Abstract:
A method and system are provided for aiding consumers in determining the proper size of an interlabial absorbent article product. At least one characteristic factor relating to a physical characteristic or trait of a wearer is correlated with a corresponding product size. The correlated data is arranged in a data format and made available to consumers prior to purchase of the absorbent article product.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to the field of feminine hygiene products, and more particularly to the use of interlabial absorbent articles.  
         BACKGROUND  
         [0002]    A broad range and wide variety of absorbent articles configured for absorption of bodily exudates such as menstrual fluid are well known. With respect to feminine hygiene, sanitary napkins and panty liners have been developed for external wear about the pudendum region. Tampons have been developed for placement within the vaginal cavity, and accordingly for interruption of menstrual flow therefrom prior to such menstrual flow reaching the vestibule. Hybrid feminine hygiene protection devices, attempting to merge the structural features of both sanitary napkins and tampons in a single type of device, have also been proposed, but have not seen a meaningful measure of acceptance.  
           [0003]    Other less intrusive devices, known as interlabial devices or articles, have also been proposed. These articles are designed to reside primarily within the wearer&#39;s vestibule while having a portion residing at least partially external of the wearer&#39;s vestibule. Interlabial articles can provide a preferred profile or appearance when viewed through a wearer&#39;s outer garments and do not have the same problems of reliance on swelling within the vaginal canal as required by tampons. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,484,429; 4,175,561; 3,983,873; and 3,726,277 disclose various types of interlabial absorbent articles.  
           [0004]    Significant factors affecting consumer acceptance of interlabial articles are product comfort, reliability, and ease of use. Each of these factors depends at least in part on the consumer wearing the proper size product. An interlabial pad that is too large may cause discomfort to the consumer. Similarly, an interlabial pad that is too small may perform poorly. Unfortunately, consumers are often unaware of how to properly select between different product sizes to maximize product comfort, reliability, etc., for their particular body type. For many consumers, a “proper” size is determined only after a trial-and-error type of experience with the different size products. Also, there may be inconsistencies or size differences between varying brands or types of products such that a particular size of one product may not be the best size for a different product.  
           [0005]    The art is thus in need of an easy and reliable method for aiding consumers in the selection of a best or optimum size of interlabial absorbent article. The present invention provides such a method.  
         SUMMARY  
         [0006]    Objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention. The present invention relates to an information system and method for aiding consumers in selecting the proper size of interlabial absorbent article. The invention is not limited to any particular type or style of interlabial device. The system and method according to the invention may be used by consumers and manufacturers for predicting the proper size article for any manner of interlabial device.  
           [0007]    The invention is premised on identifying “factors”, such as physical characteristics or traits of consumers, that influence proper selection between different sized articles. The factors are correlated with product sizes into an easy to read and interpret data format. The format is presented to consumers in any one of a wide variety of media so that the consumer may make an informed decision prior to purchase of the product.  
           [0008]    The consumer-specific factors relate generally to physical attributes that virtually every woman knows about herself and which have been determined to affect proper size selection of an interlabial absorbent article. For example, the factors may include any combination of the following: age, weight, body mass index (“BMI”), and number of vaginal births. Another factor may include, for example, panty size, etc. The invention is not limited by the number of types of factors.  
           [0009]    The correlation of any particular factor (or variable of the same factor) to a product size may be derived directly or indirectly from empirical data. For example, in a direct method, a relevant female age group may be defined (e.g., ages 12 to 49), and females within this age group sampled and tested for selection of product size based solely on the factor of age. The same procedure may be carried out for the other factors. From the empirically derived data, an information system is derived that easily correlates a particular factor to a particular size product.  
           [0010]    In an indirect method, a statistical model may be adapted to a broad sample data set containing representative data points relating to the factors and product sizes. The model may be used to predict the best or preferred product size as a function of any one or combination of the factors. For example, a multi-nominal logistic regression model, or other suitable statistical prediction model, may be used to correlate a particular size product to a particular factor (or different variables of the same factor) from a relatively large sample class. In the case of a probability based on a combination of the factors, such factors may be given different correlation values in the model. For example, the factor of vaginal births is more highly correlated with product size than the factor of age, and the number of vaginal births will thus have a greater impact on product size selection in the model. Certain factors may be given a negative correlation value. For example, age may be given a negative correlation value because, as the age of a woman increases, she is more inclined to choose a smaller size product. Number of vaginal births, weight, and BMI may have positive correlation values.  
