Menstrual shorts having improved fastening system

• US 5,827,261 A
• Filed: 06/19/1997
• Issued: 10/27/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Deborah Catherine Schmitz, Nona Jane Redwine, Thomas Ward Iii Osborn
• Original Assignee: Deborah Catherine Schmitz, Nona Jane Redwine, Thomas Ward Iii Osborn
• Inventors: Osborn, Thomas Ward III, Redwine, Nona Jane, Schmitz, Deborah Catherine
• Primary Examiner(s): JONES, MARYBETH O
• Application Number:
  US08/878,502
• Time in Patent Office: 495 Days
• Field of Search: 604/385.1, 604/386-394, 604/396-398, 604/402
• US Class Current: 604/387
• 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 13/474 adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/475 characterised by edge leakage prevention means
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/4758 the means preventing fluid flow in a longitudinal direction
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/476 characterised by encircling the crotch region of the undergarment
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/49009 with elastic means
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/491 specially adapted for gender distinct urine discharge pattern
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/494 characterised by edge leakage prevention means
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/49413 the edge leakage prevention means being an upstanding barrier
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/4942 the barrier not being integral with the top- or back-sheet
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/51 characterised by the outer layers wicking or transfer layers A61F13/537
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/514 Backsheet, i.e. the impermeable cover or layer furthest from the skin A61F13/15211, A61F13/15252 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/51478 being a laminate, e.g. multi-layered or with several layers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/5148 having an impervious inner layer and a cloth-like outer layer
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/515 characterised by the interconnection of the topsheet and the backsheet
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/531 having a homogeneous composition through the thickness of the pad A61F13/538, A61F13/539 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/533 having discontinuous areas of compression
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/539 characterised by the connection of the absorbent layers with each other or with the outer layers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/58 Adhesive tab fastener elements A61F13/5611, A61F13/5616, A61F13/66 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/64 Straps, belts, ties or endless bands A61F13/5605, A61F13/5622, A61F13/66 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/72 : with endless waist encircling band, e.g. panty type
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/15292 : Resistance, i.e. modulus or strength
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/15325 : Stress relaxation or compression recovery
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/15373 : Calliper, i.e. thickness
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/15382 : Reduced thickness
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/1539 : being expandable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/15406 : Basis weight
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/15414 : Bulk thickness
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/15447 : Fibre dimension, e.g. denier or tex
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/49023 : being textured, e.g. corrugated
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/49031 : being elastic in longitudinal direction
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/49033 : being elastic in transversal direction
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/49042 : with only stretchable part, i.e. part being not elastic but only extensible with not a full recovery of its original length
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/49044 : being stretchable non-elastic panels, A61F13/4902 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/49046 : at the crotch
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/49063 : the diaper having decoupled components
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/5055 : Possibility of doubling or putting in new pieces
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/51061 : for rendering the surface hydrophobic
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/51066 : for rendering the surface hydrophilic
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/51139 : being woven or knitted fabrics
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/51147 : being polymeric films
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/51322 : being elastomeric or stretchable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/51429 : being elastomeric or stretchable sheet
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/51433 : being biodegradable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/51441 : being a fibrous material
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/5147 : the outer layer being adhesive itself
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/51488 : for napkins
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530007 : being made from pulp
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530051 : being made in cross-linked cellulosic fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530058 : with specific method of producing wood pulp fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530094 : with mechanical pulp
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530102 : with thermomechanical pulp
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530109 : with chemithermomechanical pulp
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530131 : being made in fibre but being not pulp
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530145 : being short
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530153 : being long
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/53016 : having special shape
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530167 : being crimped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530255 : being hydrophobic fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530481 : having superabsorbent materials, i.e. highly absorbent polymer gel materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530496 : being fixed to fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530554 : and being fixed to a web
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530569 : characterized by the particle size
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530583 : characterized by the form
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530613 : in fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530802 : characterized by the foam or sponge other than superabsorbent A61F2013/530649 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530934 : having a density gradient
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/53721 : with capillary means
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/53795 : being a surge management layer
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/53916 : with epicyclical pattern
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/5395 : with thermoplastic agent, i.e. softened by heat
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/583 : with strips on several places
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/8476 : with various devices or method

