Labial sanitary pad

• US 4,631,062 A
• Filed: 03/01/1985
• Issued: 12/23/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/1984
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Incorporated (Kimberly-Clark Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
• Inventors: Lassen, Frederich O., Peerenboom, Robert J., Schultz, Cheri L.
• Primary Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Assistant Examiner(s): Knab, Ann
• Application Number:
  US06/707,338
• Time in Patent Office: 662 Days
• Field of Search: 604/385, 604/378, 604/393
• US Class Current: 604/385.02
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/47209 having only interlabial part, i.e. with no extralabial parts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/47227 for interlabial use
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/47245 with asymmetry around the x or y axis
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/47272 with a longitudinal raised end, e.g. cup-shaped gluteal groove for edge leakage prevention A61F13/494
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/534 having an inhomogeneous composition through the thickness of the pad A61F13/538, A61F13/539 take precedence; homogeneous cores with tissue wrapping A61F13/53
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/53409 having a folded core
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/53713 the layer having a promotional function on liquid propagation in the vertical direction
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/53747 the layer is facing the topsheet layer is part of the topsheet A61F13/511
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/551 Packaging before or after use general packaging of absorbent pads B65D85/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/5514 each item packaged single
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/51042 with hydrophobic and hydrophilic fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/53721 with capillary means

Abstract

A labial pad (30) having an anatomically conformable configuration with a generally ovate geometry defined by a principal longitudinal axis (L), a minor transverse axis (T) and a generally orthogonal lateral or height axis (H), is comprised of a laterally upwardly directed projection (52) lying generally along the longitudinal axis within the posterior region (54) of the pad and having a prominence (64) proximate the distal end (60) thereof tapering toward the proximal end (58) along the longitudinal axis and to the opposed sides (62) along the transverse axis, wherein the projection is configured for disposition within the vestibule (32) of a wearer over a region bounded generally by the posterior labial commissure (36) and the labia terminating at or about the latter and extending forwardly therefrom over the vulva, to occlude the vestibule against flow of menses or the like while protecting the urogenitals from chafing contact.

Claims

1. An anatomically, generally self-conforming sanitary napkin configured for partial labial disposition within the vestibule of a wearer and for at least partially occluding said vestibule respecting fluid flow therefrom, said napkin comprising a fluid absorbent body having a posterior region including a raised profile for projection within said vestibule intermediate the labia majora inwardly bounding same from a position posteriorly remote from the clitoris and extending to the rearwardmost aspect of said vestibule, and an anterior region merging with said posterior region for a generally external disposition about the vulvar region over said labia majora and spaced from said clitoris.

2. The sanitary napkin of claim 1, wherein said fluid absorbent body is comprised of a top, body-side surface, a bottom, garment-contacting surface, and perimetral sides, said raised profile extending from said top surface within said posterior region.

3. The sanitary napkin of claim 1, wherein said raised profile is impressed within said fluid-absorbent body, having a generally shape-sustainable precursor configuration for projection within said vestibule.

4. The sanitary napkin of claim 3, wherein said fluid absorbent body includes a generally longitudinal pleat extending from the posterior end of said napkin and centrally disposed relative to the opposed sides thereof for establishing a profile precursor having a generally transverse curvature respecting said longitudinal pleat.

5. The sanitary napkin of claim 4, wherein said pleat includes at least one bond juncture within the interior vertex region of said bottom surface for maintaining said profile precursor.

6. The sanitary napkin of claim 5, wherein said precursor configuration is a selectively adjustable configuration.

7. The sanitary napkin of claim 6, wherein said pleat includes a plurality of selectively interruptible adhesive junctures disposed longitudinally within said interior vertex region comprising adjustment means for positioning said raised profile in an anatomically desired location relative to the vestibule of said user.

8. The sanitary napkin of claim 1, wherein said fluid absorbent body is comprised of at least one microfibrous web.

9. The sanitary napkin of claim 8, wherein said fluid absorbent body is comprised of a plurality of microfibrous webs in generally face-to-face engagement in a lateral direction and further wherein said webs are oriented upwardly within the raised profile of said posterior region.

10. The sanitary napkin of claim 9, wherein said raised profile is impressed upon said fluid absorbent body.

11. The sanitary napkin of claim 10, wherein a profile precursor is formed from a profile insert disposed within said posterior region.

