US3559650A - Flushable moisture-retaining sanitary pad - Google Patents
Flushable moisture-retaining sanitary pad Download PDFInfo
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- US3559650A US3559650A US691769A US3559650DA US3559650A US 3559650 A US3559650 A US 3559650A US 691769 A US691769 A US 691769A US 3559650D A US3559650D A US 3559650DA US 3559650 A US3559650 A US 3559650A
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- pad
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- moisture
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
- A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
- A61F13/15—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
- A61F13/51—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators characterised by the outer layers
- A61F13/511—Topsheet, i.e. the permeable cover or layer facing the skin
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
- A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
- A61F13/15—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
- A61F13/15203—Properties of the article, e.g. stiffness or absorbency
- A61F13/15211—Properties of the article, e.g. stiffness or absorbency soluble or disintegratable in liquid
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
- A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
- A61F13/15—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
- A61F13/53—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators characterised by the absorbing medium
- A61F13/534—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators characterised by the absorbing medium having an inhomogeneous composition through the thickness of the pad
- A61F13/537—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators characterised by the absorbing medium having an inhomogeneous composition through the thickness of the pad characterised by a layer facilitating or inhibiting flow in one direction or plane, e.g. a wicking layer
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
- A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
- A61F13/15—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
- A61F13/53—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators characterised by the absorbing medium
- A61F13/539—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators characterised by the absorbing medium characterised by the connection of the absorbent layers with each other or with the outer layers
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
- A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
- A61F13/15—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
- A61F13/56—Supporting or fastening means
- A61F13/64—Straps, belts, ties or endless bands
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
- A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
- A61F13/15—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
- A61F13/51—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators characterised by the outer layers
- A61F13/514—Backsheet, i.e. the impermeable cover or layer furthest from the skin
- A61F13/51401—Backsheet, i.e. the impermeable cover or layer furthest from the skin characterised by the material
- A61F2013/51409—Backsheet, i.e. the impermeable cover or layer furthest from the skin characterised by the material being a film
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
- A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
- A61F13/15—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
- A61F13/53—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators characterised by the absorbing medium
- A61F2013/530131—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators characterised by the absorbing medium being made in fibre but being not pulp
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
- A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
- A61F13/15—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
- A61F13/53—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators characterised by the absorbing medium
- A61F13/534—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators characterised by the absorbing medium having an inhomogeneous composition through the thickness of the pad
- A61F13/537—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators characterised by the absorbing medium having an inhomogeneous composition through the thickness of the pad characterised by a layer facilitating or inhibiting flow in one direction or plane, e.g. a wicking layer
- A61F13/53708—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators characterised by the absorbing medium having an inhomogeneous composition through the thickness of the pad characterised by a layer facilitating or inhibiting flow in one direction or plane, e.g. a wicking layer the layer having a promotional function on liquid propagation in at least one direction
- A61F2013/53721—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators characterised by the absorbing medium having an inhomogeneous composition through the thickness of the pad characterised by a layer facilitating or inhibiting flow in one direction or plane, e.g. a wicking layer the layer having a promotional function on liquid propagation in at least one direction with capillary means
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
- A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
- A61F13/15—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
- A61F13/53—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators characterised by the absorbing medium
- A61F13/539—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators characterised by the absorbing medium characterised by the connection of the absorbent layers with each other or with the outer layers
- A61F2013/53908—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators characterised by the absorbing medium characterised by the connection of the absorbent layers with each other or with the outer layers with adhesive
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
- A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
- A61F13/15—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
- A61F13/56—Supporting or fastening means
- A61F2013/5694—Other non adhesive means than hook and loop-type fastener or belts
Definitions
- a pad having a backing covered with a thin film of waterproof material which has no mechanical strength except that provided by the backing on which it is spread, so that moisture coming from the pad side of the backing cannot penetrate to reach the backing, but moisture reaching the backing from the other side, as occurs when it is flushed in a toilet, will disintegrate the backing, and thereby cause the thin waterproof layer to be broken up so that it also will be flushed away.
- the upper side of the absorbent pad may be provided with depressed. groovedlike portions which tend to diffuse the flow of menstrual fluid and to direct it toward the thicker portions of the absorbent pad where it can be more readily absorbed.
