Abstract:
A user adaptable absorbent article having a symmetrical silhouette with a first end and a second end, wherein the second end being in opposite relation to the first end, and a first longitudinally extending edge opposed to a second longitudinally extending edge, the longitudinally extending edges connecting the first end and the second end; a layered portion having an absorbent core with an asymmetric shape and a backsheet; and means for folding a portion of the absorbent article located either from or between at least one of the longitudinally extending edges and at least one of the ends, wherein the fold avoids the absorbent core.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    This invention relates to absorbent articles, such as pantiliners, sanitary napkins, and incontinence pads. More particularly, the present invention relates to adaptable absorbent articles.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Currently, when an absorbent article for sanitary protection, such as a pantiliner, a sanitary napkin, or an incontinence pad, is taken from its packaging, it is a single size that is used for a variety of individual body shapes and sizes, in addition to a variety of garment styles. A product that offers superior comfort, fit, and protection for one user or style of underwear may be deficient for another user or style of underwear.  
           [0003]    For example, typical pantiliners are designed for use with garments having a full sized crotch portion, e.g., briefs and bikinis. However, such pantiliners do not readily lend themselves for use with garments having an abbreviated crotch portion, e.g., thong garments. As a result, many users purchase multiple types of sanitary protection depending on the underwear styles they wear.  
           [0004]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,704,929 (Bien) discloses an absorbent article having removable portions that can reduce the dimensions of the article. The disclosed preferred embodiment is a pantiliner that can be adjusted in size by tearing the absorbent article along one or more perforation lines and removing the portions that lie outboard the perforation lines. The resultant pantiliner, however, is designed for garments having a full sized crotch portion and is not adaptable for thong garments.  
           [0005]    U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,596,570 (Jackson et al.) and 4,597,759 (Johnson) disclose sanitary napkins capable of being elongated. Jackson et al. unfolds pleats at the longitudinal ends and Johnson adds a second absorbent element to a first element.  
           [0006]    U.S. Design Pat. No. D368,519 (Harrison et al.) discloses a pantiliner having a perforated section in the posterior portion. The embodiments shown have posterior portions that are narrower than the anterior portions.  
           [0007]    As evident from the above, users that wear various types of garments often have the expense and bother of purchasing assorted sized products to meet their needs. Often, a user compromises and chooses only one size of sanitary protection even though that selection may be less than ideal.  
           [0008]    What is needed, therefore, is an absorbent article that offers sanitary protection while also being adaptable to fit various garments.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0009]    This invention relates to a user adaptable absorbent article having a symmetrical silhouette with a first end and a second end, wherein the second end being in opposite relation to the first end, and a first longitudinally extending edge opposed to a second longitudinally extending edge, the longitudinally extending edges connecting the first end and the second end; a layered portion having an absorbent core and a backsheet; and means for folding a portion of the absorbent article located either from or between at least one of the longitudinally extending edges and at least one of the ends, wherein the fold avoids the absorbent core. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]    [0010]FIG. 1 is a plan view an absorbent article according to the present invention depicted in the crotch portion of a conventional garment;  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 2 is a plan view of the absorbent article of FIG. 1 depicted in the crotch portion of a thong garment, and  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 3 is a plan view of an additional embodiment of an absorbent article according to the present invention depicted in the crotch portion of a conventional garment.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 4 is a plan view of an absorbent core of the present invention.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 5 is a plan view of an absorbent core of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0015]    The present invention is directed to an absorbent article having a silhouette with a first end and second end, wherein the second end is in opposite relation to the first end. A pair of opposed longitudinally extending edges connect the first end to the second end. The present invention also includes a layered portion having a backsheet and an absorbent core. The shape of the absorbent core is such that a fold line from at least one longitudinally extending edge to the second end permits a portion of absorbent article to fold without the absorbent core being present in the folded section.  
         [0016]    In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the fold line extends between at least one longitudinally extending edge and the second end.  
