Abstract:
A sanitary or incontinence pad includes micro-perforated seams. On each side of the micro-perforated seam are sealed seams to retain the absorbent material within the pad. Tearing along the micro-perforated seam allows the pad to be separated into smaller functioning units to better meet the user&#39;s needs. Medical alert reagent tabs can be added to the surface of the pads to alert the user of possible health conditions.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Both sanitary pads and incontinence pads serve the same purpose, to keep bodily fluids from spreading to a user&#39;s clothing. Users&#39; requirements of these products can vary drastically. A man or woman that experiences minor bladder leakage when sneezing or laughing does not require the same level of protection from leakage as women during overnight menses. Accordingly, manufactures offer a large variety of products to accommodate a user&#39;s needs. For example, many manufactures of both sanitary pads and incontinence pads offer variations such as: liners, light, medium, heavy, overnight, with wings, and without wings. Medium, heavy, and overnight products are progressively larger in surface area and often thicker to capture more fluid. Users are often left buying a variety of products, and all of the products fail to account for body size. A 100-pound woman simply does not have the same physical configuration as a 250-pound woman. While the 100 pound woman might require the protection of the “heavy” product, the larger physical size of the “heavy” product would be clearly visible through her clothing, as her smaller frame simply cannot accommodate such a large sanitary or incontinence pad. 
     Urinalysis and blood work can disclose evidence of diseases, even some that have not caused significant signs or symptoms. Therefore, urinalysis and blood work are commonly part of routine health screening testing for pregnancy, urinary tract infections, high blood pressure, diabetes etc, as well as illegal substance screenings. Unfortunately, screenings at clinics and doctors&#39; offices are both time consuming and expensive. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     At the heart of the present invention is a sizable sanitary or incontinence pad for both women and men. The pad is seam-sealed on each side of a micro-perforated seam(s) as to lock-in the absorption material within the pad. The user can easily select the appropriate size or shape of the pad, based on his or her individual needs or physical requirements by simply tearing the pad along the micro-perforated seam(s). The remaining (unused) portion remains fully functionable for later use; each section is a functioning unit. Additionally, medical alert reagent tabs can be added to the surface of the pads to alert the user of possible health conditions without visiting a clinic or doctor&#39;s office. The pads are sealed in an airtight package to preserve the integrity of the medical alert tabs, and may additionally be housed in a separate resealable package. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment sanitary/incontinence pad embodying the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of a first embodiment sanitary/incontinence pad embodying the invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a top partial phantom view of a first embodiment sanitary/incontinence pad embodying the invention with the wings secured via a wing release liner; 
         FIG. 4  is a bottom view of a first embodiment sanitary/incontinence pad embodying the invention with the wings secured via a wing release liner and the pressure sensitive adhesive means covered with a removeable release liner; 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom view of a first embodiment sanitary/incontinence pad embodying the invention illustrating the pressure sensitive adhesive means and wing-adhesive attachment means; 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of a second embodiment sanitary/incontinence pad embodying the invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a top view of a third embodiment sanitary/incontinence pad embodying the invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment sanitary/incontinence pad embodying the invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a top view of a fifth embodiment sanitary/incontinence pad embodying the invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a side view of a sixth embodiment sanitary/incontinence pad embodying the invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a side view of a seventh embodiment sanitary/incontinence pad embodying the invention; 
         FIG. 12  is a top partial phantom view of a seventh embodiment sanitary/incontinence pad embodying the invention; and 
         FIG. 13  is a top view of the airtight inner package embodying principles of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As used herein, the term “sanitary pad,” “incontinence pad,” or “pad” refers to an absorbent device, which absorbs and contains body fluids, specifically menstrual blood and urine. 
     Looking at  FIG. 1-5  a first embodiment sanitary/incontinence pad  10  comprising a first absorbent area  12 , a second absorbent area  14 , and third absorbent area  16  is illustrated. Pad  10  has two surfaces, a body-contacting surface  11  and a clothing surface  13 , which is opposite body-contacting surface  11  (not illustrated in  FIG. 1 ). Body-contacting surface  11  would be worn adjacent to the body of the user, while the clothing surface  13  is secured to the undergarment of the user. As is well known in the art, body-contacting surface  11  may be covered in a hydrophilic, liquid pervious top sheet (not illustrated) to aid in moving fluid away from the body of the user and into first, second, and third  12 ,  14 ,  16  absorbent areas. Although not illustrated A suitable top sheet may be manufactured from a wide range of materials, such as woven and nonwoven natural fibers, synthetic fibers, or from a combination of natural and synthetic fibers, and/or polymers. The user&#39;s body remains dry, creating a more comfortable wearing experience for the user. The top sheet is secured to the body-contacting surface  11  by any means that is well known in the art, such as heat bonds, pressure bonds, or an adhesive layer around the periphery of body-contacting surface  11 . 
