MXPA00012973A - Method and device for transforming a two-dimensional sanitary napkin into a three-dimensional one - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention discloses a substantially flat sanitary napkin, i.e., one positioned almost exclusively in the x-y plane, having an expandable member therein that once activated by a female wearer either densifies in a prescribed zone and/or expands at least a portion of the sanitary napkin out of the x-y plane and into the z-plane to thereby create hump. Such activation occurs when cinch members are used to contract the expandable member in the x and/or y-directions while simultaneously causing its densification or expansion into the z-plane.

Description

METHOD AND DEVICE FOR TRANSFOR IWMAR A SANITARY TOWEL OF TWO DIMENSIONS IN A SANITARY TOWEL OF THREE DIMENSIONS FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention describes a substantially flat sanitary napkin, that is, a towel placed almost exclusively in the xy plane, which has a member capable of expanding therein that once activated by a female user, either, it densifies in a prescribed zone and / o expands at least a portion of the sanitary towel out of the xy plane and into the z plane to create the hump. This activation occurs when the web members are used to contract the expandable member in the x and / or directions and while simultaneously causing its densification and / or expansion in the z-plane.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION All the manners and varieties of absorbent devices or devices that have been configured for the absorption of bodily fluids, such as menstruation, are well known. These devices are expected to absorb fluid from the body, retain fluid within the absorbent and prevent discharged body fluids from staining the person and / or garments. In the formation of these disposable absorbent devices these commonly include a liquid-permeable body-facing cover, an absorbent core and a liquid-impermeable backing sheet or baffle. These absorbent devices, if used as diapers, incontinence garments or sanitary napkins, are subject to failure. Leakage from the absorbent devices is generally attributed to a high concentration of fluid absorption at the point of fluid discharge. At this point the absorbent material within the device becomes excessively saturated and becomes unable to accept, to a greater degree, additional fluids from the body. Using a sanitary pad as an example, menstruation will typically migrate radially from the point of discharge and leak from the sides. This usually results in the staining of the female body, typically around her thigh region, and her undergarment. In the area of sanitary napkins, it has been suggested that at least 20-25 percent of some sanitary napkins experience leaks. This incidence of leakage increases for those sanitary napkins that have increased absorbency designed primarily by medium to copious flow. To overcome the problem of lateral leakage, sanitary napkins have been constructed having elasticized sides that push the sides upward or cause the sanitary napkin to form a cup shape. Another method to avoid lateral leakage has been to extend the wings, fins or panels (hereinafter wings) from the edges of the sanitary napkin. The wings generally extend over the edges of the undergarment and adhere to the underside of the crotch portion or to themselves. The wings typically assist the garment adhesive, if present, to maintain the sanitary napkin in position during use. However, it is possible that these elasticized edges or wings will fold inward, partially occluding the cover surface and thereby decrease the effectiveness of the sanitary napkin. In some cases this doubling results in the edges actually contributing to the incidence of the failure. The improvement in the operation of sanitary napkins continues to be a formidable compromise, although a number of improvements have been made in both the materials and in the construction. However, the elimination of leaks, particularly along the inside of the thighs without compromising comfort and fit has not met the desired consumer needs. Therefore, there remains a need for a sanitary napkin that will be comfortable to wear while decreasing the opportunity for lateral leakage associated with the use of sanitary napkins during the menstrual period. In response to consumer needs, a number of devices have emerged. For example, U.S. Patent No. 5,300,055 entitled "Absorbent article having a deformable thermoplastic element" issued April 5, 1994, is directed to a disposable absorbent article, and particularly to a sanitary napkin, having an element of deformation resistant to bending, the deformation element having a surface that gives the body which has a convex configuration upwards when the sanitary towel is worn. Also, U.S. Patent No. 5,688,259 entitled "Absorbent article having a resilient center", issued November 18, 1997, discloses an absorbent article, such as a sanitary napkin having a configuration that adapts to the body provided by an element that oriented longitudinally oriented resilient hump. In particular, the element forming the hump is positioned to form a hump along the longitudinal centerline on the body surface of the sanitary napkin. Additionally, U.S. Patent No. 5,545,156 entitled "Absorbing article that has a preformed member", issued on August 13, 1996, describes an absorbent article with an external perimeter, a cover, a preformed member impervious to liquid and an absorbent core placed between them. The preformed member has a bump therein which provides close contact to the body between the wearer and the absorbent article. The rope extends above the surface that gives the body of the absorbent core.

