MXPA00004432A - Absorbent interlabial article - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an absorbent article designed and configured to fit between the labia. The article employs a plurality of stacked, flexible elements (30) and provides improved fit and article retention, improved collection of bodily fluids and solids typically left unabsorbed by conventional interlabial products, ability to deliver various additives such as medicaments to the tissue surrounding the labia, and an adjustable placement depth to meet consumers'varying physical and psychological needs.

Description

ABSORBENT INTERLABIAL ARTICLE FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an absorbent interlabial article with improved fit and comfort. The article is useful in the management of bodily fluids that include, but are not limited to, vaginal discharge, urethral discharge and transpiration generated by glands in the perineum.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The insertion of a fluid handling article between the lips has been known for some time. A key property of a nterlabial article is that it remains where it is inserted, thereby providing the user with the most efficient operation, as well as the likelihood of reduced discomfort due to deformation and irritation. Unlike tampons that are securely placed inside the vaginal canal, or sanitary napkins that are adhered to the wearer's undergarments, known interlabial items depend on frictional forces, normal forces, or moisture for retention within the lips. For example, Johnson et al., Patent of E.U.A. No. 4,595,392, and Vukos et al., Patent of E.U.A. No. 5,484,429, describe typical interlabial pads with substantially smooth outer surfaces that come into contact with the labia minora and / or labia. The smooth surfaces on either side of the pads represent individual contact points. With such continuous surfaces, the effort required to inadvertently remove or release a pad is substantially equal to the effort required to insert the pad. This may require a compromise between the placement retention properties and the insertion properties acceptable to the user when designing the article. Azzali et al., PCT application No. WO96 / 07379, rely on the presence of moisture to facilitate retention of the sanitary pad. However, there are two drawbacks of this method. First, retention is hindered if there is a lack of moisture. Secondly, if materials are chosen to aggressively extract moisture from the surroundings to create a seal, the use of the article could result in irritation or excessive drying. Interlabial items that are not retained where they are inserted have an increased potential for spills and discomfort. The interlabial articles tend to be relatively small compared to sanitary napkins, and must therefore capture the discharged fluid directly as it leaves the vaginal or urethral orifices. If the initial position of an interlabial article is altered, the fluid can travel around the article and stain the user's body or undergarments.

