WO2013035280A1

WO2013035280A1 - Packaging bag for absorbent articles

Info

Publication number: WO2013035280A1
Application number: PCT/JP2012/005487
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hirotomo Mukai
Original assignee: Unicharm Corporation
Priority date: 2011-09-09
Filing date: 2012-08-30
Publication date: 2013-03-14
Also published as: JP5818593B2; TW201332846A; TWI554446B; JP2013056701A

Abstract

Provided is a packaging bag adapted to allow absorbent articles to be taken out one by one relatively easily and also having a high packaging efficiency. A packaging bag (10) containing a plurality of absorbent articles (11), wherein the each of absorbent articles (11) is folded at at least one or more folding lines 43 and contained in an arranged state in the front-and-rear direction (Z), including the first edges (36) and the second edges (37), a fold (46) located between the first and second edges (36, 37), a first area (41) defined between the first edges (36) and the fold (46), and a second area (42) defined between the fold (46) and the second edges (37). The first area (41) of the absorbent article is located on the front panel (12) side, a distance (H2) between the fold (46) and the second edges (37) is larger than the distance (H3) between the fold (46) and the first edges (36), the opening section (18) intersects with the first edges (36), and one of the end edges (18a) is located between the first edges (36) and the second edges (37).

Description

PACKAGING BAG FOR ABSORBENT ARTICLES

The present disclosure relates to a packaging bag adapted to contain absorbent articles such as disposable diapers, sanitary napkins, or the like.

Background

Packaging bags to contain a plurality of absorbent articles are known. For example, according to JP H02-109858 A (PTL 1), a plurality of absorbent articles is contained in a compressed state within a packaging bag of a substantively rectangular parallelepiped form, and an opening section is formed on a side panel to take out the absorbent articles.

JP H02-109858 A

According to the above discussed packaging bag, since an opening section is formed on a side panel, absorbent articles can be taken out in sequence by cutting part of the packaging bag along the opening section. However, the inventor(s) have recognized that since the opening section has a larger length dimension than a length dimension of the absorbent article in a contained state, when the opening section is cut, an arranged state of the absorbent articles in the compressed state might collapse such that a plurality of absorbent articles hang out outside from the taking-out opening. In this case, since the packaging bag may not keep the substantively rectangular parallelepiped form and deforms, it may be difficult to be carried. Moreover, when storing the packaging bag by hanging, some of the absorbent articles might fall off from the packaging bag. In contrast, in order to prevent such a case, if the taking-out opening is made relatively small, it may be difficult to take the absorbent articles out of the packaging bag. Moreover, if a relatively low compressive force is applied to the absorbent articles so that the absorbent articles may not hang out from the taking-out opening, the number of the absorbent articles contained within the packaging bag is relatively small, thereby decreasing the packaging efficiency of the packaging bag.

The present disclosure includes at least a first aspect and a second aspect, both relating to a packaging bag having a front-and-rear direction, including front-and-rear panels opposed to each other in the front-and-rear direction and containing a plurality of absorbent articles.

The features of the packaging bag according to the first aspect includes an opening section provided at least on the front panel to take out the absorbent articles. Each of the absorbent articles is folded at at least one folding line and contained in an arranged state in the front-and-rear direction. Each absorbent article includes first and second edges, a fold located between the first and second edges, a first area defined between the first edge section and the fold, and a second area defined between the fold and the second edges. The first area of each of the absorbent articles is located on a front side in the front-and-rear direction. A distance between the fold and the second edge is larger than a distance between the fold and the first edge. When seen in the front-and-rear direction, the opening section intersects with the first edge, and one edge of the opening section is located between the first and second edges.

The features of the packaging bag according to the second aspect includes an opening section provided at least on the front panel to take out the absorbent article. Each of the absorbent articles is folded at at least one folding line and contained in an arranged state in the front-and-rear direction. Each absorbent article includes first and second edges, a fold located between the first and second edges, a first area defined between the first edge and the fold, and a second area defined between the fold and the second edge. The first area of each of the absorbent articles is located on a front side in the front-and-rear direction. When seen in the front-and-rear direction, the opening section extends in parallel with the first edge and intersects with a side section of the first area yet does not intersect with a side section of the second area.

FIG.1 is a perspective view of a packaging bag for disposable absorbent articles of a first aspect of the present disclosure. FIG.2 is a perspective view similar to FIG.1 illustrating the inside of the packaging bag. FIG.3(a) is a plan view of a diaper in a contained state, FIG.3(b) is a plan view of an abdominal side of the diaper, FIG.3(c) is a plan view of a rear side of the diaper. FIG.4 is a developed view of the diaper. FIG.5 is a schematic front view of the packaging bag. FIG.6 is a schematic front view to take the diaper out of a taking-out opening. FIG.7 is a schematic front view similar to FIG.5 illustrating the packaging bag in accordance with one or more embodiments. FIG.8(a) is a schematic front view similar to FIG.5 illustrating the packaging bag in accordance with some embodiments, FIG.8(b) is a schematic front view similar to FIG.5 illustrating the packaging bag in accordance with further embodiments. FIG.9(a) is a perspective view of the packaging bag in accordance with some embodiments, FIG.9(b) is a perspective view of the packaging bag in accordance with further embodiments. FIG.10(a) is a rear view of a diaper in a contained state according to some embodiments, FIG.10(b) is a diagram illustrating part of the inside of the packaging bag to take the diaper out of the packaging bag. FIG.11(a) is a developed view of a diaper , FIG.11(b) is a schematic front view similar to FIG.5 illustrating the packaging bag containing the diaper in accordance with some embodiments. FIG.12 is a diagram in which the diaper is taken out of the taking-out opening. FIG.13 is a schematic front view of the packaging bag of the second aspect of the present disclosure.

