WET SHEET PACKAGING BODY

Abstract

Provided is wet-sheet packaging allowing an outer take-out opening to be easily closed and opened using a closure sheet, preventing a permeating liquid from being leaked from an inner container when the wet-sheet packaging has fallen over, irrespective of the number of wet sheets in the inner container. Wet-sheet packaging has a layered body consisting of wet sheets wetted by a permeating liquid accommodated inside an outer bag having an outer take-out opening that is freely opened and closed by a closure sheet at the upper surface of the outer bag. Wet-sheet packaging includes an inner container that has shape-retention capability, and accommodates both layered body and permeating liquid, and an inner sheet that firmly closes the opening of the inner container and has a breakable part along which an inner take-out opening is formed, and in which the inner take-out opening corresponds to the outer take-out opening.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to wet-sheet packaging in which wet sheets, such as wet wipes or facemasks used for face packing, are packaged so that each wet sheet can be separately taken out from the packaging.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The wet-sheet packaging in which wet sheets such as wet wipes or facemasks for face packing can be packaged in multiple layers inside an outer bag is configured such that (1) the outer bag has a gas barrier property; (2) the upper surface of the outer bag is provided with an opening via which each of the wet sheets is taken out; and (3) an adhesive closure sheet that is used for closing the take-out opening is provided on the outer surface of the outer bag. A person who wants to use a wet sheet separates the closure sheet from the upper surface of the outer bag, takes out one or more wet sheets via the take-out opening, and then tightly closes the take-out opening by pressing the closure sheet to the upper surface of the outer bag so that the closure sheet sticks to the outer bag.

This kind of wet-sheet packaging loses its sealing ability if the area surrounding the take-out opening becomes crumpled. A prior-art patent provides a configuration in which the area surrounding the take-out opening is strengthened by a reinforcing sheet to which the closure sheet is separably adhered so as to close the take-out opening. (Patent Document 1).

PRIOR-ART DOCUMENT

Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2002-160782.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Technical Problems to be Solved

Conventional wet-sheet packaging has the following problems. The reinforcing sheet that is provided at the outer bag's upper surface detracts from the appearance of the packaging, giving a viewer a feeling that the packaging is of low quality. Also, the number of wet sheets contained in the outer bag significantly affects the height of the upper surface of the outer bag. Therefore, if the number of the wet sheets decreases, as occurs when a person takes them out in order to use them, the person tends to feel annoyed when separating the closure sheet from, and then readhering it to, the reinforcing sheet in order to open or close the take-out opening.

In addition, in conventional wet-sheet packaging, the reinforcement is achieved by just adhering the reinforcing sheet to the area surrounding the take-out opening of the outer bag. Therefore, as the number of wet sheets decreases, the reinforcing sheet might be deformed, which might prevent the closure sheet from firmly closing the take-out opening.

Accordingly, recently developed wet-sheet packaging is provided with an inner container that has a lid, whereby the packaging acquires shape-retention capability. Layered wet sheets are placed inside the inner container, after which the lid is placed on the container, which is then packaged in an outer bag. Each of the wet sheets is taken out of the inner container via the opening in the lid and then via the take-out opening of the outer bag.

The above configuration using an inner container provides the following advantages: (1) The external appearance of the outer bag is improved. (2) The height of the outer bag can be maintained at a constant level even as the number of wet sheets in the container decreases. (3) The upper surface of the outer bag is supported by the lid of the inner container, which prevents the upper surface side of the outer bag from being crumpled, enabling the closure sheet to easily be opened and closed.

However, this kind of the wet-sheet packaging has the following disadvantages. That is, if facemasks for face packing are the wet sheets that are placed in the wet-sheet packaging, the packaging is configured such that the inner container is filled with a prescribed amount of a permeating liquid, such as a cosmetic liquid used for face packing, that is to be suited for the purpose of the wet sheets, so as to allow the permeating liquid to easily spread into the wet sheets.

Therefore, if the wet-sheet packaging falls over, the permeating liquid can leak from the inner container into the inside of the outer bag. In such a case, even if the wet-sheet packaging is turned top-side up again, the leaked permeating liquid might remain in the inside of the outer bag and not put be back into the inner container. Because of these problems, conventional wet-sheet packaging must be dealt with carefully while being transported, so that the permeating liquid is not leaked from the inner container.

