WO2012087191A1

WO2012087191A1 - Package with predetermined separation lines for absorbent article

Info

Publication number: WO2012087191A1
Application number: PCT/SE2010/051430
Authority: WO
Inventors: Charlotte Johansson
Original assignee: Sca Hygiene Products Ab
Priority date: 2010-12-20
Filing date: 2010-12-20
Publication date: 2012-06-28

Abstract

The invention relates to an absorbent article package (1) comprising an absorbent article (2) and a wrapper (3). The absorbent article (2) comprises a back sheet (4), a liquid permeable first layer (5) and an absorbent body (6) therebetween. An inside (26) of a bottom portion (14) of the wrapper (3) is detachably attached to the back sheet (4) of the absorbent article (2) via first attachment means (7). The invention is characterized in that the wrapper (3) comprises predetermined separation lines (11, 12) on each side of the first attachment means (7) in connection to the back sheet (4) for dividing the wrapper (3) into an upper portion (13) and the bottom portion (14) upon separation of the separation lines (11, 12) by pulling a first gripping means (9) in the upper portion (13) and a second gripping means in the bottom portion (14).

Description

PACKAGE WITH PREDETERMINED SEPARATION LINES FOR

ABSORBENT ARTICLE

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to an absorbent article package comprising an absorbent article and a wrapper. The absorbent article comprises a back sheet, a liquid permeable first layer and an absorbent body therebetween. The absorbent article comprises opposing longitudinal first and second side edges and opposing lateral side edges. The wrapper comprises an inner surface facing the absorbent article and an outer surface facing away from the absorbent article. The inside of a bottom portion of the wrapper is detachably attached to the back sheet of the absorbent article via first attachment means.

BACKGROUND ART

Absorbent articles for absorbing urine are known in prior art to be packaged in a wrapper. WO 99/52483 teaches a wrapper comprising lines of perforation that allows for easy opening of the wrapper. As is shown in WO 99/52483 the absorbent article is folded over itse!f in order to get a small package. One problem with the packages known in prior art is that the unfolded absorbent article is given a flat shape due to the folding. The compression of the article during packaging and storing hinders the absorbent article from retaking the shape desirable to obtain maximal functionality. One problem with the flat shape of an absorbent article is the risk of side leakage.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

There is a need for an improved absorbent article where the problems with prior art is rectified.

The present invention intends to solve the problem by providing an absorbent article package according to one aspect of the invention comprises an absorbent article and a wrapper. The absorbent article comprises a back sheet, a liquid permeable first layer and an absorbent body therebetween. The absorbent article is delimited by opposing first and second longitudinal side edges and opposing first and second lateral side edges. The wrapper comprises an inner surface facing the absorbent article and an outer surface facing away from the absorbent article, wherein the inside of a bottom portion of the wrapper is detachabiy attached to the back sheet of the absorbent article via first attachment means. The wrapper further comprises predetermined separation lines on each side of the first attachment means for dividing the wrapper into an upper portion and the bottom portion upon separation of the separation lines. The upper portion comprises first gripping means and the bottom portion comprises second gripping means. The wrapper is separable, via the separation lines, into the upper portion and the bottom portion by pulling the first gripping means in a first direction and the second gripping means in a second direction essentially opposite the first direction.

The gripping means may be made of additional material welded or otherwise fastened to the wrapper. The gripping means may also be formed by pinching the material of the wrapper into the gripping means. Other suitable forms of gripping means are possible. One advantage of the present invention is that the absorbent article can be positioned in an easily openable wrapper that allows for forming of the absorbent article into a cup shape upon opening the absorbent article package.

