MXPA02001682A - Absorbent article and method. - Google Patents

Abstract

An absorbent article and method are disclosed for providing side leakage protection for an undergarment and absorbent article positioning guidance for proper placement on the undergarment. An absorbent configured to fit the pudendal region of a woman and a liquid-impermeable baffle are provided with a pair of garment-attachment adjustable scroll members for receiving a crotch portion of an undergarment. In one aspect, arcuately shaped curled folds on a lateral side surface of the absorbent article form the adjustable scroll members. In one aspect, a stiffening insert in the adjustable scroll member provide superior curling and holding capability. In one aspect, a friction-enhancing material reduces the sliding of the panty elastic or fabric in the adjustable scroll, thereby to reduce twisting and shifting of the undergarment.

Description

ABSORBENT ARTICLE AND METHOD BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to an absorbent article and method for protecting a wearer by absorbing or containing body fluids including menstrual fluids and / or other exudates from the body. More specifically, this invention relates to an absorbent article and to a method having a protection to filtering and to novel means and a method for placing and holding the absorbent article in an undergarment.

Background of the Invention Currently, a wide variety of products for the absorption of fluids of the human body is available in the form of feminine pads, sanitary napkins, shields for panties, linings for panties and incontinence devices. The absorbent products to provide sanitary protection for the care of women are designed to absorb body fluids, including menstrual fluids and come in different functional designs. Sanitary pads and pillows for women used externally around the pudendal area are pads : Absorbents designed primarily for menstrual flow. Pant lining or panty shields are thin sanitary napkin products worn around the pudendal area for light menstrual flow. Absorbent products to provide protection for incontinence are designed to absorb body fluids including urine.

These absorbent products generally have an absorber positioned between a liquid-permeable body-side cover and a liquid-impermeable garment separator. These absorbent products include a top layer of the liquid-permeable body-to-body cover, a middle layer of the absorbent and a lower layer of the liquid impervious facing separator. A pressure sensitive adhesive is generally secured to the separator. The pressure sensitive adhesive is used to fasten the product to an inner crotch part of an intimate garment.

INTRODUCTION TO THE INVENTION Even though absorbent products are commercially available and widely used today, a filtering problem still persists, in the sense that body fluids seep out on the sides of the absorbent products. Such lateral filtering can stain the undergarment and even the outer garments of a wearer, and therefore, such lateral filtering is a serious concern of the wearer of the absorbent product.

The lateral fins, appendages, wings, and other lateral constructions, which extend from the sides of a pad for the care of women, hereinafter referred to as "lateral fins". The side flaps have been designed to fold over opposite side flaps to wrap around the undergarment to provide protection from the side to filtering. Although the currently available side wings have had some success in absorbing the side filtrates, such side wings have certain disadvantages.

The currently available side wings are expensive to manufacture since they require non-conforming shapes that create a waste of excessive trimming.

The side wings available today are difficult to use. Such side flaps require careful placement within the crotch portion of the wearer's undergarment, and even then they are not generally comfortable for the wearer. The side flaps typically do not maintain their position when the protective adhesive paper strip is removed from the side of the garment side of the flaps. Many times, the lateral fins . Ji «* then adhere to the inner side of the separator or they adhere inadvertently or undesirably or stick to another unsuitable surface. The user must then manipulate the side flap attached to the separator or other unsuitable surfaces, such as to guide and place the lateral flaps to a proper placement before use. Unnoticed gluing of the side flap to the separator or to other unsuitable surfaces often makes the product no longer usable. The release of the product from the absorbent article of the undergarment can also be difficult and inconvenient.

Another disadvantage of the currently available lateral fins has been found when the user only has a light menstrual flow and does not require the lateral fins. In these situations, many clients prefer not to use side flaps during light menstrual flow due to their disadvantages.

Many commercially available absorbent products currently are generally designed to be attached to an adjacent undergarment, and these must be designed to remain stationary during use. Absorbent products, such as sanitary napkins, night pads, panty liners, incontinent garments, and even some under arm cuffs, are attached to an adjacent garment or an undergarment for placement and support. Pressure sensitive adhesives typically provide the means and method for securing the absorbent product to an adjacent garment or adjacent undergarment. The pressure sensitive adhesive is usually applied to the garment facing surface of the absorbent product and is normally covered by a releasable peel strip until the absorbent product is placed in use.

The pressure sensitive adhesive is applied to the garment facing surface of the absorbent product and is widely used in commercially available products today, but it has been found that certain disadvantages remain. The cost of the adhesive and the cost of the releasable strip increase the overall cost of the absorbent product. Also, extra steps and special equipment are required during the manufacture of the absorbent products to apply the pressure sensitive adhesive and then center and apply the releasable strip of peel on the adhesive. The adhesive can also be a problem when it sticks to the inner surface of the undergarment and when it leaves a sticky residue after the absorbent product is removed. The sticky residue is uncomfortable to the wearer, and the accumulation of the sticky residue produces a stain and eventually ruin the undergarment. Further disadvantages find it difficult to replace the absorbent product in the undergarment, for example, in the manner of placing the side flaps, after the adhesive is attached to an inappropriate surface of the i-j. to ? k inner garment or other inappropriate surface.