In view of the above problems of prior-art wet-sheet packaging, the present invention aims to provide wet-sheet packaging that, regardless of the number of wet sheets in the container, allows an outer take-out opening to be easily closed and opened using a closure sheet, and that prevents a permeating liquid from being leaked from an inner container if the wet-sheet packaging has fallen over.

Solution to the Problems

The present invention provides wet-sheet packaging configured such that: (1) layered wet sheets that are wetted by a permeating liquid are accommodated inside of an outer bag having a take-out opening that is freely opened and closed by a closure sheet provided at the upper surface of the outer bag, (2) The wet-sheet packaging includes an inner container that has shape-retention capability and that accommodates the layered wet sheets and the permeating liquid, and (3) an inner sheet that firmly closes the opening of the inner container, and that is provided with a breakable part that when broken open forms an inner take-out opening that corresponds to the outer take-out opening.

The entire periphery of the inner sheet is preferably fixed to the outer peripheral edge of the inner container's opening. The breakable part is preferably formed along the entire periphery of the inner sheet so as to correspond to the outer take-out opening.

The breakable part is preferably formed by a part that remains after a part of the inner sheet has been cut out in the thickness direction. The closure sheet preferably can be adhered to the outer periphery of the outer take-out opening of the outer bag via an adhesive part, and the part of the inner sheet located outside of the breakable part is preferably configured to be flat so as to correspond to the adhesive part of the closure sheet.

The inner sheet is preferably capable of removing excessive liquid that is being absorbed by the wet sheets at the periphery of the inner take-out opening. The periphery of the inner take-out opening is preferably located inside the periphery of the outer take-out opening. The inner container preferably includes: (1) a projection that is arranged at the center of the bottom of the container, and (2) recessed parts that are arranged on both sides of the projection, with the layered body preferably accommodated inside of the inner container so that a middle part of the layered body that is configured to be inversely U-shaped is disposed over the projection, with the two ends of the bent layered body being disposed inside of their respective recessed parts.

Advantageous Effects of the Invention

The present invention provides advantages over the prior art in that: (1) the outer take-out opening is easily opened and closed using the closure sheet, regardless of the number of wet sheets in the package; and (2) leakage of the permeating liquid is prevented, even if the package has fallen over, which promotes easiness in handling the package.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of open wet-sheet packaging according to the First Embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the inner container and other components of the wet-sheet packaging according to the First Embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a part-cutaway perspective view of the inner container and other components of the wet-sheet packaging according to the First Embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of the periphery of the inner container of the wet-sheet packaging according to the First Embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a part-cutaway plan view of the wet-sheet packaging according to the First Embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 6(a)-6(C) are drawings that show the process for folding a wet sheet according to the First Embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view that shows a wet sheet being taken out from the wet-sheet packaging according to the First Embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 8(a)-8(d) are plan views of the inner sheet according to the Second Embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the wet-sheet packaging according to the Third Embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 10(a)-10(C) are drawings that show the process for folding a wet sheet according to the Third Embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the inner container and other components of the wet-sheet packaging according to the Third Embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the inner container and other components of the wet-sheet packaging according to the Fourth Embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view showing the first inner container and second inner container of the wet-sheet packaging according to the Fourth Embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTIONS OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will be concretely explained below according to the Embodiments, with reference to the attached drawings.

FIGS. 1-7 show the First Embodiment of the wet-sheet packaging 1 of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the wet-sheet packaging 1 includes a layered body 3 in which multiple wet sheets 2, such as facemasks, are layered (see FIG. 6), and a permeating liquid 4, such as a cosmetic liquid, that is to spread into the wet sheets 2 of the layered body 3. The wet-sheet packaging 1 is configured such that: (1) the layered body 3 and the permeating liquid 4 are put inside an inner container 5, (2) the upper opening 6 of the inner container 5 is firmly closed by an inner sheet 7, and (3) an outer bag wraps the entire inner container so as to hermetically package the wet-sheet packaging so that the wet-sheet packaging 1 as a whole is configured to have the shape of a cuboid or a hexahedron that is approximately a cube.

