Absorbent pads for clothes

Abstract

To provide an absorbent pad for use in a garment.SOLUTION: An absorbent pad (100) includes: a liquid-impermeable barrier layer (106); a functional layer (101) attached to the barrier layer (106) and comprising a liquid absorbent component (104); a liquid-impermeable peripheral sealing element (110) bonded to peripheries (105, 107) of the functional layer (101) and barrier layer (106); and a peripheral attaching element (112) having a first portion (112a) and a second portion (112b). The first portion (112a) is bonded to the peripheral sealing element (110). The second portion (112b) of the peripheral attaching element (112) is detached from the peripheral sealing element (110) and is arranged to be attached to a fabric body (200) of the garment, thereby attaching the absorbent pad (100) to the garment.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6A

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] (Related Applications) This disclosure claims the benefit of UK Patent Application No. 1911052.7, filed August 2, 2019, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates generally to absorbent pads for garments. More specifically, the present disclosure describes garments having absorbent pads, as well as various embodiments of absorbent pads for use in garments. [Background technology]

[0003] Absorbent garments, such as reusable and washable absorbent underwear, are worn for the purpose of absorbing bodily fluids. These bodily fluids include vaginal secretions, urine, menstrual fluid, sweat, and breast milk. Many people are troubled by the involuntary secretion of bodily fluids, and there are few garments designed to absorb such secretions that are functional and comfortable for the wearer.

[0004] For example, menstruating women typically use tampons or sanitary napkins in addition to wearing underwear to prevent menstrual fluid from soiling their outer clothing. While tampons or pads often absorb the entire flow of fluid, unexpected leakage can occur. To avoid such leakage, women may instead choose to wear adult briefs, which provide protection for a larger area and may be particularly convenient for women with heavy menstrual flows. Adult briefs can also be convenient for people with urinary incontinence. However, adult briefs tend to be bulky and unattractive, making them difficult to hide under outer clothing and potentially embarrassing for users. Disadvantages of wearing adult briefs and sanitary napkins include prolonged exposure to wetness, which can lead to discomfort, irritant dermatitis, and / or inflammation. Furthermore, pads / tampons can be misplaced, and adult briefs can be wrapped loosely, both of which can lead to leakage. Additionally, these conventional products are generally disposable, which means that environmental and economic costs can be significant.

[0005] The bulkiness of conventional products means that it is difficult for users to wear undergarments with small coverage. For example, absorbent pads must be placed inside larger undergarments with maximum coverage to accommodate them, while diapers and absorbent undergarments are generally large enough to adequately address a user's incontinence. Thus, those who prefer thong-style or low-rise bikini undergarments are forced to choose between wearing their preferred undergarments, which may leak into outer clothing, and wearing bulky, unattractive clothing that ensures all leakage is prevented.

[0006] WO2016 / 133458 describes an absorbent pad with a layered structure. However, the layered structure of this absorbent pad limits the way in which the absorbent pad can be attached to clothing to non-stitching means. DE102008057840 describes an incontinence pad that is attached to fabric by sewing. However, sewing the incontinence pad creates holes therethrough, and these holes increase the risk of leakage.

[0007] Therefore, there is a need to provide an improved absorbent pad for use in garments to address or mitigate at least one of the problems and / or disadvantages discussed above. Summary of the Invention

[0008] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an absorbent pad for use in a garment, the absorbent pad comprising: a liquid impermeable barrier layer; a functional layer attached to the barrier layer and having a liquid-absorbing portion; a liquid impermeable peripheral sealing element bonded to the periphery of the functional layer and the barrier layer; and a peripheral attachment element having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being bonded to the peripheral sealing element and the second portion of the peripheral attachment element being detached from the peripheral sealing element and arranged to be attached to a fabric body of the garment, thus attaching the absorbent pad to the garment.

[0009] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is a method of forming an absorbent pad for use in a garment, the method comprising attaching a functional layer having a liquid-absorbing portion to a liquid-impermeable barrier layer, bonding a liquid-impermeable perimeter sealing element around the functional layer and the barrier layer, and bonding a first portion of the perimeter attachment element to the perimeter sealing element, wherein a second portion of the perimeter attachment element is detached from the perimeter sealing element and positioned to be attached to a fabric body of the garment, thus attaching the absorbent pad to the garment.

[0010] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a garment having a fabric body and an absorbent pad attached to the fabric body, the absorbent pad comprising a liquid-impermeable barrier layer, a functional layer attached to the barrier layer and having a liquid-absorbing portion, a liquid-impermeable perimeter sealing element bonded to the perimeters of the functional layer and the barrier layer, and a perimeter attachment element having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being bonded to the perimeter sealing element and the second portion of the perimeter attachment element being separated from the perimeter sealing element and attached to the fabric body of the garment.

[0011] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of modifying a garment. The method includes providing a garment having a fabric body and forming an absorbent pad for use in the garment. The absorbent pad includes a liquid-impermeable barrier layer, a functional layer attached to the barrier layer and having a liquid-absorbing portion, a liquid-impermeable perimeter sealing element bonded to the perimeter of the functional layer and the barrier layer, and a perimeter attachment element having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being bonded to the perimeter sealing element and the second portion of the perimeter attachment element being separated from the perimeter sealing element. The method further includes attaching the second portion of the perimeter attachment element to the fabric body, thereby attaching the absorbent pad to the garment.

