MXPA98003259A - Absorbent article envelope comprising late fin attacher cover - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to discloses an individually packaged absorbent article having side flaps with fasteners, such as adhesive fasteners thereon. The wrapping for the individual packing of the absorbent article has a cover of attached adhesive of aerial fin. The flap adhesive cover protects the fasteners located on the side flaps of the absorbent article, and keeps the flaps in a position that protects the absorbent side of the absorbent article from contamination until the article is ready for use. The wrap covers a main surface of the absorbent article and by folding the article and sealing the wrap in that bent orientation, a disposable absorbent article is individually provided.

Description

ABSORBENT ARTICLE WRAPPING COMPRISING SIDE FIN ATTACHER COVER FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprises a pair of fins attached to the main body portion and extending laterally outwardly beyond a longitudinal side edge of the main body portion, wherein the garment surface of each of the fins comprises a fin fastener and fins are bent over the body surface of the main body portion, to expose the fin fasteners and a wrap for the absorbent article, the wrap comprising a main wrap sheet and a bonded fastener cover to the main wrapping sheet, wherein particularly the sanitary towels having wings or fins are disclosed in the literature and are available in the market place. Generally, the fins of these absorbent articles extend laterally from a central absorbent means and are intended to be folded around the edges of the wearer's undergarment in the crotch region. In this way, in use the fins are disposed between the edges of the user's undergarment in the crotch region and the thighs of the wearer. Commonly, the fins are provided with a fastening means for attaching the fins to the underside of the wearer's undergarment. The fins serve at least two purposes. First, the fins prevent the exudates, which would otherwise stain the edges of the wearer's undergarment from doing this. Second, the fins help to stabilize the sanitary napkin against the deviation away from the position chosen by the user. This is especially so when the fins are attached to the underside of the undergarment.

Sanitary pads having fins of various types are disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,687,478, entitled "Towel sanitary towel" which was issued to Van Tilburg on August 18, 1987, United States Patent B1 4,589,876, entitled "Sanitary towel", which was issued to Van Tilburg on May 20, 1986, and United States patent 5,389,094 entitled "Absorbing article having fins and zones of differential extension capacity", which was issued to Lavash and others. February 14, 1995. Although there is a greater number of variations in the specific structural aspects of the absorbent articles, these are often presented to the consumer in the same way. Essentially, the absorbent article independently, of the specific structural aspects that are used, is packed in a box or bag from which the consumer removes ready-to-use items as needed. If the consumer only needs an item for later use, the consumer should take precautions to protect the item from staining or contamination from the time it is removed from the bag case until the item is used. This is a particular problem with respect to the catamenial pads. For example, if a woman wishes to wear a catamenial pad with her for use away from home, she should take precautions to ensure that the pad is not damaged or soiled when carried in her handbag or bag. The protection of individual absorbent articles has been addressed in the state of the art. Bands, for example, are commonly packaged individually and sold to the consumer in some type of container, which maintains a convenient number of individually packaged items. Likewise, catamenial pads that have been individually packaged and sold to the consumer in a container that holds a convenient number of individually packaged items.

