EP0590675A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Curved sanitary napkin with garment attachment panels
Assignee: Kimberly Clark Worldwide Inc
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Filing: 1993-09-30
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2013-09-30
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is an elongated, curved sanitary napkin (10) having elasticized, raised side edges (50,52) along the opposite sides of an absorbent (18). A garment attachment panel (14,16) is secured to the underside of each raised side edge (50,52). A fixed portion (70) of the garment attachment panel (14,16) is bonded flat against each raised side edge (50,52) so that a free portion (72) of each of the garment attachment panels (14,16), extending from the fixed portion (70), is directed generally inward and downward. During use, the garment attachment panels (14,16) are fastened together beneath an undergarment crotch by hook and loop type fastener (78,80). The fastener (78,80) and the garment attachment panels (14,16) are dimensioned so that, when fastened, the garment attachment panels (14,16) exert a pull on the raised side edges (50,52) and control their deflection, thereby preventing them from folding in over the absorbent (18). The garment attachment panels (14,16) confine the crotch portion of the undergarment under the absorbent (18) so that the elasticized edges of the panty crotch are prevented from pulling up and onto the absorbent (18).
Inventors
- 👤 Paul Theodore Vangompel
- 👤 Julie Terese Brocker
- 👤 Lori Sue Schutkoske
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 20:01
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F13/00; A61F13/15; A61F13/45; A61F13/47; A61F13/475; A61F13/4751; A61F13/4752; A61F13/4753; A61F13/476; A61F13/51; A61F13/515; A61F13/53; A61F13/534; A61F13/56; A61F13/5605; A61F13/5616; A61F13/62; A61F13/622; A61F13/49; A61F13/49007; A61F13/49009; A61F13/4902; A61F2013/49031; A61F2013/49068; A61F2013/49079; A61F2013/4908
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
108 words
A sanitary napkin (10) for mounting onto the bodyside of the crotch portion (130) of an undergarment and, during use, absorbing bodily excretions, comprising: a) an elongated absorbent pad (12) having a longitudinal axis, a longitudinally central portion and opposite longitudinal side edges (40,42), said side edges (40,42) being deflectable with respect to said central portion and including an absorbent (18) contained between a bodyside, liquid-permeable cover (24) and a garment side, liquid-impermeable baffle (26), said absorbent pad (12) being normally curved upward with respect to its longitudinal axis; and b) control means for selectively controlling deflection of at least one of said side edges (40,42) during use.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
63 words
The sanitary napkin (10) of claim 1 wherein said control means comprises a garment attachment (14) panel normally extending generally downward and inward from said absorbent pad (12) adjacent to at least one said side edge (40) and, in use, anchorable under said crotch portion (130) of said undergarment so as to confine said crotch portion (130) and substantially define its lateral disposition.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
119 words
The sanitary napkin of claim 2 wherein said undergarment has leg openings and said crotch portion (130) has generally longitudinally oriented side edges defined by said leg openings and said garment attachment panel (14) includes a fixed portion (70) attached to an underside of said pad (12) toward at least one side edge (40), and a free portion (72) diverging from the underside of said pad (12) for, during use, extending under said crotch portion (130) of said undergarment, the lateral disposition of said fixed portion (70) of said garment attachment panel (14) with respect to said pad (12) defining an outer lateral limit for disposition of said side edge (40) of said crotch portion (130) of said undergarment.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
140 words
The sanitary napkin (10) of claim 2 or 3 further comprising a second garment attachment panel (16), normally extending generally downward and inward from said pad (12) and adjacent the other side edge (42) of said pad (12) and, during use, anchorable under said crotch portion (130) of said undergarment, said second garment attachment panel (16) comprising a fixed portion attached to an underside of said pad (12) toward the said second side edge (42) of said pad (12) and a free portion diverging from said underside of said pad (12) for, during use, extending under said crotch portion (130) of said undergarment and including means for anchoring said free portions (14,16) of said garment attachment panels to establish a predetermined deflection of said side edges (40,42) and to facilitate accurate mounting of said sanitary napkin (10) on said undergarment.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
The sanitary napkin (10) of claim 4 wherein said means for anchoring said free ends of said garment attachment panels (14,16) comprises mating fastener elements (78,80), one on each garment attachment panel (14,16), so configured as to provide substantially only a single, predetermined lateral relationship of one garment attachment panel (14, 16) to the other.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The sanitary napkin (10) of claim 4 or 5 wherein said predetermined deflection of said side edges (40, 42) biases said absorbent (18) into an upwardly convex form closely fitting the body.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
86 words
The sanitary napkin (10) of claim 3 wherein said absorbent (18) is longitudinally extending and has opposite longitudinal side edges (44, 46) and said deflectable side edges (40, 42) of said pad (12) normally extend generally laterally with respect to said absorbent (18) and, during use, the anchoring of said garment attachment panel (14) configures said sanitary napkin (10) so that said side edge of said crotch portion (130) of said undergarment is supported approximately no higher than a side edge (44,46) of said absorbent (18).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
