Title of Invention

INTERLABIAL PAD AND PACKAGE THEREOF

Abstract The present invention provides an interlabial pad, which includes an absorber (13) and comprises an absorbing sheet portion (14a), which faces against the body side in wearing the pad and a support sheet portion (14b), which backs the absorber (14a). The absorber (14a) comprises of a pair of absorbing sheet bodies (16) which are divided along the substantial center line of the interlabial pad 14, the absorbing sheet (16) and the impermeable support sheet (12) are bonded with each other on the peripheral edge portion (15) of the interlabial pad (14) to form a void portion (18) between the absorbing sheet body (16) and the support sheet (12) through which the menstrual blood can flow into. Thereby the menstrual blood flowing down along the inner wall of the labia can be rapidly transferred into the absorber and the shape fitness (fitting ability) of the pad in labia can be improved.
Full Text SPECIFICATION
INTERLABIAL PAD AND PACKAGE THEREOF
Background of the Invention
Technical Field
The present invention relates to an interlabial pad, which is used for
attaching within female labia, particularly relates to the interlabial pad, which can
be used together with a sanitary napkin as well as relates to a wrapping body
that the interlabial pad is contained in a package for wrapping each of the
interlabial pad.
Background Art
Conventionally, a sanitary napkin and a tampon are used generally as
sanitary products for female. However, there has been problem that, as for the
sanitary napkin, it is used by bringing into contact with garment, and it tends to
cause the leak of menstrual blood from the gap caused by poor adhesion near
the ostium vaginae. While there has been another problem that, as for the
tampon, on the basis of the nature of its products, it tends to cause the foreign
feeling and the discomfort, when wearing it, and it is difficult to fix into the vagina.
Under such situation, sanitary products of the interlabial pad have
attracted people in recent years as a sanitary product positioned between the
sanitary napkin and the tampon.
The interlabial pad is used by inserting its portion between the labia and
bringing into contact with the labia. The interlabial pad has advantages that it
excels in a wear feeling and its comfort because of being small as compared
with the sanitary napkin and that it is sanitary and clean because the range of the
body soiled with menstrual blood is narrow. Moreover, it has characteristics
that it is difficult to cause the leak of menstrual blood because of higher adhesion
to the body than that of the sanitary napkin and that psychological resistance on
wearing is lower than that of the tampon which is inserted into the vagina.
However, a conventional interlabial pad has had a problem that the
menstrual blood flows and leaks out of the pad surface before it is absorbed by
the absorber. Since the menstrual blood flows along the inner wall of labia at a
slow rate with a high degree of wetting to the inner wall of the labia, the
menstrual blood does not flow out of the labia gradually but also a lot of the
menstrual blood flows out all at once after retention in the labia.
For example, as illustrated in Fig. 2, the interlabial pad 24 has a knob 24a
at the side of the garment, thereby a person can wear it easily by holding the
knob 24a by fingers (the publication of WO99/56689). However, the pad
disclosed by the document lacks adhesion to the inner wall of the labia, since,
except for the neighborhood of the knob, it is difficult to apply press force for
pushing the pad into the labia. Therefore, before the absorber absorbs the
menstrual blood, the menstrual blood flows out of the pad surface, and the leak
of the menstrual blood has been occurred.
Further as illustrated in Fig. 3, the interlabial pad 34 is designed that the
convex portion can be formed by folding a rear side area 34b along the
substantial center line 36 in the longitudinal direction of the pad. As compared
with the interlabial pad 24 illustrated in Fig. 2, this interlabial pad 34 can be used
by putting the convex portion between labia and improves in the adhesion to the
interlabial inner wall. Although the pad has the structure as described
hereinbefore, the menstrual blood flows easily out of the pad surface and there
has been likelihood of the leak of menstrual blood. Therefore, due to a smaller
size of the interlabial pad than that of a sanitary napkin, the serious damage from
the leak of menstrual blood has been caused.
Summary of the Invention
in respect of problems described hereinbefore, the object of the present
invention provides an interlabial pad in capable of rapidly carrying the menstrual
blood, which flows along the inner wall of the interlabial to the absorber.
To solve the aforementioned problems, the present invention provides an
absorbing sheet portion comprising a pair of absorbing sheet bodies which are
divided along a substantial center line of the interlabial pad, the absorbing sheet
body and the impermeable support sheet are bonded on a peripheral edge
portion of the interlabial pad to form a void through which the menstrual blood
can flow between the absorbing sheet body and the support sheet, thereby the
menstrual blood which flows along an inner wall of labia is rapidly transferred
into the absorber, and the shape fitness (fitting ability) in labia can increase.
Concretely, the present invention provides the interlabial pad as follows;
(1) An interlabial pad for attaching to labia, comprising: an absorber for
absorbing a body fluid; an absorbing sheet portion facing to a body side upon
wearing the interlabial pad; and a support sheet portion backing the absorbing
sheet portion; wherein said absorbing sheet portion comprises a pair of
absorbing sheet bodies which are separated along a substantial center line of
the interlabial pad, and said absorbing sheet body is bonded to said support
sheet portion comprising an impermeable support sheet on a peripheral edge
portion of the interlabial pad, thereby the body fluid can flow into a void which is
formed between a garment face side of the absorbing sheet body and the body
face side of the support sheet.
An interlabial pad of the present invention, for example, as shown in Fig.4,
comprises an absorbing sheet portion 44a and a support sheet portion 44b
backing the absorbing sheet 44a. The absorbing sheet 44a is used to face
against the body side upon wearing. The absorbing sheet 44a includes an
absorber 43 for absorbing the body fluid, for example, the menstrual blood, and
a surface thereof is applied by a water permeable cover sheet 41 if desired.
The absorbing sheet 44a comprises a pair of absorbing sheet bodies 46 which is
divided along a substantial center line of the interlabial pad 44. While the support
sheet portion 44b comprises an impermeable support sheet 42.
The absorbing sheet body 46 and the support sheet 42 are bonded with
each other on the peripheral edge portion of the interlabial pad 44, and
contacting surfaces other than the peripheral edge portion are not bonded.
Therefore, a void portion 48 forms between the garment face side of the
absorbing sheet body 46 and the body face side of the support sheet 42 to
receive the menstrual blood therethrough.
In the embodiment described hereinbefore, for example, as shown in Fig.
5, the interlabial pad 44 is folded along the substantial center line (that is a
dividing line of the absorber) and inserted into the labia, each absorbing sheet
body 46 adheres to the inner wall of the labia, while a pocket-like void portion 48
is formed between the garment face side of the absorbing sheet body 46 and the
body face side of the support sheet 42. Therefore, the discharged menstrual
blood rapidly flows into the void 48 to be absorbed into the garment face side
(contacting surface with the support sheet 42) of the absorbing sheet body 46
and to be also absorbed into the body face side (the contacting surface with the
inner wall of the labia) of the absorbing sheet 46. Therefore, in comparison of the
example that the absorbing sheet body 46 and the support sheet 42 are
completely connected with each other at the contacting surface, an increased
surface area of the absorber 43 improves absorption efficiency and the
menstrual blood can be rapidly transferred into the absorber 43.
Further the absorbing sheet portion 44a comprises a pair of absorbing
sheet bodies 46, and is divided along the substantial center line of the pad 44,
thereby in comparison with a pad comprised of the absorbing sheet body 46
integrally, the pad of the present invention is easily folded to improve the
property of following shapes, and the shape fitness in labia is improved.
(2) The interlabial pad according to (1), wherein a side end of the
interlabial pad has a shape of an arc, and both peripheral ends of the arc
converge toward edge ends of the substantial center line along a longitudinal
direction of the interlabial pad.