         [0017]    As used herein, the term thong garment includes, but is not limited to, thong underwear, thong swimming suit bottom, G-strings, Rio cut underwear, Rio-cut swimming suit bottom, Brazilian cut underwear, Brazilian cut swimming suit bottom, and any other garment that exposes the buttocks, having a narrow strip of fabric or a cord that passes between the thighs supported by a waistband, a waist cord, belt or the garment itself.  
         [0018]    As used herein, the term asymmetrical silhouette means that the silhouette is asymmetrical about the A-axis, as depicted in FIGS.  1 - 5 .  
         [0019]    As used herein, the term symmetrical silhouette means that the silhouette is symmetrical about the A-axis, as depicted in FIGS.  1 - 5   
         [0020]    The absorbent core or layer of the present invention may contain any known absorbent materials including, but not limited to, absorbent fibers, such as cellulose fibers, e.g., wood pulp, regenerated cellulose fibers, and cotton fibers, rayon fibers, superabsorbent polymers, e.g., fibers or particles, other naturally occurring absorbent materials, e.g., peat moss, and other synthetic absorbent materials, such as foams and the like. The absorbent layer may also include one or more of the following: thermoplastic binder fibers, latex binder, perfumes, or odor-controlling compounds. The absorbent layer may be compressed or uncompressed, embossed, or calendered.  
         [0021]    The backsheet of the present invention is a body fluid impervious material, typically referred to as a “barrier,” at least substantially impermeable to liquids, and its exterior forms the garment-facing surface of the absorbent article. The backsheet may be any thin, flexible, body fluid impermeable material, such as a polymeric film, e.g., polyethylene, polypropylene, or cellophane, or a normally fluid pervious  15  material that has been treated to be impervious, such as impregnated fluid repellent paper or non-woven material, including non-woven fabric material, or a flexible foam, such as polyurethane or cross-linked polyethylene. The thickness of the backsheet when formed from a polymeric film typically is about 0.001 to about 0.002 inch (about 0.00254 to about 0.00508 cm).  
         [0022]    Optionally, the backsheet may be breathable, i.e., permits vapor to transpire.  
         [0023]    Known materials for this purpose include nonwoven materials and microporous films in which microporosity is created by, inter alia, stretching an oriented film.  
         [0024]    Single or multiple layers of permeable films, fabrics, melt-blown materials, and combinations thereof that provide a tortuous path, and/or whose surface characteristics provide a liquid surface repellent to the penetration of liquids may also be used to provide a breathable backsheet.  
         [0025]    In FIGS.  1 - 3 , fold line  30  is shown. Fold line  30  may be formed stitching, embossing, crimping, and perforation. It is within the scope of the present invention to include one or more fold line  30 . For example, the absorbent article may have 2, 3, 4 or more fold lines.  
         [0026]    As used herein, the term perforation is intended to mean a line of cuts, scores, embossing, crimping and the like. The choice of perforating methods is dependent on the materials and amount of cut desired. Commonly used methods for perforation include knife cutting, ultrasonic cutting, embossing, and sealing. A partially cutting knife will produce clean cuts through materials with parts of the perforation line not cut. For a sealing or embossing tool, the material would be crushed or fractured along the perforation line to form a stress concentrated area. Such a stress concentrated area may optionally be used to remove a portion of the absorbent article.  
         [0027]    Optionally, a perforation may be completely through the layered portion of the absorbent article, except for the absorbent core, or almost all the way through, whichever makes is desired. Perforation may optionally be done when the absorbent article is complete, with or without the paper release strip. It is not necessary to perforate the release paper, if present although the release paper may also be perforated. The perforations, however, must not compromise the strength of the fold line, i.e, permit unwanted tearing, when the absorbent article is used with a thong garment.  
         [0028]    The overall dimensions of the absorbent article of the present invention are preferably as follows. The length is preferably in the range of about 5 to about 8 inches (about 12 to about 20 cm). The maximum width of the anterior portion is preferably in the range of about 2 to about 3 inches (about 5 to about 8 cm). The thickness of the absorbent article is preferably in the range of about 0.04 to about 0.2 inches (about 0.1 to about 0.5 cm).  
