Container for the collection of menstrual flow

• US 6,761,710 B2
• Filed: 05/31/2002
• Issued: 07/13/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Original Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Inventors: Palumbo, Gianfranco, DʼAcchioli, Vincenzo
• Primary Examiner(s): Calvert, John J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TRUONG, LINH T
• Application Number:
  US10/160,426
• Publication Number:
  US 20020173759A1
• Time in Patent Office: 774 Days
• Field of Search: 604/385.1, 604/327, 604/355, 604/356, 604/329, 604/336, 604/337, 604/339, 604/332, 600/574
• US Class Current: 604/385.19
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/44 Devices worn by the patient for reception of urine, faeces, catamenial or other discharge; Portable urination aidsabsorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, A61F13/15; drainage appliances for wounds A61M27/00; emptying devices for urine bags B65B69/0016; Colostomy devices adhesives for colostomy devices A61L24/00; materials for colostomy devices A61L28/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/441 having venting or deodorant means, e.g. filters ; having antiseptic means, e.g. bacterial barriers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/445 Colostomy, ileostomy or urethrostomy devices A61F5/441, A61F5/442, A61F5/443 take precedence

Abstract

The present invention relates to a disposable menstrual fluid management device (10) including a bag (11) having an aperture (13) that is surrounded by an adhesively-faced flange (12) for releasable attachment to the uro-genital area of the wearer. An absorbent material (15) is contained within the bag. The device (10) effectively absorbs menstrual fluids while being comfortable and discrete to wear.

Claims

1. A disposable menstrual fluid management device comprising:

a bag, said ban further comprising an aperture;

an absorbent material disposed within said bag;

an adhesive layer having a first surface and a second surface opposed thereto;

wherein said first surface of said adhesive is disposed proximate to said aperture on said bag and on an external surface of said bag;

wherein said second surface of said adhesive is capable of providing releasable attachment of said bag to the uro-genital area and abdomen of a wearer;

wherein said adhesive has an elastic modulus of 37°

C., G′

₃₇(1 rad/sec), and a viscous modulus of 37°

C., G″

₃₇(1 rad/sec); and

,

wherein the ratio of G′

₃₇(1 rad/sec) to G″

₃₇( 1 rad/sec) ranges from 1 to 30.

2. The disposable menstrual fluid management device of claim 1, wherein said bag is liquid impermeable.

3. The disposable menstrual fluid management device of claim 1, wherein said bag is disposed about at least one layer.

4. The disposable menstrual fluid management device of claim 3, wherein said at least one layer is a laminate structure.

5. The disposable menstrual fluid management device of claim 4, wherein said laminate structure comprises a non-woven layer and a film layer.

6. The disposable menstrual fluid management device of claim 5, wherein said non-woven layer is selected from the group consisting of felt fabrics, spunlaced fabrics, fluid jet entangled fabrics, air-laid fabrics, wet-laid fabrics, dry-laid fabrics, melt-blown fabrics, staple fiber carding fabrics, spunbonded fabrics, stitch-bonded fabrics, apertured fabrics, and combinations thereof.

7. The disposable menstrual fluid management device of claim 5, wherein said film layer is a thermoplastic.

8. The disposable menstrual fluid management device of claim 4, wherein said at least one layer is an apertured formed film topsheet.

9. The disposable menstrual fluid management device of claim 4, wherein said at least one layer is an acquisition layer.

10. The disposable menstrual fluid management device of claim 9, wherein said acquisition layer is a material selected from the group consisting of porous foams;

reticulated foams;

apertured plastic films;

woven webs of natural fibers;

nonwoven webs of natural fibers;

synthetic fibers;

or combinations thereof.

11. The disposable menstrual fluid management device of claim 1, wherein said aperture is surrounded by an adhesively faced flange.

12. The disposable menstrual fluid management device of claim 1, wherein said absorbent material is selected from the group consisting of comminuted wood pulp;

creped cellulose wadding;

meltblown polymers;

chemically stiffened, modified or cross-linked cellulosic fibers;

tissue;

absorbent foams;

absorbent sponges;

superabsorbent polymers;

absorbent gelling materials, and mixtures thereof.

13. The disposable menstrual fluid management device of claim 1, wherein said bag is breathable.

14. The disposable menstrual fluid management device of claim 1, further comprising an odor control material disposed within said bag.

15. The disposable menstrual fluid management device of claim 14, wherein said odor control material is selected from the group consisting of zeolites, silica, chelants, active carbon, clays, and mixtures thereof.

16. The disposable menstrual fluid management device of claim 1, wherein said adhesive is selected from the group consisting of hydrogel adhesives, oilgel adhesives, hydrocolloid adhesives, and combinations thereof.

17. The disposable menstrual fluid management device of claim 1, further comprising a compliant topsheet disposed within said bag proximate to said aperture.