Title of Invention

INTERLABIAL PAD

Abstract An interlabial pad (10) that is worn by female wearers, placed in intimate contact and supported between the labia. The interlabial pad is characterized by having a low fiction shape (34, 36, 42, 56, 100) with fine changes on each of first and second surfaces of the opposite side face (30, 32, 50), the first and second surfaces facing each other when said interlabial pad (10) is folded along the longitudinal centerline, the low friction shape enabling a reduction in a resisting force when the first surface is sliding against the second surface to make right and left phase shifts when the interlabial pad is worn.
Full Text SPECIFICATION
INTERLABIAL PAD
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Technical Field
The present invention relates to an interlabial pad that is able to be worn
by female wearer, being placed in an intimate contact between the labia.
Background Art
Conventionally, a sanitary napkin and a tampon are used generally as a
female sanitary products. Here, there have been great efforts to prevent the
leak of menstrual blood from gap caused by a poor contact state near the
ostium vaginae as for the sanitary napkin. Moreover, as for the tampon, there
have been great efforts for relieving a foreign feeling and discomfort when
wearing a tampon product and intervaginal wearing trouble due to the nature of
those products.
Under such situation, a sanitary product of the interlabial pad have
attracted people as a sanitary product positioned between the sanitary napkin
and the tampon in recent years. The interlabial pad is used by inserting its
portion between the labia and bringing into contact with a labia inner face, it
prevents the menstrual blood from leaking since it has higher adhesion to the
body than that of the sanitary napkin, and the menstrual blood from being
diffused and brought widely into contact with the body, so it is sanitary and clean.
Moreover, the interlabial pad which has characteristics that it excels in a wear
feeling, is comfortable because of being smaller than the sanitary napkin, and
has lower psychological resistance on wearing than that of the tampon which is
inserted into the vagina.
Unlike a sanitary napkins being fixed to an underwear or a tampon and
being fixed by insertion into the vagina, the interlabial pad is usually used and
fixed to the body by inserting it between the labia, which may make right and left
phase shifts in body motions. Therefore, it is necessary that the interlabial pad
can make right and left phase shifts flexibly to follow the wearer's body motions.
That is, it is required to the motions of the labia corresponding to the
asymmetric body motions with respect to the body's longitudinal plane of
symmetry, which extends along the anteroposterior axis, like putting one foot in
front of the other alternately in walking. If the interlabial pad cannot follow the
body motions and falls from the wearer's interlabial space, the resulting leak of
menstrual blood is a significant problem. The "right and left phase shifts" refer to
a broad concept including asymmetric or separate changes of the right and left
sides (The change includes changing positions and moving.).
As a conventional example of such device, an absorbent interlabial
device is disclosed (Japanese Patent Publication No. 2001-506168). The
absorbent interlabial device comprises a liquid permeable topsheet, a liquid non
permeable backsheet and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet
and backsheet. The length of the absorbent interlabial device is greater than
about 60 mm and less than about 130 mm. The width of the device is between
about 25 mm and about 50 mm.. The device comprises an axis of preferred
bending, located along the longitudinal centerline of the device. When the
device is folded along this axis and is inserted into the wearer's interlabial space,
the topsheet maintains contact with the walls of the wearer's labia.
When being inserted between the labia, the absorbent interlabial device
is folded to be accommodated in the space. However, unlike a usual sanitary
napkin, the interlabial pad is not fixed to the underwear or not fixed by insertion
like a tampon. The interlabial pad is inserted between ihe labia in such condition
that the pad may slip or shift and is not fixed as securely as the sanitary napkin
or tampon. Therefore, with the wearer's body movement, slips between the
absorbent interlabial device (equivalent to the interlabial pad) and the labia may
tend to occur, which may make the wearer feel discomfort.
Disclosure of the Invention
The present invention is directed to solve problems pointed out above.
The object of the invention is, with the interlabial pad placed in intimate contact
with and supported between labia, to reduce discomfort as much as possible
which the wearer of the pad feels when some force is exerted on either the
interlabial pad or the labia by the body motions.
The inventors found out that it might be the slip between the interlabial
pad and inner walls of the labia or some force felt between the interiabial pad
and the inner walls of the labia, even without any slips, which makes the wearer
feel discomfort. Such force is apt to be produced by the wearer's asymmetric
motions. For example, as for an interlabial pad which is worn by being folded,
the left labium is to contact the left side of the interlabial pad and the right
labium is to contact the right side of the interlabial pad. If the interlabial pad had
enough flexibility, problems pointed above would not arise. Because the right
and left sides of the folding line of the interlabial pad could make right and left
phase shifts to some extent. However, in some cases, the friction between the
back side sheet and itself contacting each other being caused by the right and
left phase shifts in body motion makes it difficult to maintain the wearing position.
For example, when an asymmetric motion, such as walking movement of the
wearer, is made, the surfaces of the right and left sides of the interlabial pad
contacting right and left labia, respectively, try to follow the asymmetric
movament. However, the frictional force arising from the back side sheet
makes it difficult for the right and left sides of the interlabial pad to make right
and left phase shifts with respect to the folding line. This does not only cause a
feeling of discomfort to the wearer but also results in that either or both surfaces
of the right and left sides of the interlabial pad contacting left and right labia
surfaces, respectively, come off from the labium. Consequently, the pad falls off
the labia because its holding force is lost.
Additionally, when the frictional force between the back side sheet and
the underwear becomes greater than the holding force of the labia to hold the
interlabial pad, the pad can not follow the wearer's body motion, which not only
causes a feeling of discomfort to the wearer but also raise the strong possibility
that the interlabial pad may fall off the labia. Thus, achieving low friction
between the back side sheet and itself, or between the back side sheet and
another thing such as underwear, is clearly preferable. The inventors also found
out that low friction could be achieved easily and effectively by contriving the
surface shape of the back side sheet.
The present invention is developed based on the above-mentioned
findings and provides an interlabial pad being fixed to labia in intimate contact
with a structure and/or shape which allows flexible, asymmetric movements
even when a shearing force is exerted on the interlabial pad by body motion, i.e.,
a structure and/or shape which achieves low friction.
More specifically, the present invention provides the following:
(1) An interlabial pad having a size, a weight and flexibility so as to be
pinched and held partially or totally in between the labia without forcing, the pad
comprising: a body side face orientated toward a body side, and an opposite
side face to the body side face orientated toward a garment side and; wherein
said opposite side face to the body side face has a surface shape ("low friction
shape") of low resisting force by sliding with another face, which includes a
same face.
"Partially or totally" may mean that a part or the whole of the interlabial
pad is to be unseen by inserting the interlabial pad between labia. To be
pinched without forcing may mean that the wearer who wears the interlabial pad
inserts it between her labia without an unnatural force. To hold may mean that
the pad should not fall from the place where it is inserted. The body side face
oriented to the body side may have at least some portion thereof that is oriented
toward the body side. The opposite body side face to the body side face may
have at least some portion thereof that is oriented to the clothing side is not
necessarily faced the side away from the body.
The "surface shape of the opposite body side face" refers to a shape
which is located on the opposite side face to the body side face or retained by a
member positioned on the opposite side face to the body side face. It is not
necessary that the member or the opposite side face has to retain such shape
over the whole member or the whole surface. But at least a part thereof may
have such surface. "Same face" may mean the same face which is formed on
the opposite side face or by a member located on the opposite side face to the
body side and which is located at different places on the opposite side face. For
example, the same face may refer to a different face (part) located on the same
face of the part which comes into contact with the face by bending the surface.
"Another face" may include the same face mentioned above and surfaces of a
different member, e.g., a surface formed on a clothing such as underwear.
"A surface shape of low resisting force by sliding ("low friction shape")"
means a surface shape, that is, a low resistance shape when sliding with the
same type of surface or a predetermined surface under a predetermined
condition. And it is a shape other than surfaces having engaging portions such
as a hook and loop (for example, MAGIC TAPE (Japanese registered trade
mark)).
(2) The interlabial pad according to (1), wherein said low friction shape
comprises a shape having a substantially small contact area between sliding
two faces.
Here, "sliding two faces" may comprise one face referring to a face on the
opposite side face to the body side face and the other face referring to a face
located at other place on the same opposite side face or another face on a
clothing or the like. The Substantial contact area may refer to the total area of
portions, which actually contact each other, of the two surfaces that appear to
contact each other. "Contact" may include contact via solid material or viscous
fluid and may mean the state where one surface transmits a friction force to the
other mating surface by sliding. More specifically, the shape having a
substantially small contact area may be a shape of mating faces that have an
actually small contact area.
(3) The interlabial pad according to (1) or (2), wherein said low friction
shape comprises a group of fine convex shapes.
The "fine convex shape" may be a partially projected shape from a
reference surface of the base face on the opposite side face to the body side
face and it may be smaller than that of the base face on the opposite side face
to the body side face. "A group of " may mean that the low friction shape