In addition to the need for a nterlabial item with improved fit and comfort, an interlabial article that takes into account differences in anatomy and personal preference is required. The present invention provides an interlabial article having improved adjustment, comfort and fluid handling characteristics, through the incorporation of a plurality of stacked flexible elements. The unique design of the present interlabial article provides several advantages over interlabial articles known in the art. An advantage is that the stacked flexible elements provide multiple contact surfaces with the lips. These multiple contact surfaces and the channels therebetween improve the retention of the article between the lips. The multiple contact surfaces also allow the user to adjust the placement of the article between the lips. The user can adjust the depth of insertion, depending on their shape and individual body size, as well as the level of personal comfort, without compromising the retention of the article during use. The user can also use alternative positioning positions during an interval when more than one article is used, such as over a menstrual period. The liplabial article may also preferably comprise channels for providing a reservoir for retaining and supplying various additives to or through the tissues in the perineum. Said channels can also provide means for collecting clots, viscous fluids and solids associated with vaginal discharges. The channels can provide means to collect various samples of fluid and tissue for diagnostic analysis by medical specialists.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an absorbent nterlabial article dimensioned and configured to fit between the lips of the user, and having a side facing the body and an opposite side, comprising a plurality of stacked flexible elements, wherein at least one of The flexible elements comprise absorbent material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of an article in accordance with the present invention. Figure 2 is an end view of an alternative embodiment of an article according to the invention comprising a base member and channels between adjacent flexible elements. Figure 3 is a perspective view of an additional article according to the invention, comprising a base member, an insertion aid and channels between adjacent flexible elements. Figure 4 is a front end view of an article according to the invention, comprising channels directed towards the side of the article facing the body. Figure 5 is a perspective view of an article in accordance with the present invention having a front end height that is less than a rear end height. Figure 6 is an end view of an article according to the invention, comprising central elements located between adjacent flexible elements and an insertion aid extending from the opposite side of the article. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of an article according to the invention comprising a liquid-permeable cover, a transfer layer located below the liquid-permeable cover, and a liquid-impervious reinforcing sheet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The absorbent interlabial article of the present invention is designed to remain in place during use and to be comfortable and not cause irritation during use. The article effectively and efficiently absorbs fluid discharges such as those emanating from the vagina before, during and between menstrual periods, the urethral meatus and the sweat glands. Although the article is intended to fit mainly between the lips, the article may use optional design features that have interlabial and extralabial residence when properly inserted. Figure 1 is a perspective view of one modality of the interlabial article, while Figure 2 is a front end view of an alternative embodiment. The interlabial articles 10 and 11 each comprise an anterior end 20 facing the clitoris in use; a rear end 21 facing the rear fork; a side facing the body 22 that penetrates the lips; and an opposite side 23. The height 24, width 25 and length 26 of the articles are also shown in Figures 1 and 2. The interlabial article comprises a plurality of stacked flexible elements 30. Each flexible element has an upper part 31 close to the side facing the body 22 of the article, a bottom 32 near the opposite side 23 of the article, and a thickness 33. The flexible elements 30 of the article are stacked one on top of the other on the opposite side 23 to the side that look towards the body 22 of the article. The shape and size of the flexible elements may vary; however, it is preferred that they increase in size from the side facing the body 22 to the opposite side 23 of the article, as shown in the figures. The perimeters of the successive horizontal cross sections of each flexible element 30 can be substantially equal, increase or decrease from the upper part 31 to the lower part 32 of the flexible element. When the perimeters of successive horizontal cross sections of each flexible element 30 vary, channels 40 are defined between adjacent flexible elements. Preferably, the perimeters of successive horizontal cross sections of each flexible element 30 increase from the upper part to the lower part of the flexible element 30, thereby directing the channels 40 towards the opposite side 23 of the article. In this embodiment of the invention, shown in Figures 1 and 2, the article is substantially easier to insert than to remove. This is because the flexible elements 30 have a tendency to widen against the adjacent body tissue when the article is pulled directly from the lips, thereby increasing friction during the dynamic state of removal of the article. Likewise, the tissue in the perineum area can potentially reside, or be made to reside, between the flexible elements during or before removal, thereby increasing the frictional forces during the removal of the article. In an alternative embodiment, the perimeters of the successive horizontal cross sections of each flexible element 30 decrease from top to bottom of the flexible element 30, thereby forming channels 40 directed towards the side facing the body 22 of the article. This is illustrated in Figures 3 and 4. The channels facing the body can provide means for collecting and maintaining bodily fluids not directly absorbed in the article, such as viscous fluid, discarded tissue conglomerates, blood constituents, and combinations thereof. same. Conveniently, during the removal of the article, the flexible elements are folded to approximate the channel, and retain any captured material for a clean removal and removal.

