US3364931A - Sanitary napkin - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 23, 196s w. F. HIRSCH, 3,364,931

SANITARY NAPKIN Filed Oct. l2, 1964 Y "T l',

VENTOR. WALTER HRSCH BY Mm ATTORMEV.

United States Patent C)4 3,364,931 SANITARY NAPKIN waiter F. Hirsch, 6721 sw. 26th sr., Miami, Fia. 3315s Fired ont. 12, 1964, ser. No. 403,131 2 Claims. (Cl. 12s-290) ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE A sanitary napkin combining an elongated, rectangular, absorbent pad member provided along the top with a central longitudanal channel and an outer wrapping of a thin, impervious synthetic plastic film covering the bottom and sides of the pad, the pad member being comprised of a lower pad half member and a pair of side pad members disposed in longitudinally-spaced relation upon the lower pad member to deiine said channel.

This invention relates generally to improvements in absorbent pads and is directed particularly to a novel sanitary pad or napkin construction.

For maximum eiiiciency and protection with Iminimum pad bulk, it is essential that pad construction be such as to permit gradual absorption along the length of the pad. Ordinary rectangular absorbent pads in general use, however, have a tendency to bunch into inverted U-shape when worn, thereby compacting the pad and substantially decreasing its absorptivity. Such pads, while generally satisfactory, are often incapable of quickly enough absorbing heavy surges of fluid liow to lavoid strike-through or even over-flow, resulting in staining the clothing, discomfort, and embarrassment to the wearer. This is particularly apt to happen if the pad must be worn an eX- tended length of time.

It is accordingly the principal object of my invention to provide an improved sanitary pad or napkin that obviates the above described deficiencies of ordinary rectangular pads.

It is a more particular object to provide a sanitary napkin wherein absorptivity is enhanced by the provision of a longitudinal central channel along the top of the absorptive padding of the pad structure, and wherein, by virtue of the decrease in bulk in the upper half of the pad resulting from said channel, the pad, when worn, will conform by compressing laterally from each side for greater comfort and protection.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a sanitary napkin of the character described which can be worn for extended periods of time and which will accommodate heavy flow surges with minimum possibility of seepage or leakage.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description when read with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote corresponding parts throughout the several views;

FIG. 1 is a top view of sanitary pad or napkin ernbodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a transverse cross-sectional view thereof; and

FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6 each illustrate, in transverse crosssection, modified forms of the invention.

Referring now in detail to the drawings and considering iirst the form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. l and 2, the sanitary pad or napkin comprises a rectangular pad body of an absorbent material, preferably comminuted fibers of cellulose or cotton or another fibrous material suitably supported for structural integrity and shape between layers of crepe multi-ply tissue- The pad body 10 is formed of a rectangular lower half pad blii Ptented Jan. 23, 1968 member 11 along the top and at each side of which are disposed laterally spaced, opposed, side pad members 12 and 13 dening a coextensive rectangular central top channel 14. The pad body 10 is covered with a porous cellulous inner sheet wrapping 15 the marginal side edge portions 16 and 17 of which fold loosely into the channel 14, and the ends of which extend beyond the ends of said pad to provide attachment tabs 18 and 19. The bottom and sides of the pad body 10 are further covered with an outer wrapping or cover 20 of a thin impervious lm, preferably polyethylene or polyvinyl plastic in the order of one-half thousandth to one thousandth of an inch in thickness, marginal side edge portions 21 and 22 of which overlie the top of the wrapping 15 at each side of the pad. A rectangular cover 23 of porous cellulous sheet material is arranged on top of the wrapped pad and secured thereto and to the inner and outer wrappings 15 and 20 by heat sealing with one or two seams along each side as indicated at 24 and 25. The cover 23 aids in holding the internal pad body 11i lin securely wrapped condition. End portions of the impervious iilm wrapping or cover 20 extend somewhat beyond the ends of the pad body 10 and are attached by heat sealing to central portions ofthe tabs 18 and 19.