comprises a plurality of convex shapes since only one convex shape may not
form the low friction shape.
(4) The interlabial pad according to (3), wherein said fine convex
shape is an emboss portion processed by an emboss former.
The "emboss portion processed" refers to a part which protrudes from
the reference surface of the base face of the opposite side face to the body side
face and particularly, to a part having a protrusion small enough in comparison
to the base face of the opposite side face to the body side face. Seen from the
above, a shape of the emboss portion protruding upward is usually a circle.
However, the shape may be a rectangle, an ellipse or other shapes so that it is
not limited to a circle.
(5) The interlabial pad according to (4), wherein an emboss rate of said
fine convex shape is at least 1% and not exceeding 50%.
The "emboss rate" is determined by dividing the total area of emboss
portions by the total area on the opposite side face to the body side face which
can be processed by the emboss former.
(6) The interlabial pad according to (1) or (2), wherein said low friction
shape is made of a fiber assembly.
The "fiber assembly " refers to plural fibers which are gathered to form a
cluster. The fiber assembly includes woven fabrics and nonwoven fabrics.
(7) The interlabial pad according to (6), wherein said fiber assembly is
made of nonwoven fabric.
The "nonwoven fabric" may refer to fabrics except woven fabrics and
may include fabrics made by spun bonding, spun lacing, through air, needle
punching and other methods.
(8) The interlabial pad according to any one from (1) to (7), wherein
said opposite side face to the body side face is made of a low friction material.
The "low friction material" refers to materials including an inorganic
material and an organic material such as polymers of polytetrafluoroethylene,
and materials having a small frictional coefficient in a dry condition, materials
having a low friction against fabrics including cloth made of fibers, nonwoven
fabric, etc., materials having a low friction against themselves. The "small
frictional coefficient" refers to a value of 0.3 or less, and more preferably, 0.1 or
less.
(9) The interlabial pad according to any one from (1) to (8), wherein
a lubricant is applied to said opposite side face to the body side face.
The lubricant refers to lubricants including solid lubricants, such as
smooth powder, and fluid lubricants, such as silicone oil, which have particularly
low toxicity and no health and sanitary problems.
(10) The interlabial pad according to any one from (1) to (9), wherein
said interlabial pad comprises a mini sheet piece.
The "mini sheet piece" may refer to an attachment to the outside of said
interlabial pad and may form a sac or bridge together v/ith the interlabial pad.
(11) The interlabial pad according to any one from (1) to (10), wherein
said interlabial pad is an interlabial pad for an incontinence.
According to the interlabial pad of the present invention, the pad can be
used for incontinence absorbing pad. As ostium vaginae where the menstrual
blood is discharged and a urethral meatus where urine is discharged are
located between labia, and the interlabial pad of the invention to be used
between the labia can absorb urine also.
As described hereinbefore, the pad of the invention can absorb urine
between the labia, especially around the urethral meatus and is useful for the
absorbing pad for incontinence, especially for a light incontinence.
(12) The interlabial pad according to any one from (1) to (10), wherein
said interlabial pad is an interlabial pad for absorbing vaginal discharge.
In accordance with the present invention, the interlabial pad can be used
for a pad of absorbing the vaginal discharge. The interlabial pad according to
the present invention is used between the labia and can absorb the excretion
other than the menstrual blood from the ostium vaginae for the use therefore
(for absorbing the vaginal discharge).
As described above, the pad can absorb the vaginal discharge in order to
decrease the discomfort for the wearer, and is useful for the wearer who is not
menstruating.
(13) A method for reducing a foreign feeling of an interlabial pad wearer
by using the interlabial pad of any one from (1) to (12).
With this method complaints of the interlabial pad wearer who wears an
analogous but different interlabial pad and claims feelings of discomfort are
resolved.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Fig. 1 is a plan view of an interlabial pad of the present embodiment seen
from the body side face.
Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line X1-X2 of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 shows an interlabial pad of the present embodiment. A front view of
the folded interlabial pad is shown in (A). A side view of the pad seen from the
left side is shown in (B).
Fig. 4 is an enlarged plan view, seen from the bottom, of a part of the
back side sheet of the interlabial pad having a laminated fiber composite
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of Fig. 4.
Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a part of the folded interlabial pad
having a laminated fiber composite according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a part of another interlabial pad having
a laminated fiber composite according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a part of another folded interlabial pad
having a fiber laminated body according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
Fig. 9 is an enlarged partial view of portion B in Fig. 8
Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a part of another interlabial pad having
a laminated fiber composite according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
Fig. 11 is an enlarged plan view of a part of the back side sheet of the
interlabial pad having an emboss portion, seen from the bottom according to an
embodiment of the present invention .
Fig. 12 is equivalent to the cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of
Fig 11. Two different cases are shown in (A) and (B), respectively
Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a part of the folded interlabial pad
having the emboss portion according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
Fig. 14 shows a cross-sectional view (A) or (B) of a part of another folded
interlabial pad having the emboss portion according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view of a part of yet another folded interlabial
pad having the embossing portion according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the interlabial pad having a mini-sheet
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional view of a part of the folded interlabial pad
having a mini-sheet and a back side sheet combined with a laminated fiber
composite according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 18 is a cross-sectional view of a part of the interlabial pad having a
mini-sheet and back side sheet with the embossing portion according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 19 is a cross-sectional view of another interlabial pad having a
mini-sheet in an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 20 is a cross-sectional view of another interlabial pad having a
mini-sheet according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 21 is a drawing for the analysis of the low-friction mechanism,
according to an embodiment of the present invention
Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention
Next, the embodiments of the interlabial pad according to the present
invention will be described with reference to the figures.
[Basic interlabial pad]
Fig. 1 shows a schematic plan view of an interlabial pad 10. An interlabial
pad essentially has a shape which is elongated longitudinally, that is, an
elliptical shape having the major axis from front 14 to rear 16 along the
longitudinal axis (X-axis), and the minor axis from right 18 to left 20 on the
lateral axis (Y-axis). However, the shape of the product is not necessarily limited
to it, but it may be any one of the shapes which are suitable for the labial area
and allow right and left phase shifts during use, such as an elliptical shape, an
ovoid shape, a gourd shape and a tear drop shape.
Fig. 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line X1-X2 of
Fig. 1. The interlabial pad 10 comprises a liquid permeable surface side sheet
26 of the wearer's body side face 22 facing inner walls of labia; a permeable or
non permeable back side sheet 30 facing the opposite side face 24 to the body
side face, that is, the wearer's clothing side; and an absorber 28. The interlabial
pad 10 is an over-laid type pad, whose surface side sheet and back side sheet
are bonded together at the outer edge of the absorbent. The surface side sheet
26 and the back side sheet 30 may be bonded by heat seal alone or in
combination with a hot melt type adhesive. The interlabial pad 10 is not limited
to the above-mentioned overlaid type structure, but may be an enclosing type
structure composed of an absorber, and a water impermeable material
positioned under an absorber, and a water permeable sheet covers the
absorber and the water impermeable material entirely.
Next, a brief description of the surface side sheet and the absorber,
which are main components of the interlabial pad will be given. A description of
the back side sheet will be given later in relation to low friction characteristics.
[Surface side sheet (water permeable sheet)]
It is preferable that the surface side sheet of the interlabial pad positioned
at the body side is water permeable as described above. For the water
permeable sheet, materials which are hydrophilic to liquid and non-irritant to the
skin are used. By way of example, the following materials may be given: a
nonwoven fabric or a combination thereof made with a melt blown method, a
spun bond method, a point bond method, a through-air method, a needle punch
method, a wet-type spun lace method, a foam film method, and so on.
Examples of fibrous sheets include sheeted fabrics which are any single
or mixture of fibers made of rayon, acetate, cotton, pulp or synthetic resin, alone
or a combination thereof so as to form a core- and-sheath structure.
Among the materials, considering the liquid mobility from the inner face of
the labia, chemical stimulation by an activator, and contact state with the inner
wall of the labia, it is preferable to apply spun-lace nonwoven fabric. It is
prepared by the following procedures: Rayon with 1.1 to 4.4 dtex fineness and 7
to 51 mm fiber length is spread as a layer to have 40 to 80 % of a specific
weight per unit area to the total on the body face side. Mixtures of rayon with
1.1 to 4.4 dtex fineness and 7 to 51 mm fiber length and 14 to 42 % of a specific
weight per unit area to the total and PET with 1.1 to 4.4 dtex fineness and 7 to
51 mm fiber length and 6 to 18 % of a specific weight per unit area to the total
are spread as a layer on the garment face side. After laminating the two layers
so as to make 20 to 60 g/m2 of the total weight per unit area, the fibers are
entangled by water-flow interlacing treatment and then dried to make spun lace
nonwoven fabric with the thickness of 0.13 to 0.50 mm. During the above
procedures, by mixing PET on the garment side face, bulkiness can be easily
maintained even if the permeable sheet becomes wet. Therefore, the contact
state between inner walls of the labia can be maintained.

