Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
~097(~(~3
ABSORBENT PAD MEANS
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to absorbent articles,
and more particularly to absorbent pads for the perineum.
A varlous assortment of absorbent pads have been
proposed for use in the perineum to receive body exudates, such
as sanitary and~maternity pads to receive menses and lochia,
and~surqical or;wound dresslngs. When properly positioned,
such~padS~should~normally form both a longitudinal and arcuate
configuration due~to the contour of the wearer's body in the
perlneum. Accordingly, it has been relatively difficult to
obtain a proper'~fit of such pads whlch would provide comfort
to~the wearer and~ prevent leakage at the edges'of the pads,
particularly when the~dlscharge is at its greatest. Moreover,
many of such~pads;present a~ surface against the wearer's skin
ln~'the~region of~;the~discharge which becomes moist, resulting
in dlscomfort~to~the wearer.~ ~
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`` 1097003
The absorbent pad means of the present invention for the perineum
comprises a pair of separate elongated absorbent pads having a front surface
for facing the perineum, and a back surface, said separate pads being disposed
in a side-by-side relationship and being separable adjacent their front
surfaces to define a fluid receiving channel, and a fluid impervious sheet
covering and connecting the back surfaces of said pads, with said fluid
receiving channel extending to said fluid impervious sheet.
The absorbent pads separate during use to expose an increased
surface area of the pad means which is spaced from the wearer's skin for
absorbing the trapped body exudates into the pad assembly, thus minimizing
leakage.
Body fluids are rapidly absorbed into the increased fluid receiving
surface area resulting in drier surfaces of the pad assembly.
Additionally, the pad assembly provides an improved fit for and
greater comfort to the wearer.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an absorbent
pad means of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration
-~ ~ assumed by the pad means of Figure 1 when worn;
Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially as indicated along
the line 3-3 of Figure l; and
Figure 4 is a sectional view of the pad means illustrating the
configuration assumed by the pad means when worn.
DES-CRIPTION OF THE PREFE~RED EMBOnIMENTS
Although the pad means of the present invention is particularly
suitsble for use as a sanitary or maternity pad, it will be apparent that it
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may be used for other purposes, as desired. For example, the pad means may
be used as surgical or wound dressings in the perineum, such as rectal or
vaginal dressings.
Referring now to the drawings, there is shown an absorbent pad
means generally designated 20 having an elongated absorbent pad assembly 22
The pad assembly 22 has a pair of elongated absorbent pads 60a and
60b disposed in a side-by-side relationship, with the pads 60a and b prefer-
ably having a generally rectangular cross-sectional shape. A fluid impervious
sheet 38 covers the back surfaces 40, outer side surfaces 42, and a portion
of the front surfaces 34 of the pads 60a and b. Thus, the fluid impervious
sheet 38 connects the pads 60a and b, and serves as a hinge adjacent their
back surfaces 40 to permit separation of the pads during use. Thus, ~he
pads 60a and b of the pad assembly 22 define a fluid receiving channel 64
intsrmediate inner side surfaces 62 of the pads. A top sheet 44 covers the
inner side surfaces 62, the front surfaces 34 of the pads 60a and b, and the
fluid impervious sheet 38. Marginal edges 46 of the top sheet 44 may be
overlapped and secured together adjacent the back surfaces 40 of the pads.
The pads may be made of any suitable material such as bleached
wood fluff. A pair of elongated wadding sheets, such as a cellulose material,
may be positioned on the front surfaces 34 of the pads to provide structural
integrity to the top pads.
When body fluids strike the absorbent surface of conventional
sanitary pads, excessive time is required for the fluids to work into the
pads, particularly for sudden surges of the fluids. Such pads often leave
a wet surface, and provide only a highly localized area for absorption with-
out use of a major portion of the pad surface. Accordingly, the body fluids
.
cannot always be absorbed by the surfaces of such pads, resulting in
frequent leakage.
, During use of the pad means of the present invention, the pad
assembly forms a generally arcuate configuration laterally and longitudinally
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1~97003
through the pad means, as shown in Figure 2, such that the pads 60a and b
separate adjacent their upper surfaces 34, as shown in Figure 4. Thus, the
fluid receiving channel 62 is opened when the pad means is worn to receive
body fluids, while exposing recessed surface areas of the pad assembly for
absorption of the fluids. Body fluids rapidly penetrate into the pads 60a
and b and to the fluid impervious sheet 38, where the fluids are spread
along the sheet to additional portions of the pads for absorption therein.
Accordingly, the pad means maintains a relatively dry surface during use,
and disperses fluids through the pads, while preventing leakage. It is also
apparent that the pad means 22 has a simplified structure, and may be easily
manufactured with reduced cost to the consumer.
Thus, there has been described an absorbent pad means which conforms
to the contour of the wearer in the perineum, and provides an increased
amount of absorptive surface area which is recessed from the wearer's skin
for rapid passing of body fluids into the pad means, the pad means having an
openable channel to direct fluids to the absorptive surface area.
The foregoing detailed description is given for clearness of
understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understood
therefrom, as modifications will be obvious to those skilled in the art.
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