As shown in FIG. 6(a), the wet sheet 2 is prepared by cutting, from a sheet material such as a nonwoven fabric material, an approximately circular shape in which openings 9 are provided for “eyes,” a cut part 10 is provided for a “nose,” and an opening 11 is provided for a “mouth.” The wet sheets 2 can be facemasks, wet wipes, or other sheet materials. If the wet sheets 2 are facemasks, a cosmetic liquid for face packing is used as the permeating liquid. If the wet sheets 2 are wet wipes or other non-facemask sheet materials, a liquid that is suitable for the intended use of the particular type of such material should be used.

The layered body 3 is configured such that: (1) as shown in FIG. 6(a), each wet sheet 2 is folded in three parts along the two lines 12, 12, into a size such that the folded wet sheet can be accommodated inside of the inner container 5, and (2) as shown in FIG. 6(b), the folded wet sheets are vertically layered so that the layered body 3 consists of multiple folded wet sheets 2 as shown in FIG. 6(c). In addition, if a large number of wet sheets 2 are layered, the layered body 3 is preferably configured such that it is divided into a lower-half layered body 3a and an upper-half layered body 3b, and is put inside of the inner container 5 so that the lower layered body 3a and the upper layered body 3b are placed with their ends facing in opposite directions.

The outer bag 8 is configured by forming an exterior material, such as a composite film or a compound sheet that has gas-barrier capability, into a bag by using a packaging method such as pillow packaging. As shown in FIG. 1, each side of the outer bag 8 is formed into an approximately square shape. The upper surface 17 of the outer bag 8 is provided with (1) an outer take-out opening 18, and (2) a closure sheet 19 that freely opens and closes to firmly close the outer take-out opening 18. The outer take-out opening 18 is formed into a substantially rectangular shape of a size that is appropriate for individual wet sheets 2 to be taken out.

The closure sheet 19 includes: (1) an adhesive part 20 that is formed so as to surround the entire periphery of the outer take-out opening 18, (2) a tab part 21 that is provided to the outside of the adhesive part 20, and (3) a separation-prevention part 22 that is provided to the side opposite to the tab part 21. The adhesive part 20 of the closure sheet 19, other than the part corresponding to the separation prevention part 22, is separably adhered to the upper surface 17. In addition, the closure sheet 19 is provided with a cut piece 23 that corresponds to the outer take-out opening 18 of the outer bag 8.

The inner container 5 is made of a relatively thin but firm plastic and has shape-retention capability. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the inner container 5 includes a tapered peripheral wall 24 that spreads upwardly, a bottom 25 that is formed integrally with the lower end of the peripheral wall 24, and an outer peripheral edge 26 that is bent outward from the upper end of the peripheral wall 24 and formed into a flange shape. The upper side of the inner container 5 includes an opening 6. The inner container 5 is packaged by the outer bag 8 while being placed on a receiving plate 27 that is under the inner container 5. A positioning means 28 is provided between the inner container 5 and the receiving plate 27.

The peripheral wall 24 is provided with multiple reinforcing parts 29 that extend vertically, and the bottom 25 is provided with a projection 30 that receives the layered body 3. Reinforcing parts 29 are provided to secure the vertical rigidity of the peripheral wall 24. Each of the reinforcing parts 29 is formed such that the outer side thereof is recessed towards the inside of the inner container 5 so that the outside of each reinforcing part is in a shape of a groove. However, the reinforcing part is formed such that the outer side thereof protrudes so that each reinforcing part has a protruding shape. The projection 30 is formed in a planer quadrilateral shape that is peripherally continuous. The inner container 5 includes multiple projections 30 that are concentrically disposed. Each of the projections 30 protrudes upwardly from the bottom 25 of the inner container 5. The back side of the projection 30 forms a positioning recess 30a.

The receiving plate 27 is configured to have substantially the same size as the outer side of the outer peripheral edge 26 of the inner container 5, so that, after the inner container 5 has been packaged in the outer bag 8, the upper side and the lower side of the wet-sheet packaging 1 have substantially the same dimensions. A bottom part 31 of the receiving plate 27 is provided with a positioning projection 32 that enters into the positioning recess 30a of the inner container 5 from the underside of the positioning recess 30a. The positioning means 28 consists of the positioning recess 30a and the positioning projection 32.