<First Aspect>
As illustrated in FIGs.1 and 2, a packaging bag 10 includes a flexible bag 10a and a plurality of absorbent articles, such as disposable diapers 11, contained therein. The packaging bag 10 is a substantively rectangular parallelepiped form having a longitudinal direction Y, lateral direction X, and front-and-rear direction Z orthogonal thereto, defined by a front panel 12, a rear panel 13, a pair of

side panels

14, 15, a top panel 16, and a bottom panel 17. As described below, the external shape of the packaging bag 10 is defined by a flexible bag 10a made of a flexible plastic film, and it means that each of

panels

12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 is not only a plane surface but also a surface having an uneven portion on part thereof.

In at least one embodiment, as illustrated by an imaginary line in FIGs.2 and 3, the diapers 11 are folded, e.g., half-folded, and are contained in the flexible bag 10a in a stacked state in the front-and-rear direction Z, thereby forming a diaper stack 20. The front panel 12 is provided with an opening section 18 destined to form a taking out opening (described later) for taking out the diaper 11 in the packaging bag 10. The opening section 18 is unopened with a tear-off piece (separating section) 19 extending in the longitudinal direction. The opening section 18 may be provided on the rear panel 13. In this specification, the diaper 11 is "in an arranged state in the front-and-rear direction Z" means that a plurality of the folded diapers 11 are stacked up to one another in the front-and-rear direction Z and contained in a state in which a first area 41 is located on the side of the front panel 12, including an embodiment in which a first edge 36 of the first area 41 of the diaper 11 is arranged so as to extend in the lateral direction X (refer to FIG.2), an embodiment in which it is arranged so as to extend in the longitudinal direction Y (refer to FIG.8), or the like. Each drawing illustrates that the diaper 11 is contained in the flexible bag 10a; however, these drawings schematically illustrate the inside of the packaging bag 10. It is necessary to understand that since the diapers 11 are contained in the compressed state in the flexible bag 10a, in an actual embodiment, there is hardly space formed in the packaging bag 10.

As material for the flexible bag 10a, a flexible plastic film such as polyethylene, polypropylene, PET, or the like may be used. The thickness of the film is not particularly limited, and a film having a thickness of about 50 to about 80 um may be used, for example. The flexible bag 10a is formed of a plastic film to be folded into a substantively rectangular parallelepiped form. A sealing section 22 in which end edges of the flexible bag 10a are joined extends in the longitudinal direction Y on the front panel 12 and rear panel 13, and supporting flaps 25 are provided by folding back inside the front-and-

rear panel

12, 13 along ends of the front-and-

rear panels

12, 13. Moreover, in an outer circumferential edge of the top panel 16, a ridge 23 is formed protruding upward so as to surround it and in the ridge 23 on the opposite edges of the

side panels

14, 15, a pair of carrying straps 24 is attached. A sealing section (not illustrated) similar to sealing sections 22 on the front-and-rear panels is also formed in the bottom panel 17.

It is also possible to form the packaging bag 10 by filling the diaper stack 20 in the compressed state into a tubular packaging plastic film through an opening at one end thereof. In this case, it is also possible to form the carrying straps 24 by providing a carrying slit between the seals of the folding portion being formed when the opening section is sealed. Moreover, for illustration conveniences, the direction in which the diaper stack 20 is arranged in the drawings is referred to as the front-and-rear direction Z, but in a commercial flexible bag, one of the

side panels

14, 15 without the sealing section 22 may be set as a major panel displaying a trademark and/or graphics.

The packaging bag 10 has a compact size suitable for carrying and storing. Specifically, a dimension H1 in the longitudinal direction Y is about 180 to about 240 mm, a dimension W1 in the front-and-rear direction Z is about 180 to about 300 mm, a dimension L1 in the lateral direction X is about 170 to about240 mm (refer to FIG.1) in some embodiments. If the dimension W1 in the front-and-rear direction Z is relatively too large, it might become difficult to take the diapers 11 contained on the side of the rear panel 13 out of the flexible bag 10a; however, if it is a size in the range defined above, even when the number of the diapers 11 contained in the flexible bag 10a becomes small, it is easy to smoothly take the diapers 11 out of the flexible bag 10a. It should be noted here that each of these dimensions of the packaging bag 10 is merely an example, and it may be accordingly changed depending on the number and/or the size of the absorbent articles to be contained. The packaging bag 10 may be hung with the front panel 12 in which the opening section 18 is formed facing downward so as to take the diapers 11 individually out of the opening section 18, for example.

The opening section 18 is defined by an upper end edge 18a convexed upward, a lower end edge 18b concaved downward, and

lateral edges

18c, 18d extending in the longitudinal direction Y between the upper and

lower end edges

18a, 18b. The opening section 18 is unopened by the tear-off piece 19 defined by a perforated tear-off line (perforations) 27 in which a distance (pitch) between adjacent perforations 27 is about 1.0 to 7.0 mm. The opening section 18 may be formed of an elongated section that was subjected to thermal processing as long as part of the flexible bag 10a is tearable in an elongated shape.

