Patent Publication Number: US-2022211558-A1

Title: Absorbent pad for a garment

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This Application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/940,495, filed on Jul. 28, 2020; which application claims priority from United Kingdom Patent Application No. 1911052.7, filed on Aug. 2, 2019. Each of the above referenced patent applications is incorporated herein by reference its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Field 
     The present disclosure generally relates to an absorbent pad for a garment. More particularly, the present disclosure describes various embodiments of the absorbent pad for use in a garment as well as a garment comprising the absorbent pad. 
     Absorbent garments such as reusable and washable absorbent undergarments are worn with the purpose of absorbing bodily fluids. These bodily fluids include vaginal discharge, urine, menstrual fluid, sweat, and breast milk. Many people suffer from involuntary excretion of bodily fluids and there are few garments that have been designed to absorb such excretions that are functional and comfortable to the user wearing it. 
     For example, a woman who is menstruating will generally use a tampon or a sanitary pad, in addition to wearing an undergarment, to keep her outer garments from being soiled by menstrual fluid. While the tampon or pad often absorbs all the liquid flow, unexpected leaks can still occur. To avoid such leaks, she can instead choose to wear an adult brief, which offers a larger area of protection and may be particularly useful for women experiencing heavy menstrual flows. Adult briefs may also be useful for people who have urinary incontinence. However, adult briefs tend to be bulky and unattractive, making it difficult to conceal them under outer clothing, which may cause embarrassment to the user. Some disadvantages of wearing adult briefs and sanitary pads include prolonged exposure to wetness, which may result in discomfort, irritant dermatitis, and/or infections. Further, pads/tampons may be occasionally positioned incorrectly and adult briefs may be wrapped too loosely, both resulting in leakage. In addition, these conventional products are generally disposable, meaning that the environmental and economic costs can be significant. 
     The bulkiness of conventional products means that they do not allow the user to easily wear low-coverage undergarments. For example, absorbent pads must be placed into large, maximum-coverage undergarments that are capable of sufficiently containing them, while diapers and absorbent undergarments are generally large to adequately address the incontinence of the user. Therefore, someone who prefers thong- style or low-rise bikini underwear is often forced to choose between wearing preferred underwear, which risks leakage onto their outer clothing, or wearing a cumbersome and unattractive garment that would ensure that all leaks are prevented. 
     WO 2016/133458 describes an absorbent pad having a layered structure. However, this layered structure of the absorbent pad restricts how the absorbent pad can be fitted to a garment, namely by non-stitching means. DE 102008057840 describes an incontinence pad attached to a textile by sewing. However, sewing of the incontinence pad creates holes there though and these holes increase the risk of leakage. 
     Therefore, in order to address or alleviate at least one of the aforementioned problems and/or disadvantages, there is a need to provide an improved absorbent pad for use in a garment. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is an absorbent pad for use in a garment. The absorbent pad comprises: a liquid impermeable barrier layer; a functional layer attached to the barrier layer, the functional layer comprising a liquid absorbent component; a liquid impermeable peripheral sealing element bonded to peripheries of the functional layer and barrier layer; and a peripheral attaching element having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion bonded to the peripheral sealing element, wherein the second portion of the peripheral attaching element is detached from the peripheral sealing element and is arranged to be attached to a fabric body of the garment, thereby attaching the absorbent pad to the garment. 
     According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is a method for forming an absorbent pad for use in a garment. The method comprises: attaching a functional layer to a liquid impermeable barrier layer, the functional layer comprising a liquid absorbent component; bonding a liquid impermeable peripheral sealing element to peripheries of the functional layer and barrier layer; and bonding a first portion of a peripheral attaching element to the peripheral sealing element, wherein a second portion of the peripheral attaching element is detached from the peripheral sealing element and is arranged to be attached to a fabric body of the garment, thereby attaching the absorbent pad to the garment. 
     According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is a garment comprising: a fabric body; and an absorbent pad attached to the fabric body. The absorbent pad comprises: a liquid impermeable barrier layer; a functional layer attached to the barrier layer, the functional layer comprising a liquid absorbent component; a liquid impermeable peripheral sealing element bonded to peripheries of the functional layer and barrier layer; and a peripheral attaching element having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion bonded to the peripheral sealing element, wherein the second portion of the peripheral attaching element is detached from the peripheral sealing element and is attached to the fabric body. 
     According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, there is a method for modifying a garment, the method comprising: providing a garment comprising a fabric body; and forming an absorbent pad for use in the garment. The absorbent pad comprises: a liquid impermeable barrier layer; a functional layer attached to the barrier layer, the functional layer comprising a liquid absorbent component; a liquid impermeable peripheral sealing element bonded to peripheries of the functional layer and barrier layer; and a peripheral attaching element having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion bonded to the peripheral sealing element, the second portion detached from the peripheral sealing element. The method further comprises attaching the second portion of the peripheral attaching element to the fabric body, thereby attaching the absorbent pad to the garment. 
     An absorbent pad for use in a garment according to the present disclosure is thus disclosed herein. Various features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present disclosure, by way of non-limiting examples only, along with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present disclosure can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the disclosure, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only exemplary embodiments and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, may admit to other equally effective embodiments. 
         FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional illustration of an absorbent pad attached to a fabric body of a garment, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is another cross-sectional illustration of an absorbent pad attached to a fabric body of a garment, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is a flowchart illustration of a method for forming the absorbent pad, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4A  to  FIG. 4D  are various cross-sectional and plan view illustrations of the absorbent pad being formed, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustration of a method for modifying a garment with the absorbent pad, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 6A  to  FIG. 6F  are various cross-sectional and plan view illustrations of the garment being modified with the absorbent pad, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 7A  to  FIG. 7D  are various other cross-sectional illustrations of the absorbent pad being formed and the garment being modified with the absorbent pad, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 8A  and  FIG. 8B  are front view and rear view illustrations of the garment comprising the absorbent pad, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 9A  and  FIG. 9B  are cross-sectional and plan view illustrations of another garment comprising the absorbent pad, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 10A  and  FIG. 10B  are various other cross-sectional illustrations of an absorbent pad attached to a fabric body of a garment, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures. It is contemplated that elements and features of one embodiment may be beneficially incorporated in other embodiments without further recitation. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     For purposes of brevity and clarity, descriptions of embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to an absorbent pad for use in a garment, in accordance with the drawings. While aspects of the present disclosure will be described in conjunction with the embodiments provided herein, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the present disclosure to these embodiments. On the contrary, the present disclosure is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents to the embodiments described herein, which are included within the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims. Furthermore, in the following detailed description, specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, it will be recognized by an individual having ordinary skill in the art, i.e. a skilled person, that the present disclosure may be practiced without specific details, and/or with multiple details arising from combinations of aspects of particular embodiments. In a number of instances, known systems, methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as to not unnecessarily obscure aspects of the embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     In embodiments of the present disclosure, depiction of a given element or consideration or use of a particular element number in a particular figure or a reference thereto in corresponding descriptive material can encompass the same, an equivalent, or an analogous element or element number identified in another figure or descriptive material associated therewith. 
     References to “an embodiment/example”, “another embodiment/example”, “some embodiments/examples”, “some other embodiments/examples”, and so on, indicate that the embodiment(s)/example(s) so described may include a particular feature, structure, characteristic, property, element, or limitation, but that not every embodiment/example necessarily includes that particular feature, structure, characteristic, property, element, or limitation. Furthermore, repeated use of the phrase “in an embodiment/example” or “in another embodiment/example” does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment/example. 
     The terms “comprising”, “including”, “having”, and the like do not exclude the presence of other features/elements/steps than those listed in an embodiment. Recitation of certain features/elements/steps in mutually different embodiments does not indicate that a combination of these features/elements/steps cannot be used in an embodiment. The terms “a” and “an” are defined as one or more than one. The use of “/” in a figure or associated text is understood to mean “and/or” unless otherwise indicated. The recitation of a particular numerical value or value range herein is understood to include or be a recitation of an approximate numerical value or value range. 
     In representative or exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, there is an absorbent pad or pad  100 , such as in but not limited to the form of a gusset, for use in a garment as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . Specifically, the absorbent pad  100  is attachable to a fabric body  200  of the garment. The garment may be an intimate garment or undergarment worn by a user particularly at parts of the body where there may be excretions of bodily fluids. For example, the garment may be, but is not limited to brassieres, lingerie, sportswear, and similar close-fitting or form-fitting garments. The absorbent pad  100  includes a functional layer  101  and a liquid impermeable barrier layer  106 , wherein the functional layer  101  is attached, such as by bonding and/or stitching, to the barrier layer  106 . The functional layer  101  includes a liquid absorbent component  104  capable of absorbing liquid. 
     In some embodiments as shown in  FIG. 2 , the functional layer  101  further includes a liquid permeable wicking component  102 , wherein the absorbent component  104  is attached, such as by bonding and/or stitching, to the wicking component  102  and disposed between the wicking component  102  and the barrier layer  106 . Additionally, the functional layer  101  is attached, such as by bonding and/or stitching, to the barrier layer  106  at the wicking component  102 . 
     The wicking component  102  is capable of acquiring and distributing liquid or moisture to the underlying absorbent component  104 . Specifically, when the garment comprising the absorbent pad  100  is worn by the user, the wicking component  102  faces the user&#39;s body and serves to transport bodily fluids produced by the user&#39;s body to the absorbent component  104 . In other words, the wicking component  102  transport liquid from its surface that is in direct contact with the user to its internal surface that is in contact with the absorbent component  104 . The wicking component  102  may be made from fibres or yarns made with fibres, where said fibres and yarns are selected from one or more of the group consisting of polyamide, polyester, polyolefin, polyurethane, polyacrylonitrile, natural cellulose, regenerated cellulose, regenerated cellulose derivatives (i.e. cellulose acetate and cellulose triacetates), natural protein and regenerated protein. The wicking component  102  may be produced using technologies such as knitting (warp knitting such as raschel Tricot, weft knitting such as circular or flat), weaving, non-woven methods (blow spinning, staple nonwoven, spun laid, air-laid, needle punched, thermal bonded, hydro-entangled, chemical bonded and so forth), electro-spinning, force-spinning etc. Additionally, the wicking component  102  may also include one or more of the coatings, treatments encapsulation or entrapments, which would enhance its liquid and moisture management functionality, such as rate of wicking, wicking capacity, rate of spreading and distribution, one-way liquid transport etc. 
     The material of the wicking component  102  may be naturally moisture-wicking and/or be treated to become moisture-wicking. For example, the wicking material may be 100% polyester fabric with French Terry knit and a denier differential across the two faces of the wicking component  102  that assists in moving the liquid from the skin-facing side of the wicking component  102  to the internal surface that is in contact with the absorbent component  104 . Other suitable wicking materials include blends of polyester, polypropylene, and cotton. An advantage associated with the use of a wicking component  102  having the triangular ridge structures of French Terry knitting facing the user&#39;s skin is that less surface area of the surface of the wicking component  102  comes into contact with the skin and therefore reduces any sensation of feeling wetness against the skin. 