         [0029]    Although not required, the absorbent article of the present invention may include a cover overlaying the asymmetric absorbent core. The exterior of the cover would then form the body-facing side of the absorbent article. The cover may be formed from any fluid pervious material that is comfortable against the skin and permits fluid to penetrate to the absorbent core, which retains the fluid. The cover should retain little or no fluid to provide a relatively dry surface next the skin when in use. A variety of cover materials are known in the art, and any of these may be used. For instance, the cover may be a fibrous non-woven fabric made of fibers or filaments of polymers, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, or cellulose, and combinations thereof. Alternatively, the cover may be formed from an apertured polymeric film. The thickness of the cover may vary from about 0.001 to about 0.062 inch (about 0.0025 to about 0.016 cm), depending on the material chosen.  
         [0030]    Generally, the optional cover is a single sheet of material having a width sufficient to form the body-facing surface of the absorbent article. Preferably, the cover is longer and wider than the absorbent core.  
         [0031]    Optionally, the absorbent article of the present invention may include a transfer layer. If included in the absorbent article, the transfer layer may be made of any known material that will take up fluid and then distribute and release it to an adjacent absorbent core or layer for storage. Preferred transfer layers have a relatively open structure that allows for movement of fluid within the layer. Suitable materials for such transfer layers include fibrous webs, resilient foams, and the like.  
         [0032]    The transfer layer is able to accept fluid and allow passage of the fluid through its mass to be absorbed by an adjacent absorbent core. The mass of materials making up the transfer layer may be absorbent, although the materials themselves may not absorb. Thus, transfer layers that are made of hydrophobic, nonabsorbent fibers may be able to accept large volumes of fluid into interfiber void spaces while the fibers themselves do not absorb any significant quantities of fluid. Likewise, open-celled foam structures that are made from nonabsorbent materials may also absorb fluid into the cells of the foam. The walls of the cells, however, do not absorb any fluid. The cumulative spaces within the transfer layer, i.e., the interfiber void spaces in the fibrous transfer layer or the open cells in the foam transfer layer, function much like a container to hold fluid.  
         [0033]    Preferred transfer layer fibrous webs are made of resilient, nonabsorbent materials to provide void volume and to allow for free movement of fluid through the structure. Transfer layers that are made from webs of mostly absorbent fibers absorb the fluid as it enters the structure and do not distribute it throughout the rest of the structure as efficiently as webs containing non-absorbent materials.  
         [0034]    As is customary in the art, a paper release strip, which has been coated on one side, is applied to protect adhesive that may be applied to the garment-facing side of the backsheet. The coating on the paper release strip, which may be silicone, reduces the adherency to the adhesive of the coated side of the release strip. The release strip can be formed from any suitable sheet-like material which, when coated, adheres with sufficient tenacity to the adhesive to remain in place prior to use but which can be readily removed when the absorbent article is to be used.  
         [0035]    The adhesive applied to the garment facing side of the absorbent article may be any adhesive known in the art. As a non-limiting example, pressure sensitive adhesive strips, swirls, or waves may be applied to help maintain the absorbent article in place. As used herein, the term pressure-sensitive adhesive refers to any releasable adhesive or releasable tenacious means. Suitable adhesive compositions, include, for example, water-based pressure-sensitive adhesives such as acrylate adhesives. Alternatively, the adhesive composition may include rapid setting thermoplastic “hot melt,” rubber adhesives, two-sided adhesive tape, and the like.  
         [0036]    Any or all of the cover, absorbent core, transfer layer, backsheet, and adhesive may be colored. Such coloring includes, but is not limited to, white, black, yellow, blue, orange, green, violet, and the like. Color may be imparted according the present invention though dying and/or pigmentation. Colorants used according the present invention include dyes and inorganic and organic pigments. The dyes include, but are not limited to, Azo dyes (e.g., Solvent Yellow 14, Disperse Yellow 23, Metanil Yellow), anthraquinone dyes (Solvent Red 111, Disperse Violet 1, Solvent Blue 56, and Solvent Green 3), Xanthene dyes (Solvent Green 4, Acid Red 52, Basic Red 1, and Solvent Orange 63), azine dyes (Jet black), and the like.  
