GB2385526A

GB2385526A - Sanitary pad

Info

Publication number: GB2385526A
Application number: GB0200202A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Rachelle Maxwell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-01-05
Filing date: 2002-01-05
Publication date: 2003-08-27
Anticipated expiration: 2022-01-05
Also published as: GB2385526B; GB0200202D0

Abstract

A spoon-shaped pad 10 of layered paper tissue with a major part 11 to lie over the pubic area tapering to a narrow part 12 to lie between the legs and widening to a minor end part 13 to cover the anal area. A central ridge 14, 15 extends from the perineum along the cleft of the vulva and the fold between the legs to the anus. A prominent protrusion 16 is locatable at the opening of the vagina. The protrusion 16 and ridge 14, 15 and a spiral track 17 therebetween is impregnated with antiseptic and/or deodorant materials.

Description

Sanitary Pads This invention relates to improvements in sanitary pads, particularly for use in controlling menstrual flow.

Periodic menstrual flow experienced by women makes it necessary to provide means for controlling and absorbing menstrual discharges so that

wearers may carry on with everyday matters as normally as possible during ( menstruation. Generally speaking, sanitary devices for the purpose of dealing with menstrual discharges are provided in two alternative forms.

The first form comprises external sanitary pads, which are worn between the legs and about the lower body. These may include sophisticated devices for attachment, or may be built into special sanitary garments. Even so-called"invisible"external pads are quite bulky and tend to become uncomfortable and feel as if the wearer is wearing a napkin or diaper.

The alternative commonly employed is a tampon, which is a cylindrical roll of tissue, which is inserted, into the vagina. This has the advantage of not being externally evident, and not requiring additional securing devices or supports as many external pads do. However, because the tampon is invasive there is reluctance in many ethnic communities to allow vaginal penetration of young girls since this may be held to compromise their status as virgins, amongst other factors. A further problem is that tampons are impregnated with chemicals to prevent sepis

and control odours amongst other functions, and due to the exposure of tender absorbent tissues to the tampon, the possibility of toxic shock syndrome must be taken into account. This is statistically rare, but is frequent enough, and can in extreme cases lead to death, so must be a matter of real concern to women and their medical advisors.

An alternative sometimes used to suppress menstruation all together is by long-term use of oral contraceptives. These can however have undesirable side effects and it is generally thought unwise to use contraceptive pills merely to suppress ovulation.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved sanitary pad particularly for use in controlling menstrual flow, which is less bulky than current designs of external sanitary pad, but is non-invasive, in that it is not necessary to penetrate the vagina in order to emplace the pad.

According to the invention, a sanitary pad comprises a sculpted pad of absorbent material, which is shaped to confirm to the exterior contours of the female body in the uro-genital and anal area.

The pad preferably comprises a ridge, which extends along the outer genital cleft and between the legs, and advantageously includes a protrusion or nipple locatable at the entrance to the vagina to direct the flow of menstrual discharges. The pad may be impregnated with suitable materials in selected zones, and such a selected zone may comprise the protrusion, the said ridge, and a spiral path connecting the protrusion to the ridge.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein :- Figure 1 is a plan view of a sanitary pad according to the invention; Figure 2 is a sectional view on line N ! through the pad of Figure 1 ; and Figure 3 is a diagram showing how the pad is worn in practice ; A sanitary pad in accordance with the invention comprises a generally spoon-shaped pad 10 of fibrous material such as layered paper tissue. The pad 10 includes a major part 11 to overlie the wearer's pubic area, tapering to a narrow part 12 to lie between the legs, and widening slightly to a minor end part 13 to cover the anal area. The inner surface of the pad 10 is shaped or sculpted to provide a central ridge, comprising a perineal spur spear 14 in the pubic area, and a main part 15 extending over the cleft of the vulva and the fold between the legs to the anus. The inner surface is also shaped to provide a prominent protrusion or nipple 16, which is locatable at the opening of the vagina but which does not actually penetrate into the vagina itself.

The protrusion 16 serves to direct the flow of menstrual discharges onto the pad, and provides a snug fit and seal and encourages the flow of blood down the protrusion into the chemically impregnated areas 17 without the protrusion, septic material could leak out into the folds of the lower body causing discomfort, odour and possible leakage onto underwear. The

pad is selectively impregnated in some zones with appropriate materials, which may be selected to provide for sepis control, and odour control amongst others (preferably by chemical breaking down of odour producing substances rather than by providing masking scents). The impregnated zone includes the protrusion 16 and a spiral track 17 leading into the main ridge part 15, extending rearwards to the minor end part of the pad. The track 17 of the impregnated zone corresponds to the expected track to be followed by discharged fluids such as blood etc.

The pad 10 is built up from a shaped body 20 of e. g. paper tissue, with an outer layer of a suitable impervious soft plastic material 21, which prevents fluids from soaking through the pad to wet outer clothing.

The pad 10 may be worn freely within everyday underclothing, or it

01.. may be incorporated into a thong or tango-type brief either as a replaceable crotch piece, or in a disposable garment.

The sanitary pad according to the invention is more comfortable to wear than conventional pads, being less bulky, and also being sculpted to be received within the natural contours of folds of the body. It is noninvasive since there is no vaginal penetration, so that impregnating fluids only contact tissues, which are covered with full skin so that risk of toxic shock is much reduced. For the same reasons cultural or religious objections to the use of tampons can also be overcome. The shaping of the

pad between the legs to provide the narrow part 12 also helps to reduce chafing caused by friction between the pad and the wearer's legs.

Claims

Claims 1. A sanitary pad comprising a pad of absorbent material which is shaped to conform to the exterior contours of the female body in the uro-genital and anal area.
2. A sanitary pad according to claim 1 comprising a ridge arranged to extend along the outer genital cleft and between the legs.
3. A pad according to claim 2 wherein the ridge includes a protrusion or locatable at the entrance to the vagina to direct the flow of menstrual discharges.
4. A pad according to any preceding claim wherein the pad is impregnated with deodorant and/or antiseptic materials in selected zones.
5. A pad according to claim 4 wherein said selected zones comprise the ridge and the protrusion to the ridge.
6. A pad according to claim 1 comprising a generally spoon shaped pad of fibrous material such as layered paper issue and comprising a major part to overlook the wearer's pubic area, tapering to a narrow part to the between the legs, and widening to a minor end part to over the anal area.
7. A pad according to claim 6 wherein the inner surface of the pad is shaped to provide a central ridge comprising a peripheral spoon in the pubic area and a main part extending over the cleft of vulva and the fold between the legs to the anus.

<Desc/Clms Page number 7>
8. A pad according to claim 7 wherein the inner surface of the pad is further shaped to provide a prominent protrusion or ripple which is locatable at the opening of the vagina but does not penetrate into the vagina itself.
9. A sanitary pad substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.