 by applying
adhesive layer 83.
In a preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the opposing side 81 B of the first
portion 84
of the flap adhesive cover 81 may be joined to the inner surface of the second
end portion
80B of the main wrapper sheet 80 by applying adhesive layer 87.
The flap adhesive cover 81 can be of any suitable size and shape, though the
15 figures depict a flap adhesive cover 81 which is 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 its
folded
configuration. The package fastener 86 may be joined to the first end portion
80A of the
main wrapper sheet. 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 well. The package fastener 86 can be disposed
at any
suitable location on the wrapper 78. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. l and 2,
the
package fastener 86 is preferably positioned at opposing first end portion 80A
of the main
wrapper sheet 80.
For the initial packaging of the sanitary napkin 20 in the wrapper 78, the
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 in the configuration shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
Folding the
flaps 24 and 25 in the 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
protection to prevent
the topsheet 38 from becoming soiled prior to use. In alternative embodiments,
where
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16
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 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 20
and
main wrapper sheet 80 will then preferably be folded into three regions that
are defined
by the fold axes F l and F2 shown in FIG. 2. The fold axes F 1 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 between preferred fold axes F1 and F2. The
second and
third regions 41 and 43 lie longitudinally outboard of the fold axes F 1 and
F2. As
described above, the main body portion 22 is also separated at the fold axes
F1 and FZ
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
and 43
respectively.
FIG. 9 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. After the first flaps 24 and the second
flaps 25 are
folded over the topsheet 38 as stated herein above, the first portion 84 of
the flap adhesive
cover 81 is placed over the sanitary napkin 20 in the third region 43 so that
the non-stick
face 81 A of the flap adhesive cover 81 faces outside (refer to FIG. 2). As
shown in FIG.
9, the third region 43 (i.e., the second end portion 80B of the main wrapper
80, along with
the third section 32 of the main body portion 22, and the folded flap fastener
cover 81 ) is
folded about the fold axis F2 onto the first region 39 (i.e., the central
portion 80C of the
main wrapper 80, the first section 36 of the main body portion 22, the first
flaps 24 and
the first flap adhesives 76). When it is folded in this manner, the non-stick
face 81 A of
the first portion 84 of the flap adhesive cover 81 is placed over the first
flap fasteners 76
and is releasably attached to each adhesive patch 76. In addition, the flap
adhesive cover
81 provides a connection between each flap 24 that spans the flaps 24, thereby
keeping
the first flaps 24 in the desired position until the flap adhesive cover 81 is
removed. After
that, the second region 41 (i.e., the first end portion 80A of the main
wrapper 80, along
with the second section 34 of the main body portion 22, the second flaps 25,
and the
second flap adhesives 77) is folded about the fold axis F 1 onto the third
region 43. When
it is folded in this manner, the second flap adhesive 77 is placed over the
non-stick face
81 A of the second portion 85 of the flap adhesive cover 81 and is releasably
attached to
~.....~_.~..._..t
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the non-stick surface 81 A. In addition, the flap adhesive cover 81 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 81 is removed. By pressing the
tape tab 86
onto the exterior of wrapper 78 in the position depicted in FIG. 9, 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 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 FIG. 9. 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 as shown in FIG. 10. 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 flap adhesive cover 81 may be made of the same material
as the
main wrapper sheet or any adhesive cover material known in the art. The flap
adhesive
cover 81, if separate elements, 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, the flap adhesive cover 81
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 flap
adhesive
cover 81 from the main wrapper sheet 80 to allow the sanitary napkin 20 to be
placed on
the main wrapper sheet 80. The release paper or release coating 82 on the main
wrapper
sheet 80, the non-stick surface 81A on the flap adhesive cover 81 is
preferably applied
before the flap adhesive cover 81 is joined to the main wrapper sheet 80.
More _preferably, for ease of manufacture, the flap adhesive cover 81 may be
placed onto the first flaps 24 and the second flaps 25 respectively as shown
in FIG. 11
before the flap-adhesive cover 81 is joined to the main wrapper sheet 80. The
non-stick
surface 81A of the flap adhesive cover 81 covers the first flap adhesives 76
and the
second flap adhesives 77. In addition, the flap adhesive cover 81 covers and
protects
majority of the body contacting surface 20A from contamination while
manufacturing the
absorbent article. The opposing sides 81B of the second portion 85 which are
not treated
releasably may be provided with the adhesive layer 83 adjacent to the second
end portion
81 D either before or after the flap adhesive cover 81 is placed onto the
flaps 24 and 25.