[0012] Thus, disclosed herein is an absorbent pad for use in a garment in accordance with the present disclosure. Various features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments of the present disclosure, by way of non-limiting example only, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view of an absorbent pad attached to a fabric body of a garment according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 10 is another cross-sectional view of an absorbent pad attached to a fabric body of a garment according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of a method for forming an absorbent pad according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4A] 1 is a cross-sectional view of an absorbent pad formed in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4B] FIG. 1 is a top view of an absorbent pad formed in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4C] 1 is a cross-sectional view of an absorbent pad formed in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4D] FIG. 1 is a top view of an absorbent pad formed in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of a method for retrofitting garments with absorbent pads according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6A] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a garment modified with an absorbent pad according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6B] FIG. 1 is a top view of a garment modified with an absorbent pad according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6C] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a garment modified with an absorbent pad according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6D] FIG. 1 is a top view of a garment modified with an absorbent pad according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6E] FIG. 1 is a top view of a garment modified with an absorbent pad according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6F] FIG. 1 is a top view of a garment modified with an absorbent pad according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7A] 10A-10C are other cross-sectional views of absorbent pads formed and garments modified with absorbent pads according to embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 7B] 10A-10C are other cross-sectional views of absorbent pads formed and garments modified with absorbent pads according to embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 7C] 10A-10C are other cross-sectional views of absorbent pads formed and garments modified with absorbent pads according to embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 7D]10A-10C are other cross-sectional views of absorbent pads formed and garments modified with absorbent pads according to embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 8A] FIG. 1 is a front view of a garment having an absorbent pad according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8B] FIG. 1 is a rear view of a garment having an absorbent pad according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9A] 10 is a cross-sectional view of another garment having an absorbent pad according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9B] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another garment having an absorbent pad according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10A] 10 is another cross-sectional view of an absorbent pad attached to a fabric body of a garment according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. [Figure 10B] 10 is another cross-sectional view of an absorbent pad attached to a fabric body of a garment according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] For brevity and clarity, the description of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be directed to absorbent pads for use in garments, as shown in the drawings. While aspects of the present disclosure will be described in conjunction with the embodiments herein, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to these embodiments. On the contrary, the present disclosure is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents to the embodiments described herein that fall within the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims. Furthermore, in the following detailed description, specific details are set forth to provide a more thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the present disclosure may be practiced without the specific details and / or with multiple details resulting from the combination of aspects of a particular embodiment. In some instances, well-known systems, methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0015] In embodiments of the present disclosure, the illustration or discussion of a particular element, or the use of a particular element number in a particular drawing, or reference thereto in corresponding descriptive material, may encompass the same, equivalent, or similar element or element number identified in other drawings or descriptive material associated therewith.

[0016] References to "in one embodiment / example," "in another embodiment / example," "some embodiments / examples," "some other embodiments / examples," etc., indicate that the described embodiment / example may include a particular feature, structure, characteristic, property, element, or limitation, but not all embodiments / examples may necessarily include the particular feature, structure, characteristic, property, element, or limitation. Furthermore, repeated use of the phrase "in one embodiment / example" or "other embodiments / examples" does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment / example.

[0017] The terms "comprises," "includes," "has," etc. do not exclude the presence of features / elements / steps other than those listed in an embodiment. The recitation of certain features / elements / steps in mutually different embodiments does not indicate that a combination of these features / elements / steps cannot be used in that embodiment. The terms "a" or "an" are defined as one or more. The use of " / " in the drawings or related documents is understood to mean "and / or" unless otherwise stated. The recitation of particular values ​​or ranges herein is understood to be inclusive of or approximating the values ​​or ranges.

[0018] In a representative or exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided an absorbent pad or pad 100, for example, but not limited to, in the form of a gusset, for use in a garment as shown in FIG. 1 . Specifically, the absorbent pad 100 is attachable to a fabric body 200 of the garment. The garment may be an intimate garment or undergarment worn by a user, particularly in areas of the body where bodily fluids may be secreted. For example, the garment may be, but is not limited to, a bra, lingerie, sportswear, and similar form-fitting or form-fitting garments. The absorbent pad 100 includes a functional layer 101 and a liquid-impermeable barrier layer 106, which is attached to the barrier layer 106, for example, by bonding and / or stitching. The functional layer 101 includes a liquid-absorbent portion 104 capable of absorbing liquid.

[0019] 2, the functional layer 101 further includes a liquid-permeable wicking portion 102, and the absorbent portion 104 is attached to the wicking portion 102, e.g., by bonding and / or stitching, and is disposed between the wicking portion 102 and the barrier layer 106. In addition, the functional layer 101 is attached to the barrier layer 106 at the wicking portion 102, e.g., by bonding and / or stitching.

[0020] The wicking portion 102 can acquire liquid or moisture and distribute it to the underlying absorbent portion 104. In particular, when a garment having the absorbent pad 100 is worn by a user, the wicking portion 102 faces the user's body and functions to transport bodily fluids produced by the user's body to the absorbent portion 104. In other words, the wicking portion 102 transports liquid from its surface that directly contacts the user to its inner surface that contacts the absorbent portion 104. The wicking portion 102 may be formed from fibers or yarns formed from fibers, wherein the fibers and yarns are selected from one or more of the group consisting of polyamide, polyester, polyolefin, polyurethane, polyacrylonitrile, natural cellulose, regenerated cellulose, regenerated cellulose derivatives (e.g., acetyl cellulose, triacetyl cellulose), natural proteins, and regenerated proteins. The wicking portion 102 may be produced using techniques such as knitting (warp knitting, e.g., raschel, tricot, etc., or weft knitting, e.g., circular knitting / flat), weaving, nonwoven processes (blow spinning, staple nonwoven, spun laid, air laid, needle punch, thermal bonded, hydro-entangled, chemical bonded, etc.), electrospinning, force-spinning, etc. Additionally, the wicking portion 102 may include one or more coatings, treatment capsules, or treatment reservoirs that enhance liquid and moisture management functions, such as, for example, wicking rate, wicking capacity, dispersion and distribution rate, unidirectional liquid transport, etc.

[0021] The material of the wicking portion 102 may be naturally moisture-wicking and / or may be treated to have moisture-wicking properties. For example, the wicking material may be a 100% polyester fabric with a French terry knit and a denier difference across the two sides of the wicking portion 102, which helps transport liquid from the skin-facing side of the wicking portion 102 to the inner side that contacts the absorbent portion 104. Other suitable wicking materials include blends of polyester, polypropylene, and cotton. An advantage associated with using a wicking portion 102 with a triangular ridge structure of French terry knit facing the user's skin is that the surface area of ​​the wicking portion 102 that contacts the skin is reduced, reducing the feeling of wetness against the skin.

