Disposable panty for menstrual wear

• US 4,560,381 A
• Filed: 07/07/1983
• Issued: 12/24/1985
• Est. Priority Date: 07/07/1983
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Incorporated (Kimberly-Clark Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sandra R.H. Southwell
• Inventors: Southwell, Sandra R. H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Grieb, William H.
• Application Number:
  US06/511,470
• Time in Patent Office: 901 Days
• Field of Search: 604/396, 604/397, 604/391, 604/394, 2/406
• US Class Current: 604/396
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/505 with separable parts, e.g. combination of disposable and reusable parts, A61F13/20, A61F13/49003 take precedence; supporting or fastening means A61F13/56; belts or the like A61F13/64
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/72 with endless waist encircling band, e.g. panty type
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/76 transverse to width of the pads or fastener elements, e.g. straps, end flaps or tucks

Abstract

The invention shows a protective, lightweight, disposable woman'"'"'s hygienic panty for removeably carrying a feminine napkin during a woman'"'"'s menstrual cycle or period. A relatively thin, lightweight, disposable, biodegradable, mesh-like outer panty shell is affixed to or contiguous with a relatively thick inner layer of absorbent material operably disposed about the inner surface of a lower body portion proximate at least the lower one half of the panty. Alternately, an inner shell or liner of relatively thick absorbent material having a pad-receiving depression can be fitted, temporarily or permanently, into ordinary menstrual panties or common panties or briefs. An elongated, nearly rectangular depression or indentation having oval end portions is included or formed in the relatively thick layer for carrying, aligning, or positioning a feminine napkin. The feminine napkin-shaped depression carries or positions the feminine napkin for use during the menstrual period and provides for easy removal when the napkin is soiled. The panty or liner may be discarded after a single use such as after a heavy discharge or several lightly soiled feminine napkins may be discarded before the entire panty or liner is thrown away. The invention contemplates a waist adjustable version and a one-size-fits-all version utilizing side slits and fasteners along the slits to enable substantially all sizes of women to use a single protective panty in accordance with the present invention.

Claims

1. A disposable woman'"'"'s protective menstrual panty for holding a feminine napkin comprising:

a relatively thick layer of disposable absorbent material; and

a depression means in said relatively thick layer of disposable absorbent material, said depression means including a substantially thinner layer of disposable absorbent material operably disposed longitudially in the crotch area of said panty and extending at least partially upward thereof in both front and rear areas, said depression means being dimensioned for receiving said feminine napkin therein for positioning same during use.

2. The woman'"'"'s protective panty of claim 1 wherein said panty is a conventional full size panty.

3. The disposable woman'"'"'s protective panty of claim 2 wherein a top portion thereof may include a paper-like mesh means which is substantially lightweight, disposable, and biodegradable.

4. The disposable woman'"'"'s protective panty of claim 3 wherein said top portion of paper-like mesh means substantially forms the outer shell of the entire panty to form a base for operatively disposing said relatively thick, absorbent layer on the inside surface thereof.

5. The disposable woman'"'"'s protective panty of claim 1 wherein said panty is a shorter-bodied hip-hugger type panty.

6. The disposable woman'"'"'s protective panty of claim 1 wherein said panty is a bikini brief-type panty.

7. The disposable woman'"'"'s protective panty of claim 1 wherein one-size-fits-substantially all women.

8. The disposable woman'"'"'s protective panty of claim 7 wherein said panty includes a slit down at least one side thereof and means for adjustably changing the size of said panty to ensure a comfortable fit.

9. The disposable woman'"'"'s protective panty of claim 8 wherein said panty includes a slit portion down both sides thereof from the waistband to a point disposed adjacent the upper portion of the leg bands of said panty.

10. The disposable woman'"'"'s protective panty of claim 9 wherein each of said two slits include at least two strips of hook and pad material for operably varying the size of the panty, one of said two hook and loop pads being operably disposed proximate the waistband portion of said panty.

11. The disposable woman'"'"'s protective panty of claim 9 wherein each of said side slits include at least two tape-like adhesive strip means for selectively adjusting the size of said panty to suit the wearer, one of said two tape-like adhesive strip means being operably disposed proximate the waistband at the top of each of said slits.

12. The disposable woman'"'"'s protective panty of claim 7 wherein said size adjustment means includes fastening means operably coupled to each of the side portions of said panty for selectively varying the fit of the waist thereof.

13. The disposable woman'"'"'s protective panty of claim 8 wherein said size adjustment means includes at least one pair of hook and loop pads.