     As an example, the wicking component  102  may comprise a material that is 51% cotton and one or both of the inner and outer surfaces of the wicking component  102  may be treated with a hydrophilic composition or material (e.g. polyethylene oxide, polyvinyl alcohol, polyacrylamide, poly acrylic acid, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, hydrophilic silicones, or hydrophilic polyurethanes) and/or a hydrophobic composition or material (e.g. silicones, polyfluoroalkylacrylates, polyacrylates, polyurethanes, or waxes) to create a net hydrophilic gradient across the wicking component  102 . In other words, the surface in direct contact with the user&#39;s skin may be less hydrophilic (i.e. more hydrophobic) whereas the outer surface may be more hydrophilic. For example, the surface of the wicking component  102  in direct contact with the user&#39;s skin may be treated with a hydrophobic material and/or the opposing surface may be treated with a hydrophilic material. This results in a combination of a “pushing” force generated by the hydrophobic properties of the surface in direct contact with the user&#39;s skin and a “pulling” force generated by the hydrophilic properties of the outer surface that may wick any moisture or liquid through the wicking component  102  and away from the user. The hydrophilic and hydrophobic compositions may be applied to the wicking component  102  using any conventional method known to the skilled person. 
     Additionally, the differential capillary forces on either side can be created by the fabric structure of the wicking component  102  where one side of the wicking component  102  has a smaller pore size in comparison to the opposite side of the wicking component  102 . Ideally, this pore combination creates funnel-like structures through the wicking component  102  in cross-section, where the liquid is pulled from the side with the larger pore size to the side with the smaller pore size, due to the differential capillary pressure. 
     The rate of wicking through the wicking component  102  may be controlled to be faster or slower. The rate may be set at a maximum rate of absorption of the wicking component  102  to ensure that all, or a significant percentage of, the liquid is absorbed by the absorbent component  104  and does not leak beyond the confines of the garment. The rate of wicking may be controlled by the density, thickness, or composition of the wicking component  102  and/or by the amount and type of hydrophobic and/or hydrophilic material applied to the wicking component  102 . In another embodiment, the rate of wicking may be set such that the surface of the wicking component  102  in direct contact with the user feels “dry” or mostly dry to the user while the other surface may feel wet. 
     In some embodiments, the wicking component  102  may include an antimicrobial agent or substance. For example, the antimicrobial substance may be one or more substances selected from the group consisting of a silver-containing substance, titanium dioxide, a quaternary silane, hydrogen peroxide, triclosan, and zinc pyrithione. Additionally or alternatively, the wicking component  102  may include an agent or substance that combats odour. For example, the substance that combats odour may be one or more substances selected from the group consisting of nanoparticles with acid-neutralising pockets, high surface area mineral compositions, high surface area ceramic compositions and high surface area clay compositions. Further additionally or alternatively, the wicking component  102  may include a stain-resistant or stain-proof agent or substance. 
     The absorbent component  104  may include any liquid absorbent/absorbing material known in the art (e.g. cotton, a cotton blend, foam, a synthetic material, absorbent polymeric foam, a nanotechnology-based or -produced material, or any other moisture-absorbent material). The material may have a weight of 50 to 500 g/m 2 , such as 180 to 300 g/m 2 . For example, the absorbent component  104  may be made from an 80:20 blend of polyester: nylon fabric with a microfiber double terry knit. Other suitable materials include polypropylene or any cellulose-based fabric and their blends including cotton, bamboo etc. 
     In some embodiments, the absorbent component  104  may be a 100% polyester double terry fabric. This material is approximately 90% air and so allows for a higher absorbent capacity, as moisture fills up the air gaps of the polyester terry fabric without significant expansion of the polyester fibres. This does not translate into significantly thicker absorbent pad  100 . 
     In some embodiments, the absorbent component  104  may be made from a blended fibre comprising two or more of superabsorbent polymer (SAP), hydrogel and polyester, or at least part (e.g. the surface facing towards the fabric body  200  of the garment) of the absorbent component  104  may have been treated with SAP and/or hydrogel. In these embodiments, the use of these materials may result in increased liquid absorbent capacity, with a reduced thickness and weight for the absorbent pad  100 , and in an improved dry feel on the surface of the wicking component  102  in contact with the user&#39;s skin, due to an increased affinity in the absorbent component  104 . 
     In some embodiments as shown in  FIG. 1 , the functional layer  101  includes the absorbent component  104  but excludes the wicking component  102 . In some embodiments, the functional layer  101  is treated such that it also achieves at least some properties of the wicking component  102  as described above. Specifically, the outer surface  103  of the functional layer  101  may be chemically treated such that the outer surface  103  enables liquid to be transported efficiently to the underlying absorbent component  104 . Such chemical treatments will be readily known to the skilled person. The treated outer surface  103  thus achieves the properties of the wicking component  102  as described above for acquiring and distributing liquid to the absorbent component  104 . The functional layer  101  may additionally be treated or added with agents/substances such that it contains one or more of an antimicrobial agent, an odour-combatting agent, and a stain-resistant agent, such as those described above for the wicking component  102  to achieve the associated properties. 
     The barrier layer  106  is leak-proof and may include any known wholly or partially liquid-blocking material. Preferably, the barrier layer  106  is breathable, so that liquid may not pass through it, but gases (including water vapour) can do so. For example, the barrier layer  106  may include one or more layers of a thermoplastic or thermoset film, where the thermoplastic or thermoset film is selected from one or more of the group consisting of polyurethane, polyester, polyolefin, and silicone. Particular examples of liquid impermeable materials include layers made from a liquid impermeable polymer or a thermoplastic polyurethane film. 
     In some embodiments, the barrier layer  106  may be a lightweight tightly knitted/woven fabric coated with SAP/hydrogel, or the barrier layer  106  may be a lightweight tightly knitted/woven fabric made using textile/SAP hybrid fibres. Alternatively, the barrier layer  106  may be a liquid-proof membrane (such as a liquid-proof membrane material supplied by Dingzing Advanced Materials Inc, Taiwan). When used in a garment comprising the absorbent pad  100 , the barrier layer  106  may provide the advantage of being fully breathable in dry form, while providing an effective barrier material upon exposure to liquid. Furthermore, these materials may also enable the absorbent pad  100  to dry more quickly than the use of a liquid impermeable polymer such as a thermoplastic polyurethane film. 
