A sanitary towel device

Abstract

A sanitary towel device comprises: a top layer 1; an absorbent core (10, figure 3); and an impermeable expanding sleeve 2. The top layer is above the absorbent core and the absorbent core is surrounded by the expanding sleeve on its side faces and bottom face. The top layer allows passage of fluid in a first direction towards the absorbent core. The expanding sleeve is secured to the top layer and is arranged to expand away from the top layer as the absorbent core absorbs fluid intake through the top layer. The expanding sleeve may comprise at least one folded portion and / or concertina sides. The sleeve may comprise outward folding ends and inward folding sides. The device may comprise wings 4 for securement of the device to underwear. The device may comprise a rebated 6, perforated and / or coated top layer. The expanding sleeve may be bonded to the underside of the top layer.

Description

04 09 24 Field of the Invention 5 The present invention relates to a sanitary towel device, in particular a device for wearing to collect menstrual flow; more particularly but not exclusively a device suitable for users with heavy menstrual flow and / or conditions such as menorrhagia. Background 10 In many cases it can be a distressing time each month for people who have menstrual flow issues, such as menorrhagia, which is otherwise known as heavy periods if the bleeding is regularly interfering with daily life. Heavy periods are common and are more likely to develop as women get older. They are most common in women aged between 15 30 and 49. Prior Art US 2003 0 014 031 (TANZER) discloses a primary liquid retention layer suitable for 20 use in an incontinence garment includes a plurality of pleats defined by fold lines in at least one region of the composite wherein the fold lines are oriented in a first direction and the primary liquid retention layer is stretchable in a second direction perpendicular to the fold lines, between a first position where the pleats are substantially folded and a second position where the pleats are substantially unfolded or extended due to liquid 25 loading, while the primary liquid retention layer remains substantially in the plane of the garment so as to not distort the wetted appearance of the garment. US 6 103 953 (CREE et al) discloses an absorbent article having a longitudinal centerline, said absorbent article comprising: a liquid pervious apertured thermoplastic 30 film topsheet, said topsheet having a core-facing face; a liquid impervious backsheet joined to said topsheet; an absorbent core positioned between said topsheet and said backsheet; and a fibrous acquisition layer comprised of at least some synthetic fibers, said acquisition layer being positioned between said topsheet and said absorbent core, said acquisition layer having a body-facing face and comprising a folded sheet which 35 has been folded so that a double z-fold structure is formed, wherein when said double z-fold structure is viewed in cross-section taken along a transverse line it is divided into 04 09 24 a left half and a right half by the longitudinal centerline, and the left half of the folded sheet appears as a reverse letter "z", and the right half appears as a letter z; wherein the core-facing face of said topsheet is adjacent the body-facing face of said acquisition layer and said topsheet is fused to said acquisition layer at discrete bonded 5 areas, at least some of said bonded areas providing structures with drainage passageways for liquids to pass through to said absorbent core. EP 0 804 132 (MILBLY et al) discloses a disposable absorbent article such as an incontinent pad that is both comfortable and suitable for absorbing and containing large 10 volumes of bodily liquids without leakage includes at least one pleat which is tacked with a liquid soluble adhesive such that when the liquid soluble adhesive is wetted the adhesive dissolves allowing the pleat to expand as the absorbent core expands. The pleats may extend in any direction, but preferably extend either substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the article or substantially parallel to the transverse axis of 15 the absorbent article. Summary of the Invention 20 According to the present invention there is provided a sanitary towel device comprising a top layer, an absorbent core and an impermeable expanding sleeve, wherein the top layer is above the absorbent core and the absorbent core is surrounded by the expanding sleeve on the other three sides, and the top layer is adapted to allow passage of fluid in a first direction towards the absorbent core, and the expanding 25 sleeve is secured to the top layer and arranged to expand away from the top layer as the absorbent core absorbs fluid intake through the top layer. In this way the device may be envisaged to expand and receive a significant quantity of blood for users with heavy bleeding conditions such as menorrhagia, which is then 30 held within the absorbent core in the expanded sleeve. In some embodiments of the device the expanding sleeve comprises a least one folded portion, which may be envisaged to open as required. 35 In some embodiments of the device the expanding sleeve comprises concertina sides. 04 09 24 In some embodiments of the device the device comprises wings for securement of the device to underwear, which wings may comprise a self-adhesive securement means, or a reusable clip securement means. 5 In some embodiments of the device the device comprises a top layer which resists passage of fluid in an opposed second direction from the absorbent core. In some embodiments of the device the device comprises a rebated or perforated top layer, allowing passage of fluid in one direction but limited contact of the user with a 10 damp top layer. A coating may be envisaged to provide an impermeable surface between rebates or perforations. The device may be envisaged to be constructed with the same materials as a conventional sanitary pad. 15 For example the absorbent core may be made from cellulose combined with superabsorbent polymer (SAP) powder albeit at a higher ratio than standard sanitary pads as known in the art. 20 In contact with liquid, SUCH SAP powder turns into a gel and may be envisaged to retain up to 40 times its volume. In other embodiments the absorbent core may be provided by multiple layers of unbleached and undyed cotton, for example in embodiments for reuse, wherein the 25 core may be removed from the expanding sleeve and washed for re-use. The expanding sleeve has folds on its sides to allow it to expand or collapse and create space for the gel to store menstrual blood. 