As illustrated in FIGs.3 and 4, the diaper 11 is a pants type diaper, including a longitudinal center line P in a developed state and a lateral center line Q perpendicular thereto, front-and-

rear waist regions

31, 32, and a crotch region 33 extending between the front-and-

rear waist regions

31, 32, in which the lateral edges of the front-and-

rear waist regions

31, 32 are tearably joined to each other along the edges. The diaper 11 includes an abdominal side (front side) F in which the front waist region 31 is located, a rear surface B in which the rear waist region 32 is located, the first edges (an upper end when worn) 36, and the second edges (a lower end section when worn) 37. The diaper 11 is contained in the flexible bag 10a in a state of being folded, e.g., half-folded, such that the first area 41 formed in the front-and-

rear waist regions

31, 32 is overlapped with the second area 42 formed in the crotch region 33 to each other. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG.3(b), along the folding line 43 extending in the lateral direction X in the upper end vicinity of the leg opening section edge, it is folded such that the abdominal side F of the first area 41 comes into contact with the abdominal side F of the second area 42. Moreover, as illustrated in FIG.3(c), on the rear surface B of the second area 42 of the diaper 11, a disposal tape 45 is attached in a folded state so as to be developed and used to fasten the diaper 11 in a rolled up state after use for disposal.

The diaper 11 is folded at at least a folding line, e.g., half-folded along the folding line 43, thereby a fold 46 is formed. The dimension in the longitudinal direction Y of the second area 42 (a distance between the fold 46 and the second edge 37) is larger than that of the first area 41 (a distance between the fold 46 and the first edge 36), and when the diaper 11 is contained, the second edge 37 is located above the first edge 36 in the longitudinal direction Y. To be more specific about each dimension of the contained diaper 11, in some embodiments, the dimension H2 of the second area 42 in the longitudinal direction Y is about 180 to about 240 mm, the dimension L2 of the second edge 37 in the lateral direction X is about 80 to about 180 mm, the dimension H3 of the first area 41 in the longitudinal direction Y is about 120 to about 180 mm, the dimension L3 of the first edge 36 in the lateral direction X is about 100 to about 200 mm, and the dimension W2 of the fold 46 in the lateral direction X is about 180 to about 220 mm. Each diaper 11 of the diaper stack 20 is arranged in the front-and-rear direction Z such that the first area 41 is on the side of the front panel 12. The diaper 11 is divided into the first area 41 and the second area 42 by the folding line 43 in at least one embodiment; however, for example, if an absorbent pad or the like of a relatively large rectangle is used as the absorbent article to be contained in the flexible bag 10a, the absorbent article may be divided into a plurality of areas by a plurality of folding lines 43. Moreover, the size of each area defined by folding may be accordingly changed depending on the size of the absorbent article.

As illustrated in FIG.4, the diaper 11 includes an elastic panel 51 defining an external shape of the diaper 11 and an absorbent chassis 52 secured to the interior thereof. The elastic panel 51 includes a topsheet 53 formed of a nonwoven fabric located on the interior (skin facing surface) side, a nonwoven fabric or a plastic film located on the rear panel (non-skin facing surface) side, and an outer sheet 54 formed of a laminated sheet thereof or the like. A plurality of front waist elastics 55 extending between the front side edges of the front waist region 31 in the lateral center line Q, a plurality of rear waist elastics 56 extending between the rear side edge of the rear waist region 32 in the lateral center line Q, and a plurality of leg elastics 57 extending in a curved form along the leg opening section edge are provided between the topsheet 53 and the backsheet 54. The front waist elastics 55 includes an upper front waist elastics 55A and a lower front waist elastics 55B located on the front end edge side, while the rear waist elastics 56 include upper rear waist elastics 56A and lower rear waist elastics 56B located on the rear end edge side. The upper front-and-rear waist elastics 55A, 56A are more closely provided than the lower front-and-

rear waist elastics

55B, 56B respectively. Therefore, a waist opening section edge of the front-and-

rear waist regions

31, 32 is given a higher contracting force than other regions, hence when it is a pants type, the first area 41 is substantively tapered off.

If the front-and-

rear waist regions

31, 32 are formed of an elastic nonwoven fabric, the front-and-rear waist elastics 55, 56 may be formed of the upper front-and-rear waist elastics 55A, 56A only. In each drawing, of the front-and-rear waist elastics 55, 56 of the diaper 11, only the upper front waist elastics 55A and the upper rear waist elastics 56A are illustrated in a dashed line or an imaginary line for the benefit of description.

The absorbent chassis 52 includes an inner sheet 58 formed of a liquid permeable nonwoven fabric located on a skin facing surface side, a liquid impermeable outer sheet 59 located on a non-skin facing surface side and secured on the elastic panel, and an absorbent core 60 disposed between the inner and

outer sheets

58, 59. The both sides of the outer sheet 59 are folded inwardly to form a sleeve and cuff elastics 61 are contractibly attached in the sleeve in a stretched state.

The absorbent core 60 is formed by wrapping an absorbent core which is formed of a mixture of fluff wood pulp, a superabsorbent polymer particle, or the like with a liquid dispersing sheet such as tissue paper or the like, and has a shape in which the lateral edges are concaved inward. The absorbent core 60 has a predetermined compressive resilience, and each of the diapers 11 is folded and is stacked up to each other to be compressed and aligned in the front-and-rear direction Z, so as to be contained in the flexible bag 10a. Therefore the compressive resilience of the absorbent core 60 of each diaper 11 is exerted in the front-and-rear direction Z, and on the interior of the front-and-

rear panels

12, 13 of the packaging bag 10, a force (internal pressure described below) is exerted to push it outward in the front-and-rear direction Z, combined with a compressive resilience exerted when the diaper 11 is compressed.

FIG.5 is a schematic front view illustrating the inside of the packaging bag 10 and FIG.6 is a schematic front view when taking one of the diapers 11 out of the opening section 18. In FIGs.5 and 6, for illustration conveniences, the diaper 11 in the packaging bag 10 is illustrated by an imaginary line.