A sheet such as a composite film having gas-barrier capability is used for the inner sheet 7. The inner sheet 7 is fixed to the entire outer peripheral edge 26 by a fixed part 34 by using an adhesion material such as a heat-sealing film so that the opening 6 of the inner container 5 is firmly closed. Also, the inner sheet 7 is fixed such that substantially the entire surface thereof becomes approximately flat in a stretched state.

The inner sheet 7 is provided with a breakable part 37 around its entire periphery, by which an inner take-out opening 35 that corresponds to the outer take-out opening 18 is formed. The breakable part 37 is formed by using a half-cutting method in which a part of the inner sheet 7 is cut out in the thickness direction so that the unremoved part of the inner sheet 7 in the thickness direction remains as shown in FIG. 4(a). If the inner sheet 7 is pushed at the inside of the breakable part 37 by, for example, a person's finger, the remaining portions of the breakable part 37 are broken, whereby a broken piece 38 is separated from the inner sheet 7, as shown in FIG. 4(b), and the inner take-out opening 35 is formed after the broken piece 38 has been removed. Laser processing is suitably used for the half-cutting of the inner sheet 7, but other methods may be used.

In addition, breakable parts 37 may be provided to the entire periphery, so that the broken piece 38 can removed by pulling it upwardly. Or breakable parts 37 may be provided not to the entire periphery of the inner sheet 7 but to a large part thereof, so that the broken piece 38 that remains can be folded into the lower side of the inner sheet 7.

As shown in FIG. 5, the inner take-out opening 35 of the inner sheet 7 is arranged so as to correspond to the position of the outer take-out opening 18 of the upper surface 17 of the outer bag 8 in the vertical direction, and the inner take-out opening 35 is configured to be slightly smaller than the outer take-out opening 18.

That is, the opening edge 35a of the inner take-out opening 35 of the inner sheet 7 is located to the inside of the opening edge 18a of the outer take-out opening 18. As shown in FIG. 7, when a user holds the center of the topmost wet sheet 2 of the layered body 3 between his/her fingers to take out the wet sheet 2, the taken-out wet sheet 2 is scraped by the opening edge 35a so that any excessive amount of the liquid that has permeated the wet sheet 2 is scraped off. In addition, the periphery of the inner take-out opening 35 is configured to be wavy, but the periphery may be configured to be straight or circular.

The breakable part 37 is located inside the opening edge 18a of the outer take-out opening 18. Therefore, when the inner take-out opening 35 has been formed by breaking the inner sheet 7 along the breakable part 37, the part of the inner sheet 7 that is the outside of the inner take-out opening 35 corresponds to the adhesive part 20 of the closure sheet 19. Accordingly, when a user pushes the closure sheet 19 from the upper side thereof, the part of the inner sheet 7 that is outside of the inner take-out opening 35 supports the upper surface 17 of the outer bag 8.

The wet-sheet packaging 1 is manufactured such that: (1) the layered body 3 and a prescribed amount of the permeating liquid 4 are put inside the inner container 5, (2) the inner sheet 7 is fixed to the inner container 5 at the fixed part 34 that is provided to the upper side of the outer peripheral edge 26, so as to enable the opening 6 to be firmly closed, and (3) the outer bag 8 wraps the outside of the inner container 5.

In this wet-sheet packaging 1, the opening 6 of the inner container 5 is firmly closed by the inner sheet 7. Therefore, even if the inner container 5 tilts or falls over, the permeating liquid 4 in the inner container 5 does not leak into the outer bag 8, which makes for easier handling of the wet-sheet packaging 1. Also, because the permeating liquid 4 in the inner container 5 is not leaked, which allows the permeating liquid 4 in the inner container 5 to always keep the wet sheets 2 wet, this makes it possible to reduce the amount of the permeating liquid 4 that is required in the inner container 5 for wetting the wet sheets 2.

When a user uses the wet sheets 2, the user opens the outer take-out opening 18 by separating the closure sheet 19 of the outer bag 8 from the upper surface 17 of the outer bag 8, and then pushes the center of the inner sheet 7 downwardly, by which the breakable part 37 is broken and the inner take-out opening 35 is opened. At this time, the user may either pull out and remove the broken piece 38, or may fold the broken piece 38 into the lower side of the inner sheet 7.