U.S. Patent 2,750,003, entitled "Towel Pack", which was issued to J :. B. Pickens on June 12, 1956 and the United States Patent 3No. 973,567 entitled "Sanitary napkin without bags" which was issued to S. S. Srinivasan et al. On August 10, 1976, discloses examples of individually packaged sanitary napkins. Although these wrappers protect enclosed sanitary napkins, they require an amount of wrapping material that is sufficient to cover the total surface area of each towel when it is exposed in a fully open position. Other attempts to protect the individual absorbent articles have reduced the amount of wrapping material required for the protection of each absorbent article. Notably, U.S. Patent 4,556,146, entitled "individually packaged disposable absorbent article", which was issued to Swanson et al. On December 3, 1985, and U.S. Patent 5,088,993 entitled "sanitary towel with individual self-enclosing media". which was issued to Gaur on February 18, 1992, disclose examples of individually packaged catamenial pads that require sufficient wrapping material to cover only one major surface (either the side facing the body or the side facing the garment). dressing), of the sanitary napkin and sufficient material to extend a distance beyond each edge of this larger surface, to allow protection of the sanitary napkin in a folded position. These publications, however, do not disclose provisions for wrapped absorbent articles that have fins. The fins of the sanitary napkins can be folded to conserve space during packaging, that is, the period in which the sanitary towel is manufactured and its first use by the user. At the time of first use by the wearer, the flaps are normally unfolded to facilitate the installation of the sanitary napkin on the wearer's undergarment. Accordingly, when the wearer installs the sanitary napkin on the undergarment, the sanitary napkin is typically in the position of use, with the topsheet facing towards the wearer, while the wearer manipulates the flaps and any associated protective adhesive cover (or strip). of liberation). There may be an inconvenience associated with the manipulation of the fins and any associated release strip when the fins are folded over the backsheet. The folded flaps on the backsheet are behind and hidden by the sanitary napkin, so that the flaps can not be seen while the wearer is attempting to install the sanitary napkin to the undergarment. Also, the fins folded on the backsheet may tend to adhere to the adhesive fastener on the backsheet, unless they are kept separate. In addition, this configuration leaves the surface that gives the body open to contamination. Problems arise with traditional means to protect such fastening means from the fins of an absorbent article, such as protective strips. The problems arise with the care that should be taken when removing these protective strips in such a way that the fins do not inadvertently adhere to each other or to another part of the product as the protective strips are removed. The user must, therefore, carefully handle the absorbent article when removing the protective strips. Additionally, the user must then appropriately dispose the various protective strips to prevent them from spreading. Other attempts to protect the fin fastener means such as in U.S. Patent 4,701,178, entitled "Towel sanitary towel", which was issued to Glaug et al. On October 20, 1987, have incorporated the protective strips. of the fins with a protective strip used to cover the adhesive securing the main portion of a sanitary napkin to the wearer's undergarment. Problems arise with this configuration in which the user must be careful not to damage the fins or tear the protective strip when removing the protective strip from the sanitary napkin. Additionally, the typical problems of having fins in a configuration facing the backsheet (as discussed above), are experienced with this configuration. Therefore, a primary object of the present invention is to provide a single wrapper for an individual absorbent article. having fins, which have fasteners thereon wherein the wrap covers only a major surface of the absorbent article and covers the fasteners on the fins of the absorbent article. It is another object of the present invention to provide a wrapper for an individual absorbent article having fins having fasteners thereon, wherein the function of all protective elements for the fasteners are incorporated into the wrapper of the absorbent article. It is another object of the present invention to provide a wrapper for an individual absorbent article having fins having fasteners thereon, wherein the wrapper is composed of a single piece. It is another object of the present invention to provide an enclosure for an individual absorbent article having fins having fasteners thereon, wherein the enclosure is configured to protect the fastener means from the fin, which are bent over the top sheet which faces towards the body of the absorbent article when the adhesive element of the central pad can be attached to the undergarment of the wearer. It is another object of the present invention to provide a wrapper for an individual absorbent article having fins employing fixing means wherein the wrap and all the protective elements can be removed from the absorbent article with a movement. These and other objects of the present invention will become more readily apparent when considered with reference to the following description and when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an enclosure for individually wrapping an absorbent article such as a sanitary napkin, which has fins having a fastening means, such as adhesive fasteners thereon. The wrap has a flap adhesive cover or a flap release element attached thereto to protect the adhesive patches of the flaps when the flaps are folded over the top sheet of the sanitary napkin. The wrapper comprises a main wrapping sheet that preferably covers only the backsheet of the sanitary napkin and extends slightly beyond the perimeter of the sanitary napkin. In a preferred embodiment, the fin releasing element is attached to one end of a longitudinal end of the main wrapping sheet and extends toward a free end which covers a portion of the upper sheet of the sanitary napkin, such that the Fixed fin release element to the adhesive patches of the fins when the fins are folded over the top sheet. For wrapping an individual absorbent article with a wrapper of the present invention, the sanitary towel is placed on the garment facing side down on the main wrapping sheet such that the adhesive on the side facing the garment of the sanitary towel cover the main sheet of wrap. The fins are then folded over the top sheet in such a manner that the adhesive patches on the side facing the garment of the fins are exposed. The adhesive cover of the flap is then placed on top of the adhesive patches of the flap, and a first end region of the wrap and the part of the sanitary napkin associated with it are folded inwardly over the central portion of the flap. sanitary towel. The end region opposite of the disposable wrapper and the portion of the sanitary napkin associated with it, are then folded, at the upper end portion. The longitudinal sides of the wrapper are tightly sealed to provide the individually packaged absorbent article and the wrap is releasably retained preferably in its folded configuration with a tape of adhesive tape. The wrap and release strip of the present invention provide the least expensive packing of an absorbent article. Also, these provide an individual package for an absorbent article having fins, wherein all the elements required for packaging are joined as a single unit to avoid excess waste. These also allow the easy placement of the absorbent article in an undergarment, while the topsheet and the adhesive of the fin of the absorbent article remain protected from contamination. The wrap and the release strip may also allow a single movement of disengagement of the wrapper and all associated adhesive release strips from the absorbent article.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a top plan view of a preferred embodiment of the wrapper of the present invention, in an open position with a preferred sanitary napkin disposed thereon and the sanitary napkin fins extended. Figure 2 is a top plan view of the casing of the present invention shown in Figure 1, with the fins of the sanitary napkin folded over the topsheet. Figure 2A is a cross-sectional view of Figure 1, taken along the transverse centerline T. Figure 2B is a cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of the sanitary napkin fins in a protective position of the upper leaf alternates. Figure 3 is a perspective view of a preferred wrapper of the present invention. Figure 3A is a fragmented perspective view of the envelope shown in Figure 3, with the free end of the flap release element folded back, away from the main wrapping sheet. Figure 3B is a fragmented perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the envelope of the present invention. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view (taken along the longitudinal center line) of a preferred wrapper of the present invention with a sanitary towel there in a folded configuration. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view (taken along the longitudinal center line) of a preferred wrapper of the present invention attached to a preferred sanitary napkin by the fin release element only. Figure 6 is a top plan view of an alternate embodiment wrapper of the present invention with a sanitary napkin placed thereon in substantially the same configuration as Figure 2. Figure 7 is a top plan view of another embodiment wrapper. alternate of the present invention with a sanitary napkin placed thereon in substantially the same configuration as Figure 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawings, the present invention is modalized in a preferred but not limitative embodiment. As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 2A, the invention comprises an envelope 78 for a disposable absorbent article, particularly a sanitary napkin 20. The sanitary napkin 20 is used to collect vaginal discharges, such as menstruation and to prevent spotting. the user's clothes for these downloads.