     In some embodiments as shown in  FIG. 1 , the functional layer  101  is bonded to the barrier layer  106  at their respective peripheries or side edges by a bonding means  108 . Alternatively, the bonding means  108  may be applied across the entire surfaces between the functional layer  101  and barrier layer  106 . The bonding means  108  may be an adhesive or ultrasonic bonding. For example, the adhesive may be an adhesive tape, liquid glue, or hotmelt powder glue). When the adhesive is an adhesive tape, the tape is a double-sided adhesive tape (such as of the type produced by Bemis Associates Inc.) and said tape may have a single layer or multiple layers where said multiple layers may have one or more functions, such as barrier layers, elastic layers etc. When the adhesive is a liquid glue, the glue may be a hot melt glue, a liquid resin or combinations thereof (e.g. the adhesive may be a hot melt glue/liquid resin bonding by nozzle extrusion or liquid resin bonding by screen printing/template printing). 
     In some embodiments as shown in  FIG. 2 , the functional layer  101  includes the wicking component  102  attached, such as by bonding and/or stitching, to the absorbent component  104 . The absorbent component  104  and barrier layer  106  may be bonded to the wicking component  102  at their respective peripheries or side edges by the bonding means  108 . Optionally, the absorbent component  104  may be bonded to the barrier layer  106  with the bonding means  108  applied across the entire surfaces between them. 
     The functional layer  101  and barrier layer  106  may have the same 2D footprint, meaning that the shape or area of each layer  101  and  106  is substantially identical when viewed from above/below the plane on which the layers  101  and  106  lie. In embodiments where the functional layer  101  includes the wicking component  102  and absorbent component  104 , while the 2D footprints of the functional layer  101  and barrier layer  106  are essentially the same size, the absorbent component  104  has a 2D footprint that is smaller than the 2D footprints of the wicking component  102  and barrier layer  106 . For example, the 2D footprint of the absorbent component  104  is approximately 2 to 20 mm, such as 10 to 15 mm, smaller around its periphery than the 2D footprints of the wicking component  102  and barrier layer  106 . This difference in size may allow the functional layer  101  (including the differentially sized wicking component  102  and absorbent component  104 ) and barrier layer  106  to be unified into a single pad by a single bonding means  108 . Using a single bonding means  108  for unifying the various layers/components may advantageously mitigate the risk of leakage. 
     It will be appreciated that there could be other possible arrangements of the layers/components, with the bonding means  108  being applied as appropriate. For example, the wicking component  102 , absorbent component  104 , and barrier layer  106  are bonded together by a single adhesive tape. Alternatively, the wicking component  102  is bonded to the absorbent component  104  by a first adhesive tape and the wicking component  102  is bonded to the barrier layer  106  by a second adhesive tape. A third adhesive tape may also be used to bond the absorbent component  104  to the barrier layer  106 . 
     In another exemplary arrangement of the layers/components, the respective 2D footprints may increase from the wicking component  102  (smallest area) to the absorbent component  104  and then to the barrier layer  106  (largest area). It will be appreciated that the bonding means  108  may be applied as appropriate to bond the various layers/components together. 
     The absorbent pad  100  further includes a liquid impermeable peripheral sealing element  110  surrounding the peripheries of the functional layer  101  and barrier layer  106 . Specifically, the peripheral sealing element  110  is bonded to a periphery  105  of the functional layer  101  and a periphery  107  of the barrier layer  106 . Notably, the periphery  105  of the functional layer  101  may be at the side edge of the exposed wicking component  102  or outer surface  103 , and the periphery  107  of the barrier layer  106  may be likewise at the side edge of the exposed surface  109  of the barrier layer  106 . 
     The peripheral sealing element  110  may include a single-sided adhesive tape such as of the type produced by Bemis Associates Inc. and said tape may have a single layer or multiple layers where said multiple layers may have one or more functions, such as barrier layers, elastic layers etc. The adhesive side of the single-sided adhesive tape faces the functional layer  101  and barrier layer  106 . As shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , the peripheral sealing element  110  has a C-fold or C-shaped arrangement that entirely encloses the peripheries  105  and  107  of the functional layer  101  and barrier layer  106 , respectively. This arrangement forms a liquid impenetrable barrier seal or cuff around the periphery of the absorbent component  104 , advantageously reducing the leakage from the resulting absorbent pad  100  onto the garment. This arrangement also results in a durable garment that may be washed and reused. 
     In some embodiments, the peripheral sealing element  110  is a liquid impermeable element without adhesive properties. The peripheral sealing element  110  may be bonded to the periphery  105  of the functional layer  101  and the periphery  107  of the barrier layer  106  by suitable bonding means, such as adhesive or ultrasonic bonding. It will be appreciated that in various embodiments, the peripheral sealing element  110  may be bonded to all layers/components of the absorbent pad  100 . 
     In some embodiments, the functional layer  101  is attached to the barrier layer  106  by stitching at their respective peripheries  105 , 107 , instead of bonding using the bonding means  108 . Similarly, the wicking component  102 , absorbent component  104 , and barrier layer  106  can be stitched together at the peripheries  105 , 107 . However, these stitches could potentially form conduits for liquid to pass through the barrier  106 . The peripheral sealing element  110  is thus arranged such that it overlaps the stitches at the peripheries  105 , 107  in order to maintain the liquid impermeability of the absorbent pad  100 . 