Flexible elements with channels facing the body offer the potential additional benefit of obtaining and securing tissue samples or discarded fluids for diagnosis. As long as the flexible elements bend outward and open during insertion, they gently scrape the body, and then close during removal, capturing any sample material obtained. The number of flexible elements 30 useful in the article is at least 2, preferably from 2 to 8, more preferably from 3 to 5. The thickness of each flexible element 33 is preferably from about 0.5 to about 10 millimeters, more preferably from about 1 to about 6 millimeters. Figure 1 further shows an optional base member 50, having a width 52, on the opposite side 23 of the article. The base member can reside intralabially or extralabially. The base member may also be sized and configured to wrap, and adhere to, the crotch portion of the wearer's undergarment. The width of the optional base member 52 is preferably from about 20 to about 80 millimeters, more preferably from about 30 to about 60 millimeters. The height 24 of the article must be sufficient to allow the penetration of the space between the lips to capture and absorb the discharges of liquid from the body, without applying excessive pressure on the lower lips and the vestibule. The height 24 of the article is preferably from about 5 to about 40 millimeters, more preferably from about 15 to about 25 millimeters. The height 24 of the article can be constant along the length 26 of the article. Alternatively, the height 24 of the article may vary along the length 26 of the article to provide comfort and optimal fluid handling. The height 24 of the article is, for example, preferably greater at the rear end 21 of the article, to capture the vaginal discharges, than at the anterior end 20, where it preferably does not invade the sensitive clitoris. The height 24 of the article may be the same or different at the front and rear ends 21 and 20 of the article, while the same height or a greater or lesser height is interposed. The length 26 of the article may vary from about 25 to about 130 millimeters, preferably from about 30 to about 80 millimeters, more preferably from about 40 to about 60 millimeters, depending on factors such as whether the article is intended to cover the vaginal orifice, the urethral meatus, or both (without irradiating the clitoris and the posterior hairpin) and the anatomical dimensions of the user. Some users may wish for the article to cover both the vaginal orifice and the urethral meatus for urine management and cervical discharges. Alternatively, an interlabial article with a reduced length 26 allows the article to remain in place to collect vaginal discharges, while allowing unrestricted urination. The width 25 of the article preferably varies in the range from about 8 to about 40 millimeters, more preferably from about 10 to about 20 millimeters. The width 25 can vary or be constant along the length of the article. Figure 2 further shows an optional additive 41. The additive 41 is shown as discrete applications located in the channels 40 defined by the three flexible elements 30, closest to the side facing the body 22 of the article. The additive 41 may alternatively be placed as a coating on the surface of one or more flexible elements 30. A non-limiting representative list of additives includes medicaments, humectants, vitamins and minerals, spermicides and odor control agents. An individual additive can be used, or multiple additives having different functions can be used. Odor control agents useful as additives are described in greater detail in the U.S. Patents. Nos. 4,356,190; 4,273,786; ,306,487; 5,733,272; 5,714,445 and 5,211, 870. Examples of useful drugs that provide properties for the treatment of bacteria are described in the patents of E.U.A. Us. ,811, 115; 5,514,698; 5,837,254; 5,466,463; 5,573,765; 5,536,743; 5,314,904; ,141, 953 and 5,679,369. Medications to treat abnormalities of the tissues and organs in the perineum, such as vulvar dystrophy, vaginal atrophy and vaginal mycosis, are described in the U.S. Patents. Nos. 5,380,757; 5,352,699; and 4,582,717. The patent of E.U.A. No. 5,015,474 describes humectants for dermal or mucous membranes. The article of the present invention provides a vehicle for administering said compositions, due to the intimate contact with the lips and the vaginal orifice. Figure 3 shows an optional insertion aid 51 extending from the opposite side 23 of the article. The insert aid 51 can be held by the user's fingers, or used with an applicator such as those used to insert commercial tampons, or a modification thereof. A further embodiment of the article comprises central elements located between adjacent flexible elements, wherein each flexible element extends laterally from the central elements, thereby forming channels between the adjacent flexible elements. Figures 5 and 6 illustrate absorbent interlabial articles 70 and 71 comprising four flexible elements 30, three central elements 81 located between the flexible elements 30, and channels 40. An optional insertion aid 51 is also shown in Figure 6. In the Figure 6 shows a vertical cross-section of Figure 5 along the line AA. The flexible elements 30 of Figure 6 generally have vertical trapezoidal cross sections. However, the flexible elements may have other cross-sectional shapes, such as rectangular, circular or triangular. The central elements 81 preferably have a height 34 of about 1 to about 4 millimeters. The flexible elements 30 of Figure 6 have a thickness 33 that is greater in distal positions to the central elements 81, comparatively with positions close to the central elements 81. This thickness difference provides improved retention of fluids and liquids or additives adsorbed or absorbed . The thickness 33 may be uniform as shown in Figure 7. The flexible elements 30 extend from the central elements 81 to substantially straight angles (90 °) in Figures 5 and 6. However, the flexible elements may extend to angles less than 90 ° measured from the central elements near the opposite side of the article. The interlabial article can be formed as a single unit, such as in a foam molding operation, or the flexible elements can be individually manufactured and then adhered to each other, such as by the use of adhesives, heat sealing with thermoplastic materials, technology of hook and fastener, and ultra-acoustic. In the case of foam molding, by manipulating the foam material, and / or the molding process, surfaces with open and closed cells can be formed. Open cell surfaces are useful for absorbing bodily fluids, while closed cell surfaces can function as a barrier to prevent the captured fluid from traveling completely through the article and on the wearer's skin or clothing. Other methods and apparatus useful for forming the articles of the present invention as an individual structure are described in the U.S. Patents. Nos. 5,165,152; 4,863,450; 4,859,273; 4,816,100; and 4,453,296. These methods generally consist in folding or winding a fabric comprising fibrous materials on itself in a white, and then compressing the white in a final form with heat and pressure. White typically takes the desired final shape due to the flow and restoration of the thermoplastic polymers in the fabric, or thanks to the fabric that is being deformed plastically enough (deformation not recoverable). A useful fabric for this purpose is a single nonwoven fabric comprising blends of biocomponent thermoplastic fibers, such as central polyethylene / polyester cover fibers, wood pulp and superabsorbent polymers. The fabric may comprise several layers, lacking the outer layers of any absorbent material (i.e., wood pulp and superabsorbent polymers). A fibrous web or film can be folded or pleated in the final interlabial article without an extra compression step as described above. Construction adhesives known in the art can optionally be used to help maintain the folds or folds in their desired final shape, or alternatively to adhere together flexible elements of the article made separately. A non-limiting list representative of construction adhesives include acrylics; hot melt materials based on starch; adhesives based on vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon block copolymers and one or more hydrogenated aliphatic blocks or conjugated diene; polylactic acids; hot melt materials based on polyolefins, such as amorphous polyalphaolefins which may consist of one more of the following monomers: propylene, ethylene, butane and hexane; hot melt materials based on low density polyethylene or low density polyethylene copolymers, including ethylene vinyl acetate, methyl acrylate, n-butyl acrylate and acrylic acid. Conventional methods used to construct articles for the management of body fluids, such as sanitary napkins, pantiliners and ultrathin towels can also be used to manufacture the interlabial article. These methods typically agglutinate or enclose matter into multiple particles or layers of material. The particulate matter or layers of material may be in the form of apertured or non-apertured polymeric films, foam sheets, fibrous fabrics, fibers and / or superabsorbent particles, and wood pulp. The absorbent material used in the interlabial article can comprise complex simple absorbent structures that accept, transfer, distribute, store or retain fluids, as well as prevent fluid from leaving the article. The absorbent material may be formed of one or more layers of the same or different components. The absorbent material can be a simple absorbent such as wood pulp, which in turn can contain stabilizing components such as synthetic fibers. The absorbent material can be uncompressed, compressed or otherwise densified, at least in part. The compression and densification can be homogeneous along the absorbent material or in discrete layers or in continuous or discontinuous density gradients. The synthetic fibers in the absorbent material can be used to form a bonding matrix within the wood pulp, or they can be heat-bonded or fused to themselves and to the wood pulp to form a dimension stabilizing structure. Synthetic fibers can also be hydrophilic, such as rayon, or hydrophobic, such as polypropylene or polyester. Synthetic fibers can be made more wettable by treatment with a wetting agent such as a surfactant, by caustic etching of the fibers such as those made of polyester, incorporating wettable polymers such as polyethylene oxide or polyvinyl alcohol, by grafting wettable reagents to the surface of the fiber, and exposing the fiber to corona discharge. The peripheral profile of the synthetic fibers can be of any shape. The synthetic fibers may also contain grooves, channels or holes, or they may be pierced or perforated. Superabsorbent polymers can also be used as the absorbent material to increase the liquid handling properties of the articles, such as fluid capacity and retention. The amount of the superabsorbent polymer contained in the article can vary from about 0.1 to about 5 grams, preferably from about 0.2 to about 2.5 grams, more preferably from about 0.3 to about 1 gram. Absorbent materials such as sphagnum moss in the form of a cardboard or compressed layer, may additionally function as structures of resistance to compression or deformation, or to help maintain the shape of the article during its production and during its use. The absorbent materials in the form of cardboard can be made flexible and conformed by weakening, such as by passing the cardboard through corrugation, embossing or perforating processes. The wood pulp may be formed in at least part of any of the wet interlaced fibers, interlocked in dry, chemically hardened or wavy. Synthetic fibers and auxiliary absorbers may be present homogeneously throughout the absorbent material, in discrete layers or in continuous or discontinuous concentration gradients. The absorbent material may also contain foam in the form of layers or particles, the foam being hydrophobic or hydrophilic, depending on its place and function in the product, for example, absorbing, cushioning, resisting deformation and resisting compression. A liquid permeable cover can optionally be used to enclose portions of the absorbent material. The liquid-permeable cover can be made of at least one layer of any liquid penetrable material, including woven or knitted fabrics, but preferably a non-woven fabric, uncross-linked open cell foam, perforated film, or combinations thereof. . Non-woven fabrics include any of those made of staple fibers or continuous filaments. Non-woven fabrics can use natural fibers such as cotton, jute, ramie, wood pulp or kenaf. The non-woven fabrics can alternatively comprise synthetic fibers, alone or in combination with natural fibers. A representative non-limiting list of synthetic fibers includes rayon, polyolefins such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyesters, polyamides, polyacrylonitriles, polyvinyl esters and multi-component fibers, multi-component fibers being made of a low melting point polymer that is exposed at least partly on the surface of the fiber, and a polymer with high melting point. Non-woven fabrics can be manufactured from the fibers and / or filaments by any of the known fabric-forming processes, when applicable, such as bonding and consolidating processes, for example, by wet deposition or depositing dry fabrics bonded with chemical binders, or by thermal means such as by-pass agglutination, or by direct fabric-forming processes, for example, by hydroentangling, spunbonding or meltblowing. Perforated films useful in the liquid-permeable cover have perforations which can be two or three dimensional in profile through the thickness of the film, the films being made of polymers including polyethylene, polypropylene, polyurethane, polyamide, ethylene copolymers and vinyl acetate, and the like, and combinations thereof.