An overall configuration of the interlabial pad of the present invention is
not limited as long as the configuration is suitable to attach the pad to labia. For
example, an elliptic shape, an ovoid shape, a gourd shape or a drop shape and
the like will be eligible. However, in consideration of the shape fitness with labia,
for example, as illustrated in Fig. 6, it prefers that the side end 50 of the pad 44
has an arc shape and both peripheral ends of the arc shape converge toward the
peripheral end 52 of the substantial center line in a longitudinal direction of the
pad 44.
(3) The interlabial pad according to (1) or (2), wherein said pair of
absorbing sheet bodies are separated each other, and a groove portion is
provided between the absorbing sheet bodies.
In the interlabial pad of the present invention, it is not limited to the
embodiment that a pair of absorbing sheet bodies are arranged in neighbor each
other, and may provide a groove portion between a pair of absorbing sheet
bodies. For example, as illustrated in Fig. 7, the groove portion 54 can be
provided between absorbing sheet bodies 46 such that a pair of absorbing sheet
bodies 46 are separated from each other with an interval of 10mm.
In a normal interlabial pad, once the menstrual blood transmits the cover
sheet once, a part of the menstrual blood solidifies and remains in the cover
sheet. Even though the absorber still has an absorption capacity of the
menstrual blood, it has tendency not to absorb the menstrual blood any more. In
case of providing the groove portion 54 as described hereinbefore, the
menstrual biood moves rapidly along the groove portion 54 in forward and
backward directions. Therefore, the absorber 43 contained in the absorbing
sheet body 46 can be used effectively and can demonstrate its absorption
capacity.
(4) The interlabial pad according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein on a
body face side of the support sheet, an strip-shaped absorber is disposed along
a dividing line of a pair of absorbing sheet bodies.
The interlabial pad of the present invention may be structured, for
example, as shown in Fig. 8, such that the strip-shaped absorber 58 is provided
on the body face side of the support sheet 42 along the dividing line of a pair of
absorbing sheet bodies 46 (along the substantial center line of the longitudinal
direction of the interlabial pad 44).
As illustrated in Fig. 9, the interlabial pad 44 is folded along the dividing
line of a pair of absorbing sheet body 46 and a strip-shaped absorber 56
appears, and the pad is inserted into the iabia under the conditions, the
strip-shaped absorber 58 contacts closely with the depth portion of Iabia and a
pair of absorbing sheet bodies 46 contact with the inner wall of iabia closely.
Therefore, almost all of menstrual blood discharged from ostium vaginae is
absorbed primarily by the strip-shaped absorber 56 which contacts closely with
the depth portion of Iabia including neighborhood of ostium vaginae, even if a lot
of the menstrual blood flow out at once, the menstrual blood is absorbed
secondarily by a pair of absorbing sheet bodies 46 which contacts with the inner
wall of Iabia. As described hereinbefore, a lot of menstrual blood, which flows
down at once along the Iabia inner wall, can be transferred rapidly to the
absorber 43 by a combination of the strip-shaped absorber 56 and a pair of
absorbing sheet bodies 46.
(5) The interlabia! pad according to any one of (1) to (4), further including
a sheet-shaped absorber being disposed on a body face side of the support
sheet, wherein a void is formed between the garment face side of the absorbing
sheet body and the body face side of the sheet-shaped absorber whereby body
fluid can flow into said void.
In the interlabial pad of the present invention, for example, as shown in
Fig.10, it prefers to dispose the sheet-shaped absorber 60 between the garment
face side of the absorbing sheet bodies (more concretely the garment face side
of the cover sheet 41) and the body face side of the support sheet 42. The
structure described hereinbefore allows the menstrual blood to flow into the void
portion 48 between the garment face side of the absorbing sheet bodies 46 and
the body face side of the sheet-shaped absorber 60, and the flown blood is
absorbed by not only the absorber 43 contained in the absorbing sheet body 46
but also by the sheet shaped absorber 60. Therefore, the menstrual blood can
be rapidly transferred into the absorber43 and a lot of menstrual blood at high
rate can be absorbed by the pad.
In this embodiment, it is more preferable that the fiber contained in the
sheet-shaped absorber 60 is oriented in a lateral direction of the interlabial pad
44, since the absorbed menstrual blood can easily transfer to the oriented
direction of the fiber, that is, in left and right sides of the body, and the absorber
can be used effectively.
(6) The interlabial pad according to any one of (1) to (5), further
comprising a mini sheet piece in the garment face side of the support sheet,
including: one or more bonding portions on each side portion in respect of a
longitudinal direction of the support sheet; and one or more disconnecting
portion in a lateral direction of the support sheet, wherein at least one of
said one or more disconnecting portion form an opening for receiving a finger
between the mini sheet piece and the support sheet so as to directly keep the
opening having a finger breadth in a surface direction of the support sheet.
In the interlabial pad of the present invention, for example, as illustrated in
Figs. 11 or 12, a mini sheet piece 62 is disposed to form an opening 64 for
receiving a finger. In Figs. 11 and 12, in a lateral direction of the support sheet
42, at least one of both sleeve portions of the mini sheet piece 62 is not bonded
with the surface of the support sheet 42. Thereby the opening is formed
between one sleeve side of the mini sheet piece 52, which is in a non-bonding
condition, and the support sheet 42 to form the opening 64 for inserting a finger
which is capable of inserting the finger.
In a longitudinal direction of the support sheet 42, the mini sheet piece 62
is bonded with only both lateral sides of the support sheet 42 and is not bonded
(adhered) with the inside thereof. Therefore, the mini sheet piece 62 is
provided from one lateral side of the support sheet 42 to the other lateral side
thereof to bridge both of lateral sides; therefore, at the portion where the bridge
is formed from one lateral side to the other, penetrating or non-penetrating space
(space for inserting the finger) is formed. A finger can insert such space and hold
the pad.
The word "finger breadth" in this specification does not mean the
thickness of the finger but the width of the finger in the spread direction of the
nail concretely. The opening of the finger breadth means an opening having a
sufficient size to insert the finger.
Further, the opening of the finger breadth is "directly kept" in a direction of
the support sheet surface. This means that when the finger is inserted into the
pad naturally wear the pad, (the ball of a finger is directed to the garment face
side of the support sheet and is inserted to maintain the condition), the pad of
itself is formed primarily to be adequate for inserting the finger. Therefore, the
following case is excluded from the aforementioned example, such that the
opening for the finger breadth is kept in a surface direction by rotating the finger
after the person inserts the finger, and the opening for the finger breadth is
formed on the support sheet surface side secondarily.
As described hereinbefore, in the pad provided with the mini sheet piece,
the finger is inserted into the finger insertion opening, thereby the pad can be
kept and fixed at the finger temporarily. In this case, the opening for inserting a
finger is formed to be the opening for the finger breadth of a wearer, and the
flat-shaped finger tip is prevented from directing to different directions in respect
of the support sheet, and is inserted to contact with the support sheet surface
naturally. That is, the opening for inserting the finger has a wide shape in
directions of the support sheet surface in accordance with the shape of the finger
tip of the person to wear, and therefore, the wearer is intended to act that the
direction where the finger is inserted is determined to detect a fix point of the pad
by the ball of the finger tip. Thereby, in attaching the pad between labia where
the wearer is difficult to confirm by eyes, the pad can be attached at the
adequate position by correctly holding a correct attachment point.
Incidentally, in the present invention, not only the peripheral edge portion
of the pad but also the neighborhood to the peripheral edge portion to where the
mini sheet piece can be bonded are included in the "side portion" in the
longitudinal direction of the support sheet.
