US2745405A - Sanitary receptacles - Google Patents

Description

y 15, 1956 A, M. LANDY ETAL 2,745,405

SANITARY RECEPTACLES Filed March 24, 1953 INVENTORS. A/V/Vf M 14/ /07 BY A/[OZA 5270115? A TTOP/YEX United States Patent SANITARY RECEPTACLES Anne M. Landy and Neola Seidler, Philadelphia, Pa.

Application March 24, 1953, Serial N0. 344,306

1 Claim. (Cl. 128286) Our invention relates to sanitary receptacles, and it relates more particularly to receptacles of the kind which are adapted to hold an absorbent pad such for instance as a surgical or other dressing, or a sanitary napkin, when in use.

In the use of absorbent pads such as surgical or other dressings, or sanitary napkins, it has frequently been the experience that such pads are not able to receive and hold all of the fluid they are intended to absorb. The problem has been particularly acute in cases requiring sanitary napkins, for the flow of fluid is intermittent and of unpredictable quantity. As a result, considerable annoyance and embarrassment has been caused the wearer of said napkin, as well as spoilage of clothing contacted by the fluid which the napkin failed to absorb. Attempts have been made to meet this problem by providing a casing for a sanitary napkin, but such attempts have hitherto proven unsatisfactory for they have either increased the bulk of napkin and casing in such a manner as to betray their use, or they have proven inadequate to catch and hold the excess fluid, and in some instances they were of such construction as to be impractical of manufacture.

One object of our invention therefore is to provide a sanitary receptacle for an absorbent pad, which will be safe, comfortable, secure, and dependable in operation and which will assure the capture and holding of all excess fluids.

Another object of our invention is to provide a sanitary receptacle which will not betray through the users clothing the fact that an absorbent pad, such for instance as a sanitary napkin, is being worn.

' A further object of our invention is to provide a sanitary receptacle which is readily and inexpensively manufactured and which may be packaged or carried in a very small space.

Our invention also consists of the parts and combinations of parts as more fully described hereinafter.

For the purpose of illustrating our invention, We have shown in the accompanying drawings forms thereof which are at present preferred by us, since the same have been found in practice to give satisfactory and reliable results, although it is to be understood that the various instrumentalities of which our invention consists can be variously arranged and organized and that our invention is not limited to the precise arrangement and organizations of the instrumentalities as herein shown and described.

Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference characters indicate like parts:

Figure 1 represents a perspective view of a sanitary receptacle embodying our invention.

Figure 2 represents an enlarged sectional view taken generally along the lines 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 represents a perspective view of a sanitary receptacle holding an absorbent pad and ready for use, and embodying our invention.

Figure 4 represents a vertical sectional view of a sanitary receptacle holding a sanitary napkin, in actual use, and embodying our invention.

2,745,405 Patented May 15, 1956 ice 2 Figure 5 represents a plan view showing patterns which may be used in making a sanitary receptacle embodying our invention. 1 a Figure 6 represents a perspective view illustrating a sanitary receptacle in folded condition for carrying or packaging, and embodying our invention.

The sanitary receptacle of our invention may be formed in accordance with patterns, such for instance as the patterns 10 and 11 respectively indicating the outlines of the impervious or waterproof interior surrounded by an absorbent exterior. The waterproof interior may consist of a sheet of rubber, plastic or similar web-like substance;' or it may consist of a rubber-impregnated, plastic-impreg-' nated or otherwise waterproofed woven or knit fabric. a

The fabric exterior may consist of woven or knitsilk,

lawn, dimity, nylon, rayon, cotton or other absorbent and" washable material. Thus, in a preferred form, an imper vious or waterproof base 16 is out along the outlines of the pattern 14; and an absorbent and washable exterior fabric '17, as well as an absorbent and washable interior fabric 18 are both out along the outlines of the same base pattern 14. In similar manner, an impervious or waterproof sideand-end wall section 19 is cut along the outlines of the" pattern 10, and an absorbent and washable exterior fab-J lie 20 as well as a washable and absorbent interior fabric 21 are both cut along the outlines of the same pattern 10, to provide the specific materials for the side-and-end wall section 12; and in like manner, the impervious or waterproof material 22, external washable and absorbent material 23 and internal absorbent and washable material 24 are provided by following the outlines of for forming the side-and-end wall section 13. I