Therefore, there is a need for an absorbent article and a method which provides filtering protection, which prevents staining of undergarments and other garments and which provides a lower cost to produce the absorbent article, with lower manufacturing costs and lower material production costs. An absorbent article and method are also necessary which provide an exact placement and convenient placement of the absorbent article on the undergarment. An absorbent article and method are also necessary which provide the user with a feeling of comfort during use over a variety of situations, including in one aspect, when full absorbency is not necessary, but without sacrificing the full benefits of protection to the complete filtering, convenience of placement and application and comfort to the user.

SYNTHESIS OF THE INVENTION Briefly, the present invention provides an absorbent article and a method for protecting an inner side filtering garment and for guiding the absorbent article to a position for proper positioning on the garment. An absorbent configuration for adjusting in the pudendal region of a woman and a liquid impervious separator are provided with a pair of adjustable garment fastening tape members to receive a crotch portion of an undergarment. In one aspect, heavy, arcuately shaped bends on a surface of the lateral area of the liquid impervious separator form the adjustable tape members. In one aspect, a liquid-impermeable backing surface is provided on each adjustable tape member that does not readily transmit the fluid so that the fluid is orodized in a local area. In one aspect, the curled and arcuately shaped folds on a lateral side surface of the absorbent article form the adjustable tape members. In one aspect, a stiffener insert in the adjustable tape member provides superior crimping and retention capability. In one aspect, a friction improving member reduces the slippage of the panty fabric or elastic on the adjustable belt, thereby reducing twisting and changing of the undergarment.

The article and method of the present invention include providing an absorbent designed to attach to a crotch portion of an undergarment and having a side facing surface and an opposite facing surface of the garment. A liquid-permeable separator is positioned on one side of at least a portion of the garment facing surface of the absorbent, and a liquid-permeable cover is placed on one side of at least a portion of the surface on the side of the absorbent. body of the absorbent. The cover and the ...., - ¡i. separator cooperate to enclose the absorbent and form a pad having a pair of longitudinally oriented side edges and a pair of distally spaced ends. A garment adhesive fabric is secured to the surface facing the garment of the pad is positioned along a longitudinal axis of the pad. Two adjustable tape members are positioned along the longitudinal axis of the pad and are configured to provide the positioning guide and support to the user for 10 Place and hold the absorbent on the undergarment. The adjustable band members are configured to prevent staining of the crotch portion of the undergarment or of an outer garment. In one aspect, a liquid impervious backing surface is provided on the tape member 15 adjustable. The adjustable band members accommodate the variable crotch widths of the undergarment.

In one aspect, the absorbent article of the present invention includes an absorbent having a first 20 sheet surface and a second opposed sheet surface, the first sheet surface has a length and width configured to fit in the pudendal region of a woman. A liquid-permeable cover is secured to the first sheet surface. A separator impermeable to liquid is 25 secured to the second sheet surface, the spacer has a length and width that cover the second sheet surface. A means for securing a garment includes a garment fastening adhesive for securing the liquid impervious separator to an inside surface of a crotch of an undergarment and a releasable strip of peel covering the garment fastening adhesive. The adjustable tape members on the side of the absorbent article are formed of heavy folds positioned to guide the absorbent article in a proper placement on the wearer's undergarment and to keep the absorbent article in proper position on the wearer's undergarment during use.

A method for positioning and retaining an absorbent article includes the steps of providing an absorbent article having an absorbent and a liquid-impermeable separator, the absorbent having a length and a width configured to fit in the pudendal region of a woman, and placing the absorbent article on an undergarment by placing a crotch portion of the undergarment on a pair of adjustable tape members formed on the side of the absorbent article. The adjustable tape members are formed of curled folds placed on the lateral sides of the absorbent article.

A general object of the present invention is to provide an absorbent article capable of absorbing and containing menstrual fluids and / or other exudate from the body.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an absorbent article and method for protecting a user's inner garment from side filtering.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an absorbent article and a method for guiding the absorbent article to a proper placement on a user's undergarment.

A specific object of this invention is to provide an absorbent article and a method for holding the absorbent article in the proper position on a user's undergarment.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a sanitary napkin or a pant liner p a panty shield having manufacturing cost advantages.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a sanitary napkin or a pant liner or a panty shield having material cost advantages.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a sanitary napkin or a pant liner or a panty shield which uses less material.