- Sanitary pads made according to the invention are suitable for use with the menstrual panty" described in US. Pat. application Ser. No. 65 l ,760,filed July 7, l967by Phyllis M. Larson, but can be used also with any suitable sanitary napkin belt or girdle, or any situation where conventional sanitary pads are used.
- FIG. I is a top view of a sanitary napkin according to the invention.
- FIG. 2 is a view taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 3 is a side view of the napkin shown in FIG. 1;
- FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 5 is a view showing a modified form of the invention.
- FIG. 6 is a view of another modification assembled but not folded
- FIG, 7 is a sectional view taken on line 7-7 of FIG. 6;
- FIG. 8 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 6, but in the final folded condition
- FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a different modification.
- FIG. 10 is a final-folded view similar to FIG. 9.
- the napkin consists of a backing sheet 2, made of paper or any similar flush-disposable material which will disintegrate upon contact with swirling water, and an upper absorbent pad 3, also made of flush-disposable material, which may be nonwoven rayon or cotton fibers, crepe paper, wood pulp, or similar material, very lightly compressed to form a self-coherent pad capable of absorbing and retaining a maximum amount of fluid, the individual fibers of the pad being however sufficiently compressed to somewhat retard absorbency, so that the fluid material does not flow too freely through it.
- a backing sheet 2 made of paper or any similar flush-disposable material which will disintegrate upon contact with swirling water
- an upper absorbent pad 3 also made of flush-disposable material, which may be nonwoven rayon or cotton fibers, crepe paper, wood pulp, or similar material, very lightly compressed to form a self-coherent pad capable of absorbing and retaining a maximum amount of fluid, the individual fibers of the pad being however sufficiently compressed to somewhat retard absorbency, so that the fluid material
- a thin film 4 of greasy or waxy material forming a waterproof barrier between the pad 3 and the backing 2.
- This film may be a silicon ointment, Diaparene Perianal cream (Sterling), cold cream, Plastibase (Squibb), etc., which also serves as a bonding agent between the pad 3 and the backing 2, and to some extent serves to hold the two together.
- a heavy crimping track is formed as shown at 6 and 7, which may be accomplished by crimping rollers, as is well known, in the assembly line formation of the napkins.
- This crimping track operation together with the cutting operation which cuts the pads to the proper size and therefore tends to somewhat compress the edge portions 8 and 9 so that they are much thinner than the body of pad 3, provides edge regions on the pad, which not only tend to hold the pad 3 and backing 2 together (in addition to the waterproof film), but also serve to retard the flow of fluid outwardly away from the central longitudinal axis of the pad. and to retain such fluid in the bulky portion of the pad.
- the upper and lower edges of the pad are similarly compressed, and this compressed rim around the entire perimeter of the pad tends to not only bind the unit together. but also tends to retain moisture in the central absorbent portion, to prevent it from seeping out along the edges.
- the top surface of the absorbent pad 3 is preferably provided over its major area with closely-spaced dents or depressions 10, which tend to diffuse the flow of fluid reaching the top surface of the pad and to spread it over a larger area of the pad, and also to permit such fluid to more readily enter into the main body portion of the pad, while at the same time the depressions are so oriented, as will be apparent from the FIGS., that they tend to direct the flow of such fluids from the.
- the backing sheet 2 may be made of any suitable material such as paper, polyvinyl alcohol film, etc., which has a reasonable wet strength, but is not indissoluble in plain water, water with detergent solution, or any chemical composition usually present in septic tanks or sewerage system.
- the bonding and waterproof layer 4 may be applied either with a blade or a spray nozzle. or in any known fashion, but must form a complete film over the surface which it covers, to prevent the entrance of water from the pad to the backing strip.
- the material employed should remain nonhardening for the useful life of the product. and must, of course, be nontoxic to the skin.
- the depressions 9 and 1 1 may be omitted in the case where the pad is formed of a relatively coarse-grained material having a somewhat rough or corrugated upper surface, which would tend to produce the same general effect.
- the general grain of the material should run in a longitudinal direction so as to increase the amount of fluid which is carried by the pad, mainly by working it away from the place of greatest flow, in the center of the pad.
- the dents or depressions can readily be formed at the same time that the pad is assembled, by passing the pad under or through rollers which are properly embossed to form the desired configuration, However, the amount of pressure should be greater on the edges, so as to compact the edge portions more firmly than the center portion, for the reasons noted above.