For the absorber contained in the interlabial pad, materials such as pulp,
chemical pulp, rayon, acetate, natural cotton, super absorbent polymer, super
absorbent polymer fiber and synthetic fiber, can be used independently or in a
combination thereof. Mixtures of required compositions are formed into the
absorber by known techniques such as pressing by an emboss former and
entangling by needling, and as required, can be prepared by appropriately
adjusting bulkiness, layering, folding or the like.
Sheet materials may be used after processed into sheets or powder, not
being limited by the its application.
It is preferable for the absorber, although any material can be used as
long as it is capable of absorbing and holding liquid (fluid), to be bulky,
hard-to-be deformed, less chemically stimulant, and more preferably highly
flexible to fit into the labia. Specifically, 50 to 150 g/m2 of pulp with lengths
thereof selected from the range of the fiber length of 1 to 10 mm is laminated on
the garment side face. On the body side face, 150 to 250 g/m2 of a mixture
obtained by mixing 60 to 90 % of rayon with 1.1 to 4.4 dtex fineness and 20 to
51 mm fiber length and 40 to 10 % of natural cotton is laminated. The two
laminated layers are formed into a sheet by a dotted emboss processor to have
2 to 10 mm bulkiness, and more preferable to have 3 to 5 mm bulkiness.
Thereby, liquid can be easily transmitted from the body side face to the garment
side face resulting in the improvement of the absorbing and holding capacity.
Furthermore, by providing a mesh spun lace nonwoven fabric of rayon with 1.1
to 4.4 dtex fineness and 25 to 51 mm fiber length and a specific weight per unit
area of 15 to 40 g/m2, the liquid transmitted from the body side face can be
dispersed by the mesh spun lace to be induced to almost all over the region of
the pulp layer. Therefore, more liquid can be effectively absorbed.
The interlabial pad 10 shown in Figs. 1 and 2 may be used being folded
along the line from front 14 to rear 16 along the X-axis as shown in Fig. 3.
Then, the surface side sheet 26 on the body side face 22 is facing the upper
side (or outside). On the other hand, the opposite body side face 24 is facing
the lower side and the back side sheet 30 is facing inside of the folded pad. In
such structure, the surface side sheet 26 contacts the surface of the labia and
the right and left sides of the pad contact the right and left sides of the labia
respectively. Therefore, when the right and left sides of the labia move
asymmetrically, the right and left sides of the interlabial pad can move to follow
such movement of the right and left sides of the labia to some extent. That is,
a sheet-like member can easily foliow relatively the right and left phase shifts of
the interlabial pad caused by body motions. In this case, however, the folded
back side sheet slide against each other so that an object of the present
invention is to reduce the friction produced under these conditions.
[Back side sheet]

As the materials for the water impermeable sheet which can be used for
the back side sheet of the interlabial pad, materials which can prevent the
menstrual blood contained in the absorber from leaking out of the interlabial pad
can be used. Using the moisture-permeable materials may reduce the stuffy
feeling so as to reduce the discomfort during use.
Examples of such materials include sheet films made of synthetic resins
which are formed into membranes, breathing films made by drawing synthetic
resin combined with inorganic fillers, laminated materials made by combining
paper, nonwoven fabrics and films, and a gas-permeable and water
non-permeable sheet having 10-30% of open pores and 0.1 to 0.6 mm diameter
with capillaries disposed to extend toward the absorber.
Additionally, in considering flexibility so as not to degrade the wear
feeling in use, a film having a weight per unit area of 15 to 30 g/m2 and mainly
comprising low density polyethylene (LDPE) resin which has a density of 0.900
to 0.925 g/cm3 can be used as a preferred example. However, the combination
or composition of the materials may vary to have the following low friction
characteristics.