[0022] By way of example, the wicking portion 102 may have a material that is 51% cotton, and one or both of the inner and outer surfaces of the wicking portion 102 may be treated with a hydrophilic composition or material (e.g., polyethylene oxide, polyvinyl alcohol, polyacrylamide, polyacrylic acid, polyvinylpyrrolidone, hydrophilic silicone, or hydrophilic polyurethane) and / or a hydrophobic composition or material (e.g., silicone, polyfluoroalkyl acrylate, polyacrylate, polyurethane, or wax) that sum to form a hydrophilic gradient across the wicking portion 102. In other words, the surface that directly contacts the user's skin is less hydrophilic (i.e., more hydrophobic), while the outer surface is more hydrophilic. For example, the surface of the wicking portion 102 that directly contacts the user's skin may be treated with a hydrophobic material, and / or the opposing surface may be treated with a hydrophilic material. This results in a combination of a "push" force created by the hydrophobic nature of the surface that directly contacts the user's skin and a "pull" force created by the hydrophilic nature of the outer surface that may wick any moisture or liquid away from the user through the wicking portion 102. The hydrophilic and hydrophobic composition may be applied to the wicking portion 102 using any conventional method known to those skilled in the art.

[0023] Additionally, a differential capillary force on either side may be created by the fabric structure of the wicking portion 102, with one side of the wicking portion 102 having smaller pore sizes compared to the opposite side of the wicking portion 102. Ideally, this pore combination forms a funnel-like structure in cross section that communicates with the wicking portion 102, and liquid is drawn from the side with the larger pore size to the side with the smaller pore size by the differential capillary pressure.

[0024] The wicking rate through the wicking portion 102 may be controlled to be faster or slower. The rate may be set at the maximum rate of absorption of the wicking portion 102 to ensure that all or most of the liquid is absorbed into the absorbent portion 104 and does not leak beyond the confines of the garment. The wicking rate may be controlled by the density, thickness, or composition of the wicking portion 102 and / or by the amount and type of hydrophobic and / or hydrophilic material applied to the wicking portion 102. In other embodiments, the wicking rate may be set so that the surface of the wicking portion 102 that directly contacts the user feels "dry" or generally dry to the user, while other surfaces may feel wet.

[0025] In certain embodiments, the wicking portion 102 may include an antimicrobial agent or substance. For example, the antimicrobial agent may be one or more substances selected from the group consisting of silver-containing substances, titanium dioxide, quaternary silanes, hydrogen peroxide, triclosan, and zinc pyrithione. Additionally or alternatively, the wicking portion 102 may include an odor-combating chemical agent or substance. For example, the odor-combating substance may be one or more substances selected from the group consisting of nanoparticles with acid-neutralizing pockets, high surface area mineral compositions, high surface area ceramic compositions, and high surface area clay compositions. Additionally or alternatively, the wicking portion 102 may include a stain-resistant or antifouling agent or substance.

[0026] The absorbent portion 104 may comprise any liquid absorbent / absorbing material known in the art (e.g., cotton, cotton blends, foams, synthetic materials, absorbent polymer foams, nanotechnology-based or nanotechnology-produced materials, or any other moisture-absorbing material). The material may have a density of 50 to 500 g / m 2 , e.g., 180 to 300 g / m 2For example, the absorbent portion 104 may be formed from an 80:20 blend polyester:nylon fabric with a microfiber double terry knit. Other suitable materials include polypropylene, or any cellulose-based fabric and blends thereof, including cotton, bamboo, etc.

[0027] In one embodiment, the absorbent portion 104 may be 100% polyester double terry cloth. This material is approximately 90% air, allowing for a higher absorption capacity as moisture fills the air gaps in the polyester terry cloth without significant expansion of the polyester fibers. This does not result in a significantly thicker absorbent pad 100.

[0028] In some embodiments, the absorbent portion 104 may be formed from a blend of fibers having two or more of superabsorbent polymers (SAP), hydrogel, and polyester, or at least a portion of the absorbent portion 104 (e.g., the surface facing the garment fabric body 200) may be treated with SAP and / or hydrogel. In these embodiments, the use of these materials may result in increased liquid absorption capacity, reduced thickness and weight in the absorbent pad 100, and an improved dry feel at the surface of the wicking portion 102 that contacts the user's skin due to improved affinity in the absorbent portion 104.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 1 , in one embodiment, the functional layer 101 includes the absorbent portion 104 but excludes the wicking portion 102. In one embodiment, the functional layer 101 is treated to achieve at least some of the properties of the wicking portion 102 described above. Specifically, the outer surface 103 of the functional layer 101 may be chemically treated so that the outer surface 103 enables efficient liquid transport to the underlying absorbent portion 104. Such chemical treatments are readily known by those skilled in the art. The treated outer surface 103 achieves the properties of the wicking portion 102 described above for acquiring and distributing liquid to the absorbent portion 104. The functional layer 101 may further be treated with or have added thereto chemical agents / substances, such as one or more of the antimicrobial agents, odor-fighting chemical agents, and stain-resistant agents described above in the wicking portion 102 to achieve the associated properties.

[0030] The barrier layer 106 may be leak-proof and comprise any known full or partial liquid-blocking material. Desirably, the barrier layer 106 is breathable, preventing liquids from passing therethrough but allowing gases (including water vapor) to pass therethrough. For example, the barrier layer 106 may comprise one or more layers of a thermoplastic or thermosetting film, which may be selected from one or more of the group consisting of polyurethane, polyester, polyolefin, and silicone. Specific examples of liquid-impermeable materials include layers formed by liquid-impermeable polymers or thermoplastic polyurethane films.

[0031] In some embodiments, the barrier layer 106 may be a lightweight, tightly knitted / woven fabric coated with SAP / hydrogel, or the barrier layer 106 may be a lightweight, tightly knitted / woven fabric formed using a woven / SAP hybrid fiber. Alternatively, the barrier layer 106 may be a liquid-proof membrane (e.g., a waterproof membrane material supplied by Dingzing Advanced Materials Inc. of Taiwan). When used in a garment with the absorbent pad 100, the barrier layer 106 may offer the advantage of being completely breathable in dry conditions while providing an effective barrier material when exposed to liquids. Furthermore, these materials allow the absorbent pad 100 to dry faster compared to the use of liquid-impermeable polymers such as thermoplastic polyurethane films.