When the inner take-out opening 35 is opened, the user inserts his/her fingers into the inner container 5 via the inner take-out opening 35, holds the center of the topmost wet sheets 2 of the layered body 3 with his/her fingers, and draws out the wet sheet 2 upwardly through the inner take-out opening 35.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 7, because the wet sheet 2 is drawn out by being formed as an upward-facing triangle, the outer periphery of the wet sheet 2 is scraped by the opening edge 35a of the inner take-out opening 35 of the inner sheet 7, whereby any excessive amount of the permeating liquid 4 among the liquid that has spread into the wet sheet 2 can be removed at the periphery of the inner sheet 7.

Because of the above features, the wet-sheet packaging 1 provides the following advantageous effects: (1) the permeating liquid 4 inside the inner container 5 is not consumed more than is necessary each time that a wet sheet 2 is taken out; (2) the amount of the permeating liquid 4 inside the inner container 5 can be maintained at the level that corresponds to the number of wet sheets 2 remaining; and (3) the permeating liquid 4 can evenly spread into each of the wet sheets 2.

After a wet sheet 2 has been taken out, the closure sheet 19 is adhered to the upper surface side of the outer bag 8 at the adhesive part 20 of the closure sheet 19 so as to firmly close the outer take-out opening 18. Also, because the excessive amount of the permeating liquid 4 for use in the wet sheets can be removed at the periphery of the inner sheet 7, and the inner take-out opening 35 is configured to be smaller than the outer take-out opening 18, the permeating liquid 4 that spreads into the wet sheets 2 hardly sticks to the upper surface side of the outer bag 8, whereby the closure sheet 19 can be firmly fixed to the outer bag 8 via the adhesive part 20.

Moreover, when the closure sheet 19 is firmly fixed to the upper surface of the outer bag 8 via the adhesive part 20, the closure sheet 19 is lightly pushed from the upper side by the user's fingers. At this time, because the inner sheet 7 supports the outer bag 8 from the underside of the outer bag 8, the closure sheet 19 is firmly fixed to the outer bag 8 via the adhesive part 20. Accordingly, the upper surface of the outer bag 8 is hardly crumpled, whereby the outer bag 8 can be easily sealed by the closure sheet 19.

FIGS. 8(a)-8(d) show the Second Embodiment of the wet-sheet packaging 1 of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 8(a)-8(d) a breakable part 41, 42, 43 may be configured on the inner sheet 7. The inner sheet 7 shown in FIG. 8(a) is provided with (1) a first breakable part 41 to form the inner take-out opening 35, and (2) a second breakable part 42 that is formed inside the first breakable part 41 in a curved shape, said first and second breakable parts 41 and 42, respectively having approximately U and C shapes.

In the example shown in FIG. 8(a), if the center portion of the inner sheet 7 is pushed so as to break the second breakable part 42, a finger-hooking hole 43 can be formed at the center portion of the inner sheet 7. If a user inserts his/her finger into the inner sheet 7 through the finger hooking hole so as to press the finger to the back of the inner sheet 7, and then pulls up the inner sheet 7, the first breakable part 41 is broken so as to form the inner take-out opening 35. Accordingly, this Embodiment enables a user the user to more easily make the inner take-out opening 35 than with the First Embodiment, and also allows the user to simultaneously remove a broken piece 38.

The inner sheet 7 shown in FIG. 8(b) is provided with a first breakable part 41 for the inner take-out opening 35, and a second breakable part 42 for the finger-hooking hole 43 that is formed in a curved shape such as an S shape configured such that the S shape connects the opposite sides of the first breakable part 41.

In the example shown in FIG. 8(b), a user pushes the center portion of the inner sheet 7 so as to break the second breakable part 42. The user then inserts his/her finger into the inner sheet 7 through the broken part, and pulls up the portions that are opposite to each other along the second breakable part 42, by which the inner take-out opening 35 is formed as a result of such portions along the first breakable part 41 being broken away. The second breakable part 42 may be configured such that one end or both ends of the second breakable part 42 is/are connected to the first breakable part 41 so that there is/are one or more spaces between the second breakable part 42 and the first breakable part 41.