         [0037]    Inorganic pigments include, but are not limited to, titanium dioxide (white), carbon black (black), iron oxides (red, yellow, and brown), chromium oxide (green), ferric ammonium ferrocyanide (blue), and the like.  
         [0038]    Organic pigments include, but are not limited to diarylide yellow AAOA (Pigment Yellow 12), diarylide yellow AAOT (Pigment Yellow 14), phthalocyanine blue (Pigment Blue 15), lithol red (Pigment Red 49:1), Red Lake C (Pigment Red), and the like.  
         [0039]    Turning to the Figures, FIGS. 1 and 3 depict an absorbent article  10  in a conventional garment  40  according to the present invention. The overall silhouette of the absorbent article is such that in it will fit comfortably within the confines of a conventional garment when not folded. Referring to FIG. 1, absorbent article  10  includes asymmetric absorbent core  20  and fold line  30 . Absorbent core  20  has first portion maximum width  23  and second portion maximum width  28 .  
         [0040]    Fold line  30  may extend from longitudinally extending edge  16 , longitudinally extending edge  15 , or both to the second end  6 , as depicted in FIG. 1. Optionally, fold line  30  may extend between longitudinally extending edge  16 , longitudinally extending edge  15 , or both and the second end  6 , as depicted in FIG. 3.  
         [0041]    Turning to FIG. 2, the absorbent article may be applied to the crotch of thong garment  50  by placing the garment-facing surface against the inside surface of the crotch of the thong garment and absorbent article  10  is folded along fold line  30  such that the asymmetric absorbent core is not included in the folded portion. Pressure sensitive adhesive may be applied to the garment-facing surface of the pantiliner to help maintain it in place. As used herein, the term “pressure-sensitive adhesive” refers to any releasable adhesive or releasable tenacious means. Suitable pressure sensitive adhesives include for example water-based adhesives such as acrylate adhesives. Alternatively, the adhesive may comprise “hot melt” rubber adhesives or two-sided adhesive tape.  
         [0042]    The absorbent article may include other known materials, layers, and additives, such as, foam layers, net-like layers, perfumes, medicaments, moisturizers, odor control agents, and the like, many examples of which are known in the art. The absorbent article can optionally be embossed with decorative designs using conventional techniques.  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 4 depicts absorbent core  20  being asymmetric about the A-axis. FIG. 5 depicts absorbent core  20  being symmetric about the A-axis. For example, where absorbent core  20  is asymmetric, first portion maximum width  20  is greater than second portion maximum width  28 , i.e., the ratio of first portion maximum width  23  to second portion maximum width  28  is greater than about 1:1. Also, where absorbent core  20  is symmetric, first portion maximum width  23  is equal to second portion maximum width  28 , i.e., the ratio of first portion maximum width  23  to second portion maximum width  28  is about 1:1. First portion maximum width  23  can be from about 5 mm to about 45 mm. Second portion maximum width  28  can be from about 5 mm to about 45 mm.  
         [0044]    The precise shapes of the first portion and the second portion of the absorbent core may vary as desired. For example, the first portion may have the overall shape of a bulb, triangular, or round. Alternatively, the asymmetric absorbent core may include a midsection that may be tapered and narrow at a substantially continuous rate along its length or it may have a biconcave in shape. The midsection may also be of a narrow, uniform width like a stem.  
         [0045]    Also contemplated herein include symmetrical absorbent articles having parallel longitudinal edges, dog bone- or peanut-shaped, and the like, including conventional pantiliners, sanitary napkins, incontinence devices.  
         [0046]    From the foregoing description, one skilled in the art can ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention, and without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modifications. Preferred embodiments set forth by way of illustration are not intended as limitations on the variations possible in practicing the present invention.