U.S. patent application number 13/099579 was filed with the patent office on 2011-08-25 for sanitary absorbent article assembly including an integrated disposal sheet.
Invention is credited to Annie Chicoine, Christian Tremblay.
Application Number | 20110208148 13/099579 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40155937 |
Filed Date | 2011-08-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110208148 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chicoine; Annie ; et
al. |
August 25, 2011 |
SANITARY ABSORBENT ARTICLE ASSEMBLY INCLUDING AN INTEGRATED
DISPOSAL SHEET
Abstract
The present invention relates to sanitary absorbent articles and
in particular to a sanitary absorbent article assembly including an
integrated disposal sheet for disposal of a soiled absorbent
article.
Inventors: |
Chicoine; Annie; (Montreal,
CA) ; Tremblay; Christian; (Repentigny, CA) |
Family ID: |
40155937 |
Appl. No.: |
13/099579 |
Filed: |
May 3, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11957864 |
Dec 17, 2007 |
7942857 |
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13099579 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
604/385.02 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F 13/551 20130101;
A61F 2013/8402 20130101; A61F 2013/55195 20130101; A61F 13/5514
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
604/385.02 |
International
Class: |
A61F 13/551 20060101
A61F013/551 |
Claims
1. A sanitary article assembly comprising: a sanitary article
having a garment facing surface and an adhesive arranged on the
garment facing surface for securing the sanitary article to an
undergarment during use, the sanitary article having a trifolded
configuration prior to use, the trifolded configuration defining a
first end portion of the sanitary article, a second end portion of
the sanitary article and an intermediate portion arranged between
the first end portion and the second end portion; a disposal sheet
having a folded configuration wherein the disposal sheet is
attached to the garment facing surface and the disposal sheet
extends over only a portion of the adhesive thereby permitting
attachment of the sanitary article to an undergarment while the
disposal sheet is simultaneously attached to the garment facing
surface of said sanitary article, the disposal sheet further having
a unfolded configuration; wherein the disposal sheet in the
unfolded configuration includes a first wall and a second wall
arranged in opposed relationship to the first wall, and the
disposal sheet includes a first portion that corresponds in
location to the first end portion of the sanitary article, a second
portion that corresponds in location to the second end portion of
the sanitary article, and a third portion that corresponds in
location with the intermediate portion of the sanitary article, the
second wall being arranged in the first portion and having a length
that does not extend beyond the first portion, the first wall and
second wall cooperating to define a pocket therebetween; wherein
the disposal sheet is structured and arranged so that is foldable
so that the first and second portions can be arranged in
overlapping relationship relative to the third portion of the
disposal sheet while the corresponding portions of the sanitary
article are attached thereto such that the first and second end
portions of the sanitary article are arranged in overlapping
relationship relative to the intermediate portion of the sanitary
article; and wherein the pocket is structured and arranged such
that it can be inverted to thereby receive the sanitary article
within the pocket while said first and second end portions are
arranged in said overlapping relationship.
2. The sanitary article assembly according to claim 1, wherein the
first wall has an inner surface and an outer surface and the second
wall is arranged in opposed relationship to the outer surface of
the first wall.
3. The sanitary article assembly according to claim 1, wherein the
disposal sheet in the folded configuration covers from about 1% to
about 20% of the adhesive.
4. The sanitary article according to claim 1, wherein the pocket
has a sufficient volume to entirely receive the sanitary article
within the pocket.
5. The sanitary article according to claim 1, wherein the pocket
has a sufficient volume to receive a sanitary article having a
volume of about 1.5 times to about 5 times a volume of the sanitary
article in a dry condition.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a divisional application of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 11/957,864, filed Dec. 17, 2007,
priority of which is hereby claimed.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to sanitary absorbent articles
and in particular to a sanitary absorbent article assembly
including an integrated disposal sheet for disposal of a soiled
absorbent article.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Women often experience difficulty in deciding how to dispose
of a soiled sanitary article such as a sanitary napkin. In general,
there are two commonly used methods to dispose of a soiled sanitary
article. One method involves the disposal of the soiled sanitary
article in the toilet. The other commonly used method involves
wrapping the used article, usually in toilet paper, and placing the
wrapped article in the trash. Both methods can be problematic and
may result in plumbing problems with the former method or the
presence of odor in the trash with the latter method.
[0004] Various proposed solutions have been disclosed in the prior
art for solving the above described problem. However, such proposed
solutions are generally characterized by two shortcomings Either
the proposed solutions are complex in use requiring extensive
manipulation of the either the soiled sanitary napkin or the
disposal means (e.g. such as a disposal bag) or in the alternative
the disposal means is not easily accessible by the user at the time
of disposal.