,..TO . i. It is a further object of the present invention to provide an absorbent article which is more convenient to use.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an absorbent article which is more convenient to use.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the detailed description that follows and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a top view of an absorbent article of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view, taken along line 2-2 of Figure 1 of an absorbent article of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a top view of an absorbent article of the present invention attached to a crotch portion of an undergarment. ..i, i-í.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of Figure 3 of an absorbent article of the present invention attached to a crotch portion of an undergarment.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of an absorbent article of the present invention attached to a crotch portion of an undergarment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to Figures 1 and 2, an absorbent article 10 is shown as a sanitary napkin for the care of women. The article and the method of the present invention also have application to other absorbent article incorporations, such as panty liners or a panty shield, an incontinent garment, a urine shield or an under arm pad. For purposes of illustration, the absorbent article 10 will be described as a sanitary napkin or a pad for sanitary protection for the care of the woman.

The absorbent article 10 is shown having a liquid-permeable cover 12, an absorbent 14 and a liquid-impermeable separator 16. The absorbent 14 is placed between the liquid-permeable cover 12 and the , JT? A. The liquid absorbent article 16. The absorbent article 10 is constructed to form layers of liquid-permeable cover 12, absorbent 14 and separator impermeable to liquid 16 arranged vertically.

The liquid-permeable cover 12 is made of a material designed to functionally serve as the material which will be brought into contact with the wearer's body. The liquid permeable cover 12 is made of a natural or synthetic, woven or non-woven material which is easily penetrated by body fluids. Thermoplastic polymer films made of fiber are polyethylene or polypropylene filaments are preferred for cover 12.

The cover 12 has the perforations 13 formed in the cover 12 to increase the rate at which the body fluids penetrate through the cover 12 inside the absorbent body 14.

The absorbent 14 is hydrophilic and is made of cellulose fibers, regenerated cellulose wood pulp, cotton fibers or a mixture of pulp and other fibers. The absorbent 14 is usually flexible to allow the absorbent article 10 to be easily folded without undue distortion. The hydrocolloid material, commonly mentioned, superabsorbents, can be added to the hydrophilic material to increase the absorption capacity of the absorbent article 10.

The absorbent article 10 provides service as a sanitary napkin, a panty liner, or a panty shield pad, and fastened to the inside surface of a crotch portion of an undergarment. The undergarments are most often cloth briefs having an elastic leg and waist opening separated by a crotch-defining fabric material. The liquid-impermeable separator 16 of the absorbent article 10 is attached to the inner surface of the crotch portion of the undergarment and can be designed to allow air or vapor to pass out of the absorbent article 10 while blocking the passage of the absorbent article 10. body fluid.

The separator 16 can be made of a polymeric film such as polyethylene, polypropylene or cellophane or it can be made of a two-component film. One such material is the ethylene-vinyl acetate / co-extruded polyethylene film. In one aspect, the separator 14 can be constructed of a liquid permeable material that has been treated or coated to render it impermeable to the liquid.

The cover 12 and the separator 16 can be attached or held together, such as by a peripheral seal 20, to enclose the enclosing absorbent 14. The cover 12 can be wrapped completely around the absorbent 14 and then the separator 16 can be attached to the lower surface of the cover 12 by the end seals (not shown).

The absorbent article 10 usually has an overall length of between about 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 centimeters) and a width of between about 2 to 3.5 (5 and 9 centimeters), sometimes (4 to 9 centimeters). The thickness of the absorbent article 10 can vary from about 2 millimeters to about 2.5 centimeters.

The absorbent article 10 has a first side 22 and a second side 24 extending longitudinally along a longitudinal axis XX of the absorbent article 10. The first side 22 is located on one side of the absorbent article 10 as seen in relation to the longitudinal axis XX, and second side 24 is located on the other side of the width of absorbent article 10 as opposed to first side 22.

The first side 22 and the second side 24 of the absorbent article 10 have a curled tape or fold 32 and a curled tape or fold 34, respectively, positioned and extending along the length of the absorbent article 10.

The tape 32 and the tape 34 provide an adjustable tape or curled crease member for adjusting the garment to a lower surface 36 of the absorbent article 10.

In one aspect, the tape 32 and the tape 34 can be made to make a part of the separator 16.

Referring now to Figures 3 and 4, the absorbent article 10 is shown attached to an undergarment 40.

The tape 32 and the tape 34 provide an adjustable nesting slot or an adjustable tape member formed by curled folds created on the sides of the absorbent article 10 and extending to a lower side of the absorbent article 10. The folds of the tape 32 and the tape 34 is slots or curves wherein a crotch portion of an undergarment 40 can be nested in a manner to protect itself from the staining of body fluid.

When the absorbent article 10 is placed in the crotch portion of the undergarment 40, the wearer simply allows the undergarment 40 to insert into the tape 32 on one side, and the tape 34 on the other side of the absorbent article 10. The wearer then pulls the undergarment 40 around her torso and the absorbent article 10 will contract and conform to the body. The forces of the body exerted on the absorbent article 10 operate to ? mtr.l. ? *?. ^? , *. J. «. , í. u? * mm ~. ~ forcing or nesting the undergarment 40 in the 132 on one side, and in the belt 34 on the other side of the absorbent article 10.