When folded the absorbent article may be folded at least once over itseif, by folding a first part of the absorbent article over a second part of the absorbent article. The first part is preferably but not necessarily of the same length as the first part. The absorbent article may also be folded two or more times over itself where each folded part of the absorbent article may be of the same or different lengths. The wrapper is preferably liquid-impervious, recyclable and/or biodegradable. Suitable materials include plastic films, nonwoven webs and laminates thereof. The wrapper may be reinforced with additional materials located in various regions thereof. The wrapper may comprise the release paper of the absorbent article (the release paper is the paper which covers any adhesive present on the backsheet prior to use). As such, the wrapper functions as both release paper and packaging. As such, the wrapper may be coated with a layer of e.g. silicone or similar agent which provides the wrapper with release properties. Alternatively, the wrapper may be separate from the release paper.

The back sheet is preferably made of a liquid impervious polymeric film material. The backsheet may be breathable or non-breathable. The back sheet of the absorbent article may comprise fastening means and is intended to be secured to an undergarment of the wearer. The fastening means may be a pressure sensitive hot melt adhesive, for example Styrene-Block- Polymer. The liquid permeable first layer is preferably made of nonwoven, a film or Iaminate thereof. The absorbent body preferably comprises cellulose fluff pulp and may have superabsorbent material embedded in the cellulose fluff pulp. Other kinds of absorbent bodies are of course possible. The absorbent body may also comprise a reinforced structure that adds to the cup shape after forming. The reinforced structure adds to ensure that the desired shape of the absorbent article is obtained after forming.

The absorbent article may comprise a first leakage barrier side positioned along at least part of the first longitudinal side edge and a second leakage barrier side positioned along at least a part of the second longitudinal side edge. The advantage is to prevent side leakage by adding to the cup shape.

In one example of the invention, the predetermined separation lines are arranged on each side of the first attachment means in connection to the back sheet for dividing the wrapper into an upper portion and the bottom portion upon separation of the separation lines Here, a first part of the upper portion of the wrapper extends over a part of the back sheet along at least a part of the first longitudinal side edge and a second part of the upper portion may extend over a part of the back sheet along at least a part of the second longitudinal side edge for forming the absorbent article when removing at least the upper portion from the absorbent article. Alternative extensions of the upper portion of the wrapper are of course possible.

The tightness of the wrapper forming the absorbent article package against the absorbent article ensures that there is friction between the wrapper and the absorbent article, more specifically between the wrapper and the longitudinal side edges and/or the back sheet. This causes the absorbent article to follow the wrapper when pulling the upper portion of the wrapper and the bottom portion of the wrapper in opposite directions. This friction ensures that the absorbent article forms the desired cup shape by means of that the outer portions of the absorbent article are raised while the inner portion of the absorbent article is lowered.

The absorbent article may comprise second and third attachment means attached to the back sheet in connection to the first and second longitudinal side edges respectively, wherein the second and third attachment means are detachably attached to the upper portion. The second and third attachment means add to this effect by adding friction between the back sheet at the outer portions of the absorbent article and the upper portion of the wrapper. The separation lines are intended to tear open when pulling the upper portion of the wrapper and the bottom portion of the wrapper in opposite directions. The predetermined separation lines are positioned on each side of the first attachment means; and one predetermined separation line may be positioned between the first attachment means and the second attachment means on one side of the first attachment means, and the other predetermined separation line may be positioned between the first attachment means and the third attachment means on the other side of the first attachment means.

The second and third attachment means may have higher adhesive strength than the first attachment means. For example, this is advantageous if the bottom portion shall be removed before the upper portion.

The second and third attachment means may have less adhesive strength than the first attachment means. For example, this is advantageous if the upper portion shall be removed before the bottom portion.

The second and third attachment means may be made from the same material as the first attachment means, but may also be made of a different material depending on wanted adhesive strength or other characteristics. The second and third attachment means may be made from friction glue or construction glue such as Poly Olefin based glue types, or any other suitable types of glue or adhesives or glue tape adhesive. The wrapper may comprise sealing means sealing the wrapper adjacent the lateral sides of the absorbent article. The sealing means are preferably made by welding, glueing, adhesive taping, or any other suitable sealing means. The sealing means may also be situated at other parts of the wrapper, for instance adjacent the longitudinal sides of the absorbent article. According to the invention, the wrapper is arranged for allowing forming of the absorbent article into a cup shape by applying a pulling force on the absorbent article via the first and second parts of the upper portion in the first direction and also by applying a pulling force on the absorbent article via the first attachment means in the second direction. The advantage is that the absorbent article is formed into a cup shape when opening the absorbent article package, and where appropriate, unfolding the absorbent article, and removing the wrapper. The puiling force in the second direction via the first attachment means may be in effect when the bottom portion is attached to the first attachment means.