As shown in Figure 2A the sanitary napkin 20 basically comprises a main body portion 22 and two flaps 24. The main body portion 22 of the sanitary napkin 20 may have a fastener, such as a pressure sensitive adhesive fastener 74. over it to hold the main body portion 22 in the wearer's undergarment. The fins 24 each preferably have fasteners thereon, such as a pressure sensitive adhesive fastener 76, for releasably attaching the fins 24 of the sanitary napkin in a folded configuration around the crotch edges of the undergarment of the sanitary napkin. the user. The wrap 78 of the present invention serves to cover and protect the fin clips 76, the main body fastener (if one exists), and are folded around the sanitary napkin 20 to provide an individual package for the sanitary napkin 20. Before of observing the characteristics of the wrapper 78 in greater detail, the properties of the sanitary pad 20 will be discussed briefly. The sanitary towel 20 and (the main body portion 22 thereof), has two surfaces, a surface that contacts the liquid-permeable body or "body surface 20A", which is intended to be used adjacent to the body of the body. the wearer and a liquid impervious surface to the liquid 20B. The sanitary napkin 20 is shown in Figure 1 as seen from its body surface 20A, the sanitary napkin 20 has two centerlines, a main longitudinal centerline L, and a major transverse centerline T. The term "longitudinal" as used in used herein, refers to a line, axis or direction in the plane of the sanitary napkin 20 that is generally aligned with (eg, approximately parallel to) a plane that divides a user standing in halves of left body and right when using the sanitary towel 20. The terms "transverse", "lateral", or "width" used herein, are interchangeable, and refer to an axis or direction line that lies within the plane of the sanitary napkin 20 which is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Figure 1 shows that the main body portion 22 of the sanitary napkin comprises the portion of the sanitary napkin without the fins 24. The main body portion 22 has two separate longitudinal edges 26 themselves, two separate transverse edges 28 themselves (or "ends"), which together form the periphery 30 of the main body portion.The body main body portion 22 also has two end regions, which are designated first end region 22 and second end region 34. A central region 36 is disposed between end regions 33 and 34. End regions 32 and 34 extend outwardly in the longitudinal direction from the edges of the central region 36 and about 1/8 to about 1/3 of the length of the main body portion A detailed description of the characteristics of a central region, and two end regions for a sanitary napkin are contained in U.S. Patent 4,690,680 issued to Higgins on September 1 The main body portion 22 of the sanitary napkin 20 can be any thickness, including relatively thick, intermediate thickness, relatively thin, or even very thin (or "ultra-thin"). An ultrathin sanitary strip 20 as described in United States patents 4, 950,264 and 5,009,653, issued to Osborn preferably has a smaller caliber of approximately 3mm. The embodiment of the sanitary napkin 20 shown in the drawings is intended to be an example of a toa of intermediate thickness. The main body portion 22 of the sanitary napkin 20 can also be relatively flexible, such that it is conformable to the wearer. It should be understood that the sanitary napkin shown is only one embodiment, and that the wrapping of the present invention is not limited to being used with absorbent articles of the type or having specific configurations shown in the drawings. Figure 2A shows the individual components of the main body portion 22 of the sanitary napkin 20. The body main body portion 22 of the sanitary napkin preferably comprises at least 3 main components. These include a liquid-permeable top sheet 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 can be assembled in a variety of configurations known in the art (including layered or "sandwich" configurations, and wraparound or "tube" configurations). Suitable materials for the components of the main body portion 22, and some of the configurations in which these components can be assembled are generally described in U.S. Patent 4,321,924, entitled "Disposable absorbent article with edges", issued to Ahr on May 30, 1982; U.S. Patent 4,425,130, entitled "Composite sanitary towel", issued to DesMarais on January 10, 1984; U.S. Patent 4,950,264, entitled "Thin flexible sanitary towel", issued to Osborn on August 21, 1990; U.S. Patent 5,308,346, entitled "Elastic Sanitary Towel", issued to Sneller et al. on May 3, 1994; and U.S. Patent 5,389,094, entitled "Absorbing article having fins and zones of differential extension capacity", issued to Lavash et al. On February 14, 1995. The main body portion 22 of the sanitary napkin may also be composed of one or more extensible components such as those sanitary napkins, and the like, described in the United States patent application No. of Series 07 / 915,133 and 078 / 915,284 both filed on July 23, 1992, in the name of Osborn et al. (PCT Publication Nos. 93/01785 and 93/01786, both published on February 4, 1993). Figures 1 and 2A 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 greater than those of the absorbent core 42. upper sheet 38 and rear sheet 40 extend beyond the edges of absorbent core 42, to form the periphery portions 30. The topsheet is preferably attached to the side facing the absorbent core body 42, and the backsheet 40 is preferably attached to the side facing the garment of the absorbent core. The topsheet 38 and backsheet 40 can be attached to the absorbent core 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 the backsheet 40 which extend beyond the edges of the absorbent core, also preferably adjoin one another. These portions of the topsheet 38 and the 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 the backsheet 40 are bonded using adhesives on substantially the total portions extending beyond the absorbent core 42 and a pressure fastening seal around the periphery 30 of the main body portion 22, wherein the upper sheet 38 and the back sheet 40 are densified by the application of pressure and / or heat and / or pressure. The sanitary towel 20 shown in Figures 1-2A, as discussed above, also comprises a pair of fins 24 that are attached to the main body portion 22. The fins 24 extend laterally outward, beyond the longitudinal side edges. 