     Second and third absorbent areas  14 ,  16  form the absorbent core  15  of pad  10 . As illustrated, third absorbent area  16  possesses a greater absorbent capacity than second absorbent area  14 , and second absorbent area  14  has a greater absorbent capacity than first absorbent area  12 . However, the absorbent capacity of first, second, and third, areas  12 ,  14 ,  16 , may be varied without departing from the scope of the invention. Absorbent core  15  may be manufactured in a variety of sizes, shapes, and thicknesses, and from a variety of absorbent materials as is well known in the art. For example, absorbent core  15  may be rectangular, elliptical, hourglass, etc., in shape and may be profiled as to be thicker in the center, or at its ends. Absorbent core  15  may further be constructed from natural absorbent fibers such as natural organic absorbent fibers such as: creped cellulose, cotton, bamboo; synthetic absorbent fibers such as polyester, absorbent gelling materials, or absorbent polymers, etc., or any suitable combination. 
     Two wings  26 , each of which are adjacent to and extend laterally from the longitudinal edges of the first absorbent area  12 , are configured to fold over the edges of the user&#39;s underwear so as to be disposed between the thighs of the user and the edges of the user&#39;s underwear. Wings  26  are provided with an wing-adhesive attachment means  36  to enable wings  26  to be secured to the garment facing side of the user&#39;s underwear as is well known in the art. As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , wing-adhesive attachment means  36  are two parallel rectangular regions of pressure sensitive adhesive. A removable wing-release liner  28  secures wings  26  together as illustrated in  FIG. 3  in order to keep the adhesive from drying or adhering to an unintended surface prior to use. For ease of removal of the removable wing-release liner  28  from wing-adhesive attachment means  36  the removable wing-release liner  28  comprises dog-earned corner tabs  30  for easy grip and removal by the user. 
     Looking at  FIGS. 4-5 , clothing surface  13  may comprise a backsheet  38 , which is impervious to liquids and can be manufactured from any suitable hydrophobic material such as a plastic film. Backsheet  38  prevents bodily fluids contained in the absorbent core  15 , or from first absorbent area  12  from soiling or wetting the garment to which pad  10  is secured. Backsheet  38  is joined to top sheet by attachment means (not shown) such as those well known in the art; for example, by a uniform continuous layer of adhesive, heat bonds, or pressure bonds. In embodiments where a top sheet is not employed, backsheet  38  is simply secured directly around the periphery of body-contacting surface  11 . Pressure sensitive adhesive means  34  resides on backsheet  38  for releasable attachment with an article of clothing (underwear), and is covered with a removable release liner  32  in order to keep the adhesive from drying or adhering to an unintended surface prior to use. As illustrated in  FIG. 5  pressure sensitive adhesive means  34  is a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive generally matching the shape of absorbent core  15 . For ease of removal, the removable release line comprises dog-earned corner body tabs  33  for easy grip and removal by the user. In an alternate embodiment not employing a backsheet  38 , a pressure sensitive adhesive means  34  may be applied directly to the clothing contacting surface  13 . 
     Looking at  FIG. 1-3  two reagent test tab areas  18  can be seen containing reagent test tabs  20 . Individual tabs  20  may provide tests for glucose, bilirubin, ketone, specific gravity, blood, pH, protein, urobilinogen nitrite, nitrates, leukocytes, pregnancy, THC, etc. Reagent test tab areas  18  may be located on any region of the absorbent core  15  and may be comprised of a non-reactive substrate  21  with one or more reagent test tabs  20  secured to the non-reactive substrate  21  via any suitable adhesive. Non-reactive substrate  21  is secured to absorbent core  15  via any suitable adhesive. The addition of reagent test tab areas  18  to pad  10  is a convenient and effective way to alert the user of possible health conditions without the need for costly and time intensive clinic or doctor visits. In applications in which a top sheet is used, the non-reactive substrate  21  is secured directly to the top sheet. In another embodiment reagent test tab area  18  can be packaged separately for placement on pad  10  by the user. A pressure sensitive adhesive would be applied to the non-reactive substrate  21  and then covered with a release liner. Should a user desire to test for glucose levels in his urine, for example, he would simply remove the release line, secure the reactive substrate  21  (containing one or more tabs  20 ) to body-contacting surface  11  of pad  10 , and secure pad  10  to his/her underwear. Additionally, tabs  20  can be grouped on a non-reactive substrate  21  to test for specific issues: e.g. drug use, kidney functioning, liver functioning, etc. 
     The reagent test tab area  18  is described as an “area” because the test tabs  20  may be embedded within absorbent core  15 , within a top sheet, or anywhere along body-contacting surface  11 , or for ease of manufacture the reagent test tab area  18  may secured to a backing or non-reactive substrate  21  which is then secured to a pad in any suitable manner, whether that be the manufacturer or by a user. Since the pads embodying the invention herein are customizable in geometric configuration, each user may have a preferred configuration as well as preferred placement in his/her clothing (underwear). Accordingly the best placement for the test tab area  18  may vary from user to user. 
