WO1994022405A1

WO1994022405A1 - Women's sanitary article such as sanitary towel

Info

Publication number: WO1994022405A1
Application number: PCT/FR1994/000324
Authority: WO
Inventors: Carol Lefebvre Du Grosriez
Original assignee: Kaysersberg
Priority date: 1993-04-01
Filing date: 1994-03-24
Publication date: 1994-10-13
Also published as: AU6379394A; FR2703244B1; FR2703244A1

Abstract

The invention relates in general to women's sanitary articles such as a sanitary towel. According to the invention, said article (1) comprises an external protection which absorbs the menstrual flow, placed against the body of the user and an internal device (3) which drains the menstrual flow, arranged in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the external protection (2), and intended to collect said flow directly in the vagina and to drain said flow into the external protection.

Description

FEMALE HYGIENE ARTICLE SUCH AS A PERIODIC TOWEL

The invention generally relates to an article of feminine hygiene and in particular a periodic towel ensuring a perfect seal and comfort for the users.

Two groups of feminine hygiene articles of different structure, shape and positioning currently exist on the periodic protection market: on the one hand, external protections or periodic towels and on the other hand, internal protections or pads . Each of these types of product has major drawbacks.

Regarding the period towels, whatever their shape and the improvements made, their main flaw is that they do not completely eliminate the side leaks which damage and soil the underwear on which they are placed. Indeed, periodic towels are sometimes badly positioned in relation to the woman's body: they are placed either too far forward or too far back, or are laterally offset on the bottom of the undergarment, thereby causing leaks liquid on the underwear. In addition, the movements and displacements of the user during the day most often deform the edges of the towel, which causes a lateral flow of liquids outside the towel. In the lying position, leaks are most often unavoidable at the front or at the rear of the towel, due to the positioning and the shape of the latter, preferably provided for use in a substantially horizontal plane. Investigations have reported that fifteen to fifty percent of women wearing periodic towels, complained of leaks.

Furthermore, the relatively large dimensions of the periodic towels make wearing them quite uncomfortable.

As for tampons, they have certain disadvantages such as irritation, pain, and risks of bacterial infections. Furthermore, when they absorb the menstrual flow, they tend to swell which makes it difficult to remove them. Their saturation causes leaks. In fact, when they are in a state of maximum absorption, in other words saturated, and being moreover compressed by their position, they release liquid.

In order to overcome these drawbacks, several solutions have been proposed but none has apparently met with success on the market. One of these solutions consists of a periodic towel, therefore an external protection, provided with a protruding central zone which is placed between the lips of the vulva, without being introduced into the vagina compared to a tampon. This type of article, while being external, presents a "semi-internal" zone. It is illustrated by the following patents. US Patent No. 4,046,147 describes a sanitary napkin obtained from a sheet of absorbent material folded so as to form a mattress of rectangular shape and a solid protrusion projecting towards the anatomy of the user, of substantially in a rectangular pyramid trunk, placed in the center of the mattress. Such a towel has a concentrated absorption at the level of the protuberance and reduced at the ends. The upper surface of the protuberance has a central zone in slight depression relative to the periphery of this upper surface. This central depression zone collects the products of flaking.

But if debris from the mucosa remains on the surface of the protuberance, the latter will no longer be able to absorb the menstrual flow. In addition, the absorption being concentrated at the level of the protuberance, there are drawbacks similar to those described above for the pads.

French Patent No. 2,653,328 discloses another periodic protection of this type, comprising a thin absorbent mattress consisting of a veil permeable to body fluids coming into contact with the user, associated with absorbent fibrous material, mattress having an elongated shape and having a rounded front part and a rear part and having in the vicinity of its longitudinal axis a protuberance intended to be completely inserted between the outer lips of the vulva without penetrating into the vagina. This protuberance has substantially the shape of a cylinder which is attached to the mattress in a narrow zone with respect to the diameter of the cylinder so as to form two concave zones on either side of the protuberance. This protuberance furthermore consists of a nonwoven veil permeable to bodily fluids associated with absorbent fibrous material enclosing in its middle a superabsorbent material intended to capture and gel the menstrual flow as soon as it is emitted. However, this structure has the drawback of clogging the protuberance without draining the menstrual flow towards other absorption zones.

Another advanced solution is a very localized periodic towel, positioned in the vulva.

South African Patent No. 754,481 discloses a period towel comprising an absorbent mattress covered with an envelope and having one end in the form of a ribbon which does not include a mattress. The length, width and thickness of the towel are such that it attaches between the outer and inner lips of the vulva and covers the entrance to the vagina. This towel is held in position by the natural attachment action of the muscles of the outer lips of the vulva.