22 of the main body portion 22 from its proximal edges 44 to its distant edges (or "free ends" 46). The flaps 24 extend outwards from at least the central region 36 of the main body portion 22. As shown in Figure 1, each flap 24 is divided into a front half 50, and a rear half 52, by a line transverse center of fin T, The transverse center line of fin J may coincide with the main transverse center line T of the sanitary napkin, but this is not absolutely required. The flaps 24 may be attached to the main body portion 22 in any suitable manner. The term "attached", as used herein, encompasses configurations in which one element is secured to the other element by attaching the element directly to the other element; configurations in which the element is indirectly secured to the other element by gluing the element to a member or intermediate members which in turn join the other element; and configurations in which one element is integral with the other element, that is, one element is essentially part of the other element. Preferably, in the embodiment shown in Figures 1-2A the fins 24 are integral with the main body portion 22 (i.e., the fins 24 comprise integral extensions of the topsheet 38 and the backsheet 40). In other alternate embodiments, the fins 24 may comprise one or more separate components that are attached to the garment-facing side of the main body portion 22. Preferably, in such a case, the fins 24 each comprise a separate components to the side which gives towards the garment of the main body portion 22. In such alternate embodiments, the flaps 24 are otherwise disengaged preferably to the garment facing side of the body portion 22 in the sanitary napkin 20 between the points where they are attached to the main body portion and the longitudinal side edges 26 of the main body portion. The fins 24 in these latter embodiments can be attached to the side facing the garment of the main body portion 22 by any suitable fastening mechanism. Suitable fixation mechanisms include, but are not limited to adhesives and the like. The locations or regions on the sanitary napkin 20 where the alets 24 are attached to (or extend from) the main body portion 22, are referred to herein as "junctions". These regions will typically be longitudinally oriented (or "longitudinal") joints, such as tie lines 48). These regions can be any of several curved or straight lines, but are not limited to lines. In this way, the joints can comprise tabs, strips, intermittent lines and the like. The fins 24 can be of any desired configuration, with a preferred configuration shown in Figure 1. Figure 1 shows that the fins 24 are provided with zones of extension capacity (or "zones of differential extension capacity" 56 in FIG. the front half 50, and in the rear half 52 of each flap The extension capacity zones 56 release the tensions that are created in the flaps 24, by the folding of the flaps 24 around the crotch of the garment of the garment. The zones of extension capacity 56 thereby help to eliminate bulging of the fins 24 caused by stresses.Preferably, in the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the zones of extension capacity 56 comprise regions of the fins 24. precorrugadas or rolled by ring, in which the corrugations 58 define crests and valleys that are oriented at an angle with respect to the main longitudinal centerline L. The Suitable structures for providing the fins 24 with extension capacity zones 56 are described in greater detail in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,389,094 issued to Lavash et al. and in the commonly assigned, co-pending, U.S. Patent Application 08 / 380,769 , entitled "Absorbent article having fins with collected portions", filed to no. Sue A. Mills et al. on January 30, 1995. Sanitary pad 20 also preferably has fasteners to secure sanitary napkin 20 at the location within a user's undergarment. The figures 1 and 2, show a preferred fastener arrangement, which comprises a fastener of the main body portion (or central pad), such as the central pad adhesive 74 and fin fasteners, such as the wing adhesives 76. fasteners used with sanitary napkin 20 are not limited to adhesive fasteners. However, any suitable type of fastener known in the art can be used for this purpose. For example, the sanitary napkin 20 can be secured at the location in an undergarment of the wearer by mechanical fasteners such as VELCRO®, or by a combination of adhesive and mechanical fasteners, however, for simplicity, the fasteners will be described in terms of fasteners. adhesives 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 and the wing adhesives 76 may 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 adhesive shot that centers around the main longitudinal center line L. The flap adhesives 76 are provided in the form of a patch. generally rectangular adhesive on each flap 24. The central pad adhesive 74 provides an adhesive attachment means for securing the main body portion 22, of the sanitary napkin in the crotch portion of a panty. The adhesive flap patches 76 are used to help keep the flaps 24 in position after they are wrapped around the edges of the crotch portion of the panty.