The adjustable tape members 32 and 34 are arcuately shaped to conform to the arched shape of the undergarment 40, such as the arched shape of the crotch portion side of a panty. In another embodiment, the adjustable band members of the present invention may be linear rather than arcuately shaped.

The adjustable tape members of the absorbent article of the present invention include the crimped folds formed on a thin layer of bicomponent woven material laminated to the absorbent article separator of the present invention. Alternatively, the adjustable tape members of the absorbent article of the present invention include the curled folds formed from a sheet of a stretched laminate on one side which automatically curls along a cutting edge. An elastomeric film on one side of laminate and a nonwoven fabric on an opposite side of laminate are laminated in a stretched or tensioned state. When relaxed, the side of the film relaxes more than the nonwoven side which causes the laminate to retract further.

Referring now to Figure 5, there is shown an absorbent article 10 attached to an undergarment 40. A ribbon 32 and a tape 34 provide an adjustable nesting member formed by the curled folds created on the sides of the absorbent article 10 and extend to a lower side of an absorbent article 10 and around an undergarment 40.

When the absorbent article 10 is placed in the crotch portion of the undergarment 40, the wearer simply allows the undergarment 40 to insert into the tape 32 on one side, and on the tape 34 on the other side, of the absorbent article 10. The user then pulls the garment 40 upwards around her torso, and the absorbent article 10 will make contact and conform to her body. The forces of the body exerted on the absorbent article 10 operate to force or nest the undergarment 40 in the belt 32 on one side, and in the belt 34 on the ortho-side, of the absorbent article 10.

The absorbent article and the method of the present invention provide sanitary protection wherein each lateral edge 22 and 24 of the absorbent article 10 has a curled bead edge component or tape 32 and 34, respectively, capable of wrapping around the leg elastic. lateral of the undergarment 40 and protecting the undergarment 40 from staining. The tape members 32 and 34 also guide the undergarment 40 to a proper placement with the absorbent article 10 and retain the undergarment 40 in a suitable position. The tape members 32 and 34 are unfolded in various degrees to accommodate crotches of different widths. The protective edges can be arched to conform to the contours of the absorbent article, for example, such as a sanitary pad, and to body contours. The structure of the absorbent article 10 is sufficiently rigid to maintain its shape but is cushioned for comfort. Tape members 32 and 34 can be covered with a material which will absorb small amounts of fluid and are backed with a barrier material.

Referring now to Figure 6, there is shown an absorbent article 60 having a stiffener insert 62 in the adjustable tape member 64 to provide superior curling and support capability. The stiffening means 62 is placed under a face facing layer 66 and is shown extending through the bottom of the absorbent article 60.

Referring now to Figure 7, there is shown an absorbent article 70 having a stiffening insert 72 in the adjustable tape member 74 to provide superior curling and support capability. The stiffening means 62 are placed below the face facing layer 76 and are ? ? ..i? í. ^ ¡.. ¿,,, .. shown not extending through the bottom of the absorbent article 70.

Referring now to Figure 8, an absorbent article 80 is shown having a friction improving material 82, such as a latex or a rubberized material having a high coefficient of friction, in the adjustable tape member 84. The friction material 82 reduces slippage of the panty on the adjustable belt, thereby reducing twisting and changing of the undergarment.

In one embodiment, the adjustable garment fastening tape member of the present invention has a small amount of adhesive placed on the adjustable tape member of the invention for additional security in holding the panty.

In one embodiment, the adjustable garment fastening tape member of the present invention has a pair of adjustable garment fastening tape members for receiving the lateral surface of the crotch portion of the garment and for receiving a side surface. opposite of the crotch portion of the undergarment further having defined spiral folds pressed on the underside of the absorbent article to form coiled, spirally further defined folds where the crotch fabric of the pantyhose can be nested, protected from staining Way that the elastic of the panty placed between the folds of an adjustable spiral member on each side of the absorbent article and the crotch portion of the pantyhose itself are held out of the way of contact with body fluid and the crotch of the pantyhose is folded between the protective folds of the adjustable spiral members on the underside of the absorbent article.

In one embodiment, the adjustable garment fastening spiral member of the present invention has an adjustable spiral member comprising an arcuately curled crimped bend on the lateral side surface of the liquid impervious separator not limited to a nonwoven sheet material. thermally formed bicomponent fabric to form curly folds.

In one embodiment, the spiral edges extend to the full length of the pad. In another embodiment, the spiral edges have interruptions to allow various sizes and crotch shapes to reside for a better fit.

In one embodiment, the adjustable garment fastening spiral member of the present invention has a liquid permeable backing on the adjustable spiral member.

In one embodiment, the adjustable garment fastening spiral member of the present invention has a plurality of openings in the liquid-permeable upper face sheet.