As illustrated in FIG.5, the tear-off piece 19 may be torn off the flexible bag 10a by depressing or picking the upper end section 19a located below the upper end edge 18a of the opening section 18 with one's fingers so as to punch and separate the upper end edge 18a from part of the

lateral edges

18c, 18d in the vicinity thereof, pulling it downward thereby tearing off the tear-off piece 19. The tear-off piece 19 is torn off the flexible bag 10a, thereby forming the taking-out opening 63.

When seen in the front-and-rear direction Z, the opening section 18 intersects with the first edge 36 of the first area 41. That is, the upper end edge 18a of the opening section 18 is located above the first edge 36 of the first area 41 of the contained diaper 11, and part of the first edge 36 of the first area 41 is exposed at the upper end of the taking-out opening 63. Normally, when the absorbent article is taken out of the packaging bag, even if part thereof is exposed, it is difficult to pick it up to take out the entirety of the absorbent article. If pulled out forcibly, part of the opening section might be broken to enlarge the taking-out opening 63, and part of the absorbent article in the packaging bag might hang out outside the opening when it is stored and collapse the form of the packaging bag. In contrast, if the taking-out opening is defined relatively large in advance, part of the absorbent article contained in a compressed state might hang out outside the taking-out opening due to an internal pressure. In order to prevent such a disadvantage, some embodiments limit the number of the absorbent articles to be contained, thereby adjusting the internal pressure of the flexible bag.

It should be noted here that at least one embodiment having the opening section 18 intersecting with the first edge 36 of the first area 41 includes, as illustrated in FIG.5, an aspect in which the upper end edge 18a of the opening section 18 is located substantively at a height of the first edge 36, in addition to another aspect in which the upper end edge 18a is located above the first edge 36. The opening section 18 may diagonally intersect with the first edge 36 and a plurality of opening sections 18 may be formed for the first edge 36.

In the packaging bag 10 of at least one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG.6, after the tear-off piece 19 is completely torn off the packaging bag 10, one's fingers are hooked in the first edge 36 of the first area 41 which is exposed from the taking-out opening 63, then part of the first edge 36 is pulled out of the packaging bag 10 through the taking-out opening 63 while the first edge 36 is picked with the fingers. Then the part which has been pulled out is picked and further pulled, thereby the entirety of the diaper 11 may be taken out of the packaging bag 10. As described above, since the first edge 36 of the first area 41 is exposed from the taking-out opening 63, by hooking the fingers thereonto, the diaper 11 may be easily taken out, and since the taking-out opening 63 is formed relatively small so as to intersect with the first edge 36 of the first area 41, also when stored, a large portion of one of the diapers 11 or a plurality of diapers 11 in the vicinity of the taking-out opening 63 is unlikely to hang out outside to get soiled or damaged. Moreover, with regard to the diaper 11 in the vicinity of the taking-out opening 63, that is to say, the diaper 11 that is to be taken out of the packaging bag 10 next, part of the first edge 36 slightly hang out of the taking-out opening 63, thereby it may be easy to be taken out. The tear-off piece 19 may be completely torn off the packaging bag 10 by tearing off all of the opening section 18. It is also possible to separate only a part of the upper side of the opening section 18 to be hung from the packaging bag 10, depending on the size of the contained absorbent articles.

In some embodiments, the dimension H4 of the opening section 18 in the longitudinal direction Y is about 140 to about 170 mm, the dimension W3 between the

lateral edges

18c, 18d in the lateral direction X is about 20 to about 40 mm, the dimension H4 of the opening section 18 in the longitudinal direction Y is smaller than the dimension H2 of the second area 42 in the longitudinal direction Y and smaller than the dimension L2 of the second edge 37 in the lateral direction X. Therefore, when stored, the second area 42 of the diaper 11 contained in the flexible bag 10a does not hang out outside the taking-out opening 63. When the diaper 11 is taken out of the taking-out opening 63, part of the opening section 18 is unlikely to break since the absorbent article such as the diaper 11 or the like has predetermined flexibilities and deformability. Moreover, the upper end edge 18a is located below the second edge 37 of the second area 42, and the lower end edge 18b is located above the fold 46. Therefore, part of the second edge 37 and the fold 46 is unlikely to hang out outside the taking-out opening 63. In other words, since the dimension H4 of the opening section 18 in the longitudinal direction Y is smaller than the dimension L2 of the second edge 37 in the lateral direction X, even if the first edge 36 of the diaper 11 in the vicinity of the taking-out opening 63 is caused to hang out outside the taking-out opening 63 so as to easily take it out, the second edge 37 does not hang out of the taking-out opening 63. Accordingly, a plurality of diapers 11 do not hang out outside the taking-out opening 63. Even if the packaging bag 10 is hung to be stored, the diapers 11 are unlikely to fall out of the packaging bag 10 suddenly. According to at least one embodiment, since the supporting flaps 25 are formed above the flexible bag 10a, the opening section 18 is located below the supporting flaps 25 for easy opening. However, if the flexible bag 10a is formed of a tubular packaging film such that the supporting flaps 25 are formed on the top panel 16, the upper end edge 18a may be located further above.

Moreover, it is possible to provide a color, figures or graphics different from other regions in the first edge 36 so that it becomes a mark to hold the first edge 36 of the first area 41, or to provide a color different from the lower front-and-

rear waist elastics

55B, 56B in the upper front-and-rear waist elastics 55A, 56A which form the first edge 36 so as to be visually recognizable it from the exterior of the diaper 11. As figures or graphics provided in the first edge 36, for example, a notation indicating the size of the diaper 11, decorative patterns, characters, or the like to improve the appearance of ornamental design may be used.