14. The disposable woman'"'"'s protective panty of claim 8 wherein said size adjustment means includes at least one strip of adhesive-like means for selectively varying the size of said panty.

15. The disposable woman'"'"'s protective panty of claim 1 further including a top portion having a lightweight, relatively thin, paper-like mesh means.

16. The disposable woman'"'"'s protective panty of claim 15 wherein said top portion of paper-like mesh means forms the entire outer surface of the panty.

17. The disposable woman'"'"'s protective panty of claim 13 wherein a bottom portion of relatively thick absorbent material is operatively disposed on the inside surface of said top portion from proximate the crotch area to at least one half way from the top of the leg openings.

18. The disposable woman'"'"'s protective panty of claim 12 wherein a bottom portion of relatively thick absorbent material extends at least one half way from the crotch to the top of the leg openings and is operatively secured to said top portion of paper-like mesh means for forming said panty.

19. The disposable woman'"'"'s protective panty of claim 1 wherein said relatively thick layer of absorbent material extends over the entire inner surface of said panty.

20. The disposable woman'"'"'s protective panty of claim 1 wherein said relatively thick layer of absorbent material is sufficiently absorbent to enable said mentrual panty to be worn without a feminine napkin at least during the light or spotty days of a woman'"'"'s period.

21. The disposable woman'"'"'s protective panty of claim 1 wherein said depression means includes an elongated indentation in said relatively thick layer of disposable absorbent material, said disposable absorbent material surrounding said elongated indentation between the sides thereof and the leg openings of said panty and around the front and back end portions of said elongated indentation forming and defining the size and depth thereof.

22. The disposable woman'"'"'s protective panty of claim 21 wherein said elongated indentation is adapted to receive said feminine napkin removeably secured therein by tape strip means operably disposed on the bottom portion of said feminine napkin, said feminine napkin being operably positionable in said elongated indentation so that approximately less than one half of the thickness thereof extends upwardly and out of said elongated indentation while the remaining portion is operably disposed therein.

23. The disposable woman'"'"'s protective panty of claim 1 wherein said depression means includes means for positioning a custom designed feminine pad including a relatively wide, elongated oval-shaped layer of disposable absorbent material having a smooth continuous upper surface adapted to be disposed proximate a woman'"'"'s crotch area and extending across the crotch of the panty from leg opening to leg opening and up the front and rear portions a substantial distance toward the top of the leg openings, said oval-shaped layer having the approximate thickness of a thin panty shield-type pad, the bottom surface of said oval-shaped layer including an elongated feminine napkin-shaped extension disposed the longitudinal crotch axis for being insertably received into said depression for positionally securing said oval-shaped layer and for providing added absorbency in the woman'"'"'s crotch area.

24. The disposable woman'"'"'s protective panty of claim 1 wherein said depression means includes means for positioning a custom designed feminine pad including a relatively wide, elongated, generally rectangular oval-shaped layer of disposable absorbent material having a smooth continuous upper surface adapted to be disposed proximate a woman'"'"'s crotch area and extending across the crotch of the panty from leg opening to leg opening and up the front and rear portions a substantial distance toward the top of the leg openings, said generally rectangular oval-shaped layer having the approximate thickness of a thin panty shield-type pad, the bottom surface of said generally rectangular oval-shaped layer including an elongated feminine napkin-shaped extension disposed the longitudinal crotch axis for being insertably received into said depression for positionally securing said generally rectangular oval-shaped layer and for providing added absorbency in the woman'"'"'s crotch area.

25. A lightweight, disposable, woman'"'"'s protective menstrual panty for operatively receiving and positioning a feminine napkin comprising:

a top portion of said protective panty including a lightweight, mesh-like disposable material means which operably extends downward from the waistband portion of the panty;

a bottom portion of said panty including a relatively thick inner layer of disposable absorbent material extending at least one half of the way up the panty toward said waist portion; and

means for operatively disposing said feminine napkin in the crotch area of said bottom inner layer for operatively positioning same, said disposing means including an elongated depression in said thick inner layer of disposable absorbent material, said elongated depression being dimensioned for receiving said feminine napkin therein for positioning said napkin during use.

26. The protective panty of claim 25 wherein said feminine napkin includes tape strip means operably disposed on the bottom thereof for removeably securing same to the crotch area of said bottom inner layer.

27. The protective panty of claim 25 wherein said top portion of mesh-like material extends downward to form a complete panty-shaped outer covering shell and wherein said bottom portion including said relatively thick layer of absorbent material is operably secured to the inner surface of at least the bottom half of said shell.