The flaps can be held in position by fixing the flaps 24 to the undergarment, or to the opposite flap. Figures 1-2A show a preferred version of the wrapper 78 of the present invention. As shown in Figure 1 the envolutra, generally designated by the reference number 78, comprises several elements. These elements may comprise integral parts of a single member or article, or these may comprise separate components attached to a member or article. The elements comprising the envelope 78 comprises: a main wrapping sheet 80; an optional release component, such as a release paper (or release liner) 82 disposed on one side of the main wrapping sheet 80 and a fin securing cover, such as the fin adhesive cover 84. The main sheet Wrapper 80 (or "wrapping sheet") is the portion of the wrapper 78 that will be folded around the sanitary napkin 20 to provide an individual package for the sanitary napkin 20. The wrapper main sheet 80 preferably covers and releasably attaches to the central pad fastener 74. The main wrap sheet 80 preferably has dimensions that are slightly larger than those of the main body portion 22 of the sanitary pad 20. Preferably, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the main sheet of wrapping 80 has longitudinal edge portions 80D extending beyond the longitudinal edges 26 of the main body portion 22 of the toall a sanitary 20. The main wrapping sheet 80 also preferably 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. However, it is recognized that satisfactory protection of the sanitary napkin 20 can be provided by a wrapping that is not greater than the main portion of the sanitary napkin 20. The main wrapping sheet 80 can be made from any suitable material. The main wrapping sheet 80 is preferably manufactured from a thin flexible material that is impermeable to liquid such that the wrapper 78 will be suitable for wrapping and discarding a used sanitary napkin. For example, polyethylene films have been found to work well. The main wrapper sheet 80 may be provided with the optional release component, such as the release paper 82 (or release liner), such that the main wrapping sheet 80 will release from the central pad holder 74 when the user removes the sanitary napkin 20 from the wrapper 78. If used a separate release paper this may 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 can be laminated to the inner surface of the main wrapping sheet 80. If a release coating is used, the coating can be applied directly to the inner surface of the main wrapping sheet 80. This coating can comprise any material known in the art for this purpose with silicone coatings being preferred if a coating 82 is used can be provided by coating only that area of the main wrapping sheet 80 which will substantially contact the adhesive of the central pad 76. Alternatively, the entire inner surface of the main wrapping sheet 80 can be coated. The coating of the interior of a wrapping is disclosed in United States Patent 5,181, 610 entitled "Flexible container with non-tacky interior" which was issued to Quick and others on January 26, 1993. The cover of the fin affixed (or "strip of l Flap Release ") 84 covers and protects the flap adhesives 76 and keeps the flaps 24 in the folded position on the top sheet for packaging. In the preferred embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, the fin adhesive cover 84 extends from the first end portion 80A of the main wrapping sheet 80. The fin adhesive cover 84 is preferably attached to the main sheet wrapping 80 and is bent towards the main wrapping sheet 80, such that it will remain in the configuration shown in Figures 1 and 2. As shown in Figure 1, the flap adhesive cover 84 is attached to the sheet wrapping principal 80 at the fixed end 84C. The distal end 84D of the fin adhesive cover 84 extends toward the central portion 80C of the main wrapper sheet 80 and toward the central portion 36 of the sanitary pad 20. When the wrapper 78 is in the flat configuration shown in the Figure 1, the fin adhesive cover 84 lies on the first end region 32 of the sanitary napkin 20. The fin adhesive cover 84 may be of any suitable size and shape. Although the Figures illustrate a fin adhesive cover 84 that is only of sufficient width (its dimension measured parallel to the transverse center line T) to cover and protect the fin adhesives 76. A fin adhesive cover 84, which is of a width equal to the width of the main wrapping sheet 80 or any width between them is also contemplated in the present. The fin adhesive cover 84 has two surfaces, one of which is a non-sticky surface (or releasable surface) 84A, which is capable of releasable attachment with the fin fasteners, and an opposing surface or side 84B. Preferably, as shown in Figure 3 the non-tacky surface 84A of the fin adhesive cover 