According to in some embodiments of the present invention, about 10 to 20 pieces of diapers 11 are contained within the flexible bag 10a, and the inner pressure thereof (a force applied to the diapers 11 compressed in the front-and-rear direction Z) is about 0.5 to about 5.0 kPa, or about 1.0 to about 4.0 kPa in at least one embodiment. If the inner pressure is smaller than 0.5 kPa, it means that a relatively small number of diapers 11 are contained within the flexible bag 10a due to the low internal pressure. In this case, since the packaging efficiency is low and space is easily formed therein, taking out even a small number of diapers 11 may break the arrangement of the diaper stack 20 and eventually easily destroy the shape of the packaging bag 10. In contrast, if the inner pressure is higher than 5.0 kPa, since the pressure applied by the diaper stack 20 to the front-and-

rear panels

12, 13 of the packaging bag 10 becomes relatively high, when the first piece of diapers 11 is taken out of the packaging bag 10, it might be necessary to pull it with a relatively strong force. In particular, when old people with a relatively weak grip use it, they might not be able to pull out each diaper 11 with ease, and if they try to forcibly pull it, part of the flexible bag 10a or the diaper 11 may break.

<Measuring method of the internal pressure of the flexible bag>
First, a thickest dimension (the maximum length dimension in the front-and-rear direction Z) Alpha mm of the diaper 11 contained within the flexible bag 10a is measured. Then, after a plurality of diapers 11 is taken out of the flexible bag 10a, they are stacked up on a floor in a similar state as packaged (with the first area 41 on the bottom), an acrylic plate having a size to cover the entirety of the diaper 11 is placed. Then a spindle (kg) having a predetermined weight is placed thereon until the thickness dimension of each diaper 11 of the stacked diaper stack 20 reaches Alpha (mm). According to the measuring method, an internal pressure Gamma (kPa) of the diaper 11 may be calculated by a calculation formula of Beta (kg)/L2 x W2 (cm), when a weight is Beta (kg), a dimension in the longitudinal direction Y of the diaper 11 is H2 (cm), and a dimension in the lateral direction X is W2 (cm).

Since the entirety of the diaper stack 20 has the internal pressure and the sealing section 22 of the packaging bag 10 requires a tensile strength strong enough not to open the sealing section 22 with the internal pressure while carried or the like, the sealing section 22 of the packaging bag 10 of at least one embodiment has the tensile (rupture) strength equal to or more than 15.0 N/25 mm. Moreover, since the tensile strength of the carrying straps 24 is substantively equal to that of the sealing section 22, even if the packaging bag 10 of about 1.0 to about 2.0 kg (a weight of one absorbent article is about 90 g) is hung and stored, part thereof is unlikely to be ruptured.

A tensile strength of the opening section 18 is about 5.0 to about 15.0 N/25 mm in some embodiments, or 8.0 to 12.0 N/25 mm in further embodiments. If it is smaller than 5.0 N/25 mm, part of the packaging bag 10 might be torn off while carried. If it is greater than 15.0 N/25 mm, it may be difficult to tear off the opening section 18 when the diaper 11 is taken out of the packaging bag 10.

<Measuring method of the tensile strength of the opening section>
The tensile strength of the opening section 18 is measured with a tension testing instrument (Autograph, Shimadzu Corporation in Japan). Specifically, a test specimen of a width dimension of about 25 mm, a length dimension of 100 mm including the opening section 18 is torn off the packaging bag 10, then it is measured under a condition of a distance between the chucks of 50 mm and a tensile speed of 100 mm/min, thereby obtaining an elasticity value at the time of rupture (tensile strength).

According to at least one embodiment, it is possible to fold each of the absorbent articles contained in the flexible bag 10a into two or more at a folding line 43 (or folding lines 43) similarly to the diaper 11. As long as the first and

second edges

36, 37 and the fold 46 are formed, the absorbent articles may be absorbent pads, training pants, sanitary napkins, or the like. Moreover, instead of a long slender form, it is possible that the opening section 18 may be a rectangular or circular shape, or formed only of a linear line or a plurality of linear lines. In this regard, if each of absorbent articles includes elastic members similarly to the diaper 11 and the exterior is defined by a nonwoven fabric, since wrinkles are formed in part to be held by fingers, it is easy to pick up. Compared to an exterior defined by a plastic sheet, it is less slippery, hence it is possible to take hold of the diaper 11 firmly so as to pull it out of the packaging bag 10.

FIG.7 is a schematic front view similar to FIG.5 illustrating the packaging bag 10 in accordance with one or more embodiments, FIG.8(a) is a schematic front view similar to FIG.5 illustrating the packaging bag 10 in accordance with some embodiments, and FIG.8(b) is a schematic front view similar to FIG.5 illustrating the packaging bag 10 in accordance with further embodiments.

As illustrated in FIG.7, according to at least one embodiment, the opening section 18 includes a first line 18e which, when seen in the front-and-rear direction Z, extends in the longitudinal direction Y and intersects with the first edge 36, and a second line 18f intersecting with the first line 18e and extending in the lateral direction X. According to the opening section 18 of at least one embodiment, when the opening section 18 is to be opened, it is possible to pull the vicinity of the first and

second lines

18e, 18f of the packaging bag 10 in the longitudinal direction Y and the lateral direction X, and separate the first and

second lines

18e, 18f, then pick up the first edge 36 and/or the side section 41c of the first area 41 with the fingers and pull it outside of the packaging bag 10. As a result, it becomes easier to take out the diaper 11. Since a tear-off piece 19 surrounded by the edges of the opening section 18 is not formed, it is not necessary to discard it. Moreover, since it is not stored with part of the packaging bag 10 exposed, it is possible to prevent dusts from entering inside.

