Contoured and shaped feminine sanitary device

Abstract

A contoured and shaped feminine sanitary device (10) comprising a substantially fluid-impermeable bottom layer (26), a substantially fluid-absorbent core (24), and a substantially fluid-permeable top layer (28), with at least one raised area (18) and at least one of back or front extensions (14,16) for facilitating and enhancing fluid absorption in certain areas and during certain activities.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present non-provisional patent application is related to and claims priority benefit of an earlier-filed and still pending provisional patent application titled FEMININE SANITARY DEVICE, Ser. No. 60 / 638,879, filed Dec. 22, 2004. The identified provisional patent application is hereby incorporated by reference into the present non-provisional application.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates broadly to feminine sanitary napkins, pads, or other similar devices. More particularly, the present invention concerns a contoured and shaped feminine sanitary device comprising a substantially fluid-impermeable bottom layer, a substantially fluid-absorbent core, and a substantially fluid-permeable top layer, with at least one raised area and at least one of back or front extensions for facilitating and enhancing fluid absorption in certain areas and during certain activities. [0004] 2. Description of the...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011] The present invention solves the above-identified and other problems and disadvantages in the prior art by providing a contoured and shaped feminine sanitary device for facilitating and enhancing fluid absorption in certain areas and during certain activities. More specifically, the device provides significantly improved protection over the prior art, particularly when the user assumes non-vertical positions, such as, for example, when reclining or laying in a prone, supine, or side position.

[0012] Preferably, the device comprises an elongated body including a central portion, a back extension, a front extension, one or more raised areas, and one or more wings. The central portion is substantially elongated and rectangular in shape and adapted for placement against the female genital area in much the same manner as a prior art pad. The back extension is connected to or otherwise extends substantially continuously from a rearward end of the central portion, presents additional surface area, and is adapted for placement against the user's lower buttock area to absorb at least some of any fluid that may avoid absorption by the central portion and flow rearward along bodily contours into this lower buttock area such as when the user is in a substantially supine position. The front extension is connected to or otherwise extends substantially continuously from a forward end of the central portion, also presents additional surface area, and is adapted for placement against the user's pelvic or lower abdominal area to absorb at least some of any fluid that may avoid absorption by the central portion and flow forwardly along bodily contours when the user is in a substantially prone position. The extensions may be given substantially any suitable simple or complex shape as well as relief features for more closely accommodating the user's legs or other body parts. Securement mechanisms may be provided for one or more of the central portion or back or front extensions in order to aid in maintaining the portion or area in its proper operating position.

[0013] The one or more raised areas are located on the body of the device in areas where fluid flow is likely to occur, and have a raised shape, such as a rounded swelling or even, as appropriate, a wedge, that results in more certain and sustained contact with the user's body and therefore better protection. There may be any one or more of three such areas: a vaginal area, a rear area, and a front area. The vaginal area is located in a center area of the central portion; the rear area is located rearwardly of the vaginal area, such as near the intersection of the central portion and the back extension where the human body forms a natural crevice and intersection for fluid flowing rearwardly along bodily contours; and the front area is located forwardly of the vaginal area, such as near the intersection of the central portion and the front extension to intercept fluid flowing forwardly along bodily contours. The raised areas are preferably constructed of a material or materials and in such a manner that fluid absorbed by the raised areas is able or even encouraged to migrate into adjacent areas of the device so as to slow or avoid substantial or complete saturation of the raised areas which might diminish or preclude further absorption and thereby diminish or preclude further performance or operation of the device.

[0014] Thus, it will be appreciated that the feminine sanitary device of the present invention provides a number of substantial advantages over the prior art, including, for example, providing significantly improved protection, particularly when the user assumes non-vertical positions, such as, for example, when reclining or laying in a prone, supine, or side position. In particular, the oversized and appropriately shaped back and front extensions provide greater protection against fluid not absorbed by the central portion, and the appropriately located raised areas further improve protection.

Problems solved by technology

Unfortunately, such prior art pads generally function best when the user is in a substantially vertical position, i.e., standing or sitting upright such that the natural flow of such fluid is directly into the pad.

Thus, for example, when the user is sleeping, substantial amounts of fluid may avoid being absorbed by the prior art pad and may ultimately contact and stain the user's garments or bedcoverings.

Unfortunately, such a wedge works to absorb spillage only when the user lies in a supine horizontal position such that the spillage flows rearwardly.

The gluteal wedge does not work to absorb spillage when the user lies in a prone horizontal position such that the spillage flows forwardly.

Similarly, the gluteal wedge does not work to absorb spillage when the user lies on her left or right side such that the spillage flows sidewardly.

The gluteal wedge suffers from a number of additional disadvantages, including, for example, that it only absorbs fluid flowing between the buttocks and not fluid flowing over the buttocks, and that the overly-intrusive wedge shape may be unduly uncomfortable or otherwise disagreeable for some women.

Unfortunately, tampons, while generally effective, pose health risks for women.

Using tampons of any absorbency greatly increases a woman's risk of contracting TSS.

In order to reduce the risk of contracting TSS, doctors suggest the use of feminine sanitary pads, but as mentioned, prior art pads by themselves suffer from a number of problems and disadvantages.

One disadvantage of this single, elongated wedge is discomfort for the user because it does not and cannot conform to the natural contours of the female genital area.

In addition, there is still the possibility of spillage or leakage if the user lies in a horizontal position such that the fluid flows either forward toward the pelvic area, rearward toward the buttocks, or toward the sides of the pad.

Even though the risk of leakage is very low, adult diapers may not provide sufficient discreetness for some, and may also be undesirable either or both from an associated psychological stigma or from physical discomfort.

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