TH7148A - Absorbent piece - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention is directed at disposable absorbent pads, and specifically at sanitary pads with a deformable component that resists bending. The pad has a body-facing surface that forms a convex structure when inserted, and this structure does not rely on transverse pressure from the wearer's labia. The pad of this invention relies on transverse pressure from the wearer's thighs to create or maintain this convex structure when inserted. In an ideal form, the deformable component has a folding pathway to induce the body-facing surface of the pad to form a convex structure when inserted. In another ideal form, the pad has a central region with a "W" cross-section where the body-facing surface of the pad, with its convex structure, is symmetrically centered between the longitudinal lateral edges of the pad. In yet another ideal form, the pad has a cup-shaped anterior region and a posterior region with the body-facing surface deformed. This raised, deformable structure of a material, such as foam, may be compressible and/or may be able to return to its original state and/or become elastic.

Claims (24)

1. Disposable absorbent pads consist of: a permeable top sheet, an impermeable back sheet connected to the top sheet, and an absorbent element positioned between the top and back sheets. The back sheet contains a bending-resistant deformation element, which has a bending device that induces bending in a pre-conceived manner to form a convex geometric shape when the absorbent pad is subjected to lateral pressure. 2. The disposable absorbent piece of the claim under paragraph 1 herein, called the bending device, consists of a folded section which creates varying bending resistance across the width of the so-called deformation section. 3. The absorbent element of claim 2, herein referred to as the bending element, consists of a central bend that generally extends along the midline and then along the longitudinal axis, which is called the deformation element. 4. The absorbent element of claim 3, herein referred to as the flexible device, is further comprised of a fold at the base of a pair of legs which generally extends longitudinally along what is called the deformation element. 5. The absorbent piece of claim number 4, herein referred to as the flexible device, is further comprised of a flap that extends outwards. 6. The absorbent element of claim 5, herein called the centerline fold, is bent at the base of each leg such that the midpoint of the longitudinal curve is the longest point from the lateral edge of the so-called deformation element, and herein called the convex fold, is bent at the base such that the midpoint of the longitudinal curve is the longest point from the longitudinal axis of the so-called deformation element. 7. The absorbent element of claim number 6, herein called the medial fold, is positioned along the longitudinal axis of the so-called deformation element, and the so-called convex fold is positioned adjacent to the so-called midpoint along the longitudinal axis of the so-called basal fold. 8. The absorbent element of claim number 7, herein referred to as the central fold and the so-called convex fold, forms a convex area which creates a pre-defined lift to what is called the deformation element. 9. The absorbing elements of claim 8, herein called the medial fold, the so-called convex fold, and the so-called peduncle fold, each make up a geometric discontinuity in what is called the deformation element. 10. The absorbent element of claim 9 herein is called the midline fold with an inverted "U" cross-section, the so-called basal fold with a "U" cross-section, and the so-called abruptly transition bulge fold. 11. The absorber part of claim 10, herein called the deformation part, consists of a heat-molded material and, each referred to as the folding part, is heat-molded into what is called the deformation part. 12. The adsorbent part of claim 11, herein referred to as the moldable material, is selected from a group of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, polybutylene, polyurethane, ethylene vinyl acetate, heat-adhesive cellulose, latex, or silicone elastomer. 13. The absorbent part of claim 1, 2, 6, or 11 herein is called the absorbent part and the so-called top plate, together with the so-called deformation part. Thus, the so-called absorbent part with the so-called top plate is usually bent together with the so-called deformation part. 14. The absorber of claim 1, 2, 4, 6, or 11 herein is called the deformation element and generally has a "W" shaped structure when a lateral load is applied to the absorber. 15. The absorbent element of claim 1 or 6 herein, the absorbent element at the center, the front area adjacent to and toward the front of what is called the center region, the so-called curved device, is positioned in the position called the center region. Thus, generally, the so-called front region is cup-shaped when the absorbent element is subjected to lateral pressure. 16. The absorbent piece of claim 15 herein is located at the posterior level, adjacent to the so-called central region, which has a raised, contoured structure and ridges that form a suitable shape to the wearer's buttocks when worn. 17. The absorbing element of claim 2, herein referred to as the bending element, consists of a geometric discontinuity referred to as the deformation element. 18. The absorbing element of claim 17 herein, called a geometric discontinuity, shall be selected from a group of pre-adjusted folds, notches, indentations, porosities, or sudden changes in level. 19. The absorbent element of claim 1, herein referred to as the bending element, consists of a change in the material properties of what is called the deformation element. 20. The absorbent element of claim 19 herein, called the material property change, is provided by the confined compression of the so-called deformation element, by the combination of different materials, or by materials with different bending resistances. 21. The absorbent element of claim 1 or 6 herein, called the deformation element, is capable of being reshaped. 22. The absorbent element of claim 21, herein referred to as the deformation element, is capable of returning to its original state. 23. The absorbent piece of claim 1 or 6 herein, referred to as the deformation piece, has a bending resistance of at least approximately 100 grams. 24. The absorbent item of claim 1 or 6 herein is a sanitary pad.