     In some embodiments, the barrier layer  106  and peripheral sealing element  110  may be a continuous piece of liquid impermeable material, i.e. there is no bonding at the periphery  107 . This continuous material would be bonded to the periphery  105  of the functional layer  101  in a similar manner to the embodiments where the barrier layer  106  and peripheral sealing element  110  are separate pieces of material bonded together. 
     The absorbent pad  100  further includes a peripheral attaching element  112  having a first portion  112   a  and a second portion  112   b.  The peripheral attaching element  112  may be formed of a suitable material that may optionally be elastic to facilitating attaching to the fabric body  200 . The peripheral attaching element  112  may be formed of the same, similar, or different fabric or textile material as that of the fabric body  200 . The first portion  112   a  of the peripheral attaching element  112  is arranged adjacently to the functional layer  101  and bonded to the peripheral sealing element  110 . In some embodiments, said bonding of the first portion  112   a  is achieved by use of a bonding means  113  that is similar to the bonding means  108  described above. For example, the bonding means  113  is a double-sided adhesive tape such as of the type produced by Bemis Associates Inc. and said tape may have a single layer or multiple layers where said multiple layers may have one or more functions, such as barrier layers, elastic layers etc. In some embodiments, said bonding is achieved by ultrasonic bonding or an adhesive such as liquid glue or hotmelt powder glue. When the adhesive is a liquid glue, the glue may be a hot melt glue, a liquid resin or combinations thereof (e.g. the adhesive may be a hot melt glue/liquid resin bonding by nozzle extrusion or liquid resin bonding by screen printing/template printing). 
     The second portion  112   b  of the peripheral attaching element  112  is arranged adjacently to the barrier layer  106  and detached from the peripheral sealing element  110 . As mentioned above, the peripheral sealing element  110  can be a single-sided adhesive tape and the adhesive side faces the barrier layer  106  while the non-adhesive side faces the second portion  112   b.  Moreover, as the bonding means  113  is applied between the first portion  112   a  and functional layer  101  and not to the second portion  112   b,  there are no adhesive or bonding properties on the second portion  112   b.  Thus, the second portion  112   b  is detached from and not bonded to the peripheral sealing element  110 . 
     The second portion  112   b  is arranged to be attached to the fabric body  200  of the garment, such as by stitching, sewing, and/or bonding means (or any combination thereof), thereby attaching the absorbent pad  100  to the garment. As the second portion  112   b  is detached from the peripheral sealing element  110 , it is positioned freely to be attached to the fabric body  200  with minimal constraints. For example, the second portion  112   b  may be stitched or sewed to the fabric body  200  and the detached second portion  112   b  allows for easier stitching, sewing, and/or bonding to the fabric body  200 . This arrangement thus allows the second portion  112   b  to function as a fabric strip or flap for attaching the absorbent pad  100  to a garment. Moreover, by using a freely mobile fabric strip or flab to attach to the fabric body  200 , no stitching or sewing is required at other layers/components of the absorbent pad  100 , such as stitches through the functional layer  101  or peripheral sealing element  110 , thus minimizing risk of leakage through the absorbent pad  100 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , the peripheral attaching element  112  may have a C-fold or C-shaped arrangement, like that of the peripheral sealing element  110 , that entirely encloses the peripheral sealing element  110 . This arrangement forms a fabric cover over the peripheral sealing element  110 , thereby protecting it and improving the texture and feel of the absorbent pad  100 . It will be appreciated that the peripheral attaching element  112  may be arranged differently while keeping the first portion  112   a  and second portion  112   b  bonded to and detached from, respectively, the peripheral sealing element  110 . 
     In various embodiments of the present disclosure, there is a method  300  for forming the absorbent pad  100 . With reference to  FIG. 3 , the method  300  includes a step  302  of bonding the functional layer  101  to the barrier layer  106 . The method  300  further includes a step  304  of bonding the peripheral sealing element  110  to the periphery  105  of the functional layer  101  and the periphery  107  of the barrier layer  106 . The method  300  further includes a step  306  of bonding the first portion  112   a  of the peripheral attaching element  112  to the peripheral sealing element  110 . The second portion  112   b  of the peripheral attaching element  112  is detached from the peripheral sealing element  110  and is arranged to be attached to the fabric body  200  to thereby attach the absorbent pad  100  to the garment. 
     It will be appreciated that various aspects of the absorbent pad  100  described above apply similarly or analogously to the method  300  for forming the absorbent pad  100  and will not be further described for purpose of brevity. 
     In some embodiments, the functional layer  101  includes the wicking component  102  and absorbent component  104 . The step  302  may include attaching, such as by bonding and/or stitching, the wicking component  102  to the absorbent component  104  and the barrier layer  106 , such that the absorbent component  104  is disposed between the wicking component  102  and the barrier layer  106 . For example, the wicking component  102 , absorbent component  104 , and barrier layer  106  are bonded together by the bonding means  108 . The step  304  may include bonding the peripheral sealing element  110  to the respective peripheries of the wicking component  102  and the barrier layer  106 . The steps  302  and  304  thus combine the various layers/components into a layer composite as shown in  FIG. 4A  and  FIG. 4B . 
     In the step  306 , the first portion  112   a  of the peripheral attaching element  112  is bonded to a portion of the peripheral sealing element  110 . The peripheral attaching element  112  may be in the form of a fabric strip cut covering the outer edges of the functional layer  101 /wicking component  102  and the barrier layer  106 . The steps  302  to  306  thus result in the forming of the absorbent pad  100  as shown in  FIG. 4C  and  FIG. 4D . The absorbent pad  100  is structured such that the liquid impermeable layers/components thereof are joined by suitable bonding means, such as adhesive or ultrasonic bonding and without stitching or sewing. The absence of stitches thus minimizes the risk of leakage through the absorbent pad  100 . 