In one embodiment, the method of the present invention includes placing an absorbent article on an undergarment, which comprises providing an absorbent configured to fit in the pudendal region of the woman; place a water-impermeable separator on a lower side of the absorbent; and providing an adjustable coiled member for receiving a crotch side surface of a crotch portion of an undergarment on one side of the liquid impervious separator to protect the undergarment from side filtering not limited to a woven fabric sheet material. bicomponent of polyethylene / polypropylene laminated to the separator impermeable to liquid and forming a curved fold formed arcuately on a lateral side surface.

In one embodiment, the present invention includes an article and a method for providing adjustable spiral members on the side of an absorbent article formed of curled folds positioned to guide the absorbent article in a suitable position on the wearer's undergarment and hold the absorbent article in a suitable position on the undergarment during use, the adjustable spiral members of the absorbent article comprise contoured arcuate folds to follow the shape of a crotch of a panty so that the undergarment remains smooth without bulging. The adjustable coiled members keep the absorbent article in position during use. An article and method of the present invention for guiding, placing and holding an absorbent pad in position on a wearer's undergarment, and protecting the undergarment from staining by draining the body fluids, thereby overcoming the disadvantages in the placement of the lateral fins and in the placement and repositioning of an absorbent article.

The absorbent article of the present invention having a top sheet surface and an opposite bottom sheet surface has a length and width configured to fit in the pudenda region of a woman; a liquid impermeable separator adjacent the bottom sheet surface, having a length and a width that covers the bottom sheet surface; and an adjustable spiral garment fastening member positioned to receive a side surface of a crotch portion of an undergarment is not limited to a polyethylene / polypropylene bicomponent fabric sheet material laminated to the liquid impervious separator.

A product for sanitary protection, for example, a lining for ultra-thin panties, a thin panty shield, or a full-size maxitoalla, which has the spiral material attached to the side edges has been found to protect the undergarment from The user has also been found to hold the health protection product in place. For example, a pad having a fluff absorbent, a fluid-permeable cover, and a fluid-impermeable separator has been fastened to each side of the spiral component, for example, such as a crimped bend formed thermally of a yarn-bonded material. of bicomponent, which extends along the central third of the pad, approximately. The material bonded with bicomponent yarn is curled outwardly, outwardly of the pad surface, and is rolled several times on itself. The material bonded with bicomponent yarn can be between 0.8 and 2.0 ounces per square yard of base weight. Such curly material is stiff enough to maintain its shape but not to be so rigid as to be uncomfortable. The spirals in the crimped material are arched to conform to the contours of the edges of the pad and can be unfolded to various degrees to accommodate different crotch widths but still provide the stain protection of the present invention. The material bonded with spinning with bicomponent yarn is sufficiently absorbent to contain a small amount of the fluid and is backed with a barrier material impermeable to liquid. The surface does not easily transmit the fluid so that it is immobilized in a local area. Alternatively, the absorbent may be on only the surface facing upwards.

These spiral edges of the present invention are confined to the crotch area of the pad. In one embodiment, the spiral edges of the present invention extend to the full length of the pad. In another embodiment, the spiral edges of the present invention may have interruptions to allow various sizes and crotch shapes to reside where it fits best. The spiral edges also hold the pad in place as they grip the elastic of the panty.

The separator 16, in a preferred embodiment, is laminated to a polyethylene / polypropylene bicomponent fabric material formed to provide crimped folds 32 and 34 to provide the adjustable spiral member of the absorbent article of the present invention. The polyethylene / polypropylene bicomponent fabric material is crimped to form the folds that constitute the adjustable spiral member of the absorbent article of the present invention. The crimped polyethylene / polypropylene bicomponent fabric material separator is then placed in an oven at about 265 ° F to seat the crimped folds 32 and 34. The crimped folds 32 and 34 formed of the polyethylene bicomponent fabric material / polypropylene have been found to be comfortable for the wearer when serving as the absorbent article of the present invention. i I.L¿ .1. «-x. ? - IM T..

The adjustable spiral member of the absorbent article of the present invention must resist the strength of the panty and remain curled. It is also important that the absorbent article of the present invention provide comfortable use to the wearer.

In a preferred embodiment, the adjustable coiled members 32 and 34 of the absorbent article of the present invention resist the strength of the panty and remain folded, provide comfortable wear to the wearer, and also include a friction-enhancing material, such as a latex material or a rubberized one that has a high coefficient of friction, to reduce the slipping of the panty fabric or elastic in the adjustable spiral, thereby reducing twisting and changing of the undergarment.

The adjustable coiled members 32 and 34 of the absorbent article 10 of the present invention provide for comfortable accommodation of various crotch widths of the undergarment 40.

Adjustable coiled members of the absorbent article of the present invention include curved folds which are contoured to follow the shape of a panty crotch so that the undergarment lies flat without a bulge. The adjustable coiled members of the absorbent article of the present invention also help to hold the absorbent article in position during use.