           [0011]    It should be appreciated that the inventive method and system are not limited to any particular manner of correlating product size to consumer factor(s), and may include direct testing/sampling methods, and indirect methods such as statistical probability models.  
           [0012]    The correlated information may be presented to consumers by any suitable method. For example, a table, graph, or chart may be provided with the product packaging so that a potential consumer may refer directly to the package prior to purchase of the product. In another embodiment, the information may be presented in a “remote” manner, such as via a website, pamphlet, video, etc. The information may be made available via an interactive system, for example, an interactive website or kiosk-type terminal at the point of sale of the articles. The particular format for presenting the information is not a limiting factor, but care should be taken to present the correlated data in a format that is easy to use and understand for typical consumers.  
           [0013]    Aspects of the invention will be described in greater detail below by reference to embodiments illustrated in the attached drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 is a perspective and partial cut-away view of an exemplary interlabial absorbent article. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0015]    Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each embodiment and example are provided for purposes of explaining the invention, and are not meant as a limitation of the invention. For example, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment may be used with another embodiment to yield still a further embodiment. It is intended that the present invention include these and other modifications and variations as come within the scope and spirit of the invention.  
         [0016]    As used herein, the term “interlabial absorbent article” refers to a device having at least one absorbent component, and which is specifically configured for disposition between the labia majora, extending at least partially into the vestibule of a female wearer during use. The vestibule is considered to be the region defined within the labia beginning at about a point lying caudally from the anterior labial commissure and extending rearward to the posterior labial commissure, and bounded inwardly by the floor of the vestibule. An interlabial absorbent article is disposed at least partially within the vestibule for at least partially occluding the vestibule with respect to fluid flow from the vestibule. In this regard, the predominant use of the absorbent article is for the absorption of menstrual fluid emitted via the vaginal orifice, although the article is equally well adapted to serve as a type of incontinence device for absorption of urine as occurs upon minor, female incontinence.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary interlabial absorbent article  10 . The absorbent article  10  includes a top sheet  12 , a back sheet  14 , and an absorbent material  18  sandwiched between the top sheet  12  and back sheet  14 . The top sheet  12  and back sheet  14  are sealed together at their edges  16 , the sealed edges  16  defining an overall geometry for the article  10 . The article  10  should be of a suitable size and shape to allow at least a portion, preferably a major portion, of the absorbent article to be disposed within the vestibule of a female wearer. In addition, the absorbent article  10  desirably at least partially occludes and intercepts the flow of menstrual fluid, urine or other bodily exudates from the wearer&#39;s vaginal orifice and/or urethral orifice.  
         [0018]    Various constructions and combinations of suitable materials used in interlabial absorbent articles are well know to those skilled in the art and need not be described herein in detail for an appreciation and understanding of the method and system according to the invention.  
         [0019]    It should be appreciated that the method and system according to the present invention are not limited to any particular shape or configuration of absorbent article. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, the article  10  has an overall oval shape with laterally extending wing or tab portions  20 . Various other suitable shapes are known to those skilled in the art, such shapes being designed for particular purposes. For example, in certain applications, it may be desired that the article  10  have a non-symmetric shape and have, for example, increased absorbency at one end as compared to another.  
         [0020]    It should be appreciated that the overall shape and configuration of an article  10  may play a significant role in selection of a particular size product. For example, a “medium” size symmetric oval pad may be the proper size for a particular women whereas a “medium” size rectangular or non-symmetric pad may be too large and result in discomfort to the same wearer.  
         [0021]    One of skill in the art fully understands that the “proper” size (with respect to comfort and ease of use) of an interlabial device is a function of the size and shape of the wearer&#39;s labia majora and labia minora defining the vestibule contour. However, there is a wide range of variation among women with respect to the relative size and shape of labia majora and labia minora. There is also great variance in the elasticity and dimensions of the labial/vestibule region between women. Vestibule lengths may range from 15-100 mm, and widths may range from 5-50 mm. Such variance is problematic for manufacturers in that it is difficult to provide a single size interlabial article that is comfortable for a wide range of women. Thus, it is common to provide various sizes of particular products. For example, an interlabial absorbent article may be provided in three sizes: small (60 mm long by 66 mm wide at product tabs); medium (80 mm long by 70 mm wide at product tabs); and large (100 mm long by 70 mm wide at product tabs).  