     In various embodiments of the present disclosure as shown in  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6A  to  FIG. 6F , there is a garment  400  and a method  500  for modifying the garment  400 . The garment  400  includes the fabric body  200  and the absorbent pad  100  attached to the fabric body  200 . 
     Specifically, the absorbent pad  100  is attached to an interior surface of the fabric body  200  and extends over at least an area of the user that is subject to bodily excretions. One or more absorbent pads  100  may form part of a garment, whether integral or removable. Any garment that is intended to be in contact with a user&#39;s skin may be fitted with one or more absorbent pads  100 . For example, the garment may be outerwear, such as a shirt, a T-shirt, shorts, trousers/pants, leggings, running shorts, bicycle shorts, swimwear, yoga pants, body-shape-altering “stretch” pants, shorts etc. In particular, the garment may be sportswear or an undergarment (e.g. bra or underpants, sport or “performance” underwear). One or more absorbent pads  100  may be fitted to cover a small area of the garment, which will generally be an area subject to the production of bodily excretions, such as the crotch area, the underarm area and the nipples of a pre- or post-partum female. Alternatively, the absorbent pads  100  may cover a major portion of the internal surface area of the garment, for example, the absorbent pads  100  in a pair of underpants may cover from 30-100% of the internal surface area of the garment. The level of internal surface area coverage of the absorbent pads  100  can be readily determined by the skilled practitioner based upon the intended use and the desired level of comfort of the user. 
     In some embodiments, the garment may be a pair of underpants. The underpants include a fabric body  200  having a waist opening and a pair of leg openings defining a crotch area there between that covers some or all of the genital area of a user. The underpants contain an internal surface that is in contact with the user&#39;s skin (in this case the genital area of the wearer) and an external surface, where some or all of said external surface is not in direct contact with the user&#39;s skin. The underpants also include an absorbent pad  100  that is attached to the interior surface of the fabric body  200 , specifically by stitching. The absorbent pad  100  may be disposed to cover the crotch area and may extend over some or all of the crotch area and/or extend beyond the crotch area. It will be appreciated that the underpants may be of any cut, size, style, colour, and type. 
     The fabric body  200  may contain one or more layers. For example, when the fabric body  200  contains one layer, the absorbent pad  100  can be attached to the crotch area of the fabric body  200 . When the fabric body  200  contains two layers, there is an inner fabric-body layer that wholly or partially contacts the body of the user and an outer fabric-body layer that is not in contact with the body of the user. The outermost fabric-body layer may be one or more of various colours, patterns, or designs (e.g., black, white, pink, etc.) to provide choices to the user, though for a fabric body  200  containing a single layer a dark colour may be preferred. When the fabric body  200  comprises more than one layer, the innermost fabric-body layer may be a dark colour (e.g., black or dark grey) to help provide stain-resistance, so that any stain thereon is invisible or reduced in visibility or noticeability to the user. If the fabric body  200  contains two or more layers, all, some, or none of the inner layer or layers may be visible to the user or other observer when the garment worn. Any of the layers may be cut to the same size of the outer fabric-body layer or can be cut to less than the full size of said layer. 
     When the fabric body  200  has a single fabric-body layer, the material may be made of cotton, a cotton blend, a synthetic material, an elasticized blend (e.g. SPANDEX) or any other material (e.g. natural or man-made textile). When the fabric body  200  has two or more layers, the inner layers may be made of a thin fabric, while the outermost layer may be made of a thicker fabric, such as those described above. The inner fabric-body layer(s) may be cut to the full shape of the fabric body  200  or be cut to less than the full shape of the fabric body  200 . For example, if the garment is a pair of underpants, an inner fabric-body layer may be cut to extend to cover only the crotch region. The inner fabric-body layer may also be densely stitched to the inner surface of the outer fabric-body layer to prevent leakage of fluids from the body of the user onto the outer surface of the underpants (or onto the wearer&#39;s outer clothes) and/or to any point on the inner surface of the underpants outside of the crotch area that may be felt or by the user. The underpants can be in any style. For example, the underpants may have a low-cut style where the waistband is lower than the user&#39;s waist (typically, at a location at or near the hips of the user) or the underpants can have a high cut, such that they include a section of fabric that extends above the waistband. It will be appreciated that any suitable height of waistband may be used. 
       FIG. 5  shows the method  500  for modifying a garment  400  to include or be fitted with the absorbent pad  100 . The method  500  includes a step  502  of providing the garment  400  including the fabric body  200 . The method  500  further includes a step  504  of forming the absorbent pad  100  for use in the garment  400 . The absorbent pad  100  is formed according the method  300  described above and will not be further elaborated for purpose of brevity. 
     The method  500  further includes a step  506  of attaching the second portion  112   b  of the peripheral attaching element  112 , which is detached from the peripheral sealing element  110 , to the fabric body  200  of the garment  400 , thereby attaching the absorbent pad  100  to the garment  400 . In some embodiments as shown in  FIG. 6A  and  FIG. 6B , the second portion  112   b  is attached to the fabric body  200  by stitching or sewing. Said stitching or sewing forms stitches  114  between the second portion  112   b  and the fabric body  200 . Moreover, said stitching may be performed using the bag out method such as by single needle tacking. The bag out method can be defined, in a non-limiting manner, as sewing the fabric pieces inside out, and then turning everything right side out so all the seams, seam allowance and stitching is on the inside of the resultant fabric composite or garment  400 . 
     In the bag out method for stitching, the absorbent pad  100  is placed on the fabric body  200  such that the barrier layer  106  is exposed, resulting in an inside out arrangement. The stitches  114  are then formed, such as by single needle tacking. As shown in  FIG. 6A , the fabric body  200  has an edge  202  that is folded inwards for stitching with the second portion  112   b  along the side edges of the absorbent pad  100  using the bag out method. Stitching or sewing using the bag out method and along the edge  202  allows the resultant stitches  114  to be hidden from the user or other observer when the garment  400  is worn. By hiding the stitches  114  from view, the garment  400  is able to achieve an aesthetically pleasing appearance. 