Finally, U.S. Patent No. 5,624,423 entitled "Absorbent article having a means of barrier and a median sag" issued on April 29, 1997 provides an absorbent article with an outer perimeter having a cover, a baffle, an absorbent core and a barrier means to intercept the fluid migrating from the absorbent core towards the external perimeter of the article. The absorbent core has a protrusion extending above a plane that is parallel to the periphery of the absorbent core. All of the prior art cited above is similar in at least one respect: each discloses an absorbent article that provides a preformed hump that breaks the x-y plane of the absorbent article, said bump residing substantially in the z-plane. When such an absorbent article is formed, packaging problems are created. Also, due to the previously formed nature of the articles, there can be no variation in the height of the camber or its adjustment within the perianal groove of a female user. As a solution to this, it is an object of the present invention to provide a sanitary napkin having a mechanically expandable element therein, such an element being capable of being expanded by a user before and / or during the use of the sanitary napkin. It is a further object of the present that the mechanically expandable element in the sanitary napkin is variable by a user in such a way that the correct adjustment and impact of the element with the user's perineum is obtained. It is an additional object of the present sanitary napkin that the towel be capable of being packaged as a flat, thin, traditional sanitary napkin, without requiring the additional packing of a sanitary napkin with previously formed hump.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the present invention provides a sanitary napkin having a center, a topsheet, a backsheet affixed to the topsheet, an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet, an expandable zone, an expandable member located within the expandable zone and positioned substantially around the x-axis having a first end and a second end positioned between the upper sheet and the backsheet, and at least a pair of strap members, a strap member being attached to the first end of the web; pre-bent, expandable member, the other band member being fixed to the second end of the expandable member, and preferably a confining channel that houses the expandable member and the band members. The channel confines the relative movement of the expandable member and the girth members in a prescribed direction; especially in the x plane. In the preferred embodiment herein, each web member extends outwardly between the top sheet and the back sheet such that when the web members are pulled opposite each other, the ends of the expandable member are pulled together to form a densified area in the sanitary napkin. As desired, many densification zones can be formed within a sanitary napkin. In another embodiment of the present, each web member extends outwardly between the top sheet and the back sheet such that when the web members are pulled in opposite fashion to each other, the ends of the expandable member are pulled toward the center of the expandable member to form a raised and embossed hump that protrudes substantially towards the z-plane. The expandable member can be raised to different heights; for example, from about 3 mm to about 50 mm. In addition, the expandable member, by virtue of its composition, may be as rigid or as flexible as determined by a manufacturer. This determination of rigidity or flexibility will depend on the materials used in the expandable member, as well as the number of layers, hump height, hump contour, hump shape, hump position along the surface upward of the sanitary napkin and if it is above or below the top sheet of the sanitary napkin. Preferably, once the expandable member has been activated to form a hump by a user at a specific position, it will substantially retain that position throughout the use of the sanitary napkin. Also preferably, at least one area capable of expanding of the sanitary napkin is positioned to be within the area of the menstruation insult by a female user. The expandable member of the pad may comprise crease lines. These fold lines are normally oriented from one side of the confining channel and extend towards a longitudinal edge of the expandable member. The fold lines can be formed between the top layer and the bottom layer of the expandable member by a number of joining processes known in the art such as thermal bonding, adhesive bonding and / or mechanical bonding.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Although the description concludes with the claims pointing out in a particular way and claiming differently the exposed matter that is considered as formant of the present invention it is believed that the invention will be better understood from the following descriptions which are taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which similar designations are used to designate substantially identical elements, and in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a sanitary napkin with a hump formed therein; Figure 1A is a plan view of the mechanically expandable sanitary towel placed in the x-y plane in its previously expanded configuration; Figure 2 is an exploded view of an expandable member of the sanitary napkin showing the expandable member of the strap members; Figure 3 is an exploded view of an alternative embodiment of the expandable member of the sanitary napkin showing the expandable member and the belt members; Figure 4 is an exploded view of an alternative embodiment of the expandable member of the sanitary napkin, showing the expandable member and the strap members; Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the expandable member combined with a top view of a profile of the strap; Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the expandable member; and Figure 7 is a plan view of the top layer of the expandable member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION As used herein, the term "sanitary napkin" or "towel" refers to an absorbent article that is worn by women adjacent to the pudendal region, generally external to the urinary genital region, and which is intended for absorb and contain menstrual fluids and other vaginal discharges from the user's body (eg, blood, menstruation, and urine). As used herein, the term "pudendo" refers to the externally visible female genital organs. However, it should be understood that the present invention is also applicable to other feminine or catamenial hygiene pads such as pantiproctectors or other absorbent articles such as incontinence pads, and the like. By 5 the term "menstruation insult zone" is implied here that that area of the sanitary napkin is most likely to consistently receive a menstruation discharge from a female user. Figure 1 provides a perspective view of the sanitary napkin 10 having a hump 70 therein formed by a user before and / or while using k K) the sanitary napkin 10. As shown, the hump 70 resides substantially along the x axis. Alternatively, the hump 70 can also reside substantially around the y-axis. Of course, the orientation of the first and second web members 22 and 24, respectively, must coincide positionally to operatively operate with the expandable member 35 (Figure 1A) to create a raised hump 70. It stands out It is further here that any number of lugs 70 may be formed in various positions throughout the sanitary napkin 10. For example, a towel 10 may comprise a hump 70 for menstruation collection while another hump 70, with separate girdle members for the same, residing in the towel 10 for the collection of urine. The hump 70 and the densification zone 70 can be the same in one modality. This is because the expandable member 35 can be contracted and thus densify without a substantial hump protruding in the z-plane. Specifically, the densification zone 70 provides the expandable member 35 in its contracted state once the web members 22 and 24 have been pulled by a female user to contract the member 35. In such contraction of the member 35, a portion is formed densified 70 which substantially does not break in the z-plane. When the hump 70 is formed, the expandable member 35 has been contracted such that the expandable member 35 substantially elevates toward the z-plane. Therefore, the expandable member 35, when contracted, will develop in one of two ways: 1) a densified zone 70 that does not substantially elevate to the z-plane or 2) a hump 70 that substantially elevates toward the z-plane. The importance of a densification zone 70, of which there can be many zones 70, is to provide densified zones of collection, distribution and / or absorption of liquid. The zones 70 can, by collecting liquids such as urine, menstruation or any other type of vaginal discharges, distribute the liquid towards other portions of the sanitary napkin 10. In addition to or additionally, a densification zone can provide absorption of the aforementioned liquids, for example, right at the point of liquid impact. A manufacturer can also design a sanitary napkin 10 that contains one or more densification zones 70 that can be specifically placed in those regions on the sanitary napkin that experience the greatest incidence of urine insult and / or menstruation. This, of course, does not imply limiting the placement or position of the densification zones 70 for only urine or menses, that is, it can be designed for other vaginal discharges. Figure 1A is a plan view of the sanitary napkin 10 of the present invention in its flattened state with parts of the structure that are cut away to more clearly show the construction of the sanitary napkin 10 and with the portion of the sanitary napkin 10 that It gives or is in contact with the user, oriented towards the observer. The sanitary napkin 10 has two surfaces, a surface that is in contact with the body or that gives the body or body surface and a garment surface. The body surface is that surface that is located adjacent to the pudendal region of a user when the sanitary napkin 10 is worn. The garment surface is that surface positioned away from the pudendal region of a wearer when the sanitary napkin is worn 10.