The inner sheet 7 shown in FIG. 8(c) is provided with a first breakable part 41 to form the inner take-out opening 35, and a second breakable part 42 that is a U shape extending from one side of the first breakable part 41 to a the center portion of the inner sheet 7. In the example shown in FIG. 8(c), a user pushes the center portion of the inner sheet 7 to break the second breakable part 42, then inserts a finger into the inner sheet 7 through the broken part, and then pulls the inner-side portion of the second breakable part 42 upwardly, by which the inner take-out opening 35 is formed as a result of the first breakable part 41 being broken.

The inner sheet 7 shown in FIG. 8(d) is provided with the first breakable part 41 and the second breakable part 42 configured in a cross shape such that the first breakable part 41 and the second breakable part 42 cross approximately perpendicularly at the approximately center of the inner sheet 7. In the example shown in FIG. 8(d), if a user pushes the center portion of the inner sheet 7, the first breakable part 41 and the second breakable part 42 are broken to form a cross-shaped inner take-out opening 35. Because the inner take-out opening 35 is in the shape of a cross, the user can insert his/her fingers through that opening into the inner container, and then can take out the topmost wet sheet 2 of the layered body 3.

FIGS. 9-11 show the Third Embodiment of wet-sheet packaging 1 of the present invention. In this Embodiment, the bottom 25 of the inner container 5 includes projections 45 disposed in the center portion of the inner container 5, and recessed parts 46 disposed at both sides of the projections 45. The projections 45 are provided to the bottom 25 such that the projections 45 stride over the bottom 25 between the side walls of the inner container 5. The upper surface side of the bottom 25 between the projections 45 is configured to be rigid and formed in a groove shape so as to easily accommodate permeating liquid 4 therein. The projections 45 may be disposed in the central portion of the bottom in a plan view, and the recessed part 46 may be disposed so as to surround the outer periphery of the projections 45. The other components of the inner container 5 are almost the same as those of the other Embodiments.

The inner container 5 may be used in the two types of modes explained below. As is shown in FIGS. 10(a)-10(c), the first mode is configured such that the layered body 3 of the wet sheets 2 is bent into an approximately inverted U-shape, an inverted V-shape, or a C-shape. Then, as schematically shown by two-dot chain lines 3 in FIG. 9, the layered body 3 is placed inside the inner container 5 such that the bent portion of the layered body 3 is disposed over the projections 45, and both ends of the layered body 3 are put in their respective recessed parts 46. Then a prescribed amount of the permeating liquid 4 is injected into the inner container 5.

If, for example, the wet sheet 2 is a facemask, (1) each wet sheet 2 is folded in three parts along the two lines 47, 48 as shown in FIG. 10(a) so as to be configured into an elongated shape as shown in FIG. 10(b); (2) a prescribed number of the folded wet sheets 2 are layered vertically; and (3) the layered wet sheets 2 are bent into the inverted U-shape as shown in FIG. 10(c) and inserted into the inner container 5. Next, the permeating liquid 4, such as a cosmetic liquid, is injected into the inner container 5 and is absorbed into the wet sheets 2. Then, the opening 6 of the inner container 5 is firmly closed by the inner sheet 7, and the inner container 5 is wrapped by the outer bag 8.

In this configuration, because the projections 45 are provided at the bottom of the inner container 5, and both ends of the layered body 3 are inside the recessed parts 46, the layered body 3 is capable of absorbing the permeating liquid 4 via the ends of the layered body 3 by a capillary action that spreads the permeating liquid 4 into and through the layered body 3. Therefore, this configuration can reduce the amount of the permeating liquid 4 required in the inner container 5.

Moreover, the projections 45 and the recessed parts 46 at the bottom of the inner container 5 increase the shape-retention capability of the inner container 5 along with reinforcing parts 29 of the peripheral wall 24, which allows the inner container 5 to be produced using a thin material. Also, because the wet sheet 2 is folded a few times, a user can easily spread out the drawn-out wet sheet 2 after the user has taken out the wet sheet 2, which increases the ease of use of wet sheets.

As is shown in FIG. 11, the second mode is configured such that the layered body 3 of the wet sheets 2 is accommodated inside the inner container 5 so that the layered body 3 is placed flat on the projections 45 of the inner container 5. It is needless to say that the permeating liquid 4 is injected into the inner container 5 after the layered body 3 has been accommodated in the container. The amount of permeating liquid 4 required to be injected into the inner container 5 is the amount that is necessary to maintain the permeating liquid 4 at the level at which the wet sheets 2 in the lower side of the layered body 3 are soaked by the liquid, which allows the permeating liquid 4 to spread throughout the entire layered body 3.