         [0022]    Although it would be beneficial to fit or size interlabial articles according to vestibule size or dimensions, this information is not known by most women and is not readily determined absent a thorough physical examination. The system and method of the present invention recognizes that certain inherent physical characteristics, traits, etc. (collectively referred to as “factors”) that are known by virtually every women correlate to product size and may be used as predictors to aid women in selecting a proper size interlabial product. These factors may include, but are not limited to, age, weight, body mass index, and number of vaginal births. Other readily known or easily obtainable factors proven to correlate to interlabial product size may also be used within the scope and spirit of the invention. For example, panty size is a factor known by most women and may be used as a predictor of the appropriate size of interlabial article.  
         [0023]    As mentioned, the invention is not limited to any particular method of correlating the factors to particular product sizes. For example, direct correlation from empirical testing may be conducted. However, such method may prove extremely time consuming and require a significant sample class, particularly if all variations of a factor or combination of different factors are to be correlated. For example, it may be desired to hold the factor of age as a constant and sample solely for the effect of weight by increments of ten pounds. To conduct this methodology for an age group of between, for example, 12 to 49 years, would require a tremendous (and likely unattainable) number of test subjects. It may prove beneficial to “indirectly” derive the correlation from a limited sample class by the use of widely accepted statistical probability models. For example, a multinomial logistic regression model may be fit to a sample class using any number of variable factors to predict the effect of any one or combination of the factors on product size. The use of multinomial logit models is well known to statisticians for predicting from a sample data set responses from a set of choices. These models may be fit particularly well to scenarios wherein the independent variables are characteristics of the chooser, not of the choices. In the case of a probability based on a combination of the factors, such factors may be given different correlation values in the model. For example, the factor of vaginal births is more highly correlated with product size than the factor of age, and the number of vaginal births will thus have a greater impact on product size selection in the model. Some factors may be given a negative correlation value. For example, age may be given a negative correlation value because, as the age of a woman increases, she is more inclined to choose a smaller size product. Number of vaginal births, weight, and BMI may have positive correlation values.  
         [0024]    In an embodiment of the method and system according to the invention, a multinomial logistic regression model was fit to data obtained from a product safety study wherein a broad sample class of women were tested. It was determined that a correlation existed between certain physical traits (factors) of the women and the product size each women chose to wear. A Spearman rank correlation was used to analyze the data to predict which factors best correlate to product size. The factors included age, weight, body mass index (BMI), and number of vaginal births. BMI and number of vaginal births were found to be a positive correlation factors in that as BMI and number of births increased, the preferred product size generally increased. Age was found to be a negative correlation factor in that as age increased, the preferred product size generally decreased.  
         [0025]    The logit model was then fit to the data set using number of vaginal births, age, and weight to predict a product size for various combinations of the factors or variables of a single factor. The logit model used is set forth below:  
           π   j          (     x   i     )       =       exp        (       α   j     +       β   j          x   i         )                 exp        (       α   small     +       β   small          x   i         )       +     exp        (       α   medium     +       β   medium          x   i         )       +               exp        (       α   large     +       β   large          x   i         )                                     
 
         [0026]    where π i (x i ) denotes the probability of product size j(j=“small”, “medium”, “large”) at the ith setting of factor x (x i =x age , x weight , x BMI , x number of vaginal births )  
         [0027]    The coefficients α j  and β j  are maximum likelihood estimates, which are parameter values under which the observed data would have had the highest probability of occurrence. One parameter, for example, “small”, is set as a reference, so α small =β small =0.  
         [0028]    It is within the scope and spirit of the invention to provide to consumers a usable data format wherein at least one wearer factor is correlated to product size. In a desirable embodiment, a plurality of factors are correlated to product size. The Tables below are examples of correlation between individual factors and product size, and a combination of factors and product size. The tables were derived in accordance with the logit model described above.  