The patterns 10 and 11 are preferably identical,'-and if desired, one of them may be dispensed with. and by using both faces the other may be used for both sections 12 and 13. For purposes of description therefor, we shall describe only one side-and-end wall section pattern 10in detail. In a preferred form, the side-and-end wall section pattern 10 consists of substantially arcuate segmental portions 25 and 26 joining at one of their ends in a substan tiaJly V-shaped angleportion 27, the arcuate segmental portions corresponding generally to the sides of each section 12, 13. The opposed end portions 28 and 29 respcctively of the arcuate segmental portions 25 and 26 are preferably elongated and correspond generally to the end portions of each section 12, 13, terminating in hem l portions 30 and 31 respectively. The base 14 is preferably broader at its forward end portion than at its rearward end portion 41. In a preferred manner of assembling our sanitary receptacle, the patterns 10, 11 and 14 are made of suflicient length and width to provide for internally disposed hem portions 32, 33, 34 'and 35, as well as the hem portions 36 and 37 respectively disposed in the end wall portions of the sections 12 and 13.

Thus, in assembling the sanitary receptacle of our'invention, the components of each side-and-end wall sec- 7 tion 12, 13 may first be joined by sewing'the hem 32 with its components disposed in the following manner: the impervious or waterproof material 19 may be laid" upon the interior fabric 21 which in turn maybe laid upon the exterior fabric 20; and the hem 33 may be'sewn with the impervious or waterproof material 22 laidupon the interior fabric 24 which in turn maybe laid upon the exterior fabric 23. The exterior fabrics 20 and 23may then be folded back from their respective hems 32 and 33, and the conjoint material and fabric 19, 21 and con pattern 11 sewn together in the base hems 34 and 35.

the. channels 57 and. 58.

joint mat'erial'and fabric 22 and 24 maybe folded back from theirrespective fhems .32 and 33 so as to dispose the ends of the materials and fabrics in position to be If desired, the side-and-end wall sections may be turned inwardly with theiriherns: 32 and .33tdisposedtadjacent,each (other, and their loose edges delineating the outer :edge tof (the base pattern '14. The interior-base fabric 18:.rnay1hen be laid against the interior fabrics 2'1and24 and withits outer edge 'inregistry-with the-lobsedges of said-fabrics 121 and24; while the .exteriorlbase fabric 17 maybe. disposed against the exterior :fabrics .20 and 2-3 with its outeredge in registry with ,the.,loo.se edges ofsaid fabrics V 20 -andf23;.and the.impervious or waterproof base'sheet lfi may be disposed against .the exterior fabric 17, .with theedges of said sheet 16 :in registry .with the edges of salidlfabric 17. The .hems .34.and :35 .may then bezsewn along the sides of the base components 16,17 and 18, and preferablyalong aportion of theends thereof, leaving .an opening ateach .of the forward-send :38 and the rearwardend :39 .of the base assembly .15. The'whole assen:tb ly. may. now be .pulled inside out through either end opening .38 .or .39,::so..as topdispose.the side-and-end wall sec-tion's and.13 in an outwardly projecting-manner,,,with;lthe..interior base fabric 13 folded backrabout the-Ihems 34. and 35 and laying on,the inner face -42--of thefimpervious or waterproof base material 16, while the waterproof material 16 .and its adjacent exterior fabric :17 Larelfolded .back from'thje hems34tand 35--opbase .The end openings 38land 39\may.now be closedbyappropriate stitching, andthe-extremities f 1hidr and- end sections 12 and 13 maybe sewntogether at both their hem portions 36 and 37, thus forming betweensaid hem portions. and their respective adjacent base portions,

.There is thus formed. a receptacle tfitl-havin g --a flexible base 15,which normally held in concave position by the fiexible,.arcuate and substantially V-shaped side portions 43l-and 44 terminating in end portions 45 and 46' which preferably are themselves spaced from the base 15 .inorder to vpermitcollapsing substantially thereagainst and'in' a mannermore fully to be'described hereinafter,

the' spacing ibetween said end portions. 45 and 46 ,and

said 'zbase portion 15,-.providiug suitable channels for passage .therethrough of retaining extremities of an absorhentpad 47..to beheld by our-sanitary receptacle-6.0,;

