FR2703244A1 - ALPHA feminine hygiene article such as a periodical towel. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention generally relates to a feminine hygiene article such as a sanitary napkin. According to the invention, this article (1) comprises an external protection (2) absorbing body fluids, placed against the body of the user and an internal device for draining the aforementioned fluids or menstrual flow (3), arranged in a plane perpendicular to that of the external protection (2), and intended to capture the aforementioned fluids directly in the vagina and to drain them into the external protection.

Description

HYGIENE ARTICLE EEHININE
SUCH AS A PERIODIC TOWEL
The invention generally relates to a feminine hygiene article and in particular a periodic towel providing perfect sealing and comfort to the users.

 Two groups of feminine hygiene items of different structure, shape and positioning, currently exist on the market for periodic protection: on the one hand, external protections or periodic towels and on the other hand, internal protections or buffers . Each of these product types has major disadvantages.

 Regarding the periodic towels, whatever their shape and improvements, they have the main fault of not completely eliminate side leaks that damage and dirty the underwear on which they are placed. Indeed, periodic towels are sometimes poorly positioned relative to the body of the woman: they are placed either too far forward or too far back, or are laterally shifted laterally on the bottom of the undergarment, thereby causing leaks of liquid on the undergarment. In addition, the movements and movements of the user in the day most often deform the edges of the towel, which causes a lateral flow of liquids outside the towel. In the extended position, leakage is most often inevitable at the front or rear of the towel, because of the positioning and the shape of the latter, preferably provided for use in substantially horizontal plane. Surveys have reported that fifteen to fifty percent of women wearing periodical towels complained of leaks.

 In addition, the relatively large dimensions of the periodical towels make their wearing rather uncomfortable.

 As for tampons, they have certain disadvantages such as irritation, pain, and risks of bacterial infections. Moreover, when they absorb the menstrual flow, they tend to swell which makes difficult their withdrawal. Their saturation causes leaks. Indeed, when they are in a state of maximum absorption, in other words saturated, and being otherwise compressed by their position, they release liquid.

 In order to overcome these disadvantages, several solutions have been proposed but none has apparently been successful in the market. One of these solutions consists of a periodic towel, so an external protection, provided with a protruding central area that is placed between the lips of the vulva, without being introduced into the vagina compared to a tampon. This type of article, while being external, has a "semi-internal" zone.

It is illustrated by the following patents.

 U.S. Patent No. 4,046,147 discloses a sanitary napkin obtained from a sheet of absorbent material folded to form a rectangular shaped mattress and a solid protrusion protruding toward the wearer's anatomy, substantially shaped in shape. pyramid trunk with rectangular base, arranged in the center of the mattress. Such a towel has concentrated absorption at the protuberance and reduced at the ends. The upper surface of the protuberance has a central zone in slight depression relative to the periphery of this upper surface. This zone in central depression makes it possible to collect the products of the desquamation.

 But if the remains of the mucosa remain on the surface of the protuberance, it will no longer be able to absorb the menstrual flow.

In addition, the absorption being concentrated at the protuberance, there are disadvantages similar to those described above for the buffers.

 French Patent No. 2,653,328 discloses another such periodic protection, comprising a thin absorbent pad consisting of a web permeable to body fluids coming into contact with the user, associated with absorbent fibrous material, the mattress having an elongate shape and having a rounded front portion and a rear portion and having in the vicinity of its longitudinal axis a protuberance for insertion completely between the outer lips of the vulva without penetrating into the vagina. This protuberance has substantially the shape of a cylinder which is attached to the mattress in a narrow area relative to the diameter of the cylinder so as to form two concave areas on either side of the protuberance. This protuberance is further constituted by a nonwoven fabric permeable to body fluids associated with absorbent fibrous material containing in its middle a superabsorbent material intended to capture and gel the menstrual flow as soon as it is emitted. But this structure has the disadvantage of clogging the protuberance without draining the menstrual flow to other areas of absorption.

 Another advanced solution is a very localized towel, positioned in the vulva.

 South African Patent No. 754,481 discloses a sanitary napkin comprising an absorbent pad covered with an envelope and having one of its ribbon-shaped ends that does not have a mattress. The length, width and thickness of the napkin are such that it is fixed between the outer and inner lips of the vulva and covers the entrance of the vagina. This towel is held in position by the action of natural attachment of the muscles of the outer lips of the vulva.

 But this filling does not solve the problem of drainage of body fluids and disadvantages such as excessive retention of liquids in the interlabial space, appear.