                                     TABLE I                           PROBABILITY OF PRODUCT SIZE BY AGE IN YEARS                Age   ProbSmall   ProbMedium   ProbLarge                       12   0.265   0.533   0.202           13   0.266   0.533   0.201           14   0.267   0.532   0.201           15   0.268   0.531   0.201           16   0.269   0.530   0.201           17   0.270   0.529   0.201           18   0.271   0.528   0.201           19   0.273   0.527   0.201           20   0.274   0.526   0.200           21   0.275   0.525   0.200           22   0.276   0.524   0.200           23   0.277   0.523   0.200           24   0.278   0.522   0.200           25   0.279   0.521   0.200           26   0.280   0.520   0.199           27   0.281   0.520   0.199           28   0.282   0.519   0.199           29   0.284   0.518   0.199           30   0.285   0.517   0.199           31   0.286   0.516   0.199           32   0.287   0.515   0.198           33   0.288   0.514   0.198           34   0.290   0.513   0.198           35   0.290   0.512   0.198           36   0.291   0.511   0.198           37   0.292   0.510   0.197           38   0.294   0.509   0.197           39   0.295   0.508   0.197           40   0.296   0.507   0.197           41   0.297   0.506   0.197           42   0.298   0.505   0.197           43   0.299   0.504   0.196           44   0.300   0.503   0.196           45   0.302   0.502   0.196           46   0.303   0.501   0.196           47   0.304   0.500   0.196           48   0.305   0.500   0.195           49   0.306   0.499   0.195                      
 
         [0029]    As can be seen from Table I, for an age group of women between 12 years and 49 years, wherein age is the only variable factor, the most likely product size of choice for each year is “medium.” As age increases, however, the probability of “medium” tends to decrease and the probability of “small” tends to increase. The information in this Table may be compiled and presented to consumers in various ways to assist in product size selection based solely on age. For example, the information may be summarized or condensed into a chart or table wherein it is indicated that for ages  12  through  30  (by way of example only), there is a high probability that the proper size is “medium,” and that for ages  30  through  47 , there is a lesser probability that the proper size is “medium” and that “small” may also be proper. The format may indicate that size “large” is not likely the proper size based solely on age.  
                                     TABLE II                           PROBABILITY OF PRODUCT SIZE       BY WEIGHT IN POUNDS                Weight   ProbSmall   ProbMedium   ProbLarge                       100   0.388   0.493   0.118           110   0.375   0.498   0.127           120   0.363   0.502   0.135           130   0.350   0.505   0.145           140   0.338   0.508   0.154           150   0.325   0.511   0.164           160   0.313   0.513   0.175           170   0.300   0.514   0.186           180   0.288   0.515   0.197           190   0.276   0.515   0.209           200   0.265   0.514   0.221           210   0.253   0.513   0.234           220   0.242   0.511   0.247           230   0.231   0.509   0.261           240   0.220   0.505   0.275           250   0.209   0.502   0.289                      
 
         [0030]    As can be seen from Table II, for various weights between 100 lbs. and 250 lbs. (by elements of 10 lbs.), wherein weight is the only variable factor, the most likely product size of choice for each weight is “medium.” As weight increases to about 200 lbs, the probability of “medium” tends to increase. However, as weight increases from 200 lbs. to 250 lbs., the probability of “medium” tends to decrease and the probability of “large” increase. The probability of “large” tends to increase consistently over the entire weight range. The information in this Table may be compiled and presented to consumers in various ways to assist in product size selection based solely on weight. For example, the information may be summarized or condensed into a chart or table wherein it is indicated that for weights between about 100 lbs. to about 200 lbs., there is a higher probability that the proper size is “medium,” a lesser probability that the proper size is “small,” and a least probability that the proper size is “large.” For weights in excess of about 200 lbs, there is a higher probability that the proper size is “medium”, but that this probability decreases in favor of “large” and weight further increases.  
                                     TABLE III                           PROBABILITY OF PRODUCT SIZE       BY NUMBER OF VAGINAL BIRTHS                VaginalBirths   ProbSmall   ProbMedium   ProbLarge                       0   0.355   0.508   0.137           1   0.313   0.515   0.172           2   0.273   0.515   0.213           3   0.234   0.507   0.259           4   0.198   0.491   0.311           5   0.164   0.469   0.367                      
 
         [0031]    As can be seen from Table II, for vaginal births between 0 and 5, wherein number of births is the only variable factor, the most likely product size of choice at each number of births is “medium.” However, as the number of births increases, the probability of “medium” decreases in favor of “large.” The information in this Table may be compiled and presented to consumers in various ways to assist in product size selection based solely on number of vaginal births. For example, the information may be summarized or condensed into a chart or table wherein it is indicated that for vaginal births of three or less, the most likely proper size is “medium.” As the number of births increases, however, the proper size may likely be “large.”  