     In some embodiments as shown in  FIG. 6C  and  FIG. 6D , the fabric body  200  is attached with one or more elastic bands  116 , such as by lining or inserting the elastic bands  116 , to provide flexibility/elasticity to the user. This allows the garment  400  to come in a small number of discrete sizes that are able to cater to a wide variety of users of various sizes. For example, the garment  400  is a pair of underpants and the elastic bands  116  are arranged to surround the leg openings. In one embodiment, the elastic bands  116  are inserted before stitching or sewing the absorbent pad  100  to the fabric body  200 , the absorbent pad  100  is stitched or sewed to the fabric body  200  together with the elastic bands  116 . In another embodiment, the absorbent pad  100  is stitched to the fabric body  200  first, and the elastic bands  116  are attached to the fabric body  200  afterwards. 
     After stitching the absorbent pad  100  to the fabric body  200 , the fabric body  200  is turned right side out as shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 . By turning the fabric body  200  right side out as shown in  FIG. 6E , the barrier layer  106  is now in contact with the fabric body  200  and the functional layer  101 /wicking component  102  is exposed. Notably, the functional layer  101 /wicking component  102  should extend over an area of the user that is subject to bodily excretions. Additional stitches  118  may be formed to further secure the absorbent pad  100  to the fabric body  200 , such as along the top and bottom edges of the absorbent pad  100  as shown in  FIG. 6F . 
     In some embodiments, in the step  506 , the second portion  112   b  is attached to the fabric body  200  by bonding them together and optionally without stitches. Said bonding may be by adhesive or ultrasonic bonding which are described above for the bonding means  108 / 113  and will not further elaborated or purpose of brevity. It will be appreciated that various aspects of the bag out method and the inclusion of the elastic bands  116  described above may apply similarly or analogously to these embodiments of bonding the second portion  112   b  to the fabric body  200 . For example, the second portion  112   b  may be bonded to the fabric body  200  using a similar bag out method to achieve an aesthetically pleasing appearance, and the elastic bands  116  may be bonded to the fabric body  200 , such as by adhesive or ultrasonic bonding and optionally without stitches. 
     In some embodiments, the absorbent pad  100  as shown in  FIG. 2  has the functional layer  101  which includes the absorbent component  104  but excludes the wicking component  102 . The method  300  for forming the absorbent pad  100  including said functional layer  101  as well as the method  500  for modifying the garment  400  to include said absorbent pad  100  are illustrated in  FIG. 7A  to  FIG. 7D . It will be appreciated that various aspects of the methods  300  and  500  described above for the absorbent pad  100  will apply similarly or analogously for the embodiments as shown in  FIG. 7A  to  FIG. 7D . 
       FIG. 8A  and  FIG. 8B  show the final garment  400  modified by the method  500  to include or be fitted with the absorbent pad  100  that is attached to the fabric body  200 . The absorbent pad  100  is leak-proof and enables the efficient transport of liquid from the surface of the absorbent pad  100 , such as the wicking component  102  or outer surface  103  of the functional layer  101 , to the underlying absorbent component  104 . The garment  400  fitted with the absorbent pad  100  also exhibits the properties associated with the absorbent pad  100 . For example, as the absorbent pad  100  provides sufficient and effective liquid absorption, when the garment  400  fitted with the absorbent pad  100  is in the form of an undergarment, there may be no need to use a disposable tampon/pad in conjunction with the undergarment. Further, the absorbent pad  100  is thinner than conventional products, enabling the garment  400  to be more attractive and more comfortable to wear than garments containing conventional pads, while providing enhanced protection from leakage. Although  FIG. 8A  and  FIG. 8B  show the garment  400  to be a pair of underpants, this should not be considered as limiting because similar arrangements may be used with respect to other types of garments  400 . 
     Depending on the configuration of the absorbent pad  100 , one or more of the functional layer  101 , wicking component  102 , and absorbent component  104  may be stitched at their respective middle section  111  as shown in  FIG. 9A . In some configurations, the functional layer  101 , wicking component  102 , and/or absorbent component  104  is itself formed from separate halves that are joined together at the middle section  111  by stitching. The stitch may be, but is not limited to, in the form of a single stitch, a double stitch, or a lock stitch. Having these stitches at the middle section  111  compresses the respective layers and components and creates a well-like or pocket-like profile at the middle section  111 . 
     In some embodiments, the absorbent component  104  is formed from a composite of a plurality of absorbent layers. As shown in  FIG. 9A , the absorbent component  104  has a first absorbent layer  104   a  and a second absorbent layer  104   b.  It will be appreciated that each of the absorbent layers  104   ab  is formed from an absorbent material described above for the absorbent component  104 . The absorbent layers  104   ab  may be identically or non-identically sized. For example,  FIG. 9A  shows that the first absorbent layer  104   a  has a smaller footprint than the second absorbent layer  104   b.  Both absorbent layers  104   ab  may be joined together at their peripheries  105 , such as by stitching and/or bonding. 
     As shown in  FIG. 9A , the wicking component  102  and absorbent layers  104   ab  may be joined together at the middle section  111 , such as by stitching and/or bonding. For example, the wicking component  102  and absorbent layers  104   ab  may be stitched together at the middle section  111 , achieving a flat seam when viewed at the wicking component  102 . Notably, the stitch does not penetrate the barrier layer  106  to keep it intact. The stitch may be, but is not limited to, in the form of a single stitch, a double stitch, or a lock stitch. The barrier layer  106  may join to the absorbent component  104 , specifically the second absorbent layer  104   b,  at the middle section  111  using non-stitching means such as bonding to keep the barrier layer  106  intact. For example, ultrasonic bonding or an adhesive such as liquid glue or hotmelt powder glue may be used to bond or adhere the barrier layer  106  to the second absorbent layer  104   b  at the middle section  111 . In some configurations, the barrier layer  106  is formed from separate halves that are joined together at the middle section  111  by ultrasonic bonding, and this bonding area at the middle section  111  is reinforced with reinforcement tape. It will be appreciated that this joining at the middle section  111  can apply similarly or analogously to other embodiments having various configurations of the functional layer  101 , wicking component  102 , and absorbent component  104  as described above. 
