CULOTTE PERIODIQUE JETABLE

DISPOSABLE FEMININE SANITARY PANTY

Abrégé anglais

The present invention relates to a disposable sanitary feminine panty comprising in combination an
outer impermeable layer means, inner absorbent layer means comprising relatively thick absorbent
layer, the inner absorbent layer being substantially coextensive with the outer impermeable layer
means. Also, an extra pad absorbent means comprising a thick absorbent layer, the extra pad
absorbent means placed substantially in the crotch area of the panty providing a relatively highly
absorbent layer, an additional impermeable layer means disposed between the inner absorbent
layer means and the extra pad absorbent means, an elastic waistband means for securing the
sanitary panty to a user, and a leg band means through which the user's legs extend. The leg band
means include elastic material to facilitate fitting on the user's body, and the elastic material is
extending only in the areas adjacent to the wearer's hips to provide comfortable use of the panty.
The extra pad absorbent means is permanently attached to the panty.

Revendications

WHAT I CLAIM IS:
1. A disposable sanitary feminine panty comprising in combination:
an outer impermeable layer, said outer layer having a unitary, continuous
perforation-free
configuration,
inner absorbent layer comprising a substantially thick absorbent layer, said
inner absorbent layer
is placed coextensive with the outer impermeable layer;
extra pad comprising a substantially thick absorbent layer, said extra pad is
placed in a crotch area
of said panty for providing an additional absorbent layer;
an additional impermeable layer disposed between said inner absorbent layer
and said extra pad,
wherein said additional impermeable layer is provided to stop a flow of a
fluid discharge coming in
direct contact with said extra pad, and wherein all excess flow of said fluid
discharge leaking beyond
am outer perimeter of said additional impermeable layer is adapted to be
stopped by said inner
absorbent layer disposed below said additional impermeable layer;
an elastic waistband for securing the sanitary panty to a user; and
a leg openings through which the user's legs extend, said leg openings are
provided with a leg
bands, said leg bands are formed from an elastic material to facilitate
fitting on the user's body,
wherein said elastic material is extending only in the areas adjacent to the
wearer's hips to provide
comfortable use of said panty.
2. Sanitary feminine panty according to claim 1, wherein said extra pad is
permanently attached to
said panty.
3. Sanitary feminine panty according to claim 2, wherein said additional
impermeable layer is also
permanently attached to said panty.
4. Sanitary feminine panty according to claim 1, wherein said outer
impermeable layer is adapted to
facilitate and promote evaporation from the user's body.
5. Sanitary feminine panty according to claim 1, wherein said additional
impermeable layer is also
adapted to facilitate and promote evaporation from the user's body.

Description

2139091
DISPOSABLE FEMININE SANITARY PANTY
The present invention relates to disposable garment, and more particularly to
a disposable
panty designed for females having heavy flow during their menstrual periods.
There is known US patent 4,743,239 related to a disposable brief having an
area of
relatively thin absorbent material, and an area of relatively thick absorbent
material. This brief is
further comprising an exterior moisture barner and an interior area having two
different absorbent
materials.
There is also known US patent 5,098,419 related to an undergarment to be worn
by
incontinent persons comprising an upper portion made of a knitted fabric, and
a lower crotch
portion made of a woven, non-woven or knitted fabric. The crotch portion is
coated with a
modified polyester urethane polymer which prevents passage of body fluids.

2
At the present time there are known generally two types of disposable feminine
products
for use during menstruation:
sanitary pads;
tampons.
However, it is known that for a number of menstruating women, particularly
those with
heavy flow none of the mentioned above products are completely reliable, since
its absorbent
capacity is limited.
The sanitary feminine panty of the present invention overcomes the limitations
and
problems of the prior art products, would appeal to many menstrual women,
particularly those
with heavy flow, and would fulfil a need for a disposable panty that would
have a pad or napkin as
an integral part of its design.
The sanitary feminine panty would absorb leakage and prevent embarrassing
stains, a stay-
dry lining would prevent any leakage from reaching under/outer garments or bed
clothes when
worn at night.
The sanitary feminine panty according to the present invention would offer a
no-mess, no-
fuss, convenient way of dealing with leakage. The women would simply discard
the sanitary panty
and use a fresh pair. It would also eliminate the need to wash undergarment,
which in the most of
cases will be stained when conventional pad or tampon was used. The saving of
time on having to
wash and soak soiled clothes and undergarment and the damage to such items
when badly stained
would make the sanitary feminine panty appealing to many women, especially
those who have
heavy periods and cannot find a solution to the problem using existing
products.