(7) The interlabial pad according to (6), wherein at least a pair of
absorbing sheet bodies include: an inclining portion having a mountain shape in
a body side direction, the mountain shape having a vertex in the substantial
center line along the longitudinal direction of the interlabial pad and a pair of side
side of the support sheet and is inserted to maintain the condition), the pad of
itself is formed primarily to be adequate for inserting the finger. Therefore, the
following case is excluded from the aforementioned example, such that the
opening for the finger breadth is kept in a surface direction by rotating the finger
after the person inserts the finger, and the opening for the finger breadth is
formed on the support sheet surface side secondarily.
As described hereinbefore, in the pad provided with the mini sheet piece,
the finger is inserted into the finger insertion opening, thereby the pad can be
kept and fixed at the finger temporarily. In this case, the opening for inserting a
finger is formed to be the opening for the finger breadth of a wearer, and the
flat-shaped finger tip is prevented from directing to different directions in respect
of the support sheet, and is inserted to contact with the support sheet surface
naturally. That is, the opening for inserting the finger has a wide shape in
directions of the support sheet surface in accordance with the shape of the finger
tip of the person to wear, and therefore, the wearer is intended to act that the
direction where the finger is inserted is determined to detect a fix point of the pad
by the ball of the finger tip. Thereby, in attaching the pad between labia where
the wearer is difficult to confirm by eyes, the pad can be attached at the
adequate position by correctly holding a correct attachment point.
Incidentally, in the present invention, not only the peripheral edge portion
of the pad but also the neighborhood to the peripheral edge portion to where the
mini sheet piece can be bonded are included in the "side portion" in the
longitudinal direction of the support sheet.
(7) The interlabial pad according to (6), wherein at least a pair of
absorbing sheet bodies include: an inclining portion having a mountain shape in
a body side direction, the mountain shape having a vertex in the substantial
center line along the longitudinal direction of the interlabial pad and a pair of side
ends; and a hem portion continuing from both of the side ends of said inclining
portion, wherein the mini sheet piece is bonded on the garment side of said hem
portion.
In the interlabial pad of the present invention, for example, as illustrated in
Fig. 13, preferably a pair of the absorbing sheet bodies 46 (that is, the cover
sheet 41 and the absorber 43) comprises an inclining portion 68 and a hem
portion 70. The inclining portion 68 has a mountain shape toward the body side
direction along the substantial center line 66 of the longitudinal direction of the
interlabial pad 44. The hem portion 70 continues from both side ends of the
inclining portion 68. The mini sheet piece 62 is bonded with the garment side of
the hem portion 70.
The aforementioned structure allows the absorbing sheet body 46 to
easily progress into the depth of the iabia, and a whole shape of the interlabial
pad 44 has a form easily capable of effecting a pinching force of Iabia. Therefore,
the pad can provide the user a good adhesion and a wear feeling. Further the
finger is inserted into the finger insertion opening 64 to belong the ball of the
finger with the central fold line of the inclining portion 68, and the interlabial pad
44 is maintained, thereby the interiabial pad 44 can be guided correctly toward
the Iabia which is difficult to confirm by eyes and can be easily attached thereto.
Incidentally, in this embodiment, it is sufficient to comprise at least the
absorbing sheet portion (that is, the cover sheet 41 and the absorber 43) in a
mountain shape. As illustrated in Fig. 13, the embodiment, which the support
sheet 42 has a mountain shape, is of course included in a scope of present the
invention.
(8) The interlabial pad according to any one of (1) to (7), wherein the
interlabial pad is used together with a sanitary napkin.
There have been users to use a plurality of sanitary napkins (as referred a
"napkin" in following description) laminated with each other when a large volume
of menstrual blood flows. However, there has been a problem of bad wear
feeling such as stiffness, and it is noticeable from the outside of the garment to
the presence of the pad. Further, laminated napkins cover portions other than
the neighborhood of ostium vaginae where the laminated use is unnecessary,
thereby causing a rash or a sweat. However, when the pad and the napkin are
used together, the sanitary products are laminated only around the ostium
vaginae, thereby the aforementioned problem can be solved. Further only the
pad can be changed without changing the napkin, thereby the wearer does not
have to carry a napkin, which has a relatively large size. The sanitary napkin
may include not only the napkin in the market for absorbing the menstrual blood
but also the sheet for absorbing the vaginal discharge.
(9) The interlabial pad according to any one of (1) to (8), wherein the
interlabial pad is a pad for incontinence of urine.
According to the interlabial pad of the present invention, the pad can be
used for a pad for absorbing incontinence of urine. That is, ostium vaginae
where the menstrual blood is discharged and the urethral meatus, where urine is
discharged locate between labia, and the interlabial pad of the present invention
to be used between labia can absorb urine also.
As described hereinbefore, the pad of the present invention can absorb
urine between labia, especially around the urethral opening and is useful for the
absorbing pad for incontinence of urine, especially for a light incontinence of
urine.
(10) The interlabial pad according to any one of (1) to (8), wherein the
interlabial pad is a pad for absorbing vaginal discharge.
In accordance with the invention, the interlabial pad can be used for the
pad of absorbing the vaginal discharge. That is, the interlabial pad is used
between labia and can absorb the excretion (vaginal discharge) other than the
menstrual blood from ostium vaginae. Therefore, the interlabial pad may be
used for the application (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.
(11) The wrapping body comprising: the interlabial pad according to (1) to
(10); and a wrapping container for wrapping the interlabial pad individually.
When the interlabial pad is packaged individually, the pad can be carried
one by one (each individual packages). As compared with a plurality of pads
contained in one package, the pad is kept sanitarily, can be easily carried and
can be treated simply.
(12). The wrapping body comprising: the interlabial pad according to any
one of (6) to (10); and a wrapping container for wrapping the interlabial pad
individually, said wrapping container having an unwrapped opening, wherein
said interlabial pad is so contained in said wrapping container that said finger
insertion opening faces and opens toward the unwrapped opening of the
wrapping container.
As illustrated in Fig. 14, "said finger insertion opening faces and opens
toward the unwrapped opening" illustrates that, upon the wrapping body 72
being opened, the mini sheet piece 62 and further the finger insertion opening 64,
which is formed by the piece, appear and, immediately, the finger can be
inserted into the finger insertion opening 64. For example, as illustrated in Figs.
14 and Fig. 15, the wrapping body 72 can be opened by pulling a tub tape 74,
which is provided at the upper surface side of the wrapping container 76, toward
the right side of the drawing. Finger insertion opening 64 appears at the
opening of the wrapping body to open toward the unwrapped opening.
Therefore the user can insert the finger immediately into the finger insertion
opening 64.
(13) The wrapping body according to (12), wherein the interlabial pad is
contained in the wrapping container such that the mini sheet piece is
mountain-folded toward garment side directions along the substantial center line
in the longitudinal direction of the interlabial pad.
"To be mountain-folded toward garment side directions," means that the
sheet is completely folded in forming the garment side to be a convex, and
further includes the case that, as illustrated in Fig. 16, the sheet is inflected in
forming the garment side to be a convex. As described hereinbefore, the
interlabial pad 44 is contained in the wrapping container 76, thereby the folded
finger insertion opening 64 is naturally opened at the time of breaking the seal.
Therefore, the wearer can confirm easily the part where she inserts her finger so
as to achieve more smooth and simple attachment of the pad.