Perforated fabrics or films used in the liquid permeable cover can be made wettable to varying degrees, for example, by treatment with a surfactant, by exposure to corona discharge, by grafting the film with wettable reagents, chemical etching of films. such as those made of polyester, or incorporating wettable polymers such as polypropylene oxide and polyvinyl alcohol in the polymeric formulation used to obtain the fibers or films. In an effort to improve the fluid handling properties of the absorbent interlabial article, an optional transfer layer can be added, typically between the absorbent material and the liquid permeable cover. However, the transfer layer can be located at any point, for example, inside or under the absorbent material. The transfer layers can provide many functions including, but not limited to, absorption of fluids by the available absorbent material, functioning as a unidirectional valve to prevent the captured fluid from being pressed, and providing elasticity to the article to prevent it from being crushed. , especially when it is busy with fluids. Typically, the transfer layers comprise relatively less hydrophilic structures and materials than those contained in the absorbent material, such as fabrics of meltblown polypropylene or polyester fibers. The transfer layers may also contain wood pulp, cotton or rayon retained therein. The transfer layer may also be formed of low density, high-elastic non-woven fabrics formed of wood pulp and synthetic fibers such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, polyacrylonitrile and polyamide and multi-component fibers described above. Said non-woven fabrics of high elasticity can be bonded with chemical binders or by thermal means such as by-pass agglutination and thermal embossing. The transfer layer may also comprise a perforated film, whose profile through the thickness of the film is two-dimensional or preferably three-dimensional. Multiple transfer layers can also be used as means to improve the ability of the article to handle fluids, and to structurally provide stability. The patent of E.U.A. No. 5,752,945 discloses an absorbent article having a transfer sheet, wherein the transfer sheet has at least two layers. The first layer can provide dry and wet elasticity and liquid retention capacity, while the second layer can provide lateral absorption or flow paths to more evenly distribute liquids through an absorbent core. The interlabial article may comprise additional materials that enclose portions of the absorbent material. In particular, the opposite side of the article can be covered at least in part with a liquid impervious backing sheet to help prevent the captured fluid from being transferred to the wearer's clothing and / or body. The liquid-impervious reinforcing sheet may also contain portions of adhesive on its externally arranged surface, whereby the user can optionally adhere the article to his undergarment. The liquid-resistant reinforcing sheet can be made of any flexible material that prevents the transfer of liquid through it, but does not necessarily prevent the passage of gases. The materials that are commonly used are polyethylene or polypropylene films. Other materials that can be used as a liquid impervious reinforcing sheet are polyester films, polyamides, ethylene vinyl acetate, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, cellophane, nitrocellulose and cellulose acetate. Coextruded and laminated combinations of the above materials can be used, wherein said combinations are allowed by the chemical and physical properties of the film. It is also possible to use cross-linked foams impermeable to liquids and papers treated with repellent. Films that are barriers to liquids, but do not allow gases to transpire, that is, "breathable barriers," can also be used as a liquid-impermeable reinforcing sheet. These may be selected from polyurethane films and microporous films in which the microporosity is created by ionizing radiation, or by leaching soluble inclusions using aqueous or non-aqueous solvents. Individual or multiple layers of permeable films, fabrics and combinations thereof, which provide a tortuous path and / or whose surface characteristics provide a surface repellent to liquid penetration, can also be used to provide such breathable barriers. The materials used to manufacture the absorbent material, ie, the liquid-permeable cover, the liquid-impermeable reinforcement sheet and the prior transfer layer, may be water-soluble or dispersible and / or biodegradable, in an effort to provide a more floatable article. or environmentally less persistent. A non-limiting representative list of such materials includes polyvinyl alcohol, polylactic acid, starch and formulations based on starch, polyhydroxy butyrate, and combinations thereof. The materials may also have extensible or stretchable properties by performing a mechanical operation such as pleating, corrugation or ring wrapping over them. In addition, the materials can be perforated or grooved. The perforations or grooves can vary in geometry and size, thus providing elongation capacity in multiple directions, if necessary. The materials can also be inherently stretchable, such as mixed polyethylene films available from Exxon, particularly EXX-7 film. A more detailed description of extensible articles, and methods for making them, is contained in the patent of E.U.A. No. 5,824,004. An example of an absorbent nterlabial article of the present invention constructed of multiple layers of material is shown in Figure 7. The cross section 70 shows a liquid permeable cover 91, a transfer layer 92 below the liquid permeable cover. , and a liquid impermeable reinforcing sheet 93 extending on the opposite side 23 of the article. The liquid permeable cover 91 and the transfer layer 92 are shown partially covering the side facing the body 22 of the article. Alternatively, these layers can substantially cover the entire side of the article facing the body. The dimensions and material properties of the flexible elements 30 are preferably selected so that the amount of force required to overcome the friction between the user's body and the article is greater than the force required to bend the elements. . Given the different natural levels of moisture in the body and the variety in the levels of saturation and deformation of the article, the flexible elements may or may not widen (in or out) substantially during the insertion or removal of the article. However, the maximum force required to move an individual flexible element through a maximum angle of 90 ° is preferably about 10 to about 130 grams force using the following test method. An Instron model 1122 test instrument, available from Instron Corporation, Canton, Massachusetts, is used in conjunction with a 2,000 gram load cell. A pin, which has a diameter of 1.58 millimeters, is rigidly connected to the load cell. The crosshead, which houses the load cell and the pin, is displaced at a speed of approximately 17 millimeters per second. The item is mounted on an adjustable plate, allowing multiple measurements at several points in an individual article. The pin comes into contact with a flexible element at a point sufficiently distal to its longitudinal center line, allowing the pin to remain in contact with the flexible element through full 90 ° rotation without slipping. The test conditions are approximately 22.7 ° C and 58% relative humidity. The maximum force required to move independently (without coming into contact with the adjacent flexible elements) each of the flexible elements through a maximum angle of 90 ° is measured. The values are reported in grams of force. The samples are not necessarily conditioned to standard conditions of TAPPI. The article of the present invention is intended to be used independently substantially in the minor and major lips. The article may also be used in conjunction with other products available for fluid handling, such as tampons, intravaginal cups, sanitary napkins, and the like. The article may also be modified to be attached, such as with adhesives or hook and clamp fastening systems with the products described above, and inserted and removed together. Additionally, the item can be marketed as part of a team. Complementary parts of such equipment could include handkerchiefs, applicators to insert the articles, humectants and other products for the handling of fluids. Finally, the article can be configured and marketed in individual wrappers. Examples of individually wrapped products are described in greater detail in the US patents. Nos. 4,556,146 and 5,462,166. The descriptions of all patents, as well as any corresponding published foreign patent applications mentioned throughout this patent application, are incorporated herein by reference.