The sanitary towel 10 is shown in Figure 1A as seen from its body-facing surface. The surface facing the body is intended to be placed adjacent the user's body while the garment surface is on the opposite side and is intended to be placed adjacent to the wearer's undergarments when the sanitary napkin is worn. 10. The sanitary napkin 10 has two center lines, i.e., a longitudinal center line 15 and a transverse center line 17. The term "longitudinal", as used herein, refers to a line, axis or direction within the plane of the sanitary napkin 10 that it is generally aligned with (eg, approximately parallel to) a vertical plane that divides a user standing in left and right body halves when the sanitary napkin is worn 10. The terms "transverse" or "lateral" as used herein , are interchangeable, and refer to a line, axis or direction that is located within the plane of the sanitary napkin 10 which is generally pedendicular to the longitudinal direction. Figure 1A also shows that the sanitary napkin has a periphery 14 which is defined by the outer edges of the sanitary napkin 10 in which the longitudinal edges are designated 17 and the end edges are designated 16. The sanitary napkin 10 comprises a sheet Top 15, a back sheet 18 positioned adjacent to and attached to the topsheet 15, and an absorbent core 19 positioned between the topsheet 15 and the backsheet 18. The topsheet 15 and the backsheet 18 come together to form a common periphery 14 formed by the edges of the sheet. end 16 and the longitudinal edges 17. The sanitary napkin 10 further comprises an expandable member 13 having a first end 36 and a second end 38 positioned between the upper sheet 15 and the back sheet 18. Also, the expandable member 35 comprises a pair of longitudinal edges 23. The expandable member 35 may or may not be a part of the absorbent core 19. In addition, the expandable member 35 may reside beneath the absorbent core 19 and adjacent the backsheet 18 or above the absorbent core 19 and adjacent to the topsheet 15. Preferably, the expandable member 35 will comprise at least two layers, as shown in Figures 2, 3, and 4. More specifically, the sanitary napkin 10 will comprise preferably an expandable member 35 having an upper layer 45 and a lower layer 47. (Figures 2 to 4). In use, the end edges 36 and 38 and the longitudinal edges 33 of the multilayer expandable member 35 align with each other for fixing the layers along their aligned edges. Suitable materials to be used for top layer 45 or bottom layer 47 are nonwovens, sponge material, polyethylene, polypropylene, suede, vinyl, skin, any of various polymeric materials known in the art and combinations thereof. Expandable member 35 may be edged along its longitudinal edges. Figure 9 shows a top plan view of layer 47 of expandable member 35. As seen, edges 60 align in an orientation perpendicular to confinement channel 20. The purpose of borders 60 is to provide greater surface area and volume to member 35. The borders 60 shown in the upper layer 47 correspond exactly to the borders 60 (not shown) in the lower layer 47 which are not shown. The edges 60 most preferably consist of slits or cuts in the upper layer 45 and the lower layer 47. These cuts can be made mechanically by a blade. Expandable member 35 can be raised to various heights; for example, from about 3 mm to about 50 mm. In addition, the expandable member 35, by virtue of its composition, may be as rigid or as flexible as determined by a manufacturer. Preferably, once the expandable member and thus elevated by a female user has been activated to a specific position, it will maintain that position substantially during the use of the sanitary napkin 10. Also, preferably, the hump 70 of the sanitary napkin 10 is placed to be within the menstruation insult zone of a female user. Additionally, the expandable member 35 will comprise web members attached thereto, i.e., the first web member 22 and the second web member 24. The first web member 22 is fixed to the bottom web 47 at the connection point 23 , which is placed on the second end edge 38 of the expandable member 35. In a similar manner, the second belt member 24 is fixed to the upper layer 45 at the connection point 25, which is along the first end 36 of the expandable member 35. This orientation is formed such that the web members 23 and 24 can be pulled in the opposite direction to the side of the expandable member. on which they are fixed. It is further emphasized here that the first web member 22 is preferably positioned adjacent the top surface of the bottom layer 45 of the member 35. Also preferably, the second web member 24 is placed adjacent the bottom surface of the top layer 45 of the web. member 35. However, the web members 22 and 24 can also be attached to member 35 at points 23 and 25 by mechanical means (such as pleating, embossing, etc.), ultrasonic bonding, thermal bonding, or any other suitable means known in the art. In practice each webbing member (22 and 24) will be pulled in opposite directions through the top layer 45 and the bottom layer 47 of the expandable member 35. Specifically, the first webbing member 22 is positioned above the web. bottom layer 47 and second belt member is positioned below top layer 45. In this configuration, each belt member is pulled through openings 40 and 41. Openings 40 and 41 are formed by the clearances between the upper layer 45 and the lower layer 47 which are not joined to each other. It should be noted here that Figures 2 to 4 show exploded views of the expandable member 35. In practice, the upper layer 45 and the lower layer 47 are joined to one another around their shared peripheries, which include their end edges. and its longitudinal edges 17. The expandable member 35 also comprises a confinement channel 20 and connecting lines 30. As shown in Figure 1, the confinement channel 20 extends in the direction of the x axis from a longitudinal edge 17 towards the another longitudinal edge 17. The confinement channel 20 is a channel formed creating a secure connection along the connecting lines 30 shown. The junction is between the upper layer 45 and the lower layer 47. Between the connecting lines 30 are disjoint portions between the upper layer 45 and the lower layer 47 that form the openings 40 and 41 of the expandable member 35. As also shown , preferably, the connecting lines 30 will extend along the first end 36 of the expandable member 35 and also along the second end 38 of the expandable member 35 to provide attachment along the ends 36 and 38 on either side but in the openings 40 and 41. The joints formed between the upper layer 45 and the lower layer 47, the confinement channel 20 and the connecting lines are formed from suitable adhesives known in the art for use with absorbent articles. For example, adhesives known in the art to secure a topsheet to a backsheet in a diaper, sanitary napkin, or similar article, are highly desirable for the bonds listed above. The adhesives that have been found to be satisfactory are manufactured by H.B. Fuller Company of St. Paul, Minnesota under the designation HL-1258 or H-2031. Other suitable joining processes known in the art can also be used, for example, ultrasonic bonding, thermal bonding, or others. When the web members 22 and 24 are pulled through the respective openings 40 and 41, the ends 36 and 38 of the expandable member 35 are pulled together closer together, thereby causing the sanitary towel 10 to be mechanically expandable to rise out of the xy plane and towards the z-plane, thereby creating a hump 70. This pull of the belt members 24 and 22 through the expandable member 35 forms an embossed and raised hump 70 which substantially breaks the xy plane of the orientation of the mechanical towel mechanically expandable (see Figures 5 and 6). This expansion in the z-direction of a sanitary napkin by a female user provides the improved fit to the user. Notably, a female