In this embodiment, the mini sheet piece may be a mountain-folded shape
and it is not required that a whole pad is in a mountain-folded shape. Therefore,
for example, as illustrated in Fig. 16, in the wrapping body 72, a whole interlabial
pad 44 is folded in a mountain-folded shape and contained in the wrapping
container 76. Further as illustrated in Fig. 17, in the wrapping body 72, only the
mini sheet piece 62 is folded in the mountain-folded shape, while the main body
of the interlabial pad 44 is folded in a V-shaped toward the garment side and
contained in the wrapping container 76.
Further, the method of breaking the seal of the wrapping container is not
limited specifically. As illustrated in Figs. 16 and Fig. 17, the wrapping container
76 of which an upper end side is cut to break it is eligible. Further as illustrated in
Fig. 18, a wrapping container 76 which is broken the seal from the upper end to
both sides (what is called a set of folding doors) is eligible.
Brief Description of the Accompanying Drawings
Fig. 1 (a) is a cross sectional view along line A-A' of Fig. 1 (b) of a structure
of an interlabial pad according to the invention. Fig. 1(b) is a top view of the
interlabial pad.
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a structure of a conventional interlabial pad.
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a structure of a conventional interlabial pad.
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a cross section of the interlabial pad
according to the invention.
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a cross section of the interlabial pad
according to the invention.
Fig. 6 is a top view of the structure of the interlabial pad according to the
invention.
Fig. 7 is a top view of the structure of the interlabial pad according to the
invention.
Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a cross section of the interlabial pad
according to the invention.
Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a cross section of the interlabial pad
according to the invention.
Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a cross section of the interlabial pad
according to the invention.
Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the structure of the interlabial pad
according to the invention.
Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a structure of the interlabial pad according
to the invention.
Fig. 13 is a perspective view of a cross section of the interlabial pad
according to the invention.
Fig. 14 is a process diagram of a way of breaking a seal of a wrapping
body according to the invention.
Fig. 15 is a cross section view of a structure of the wrapping body
according to the invention.
Fig. 16 is a perspective view of a structure of the wrapping body according
to the invention.
Fig. 17 is a perspective view of a structure of the wrapping body according
to the invention.
Fig. 18 is a perspective view of a structure of the wrapping body according
to the invention.
Fig. 19 is a top view of an embodiment of a mini sheet piece of the
interlabial pad according to the invention.
Fig. 20 is an explanation view of a way of wearing the interlabial pad
according to the invention.
Fig. 21 is a top view of an embodiment of a mini sheet piece of the
interlabial pad according to the invention.
Fig. 22 is a top view of an embodiment of the interlabial pad according to
the invention.
Fig. 23 is a top view of the structure of the interlabial pad according to the
invention.
Fig. 24 is a cross section view along line A-A' of the interlabial pad of Fig.
22.
Fig. 25 is a top view of one embodiment of the wrapping body according to
the invention.
Fig. 26 is a cross section view along line A-A' of the wrapping body of Fig.
25.
Fig. 27 is a top view of other embodiment of the wrapping body according
to the invention.
Fig. 28 is a top view of further other embodiment of the wrapping body
according to the invention.
Fig. 29 is an explanation view of a size in a lateral direction of the
interlabial pad.
Best Mode of Carrying Out the Invention
Preferable embodiments of the interlabial pad in accordance with the
present invention will be described with reference to accompanied drawings.
Incidentally, in the specification of the present invention, the word "bulkiness"
means a size of the direction which the absorbing sheet body projects, "the
width" means a size of the lateral direction of the pad and "the length" means a
size of the longitudinal direction of the pad.
Figs. 1(a) and 1(b) are views of an interlabial pad 14 according to the
invention that Fig. 1(a) shows a top view of the pad and that Fig. 1(b) shows a
cross section view along line A-A' of Fig. 1(a).
[(A) Structure of Basic Interlabial pad]
As shown in Figs. 1(a) and 1{b), the basic interlabial pad 14 of the present
invention comprises an absorbing sheet portion 14a and a support sheet portion
14b to back the absorbing sheet portion 14a. The absorbing sheet portion 14a
includes an absorber 13 at least for absorbing the menstrual blood, the surface
thereof is covered by a water permeable cover sheet 11 if desired and is used to
face toward the body side in wearing it. And the absorbing sheet 14a is
structured by a pair of absorbing sheet bodies 16, which are separated along the
substantial centerline of the pad 14. While the support sheet 14b is structured
by an impermeable support sheet 12.
The absorbing sheet body 16 and the support sheet 12 are connected
with each other on the peripheral edge portion 15 of the interlabial pad 14 and
the contact surface other than that is in a condition of being not connected so
that a void 18 is formed between the garment face side of the absorbing sheet
16 and the body face side of the support sheet 12, through which the menstrual
blood can flow into.
The whole formation of the interlabial pad 14 is eligible for attaching to the
labia and is not limited to the specific one, however it is preferable to form it into
a substantial oblong shape, for example, to an elliptic type, an ovoid type, a
gourd-shape, a drop-shape and the like. It is preferable to decide the size of the
interlabial pad 14 in consideration of easily attaching to the labia. In view of
them, preferably the length of the pad is 60 to 150 mm, more preferably 80 to
120 mm. Further it is preferable that the length in the lateral direction of the
interlabial pad is a range of 10 to 60mm in appearance, more preferably of 20 to
40mm. In case that the length in the lateral direction is longer than 60mm, the
area exceeding from the labia scrapes with the femoral region and the like of the
person, and resultantiy the friction which is caused by scrapping, will overcome
the inching force of both labia and there is a fear of dropping off the interlabial
pad. Further, in case of the length in the lateral direction of the pad being
shorter than 10mm, the area of the pad in capable of interposing between labia
is decreased. Therefore the contact area with labia surface is also decreased
and it is easily caused a fear of dropping off the interlabial pad from labia.
Incidentally, the word "in appearance" means that the length is the minimum
distance between tow points (corresponding to V in Fig. 29). Since in the
production process, there is a case that the distance tracing the uneven form,
that is, the distance between two points in a flat condition of the pad which the
uneven shape is provided is treated as a substantial distance (corresponding to
W in Fig. 29), the distance is defined very carefully. In case of wrapping the
absorber 13 in the cover sheet 11 r to prevent the bad wear feeling caused by the
peripheral edge of the absorber becoming hard, preferably the size of the
absorber 13 wrapped by the cover sheet 11 is structured to be 2 to 10mm
smaller than the outline of the cover sheet 11.
In the interlabial pad 14 illustrated in Fig. 1, the absorbing sheet body 16
which absorber 13 is wrapped by the cover sheet 11 is adhered on the support
sheet 12 by an adhesive.
For the adhesive used for the pad, a pressure sensitive adhesive made up
mainly of a synthetic rubber such as non water soluble styrene
-ethylene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer (SEBS),
styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer (SBS), styrene-isoprene-styrene
block copolymer (SIS) and the like, the heat sensitive adhesive made up mainly
of a heat flexible resin such as ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) and the
like, the adhesive made up mainly of water soluble heat flexible resin (such as
poly vinyl alcohol (PVA)), water sensitive gel made up mainly of a starch glue, or
acrylic acid and comprised of the chemical simulation, the felxibilizer or a water
included therein, non water sensitive gel made up mainly of a silicone and
comprised of the chemical stimulation and the flexibiiizer included therein , are
eligible. It may select to dispose the adhesive from a surface type, a dot type, a
mesh type, a stripe type and the like.