                                     TABLE IV                           PROBABILITY OF PRODUCT SIZE       BY BODY MASS INDEX (BMI)                BMI   ProbSmall   ProbMedium   ProbLarge                       15   0.426   0.472   0.102           16   0.417   0.476   0.107           17   0.407   0.481   0.112           18   0.398   0.485   0.117           19   0.389   0.488   0.123           20   0.380   0.492   0.128           21   0.371   0.495   0.134           22   0.362   0.499   0.140           23   0.353   0.502   0.146           24   0.344   0.504   0.152           25   0.335   0.507   0.158           26   0.326   0.509   0.165           27   0.317   0.511   0.172           28   0.309   0.513   0.179           29   0.300   0.514   0.186           30   0.291   0.515   0.193           31   0.283   0.516   0.201           32   0.275   0.517   0.208           33   0.266   0.517   0.216           34   0.258   0.517   0.224           35   0.250   0.517   0.233           36   0.242   0.517   0.241           37   0.235   0.516   0.250           38   0.227   0.515   0.258           39   0.219   0.513   0.267           40   0.212   0.512   0.276           41   0.205   0.510   0.285           42   0.198   0.508   0.295           43   0.191   0.505   0.304           44   0.184   0.502   0.314           45   0.177   0.499   0.323                      
 
         [0032]    BMI is a factor of height and weight and is computed as follows:  
         [0033]    In English units:  
       BMI   =     703   *       weight                   (   lbs   )           [     height                   (   in   )       ]     2                               
 
         [0034]    In metric units:  
             BMI   =       weight                   (   kg   )           [     height                   (   m   )       ]     2                   BMI                 is                 expressed                 in                 kg        /            m   2     .                                 
 
         [0035]    As can be seen from Table IV, for a BMI range between 15 to 45, the most likely product size is “medium.” As BMI increases from 15 to about 34, the probability of “medium” increases. As BMI increases from about 34 to about 45, the probability of “medium” decreases in favor of “large.” As BMI increases from 15 to 45, the probability of “small” decreases consistently. The information in this Table may be compiled and presented to consumers in various ways to assist in product size selection based solely on BMI.  
                                     TABLE V                           PROBABILITY OF PRODUCT SIZE BY WEIGHT IN       POUNDS AND NUMBER OF VAGINAL BIRTHS            Weight   VaginalBirths   ProbSmall   ProbMedium   ProbLarge               100   0   0.446   0.471   0.082       100   1   0.404   0.491   0.105       100   2   0.362   0.505   0.133       100   3   0.321   0.514   0.165       100   4   0.280   0.516   0.203       100   5   0.242   0.512   0.247       120   0   0.421   0.484   0.095       120   1   0.379   0.501   0.120       120   2   0.337   0.512   0.150       120   3   0.297   0.518   0.186       120   4   0.257   0.516   0.227       120   5   0.220   0.507   0.273       140   0   0.396   0.496   0.108       140   1   0.354   0.510   0.136       140   2   0.313   0.518   0.169       140   3   0.273   0.519   0.208       140   4   0.235   0.513   0.252       140   5   0.199   0.500   0.301       160   0   0.371   0.506   0.123       160   1   0.330   0.516   0.154       160   2   0.289   0.521   0.190       160   3   0.250   0.518   0.232       160   4   0.214   0.508   0.279       160   5   0.179   0.491   0.330       180   0   0.346   0.514   0.140       180   1   0.305   0.521   0.174       180   2   0.266   0.521   0.213       180   3   0.228   0.514   0.257       180   4   0.193   0.500   0.307       180   5   0.161   0.479   0.360       200   0   0.322   0.520   0.158       200   1   0.282   0.523   0.195       200   2   0.243   0.520   0.237       200   3   0.207   0.509   0.284       200   4   0.174   0.490   0.336       200   5   0.144   0.466   0.391       220   0   0.298   0.524   0.178       220   1   0.259   0.524   0.218       220   2   0.222   0.516   0.263       220   3   0.187   0.501   0.312       220   4   0.156   0.478   0.366       220   5   0.128   0.451   0.422       240   0   0.274   0.526   0.199       240   1   0.237   0.521   0.242       240   2   0.201   0.509   0.290       240   3   0.168   0.490   0.342       240   4   0.139   0.465   0.397       240   5   0.113   0.434   0.454                  
 
         [0036]    Table V is an example of correlation of a combination of factors (weight and number of vaginal births) with product size. Each twenty pound weight increment between 100 pounds and 240 pounds is combined with vaginal births between 0 and 5. It should be appreciated from this Table that, as the number of factors analyzed increases, the number of potential combinations increases significantly (as a square function). It may be desired to summarize the resulting data format by trends, increased ranges (i.e, 40 lb. Increments or vaginal births as a factor of 2), and so forth, so that the data format can be readily incorporated with the product packaging. It is well within the level of skill of those in the art to analyze and compile the data into a format that is user-friendly while still providing the wearer with sufficient information to make an informed decision. Alternately, it may be desired to present the wearer with the complete compilation of data in, for example, a chart or table format in various media. The wearer would simply need to cross reference their respective combination of factors to determine the most probable product size selection.  