84 faces away from the main wrapping sheet 80 such that it will be able to releasably adhere the fin adhesive 76 when the sanitary napkin 20 and the wrapper 78 are in the folded configuration discussed below. When the flap fasteners 76 comprise adhesive fasteners, the non-tacky surface 84A can be provided by attaching a separate release paper to the flap adhesive cover 84, which is treated with a non-tacky material, or treating all or a portion of the adhesive. the fin adhesive cover with a non-tacky coating, such as by silicone coating a portion of the fin adhesive cover 84. Alternatively, if the fin fasteners 76 comprise mechanical fasteners such as VELCRO® fasteners, the non-tacky surface can be provided by a nonwoven material capable of releasably linking the mechanical fastening material. The opposite side 84B of the fin adhesive cover 84 need not have, and preferably does not have, a release coating on it. The opposite side 84B, need not have a release liner since this will only be in contact with the topsheet 38 in the first end region 32 of the sanitary napkin 20, when the sanitary napkin 20 is disposed, over the wrapping 78 and it is placed in the folded configuration. Figure 3B shows a variant of the fin adhesive cover 84 shown in the Figures of the previous drawings. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3B, instead of being a separate component of the main wrapping sheet 80, the fin adhesive cover 84 is an integral part of the main wrapping sheet 80. The wrapping 78 also preferably comprises a optional package fastener 86 for retaining the package formed by folding the wrapper and sanitary napkin in its folded configuration. The pack holder 86 is preferably both capable of being releasably and resealablely attached to the package. The package fastener 86 may be comprised of any releasably resealable fixably fastener known in the art, such as spots or patches of adhesives, tapes and mechanical fasteners. A tape tab with a pressure sensitive adhesive located on it has been found to work well. The package fastener 86 may be disposed at any suitable location on the wrapper 78. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, the package fastener 86 is preferably positioned on the second, opposite end portion 80B of the main blade. 80. For the initial packing of the sanitary napkin 20 within 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 towel sanitary 20 is positioned in such a way that the central body holder 74 lies on the release paper or release liner 82 on the main wrapping sheet 80. The fins 24 are then preferably folded over the upper sheet 38 in such a way that the fins 24 are in the configuration shown in Figures 2 and 2A. The folding of the fins 24 in the configuration shown in Figures 2 and 2A exposes the adhesive patches 76 arranged on the garment-facing side of the fins 24, and causes the fins 24 to cover at least a part of the sheet upper 38. Folding the fins 24 on the upper sheet 38 can thus be considered as providing a degree of protection to prevent the upper sheet from becoming stained before being used. Alternating embodiments, where one or both of the fins 24 have a greater space (ie, if the invention measured in the transverse direction), the fins can be bent over the hsa 38 in such a way that one of the fins 24 will partially cover the minus the other fin 24 as shown in Figure 2B. The second flap 24 covers, attaches to, and protects the fin attachment means 76 from the first flap 24. The cover adhesive cover 84 will then cover, secure and protect the flap fastener 76 of the second flap 24. After folding the fins 24 on the upper sheet 38, the sanitary napkin and the main wrapping sheet 80 will then preferably be folded into three sections which are defined by the fold axes F1 and F2 shown in Figure 2. The bending axes F1 and F2 will divide both the sanitary towel 20 and the main wrapping sheet 80 into three sections. As shown in Figure 2, the first and second end regions 32 and 34 of the sanitary napkin 20 lie longitudinally away from the center of the bending axes F1 and F2. The central region 36 of the sanitary napkin 20 lies between the preferred fold axes F1 and F2. The first and second end portions 80A and 80B of the main wrapping sheet 80 are separated on the fold axes F1 and F2 by the central portion 80C of the main wrapping sheet 80. Figure 4 depicts the sanitary towel package formed by folding the wrapper 78 and the sanitary pad 20 in a preferred configuration for convenient shipping, carrying and carrying of the wearer. As shown in Figure 4, the first end portion 80 of the main envelope 80, together with the first end region 32 of the sanitary napkin 20, and the fin adhesive cover 84 are folded around the first bend axis. F1 on the central region 36 of the sanitary napkin 20.