[Cover sheet]
For the cover sheet, the sheet-shaped material having a liquid
permeable structure of a woven or non woven fabric are eligible and is not
limited to the specific one. For the woven or non woven fabric material, both
natural fabric and chemical fabric can be used. For example of the natural
fabric, cellulose such as a grinding pulp and cotton is eligible. For example of
the chemical fabric, a regenerated cellulose such as a viscose rayon and a fibril
rayon, semi synthetic cellulose such as acetate and triacetate, a heat flexible
hydrophobic chemical fiber which is treated in hydrophilic are eligible. For a
heat flexible hydrophobic chemical fiber, a single fiber such as polyethylene (PE),
polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a fiber comprised of a
graft polymerization of PE and PP, or a compound fiber of which core material is
PP or PET and a myelin part is PE are eligible.
Furthermore, especially in case of using the non woven fabric, a web
forming may be manufactured by a single dry method (a card method, a spun
bond method, a melt blown method, a air laid method, a through air method, a
point bond method and the like) or a single wet method and the like, or by a
combination of plurality methods thereof. For a method of bonding, a thermal
bonding, a needle punch, a chemical bonding and the like are eligible, however it
is not limited to the specific methods. Further a spun lace that is formed in a
sheet type by a water flow confounding may be eligible.
Among the materials, considering the liquid mobility from the inner face of
the labia, chemical stimulation by an activator, and adhesion with the inner wall
of the labia, it is preferable to laminate rayon with 1.1 to 4.4dtex fineness and 7
to 51 mm fiber length by 40 to 80 % of a total specific weight per unit area on the
body face side, and to laminate a mixture of rayon with 1.1 to 4.4dtex fineness
and 7 to 51 mm fiber length by 14 to 42 % of a total specific weight per unit area
and PET with 1.1 to 4.4dtex fineness and 7 to 51 mm fiber length by 6 to 18 % of
a total specific weight per unit area on the garment face side. After laminating
them so that the total specific weight per unit area of the two layers becomes 20
to 60 g/m2, the fibers are entangled by water - flow interlacing treatment and
then dried to prepare spun lace non woven fabric with the thickness of 0.13 to
0.50 mm. The spun lace non woven prepared as described is preferable. At
this time, by mixing PET on the garment face side, bulkiness can be easily
maintained even if the water permeable sheet becomes wet. Therefore,
adhesion to the inner wall of the labia can be maintained.
Furthermore, since for transferring the menstrual blood into the absorber,
the capillarity and the water permeability is required on a part of contacting area
with ostium vaginae of the cover sheet, it prefers to use a porous non woven
fabric sheet having a rate of hole area from 5 to 60% and a hole area of 0.28 to
4.9mm2. While in addition to the capillarity to transfer the menstrual blood into
the absorber, the improved contact ability with the labia inner wall is required to
the part comprising the area contacting with the labia inner wall, and it prefers to
use the non woven fabric sheet, which has the surface without the unevenness
and is not provided with the porous.
[Absorber]
The absorber may be capable of keeping and absorbing a liquid (the
menstrual blood) and preferably may be bulky, may not be difficult to lose the
shape and may have less chemical stimulation. For the material of the
absorber, cellulose (natural pulp, chemical pulp or natural cotton and the like), a
regenerated cellulose (a rayon and a fibril rayon and the like), a semi synthetic
cellulose (acetate and triacetate and the like), a particle water-absorbing resin, a
fiber-type water-absorbing resin, a chemical fiber (a heat flexible hydrophobic
chemical fiber which is treated in hydrophilic and the like) and a hydrophobic
resin can be used in single or can be mixed.
The method of forming these materials to the absorber is not limited to the
specific one, however, for example, the materials is manufactured into the sheet
type by an air laid method, a melt blown method, a spun lace method and a
paper making and the like. Concretely, the air laid pulp (or water-absorbing resin
is mixed therewith), the melt blown non woven fabric treated into hydrophobic,
the spun lace non woven fabric mainly comprised of hydrophobic fiber, tissue,
cellulose foam, a continuous foam of the synthetic resin and the like can be used.
Furthermore it is possible to grind these sheet-shaped materials and thereafter
to form them into the absorber again.
It is preferable for the absorber, although any material can be used as
long as it is capable of absorbing and holding liquid (body fluid), to be bulky, hard
- to - be deformed, less chemically stimulant, and highly flexible to fit into the
labia. Specifically, a non woven sheet in which, 50 to 150 g/m2 of pulp selected
from the range of the fiber length of 1 to 10 mm is laminated on the garment face
side and, on the body face side, 150 to 250 g/m2 of a mixture obtained by mixing
60 to 90 % of rayon with 1.1 to 4.4dtex fineness and 20 to 51 mm fiber length
with 40 to 10 % of natural cotton by this mixing ratio is laminated, which then to
be formed into a sheet by dotted embossing to have 2 to 10 mm bulkiness, and
more preferable to have 3 to 5 mm bulkiness. Thereby, liquid can be easily
transferred from the body face side to the garment face side resulting in the
improvement of the absorbing and holding capacity. Furthermore, by providing
a mesh spun lace non woven fabric of rayon with 1.1 to 4.4dtex fineness and 25
to 51 mm fiber length by a specific weight per unit area of 15 to 40 g/m2, the
liquid transferred from the body face side can be diffused 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.
[Support Sheet]
In case of using the water permeability material, the same material, which
is used for the cover sheet, is eligible. In this case, it prefers to use the pad
together with a sanitary napkin (a pad used together with the sanitary napkin).
Further if impermeable material is used to the support sheet, the
menstrual blood, which is kept in the absorber, is prevented from a leak out of
the interlabial pad. Furthermore the pad can be comprised of water vapor
permeability material, thereby in wearing the pad, the sweat and the discomfort
can be decreased.
To apply impermeable materials, an impermeable film such as a thin
filmed synthetic resin of PE, PP and the like, a porous film comprised that a
synthetic resin is filled with inorganic filler and provided with an extension
treatment, a laminate film compound of a paper or non woven fabric and
impermeable film, water repellent, a porous resin film is connected on a rear
surface of the non woven fabric of a spun bond or a spun lace which are treated
with a water repellent, are eligible. Further for a method of providing ventilation
on impermeable sheet, it is eligible to form a capillary having 10 to 30% rate of
the hole area and a pore size of 0.1 to 0.6 mm toward the absorber.
More concrete example of applying impermeable materials, a film mainly
of a low density polyethylene (LDPE) resin is eligible which is obtained from a
range of a density 0.900 to 0.925g/cm3, in amount from 15 to 30g/m2 by a
specific weight per unit, based on the specific weight per unit area of the
composition. The flexibility not to hurt a wear feeling is considered.
Furthermore the flexibility not to hurt a fixing feeling is considered, for
example, it prefers to use a film mainly of a low density polyethylene (LDPE)
which is obtained from a range of a density 0.900 to 0.925g/cm3, in amount from
15 to 30g/m2 by a specific weight per unit, based on the specific weight per unit
area of the composition.
More preferably, during the pad is attached between labia, impermeable
sheets are contacted with each other, with the pad which is used together or with
the under wear, to decrease a fear of dropping the interlabial pad from the labia
due to the high friction, the film is treated an embossing process and the convex
upheaval portion is disposed, thereby it may decrease a ratio contact by less
friction drag.
[Mini Sheet Piece]
A material used for the mini sheet piece is selected in consideration of
having an enough strength against a damage by the inserted finger, preferably it
can be selected individually from or from one laminated a sheet-shaped non
woven fabric, an elastic and expand non woven fabric, a film, a foam film, an
elastic and expand film, a foam sheet, a tissue paper and the like.
Preferably the breaking strength in the lateral direction of the mini sheet
piece, which is structured by materials described hereinbefore, is 0.1N/10mm,
more preferably from 0.1 to 1.0 N/10mm. This breaking strength is a value per
a width of 10mm, which is evaluated by a tensilon testing that the mini sheet
piece is held with a chuck distance of 100mm and pulled by a velocity of
100mm/min.
