MXPA98004770A - Protective device against the staining of independent interior garments for using interior garments and article absorb - Google Patents

Abstract

A protective device (10) for improved hygiene is removably attached to the undergarment (26) of a wearer. The device has an upper side and lower side. The lower side includes an adhesive material (24) for attachment to the garment. An absorbent article (26), such as a disposable menstruation pad, is removably attached to the upper side of the device. The device includes at least one hydrophobic layer that functions to repel moisture and thus save the undergarment from being stained. The user may change the pad (26) as required by removing it from the upper side of the device without the need to remove or replace the device per itself at each pad change interval.

Description

PROTECTIVE DEVICE AGAINST THE STAINING OF INDEPENDENT INTERIOR GARMENTS TO BE USED BETWEEN THE GARMENT INSIDE AND THE ABSORBENT ARTICLE I Technical Field The present invention is generally directed to the protection of undergarments for improved hygiene. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a protective device that fits between a user's undergarment and an absorbent article such as a disposable menstruation pad.

II. Background Technique Absorbent articles have been used since ancient times to improve hygiene by absorbing fluids, human body. These articles have traditionally included a variety of absorbent devices, such as feminine pads and towels and panty liners and liners. These items, although variable in shape, size and construction, are all generally aimed at the absorption of body fluids. Absorbed body fluids can not stain underwear, as long as fluids can be removed. However, although conventional pads, towels, liners and linings are for the most part effective in absorbing these fluids, leaks can and often do occur. Typical leaks occur on one side or the other of the absorbent article. The problem is particularly acute during the second and third day of the fourth or fifth day typical of the menstrual cycle during which time bleeding is most pronounced. A variety of approaches have been taken to solve the problem of leaks. The general approach taken has been to incorporate wing or fin-shaped panels extending from the longitudinal lateral edges of the central absorption body. There is an excess of virtual examples to be built, although in particular reference should be made to United States Patent 4,589,876, issued May 20, 1986 to Van Tilburg for "Sanitary Towel", and United States Patent. 4,687,478, issued August 18, 1987 also to Van Tilburg for "Sanitary towel formed with fins", both patents being commonly assigned to the assignee of the present application. A variety of an absorbent article directed to the prevention of leaks is disclosed in United States Patent 5,037,418, issued August 6, 1991, to Kons and Paul for an "absorbent article having a removable undergarment protective sheet. " This patent discloses an absorbent article comprising a longitudinal anomaly and an optional liquid impervious protective sheet for attachment to a pair of adhesive strips axially secured on the sides of the longitudinal pad. The protective sheet wraps around the underside of the undergarment. The typical consumer would prefer to use a particular item with which she felt more comfortable in such a way that she could achieve protection against leakage at the same time. In addition, and particularly with the excessively complex structure of Ons and others, in mind, the elimination of leaks can only be achieved in a practical way through a cost-effective and practical design. During the "heavy flow" days, it is not practical to expect the user to attempt the removal and complex installation of the Kons pad and others, thus rendering it impractical. In addition, the winged constructions of many of the "leak-proof" designs make these items not only expensive, but also inconvenient to change, particularly during menstrual discharge times when frequent change is necessary.