The advantage is that the removal of the upper portion gives a cup shaped absorbent articie that allows for a user to grip around the outside/back sheet of the absorbent article and enhancing the cup shape when removing the bottom portion.

The first attachment means may be arranged for attachment in an undergarment after removing the bottom portion from the first attachment means, wherein the pulling force in the second direction via the first attachment means is in effect when the upper portion is removed while the first attachment means are attached in the undergarment.

The advantage is that the bottom portion can be removed when the upper portion still remains attached to the absorbent article. The absorbent article can be initially formed into a cup shape when removing the bottom portion and the upper portion then protects the top sheet of the absorbent article when the absorbent articie is positioned in an undergarment. The first attachment means may have higher adhesive strength when attached to the undergarment compared to the adhesive strength between the upper portion and the second and third attachment means. The first attachment means holds the absorbent article in position in the undergarment when removing the first portion, which removal of the first portion also gives or enhances the cup shape.

The second and third attachment means may be arranged to be removed from the absorbent article when the upper portion is removed. The advantage is that no attachment means are left on the back sheet of the absorbent article, which reduces shafing and other eventual discomforts caused by the attachment means. The second and third attachment means may also be arranged not to be removed from the absorbent article when the first portion is removed. By having the attachment means remaining on the absorbent article the absorbent article may be fastened to the undergarment in a more secure way.

According to another example of the invention, the predetermined separation lines are positioned on each side of the first attachment means in connection to the liquid permeable first layer of an unfolded absorbent article or in connection to that part of the backsheet of a folded absorbent article lacking first attachment means. In this example, the wrapper is arranged for allowing forming of the absorbent article into a cup shape by applying a pressure force on the absorbent article in the lateral direction when pulling the first and second gripping means in essentially opposite directions being essentially perpendicular to the lateral direction and the longitudinal direction. Hence, the absorbent article is formed into a cup shape before or during that the predetermined separation lines breaks. The lateral forces are caused by the wrapper applying pressure on at least the first and second longitudinal side edges due to diminished lateral distance between wrapper parts adjacent the first and second longitudinal side edges. The diminished lateral distance is an effect of the fact that when pulling the gripping means the vertical distance between the wrapper parts adjacent the gripping means increases, and that the wrapper is stiff enough to force the lateral distance to diminish in order to keep an essentially equal circumference of the wrapper. The predetermined separation lines are arranged to break after the formation of the absorbent article into a cup shape has been done according to what has been described. In its extreme, the predetermined separation lines breaks only first when the absorbent article is essentially double folded.

With reference to all examples, the sealing means may be removed or separated before or upon pulling the first and second gripping means. With reference to all examples, the predetermined separation lines may extend from the sealing means on one edge of the absorbent article package to the opposing sealing means on another edge of the absorbent article package. The bottom portion of the wrapper may thus be defined by the predetermined separation lines and the open ends of the wrapper after opening or removal of the sealing means. The predetermined separation lines may also be arranged to meet in such a way such that they extend in a continuous line around the first attachment means such that the bottom portion of the wrapper is defined by the continuous predetermined separation line. The edges of the absorbent article package may coincide with the lateral edges of the absorbent article or the longitudinal edges of the absorbent article, dependent on orientation of the absorbent article in the wrapper.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described below in association to a number of drawings where:

Fig. 1 schematically shows a side view of a folded absorbent article wrapper according to a first example of the invention;

Fig. 2 schematically shows a front view of a folded absorbent article wrapper according to a first example of the invention; Fig. 3 schematically shows a bottom view of an absorbent article wrapper according to a first example of the invention.