But this lining does not solve the problem of drainage of body fluids and drawbacks such as excessive retention of liquids in the interlabial space, appear. French patent application No. 2,359,600 and American patents No. 3,983,873 and No. 4,175,561 describe similar protections of geometric shape suitable for insertion into the interlabial space. These products present some discomfort and are not suitable for absorption of menstrual flow but are used for less abundant involuntary flows of liquids such as urine.

A third solution provided is an internal tampon type protection, introduced into the vagina, having a development at its base, perpendicular to the part introduced into the vagina and which is inserted between the lips of the vulva.

US Patent No. 3,690,321 corresponds to this solution which in fact amounts substantially to internal protection. Indeed, the entire structure of the protection: both the pad and the mattress arranged transversely to the longitudinal axis of the pad, is absorbent.

However, this completely absorbent protection does not overcome all of the drawbacks which arise when using conventional tampons. A major drawback of such protection is the permanent opening of the lips during use. Indeed, these can no longer act as a natural barrier against bacteria, which leads to risks of infections. Furthermore, the presence of a large body between the lips makes wearing this protection particularly uncomfortable.

The present invention aims to overcome the drawbacks mentioned above, mainly leaks, by providing a hygiene article capable of ensuring the drainage of the menstrual flow from an internal area close to the source of the flow, in the vagina. , by capturing it and guiding it towards an external absorbent zone.

The invention also aims to avoid the absorption and retention of menstrual flow in the internal parts of the female anatomy, by draining the fluids towards the outside of the body, in an external absorbent zone, that is to say ie by moving the flow away from the origin of its flow.

The subject of the invention is therefore a completely waterproof hygiene article, that is to say eliminating any risk of leakage, whatever the position and the movements of the user.

The invention also relates to a feminine hygiene article having improved comfort due to the possible reduction of the dimensions of the external absorbent zone such as an absorbent mattress.

The invention further relates to a hygiene article having excellent support, thus having the advantage of always being well positioned relative to the body of the woman by ensuring the contact of the body with the external protection, and in s' adapting to the user's movements. The new solution proposed by the invention results from an advantageous combination of an absorbent external protection and an internal protection or device for draining bodily fluids from the interior of the vagina to the external absorbent protection.

According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the feminine hygiene article comprises an external protection absorbing bodily fluids, intended to come against the body of the user, and an internal device for draining the aforementioned fluids or menstrual flow forming a angle with said external protection and intended to capture the aforementioned fluids directly in the vagina and to drain them into said external protection.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the aforementioned drainage device comprises a means forming a drain or wick introduced into the vagina.

According to an additional characteristic of the invention, the aforementioned drainage device comprises a means for placing said means forming a drain inside the vagina and, if necessary, a means for extracting said means for placing.

According to an equally advantageous characteristic of the invention, said external protection comprises a mattress absorbing fluids and a film impermeable to fluids placed under said mattress.

According to a preferred characteristic of the invention, the above-mentioned means forming a drain is made of flexible and hydrophilic material.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description with reference to the appended drawings in which:

FIG. 1 schematically represents the hygiene article according to the invention, in perspective,

FIG. 2 is a cross section along the plane II-II of the article shown in FIG. 1 and corresponding to an embodiment of the invention,

- Figure 3 is a cross section along the plane II-II of the article shown in Figure 1 and corresponding to another embodiment of the article according to the invention provided with means for positioning the means forming a drain in the vagina,

FIG. 4 illustrates the article shown in FIG. 3 when the positioning means is removed,

FIG. 5 shows in perspective another embodiment of the hygiene article according to the invention, and

- Figure 6 is a cross section along the plane VV, of the article shown in Figure 5. With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the feminine hygiene article 1 or periodic towel according to the invention comprises an external protection 2 and an internal protection or device 3 introduced into the vagina of the user. The internal device 3 is a device for draining bodily fluids and more precisely the menstrual flow, which captures the menstrual flow as close as possible to its source, inside the vagina and which then conducts this flow towards the outside of the female anatomy, in the external protection 2 which has the function of absorbing fluids. In other words, the purpose of this drainage device is to probe the interior of the vagina and direct the menstrual flow directly into an external absorbent structure. This makes it possible to regulate the flow of the fluids emitted and to channel them so that the flow is evacuated from the vagina in a more controlled manner. The main advantage which results therefrom is the total elimination of the risks of inadvertent leaks occurring in feminine hygiene articles of the prior art, as well for tampons as for periodic towels.