According to the embodiment illustrated in FIG.8(a), in the packaging bag 10, the diaper 11 extends laterally, that is, the first edge 36 of the first area 41 extends in the longitudinal direction Y in parallel with the sealing section 22, and the opening section 18 is formed of a line extending in the lateral direction X. In this embodiment also, since the opening section 18 intersects with the first edge 36 of the first area 41 extending toward the second edge 37 of the second area 42, when the fingers are inserted inside the packaging bag 10 through the opening section 18 to be open, it is easy to take it out by pinching the first edge 36 of the first area 41. In FIG.8(b), the diaper 11 is contained laterally, and the opening section 18 is formed of two lines intersecting to each other. In this embodiment, by tearing off the opening section 18, it is possible to pick up the first edge 36 and/or the side section 41c of the first area 41 so as to pull it out of the packaging bag 10 and hence each diaper 11 may be easily taken out similarly to other embodiments.

FIG.9(a) is a perspective view of the packaging bag 10 in some embodiments, FIG.9(b) is a diagram illustrating the packaging bag 10 in further embodiments. In the packaging bag 10 of the FIG.9(b), the sealing section 22 is formed on the

side panels

14, 15.

In FIG.9(a), the packaging bag 10 is elongated in the longitudinal direction Y, and the diaper stack 20 is contained therein being stacked up in the longitudinal direction Y, in which the opening section 18 is formed so as to intersect with the first edge 36 of the first area 41 of the diaper 11 forming each of the diaper stack 20 in the front panel 12. In FIG.9(b), the packaging bag 10 is elongated in the lateral direction X in which the diaper stack 20 forms two rows in the lateral direction X and the opening section 18 is formed so as to intersect with the first edge 36 of the first area 41 forming each of the diaper stack 20. As described above, the diaper stack 20 forms a plurality of rows in the longitudinal direction Y and/or the lateral direction X, and the opening section 18 may be formed so as to intersect with the first edge 36 of the first area 41 of the diaper 11 located on the front panel 12 and/or the rear panel 13 thereof, thereby obtaining one or more of the effects described herein.

As described above, it is possible to form the opening section 18 with a plurality of patterns. As long as the opening section 18 intersects with the upper end (first edge) 36 of the first area 41, it is possible to be formed of one of a straight line, a curved line and a combination of a plurality of straight or curved lines or the like.

FIG.10(a) is a rear view of a diaper 11 in a contained state in the packaging bag 10 in some embodiments, and FIG.10(b) is a diagram illustrating part of the inside of the packaging bag 10 when the diaper 11 is taken out of the packaging bag 10.

As illustrated in FIG.10(a), the disposal tape 45 having a pinching section 45a and a fixing section 45b is attached at the fixing section 45b on the rear surface B of the second area 42, and an attaching section 80 is formed on the exterior of the fixing section 45b. The pinching section 45a is engageable with another part of the diaper 11 for fastening the diaper 11 in a rolled-up state for disposal after use. As illustrated in FIG.10(b), the attaching section 80 on the second area 42 of the diaper 11A is attached to the exterior of the first area 41 of the diaper 11B adjacent to the diaper 11A in the front-and-rear direction Z inside the packaging bag 10 and when the diaper 11 is taken out of the taking-out opening 63, the first area 41 of the adjacent diaper 11B is pulled together with the second area 42 of the diaper 11A to be taken out. Accordingly, after the diaper 11A is taken out, since the diaper 11B to be taken out next moves toward the taking-out opening 63, even if the number of the diapers 11 in the packaging bag 10 becomes smaller and the distance between the taking-out opening 63 and the diaper stack 20 becomes large, the next diaper 11 may be easily taken out. Moreover, by setting the dimensions of the taking-out opening 63 in the longitudinal direction Y, H2 and H3 of the first and

second areas

41, 42 in the longitudinal direction Y and a latching force of the attaching section 80 appropriately, it is possible to have part of the first edge 36 of the first area 41 of the diaper 11B to be taken out next hang out from the taking-out opening 63. In this case, by holding and pulling the part hanging out, the diaper 11B may be easily taken out of the packaging bag 10.

In some embodiments, the dimension H5 of the attaching section 80 in the longitudinal direction Y of the diaper 11 is about 3 to about 15 mm, and the dimension W4 in the lateral direction X is about 3 to about 15 mm. When a bonding adhesive having a relatively low bonding strength or an adhesive having a relatively low adhesion is used, or the exterior of the diaper 11 is formed of a nonwoven fabric, it may be formed of a hook member capable of engaging to the nonwoven fabric. Moreover, the attaching section 80 is formed on the exterior of the fixing section 45b, not on the pinching section 45a of the disposal tape 45. If the attaching section 80 is formed on the exterior of the pinching section 45a, when the diaper 11A is strongly pulled out, the disposal tape 45 could be expanded with the pinching section 45b attached to the first area 41 of the adjacent diaper 11B; however, if the attaching section 80 is formed on the exterior of the fixing section 45b, this disadvantage is not experienced. In this regard, it is possible to form the attaching section 80 on the exterior of the second area 42. For example, if the absorbent articles are absorbent pads without the disposal tape 45, the attaching section 80 may be directly provided on the exterior of the second area 42. Moreover, with regard to the diaper 11A other than the first piece of diaper 11 to be taken out of the packaging bag 10, it is also possible to form the attaching section 80 on the exterior of the first area 41. Also in this case, it is possible to obtain the above described effects.

FIG.11(a) is a developed view of a diaper 11, FIG.11(b) is a schematic front view similar to FIG.5 illustrating the packaging bag 10 containing the diaper in accordance with some embodiments, and FIG.12 is a diagram illustrating part of the inside of the packaging bag 10 when the diaper 11 is taken out of the taking-out opening 63.