user can expand the sanitary napkin 10 upward toward and adjacent to the perianal groove and lips. The lips, a suitable organ to grasp, it can then grasp the hump 70 of the sanitary napkin 10 preferably during the entire use of the sanitary napkin 10. The hump 70 can then intercept the vaginal fluid adjacently such as menstruation from a female user. By the term "intercept adjacent" is meant here that the hump 70 because of its adjacent relationship the perineum and lips of the user can by direct contact therewith receive the vaginal fluids released from a female user. This, of course, would apply equally in a device for urinary incontinence as a device formed mainly for menstruation collection as long as the hump 70 is properly placed on the sanitary napkin 10. In fact, modalities are contemplated here where A sanitary towel 10 comprises at least two or more gibs 70 that are mechanically operated by a user, a hump constructed for light urinary incontinence and another hump 70 constructed for menstruation and another collection of vaginal fluid. In one embodiment here, the hump 70 operates primarily with a fluid distribution mechanism. That is, the hump 70 will not substantially absorb the vaginal fluids as menstruation but will easily collect and distribute the menstruation to other absorbent portions of the sanitary towel fluid.; for example the absorbent core 19. This fluid distribution is made by the components within the expandable member 35 specifically designed for this fluid distribution. These components include the use of inherent hydrophobic fibers, polyethylene fibers, polypropylene fibers, capillary channel fibers, and cellulosic fibers treated with a hydrophobic agent thereon, this list does not imply that it is exhaustive. In fact, any of the fibers that are hydrophobic or made to be hydrophobic and that are known in the art to be suitable for use in an absorbent article are contemplated for the expandable member 35. Another way to achieve fluid transfer is through the creation of a density gradient between the upper layer 45 and the lower layer 47. In said contemplated density gradient, the fluid would be drawn from the upper sheet 15 downwards through the upper and lower layer (45 and 47) of the expandable member 35 and subsequently to the absorbent core 19. Obviously, this density gradient is formed where the expandable member resides above (or on top of) the absorbent core 19 and adjacent to the topsheet 15. U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 08 / 791,094 entitled "Sanitary towel comprising an absorbent core having a density gradient" describes the gradient above mentioned density and hereby incorporated by reference herein. Figures 3 and 4 show the alternative embodiments of the embodiment shown in Figure 2. Figure 3 additionally comprises fold lines 37 which are additional lines of attachment between the upper layer 45 and the lower layer 47 of the expandable member 35. use of the fold lines 37 creates the girth profiles 50 (Figure 5 and 6) whereby the expandable member 35 will tighten or bend in a prescribed manner corresponding to the arrangements of the fold lines. For example, Figure 5 shows a belt profile formed from a pattern of the fold line 37 that causes the resulting profile of the strap 50 of the expandable member 35. Furthermore, in a multi-layered member 35, this belt profile 50 also indicates that the upper layer 45 of the member 35 is stiffer than the lower layer 47. When the upper layer 45 and the lower layer 47 comprise materials having different stiffnesses, any layer is very flexible it will be the layer that partially, closely or substantially complies to the most rigid layer. In this adaptive capacity, especially where the pronounced type shown in Figure 5 is, one layer of the expandable member 35 will be substantially elevated in the z-direction while the other layer is substantially conforming to the raised layer, i.e. the layer less rigid rises to conform with the gibas or folds of the more rigid layer. The fold lines 37 can be formed by adhesive such as that used to fix the upper layer 45 and the lower layer 47 of the expandable member 35. Additionally, the fold lines 37 can be formed from any suitable joining process which will bond, that is, fix those parts of upper layer 45 and lower layer 47 shown in Figures 3 to 5. These joining techniques include thermal bonding, ultrasonic bonding, pleating, embossing and any other suitable mechanical bonding technique known in the art. In addition, any joining technique known in the art suitable for fixing the upper layer 45 and the lower layer 47 is hereby prescribed. Obviously, such compliance on one side is important where it is desired to create a sanitary towel 10 that "abalone" or "curl" substantially in one direction. By the terms "abalone" or "bend" is meant here that the expandable member 35 will move out of the planes x and y and into the z plane. However, Figure 6 shows a modality where both layers of the member 35 expand out of the planes x and y and into the z plane. As usual, this occurs when the multiple layers of the expandable member 35 are at least of approximately equal stiffness. This is also an important feature because for certain functions it may be desired to have a sanitary napkin 10 comprising a two-sided hump 70. In another embodiment of the present invention, the expandable member 35 may be multi-layered. That is, the expandable member 35 may have additional layers attached to either the upper layer 45 or the lower layer 47 to add bulk or stiffness to the member 35. In a particular embodiment, a layer or layers may be placed between the upper layer 45 and the lower layer 47 without any substantial interference with the fixings achieved by the confinement channel 20. This intermediate layer 100 (not shown) can provide additional stiffness to the member 35 such that when the member 35 is contracted by the cinch members 22 and 24, the intermediate layer 100 helps lock the member 35 in place. By the term "lock" is meant herein that the member 35 will be induced to be substantially fixed in its contracted position. This intermediate layer 100 may comprise a nonwoven material, foam, polyethylene, polypropylene, or a polymer canvas or any combination thereof. Although the topsheet, the backsheet, and the absorbent core can be assembled in a variety of well-known configurations (including so-called "tube" products or side flap products), preferred configurations of the sanitary napkin in the patent of the United States No. 4,950,264"Slender, flexible sanitary towel", issued to Osborn on August 21, 1990; U.S. Patent No. 4,425,130, "Composite sanitary towel" issued to DesMarais on January 10, 1984; U.S. Patent No. 4,321,924"Bordered Disposable Absorbent Article" issued to Ahr on March 30, 1982; U.S. Patent No. 4,589,876"Towel sanitary towel" issued to Van Tilburg on August 18, 1987. Each of these patents is hereby incorporated by reference. Figure 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the sanitary napkin 10 in which the upper sheet 24 and the back sheet 26 have length and width dimensions generally greater than those of the absorbent core 28. The upper sheet 24 and the back sheet 26 can extend beyond the edges of the absorbent core 28 to thereby form not only parts of the periphery but also the side flaps. The absorbent core 19 may be any absorbent means that is capable of absorbing or retaining the liquids (e.g., menstruation and / or urine). As shown in Figure 1A, the absorbent core 19 has a body surface, a garment surface, side edges and pad edges. The absorbent core 19 can be manufactured in a wide variety of sizes and shapes (eg, rectangular, oval, hourglass, dog bone, asymmetric, etc.) and from a wide variety of liquid absorbent materials commonly used in sanitary napkins and other absorbent articles such as crushed wood pulp which is generally referred to as air felt. Examples