In consideration of the above-described condition, concretely the film
which has a thickness from 15 to 30um and is mainly composed of LDPE resin
having a density of 0.920g/cm3, is eligible. While for easily putting the finger in
and out of the finger insertion opening of the mini sheet piece, it is preferably to
select the foam film which is mainly composed of LDPE resin having a density
from 0.915g/cm3 and on which a capillary which has a bulkiness from 0.3 to
1.0mm and a pore size from 0.3 to 1.5mm, is formed at the rate of hole area from
15 to 60%.
It is possible to use the material having an extensibility or an elastically
expand to the lateral direction of the support sheet for inserting the finger into the
mini sheet piece regardless of the finger size of the user.
For providing the extensibility to the mini sheet piece, an extensible spun
bond non woven fabric may be used. The fabric has a stress from 0.1 to
0.5N/25mm in 5 % extension in case of a constant speed extension by a speed
of testing of 100mm/min with a knob distance of 100mm. Further providing an
elasticity and an expand for the mini sheet piece, it may be used a fiber-shaped
sheet and a film sheet which a heat flexible elastomer resin is used and may be
used independently an elastic and expand materials such as these heat flexible
resin or a natural rubber and the like, or may be used a combination of inelastic
and expand materials. Further it is a preferable embodiment to provide elasticity
for a film mainly formed from LDPE resin by a corrugate treatment.
The length of the mini sheet piece is determined to hold the interlabial pad
certainly and to easily put the finger into the opening. Concretely the length of
the mini sheet piece prefers at least 10 % over than the length of the interlabial
pad, more preferably within a range from 10 to 80%, and most preferably within
a range from 30 to 60%. The width of the opening through for inserting the finger
prefers at least 20mm or more, more preferably within a range from 20 to 50mm,
and most preferably within a range from 30 to 40mm.
With respect to the form of the mini sheet piece, for example, as shown in
Fig. 19, it is eligible to form that along the garment face side of the support sheet
42 comprising the interlabial pad 44, the strip-shaped mini sheet piece 52 is
horizontally disposed in the lateral direction of the interlabial pad 44. In this
example, the mini sheet piece 62 is fixed at both side ends of the interlabial pad
44 and the finger insertion opening 64, that is the opening for inserting the finger,
is formed toward the longitudinal direction of the interlabial pad 44.
In the embodiment, when the finger 78 is inserted into the finger insertion
opening 64 with contacting a ball of a finger 78 to the support sheet 42, as
illustrated in Fig. 20, the longitudinal direction of the interlabial pad 44 and a
direction of pudendal slit 80, face in the same direction. Therefore the interlabial
pad 44 can be push into the inside of the labia by a ball of the finger 78 so as to
attach the interlabial pad 44 certainly.
Further the mini sheet piece may be formed as illustrated in Fig. 21, for
example, that the support sheet 42 which comprises the interlabial pad 44, is
completely covered from the near central portion in the longitudinal direction to
an edge end 82 in the longitudinal direction of the interlabial pad 44. The
embodiment described hereinbefore is preferable for a sanitary handling of the
pad so that the finger end 78 is prevented from exposing out of the mini sheet
piece 62 and non-bonding condition of the menstrual blood and the finger 78 can
be maintained.
Incidentally, for example, as illustrated in Fig. 22, the end of the finger 78
is also prevented from exposing out of the mini sheet piece 62 by the interlabial
pad 44 which a plurality of strip-shaped mini sheet pieces 62 are formed at
distance, thereby the effect of the sanitary handling can be achieved as same as
the interlabial pad 44 as shown in Fig. 20.
Fig. 23 is a top view of the interlabial pad 44, and Fig. 24 is a section view
along line A-A' of the interlabial pad of Fig, 23. In case of providing the mini sheet
piece, for example, as illustrated in Fig. 24, it prefers to form the void 83 to insert
the finger preliminarily by somewhat rising the mini sheet piece 62 from garment
face side of the support sheet 42.
In this embodiment, the width of the mini sheet piece 62 is formed
somewhat larger than that of the interlabial pad 44 and the piece 62 is bonded
with the periphery edge portion 45 of the interlabial pad 44 in somewhat loose
condition not to contact with the garment face side of the support sheet 42. The
method of fixing the pad is not limited specifically, for example, the method of
pressure sensitive hot melt adhesive, heat sensitive hot melt adhesive, heat seal,
ultra sonic seal and the like will be eligible. The application of the adhesive can
be selected from, for example, a surface-shaped, a line-shaped, a spiral-shaped,
a dot-shaped and the like.
In the interlabial pad 44, as illustrated in Fig. 24, the side end of the mini
sheet piece 62 is bonded with the periphery edge portion 45. In this
embodiment, to prevent the periphery edge portion 45 from the stiff wear feeling
of the interlabiai pad 44, preferably the width of bonding portion is set in a range
from 2 to 5 mm. Further the mini sheet piece 62 is bonded inwardly (toward the
side of the central portion) of the interlabial pad 44 from the periphery edge
portion 45, thereby preferably a soft feel of materials is provided on the periphery
edge so as to increase a good wear feeling. In this embodiment, it is preferred
that the mini sheet piece 62 is adhered on the support sheet 42 by hot
melt-typed adhesive.
Further, for bonding between the mini sheet piece and the support sheet
with an adequate strength, in respect of the bonding strength, it is preferably to
set the breaking strength in a lateral direction of the pad in a range from 0.3 to
1.2 N/10mm. Incidentally, this breaking strength is a strength per a width of
10mm and a value which is evaluated by a tensilon testing that the mini sheet
piece held on the upper chuck and the support sheet held on the lower chuck
with a chuck distance of 20mm,are pulled by a velocity of 100mm/min.
Furthermore, to achieve an easy identification of the mini sheet piece by
the user, the mini sheet piece can be adjusted to have a different color or design,
chromaticity from the support sheet by coloring or printing patterns.
[Wrapping Container]
The conventional wrapping container can be used for wrapping the
interlabial pad according to the invention. For example, non woven fabric
comprised of PE, PP, PET and the like, a film having a thickness from 15 to
60um, a paper or laminate materials treated by a lamination of these materials is
eligible.
Incidentally, in consideration of a soft feeling, the inner face side of the
wrapping container is preferably comprised of materials so that is a crepe tissue
in a range from 15 to 50g/m2 by specific weight per unit area, wet spun lace
non-woven fabric in amount from 15 to 70g/m2 by specific weight of a
composition of a cotton and a pulp and including a cotton in amount of 10% by
mass at least, a spun lace non-woven fabric in a range from 20 to 70g/m2 based
on the specific weight of the composition and including a rayon in amount of 30%
by mass or more, or melt blown non-woven fabric comprised of PP in amount
from 20 to 50g/m2 by specific weight per unit area. Further it is also preferable to
comprise the container by a composed non-woven fabric which is comprised a
melt blown non-woven fabric in a range from 5 to 20g/m2 by a specific weight per
unit is held between the spun bond non-woven fabric in amount from 6 to 10g/m2
by specific weight per unit area. While it is preferable to comprise the outer
surface side of the wrapping container in consideration of water durable
pressure by a film comprising PE in amount from 10 to 30g/m2 by specific weight
per unit area or a porous plastic sheet having a rate of hole area from 10 to 30%
and in amount from 15 to 30g/m2 by specific weight per unit area.