 French Patent Application No. 2,359,600 and US Pat. Nos. 3,983,873 and 4,175,561 disclose similar geometrical protections suitable for insertion into the interlabial space. These products have some discomfort and are not suitable for absorption of menstrual flow but are used for less abundant involuntary flows, liquids such as urine.

 A third solution provided is an internal buffer type protection, introduced into the vagina, having a development at its base, perpendicular to the part introduced into the vagina and which is inserted between the lips of the vulva.

 US Pat. No. 3,690,321 corresponds to this solution, which in fact substantially amounts to internal protection. Indeed, the entire structure of the protection: both buffer and mattress disposed transversely to the longitudinal axis of the buffer, is absorbent.

 But this totally absorbent protection does not overcome all the disadvantages that arise when using conventional buffers. A major disadvantage of such protection is the permanent opening of the lips during use. Indeed, they can no longer act as a natural barrier against bacteria, which entails the risk of infections. Moreover, the presence of a bulky body between the lips makes the wearing of this protection particularly uncomfortable.

 The present invention aims to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, mainly leaks, by providing a hygiene article capable of ensuring the drainage of the menstrual flow from an inner zone near the source of the flow, into the vagina , by capturing it and guiding it towards an external absorbing zone.

 The invention also aims to avoid the absorption and retention of menstrual flow in the internal parts of the female anatomy, by draining the fluids outwardly of the body, in an external absorbent zone, that is, that is, by moving the flow away from the origin of its flow.

 The invention therefore relates to a hygiene article completely sealed, that is to say eliminating any risk of leakage, regardless of the position and movements of the user.

 The invention further relates to a feminine hygiene article having improved comfort due to the possible reduction of the dimensions of the outer absorbent zone such as an absorbent pad.

 The invention further relates to a hygiene article having excellent retention, thus having the advantage of being always well positioned relative to the body of the woman by ensuring the body contact with the external protection, and s' adapting to the movements of the user.

 The new solution proposed by the invention results from an advantageous combination of an absorbent external protection and an internal protection or device for draining body fluids from the inside of the vagina to the external absorbent protection.

 According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the feminine hygiene article comprises an external protection absorbing body fluids intended to come against the body of the user, and an internal device for draining the aforementioned fluids or menstrual flow forming a angle with said external protection and intended to capture the aforementioned fluids directly into the vagina and drain them into said external protection.

 According to another characteristic of the invention, the aforementioned drainage device comprises a means forming a drain or wick introduced into the vagina.

 According to a further characteristic of the invention, the above-mentioned drainage device comprises means for placing said draining means inside the vagina and, where appropriate, means for extracting said delivery means.

 According to an equally advantageous characteristic of the invention, said external protection comprises a fluid absorbent mat and a fluid-impermeable film disposed under said mattress.

 According to a preferred feature of the invention, the aforesaid means forming a drain is of flexible and hydrophilic material.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 diagrammatically represents the hygiene article according to the invention, in perspective,
FIG. 2 is a cross-section along plane II-II of the article represented in FIG. 1 and corresponding to one embodiment of the invention,
FIG. 3 is a cross-section along plane II-II of the article represented in FIG. 1 and corresponding to another embodiment of the article according to the invention provided with means for setting up the means. forming a drain in the vagina,
FIG. 4 illustrates the article represented in FIG. 3 when the placing means is removed,
FIG. 5 represents in perspective another embodiment of the hygiene article according to the invention, and
FIG. 6 is a cross-section along the plane VV of the article represented in FIG.

 With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the feminine hygiene article 1 or periodic towel according to the invention comprises an external protection 2 and an internal protection or device 3 introduced into the vagina of the user. The internal device 3 is a device for draining body fluids and more specifically menstrual flow, which captures the menstrual flow as close as possible to its source, inside the vagina and which then leads this flow to the outside of the vagina. the female anatomy, in the external protection 2 which has the function of absorbing fluids. In other words, this drainage device has the function of probing the inside of the vagina and directing the menstrual flow directly into an external absorbent structure. This makes it possible to regulate the flow of the emitted fluids and to channel them so that the flow is evacuated from the vagina in a more controlled manner.

The main advantage that arises is the total elimination of the risk of accidental leaks occurring in female hygiene articles of the prior art, both for tampons and for periodic towels.

