Abstract:
The present invention relates generally to disposable absorbent articles, sanitary napkins, pads and the like. Specifically, the present invention relates to a disposable absorbent article, sanitary napkin or pad for use with thong garments.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates generally to disposable absorbent articles, sanitary napkins, pads and the like. Specifically, the present invention relates to a disposable absorbent article, sanitary napkin or pad for use with thong garments.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Disposable absorbent sanitary articles, e.g., such as pantiliner pads, frequently make use of one or more lines or grooves to deter the egress of liquid out of the article. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,807,365 (Luceri) discloses a disposable shield of a generally dog-bone shape comprising a thin, highly absorbent pad having a body-contacting surface, an absorbent layer, a liquid barrier, a positioning adhesive for attaching the pad to an undergarment, and a release layer to protect the adhesive prior to use. The pad further comprises densified areas forming unbroken concentric rings having the same general shape as the shield itself. These rings are made by fusing all pad layers together in a pattern embosser to create densified areas resistant to the flow of liquid. The densified areas are made contiguous such that fluid, when introduced or deposited on the pad, will be prevented or hindered from flowing to the edges of the pad. Moreover, the concentric rings serve to separate, or compartmentalize, the pad into distinct absorbing areas which are isolated from each other.  
         [0003]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,795,344 (Chappefi) discloses an absorbent article, such as a sanitary napkin having a cover, a baffle and an absorbent between the cover and baffle and includes a single, unbroken embossed channel positioned inward from the peripheral edge of the article. The channel impedes the flow of fluid toward the edges of the absorbent article and increases absorbent utilization in the absorbent article. The channel can be produced various ways, such as by application of heat, including hot calendar embossing or by using ultrasonic means.  
         [0004]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,891,118 (Toyoshima et al) discloses elongated absorbent articles that includes an anti-leakage groove formed along each longitudinal side portion of the article. The anti-leakage groove may be continuous or discontinuous and only extends partially into the thickness of the article.  
         [0005]     Other United States Letters Patents disclosing absorbent articles or pads with channels, grooves or embossed or de-bossed lines are: U.S. Pat. No. 4,624,666 (DeRossett et al), U.S. Pat. No. 4,758,240 (Glassman), U.S. Pat. No. 5,104,396 (Oatleyetal), U.S. Pat. No. 5,447,506 (Lindquist), U.S. Pat. No. 5,451,442 (Pieniak et al) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,613,960 (Mizutani). Various United States Design patents also disclose absorbent articles or pads with channels, grooves or embossed or de-bossed lines, such as U.S. Design Pat. No. 272,189 (Sneider) and U.S. Design Pat. No. 272,190 (Sneider). Pantiliners or other sanitary disposable absorbent articles or pads are also commercially available that make use of at least one barrier line to prevent the egress of liquid from a peripheral portion of the article.  
         [0006]     While all of the foregoing absorbent articles are suitable for their intended purposes, they never the less leave something to be desired from the standpoint of retention of fluid, (e.g., resistance to leakage) flexibility and conformability to the body of the wearer.  
         [0007]     The prior art does include various Pantiliners for use with thong shaped garments. For example, U.S. Design Pat. No. 366,524 (Chung) discloses a thong pantiliner that has one bulbous end that tapers down to a narrower, slightly arced end. The width of the bulbous end is approximately two and one half times that of the narrow end. The bottom view has a pattern of four undulating lines on its surface.  
         [0008]     U.S. Design Pat. No. 424,195 (Talon) discloses a thong pantiliner that is generally heart shaped with a top having two lobes separated by a distinct point and two substantially straight sides angling down to an end. The end has a rounded point having a radius less than half of the radius of the lobes. The top view has a “quilting” pattern of diamonds with flowers at the corners of the diamonds.  
         [0009]     U.S. Design Pat. No. 392,736 (Erickson) discloses a pantiliner somewhat similar in overall shape (in the top view) to that of U.S. Design Pat. No. 366,524 (Chuog). However, the comers are somewhat sharper and the bottom is not arced, but is straight. The top view has a pattern of undulating lines (different than that of the Chung patent). The side views ( FIGS. 4 and 5 ) indicate a two-step surface where a bottom layer is longer than a top layer.  