The garment adhesive 18 is placed in the center of the inner side of the absorbent article of the present invention. In one embodiment, a small amount of adhesive is placed on the adjustable spiral member of the present invention for additional security in retaining or holding the panty.

In accordance with the article and the method of the present invention, the folds on the underside of the absorbent article of the present invention form curled and spiral folds wherein the crotch fabric of the pantyhose can be nested, protected from staining. In accordance with the article and the method of the present invention, the pant elastic is placed between the folds of an adjustable spiral member on each side of the absorbent article of the present invention. In this way, 20 the panty elastic and the crotch part of the pantyhose itself remain outside the path of contact with the body fluid. The crotch of the panty is folded between the protective folds of the adjustable spiral members on the underside of the absorbent article of the 25 present invention. ^ nn BjtWS-W - 5 .. r. 8- i j. I, ¡. > . - Jt- According to the article and the method of the present invention, the panty is automatically placed in position on the absorbent article of the present invention when it is placed between the folds of the adjustable spiral member on each side. The article and the method of the present invention overcome the problems and disadvantages with respect to the placement of the commercially available side flaps currently, and with respect to the placement and repositioning of an attached absorbent article and placed by adhesive.

The present invention provides an article and method for guiding, placing and holding an absorbent pad in position on a wearer's undergarment, and protecting the undergarment from staining by filtering body fluids. The method includes pulling the absorbent article of the present invention against a panty, and allowing the adjustable coiled members to receive the panty fabric or elastic from the edge of the crotch width of the panty on the adjustable spiral members. shaped arcuately. Adjustable coil members receive and hold the panty elastic or panty fabric in place and protect the panty fabric from staining.

Referring now to Figures 5 and 6, there is shown an absorbent article 10 securely fastened to the crotch portion of the undergarment 40. An undergarment surface 36 of the absorbent article 10 is shown having the adjustable spiral member 32. and 34 attached to the surface facing the undergarment 36.

The absorbent pad is used in the absorbent article of the present invention and may be formed in the form of a racing lane or an oval or the like. The pad of the absorbent article can have other shapes, for example, such as rectangular shapes other than race track or oval shape, provided the shapes are designed to cover the pudenda region of a woman. The absorbent pad can be seen as having a central longitudinal axis X-X. Most absorbent pad items, such as sanitary pads and panty liners or shields, are in sheet layers which are longer than they are wide. In addition to the absorbent 14 and the liquid-permeable cover 12, other layers may be used, such as a transfer layer, a layer of anhydrous deodorant material, a layer containing superabsorbent materials, and additional absorbent layers.

The various layers can be stacked vertically, assembled, laminated, and / or joined together to form the sheet or fabric of material from which the articles are then cut or stamped, prior to fastening the separator impervious to the liquid of the present invention. The various layers can be joined together by the use of heat, pressure, heat and pressure, adhesive, hot melt glue, thread seam, ultrasonic bonding, mechanical bonding, thermal bonding, chemical bonding, or a combination of these and / or from other means known to those skilled in the art.

The liquid-impermeable separator 16 can be designed to allow air or steam to pass out of the absorbent articles while blocking the passage of fluid from the body. The liquid impermeable separator 16 can be made of a material having these properties. The liquid-impermeable separator can also be constructed of a material that will block the passage of steam as well as fluids if desired. A good material from which the liquid-impermeable separator 16 can be constructed is a micro-etched polymeric film, such as polyethylene or polypropylene. Two-component films can also be used. A preferred material is a polyethylene film. More preferably, the polyethylene film will have a thickness in the range of from about 0.5 mil to about 2.0 mil.

The adhesive construction can be used in the absorbent articles of the present invention to hold and join the various layers together. For example, referring to Figure 2, the adhesive construction can be used to attach the liquid impermeable separator 16 to the absorbent 14 or to attach the absorbent 14 to the liquid permeable cover 12. The presence of such an adhesive construction and the amount used It will depend on the manufacturing specifications. Useful construction adhesives are commercially sold by National Starch and Chemical Company, which has an office located at 10 Finderne Avenue, Bridgewater, New Jersey 08807.

