Patent Publication Number: US-2010125264-A1

Title: Disposable Undergarment with Sanitary Napkin

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/115,279 entitled “Disposable Undergarment with Sanitary Napkin” filed Nov. 17, 2008. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention pertains to the art of disposable garments and, more particularly, to a disposable absorbent panty. 
     2. Discussion of the Prior Art 
     Sanitary napkins are commonly used to absorb menstrual flow and are typically worn between the body of a user and the user&#39;s undergarment. One disadvantage with sanitary napkins are their tendency to shift during use, especially when worn during physical activities, which can lead to staining of the undergarment and embarrassing leak-through. Such staining and accidents can be particularly worrisome for young females who are more prone to wearing sanitary napkins over tampons or other products. One proposed solution has been to incorporate sanitary napkins with undergarments. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,651,779 teaches a panty liner which is sandwiched between an external layer and an internal moisture permeable layer of the crotch section of a panty. The moisture absorbent layer and moisture impermeable layer are sewn together and sealed with a seam sealer. The panty is waterproof and washable. Alternatively, a removable pad is secured to the panty by hook and loop (e.g., Velcro™) strips. However, users may find the idea of washing absorbent garments undesirable, and securing a pad with various hooks can be time consuming and result in an uncomfortable garment which is more expensive to produce. 
     Another example, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0125737, teaches an undergarment incorporating an integrated sanitary napkin wherein the pad is sewn inside the undergarment. The garment may be disposable or, made of washable materials. Velcro™ straps allow a user to adjust the fit of the undergarment. Although this reference teaches a disposable option, sewing a pad into an undergarment creates undesirable seams through which moisture can migrate. 
     Additionally, it is known to provide diaper-like disposable undergarments. However, such undergarments are uncomfortable and unattractive. Based on the above, there is seen to be a need in the art for an improved disposable undergarment which is attractive, comfortable, avoids any diaper-like feeling and can be simply manufactured. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a disposable undergarment incorporating a sanitary pad. The disposable undergarment includes a main body portion having inner and outer layers of non-woven viscous material sewn together at outer edge portions, and an absorbent pad sandwiched between the inner and outer layers in a crotch area of the undergarment. Preferably, an antimicrobial coating is applied to the inner and outer layers. The absorbent pad is adhered to the outer layer such that seams do not extend through the absorbent pad. Elastomeric leg bands are sewn to leg portions of the undergarment and first and second elastomeric waist band portions are sewn to an upper waist portion of the undergarment. Adjustable fasteners connect the first and second waist band portions around the waist of a user. 
     With this arrangement, the undergarment of the present invention provides a comfortable and attractive option for protection during a menstrual cycle or other occasions when wetness protection is desirable. Additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts in the several views. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  depicts a front view of a fastened disposable undergarment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 2  depicts the inside of the disposable undergarment of  FIG. 1  in an unfastened configuration. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     With initial reference to  FIG. 1 , an improved disposable undergarment  10  is shown including a main body portion  12  comprising an outer material  14  and an inner material  16 . An absorbent pad indicated at  18  is sandwiched between outer material  14  and inner material  16  in the crotch area  19  of undergarment  10 . Inner and outer materials  14  and  16  are preferably non-woven viscous fabrics sewn together at their outer edges, although other permeable materials known in the art may be utilized. Optionally, impermeable materials or a combination of permeable and impermeable materials may be utilized. In a preferred embodiment, main body portion  12  includes an antimicrobial treatment, such as the one disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,928,664, hereby incorporated by reference. 
     Absorbent pad  18  is fixed in place with one or more adhesive or bonding strips indicated at  20 , which adheres pad  18  to outer material  14 . Bonding strips  20  can be in the form of tape strips or may include other types of bonding known in the art such as ultrasonic welding. At this point, it should be noted that pad  18  is not stitched in place and therefore does not include any seams through which moisture can travel. In a preferred embodiment, absorbent pad  18  is a thin ultra-absorbent pad having an impermeable bottom layer and a permeable top layer, although it is contemplated that any number of absorbent pads known in the art may be utilized with the present invention. In addition, it should also be noted that the size of pad  18  can vary in accordance with the invention. For instance, in an alternative embodiment (not shown), absorbent pad  18  can actually take the form of a full panty pad which is sized to fit the entire main body portion  12 , which is sandwiched between inner material  16  and outer material  14  and is adhered to outer material  14 . 
     Elastomeric leg bands  22  and  23  are sewn onto outer edges of undergarment  10  at opposing leg portions  24  and  25 , and first and second elastomeric waist band portions  26  and  27  are sewn onto outer edges of undergarment  10  at opposing waist portions  28  and  29 . In a preferred embodiment, leg bands  22 ,  23  and waist band portions  26 ,  27  are sewn using cross-stitching. As best seen in  FIG. 2 , fasteners are utilized to fasten first and second side portions  30  and  31  of waist portion  28  to respective first and second side portions  32  and  33  of waist portion  29 . More specifically, fasteners  40  and  41  located on opposing sides of waist band portion  26  are adapted to fasten to respective fasteners  42  and  43  on opposing sides of waist band portion  27 . In the preferred embodiment shown, fasteners  40 - 43  are in the form of hook and loop (e.g., Velcro™) tabs with fasteners  40  and  41  constituting the hook portions and fasteners  42  and  43  constituting the softer loop portions such that the user&#39;s skin will not be irritated by the fasteners. However, other fasteners, such as snap fasteners, may be utilized. This configuration allows the fit of undergarment  10  to be adjusted for user comfort and fit. 
     Disposable undergarment  10  may be manufactured in a variety of size ranges, styles and colors. Optionally, a number of disposable undergarments  10  sufficient for an average menses cycle may be packaged together. Thus, an attractive, comfortable disposable undergarment  10  is provided for reliable feminine protection which looks like a normal panty and avoids a diaper-like look or feel. Although described with reference to a preferred embodiment of the invention, it should be readily understood that various changes and/or modifications can be made to the invention without departing from the spirit thereof. For instance, although shown in a bikini style panty, it should be understood that the present invention can be provided in any number of desirable styles, including boxers, thongs, briefs, etc.