         [0010]     U.S. Design Pat. No. 431,293 (Finkle et al.) discloses a feminine hygiene sanitary pad that is thong shaped with an overall shape (in the top view) similar to that of U.S. Des. Pat. No. 366,524 (Chung) and U.S. Des. Pat. No. 392,736 (Erickson). Here, however, the top surface slopes downwardly adjacent the edges as can be seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2 - 5 .  
         [0011]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,683,373 (Darby) discloses a sanitary napkin shaped for use with a thong garment. The pad is v-shaped in plan view, bulbous at first top end having a predetermined width, and tapering therefrom longitudinally to a midportion, and from there longitudinally narrowing in an elongated lower end portion terminating in a second end. The lower end portion has a substantially uniform width, less than twenty-five percent of the width of the bulbous first end portion and a length greater than one third, but less than one half the total length of the pad from longitudinal end to end.  
         [0012]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,729,835 (Williams) is directed to a pantiliner for use with thong shaped underwear having an upper first layer fabricated of a cotton panel, a second layer fabricated of a cotton weave, a third layer fabricated of an absorbent material, a fourth layer fabricated of a cotton weave, a fifth layer fabricated of a plastic material, a sixth layer fabricated of a cotton panel, an adhesive strip, and a protective backing for the adhesive strip.  
         [0013]     Other thong shaped pantiliners are disclosed in the following United States design patents: U.S. Des. Pat. No. 276,184 (Whitehead), U.S. Des. Pat. No. 368,519 (Harrison et al), U.S. Des. Pat. No. 394,503 (Perrini), U.S. Des. Pat No. 411,006 (Nixon et al), U.S. Des. Pat. No. 416,324 (Nixon et al), U.S. Des. Pat. No. 425,196 (Nixon et al), and U.S. Pat. No. 3,805,790 (Kaczmarzyk et al).  
         [0014]     While the aforementioned thong shaped pantiliners are generally suitable for their intended purposes they never the less leave something to be desired from the standpoint of leakage.  
         [0015]     It is, therefore, a feature of the present invention to provide a disposable absorbent article, sanitary napkin or pad for use with thong garments.  
         [0016]     A feature of the present invention is to provide a pad for use with thong garments having a shape with the same thickness from the bulb-shaped top to the gradual narrowing of the narrowed portion.  
         [0017]     Another feature of the present invention is to provide a pad for use with thong garments that can be worn without a tampon for a regular heavy cycle.  
         [0018]     Another feature of the present invention is to provide a pad for use with thong garments that requires the disposal of one item instead of two, e.g., tampon &amp; panty liner.  
         [0019]     Another feature of the present invention is to provide a pad for use with thong garments whereby a longer pad can be made for night use.  
         [0020]     Yet another feature of the invention is to provide a pad for use with thong garments which has a thick pad for a heavy cycle.  
         [0021]     Still another feature of the present invention is utilizing a pad for use with thong garments which has a medium thickness pad for beginning of cycle or end of cycle.  
         [0022]     Another feature of the present invention is to provide a pad for use with thong garments that is quick and easy to change when active and on the go.  
         [0023]     Yet another feature of the present invention is to provide a pad for use with thong garments that require fewer items to pack.  
         [0024]     Still another feature of the present invention is to provide a pad for use with thong garments that fits in a small package.  
         [0025]     Still another feature of the present invention is to provide a pad for use with thong garments that is less conspicuous with tight clothing.  
         [0026]     Yet still another feature of the present invention is to provide a pad for use with thong garments less likely to spread disease and germs because there is no contact with flesh when inserting or removing the pad.  
         [0027]     Yet further, an additional feature of the present invention is to provide a pad for use with thong garments that requires only one size panty.  
         [0028]     Yet further, another feature of the present invention is to provide a pad for use with thong garments that feels and looks good with maximum protection fewer feminine products to carry, store and dispose of.  
         [0029]     Still, further another feature of the present invention is to provide a pad for use with thong garments that has adhesive on back side, and will stay secure with any thong panty.  
         [0030]     Yet another feature of the present invention is to provide to provide a pad for use with thong garments especially when tampons can be irritating to the vagina, causing the use of pads and thus limiting the style of panty to be worn during the cycle, however with a thicker thong pad, thong panties can be worn through an entire cycle.  
