The Procter Gamble Company

Pamela Jean Brown

Thomas Ward Osborn, Iii

Tana Marie Kirkbride

Ronald Ray McFall

Anne Holland Bruce

Wilfried Maria Kollner

Kathy Suzanne Lynard

Stephanie Tych Craig

Dean Jeffrey Daniels

Michael Nyle Hershberger

Thomas James Klofta

Christopher Philip Bewick-Sonntag

Christy Ann Olson

Lee M Hines

Thomas W Osborn

Ron R McFall

Matthew Preston Fitzpatrick

A body-contacting surface or topsheet for absorbent articles or devices that is comfortable when it is placed in contact with hydrous body tissues is disclosed. In one non-limiting embodiment, the topsheet is a non-absorbent, moderately hydrophilic to substantially hydrophobic nonwoven web. The topsheet can have a critical surface tension of less than or equal to about 45 dynes/cm. In one embodiment, the nonwoven web has been mechanically modified so that it is extensible in an amount greater than equal to about 30% under a force of 50 grams, and undergoes a caliper change of greater than or equal to about 30% under a pressure of 1,000 Pa after being subjected to a pressure of 250 Pa. The topsheet is placed on absorbent devices such as sanitary napkins, tampons, pantiliners, interlabial devices, incontinence devices, bandages, and other types of articles. A method of capturing discharges from a source of discharges on a wearer's body in which at least a portion of the source of discharges is located within hydrous membranes having irregular surfaces (e.g., a female wearer's interlabial or intervaginal space) is also disclosed.

Topsheet for contacting hydrous body tissues and absorbent device with such a topsheet

The present invention relates to absorbent devices such as sanitary napkins, pantiliners, interlabial devices, and incontinence devices. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to an improved absorbent device that is insertable into the interlabial space of a female wearer for catamenial purposes (including menses and mid-cycle discharges), incontinence protection (including urine), or both. The absorbent interlabial device has at least on body-contacting surface and a backsheet having an integral protrusion formed therein of sufficient dimensions to aid in insertion into the interlabial space. An apparatus for forming the integral protrusion in the backsheet is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a female forming member having an opening therein, and a compression member having and opening therethough in operative aligned relationship with the opening of the female forming member. A male forming member having a male forming protrusion operatively disposed in aligned relationship with the opening of the female forming member and compression member, and moveable therethough can be urged through the openings. A method of making an integral protrusion in a backsheet is disclosed. The backsheet is compressed between the female forming member and the compression member. The backsheet has an uncompressed region coincident the aligned openings of the female forming member and the compression member. A male forming protrusion is urged through the aligned openings, thereby contacting and straining the backsheet material coincident said first and second openings to form a strain induced plastically deformed protrusion in the backsheet.

Absorbent interlabial device having an integrally formed tab

An absorbent interlabial device worn by female wearers for catamenial purposes, incontinence protection, or both, is disclosed. The absorbent interlabial device of the present invention includes a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet, and an absorbent core positioned between the two. The length of the device is between about 60 mm and about 130 mm. The width is between about 25 mm and 50 mm. The device has an axis of preferred bending along its longitudinal centerline. When folded along the axis and inserted into the wearer's interlabial space, the topsheet maintains contact with the walls of the wearer's labia. A method of using a system of feminine hygiene products is also disclosed. The system includes the use of an absorbent interlabial device in combination with a sanitary napkin. The absorbent interlabial device of the present invention may also be used in combination with an absorbent tampon. The absorbent interlabial device may be packaged in a common package with a sanitary napkin or a tampon as a feminine hygiene kit.

Absorbent interlabial device

An absorbent interlabial device worn by female wearers for catamenial purposes, incontinence protection, or both, is disclosed. The absorbent interlabial device has at least one body-contacting surface which comprises a substance that contacts the wearer's body for assisting the interlabial device in staying in place in the desired position in the interlabial space. The substance can be either adhesive or non-adhesive. In embodiments in which the substance is non-adhesive, it may have no initial tack so that it will not stick to the wrong portions of the wearer's body when the device is placed between the labia. Non-adhesive substances include moisture-activated substances which become viscous and develop a tack when contacted by relatively small amounts of moisture.