Alternatively, the adhesive layer 83 may be provided with the region 83A of
outer surface
of the main wrapper sheet 80 in the third region 43. The third region 43 is
folded onto the
first region 39 about the fold axis F1. After that, the second region 41 is
folded onto the
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18
third region 43 which is already folded onto the first region 39. When the
second region
41 is folded, the adhesive layer 83 applied to the flap adhesive cover 81 is
undetachably
joined to the region 83A in the second end portion 80B of the main wrapper
sheet 80.
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. 9 and 10. As shown in FIG.
12, the
individually packaged sanitary napkin of the present 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. The second flap
adhesives 77
is separated from the second portion 85 of the flap adhesive cover 81 and
exposed. The
second portion 85 remains the outer surface 80E of the main wrapper sheet 80.
This
gives the consumer access to the end edge 28 of the main body portion 22 of
the second
region 41. The consumer may then take hold of the end edge 28 of the main body
portion
22 of the second region 41 and pull the tape tab 86 from the sanitary napkin
20 as shown
in FIG. 12. As the sanitary napkin 20 is separated from the wrapper 78, the
central pad
adhesive 74 is separated from the release paper 82. When the first section 36
and the
second section 34 of the main body portion 22 separate from the wrapper 78,
the first
portion 84 of the flap adhesive cover 81 begins to separate from the first
flap adhesives 76
provided on the first flaps 24 as shown in FIG. 13. The sanitary napkin 20 is
further
pulled from the wrapper 78, the sanitary napkin 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. 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 sanitary napkin 20 which is easily installed and without extra pieces of
waste which
must be collected.
FIGS. 14 to 17 show another preferred embodiment of the present invention. The
sanitary napkin 20 shown in FIG. 14 generally has the same structure as the
sanitary
napkin shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The wrapper 178 comprises several elements. The
elements comprising the wrapper 178 include: a main wrapper sheet 180; a
release paper
(main fastener cover) 182 disposed on one side of the main wrapper sheet 180;
a flap
_ ,..n_ _ ._..~ .. ._... .
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19
adhesive cover 181. The flap adhesive cover 181 generally has the same
structure as the
flap adhesive cover shown in FIG. l and 2.
As shown in FIG. 14, the end edge 28 of the sanitary napkin 20 extends beyond
the second end portion 180B of the main wrapper sheet 180 in the third region
43. The
release paper 182 comprises a pair of longitudinal side portions 182A, a pair
of end
portions 182B and 182C, an inner surface 182D and an outer surface 182E. The
inner
surface 182D covers the central pad adhesive 74 of the main body portion 22.
At least a
part of the outer surface 182E is connected to the inner surface of the main
wrapper sheet
180. The end portion 182B of the release paper 182 in the third region 43 also
extends
beyond the second end portion 180 B of the main wrapper sheet 180. The outer
surface
182E of the end portion 182B is exposed outside. The flap adhesive cover 181
is joined
to the outer surface 182E of the end portion 182B in a folded configuration by
adhesive
layer 183. FIG. 17 depicts the package for the sanitary napkin formed by
folding the
wrapper 1 ?8 and sanitary napkin 20 in one preferred configuration for
shipment, sale, and
convenient carrying by the wearer.
FIG. 18 shows another preferred embodiment of the present invention. The
sanitary napkin 220 shown in FIG. 14 has rear flaps 225 in the third region 41
and rear
flap adhesives 277 provided on the backsheet side of the rear flaps 225. The
wrapper 278
comprises several elements. The elements comprising the wrapper 278 include: a
main
wrapper sheet 280; a release paper (main fastener cover) 282 disposed on one
side of the
main wrapper sheet 280; a rear flap adhesive cover 281. The rear flap fastener
cover 281
comprises a pair of longitudinal side portions 283, a pair of end portions
284, a releasable
surface 281 A facing the rear flap fasteners, an opposing surface 281 B. The
flap adhesive
cover 281 is joined to the end portion 282B of the release paper 282. When the
third
region 43 is folded onto the first region 41 and the second region 41 is
folded onto the
third region 43, the non-stick face 281 A of the flap adhesive cover 281
covers and
protects the rear flap adhesives 277. FIG. 19 depicts the package for the
sanitary napkin
formed by folding the wrapper 278 and sanitary napkin 220 in one preferred
configuration
for shipment, sale, and convenient carrying by the wearer.
The disclosures of all patents, patent applications (and any patents which
issue
thereon, as well as any corresponding published foreign patent application),
and
publications mentioned throughout this description are hereby incorporated by
reference
herein. It is expressly not admitted, however, that any of the documents
incorporated by
reference herein teach or disclose the present invention.
It is to be recognized that the foregoing detailed description of the
preferred
embodiment of the present invention is given merely by way of illustration,
and that
numerous modifications and variations may become apparent to those skilled in
the art
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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.
....__ . ___ _T_ _.