On the garment side face of the back side sheet of the interlabial pad
according to the present invention, the back side face has a surface structure
hard to make an intimate contact with each other so as to reduce the friction
force of the back side sheet against itself such that the interlabial pad can make
right and left phase shifts easily. More concretely, reducing the ratio of contact
area between top surfaces on one place and another place of the back side
sheet may make it more difficult to make an intimate contact of mated surfaces.
By way of example, it is also possible to make it less likely to make an intimate
contact between the back side sheet and itself by applying lubricants such as
silicone oil, polyhydric alcohol including glyceline and ethyleneglycol, paraffin
wax and paraffin oil so that the back side sheet and itself are in contact under
the presence of lubricants.
[Combined type of laminated fiber]
Fig. 4 shows a front view seen from the bottom of the back side sheet 32
made of a laminated fiber composite in a first embodiment. The unevenness
formed by a laminated fiber composite 34 (Fig. 5) reduces the contact area at
and between the top surface and itself of the folded back side sheet,
consequently, reducing the close contact. Therefore, low friction will be
achieved. As shown in Fig. 5, which is a cross-sectional view taken along line
A-A of Fig.4, the back side sheet 32 combined with the laminated fiber
composite 34 was considered to tend to have high degree of stiffness, however,
it is possible to give enough flexibility to the back side sheet by thinning a
synthetic resin film into a resin film thin membrane or selecting an appropriate
bonding method, therefore, the back side sheet 32 is suitable for the interlabial
pad 10.
Particularly, in the embodiment shown in Fig. 5, a spun bond nonwoven
fabric 36 is used as a fiber cluster forming the laminated fiber composite 34. A
film 38 is made of polystyrene resin film 38.
Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram showing surfaces of one place and another
of the back side sheet in contact with each other. As shown in Fig. 6, the
surfaces not only have a small contact area but also gaps 40 are produced,
therefore the moisture does not stay on the contact surface of the back side
sheet even when the back side sheet becomes damp. Consequently, the friction
will not change noticeably. Therefore, in either dry or wet conditions, the
capability of the right and left sides of interlabial pad to follow the body motion
will not change remarkably, which assures a quality of stability. For the resin
film 38 of the present embodiment, a 22g/m2 film mainly composed of low
density polyethylene having a density of 0.923 g/cm3 and formed into a film by
cast method is used.
As materials other than the above-mentioned films, sheet films made of
synthetic resins such as PP and PET which are formed into membranes can be
used. In considering flexibility so as not to degrade the wear feeling in use, it is
preferable to use a film with a weight per unit area of 5 to 30 g/m2 and mainly
comprising low density polyethylene (LDPE) resin having a density of 0.900 to
0.925 g/cm3. In addition, by drawing polyethylene resin with inorganic fillers
such as calcium carbonate and barium sulfate, gaps are produced in the films to
enhance the flexibility. As gas-permeability is also enhanced by this method, the
hot and muggy feeling will be reduced, which will reduce the discomfort in use.
In the present embodiment, as the laminated fiber composite, a
polypropylene spun bond nonwoven fabric having a weight per unit area of 20
g/m2 and a fineness of 2.2 dtex is used. However, materials used as laminated
fiber composites are not limited to a spun bond nonwoven fabric, but suitable
fibers such as PP, PET, PP/PE, PET/PE (synthetic fibers with core-and-sheath
structure) can be used. The preferred fineness of these fibers is 1.1 dtex to 6.6
dtex, more preferably, 1.7 dtex to 3.3 dtex. These laminated fiber composites
are made by known methods such as spun bonding, spun lace, through air, and
needle punch. The preferred weight per unit area of these laminated fiber
composites is 15 to 50 g/m2, more preferably, 18 to 25 g/m2. Because materials
in these ranges can be provided with gaps in order to reduce the number of
contact points between top surfaces at one place and another place of the back
side sheet in contact with each other, without degrading the flexibility and
drape-feeling.
According to the present invention, the laminated fiber composite and the
film are combined with a lamination method using a hot melt adhesive. However,
the method is not limited to the lamination method, but other methods such as
an extrusion lamination method applying thermoplastic resin to the laminated
fiber composite can also be employed. To prevent the sheet from becoming
stiffer and less flexible through this combining, it is preferable that the film and
the laminated fiber composite are bonded partially. Because this may provide an
interlabial pad with suitable flexibility and drape feeling as appropriate as the
interlabial pad. More specifically, when bonded with a hot melt adhesive, the
adhesive can be applied in dots, stripes, or spirals. When the film and the
laminated fiber composite are bonded with the extension lamination method,
they may be bonded with designed patterns on a chill roll such as a dot pattern
and a rib-groove pattern.
Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram showing another embodiment using a
laminated fiber composite. In this embodiment, the body side face 22 is the
upper side, and the absorber 28, shown broken in this figure, is positioned on
the side. The film 38 and the laminated fiber composite 42 are the same
materials as used in the previous embodiment. The laminated fiber composite
has protruding parts and recessed parts 46, which reduces the contact area. In
addition, two contact surfaces may be kept a part appropriately because of the
elasticity of the laminated fiber composite, which is considered to be effective
for the reduction in the contact area and friction.
Fig. 8 shows a part of the interlabial pad 10 to which the back side sheet
is applied. The absorber 28 is located between the surface side sheet 26 and
the back side sheet 30 and though connected at the top part, the right and left
parts of the absorber are separated by the back side sheet so that left and right
absorbers can follow the motions of labia contacting the surface side sheet. Fig.
9 shows an enlarged view of B in Fig. 8. As in the case of Fig. 6, a gap 47 is
produced by the recessed parts and protruding parts (46, 44) of the laminated
fiber composite, which stabilizes and reduces the frictional coefficient.
Fig. 10 shows another embodiment. The laminated fiber composite 42 is
also made of the same fiber and film as employed in the first embodiment. The
composite 42 also has protruding portions 44. At the point corresponding to a
recessed part, a melt-bonded zone 49 is made on the film using a hot melt
adhesive. The above combination method may make desired protruding parts
and recessed parts to form a low-friction shape.
[Film Type Processed with Surface Protrusion and Recess]
Fig. 11 is a front view of a back side sheet 50 of a fourth embodiment of
the present invention. The back side sheet 50 includes the reference surface (or
flat surface) 56 of the base member and a protrusion 52. The structure made of
these multiple protruding portions reduces an intimate contact between surfaces
at one place and another of the back side sheet. The resin material and emboss
pattern of the back side sheet 50 can be selected considering the suitable
flexibility for the interlabial pad. Such embodiments can be separated into the
different two cases as shown in (A) and (B) in Fig. 12, (cross-sectional views
taken along line B-B of Fig.11). In (A) of Fig. 12, the back side sheet 50 having
a recess 54 just behind each protrusion 52 is shown, as the protrusion 52 is
made by pressing the film 56 with punch or the like to form the emboss surface,
in (B) of Fig. 12 the back side sheet 50 having a protrusion 52 with a flat
reverse side is shown.
Fig. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a case of the back side sheet
contacting itself. As gaps 58 are produced by the protrusions 52 of the film 56,
even when the back side sheet becomes damp, the moisture does not stay on
the contact surface of the back side sheet. Consequently, the friction will not
change noticeably. The film 56 of the present embodiment is a polyethylene
resin film. However, the material is not limited to this, but sheet films made of
synthetic resins such as PP and PET, which are formed into membranes, can
be used. In considering flexibility so as not to degrade the feel in use, it is
preferable to use a film having a density of 0.900 to 0.925 g/cm3. Filling
inorganic fillers, such as calcium carbonate and barium sulfate, provides the film
with minute pits and projections, which reduce the intimacy of contact. In
addition, by drawing the film, pores may be introduced in the film, which reduce
the stiffness. Also, as gas-permeability is generally obtained by this method, the
hot and muggy feeling will be reduced, which will reduce the discomfort in use.
In the emboss processing of the present embodiment, the protrusion has
a diameter of 0.2 mm at the top, a diameter of 0.6 mm at the bottom, and a
height of 0.12 mm. The dots are placed in a 60° angle staggered arrangement
with a pitch of 1.0 mm (Average embossing rate 5%). The emboss processing
can be carried out in the following range, which is suitable for the interlabial pad.
Preferably, the emboss rate is 1 % to 50 %, and more preferably, 1 % to 30 %.
When the emboss rate is less than 1 %, the emboss processing may produce
no effect as the emboss area is too small to reduce the contact area between
cop surface and itself. On the other hand, when the emboss rate is more than
50 %, not only the contact area between the top surface and itself may increase,
but also the productivity of the emboss processing may be lowered.
A schematic diagram of another embodiment of emboss processing is
shown in (A) of Fig 14. Similarly to Fig. 13, the case that the surfaces of the
folded back side sheet 30 contact each other is described.
As the surfaces of the back side sheet 30, which are facing each other,
come in contact near the top of each embossing portion (protrusion) 52, the
contact area is small and the friction caused by sliding is low. In addition, gaps
are produced between the part other than protrusions 58, which stabilizes the
frictional coefficient as described above. Suppose the back side sheet part 30
shown in the right hand side slightly slides downward, and then upward
pressure shown by an arrow 60 is applied to the right hand side sheet part while
downward pressure shown by an arrow 62 is applied to the left side sheet part,
the contact area is not large as the surfaces contact at the points a iittle below
the top of the protrusions 52. However, the movement of the right and left sheet
parts may cause each protrusion to catch its opposite protrusion, which may
cause friction aside from the contact area. To avoid producing such friction by
catching mechanically, it is recommended to adjust the pitch so that the
protrusion parts may not catch each other in three dimensions. Fig. 15 shows
this in two dimensions as an example. As the emboss portions facing each
other are provided with different pitches, they will not catch each other as
shown in (B) of Fig. 14. Thus, the friction can be reduced as a result of the
reduced contact area.

