US20150366415A1

US20150366415A1 - Sanitary Napkin

Info

Publication number: US20150366415A1
Application number: US14/691,181
Authority: US
Inventors: Carolyn H. Doolittle
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-06-20
Filing date: 2015-04-20
Publication date: 2015-12-24

Abstract

A sanitary napkin for clean or dry a user's rectal and genital area. The sanitary napkin has a first side, a second side, and a pair of opposing ends, wherein the ends are tapered and form a pointed structure. A pair of loops is connected to the tapered ends at the pointed structure thereof for gripping by the user. The sanitary napkin is adapted to be positioned between the buttocks of a patient, wherein a caregiver can employ a back and forth motion thereto in order to clean, wipe, and dry the urethral, genital and rectal, rectoperineal areas after a bowel movement and the like. The sanitary napkin has a plurality of layers, and preferably includes three layers. The three layers are absorbent and moisture resistant for the removal of excrement, urine and the like from the body of a patient, wherein the device is disposable.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/015,035 filed on Jun. 20, 2014. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to sanitary napkins. More specifically the invention relates to sanitary napkins adapted to be used on the genital, rectal, and rectoperineal areas of a user, wherein the user can utilize the device for wiping and cleaning the rectal and rectoperineal area after having a bowel movement, urinating and the like.
Caregivers, nurses, and other hospital workers are often employed with the task of cleaning, wiping, and drying patients. Some patients are bed-ridden, disabled, elderly, handicapped and the like and require consistent care, assistance and attention in various areas of life such as with using the restrooms and bathing. Often, caregivers may use diapers, pads and other dressings in order to catch excrement, urine and the like from the patient. However, this can be unsanitary and lead to rashes, sores, and infections for the patient.
Other caregivers may use various wipes in order to clean the rectal, urethral and genital areas of a patient, however these are often small, flimsy and thus inefficient when trying to contact hard to reach places on a patient's body. Further, these wipes are not absorbent and require the use of several wipes in order to complete the task.
Accordingly, the present invention relates to a new and improved sanitary napkin adapted for use with the rectal, rectoperineal, urethral and genital regions of a patient, wherein a caregiver can utilize the device for wiping and cleaning the rectal, rectoperineal, genital, and/or urethral area after having a bowel movement, urinating and the like. The present invention provides a sanitary pad having an elongated structure with tapered ends, a plurality of layers of material, and loops to be gripped by the user for wiping, cleaning and drying the rectal, rectoperineal, urethral and genital regions of a patient.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Devices have been disclosed in the prior art that relate to sanitary napkins. These include devices that have been patented and published in patent application publications. These devices generally relate to sanitary napkins used to absorb vaginal, rectal, rectoperineal and/or urethral discharges. The following is a list of devices deemed most relevant to the present disclosure, which are herein described for the purposes of highlighting and differentiating the unique aspects of the present invention, and further highlighting the drawbacks existing in the prior art.
Specifically, U.S. Pat. No. 4,072,151 to Levi describes a sanitary napkin adapted to conform to the female body shape having layers of absorptive material and an adhesive for attachment to the body of the user. In contrast, the present invention provides a sanitary napkin having loops for gripping on either side thereof, wherein the device is adapted to fit between the buttocks of the user in the intergluteal cleft area in order to enable a caregiver to clean, wipe, and/or dry the rectal, rectoperineal, urethral and genital areas of a patient.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,484,919 to Sohn provides for a rectal dressing area for controlling discharge from the rectoperineal body portion of users. The device comprises an elongated absorbent pad having a tubular structure, wherein the user can place the device into the natal area thereof. The device can be attached via an adhesive tape. Thus, Sohn fails to provide a sanitary napkin adapted to fit between the natal area for cleaning the rectal area thereof after a bowel movement, wherein the device is disposable and does not remain attached to the body of the user.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,146,365 to Nguyen discloses a disposable multi-layered pad having a pair of overlaying envelopes detachably connected. The device is adapted to fit four finger digits of a user in order to prevent the contact and spread of germs and can be in the form of a dispenser roll. While this device may be helpful in the way of preventing the spread of germs, the present invention provides a sanitary napkin having an elongated structure that includes tapered ends with loops attached thereto for manually manipulating the present invention in the rectoperinal areas of the user for wiping, cleaning and drying thereof.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,731,340 to Clara allows for a toilet tissue paper mitt that provides a glove structure in order to permit the hand of a person to be placed therein for handling patients, hospital objects and the like for the prevention of the spread of germs. In contrast, the present invention provides a sanitary napkin having a plurality of layers, wherein some layers are moisture resistant and other layers are moisture absorbent for cleaning the rectal, genital and urethral area of the user.
Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 6,461,341 to Bennett describes a sanitary device for the absorption of light anal, vaginal and urethral discharges, wherein the device includes a towelette with a string attached thereto. The device is placed between the buttocks of the user and can be pinched and held therein for the capture of small amounts of fecal matter. The device can further be held within the labial folds of the vagina to absorb moisture and the like therefrom. Still, the present invention provides a sanitary napkin for absorbing fecal matter, urine, discharge and the like having an elongated structure, tapered ends with loops attached thereto from the rectoperineal area of the user.
The prior art devices have several known drawbacks. The above discussed sanitary napkins do not provide an elongated structure having tapered ends with loops attached thereto, wherein the device is adapted to fit between the rectoperineal region for cleaning, wiping and/or drying the urethral, genital, and rectal areas of the user. The device further provides a plurality of layers, wherein the layers can be moisture resistant and absorbent. In light of the devices disclosed in the prior art, it is submitted that the present invention substantially diverges in design elements from the prior art and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing sanitary napkin devices. In this regard the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of sanitary napkins now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new sanitary napkin wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when wiping, drying and/or cleaning the rectal, rectoperineal, vaginal and urethral areas of a patient.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved sanitary napkin device that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a sanitary napkin having three layers of material, wherein the first layer is moisture resistant and the second and third layers are of the absorbent type.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a sanitary napkin having an elongated structure adapted to fit between the buttocks of the user and the rectal, rectoperineal, vaginal and urethral area thereof.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a sanitary napkin having a pair of loops on either side thereof for gripping via the user.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS
Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.
FIG. 1 shows a front view of an embodiment of the sanitary napkin of the present invention.
FIG. 2 shows a front view of an alternative embodiment of the sanitary pad of the present invention.
FIG. 3 shows a side view of an embodiment of the sanitary napkin of the present invention having three layers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the sanitary napkin. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for wiping, cleaning and/or drying the rectal, rectoperineal, genital and/or urethral areas of the user. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.
Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a front view of one embodiment of the sanitary napkin 11 of the present invention. The sanitary napkin 11 includes an elongated sheet having a pair of loops 13 located on each opposing end thereof. The sanitary napkin 11 comprises a plurality of layers having varying thickness, absorptive properties and materials. The sanitary napkin 11 is adapted to be used between the buttocks of the user, wherein the sanitary napkin 11 is further adapted to be used for the urethral, genital and/or rectal, rectoperineal areas of the user for wiping, cleaning, and/or drying the areas thereof. The sanitary napkin 11 is substantially planar and moveable and provides a first side 12, a second side, and a pair of opposing ends, wherein the sanitary napkin 11 has an elongated structure comprising an oblong or oval shape having tapered ends 14 that terminate in a pointed structure 25. However, the tapered ends 14 need not terminate in a pointed structure 25 and can be rounded, square, curved, straight and/or other suitable shape.
The opposing ends are herein referred to as the tapered ends 14, wherein the tapered ends 14 provide a loop 13 at each end thereof that is attached thereto and is integral therewith, wherein the user can grasp the loop 13 via placing one's thumbs or other fingers within the loop 13 for gripping in order to manually manipulate and control the movement of the sanitary napkin 11. The loops 13 comprise a band structure having a first end and a second end that are attached to the pointed structure 25 of the tapered ends 14 forming one unitary body, wherein the loops 13 are attached via stitching in a preferred embodiment. The loops 13 can be made from elastic, cotton, rubber, nylon and/or other suitable materials. The loops 13 can be stretchable in one embodiment or can be substantially rigid in an alternative embodiment, having little to no stretchability for increased leverage by the user when gripping thereon.
FIG. 2 shows a front view of an alternative embodiment of the sanitary pad 11 a comprising an elongated sheet having a pair of loops 13 a located on either end thereof. The sanitary pad 11 a has a first side, a second side, and an elongated structure, wherein the sanitary napkin 11 a is smaller in size and adapted to fit small sized patients. The elongated structure provides a rectangular like shape having tapered ends 14 a, wherein the ends are triangular like shape terminating in a pointed structure 25 a. The pointed structure 25 a of each of the tapered ends 14 a also has a pair of loops 13 a attached thereto and is integral therewith. The loops 13 a provide a first end and a second end, wherein both the first end and the second end thereof are permanently affixed via stitching in a preferred embodiment, to the pointed structure 25 a portion of the ends of the sanitary napkin 11 a. However, the loops 13 a can be affixed thereto via an adhesive, buttons, heat sealed and/or other suitable fastening manner.
The sanitary napkin provides a textured surface 19 in a preferred embodiment as shown, wherein the first side and the second side can be patterned with alternating materials that vary in thickness, absorption and materials. The textured surface 19 can be zigzag in a preferred embodiment as shown, perforated, striped, checkered and/or other suitable configuration. However, the sanitary napkin can provide a smooth surface in an alternative embodiment on the first side and/or second side thereof, having a uniform thickness and absorptive materials. The plurality of layers of the sanitary napkin can comprise three layers in a preferred embodiment, wherein the three layers can vary in absorptive properties, thickness and material. As such, one layer can be absorbent wherein the second layer can be moisture resistant and the third layer can be absorbent. Further, the three layers can be identical and can be absorbent in an alternative embodiment.
FIG. 3 shows a side view of an embodiment of the sanitary napkin having three layers. The sanitary napkin provides a plurality of layers, wherein three layers is contemplated in a preferred embodiment being a first layer 20, a second layer 21, and a third layer 22. The first layer 20 comprises a moisture resistant layer comprising the first side of the sanitary napkin, the second layer 21 provides an absorbent layer, and the third layer 22 provides a second absorbent layer comprising the second side thereof. The absorbent layer may be composed of cotton, gauze, or other materials. The layers are disposed directly on top of one another so that the layers are coextensive with one another. The layers can be secured together using adhesives, stitching, or by any other suitable fastening method.
The user can grasp each loop 13 located on each tapered end 14 and proceed to place the first side of the sanitary napkin into the crevice between the buttocks of the user such that it contacts the rectal, rectoperineal area thereof and employ a back and forth or up and down wiping motion to the areas of the user in order to wipe and clean the rectal, rectoperineal, urethral and/or genital areas thereof after a bowel movement, urination and the like.
The sanitary napkin 11 can be further utilized for drying the body after washing thereof, wherein the user can place the sanitary pad 11 in the rectoperineal area of the body and wipe thereon in a back and forth manner in order to adequately dry such areas. The user can further place the sanitary pad 11 along the torso, back and beneath the armpits of a patient, wherein the first side 12 of the sanitary pad 11 can be placed flush against and contact the patient's skin whereby the user can grip the loops 13 on each tapered end 14 thereof and move the sanitary pad 11 back and forth against the patient's body for drying. The sanitary napkin 11 can be constructed from cotton, wool, nylon, polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyacrylate, paper, wood, plastic and/or other suitable materials, moisture resistant materials, moisture absorbent materials and other absorbent materials. The sanitary napkin 11 can be made in various sizes in order to accommodate different sized users and the task at hand.