CA 02139091 2001-05-14
~~U1VIMARY OF THE INVENTION
Broadly the present invention comprises a disposable sanitary feminine panty
comprising in
combination:
an outer impermeable layer, said outer layer having a unitary, continuous
perforation-free
configuration,
inner absorbent layer comprising a substantially thick absorbent layer, said
inner absorbent layer
i, placed coextensive with the outer impermeable layer;
extxa pad comprising a substantially duck absorbent layer, said extra pad is
placed in a crotch area
of said panty for providing an additional absorbent layer;
an additional impermeable layer disposed between said inner absorbent layer
and said extra pad,
wherein said additional impermeable layer is provided to stop a flow of a
fluid discharge coming in
direct contact with said extxa pad, and wherein all excess flow of said fluid
discharge leaking beyond
am outer perimeter of said additional impermeable layer is adapted to be
stopped by said inner
absorbent layer disposed below said additional impermeable layer;
an elastic waistband for securing the sanitary panty to a user; and
a leg openings through which the user's legs extend, said leg openings are
provided with a leg
bands, said leg bands are formed from an elastic material to facilitate
fitting on the user's body,
wherein said elastic material is extending only in the areas adjacent to the
wearer's hips to provide
comfortable use of'said panty.
In another embodiment said extra pad and said additional impermeable layer are
permanently
attached to said panty.
In yet another embodiment said outer impermeable layer and said additional
impermeable layer
are adapted to facilitate and promote e~raporation from the user's body.

~13~~~1
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWIrTGS
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of sanitary feminine panty embodying the present
invention.
Fig. 2 is a cross-section view taken along lines A-A of Fig. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIIVVIENT
Referring now to drawings, Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a sanitary
feminine panty
according to the present invention. The sanitary panty 10 is disposable and is
adapted to be put
and removed by the user in the conventional manner of a panty . The disposable
sanitary feminine
panty 10 includes an outer, generally moisture-impermeable layer or shell 12,
which is made of
same appropriate type ofplastic, such as polyethylene, or the like. This outer
waterproof shell 12
or stay-dry lining is intended to stop leakage of liquid, but in the same time
is breathable to
facilitate and promote evaporation of the woman's body wearing it. The panty
includes an elastic
waistband 14 and leg openings 16. An elastic band portions 24 are provided
only near the hip
areas of the wearer to facilitate comfortable wearing of the sanitary panty
and to avoid any
unnecessary frictions between the legs when in use. Adjacent to the outer
impermeable layer 12,
there is a relatively thick inner absorbent layer 18 which is continuous and
extends over the total
area of the sanitary panty. In the crotch area of panty 10 there is also
provided an additional
moisture impermeable or waterproof lining 20, which is disposed between said
inner absorbent
lining 18 and an additional extra pad 22. This additional extra pad 22 is made
of relatively thick
absorbent material and in combination with waterproof lining 20, inner
absorbent layer 18 and
outer waterproof shell 12 provides very secure means to prevent any leakage
during menstrual
period (see Fig. 2). The structure of the sanitary feminine panty 10 allows
also to prevent
infection by keeping the moisture away from direct contact with the body of
the wearer.

2139091
Preferably but not necessary, the additional extra pad 22 is permanently
attached or stitched to the
panty 10 together with the waterproof lining 20. The inner absorbent layer 18
and additional pad
22 are preferably made of a cotton or similar absorbent material. Even though
the sanitary panty is
in general intended to be used during menstrual flow, it also my be useful to
retain urine or any
other liquid or semi liquid materials, thus this undergarment can accommodate
incontinence
adults. The total absorbency of the garment is not challenged by the amount of
menstrual, or
liquid, or semi-liquid fluids, since it has a large amount of absorbency as
the menstrual fluid may
flow, either in front, back or crotch area depending on the body position of
the wearer,
particularly when sleeping.
It is an important advantage of the present invention to have a higher amount
of
absorbency in each of these areas in order to always effectively absorb the
moisture while
exudating. This high absorbency also makes the panty suitable for incontinence
use.
The sanitary feminine panty of the present invention is lightweight, absorbent
and provides
optimum protection against leakage and stains. It can be produced in scented
and unscented
versions and can be made ofvarious sizes and colours. The entire panty is
covered on the outside
with a stay-dry lining that would prevent any staining of outer garment or bed
clothing when worn
at night. It assures a good fit, elasticity, breathability and discreetness of
a well fitting
undergarment.
Because of its design, the sanitary feminine panty would serve its intended
purpose well,
and the wearer would not have to be concerned about becoming embarrassed in
case of an
accident. Stains would be prevented, therefore, the garment could be saved
since often blood
stains cannot be removed. Thus, the sanitary panty according to the present
invention would give
a woman protection, confidence and freedom.

~139~~~
While the principles of the invention have been made clear in illustrative
embodiments,
there will be immediately obvious to those skilled in the art many
modifications of structure,
arrangements, proportions, the elements, materials, and components used in the
practice of the
invention, and otherwise, which are particularly adapted for specific
environments and operative
requirements without departing from those principles. The appended claims are
intended to cover
and embrace any and all such modifications, within the limits only of the true
spirit and scope of
the invention. This specification and the appended claims have been prepared
in accordance with
the applicable patent laws and the rules promulgated under the authority
thereof.

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