Patent Publication Number: US-2007118092-A1

Title: Disposable, absorbent panties

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      The present invention generally relates to intimate wearing apparel. More specifically, the present invention is drawn to a disposable panty that incorporates a tampon and a moisture absorbing liner.  
      2. Description of the Related Art  
      From around thirteen years of age until menopause, the monthly menstrual cycle presents at least a mild inconvenience in a woman&#39;s daily routine in that extra care must be taken to assure proper hygienic protection. To this end, an array of feminine care products is available for use during the menstrual period. These products include sanitary napkins, lined panties, vaginal inserts and the like. These products, while somewhat satisfactory, still leave something to be desired for the “today&#39;s woman”. The art would certainly welcome a hygienic device that incorporates ease of use, comfort, superior protection and convenient disposal.  
      Thus, disposable absorbent panties solving the aforementioned problems is desired.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention is drawn to a disposable, absorbent, thong-type panty. The thong panty includes a liner in the crotch area that incorporates an absorbent vaginal insert and pad. The insert is a tampon adapted to penetrate slightly into the vagina to absorb vaginal discharges. The edges of the panty are elasticized so that the panty will fit tightly around the user&#39;s legs, thereby preventing any possible leakage. A thong-type panty assures a comfortable fit and decreases the amount of material and cost needed to manufacture the panty. The materials used will be biodegradable for proper ecological disposal. As contemplated, the panty will be manufactured in a variety of colors.  
      Accordingly, the disposable absorbent panties provide a disposable undergarment that is efficient and can be comfortably worn by females during the menstrual period.  
      These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is an environmental, perspective view of a disposable, absorbent, thong-type panty according to the present invention.  
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a disposable, absorbent, thong-type panty according to the present invention.  
       FIG. 3  is a partial sectional view of the crotch area of a disposable, thong-type panty according to the present invention. 
    
    
      Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.  
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
      Attention is directed to  FIGS. 1-3  wherein the disposable absorbent panties of the present invention is generally indicated at  10 . Panty  10  is of a one-piece design and comprises a front triangular-shaped portion  12  that includes a crotch portion  12   a.  Front portion  12  is provided with an inner surface  14  and an outer surface  16 . Front portion  12  tapers from a relative wide upper end to a narrower lower end. A triangular shaped rear portion  20  is fashioned with a relatively wide upper end and tapers to a narrower lower end. A narrow thong  18  extends from the lower end of front portion  12  and merges into the lower end of triangular-shaped rear portion  20 . A continuous narrow waistband  22  connects the upper end of front portion  12  with the upper end of rear portion  20 .  
      As best seen in  FIG. 3 , inner surface  14  of crotch portion  12   a  incorporates a liner having a layered arrangement that includes a first layer  24  and a second layer  26 . A vaginal insert member (tampon)  28  is disposed between layers  24  and  26 . Vaginal insert member  28  extends upwardly from inner surface  14  and is of a thickness to protrude into the vagina when the panty is donned by a user U. Layer  24  is fabricated from a liquid-permeable material, while layer  26  and vaginal insert member  28  are fabricated from liquid-absorbent materials. The material that forms the outer surface  16  is fabricated from a liquid-impermeable material. An elastic material  30  forms the edges of the one-piece panty to assure a secure fit at the legs in the crotch area. As indicated above, the secure fit at the legs will insure that no leakage will occur.  
      It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.