Fig. 16 shows one embodiment of the interlabial pad 70 having a mini
sheet piece 80 fixed to a back side sheet in a cross-sectional view.
Similarly to the above-described embodiments, an absorber 28 is
accommodated between the surface side sheet 26 facing the body side face 22
and the back side sheet 30. The mini sheet piece 80 can be attached to the
back side sheet 30 by the means described above, such as hot melt adhesive,
or other means.
The mini sheet piece can be attached to the side of the back side sheet
facing the clothing extending astride both sides of the longitudinal center line,
without interfering the right and left phase shifts of the interlabial pad. When the
interlabial pad is worn by the wearer, the mini sheet piece prevents the close
contact between the surfaces of the folded back side sheet by being placed
between the folded back side sheet of the interlabial pad.
Also, it is preferable that the mini sheet piece is extensible so as not to
interfere the right and left phase shifts of the interlabial pad.
Fig. 17 is a schematic diagram of an interlabial pad 72, to which the mini
sheet piece 80 is attached, according to another embodiment of the present
invention. In this embodiment, the back side sheet 30 is made of the laminated
fiber composite 36 and a film.
The materials are the same as the embodiments described above. In
this embodiment, the mini sheet piece 80 is placed between the folded back
side sheet 30. As this structure prevents the opposite surfaces of the folded
back side sheet 30 from coming into direct contact with each other and
increases the surface where the shear slide can occur, it is expected that the
friction will be reduced still more.
Fig. 18 is a schematic diagram of an interlabial pad 74, to which the mini
sheet piece 80 is attached according to another embodiment of the present
invention. In this embodiment, the back side sheet 30 with a plurality of emboss
portions 52 is used.
The materials are the same as the embodiments described above. In this
embodiment, the mini sheet piece 80 is placed between the folded back side
sheet 30. As this structure prevents the opposite surfaces of the folded back
side sheet 30 from coming into direct contact with each other and increases the
surface where the shear slide can occur, it is expected that the friction will be
reduced still more.
Fig. 19 is a schematic diagram of an interlabial pad 76, to which the
mini sheet piece 80 is attached, according to another embodiment of the
present invention. A finger can be inserted into a space 82 surrounded by the
back side sheet 30 and the mini sheet piece 80 to fit the pad.
In this embodiment, as the width of the mini sheet piece (breadthways
length of the interlabial pad) is short, unlike the above-mentioned embodiments,
the mini sheet piece does not necessarily separate folded-and-facing surfaces
of the back side sheet 30 completely. Even in this case, as the back side sheet
30 has low friction shape of the present invention, the friction between the
folded-and-facing surfaces of the back side sheet 30 is low.
Fig. 20 shows a schematic diagram of an interlabial pad 78, being worn,
to which the mini sheet piece 80 is attached, according to another embodiment
of the present invention.
The mini sheet piece 80 is projected toward the opposite body side and
does not have a strong influence on the friction. In this interlabial pad 78, the left
side of the surface side sheet 26 contacts the left side of the labia and the right
side of the surface side sheet 26 contacts the right side of the labia.
Therefore, when the left side of labia 90 moves forward (toward this side
from the Fig. 20) and the right side of labia 90 moves backward (toward far side
from the Fig. 20), the left side of the surface side sheet 26 moves forward and
the right side of the labia moves backward, and in response to this movement,
the left side of the absorber 28 moves forward and the right side of absorber 28
moves backward, and then, the left side of the back side sheet 30 moves
forward and the right side of the back side sheet 30 moves backward.
As a result, friction between the folded-and-facing surfaces of the back
side sheet 30 is produced to interfere the above movement. However, as the
back side sheet 30 of the present invention has low friction, the back side sheet
30 slides against the opposite part of the folded back side sheet without
interfering the movement of the labia.
Here, the method to wear the interlabial pads 76 and 78, which have the
mini sheet piece, is briefly described with reference to Figs. 19 and 20. As the
interlabial pad 76 shown in Fig. 19 and the interlabial pad 78 shown in Fig. 20
are different in attaching each mini sheet piece, they can be different
embodiments of the interlabial pads. However, with regard to the following
description of the method to wear, the pads can be considered as the same
pad.
The wearer can insert her finger into a pocket 82 formed by the back side
sheet 30 and the mini sheet piece 80, from an opening of the pocket 82 of a
finger insertion opening, with a fingerpring side of a part till the first joint of the
finger (fingertip) contacting the opposite side face to the body side face of the
back side sheet 30, so that she can hold the interlabial pad 76 or 78 on the
fingertip.
When the finger is inserted into the pocket 82, the area with which the
fingerprint side of the finger comes into contact has finger contact points which
correspond to contact points suitable for locating the vaginal opening positioned
deep inside the labia. The area including finger contact points comprises an
area having the most suitable finger contact points for locating the vaginal
opening, an area having suitable finger contact points, and an area having
acceptable finger contact points. The finger insertion opening guides the
inserted finger so that the fingerprint side of the fingertip may be brought to the
area including the above-described finger contact points.
Thus, when guiding the interlabial pad 76 or 78 to the labia 90, with the
contact point (not shown) located on the body side face of the interlabial pad 76
or 78 contacting the labia 90, by the medium of the absorber 28, by feeling the
unevenness of the labia 90 with the finger cushion side of the fingertip inserted
into the pocket 82, the interlabial pad 76 or 78 can be guided to the proper
position in the labia 90, forming a concaved portion.
After putting the interlabial pad 76 or 78 into the labia 90 and pulling the
finger out from the pocket 82, the mini sheet piece 80 hangs slack opposite to
the body side face as shown in Fig. 20. Therefore, a used interlabial pad 1 can
be removed by pulling the mini sheet piece 80. In addition, the mini sheet piece
80 made of non permeable or breathable material allows the wearer to pull and
remove the interlabial pad 76 or 78 without soiling her fingers.
Generally, it is preferable to use extensible or elastic materials for the
mini sheet piece 80. Because even if the wearer's finger is larger than the
provided finger insertion opening, the mini sheet piece 80 stretches at least
breadthways corresponding to the wearer's finger size, which allows the wearer
to insert her finger and place the interlabial pad 76 or 78 properly although the
wearer may have a large or small fingertip size.
Examples of materials essentially having elasticity include
styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer (SBS), styrene-isoprene-styrene
block copolymer (SIS), synthetic rubber such as urethane rubber, films made
from amorphous olefin resin having a density of 0.88 to 0.900 g/cm3, opening
foam film and net. Woven fabrics or fabrics in which spun filaments made from
synthetic rubber are interwoven can also be used. In addition, a spun bond
nonwoven fabric, a melt blown nonwoven fabric and expanded foam sheet
which mainly made from synthetic rubber can also be used.
In considering a soft feeling in use, a preferred example is a porous foam
film opening foam film made from SEBS, adjusted to be 15 to 40 µ thick and
constructed to have pores of 0.28 to 1.77 mm2 covering 40 to 70 % of the total
area.
Examples of nonwoven fabric include materials which mainly comprise
heat shrinkable compound synthetic fibers having a high-melting core part and
a low-melting sheath part, such as PE/PP, PE/PET, PP/PP; including a spun
lace nonwoven fabric whose fibers are entangled by water streams, shrink-type
nonwoven fabric whose fibers are shrunk by reheating air processing and
so-called extensible spun bond, which is a sheet made from continuous long
fiberby heat sealing and forced tentering in the longitudinal direction.
More specifically, a shrink-type nonwoven fabric which mainly comprises
heat shrinkable compound synthetic fibers having a fineness of 1.1-4.4 dtex, a
length of 7- 51 mm, high-melting core part and low-melting sheath part, such as
PE/PP, PE/PET, PP/PP and adjusted to have a weight per unit area of 10 to 60
g/m2 is a suitable material having a suitable softness and drape feeling.
Laminated materials made of the materials described above can also be used.
When non-extensible materials processed to have extensibility are used,
raw materials of combined synthetic fibers such as PE/PP, PE/PET, PP/PP, etc.
which have thermal extensibility and composed of a core with high melting point
material and a sheath with low melting point material formed from a thru-air
nonwoven fabric being heat-treated by hot air and having bulkiness, a
spun-lace fabric with entangled fibers by water stream pressure, a spun-bond
nonwoven fabric made into sheet with laminated continuous fibers, a needle
punch nonwoven fabric with entangled fibers by a needle, an SMS nonwoven
fabric made into a sheet by multi-layering spun-bond and melt-blown fabrics, etc.
and films mainly composed of PE resin, or a combination thereof may be used.
It is also possible to provide the above-described materials with
extensibility using corrugate processing, in which the material is placed between
male-female molds and embossed by heat, temperature and pressure. More
specifically, the examples include a through air nonwoven fabric which mainly
comprises compound synthetic fibers adjusted to have a fineness of 1.1 to 4.4
dtex and a weight per unit area of 10 to 60 g/m2 and applied corrugate
processing to have breadthways extensibility. Preferably, the male-female
molds of the corrugate processing is arranged to achieve an extensibility at
least 10 %, and more preferably, to have an extensibility of 20 to 50 %, yet
more preferably, the processed material is extended by 30 % with a load of 0.01
to 0.05 N/mm (Test condition: using tensilon tensile tester, velocity: 100
mm/min., chuck interval: 100 mm). For providing the materials with extensibility,
methods such as making incisions or perforating can be used.
Hitherto, embodiments of the present invention using common
materials have been described. In addition, the inventors have developed an
interlabial pad which is also biodegradable, water dispersible and water-soluble.
The description is as follows.
[Structure of an interlabial pad which is also biodegradable, water dispersible
and water-soluble]
It is more preferable hat the interlabial pad of the present invention
comprises biodegradable and/or water dispersible and/or water-soluble
materials. Such interlabial pads can be dropped into toilets and flushed away,
which allows the easy and sanitary disposal of used pads and reduces the
refuse in toilet facilities.
In this Specification, "biodegradable" means that a substance is
decomposed into gas such as carbon dioxide or methane, water, and biomass
under anaerobic or aerobic condition according to the natural process under the
existence of bacteria represented by actinomycetes and other microbes, and
also means that the biodegradability (biodegradable rate and biodegradable
degree) of the substance equals to a material naturally generated such as fallen
leaves or a synthetic polymer generally recognized having the same
biodegradability under the same environment. "Water dispersible" has the same
meaning as water diversifiable. It means a characteristic in which, while
having no influence when used in a limited amount of moisture (menstrual
blood), in a large amount of water or water current, the fabric is easily dispersed
into small pieces at least to a degree where an ordinal toilet plumbing is not
clogged. To be "water soluble" is to have a characteristic that, while having no
influence when used in a limited amount of moisture (menstrual blood), the
fabric is soluble in a large amount of water or water current.

