Abstract:
The invention encompasses an absorbent article having a shape so as to guard against leakage, especially when the wearer is in a prone or supine position. In one embodiment, the absorbent article comprises a body, including an exudate impermeable backsheet, and exudate permeable topsheet that is attached to the bottom sheet, and an absorbent core that is positioned between the backsheet and topsheet. Further, a front end comprises a first upraised peak, while a back end comprises a second upraised peak, with a central portion extending between the first and second upraised peaks.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    There are known a number of devices designed to absorb and trap various body fluids that are discharged from the urogenital and gastrointestinal tracts, such as urine, menses and fecal matter. Some of these products are designed to be worn externally (e.g., sanitary napkins, diapers), while others are worn internally (e.g., tampons). 
         [0002]    The goal of such devices is to contain the aforementioned fluids. However, many of these devices, especially the externally worn devices, have a tendency to leak from the sides, and from the front or back. The potential for leakage can be exacerbated when the wearer is in a prone or supine position. Accordingly, there is a need for such a device that exhibits an improved ability to guard against leakage. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]    The invention encompasses an absorbent article having a shape so as to guard against leakage, especially when the wearer is in a prone or supine position. In one embodiment, the absorbent article comprises a body, including an exudate impermeable backsheet, and exudate permeable topsheet that is attached to the bottom sheet, and an absorbent core that is positioned between the backsheet and topsheet. Further, a front end comprises a first upraised peak, while a back end comprises a second upraised peak, with a central portion extending between the first and second upraised peaks. 
         [0004]    An absorbent article for absorption of human exudate, comprising a body including an exudate impermeable backsheet an exudate permeable topsheet attached to the backsheet and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and backsheet, wherein said body includes a front end comprising a first upraised peak a back end comprising a second upraised peak and a central portion extending between said first and second upraised peaks, said center portion having a height less than a height of said first and second upraised peaks. 
         [0005]    An absorbent article for use on the body of a wearer, comprising a body having a longitudinal axis, said body including an exudate impermeable backsheet an exudate permeable topsheet attached to the backsheet and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and backsheet, wherein said body includes a front end comprising a first upraised peak a back end comprising a second upraised peak a central portion extending between said first and second upraised peaks, said center portion having a height less than a height of said first and second upraised peaks. 
         [0006]    An absorbent article for absorption of human exudate, comprising a body having a longitudinal axis, including an exudate impermeable backsheet an exudate permeable topsheet attached to the backsheet and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and backsheet, wherein said body exhibits undulation when viewed in a cross-section taken along said longitudinal axis. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a top plan view of a sanitary napkin according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a front view of the sanitary napkin of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a rear view of the sanitary napkin of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the sanitary napkin of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the sanitary napkin of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is a front view of a wearer using the sanitary napkin of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  is a rear view of a wearer using the sanitary napkin of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  is a side view of a wearer using the sanitary napkin of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a sanitary napkin according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]    The invention is directed to a device intended to absorb and contain body exudate, and prevent leakage of same, regardless of a wearer&#39;s position. It is especially useful in preventing leakage of exudate from a front or back of the wearer, particularly if the user is in a supine position. 
         [0017]      FIGS. 1-5  illustrate one embodiment of the invention in the nature of a sanitary napkin  10  generally in the form of an elongated body having a first end  12  and a second end  14 . Between the first and second ends  12 ,  14 , respectively, is a center  16 . On either side of the center  16  are optional wings  18 . 
         [0018]    The wings  18  provide protection against leakage of body fluids in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the sanitary napkin  10 . The wings  18  can be coplanar and extend outwardly from the sanitary napkin  10 . The wings  18  can have a variety of different shapes, such as for example, semi-circular, bell shape, rectangular, etc. The wings  18  can have an adhesive or the like for affixing to a wearer&#39;s undergarments. 
         [0019]    Further, the sanitary napkin  10  includes a topsheet  20  and a backsheet  22 . The topsheet  20  and backsheet  22  are joined at their respective perimeters to form a protruding edge  24  around the sanitary napkin  10 . The wings  18  may be formed of the topsheet  20  and the backsheet  22  or be formed of additional material that is then attached to the sanitary napkin  10 . Encased between the topsheet  20  and the backsheet  22  is a center layer  26 . 
         [0020]    The topsheet  20  is generally permeable and porous, allowing exudate to travel through it to the center layer  26 . However, the backsheet  22  is generally impermeable, preventing exudate from traveling from the center layer  26  through the backsheet  22  to the wearer. The topsheet  20  can be formed of a natural material such as cotton, a polymer, or a like material having a porous or perforated nature. The backsheet  22  can be formed of a polymer, natural materials or a like material that is generally impermeable. The center layer  26  is formed of a highly absorbent material such as a sponge, foam, or any material that is known to have highly absorbent tendencies. The center layer  26  may include one or more layers of the same or different types of absorbent material. 