In a further effort to overcome the inadequacies of known protective devices, an undergarment protector in the form of an adhesive bond was developed and disclosed in United States Patent 4,862,574, issued September 5, 1989 to Seidy. for "Pantyhose protector". This patent discloses an undergarment protector having adhesive fastening strips and transversely extending flaps. The fixing strips are provided on both sides of the body of the protector and on the fins that extend transversely. The user removes the protective release strips of the adhesive elements on both the body of the protector and the fins. The protector is then placed in the crotch portion of the undergarment, and the fins are enclosed around the edges of the leg holes of the undergarment. Pressure is applied to both the body of the protector and the fins to adhere the protector to the crotch portion of the undergarment. Although overcoming many of the difficulties of leaks present in previous absorbent articles, Seidy's improvements are advantageous, but because of the elaborate adhesive scheme, they are deficient in providing protection that is cheap to manufacture and convenient to use. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages associated with known feminine hygiene pads, towels, panty liners and liners for feminine hygiene by providing a protective device to be used between the undergarment and an absorbent article. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device that can be easily attached to and removed from the inner side of the crotch area of an undergarment. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a device having a surface to which an absorbent pad can be easily fixed or removed, thus allowing the user to change the pad without the need to change the device at the same frequency level. Still another object of this invention is to provide the protective device having an adhesive strength of the undergarment device that is greater than the strength of the adhesive strength of the absorbent article to the device, thereby allowing the wearer to remove the absorbent article. without unintentionally removing the device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention achieves these objectives in an improved protective device comprising a body having two lateral extensions that extend oppositely and laterally. The device has an upper surface for fixing the absorbent article and a lower surface that makes contact with the undergarment. The device is multi-layered and preferably consists of three layers. The upper layer, which comprises the upper fixing surface of the absorbent article, is preferably composed of a nonwoven material, such as a spun, bonded material. The intermediate layer is preferably composed of a trussed construction and provides the device with volume and floor. The lower layer, which comprises the lower surface that makes contact with the undergarment, is composed of a polymerized barrier film. Intermediate to the lateral extensions and to the body of the device are extensible regions which are grooved. The extensible regions have a greater range of extension than any of the lateral extensions or the body. Once in place in the undergarment, the device naturally assumes an arched shape because it nests with the arcuately formed crotch area of the undergarment. The extensible regions release the tensions exerted on the lateral extensions when the lateral extensions are folded downward, relative to the wearer's body to follow the shape of the curved sides of the wearer's undergarment. The device of the present invention can adopt a customized shape to fit the wearer, and once formed to maintain the shape during multiple changes of the absorbent article, the custom fit also allows the device to remain in place without an adhesive strip system complex. Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the description progresses.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The various advantages of the present invention become apparent to a person skilled in the art by reading the following description and appended claims and by reference to the following drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a top plan view of a protective device according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the protective device of the present invention, as it would appear in place in the crotch area of the wearer's undergarment; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional, cross-sectional view of the protective device of the present invention in place between the absorbent article and the undergarment; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional, cross-sectional view of the protective device of the present invention, illustrating its multi-layered construction; Figure 5 is a partially exploded perspective view showing the manner of placing the protective device of the present invention, in an undergarment; and Figure 6 is a fragmentary coronary view of an individual and the protective device in place as it would be when used between an absorbent article and an undergarment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITY A preferred embodiment of the protective device of the present invention to be used between an undergarment and an absorbent article, is shown in Figures 1 and 2. With respect to Figure 1, a plan view of a protective device, generally illustrated as , it shows. The protective device 10 comprises an elongate body 12, and a pair of lateral extensions 14, 14 'extending laterally outwardly of the elongated body 12. The lateral extensions 14,14' are associated with the elongate body 12 along the length of the body. a pair of non-linear connecting lines 16, 16 '. As used in the context of the present description, the term "non-linear" refers to any of different curved lines as opposed to straight lines. In this particular example, the non-linear tie lines 16, 16 'generally follow the curved edges of the crotch area defining the leg holes of the undergarment. The connecting lines 16, 16 'are shown in broken lines. The connecting lines 16, 16 'may or may not be defined in the elongated body 12 by signal lines or a seam or perforation formed under pressure. The connecting lines 16, 16 'can also be considered as lines of flexibility. In any event, it is preferably along these junction lines 16, 16 'that the lateralla extensions bend when used, as shown in Figure 2 and as described below. As used herein, the term "attached" encompasses configurations with which one element is directly secured to the other element. Fixing the element directly to the other element; configurations with which the element is directly secured to the other element, the element being fixed to a member or intermediate members which in turn are fixed to the other element; and configurations with which one element is integral with another element, that is, one element is essentially part of the other element. The lateral extensions 14, 14 'have a pair of distant edges 18, 18', respectively, which are distant from the connecting lines 16, 16 '. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, the connecting lines 16, 16 'are concave relative to the distant edges 18, 18'. In this embodiment, the connecting lines 16, 16 'define the plan view of the protective device 10 when the legs of the wearer are inserted through the leg holes of an undergarment, and the lateral extensions 14,14'. they are bent "down". The defined shape is narrower in the central region than in its extremes. The sanitary protective devices are narrower in the center than in the ends, are generally perceived by the user as being more comfortable than those that have a uniform width. The overall dimensions of the protective device 10 may be varied as necessary, depending on the size and style of the undergarment and the intended use of the protective device 10. For example, when the user is lying down, there is a tendency for the body fluids to gravitate. towards either the front side or the back side of the person, depending on the side on which the person is lying. The protective device 10 can, therefore, be larger for this purpose. However, with the X and Y axes illustrated being oriented with reference to a system of Cartesian, flat coordinates where the center lines of protector, line XX- is the X axis and the transverse center line, line X is the Y axis, the preferred size is between about 150 and 170 mm along the X axis (or the long axis) of protective device 10, and between 105 and 125 mm along the Y axis or along the width of the protective device 10. protective device 10 is provided with a plurality of extensible regions 20, 20'22, 22". Extendable regions 20, 20 ', 22, 22' allow side extensions 14,14 'to be bent when used (as illustrated). in Figure 2) without stresses being exerted on the protective device 10 and without the protective device 10 bunching in. The extensible regions 20, 20 ', 22, 22' may be mainly extensible along the X axis (i.e. these are extensible further along the X axis towards long of the Y axis). Alternatively, the extensible regions 20, 20 ', 22, 22' may be mainly extensible along the Y axis, or in any direction between the X axis and the Y axis. The extension capacity of all of the regions extendable 20, 20 ', 22, 22', can be in the same direction. Alternatively, one or more of the extendable regions 20, 20 ', 22, 22' may be extendable in a different direction. The expandable regions 20, 20 ', 22, 22', can be produced to allow expansion in a variety of ways. However, perhaps the most effective cost construction method is the preferred one, which is to channel the extensible regions 20, 20 ', 22, 22', forming selected areas through compression. The corrugation is made such that its parallel and alternate ridges and channels are disposed transversely to the long axis of the elongate body 12. Figure 1 also shows a method for producing protective device 10. A series of protective devices 10, 10 ', 10", 10 '"copies are plotted by cutting from a single sheet of material, with the protective devices 10', 10", 10"'being shown by the broken lines. As can be seen, the form of protective device 10, is that many clones thereof can be cut from a single sheet with only minimal waste. With specific reference to Figure 2, a perspective view of the protective device 10 of the present invention is shown as it would appear in the crotch area of the wearer's undergarment. The elongate body 12, of the protective device 10, assumes the arched shape polished when worn by the wearer, because it takes the shape of the crotch of the wearer. In addition to assuming the illustrated arcuate shape, the extensible regions 20, 20 ', 22, 22' allow the lateral extensions 14,14 'to automatically bend at an acute angle around the lateral edges of the crotch of the wearer's panties. The corrugations of the extensible regions 20, 20 ', 22, 22', compensate for the downward folding of the sides 14,14 '. A plurality of adhesive fastening strips 24 are provided on the underside of the protective device 10 to secure it to an undergarment, as will be described more fully below. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the protective device 10 of the present invention in place between an absorbent article 26 and an undergarment 28. The absorbent article 26 may be any of a large number of these devices and may be a towel or feminine pad, or it can be a panty liner or protector. The protective device 10 of the present invention includes adhesive fastening strips 24. The adhesive fastening strips 24 provide an adhesive attachment means for securing the protective device 10 in the crotch portion of the undergarment 28. Any adhesive or glue used in the art for this purpose it can be used herein, with pressure sensitive adhesives being preferred. Suitable adhesives are Century A-305-IV manufactured by Century Adhesives Corporation and Instant Lok 34-2823 manufactured by the National Starch Company. As illustrated, a pair of adhesive fastening strips 24 are shown and are only of a width that is smaller than that of the elongated body 12 of the protective device 10. To employ the protective device 10, the user would first remove a release paper. (shown below in Figure 4), and would apply the protective device 10 with light pressure in the crotch area in the inner area. The absorbent article 26 similarly has an adhesive material in such a manner that it can be fixed in a conventional manner to an undergarment. However, in the present case, once the protective device 10 is placed on the undergarment, the wearer would remove the release paper of the adhesive from the absorbent article 26, and then place the absorbent article 26 on top of the device. protector 10 as illustrated in Figure 3. As shown in Figure 3, side extensions 14,14 'are placed in their bent down state. This represents a position that the lateral extensions 14,14 'can assume after the user's legs are inserted through the leg holes of the undergarment 28, and cause the side extensions 14,14' to bend downwardly. along the upper inner thigh of the wearer. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the protective device 10 of the present invention illustrating its multi-layered construction. The protective device 10 preferably includes a fixing surface or upper sheet 30, permeable to liquid, an intermediate layer 32 and a liquid intermediate backsheet 34. The liquid-permeable upper sheet 30 is not completely eclipsed by the absorbent article 26 since the lateral extensions 14,14 'extend beyond the sides of the absorbent article 26. Accordingly, the topsheet 30 is preferably composed of a soft, soft-touch material that is non-irritating to the user's skin portions with which is put in contact. The top sheet 30 can be made from any of the conventional materials for this type of use. Non-limiting examples of suitable materials that can be used as the top sheet 30 are polyester, non-woven polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon and rayon, and thermoplastic films formed. The preferred type of material is a spunbonded material that is permeable to liquids but is nonetheless non-absorbent. The particular material is selected in such a way that the surface of the upper sheet 30 remains dry and is thus more comfortable for the user. The recommended thickness of the topsheet 30 is between 1 and 2 mils, the thickness of about 1 mil is preferred. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the inner surface of the upper sheet 30 is in contact with the intermediate layer 32. This contacting ratio results in the liquid penetrating the upper sheet 30, faster than if it were not in contact with the intermediate layer 32. The topsheet 30 can be maintained in contact with the intermediate layer 32 by applying adhesive, preferably in separate, limited areas, to the inner surface of the upper sheet 30. Examples of suitable adhesives used for this purpose include the acrylic emulsion E-1833BT manufactured by Rohm and Haas Company, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and acrylic emulsion WB3805, manufactured by HB Fuller Company of St. Paul, Minnesota. The adhesives can be applied by any of the common techniques well known to those skilled in the art. For example, the pro-spray adhesive can be applied with pad or by the use of transfer roller. The intermediate layer 32 is a soft barrier film and provides the protective device 10 with volume and floor. The intermediate layer 32 is preferably composed of a plastic, hydrophobic elastic framework and can be made from any of the conventional materials for this type of use. Suitable materials are described in U.S. Patent 4,342,314, issued to Radel and Thompson on August 3, 1982 and U.S. Patent 4,463,045, issued to Ahr, Louis, Mullane and Oulette on July 31, 1984, both of which patents are incorporated herein by reference. The intermediate layer 32 exhibited some characteristics of absorbency and fluid retention by channeling moisture away from the upper sheet 30. The liquid-impermeable backsheet 34 is impervious to liquids and thus prevents fluids that may not be absorbed by the liquid. Absorbent article 26 stain the wearer's garment. Any polymerized barrier film used in the art for these purposes can be used to form the backsheet 34. Suitable materials are etched or ungrouped polyethylene films and nominated papers. The top sheet 30 serves two purposes. First, it provides a soft layer to contact the wearer's skin, thereby making the protective device 10 comfortable to use. Second, it provides a releasable support for the absorbent article 26. The recommended nonwoven material of the topsheet 30 performs both of these tasks well by providing the protective device 10 with a smooth feel and allowing the absorbent article 26 to be removed without removal. of the protective device 10 of the undergarment. (For additional release characteristics, the topsheet 30 can be treated with silicone according to known methods). The preferred construction of the protective device 10 maintains adhesive step increments whereby the bonding of the adhesive strips 24 to the undergarment 28 is stronger than the adhesive bond between the absorbent article 26 and the topsheet 30. Therefore, when removes article 26, protective device 10 remains in place until and unless intentionally removed by the user. Because of its liquid imperviousness, the backsheet 34 functions to provide real protection against moisture. The lower sheet 34 is a polyethylene film as offered by Clopay Corporation (Cincinnati, Ohio), under the designation P18-0401 and by Ethyl Corporation (Terre Haute, Indiana) under the designation XP-39385. The preferred embodiment of the protective device 10 includes the intermediate layer 32 as described above. However, the protective device 10 can be constructed without the intermediate layer 32, in which the upper sheet 30 provides a release platform for the article 26, while the rear sheet 34 provides the necessary moisture protection and a surface for the placement of the adhesive strips 24. The adhesive strips 24 are covered with a release paper 36 to prevent the adhesive strips 24 from sticking to foreign surfaces before being used. Any of the conveniently available release papers commonly used for these purposes can be used herein. Non-limiting examples of suitable release papers are BL 30 MG-A Silox El / 0 and BL 30 MG-A Silox 4 P7O, both of which are manufactured by Akrosil Corporation. Figure 5 is a partially exploded perspective view of the protective device 10 of the present invention, located both above an undergarment 28 before being fitted therein as well as in place (shown by the broken lines) within the garment interior 28. Undergarment 28 is of the type commonly worn by many women and well known as a pantyhose. This comprises a front section 38, a rear section 40 and a crotch portion 42 joining the front and rear sections 38 and 40, respectively. The crotch portion 42 comprises two side edges 44, 44 'and a central crotch portion 46. Referring first to the solid line illustration of the protective device 10 shown being applied to the undergarment 28, the protective device 10 is shown in its substantially flat form as would later be sold to the consumer but prior to placement on the undergarment 28. The protective device 10 is used by removing the release paper 36 and subsequently placing it on the undergarment 28. The elongated body 12 of the device protector 10 is placed in crotch portion 42 of undergarment 28 with a first end 48 extending toward the front extension 38 and a second end 50 towards the posterior section 40 of the undergarment 28. The liquid-proof backsheet 34 is in contact with the inner surface of the central crotch portion 46 of the pantyhose. The adhesive strips 24 keep the elongated body 12 in position. The lateral extensions 14,14 'are left laterally extended until such time as the user places the garment 28 on, at which time the lateral extensions 14,14 fold "automatically" downward to conform to the natural and particular shape of the wearer , resulting in a very comfortable and personalized setting. This is illustrated in the broken line illustration to Figure 5 of the protective device 10 in the place of the undergarment 28. Because of the characteristics of the extensible regions 20, 20 ', 22, 22' in combination with the preferred materials , the protective device 10 maintains its personal shape even between the changes of the absorbent article 26, and provides a mechanism to the protective device 10 to fix itself to the undergarment 28. Numerous benefits are derived from the use of the protective device 10 of the present invention. The lateral extensions 14,14 'are wrapped around each edge 44,44' of the crotch portion 42 of the pantyhose.