- the pad shown in FIG. 1 is suited to be carried in the pocket of a menstrual panty such as shown in the above-referred to patent application, or in any similar garment, a tab space 12 being left at the front of the pad for daintiness in handling a used pad. This can be accomplished by leaving the backing sheet 2 exposed at the tab portion, the absorbent pad 3 being cut away for this purpose.
- FIG. 5 shows a slight modification in which two tabs 13 and 14 are provided at the ends of the sanitary napkin for attachment to a carrier such as a belt or any similar device, in lieu of the menstrual panty. If the tab material used is such that crimping alone will not provide sufficient bonding between the pad 3 and the backing strip 2, then spot gluing or other means of attachment may be used, but only to an extent sufficient to prevent slippage of the top pad from the lower base, to keep them together during use and during removal, but to allow each to part from the other when flush ed.
- the backing sheet 2 may he a sheet of absorbent pad material similar to the top sheet 3, but preferably thinner, there being however the same waterproof film 4 between the upper and lower portions to prevent moisture from striking through the lower backing pad; however, if a small amount of moisture does strike through, the second pad would tend to absorb this.
- FIGS. 6-8 show another way of making a pad according to the invention.
- the backing sheet 2 of HO. 1 is extended as shown at 20 and then folded over the top of-thc pad. to provide a firmer top surface. which is yet sufiiciently porous to readily absorb and spread moisture. and which may also be suitably crimpcd or indented if desired.
- FlGS. 9 and 10 show another fonn similar to FIG. 8. but with the waterproof layer on the folded side. Instead of being made from a single sheet as shown in FIGS. 6-10. the top and bottom layers could also be made from two separate sheets similar to the backing sheet material.
- the backing sheet 2. 2a or 2b should be uniformly saturable, ie. a drop of moisture at any point will spread until it is uniformly absorbed. Crepe paper with considerable wet strength is preferred. the wet strength being only barely sufficient for removal by careful handling when wet by normal use. It should be noted that the greasy layer helps in this respect, as it tends somewhat to keep the fibers together when the backing sheet is damp. although not in swirling water.
- a flush-disposable sanitary pad composed entirely of flush-disintegrating material comprising: a. an upper layer comprising a flush-disposable mass of highly absorbent material, b. a lower backing sheet of flush-disintegrable material secured to the lower side of said mass. c. a thin. flexible continuously impervious layer of fluid-blocking material, incapable of holding itself together in the swirling water of a flush toilet. secured and supported between said upper layer and said lower backing sheet. said impervious layer extending substantially coextensjvely with the effective area of said pad to block the passage of fluid from said upper layer to said lower sheet.
- said impervious layer being a layer of greaselike material supported by said backing sheet.
- said pad being in the form of an elongated strip. the side and end edges of the strip being compressed to be thinner than the center portion so as to retard liquid flow from the center toward the edges and thus tend to retain moisture in the center portion of the pad.
Abstract
A disposable sanitary pad or napkin having a flush-disposable absorbent pad on the upper side and a flush-disposable backing of paper or similar material, with a thin flexible layer of liquidretarding material (such as a greasy or waxlike material) between the two, so that liquid from the pad cannot reach the backing to dissolve it, but liquid reaching the backing from its exposed side will disintegrate it so that it can be disposed of by flushing in a toilet, the thin layer being unable to remain as a film without the support of the backing material, so that it also disintegrates when the backing material disintegrates.
Description
United States Patent I [72] Inventor Phyllis M. Larson 3,171,773 3/1965 Estes et al (128/287) 1412 Julie Ave.. McLean, Va. 2210] 3,407,814 10/1968 George et al. 128/290 PP ,769 FOREIGN PATENTS 2g 1m d FDe c 504,466 7 1954 Canada 128/287 1 562,312 8/1958 Canada 128/296 Primary Examiner-Anton O. Oechsle [S4] FLUSHABLE MOISTURE-RETAINING SANITARY Assistant E i A ld W, Kramer PAD Attorney-Max L. Libman 3 Claims, 10 Drawing Figs.