' receptacle having no harsh seams or edges :to "bear against any .portion of. the wearers body, andaalso com:

prisinganjnterior-wall which is bothabsorhent and washableLinorder to capture and resistthe -flowxof excess 7 ,areinot retained by saidabsorbent pad, and

saidinterior fabric being embraced by a waterproof v:rna-

ter'ial .which preventspassage .thercthrough'of said excess fluid, and which waterproof material is itself exteriorly 1- covered by .a washableand soft fabric .whichprotects the .weare'rfrom unpleasant or conscious contact with said .impervious or waterproof material; said embracing being .in such amanner that. the side walls will notqbulge outwardly-.topermitspillagewhen the receptacleis curved inner faces 51a-of':.the ..interior fabrics 211and24, an'dthe' en'ds'52-:of1the;pad:47 disposed intermediate. the end portions=45eand46 'oiftthesections .12 and 13. The retaining extremitiesv53 and-54 of :thepad 47 are thenthreaded V respectively through-the channels 57.and 253*015 the receptacleofi, 'Ifhe';pad-47 may then be adjusted :along ztheibasels so as to ,permitth'eend portions-45 and Y46 to be-collapsed againstthe'retaining extremities I53ran'd respectively, withthe uPPer edges 5510f .theendportions 45, and disposed adjacent the :endsifiZ of the pad 47, and preferably intermediate said ends 52 and the ends .56 of the base 15., The receptacle w6Q withthepad terproof sheet material, but will instead bear against the soft, pliable and washable fabrics forming the interior and exterior walls of the receptacle '60. ,Moreover, eX- cess fluids which arenot'captured by the pad 47 will be retained within the Walls of the sections '12 and 13 and above the base 15, by being first absorbed --by the absorbent fabrics composing the interior walls of the receptacle 69, and Where not so absorbed, by being held as in a vessel by the impervious or waterproof internal sheet construction of the receptacle 69. Not only so, but the retention of the side Walls 4-3 and 44 in fluidcapturing .position is assured by the arcuate and substantially vV-s'haped contourofthe side Walls 43, 44. Moreover, the .useof the pad and receptacle is very substan-.

tially hidden by the disposition of the end portions :45 and 46 in substantially collapsed relation to the base15, for by this construction there is no abrupt termination of theends-52 ofthe pad 47 against-the bodyof the wearer 61. Instead, there is a gradual tapering ofl from the thickness .of the pad-47 to the thickness of the ends 45, 46 bearing against the respective retaining extremities 53, 54 which in turn lie' against the base 15,-to the thicknessof the retaining extremities53, 54 alone, said tapering off being accomplished in such armanner as to increase -the assurance that fluids will not escape the interiorof the receptacle. Moreover, the broadened :forward end 40 of the base pattern results in a broadened forward end 59 of the base :15, which effectuallybroadens the forward contour of the pad and receptacle as: sembly at the very .place where the thickness of said assembly is being tapered off as aforesaid. As a result,

the fact that an absorbent pad is being Worn is effectually hidden when clothes :are .worn by the wearer-61. If desired, the length of the base 15 maybe such as'to provide forrthe collapsing of one end, with the other end 52 of the pad 47 hearing against the interior absorbent wall of the adjacent end 4501- 46. Or, if desired the pad 47 may be spaced from the upper edge Ofeither collapsed end wall 45, 46 .and thus provide additional space for the contained reception of excess fluid.

When the receptacle. has been used, it may readily be washed, for the interior and exterior fabrics are both washable and the impervious sheet is not affected ,by water. Thus, the receptacle 60 may effectually be cleansed anddried. .Itmay then be folded into a miuisculepf space, as illustrated in Figure 6, so that it may readily zbecarried in .thevhandbag or 'otherreceptacle. .In 'flJe same manner-,it may readily be packagedforsale.

We are awarethat the invention may be embodied-in other specific forms Without departing. from the spiritpr essentialattributes thereof, and we therefore desire the present embodiments to be considered insall respects as illustrative, and not'restrictive, reference being haditothe appended claim rather to the foregoing description to indicatethescope of the invention.

Having thus described our inventiomwhat we claim as new and desire to obtain by Letters Patent is:

A sanitary --rec eptacle for a pad comprising absorbent material having a top, abottom, sides andencl portions, and. having retaining extremities extending from saidend portions; said sanitary receptaclecompiising:a:base-portionfhaving afsubstantially continuous wall *secured to said base and in fluid impervious relation thereto "along the gsijdesand end portions of said base;=said basebeing wider atthe :anterior I end portionsand narrower at the posterior end portion and comprising :exterior and in- ;terionlayers .ofmhsorbent :andwashablei fabric and =aniin- References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Baldwin May 25, 1886 Knieriemms Feb. 20, 1917 Holly Sept. 2, 1924 FOREIGN PATENTS Australia Oct. 24, 1949

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