 The internal device 3 comprises a drain means 4 which may be a wick, of the ribbon or cord type, in the form of a wire or of several associated wires, more or less thick, or in the form of a sleeve or any tubular means adapted to the anatomy of the vagina. The drain means may further consist of a portion of a web disposed on the surface of the outer cover 2 and forming a protrusion which can be introduced into the vagina and fulfill the drainage function. Such sails have the advantage of fulfilling two functions: the internal drainage and the penetration of the flow into the mattress at the surface of the external protection. If the drain means is tubular, its section should be sufficient to allow the introduction of a finger of the user. The drainage device is indeed introduced and placed in the vagina by the user digitally, as described below.

 The drain means 4 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, which is only an example, is of tubular shape, preferably open at its upper end. It is also possible to envisage a tubular drain means closed at its upper end.

But the existence of an opening facilitates the entry of the menstrual flow inside the drain. However, the opening must be limited in size to not let the finger of the user during the establishment.

 The material used for the drain means must be very flexible, not too bulky, very soft, and medically controlled.

The bacteriological control parameters are identical to those of the buffers. The presence of the following bacteria must be controlled by tests: total aerobic mesophilic bacteria, yeast and mold and the following pathogenic bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli,
Pseudonomas aeruginosa.

 The flexibility of the material forming the drain brings comfort, eliminates the risk of irritation of other internal protections such as tampons introduced into the vagina and / or between the lips of the vulva. In addition, the combination of the flexibility and fineness of the material allows the drain means to occupy a very small volume. The drain means should also have sufficient tensile strength when the user withdraws the internal protection.

 It is generally formed of fibers, filaments or yarns, preferably of a yarn assembly, that is to say a textile material for example a cord or a braid or a woven fabric, woven or not. The fibers are natural, synthetic, or in a mixture. The natural fibers are chosen for example from cotton or viscose. The synthetic fibers are, for example, polyamide fibers and can also be extruded.

Conventionally used materials can be used as permeable fleece on periodical towels: nonwovens or plastic materials such as a perforated plastic film of the type
Reticulo ffi (registered trademark) that meets the properties required for the drain means: flexibility, fineness, tensile strength and non-absorption of fluids.

 The material is optionally elastic and comprises in this case for example Lycras (registered trademark). If the material is elastic, it must be more flexible so as not to shake the finger of the user for easy installation.

 If the material is not elastic, it must be thin enough so that the drain means is not too bulky once in place.

 Moreover, this material may be hydrophobic, that is to say it will drain by gravity menstrual flow without absorbing it. For example, in the case of hollow fibers forming the drain, the flow will not penetrate inside the fibers but will slide by gravity along these fibers. The material can also be hydrophilic. The flow will then be collected by the drain means, by impregnation, before migrating by capillarity to the absorbent external protection. In the case mentioned above of hollow fibers forming the drain, the menstrual flow will penetrate inside the fibers through the wall of the hollow fibers and will be drained by capillary effect in the absorbent external protection. This solution is interesting because the flow will be well guided regardless of the position of the user including the elongated position.

 The internal drainage device 3 comprises, where appropriate, at its upper end, a means 5 for holding the drain means 4 inside the vagina. The holding means may be of different shapes such as a ring, an arc disposed at the end of the drain means in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of the latter, or for example a line segment which corresponds to the diameter a circle bounded by the walls of the vagina. It can also be arranged in a plane parallel to the axis of the drain means. It is then in the form of a flexible rod disposed along the wall of the drain means or in the form of an inverted U located at the end of the drain means and whose two ends are in contact with the walls of the drain means.

 This holding means does not exist when the structure and the shape of the drain means are such that the latter itself directly ensures its retention in place.

 In FIG. 1) the holding means 5 is in the form of a toric ring of torus diameter of between about 10 and about 30 millimeters and preferably between about 15 and 25 millimeters, and of core diameter in the range of about 1 to about 3 millimeters. The material used for this ring must be flexible enough not to hinder and irritate the user during the establishment of the drain means and the wearing of the internal drainage device.

 The establishment of the internal device is digital and the ring ensures the maintenance of the drain means in its unfolded or elongated state towards the vaginal bottom.

 The internal device further comprises a means 6 for placing the internal drainage device in the vagina, which may be a positioning finger, an elastic membrane, deformable or any equivalent means.

 Another solution is also possible where the drain means and the setting means are one. To do this, the materials forming the drain a fortiori tubular, are chosen so that the inner face of the drain is impervious to the flow and the outer face is conductive flow on its outer face. In this case, it is no longer necessary to remove the placement means, once the internal protection introduced into the vagina.

 In FIG. 2, the positioning means 6 is an elastic impermeable membrane, flat at rest and deformable by the force exerted by a finger when the user introduces the drain means 4 into the vagina. A reinforcing strip may be provided around the impermeable membrane 6 to prevent deformation of the external protection.