As the materials for water permeable sheets, along with a spun lace
nonwoven fabric, wet-process spun lacing nonwoven fabric selected from the
nonwoven fabrics within a range of fiber length of 1 to 15 mm can be used. In
addition to the above-described materials, resins which biodegrade by
hydrolysis process, such as polylactic acid, polybutylene succinate can also be
used. For example, a melt blown nonwoven fabric which is made from polylactic
acid and adjusted to have a weight per unit area of 20 to 60 g/m2 or a spun
bond nonwoven fabric adjusted to have a weight per unit area of 15 to 30 g/m2
and a fineness of 1.1 to 3.3 dtex can be used. For each nonwoven fabric
material, aperturing is optional.
As another material, a synthetic or acetate fiber alone, or tow of
continuous fiber of a laminated body may be used by adjusting a range of
weight per unit area from 50 to 300 g/m2 and by raveling fibers each other.
Moreover, among such materials, considering the hydrophilicity with the
inner face of interlabia so as to be capable of preventing the wearer from feeling
discomfort caused by slips between the interlabial pad and the surface of the
labia, it is preferable to use wet-process spun lace nonwoven fabrics mainly
comprising at least hydrophilic liquid fibers of cellulosic system.

As the materials for absorbents, nonwoven fabric sheets made by
needling can be used. Considering the biodegradability of polymer absorbents,
it is preferable to use carboxymethyl cellulose fibers.

As materials for back side sheet (water impermeable sheet), PVA films,
film sheets made by applying water-repellent processing on one side, both
sides or some parts of PVA films using silicone and so on, PVA films mixed with
silicone, starch films, laminated paper comprising films made of resins which
biodegrade by hydrolysis process, such as polylaci:ic acid and polybutylene
succinate, and tissue. The materials may be colored by mixing inorganic
pigments within a range of 0.1 to 5 % as required.
When maintaining leakage prevention in humid conditions and avoiding
an excessive load on septic tank is taken into consideration, a preferred
material is laminated paper made by laminating a film made from polylactic acid
to tissue having a thickness of 10 to 20 µ and a weight per unit area of 15 to
20 g/m2, with a bonded area of 5 to 40 % of laminated area.

As materials for laminated fiber composites, a wet-process spun lace
nonwoven fabric having a fiber length of 1 to 15 mm, along with a spun lace
nonwoven fabric, can be used. In addition to the above-described materials,
resins which biodegrade by hydrolysis process, such as polylactic acid,
polybutylene succinate can also be used. For example, a melt blown nonwoven
fabric which is made from polylactic acid and adjusted to have a weight per unit
area of 20 to 60 g/m2 or a spun bond nonwoven fabric adjusted to have a
weight per unit area of 15 to 30 g/m2 and a fineness of 1.1 to 3.3 dtex can be
used.

As materials for the mini sheet piece, films, a spun bond nonwoven fabric
and a melt brown nonwoven fabric made from biodegradable resins, such as
polylactic ac'd, polybutylene succina'e; films and nonwoven fabrics made from
water-soluble materials such as PVA and CMC; and water dispersible tissue
and a spun lace nonwoven fabric mainly comprising cellulose fibers ,
regenerated cellulose and others can be used.
It is preferable to use sheets of a spun bond nonwoven fabric or a melt
blown nonwoven fabric, which mainly comprise biodegradable materials, are
adjusted to have a fineness of 0.1 to 3.3 dtex and a weight per unit area of 15 to
40 g/m2 and are subjected to the mechanical corrugate processing.
Fig. 21 is intended for a schematic explanation about how reduced
contact area reduces the friction. The explanation is attempted to explain
experimental results. However, it is not needed that the following mechanism
works out to reduce the friction according to the present invention.
The surfaces of the back side sheet 30, which are facing each other,
have protruding and recesses parts 100, therefore, the surfaces do not contact
over the whole area. The surfaces actually contact at point (A1, S1) 102, point
(A2, S2) 104, point (A3, S3) 106, point (A4, S4) 108, point (A5, S5) 110 and point
(A6, S6) 112; among these points, gaps 122, 124, 126, 128, 130 and 132 exist.
Where Ak is an actual contact area and Sk is a shearing resisting strength per
unit area of substances existing there (contaminants on the surface in many
cases). Therefore, the frictional force f (60) caused by shearing such
substances is (A1xS1)+(A2xS2)+(A3xS3)+(A4xS4)+(A5xS5)+(A6xS6). As Sk may
be a physical property, which is usually considered to be constant, the frictional
force f (60) is Skx(A1+A2+A3+A4+A5+A6). As (A1+A2+A3+A4+A5+A6) equals to the
actual contact area between the back side sheet and itself, when this contact
area is reduced, the friction will be reduced.
As is clear from the result of the embodiments and explanation above, it
is preferable to use not only textures but also materials suitable for reducing
friction between the two sliding surfaces. For example, synthetic resins
including slidable polymer such as polytetrafluoroethylene and known
self-lubricating materials can be used in forming low friction shape. By using
proper lubricants, including solid and fluid lubricants, in addition to the reduction
by shape, still more friction reducing effects are expected.
In the above, friction between the back side sheet and itself is described
in detail. Friction between the back side sheet and other item, such as clothing,
can be considered similarly. For example, for friction against underwear, it is
similarly considered that a smaller contact area will make the friction smaller.
Therefore, similar low friction shape can be considered.
Industrial Applicability
As described above, according to the present invention, with respect to
an interlabial pad which can make right and left phase shifts, if the back side
sheet facing the garment side face has a structure and/or shape which less
likely makes the intimate contact with the back side sheet itself, frictional
resistance between the back side sheet and itself is decreased so that the
interlabial pad can make right and left phase shifts easily. This can reduce the
wearer's discomfort and it is unlikely that a friction force greater than the holding
force of the labia to hold the interlabial pad applies to the back side sheet of the
interlabial pad during the wearer's body motion.
By making a structure and/or shape which reduces the close contact of
the surfaces of the folded back side sheet from laminated fiber composites and
films, the points where the surfaces of the folded back side sheet contact each
other will be reduced. Thus the frictional resistance will be reduced. Also, gaps
are produced. Therefore, even when the back side sheet becomes damp, the
moisture does not stay on the contact surface of the back side sheet,
consequently, the frictional resistance will not change noticeably.
Employing the protrusion-recess processed surface structure ( or
protrusion processed surface structure) , which makes less likely to have the
close contact between the back side sheet and itself, the number of the contact
points between the back side sheet and itself is reduced so as to reduce the