[0032] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , the functional layer 101 is bonded to the barrier layer 106 at each perimeter or side edge by a bonding means 108. Alternatively, the bonding means 108 may be applied over the entire surface between the functional layer 101 and the barrier layer 106. The bonding means 108 may be an adhesive or an ultrasonic bond. For example, the adhesive may be an adhesive tape, a liquid glue, or a hot melt powder glue. When the adhesive is an adhesive tape, the tape may be a double-sided adhesive tape (e.g., the type produced by Bemis Associates Inc.), and the tape may have a single layer or multiple layers, each of which may have one or more functions, such as a barrier layer, an elastic layer, etc. When the adhesive is a liquid glue, the glue may be a hot melt glue, a liquid resin, or a combination thereof (e.g., the adhesive may be a hot melt glue / liquid resin bond by nozzle extrusion, or a liquid resin bond by screen printing / template printing).

[0033] 2, the functional layer 101 includes a wicking portion 102 attached by bonding and / or stitching to an absorbent portion 104. The absorbent portion 104 and the barrier layer 106 may be bonded to the wicking portion 102 at their respective perimeters or side edges by bonding means 108. Optionally, the absorbent portion 104 may be bonded to the barrier layer 106 with bonding means 108 applied over the entire surface between them.

[0034] The functional layer 101 and the barrier layer 106 may have the same 2D footprint, meaning that the shape or area of ​​each layer 101, 106 is substantially the same when viewed from above / below the plane in which the layers 101, 106 lie. In embodiments in which the functional layer 101 includes a wicking portion 102 and an absorbent portion 104, the 2D footprints of the functional layer 101 and the barrier layer 106 have substantially the same size, while the absorbent portion 104 has a smaller 2D footprint than the 2D footprints of the wicking portion 102 and the barrier layer 106. For example, the 2D footprint of the absorbent portion 104 may be approximately 2 to 20 mm, e.g., 10 to 15 mm, smaller in its perimeter than the 2D footprints of the wicking portion 102 and the barrier layer 106. This difference in size allows the functional layer 101 (including the differently sized wicking portion 102 and absorbent portion 104) and the barrier layer 106 to be integrated into a single pad by a single bonding means 108. Using a single bonding means 108 to integrate the various layers / portions can advantageously reduce the risk of leakage.

[0035] It will be appreciated that there may be other possible arrangements of layers / portions, with bonding means 108 applied where appropriate. For example, the wicking portion 102, absorbent portion 104, and barrier layer 106 may be bonded to one another by a single adhesive tape. Alternatively, the wicking portion 102 may be bonded to the absorbent portion 104 by a first adhesive tape, and the wicking portion 102 may be bonded to the barrier layer 106 by a second adhesive tape. A third adhesive tape may be used to bond the absorbent portion 104 to the barrier layer 106.

[0036] In other exemplary arrangements of layers / portions, the respective 2D footprints may increase from the wicking portion 102 (smallest area) to the absorbent portion 104 to the barrier layer 106 (largest area). It will be appreciated that bonding means 108 may be suitably applied to bond the various layers / portions to one another.

[0037] The absorbent pad 100 further includes a liquid-impermeable perimeter sealing element 110 that surrounds the perimeters of the functional layer 101 and the barrier layer 106. Specifically, the perimeter sealing element 110 is coupled to the perimeter 105 of the functional layer 101 and the perimeter 107 of the barrier layer 106. In particular, the perimeter 105 of the functional layer 101 may be at a side edge of the exposed wicking portion 102 or outer surface 103, and the perimeter 107 of the barrier layer 106 may similarly be at a side edge of the exposed surface 109 of the barrier layer 106.

[0038] The perimeter sealing element 110 may comprise a single-sided adhesive tape, such as the type produced by Bemis Associates Inc., which may have a single layer or multiple layers, which may have one or more functions, such as a barrier layer, an elastic layer, etc. The adhesive side of the single-sided adhesive tape faces the functional layer 101 and the barrier layer 106. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the perimeter sealing element 110 has a C-fold or C-shaped configuration that completely surrounds the perimeters 105, 107 of the functional layer 101 and the barrier layer 106, respectively. This configuration forms a liquid-impermeable barrier seal or cuff around the absorbent portion 104, advantageously mitigating resulting leakage from the absorbent pad 100 onto clothing. This configuration creates a durable garment that can be washed and reused.

[0039] In one embodiment, the perimeter sealing element 110 is a liquid-impermeable element that does not have adhesive properties. The perimeter sealing element 110 may be bonded to the perimeter 105 of the functional layer 101 and the perimeter 107 of the barrier layer 106 by any suitable bonding means, such as adhesive or ultrasonic bonding. It is recognized that in various embodiments, the perimeter sealing element 110 may be bonded to all layers / portions of the absorbent pad 100.

[0040] In one embodiment, the functional layer 101 is attached to the barrier layer 106 by stitching at their respective perimeters 105, 107, instead of bonding with the bonding means 108. Similarly, the wicking portion 102, the absorbent portion 104, and the barrier layer 106 may be stitched together at their perimeters 105, 107. However, these stitches may create passageways for liquids to pass through the barrier layer 106. Therefore, a perimeter sealing element 110 is positioned to cover the stitching at the perimeters 105, 107 to maintain the impermeability of the absorbent pad 100 to liquids.

[0041] In one embodiment, the barrier layer 106 and the perimeter sealing element 110 may be a continuous piece of material that is impermeable to liquids, i.e., there is no bond at the perimeter 107. This continuous material is bonded to the perimeter 105 of the functional layer 101, similar to embodiments in which the barrier layer 106 and the perimeter sealing element 110 are separate pieces of material that are bonded to each other.

[0042] The absorbent pad 100 further includes a peripheral attachment element 112 having a first portion 112a and a second portion 112b. The peripheral attachment element 112 may be formed from a suitable material that is selectively elastic to facilitate attachment to the fabric body 200. The peripheral attachment element 112 may be formed from the same, similar, or different fabric or woven material as the fabric body 200. The first portion 112a of the peripheral attachment element 112 is disposed adjacent to the functional layer 101 and is bonded to the peripheral sealing element 110. In one embodiment, bonding of the first portion 112a is achieved through the use of a bonding means 113 similar to the bonding means 108 described above. For example, the bonding means 113 may be a double-sided adhesive tape, such as a type produced by Bemis Associates Inc. The tape may have a single layer or multiple layers, and the multiple layers may have one or more functions, such as a barrier layer, an elastic layer, etc. In one embodiment, bonding is achieved through ultrasonic bonding or an adhesive, such as a liquid glue or a hot-melt powder glue. If the adhesive is a liquid glue, the glue may be a hot melt glue, a liquid resin, or a combination thereof (for example, the adhesive may be a hot melt glue / liquid resin bond by nozzle extrusion, or a liquid resin bond by screen printing / template printing).