93 words
The sanitary napkin (10) of claim 3 wherein at least one of said side edges (40,42) of said pad (12) has a lateral periphery and said absorbent (18) has a longitudinally extending lateral side contiguous with said side edge and the attachment of said garment attachment panel (14) has an inner lateral limit from which said free portion (72) of said garment attachment panel (14) diverges, and the lateral limit is disposed between the lateral side of said absorbent (18) and the lateral periphery of said side edge (40) of said pad (12).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The sanitary napkin (10) of claim 8 wherein said lateral limit of said panel (14) attachment is disposed toward but spaced from the lateral side of said absorbent (18).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
The sanitary napkin (10) of claim 8 or 9 wherein said baffle (26) extends laterally to approximately the lateral periphery of at least one of said side edges (40,42) and said garment attachment panel (14) is secured to said baffle (26).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
103 words
The sanitary napkin (10) of one of the preceding claims further including tension means included in at least one of said deflectable side edges (40,42) of said pad (12), said tension means contributing to said upward curving of said absorbent pad (12) and wherein said side edge (40,42) normally extends generally laterally outward and upward with respect to said absorbent (18) and said control means tends to pull said side edge outward and downward and prevent said side edge (40,42) from being folded in over said absorbent (18) by said tension means when the curvature of said pad (12) is altered during use.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The sanitary napkin (10) of claim 11 wherein said tension means comprises an elastic member extending longitudinally in at least one of said side edges (40,42).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The sanitary napkin (10) of claim 11 or 12 wherein said tension means comprises a laminar element which shrinks upon exposure to a source of heat.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
46 words
The sanitary napkin (10) of one of the preceding claims wherein at least one of said side edges (40 ,42) extends laterally beyond said absorbent (18) and further including means for elevating said side edge relative to said absorbent (18) to form a raised edge (50,52).
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
41 words
The sanitary napkin (10) of claim 14 wherein said control means comprises a garment attachment panel (14) normally extending generally downward and inward from said raised edge (50) and said garment attachment panel (14) is integral with said raised edge (50).
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
49 words
The sanitary napkin (10) of claim 14 or 15 wherein said raised edge (50) comprises opposite inner (54;120) and outer (58;122) walls and said walls (54,58; 120,122) and said garment attachment panel (14) are formed from a single sheet of material and said walls (54,58; 120,122) are bonded together.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
The sanitary napkin (10) of claim 16 wherein said walls (120, 122) are bonded together only in lower portions so that unbonded upper portions are free to define a rolled edge (126).
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
76 words
The sanitary napkin (10) of one of the preceding claims further including a longitudinally extending elastic member wherein said cover (24) and baffle (26) extend laterally beyond said absorbent and said cover, baffle, and elastic member are bonded together to define at least one of said side edges (40,42), said elastic member contributing to an upward curving of said pad (12) and tending to elevate said side edge (40,42) to form an elasticized raised edge (50,52).
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
36 words
The sanitary napkin (10) of claim 18 wherein said control means comprises a garment attachment panel (14) which is secured to said baffle (26) outwardly of said absorbent (18) and normally extends generally downward and inward.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
90 words
The sanitary napkin (10) of one of the preceding claims wherein said control means comprises a garment attachment panel (14), said panel (14) including a fixed portion (70) carried by at least one of said side edges (40) and a free portion (72) extending from said fixed portion (70) and foldable with respect to said fixed portion (70) so as to, during use, extend inward and be anchorable under said crotch portion (130) of said undergarment so as to confine said crotch portion (130) and substantially define its lateral disposition.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
82 words
The sanitary napkin (10) of claim 20 wherein said crotch portion (130) has generally longitudinally oriented side edges and said fixed portion (70) of said garment attachment panel (14) extends over an underside of at least one of said side edges (40,42) of said absorbent pad (12), the lateral disposition of said fixed portion (70) with respect to said pad (12) defining an outer lateral limit for disposition of one of said side edges of said crotch portion (130) of said undergarment.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
91 words
The sanitary napkin (10) of claim 21 wherein at least one of said side edges (40,42) has an outer lateral periphery and said absorbent (18) has a longitudinally extending lateral side contiguous with said side edge (40) and said fixed portion (70) of said garment attachment panel (14) has a lateral limit from which said free portion (72) of the panel (14) extends and said lateral limit is disposed between said lateral side of said absorbent (18) and said lateral periphery of said side edge (40) of said absorbent pad (12).