Absorbent interlabial device with substance thereon for maintaining the device in position

An absorbent interlabial device that is worn interlabially by female wearers for catemenial purposes, incontinence protection, or both, is disclosed. The absorbent interlabial device of the present invention is characterized by improved wearing comfort and increased capacity as compared to known interlabial devices. The absorbent interlabial device of the present invention includes at least an central absorbent portion (or core) surrounded by a liquid pervious topsheet. The topsheet is folded laterally inward over the central absorbent portion and downdward to form a central groove on the top surface of the interlabial device. The central groove faces toward the vestibule of the wearer upon insertion into the interlabial space. The central groove improves the comfort associated with the wearing of the interlabial device, and allows the device to more rapidly acquire fluids, particularly viscous fluids. Additional features of the device may include a pair of flexible extensions, a secondary topsheet for improve acquisition rate, and tapered sealed ends for improved wearing comfort.

Absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, panty liners, adult incontinence devices, and the like, that have components that are bonded for improved integrity and an unbonded window on their body-facing side for improved acquisition are disclosed. The absorbent articles comprise a topsheet that is fused to an underlying liquid pervious or absorbent layer at a plurality of individual bonded areas. The absorbent articles have an unbonded window that is substantially free of bonded areas, which is surrounded by region of the absorbent article that contain bonded areas.

Absorbent article having improved integrity and acquisition

An absorbent interlabial device worn by female wearers for catamenial purposes, incontinence protection, or both, is disclosed. The absorbent interlabial device of the present invention includes a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet, and an absorbent core positioned between the two. The length of the device is between about 60 mm and about 130 mm. The width is between about 25 mm and about 50 mm. The device has an axis of preferred bending along its longitudinal centerline. When folded along the axis and inserted into the wearer's interlabial space, the topsheet maintains contact with the walls of the wearer's labia. A method of using a system of feminine hygiene products is also disclosed. The system includes the use of an absorbent interlabial device in combination with a sanitary napkin. The absorbent interlabial device of the present invention may also be used in combination with an absorbent tampon. The absorbent interlabial device may be packaged in a common package with a sanitary napkin or a tampon as a feminine hygiene kit.

Feminine hygiene system and kit using an absorbent interlabial device

Surface pattern for a disposable absorbent article

Surface pattern for disposable absorbent article

Absorbent devices, and more particularly absorbent devices that are worn interlabially by female wearers for catamenial purposes, incontinence protection, or both, are disclosed. The absorbent interlabial device of the present invention comprises a main absorbent portion with an upper portion, a lower portion opposed to the upper portion, and two ends. The upper portion faces toward the vestibule of the wearer during insertion of the device into the wearer's interlabial space and during use. The ends of the absorbent device are preferably taped so that the lower portion of the interlabial device is longer than the upper portion. The ends are also provided with at least one curvilinear segment, with the ends preferably having a sinusoidal or S-shape. The absorbent interlabial device preferably also has an arcuate pattern of discrete autogenous bonds. The combination of the preferred S-shaped ends and the arcuate bonding pattern provides greater product stiffness control for simultaneous improved comfort and handling characteristics.

Shaped absorbent interlabial device

An absorbent interlabial device that is worn interlabially by female wearers for catemenial purposes, incontinence protection, or both, is disclosed. The absorbent interlabial device of the present invention is characterized by improved wearing comfort and increased capacity as compared to known interlabial devices. The absorbent interlabial device of the present invention includes at least an central absorbent portion (or core) surrounded by a liquid pervious topsheet. The topsheet is folded laterally inward over the central absorbent portion and downward to form a central groove on the top surface of the interlabial device. The central groove faces toward the vestibule of the wearer upon insertion into the interlabial space. The central groove improves the comfort associated with the wearing of the interlabial device, and allows the device to more rapidly acquire fluids, particularly viscous fluids. Additional features of the device may include a pair of flexible extensions, a secondary topsheet for improve acquisition rate, and tapered sealed ends for improved wearing comfort.

A method of making an absorbent interlabial device that is worn interlabially by female wearers for catamenial purposes, incontinence protection, or both, is disclosed. The absorbent interlabial device of the present invention preferably includes at least an central absorbent portion (or core) surrounded by a liquid pervious topsheet. The topsheet is folded laterally inward over the central absorbent portion and downward to form a central groove on the top surface of the interlabial device. The central groove faces toward the vestibule of the wearer upon insertion into the interlabial space. The central groove improves the comfort associated with the wearing of the interlabial device, and allows the device to more rapidly acquire fluids, particularly viscous fluids. The device is more easily manufactured than previous interlabial devices using current web handling techniqures.

Growing community of inventors

Maineville, OH, United States of America

Pamela Jean Brown