of other suitable absorbent materials include crushed cellulose wadding; meltblown polymers including coform; chemically hardened, modified or cross-linked cellulosic fibers; synthetic fibers such as pleated polyester fibers; peat moss; tissue including tissue wraps and tissue laminates; absorbent foams, absorbent sponges; superabsorbent polymers; gelling absorbent materials; or any equivalent material or combinations of materials, or mixtures thereof. The configuration and construction of the absorbent core can also be varied (for example, the absorbent core can have variable zones of gauge (for example, profiled to be thicker in the center), hydrophilic gradients, superabsorbent gradients, or acquisition zones with density minor and average average base weight, or may comprise one or more layers or structures). However, the total absorbent capacity of the absorbent core must be compatible with the design load and intended use of the sanitary napkin. In addition, the size and absorbent capacity of the absorbent core can be varied to encompass different uses such as incontinence pads, pantiliners, regular sanitary napkins, or nighttime sanitary napkins. Exemplary absorbent structures for use as the absorbent core of the present invention are described in U.S. Patent No. 4,950,264 entitled "Flexible, thin sanitary towel" issued to Osborn on August 21, 1990; U.S. Patent No. 4,610,678 entitled "High Density Absorbing Structures" issued to Weisman et al. on September 9, 1986; U.S. Patent No. 4,834,735 entitled "High density absorbent members having acquisition zones with lower density and lower basis weight" issued to Alemany et al. on May 30, 1989; and the European patent application No. 0 198 683, The Procter & Gamble Company, published on October 22, 1986 in the name of Duenk and others. Each of these patents are hereby incorporated by reference. The backsheet 18 and the topsheet 15 are positioned adjacent to the garment surface and the body surface, respectively, of the absorbent core. 19 and are preferably attached to it and to each other by binding (not shown) such as those well known in the art. For example, the backsheet 18 and / or the top sheet 15 can be secured to the absorbent core 19 or to each other by a continuous uniform adhesive layer, a patterned adhesive layer, or an array of separate lines, coils, or spots of adhesive. . The adhesives that have been found to be satisfactory are manufactured by H.B. Fuller Company of St. Paul, Minnesota under the designation HL-1258 or H-2031. The attachment means will preferably comprise a network of filaments of open-pattern adhesives as disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,573,986 entitled "Disposable Garment for Containment of Waste", which was issued to Minetola et al. On March 4. of 1986, and which is incorporated herein by reference. An illustrative attachment means of an open-pattern filament network comprises several lines of adhesive filaments twisted in a spiral pattern as illustrated by the apparatus and method shown in United States Patent No. 3,911,173 issued to Sprague. , Jr on October 17, 1975; U.S. Patent No. 4,785,996 issued to Zieker et al. on November 22, 1978; and in U.S. Patent No. 4,842,666 issued to Werenicz on June 27, 1989. Each of these patents is incorporated herein by reference. Alternatively, the joining means may comprise heat bonds, pressure joints, ultrasonic joints, mechanical dynamic joints, or any other suitable joining means or combinations of these joining means as known in the art. The backsheet 18 is impervious to liquids (eg, menstruation and / or urine) and is preferably manufactured from a thin plastic film, although other flexible liquid impervious materials may also be used. As used herein, the term "flexible" refers to materials that are flexible and that will readily conform to the figure and general outline of the human body. The backsheet 18 prevents the exudates absorbed and contained in the absorbent core 19 from wetting the articles that they are in contact with the sanitary towel 10 such as underpants, pajamas and undergarments. The backsheet 18 may therefore comprise a woven or non-woven material, polymeric films such as polyethylene or polypropylene thermoplastic films, or composite materials such as a film-coated nonwoven material. Preferably, the backsheet is a polyethylene film having a thickness of about 0.012 mm to about 0.051 mm. The illustrative polyethylene films are manufactured by Clopay Corporation of Cincinnati, Ohio, under the designation P18-0401 and by Ethyl Coforation, Visqueen a division of Terre Haute, Indiana, under the designation XP-39385. The backsheet is preferably finished in highlight and / or dull to provide a more fabric-like appearance. In addition, the backsheet 18 can allow the vapors of the absorbent core 19 (ie, breathable) to escape while still preventing the exudates from passing through the backsheet 18. The topsheet 15 is docile, of soft feel, and Non-irritating to the user's skin. In addition, the upper sheet 24 is permeable to liquid allowing liquids (for example, menstruation and / or urine) easily penetrate through its thickness. A suitable top sheet 15 can be manufactured from a wide range of materials such as woven and nonwoven materials; polymeric materials such as thermoplastic films formed with openings, plastic films with openings and hydroformed thermoplastic films; porous foams; cross-linked foams; crosslinked thermoplastic films; and thermoplastic canvases. Suitable woven and nonwoven materials may be composed of natural fibers (e.g., wood or cotton fibers), synthefibers (for example, polymer fibers such as polyester, polypropylene, or polyethylene fibers) or from a combination of natural and synthefibers. A preferred top sheet comprises a film formed with openings. Films formed with openings for the topsheet are preferred because they are permeable to body exudates and not yet absorbent and have a reduced tendency to allow liquids to pass back through and re-wet the wearer's skin. In this way, the surface of the formed film that is in contact with the body remains dry, thereby reducing staining of the body and creating a more comfortable feeling for the user. Suitable formed films are described in U.S. Patent No. 3,929,135 entitled "Absorption structures having tapered capillaries" which was issued to Thompson on December 30, 1975; U.S. Patent No. 4,324,246 entitled "Disposable absorbent article having a stain resistant top sheet", which was issued to Mullane, et al. on April 13, 1982; United States Patent No. 4,342,314 entitled "Resilient plastic weft exhibiting properties similar to fiber", which was issued to Radel et al. On August 3, 1982; U.S. Patent No. 4,463,045 entitled "Three-dimensional macroscopically expanded plastic screen exhibiting a non-glossy visible surface and a fabric-like tactile print" which was issued to Ahr et al. on July 31, 1984; and in the patent of the United States No. 5,006,394"Multilayer polymeric film" which was issued to Baird on April 9, 1991. Each of these patents is incorporated herein by reference. The preferred top sheet for the present invention is the formed film described in one or more of the above patents and which are marketed in sanitary napkins by The Procter & Gamble Company of Cincinnati, Ohio as "DRI-WEAVE". In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the body surface of the formed upper film sheet is hydrophilic to help transfer liquids through the upper sheet faster than if the body surface were not hydrophilic, to decrease the likelihood that the menstrual fluid flows out of the upper sheet instead of flowing into and being absorbed by the absorbent core. In a preferred embodiment, surfactant is formed in the polymeric film materials formed as described in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 07 / 794,745, "Absorbent article having a non-woven material and a foil