The inner and outer face side materials of the wrapping container are
laminated in unit by a conventional method of a hot melt adhesive, heat emboss
ing or an ultra sonic sealing and the like, in this embodiment, it is preferable to
apply the hot melt adhesive in a spiral-shaped or a line-shaped with application
coverage from 3 to 10g/m2 and with a rate of applicant area from 5 to 40%. In
case of a heat embossing or an ultra sonic sealing, the adhesive is applied in a
line-shape, a dot-shape or a cross line-shape and the like with a rate of a sealing
area from 5 to 20% in consideration of the feeling of the laminate material.
[Wrapping body]
The wrapping body in accordance with the present invention wherein the
interlabial pad is contained in a wrapping container includes, other than the
aforementioned wrapping bodies, for example, the embodiment illustrated in
Figs, 25 and 26. In the wrapping body 72, the interlabial pad 44 is folded so
that the mini sheet piece 62 faces along the substantial center line of the
longitudinal direction, the interlabial pad 44 is wrapped in one wrapping sheet
subject to be a wrapping container 76 as illustrated and the peripheral end
portion of the sheet is sealed. In the embodiment, two wrapping sheets may
hold the interlabial pad 44 and the edge portion of the sheet is sealed.
Incidentally, the mini sheet piece 62 is folded in facing along the centerline,
thereby the user can confirm the mini sheet piece 62 by eyes in opening the
wrapping container 72.
In the wrapping container 76 illustrated in Fig. 25, 26, the portion 84 is
sealed with a condition in capable of breaking and more preferably for easily
opening and for preventing the pad from a damage in using, that the portion is
sealed by a heat seal with the breaking strength in a range from 0.3 to
1.0N/25mm, which is evaluated testing with a velocity of 100mm/min by a
tensilon testing. In the wrapping container illustrated in Fig. 25 and Fig. 26, the
knob 86 is provided and the wrapping container 76 can be broken by picking two
knobs 86.
In comprising the wrapping container by sealing the wrapping sheet, other
than the wrapping container 76 as illustrated in Figs. 25, 26 which is opened by
breaking the portion 84, as illustrated in Fig. 27 and Fig. 28, it may be possible to
structure that the container is opened by breaking the perforation 88 to be
formed on the inner peripheral side of the portion 84. In the wrapping body 72
illustrated in Fig. 27, the interlabial pad is folded simultaneously with the
wrapping sheet so as to face rear surface sides with each other, thereafter three
edge portions of the wrapping body are sealed by a heat seal and the perforation
is formed on the inner peripheral side. In the wrapping body 72 illustrated in Fig.
28, the pad is folded in a manner that the rear surface sides face with each other,
thereafter is wrapped by two wrapping sheets, four edge portions are sealed by
the heat seal and the perforation is formed on the inner peripheral side.
In consideration of preventing the pad from damage in keeping it and of
easily breaking the wrapping in using, the breaking strength of the perforation 88
is preferably in a range from 0.2 to 3.0N/25mm, further from 0.3 to1.5N/25mm.
Further for easily breaking the perforation, it is required to start the perforation 88
from the end of the wrapping container 76 as illustrated, while the perforation 88
may be formed continuously or intermittently if it can be broken. Furthermore in
case of forming the perforation 88, it is also preferable that the strength on the
portion 84 is increased, since it is prevented from misunderstanding to break and
open such as the bonding portion 84 of the wrapping container 76 as illustrated
in Figs. 25, 26.
For any embodiment illustrated in Fig. 27 and Fig. 28, it prefers that the
user can easily confirm the start point of the perforation by printing an arrow
confirmed by eyes, or by cutting around the start point of the perforation in a
different formation from other portions or by forming whole wrapping body in
unsymmetrical design.
[(B) Structure of the interlabial pad provided with biodegradability, water
dispersibility and water solubility]
Preferably the interlabial pad is comprised of a material of biodegradability
and/or a material of water dispersibility and/or a material of water solubility.
After using the pad comprised of these materials, it can be disposed into a toilet
to flush, thereby the destruction of the pad can be easily and sanitarily achieved
and the garbage in a toilet can be decreased.
In this Specification, "biodegradability" 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. The description "water
dispersibility" has a same means of water solubility and that is not effected from
restricted volume of fluid (menstrual blood), however in a volume of water or
water flow, fiber themselves are easily dispersed into small piece to the extent
not to damage the normal toilet pipe. "Water solubility" means a nature that is not
affected by restricted volume of fluid (menstrual blood) in using, however is
dissolved by a volume of water or water flow.
[Cover Sheet]
Any of natural fiber and chemical fiber can be used for materials of the
cover sheet to achieve biodegradability, water dispersibility and water solubility.
For example of natural fiber, there are cellulose such as a grinding pulp and
cotton and air laid pulp and the like which is chemically composed by
water-soluble resin. For examples of chemical fiber, there are regenerated
cellulose such as rayon, fibril rayon, PE, PP, PET, materials which is hydrophilic
treated to the chemical fiber such as ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, moreover
poly lactic acid so-called biodegradable fiber, and polybutylene succinate and
the like. Further water-soluble carboxymethylcellulose and polyvinyl alcohol
are eligible for use. In these materials, it prefers to use biodegradable fiber that
are cellulose such as a pulp and cotton, regenerated cellulose such as rayon
and the like and poly lactic acid.
Incidentally, materials described hereinbefore can be used independently
or be mixed by forming a web or the non-woven fabric. For web forming
biodegradable fabric such as poly lactic acid or polybutylene succinate and the
like, any of a card method, a spun bond method, a melt blown method or a dry
method or a wet method by an air laid method, or a combination of these is
eligible. For a method of bonding, a thermal bonding, a needle punch bonding,
a chemical bonding and the like are eligible. However, it is not limited to these
method. Further, a spun lace formed in a sheet-shaped by a water flow
confounding is eligible.
For an example of a forming method of applying water dispersibility, a
method of producing a water soluble paper which the fiber is formed in the
sheet-shaped by a hydrogen bonding of fiber themselves, a method of producing
water soluble paper which fibers are bonded each other into sheet-shaped by
water soluble binder or a method of producing water soluble paper which fibers
are confounded into sheet-shaped are eligible.
Incidentally, preferably a length of fiber in a range from 2 to 51mm, most
preferably in a range from 2 to 10mm can achieve a good water dispersibiiity.
Further in addition to water dispersibility, preferably fineness (thickness) of fibers
is selected from a range of 1.1 to 4.4 dtex for also having strength not to damage
the pad in use. Especially in using rayon as a fiber, it prefers to select the fiber
having fineness from 1.1 to 3.3 dtex. In case of fineness being less than the
value described above, it is possible to achieve water dispersibility, however in a
dry condition, water dispersibility is extremely deteriorated by easily becoming
fuzz or coming out of fuzz from fibers.
Preferably the amount of the cover sheet is selected from 20 to 60g/m2 by
a specific weight per unit based on specific weight per unit area. Further it is
required that the breaking strength of the cover sheet is 800mN/25mm at least in
both vertical and horizontal directions and preferably is from 1000 to
7000mN/25mm in consideration of the softness in wearing the pad (the breaking
strength of the sheet evaluated from the constant speed extension by a speed
testing 100mm/min in a condition of a knob distance 100mm).
For further concrete structure of the cover sheet, a wet spun lace
non-woven fabric is eligible, that a rayon having a fineness of 1.1 to 4.4dtex and
a length from 5 to 10mm and a wood pulp are mixed in a ratio from 90: 10 to 70:
30 by mass to adjust the amount from 25 to 40g/m2, and the thickness from 0.2
to 0,5mm. In order to substantially improve the water permeability of the
menstrual blood or to apply an good image of the menstrual blood permeability,
a plurality of holes can be also provided on the sheet in configuration having a
hole diameter from 0.5 to 1.5mm and a hole area ratio (a ratio of opening hole in
respect of whole area) from 3 to 20%.