                                         TABLE VI                           PROBABILITY OF PRODUCT SIZE BY AGE, WEIGHT IN       POUNDS, AND NUMBER OF VAGINAL BIRTHS            Age   Weight   VaginalBirths   ProbSmall   ProbMedium   ProbLarge               12   100   0   0.361   0.519   0.120       12   100   1   0.308   0.534   0.157       12   150   0   0.296   0.539   0.165       12   150   1   0.247   0.542   0.212       12   240   0   0.192   0.535   0.273       12   240   1   0.153   0.514   0.333       18   100   0   0.385   0.506   0.109       18   100   1   0.331   0.526   0.143       18   100   2   0.279   0.535   0.185       18   100   3   0.231   0.534   0.235       18   100   4   0.187   0.522   0.292       18   100   5   0.148   0.498   0.354       18   150   0   0.319   0.531   0.151       18   150   1   0.268   0.538   0.194       18   150   2   0.220   0.535   0.245       18   150   3   0.177   0.520   0.303       18   150   4   0.140   0.494   0.366       18   150   5   0.107   0.460   0.433       18   200   1   0.210   0.535   0.256       18   200   2   0.168   0.517   0.315       18   200   3   0.132   0.490   0.379       18   200   4   0.101   0.454   0.445       18   200   5   0.076   0.411   0.513       18   250   0   0.199   0.534   0.267       18   250   1   0.159   0.514   0.326       18   250   2   0.124   0.485   0.391       18   250   3   0.095   0.447   0.458       18   250   4   0.071   0.404   0.526       18   250   5   0.052   0.357   0.591       24   100   0   0.410   0.493   0.098       24   100   1   0.355   0.515   0.130       24   100   2   0.302   0.529   0.169       24   100   3   0.251   0.532   0.217       24   100   4   0.205   0.524   0.271       24   100   5   0.163   0.505   0.332       24   150   0   0.342   0.521   0.137       24   150   1   0.289   0.533   0.178       24   150   2   0.240   0.534   0.226       24   150   3   0.195   0.523   0.282       24   150   4   0.155   0.502   0.344       24   150   5   0.120   0.470   0.410       24   200   0   0.277   0.536   0.187       24   200   1   0.229   0.534   0.237       24   200   2   0.185   0.521   0.293       24   200   3   0.146   0.498   0.356       24   200   4   0.113   0.465   0.422       24   200   5   0.086   0.424   0.490       24   250   0   0.218   0.535   0.247       24   250   1   0.176   0.519   0.305       24   250   2   0.138   0.494   0.368       24   250   3   0.106   0.459   0.435       24   250   4   0.080   0.417   0.503       24   250   5   0.059   0.372   0.569       30   100   0   0.434   0.478   0.088       30   100   1   0.379   0.504   0.117       30   100   2   0.325   0.521   0.154       30   100   3   0.273   0.528   0.199       30   100   4   0.224   0.525   0.251       30   100   5   0.180   0.510   0.310       30   150   0   0.366   0.510   0.124       30   150   1   0.312   0.526   0.162       30   150   2   0.261   0.531   0.208       30   150   3   0.214   0.525   0.262       30   150   4   0.171   0.507   0.322       30   150   5   0.134   0.480   0.387       30   200   0   0.300   0.530   0.171       30   200   1   0.249   0.532   0.218       30   200   2   0.203   0.524   0.273       30   200   3   0.162   0.504   0.334       30   200   4   0.126   0.475   0.399       30   200   5   0.096   0.437   0.467       30   250   0   0.238   0.534   0.228       30   250   1   0.193   0.523   0.284       30   250   2   0.153   0.501   0.346       30   250   3   0.119   0.469   0.412       30   250   4   0.090   0.430   0.480       30   250   5   0.067   0.386   0.547       40   100   0   0.476   0.452   0.073       40   100   1   0.420   0.481   0.099       40   100   2   0.364   0.504   0.131       40   100   3   0.310   0.518   0.171       40   100   4   0.259   0.522   0.219       40   100   5   0.211   0.514   0.275       40   150   0   0.406   0.489   0.105       40   150   1   0.351   0.510   0.139       40   150   2   0.298   0.522   0.180       40   150   3   