The diaper 11 in Fig. 11(a) is an open type disposable diaper in which the lateral edges of the front-and-

rear waist regions

31, 32 are not connected in advance, and in which a pair of side panels 90 is attached on the rear surface B of the both side sections of the rear waist region 32. In the side panels 90, first fastening sections 91 formed of hook elements of a mechanical fastener is provided, and a second fastening sections 92 formed of loop elements capable of engaging to the hook elements are provided on the rear surface B of the both side sections of the front waist region 31. As illustrated in FIG.11(b), each diaper 11 is three-folded such that the front waist region 31 is on the side of the front panel 12 when contained in the packaging bag 10. Specifically, the diaper 11 is contained in a state in which it is folded along a pair of folding lines 93 extending in the longitudinal center line P so that the both side sections of the front-and-

rear waist regions

31, 32 are folded inwardly in the direction of the lateral center line Q, and in which the rear waist region 32 is folded inside along the folding line 94 extending in the direction of the lateral center line Q, and further the front waist region 31 is folded inside along the folding line 95 extending in the direction of the lateral center line Q.

As illustrated in FIG.11(b) and FIG.12, since the diaper 11 is three-folded, a region including the front waist region 31 is equivalent to the first area 41, a front end section 31a of the front waist region 31 is equivalent to the first edge 36, a region including the crotch region 33 is equivalent to the second area 42, and the folding section by the folding line 94 of the rear waist region 32 is equivalent to the second edge 37 respectively, and a region folded forward from the second edge 37, that is, the third area 97 is defined by a region including the rear waist region 33. In the present embodiment, also, the opening section 18 intersects with the first edge 36 of the first area 41, and the upper end edge 18a thereof is located between the first edge 36 and the second edge 37, hence the second edge 37 of the diaper 11 in the vicinity of the taking-out opening 63 in a contained state is not exposed or a plurality of diapers 11 does not hang out from the taking-out opening 63. It is possible to define the third region 97 by a region folded backward along the second edge 37, or to fold it back a plurality of times depending on the length thereof.

<Second Aspect>
FIG.13 is a schematic front view similar to FIG.5 illustrating a packaging bag of the second aspect of the present disclosure. Since the basic constitution of the packaging bag 10 of the second aspect is similar to the basic constitution of the first aspect, only the different points will be described below. Description of each constituting element of the first aspect and each embodiment thereof may be used in combination with the second aspect.

The opening section 18 is formed of a line extending in the longitudinal direction Y in parallel with the first edge 36 of the first area 41. In at least one embodiment, since the opening section 18 is formed so as to intersect with at least one of the side sections 41c of the first area 41, when opened, the opening section 18 is torn off (or torn open) and part of the side section 41c is picked up so as to pull out the first edge 36, thereby the entirety of the diaper 11 may be pulled out of the packaging bag 10. It is also possible that the opening section 18 has a length long enough to intersect with only one of the side sections 41c. Moreover, since the opening section 18 does not intersect with both side sections 42c of the second area 42, the entirety of the contained diaper 11 does not hang out outside the taking-out opening 63 when opened so as to collapse the arranged state. In order to obtain such effects, the opening section 18 does not intersect with at least one of the side sections 42c of the second area 42.

As each constituting member of the packaging bag 10 in some embodiments of the present disclosure, a variety of known materials normally used for this type of articles or materials to be developed in the art may be used without limitation in addition to the material described in the specification. Moreover, in the specification and claims of this application, the words "first", "second" and "third" are used merely to distinguish similar elements, locations, or the like.

The disclosure above may be summarized as follows.

(I) A packaging bag 10 having a front-and-rear direction Z, the packaging bag 10 including:
front-and-

rear panels

12, 13 opposed to each other in the front-and-rear direction Z;
a plurality of absorbent articles 11 contained in the bag 10; and
an opening section 18 formed at least on the front panel 12 so as to take out the absorbent articles 11;
wherein
each absorbent article 11 is folded at at least one folding line 43 and contained in an arranged state in the front-and-rear direction Z, each the absorbent article including first and

second edges

36, 37, a fold located between the first and

second edges

36, 37, a first area 41 defined between the first edge 36 and the fold, and a second area 42 defined between the fold and the second edge 37;
the first area 41 of the absorbent article 11 is located on a side of the front panel 12, a distance between the fold and the second edge 37 is larger than a distance between the fold and the first edge 36; and
when seen in the front-and-rear direction, the opening section 18 intersects with the first edge 36, and one edge of the opening section 18 is located between the first edge 36 and the second edge 37.

The aspect summarized in the above item (I) may include at least the following embodiments.
(1) The opening section 18 is defined by an upper end edge 18a, a lower end edge 18b, and

lateral edges

18c, 18d located between the upper and

lower end edges

18a, 18b, and a separating section 19 which is separable from the panels of the packaging bag 10 is formed in a region surrounded by the edges of the opening section 18.
(2) The opening section 18 is a line intersecting with the first edge 36.
(3) The opening section 18 is defined by a first line 18e intersecting with the first edge 36 and a second line 18f intersecting with the first line 18e.
(4) The opening section 18 is a perforation formed of a plurality of opening section holes.
(5) An attaching section 80 is defined on an exterior of at least one of the first and

second areas

41, 42 of the absorbent article 11 and is attached to an adjacent absorbent article 11.
(6) A stack of absorbent articles 20 formed by arranging a plurality of absorbent articles 11 is arranged in at least one of the longitudinal direction Y and the lateral direction X.
(7) The absorbent article 11 is a pants type disposable diaper 11, the first area 41 includes a

waist region

31, 32, and the second area 42 includes a crotch region 33.
(8) On the exterior of the second area 42 of the disposable diaper 11, a disposal tape 45 is provided, and the attaching section 80 is provided in part of the disposal tape 45.
(9) The second edge 37 is a fold folded at the folding line 94, and the absorbent article 11 further includes a third area 97 folded back from the second edge 37 to the front side or a rear side.
(10) The absorbent articles 11 are open type disposable diapers 11, the first area 41 includes a front waist region 31, the second area 42 includes a crotch region 33, and the third area 97 includes a rear waist region 32.
(11) The opening section 18 is further formed on the rear panel 13.
(12) The disposable diaper 11 includes a disposal tape 45 having a fixing section 46b and a pinching section engageable with another part of the diaper 11 for fastening the diaper 11 in a rolled-up state for disposal after use, and
the attaching section 80 is formed on an exterior of the fixing section 46b.