[0043] The second portion 112b of the perimeter attachment element 112 is positioned adjacent to the barrier layer 106 and separated from the perimeter sealing element 110. As described above, the perimeter sealing element 110 may be a single-sided adhesive tape, with the adhesive side facing the barrier layer 106 and the non-adhesive side facing the second portion 112b. Furthermore, since the bonding means 113 is applied between the first portion 112a and the functional layer 101 but not to the second portion 112b, no adhesive or bonding properties are present on the second portion 112b. Therefore, the second portion 112b is separated from the perimeter sealing element 110 and is not bonded to it.

[0044] The second portion 112b is positioned to be attached to the fabric body 200 of the garment, such as by stitching, sewing, and / or bonding means (or any combination thereof), thereby attaching the absorbent pad 100 to the garment. Because the second portion 112b is detached from the perimeter sealing element 110, it is freely positioned to be attached to the fabric body 200 with minimal restriction. For example, the second portion 112b may be stitched or sewn to the fabric body 200, with the detached second portion 112b allowing for easier stitching, sewing, and bonding to the fabric body 200. This arrangement therefore allows the second portion 112b to function as a piece of fabric or flap for attaching the absorbent pad 100 to the garment. Furthermore, by using freely movable pieces or flaps to attach to the fabric body 200, no stitching or sewing is required in other layers / portions of the absorbent pad 100, such as stitching through the functional layer 101 or the peripheral sealing element 110, thereby minimizing the risk of leakage through the absorbent pad 100.

[0045] 1 and 2, the perimeter attachment element 112 may have a C-fold or C-shaped configuration similar to the perimeter sealing element 110 so as to completely surround the perimeter sealing element 110. This configuration may form a fabric cover over the perimeter sealing element 110, thereby protecting the perimeter sealing element 110 and improving the texture and feel of the absorbent pad 100. It is recognized that the perimeter attachment element 112 may have different configurations while maintaining the first and second portions 112a, 112b attached and detached from the perimeter sealing element 110, respectively.

[0046] In various embodiments of the present disclosure, there is a method 300 for forming the absorbent pad 100. Referring to Figure 3, the method 300 includes the step 302 of bonding the functional layer 101 to the barrier layer 106. The method 300 further includes the step 304 of bonding the perimeter sealing element 110 to the perimeter 105 of the functional layer 101 and the perimeter 107 of the barrier layer 106. The method 300 further includes the step 306 of bonding a first portion 112a of the perimeter attachment element 112 to the perimeter sealing element 110. A second portion 112b of the perimeter attachment element 112 is separated from the perimeter sealing element 110 and positioned to be attached to the fabric body 200, thereby attaching the absorbent pad 100 to the garment.

[0047] It will be appreciated that the various aspects of the absorbent pad 100 described above apply equally or similarly to the method 300 for forming the absorbent pad 100 and will not be described further for the sake of brevity.

[0048] In one embodiment, the functional layer 101 includes a wicking portion 102 and an absorbent portion 104. Step 302 may include attaching the wicking portion 102 to the absorbent portion 104 and the barrier layer 106, such as by bonding and / or stitching, such that the absorbent portion 104 is disposed between the wicking portion 102 and the barrier layer 106. For example, the wicking portion 102, the absorbent portion 104, and the barrier layer 106 are bonded to one another by bonding means 108. Step 304 may include bonding a perimeter sealing element 110 around the perimeter of the wicking portion 102 and the barrier layer 106, respectively. Steps 302 and 304 thus combine the various layers / portions into a composite layer, as shown in Figures 4A and 4B.

[0049] In step 306, a first portion 112a of the perimeter attachment element 112 is bonded to a portion of the perimeter sealing element 110. The perimeter attachment element 112 may be in the form of a strip of fabric cut to cover the outer edges of the functional layer 101 / wicking portion 102 and the barrier layer 106. Steps 302 through 306 thus result in the formation of the absorbent pad 100 shown in Figures 4C and 4D. The absorbent pad 100 is configured such that its liquid-impermeable layers / portions are joined by suitable bonding means, such as adhesive or ultrasonic bonding, without stitching or sewing. The absence of stitching therefore reduces the risk of leakage through the absorbent pad 100.

[0050] 5 and 6A-6F, various embodiments of the present disclosure include a garment 400 and a method 500 for modifying the garment 400. The garment 400 includes a fabric body 200 and an absorbent pad 100 attached to the fabric body 200.

[0051] Specifically, the absorbent pad 100 is attached to the inner surface of the fabric body 200 and extends over at least the area of ​​the user where bodily secretions are produced. One or more absorbent pads 100 may form an integral or detachable part of a garment. One or more absorbent pads 100 may be attached to any garment designed to contact the user's skin. For example, the garment may be outerwear such as a shirt, T-shirt, shorts, trousers / pants, leggings, running shorts, cycling shorts, swimwear, yoga pants, body-shaping "stretch" pants, shorts, etc. In particular, the garment may be sportswear or underwear (e.g., a bra or underpants, sports or "performance" underwear). One or more absorbent pads 100 may be attached to cover a small area of ​​the garment, typically an area where bodily secretions are produced, such as the groin area, underarm areas, or nipples in pre- and post-natal women. Alternatively, the absorbent pad 100 may cover a majority of the inner surface area of ​​the garment, for example, the absorbent pad 100 in a pair of underwear may cover 30-100% of the inner surface area of ​​the garment. The level of inner surface area coverage of the absorbent pad 100 can be readily determined by one skilled in the art based on the intended use and the desired level of user comfort.

[0052] In one embodiment, the garment may be a pair of underpants. The pants include a fabric body 200 having a waist opening and a pair of leg openings, defining a crotch region therebetween that covers some or all of the user's genitals. The pants include an inner surface that contacts the user's skin (in this case, the wearer's genitals) and an outer surface, with some or all of the outer surface not in direct contact with the user's skin. The pants include an absorbent pad 100 attached to the inner surface of the fabric body 200, particularly by stitching. The absorbent pad 100 may be positioned to cover the crotch region, may extend over some or all of the crotch region, and / or may extend beyond the crotch region. It is recognized that the pants may be of any cut, size, style, color, and type.

