Process for making an overlabel wrapper for absorbent articles

Abstract

A process for making an individually packaged absorbent article. The process includes providing an absorbent article and a wrapper material, providing an opening area in the wrapper material, and applying an overlabel over the opening area. A tube having a longitudinal axis and two ends is formed, the tube having at least one permanent side seal, the permanent side seal being provided parallel to the longitudinal axis. The absorbent article is then loaded into the tube and the two ends are permanently sealed, such that an individually packaged absorbent article is provided.

1 . A process for making an individually packaged absorbent article comprising:
 a) providing an absorbent article and a wrapper material;   b) providing an opening area in the wrapper material;   c) applying an overlabel over the opening area;   d) forming a tube having a longitudinal axis and two ends, the tube having at least one permanent side seal, the permanent side seal being provided parallel to the longitudinal axis;   e) loading the absorbent article into the tube; and   f) permanently sealing the two ends,   
       such that an individually packaged absorbent article is provided. 
     
     
         2 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the opening area is defined by cuts, scores, or perforations. 
     
     
         3 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the package material has a thickness greater than about 0.1 mm. 
     
     
         4 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein after step f), the two ends are cut to separate the individually packaged absorbent article from adjacent individually packaged absorbent articles. 
     
     
         5 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the package material is a polyolefin film, a nonwoven, or both. 
     
     
         6 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the package is reclosable. 
     
     
         7 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the absorbent article is a tampon, a sanitary napkin, an interlabial pad, a pessary, or an incontinence pad. 
     
     
         8 . A process for making an individually packaged absorbent article comprising:
 a) providing an absorbent article;   b) providing a wrapper material having a first component that is a polyolefin film, and a second component that is an absorbent material, the first component and the second component being joined together to form the wrapper material, wherein the wrapper material is oriented such that the first component forms the outer surface of the package and the second component forms the inner surface of the package;   c) providing an opening area in the wrapper material;   d) applying an overlabel over the opening area;   e) forming a tube having a longitudinal axis and two ends, the tube having at least one permanent side seal, the permanent side seal being provided parallel to the longitudinal axis;   f) loading the absorbent article into the tube; and   g) permanently sealing the two ends,   
       such that an individually packaged absorbent article is provided. 
     
     
         9 . The process of  claim 8 , wherein the opening area is defined by cuts, scores, or perforations. 
     
     
         10 . The process of  claim 8 , wherein the package material has a thickness greater than about  0 . 1  mm. 
     
     
         11 . The process of  claim 8 , wherein after step g), the two ends are cut to separate the individually packaged absorbent article from adjacent individually packaged absorbent articles. 
     
     
         12 . The process of  claim 8 , wherein the first component is a polyethylene film and the second component is a nonwoven. 
     
     
         13 . The process of  claim 8 , wherein the package is reclosable. 
     
     
         14 . The process of  claim 8 , wherein the absorbent article is a tampon, a sanitary napkin, an interlabial pad, a pessary, or an incontinence pad. 
     
     
         15 . A process for making an individually packaged absorbent article comprising:
 a) providing an absorbent article, a polyolefin film material, and a nonwoven material;   b) applying adhesive to the film material, the nonwoven material, or both;   c) joining the film material to the nonwoven material to form a wrapper material, wherein the wrapper material is oriented such that the film material forms the outer surface of the package and the nonwoven material forms the inner surface of the package;   d) providing an opening area in the wrapper material;   e) applying an overlabel over the opening area;   f) forming a tube having a longitudinal axis and two ends, the tube having at least one permanent side seal, the permanent side seal being provided parallel to the longitudinal axis;   g) loading the absorbent article into the tube; and   h) permanently sealing the two ends,   
       such that an individually packaged absorbent article is provided. 
     
     
         16 . The process of  claim 15 , wherein the opening area is defined by cuts, scores, or perforations. 
     
     
         17 . The process of  claim 15 , wherein the package material has a thickness greater than about 0.1 mm. 
     
     
         18 . The process of  claim 15 , wherein after step h), the two ends are cut to separate the individually packaged absorbent article from adjacent individually packaged absorbent articles. 
     
     
         19 . The process of  claim 15 , wherein the package is reclosable. 
     
     
         20 . The process of  claim 15 , wherein the absorbent article is a tampon, a sanitary napkin, an interlabial pad, a pessary, or an incontinence pad.