EXAMPLE An interlabial article of the present invention was made in the following manner. Hypol 2002 prepolymers (polyether polyurethanes) commercially available from Hampshire Chemical Corporation, Lexington, MA, were mixed at a volumetric ratio of 1: 1 with an aqueous phrase containing deionized water and 0.5% Tween 20 surfactant (commercially available from ICI). ), and were then poured into a prefabricated rubber mold, to produce a foam interlayer with hydrophilic properties. The article comprised three flexible elements for interlabial application, a base member and an insertion aid. The base member had a total length of 64 millimeters, a total width of 39 millimeters and a thickness of 4.4 millimeters. The insertion aid had a length of 15 millimeters, a width of 3.7 millimeters and a height of 6 millimeters. The three flexible elements had the following dimensions: Bottom element: Length: 50 mm Width: 17 mm Height (previous): 3.5 mm Height (rear): 7 mm Average element: Length: 39 mm Width: 12 mm Height (previous): 6.5 mm Height (rear): 11.5 mm Top element: Length: 30 mm Width: 6 mm Height (previous): 9 mm Height (rear): 14.5 mm Height measurements were made from the opposite side of the article toward the top of each element, excluding the thickness of the base member. The article was then laminated to a liquid-repellent non-woven reinforcement sheet (19 gsm spin-jointed polypropylene, 0.2 mm thickness, 25 mm hydrophobic character of H2O using the 180.20 EDANA test method, commercially available from PGI Nonwovens) . The lamination adhesive of HB Fuller Company designated 1491 XZP was used to adhere the reinforcing sheet to the opposite side of the article. The excess of the reinforcing sheet was cut, so that the reinforcing sheet was shaped to the base of the article, producing an interlabial article of absorbent material of hydrophilic foam comprising flexible elements and a base member, and a reinforcing sheet. non-woven hydrophobic adhered to it. The maximum force required to move an individual flexible element of the interlabial article through a maximum angle of 90 ° was measured using the test method described above using an Instron model 1122 test instrument. The test conditions were 22.7 ° C and 58% relative humidity. Measurements were made at three points on each flexible element: one at the rear end and one on each side, using the midpoints along the length of the flexible element. The maximum force for the lower flexible element varied from 20.7 g to 81.8 g at a distance of 0.38 cm to 0.88 cm for the caliber of the pin. The maximum force for the medium flexible element varied from 21.8 g to 86.6 g at a distance of 1.01 cm to 1.39 cm. The maximum force for the most superior element varied from 42.2 g to 88.7 g at a distance of 2.28 cm to 2.54 cm.