frictional resistance. Also, gaps are produced so that even when the back side
sheet becomes wet, moisture does not stay between the contacting surfaces of
the back side sheet, and that the frictional resistance does not change
noticeably. In addition, as the processing is applied secondarily, the
manufacturing cost can be reduced.
In addition, when the mini sheet piece is attached to the side of the back
side sheet facing the clothing extending astride both sides of the longitudinal
centerline, without interfering the right and left phase shifts of the interlabial pad,
in some cases, the mini sheet piece can prevent the intimate contact between
the back side sheet and itself by being placed between the folded back side
sheet when worn by the wearer.
According to the present invention, when an asymmetric motion, such as
walking movement of the wearer, is made, a shearing force on right and left
surfaces with regard to the longitudinal center line will be exerted on the
interlabial pad supported between the labia. However, reducing the frictional
resistance between the surfaces of the folded back side sheet facing the
clothing will allow the interlabial pad to make right and left phase shifts easily.
Therefore, when the friction force between the surfaces of the folded
back side sheet is smaller than the strength of the labia to hold the interlabial
pad, the interlabial pad can follow the wearer's body motions, which will
remarkably reduce the possibility that the interlabial pad may fall.
WE CLAIM:
1. An interlabial pad which is folded alone a longitudinal centerline to be worn
by a weaver the pad comprising:
a body side face orientated toward a body side of the wearer;
an opposite side face to the body side face facing an opposite body side and
having a low friction shape with fine changes on each of first and second surfaces of
the opposite side face, the first and second surfaces facing each other when said
interlabial pad is folder along the longitudinal centerline, the low friction shape
enabling reduction in a resisting force when the first surface is sliding against the
second surface to make right and left phase shifts when the interlabial pad is worn;
and
a mini sheet piece which is attached to the opposite side face of said interlabial
pad, said mini sheet piece being extensible so as not to interface with the right and left
phase shifts of the first and second surfaces wherein:
the low friction shape includes at least one of:
i) a film member formed by a laminated fiber composite that is combined
with a resin,
the laminated fiber composite providing an unevenness on each of the first and
second surfaces, or
ii) a film member formed by a laminated fiber composite that is combined
with a resin, the film member being processed to provide protruding parts and
receding parts of the film member on each of the first and second surface, the
protruding parts being pitched to avoid catching among the protruding parts when the
first surface is sliding against the second surface.
2. The interlabial pad as claimed in claim 1, wherein the laminated fiber
composite includes a nonwoven fabric having a weight of 18 to 50 g/m2.
3. The interlabial pad as claimed in claim 1, wherein the laminated fiber
composite includes a nonwoven fabric having a weight of 18 to 25 g/m2.
4. The interlabial pad as claimed in claim 1, wherein the film member with
protruding parts and receding parts has a density of 0.900 to 0.925 g/m3.
5. The interlabial pad as claimed in claim 1, wherein the protruding parts and
receding parts are embossed at an emboss rate of 1% to .50%.
6. The interlabial pad as claimed in claim 4, wherein the protruding parts and
receding parts are embossed at an emboss rate of 1 % to 30%.
7. The interlabial pad as claimed in claim 1, wherein said mini sheet piece is
placed between the first and second surfaces when the interlabial pad is folded.
8. The interlabial pad as claimed in claim 1, wherein said mini sheet piece
projects away from the opposite side face toward the opposite body side.
9. An interlabial pad which is folder along a longitudinal centerline to be worn
by a wearer, the pad comprising:
a body side face orientated towards a body side of the wearer;
an opposite side face to the body side face facing an opposite body side and
having
a low friction shape with fine changes on each of first and second surfaces of
the opposite side face, the first and second surfaces facing each other when said
interlabial pad is folded along the longitudinal centerline, the low fiction shape
enabling a reduction in a resisting force when the first surface is sliding against the
second surface to make right and left phase shifts when the interlabial pad is worn;
and
a mini sheet piece which is attached to the opposite side face of said interlabial
pad, said sheet piece being extensible so as not to interfere with the right and left
phase shifts of the first and second surfaces, wherein:
the low friction shape includes at least one of:
i) a film member formed by a laminated fiber composite that is combined with
a resin the laminated fiber composite providing an unevenness on each of the first and
second surfaces including a nonwoven fabric having a weight of 15 to 50 g/m2, or
ii) a film member formed by a laminated fiber composite that is combined
with a resin the film member being proceed to provide protruding parts and receding
parts of the film member on each of the first and second surfaces, the protruding parts
being pitched to avoid catching among the protruding parts when the first surface is
sliding against the second surface the film member having a density of 0.900 to 0.925
g/m3.
10. The interlabial pad as claimed in claim 9, wherein the laminated fiber
composite includes a nonwoven fabric having a weight of 18 to 25 m2.
11. The interlabial pad as claimed in claim 9, wherein the protruding parts and
receding parts are embossed at an emboss rate of 1 % to 50%.
12. The interlabial pad as claimed in claim 9, wherein protruding parts and
receding parts are embossed at an emboss rate of 1% to 30%.
13. The interlabial pad as claimed in claim 9, wherein said mini sheet piece is
placed between the first and second surfaces when the interlabial pad is folded.
14. The interlabial pad as claimed in claim 9, wherein said mini sheet piece
projects away from the opposite said face toward the opposite body side.
15. The interlabial pad as claimed in claim 1, wherein a lubricant is applied to said
opposite side face to the body side face.
16. The interlabial pad as claimed in claim 1, wherein said interlabial pad is an
interlabial pad for an incontinence.
17. The interlabial pad as claimed in claim 1, wherein said interlabial pad is an
interlabial pad for absorbing vaginal discharge.
An interlabial pad (10) that is worn by female wearers, placed in intimate contact
and supported between the labia. The interlabial pad is characterized by having a low
fiction shape (34, 36, 42, 56, 100) with fine changes on each of first and second surfaces
of the opposite side face (30, 32, 50), the first and second surfaces facing each other
when said interlabial pad (10) is folded along the longitudinal centerline, the low friction
shape enabling a reduction in a resisting force when the first surface is sliding against the
second surface to make right and left phase shifts when the interlabial pad is worn.