     The absorbent pad  100  is attached to the garment  400  by stitching or bonding the second portion  112   b  of the peripheral attaching element  112  to the fabric body  200 .  FIG. 9B  shows the final garment  400  fitted with the absorbent pad  100 . The barrier layer  106  may join to the fabric body  200  at the middle section  111  using non-stitching means such as ultrasonic bonding and optionally reinforced with reinforcement tape. Like the absorbent pad  100 , the fabric body  200  may include a stitch at the middle section  111  to compress the fabric body  200  and achieve the well-like or pocket-like profile at the middle section  111 . Joining the various components and layers together at the middle section  111  allows the combination of the absorbent pad  100  and fabric body  200  to be more tightly compressed, thereby creating the well-like or pocket-like profile at the middle section  111 . This well-like or pocket-like profile of the absorbent pad  100  and fabric body  200  makes the garment  400  suitable for use as men&#39;s undergarments or male urinary incontinence garments. 
     In some embodiments as shown in  FIG. 10A  and  FIG. 10B , the peripheral attaching element  112  has a Y-shaped structure. The first portion  112   a  is bonded to the peripheral sealing element  110  and the second portion  112   b  is detached from the peripheral sealing element  110  for attaching to the fabric body  200 . In one embodiment as shown  FIG. 10A , the wicking component  102 , absorbent component  104 , and barrier layer  106  are bonded together using the bonding means  108 . In another embodiment, the wicking component  102 , absorbent component  104 , and barrier layer  106  are stitched together at their peripheries and the Y-shaped peripheral sealing element  110  is arranged to overlap the stitches  115 . For a male urinary incontinence garment, the barrier layer  106  is preferably bonded to the wicking component  102  and absorbent component  104  instead of stitching. 
     The peripheral sealing element  110  may be or include a double-sided adhesive tape. One adhesive side faces the wicking component  102 , absorbent component  104 , and barrier layer  106 , while the other adhesive side faces the first portion  112   a  of the peripheral attaching element  112 . Alternatively, the peripheral sealing element  110  may be or include a single-sided adhesive tape and the first portion  112   a  of the peripheral attaching element  112  is bonded to the non-adhesive side of the peripheral sealing element  110 . The Y-shaped peripheral attaching element  112  may be integrally formed with the peripheral sealing element  110  and bonded to the wicking component  102  and barrier layer  106  as an integral element. This saves time in forming the absorbent pad  100 . 
     The Y-shaped peripheral attaching element  112  may be formed of an elastic material, such as an elastic fabric or textile material, to facilitate attaching to the fabric body  200 . However, it will be appreciated that the Y-shaped peripheral attaching element  112  can be formed of non-fabric/non-elastic materials as well. The absorbent pad  100  with the Y-shaped peripheral attaching element  112  is suitable for use in various urinary incontinence garments. It will be appreciated that the Y-shaped peripheral attaching element  112  can apply similarly or analogously to other embodiments having various configurations of the functional layer  101 , wicking component  102 , and absorbent component  104  as described above. 
     In some embodiments, the absorbent pad  100  and/or the garment  400  may be made to be washable and reusable, thereby helping to reduce environmental impact. For example, the absorbent pad  100  and/or the garment  400  is able to withstand at least 30 (e.g. a minimum of 50 or 100) machine wash and tumble dry cycles without change in overall appearance, integrity of the components (including the various layers, bonding, and adhesives) and liquid management parameters as discussed herein. The material selection and unique construction ensures that the absorbent pad  100  and/or the garment  400  are washable without compromising on one or more of moisture management, antimicrobial functionality, and anti-odour functionality. 
     Further, the integrity of the absorbent pad  100  may be maintained for a minimum of 30 (e.g. a minimum of 50 or 100) wash and dry cycles. This ensures that the absorbent pad  100  will not leak during the lifetime of the garment  400 . For example, the various layers/components of the absorbent pad  100  described herein are chosen such that they remain chemically, thermally and mechanically stable throughout the intended lifetime of the absorbent pad  100 /garment  400  while undergoing up to 30 (e.g. up to 50 or up to 100) wash and dry cycles. 
     Various components of the absorbent pad  100  may be made of a material that is heat stable up to 190° C., such as up to 95° C. The adhesive or ultrasonic bonding may be heat stable up to 190° C. or 95° C., which enables the absorbent pad  100  to be used in a garment  400  that can be washed and dried multiple times. Unless otherwise specified, used herein, the term “heat stable” is intended to stipulate that there is no change in the physical state of the component in question after being subjected to the stated temperature for a period of time consistent with a machine drying cycle. 
     In the foregoing detailed description, embodiments of the present disclosure in relation to an absorbent pad  100  for use in a garment  400  are described with reference to the provided figures. The description of the various embodiments herein is not intended to call out or be limited only to specific or particular representations of the present disclosure, but merely to illustrate non-limiting examples of the present disclosure. The present disclosure serves to address at least one of the mentioned problems and issues associated with the prior art. Although only some embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed herein, it will be apparent to a person having ordinary skill in the art in view of this disclosure that a variety of changes and/or modifications can be made to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the scope of the disclosure as well as the scope of the following claims is not limited to embodiments described herein.