The invention relates to a packing wrap for the individual packing of a packing-configured absorbent article, such as a sanitary towel, a panty liner or an incontinence pad, intended to enclose the absorbent article, comprising a first material piece arranged over the first surface of the absorbent article and a second material piece arranged over the second surface of the absorbent article, comprising an opening location having a longitudinal extent, and comprising means for tactile detection of the opening location, the means for tactile detection being arranged adjacent to the opening location.

It is advantageous for several reasons to pack single absorbent articles of the kind referred to in the introduction in individual packing wraps. In this way, small, handy packs are obtained, which can easily and conveniently be carried, for example in a handbag, or in a pocket, and from which an article can be removed when necessary. Such individual packs ensure that the article is protected against soiling and crumpling until use and are therefore greatly appreciated by users. With suitable design of the packing wraps, these can also serve as wrappers for used articles, which can thus be disposed of in a hygienic and aesthetically acceptable way.

A common way of individually packing absorbent articles is first to fold them together into a smaller format and then to wrap them in a thin packing wrap made of plastic or paper. Such a packing wrap often consists of a rectangular material piece which has been folded in the transverse direction around the folded packing-configured absorbent article. The packing wrap is subsequently joined together along its open edges so that a substantially sealed bag-like container for the absorbent article is formed.

The absorbent article to be packed individually is usually folded once or twice before the packing wrap is folded around the article. Small absorbent articles such as, for example, panty liners are sometimes also packed in an unfolded state.

One type of individual packing is described in the document GB 2,221,667 A where an absorbent article is doubled in a first step, after which a packing wrap is folded around the article. The packing wrap is finally sealed around its three sides which are open after folding.

When an individual packing of the type described in GB 2,221,667 A is to be opened, this is usually effected by the seal along one or more of the edges being broken open, after which the absorbent article can be taken out of its packing.

US 6041928, which accords with the preamble of claim 1, describes a packaging wrap suitable for the individual packing of a packing-configured absorbent article.

Another type of individual packing has separate material pieces arranged on the upper side and the lower side of a folded or unfolded absorbent article. The two material pieces are then sealed along their entire periphery, a packing wrap then being formed. These individual packings normally have a rectangular or square shape, but packings profiled according to the contour of the absorbent article are also found. Profiled individual packings are most common for small absorbent articles such as panty liners and small sanitary towels. Individual packings of the kind described can be opened in a number of different ways. For individual packings made of paper, the commonest method is quite simply to tear off one edge when the packing is to be opened.

For individual packings made of plastic films, the opening problem has often been solved by arranging a weakening of the film material along one of the edges of the individual packing, it then being possible for the film material to be tom apart along the weakening. The most common and simplest type of weakening consists of a perforation along a length of the periphery of the individual packing. It is usual to arrange the perforation parallel and adjacent to one of the edges of the packing wrap, so that an edge strip is quite simply tom off when the packing is opened. In this connection, the perforation should be arranged in both the front and rear material pieces of the packing wrap and also suitably extend all the way from one edge to the opposite edge of the packing.

Edge seals which can be broken open are also known. The edge seal along part of the periphery of the individual packing is then weaker than remaining parts of the edge seal, so that this part of the periphery can easily be broken open when the individual packing is to be opened.

A type of individual packing for absorbent articles is described in patent EP 0 865 264.

The packing in accordance with EP 0 865 264 is rectangular and comprises a special opening tab. The opening tab is connected to the rest of the packing along one of its edges, while the opposite edge is free and constitutes the opening location of the packing. The free edge of the opening tab extends over one surface of the packing parallel to two of the edges of the packing.

The packing has a special openable tape tab arranged on the opening tab, intended to hold the free edge of the opening tab in place against the surface of the packing wrap. Such tape tabs are also arranged in order to facilitate closing of a used absorbent article placed inside the packing wrap before its disposal.

Tape tabs of the kind described can also serve as means for detection of the positioning of the opening. This detection possibility is advantageous when a person with reduced ability to see is to open the packing wrap as s/he can feel where the opening is located.