Documents:

1435-KOLNP-2003-FORM-27.pdf

1435-kolnp-2003-granted-abstract.pdf

1435-kolnp-2003-granted-assignment.pdf

1435-kolnp-2003-granted-claims.pdf

1435-kolnp-2003-granted-correspondence.pdf

1435-kolnp-2003-granted-description (complete).pdf

1435-kolnp-2003-granted-drawings.pdf

1435-kolnp-2003-granted-examination report.pdf

1435-kolnp-2003-granted-form 1.pdf

1435-kolnp-2003-granted-form 13.pdf

1435-kolnp-2003-granted-form 18.pdf

1435-kolnp-2003-granted-form 3.pdf

1435-kolnp-2003-granted-form 5.pdf

1435-kolnp-2003-granted-letter patent.pdf

1435-kolnp-2003-granted-pa.pdf

1435-kolnp-2003-granted-reply to examination report.pdf

1435-kolnp-2003-granted-specification.pdf


Patent Number 222884
Indian Patent Application Number 1435/KOLNP/2003
PG Journal Number 35/2008
Publication Date 29-Aug-2008
Grant Date 27-Aug-2008
Date of Filing 06-Nov-2003
Name of Patentee UNI-CHARM CORPORATION
Applicant Address 182 SHIMOBUN, KINSEI-CHO, KAWANOE-SHI, EHIME
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 MIZUTANI SATOSHI C/O TECHNICAL CENTER, UNI-CHARM CORPORATION, 1531-7, TAKASUKA, WADAHAMA, TOYOHAMA-CHO, MITOYO-GUN, KAGAWA 769-1602
2 YAMAKI KOICHI C/O TECHNICAL CENTER, UNI-CHARM CORPORATION, 1531-7, TAKASUKA, WADAHAMA, TOYOHAMA-CHO, MITOYO-GUN, KAGAWA 769-1602
3 NODA YUKI C/O TECHNICAL CENTER, UNI-CHARM CORPORATION, 1531-7, TAKASUKA, WADAHAMA, TOYOHAMA-CHO, MITOYO-GUN, KAGAWA 769-1602
4 TOKUMOTO MEGUMI C/O TECHNICAL CENTER, UNI-CHARM CORPORATION, 1531-7, TAKASUKA, WADAHAMA, TOYOHAMA-CHO, MITOYO-GUN, KAGAWA 769-1602
5 SAKAI AKANE C/O TECHNICAL CENTER, UNI-CHARM CORPORATION, 1531-7, TAKASUKA, WADAHAMA, TOYOHAMA-CHO, MITOYO-GUN, KAGAWA 769-1602
PCT International Classification Number A61F 13/15
PCT International Application Number PCT/JP02/04888
PCT International Filing date 2002-05-21
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 2002-59860 2002-03-06 Japan
2 2001-152403 2001-05-22 Japan