When the sanitary napkin 20 and the wrap 78 are folded in this way, the non-sticky suede 84A of the flap adhesive cover 84 is placed over the flap fasteners 76 and releasably attached to each adhesive patch 76. In addition, the adhesive cover 84 provides a connection between each fin 24 encompassing the fins 24 thereby keeping the fins 24 in the desired position until the adhesive cover 84 is removed. The second end portion 80B of the main casing sheet 80, together with the second end region 34 of the sanitary napkin 20, and the tape tab 86, are then folded around the second bend axis F2. This places these components on top of the first end portion 80A of the main wrapping sheet 80 and the first end region 32 of the sanitary napkin 20. Pressing the tape tab 84 onto the outer wrapping 78 in the position shown in Figure 4, the sanitary napkin 20, its vanes 24 and the sheath 78 will remain in the configuration shown. Preferably to complete the individual packing of the sanitary napkin In the wrapper 78 of the present invention, each longitudinal side edge 80 of the wrapper core sheet 80 is then fragile sealed after the sanitary napkin 20 and the wrapper 78 are in the folded configuration shown in Figure 4. The seal frangible of the side edges 80D of the main wrapping sheet 80 can be achieved by any suitable sealing technique. By way of example only the longitudinal side edges 80D can be heat sealed, glued or ultrasonically bonded. The entire sanitary napkin 20 is then 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. Several alternate embodiments of the present invention are possible. For example, in the embodiment shown in Figure 6, instead of extending only over part of the first end region 32 of the sanitary napkin, the flap adhesive cover 84 may be made longer in such a way that it extends from one of the longitudinal ends of the main wrapping sheet 80 to cover the central region 36 of the sanitary napkin 20, such that it covers the flap adhesives 76 when the wrapping 78 and the sanitary napkin 20 are in an unfolded condition. In this embodiment, the non-sticky surface 84A of the flap adhesive cover 84 will face inward toward the main wrapper sheet 80., and the objects of the invention will be achieved without taking into account the folded back configuration of the sheath 78 and the towel 20. Consequently, the sheath 78 and the sanitary napkin 20 can be folded on itself, around the transverse center line T , or in any other way, to provide the individually packaged absorbent article of the present invention. In another, less preferred alternate embodiment shown in Figure 7 instead of being attached adjacent one of the end edges of the main wrapping sheet 80, the fin adhesive cover 84 may be attached along one of the longitudinal edges. 80D of the main wrapping sheet 80. In this embodiment, the flap adhesive cover 84 extends in the transverse direction on the sanitary napkin 20 with the non-tacky surface 84A thereof facing the main wrapping sheet 80, and the flap adhesive cover 84 releasably attaching flap fasteners 76. In this embodiment, the objectives of the invention will also be achieved without regard to the folded back configuration of the wrapper 78 and the towel 20. In various embodiments of the wrapper 78 described herein, can be made in any suitable manner. The fin adhesive cover 84 can be made of the same material as the main wrapping sheet or any adhesive cover material known in the art. The fin adhesive cover 84, if it is a separate element, may be attached to the main wrapper sheet 80 at any time during the manufacture of the individually packaged sanitary towel 20 of the present invention. Preferably, for ease of manufacture, the fin adhesive cover 84 will be attached to the main wrapping sheet 80 after the sanitary napkin has already been placed. on the main wrapping sheet 80. This will eliminate the need to fold the flap adhesive cover 84 back as shown in Figure 3A to allow the sanitary napkin 20 to be placed over the main wrapping sheet 80. The paper of release or release coating 82 on the main wrapping sheet 80 and the non-tacky surface 84A on the adhesive cover of the wing 84 can be applied either before or after the cover of the wing adhesive 84 is attached to the main wrapping sheet 80. Preferably, for ease of manufacture these articles are applied before the adhesive cover 84 is attached to the main wrapping sheet 80. The consumer will ordinarily carry the individually packaged sanitary napkin of the present invention in the shape illustrated in Figure 4. The individually packaged sanitary napkin of the present invention illustrated in Figure 4 can be opened by pulling the tape tab 86 of wrapper 78 and breaking frangible seals along longitudinal side edges 80D of wrapper main sheet 80. Wrap main sheet 80 can then be removed from central pad pad holder 74 20 separating the main wrapping sheet 80 from the central pad fastener 74. The consumer can separate the wrapper 78 in the naterior manner and leave the fin adhesive cover 84 attached to each tab 24 by the fin clips 76 as shown in Figure 5. If the consumer does this, the sanitary napkin may be placed in the crotch of the wearer's undergarment and secured there by the central pad adhesive 74, while the flaps remain folded over the topsheet 38. However, more preferably the consumer can separate the total wrap 78 from the sanitary napkin 20, including the adhesive fastener of the almo central band 74 and the fin 76 adhesives, in a single movement. This can be achieved after the consumer separates to open the tape tab 86. This gives the consumer access to the end edge 28 in the second end region 34 of the sanitary napkin 20. The consumer can then grasp the end edge 28. in the second end region 34 of the sanitary napkin 20 and pulling the entire sheath 78 of the sanitary napkin 20 and its wings 24 in a single movement. Once the sanitary napkin is removed from the wrapper 78, it is placed in the wearer's panties, the consumer can fold the wrapper 78 to secure the wrapper 78 in its bent orientation by refastening the resealable tape tab 80 to the wrapper 78. The consumer it can then store the folded wrap 78 to re-wrap and discard the used sanitary napkin. The user need not worry about the collection and disposal of the loose fin adhesive release strips, which was previously required, since all the release strips are fixed to or integral with the wrapper 78. The present invention, therefore, is both provide the wearer with a clean sanitary towel 20 which is easily installed and without extra pieces of waste to be collected. The divisions of all patents, patent applications (and any of the patents that were issued on them, as well as any corresponding published foreign patent applications), and publications mentioned throughout this description are incorporated by reference herein. . However, it is not expressly admitted that any of the documents incorporated by reference herein teach or disclose the present invention. It should be recognized that the above detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is given by way of illustration only, 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. the invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention will be determined by reference to the appended claims.