The liquid-permeable cover 12 is designed to make contact with the wearer's body and can be constructed of a woven or non-woven material which is easily penetrated by body fluid. The liquid permeable cover 12 can also be formed of either natural or synthetic fibers. Suitable materials include carded and bonded fabrics of polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene, nylon or other heat-bondable fibers. Other polyolefins, such as polypropylene and polyethylene copolymers, thin-perforated linear low density polyethylene film fabrics and network materials, also work well. The preferred material is a composite of a perforated thermoplastic film placed on top of a nonwoven fabric material. Such a composite material can be formed by extruding a polymer onto a fabric of a spunbonded material to form an integral sheet. An example of this material is a perforated thermoplastic polyethylene film bonded to a spin-bonded material. The yarn-bound material is a non-woven material which is manufactured and commercially sold by Kimberly-Clark Corporation having an office located at 401 North Lake, Neenah, Wisconsin 54956. The perforated film / non-woven laminate exhibits a smooth appearance and It is soft to the touch. This material is soft and does not irritate the wearer's skin and yet has a cushioned feeling due to its volume. Another useful material such as the liquid permeable cover 12 is a fabric bonded with polypropylene yarn. This spunbond fabric can contain from about 1% to about 6% of a bleaching agent, such as titanium dioxide (Ti02) or calcium carbonate (CaC03) to give it a clean white appearance. A uniform thickness of a spun bond is desirable because it will have sufficient strength, after being punctured, to resist being torn or pulled and separated during use. The most preferred polypropylene fabrics have a basis weight of between about 18 grams per square meter (g / m2) to about 40 g / m2. An optimum weight is between about 30 g / m2 to about 40 g / m2.

The absorbent layer 14 can be present as a single layer or as two or more different layers. The absorbent layer 14 may be formed of several natural or synthetic fibers such as wood pulp fibers, virgin cellulose fibers, regenerated cellulose fibers, cotton fibers, swamp moss, or a mixture of pulp and other fibers. The absorbent layer 14 can also be formed of a fine pored fabric such as a wet and air-dried tissue or a non-creped and air-dried tissue (UCTAD) having a basis weight of around 30 g / m2 to around 120 g / m2. The tissue dried in the air in the form , - ... ÍL ... i continues and not creped can be prepared by a process described in the United States of America Patent No. 5,048,589 granted to Crook et al. On September 17, 1991. The tissue dried through of air and not creped is described in U.S. Patent No. 5,399,412 issued to Sudall et al. on March 21, 1995. Each of these patents is incorporated herein by reference and is hereby incorporated by reference. The absorbent layer 14 may also be composed of other well-known materials such as cellulose fibers, rayon fibers, cellulose sponge, hydrophilic synthetic sponge, for example polyurethane, and the like.

The absorbent articles 10 also include one or more elongated strips or areas of a garment fastening adhesive 18, for example, referring to Figures 2 and 4, secured to the lower surface of the liquid-permeable separator 16. The fastening adhesive of garment 18 functions to secure the absorbent article 10 to the inner crotch portion of the undergarment 40 during use. The garment fastening adhesive 18 provides more strength in the support of the adjustable coil members 32 and 34 of the present invention to hold the sanitary napkin or the pant liner properly aligned and retained relative to the vaginal opening of the wearer. so that maximum fluid protection can be obtained. The garment fastening adhesive 18 can cover a part of the lower surface of the separator impermeable to the liquid 16. The garment fastening adhesive 18 ¿-t. k. . .Í. i? A.t may consist of a swirl pattern of adhesive or may be one or more strips of adhesive or various other patterns. The garment fastening adhesive 18 may also consist of a plurality of adhesive spots which are uniformly or randomly arranged on the inner surface of the separator 16. When they are in the form of a strip, as for example, by way of example, in a single width strip, the garment fastening adhesive 18 can be aligned along the central longitudinal axis XX of the absorbent articles 10, respectively. Alternatively, the garment fastening adhesive 18 may be present as two or more longitudinal strips spaced apart. The garment fastening adhesive 18 is of such a nature that it will allow the wearer to remove the absorbent article 10 and reposition it on her undergarment if needed. A hot melt adhesive which works well as the garment adhesive is commercially available from National Starch and Chemical Company having an office located at 10 Finderne Avenue, Bridgewater, New Jersey 08807 United States of America.

In order to protect the garment fastening adhesive 18 from contamination or drying prior to use, the adhesive 18 can be protected by a releasable strip of peel. The strip of peeling can be a white Kraft paper which is coated on one side so that it can be released from the adhesive 18. The coating can be a silicone coating, such as a commercially available silicone polymer.

I-IA.IAJ-. ^. > . available from Akrosil having an office located at 206 Garfield Avenue, Menasha, Wisconsin 54952. The release strips may be removed by the wearer prior to fastening the absorbent articles 10, respectively, to the inner crotch portion of her undergarment. 40 Now, an absorbent article and a method have been developed which provide a sanitary napkin or a pant liner with protection to the lateral filtering, which avoid the staining of the inner garments and the outer garments, and which provide a higher cost low to produce the absorbent article, with lower manufacturing costs and lower material production costs. The article for the sanitary protection of women and the method of the present provide an exact placement and a convenient and secure placement of the absorbent article on the undergarment. The article for women's health protection and the method provide the wearer with a sense of comfort during use over a variety of situations, including when complete absorbency is not necessary, but without sacrificing the full benefits of filtering protection complete, a convenience of placement and application and a comfort for the user.