[52] US. Cl 128/290 [51] Int. Cl A6lf 13/16 T C A disposable Sanitary pad or napkin having a Fleld of Search flush disposable absorbent pad on the upper ide and a flush. 296-287Jmqu1red) disposable backing of paper or similar material, with a thin flexible layer of liquid-retarding material (such as a greasy or [56] References cued waxlike material) between the two, so that liquid from the pad UNITED STATES PATENTS cannot reach the backing to dissolve it, but liquid reaching the 3,444,859 5/ 1969 Kalwaites l28/29OX backing from its exposed side will disintegrate it so that it can 3,489,148 l/ 1970 Duncan et al 128/284 be disposed of by flushing in a toilet, the thin layer being una- Re24,385 10/1957 Flanders 128/290 ble to remain as a film without the support of the backing 2,973,760 3/1961 Dudley 128/290X material, so that it also disintegrates when the backing materi- 3,005,456 10/ l 961 Graham 128/290X a1 disintegrates.
QATERPROOF LAYER 2 msmsnm 2m 3.5591650 QQ QQQQ- :1 7 cost: 2 F 2 v QATERPROOF LAYER FIG. 6.
Sanitary pads made according to the invention are suitable for use with the menstrual panty" described in US. Pat. application Ser. No. 65 l ,760,filed July 7, l967by Phyllis M. Larson, but can be used also with any suitable sanitary napkin belt or girdle, or any situation where conventional sanitary pads are used.
The specific nature of the invention as well as other objects and advantages thereof will clearly appear from a description of a preferred embodiment, as shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. I is a top view of a sanitary napkin according to the invention;
FIG. 2 is a view taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a side view of the napkin shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a view showing a modified form of the invention;
FIG. 6 is a view of another modification assembled but not folded;
FIG, 7 is a sectional view taken on line 7-7 of FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 6, but in the final folded condition;
FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a different modification; and
FIG. 10 is a final-folded view similar to FIG. 9.
According to the FIGS. in which the invention is exemplified by a sanitary napkin, the napkin consists of a backing sheet 2, made of paper or any similar flush-disposable material which will disintegrate upon contact with swirling water, and an upper absorbent pad 3, also made of flush-disposable material, which may be nonwoven rayon or cotton fibers, crepe paper, wood pulp, or similar material, very lightly compressed to form a self-coherent pad capable of absorbing and retaining a maximum amount of fluid, the individual fibers of the pad being however sufficiently compressed to somewhat retard absorbency, so that the fluid material does not flow too freely through it. Between the pad 3 and the backing sheet 2 there is a thin film 4 of greasy or waxy material forming a waterproof barrier between the pad 3 and the backing 2. This film may be a silicon ointment, Diaparene Perianal cream (Sterling), cold cream, Plastibase (Squibb), etc., which also serves as a bonding agent between the pad 3 and the backing 2, and to some extent serves to hold the two together. To further hold the two elements together, a heavy crimping track is formed as shown at 6 and 7, which may be accomplished by crimping rollers, as is well known, in the assembly line formation of the napkins. This crimping track operation, together with the cutting operation which cuts the pads to the proper size and therefore tends to somewhat compress the edge portions 8 and 9 so that they are much thinner than the body of pad 3, provides edge regions on the pad, which not only tend to hold the pad 3 and backing 2 together (in addition to the waterproof film), but also serve to retard the flow of fluid outwardly away from the central longitudinal axis of the pad. and to retain such fluid in the bulky portion of the pad. The upper and lower edges of the pad are similarly compressed, and this compressed rim around the entire perimeter of the pad tends to not only bind the unit together. but also tends to retain moisture in the central absorbent portion, to prevent it from seeping out along the edges.
The top surface of the absorbent pad 3 is preferably provided over its major area with closely-spaced dents or depressions 10, which tend to diffuse the flow of fluid reaching the top surface of the pad and to spread it over a larger area of the pad, and also to permit such fluid to more readily enter into the main body portion of the pad, while at the same time the depressions are so oriented, as will be apparent from the FIGS., that they tend to direct the flow of such fluids from the.
area where it first reaches the pad in a longitudinal direction generally toward the bulky absorbent portion of the pad. For this reason, several rows of such depressions are provided as shown at 11 at the lower end of the pad oriented oppositely from the depressions 9, so as to direct the flow of fluid toward the central portion of the pad.