When worn, the pad body 19, because of the substantial decrease in bulk in its upper half due to the channel 14, will tend to compress laterally rather than bend in conforming to body shape. This lateral compression, while it substantially reduces the width of the channel 14, nevertheless leaves a longitudinal opening or very loosely compacted zone along and through which fluid will flow and be quickly absorbed along the length of the pad. Abnormally heavy flow will thus be accommodated with minimum danger of over-flow due to sluggish absorption char acteristic of ordinary solid pads. In the event that the pad must be worn for an unusually long time under a heavy iiow condition, the impervious outer cover sheet 2t) forms a protective pocket for the collection of seepage through the bottom of the pad until such time as the pad can be replaced.

A salient feature of my invention resides in the fact that the sides of the pad body 14B are covered with an outer impervious film cover 20 rather than with an absorbent wrapping. This is important in that it prevents the absorption and gravitation of the uid around the longitudinal sides of the pad characteristic of pads with absorbent outer wrappings.

The modification of the invention illustrated in FIG. 3 differs from that of FIGS. 1 and 2 only in that the pad body 10a, instead of being formed of three separate parts, is integrally formed of a length of padding of such width as will permit doubling over of marginal side portions to provide side pad members 12a and 13a defining a central top channel 14a.

The modification illustrated in FIG. 4 differs from that of FIG. 3 in that the side pad members 12b and 13b of the pad body 10b are inwardly rolled to define a channel 14b that is wider at the top and at the bottom than it is in the middle.

The modication illustrated in FIG. 5 differs from that of FIGS. l and 2 in that the enveloping inner sheet wrapping 15 is substituted for by an inner previous top sheet 15b the central portion 15C of which hangs loosely into the channel 14d.

The modification illustrated in FIG. 6 differs from that of FIG. 5 only in that the side edges of the pervious top sheet 15d lie above rather than below the marginal side edge portions 21, 22 of the outer wrapping 20; and in that adhesive, indicated at 26, is applied between the lower half pad member 11e` and side pad members 12C and 13e for greater structural strength.

While there is illustrated and described herein only ve forms in which my invention can conveniently be ernbodied in practice, it will be understood that these forms are presented by way of example only and not in a limiting sense. The invention, in brief, comprises all the modiications and embodiments coming within the scope and spirit of the following claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A sanitary napkin comprising an elongated absorb- 10 ent pad of rectangular cross-sectional shape, said pad comprising a lower pad half member and a pair of side pad members disposed in longitudinally-spaced relation upon said lower pad member and defining therebetween, in the top of said pad, a central longitudinal channel, an outermost wrapping of thin, impervious synthetic plastic film covering the bottom and sides of said pad, and a Cover wrapping of a flexible pervious sheet material overlying the top of said pad and secured along its side edges to marginal edge portions of said lrn wrapping, end portions of said pervious sheet cover wrapping extending beyond the ends of said pad to provide attachment tabs, including an adhesive for securing said side pad members to said lower pad half member.

2. A sanitary napkin comprising an elongated absorb- 2 ent pad of rectangular cross-sectional shape, said pad comprising a length of absorbent material of rectangular cross-sectional shape having side portions doubled over at the top to provide opposed, spaced edge portions thereof defining therebetween, in the top of said pad, a central, longitudinal channel, an inner sheet wrapping of a flexible pervious sheet material enveloping said pad and having marginal edge portions disposed in said channel, an outer wrapping of a thin, impervious synthetic plastic ilm covering the botto-m and sides of said pad, and a cover `wrapping of a iiexible pervious sheet material overlying the top of said pad and secured along its side edges to marginal `edge portions of said lm wrapping, said inner sheet wrap-ping having end portions extending beyond the ends of said pad to provide attachment tabs.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,192,439 7/l9l6 Luellen 128-290 2,896,626 7/1959 Voigtrnan 12S-290 2,952,259 9/1960 Burgeni 12S-290 3,203,419 8/1965 Joa 12S- 290 3,230,955 1/1966 Joa et al 12S-290 RICHARD A. GAUDET, Primary Examiner.

C. F. ROSENBAUM, Assistant Examiner.

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