Labial pad having various means

• US 7,115,116 B2
• Filed: 12/31/2001
• Issued: 10/03/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Incorporated (Kimberly-Clark Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Incorporated (Kimberly-Clark Corporation)
• Inventors: Sorebo, Heather A., Weyenberg, Susan M., McDaniel, Mary L., Reeves, William G., Mitchler, Patricia A., Keely, Laura J., Hlaban, James J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Calvert, John J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): ANDERSON, CATHARINE L
• Application Number:
  US10/038,973
• Publication Number:
  US 20020188272A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,737 Days
• Field of Search: 604/368, 60438501-38505, 604/385.17
• US Class Current: 604/385.17
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/4704 having preferential bending zones, e.g. fold lines or grooves
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/47209 having only interlabial part, i.e. with no extralabial parts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/47245 with asymmetry around the x or y axis
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/5323 having absorbent material located in discrete regions, e.g. pockets
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/84 Accessories, not otherwise provided for, for absorbent pads

Abstract

An absorbent article (40) such as a labial pad configured for disposition within the vestibule (42) of a female wearer. The absorbent article (40) may be worn by females for catamenial purposes, incontinence protection or both. The absorbent article (40) has an absorbent (66) which may include one of various means formed on at least the upper surface thereof.

Claims

1. An absorbent article having a longitudinal x-axis configured to lie along a vertical plane that generally bisects a standing female wearer, a transverse y-axis which is perpendicular to the longitudinal x-axis, and a z-axis which is vertical when the x and y axes are horizontal, the absorbent article configured to provide a labial pad for disposition within the vestibule of a female wearer, the vestibule having a floor, the absorbent article comprising a fluid permeable cover, a liquid impermeable baffle and an absorbent situated between the cover and baffle, the absorbent having an upper surface, the upper surface having located thereon a slit which provides at least one fluid intake enhancement means;

wherein

the absorbent has a maximum width of no greater than about 70 mm, a maximum length of no greater than about 100 mm and a maximum z-axis thickness of no greater than about 10 mm, when measured along a line parallel to the z-axis;

the slit extends through at least about 50 percent of the z-axis thickness of the absorbent; and

the slit is configured to provide an increased surface area of the absorbent to allow bodily fluids to be more rapidly absorbed into the absorbent when the absorbent article is folded along an axis lying on or parallel to a principal longitudinal axis (L) for disposition within the vestibule of the wearer.

2. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the slit is configured to change from an initially closed position to an opened position when the absorbent article is folded for disposition within the vestibule of the wearer, such change thereby producing the increased surface area of the absorbent.

3. An absorbent article as recited in claim 1, wherein the slit further provides a placement enhancement means which minimizes the surface area of that portion of the absorbent article that comes into contact with the floor of the vestibule.

4. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the slit is a single continuous slit.

5. The absorbent article of claim 4, wherein the slit extends at least about 80 percent of the length of the absorbent.

6. The absorbent article of claim 4, wherein the slit extends at least about 80 percent of the width of the absorbent.

7. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the slit is a series of slits.

8. The absorbent article of claim 7, wherein the slits extend at least about 80 percent of the length of the absorbent.

9. The absorbent article of claim 7, wherein the slits extend at least about 80 percent of the width of the absorbent.

10. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the absorbent further comprises a superabsorbent polymer.

11. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the slit is a single continuous slit.

12. The absorbent article of claim 11, wherein the slit extends at least about 90 percent of the length of the absorbent.

13. The absorbent article of claim 11, wherein the slit extends at least about 90 percent of the width of the absorbent.

14. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the slit is a series of slits.

15. The absorbent article of claim 14, wherein the slits extend at least about 90 percent of the length of the absorbent.

16. The absorbent article of claim 14, wherein the slits extend at least about 90 percent of the width of the absorbent.

17. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the absorbent further comprises a superabsorbent polymer.