The backing sheet 2 may be made of any suitable material such as paper, polyvinyl alcohol film, etc., which has a reasonable wet strength, but is not indissoluble in plain water, water with detergent solution, or any chemical composition usually present in septic tanks or sewerage system. The bonding and waterproof layer 4 may be applied either with a blade or a spray nozzle. or in any known fashion, but must form a complete film over the surface which it covers, to prevent the entrance of water from the pad to the backing strip. The material employed should remain nonhardening for the useful life of the product. and must, of course, be nontoxic to the skin.
The depressions 9 and 1 1 may be omitted in the case where the pad is formed of a relatively coarse-grained material having a somewhat rough or corrugated upper surface, which would tend to produce the same general effect. In this case, of course, the general grain of the material should run in a longitudinal direction so as to increase the amount of fluid which is carried by the pad, mainly by working it away from the place of greatest flow, in the center of the pad. The dents or depressions can readily be formed at the same time that the pad is assembled, by passing the pad under or through rollers which are properly embossed to form the desired configuration, However, the amount of pressure should be greater on the edges, so as to compact the edge portions more firmly than the center portion, for the reasons noted above.
The pad shown in FIG. 1 is suited to be carried in the pocket of a menstrual panty such as shown in the above-referred to patent application, or in any similar garment, a tab space 12 being left at the front of the pad for daintiness in handling a used pad. This can be accomplished by leaving the backing sheet 2 exposed at the tab portion, the absorbent pad 3 being cut away for this purpose.
FIG. 5 shows a slight modification in which two tabs 13 and 14 are provided at the ends of the sanitary napkin for attachment to a carrier such as a belt or any similar device, in lieu of the menstrual panty. If the tab material used is such that crimping alone will not provide sufficient bonding between the pad 3 and the backing strip 2, then spot gluing or other means of attachment may be used, but only to an extent sufficient to prevent slippage of the top pad from the lower base, to keep them together during use and during removal, but to allow each to part from the other when flush ed.
Instead of the backing sheet 2 being made of'paper or other relatively nonabsorbent sheet material, it may he a sheet of absorbent pad material similar to the top sheet 3, but preferably thinner, there being however the same waterproof film 4 between the upper and lower portions to prevent moisture from striking through the lower backing pad; however, if a small amount of moisture does strike through, the second pad would tend to absorb this.
FIGS. 6-8 show another way of making a pad according to the invention. In this case. the backing sheet 2 of HO. 1 is extended as shown at 20 and then folded over the top of-thc pad. to provide a firmer top surface. which is yet sufiiciently porous to readily absorb and spread moisture. and which may also be suitably crimpcd or indented if desired.
FlGS. 9 and 10 show another fonn similar to FIG. 8. but with the waterproof layer on the folded side. Instead of being made from a single sheet as shown in FIGS. 6-10. the top and bottom layers could also be made from two separate sheets similar to the backing sheet material.
The backing sheet 2. 2a or 2b should be uniformly saturable, ie. a drop of moisture at any point will spread until it is uniformly absorbed. Crepe paper with considerable wet strength is preferred. the wet strength being only barely sufficient for removal by careful handling when wet by normal use. It should be noted that the greasy layer helps in this respect, as it tends somewhat to keep the fibers together when the backing sheet is damp. although not in swirling water.
It will be apparent that the embodiments shown are only exemplary and that various modifications can be made in construction and arrangement within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
lclaim:
l. A flush-disposable sanitary pad composed entirely of flush-disintegrating material comprising: a. an upper layer comprising a flush-disposable mass of highly absorbent material, b. a lower backing sheet of flush-disintegrable material secured to the lower side of said mass. c. a thin. flexible continuously impervious layer of fluid-blocking material, incapable of holding itself together in the swirling water of a flush toilet. secured and supported between said upper layer and said lower backing sheet. said impervious layer extending substantially coextensjvely with the effective area of said pad to block the passage of fluid from said upper layer to said lower sheet.
2. The invention according to claim 1, said impervious layer being a layer of greaselike material supported by said backing sheet. a
3. The invention according to claim 1, said pad being in the form of an elongated strip. the side and end edges of the strip being compressed to be thinner than the center portion so as to retard liquid flow from the center toward the edges and thus tend to retain moisture in the center portion of the pad.
Claims (2)
- 2. The invention according to claim 1, said impervious layer being a layer of greaselike material supported by said backing sheet.