12. The sanitary napkin of claim 3, having a longitudinal axis generally coincident with the center of said raised profile, wherein said fluid-absorbent body is slitted along said longitudinal axis for promoting said precursor configuration.

13. The sanitary napkin of claim 12, wherein the longitudinal slit is a continuous slit along said axis.

14. The sanitary napkin of claim 12, wherein the longitudinal slit is a discontinuous, perforated slit along said axis.

15. The sanitary napkin of claim 3, having a longitudinal axis generally coincident with the center of said raised profile, wherein said fluid-absorbent body is embossed along a line lying on said longitudinal axis for promoting said precursor configuration.

16. The sanitary napkin of claim 1, wherein said fluid absorbent body is comprised of a batt of cellulosic fibers.

17. The sanitary napkin of claim 16, wherein said batt is a densified batt of cellulosic fibers.

18. The sanitary napkin of claim 17, wherein said batt has a density in the range of from about 0.15 to about 0.30 gm/cc.

19. The sanitary napkin of claim 18, wherein said density is about 0.2 gm/cc.

20. A labial pad having an anatomically conformable configuration with a generally ovate geometry defined about a principal longitudinal axis, a minor transverse axis and a generally orthogonal lateral axis, said pad including a laterally upward directed projection lying generally along said longitudinal axis from a prominence proximate the distal end thereof and tapering both forwardly and to the opposed sides along said transverse axis;

wherein said projection is configured for disposition within the vestibule of a wearer over a region bounded generally by the posterior labial commissure and the labia majora terminating proximate the latter at a location spaced from the clitoris.

21. The labial pad of claim 20, comprising an absorbent body for retention of menses and a fluid transmissive cover overlying at least a portion of the top surface of said pad for passing menses to said absorbent body, wherein said cover is comprised of a material characterized as physiologically hydrous within the environment of said vestibule.

22. A labial pad configured for partial interposition within the vestibule of a user to occlude menstrual fluid, comprising a contoured absorbent body defined spatially about a principal longitudinal axis, a minor transverse axis and a generally orthogonal lateral axis, having a posterior region for anatomical cooperation within said vestibule and an anterior region for anatomical cooperation over the vulva and spaced from the clitoris of the user;

said absorbent body comprised of a plurality of microfibrous webs disposed laterally in face-to-face engagement, lying within said posterior region generally edgewise along said longitudinal axis and within said anterior region generally facewise across said transverse axis.

23. The labial pad of claim 22, including a set along said longitudinal axis for establishing a structural predisposition within said posterior region to form a generally transversely disposed inverted "V" shaped projection for disposition within said vestibule.

24. The labial pad of claim 23, further comprising a physiologically hydrous cover.

25. The labial pad of claim 24, further comprising a transfer layer of a nonwoven fabric overlying said microfibrous webs.

28. The labial pad of claim 24, wherein said absorbent body is comprised of a plurality of microfibrous webs slitted along said longitudinal axis.

26. The labial pad of clam 25, further comprising a bottom cover having an inwardly oriented pleat conforming to said set bearing at least one bond juncture intermediate the opposed surfaces of said pleat within the interior apex region thereof.

27. The labial pad of claim 26, wherein said at least one juncture is a selectively interruptible juncture.

29. An anatomically, generally self-conforming sanitary napkin configured for partial labial disposition within the vestibule of a wearer and for at least partially occluding said vestibule respecting fluid flow therefrom, said napkin comprising a posterior region having a central zone adapted to yield a raised profile for projection within said vestibule and an anterior region merging with said posterior region for generally external disposition about the forward vulvar region of said wearer.

30. The sanitary napkin of claim 29, further comprising a fluid absorbent body having zoned fluid distribution paths.

31. The sanitary napkin of claim 30, wherein said absorbent body is comprised of a plurality of fibrous webs disposed edgewise within that portion of said posterior region projecting within said vestibule and facewise beyond said portion.

32. The sanitary napkin of claim 30, further comprising a fluid impervious baffle bounding the bottom side of said absorbent body, a transfer layer member overlying said fibrous webs for directing fluid flow thereto and a cover member disposed over said transfer layer and sealed to said baffle along a perimetral edge surrounding said napkin.