0.247   0.524   0.230       40   150   4   0.201   0.513   0.286       40   150   5   0.159   0.492   0.348       40   200   0   0.338   0.516   0.146       40   200   1   0.285   0.526   0.189       40   200   2   0.236   0.524   0.240       40   200   3   0.191   0.512   0.298       40   200   4   0.151   0.489   0.361       40   200   5   0.116   0.456   0.428       40   250   0   0.273   0.528   0.198       40   250   1   0.225   0.525   0.250       40   250   2   0.181   0.510   0.309       40   250   3   0.142   0.484   0.373       40   250   4   0.109   0.450   0.441       40   250   5   0.082   0.409   0.509       49   100   0   0.513   0.426   0.061       49   100   1   0.457   0.459   0.084       49   100   2   0.401   0.486   0.113       49   100   3   0.345   0.506   0.149       49   100   4   0.292   0.516   0.193       49   100   5   0.241   0.515   0.245       49   150   0   0.434   0.467   0.089       49   150   1   0.388   0.493   0.119       49   150   2   0.332   0.511   0.157       49   150   3   0.279   0.518   0.202       49   150   4   0.230   0.515   0.255       49   150   5   0.185   0.500   0.315       49   200   0   0.374   0.500   0.126       49   200   1   0.320   0.515   0.165       49   200   2   0.267   0.521   0.212       49   200   3   0.219   0.515   0.266       49   200   4   0.175   0.498   0.327       49   200   5   0.137   0.470   0.393       49   250   0   0.307   0.519   0.174       49   250   1   0.256   0.523   0.222       49   250   2   0.208   0.514   0.278       49   250   3   0.166   0.495   0.339       49   250   4   0.129   0.465   0.405       49   250   5   0.098   0.428   0.474                  
 
         [0037]    Table VI presents selected portions from a data format correlating the combination of age (by years between 12 and 49), weight (in 10 lb. increments between 100 lbs. and 250 lbs.), and number of vaginal births ( 0  to  5  births). It should be appreciated that the complete data compilation for all combinations of the variables is extensive and need not be presented herein for an appreciation of the invention. As discussed with respect to Table V, it may be desired to summarize the resulting data format by trends, increased ranges (i.e, 40 lb. increments or vaginal births as a factor of 2), and so forth, so that the data format can be readily incorporated with the product packaging. It is well within the level of skill of those in the art to analyze and compile the data into a format that is user-friendly while still providing the wearer with sufficient information to make an informed decision. Alternately, it may be desired to present the wearer with the complete compilation of data in, for example, a chart or table format in various media. The wearer would simply need to cross reference their respective combination of factors to determine the most probable product size selection.  
         [0038]    In the situation wherein the possible combination of factors is extensive, it is contemplated that the data be presented or made available to consumers in a “remote” format. For example, the data format may be maintained in an interactive website wherein the consumer enters their unique combination of factors and is automatically presented with the most probable product size. An interactive kiosk or terminal may be provided at the point of purchase of the articles. In an alternate embodiment, the data format may be presented in a booklet or pamphlet form provided at the point of sale of the products. It should be appreciated that a countless number of possibilities exist within the scope of the invention for making the information available to consumers in a user-friendly and informative manner.  
         [0039]    It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations may be made to the embodiments of the invention illustrated or described herein without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims and their equivalents.