(II) A packaging bag 10 having front-and-rear direction Z, the packaging bag 10 including:
front-and-

rear panels

12, 13 opposed to each other in the front-and-rear direction Z;
a plurality of absorbent articles contained in the bag 10;
an opening section 18 formed at least on the front panel 12 so as to take out the absorbent articles;
wherein
each absorbent article is folded at at least one folding line 43 and contained in an arranged state in the front-and-rear direction Z, each the absorbent article including first and

second edges

36, 37, a fold located between the first and

second edges

36, 37, a first area 41 defined between the first edge 36 and the fold, and a second area 42 defined between the fold and the second edge 37;
the first area 41 of the absorbent article is located on a side of the front panel; and
when seen in the front-and-rear direction Z, the opening section 18 intersects with the first edge 36 and a side section of the first area 41, without intersecting with the first edge 36 and a side section of the second area 42.

The aspect summarized in the above item (II) may include at least the following embodiment.
(1) The opening section 18 is further formed on the rear panel 13.

The described aspects and/or embodiments provide one or more of the following effects:
Since the opening section intersects with the first edge of the first area and an edge thereof is located between the first edge and the second edge, it is easy to pull out the absorbent article by tearing off (or tearing open) the opening section so as to hold the first edge. When they are contained, a large portion of one of the absorbent articles or a plurality of the absorbent articles in the vicinity of the taking-out opening does not hang out outside the taking-out opening, hence the absorbent articles are unlikely to be soiled or damaged, and even if they are compressed to a limit allowable to be contained, it is possible to keep the arranged state when the taking-out opening is opened.

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Application No. 2011-197700 the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

Claims

A packaging bag having a front-and-rear direction, the packaging bag comprising:
front-and-rear panels opposed to each other in the front-and-rear direction;
a plurality of absorbent articles contained in the bag; and
an opening section formed at least on the front panel so as to take out the absorbent articles;
wherein
each absorbent article is folded at at least one folding line and contained in an arranged state in the front-and-rear direction, each the absorbent article comprising first and second edges, a fold located between the first and second edges, a first area defined between the first edge and the fold, and a second area defined between the fold and the second edge;
the first area of the absorbent article is located on a side of the front panel , a distance between the fold and the second edge is larger than a distance between the fold and the first edge; and
when seen in the front-and-rear direction, the opening section intersects with the first edge, and one edge of the opening section is located between the first edge and the second edge.
The packaging bag according to claim 1, wherein the opening section is defined by an upper end edge, a lower end edge, and lateral edges located between the upper and lower end edges, and a separating section which is separable from the panels of the packaging bag is formed in a region surrounded by the edges of the opening section.
The packaging bag according to claim 1, wherein the opening section is a line intersecting with the first edge.
The packaging bag according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the opening section is defined by a first line intersecting with the first edge and a second line intersecting with the first line.
The packaging bag according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the opening section is a perforation formed of a plurality of opening section holes.
The packaging bag according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein an attaching section is defined on an exterior of at least one of the first and second areas of the absorbent article and is attached to an adjacent absorbent article.
The packaging bag according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a stack of absorbent articles formed by arranging a plurality of absorbent articles is arranged in at least one of the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction.
The packaging bag according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the absorbent article is a pants type disposable diaper, the first area includes a waist region, and the second area includes a crotch region.
The packaging bag according to claim 8, wherein on the exterior of the second area of the disposable diaper, a disposal tape is provided, and the attaching section is provided in part of the disposal tape.
The packaging bag according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the second edges is a fold folded at the folding line, and the absorbent article further includes a third area folded back from the second edge to the front side or a rear side.
The packaging bag according to claim 10, wherein the absorbent articles are open type disposable diapers, the first area includes a front waist region, the second area includes a crotch region, and the third area includes a rear waist region.
The packaging bag according to claim 1, wherein the opening section is further formed on the rear panel.
The packaging bag according to claim 6, wherein
the disposable diaper includes a disposal tape having a fixing section and a pinching section engageable with another part of the diaper for fastening the diaper in a rolled-up state for disposal after use, and
the attaching section is formed on an exterior of the fixing section.
A packaging bag having front-and-rear direction, the packaging bag comprising:
front-and-rear panels opposed to each other in the front-and-rear direction;
a plurality of absorbent articles contained in the bag;
an opening section formed at least on the front panel so as to take out the absorbent articles;
wherein
each absorbent article is folded at at least one folding line and contained in an arranged state in the front-and-rear direction, each the absorbent article comprising first and second edges, a fold located between the first and second edges, a first area defined between the first edge and the fold, and a second area defined between the fold and the second edge;
the first area of the absorbent article is located on a side of the front panel; and
when seen in the front-and-rear direction, the opening section intersects with the first edge and a side section of the first area, without intersecting with the first edge and a side section of the second area.
The packaging bag according to claim 14, wherein the opening section is further formed on the rear panel.