US4936839A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Winged napkin having cross-channeling
Assignee: Personal Products Co
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Filing: 1988-05-06
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Granted: 1990-06-26
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Expires: 2008-05-06
Abstract
Abstract A sanitary napkin having flaps extending laterally from each of the longitudinal edges of its central absorbent element is provided with fluid retarding means disposed transversely across the absorbent element for inhibiting the transmission of body fluid from a central portion of the absorbent element to the transverse ends. The preferred construction employs the use of two spaced apart compressed channels in the absorbent element. The napkin may include fluid barrier seals between the central absorbent element and the side flaps to prevent the transmission of fluids into the side flap area. The napkin also includes fluid repellant means around the periphery of the transverse ends to aid in preventing end failure.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth J. Molee
- 👤 Kenneth B. Wilson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 10:39
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F13/00; A61F13/15; A61F13/45; A61F13/47; A61F13/475; A61F13/4758; A61F13/56; A61F13/5605; A61F13/5616; A61F13/51; A61F2013/51078
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 38
Claim 1
Independent Claim
80 words
A sanitary napkin comprising: (a) an absorbent element having longitudinally extending sides and transverse ends; (b) flaps extending laterally from each of said longitudinally extending sides of said absorbent element; (c) a fluid retarding means disposed transversely across said element for inhibiting the transmission of body fluid from a central portion of said absorbent element to one of said transverse ends; and (d) fluid repellant means disposed transversely across at least one of the transverse ends of said sanitary napkin.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
80 words
A sanitary napkin comprising: (a) an absorbent element having longitudinally extending sides and transverse ends; (b) flaps extending laterally from each of said longitudinally extending sides of said absorbent element; (c) a fluid retarding means disposed transversely across said element for inhibiting the transmission of body fluid from a central portion of said absorbent element to one of said transverse ends; and (d) fluid repellant means disposed transversely across at least one of the transverse ends of said sanitary napkin.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
The sanitary napkin of claim 1 wherein said fluid retarding means comprises at least two compressed channels in said absorbent element, said channels defining a central portion of said absorbent element and inhibiting the transmission of body fluid from said central portion to each of said transverse ends.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The sanitary napkin of claim 2 wherein said flaps comprise absorbent material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The sanitary napkin of claim 2 wherein said compressed channels are disposed along curvilinear paths, said paths having ends disposed on the longitudinally extending sides of said absorbent element.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The sanitary napkin of claim 3 further comprising body fluid sealing means disposed between said absorbent element and said flaps for preventing the transmission of body fluid from said absorbent element into said flaps.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The sanitary napkin of claim 5 wherein said body fluid sealing means is disposed along the entire boundary between said absorbent element and said flaps.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The sanitary napkin of claim 3 further comprising fluid seal means around the entire periphery of said sanitary napkin.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
The sanitary napkin of claim 3 wherein said compressed channels have end points which lie on a pair of junction lines located between said absorbent element and said flaps, whereby body fluid absorbed by said central portion is transmitted into said flaps.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The sanitary napkin of claim 8 wherein said flaps comprise a width that is greater than the length of said central portion of the absorbent element.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The sanitary napkin of claim 2 wherein said napkin is folded along the compressed portions of the absorbent element to provide a better fit for said napkin.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The napkin of claim 10 wherein said absorbent element is folded along said compressed portions to provide a concave configuration for a body side surface of said napkin.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The sanitary napkin of claim 1 wherein said fluid repellant means comprises fibrous materials treated with a fluid repellant composition.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The sanitary napkin of claim 12 wherein said fibrous material comprises synthetic or natural cellulosic fibers.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The sanitary napkin of claim 12 wherein said fluid repellant means is a fluid repellant solution selected from the group consisting of silicone, a fluorocarbon and a hydrocarbon adhesive.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The sanitary napkin of claim 14 wherein said fluid repellant solution is a hydrocarbon adhesive selected from the group consisting of olefins and paraffins.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The sanitary napkin of claim 12 wherein said fluid repellant means comprises a polymeric foam.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The sanitary napkin of claim 16 wherein said foam is selected from the group consisting of urethane, polyalkylenes and styrene.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