         [0031]     Yet still another feature of the present invention is to provide a pad for use with thong garments such that the thong pad fits closer to body and provides more secure protection than the conventional sanitary napkin.  
         [0032]     Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The features and advantages of the invention may be realized by means of the combinations and steps particularly pointed out in the appended claims.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0033]     To achieve the foregoing objects, features, and advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention as embodied and broadly described herein, a pad for use with thong garments is provided. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0034]     The accompanying drawings which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and together with the general description of the invention given above and the detailed description of the preferred embodiment given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention.  
         [0035]      FIG. 1  is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the pad for use with a thong garment encompassed by the present invention.  
         [0036]      FIG. 2  is an elevation view of a preferred embodiment of the pad for use with a thong garment encompassed by the present invention as illustrated in of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0037]      FIG. 3  is an elevation view of another preferred embodiment of the pad for use with a thong garment encompassed by the present invention as illustrated in of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0038]      FIG. 4  is an elevation view of yet another preferred embodiment of the pad for use with a thong garment encompassed by the present invention as illustrated in of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0039]      FIG. 5  is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the pad having variable lengths for use with a thong garment encompassed by the present invention.  
         [0040]      FIG. 6  is an elevation view of a preferred embodiment of the pad for use with a thong garment encompassed by the present invention as illustrated in of  FIG. 5 .  
         [0041]      FIG. 7  is an elevation view of another preferred embodiment of the pad for use with a thong garment encompassed by the present invention as illustrated in of  FIG. 5 .  
         [0042]      FIG. 8  is an elevation view of yet another preferred embodiment of the pad for use with a thong garment encompassed by the present invention as illustrated in of  FIG. 5 .  
         [0043]      FIG. 9  is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the pointed pad for use with a thong garment encompassed by the present invention.  
         [0044]      FIG. 10  is an elevation view of a preferred embodiment of the pad for use with a thong garment encompassed by the present invention as illustrated in of  FIG. 9 .  
         [0045]      FIG. 11  is an elevation view of another preferred embodiment of the pad for use with a thong garment encompassed by the present invention as illustrated in of  FIG. 9 .  
         [0046]      FIG. 12  is an elevation view of yet another preferred embodiment of the pad for use with a thong garment encompassed by the present invention as illustrated in of  FIG. 9 .  
         [0047]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the pad for use with a thong garment encompassed by the present invention.  
         [0048]      FIG. 14  is a perspective, cut-away view of a preferred embodiment of the pad for use with a thong garment encompassed by the present invention. 
     
    
       [0049]     The above general description and the following detailed description are merely illustrative of the generic invention, and additional modes, advantages, and particulars of this invention will be readily suggested to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0050]     Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the invention as described in the accompanying drawings.  
         [0051]      FIG. 1  is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the pad  100  for use with a thong garment encompassed by the present invention. The pad  100  has an expanded end  102 , a narrowed end  104  and a transition section  106  there between. Around the perimeter of the pad  100  is a planar edge  112 . The expanded end  102  has an expanded surface  108  and the narrowed end  104  has a narrowed surface  1   10 .  
         [0052]      FIG. 2  is an elevation view of a preferred embodiment of the pad  100  for use with a thong garment encompassed by the present invention as illustrated in of  FIG. 1 . The narrowed surface  1   10  is illustrated remote from the expanded surface  108 . The planar edge  112  is around the entire perimeter of the pad  100 . The pad  100  has a thickness of x 1 .  
         [0053]      FIG. 3  is an elevation view of another preferred embodiment of the pad  100  for use with a thong garment encompassed by the present invention as illustrated in of  FIG. 1 . The narrowed surface  110  is illustrated remote from the expanded surface  108 . The planar edge  112  is around the entire perimeter of the pad  100 . The pad  100  has a thickness of x 2 . The thickness of x 2  is thicker than the thickness x 1 .  
         [0054]      FIG. 4  is an elevation view of yet another preferred embodiment of the pad for use with a thong garment encompassed by the present invention as illustrated in of  FIG. 1 . The narrowed surface  110  is illustrated remote from the expanded surface  108 . The planar edge  112  is around the entire perimeter of the pad  100 . The pad  100  has a thickness of x 3 . The thickness of x 3  is thicker than the thickness x 2 .  