This encapsulation of the crotch of the undergarment aids in preventing the body fluids from coming into contact with the central crotch portion 46 of the undergarment 28. In this way, the crotch portion 46 of the undergarment 28 does not It will be stained. A further benefit is derived from the fact that the user only needs to change the protective device 10 after the absorbent article 26 has been changed a number of times. The need to change the protective device 10 is dictated only by the point or limit at which it is stained. Additionally, the protective device of the present invention provides the user with the ability to better adjust the positioning of the protective device 10 to meet her particular needs. For example, when the wearer is close to sleeping the protective device arrangement 10 can be adjusted forward or backward (depending on whether or not the wearer sleeps on her stomach or back) to protect the undergarment from any fluid which it could travel in those directions while keeping the absorbent article independently positioned in its non-advantageous position. Known "winged" absorbent articles do not allow this freed because of their attached construction. By moving the winged article from stern to bow, the user sacrifices the maximum absorbency. There are at least two other benefits derived from using the protective device 10 of the present invention. One is that the side portions 14,14 'extending over the edges 44, 4' provide a seal in the form of excellent gasket against the body. The other is that the absorbent article 26 is maintained in excellent contiguous relation to the body. The edge of the crotch portion 42 of the undergarment 28 generally contains an elastic material 52, as illustrated in Figure 6, which is a fragmentary view showing the sectional protective device 10, the absorbent article 26, and the garment interior 28 of Figure 5 placed in a wearer (a coronary view is the frontal plane passing through the long axis of the body). When the undergarment 28 is worn, the elastic material 52 of the crotch portion 42 generates an upward force, i.e., against the body, due to the energy in the elastic and the fit of the undergarment 28. The approximate placement of the lines 16, 16 'between the body and the edges 44, 44' of the crotch portion 42 of the undergarment 28, results in the upward force generated by the edge of the crotch portion of the undergarment 28 which pushes the connecting lines 16, 16 'in a tight manner towards the grooves 54,54' of the body. This results in a packing type seal which is formed along the connecting lines 16, 16 'between the lateral extensions 14,14' and the body. Thus maintaining the fluid of the body in the crotch area and ridirecting any fluid diverted back to the absorbent article 26 for absorption. Another benefit derived from the joining lines 16, 16 'which is comfortably pushed against the body is that the absorbent article 26 is forced into a close proximity to and in compliance with the body, also as illustrated in Figure 6. Maintenance Article 26 against the body is known as "good body contact". Good body contact is beneficial because it provides a device to limit the lateral flow of body fluid. Without this device, the body fluid would tend to flow rapidly along the upper sheet 30, thereby providing less time for it to be absorbed by the article 26. Those skilled in the art can now appreciate from the above description that the broad techniques of the present invention can be implemented in a variety of ways. Therefore, although the present invention has been described in relation to particular examples thereof, the true scope of the invention should not be so limited, since these modifications will become apparent to those skilled practitioners when studying the drawings, description and following claims.