Fig. 4 schematically shows a perspective view of the absorbent article wrapper packet according to figure 3 in a partly unwrapped state;

Fig. 5 schematically shows a bottom view of an absorbent article wrapper according to a second example of the invention in an unfolded state;

Fig. 6 schematically shows a perspective view of the absorbent article wrapper according to figure 5 in a partly unwrapped state; Fig. 7 schematically shows a side view of the absorbent article fastened to an undergarment, and where:

Fig. 8 schematically shows a perspective view of the absorbent article wrapper packet according to a third example of the invention in a partly unwrapped state.

EMBODIMENT(S) OF THE INVENTION

In figures 1-8, the same reference numbers are used for like features.

Figure 1 schematically shows a side view of an absorbent article package 1 according to a first example of the invention folded two times over itself. The absorbent article package 1 comprises an absorbent article 2 and a wrapper 3. Here the absorbent article package 1 is completely enclosed protecting the absorbent article 2 from outside contaminants by the wrapper 3.The absorbent article comprises a back sheet 4, a liquid permeable first layer 5 and an absorbent body 6 therebetween. A first attachment means 7 detachabiy attached to the back sheet 4 is also visible. Figure 1 further shows sealing means 8 adjacent the lateral sides of the absorbent article 2. In figure 1 , the sealing means 8 are shown as being positioned such that the wrapper 3 has a smooth outer surface. However, the sealing means 3 may be arranged as a lip. The lip could be used for gripping purposes when removing or opening the sealing means 8. The sealing means 8 may be done by: overlapping inside against outside; or overlapping inside against inside; or overlapping outside against outside; or by welding or gluing the wrapper 3 end-to-end. First gripping means 9 and second gripping means 10 are located on the wrapper 3. The gripping means 9, 10 are used to tear open the absorbent article package 1 thereby shaping the absorbent article 2. The shaping of the absorbent article 2 will be described in more detail in conjunction with later figures. The absorbent article package 1 may be opened by that the sealing means 8 are teared by using the gripping means 9, 0 to pull the absorbent article package 1 apart. Other methods of opening the absorbent article package 1 are of course possible. The sealing means 8 may be situated on other locations of the wrapper 3.

Figure 2 schematically shows a front view of the absorbent article package 1 according to a first example of the invention in a folded state. Figure 2 shows a predetermined first separation line 11 and a predetermined second separation line 12 at the bottom of the absorbent article package 1. The separation lines 11 , 12 are intended to tear open when the absorbent article package 1 is pulled by the gripping means 9, 10 forming an upper portion 13 of the wrapper 3 and a bottom portion 14 of the wrapper 3. Figure 3 schematically shows a bottom view of an absorbent article package 1 according to a first example. In this case the absorbent article 2 is shown packaged in an unfolded flat state for sake of clarity. The absorbent article 2 may be packed folded once or twice, as shown in figures 1 and 2, or may be folded more than two times. The absorbent article may also be rolled or folded in a different manner than shown in figures 1 and 2.

In figure 3, the absorbent article package 1 comprises an absorbent article 2 and a wrapper 3. The absorbent article comprises a back sheet 4, a liquid permeable first layer 5 and an absorbent body 6 therebetween. The absorbent article 2 is delimited by opposing first and second longitudinal side edges 15, 16 and opposing first and second lateral side edges 17, 18. The absorbent article 2 also comprises a first leakage barrier side 19 positioned along at least a part of the first longitudinal side edge 15 and a second leakage barrier side 20 positioned along at least a part of the second longitudinal side edge 16. The absorbent article 2 has a first outer portion 21 and a second outer portion 22 each corresponding mainly to the areas of the back sheet located adjacent the first leakage barrier side 19 and the second leakage barrier side 20 respectively. The absorbent article 2 further has a centra! portion 23 corresponding mainly to the absorbent body 6. Figure 3 shows that the absorbent article 2 comprises the first fastening mean 7 for fastening the absorbent article 2 to an undergarment after removal of the bottom portion 14 of the wrapper 3. The fastening means may be chosen from any known in the art. The wrapper 3 comprises an inner surface 24 facing the absorbent article and an outer surface 25 facing away from the absorbent article. An inside 26 of the bottom portion 14 of the wrapper 3 is detachably attached to the back sheet 4 of the absorbent article 2 via the first attachment means 7.