The internal device 3 comprises a drain means 4 which can be a wick, of the ribbon or cord type in the form of a wire or several associated wires, more or less thick, or also in the form of a sleeve. or any tubular means adapted to the anatomy of the vagina. The drain-forming means can also consist of a part of a veil disposed on the surface of the external protection 2 and forming a projection which can be introduced inside the vagina and fulfill the drainage function. Such sails have the advantage of fulfilling two functions: internal drainage and penetration of the flow into the mattress at the surface of the external protection. If the drain means is tubular, its section must be sufficient to allow the introduction of a finger of the user. The drainage device is indeed introduced and placed in the vagina by the user digitally, as described below.

The drain means 4 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, which is only an example, is of tubular shape, preferably open at its upper end. One can also consider a means forming a tubular drain closed at its upper end. But the existence of an opening facilitates the entry of the menstrual flow inside the drain. However, the opening must be limited in size so as not to let the user's finger pass during installation.

The material used for the drain means must be very flexible, not too bulky, very soft, and medically controlled. The bacteriological control parameters are identical to those of the tampons. The rate of presence of the following bacteria must in fact be controlled by tests: total aerobic mesophilic bacteria, yeasts and molds and the following pathogenic bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudonomas aeruginosa. The flexibility of the material forming the drain provides comfort, eliminates the risk of irritation of other internal protections such as tampons introduced into the vagina and / or between the lips of the vulva In addition, the combination of flexibility and finesse of the p ^e RMET material drain means forming occupy only a very small volume the average drain forming must also have sufficient tensile strength when the wearer withdraw the internal protection

It is generally in the form of fibers, filaments or threads, preferably an assembly of threads, that is to say a textile material for example a cord or a braid or else a fabric in knitted form, woven or not. fibers are natural, synthetic, or mixed Natural fibers are chosen, for example, from cotton, viscose Synthetic fibers are, for example, polyamide fibers and can also be extruded

One can use materials conventionally used as permeable veil on the periodic napkins of nonwovens or plastic materials such as a perforated plastic film of the Retιculon type (registered mark) which meets the properties required for the medium forming flexibility, finesse, resistance to traction and non-absorption of fluids

The material is possibly elastic and in this case comprises, for example, Lycra® (registered trademark). If the material is elastic, it must be all the more flexible so as not to squeeze the user's finger for easy placement.

If the material is not elastic, it must be thin enough so that the drain means is not too bulky once in place

Furthermore, this material can be hydrophobic, that is to say that it will drain the menstrual flow by gravity without absorbing it. For example, in the case of hollow fibers forming the drain, the flow will not penetrate the inside the fibers but will slide by gravity along these fibers The material can also be hydrophilic The flux will then be collected by the drain-forming means, by impregnation, before migrating by capillarity towards the absorbent external protection In the case mentioned above of hollow fibers forming the drain, the menstrual flow will penetrate inside the fibers by crossing the wall of the hollow fibers and will be drained by capillary effect in the absorbent external protection This solution is interesting because the flow will be well guided whatever the position of the user, in particular the lying position

The internal drainage device 3 includes, if necessary, at its upper end, a means 5 for holding the drain means 4, inside the vagina The means for holding can be of different shapes such as a ring, a arc disposed at the end of the drain means in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of the latter or for example a straight line which corresponds to the diameter of a circle delimited by the walls of the vagina II can also be arranged in a plane parallel to the axis of the drain forming means II then appears under the shape of a flexible rod arranged along the wall of the drain means or in the form of an inverted U located at the end of the drain means and the two ends of which are in contact with the walls of the drain means .

This holding means does not exist when the structure and the shape of the drain forming means are such that the latter itself directly ensures that it remains in place.

In FIG. 1, the holding means 5 is in the form of a ring of toroidal shape with a toroid diameter of between approximately 10 and approximately 30 millimeters and preferably between approximately 15 and 25 millimeters, and of core diameter in the range between about 1 and about 3 millimeters. The material used for this ring must be flexible enough not to hinder and irritate the user during the establishment of the drain means and the wearing of the internal drainage device.

The establishment of the internal device is digital and the ring maintains the drain-forming means in its unfolded or elongated state towards the bottom of the vagina.

The internal device further comprises means 6 for placing the internal drainage device in the vagina, which may be a positioning finger, an elastic, deformable membrane or any equivalent means.

Another solution is also possible where the drain forming means and the positioning means are one. To do this, the materials forming this drain, a fortiori tubular, are chosen so that the internal face of the drain is impermeable to the flow and the external face is conductive of the flow on its external face. In this case, it is no longer necessary to remove the fitting means, once the internal protection has been introduced into the vagina.