- 3. The invention according to claim 1, said pad being in the form of an elongated strip, the side and end edges oF the strip being compressed to be thinner than the center portion so as to retard liquid flow from the center toward the edges and thus tend to retain moisture in the center portion of the pad.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US69176967A | 1967-12-19 | 1967-12-19 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US3559650A true US3559650A (en) | 1971-02-02 |
Family
ID=24777897
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US691769A Expired - Lifetime US3559650A (en) | 1967-12-19 | 1967-12-19 | Flushable moisture-retaining sanitary pad |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US3559650A (en) |
Cited By (36)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3626943A (en) * | 1970-03-11 | 1971-12-14 | Gurdon S Worcester | Sanitary clothing article |
US3626899A (en) * | 1970-07-14 | 1971-12-14 | Spellman & Zenon Products Corp | Training pads for young dogs |
US3683917A (en) * | 1970-03-24 | 1972-08-15 | John M Comerford | Absorbent product comprising a fluid impervious barrier of a repellent tissue and a hydrocolloid |
FR2355513A1 (en) * | 1976-03-25 | 1978-01-20 | Personal Products Co | ABSORBENT PRODUCT WITH SIDE LEAK RETENTION |
EP0059014A2 (en) * | 1981-02-24 | 1982-09-01 | THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY | Disposable absorbent article having an improved liquid containment construction |
US4372311A (en) * | 1980-09-12 | 1983-02-08 | Union Carbide Corporation | Disposable articles coated with degradable water insoluble polymers |
US4655759A (en) * | 1985-09-19 | 1987-04-07 | Kimberly-Clark Corporation | Reduced leakage menstrual pad with built-in fold lines |
US4681578A (en) * | 1985-03-08 | 1987-07-21 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Pantiliner with ventilation areas |
WO1988000034A1 (en) * | 1986-07-02 | 1988-01-14 | Wolfgang Diete | Utility object made at least partially of a thin-wall envelope |
US5009652A (en) * | 1987-10-16 | 1991-04-23 | Morgan Cheryle I | Medical sponges and wipes with a barrier impermeable to infectious agents |
US5108382A (en) * | 1980-08-12 | 1992-04-28 | Timbale Corporation Nv | Disposable containers |
US5219342A (en) * | 1990-06-14 | 1993-06-15 | Hatch Janell M | Disposable diapers |
EP0688548A1 (en) * | 1994-06-22 | 1995-12-27 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Crimping of a fibrous web to a tissue |
US5509913A (en) * | 1993-12-16 | 1996-04-23 | Kimberly-Clark Corporation | Flushable compositions |
US5843056A (en) * | 1996-06-21 | 1998-12-01 | Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. | Absorbent article having a composite breathable backsheet |
US5879341A (en) * | 1996-03-29 | 1999-03-09 | Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. | Absorbent article having a breathability gradient |
US5981012A (en) * | 1997-11-25 | 1999-11-09 | Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. | Flushable release liner comprising a release coating on a water-sensitive film |
US5985396A (en) * | 1997-11-25 | 1999-11-16 | Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. | Flushable release liners and methods of making the same |
US6384297B1 (en) | 1999-04-03 | 2002-05-07 | Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. | Water dispersible pantiliner |
US6460484B2 (en) * | 2000-05-10 | 2002-10-08 | Uni-Heartous Corporation | Pet sheet |
US6503233B1 (en) | 1998-10-02 | 2003-01-07 | Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. | Absorbent article having good body fit under dynamic conditions |
US6530910B1 (en) | 1997-12-31 | 2003-03-11 | Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. | Flushable release film with combination wiper |
US6562192B1 (en) | 1998-10-02 | 2003-05-13 | Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. | Absorbent articles with absorbent free-flowing particles and methods for producing the same |
US20030163105A1 (en) * | 2002-02-22 | 2003-08-28 | Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. | Absorbent article having a pair of fringes |
US20030163104A1 (en) * | 2002-02-22 | 2003-08-28 | Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. | Method of securing an abosrbent article to a primary absorbent undergarment |