In figure 3 the wrapper 3 and the predetermined separation lines 11 , 12 are positioned on each side of the first attachment means 7 in connection to the back sheet 4 for dividing the wrapper 3 into the upper portion 13 and the bottom portion 14 upon separation of the separation lines 11 , 12. The upper portion 13 comprises first gripping means 9 and the bottom portion 14 comprises second gripping means 10. The wrapper 3 is separable, via the separation lines 11 , 12, into the upper portion 13 and the bottom portion 14 by pulling the first gripping means 9 in a first direction and the second gripping means 10 in a second direction essentially opposite the first direction. The opposite directions may for instance be generally upwards and generally downwards.

Figure 4 schematically shows a perspective view of an absorbent article package 1 according to the first example. Here the function of the wrapper 3 is illustrated. As is shown, the separation lines 11 , 12 have been separated and the wrapper 3 is divided into the upper portion 13 and the bottom portion 14. In figure 4, a first part 27 of the upper portion 13 extends over a part of the back sheet 4 along at least a part of the first longitudinal side edge 15 and a second part 28 of the upper portion 13 extends over a part of the back sheet 4 along at least a part of the second longitudinal side edge 16 for forming the absorbent article 2 when removing at least the upper portion 13 from the absorbent article 2.

In figure 4 the wrapper 3 is arranged for allowing forming of the absorbent article 2 into a cup shape by applying a pulling force on the absorbent article 2 via the first part 27 and the second part 28 of the upper portion 13 of the wrapper 3 in the first direction and also applying a pulling force on the absorbent article 2 via the first attachment means 7 in the second direction. This is indicated by the arrows. The pulling forces arise from the gripping means 9, 10. The tightness of the wrapper 3 forming the absorbent article package 1 against the absorbent article 2 ensures that there is friction between the wrapper 3 and the absorbent article 2, more specifically between the wrapper 3 and the back sheet 4. This causes the absorbent article 2 to follow the wrapper 3 when pulling the upper portion 13 of the wrapper 3 and the bottom portion 14 of the wrapper 3 in opposite directions. This friction ensures that the absorbent article 2 forms the desired cup shape by means of that the outer portions 21 , 22 of the absorbent article 2 are raised while the central portion 23 of the absorbent article 2 is lowered. The separation lines 11 , 12 are intended to tear open when pulling the upper portion 13 of the wrapper 3 and the bottom portion 14 of the wrapper 3 in opposite directions.

As shown in figure 4, the upper portion 13 and the bottom portion 14 of the wrapper 3 are pulled in opposite directions by means of the first gripping means 9 located on the upper portion 13 of the wrapper and the second gripping means 10 located on the bottom portion of the wrapper 3. This is indicated by the arrows. This will result in that absorbent article 2 obtains a cup shape as the outer portions 21 , 22 of the absorbent article 2 are pulled upwards by means of friction between the absorbent article 2 and the wrapper 3. In a similar way the central portion 23 of the absorbent article 2 is pulled downward. In figure 4 the central portion 23 of the absorbent article 2 is attached to the bottom portion 14 of the wrapper by means of the first attachment means 7. The pulling force in the second direction via the first attachment means 7 is thus in effect when the bottom portion 14 is attached to the first attachment means 7.

