NZ236101A - Conformable absorbent structure: includes creped portion - Google Patents

Description

236 1 0 1 Priority lu'r-Sh . ;Uv,tV-. s?i | CoJi.t>iSW -I .13; 11*39. I ..OWfl£\V3r 1 Public; f*en Dr'.: ~ .2 6 0 CT t993 ' * * P.O. J- rn-\ f.'- .. . !?Tb. »* r • • • V O..

Kf c| f\l 5 NOV 1990''if V- ,■».$ XSE ! t • " Patents Form No. 5 Number PATENTS ACT 1953 Dated COMPLETE SPECIFICATION PANTS LINER FOR ATTACHMENT DIRECTLY TO OUTER GARMENT We, McNEIL-PPC, INC, a corporation organized under the laws of the State of New Jersey, United States of America of Van Liew Avenue, Milltown, New Jersey 08850, United States of America do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a Patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: (followed by page la) _ ia- 236 10 1 The present invention relates to feminine hygiene products and more specifically to pants liners which are attached to an outer garment, such as a pair of slacks or panty hose or the like inner garment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Complete hygienic and sanitary protection frequently includes the use of thin absorbent structures commonly known as panty shields or panty liners. These products are typically used either in conjunction with catamenial 15 tampons during menstruation to absorb excessive exudates or, alternatively, are worn during other phases of the menstrual cycle to absorb small quantities of menstrual, urinary or other fluids. The purpose of such panty liners is to absorb these body fluids and prevent them from 20 staining both the wearer's undergarments and, more importantly, other garments which conform to the perineal area. Examples of such garments are slacks, shorts, dancing and gymnastic tights, and stretch pants.

Normally, panty liners are provided with adhesive means which affixes the garment facing surface of the panty liner to the user's undergarment and holds it in position. This type of fastening system ensures that the absorbent, body facing side of the panty liner contacts 30 the perineal area of the user. For various reasons, however, the outer garments listed above may be worn in direct contact with the user's body, that is, the user does not wear an undergarment. In this situation, the panty liners found in the prior art cannot be used 35 effectively. Usually, the crotch portion of a garment, PPC 331 23 such as a pair of slacks, comprises two separate tubular sections into which the legs are inserted. These sections are then joined to form a curved crotch section. The shape of the garment in the crotch region therefore does 5 not present a flat surface, curved against the user's body, as would be found in an undergarment. Instead, a ridge is essentially formed at the juncture of the two sections. A flat panty liner having strips of adhesive cannot be effectively conformed and adhered to the 10 compound curves this surface presents. For this reason, presently, the sanitary protection and discretion provided by a panty liner is not available while wearing those outer garments wherein it is desired to not wear an undergarment.

Thus, a need exists within the absorbent personal products art to provide an absorbent structure capable of conforming to the inside surfaces of the saddle-like crotch portion of a pair of slacks, panty hose, or the 20 like. Moreover, as demonstrated above, it would be desirable to provide a panty liner which would provide sanitary protection when undergarments are not worn.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 25 Accordingly, it has now been found that by forming a series of small convolutions along a central portion of an absorbent structure by compacting, using techniques such as (but not limited to) microcreping, a conformable structure results.

In a preferred embodiment, a fabric comprised of rayon and polyester is microcreped along a central portion. The laterally extending portions remaining take on a ruffled appearance. When the creped portion is 35 disposed along the crotch seam of an outer garment, the PPC 331 236 10 1 laterally extending portions conform to the inner leg portion, thus effectively lining the garment. Most preferably, adhesive means are provided for attaching the panty liner to the outer garment.

The methods provided by the present invention preferably comprise providing an absorbent structure, forming a creped portion therein and affixing adhesive means to the resulting conformable structure. Most preferably, a thermosetting microcreping process is used, whereby the absorbent structure is compressed between about 8% to about 30%, but in any case less than about 50%.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 depicts a typical pair of slacks which might be worn without undergarments.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the slacks shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of the geometric construction of an outer garment which has separate tubular legs.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the conformable structure of the present invention laid flat in a plane.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the structure of FIG. 4 taken along line 5-5.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a panty liner made in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a typical pair of slacks 10 in which the pants liner of the present invention will find application. Although the garment illustrated is a pair of short slacks, full length slacks or other styles of garment having a separate tubular portions 12,14 for each leg may be worn without an undergarment while using the panty liners of the present invention. As shown in phantom, the crotch portion of - 4 - 2 3 6 1 0 1 such undergarments is essentially the intersection of two curves. These curves are designated "X" and "Z" in FIG. 1. By observing this construction, one of ordinary skill will comprehend that a conventional panty liner cannot be 5 effectively adhered to the inner surface of such a garment 10 since the seam or region in the vicinity of line "X" is essentially a ridge.