sheet. film cover with apertures "presented on November 19, 1991 by Aziz et al., which is hereby listed by reference. Alternatively, the body surface of the topsheet can be made hydrophilic by treating it with a surfactant such as described in the above-referenced U.S. Patent No. 4,950,254 issued to Osbom, and which is incorporated herein by reference. In use, the sanitary napkin 10 can be held in place by any means of support or attachment means (not shown) well known for these purposes. Preferably, the sanitary napkin is placed on the wearer's underpants or panties and secured thereto by a fastener such as an adhesive. The adhesive provides a means for securing the sanitary napkin in the crotch portion of the panty. Therefore, a portion or all of the outer surface of the backsheet 18 is coated with adhesive. Any adhesive or glue used in the art for this purpose can be used for the adhesive herein, with pressure sensitive adhesives being preferred. Suitable adhesives are Century A-305-IV manufactured by Century Adhesives Corporation of Columbus, Ohio; and Instant Lock 34-2823 manufactured by the National Starch and Chemical Company of Bridgewater, NJ. Suitable adhesive fasteners are also described in U.S. Patent No. 4,917,697. Before the sanitary napkin is put into use, the pressure sensitive adhesive is typically protected with a removable release liner in order to prevent the adhesive from drying or adhering to a different surface of the crotch portion of the pantyhose before use. Suitable release liners are also described in the above-referenced U.S. Patent No. 4,917,697. Any commercially available release liner commonly used for these purposes can be used here. Non-limiting examples of suitable release liners are BL30MG-A Silox E1 / 0 and BL30MG-A Silox 4P / O both which are manufactured by Akrosil Corporation of Menasha, Wl. The sanitary napkin 10 of the present invention is used by removing the release liner and subsequently placing the sanitary napkin in a panty so that the adhesive is in contact with the panty. The adhesive holds the sanitary napkin in its position inside the pant during use. The sanitary napkin 10 may comprise two fins, each of which is adjacent to and extends laterally from the lateral edges 17 of the sanitary napkin 10. The vanes are configured to cover the edges of the wearer's panties in the crotch region such that the vanes are arranged between the edges of the panties and the user's thighs. The fins serve at least two purposes. First, the fins help to avoid the staining of the body and the wearer's panties by the menstrual fluid, preferably forming a double wall barrier along the edges of the panty. Secondarily, the fins are preferably provided with attachment means on their garment surface in such a way that the fins can be folded back under the panty and fixed to the side that gives the pant garment. In this way, the flaps serve to maintain the sanitary napkin 10 properly positioned in the pantyhose. The fins of various materials can be constructed including materials similar to the topsheet, the backsheet, tissue, or combinations of these materials. In addition, the fins can be a separate element attached to the main body of the towel 10 or they can comprise extensions of the upper sheet and the rear (i.e., unitary) sheet. A number of sanitary napkins having suitable or adaptable fins for use with the sanitary napkins of the present invention are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,687,478 entitled "Towel-sanitary Towel" which was issued to Van Tilburg on 18 August 1987; U.S. Patent No. 4,589,876 entitled "Sanitary Towel", which was issued to Van Tilburg on May 20, 1986; and in U.S. Patent No. 4,608,047 entitled "Sanitary Towel Fixation Means", which was issued to Mattingly on August 26, 1986. Each of these patents is incorporated herein by reference. In a preferred embodiment here, the fins comprise a joining means having hooks. The hooks may have a splice element known as curls, but more preferably, the hooks themselves will be capable of fastening to the non-woven surface of the fins. Illustrative joining systems comprising hook and loop fastening materials are disclosed in the U.S. Patent No. 4,869,724 issued to Scripps on September 26, 1989. Jointing systems using mechanical fasteners are also disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,846,815 issued to Scripps on July 11, 1989; and in U.S. Patent No. 4,894,060 issued to Nestegard on January 16, 1990. Jointing systems having a combination of adhesive / mechanical closure elements are described in U.S. Patent No. 4,946,527 issued to Battrell. on August 7, 1990. Each of these patents are incorporated herein by reference. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an acquisition layer (s) (not shown) can be placed between the topsheet and the absorbent core, and either above or below the expandable member. The acquisition layer can serve several functions including improving the capillary action of the exudates on and towards the absorbent core. There are several reasons why the improved capillary action of the exudates is important, including providing a more even distribution of the exudates throughout the absorbent core and allowing the sanitary napkin 10 to be made relatively thin. (The capillary action referred to herein may encompass the transportation of liquids in one, two or all directions (ie, in the xy plane and / or in the z direction.) The acquisition layer may be composed of several different materials including woven or non-woven webs of synthetic fibers including polyester, polypropylene, or polyethylene, natural fibers including cotton or cellulose, blends of these fibers, or any of the materials or combinations of materials. mentioned as well as the chemically hardened cellulosic fibers can be used Examples of sanitary napkins having an acquisition layer and a topsheet are more fully described in U.S. Patent No. 4,950,264 issued to Osborn and in the application for U.S. Patent Serial No. 07 / 810,774, "Absorbent Article Having Cast Coats" filed on December 17, 1991 in the name of Cree, and others. Each of these references are incorporated herein by reference. In a preferred embodiment, the acquisition layer may be joined to the topsheet by any of the conventional means for joining webs together, most preferably by fusion bonding as described more fully in the Cree application referred to above. Preferably, once the web members 22 and 24 are pulled or extended through the openings 40 and 41, the web members will remain fixed such that the expanded structure of the expandable member 35 will remain in its expanded configuration. For these purposes, one embodiment herein contemplates providing belt members with tape tabs and / or hooks and loops (i.e. fastening systems) in such a way that when belt members 22 and 24 are pulled, they can be pulled. either be carried around any of the upper sheet 15 or the back sheet 18 of a mechanically expandable sanitary towel 10 and be secured thereto or secured to one another. If, for example, the backsheet 18 comprises a non-woven layer, the ends of the web members 22 and 24 can each be fixed thereon to a tab 7 (Figure 1) comprising hooks, which can be attached to the non-woven backsheet 18 and remain fixed thereto. Alternatively, if the backsheet comprises polymeric material, the ends of the web members 22 and 24 may probably comprise tabs 7 having tapes thereon that readily adhere to the backsheet 18. Preferably, these web tabs would also be easily detachable from the backsheet 18. These web members fix devices although, preferably the web members 22 and 24 are constructed such that when they are pulled, the expandable member 35 remains in a cinched position by virtue of the stiffness of one or more of the layers (upper 45 or lower 47) that form the expandable member 35. Illustrative fastening systems are disclosed in the US patent.