Figure 5 schematically shows a perspective view of an absorbent article package 1 acc ording to a second example. The difference between the absorbent article package 1 in figures 3 and 4, and the absorbent articie package 1 in figure 5 is that the absorbent article package 1 in figure 5 comprises second attachment means 29 and third attachment means 30. The second and third attachment means 29, 30 are attached to the back sheet 4 in connection to the first and second outer portions 21 , 22 of the absorbent article 2 respectively, and the second and third attachment means 29, 30 are detachably attached to the upper portion 13 of the wrapper. The tightness of the wrapper 3 forming the absorbent article package 1 against the absorbent article 2 ensures that there is friction between the wrapper 3 and the absorbent articie 2, more specifically between the wrapper 3 and the back sheet 4. This causes the absorbent article 2 to follow the wrapper 3 when pul!ing the upper portion 13 of the wrapper 3 and the bottom portion 14 of the wrapper 3 in opposite directions. This friction ensures that the absorbent articie 2 forms the desired cup shape by means of that the outer portions 21 , 22 of the absorbent article 2 are raised while the central portion 23 of the absorbent article 2 is lowered. The second and third attachment means 29, 30 add to this effect by adding friction between the back sheet 4 at the outer portions 21 , 22 of the absorbent article 2 and the upper portion 3 of the wrapper 3. The separation lines 11 , 12 are intended to tear open when pulling the upper portion 13 of the wrapper 3 and the bottom portion 14 of the wrapper 3 in opposite directions.

Figure 6 schematically shows a perspective view of an absorbent article package 1 according to figure 5. The difference between the absorbent article package in figure 4 and the absorbent article package in figure 6 is that the absorbent article package in figure 6 comprises the second attachment means 29 and the third attachment means 30. The function of the absorbent article package 1 is as described in conjunction to figure 4 with the addition of the additional second and third attachment means 29, 30. The effects of the added attachment means 29, 30 are described in conjunction to figure 5. Figure 7 schematically shows a side view of the absorbent article 2 fastened to an undergarment 31. Here the first attachment means 7 are arranged for attachment to an undergarment 31 after removing the bottom portion 14 from the first attachment means 7, wherein the pu!ling force in the second direction via the first attachment means 7 is in effect when the upper portion 13 is removed while the first attachment means 7 are attached to the undergarment 31. The function of the absorbent article package 1 is as described in conjunction to figures 5 and 6 with the difference that the bottom portion 14 is removed and the first attachment means 7 is attached to the undergarment 31. The presence of the second and third attachment means 29, 30 are merely illustrative. It is possible to obtain the same effect with an absorbent article package without the second and third attachment means 29, 30 as illustrated in conjunction to figures 3 and 4.

Fig. 8 schematically shows a perspective view of the absorbent article wrapper packet according to a third example of the invention in a partly unwrapped state. In figure 8, the predetermined separation lines 11 , 12 are positioned on each side of the first attachment means 7 in connection to the liquid permeable first layer 5 of an unfolded absorbent article 2 or in connection to that part of the backsheet 4 of a folded absorbent article 2 lacking first attachment means 7.

In figure 8, the wrapper 3 is arranged for allowing forming of the absorbent article 2 into a cup shape by applying a pressure force F1 , F2 on the absorbent article 2 in the lateral direction Y when pulling P1 , P2 the first and second gripping means 9, 10 in essentially opposite directions Z being essentially perpendicular to the lateral direction Y and the longitudinal direction Z.

Further variations are conceivable within the scope of the description, for example all absorbent articles are shown in figures 1-8 to be non-folded within the wrapper, but the absorbent article may be folded at least one time.