 The drainage device 2 is arranged substantially perpendicular to the external protection 2.

 The latter is composed of an absorbent mattress 7, a fluid permeable web 8, of the nonwoven type, and a fluid impermeable film 9, for example made of polyethylene. Glue lines may be provided under the impermeable film 9 so that the article can be adhesively secured to an undergarment. A silicone band 10 is then placed under the fluid-impermeable film 9 and has a perforation at the location of the drainage device 3. This silicone band will be removed when the packer is used. But it should be noted that the deposit of adhesive material under the external protection to fix the article on the undergarment is here only an additional "security", the maintenance of the article being already ensured by the implementation place of internal protection.

 The drain means 4 is connected by any fastening means such as seaming, gluing or heat sealing to the mattress 7 so that the mattress 7 can directly absorb the flow from the drain means 4. This means of Fixing must be appropriate to avoid impeding the flow of liquids into the mattress. The drain means may be attached anywhere in the mattress, including the front and rear ends of the mattress. The drain means may also extend as a permeable web on the total or partial surface of the mattress, using as a material for example a perforated plastic film. The elastic membrane 6 allowing the establishment of the drain means 4 can be fixed on the impermeable film 9. As a result, the sealing of the hygiene article is ensured.

 The material forming the mattress is based on cellulosic fibers, bonded or not, or cellulose foam, optionally added superabsorbents.

 Since the menstrual flow is guided and oriented directly into the absorbent pad, the dimensions of the outer padding can be reduced compared to the prior art reciprocal pads, both in length and width and in thickness. We find the dimensions of a pantiliner when we introduce superabsorbents in the mattress. It is even possible to consider dimensions smaller than those of a pantiliner by substantially reducing the dimensions of the mattress. As a result, the external volume protection minimized, thus having a very small footprint, has a very small contact surface with the undergarment and allows the removal of any additional fastening means such as adhesive deposition. The external protection therefore becomes much more discreet and very comfortable for the user.

 Therefore, this article solves the problems caused by both periodic towels and tampons.

 The implementation of this article is done in two stages. In a first step, the user sets up the internal drainage device 3 and then in a second step, she arranges the undergarment under the underside of the hygiene article by first removing the silicone strip, if this the last is provided, so that the outer protection adheres to the undergarment.

 Other embodiments of the hygiene article according to the invention are described below.

 FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate an article in which the drainage device 33 comprises a means of positioning 66 of the drain means 44, which is a sleeve-shaped impermeable film, which is withdrawn by means of a cord 100 attached to the bottom of the sleeve at its upper end 101. The base of the sleeve 66 is fixed by any suitable means on the fluid-impermeable film 99 so as to seal the drainage device 33. In addition, the means for placing the tubular place may be located outside, the means forming a drain, with at its base an opening provided for the digital establishment.

 Figure 5 illustrates a hygiene article according to the invention wherein the drain means is a wick 444 consisting of hydrophobic threads or entangled hydrophilic fibers. The drain means could also be a network of wicks arranged for example frustoconically around a central axis. The drainage device 333 also includes a sleeve 666 for placing the wick in the vagina. A ring 555 or any equivalent means of maintaining in position the wick is in this case essential. The wick is placed against the outer surface of the sleeve 666 when the drainage device is in place, and then remains in position in the vagina by means of the ring 555.

 Referring to Figure 6, the wick 444 extends into the outer guard, here in the mattress, and is secured by its ends 444a and 444b to the mattress 777.

 The drainage device corresponding to the internal protection may be conical, frustoconical and preferably tubular. The external protection may be rectangular, oblong, hourglass or other.

 The article according to the invention can be easily manufactured online, continuously.

 Manufacturing processes are given below, for illustrative purposes.

 On the one hand, the external protection is manufactured according to conventional methods of assembling the elements forming a periodic towel or a pantiliner, such as a mattress, a fluid-impermeable film disposed under the mattress, and a permeable upper web. to fluids, applied to the surface of the mattress.

 The external protection once assembled is punched for example by stamping, to release a space for the drain means and possibly by means of installation of the drain.

 On the other hand, the drain is made. When it is tubular, several embodiments are possible.

 Starting from a width, two thicknesses of textile material are cut longitudinally and welded longitudinally, for example a loose fabric forming a net or a grid, or two thicknesses of a perforated film, the two thicknesses being placed one on the other. other so as to form a tube. Then cut and welded transversely the tube obtained, closing by welding only one end of the tube. If the lateral edges of the sleeve obtained are too irritating (lack of softness), the sleeve is turned over.