In this manner, the central portion of the layered body 3 is placed on the projections 45 of the bottom 25, so that the central portion of the layered body 3 is raised and supported by the projections 45. This enables a user to easily pick up the topmost wet sheet 2 of the layered body 3 when the user inserts his/her fingers into the inner container 5 through the inner take-out opening 35 to take out the wet sheets 2.

This configuration is especially advantageous when the number of layered wet sheets 2 becomes small. In addition, because the projections 45 form a groove on their upper side, even if a user pushes the wet sheets 2 on the projections 45, his/her fingers that push the wet sheets 2 will not be dislocated from the position of the wet sheet 2 that corresponds to the projections 45. This allows the user to easily pick up each wet sheet 2.

FIGS. 12 and 13 show the Fourth Embodiment of wet-sheet packaging 1 of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the Fourth Embodiment includes: (1) a first inner container 49 whose bottom 25 is provided with projections 45 and recessed parts 46, and (2)a second inner container 50 that is removably inserted into the first inner container 49 from the upper side thereof. After the second inner container 50 has accommodated the layered body 3 of the wet sheets 2 and the permeating liquid 4, the opening 6 of the second inner container 50 is firmly closed by the inner sheet 7. The inner sheet 7 is provided with a breakable part 37 for forming an inner take-out opening 35.

The first inner container 49 has a receiving edge 49a at the outer periphery of the opening 6. The bottom 25 of the second inner container 50 is placed on the projections 45 of the first inner container 49, and an outer peripheral edge 26 is provided to the second inner container 50 at the outer periphery of the opening 6, and is placed on the receiving edge 49a of the first inner container 49. The inner sheet 7 is provided with a breakable part 37 for forming an inner take-out opening 35, and the fixed part 34 of the inner sheet 7 that is located at the outer periphery of the inner take-out opening 35 is fixed to the outer peripheral edge 26 of the second inner container 50 along the entire periphery thereof. Also, it is sufficient if either the bottom 25 or the outer peripheral edge 26 of the second inner container 50 contacts the first inner container 49. The other components of the inner container 5 are almost the same as those of the other Embodiments.

If the number of the layered wet sheets 2 that form the layered body 3 is small, the wet-sheet packaging 1 may be configured in the manner described above, such that the second inner container 50 is disposed inside the first inner container 49, the layered body 3 and the permeating liquid 4 are placed inside the second inner container 50, and then the opening 6 is firmly closed.

Although the Embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to such Embodiments, and various modifications thereto can be made. For example, the First Embodiment is configured to include the receiving plate 27 that receives the inner container 5 at the underside of the receiving plate, but such a receiving plate 27 may be omitted.

The breakable part 37 is sufficiently constituted by one continuous or dotted line, but multiple breakable parts 37 may be provided so that a user can select his/her favorable breakable part 37 to form the inner take-out opening 35, whereby the user can select the size of the inner take-out opening 35 according to the user's preference.

A support frame may be provided to the inner sheet 7, which is to be used to firmly close the opening 6 of the inner container 5. The support frame may be firmly fixed to the opening 6 of the inner container 5 so that the inner sheet 7 can firmly close the opening 6. General bonding methods, including heat welding, may be used for fixing the inner sheet 7 to the inner container 5.

As a material for the inner sheet 7, a composite film that has gas-barrier capability is suitable, but because the inner container 5 is firmly wrapped by the outer bag 8, if the material for the inner sheet 7 can prevent the liquid from leaking, the material does not necessarily require gas-barrier capability.

A closure sheet 19 that has a wide adhesive part 20 is provided to the outer periphery of the outer take-out opening 18, but the adhesive part 20 may be configured such that multiple narrower line-shaped adhesive parts 20 are arranged extending outward from the central part.

The size of the opening of the inner take-out opening 35 is appropriately determined by balancing (1) a user's ease of use when he/she inserts his/her fingers into the inner take-out opening 35 in order to grab hold of the wet sheet 2, with (2) the effectiveness of the inner take-out opening 35 in removing the required amount of liquid contained in the wet sheets 2 when each wet sheet 2 is taken out through the inner take-out opening 35.