     It can be seen in  FIG. 1-5  that pad  10  is latterly bisected by micro-perforated seam  22 . Micro-perforated seam  22  is comprised of micro-perforations that extend through the entire thickness of pad  10  allowing the user to separate the pad  10  along seam  22 . To prevent any leakage of material from the first, second, and third absorbent areas  12 ,  14 ,  16 , pad  10  has two seam seals  24 , on each side of micro-perforated seam  22 ; thereby allowing the user to obtain two fully functional sanitary/incontinence pads without losing any of the absorbent material within, after pad  10  has been separated via tearing along micro-perforated seam  22 .  FIG. 3  illustrates that micro-perforated seam  22  extends through removable wing-release liner  28 , which secures wings  26  together as well as the underlying wing-adhesive attachment means  36  ( FIG. 5 ). Turning to  FIG. 4-5 , micro-perforated seam  22  extends through pressure sensitive adhesive means  34  and the removable release liner  32 . 
     Turning to  FIG. 6  a top view of a second embodiment sanitary/incontinence pad  40  is illustrated. Second embodiment pad  40  has two micro-perforated seams  22  that run parallel the longitudinal axis of pad  40  adjacent the absorbent region  42 . Again, each micro-perforated seam  22  has two seam seals  24 , on each side of micro-perforated seam  22 ; thereby allowing the user to obtain two fully functional sanitary/incontinence pads without losing any of the absorbent material within, after pad  40  has been separated via tearing along either or both micro-perforated seams  22 . 
     Illustrated in  FIG. 7  is a top view of the third embodiment sanitary/incontinence pad  50  of the present invention. Third embodiment pad  50  has been segmented, roughly in thirds, via two micro-perforated seams  22  parallel to pad  50 &#39;s lateral axis, with seam seals  24  flanking each micro-perforated seam  22 . A user can separate pad  50  into two or three fully functioning sanitary/incontinence pads per her/his own physical needs, and the unused portion can be simply saved for later use. 
     Turning to  FIGS. 8 &amp; 9 , fourth and fifth embodiment sanitary/incontinence pads  60  and  70  respectively are illustrated. Fifth embodiment sanitary/incontinence pad  70  illustrates an alternative arrangement for micro-perforated seam  22 , wherein micro-perforated seam resides along the longitudinal axis of fifth embodiment pad  70 . Fourth embodiment pad  60  illustrates a winged sanitary/incontinence pad similar in construction to first embodiment pad  10  (See  FIG. 1-5 ), however, differing in shape. Generally, elliptical in shape fourth embodiment pad  60  has two wings  26  each of which are adjacent to and extend laterally from the longitudinal edges of absorbent core  15 , and are configured to fold over the edges of the user&#39;s underwear. Micro-perforated seam  22  resides laterally along the upper third of pad  60 . Again, the micro-perforated seam  22  has two seam seals  24 , on each side of micro-perforated seam  22 ; thereby allowing the user to obtain two fully functional sanitary/incontinence pads without losing any of the absorbent material within, after pad  40  has been separated via tearing along micro-perforated seam  22 . Additionally, fourth embodiment pad  60  contains a single reagent test tab areas  18  located on the absorbent core  15  and is comprised of a non-reactive substrate  21  with one or more reagent test tabs  20  secured to the non-reactive substrate  21  via any suitable adhesive. 
     Finally, while the first through fifth embodiments discussed above are directed to both men and women, the sixth and seventh embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 10-12  are directed towards men. Turning to  FIG. 10  a side view of seventh embodiment incontinence pad  80  is illustrated. Ultra absorbent pad body  82  is designed to cradle the glans penis within pocket  84 . Adhesive tab  86  can be used to secure pad  80  to the users underwear. Pad  80  may also comprise a reagent test tab area  18 . As illustrated in seventh embodiment  90  ( FIGS. 11 &amp; 12 ), to further aid in enclosing the glans penis within pocket  94 , upper adhesive strip  97  and lower adhesive strip  98  residing along the peripheral edge can facilitate securing pocket  94  around the penis. Once the glans penis has been inserted in pocket  94 , the user would simply secure upper strip  97  to lower strip  98 , rendering embodiments  80  and  90  size-adjustable per the user&#39;s needs/requirements. Additionally, the user is not restricted to securing upper strip  97  only to lower strip  98 , but could also secure upper strip  97  directly to body-contacting surface  11 . Prior to use, adhesive tab  96 , upper adhesive strip  97 , and lower adhesive strip  98  will all be protected by removable non-adhesive liners (not illustrated). 
     To contain all embodiments disclosed herein, package  100  is illustrated in  FIG. 13 . In order to prevent contamination, package  100  is seam sealed, and hence air and fluid tight. Although not illustrated, package  100  may be housed in a resealable package to store any unused portion of the pad for later sue, or for disposal of a used pad. Additionally, while not illustrated, all pads disclosed herein may be connected together in a sheet or roll and separated for use as needed via perforated seam. 
     It is important to note the embodiments discussed herein and illustrated in  FIGS. 1-12  are not exhaustive in scope, and it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that reagent test tab areas could be added to any region of a sanitary/incontinence pad, or that one or more micro-perforated seam(s) flanked by two seam seals could reside therethough any section of sanitary/incontinence pad regardless of the shape, length, width, or thickness of the sanitary/incontinence pad without departing from the scope of the present invention.