LIST OF ELEMENTS Reference letters L main longitudinal center line T main transverse center line F1 first bending axis F2 second bending axis Reference numbers 20 sanitary napkin 20A sanitary napkin body surface 20B sanitary napkin garment surface 22 main body portion of the sanitary napkin 24 fins 26 longitudinal edges of the main body portion 28 end edges of the main body portion periphery of the main body portion 32 first end region 34 second end region 36 middle region 38 upper sheet 40 back sheet 42 absorbent core 44 proximal edges of the fins 46 distant edges of the fins 48 attachment of the fins with the portion main body 50 front half of fins 52 rear half of fins 54 longitudinal lines around which the fins are folded 56 zones of extension capacity in the fins 58 corrugations 60 62 64 66 68 70 72 (not used) 74 76 80 80A 80B 80C 80D 82 78B) 84 84A opposite side of the fin adhesive cover (84 ') 84B (84") 840 Fixed end of the fin adhesive cover (78D) 84D Distal end of the fin adhesive cover 86 securing means of the folded envelope (tape tab) (80)

Claims (10)

1. - An individually packaged absorbent article comprising: (a) an absorbent article comprising a main body portion having a pair of longitudinal side edges, a pair of end edges, a garment surface, a body surface , wherein the garment surface of the main body portion can be placed in an undergarment of the wearer, and the absorbent article 10 comprises a pair of fins attached to the main body portion and extending laterally outwardly beyond the longitudinal side edges of the main body portion, wherein the surface of the garment of each of the fins comprises a fin bra and fins 15 are bent over the body surface of the main body portion to expose the fin fasteners; and (b) a wrapper of the absorbent article, the wrapper comprising a main wrapper sheet, the wrapper comprising a wrapper being characterized. 20 of the fin fastener attached to the main wrapping sheet, wherein the main wrapping sheet is positioned adjacent the garment surface of the main body portion and the fin fastener cover is releasably attached to the fin fasteners, and said main wrapping sheet and Said main body portion of the absorbent article is bent as a unit around at least one transverse axis.

2. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the fin fastener cover is an integral extension of the main wrapping sheet.

3. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the fin fastener cover comprises a separate element attached to the main wrapping sheet.

4. The absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the fin fastener is an adhesive and said fin fastener cover is provided with a non-tacky surface for positioning adjacent the exposed fin fasteners.

5. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein: the main body portion of the absorbent article comprises longitudinal sides, a first end region, and a second end region, and a central region positioned between the first region. of end and second end region; said main wrapping sheet comprises longitudinal edge portions extending beyond the longitudinal sides of the main body portion of the absorbent article, a first end portion located adjacent to the first end region of said main body portion, and a second end portion located adjacent the second end region of said main body portion, wherein at least the first end portion of said main wrapping sheet extends beyond the first end region of the main portion of the body. body of said absorbent article; and the fin fastener cover is attached to the first end portion of the main wrapping sheet and extends longitudinally therefrom to be located adjacent the body surface of said absorbent article in the first end portion of the main portion. of body.

6. The absorbent article according to claim 5, wherein the fin fastener cover only covers the first end region of the main body portion of the absorbent article, and the first end region of the main body portion. of said absobent article lies bent over the central region of said absorbent article, such that said fin fastener cover lies on and releasably covers the fin fasteners.

7. The absorbent article according to claim 5, wherein the fin fastener cover removably covers the fin fasteners and also extends over and covers at least a portion of the body surface of the central region of said absorbent article.

8. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the longitudinal edge portions of the main wrapping sheet are sealed together frangibly.

9. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein: the main body portion of the absorbent article comprises longitudinal sides, a first end region, and a second end region, and a central region positioned between the first region. of end and the second end region; the main wrapping sheet comprises portions of the longitudinal edge extending beyond the longitudinal sides of the main body portion of said absorbent article, and a first end portion located adjacent to the first end region of said main body portion, a second end portion, located adjacent to the second end region of said main body portion, and a central portion located adjacent to the central region of said absorbent article, wherein at least the first end portion of the main web wrapping extends beyond the first end region of said main body portion of the absorbent article, and the fin fastener cover is attached to the central portion of the main wrapping sheet adjacent one of the longitudinal edge portions, and extends transversely therefrom to lie on and releasably cover the fasteners of fin.

10. The individually packaged absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the wrapper can be removed from both the main body portion of the absorbent article and the fins with a single movement.