Claims

1. An absorbent article package (1) comprising an absorbent article (2) and a wrapper (3), the absorbent article (2) comprising a back sheet (4), a liquid permeable first layer (5) and an absorbent body (6) therebetween, the absorbent article (2) being delimited by opposing first and second longitudinal side edges (15, 16) and opposing first and second lateral side edges (17, 18), the wrapper (3) comprising an inner surface (24) facing the absorbent article (2) and an outer surface (25) facing away from the absorbent article (2), wherein the inside (26) of a bottom portion (14) of the wrapper (3) is detachab!y attached to the back sheet (4) of the absorbent article (2) via first attachment means (7), characterized in that the wrapper (3) comprises predetermined separation lines (11 , 12) on each side of the first attachment means (7) for dividing the wrapper (3) into an upper portion (13) and the bottom portion (14) upon separation of the separation lines (11 , 12), wherein the upper portion (13) comprises first gripping means (9) and the bottom portion (14) comprises second gripping means (10), wherein the wrapper (3) is separable, via the separation lines (1 , 12), into the upper portion (13) and the bottom portion (14) by pulling the first gripping means (9) in a first direction and the second gripping means (10) in a second direction essentially opposite the first direction.

2. An absorbent article package (1) according to claim 1 , wherein the predetermined separation lines (11 , 12) are positioned on each side of the first attachment means (7) in connection to the back sheet (4).

3. An absorbent article package (1) according to claim 2, wherein a first part (27) of the upper portion (13) extends over a part of the back sheet (4) along at least a part of the first longitudinal side edge (15) and a second part (28) of the upper portion (13) extends over a part of the back sheet (4) along at least a part of the second longitudinal side edge (16) for forming the absorbent article (2) when removing at least the upper portion (13) from the absorbent article (2).

4. An absorbent article package (1) according to any one of claims 2 or 3, wherein the absorbent article (2) comprises second and third attachment means (28, 29) attached to the back sheet (4) in connection to the first and second longitudinal side edges (15, 16) respectively, wherein the second and third attachment means (29, 30) are detachably attached to the upper portion (13).

5. An absorbent article package (1) according to claim 4, wherein the second and third attachment means (28, 29) have higher adhesive strength than the first attachment means (7).

6. An absorbent article package (1) according to claim 4, wherein the second and third attachment means (28, 29) have less adhesive strength than the first attachment means (7).

7. An absorbent article package (1) according to any one of claims 2-6, wherein the wrapper (3) is arranged for allowing forming of the absorbent article (2) into a cup shape by applying a pulling force on the absorbent article (2) via the first and second parts (27, 28) of the upper portion (13) in the first direction and also applying a pulling force on the absorbent article (2) via the first attachment means (7) in the second direction.

8. An absorbent article package (1) according to claim 7, wherein the pulling force in the second direction via the first attachment means (7) is in effect when the bottom portion (14) is attached to the first attachment means (7).

9. An absorbent article package (1) according to claim 7, wherein the first attachment means (7) are arranged for attachment in an undergarment (31) after removing the bottom portion (14) from the first attachment means (7), wherein the pulling force in the second direction via the first attachment means (7) is in effect when the upper portion (13) is removed while the first attachment means (7) are attached in the undergarment.

10. An absorbent article package (1) according to any one of claims 2-9, wherein the absorbent article (2) comprises a first leakage barrier side (19) positioned along at least part of the first longitudinal side edge (15) and a second leakage barrier side (20) positioned along at least a part of the second longitudinal side edge (16).

1 . An absorbent article package (1) according to claim 1 , wherein the predetermined separation lines (11 , 12) are positioned on each side of the first attachment means (7) in connection to the liquid permeable first layer (5) of an unfolded absorbent article (2) or in connection to that part of the backsheet (4) of a folded absorbent article (2) lacking first attachment means (7).

12. An absorbent article package (1) according to claim 1 , wherein the wrapper (3) is arranged for allowing forming of the absorbent article (2) into a cup shape by applying a pressure force on the absorbent article (2) in the lateral direction when pulling the first and second gripping means (9, 10) in essentially opposite directions being essentially perpendicular to the lateral direction and the longitudinal direction.

13. An absorbent article package (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the wrapper (3) comprises seaiing means (8) sealing the wrapper (3) adjacent the lateral side edges (17, 18) of the absorbent article (2).

14. An absorbent article package (1) according to claim 12, wherein the sealing means (8) are removed or separated before or upon pulling the first and second gripping means (9, 10).