Abstract

The female protection system of the present invention includes a menstrual short having an outer protective layer and an inner gusset layer. A catamenial pad assembly is connectable to the menstrual short and includes front and rear ends. The catamenial pad assembly includes an absorbent member for absorbing menses and a cinch for biasing the absorbent member into the gluteal groove and against the perineum of the female when worn. A first fastener is provided on the front end of the catamenial pad assembly for attaching the catamenial pad assembly to a first mating surface that is provided at a front attachment location on at least one of the inner gusset layer and the outer protective layer. A second fastener is provided on the rear end of the catamenial pad assembly for attaching the catamenial pad assembly to a second mating surface that is provided at a rear attachment location on at least one of the inner gusset layer and the outer protective layer. The front and rear attachment locations are positioned to cause the cinch to bias the absorbent member of the catamenial pad assembly into the gluteal groove and against the perineum of the female when worn.

Claims

1. A feminine protection system for preventing leakage of menses when said system is worn by a female wearer comprising:

a menstrual short comprising an outer protective layer and an inner gusset layer;

an adjustable catamenial pad assembly connectable to the menstrual short, said catamenial pad assembly comprising front and rear ends, a lifting mechanism an absorbent means attached to said lifting for mechanism absorbing menses, said lifting mechanism comprising a backing sheet positioned below a cinch, the cinch having variable elasticity along its length, said backing sheet and said cinch being attached together at said front end of said catamenial pad assembly to thereby form a flexible hinge;

first fastening means for removably attaching said front end of said catamenial pad assembly to a front attachment location provided on at least one of said inner gusset layer and said outer protective layer, said front attachment location being attached to be located at least anterior to the anus of a female wearer; and

second fastening means for removably attaching said rear end of said catamenial pad assembly to a rear attachment location provided on at least one of said inner gusset layer and said outer protective layer, said rear attachment location being located at a position sufficiently high in the rear portion of the menstrual short to provide upward lift to said catamenial pad assembly;

wherein said front attachment location is adapted to be positioned adjacent the vaginal vestibule and below said rear attachment location such that the positioning of said front attachment location and said rear attachment location of said lifting mechanism provides upward lift to bias said absorbent means of said catamenial pad assembly into the gluteal groove and against the perineum of the female wearing said menstrual short.

2. The feminine protection system of claim 1 wherein said front attachment location is provided on said inner gusset layer and said rear attachment location is provided on said outer protective layer.

3. The feminine protection system of claim 1 wherein said absorbent means is angularly positioned into the gluteal groove by said lifting mechanism.

4. The feminine protection system of claim 1 wherein said rear attachment location is positioned at least 2.75" from a lowest portion of said outer protective layer when said menstrual short is folded flat along first and second lateral sides thereof.

5. The feminine protection system of claim 1 wherein said rear attachment location is positioned adjacent a rear waistband portion of said menstrual short.

6. The feminine protection system of claim 1 wherein said first and second fastening means are adhesive patches.

7. The feminine protection system of claim 1 wherein said second fastening means is provided on said rear end of said lifting mechanism for attachment to said rear attachment location.

8. The feminine protection system of claim 1 wherein said cinch further comprises elastic and inelastic portions.

9. The feminine protection system of claim 8 wherein said front and rear end regions of said cinch comprise inelastic portions.

10. The feminine protection system of claim 1 wherein said absorbent means is thin and flexible.

11. An adjustable catamenial pad assembly having front and rear ends, said catamenial pad assembly comprising:

a lifting mechanism comprising a backing sheet attached to a wearer'"'"'s undergarment and a cinch having varying elasticity along its length, said cinch being positioned above said backing sheet and attached to said backing sheet at said front end of said catamenial pad assembly to thereby form a flexible hinge; and

a thin, flexible absorbent means positioned onto said cinch facing upwards towards a wearer'"'"'s pudendal and gluteal regions, said flexible hinge of said lifting mechanism providing a bias to fit said absorbent means into the gluteal groove and against the perineum of a female wearing said adjustable catamenial pad assembly.

12. The feminine protection system of claim 11 wherein said cinch further comprises elastic and inelastic portions.

13. The feminine protection system of claim 12 wherein said front and rear end regions of said cinch comprise inelastic portions.