[0053] The fabric body 200 may include one or more layers. For example, if the fabric body 200 includes one layer, the absorbent pad 100 may be attached to the crotch region of the fabric body 200. If the fabric body 200 includes two layers, there is an inner fabric body layer that fully or partially contacts the user's body and an outer fabric body layer that does not contact the user's body. The outermost fabric body layer may be one or more colors, patterns, or designs (e.g., black, color, pink, etc.) to provide options to the user, and a dark color may be desirable in a fabric body 200 having one layer. If the fabric body 200 includes multiple layers, the innermost fabric body layer may be a dark color (e.g., black or dark gray) to provide stain resistance, so that any stains thereon are not visible or are less visible or noticeable to the user. When the fabric body 200 has two or more layers, all, some, or none of the inner layers or layers may be visible to a user or other observer when the garment is worn. Any layer may be cut to the same size as the outer fabric body layer, or may be cut to less than the full size of that layer.

[0054] When the fabric body 200 has a single fabric body layer, the material may be formed of cotton, cotton blends, synthetic materials, stretched blends (e.g., spandex), or any other material (e.g., natural or man-made textiles). When the fabric body 200 has two or more layers, the inner layer may be formed of a thin fabric, and the outermost layer may be formed of a thicker fabric, for example, as described above. The inner fabric body layer may be cut to the full shape of the fabric body 200, or may be cut less than the full shape of the fabric body 200. For example, when the garment is a pair of pants, the inner fabric body layer may be cut to extend to cover only the crotch region. The inner fabric body layer may be tightly stitched to the inner surface of the outer fabric body layer to inhibit leakage of liquid from the user's body to the outer surface of the pants (or the wearer's outer clothing) and / or to any location on the inner surface of the pants outside the crotch region that can be felt by the user. Pants may be any style. For example, pants may have a low-cut style, with the waistband lower than the waist of the user (usually at or near the user's hips), or the pants may have a high cut, thus including a portion of fabric that extends above the waistband. It will be recognized that any suitable waistband height may be used.

[0055] 5 illustrates a method 500 of adapting a garment 400 to include or be fitted with an absorbent pad 100. The method 500 includes the step 502 of providing a garment 400 including a fabric body 200. The method 500 further includes the step 504 of forming an absorbent pad 100 for use in the garment 400. The absorbent pad 100 is formed by the method 300 described above and will not be further detailed for the sake of brevity.

[0056] The method 500 further includes a step 506 of attaching the second portion 112b of the perimeter attachment element 112, separated from the perimeter sealing element 110, to the fabric body 200 of the garment 400, thereby attaching the absorbent pad 100 to the garment 400. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the second portion 112b is attached to the fabric body 200 by stitching or sewing. This stitching or sewing forms a stitch 114 between the second portion 112b and the fabric body 200. Furthermore, this stitching may be performed using a bag-out method, such as single-needle tacking. The bag-out method may be defined, in a non-limiting embodiment, by sewing inside-out fabric pieces together to expose all the right sides, so that all seams, seam tolerances, and stitches are on the inside of the resulting composite fabric or garment 400.

[0057] In the bag-out stitching method, the absorbent pad 100 is placed inside out on the fabric body 200 so that the barrier layer 106 is exposed. The stitches 114 are then formed, for example, by single-needle tacking. As shown in FIG. 6A , using the bag-out method, the fabric body 200 has an edge 202 folded inward for stitching with the second portion 112b along the side edge of the absorbent pad 100. Using the bag-out method, stitching or sewing along the edge 202 allows the resulting stitches 114 to be hidden from the user or other observers when the garment 400 is worn. Hiding the stitches 114 from the outside allows the garment 400 to achieve an aesthetic appearance.

[0058] In the embodiment shown in Figures 6C and 6D, the fabric body 200 is attached with one or more elastic bands 116 by running or inserting the elastic bands 116 to provide flexibility / elasticity to the user. This allows for the garment 400 to be provided in a small number of discrete sizes to accommodate a wide range of users of different sizes. For example, the garment 400 may be a pair of pants, with the elastic bands 116 positioned to surround the leg openings. In one embodiment, the elastic bands 116 are inserted before stitching or sewing the absorbent pad 100 to the fabric body 200, and the absorbent pad 100 is stitched or sewn to the fabric body 200 along with the elastic bands 116. In another embodiment, the absorbent pad 100 is stitched to the fabric body 200 first, and the elastic bands 116 are attached to the fabric body 200 afterwards.

[0059] After sewing the absorbent pad 100 to the fabric body 200, the fabric body 200 is placed right-out as shown in Figures 1 and 2. By placing the fabric body 200 right-out, the barrier layer 106 contacts the fabric body 200 and exposes the functional layer 101 / wicking portion 102, as shown in Figure 6E. In particular, the functional layer 101 / wicking portion 102 should extend over areas of the user where bodily secretions occur. Additional stitches 118 may be formed to further secure the absorbent pad 100 to the fabric body 200, such as along the top and bottom edges of the absorbent pad 100, as shown in Figure 6F.

[0060] In one embodiment, in step 506, the second portion 112b is attached to the fabric body 200 by bonding to each other and optionally without stitching. The bonding may be adhesive or ultrasonic bonding as described above for the bonding means 108 / 113 and will not be further detailed for the sake of brevity. The various aspects of the bag-out method and inclusion of the elastic band 116 described above may be applied equally or similarly to these embodiments for bonding the second portion 112b to the fabric body 200. For example, the second portion 112b may be bonded to the fabric body 200 using a similar bag-out method to achieve an aesthetic appearance, and the elastic band 116 may be bonded to the fabric body 200 by adhesive or ultrasonic bonding and optionally without stitching.

[0061] In one embodiment, an absorbent pad 100, as shown in Figure 2, has a functional layer 101 that includes an absorbent portion 104 but does not include a wicking portion 102. A method 300 for forming an absorbent pad 100 that includes such a functional layer 101, and a method 500 for modifying a garment 400 to include such an absorbent pad 100, are illustrated in Figures 7A through 7D. It will be appreciated that various aspects of the method 300 and method 500 described above for the absorbent pad 100 apply equally or similarly to the embodiment shown in Figures 7A through 7D.

