Sanitary napkin package with integral release liner

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for encasing a sanitary napkin in a pouch which eliminates the need for release paper strips and provides for the disposal of the napkin.

We claim: 
     
       1. A method of encasing a sanitary napkin in a pouch, comprising the steps of: curing a longitudinal release strip of a silicone release material on an inside pouch forming surface of a strip of material to extend between first and second transverse ends of said strip of material, said inside surface having an edge portion along opposite longitudinally extending sides thereof;   affixing first and second edge adhesive strips along said edge portion of each longitudinally extending side, respectively, of said inside pouch forming surface and affixing a third edge adhesive strip along an edge portion of said first transverse end of said inside pouch forming surface to intersect with said first and second edge adhesive strips;   applying a longitudinally extending, central adhesive strip of pressure sensitive, hot melt material directly to said release strip on said strip of material;   aligning an undergarment facing side of said napkin having a centrally located adhesive surface region with respect to said release strip whereby said centrally located adhesive surface region overlies said central adhesive strip and said first and second transverse ends and said longitudinally extending sides of said pouch forming surface extend past the side margins of said napkin;   pressing said strip of material and said napkin together to transfer said adhesive strip from said strip of material to said napkin; and   folding said strip of material having said napkin secured thereto into a pouch encasing said napkin, said step of folding said strip of material having said napkin secured thereto into a pouch encasing said napkin comprising the steps of: folding a first portion of said strip of material, extending between said first transverse end of said strip and a first fold line, about said first fold line to overlap a second portion of said strip, extending between said first fold line and a second fold line;   folding the overlapped first and second portions along said second fold line to overlap a third portion of said strip, extending between said second fold line and a third fold line; and   folding a fourth portion of said strip of material, extending between said third fold line and said second transverse end of the strip, along said third fold line to overlap said second portion of said strip of material whereby said pouch is formed with said sanitary napkin encased therein.     
     
     
       2. A sanitary napkin and pouch combination, comprising: a sanitary napkin;   a strip of material having a longitudinal release strip of silicone release material cured on an inside pouch forming surface thereof and extending between first and second opposite transverse ends of said strip of material, first and second edge adhesive strips each along an edge portion of longitudinally extending sides of said inside pouch forming surface and a third edge adhesive strip along an edge portion at said second transverse end of said inside pouch forming surface, and said first, second, and third edge adhesive strips being coatings of hot melt adhesive material;   an undergarment facing side of said sanitary napkin secured to said release strip on said strip of material with a central adhesive strip of hot melt adhesive material so that said first and second transverse ends and said longitudinally extending sides of said pouch forming strip extend past the side margins of said napkin; and   said strip of material having said napkin secured thereto folded into a pouch encasing said napkin, said strip of material including: a first end portion, extending between said first transverse end of said strip of material and a first fold line, being folding about said first fold line to overlap a second portion of said strip, extending between said first fold line and a second fold line;   said overlapped first and second portions being folding along said second fold line to overlap a third portion of said strip of material, extending between said second fold line and a third fold line; and   a fourth portion of said strip of material, extending between said third fold line and said second transverse end of said strip, being folded about said third fold line to overlap said second portion of said strip of material and thereby form said pouch encasing said sanitary napkin.