US20030163108A1 (en) * | 2002-02-22 | 2003-08-28 | Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. | Absorbent article for absorbing body fluids |
US6638603B1 (en) | 1997-08-15 | 2003-10-28 | Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. | Screen printed coating on water-sensitive film for water protection |
US6667424B1 (en) | 1998-10-02 | 2003-12-23 | Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. | Absorbent articles with nits and free-flowing particles |
US20040102752A1 (en) * | 1998-10-02 | 2004-05-27 | Fung-Jou Chen | Absorbent article with center fill performance |
US20040143273A1 (en) * | 2000-12-29 | 2004-07-22 | Winitsky Kathleen M. | Microdermabrasive exfoliator |
US6913573B1 (en) * | 2003-04-21 | 2005-07-05 | Dominic Anthony Viscomi | Positive-pressure rectal incontinence pad |
US20050192549A1 (en) * | 2004-03-01 | 2005-09-01 | Paolo Veglio | Pantiliner |
US6984225B2 (en) | 1996-03-11 | 2006-01-10 | Hakle-Kimberly Deutschland Gmbh | Absorbent article and process for the directed drainage of fluids released in a localized manner |
US20070204782A1 (en) * | 2004-04-15 | 2007-09-06 | Cupid Foundations, Inc. | Undergarments having finished edges and methods therefor |
US20090069768A1 (en) * | 2007-09-12 | 2009-03-12 | Hunt Brenda A | Disposable Undergarment |
US20150047571A1 (en) * | 2013-08-16 | 2015-02-19 | Linda Mast | Absorbent Pad for Animal Waste |
-
1967
- 1967-12-19 US US691769A patent/US3559650A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Cited By (51)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3626943A (en) * | 1970-03-11 | 1971-12-14 | Gurdon S Worcester | Sanitary clothing article |
US3683917A (en) * | 1970-03-24 | 1972-08-15 | John M Comerford | Absorbent product comprising a fluid impervious barrier of a repellent tissue and a hydrocolloid |
US3626899A (en) * | 1970-07-14 | 1971-12-14 | Spellman & Zenon Products Corp | Training pads for young dogs |
FR2355513A1 (en) * | 1976-03-25 | 1978-01-20 | Personal Products Co | ABSORBENT PRODUCT WITH SIDE LEAK RETENTION |
US5108382A (en) * | 1980-08-12 | 1992-04-28 | Timbale Corporation Nv | Disposable containers |
US4372311A (en) * | 1980-09-12 | 1983-02-08 | Union Carbide Corporation | Disposable articles coated with degradable water insoluble polymers |
EP0059014A2 (en) * | 1981-02-24 | 1982-09-01 | THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY | Disposable absorbent article having an improved liquid containment construction |
EP0059014A3 (en) * | 1981-02-24 | 1982-10-06 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Disposable absorbent article having an improved liquid containment construction |
US4681578A (en) * | 1985-03-08 | 1987-07-21 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Pantiliner with ventilation areas |
US4655759A (en) * | 1985-09-19 | 1987-04-07 | Kimberly-Clark Corporation | Reduced leakage menstrual pad with built-in fold lines |
WO1988000034A1 (en) * | 1986-07-02 | 1988-01-14 | Wolfgang Diete | Utility object made at least partially of a thin-wall envelope |
US5009652A (en) * | 1987-10-16 | 1991-04-23 | Morgan Cheryle I | Medical sponges and wipes with a barrier impermeable to infectious agents |
US5219342A (en) * | 1990-06-14 | 1993-06-15 | Hatch Janell M | Disposable diapers |
US5509913A (en) * | 1993-12-16 | 1996-04-23 | Kimberly-Clark Corporation | Flushable compositions |
EP0688548A1 (en) * | 1994-06-22 | 1995-12-27 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Crimping of a fibrous web to a tissue |
US6984225B2 (en) | 1996-03-11 | 2006-01-10 | Hakle-Kimberly Deutschland Gmbh | Absorbent article and process for the directed drainage of fluids released in a localized manner |
US5879341A (en) * | 1996-03-29 | 1999-03-09 | Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. | Absorbent article having a breathability gradient |
US6659990B1 (en) | 1996-03-29 | 2003-12-09 | Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. | Absorbent article having a breathability gradient |
US5843056A (en) * | 1996-06-21 | 1998-12-01 | Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. | Absorbent article having a composite breathable backsheet |
US6638603B1 (en) | 1997-08-15 | 2003-10-28 | Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. | Screen printed coating on water-sensitive film for water protection |