         [0055]      FIG. 5  is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the pad  200  having variable lengths for use with a thong garment encompassed by the present invention. The pad  200  has an expanded end  202 , a narrowed end  204  and a transition section  206  there between. Around the perimeter of the pad  200  is a planar edge  212 . The expanded end  202  has an expanded surface  208  and the narrowed end  204  has a narrowed surface  210 . The narrowed end  204  has one or more perforations (see  FIG. 5 , dashed lines). The perforations (dashed lines) provide that the narrowed end  204  can be severed at one or more locations so as to create a pad  200  of varying length. Further, the pad  200  has one or more tabs  220 A,  220 B. The tabs  220 A,  220 B are provided to wrap around the thong garment to better secure the pad  200  to the garment.  
         [0056]      FIG. 6  is an elevation view of a preferred embodiment of the pad for use with a thong garment encompassed by the present invention as illustrated in of  FIG. 5 . The narrowed surface  210  is illustrated remote from the expanded surface  208 . The tabs  220 A,  220 B are associated with the narrowed surface  210 . The planar edge  212  is around the perimeter of the pad  200 . The pad  200  has a thickness of A 1 . The embodiment of the pad  200  illustrated in  FIG. 6  has a gradual decreasing thickness beginning at y 0  where the thickness is A 1 . The decreasing thickness of the pad can be a constant decreasing rate of thickness. Alternately, the decreasing thickness of the pad  200  can be a varying rate of thickness. The thickness of the pad at the narrowed end  204  is A 2  which is less than A 1 , the thickness of the pad at the expanded end  202 .  
         [0057]      FIG. 7  is an elevation view of another preferred embodiment of the pad for use with a thong garment encompassed by the present invention. The narrowed end  204  and the narrowed surface  210  are illustrated remote from the expanded end  202  and the expanded surface  208 . The planar edge  212  is around the perimeter of the pad. At the expanded end  202 , the pad has a thickness of B 1 . The thickness of B 1  is thicker than the thickness A 1 . The embodiment of the pad illustrated in  FIG. 7  has a constant thickness for the distance Y 1  remote from the expanded end  202 , where the thickness is B 1 . Thus, the expanded surface  208  has a constant thickness B 1  for the distance Y 1 . And after the distance Y 1  remote from the expanded end  202 , the pad has a gradual decreasing thickness. The decreasing thickness of the pad can be a constant decreasing rate of thickness. Alternately, the decreasing thickness of the pad can be at a varying rate of thickness. The thickness of the pad at the narrowed end  204  is B 2  which is less than B 1 , the thickness of the pad at the expanded end  202 .  
         [0058]      FIG. 8  is an elevation view of yet another preferred embodiment of the pad for use with a thong garment encompassed by the present invention. The narrowed end  204  and the narrowed surface  210  are illustrated remote from the expanded end  202  and the expanded surface  208 . The planar edge  212  is around the perimeter of the pad. At the expanded end  202 , the pad has a thickness of C 1 . The thickness of C 1  is thicker than the thickness B 1 . The embodiment of the pad illustrated in  FIG. 8  has a constant thickness for the distance Y 2  remote from the expanded end  202 , where the thickness is C 1 . Thus, the expanded surface  208  has a constant thickness C 1  for the distance Y 2 . And after the distance Y 2  remote from the expanded end  202 , the pad has a gradual decreasing thickness. The decreasing thickness of the pad can be a constant decreasing rate of thickness. Alternately, the decreasing thickness of the pad can be a varying rate of thickness. The thickness of the pad at the narrowed end  204  is C 2  which is less than C 1 , the thickness of the pad at the expanded end  202 .  
         [0059]      FIG. 9  is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the pad  300  for use with a thong garment encompassed by the present invention. The pad  300  has an expanded end  302 , a narrowed end  304  and a transition section  306  there between. Around the perimeter of the pad  300  is a planar edge  312 . The expanded end  302  has an expanded surface  308  and the narrowed end  304  has a narrowed surface  310 . The narrowed end  304  is tapered to a point  304 . Optionally although not illustrated, the pad  300  can have one or more tabs  220 A,  220 B as illustrated in  FIGS. 5-8 . The tabs  220 A,  220 B are provided to wrap around the thong garment to better secure the pad  200  to the garment.  