In FIG. 2, the positioning means 6 is an elastic waterproof membrane, flat at rest and deformable by the force exerted by a finger when the user introduces the means forming a drain 4 into the vagina. A reinforcing strip can be provided around the waterproof membrane 6 to avoid deformation of the external protection.

The drainage device 2 is arranged substantially perpendicular to the external protection 2.

The latter is composed of an absorbent mattress 7, a fluid-permeable veil 8, of the nonwoven type, and a film impermeable to fluids 9, for example made of polyethylene. Glue lines can be provided under the waterproof film 9 so that the article can be fixed by adhesion to an undergarment. A silicone strip 10 is then placed under the film impermeable to fluids 9 and has a perforation at the location of the drainage device 3. This silicone strip will be removed when the lining is used. But it should be noted that the deposition of adhesive material under the external protection to fix the article on the undergarment is not here that an additional "security", the maintenance of the article being already assured by the installation of the internal protection.

The drain means 4 is connected by any fixing means such as sewing, gluing or heat sealing on the mattress so that the mattress 7 can directly absorb the flow coming from the drain forming means 4. This fixing means must be suitable so as not to obstruct the flow of liquids in the mattress. The drain means can be fixed anywhere in the mattress, including the front and rear ends of the latter. The drain means can also be extended in the form of a permeable veil on the total or partial surface of the mattress, using as material, for example a perforated plastic film. The elastic membrane 6 allowing the establishment of the drain means 4 can be fixed on the impermeable film 9. Therefore, the sealing of the hygiene article is ensured.

The material forming the mattress is based on cellulose fibers, bonded or not, or cellulose foam, optionally supplemented with superabsorbents.

Since the menstrual flow is guided and oriented directly in the absorbent mattress, the dimensions of the external protection can be reduced compared to the periodical towels of the prior art, both in length and width and in thickness. We find the dimensions of a panty liner when we introduce superabsorbents in the mattress. One can even consider dimensions smaller than those of a panty liner by substantially reducing the dimensions of the mattress. Therefore, the external protection of minimized volume, therefore having a very small footprint, has a very small contact surface with the undergarment and allows the removal of any additional means of fixing such as the deposition of adhesive. External protection therefore becomes much more discreet and very comfortable for the user.

Therefore, this article solves the problems caused by both sanitary napkins and tampons.

The implementation of this article is done in two stages. In a first step, the user sets up the internal drainage device 3 then in a second step, she places the undergarment under the underside of the hygiene article by removing the silicone band beforehand, if this the latter is provided, so that the external protection adheres to the undergarment.

Other embodiments of the hygiene article according to the invention are described below.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate an article, the drainage device 33 of which comprises a means 66 for placing the drain means 44, which is an impermeable film in the form of a sleeve, which is removed using a cord 100 fixed to the bottom of the sleeve at its upper end 101. The base of the sleeve 66 is fixed by any appropriate means on the fluid-impermeable film 99 so as to seal the drainage device 33. In addition, the tubular positioning means can be located outside, of the drain means, with at its based on an opening planned for digital implementation.

FIG. 5 illustrates a hygiene article according to the invention where the drain forming means is a wick 444 made up of hydrophobic threads or of tangled hydrophilic fibers. The drain means could also be a network of wicks arranged for example in a frustoconical manner around a central axis. The drainage device 333 also includes a sleeve 666 for placing the wick in the vagina. A ring 555 or any equivalent means for holding the bit in position is in this case essential. The wick is placed against the external surface of the sleeve 666 when the drainage device is put in place, then it remains in position in the vagina by means of the ring 555.

With reference to FIG. 6, the wick 444 extends into the external protection, here in the mattress, and is fixed by its ends 444a and 444b to the mattress 777.

The drainage device corresponding to the internal protection can be conical, frustoconical and preferably tubular. The external protection can be rectangular, oblong, hourglass or other.

The article according to the invention can be easily manufactured online, continuously.

Manufacturing methods are given below, by way of illustration.

On the one hand, the external protection is manufactured according to conventional methods of assembling the elements forming a period towel or a panty liner, such as a mattress, a film impermeable to fluids placed under the mattress, and a permeable upper veil. to fluids, applied to the surface of the mattress.

Once assembled, the external protection is perforated, for example by stamping, to release a space intended for the drain-forming means and possibly by means of placing the drain.

On the other hand, we make the drain. When it is tubular, several embodiments are possible.

Starting from a width, two thicknesses of textile material are cut and welded longitudinally, for example a loose fabric forming a net or a grid, or two thicknesses of a perforated film, the two thicknesses being placed one on the other. 'other so as to form a tube. Then the tube obtained is cut and welded transversely, closing only one end of the tube by welding. If the lateral edges of the sleeve obtained are too irritating (lack of softness), the sleeve is turned over.