Claims

I claim:

1) A sanitary napkin comprising:

A sanitary napkin comprising:

an elongated structure having a first side, a second side, a first end, and a second end;

wherein said first end and said second end are tapered;

wherein a loop is connected to each of said first end and said second end;

said elongated structure comprising at least one layer of material

2) The sanitary napkin of claim 1, wherein said at least one layer of material being a first layer, a second layer and third layer.

3) The sanitary napkin of claim 1, wherein said at least one layer of material comprises an absorbent material.

4) The sanitary napkin of claim 1, wherein said at least one layer of material comprises a moisture resistant material.

6) The sanitary napkin of claim 1, wherein said elongated structure comprises an oval shape.

7) The sanitary napkin of claim 1, wherein said elongated structure comprises a rectangular shape.

8) The sanitary napkin of claim 1, wherein said elongated structure comprises an oblong shape.

9) The sanitary napkin of claim 1, wherein said first end and said second end are pointed.

10) The sanitary napkin of claim 1, wherein said at least one layer comprises a first layer that is moisture resistant, a second layer that is absorbent, and a third layer that is absorbent.

11) The sanitary napkin of claim 1, wherein said at least one layer of material includes a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer, wherein said layers are secured to one another by adhesives.

12) The sanitary napkin of claim 1, wherein said first side of said elongated structure comprises a textured surface.

13) The sanitary napkin of claim 12, wherein said textured surface comprises a zig-zag pattern.