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
32 words
The sanitary napkin (10) of claim 22 wherein said lateral limit of said fixed portion (70) of said garment attachment panel (14) comprises an outer lateral limit of said fixed portion (70).
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
32 words
The sanitary napkin (10) of claim 22 wherein said lateral limit of said fixed portion (70) of said garment attachment panel (14) comprises an inner lateral limit of said fixed portion (70).
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
199 words
A sanitary napkin (10) for mounting onto the bodyside of the crotch portion (130) of an undergarment and, during use, absorbing bodily excretions comprising: a) an elongated absorbent pad (12) having a longitudinal axis, a longitudinally central portion and opposite longitudinal side edges (40,42), said side edges (40,42) being deflectable with respect to said central portion and including an absorbent (18) contained between a bodyside, liquid-permeable cover (24) and a garment side, liquid-impermeable baffle (26), at least one of said cover (24) and said baffle (26) extending laterally beyond said absorbent (18) to define said side edges (40,42), and said absorbent pad (12) being normally curved upward with respect to its longitudinal axis; b) means for curving said pad upwardly and raising said side edges (40,42) with respect to said absorbent (18); and c) at least one garment attachment panel (14,16) carried by one of said opposite side edges (40,42) and normally extending generally downward and inward and, during use, anchorable under the crotch portion (130) of said undergarment, said anchoring at least potentially establishing a generally downward pull on one of said side edges (40,42) and preventing said side edge (40,42) from folding in toward said absorbent (18).
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
238 words
A sanitary napkin (10) for mounting onto the bodyside of the crotch portion (130) of an undergarment and, during use, absorbing bodily excretions, said undergarment having leg openings and said crotch portion (130) having generally longitudinally oriented side edges defined by said leg openings comprising: a) an elongated absorbent pad (12) having a longitudinal axis, a longitudinally central portion and opposite longitudinal side edges (40,42), said edges being deflectable with respect to said central portion, and including an absorbent (18) contained between a bodyside, liquid-permeable cover (24) and a garment side, liquid-impermeable baffle (26), said absorbent pad being normally curved upward with respect to its longitudinal axis; b) means for longitudinally curving said absorbent pad upwardly; and c) at least one garment attachment panel (14,16) carried by one of said opposite side edges (40,42) and normally extending downward and inward and, during use, being anchorable under said crotch portion (130) of said undergarment, said garment attachment panel (14) comprising a fixed portion (70) attached to an underside of said one of said side edges (40) and a free portion (72) diverging from said side edge (40) for, during use, extending under said crotch portion (130) of said undergarment, the lateral disposition of said fixed portion (70) of said garment attachment panel (14) with respect to said pad (12) defining an outer lateral limit for disposition of said side edge (40) of said crotch portion (130) of said undergarment.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
198 words
A sanitary napkin (10) for mounting onto the bodyside of the crotch portion (130) of an undergarment and, during use, absorbing bodily excretions comprising: a) an elongated absorbent pad (12) having a longitudinal axis, a longitudinally central portion and opposite longitudinal side edges (40,42), said edges (40,42) being deflectable with respect to said central portion, and including an absorbent (18) contained between a bodyside, liquid-permeable cover (24) and a garment side, liquid-impermeable baffle (26), said absorbent pad (12) being normally curved upward with respect to its longitudinal axis; b) means for longitudinally curving said absorbent pad (18) upwardly and elevating at least a portion of each of said side edges (40,42) to define a pair of opposite raised side edges (50,52), said edges each having an inner and an outer wall (54,56; 58,60); and c) at least one garment attachment panel (14) normally extending downward and inward and, during use, being anchorable under said crotch portion (130) of said undergarment, said panel (14) being integral with one of said raised side edges (50,52), and said panel (14) and the inner and outer walls (54,56,58,60) of said raised side edges (50,52) being formed from a single sheet of material.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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