[0005] In view of the foregoing the inventors of the present
disclose herein a sanitary napkin assembly that includes an
integrated disposal sheet that is easy to use and is easily
accessible at the time of disposal.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In view of the foregoing, the present invention provides a
sanitary article assembly including a sanitary article having a
garment facing surface and an adhesive arranged on the garment
facing surface for securing the sanitary article to an undergarment
during use, the sanitary article having a trifolded configuration
prior to use, the trifolded configuration defining a first end
portion of the sanitary article, a second end portion of the
sanitary article and an intermediate portion arranged between the
first end portion and the second end portion, a disposal sheet
having a folded configuration wherein the disposal sheet is
attached to the garment facing surface and the disposal sheet
extends over only a portion of the adhesive thereby permitting
attachment of the sanitary article to an undergarment while the
disposal sheet is simultaneously attached to the garment facing
surface of said sanitary article, the disposal sheet further having
a unfolded configuration, wherein the disposal sheet in the
unfolded configuration includes a first wall and a second wall
arranged in opposed relationship to the first wall, and the
disposal sheet includes a first portion that corresponds in
location to the first end portion of the sanitary article, a second
portion that corresponds in location to the second end portion of
the sanitary article, and a third portion that corresponds in
location with the intermediate portion of the sanitary article, the
second wall being arranged in the first portion and having a length
that does not extend beyond the first portion, the first wall and
second wall cooperating to define a pocket therebetween, wherein
the disposal sheet is structured and arranged so that is foldable
so that the first and second portions can be arranged in
overlapping relationship relative to the third portion of the
disposal sheet while the corresponding portions of the sanitary
article are attached thereto such that the first and second end
portions of the sanitary article are arranged in overlapping
relationship relative to the intermediate portion of the sanitary
article, wherein the pocket is structured and arranged such that it
can be inverted to thereby receive the sanitary article within the
pocket while said first and second end portions are arranged in
said overlapping relationship
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] Examples of embodiments of the present invention will now be
described with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sanitary article assembly
according to the present invention showing the overwrap thereof in
a closed configuration;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the sanitary article
assembly shown in FIG. 1 showing the overwrap thereof in an opened
configuration;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the sanitary article
assembly depicting the removal of the sanitary article from the
overwrap;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the sanitary article
of the sanitary article assembly according to the present
invention;
[0012] FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the sanitary article
shown in FIG. 4 with a release member thereof partially removed
from the sanitary article;
[0013] FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing the manner of attachment
of the sanitary article to an undergarment;
[0014] FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing the manner of deploying
the disposal sheet of the sanitary article assembly according to
the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing the further deployment of
the disposal sheet shown in FIG. 7;
[0016] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the disposal sheet shown in
FIG. 7 in a fully deployed configuration; and
[0017] FIGS. 10, 11, 12,13 and 14 are schematic views that depict
the steps of wrapping a soiled sanitary article in the disposal
sheet prior to disposal of the soiled sanitary article.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] Referring to FIGS. 1-4 the sanitary article assembly 10
according to the present invention generally includes an overwrap
12, a sanitary napkin 14 and a disposal sheet 16. Although the
invention will be described herein with reference to a sanitary
napkin 14 the invention may be utilized with other disposable
sanitary absorbent articles such as adult incontinence products,
panty liners, diapers and the like.
[0019] As best seen in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 the sanitary napkin 14,
prior to use, is arranged in a trifolded configuration and
contained within the overwrap 12. The overwrap 12 is shown in a
closed configuration in FIG. 1 with the sanitary napkin 14
contained within the overwrap 12. The overwrap 12 is also arranged
in a trifolded configuration so as to define a pouch 15 for
receiving the napkin 14 prior to use. The overwrap 12 is preferably
constructed from a liquid impermeable polymeric film such as
polyethylene or polypropylene, although other suitable liquid
impermeable materials may also be employed.
[0020] The closed configuration of the overwrap shown in FIG. 1 is
the configuration in which the user would find the overwrap 12 and
sanitary napkin 14 prior to use. FIG. 3 shows the overwrap 12 in an
open configuration enabling the user to manually remove the
sanitary napkin 14 from the overwrap 12 for use. It is noted that
overwrap 12 may be easily manually opened from the configuration
shown in FIG. 1 to the configuration shown in FIG. 3.