Claims (20)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS

1. An absorbent interlabial article dimensioned and configured to fit between the lips of the user, having a side facing the body and an opposite side and comprising a plurality of stacked flexible elements, wherein at least one of the flexible elements comprises Absorbent material.

2. The article according to claim 1, further characterized in that the absorbent material comprises a superabsorbent polymer.

3. The article according to claim 1, further characterized in that it has a front end height that is less than a rear end height.

4. The article according to claim 1, further characterized by comprising an insertion aid extending from the opposite side of the article.

5. The article according to claim 1, further characterized in that it comprises a base member on the opposite side of the article.

6. The article according to claim 1, further characterized in that it comprises a liquid impermeable reinforcing sheet that covers at least a portion of the opposite side of the article.

7. The article according to claim 1, further characterized in that it comprises a liquid-permeable cover that extends over at least a portion of the article-facing side of the body.

8. The article according to claim 7, further characterized in that it comprises a transfer layer below the liquid-permeable cover.

9. The article according to claim 1, further characterized in that the perimeter of the successive horizontal cross sections of each flexible element varies from top to bottom of the flexible element, thereby forming channels between adjacent flexible elements.

10. The article according to claim 7, further characterized in that the perimeter of the successive horizontal cross sections of each flexible element increases from top to bottom of the flexible element.

11. The article according to claim 7, further characterized in that the perimeter of the successive horizontal cross sections of each flexible element decreases from top to bottom of the flexible element.

12. The article according to claim 1, further characterized in that at least two adjacent flexible elements vary in size.

13. The article according to claim 12, further characterized in that the size of the adjacent flexible elements increases from the side facing the body to the opposite side of the article.

14. The article according to claim 1, further characterized in that it comprises an additive disposed on or between the flexible elements.

15. The article according to claim 14, further characterized in that the additive is selected from the group consisting of medicaments, humectants, odor control agents, vitamins, minerals, spermicides, and combinations thereof.

16. The article according to claim 1, further characterized in that the number of flexible elements is from about 2 to about 8.

17. The article according to claim 1, further characterized by comprising central elements located between elements adjacent flexible, wherein each flexible element extends laterally from the central elements, thereby forming channels in the regions between adjacent flexible elements.

18. The article according to claim 17, further characterized in that each central element has a height of about 1 to about 4 millimeters.

19. - The article according to claim 17, further characterized in that each flexible element has a thickness that is more distal than proximal to the central elements.

20. An absorbent interlabial article sized and configured to fit between the lips of the user, having a side facing the body and an opposite side and comprising a plurality of stacked flexible elements, wherein at least one of the elements flexible comprises absorbent material, and wherein the size of the adjacent flexible elements increases from the side facing the body to the opposite side.