28. The protective panty of claim 25 wherein said panty is designed so that one-size-fits-all, said one-size-fits-all panty including at least one slit portion running up at least one side of the panty through the waistband and down a predetermined distance toward the leg band thereof, said at least one side slit portion including adjustably positionable fastening means for selectively varying the size of the panty and the comfort of the fit to satisfy different sized women.

29. The protective panty of claim 28 wherein said panty includes two side slits, one on each side portion thereof and fastening means operably disposed on both sides thereof for selectively varying the size adjustment of the panty for different sized women and the like.

30. The protective panty of claim 28 wherein said fastening means includes at least one hook and loop pad portion for opening and closing the slit in a tear tab manner.

31. The protective panty of claim 25 wherein said lightweight mesh-like disposable material substantially covers the entire outer surface of the panty and forms the base for securing the relatively thick absorbent inner layer thereto.

32. The protective panty of claim 25 wherein said mesh-like disposable material forms an outer covering of the top portion of the panties, and wherein said bottom portion includes a disposable backing material for forming an outer covering for the bottom portion of the panty and means for operatively joining the top and bottom portions of the panty for forming a single integral protective panty.

33. A lightweight, disposable, woman'"'"'s protective menstrual panty for operatively receiving and positioning a feminine napkin comprising:

a top portion of said protective panty including a lightweight, mesh-like disposable material means which operably extends downward from the waistband portion of the panty;

a bottom portion of said panty including a relatively thick inner layer of disposable absorbent material extending at least one half of the way up the panty toward said waist portion; and

means for operatively disposing said feminine napkin in the crotch area of said bottom inner layer for operatively positioning same, said relatively thick inner layer of disposable absorbent material includes said disposing means for forming an elongated indentation portion of relatively thin absorbent material extending centrally through the crotch area of said panty and at least partially up the front and back portions thereof, said indentation-forming portion being dimensioned to operably receive a feminine napkin for positioning same during use, said indentation-forming thick inner layer of disposable absorbent material which surrounds said elongated indentation being operably disposed between the longitudinal sides of said indentation portion and the leg portion of said panty, and being operably disposed around the front and back end portions of said indentation portion so as to define a substantially hollow indentation portion extending centrally through the crotch area of the panties and up the front and back thereof a predetermined portion depending upon the length of commercially available feminine napkins and the like.

34. The protective panty of claim 33 wherein said panty is a full size panty and said bottom portion including said relatively thick inner layer of disposable absorbent material extends over one half of the way up the panty from the crotch area towards the waist.

35. The protective panty of claim 34 wherein said fastening means includes at least one tape-like adhesive strip means operably disposed proximate said slit for selectively adjusting the position thereof to vary the size of the panty.

36. The protective panty of claim 34 further including means for selectively varying the waist size and fastening same to fit a particular women'"'"'s size.

37. The protective panty of claim 33 wherein said panty is less than full size and said bottom portion including said relatively thick inner layer of disposable absorbent material extends approximately three quarters of the way up the panty from the crotch towards the waist portion thereof.

38. The protective panty of claim 37 wherein the waist portion includes selectively positionable fastening means for varying the size of the waist to fit different sized women and the like.

39. The protective panty of claim 33 wherein said inner layer of absorbent material is substantially thicker in the crotch area.

40. The protective panty of claim 33 wherein said indentation includes a relatively thin, at least partially absorbent, permeable covering on both longitudinal sides and on the rear end portion, with the front end open to form a pocket-like indentation for receivably retaining a feminine napkin during use.

41. A protective women'"'"'s panty for removeably carrying a feminine napkin comprising:

a relatively thin, lightweight, disposable, biodegradable, mesh-like outer panty shell disposed in the shape of a woman'"'"'s panty;

a relatively thick inner layer of absorbent material operably disposed about the inner surface of said outer panty shell proximate at least the lower half of said panty;

means for forming an elongated, feminine napkin-shaped depression in said relatively thick inner layer of absorbent material along the center of the crotch area and extending longitudinally up the front and rear portion of the panties, said depression being formed by said layer of relatively thick, absorbent, material surrounding said feminine napkin-shaped depression between the longitudinal sides of the feminine napkin-shaped depression and the leg bands of the panty and around the front and rear portions of the feminine napkin-shaped depression to define same;

said feminine napkin-shaped depression including means for operatively positioning a feminine napkin therein during use and providing for easy removal thereafter, at least said used feminine napkin being removed from said depression and discarded after use but usually, particularly after a heavy discharge or the like, the entire absorbent protective panty including the used feminine napkin would be discarded at one time.