30 In some embodiments the expanding sleeve may be provided in a silicone, or skinsafe latex, for example in relation to reusable embodiments. The top layer is comprised of synthetic fibres sheet compressed with the absorbent core. 35 In other embodiments the top layer may be provided in a deactivated charcoal and bamboo fibre material. 04 09 24 The top layer acts for acquisition and distribution, and has an embossed flow pattern, rebated into the top surface thereof. 5 The wings may be envisaged to be provided in a plastic sheet which is bonded to the outer surface of the expanding sleeve. The wings are provided with a self-adhesive material, which may have a displaceable covering. In other embodiments the wings may be provided with a securement or clip means 10 such as kam snaps or ferromagnetic portions, to allow repeated reattachment for reusable embodiments. For example the wings may be arranged to attach to each other. The wings’ securement means may be envisaged to allow the wings to secure to each 15 other. It may be envisaged that the embodiment is 310mm long and 150mm wide, with a depth in the first position of 20mm. 20 A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which: Brief Description of Figures 25 Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the device according to the present invention in a first position; Figure 2 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in 30 Figure 1; Figure 3 shows an exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; 35 Figure 4 shows a reverse exploded isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 5 shows an isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1, in a second position; 04 09 24 5 Figure 6 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device as shown in Figure 1; and Figure 7 shows a diagrammatic sketch view of a second embodiment of the device according to the present invention. 10 Detailed Description of Figures With reference to the figures there is shown an embodiment of a sanitary towel device 99 generally comprising a top layer 1, an absorbent core 10 and an impermeable 15 expanding sleeve 2, wherein the top layer is above the absorbent core and the absorbent core is surrounded by the expanding sleeve, and the top layer is adapted to allow passage of fluid in a first direction towards the absorbent core, and the expanding sleeve is secured to the top layer and arranged to expand away from the top layer as the absorbent core is expanded by fluid intake through the top layer. 20 In particular reference to the pictured embodiment the embodiment comprises a top layer 1, with an upper surface arranged to face upwards, to cover and surround the user’s vulva and pelvic area. 25 The top layer comprises an acquisition and distribution layer, made from synthetic fibre sheets compressed and bonded on the lower surface to the absorbent core. Located below the top layer in a central longitudinally arranged rectangle is the core, comprising a thick layer of cellulose combined with superabsorbent polymers powder. 30 When this layer is in contact with liquids, the powder turns itself into a gel. The core utilises a thick and / or double layer of cellulose combined with superabsorbent polymers (SAP) powder to provide more liquid absorption allowing for longer use ideal 35 for women with menorrhagia. 04 09 24 The absorbent core is encapsulated in a water-proof synthetic sleeve 2 designed to expand to accommodate the increased absorption. This lightweight watertight polymer sleeve is designed to expand with the absorption 5 core, having a longitudinal inwards fold along the long sides of the sleeve, and an outwards fold at the short ends of the sleeve. It may be envisaged that the top of the outwards fold may be bonded by temporary adhesive to the underside of the top layer, to hold the expanding sleeve in place before 10 use. This allows for increased absorption and storage of blood enabling the pad to be used longer with heavy bleeding. 15 Wings 4 are provided extending from a central sheet, to provide perimetrically extending symmetrical water-resistant plastic flaps to connect to underwear with adhesive. Using self-adhesive pads on the wings a user would securely stick the embodiment in 20 underwear such that the embodiment can be worn comfortably like a standard pad. As the pad absorbs blood the plastic sleeve fills with gel allow the pad to be used for longer. 25 The top layer comprises an upper surface 5 that may be coated with an impervious coating, so as to prevent dampness. The top layer further comprises a plurality of rebates 6, which allow direct passage of fluid to the core. Such rebates or apertures are arranged in a continuous sinuous 30 arrangement, with a central hole or rebated area. The top layer has a depth whereby the surface may be impervious but the fluid may pass through the sides of the rebates. The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing 35 from the scope of protection as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A sanitary towel comprising: a top layer arranged in use above an absorbent core and an impermeable expanding sleeve that is connected5 to and extends from the top layer to surround side faces and a bottomface of t the absorbent core; wherein the top layer allows passage of fluid in a first direction towards the absorbent core,; and the expanding sleeve comprises a concertina folded portion with at least one inward fold provided at the side faces of the absorbent core to enable expansion of10 the absorbent core as fluid is absorbed; and front and rear ends of theexpanding sleeve have outward folding ends that are separable from the upper layer.04 09 242. A sanitary towel according to claim 1 wherein the expanding sleeve has 15 a plurality of Z folds at the side faces of the absorbent core.

3. A sanitary towel according to any preceding claim comprising wings for securement of the device to underwear.20 4. A sanitary towel according to claim 3 wherein the wings comprise a self-adhesive securement means.

5. A sanitary towel according to claim 3 wherein the wings comprise a clip securement means.

256. A sanitary towel according to any preceding claim comprising a rebated top layer.

7. A sanitary towel according to any preceding claim comprising a 30 perforated top layer.

8. A sanitary towel according to any preceding claim comprising a coated top layer.

9. A sanitary towel according to any preceding claim wherein the expanding sleeve is bonded to the underside of the top layer.

10. A sanitary towel according to any preceding claim wherein a top of the 5 outwards folding ends is bonded by temporary adhesive to an undersideof the top layer, to hold the expanding sleeve in place before use.04 09 24

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