A tape tab on the packing wrap according to the description above nevertheless involves certain disadvantages, a first being the extra material cost the tape tab involves. A second disadvantage is that the manufacturing rate is reduced as the separate tape tabs have to be applied to the packing wrap, which also has a negative effect on the cost of the individually packed absorbent article. A third disadvantage is that tape tabs of the kind described are in principle suitable only for packings comprising an opening tab.

In spite of many improvements having been made as far as the openability of individual packings is concerned, the problem still remains of finding where on the packing the opening is located when it is to be opened.

This is a particularly irritating problem for people with impaired vision, which is not uncommon especially among elderly users of absorbent articles of the incontinence pad type.

Existing solutions using colour-markings which show where on the individual packing the opening is located are not a functional solution for weakly sighted users either.

Lastly, it is not an appropriate alternative for weakly sighted incontinent users of incontinence pads to ask another person for help with opening an individually packed absorbent article because incontinence is a particularly taboo complaint which sufferers are reluctant to reveal to people around them.

A need therefore remains for an improved packing wrap for individually packed absorbent articles where the opening can be detected with the aid of the sense of touch and which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and can be manufactured at high rates.

By means of the present invention, a packing wrap in accordance with the claims and of the kind referred to in the introduction has been produced, which packing wrap essentially eliminates the problems, especially for weakly sighted users, associated with previously known packing wraps for individually packing absorbent articles.

A packing wrap, made according to the invention, for individually packing an absorbent article of the kind referred to in the introduction, is in this connection characterized mainly in that the means for tactile detection has a longitudinal extent, the means consisting of at least one embossed region and being arranged essentially parallel to the longitudinal extent of the opening location and wherein the opening location extends across the whole packing wrap.

In order to render detection of the longitudinal extent of the opening location more effective, the means for tactile detection extends over a distance which exceeds 30% of the length of the opening location, preferably more than 50% of the length of the opening location.

According to one embodiment, the opening location consists of a weakening in at least one of the first and second material pieces of the packing wrap, the weakening, which can be broken open, being arranged along a line.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the weakening consists of a perforation arranged in at least one of the first and second material pieces of the packing wrap. According to a further embodiment, the weakening is arranged in both the first and the second material piece, at least one of the material pieces having means for tactile detection adjacent to the weakening.

In a further alternative embodiment, the weakening can consist of a join in the packing material.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the means for tactile detection can be arranged along only one side of the weakening.

The means for tactile detection consists of at least one embossed region. This is particularly advantageous when the packing material consists of a plastic film or a paper material because it is then possible to emboss directly on the packing material, and no extra material cost arises.

Frictional differences between different adjacent surfaces are extremely easy for a weakly sighted person to detect by means of the sense of touch.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the packing wrap has a rectangular shape. In this connection, the two material pieces of the packing wrap extend beyond the periphery of the absorbent article and are interconnected in the area beyond the periphery of the absorbent article. The two material pieces can consist of one larger material piece which has been folded around the packing-configured absorbent article or of two completely separate material pieces.

The invention will be described in greater detail below with reference to the illustrative embodiments shown in accompanying figures, in which

Figure 1

shows a closed packing wrap enclosing an incontinence pad according to a first embodiment;

Figure 2

shows the packing wrap according to Figure 1 in a partly opened state;

Figure 3

shows an opened packing wrap containing a packed incontinence pad according to a second embodiment;

The invention relates to a packing wrap for an absorbent article of the sanitary towel, panty liner, incontinence pad or baby diaper type.

The packing wrap 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2 relates to a packing wrap 1 for an incontinence pad 2 intended for lighter forms of incontinence, so called light incontinence.

The incontinence pad 2 inside the packing wrap 1 has a conventional construction and comprises a first, liquid-permeable covering layer arranged on that side of the incontinence pad which is intended to face the wearer during use, a second, liquid-tight covering layer arranged on that side of the incontinence pad 2 which is intended to face away from the wearer during use, and an absorbent body enclosed between the two covering layers.

The construction of the pad does not form a part of the invention.

The absorbent body can be constructed from one or more layers of cellulose fluff pulp. In this connection, cellulose fluff pulp can be mixed with fibres or particles of a highly absorbent polymer material of the kind which chemically binds great quantities of liquid during absorption while forming a liquid-containing gel. The absorbent body can also comprise highly absorbent polymer material arranged in one or more layers inside the absorbent body or adjacent to the surface or surfaces of the absorbent body. The absorbent body can also include components of a non-absorbent nature in order to improve the properties of the absorbent body. Examples of such components are bonding fibres, shape-stabilizing components, strengthening fibres or the like.

Various types of layer and material provided for improved spreading of liquid can also form part of the absorbent body.

The absorbent body can of course also consist of other types of absorption material, such as absorbent nonwoven materials, absorbent foams, textile materials, peat, or mixtures of different kinds of absorption material. Special layers for rapidly receiving large quantities of liquid and temporarily storing this liquid in order then to discharge the temporarily stored liquid to other parts of the absorbent body can also be included in incontinence pads of the kind described. These receiving layers are then normally arranged between the liquid-permeable covering layer and the absorbent body of the incontinence pad.

The two covering layers of the absorbent article project past the edges of the absorbent body, the projecting portions of the covering layers being interconnected around the periphery of the absorbent body, for example by means of gluing, sewing, or by welding using heat or ultrasound.

The material in the liquid-permeable covering layer can be of any suitable kind. Examples of common liquid-permeable covering materials are various types of bonded nonwoven materials, perforated plastic films, net and also open-cell or perforated foam materials. Liquid-permeable covering materials which consist of continuous thin fibres which extend mainly in the longitudinal direction or transverse direction of the absorbent article are also found. Laminates consisting of two or more of the abovementioned possible covering materials are also common, as are coverings consisting of different materials in different parts of the surface.

An incontinence pad which comprises absorbent bodies with particularly great strength and wear-resistance can even function without any extra liquid-permeable covering layer being required on that side of the incontinence pad which faces the wearer during use.

The liquid-tight covering layer suitably consists of a thin plastic film, or of a nonwoven material which has been made liquid-tight by coating or treatment with a liquid-resistant material. Other types of liquid-blocking material can of course also be used, such as, for example, plastic foam with closed cells, various liquid-blocking laminates etc. In order that the incontinence pad 2 will feel airy and pleasant to wear, it is suitable for the liquid-tight covering layer 3 to have a certain permeability for air and water vapour. The liquid-tight covering layer can also be integrated in the absorbent body and consist of, for example, a skin-like surface on an absorbent foam body.

On the side which is intended to face away from the wearer during use, the incontinence pad 2 is provided with a fastening arrangement for fixing to the briefs of the wearer. The fastening arrangement can consist of one or more longitudinal adhesive strands, or of what are known as hook and loop surfaces or the like. When the fastening arrangement consists of adhesive strands, these are usually covered by a release-agent-treated protective layer.

In connection with or immediately prior to the incontinence pad 2 being placed in its packing wrap 1, the incontinence pad 2 has been folded around two transverse folding lines. In this connection, the folding has been arranged so that each folded part constitutes approximately a third of the length of the incontinence pad 2, the folded incontinence pad 2 having a length corresponding to a third of the total length of the incontinence pad 2. The folding has been carried out so that that surface of the incontinence pad 2 which is intended to face away from the wearer during use of the incontinence pad 2 is the outwardly exposed surface when the incontinence pad 2 is folded.

Packing configurations where the incontinence pad 2 is doubled or unfolded are also known.

The packing wrap 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2 comprises a first material piece 3 arranged over one surface of the incontinence pad 2 when the latter is folded into its packing configuration, and a second material piece 4 arranged over the second surface of the incontinence pad 2.

The two material pieces 3, 4 extend beyond the periphery of the incontinence pad 2 and are interconnected along the entire periphery of the packing wrap 1. The connection 7 suitably consists of a thermal weld, an ultrasonic weld or the like.

For some types of packing wrap 1, the first and second material pieces 3, 4 can consist of one larger material piece which has been folded around the incontinence pad, the connection 7 along one of the edges of the packing wrap 1 consisting of the said fold.

The packing wrap 1 can consist of a number of different materials such as plastic film, paper, nonwoven or the like.

The packing wrap 1 comprises an opening location 5 which extends along a line essentially diagonally over the first material piece 3, the opening location 5 consisting of a weakening 6 in the material piece 3 in the form of a perforation 15. Alternative methods of weakening the opening location 5 are also conceivable, such as, for example, making the material piece 3 thinner.

