Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
A sanitary napkin comprising: a) A central absorbent means for absorbing menstrual fluid: b) At least one flap affixed to and extending from a longitudinal edge of said central absorbent means, said at least one flap including a flexible axis whereby said flap can be folded over on itself: and c) A line of juncture formed where said at least one flap meets said central absorbent means; wherein said sanitary napkin preferentially bends at said line of juncture and said flap has a flexibility about said flexible axis of less than 200 grams.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
93 words
A sanitary napkin comprising: a) A central absorbent means for absorbing menstrual fluid: b) At least one flap affixed to and extending from a longitudinal edge of said central absorbent means, said at least one flap including a flexible axis whereby said flap can be folded over on itself: and c) A line of juncture formed where said at least one flap meets said central absorbent means; wherein said sanitary napkin preferentially bends at said line of juncture and said flap has a flexibility about said flexible axis of less than 200 grams.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A sanitary napkin according to Claim 1 wherein said flexibility is less than 50g, preferably less than 25g.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
134 words
A sanitary napkin according to either one of claims 1 and 2 wherein: i. One flap extends from each longitudinal edge of said absorbent means; ii. Said central absorbent means comprises a liquid permeable topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet, an absorbent core interposed said topsheet and said backsheet, pressure sensitive adhesive affixed to the outer surface of said backsheet, and a removable release liner affixed to said adhesive opposite said outer surface of said backsheet: and iii. Said flaps each comprise a liquid permeable flap topsheet, a liquid impervious flap backsheet, and a flap absorbent core interposed said flap topsheet and said flap backsheet, pressure sensitive flap adhesive affixed to the outer surfaces of said flap backsheets, and removable release liners affixed to said flap adhesive opposite said outer surface of said flap backsheet.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A sanitary napkin according to any one of claims 1-3 wherein the width of said central absorbent means between said lines of juncture is from 1 to 11.5 centimeters.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A sanitary napkin according to claim 4 wherein said width is from 2 to 7 centimeters, preferably from 2 to 5 centimeters.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A sanitary napkin according to any one of claims 1-5 wherein each of said flexible axes comprises unique hinge means.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
62 words
A device for absorbing vaginal discharges comprising: a sanitary napkin according to any one of claims 1-6 in combination with means for supporting said central absorbent means adjacent the body of a human female so that the plane defined by said flexible axes is above the plane formed by said lines of juncture when said human female is in an upright position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
An absorbent device according to claim 7 wherein said means for supporting said sanitary napkin is a panty.