United States No. 4,846,815 entitled "Disposable diaper having an improved fastening device" issued to Scripps on July 11, 1989; U.S. Patent No. 4,894,060 entitled "Disposable diaper with improved hook fastener portion" issued to Nestegard on January 16, 1990; U.S. Patent No. 4,946,527 entitled "Pressure sensitive adhesive fastener and method for making the same" issued to Battrell on August 7, 1990; United States Patent No. 3,848,594 entitled "Disposable diaper tape fastening system" issued to Buell on November 19, 1974; U.S. Patent No. 4,662,875 entitled "Absorbing Article" issued to Hirotsu et al. on May 5, 1987; and in the above-referenced hereby United States patent application No. 07 / 715,152; Each of which will be listed here by reference. Illustrative fastening systems comprising mechanical fastening components (i.e., hooks and loops) are described in U.S. Patent No. 5,058,247 entitled "Mechanical Holding Pile" issued to Thomas on October 22, 1991; U.S. Patent No. 4,869,724 entitled "Mechanical fastening systems with adhesive strip removal media for removing absorbent articles" issued to Scripps on September 26, 1989; and in U.S. Patent No. 4,846,815 entitled "Disposable diaper having an improved fastening device" issued to Scripps on July 11, 1989. An example of a fastening system having the combination of mechanical fasteners / adhesive is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,946,527 entitled "Pressure sensitive adhesive fastener and method for making same" issued to Battrell on August 7, 1990. Each of these patents is incorporated herein by reference. Although the particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, attempts are made to protect all these changes and modifications within the scope of this invention in the appended claims.