Although the invention has been written in conjunction with several embodiments, it is understood that many alternatives will be apparent as modification and variations for those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Therefore, this invention is intended to encompass all those alternatives, modifications and variations which fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. ímt m mi > - ?, M Z tÁ ^ tr ^

Claims (20)

1. An absorbent article comprising: a) an absorbent having a top sheet surface and an opposite bottom sheet surface, said top sheet surface having a length and a width configured to fit in the pudendal region of a woman; b) a liquid impervious separator adjacent to the lower sheet surface, said separator has a length and a width covering said lower sheet surface; Y c) an adjustable spiral garment fastener member positioned to receive a side surface of a crotch portion of an undergarment.

2. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that it comprises a pair of adjustable spiral garment fastening members for receiving a first side surface of an arched portion of the inner leg crotch and to receive a second opposite lateral surface of said crotch part of undergarment. W.1.A? J

3. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 2, characterized in that said member is an adjustable spiral comprising a curled bend formed arcuately on a surface of the lateral side of said 5 separator impermeable to liquid.

4. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 2 further characterized in that it comprises a stiffening insert in the spiral member 10 adjustable to provide superior curling and holding capacity.

5. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 2 characterized in that it comprises a 15 friction improvement material to reduce the slipping of a fabric or elastic of panties in the adjustable spiral, thereby reducing the twisting and changing of the undergarment.

6. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 4, characterized in that the stiffener insert extends through the absorbent.

7. The absorbent article as it is 25 claimed in clause 4 characterized in that the stiffener insert extends partially through the absorbent.

8. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 4 characterized in that the stiffening insert extends along the spiral member and does not extend through the absorbent.

9. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 1 characterized in that said upper sheet facing the body and permeable to liquid comprises a plurality of perforations in said upper sheet facing the body permeable to liquid.

10. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 1 characterized in that said adjustable spiral member comprises a curled bend formed arcuately on a lower side side surface to correspond to an arched shape of a crotch leg side surface.

11. A method for placing an absorbent article on an undergarment, comprising: a) providing an absorbent configured to fit in the pudendal region of a woman; b) placing a liquid impermeable separator on a lower side of said absorbent; Y ??A ??, c) providing an adjustably coiled member for receiving a crotch side surface of a crotch portion of an undergarment on one side of said liquid impervious separator to protect said inner garment from the side filtrate.

12. The method for placing an absorbent article on an undergarment as claimed in clause 11 further characterized in that it comprises receiving said crotch portion in a pair of adjustable garment fastening spiral members.

13. The method for placing an absorbent article on an undergarment as claimed in clause 12 further characterized in that it comprises protecting said crotch portion of the lateral filtering around the absorbent.

14. The method for placing an absorbent article on an undergarment as claimed in clause 12 further characterized in that it comprises securing said crotch portion to a pair of adjustable spiral garment fastening members.

15. The method for placing an absorbent article on an undergarment as claimed in clause 11 characterized in that providing a "Ab, fa L ij, i_ member is adjustable spiral to receive a crotch side surface of a crotch portion of an undergarment further comprises providing a stiffening insert in the adjustable spiral member to provide a curling and holding capacity higher.

16. The method for placing an absorbent article on an undergarment as claimed in clause 11 characterized in that said providing a member is adjustable spiral to receive a crotch-side surface of a crotch portion of an undergarment further comprises providing friction improvement material to reduce the slipping of a panty or fabric elastic in the adjustable spiral.

17. The method for placing an absorbent article on an undergarment as claimed in clause 11, characterized in that it comprises holding said absorbent in position on said undergarment by means of an adjustable spiral member.

18. The method for placing an absorbent article on an undergarment as claimed in clause 15 characterized in that an arcuate curled bend corresponds to the arched shape of said crotch portion of said undergarment. -a J? Í

19. An absorbent article having a protection against side filtering and undergarment placement supports, comprising: a) an absorbent having a top sheet surface and an opposite bottom sheet surface, said top sheet surface having a length and a width configured to fit in the pudendal region of a woman. b) a liquid impervious separator adjacent said lower sheet surface, said separator has a length and a width covering said lower sheet surface. c) a bicomponent fabric sheet material laminated to said liquid impervious separator; Y d) a pair of adjustable garment fastening spiral members formed in said bicomponent fabric sheet material to receive a first arcuately shaped side side surface of a crotch portion of an undergarment and to receive a second side surface arcuately shaped lateral opposite of said crotch portion and undergarment opposite said first side side surface, wherein said adjustable spiral members comprise arcuately shaped curled ruffles thermally formed in said two-component woven sheet material on a side side surface of said bicomponent fabric sheet material; Y e) a stiffening insert in the adjustable spiral member to provide superior curling and holding capacity.

20. The absorbent article having protection to the lateral filtering and internal garment placing supports as claimed in clause 19 further characterized in that it comprises a friction improvement material to reduce the slip of a panty or fabric elastic in the adjustable spiral to reduce twisting and changing of the undergarment.