[Absorber]
Same materials having water permeability for the cover sheet can be used
for materials of the absorber to apply biodegradability, water dispersibility and
water solubility. Further it is possible to independently use the absorber such as
alginic acid soda, starch, carboxymethylcelluloce and the like, particle-shaped
or fiber-shaped high absorbing polymer, or to use a form by mixing these
materials with same materials for the cover sheet.
In respect of the specific structure of the absorber, for example, the wood
pulp and the like are eligible, that is laminated to the amount from 150 to
500g/m2 by a specific weight per unit to enclose into tissue and is adjusted the
thickness from 2 to 10mm by a press device. It is possible to improve the
absorption capacity or keeping ability of the menstrual blood by mixing absorber
such as starch and the like in a ratio from 5 to 30g/m2.
[Support Sheet]
For materials of the support sheet having biodegradability, water
dispersibility and water solubility, and further impermeability cellulose guide
materials such as methyl cellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose
carboxymethylcellulose and the like , water solubility polymer such as polyvinyl
alcohol, alginic acid, polyacrylic acid soda, polyacrylic ether,
polyvinylpyrrolidone, a copolymer of isobutylene and dry maleic acid , or
biodegradable polymer such as poly lactic acid, polybutylene succinate, starch
and dextrin are eligible.
These materials can be formed in the film-shaped or the sheet-shaped
in individual or by a mixture. At least on one surface, preferably on both
surfaces of the film sheet, waterproof materials such as silicone resin can be
applied or mixed. The laminate paper comprised of the non-woven fabric which
is treated by laminating tissue, is eligible. Further if necessary, the support
sheet can be applied the coloring by mixing the mineral pigment in amount from
0.1 to 5 % of mass.
In respect of the specific structure of an impermeable support sheet, for
example, a laminate paper is formed by a laminating treatment that a film and
tissue are bonded. The film comprises poly lactic acid and tissue has a thickness
from 10 to 20 m m, in the amount from 15 to 20g/m2 by a specific weight per unit
based on the specific weight per unit area, are laminated in area ratio from 5 to
40%. The laminate paper described hereinbefore can keep impermeability
during the pad is wet and it is preferable in preventing the digestion tank from an
exceed damage.
[Mini Sheet Piece]
In respect of materials for the mini sheet piece to apply biodegradability,
water dispersibility and water solubility, poly lactic acid, polybutylene succinate,
a film comprised from PVA and the like, or materials laminated the film of these
materials with tissue are eligible.
[Wrapping Container]
For applying biodegradability, water dispersibility and water solubility
ability, the container may be comprised of a fiber sheet using water soluble fiber,
a film using biodegradable resin or water soluble resin, or a laminated materials
of the fiber sheet with the film, a laminated materials of the film and tissue.
[Bonding Method]
Further for a bonding method of applying biodegradability, water
dispersibility, water solubility, a bonding method such as adhesion by polyvinyl
alcohol and the like having water solubility or water swelling, a heat sealing, or a
bonding by a hydrogen bonding, and the like can be used individually or can be
used in a combination of them adequately.
Industrial Applicability
As described hereinbefore, in the present invention, the absorbing sheet
is comprised of a pair of absorbers which are divided along the substantial
center line of the interlabial pad, the absorbing sheet and the impermeable
support sheet are connected with each other on the periphery edge portion of
the interlabial pad to form the void between the absorbing sheet and the support
sheet through which the menstrual blood can flow into, thereby the menstrual
blood flows along the inner wall of the labia and can be rapidly transmitted into
the absorber. Further the fitting ability of the pad in the labia can be improved.
WE CLAIM:
1. An interlabial pad for attaching to labia, comprising:
a pair of absorbers for absorbing a body fluid:
a pair of water permeable cover sheets covering the absorbers respectively, each
water permeable cover sheet having a peripheral edge portion: and
a support sheet having a peripheral edge that is bonded to the peripheral edge
portion of each of the pair of water permeable cover sheets on a body face side of the
support sheet,
wherein each of the pair of water permeable cover sheets is separated from the
other water permeable cover sheet along a folding portion of the support sheet, so that
when the support sheet is folded away from the pair of water permeable cover sheets, the
interlabial pad thereby forms a void between a garment face side of the water permeable cover
sheet and the body face side of the support sheet.
2. An interlabial pad as claimed in claim 1, wherein a side end of the interlabial pad has a
shape of an arc, and peripheral ends of the arc converge toward edge ends of a center line of the
pad along a longitudinal direction.
3. An interlabial pad as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the pair of water permeable
cover sheets are separated along the folding portion of the support sheet by 10mm or less.
4. An interlabial pad as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a strip-shaped
absorber is disposed along the center line of the pad along the longitudinal direction.
5. An interlabial pad as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the size of the
absorber in each water permeable cover sheet is structured to be 2 to 10 mm
smaller than the outline of the cover sheet.
6. An interlabial pad as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising
a mini sheet piece, in the garment face side of the support sheet, comprising:
one or more bonding portions on each side portion in respect of a
longitudinal direction of the support sheet; and
one or more non-bonded portion in a lateral direction of the support sheet,
wherein at least one of said one or more non-bonded portion form a finger insertion
opening between the mini sheet piece and the support sheet.
7. An interlabial pad as claimed in claim 6, wherein the mini sheet piece maintains a
mountain shape of the support sheet having a vertex along the folding portion of the support
sheet.
8. An interlabial pad as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the interlabial pad is
used together with a sanitary napkin.
9. An interlabial pad as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein said interlabial pad is
a pad for incontinence of urine.
10. An interlabial pad as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein said interlabial pad is
a pad for absorbing vaginal discharge.
11. A wrapping body comprising:
the interlabial pad as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10; and
a wrapping container for wrapping the interlabial pad individually.
12. A wrapping body comprising:
the interlabial pad as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 10; and
a wrapping container for wrapping the interlabial pad individually, said wrapping
container having an unwrapped opening,
wherein said interlabial pad is so contained in said wrapping container that said finger
insertion opening faces and opens toward the unwrapped opening of the wrapping container.
13. A wrapping body as claimed in claim 12,
wherein the interlabial pad is contained in the wrapping container such that the mini sheet piece
is mountain-folded toward garment side directions along the center line of the pad along a
longitudinal direction.
The present invention provides an interlabial pad, which includes an
absorber (13) and comprises an absorbing sheet portion (14a), which faces
against the body side in wearing the pad and a support sheet portion (14b),
which backs the absorber (14a). The absorber (14a) comprises of a pair of
absorbing sheet bodies (16) which are divided along the substantial center line
of the interlabial pad 14, the absorbing sheet (16) and the impermeable support
sheet (12) are bonded with each other on the peripheral edge portion (15) of the
interlabial pad (14) to form a void portion (18) between the absorbing sheet body
(16) and the support sheet (12) through which the menstrual blood can flow into.
Thereby the menstrual blood flowing down along the inner wall of the labia can
be rapidly transferred into the absorber and the shape fitness (fitting ability) of
the pad in labia can be improved.

Documents:


Patent Number 225192
Indian Patent Application Number 01437/KOLNP/2003
PG Journal Number 45/2008
Publication Date 07-Nov-2008
Grant Date 05-Nov-2008
Date of Filing 06-Nov-2003
Name of Patentee UNI-CHARM CORPORATION.
Applicant Address 182 SHIMOBUN, KINSEI-CHO, KAWANOE-SHIM 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/JP02/04895
PCT International Filing date 2002-05-21
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 2001-152403 2001-05-22 Japan
2 2001-276338 2001-09-12 Japan