Claims (13)

1. A sanitary napkin having a center, a menstruation impact zone, a topsheet, a backsheet affixed to the topsheet, an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet, characterized in that: an expandable member that has a first end, a second end, and a pair of longitudinal edges that are positioned between the top sheet and the back sheet; and at least one pair of strap members that are affixed to the expandable member, one strap member being attached to the first end of the expandable member, the other strap member being fixed to the second end of the expandable member; and each strap member extends outwardly between the topsheet and the backsheet so that when the strap members are pulled in opposite manner from one another, the ends of the expandable member are joined together to form a densified zone in the sanitary napkin .

The sanitary napkin according to claim 2, wherein the expandable member forms a densified zone that does not substantially enter the z-plane.

3. The sanitary napkin according to claim 1, wherein each strap member extends outwardly between the topsheet and the backsheet in such a manner that when the strap members are pulled in opposite manner from one another, the ends of Expandable member are pulled together to form a raised hump in the sanitary napkin extending in the z-plane.

4. The sanitary napkin according to claim 3, wherein the lips of a female user hold the hump of the sanitary napkin substantially throughout the use of the sanitary napkin.

5. The sanitary napkin according to claim 3, wherein the hump operates substantially as a fluid distribution mechanism or substantially operates as a fluid absorption mechanism.

The sanitary napkin according to claim 1 or 3, wherein the confinement channel houses the expandable member and the band members and confines the relative movement of the expandable member and the band members in a prescribed direction.

The sanitary napkin according to claims 1 or 3, wherein the multiple densification zones or the multiple gibas are formed within the sanitary napkin.

The sanitary napkin according to claim 3, wherein the hump extends in one direction or in two directions in the z-plane.

9. The sanitary napkin according to claim 1, wherein the densification zone or the hump of the sanitary napkin is positioned to be within the impact zone of the menstruation of a female user.

The sanitary napkin according to claim 1, wherein the expandable member comprises fold lines, each fold line being peendicularly oriented from the confinement channel and extending from one side of the confinement channel to the shore longitudinal of the expandable member.

The sanitary napkin according to claim 1, wherein the first end, the second and the longitudinal edges of the expandable member are fringed.

The sanitary napkin according to claim 1 or 3, wherein the cinching members will remain fixed after the expandable member has expanded.

13. The sanitary napkin according to claim 1 or 3, wherein the belt members comprise attachment devices for attaching to the backsheet of the sanitary napkin to thereby make the member expandable fixed and preferably wherein the attachment means comprise at least one device selected from the group consisting of tabs of tapes, hooks, meshes or a combination thereof.