42. The protective woman'"'"'s panty of claim 41 wherein said panty further includes means for selectively varying the size of the panty and removeably securing same to fit substantially all normally sized women.

43. The protective woman'"'"'s panty of claim 41 wherein the depth of said feminine napkin-shaped depression in said relatively thick inner layer of absorbent material is approximately more than one half of the thickness of a normal feminine napkin.

44. The protective woman'"'"'s panty of claim 41 wherein the depth of said feminine napkin-shaped depression in said relatively thick inner layer of absorbent material is less than one half of the thickness of a normal feminine napkin.

45. A lightweight, absorbent, panty-liner adapted to be operatively disposed within a women'"'"'s conventional panty, a menstrual panty, a thin outer shell-like panty-shaped layer and the like, said panty-liner comprising:

a relatively thick disposable layer of absorbent material shaped like at least the bottom half of a conventional panty;

depression means operably disposed proximate the longitudinal crotch axis in said layer of absorbent material, said depression means including an elongated feminine napkin-shaped indentation whose width is symmetrically disposed on said axis between the panty leg openings and the long edges of said indentation and extend longitudinally along the axis at least one third of the way up from the front and back portions for absorbing substantially all seapage, leaks and discharge moisture escaping from the pad to prevent soiled garments, stains, embarrassment and the like;

said elongated napkin-shaped indentation operatively receiving said feminine napkin therein for positioning same proximate the vaginal area of the user; and

said layer of absorbent material being operably disposed within the bottom portion of said panty, panty-shaped shell, and the like for converting same into an absorbent menstrual panty.

46. The panty-liner of claim 45 further including a relatively thin outer layer shaped like at least the bottom half of a conventional panty wherein said relatively thick layer of absorbent material is operatively secured to said outer layer on the inside surface thereof to form a composite outer layer-inner layer panty liner shaped like at least the bottom half of a conventional panty and adapted to be fitted therein.

47. The panty liner of claim 46 wherein said indentation includes a feminine pad operably positioned therein and packaged for sale therewith.

48. The panty liner of claim 47 wherein said feminine pad is operatively positioned within said indentation and secured therein by fastening means when packaged for sale.

49. The panty liner of claim 47 wherein a tear tab cover is operatively disposed over said provided pad with one end portion lately stitched to a portion of said relatively thick layer of absorbent material for easy tear-away purposes and the opposite end being disposed over the opposite portion of said relatively thick layer of absorbent material so that intermediate portion covers said pad within said indentation during packages and the like.

50. The panty liner of claim 46 wherein said panty liner is provided with a feminine pad in said indentation.

51. The panty liner of claim 46 wherein the outer layer of relatively very thin disposable mesh-like material at least partially contains cellulose material.

52. The panty liner of claim 45 wherein said elongated napkin-shaped indentation is formed in said inner layer of absorbent material and said composite outer-inner layer shaped like at least the bottom half of a conventional panty includes said elongated indentation and is adapted to be fitted into the interior portion of at least one of a panty and a panty-shaped outer shell means for lining at least the bottom half thereof to convert same into a relatively thin, lightweight, absorbent women'"'"'s menstrual panty.

53. The panty liner of claim 52 wherein said composite outer-inner layer is adapted to be selectively removeable to be discarded with the soiled pad when desired but without discarding the panty or panty-shaped shell.

54. The panty liner of claim 52 wherein said outer-inner layer is adapted to be removeably secured within said panty or said panty-shaped outer shell means.

55. The panty liner of claim 52 wherein said outer-inner layer is adapted to be operatively positioned within said panty or panty-shaped means by means for fastening said outer-inner layer to the inside bottom portion of said panty and said panty-shaped means.

56. The panty liner of claim 45 wherein the bottom of said indentation between said outer layer and said pad includes a relatively thin indentation-lining absorbent layer including a relatively very thin impervious layer for preventing the escape of moisture through and around said pad.

57. The panty liner of claim 45 wherein said layer of absorbent material includes a relatively soft disposable absorbent cellulose material.

58. The panty liner of claim 45 wherein the relatively thick layer of absorbent material is sufficiently absorbent to enable said liner to be worn without a feminine napkin during the relatively light or spotty days of a woman'"'"'s period.

59. The panty liner of claim 45 wherein said relatively thick layer of absorbent material includes a substantially thicker dimension proximate the crotch area of said panty liner.