32 words
The sanitary napkin of claim 1 wherein said fluid repellant means comprises synthetic nonabsorbent fibers selected from the group consisting of polyester, polyethylene-polyester bicomponent fibers, and rayon fibers having a repellant coating.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
The sanitary napkin of claim 1 wherein said fluid repellant means contains fibers which are in intimate contact with fibers comprising said absorbent element.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
113 words
A sanitary napkin comprising: (a) an absorbent element having longitudinally extending sides and transverse ends, and comprising an absorbent core, a liquid permeable cover on one side of said absorbent core and a liquid impermeable barrier on the other side of said absorbent core; (b) flaps comprising said cover and said barrier extending laterally from each of said longitudinally extending sides of said absorbent element; (c) fluid retarding means disposed transversely across said absorbent element for inhibiting the transmission of body fluids from a central portion of said absorbent element to said transverse ends; and (d) fluid repellant means disposed transversely across at least one of the transverse ends of said sanitary napkin.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
113 words
A sanitary napkin comprising: (a) an absorbent element having longitudinally extending sides and transverse ends, and comprising an absorbent core, a liquid permeable cover on one side of said absorbent core and a liquid impermeable barrier on the other side of said absorbent core; (b) flaps comprising said cover and said barrier extending laterally from each of said longitudinally extending sides of said absorbent element; (c) fluid retarding means disposed transversely across said absorbent element for inhibiting the transmission of body fluids from a central portion of said absorbent element to said transverse ends; and (d) fluid repellant means disposed transversely across at least one of the transverse ends of said sanitary napkin.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
The sanitary napkin of claim 20 wherein said fluid retarding means comprises a compressed portion of said absorbent element defining a channel therein.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
30 words
The sanitary napkin of claim 21 wherein said fluid retarding means comprises a pair of spaced apart channels defining a central portion and two end portions of said absorbent element.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
30 words
The sanitary napkin of claim 20 comprising a further absorbent material disposed between said absorbent core and said barrier and extending into said flaps between said cover and said barrier.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
33 words
The sanitary napkin of claim 23 comprising body fluid sealing means disposed between said absorbent element and said flaps for preventing the transmission of body fluids from said absorbent element into said flaps.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
24 words
The sanitary napkin of claim 20 wherein said fluid retarding means comprises a portion of said absorbent core treated with a fluid repellent composition.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
43 words
The sanitary napkin of claim 25 wherein said fluid retarding means are disposed on either side of the central portion of said absorbent element and extend between said flaps to define a central absorbent portion and two end portions of said absorbent element.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
26 words
The sanitary napkin of claim 26 wherein said fluid retarding means are disposed along curvilinear paths to define a central absorbent portion having convex transverse ends.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
22 words
The sanitary napkin of claim 27 wherein said absorbent element is hour-glass shaped and said central absorbent portion has concave longitudinal sides.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
20 words
The sanitary napkin of claim 20 wherein said fluid repellant means comprises fibrous materials treated with a fluid repellant composition.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
16 words
The sanitary napkin of claim 29 wherein said fibrous material comprises synthetic or natural cellulosic fibers.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
29 words
The sanitary napkin of claim 29 wherein said fluid repellant means is a fluid repellant solution selected from the group consisting of silicone, a fluorocarbon and a hydrocarbon adhesive.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
24 words
The sanitary napkin of claim 31 wherein said fluid repellant solution is a hydrocarbon adhesive selected from the group consisting of olefins and paraffins.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
15 words
The sanitary napkin of claim 29 wherein said fluid repellant means comprises a polymeric foam.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
20 words
The sanitary napkin of claim 33 wherein said foam is selected from the group consisting of urethane, polyalkylenes and styrene.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
32 words
The sanitary napkin of claim 20 wherein said fluid repellant means comprises synthetic nonabsorbent fibers selected from the group consisting of polyester, polyethylene-polyester bicomponent fibers, and rayon fibers having a repellant coating.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
24 words
The sanitary napkin of claim 20 wherein said fluid repellant means contains fibers which are in intimate contact with fibers comprising said absorbent element.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-06-25 | 1993-12-25 | 1994-06-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-06-25 | 1997-12-25 | 1998-06-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-06-25 | 2001-12-25 | 2002-06-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |