Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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ANATOMICALLY SHAPED INTERLABIAL PAD AND SANITARY NAPKIN
Field of the invention
This invention relates to sanitary articles and in particular to an
anatomically shaped interlabial pad and sanitary napkin.
Field of the invention
There have been a number of attempts to improve the design of
sanitary napkins, but so far these attempts were not able to totally prevent
leakage and meet the user's comfort requirements at the same time.
Although some solutions of the prior art improve the contact
between the pad and the body when the person wearing the pad is in a
vertical position, they do not adequately protect a person in a horizontal
position. In some cases, the solutions compromise the comfort of the
wearer, especially in the posterior area of contact between the sanitary
napkin and the body. Persons with a history of hemorrhoids have
significant discomfort associated with the wear of some sanitary napkins.
Some solutions provide the sanitary napkin with a tampon,
attached about the center of the napkin. Such a solution is, for example,
disclosed in US Patent No. 5,290,262 (Vukos et al.) issued on March 1,
1994 and assigned to Kimberly-Clark Corporation. However, such a
design may cause a major discomfort to the user due to shifts that could
occur during usage. Furthermore, this solution may result in breeding of
bacteria inside the vagina.
There has been a lot of effort put into the design of sanitary
napkins to reduce or eliminate the possibility of peripheral leakage.
Leakage may occur because of a fluid flow beyond the absorption
capacity of the napkin. Leakage may also occur because of the napkin
shifting during usage or when the use is in the supine position.
The sanitary napkins disclosed in US Patent 5,454,802 (Lindquist
et al.) issued on October 3, 1995 and assigned to Molnlycke AB has the
disadvantage of creating a friction effect with the sensitive urogenital
parts, of not being anatomically comfortable and being bulky. This
tampon can also shift during usage and is likely to permit leakage when
the user is in a horizontal position.
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The sanitary napkin disclosed in US Patent No. 5,545,156
(DiPalma et al.) issued on August 13, 1996 and assigned to Kimberly-
Clark Corporation does not offer sufficient body contact and therefore is
subject to leakage.
The sanitary napkin disclosed in US Patent No. 5,057,096
(Faglione) issued on October 15, 1991 is not anatomically conformable
and may also result in leakage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a sanitary
napkin for absorbing body fluids such as menses, blood, urine, and other
fluids, which alleviates totally or in part the drawbacks of the prior art
napkins.
It is another object of the invention to provide a sanitary napkin
that is anatomically shaped for user's comfort.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a sanitary napkin
of a design that minimizes the leakage when the user is in a prone or a
supine position.
Accordingly, the invention provides for a sanitary article comprising:
a core of an absorbent material, shaped to anatomically fit the interlabial
zone, the core defining a base region and a tip region opposed to the
base region; a liquid permeable cover for enclosing the core to form an
interlabial pad; and first adhesive means on the base. The sanitary
article further comprises a wicking layer arranged about the core under
the cover, except the base region, for keeping moisture away from the
cover and inside the core.
The sanitary article has a trapezoidal, rectangular, or triangular
cross-section.
Advantageously, the device according to the invention can be
used as, or in conjunction with an incontinence guard, as a sanitary
napkin, as a diaper, training pant, or the like.
Another advantage of the device of the invention is that it
provides a larger surface of absorption in the region of high concentration
of fluid. This is obtained by using the sanitary napkin in conjunction with
an interlabial pad which increases the surface of absorption for collecting
the body fluids.
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Still another advantage of the device of this invention is that it
does not inconvenience the wearer; the interlabial pad has an
anatomically fit shape and also, is loosely connected to the sanitary
napkin.
The use of the interlabial pad with a sanitary napkin as described
in the present invention keeps the wearer much cleaner than by using a
sanitary napkin alone.
Another important advantage of the sanitary article of this
invention is the ease of manufacture. Most of the prior art sanitary
articles require redesigning of the napkin to include components that
increase the area of contact between the article and the body. On the
other hand, the article according to this invention offers a solution that
does not involve redesign of the napkin, as the interlabial pad can be
used with a conventional sanitary napkin or panty liner.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other objects and advantages of the invention will became
apparent from the following description, made in conjunction with the
appended drawings, where:
Figure 1 A is a perspective view of the sanitary napkin according
to one embodiment of the invention;
Figure 1 B is a cross-section of the sanitary napkin of Figure 1 A,
taken along lines A-A;
Figure 2A is a perspective view of the sanitary napkin according
to another embodiment of the invention;
Figure 2B is a cross-section of the sanitary napkin of Figure 2A,
taken along lines B-B;
Figure 3A is a perspective view of the sanitary napkin according
to one further embodiment of the invention;
Figure 3B is a cross-section of the sanitary napkin of Figure 3A,
taken along lines C-C;
Figure 4A is a perspective view of the sanitary napkin according
to still another embodiment of the invention;
Figure 4B is a cross-section of the sanitary napkin of Figure 4A,
taken along lines D-D;
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Figure 5A is a perspective view of the sanitary napkin according
to yet another embodiment of the invention;
Figure 5B is a cross-section of the sanitary napkin of Figure 5A,
taken along lines E-E;
Figure 6A is a perspective view of the sanitary napkin according
to another embodiment of the invention;
Figure 6B is a cross-section of the sanitary napkin of Figure 6A,
taken along lines F-F;
Figure 7A is a perspective view of the sanitary napkin according
to yet another embodiment of the invention;
Figure 7B is a cross-section of the sanitary napkin of Figure 7A,
taken along lines G-G;
Figure 8A is a perspective view of the sanitary napkin according
to still another embodiment of the invention;
Figure 8B is a cross-section of the sanitary napkin of Figure 8A,
taken along lines H-H;
Figure 9A is a perspective view of the sanitary napkin according
to yet another embodiment of the invention;
Figure 9B is a cross-section of the sanitary napkin of Figure 9A,
taken along lines I-I;
Figure 10A is a front view of a disposable bag for the sanitary
article, with the flap closed; and
Figure 10B is a front view of a disposable bag for the sanitary
article with the flap open.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The present invention comprises an anatomically shaped
interlabial pad designed for close body contact and means for absorbing
and conducting the excess fluid to an associated sanitary napkin. The
sanitary article comprises a soft absorbent material protected by a fluid-
pervious cover. The interlabial pad will lie against the genitals of the
wearer when the article is in use and will take the shape of the area. The
interlabial pad provides increased absorption surface and hence
eliminates the possibility of leakage. The associated sanitary napkin
could be included in the same cover.
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In embodiments where the anatomically shaped interlabial pad
has its own cover, it is used with a separate sanitary napkin.
The anatomically shaped interlabial pad absorbs an important
part of the fluid and conducts the excess fluid to the sanitary napkin. The
size of the sanitary napkin can be reduced since there is no danger of
peripheral leakage. This has the added advantage of resulting in less
waste and being more discrete in appearance. The wearer could even
use the interlabial pad with panty liners when the fluid flow is reduced.
In instances where the anatomically shaped interlabial pad and
the sanitary napkin have separate covers, the user may need and decide
to replace the interlabial pad more often than the sanitary napkin, again
resulting in less waste. The interlabial pad is held in place through close
body contact and it is attached loosely to the sanitary napkin via adhesive
surfaces. This allows the interlabial pad to stay in place even when the
sanitary napkin shifts during usage. This design also provides for
increased comfort as it reduces friction with the sensitive urogenital parts.
Figure 1A illustrates a perspective view of a first embodiment of
the invention, showing a sanitary napkin 10 and an interlabial pad 20,
having separate covers, 16 and 25, respectively. Figure 1 B illustrates a
cross-section of the sanitary article of Figure 1A along lines A-A. In this
embodiment, pad 20 has a trapezoidal cross-section. Pad 20 is attached
with the large base to sanitary pad 10, using an adhesive surface shown at
50.
As shown in Figure 1 B, the interlabial pad 20 comprises a soft
absorbent core 40 enclosed in a liquid permeable cover 25. The liquid
permeable cover 25 is made of materials typically used to manufacture
covers in sanitary pads. Such materials can be woven or non-woven
material, spunbound material, tissue, or finely perforated film webs. For
example, materials suitable for the cover are spunlaced polyester, bonded
carded webs of polyester, polypropylene, polyolefins, polyethylene, nylon
or composite materials
The density of the absorbent core 40 of interlabial pad 20 is lower
than the density of the absorbent material 14 of sanitary napkin 10, to
promote flow of excess fluid from pad 20 to sanitary napkin 10. The density
of the absorbent core should be low enough to ensure flexibility of the
interlabial pad and consequently ensuring comfort. During usage, the
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interlabial pad will take the shape of the area of contact and therefore
prevent peripheral leakage.
