GB2415629A

GB2415629A - Sanitary towel with raised central portion

Info

Publication number: GB2415629A
Application number: GB0413636A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Daxa Tailor
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-06-18
Filing date: 2004-06-18
Publication date: 2006-01-04
Also published as: GB0413636D0

Abstract

A sanitary towel 1 is described having a thickened portion 8 running along the centre line of the towel 1. The thickened portion 8 is shaped so as to be positionable between the buttocks of the wearer so as to prevent movement of the towel relative to the wearer and thereby reduce leakage of body fluid. The thickened portion may be shaped so as to substantially conform to the wearer, tapering towards the rear. The narrower, rear portion may be increased in height.

Description

24 1 5629

SANITARY TOWELS

The invention relates to sanitary towels. More particularly, but not exclusively, it relates to sanitary towels which comprise an elongate, absorbent pad. Furthermore, the invention relates to sanitary towels shaped so as to prevent substantial movement relative to the wearer.

Background

Conventional sanitary towels comprise an absorbent pad of formed from absorbent fibres including for example, cotton, viscose rayon and comminuted wood pulp. The pads are generally hourglass-shaped, comprising a top surface for positioning against the perineal region of a female wearer, and a bottom surface provided with an adhesive area for temporary fixation to the underwear of the wearer. Other shaped pads are known, for example rectangular, however, the hourglass shape provides the towel with a narrow waist region which fits between the thighs of the wearer, thereby preventing distortion by bunching.

Prior Art

Typically, the top and bottom surface of the pad are planar in form.

Hourglass-shaped towels having a thickened waist portion are known, the thickened portion providing an increase in absorbency at the waist portion of the towel. Such a towel is disclosed in GB Patent No 320,734, where the top surface of the pad has a rounded surface at the waist portion to assist in location the pad against the wearer.

It is a common problem with sanitary towels that prolonged use of the same towel, for example overnight, can cause movement of the towel relative to the wearer rendering the towel ineffective and causing leakage of body fluid onto the underwear, and potentially the bedclothes of the wearer. This is a particular problem in cases where the flow of body fluid from the wearer is heavy.

Summary of the Invention

According to the invention, there is provided a sanitary towel comprising an elongate absorbent pad, having a raised central portion intermediate both end regions and sides, in which the raised central portion is shaped so as to extend toward the rear of the pad relative to the user and to conform generally to the shape of the wearer, the raised central portion thereby providing means for retention in the gluteal area of the wearer.

gin this manner, the sanitary towel can be retained in position, particularly overnight, whilst providing additional surface area and hence absorbency during prolonged periods of use.

The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the following drawings in which:

Brief Description of the Figures

Figure 1 is a plan view of one form of sanitary towel of the invention with its body facing surface upwards; Figure 2 is a side view of the sanitary towel of Figure 1 in the direction of arrow A; Figure 3 is a cross section of the sanitary towel of Figure 1 along the line A A; Figure 4 is a cross section of the sanitary towel of Figure 1 along the line B B; Figure 5 is a plan view of a second form of sanitary towel of the invention with its body facing surface upwards; Figure 6 is a side view of the sanitary towel of Figure 5 in the direction of arrow A; Figure 7 is a cross section of the sanitary towel of Figure 5 along the line A A; and Figure 8 is a cross section of the sanitary towel of Figure 5 along the line B Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments of the Invention Figure 1 shows a sanitary towel 1 of the invention which comprises an elongate hour glass shaped absorbent pad 2 which has a narrow waist region 3, a front end region 4, a rear end region 5 and inwardly curving sides 6. The absorbent pad 2 has on its body facing surface 7 a raised elongate central portion 8. The raised central portion 8 has a wide portion 9 at the waist region of the pad 3 and tapers to a relatively narrower portion 10 toward the rear end region 4 of the pad 2. The underside (not shown) of the sanitary towel 1 may be provided with an adhesive strip for removable fixation of the towel to the underwear of the wearer.

In use, the underside of the sanitary towel 1 is positioned against the underwear of the user and fixed in place via the adhesive strip. The raised central portion 8 is positioned against the vaginal region of the wearer, with the tapered narrow portion 10 positioned in the gluteal region, i.e. between the buttocks.

In this manner, the adhesive strip fixes the sanitary towel to the underwear of the user, whilst the shaped raised central portion locates and retains the sanitary towel in position against the user for maximum absorbency. Even substantial movement by the wearer is unlikely to cause the sanitary towel to become dislodged, thereby preventing leakage of body fluid.

Figures 5 to 8 show an alternative form of the sanitary towel 1. In this embodiment, ail the parts performing the same function have retained the same reference numerals. In this embodiment, the raised central portion 8 has a wide portion 9 at the waist region of the pad 3 and tapers to a relatively narrower portion 10 toward the rear end region 4 of the pad 2.

Additionally, the narrower portion 10, toward the rear end region of the pad 2 is of increased height, relative to the wide portion 9, forming a region 15 that may advantageously be retained more comfortably between the buttocks of the wearer. Furthermore, the increase in surface area of this region will provide additional absorbency.

It will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to use on self adhesive sanitary towels and that it is equally applicable to sanitary towels capable of attachment via ties or belts. Furthermore, the invention is not limited to hour glass shaped sanitary towels and that a raised central portion as hereinbefore described may be incorporated into sanitary towels of any shape or size.

It will further be appreciated that the raised central portion 8 need not be exactly as described above, providing that one part of the portion is substantially raised relative to the body facing portion, for retention between the buttocks of the wearer.

Claims

1. A sanitary towel comprising an elongate absorbent pad, having a raised central portion intermediate both end regions and sides, in which the raised central portion is shaped so as to extend toward the rear of the pad relative to the user and to conform generally to the shape of the wearer, the raised central portion thereby providing means for retention in the gluteal area of the wearer.

2. A towel according to claim 1, in which the central portion additionally increases in height, relative to the surface of the pad, toward the rear of the pad relative to the user, to provide additional means for retention between the buttocks of the user.

3. A towel according to claim 1 or 2, in which the sanitary towel is substantially hour glass shaped and the raised central portion is positioned between the waist portion of the hour glass and extends toward the rear of the pad.

4. A towel according to any preceding claim, in which the raised central portion is tapered toward the rear of the pad.

5. A towel according to any preceding claim, in which the underside of the towel is provided with an adhesive strip for fixing the towel to underwear of the wearer.

6. A towel according to any preceding claim, in which the towel is formed from absorbent fibrous material having a suitable top sheet to prevent leakage of body fluid out of the towel.

7. A towel as hereinbefore described, with reference to Figures 1 to 4 of the attached diagrammatic drawings.

8. A towel as hereinbefore described, with reference to Figures 5 to 8 of the attached diagrammatic drawings.