         [0060]      FIG. 10  is an elevation view of a preferred embodiment of the pad for use with a thong garment encompassed by the present invention as illustrated in of  FIG. 5 . The narrowed surface  310  is illustrated remote from the expanded surface  308 . The planar edge  312  is around the perimeter of the pad. The pad has a thickness of A 1 . The embodiment of the pad illustrated in  FIG. 10  has a gradual decreasing thickness beginning at y 0  where the thickness is A 1 . The decreasing thickness of the pad can be a constant decreasing rate of thickness, or, the decreasing thickness of the pad can be a varying rate of thickness. The thickness of the pad at the narrowed end  304  is A 2  which is less than A 1 , the thickness of the pad at the expanded end  302 .  
         [0061]      FIG. 11  is an elevation view of another preferred embodiment of the pad for use with a thong garment encompassed by the present invention. The narrowed end  304  and the narrowed surface  310  are illustrated remote from the expanded end  302  and the expanded surface  308 . The planar edge  312  is around the perimeter of the pad. At the expanded end  302 , the pad has a thickness of B 1 . The thickness of B 1  is thicker than the thickness A 1 . The embodiment of the pad illustrated in  FIG. 7  has a constant thickness for the distance Y 1  remote from the expanded end  302 , where the thickness is B 1 . Thus, the expanded surface  308  has a constant thickness B 1  for the distance Y 1 . And after the distance Y 1  remote from the expanded end  302 , the pad has a decreasing thickness. The decreasing thickness of the pad can be a constant decreasing rate of thickness, or, alternately, the decreasing thickness of the pad can be at a varying rate of thickness. The thickness of the pad at the narrowed end  304  is B 2  which is less than B 1 , the thickness of the pad at the expanded end  302 .  
         [0062]      FIG. 12  is an elevation view of yet another preferred embodiment of the pad for use with a thong garment encompassed by the present invention. The narrowed end  304  and the narrowed surface  310  are illustrated remote from the expanded end  302  and the expanded surface  308 . The planar edge  312  is around the perimeter of the pad. At the expanded end  302 , the pad has a thickness of C 1 . The thickness of C 1  is thicker than the thickness B 1 . The embodiment of the pad illustrated in  FIG. 8  has a constant thickness for the distance Y 2  remote from the expanded end  202 , where the thickness is C 1 . Thus, the expanded surface  308  has a constant thickness C 1  for the distance Y 2 . And after the distance Y 2  remote from the expanded end  302 , the pad has a gradual decreasing thickness. The decreasing thickness of the pad can be a constant decreasing rate of thickness, or, alternately, the decreasing thickness of the pad can be a varying rate of thickness. The thickness of the pad at the narrowed end  304  is C 2  which is less than C 1 , the thickness of the pad at the expanded end  202 .  
         [0063]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the pad  400  for use with a thong garment encompassed by the present invention. The pad  400  has an expanded end  402 , a narrowed end  404  and a transition section  406  there between. Around the perimeter of the pad  400  is a planar edge  412 . The expanded end  402  has an expanded surface  408  and the narrowed end  104  has a narrowed surface  110 .  
         [0064]      FIG. 14  is a perspective, cut-away view of a preferred embodiment of the pad  400  for use with a thong garment encompassed by the present invention as illustrated in  FIG. 13 . An impervious outer layer  440  provides that fluids are not transferred to the thong garment. Adjacent to the impervious outer layer  440  is an absorbent inner layer  450  for absorbing and containing fluids. A pervious outer layer  430  provides a conduit for the transfer of fluid through the pervious outer layer  430  and to the absorbent inner layer  450 . Essentially all the fluid is contained between the pervious outer layer  430  and the impervious outer layer  440  to be contained in the absorbent inner layer  450 .  
         [0065]     Additional advantages and modification will readily occur to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus, and the illustrative examples shown and described herein. Accordingly, the departures may be made from the details without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosed general inventive concept.