Claims (10)

1. - A protective device for attachment to an undergarment (28) having a crotch area (42) and open leg edges 44 defining the crotch area (42), the protective device comprising an elongate body (12) having a long axis and that is formed of multiple layers the body (12) being formable towards an arched shape for nesting with the crotch area (42) of the undergarment (28), characterized in that the elongated body (12), comprises : a plurality of extensible regions (20, 20 ', 22, 22') comprising loins and parallel and alternating channels.

2. The protective device according to claim 1, characterized in that the loins and alternating parallel channels are arranged transversely with respect to the long axis of the elongate body (12).

3. The protective device according to any of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the elongated body (12) further comprises a pair of lateral extensions (14,14 ') extending laterally outwardly from the elongate body (12). ), each of said pair of lateral extensions (14,14 ') being associated in a connective manner with the body (12), said extensible regions (20, 20', 22, 22 '), being arranged intermediate to the elongated body ( 12), and to each of said pair of lateral extensions (14,14 ').

4. The protective device according to claim 3, characterized in that the lateral extensions (14, 14 ') extend laterally outwardly from the elongate body when the user nests the device in the crotch area of the undergarment (28). ), and are folded when the garment (28) is placed by the wearer, said extensible regions (20, 20 ', 22, 22'), thus expanding to assume and maintain an expanded position to conform to the crotch of the wearer.

5. The protective device according to claim 1, characterized in that the device also includes an adhesive (24) adjusted to the body (12), said extensible regions (20, 20 ', 22, 22'), being effectively free of said adhesive.

6. The protective device for placement between an article (26), to absorb body fluids and an undergarment (28), said undergarment (28) having an inner side, the protective device comprising an attachment surface of the article ( 30), for fixing said article (26), to absorb the bodily fluids therefrom, a surface that makes contact with the undergarment (34), arranged adjacent to the fixing surface of the article (30), said surface that contact with the undergarment (34) being fixed to the inner side of said undergarment (28), characterized in that said device comprises: a plurality of extensible regions (20, 20 ', 22, 22'), to allow expansion , said extensible regions, being defined by corrugations of said fixing surface of the article (30), and said surface that makes contact with the inner garment (34).

7. The protective device according to claim 6, characterized in that the corrugations comprise loins and parallel and alternate channels.

8. The protective device according to claim 7, characterized in that the device includes a long axis and said loins and parallel and alternating channels are arranged transversely to said long axis of the elongate body (12).

9. - The protective device according to claim 6, characterized in that the device further includes an area of adhesive (24), formed on the surface that makes contact with the undergarment (34), the extensible regions being free of effective of said area of adhesive.

10. - The protective device according to any of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the device further includes an intermediate layer (32), formed between the fixing surface of the article (30) and the surface that makes contact with the undergarment (34) the extensible regions (20, 20 ', 22, 22') being further defined by the corrugations of the intermediate layer (32).