The amount of the liquid 4 that can be scraped out by the opening edge 35a is determined by the dimensions of the wet sheet 2 and the dimensions of the inner take-out opening 35. Therefore, the size of the opening of the inner take-out opening 35 may be configured such that, depending on the direction in which the wet sheet 2 is taken out, the wet sheet 2 may lightly contact the opening edge 35a of the inner take-out opening 35, or the liquid 4 might not be scraped out by the opening edge 35a.

It is preferable that the enter periphery of the opening edge 35a of the inner take-out opening 35 is located inward of the opening edge 18a of the outer take-out opening 18. Also, it is preferable that a predetermined amount of a space is provided between the opening edge 35a of the inner take-out opening 35 and the opening edge 18a of the outer take-out opening 18, so that the permeating liquid 4 of the wet sheets 2 will not adhere to the adhesive part 20. However, if there is sufficient space between the inner periphery side of the adhesive part 20 and the opening edge 18a of the outer take-out opening 18, the components may be configured such that the opening edge 35a of the inner take-out opening 35 is located at approximately the same position as the opening edge 18a of the outer take-out opening 18, or the opening edge 35a of the inner take-out opening 35 may be located slightly inward of the opening edge 18a of the outer take-out opening 18.

DESCRIPTIONS OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 wet-sheet packaging

2 wet sheet

3 layered body

4 permeating liquid

5 inner container

6 opening

7 inner sheet

8 outer bag

18 outer take-out opening

19 closure sheet

20 adhesive part

26 outer peripheral edge

35 inner take-out opening

37 breakable part

Claims

1-8. (canceled)

9. Wet-sheet packaging configured in the shape of an approximately cubic hexahedron such that a layered body consisting of wet sheets that are wetted by a permeating liquid is accommodated inside of an outer bag, each face of which is formed into an approximate square shape, having an outer take-out opening that is freely opened and closed by a closure sheet provided at the upper surface of said outer bag, said wet-sheet packaging comprising:

an inner container that has shape-retention capability, and includes a tapered peripheral wall that spreads out upwardly, a bottom that is formed integrally with the lower end of the peripheral wall, an outer peripheral edge that is bent outward from the upper end of the peripheral wall and that is formed into a flange shape, and an opening at the upper side of the inner container, and that accommodates the layered body and the permeating liquid;

an inner sheet that firmly closes an opening of the inner container, and that is provided with a breakable part along which an inner take-out opening is formed, the inner take-out opening corresponding to the outer take-out opening; and

a receiving plate that is disposed under the inner container;

wherein the receiving plate is configured to have substantially the same size as the outer periphery of the inner container, and wherein a positioning means is provided to the receiving plate and to the bottom part of the inner container.

10. The wet-sheet packaging of claim 9, wherein the entire periphery of the inner sheet is fixed to the outer peripheral edge of the inner container's opening.

11. The wet-sheet packaging of claim 9, wherein the breakable part is formed on the entire periphery of the inner sheet so as to correspond to the outer take-out opening.

12. The wet-sheet packaging of claim 9, wherein the breakable part is formed by a part that remains after a part of the inner sheet corresponding to the part has been cut out in the thickness direction.

13. The wet-sheet packaging of claim 1, wherein the closure sheet can be adhered to the outer periphery of the outer take-out opening of the outer bag via an adhesive part, and

the part of the inner sheet located outside of the breakable part is configured to be flat, so as to correspond to the adhesive part of the closure sheet.

14. The wet-sheet packaging claim 1, wherein the inner sheet is capable of removing liquid that is spreading into the wet sheets at the periphery of the inner take-out opening.

15. The wet-sheet packaging of claim 9, wherein the periphery of the inner take-out opening is located inside the periphery of the outer take-out opening.

16. The wet-sheet packaging of claim 9, wherein the inner container includes a projection that is arranged at the center of the bottom of the inner container, and recessed parts that are arranged at both sides of the projection, and

the layered body is accommodated inside of the inner container so that a middle part of the layered body that is configured to be inversely U-shaped is disposed over the projection, and both ends of the bent layered body are disposed inside of their respective recessed parts.