Starting directly from a tube, it suffices to cut the tube transversely and weld it at one of its ends. One can also use as starting material, for another embodiment of the means forming a drain, a veil intended to be also placed on the surface of the mattress of the external protection The veil is deformed cold or hot for example by a matrix heater which is applied against a counter marking plate, the veil being placed between the matrix and the plate The veil thus deformed has a protuberance which forms the drain

It is also possible to cut two thicknesses of veil placed one on the other, along a line defining the profile of the drain-forming means. Then the elements of the veil cut along this line are welded, so as to form the drain and the corresponding element. with the permeable veil which will be assembled with the other elements of the external protection

For non-tubular drains, we can start with a small width that we cut to the desired width to make the drain. We then conform the cut piece of width to give it the profile of a drain and place it on the external protection mattress

You can also use a wick formed of several wires that are fixed vertically on the mattress

We also manufacture the means of placing the drain

In the case of a positioning finger, use is made in particular of a plastic, flexible material, molded in the shape of a finger, on which is fixed an extraction cord and then the finger is turned over, the cord remaining in place at the inside of the latter

The base of the finger and more precisely its outline is sealed on a support in order to maintain the base of the finger during the placement of the drain.

The assembly formed by the positioning finger and the drain placed on the finger is fitted onto a vertical support rod. The latter guides the positioning finger and the drain through the perforation provided for this purpose in the mattress. the external protection described above We seal the assembly formed by the drain and the positioning finger on the mattress then cover the lower part of the mattress and the sealing area with an impermeable film or veil

When the fitting means is a membrane deformable under the pressure of a finger, a pellet is cut from a sheet of suitable material and the contours of the latter are sealed on a rigid support.

Furthermore, the drain is fixed to the mattress, by being fitted beforehand on a support rod intended to thread and position the drain in the perforation provided for this purpose in the mattress The drain is sealed to the mattress preferably on its lower part

As for the pellet or membrane for installing the drain, it is placed under the absorbent mattress. The impermeable film is perforated at the location of the pellet and it is placed below the tablet. The tablet and its support are sealed on the impermeable film in order to seal the article, and the finished article is obtained.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and includes all the equivalent and additional means within reach of those skilled in the art.

Claims

1) Feminine hygiene article (1) such as a period towel, characterized in that it comprises an external protection (2) absorbing the menstrual flow, intended to come against the body of the user, and an internal device (3) for draining the menstrual flow forming an angle with said external protection (2) and intended to capture the aforementioned flow directly in the vagina and to drain it into said external protection (2).

2) Article according to claim 1, characterized in that the aforementioned drainage device (3) comprises a drain means (4) or wick, preferably of tubular shape, introduced into the vagina.

3) Article according to claim 2, characterized in that the aforementioned drainage device (3) comprises means for positioning (6) of said drain means (4) inside the vagina and if necessary a means of extraction of said positioning means.

4) Article according to claim 3, characterized in that said means of introduction is a finger-shaped film positioned inside said means forming a drain before the establishment of the aforementioned drainage device in the vagina and removed a once the aforementioned drainage device in position in the vagina, by said extraction means.

5) Article according to claim 3, characterized in that said positioning means (6) and said drain means (4) forms only one and only means, in particular tubular, the internal face of which is impermeable to flow and the face external conductive of fluids.

6) Article according to claim 3, characterized in that said positioning means (6) is a membrane of flexible, elastic and impermeable material deforming during the establishment of the drain means.

7) Article according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the aforementioned drainage device (3) further comprises a holding means (5) in position in the vagina of said drain means (4).

8) Article according to claim 7, characterized in that said holding means (5) is a ring of toric shape or a portion of ring disposed at the upper end of the means forming drain (4).

9) Article according to one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that the aforementioned means forming drain (4) is made of flexible material and preferably hydrophilic.

10) Article according to one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that said aforementioned means forming a drain (4) is made of flexible and hydrophobic material.

1 1) Article according to one of claims 2 to 10. characterized in that said drain means (4) is made of elastic material. 12) Article according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said external protection (2) comprises a fluid absorbent mattress (7) and a film impermeable to fluids (9) disposed under said absorbent mattress (7).

13) Article according to one of claims 3 to 6 and claim 12, characterized in that said positioning means (6) is fixed to said waterproof film (9).

14) Article according to claim 12, characterized in that the material of the drain means is a veil, of the perforated plastic film type and in that it extends to the surface of the external protection by forming a veil permeable to menstrual flow .