[0062] 8A and 8B show a final garment 400 modified by the method 500 to include or be fitted with an absorbent pad 100 attached to a fabric body 200. The absorbent pad 100 is leakproof, allowing for efficient transport of liquid from a surface of the absorbent pad 100, such as the wicking portion 102 or the outer surface 103 of the functional layer 101, to the underlying absorbent portion 104. The garment 400 fitted with the absorbent pad 100 exhibits properties associated with the absorbent pad 100. For example, if the garment 400 fitted with the absorbent pad 100 has the form of underwear, the absorbent pad 100 provides sufficient and effective liquid absorption, eliminating the need for disposable tampons / pads with the underwear. Furthermore, because the absorbent pad 100 is thinner than conventional products, the garment 400 can be more attractive and comfortable to wear than garments including conventional pads, while further reducing leakage. While FIGS. 8A and 8B show the garment 400 as pants, this should not be considered limiting, as similar arrangements may be used for other types of garments 400.

[0063] Depending on the configuration of the absorbent pad 100, one or more of the functional layer 101, wicking portion 102, and absorbent portion 104 may be stitched together at their respective central portions 111, as shown in FIG. 9A. In some embodiments, the functional layer 101, wicking portion 102, and / or absorbent portion 104 may themselves be formed from separate halves that are joined together at the central portion 111 by stitching. The stitching may be in the form of, but is not limited to, a single stitch, a double stitch, or a lock stitch. Having these stitches in the central portion 111 compresses the respective layers and portions to form a well-like or pocket-like profile in the central portion 111.

[0064] In one embodiment, the absorbent portion 104 is formed from a composite of multiple absorbent layers. As shown in FIG. 9A, the absorbent portion 104 has a first absorbent layer 104a and a second absorbent layer 104b. It is understood that each absorbent layer 104a, 104b is formed from the absorbent material described above for the absorbent portion 104. The absorbent layers 104a, 104b may have equal or unequal sizes. For example, FIG. 9A shows that the first absorbent layer 104a has a smaller footprint than the second absorbent layer 104b. Both absorbent layers 104a, 104b may be joined to each other around their perimeter 105, for example, by stitching and / or bonding.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 9A , the wicking portion 102 and the absorbent layers 104a, 104b may be joined to one another at the central portion 111 by stitching and / or bonding. For example, the wicking portion 102 and the absorbent layers 104a, 104b may be stitched to one another at the central portion 111, creating a flat seam when viewed from the wicking portion 102. Notably, the stitching does not penetrate the barrier layer 106 so as to maintain its integrity. The stitching may be in the form of, but is not limited to, a single stitch, a double stitch, or a lock stitch. The barrier layer 106 is joined to the absorbent portion 104, specifically the second absorbent layer 104b, at the central portion 111 using non-stitching means such as bonding to maintain the barrier layer 106 in its intact state. For example, ultrasonic bonding or an adhesive such as a liquid glue or a hot-melt powder glue may be used to bond or adhere the barrier layer 106 to the second absorbent layer 104b at the central portion 111. In one construction, the barrier layer 106 is formed from separate halves that are joined together at a central portion 111 by ultrasonic bonding, with the bond at the central portion 111 being reinforced with reinforcing tape. It is recognized that this bonding at the central portion 111 may be applied in the same or similar manner in embodiments having various configurations of the functional layer 101, wicking portion 102, and absorbent portion 104 described above.

[0066] The absorbent pad 100 is attached to the garment 400 by stitching or bonding the second portions 112b of the peripheral attachment elements 112 to the fabric body 200. FIG. 9B shows the final garment 400 with the absorbent pad 100 attached. The barrier layer 106 may be joined to the fabric body 200 at the central portion 111 using non-stitching means, such as by ultrasonic bonding, and may optionally be reinforced with reinforcing tape. Like the absorbent pad 100, the fabric body 200 may have stitching at the central portion 111 to compress the fabric body 200 and achieve a well-like or pocket-like profile at the central portion 111. By joining the various portions and layers together at the central portion 111, the combination of the absorbent pad 100 and the fabric body 200 can be more tightly compressed, thereby forming a well-like or pocket-like profile at the central portion 111. This well-like or pocket-like profile of the absorbent pad 100 and fabric body 200 makes the garment 400 suitable for use as a male underwear or male urinary incontinence garment.

[0067] 10A and 10B, the perimeter attachment element 112 has a Y-shaped configuration. A first portion 112a is attached to the perimeter sealing element 110, and a second portion 112b is separated from the perimeter sealing element 110 for attachment to the fabric body 200. In one embodiment shown in FIG. 10A, the wicking portion 102, absorbent portion 104, and barrier layer 106 are attached to one another using attachment means 108. In other embodiments, the wicking portion 102, absorbent portion 104, and barrier layer 106 are stitched to one another around their perimeters, with the Y-shaped perimeter sealing element 110 positioned to overlap the stitching 115. In male incontinence garments, it is desirable for the barrier layer 106 to be attached to the wicking portion 102 and absorbent portion 104 rather than stitched thereto.

[0068] The perimeter sealing element 110 may be or include a double-sided adhesive tape. One adhesive side faces the wicking portion 102, the absorbent portion 104, and the barrier layer 106, and the other adhesive side faces the first portion 112a of the perimeter attachment element 112. Alternatively, the perimeter sealing element 110 may be or include a single-sided adhesive tape, with the first portion 112a of the perimeter attachment element 112 bonded to the non-adhesive side of the perimeter sealing element 110. The Y-shaped perimeter attachment element 112 may be integrally formed with the perimeter sealing element 110 or may be bonded to the wicking portion 102 and the barrier layer 106 as an integral element. This can save time in forming the absorbent pad 100.

[0069] The Y-shaped peripheral attachment elements 112 may be formed from an elastic material, such as an elastic cloth or woven material, to facilitate attachment to the fabric body 200. However, it is recognized that the Y-shaped peripheral attachment elements 112 may also be formed from a non-cloth / inelastic material. The absorbent pad 100 having the Y-shaped peripheral attachment elements 112 is suitable for use in a variety of urinary incontinence garments. It is recognized that the Y-shaped peripheral attachment elements 112 may be similarly or similarly applied to other embodiments having various configurations of the functional layer 101, wicking portion 102, and absorbent portion 104 as described above.