         [0021]    Further, the sanitary napkin  10  can have an adhesive layer  27  for affixing the sanitary napkin  10  to a wearer&#39;s undergarments. The adhesive layer  27  can be formed of a single strip of adhesive or several strips of adhesive. The adhesive layer  27  may also be formed on the back of the wings  18  to affix the wings  18  to the undergarment. 
         [0022]    The first and second ends  12 ,  14  of the sanitary napkin  10  include upraised peaks,  28  and  30 , respectively, formed of the center layer  26 . The peaks  28  and  30  are defined as having a volume of mass located at point where the volume of mass rises above the remainder of the sanitary napkin  10 . The peaks may be formed of additional layers of material or with one layer of material that is amassed together to form the peak. The peaks  28  and  30  have sides that form the slopes for the sanitary napkin  10 . 
         [0023]    The peaks  28 ,  30  may be equal in height or vary in height from one another. The peaks  28 ,  30  may also have different shapes and profiles. Preferably, the first peak  28  has a smaller height than the second peak  30 . Further, as best seen in  FIG. 5 , the first peak  28  has a first peak slope  29  that extends from the top of the peak  28  to the center  16 . The first peak slope  29  has a gradual slope towards the center  16 . Further, the first peak slope  29  is wide adjacent the first end  12  and narrow toward the center  16 . The first peak slope  29  may generally fan out from the center toward the first end and can be in the form of a V or U, wherein the legs approach the first end  12  from the center  16 . Such a shape covers substantially all of the front pudendal region of the wearer to prevent exudate from escaping from the sanitary napkin  10 . The second peak  30  has a second peak slope  31  that extends from the top of the peak  30  to the center  16 . The second peak slope  31  has a sharper slope than the first peak slope  29 . Further, the center  16  can also have a gradual slope as it extends from a direction near the first end  12  to a direction near the second end  14 . Alternately, the center can be flat, of uniform thickness. 
         [0024]    The gradual slope of the first peak slope  29  is preferred because of the generally gradual slope of the pudendal region of the wearer. Preferably, the gradual slope can be defined by any slope greater than one. The second peak slope  31  preferably includes a sharp slope to accommodate the anal region of the wearer. As seen in  FIGS. 6-8 , in an embodiment of the present invention, the second slope  31  disappears into the buttocks of the wearer such that, from a side view of a wearer using the sanitary napkin  10 , the second slope  31  is not visible. Thus, the second slope  31  fills the gap formed by the buttocks, unlike conventional sanitary napkins. By filling this gap, the sanitary napkin  10  of the present invention, prevents exudate from escaping through this gap. Preferably, the sharp slope can be defined as having a slope of less than 1. The slopes of the first and second ends  12 ,  14  prevent any exudate from flowing out of the sanitary napkin  10 , particularly when the wearer is in a supine position. 
         [0025]    For a sanitary napkin  10  appropriate for a small/medium woman, the sanitary napkin  10  generally has a length approximating 12 inches. For such a small/medium size sanitary napkin  10 , the first and second ends  12 ,  14  can have a height of about 1 inch. The center  16  can have a thickness of half an inch or less. Generally, the length of the first and second peaks  28 ,  30  are about 3 inches. These dimensions can vary according to the size of the sanitary napkin  10  and the size of the wearer. Therefore sizes described here are only exemplary. 
         [0026]    In an embodiment of the present invention, the first and second ends  12 ,  14  can be of equal width or varying widths. Preferably, the first end  12  is wider than the second end  14 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the wider first end  12  covers the pudendal region of the wearer. Further, the first and second ends  12 ,  14  can be of equal width or varying width than the center  16 . Preferably, the first and second ends  12 ,  14  are wider than the center  16 . The width of the wings  18  can be larger than either or both of the first or second ends  12 ,  14  or be of the same width as the first or second ends  12 ,  14 . Generally, the wings are wider than the first or second ends,  12 ,  14  or center  16 . For a small/medium size sanitary napkin  10 , the first end  12  can have a width of about five inches. The second end  14  can have a width of about 3 inches. As stated previously, these dimensions can vary according to the size of the sanitary napkin  10  and the size of the wearer. The larger width of the first end  12  prevents any exudate from escaping the sanitary napkin  10  when the wearer is in a supine position. Also, the smaller width of the second end  14  provides comfort to the user because of the narrow area between the buttocks. 
         [0027]    In another embodiment of the invention shown in  FIG. 9 , the described device having upraised peaks can be incorporated for an incontinence pad  40  for adults, diapers for children or the like and are not limited to feminine hygiene napkins for women. 
         [0028]    Although the invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.