As shown in FIG. 2, the ridge formed by line "X" is 10 curved to follow the crotch, and merges with the substantially cylindrical surface of the pant leg 12. If a conventional flat panty liner were folded along a longitudinal axis, the resulting folded structure could not effectively conform to the curve of "X" while lying 15 relatively flat along the inner surface of the tubular portions 12,14 of the slacks 10, largely because most • absorbent materials do not have sufficient elastic properties to achieve this configuration without folding or bunching.

A simplified diagram of the construction discussed above is illustrated in FIG. 3. Line "X" corresponds to the longitudinal axis of a panty shield. It is clear that an essentially planar structure could not conform to the 25 curve of line "X" and then be folded along the plane of line "Z". Alternatively, as pointed out with reference to FIG. 2, it would be difficult to force an essentially flat structure to follow the curve of line "Z" and conform the longitudinal fold line to line "X" as well without 30 bunching or folding.

It has now been found, however, that a conformable structure can be manufactured which fulfills the need unmet by the prior art. The present invention provides a 35 substantially flat absorbent structure which may be PPC 331 236 10 1 applied to the crotch area of a pair of pants and folded or draped down the tubular leg portion without exhibiting a tendency to unduly bunch or fold. Thus, the conformable structure disclosed herein permits the construction of 5 panty liners and the like which may be directly attached to outer garments, allowing the user to dispense with wearing an undergarment disposed between the outer garment and panty liner.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a panty liner 20 made in accordance with the present invention is illustrated. Although a substantially rectangular pants liner is illustrated, one of ordinary skill will realize that numerous alternate outline shapes may be constructed. For 15 example, elliptical, hourglass- shaped or liners having laterally extending portions may be made. A central portion 22 of the liner 20, is treated to form a "microcreped" structure. Microcreping, as used herein, encompasses any process by which a series of convolutions 20 are formed in an absorbent structure. Most preferably, the microcreping process used is a thermosetting process. As will be easily understood by those of ordinary skill, microcreping thus involves the formation of a plurality of relatively small folds or convolutions in the structure 25 comprising the liner 20. Extending laterally from the central microcreped portion 22 are ruffled portions 24,26. These ruffled portions are also convoluted, but to a lesser degree and merely as a result of the microcreping process performed on the central portion 22.

The present invention may be used with a variety of fabrics or absorbent stock. For example, roll stock of approximately 2.0 oz./sq. yd. comprised of rayon and polyester produces good results. Other fabrics may also 35 be used, depending upon parameters such as the degree of PPC 331 2 3 6 1 0 absorbency desired and the microcreping equipment used. In the embodiment illustrated, a one inch wide strip was microcreped down the enter of a twelve inch wide fabric. The polyester was thermally stabilized during the creping 5 process. This material was then cut into samples about £ive inches wide and eight inches long. Most preferably, the microcreping process is a compressive treatment process. This process can be implemented, for example, using a MICREX/ Microcreper, supplied by the Bird Machine 10 Company, Inc. of South Walpole, Massachusetts, U.S.A. Preferably, the maximum amount of compaction resulting from this process is less than about 50%. In a most preferred embodiment, the compaction is between about 8% to about 30%.

As shown in Fig. 5, the microcreped fabric which forms the conformable structure of the present invention will comprise alternating portions of convoluted and compressed areas within the central microcreped portion 20 22. The laterally extending portions 24,26 are preferably not compressed to any great extent. It may also be observed in FIG. 5 that a most preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a single thickness fabric structure. It will be understood, however, that other 25 layers of materials may be incorporated into the present invention. For example, absorbent layers, fluid repellent layers or both may be laminated to form an absorbent structure. The resulting structure may then be microcreped and otherwise formed to result in a panty 30 liner made in accordance with the present invention. As well known to those of ordinary skill, the microcreping process may be applied to paper webs, woven fabrics, non-woven fabrics, or laminates made from one or more of these materials. Moreover, any of these materials may be 35 chemically or otherwise treated to increase either PPC 331 23 6 1 0 obsorbency or hydrophobicity, depending upon whether the application of such treatment is to be garment facing side or the body facing side of the panty liner.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a pants liner 20 formed, as illustrated in FIG. 5 by first trimming the sample to provide rounded corners and otherwise provide a finished shape. Adhesive strips 27,28 are then applied to one side of the finished pants liner 10 20. Most preferably, the adhesive strips 27,28 are covered with release paper.

Referring now to FIG. 6, there is illustrated a perspective view of the panty liner 20 depicted in FIG. 5, 15 showing its configuration when emplaced in the crotch portion of an undergarment. The liner 20 is placed over the central seam of the garment such that the creped portion 22 lies directly on the seam and is thus aligned with the perineal area of the user. The laterally 20 extending ruffled portions 24,26 are placed against the inner surface of the leg portion and lie substantially in conformance therewith. It should be noted that a panty liner of this type may be constructed to cover a greater length of the crotch than a conventional panty liner so 25 that urinary, anal and menstrual fluids are absorbed.