[0021] As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the overwrap 12 generally includes a
first end portion or tri-section 30, a second end portion or
tri-section 32 and an intermediate portion or tri-section 34. As
best seen in FIG. 1, when the overwrap 12 is in the closed
configuration prior to use the first end portion 30 is arranged in
overlapping relationship with the second end portion 32. In the
closed configuration, the first end portion 30, second end portion
32 and intermediate portion 34 are preferably secured to one
another along their respective edges by means of a crimp seal 49.
In this manner, the overwrap 12 is maintained in the closed
configuration shown in FIG. 1 to maintain the sanitary napkin 14 in
a hygienic state until the user is ready to use the sanitary napkin
14.
[0022] Once a user is ready to the use the napkin 14 the user may
manually open the overwrap 12 from the closed configuration shown
in FIG. 1 to the open configuration shown in FIG. 3 by unfolding
the first end portion 30 of the overwrap from its overlapping
condition with end portion 32 to thereby break the crimp seals 49
and place the overwrap 12 in the open configuration shown in FIG.
3. Once the overwrap 12 is placed in the open configuration shown
in FIG. 3 the user may access the napkin 14 for use.
[0023] As discussed above, the sanitary napkin 14 is arranged in a
trifolded configuration in the overwrap 12 prior to use. Due to the
trifolded configuration of the sanitary napkin 14 prior to use, the
sanitary napkin 14 is generally divided into three portions. In
particular as shown in FIG. 4, the napkin includes a first end
portion 50, a second end portion 52 and an intermediate portion 54
defined between the first 50 and second 52 end portions. These
"portions" are defined by the fold lines resultant from the
trifolded configuration of the napkin prior to use.
[0024] As shown in FIG. 6 the sanitary napkin 14 includes a body
facing surface 43 and a garment facing surface 44. In one preferred
embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the sanitary
napkin 14 is provided with a garment attachment adhesive 42
arranged on the garment facing surface 44 of the napkin 14 which
functions to securely attach the sanitary napkin 14 to an
undergarment 45 during use. The adhesive 42 is preferably covered
by a removable release member 46 to protect the garment attachment
adhesive 42 prior to use of the napkin 14. In another embodiment of
the invention, not shown in the Figures, the removable release
member 46 may be omitted. However, in such an embodiment, the inner
surface 22 of the overwrap 12 should be provided with a nonstick
surface coating, e.g. silicone, to facilitate the removal of the
napkin 14 from the overwrap 12.
[0025] During use of the napkin 14, as shown in FIG. 6, the
disposal sheet 16 is arranged in a folded configuration and is
attached to the garment facing surface 44 of the napkin. In
particular, the disposal sheet 16 is secured to garment attachment
adhesive 42 during use of the napkin 14. In order to insure that
the disposal sheet 14 does not interfere with the attachment of the
napkin 14 to the undergarment 45 it is preferred that the disposal
sheet 16, in its folded configuration, extends over only a
relatively small portion of the garment attachment adhesive 42. In
particular, it is preferred that the disposal sheet 14, in its
folded configuration, extend over only about 1% to about 20% of the
coverage area of the garment attachment adhesive 42. In the
particular embodiment of the invention shown in the Figures, the
disposal sheet 14 in its folded configuration is arranged in the
intermediate portion 54 of the napkin 14 and does not extend into
either of the other portions of the napkin, i.e. portions 50 and
52. It is possible that the disposal sheet 14, in its folded
configuration, be arranged in other portions of the napkin, i.e.
portions 50 or 52, however it is preferable that the disposal sheet
14 be limited in position to a single portion, i.e. it is
preferable that the disposal sheet 14 not extend into more than one
portion of the napkin 14 when it is in its folded
configuration.
[0026] After the napkin 14 has been attached to the undergarment 45
and used as desired, the soiled napkin 14 may be removed from the
undergarment 45. As shown in FIGS. 7-9, after the soiled napkin 14
is removed from the undergarment 45, the disposal sheet 16 may be
unfolded from its folded configuration shown in FIG. 6 to an
unfolded configuration shown in FIG. 9. In the unfolded
configuration shown in FIG. 9, the disposal sheet 16 generally
includes a first portion 60, a second portion 62 and a third
portion 64 arranged between the first 60 and second 62 portions.
When the disposal sheet 16 is in the unfolded configuration the
first portion 60 thereof corresponds in location to the first end
portion 50 of the napkin 14, the second portion 62 thereof
corresponds in location to the second end portion 52 of the napkin
14, and the third portion 64 thereof corresponds in location to the
intermediate portion 54 of the napkin 14.
