PACKAGE FOR SANITARY PADS AND THE LIKE

Abstract: The present invention relates to a packaging unit which is formed by folding an elongated sheet of material (1) having at least two mutually parallel edges, and which includes a container part (11) and an openable lid or cover flap (8) connected thereto. The inventive packaging unit is characterized in that the sheet (1) has provided along the mutually parallel edges thereof a continuous or broken narrow coating (2, 3) of pressure-sensitive adhesive by means of which the container part (11) is held together, with adhesive surfaces lying against and bonding to adhesive surfaces; and in that the lid (8) is coated at least partially, preferably along its edges, with a pressure-sensitive adhesive (2, 3, 12), so as to enable the lid to be refastened to the outside of the container part (11).

Description: Package for sanitary pads and the like. The present invention relates to a packaging unit formed by folding an elongated sheet of material which has at least two mutually parallel edges and which includes a container part and an openable lid connected thereto. Disposable articles of hygiene, such as diapers and sanitary napkins, have hitherto normally been packaged with several articles in each packaging unit. The trend in recent times, however, has turned progressively towards the packaging of single articles in individual packets. This facilitates the hygienic carriage of single articles for future use, e.g. in a handbag. It is desirable that used articles of this kind can be disposed of discretely, in a hygienic fashion. Consequently, it is normal to provide a separate disposal bag for each article. Naturally, the optimum solution in this regard would be to use the packing unit both as a means for packaging the unused article and as an article disposal bag. A conventional type of packaging unit intended for packaging single articles comprises an elongated rectangular sheet of material which is folded to form a bag-like package with a folded-over lid. These known packaging units are heat welded along the edges and are opened by tearing along the weld seams at the edges at the folded-over edges, so that the lid can be turned back to expose the contents of the package. The main drawback with welded packaging units of this kind is that they cannot be used sa isfactorily as disposal bags, since once opened the packages, or packets, cannot be resealed and therefore do not allow a used article to be packaged in an acceptable manner with regard to hygiene. Furthermore, it is practically impossible to insert a used article into a packaging unit of this kind, since the weld seams tend to burst apart. A used hygienic article is often greatly deformed and therefore requires more space than when new and unused. The present invention, however, provides a packaging unit of the kind described in the introduction which can be used suitably both for packaging an unused or new article of hygiene and for disposing of the article subsequent to use. The inventive packaging unit is mainly characterized in that the sheet of material has provided along said mutually paral¬ lel edges a continuous or broken narrow layer, or strip, of pressure-sensitive adhesive which forms means for joining together the container part of the packaging unit, wherewith adhesive surfaces lie against and adhere to adhesive surfaces, and in that the lid of the packaging unit is at least partial¬ ly coated with pressure-sensitive adhesive, preferably along its edges, such as to enable the lid to be re-fastened to the outside of the container part of the unit. Further embodiments and characteristic features are set forth in the following claims. The pressure-sensitive adhesive used with the inventive packaging unit is one which has a very high self-adhesion but which can be readily loosened or released from other mate¬ rials, such as plastic materials or paper which has been treated with a release agent. Consequently, extremely strong joins are obtained on the container part of the packaging unit, where adhesive surfaces lie against adhesive surfaces, whereas the same adhesive coating on the lid of said unit enables the lid to be opened and resealed. Since the inventive packaging unit can be resealed, the unit can be used to package a used article in a discrete and hygienic fashion. Even though the article will have an irregular shape and be more voluminous after use than when new, the article can still be inserted into the packaging unit without risk of the unit bursting at the joins. Distinct from the known welded packaging units, the inventive packaging unit can be manufactured at very high machine speeds. Furthermore, the invention aff-ords a wider choice of materials, since the material used need not be one that can be welded. An inventive packaging unit will now be described in more detail with reference to exemplifying embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a view from above of a sheet of material which is intended to be folded into a packaging unit. Figure 2 illustrates a folded packaging unit. Figure 3 illustrates the positioning of a sanitary towel on a sheet of material prior to folding the sheet to form a package. Figure 4 is a sectional view, illustrating