Thus, as the creped portion 22 of the panty liner 20 is pressed against the curved crotch seam ("X" in FIGS. 1-3), the laterally extending portions 24,26 fall to the 30 inside of the pant legs, the ruffles created by the creping process are forced to open and expand. The present invention therefore provides a simple approach to producing a product, or component of a product, which conforms to the curved crotch area of a pair of slacks or 35 the like.

PPC 331 " 8 " /. 3 61 0 i The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment has featured microcreping as the mode of manufacture, and has used the term "creped" with respect to that process.

It will be apparent, however, that other methods will be preferable to various individuals skilled in the art, yielding a like product. Heat shrinkable materials are known, in which selective application of heat energy will cause local shrinking. For example, bicompinent fiber and 10 fiber blends are available which work for this application. In the event that the embodiment of Figure 4 should be produced in accordance with this technique, local application of shrinking heat would occur at the creped portion 22, while the remainder of the product is 15 not subjected to such heat, whereby the ruffled portions 24 and 26 would be produced. It will be apparent that this technique may be applied with or without a fluid impervious barrier on the side opposite the body facing side of the pants liner 20. That is, numerous heat 20 shrinkable fluid impervious films, such as polyethylene, are known which exhibit heat shrinkable characteristics and which may readily function with previously described absorbent materials. Preferred materials of this class are those set forth in US patent specification 5,156,789. 25 That application describes two and three layered films of polyethylene and ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer which is suitable for embodiments of the present invention.

Accordingly, as utilized herein, the term "creped" refers to the selectively gathered and ruffled structure as shown and described herein, without limitation to the precise method of manufacturing (except, of course, where 35 such method is expressly stated as a limitation).

PPC 331 236 10 1 Although certain embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, one of ordinary skill will understand that the invention disclosed herein is not so limited and numerous modifications and other embodiments are apparent. Accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims in order to determine the full scope of the present invention. 23 6 1 0 1

Claims (16)

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A conformable absorbent structure, wherein a portion of the structure has been creped, whereby the structure when applied to the crotch area of a pair of pants can be folded or draped down the tubular leg portion of the pants without the portion that has been creped exhibiting a tendency to bunch or fold.

2. The conformable structure of claim 1, wherein the structure comprises a fabric comprising rayon and polyester blend.

3. The conformable structure of claim 2, wherein the fabric is roll stock of approximately 2.0 oz./yd2.

4. The conformable structure of claim 1, wherein creped portion is a relatively narrow longitudinal strip, and the portions extending therefrom are relatively wide symmetrical portions laterally extending from each side.

5. The conformable structure of claim 4, wherein said creped portion is about 1.0 inches wide and the portions extending therefrom are substantially 2.0 inches wide.

6. The conformable structure of claim 1, wherein the portion of the structure which has been creped has been compressed by less than substantially 50%.

7. The conformable structure of claim 6, wherein the portion1 £A)-of the structure which has been creped is compressed between, substantially 8% to substantially 30%. facing side, comprising: (a) a conformable absorbent structure, wherein a portion of the structure has been creped; and (b) adhesive means disposed on the garment facing side for

8. A panty liner, having a body facing side and a attaching the panty liner to an outer garment whereby ■lithe panty liner when applied to the crotch area of a pair of pants can be folded or draped down the tubular leg portion of the pants without exhibiting a tendency to bunch or fold.

9. The panty liner of claim 8, wherein the creped portion is a longitudinal, centrally disposed portion.

10. A method of manufacturing a panty liner comprising the steps of: (a) providing an absorbent structure to comprise of at least a portion of the panty liner; (b) forming a creped portion in the absorbent structure; and (c) affixing adhesive means to the structure for attaching the panty liner to an outer garment, whereby the panty liner when applied to the crotch area of a pair of pants can be folded or draped down the tubular leg portion of the pants without exhibiting a tendency to bunch or fold.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the absorbent structure is comprised of a fabric.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the fabric is comprised of rayon and polyester.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein in forming the creped portion the absorbent structure is compressed by less than substantially 50%.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the creped portion formed compresses the absorbent structure between substantially 20% to substantially 30%.

15. A panty liner when produced by any one of claims^i6* 'tb c14. •"9 FEB 1993 /■ -12- / 3 6 1 C

16. A conformable absorbent structure substantially as herein described with particular reference to Figures 4 to 6. WESJ^ALKER. McCABE p or: ATTORNEYS FOR THE APPLICANT