Absorbent core 40 is comprised of loosely fit absorbent fibers, and
is preferably made of one or more materials that combined are hydrophilic,
comformable and compressible. Such material are cotton fibers, wood
pulp fluff fibers, bleached or unbleached cellulose, modified cellulose,
cellulose sponge, rayon fibers, polyester fibers, polymer foam, vegetable
pulp, polyurethane, polyachrilates, polypropylene microfibers, polymeric
microfibers, and the like.
The absorbent core 40 is surrounded about the lateral surface and
the top surface by an optional wicking layer 30, designed to keep the
moisture away from the body. Wicking layer 30 is made of a material with
little absorption capability. The function of the wicking layer is to
distribute
the body fluid across the surface of the absorbent core. Materials
appropriate for the wicking layer are blends of polyester and rayon,
polymeric fiber, airformed webs of polyester, rayon or polypropylene, or the
like.
As indicated above, the interlabial pad can be attached to a host
sanitary napkin via complementary adhesive surfaces 50 illustrated in
phantom lines on Figure 1 A and also shown intuitively on Figure 1 B by line
50. These surfaces are provided on the pad 20 so as to provide a secure
attachment of the pad to the napkin. The adhesive surfaces are covered
with protective paper during storage of the sanitary article, which is
removed before the interlabial pad is used. The adhesive surfaces are
pressure sensitive adhesive.
Without intending to be limited to a specific dimension, the
interlabial pad is about 20 to 200mm long, preferably 65mm to 90mm. The
height is between 5 to 40mm, preferably 20mm, and the width is between
5 to 40mm, preferably l0mm to l5mm in the widest area. The height of
pad 20 is related to the height of the sanitary napkin or panty liner that is
used with it. Another factor in determining the height is the density of the
absorbent core.
The wearer will place the interlabial pad in close contact with the
vaginal orifice, the urethral orifice, and optionally, the clitoris. The
associated sanitary pad will be placed next and will be loosely attached to
the pad base or body facing cover 16 via the adhesive surfaces 50. This
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allows the pad to stay in place even when the sanitary napkin shifts during
usage.
The sanitary pad 10 illustrated in Figures 1 A and 1 B has an hour
glass configuration but it can have other shapes, as well known. Such
shapes could be rectangular, oval, dogbone and the like. The sanitary
napkin is made of an optional liquid permeable, body-facing cover 16, an
absorbent core 14 and a garment facing liquid impermeable backing sheet
12.
The absorbent core 14 is made of materials typically used to
manufacture sanitary pads. Acceptable materials are a composite of
absorbent or super-absorbent materials such as cellulose fluff, wood pulp
fibers, cellulose sponge, polyurethane, cotton fibers, modified cellulose,
rayon fibers, polyester fibers, polymer foam, vegetable pulp, polyachrilates,
polypropylene microfibers, polymeric microfibers and the like.
The backing sheet 12 is made of spunbonded non-woven material
bearing a polymeric film or the like.
Without intending to be limited to a specific dimension, the sanitary
napkin is between 100mm to 300mm long, preferably 175mm. The width
of the napkin 10 is between 40 to 175mm, preferably 60mm.
Figure 2A illustrates a perspective view of a second embodiment
of the invention. Here, the interlabial pad 220 has a constant width, the
attachment basis and sanitary napkin 10 being fixed with adhesive means
50, as in the first embodiment. The tip of pad 220 has rounded edges for
added comfort.
Figure 2B shows a cross-section along line B-B in Figure 2A,
illustrating how pad 220 is attached to sanitary napkin 10.
Figures 3A and 3B illustrate a third embodiment of the invention
with a rectangular pad 320 and sanitary napkin 10 having separate covers
325 and respectively 16. As in the previous embodiments, pad 320
comprises a liquid-permeable cover 325 surrounding a soft absorbent core
40. The pad can be attached to a host sanitary napkin 10 via the adhesive
surfaces illustrated in phantom lines at 50. The absorbent core 40 is
surrounded by an optional wicking layer 30 designed to keep the moisture
away from the body.