[0027] In the unfolded configuration the disposal sheet 16 includes
a first wall 70 having an inner surface 72 and an outer surface 74.
When in the unfolded configuration the inner surface 72 of the
first wall 70 is arranged in surface to surface contact with the
garment facing surface 44 of the sanitary napkin 14. As best seen
in FIG. 11, the disposal sheet further includes a second wall 76
that is arranged in opposed relationship to the outer surface 74 of
the first wall 70. The second wall 76 is preferably dimensioned
such that it is located only with the first portion 60 of the
disposal sheet 16 when the disposal sheet 16 is in its unfolded
configuration. In other words, as shown in FIG. 9, the second wall
76 has a length "L" that does not extend beyond the first portion
60. As best seen in FIG. 11, the second wall 76 is secured to the
first wall 70 along three of its edges and open along one of its
edges to thereby define a pocket 78 between the first wall 70 and
second wall 76.
[0028] As discussed in further detail below, and shown in FIGS.
9-11 the disposal sheet 16 is structured and arranged so that is
foldable after the sanitary napkin has been soiled. Specifically,
the disposal sheet 16 is foldable so that the first 60 and second
portions 62 thereof can be arranged in overlapping relationship
relative to the third portion 64 of the disposal sheet 16 while the
corresponding portions of the napkin 14 are attached thereto. In
this manner, the first 50 and second end portions 52 of the
sanitary napkin 14 are arranged in overlapping relationship
relative to the intermediate portion 54 of the sanitary napkin 14.
In addition, as shown in FIGS. 11-14, the pocket 78 is structured
and arranged such that it can be inverted, in other words turned
inside out. By turning the pocket 78 inside out as described the
pocket 78 is closed and the soiled napkin 14 is securely received
and maintained within the pocket 78.
[0029] A method of using the absorbent article assembly 10
according to the present invention will now be described with
reference to FIGS. 1-14. As shown in FIGS. 1-3 the napkin 14 is
provided in a trifolded configuration prior to use and packaged
within the overwrap 12. When a user desires to access the napkin 14
the user manually opens the overwrap 12 from the first closed
configuration shown in FIG. 1 to a second open configuration shown
in FIG. 3. The user may then remove the napkin 14 from the overwrap
12 for use. After the user has removed the napkin 14 from the
overwrap 12, the user may then remove the release member 46 from
the napkin 14 to thereby expose the garment attachment adhesive 42.
After removing the release member 46 the user may then secure the
napkin to an undergarment 45 as shown in FIG. 6. When the user has
worn the napkin 14 for the desired period of time the user may
remove the napkin 14 from the undergarment and unfold the disposal
sheet 16 from its folded configuration shown in FIG. 6 to the
unfolded configuration shown in FIG. 8. Once the disposal sheet is
arranged in the unfolded configuration shown in FIG. 9, the user
may then fold the second portion 62 of the disposal sheet 16 such
that it is arranged in overlapping relationship to the third
intermediate portion 64 of the disposal sheet 16, as shown in FIG.
10. Then, the user may fold the first portion 60 of the disposal
sheet such that it is arranged in overlapping relationship to the
second 62 and third 64 portions of the disposal sheet. After the
first 60, 62 and third 64 portions are arranged in overlapping
relationship as shown in FIG. 11, the user may then invert the
pocket 78 defined between the first wall 70 and second wall 76. In
other words, the user turns the pocket 78 inside out as shown in
FIGS. 11-14. By turning the pocket 78 inside out as described the
pocket 78 is closed and the soiled napkin 14 is securely received
and maintained within the pocket 78. The user may then conveniently
dispose of the sanitary napkin as desired.
[0030] It has been recognized by the present inventors that a
soiled sanitary napkin often has a volume that is sufficiently
greater than the volume of the same napkin in the dry state.
Accordingly, it is preferable that the second wall 76 of the
disposal sheet 16 be dimensioned such that the pocket 78 defined
between the first wall 70 and second wall 76 has a volume
sufficient to receive a sanitary napkin having a volume of about
1.5 times to about 5 times a volume of the sanitary napkin 14 in a
dry condition.
[0031] In view of the above the inventors of the present invention
have provided a sanitary article assembly that overcomes the
shortcomings of the prior art. In particular the inventors have
provided a sanitary article assembly that includes an integrated
disposal sheet that is easy to use and is also easily accessible at
the time of disposal of the sanitary article.
* * * * *