The opening location can be arranged alternatively in either of the material pieces 3, 4 or in both material pieces 3, 4.

It is also possible for the opening location 5 to consist of a slit in the material piece 3, in which case it is suitable that the slit comprises some kind of overlapping material in order to prevent impurities of various kinds entering the packing wrap 1.

The opening location 5 extends, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, across the whole packing wrap 1.

It can be essentially diagonal across the wrap.

The opening location 5 can also extend along a line parallel to any one of the edges of the packing wrap 1, or along a curved line arranged diagonally over the packing wrap 1, or the like.

Figure 1 shows a packing wrap 1 where the opening location 5 is closed, while Figure 2 shows a corresponding packing wrap 1 where the opening location 5 is open and where the incontinence pad 2 is visible inside the packing wrap 1.

The packing wrap 1 is opened by the weakening 6 being broken open, that is to say the material piece 3, 4 which comprises the opening location 5 is tom in two along the perforation 15.

Figure 3 shows an embodiment of the packing wrap 1 in an opened state, where the opening location 5 extended over both the first and the second material piece 3, 4 before the packing wrap 1 was opened. The opening location 5 extends over both material pieces 3, 4 from one edge 8 of each material piece 3, 4 to the opposite edge 9 of each material piece 3, 4. The respective extents of the opening location 5 in the first and the second material piece 3, 4 are then suitably arranged so that they extend essentially parallel over each material piece 3, 4 from a common starting point 16 at one edge 8 to a common terminating point 17 at the opposite edge 9.

When such a packing wrap 1 is opened, the packing wrap 1 is usually divided into two parts 10, 11, but it is also conceivable for the two parts 10, 11 to continue to hold together at the starting point 16 or the terminating point 17 after the packing wrap 1 has been opened.

A packing wrap 1 according to the invention comprises means 12 for tactile detection of the position of the opening location 5.

The packing wrap 1 shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 is distinguished in that the opening location 5 extends across the whole packaging wrap and can be detected with the aid of the sense of touch. In this connection, the packing wrap 1 comprises embossed regions 13 adjacent to the opening location 5. The embossed regions 13 have a width and a length and run essentially parallel to the opening location 5, an embossed region 13 running on each side of the opening location 5.

In alternative embodiments, it is conceivable that only one embossed region 13 runs parallel to the perforation 15 of the opening location 5 along only one of its sides.

It is also conceivable to use a number of shorter embossed regions 13 with unembossed regions between the embossed regions 13, the embossed regions 13 being arranged along one side or both sides of the opening location 5.

The embossed regions 13 extend along roughly 60% of the length of the perforation 15.

The embossed regions 13 do not have to extend along the entire length of the perforation 15, but they extend over more than 30% of the total length of the opening location, preferably more than 50% of the length.

The embossed regions 13 are arranged so that they differ from the texture of the embossed material piece 3, 4 as far as touch is concerned, it being possible for the embossed regions 13 and adjacent perforation 15 to be detected easily with the sense of touch in, for example, the fingers of the person who is to open the packing wrap 1.

Embossed regions 13 are brought about by the material piece 3, 4 passing through an embossing unit in a manufacturing step before the material piece 3, 4 is applied over the incontinence pad 2. In this connection, the embossing unit has a male part comprising projecting embossing bodies and a female part comprising sunken embossing recesses, the male part and the female part being arranged synchronously. When that region of the material piece 3, 4 which is to be embossed passes between the male part and the female part of the embossing unit, the material piece 3, 4 is deformed plastically, permanently deformed protuberances being obtained in the material. Alternative ways of producing embossed regions are also conceivable.

In the illustrative embodiment, the pattern of the embossed regions 13 consists of straight embossed lines 14 arranged at right angles to the opening location 5.

The embossing pattern can vary within wide limits and can consist of, for example, lines parallel to the opening location 5, a number of small circles arranged parallel to the opening location or the like.

Embossing involves the great advantage that no costly extra material has to be added, because it is the already present material piece 3, 4 which is modified.

The material piece 3, 4 must, at least in the area to be embossed, comprise an embossable material. Suitable embossable materials are various types of plastic film, paper or the like.

The invention is not limited to the illustrative embodiments referred to above but is of course applicable for other embodiments within the scope of the following patent claims.