[0070] In certain embodiments, the absorbent pad 100 and / or garment 400 may be configured to be washable and reusable, thereby reducing environmental impact. For example, the absorbent pad 100 and / or garment 400 may withstand at least 30 (e.g., at least 50 or 100) machine wash and tumble dry cycles without any change in overall appearance, component integrity (including various layers, bonds, and adhesives), and liquid management parameters described herein. Material selection and unique construction ensure that the absorbent pad 100 and / or garment 400 are washable without compromising one or more of its moisture management, antimicrobial, and odor-fighting properties.

[0071] Additionally, the integrity of the absorbent pad 100 may be maintained for at least 30 (e.g., a minimum of 50 or 100) wash and dry cycles, ensuring that the absorbent pad 100 will not leak over the life of the garment 400. For example, the various layers / portions of the absorbent pad 100 described herein are selected to undergo up to 30 (e.g., a minimum of 50 or 100) wash and dry cycles and remain chemically, thermally, and mechanically stable over the intended life of the absorbent pad 100 / garment 400.

[0072] Various portions of the absorbent pad 100 may be formed from materials that are thermally stable up to 190° C., for example, up to 95° C. The adhesive or ultrasonic bond may be thermally stable up to 190° C. or 95° C., thereby allowing the absorbent pad 100 to be used in garments 400 that can be washed and dried multiple times. Unless otherwise specified, as used herein, the term "thermally stable" is intended to specify that there is no change in the physical state of the portion in question after exposure to the specified temperature for a period of time consistent with a machine drying cycle.

[0073] In the foregoing detailed description, embodiments of the present disclosure relating to an absorbent pad 100 for use in a garment 400 are described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The description of various embodiments herein is not intended to invoke or limit the present disclosure to specific or particular representative examples, but merely to provide non-limiting illustrations of the present disclosure. The present disclosure serves to address at least one of the above-mentioned problems or issues associated with the prior art. While only a few embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed herein, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that, based on this disclosure, various changes and / or modifications may be made to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the scope of the present disclosure and the scope of the following claims are not limited to the embodiments described herein.

Claims

1. The cloth body and an absorbent pad attached to the fabric body; and The absorbent pad is a liquid-impermeable barrier layer; a liquid-impermeable sealing element; a functional layer attached to the barrier layer, The functional layer has a wicking portion and a liquid absorbing portion, the liquid-absorbing portion is disposed between the wicking portion and the barrier layer; the functional layer includes a stitch between the wicking portion and the liquid absorbing portion; the liquid-impermeable sealing element is coupled to a periphery of the functional layer and a periphery of the barrier layer; The absorbent pad is washable and reusable.

2. The garment of claim 1 , wherein the wicking portion and the absorbent portion of the functional layer are stitched to the barrier layer.

3. The garment of claim 2 , wherein the liquid-impermeable sealing element overlaps a stitch through the functional layer and the barrier layer.

4. 10. The garment of claim 1, wherein an outer side or layer of the wicking portion facing away from the absorbent portion has larger pores than an inner side or layer of the wicking portion facing toward the absorbent portion to facilitate fluid communication to the absorbent portion.

5. An outer surface or layer of the wicking portion facing away from the absorbent portion has hydrophobic properties; The garment of claim 4 , wherein an inner surface or layer of the wicking portion oriented toward the absorbent portion has hydrophilic properties.

6. The garment of claim 1 , wherein the wicking portion comprises a material for acquiring liquid from the wicking portion and distributing the liquid to the absorbent portion.

7. The garment of claim 1 , wherein the absorbent pad includes an attachment element attached to the fabric body.

8. 8. The garment of claim 7, wherein the attachment element has a first portion attached to the absorbent pad and a second portion stitched to the fabric body.

9. The garment of claim 7 , wherein the attachment elements are elastic.

10. The garment of claim 7 , wherein the attachment elements and / or the fabric body comprise a material that inhibits fluid leakage.

11. The fabric body has an outer fabric layer and an inner fabric layer attached to the outer fabric layer, The garment of claim 1 , wherein the inner fabric layer is disposed on an inner surface of the outer fabric layer.

12. The garment of claim 11 , wherein the absorbent pad is attached to the inner fabric layer.

13. The garment of claim 11 , wherein the inner fabric layer is stretchable.

14. An absorbent pad for use with a fabric body, said absorbent pad comprising: a liquid-impermeable barrier layer; a liquid-impermeable sealing element; a functional layer attached to the barrier layer, The functional layer has a wicking portion and a liquid absorbing portion, the liquid-absorbing portion is disposed between the wicking portion and the barrier layer; the functional layer includes a stitch between the wicking portion and the liquid absorbing portion; the liquid-impermeable sealing element is coupled to a periphery of the functional layer and a periphery of the barrier layer; The absorbent pad is washable and reusable.

15. 15. The absorbent pad of claim 14, wherein the wicking portion and the absorbent portion of the functional layer are stitched to the barrier layer.

16. 16. The absorbent pad of claim 15, wherein the liquid impermeable sealing element overlaps a stitch through the functional layer and the barrier layer.

17. 15. The absorbent pad of claim 14, wherein an outer side or layer of the wicking portion facing away from the absorbent portion has larger pores than an inner side or layer of the wicking portion facing towards the absorbent portion to facilitate fluid communication to the absorbent portion.

18. The outer surface or layer of the wicking portion facing away from the absorbent portion has hydrophobic properties; 18. The absorbent pad of claim 17, wherein an inner surface or layer of the wicking portion facing towards the absorbent portion has hydrophilic properties.

19. The absorbent pad of claim 14, wherein the wicking portion has a material for acquiring liquid from the wicking portion and distributing the liquid to the absorbent portion.

20. 15. The absorbent pad of claim 14, further comprising an attachment element attached to the fabric body.

21. 21. The absorbent pad of claim 20, wherein the attachment element has a first portion attached to the absorbent pad and a second portion stitched to the fabric body.

22. 21. The absorbent pad of claim 20, wherein the attachment element is resilient.

23. 21. The absorbent pad of claim 20, wherein the attachment element comprises a material that inhibits leakage of fluids.

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