US5981012A (en) * | 1997-11-25 | 1999-11-09 | Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. | Flushable release liner comprising a release coating on a water-sensitive film |
US5985396A (en) * | 1997-11-25 | 1999-11-16 | Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. | Flushable release liners and methods of making the same |
US6294238B1 (en) | 1997-11-25 | 2001-09-25 | Kimberly-Clark Corporation | Flushable release liner comprising a release coating on a water-sensitive film |
US6296914B1 (en) | 1997-11-25 | 2001-10-02 | Kimberly-Clark Corporation | Flushable release liners and methods of making the same |
US6530910B1 (en) | 1997-12-31 | 2003-03-11 | Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. | Flushable release film with combination wiper |
US6503233B1 (en) | 1998-10-02 | 2003-01-07 | Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. | Absorbent article having good body fit under dynamic conditions |
US7429689B2 (en) | 1998-10-02 | 2008-09-30 | Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. | Absorbent article with center fill performance |
US7265258B2 (en) | 1998-10-02 | 2007-09-04 | Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. | Absorbent articles with nits and free-flowing particles |
US6562192B1 (en) | 1998-10-02 | 2003-05-13 | Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. | Absorbent articles with absorbent free-flowing particles and methods for producing the same |
US6667424B1 (en) | 1998-10-02 | 2003-12-23 | Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. | Absorbent articles with nits and free-flowing particles |
US6695827B2 (en) | 1998-10-02 | 2004-02-24 | Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. | Absorbent article having good body fit under dynamic conditions |
US20040054331A1 (en) * | 1998-10-02 | 2004-03-18 | Hamilton Wendy L. | Absorbent articles with nits and free-flowing particles |
US20040102752A1 (en) * | 1998-10-02 | 2004-05-27 | Fung-Jou Chen | Absorbent article with center fill performance |
US6384297B1 (en) | 1999-04-03 | 2002-05-07 | Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. | Water dispersible pantiliner |
US6460484B2 (en) * | 2000-05-10 | 2002-10-08 | Uni-Heartous Corporation | Pet sheet |
US20040143273A1 (en) * | 2000-12-29 | 2004-07-22 | Winitsky Kathleen M. | Microdermabrasive exfoliator |
US6936038B2 (en) | 2002-02-22 | 2005-08-30 | Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. | Absorbent article having a pair of fringes |
US20030163108A1 (en) * | 2002-02-22 | 2003-08-28 | Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. | Absorbent article for absorbing body fluids |
US20030163105A1 (en) * | 2002-02-22 | 2003-08-28 | Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. | Absorbent article having a pair of fringes |
US20030163104A1 (en) * | 2002-02-22 | 2003-08-28 | Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. | Method of securing an abosrbent article to a primary absorbent undergarment |
US6921393B2 (en) | 2002-02-22 | 2005-07-26 | Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. | Absorbent article for absorbing body fluids |
US6913573B1 (en) * | 2003-04-21 | 2005-07-05 | Dominic Anthony Viscomi | Positive-pressure rectal incontinence pad |
US20050192549A1 (en) * | 2004-03-01 | 2005-09-01 | Paolo Veglio | Pantiliner |
US8314285B2 (en) * | 2004-03-01 | 2012-11-20 | The Procter And Gamble Company | Pantiliner |
US20070204782A1 (en) * | 2004-04-15 | 2007-09-06 | Cupid Foundations, Inc. | Undergarments having finished edges and methods therefor |
US20080295227A1 (en) * | 2004-04-15 | 2008-12-04 | Cupid Foundations, Inc. | Undergarments having finished edges and methods therefor |
US8176864B2 (en) | 2004-04-15 | 2012-05-15 | Cupid Foundations, Inc. | Undergarments having finished edges and methods therefor |
US8215251B2 (en) | 2004-04-15 | 2012-07-10 | Cupid Foundations, Inc. | Undergarments having finished edges and methods therefor |
US8839728B2 (en) | 2004-04-15 | 2014-09-23 | Cupid Foundations, Inc. | Undergarments having finished edges and methods therefor |
US20090069768A1 (en) * | 2007-09-12 | 2009-03-12 | Hunt Brenda A | Disposable Undergarment |
US20150047571A1 (en) * | 2013-08-16 | 2015-02-19 | Linda Mast | Absorbent Pad for Animal Waste |
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