 Starting directly from a tube, it is sufficient to cut the tube transversely and weld at one of its ends.

 As a starting material, for another embodiment of the drain means, it is also possible to use a web which is also intended to be placed on the surface of the mattress of the external protection. The web is deformed cold or hot for example by a heating matrix which is applied against a counter-marking plate, the web being placed between the matrix and the plate. The veil thus deformed has a protuberance which forms the drain.

 It is also possible to cut two thicknesses of sail placed one on the other, along a line defining the profile of the means forming a drain. Then we welded the elements of the web cut along this line, so as to form the drain and the element corresponding to the permeable web that will be assembled with the other elements of the external protection.

 For non-tubular drains, we can start from a small width that is cut to the desired width to achieve the drain. We then conform the piece of cut width to give it the profile of a drain and it is placed on the mattress of the external protection.

 One can also use a wick formed of several son that is fixed vertically on the mattress.

 In addition, the means for placing the drain are manufactured.

 In the case of a positioning finger, use is made in particular of a flexible plastic material, molded in the shape of a finger, on which an extraction cord is fixed and then the finger is returned, the cord remaining in place at the inside of the latter.

 The base of the finger and more precisely its contour is sealed on a support to maintain the base of the finger during the installation of the drain.

 The assembly formed by the positioning finger and the drain placed on the finger, is fitted on a vertical support rod.

The latter guides the positioning finger and the drain in the perforation provided for this purpose in the mattress of the external protection described above. The assembly formed by the drain and the positioning finger is sealed on the mattress then the lower part of the mattress and the sealing area are covered with an impermeable film or veil.

 When the setting means is a deformable membrane under the pressure of a finger, a pellet is cut into a sheet of suitable material and the edges of it are sealed on a rigid support.

 Furthermore, the drain is fixed on the mattress, previously being fitted on a support rod for threading and position the drain in the perforation provided for this purpose in the mattress. The drain is sealed to the mattress preferably on its lower part.

As for the pellet or membrane installation of the drain, it is placed under the absorbent pad. The impermeable film is perforated at the location of the pellet and placed below the pellet. We seal the pellet and its support on the impermeable film to ensure the tightness of the article, and we obtain the finished article
The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and includes all the equivalent and additional means within the scope of those skilled in the art.

Claims (14)

 1) feminine hygiene article (1) such as a periodical towel, characterized in that it comprises an external protection (2) absorbing body fluids, intended to come against the body of the user, and an internal device drainage of the aforementioned fluids or menstrual flow (3) forming an angle with said external protection (2) and for capturing the aforementioned fluids directly into the vagina and draining them in said external protection (2).  2) Article according to claim 1, characterized in that the aforesaid drainage device (3) comprises a drain means (4) or wick, preferably of tubular form, introduced into the vagina.  3) Article according to claim 2, characterized in that the aforesaid drainage device (3) comprises a means for placing (6) said drain means (4) inside the vagina and optionally a means of extraction of said setting means.  4) An article according to claim 3, characterized in that said placing means is a finger-shaped film positioned within said drain means prior to placement of said drainage device into the vagina and removed a said drainage device in position in the vagina by said extraction means.  5) Article according to claim 3, characterized in that said placing means (6) and said drain means (4) form one and only means including tubular whose inner face is impervious to the flow and the face external conductive fluid.  6) Article according to claim 3, characterized in that said setting means (6) is a flexible membrane of elastic material and impermeable deforming during the establishment of the drain means.  7) Article according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the aforesaid drainage device (3) further comprises a holding means (5) in position in the vagina of said drain means (4).  8) Article according to claim 7, characterized in that said holding means (5) is a ring-shaped ring or a ring portion disposed at the upper end of the drain means (4).  9) Article according to one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that the said means forming a drain (4) is a flexible material and preferably hydrophilic.  10) Article according to one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that the aforesaid means forming a drain (4) is of flexible and hydrophobic material.  11) Article according to one of claims 2 to 10, characterized in that said drain means (4) is of resilient material.  12) Article according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said outer protection (2) comprises a fluid absorbent pad (7) and a fluid impervious film (9) disposed under said absorbent pad (7).  13) Article according to one of claims 3 to 6 and claim 12, characterized in that said setting means (6) is fixed on said impermeable film (9).  14) Article according to claim 12, characterized in that the material of the drain means is a veil, perforated plastic film type and that it extends to the surface of the outer protection forming a permeable veil body fluids .