Figures 4A and 4B show a further embodiment of the invention, in
perspective and cross-sectional view, respectively. Here, pad 420 has a
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triangular cross-section, and the pad and the sanitary napkin have again
separate covers 425 and 16, respectively. Cover 425 of the pad is liquid-
permeable, and surrounds a soft absorbent core 40. The pad can be
attached to a host napkin 10 via the adhesive surfaces 50. Again, the
absorbent core 40 is optionally surrounded by a wicking layer 30 designed
to keep moisture away from the body.
Figures 5A and 5B show another embodiment of the invention, in
perspective and cross-sectional view. Here, pad 520 has an oval shape
with a trapezoidal cross-section wider at one end, and the pad and the
sanitary napkin have again separate covers 525 and 16, respectively.
Cover 525 of the pad is liquid permeable, and surrounds a soft absorbent
core 40. The pad can be attached to a host napkin 10 via the adhesive
surfaces 50. Again, the absorbent core 40 is optionally surrounded by a
wicking layer 30 designed to keep moisture away from the body.
Figures 6A and 6B show an embodiment where pad 620 and
sanitary napkin 10 are unitary and comprised under a unique cover 60.
Pad 620 has a trapezoidal cross-section in this embodiment. Casing 60
covers both pad 620 and sanitary napkin 610, forming a unitary sanitary
article 610. Cover 60 is permeable to liquids, while pad core 40 is
comprised of a soft absorbent material. Core 40 is surrounded by an
optional wicking layer 30 designed to keep moisture away from the body.
Sanitary article 610 also has a garment facing liquid impermeable backing
sheet 12. Sanitary article 610 can be attached to the garment along an
adhesive surface 90.
A seventh embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figures
7A, which is a perspective view of the sanitary article 710, and in Figure
7B, which is a cross-section of the sanitary article 710 of Figure 7A, taken
along lines G-G. The cross-section of pad 720 is trapezoidal, casing 60
covers both pad 720 and napkin 10. The pad comprises in this
embodiment a non-absorbent interlabial core 100 and the napkin
comprises an absorbent core 14. The soft non-absorbent material 100
intercepts body fluids and transfers same to the absorbent pad 14,
without substantial retention of fluid. The sanitary article 710 is also
provided with a garment facing liquid impermeable backing sheet 12, and
can be attached to the garment with an adhesive surface 90.
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Another embodiment of the invention is shown and disclosed next
in connection with Figures 8A, which is a perspective view of the sanitary
napkin according to yet another embodiment off the invention, and Figure
8B, which is a cross-section of the sanitary napkin of Figure 8A, taken
along lines H-H. Sanitary article 810 comprises a liquid permeable
bodyfacing cover 60 surrounding a soft absorbent core 40 and an
absorbent core 814. Core 40 is surrounded optionally by a wicking layer
30 designed to keep moisture away from the body. Pad 810 also has a
garment facing liquid impermeable backing sheet 12, and can be
attached to the garment with adhesive surfaces 855.
Figures 9A and 9B show a further embodiment of the invention, in
perspective and cross-sectional view, respectively. Here, pad 920 has an
oval shape with a trapezoidal cross-section wider at one end, and the pad
and the sanitary napkin have separate covers 925 and 16, respectively.
Interlabial pad 920 includes a string 970 that is used to pull out the
interlabial pad at the end of its usage. Cover 925 of the pad is liquid-
permeable, and surrounds a soft absorbent core 40. The pad can be
attached to a host napkin 10 via the adhesive surfaces 50. The adhesive
surfaces 50 are optional since the string 970 can be used to remove the
interlabial pad. Again, the absorbent core 40 is optionally surrounded by a
wicking layer 30 designed to keep moisture away from the body. Pad 10
also has a garment facing liquid impermeable backing sheet 12.
Figure 10A is a front view of a disposable bag for the sanitary
article. The bag comprises a pocket with the flap. Figure 10A shows the
bag with the flap closed, while Figure 10B is a front view of the disposable
bag for the sanitary article with the flap open.
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