how the sanitory napkin and the sheet of Figure 3 are folded together to form a package; and Figure 5 illustrates the packaging materials of Figures 3 and 4 when folded to form a package. The sheet of material shown in Figure 1 is suitably a sheet of plastics material. The sheet 1 has an elongated rectangular shape and is provided with a narrow layer or strip 2, 3 of pressure-sensitive melt glue along each long side thereof. The sheet 1 has been divided into two mutually adjacent parts 6, 7 of equal size and a third part 8 of smaller size, with the aid of first and second fold lines 4, 5. The packaging unit illustrated in Figure 2 is formed by folding the two sheet parts 6, 7 of equal size against one another, along the first fold line 4, so that the glue strips 2, 3 are folded over onto themselves and lie glue surface against glue surface. The resultant adhered edges 9, 10 define, together with the first fold line 4, the container part 11 of the packaging unit. The remaining, narrower part 8 of the sheet 1 is then folded down over the container part, so that the glue strips 2, 3 on the unit part 8 adhere to the plastic film on the outside of the container part 11. This downwardly folded part 8 form the lid or cover flap 8 of the packaging unit and can be released easily from the container part 11 and folded away to as to provide access to the con¬ tents of the package. The adhesive quality of the melt glue on the lid part of the packaging unit remains intact subsequent to opening the packaging unit, which enables the unit to be resealed if desired. The only difference between the packaging unit illustrated in Figures 3-5 and the aforedescribed packaging unit illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 is that in addition to extending along the long edges of the sheet 1, the glue coating also extends along the transverse edge 12 which forms one defining edge of the lid 8 in the folded state of the packaging unit. Figure 3 also shows a sanitary towel placed on the flat sheet 1. this towel being folded together with the sheet 1 in the manner described in the aforegoing and illustrated in Figure 4. Figure 5 illustrates a complete package with the lid or cover flap raised half-way, to show the glue strips 2, 3, 12. A glue-free gripping surface 14 is provided for facilitating opening of the package, by applying the glue strip 2 adjacent the lower edge of the lid 8 and slightly inwardly of said edge. The invention shall not be considered to be restricted to the illustrated and described embodiments. The lid or cover flap of the packaging unit may have a shape different to that illustrated, e.g. a triangular shape. Furthermore, the adhesive coating on the lid may be restricted to one or a few securing points, or may have any desired suitable configuration whatsoever. When folding the packaging unit together with a hygiene article, the article may conceivably be allowed to extend substantially along the whole length of the sheet and to be folded down against the outside of the container part of said unit together with the lid. When the lid is provided with a glue coating or strip 12 along its lower edge, in the manner shown in Figures 3-5, the article will be effectively enclosed in the packaging unit, despite projecting from the container part of said unit. Naturally, the packaging material and the article may be folded separately and the folded article then inserted into the packaging unit, which is sealed thereafter. The packaging material may also be paper instead of plastic film. In this case, however, it is necessary to treat the area of the lid against which the lid is intended to fasten with a release agent. Other modifications are also conceivable within the scope of the claims.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A packaging unit formed by folding an elongated sheet of material (1) having at least two mutually parallel edges, and including container part (11) and an openable lid (8) connect¬ ed to the container part, characterized in that the sheet (1) has provided along said parallel edges a continuous or broken strip of pressure-sensitive adhesive (2, 3) which forms means for joining together the container part (11), wherewith ad¬ hesive surfaces lie against adhesive surfaces, and in that the lid (8) is coated at least partially with a pressure-sensitive adhesive (2, 3. 12) along its edges so as to enable the lid to be refastened to the outside of the container part (11). 2. A packaging unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the sheet (1) is a sheet of plastic film. 3. A packaging unit according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the sheet (1) is substantially of elongated rectangular shape. 4. A packaging unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the lid (8) has substantially a triangular shape. 5. A packaging unit according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that an article of hygiene (13) enclosed in the packaging unit is folded together with the sheet (1) forming said unit, when producing the packaging unit.

Inventors: FROEIDH ARNE, WIDLUND URBAN, FROEIDH, ARNE, WIDLUND, URBAN
Applicants: MOELNLYCKE AB
Application year: 1988
Main classification: B65D75
IPC codes: A61F13, B65D75