Patent Application
20240074920
As a natural detoxifying process, urine removes the toxins from the human body. Particularly, cellular metabolism generates by-products that are rich in nitrogen, which must be cleared from the blood stream. Trouble arises when a person cannot control the flow of urine, where urine leaks out involuntarily (i.e. urine incontinence). There are three major categories of urinary incontinence: detrusor instability (DI), [also referred to as urge incontinence (UI)]; stress incontinence (SI); and overflow incontinence. DI is urinary leakage due to spontaneous and uninhibited detrusor contractions occurring before the bladder is completely full. Accompanying these contractions is an extremely strong need to urinate. SI is classified as a failure to store urine. In this type of urinary dysfunction, leakage occurs during times of abdominal pressure or stress, such as coughing, sneezing, laughing, bending or lifting heavy objects. The frequency and severity of such urine loss can increase as the muscles and tissues, particularly those near the urethro-vaginal myofascial area, grow weaker. Overflow incontinence is the involuntary loss of urine associated with an over-distended bladder, resulting in frequent to constant leaking of urine without detrusor contractions. Under this condition, the bladder is able to sore urine; yet, bladder emptying is impaired. Individuals with overflow incontinence will typically retain large amounts of urine within the bladder after voiding.
Urinary incontinence is often the primary reason why individuals move to institutions. The annual costs of caring for both ambulatory and institutionalized persons with incontinence, including indirect costs (e.g. the treatment of injuries resulting from falls and complications such as skin breakdown) is estimated to be several billion dollars. Unfortunately, women make up a disproportionally large group that are impacted by urinary incontinence, especially older women and women who have given birth to one or more children, and older women. Many are diagnosed with mixed incontinence, such as a combination of stress incontinence and urge incontinence.
To help those suffering with urinary incontinence, the user may wear a bladder “control” pad. Although bladder control pads absorb large amounts of fluids, skin rashes and embarrassing smells still persist. Furthermore, most bladder control products do not “control” the flow of urine from the bladder, they merely collect a portion of the fluids excreted from the bladder. They do not stop the muscles associated with the bladder to stop the flow of urine.
Additionally, those who suffer from urinary incontinence can turn to bladder control medication as a remedy. Although bladder control drugs may inhibit the production and flow of urine, the side effects can range from annoying to lethal personal injuries and consequences. In the alternative, some surgical procedures exist that allege to correct urinary incontinence. Yet, these types of surgery can be extremely costly, while at the same time providing no guarantee of bladder leakage cessation.
It is within this context that the embodiments arise.
Embodiments of an absorbent article for bladder leakage cessation and method for manufacturing the pledget pillow package is provided. It should be appreciated that the present embodiment can be implemented in numerous ways, such as a process, an apparatus, a system, a device, or a method. Several inventive embodiments are described below.
In some embodiments, an absorbent article for bladder leakage cessation is provided. The absorbent article may include a primary sheet having a length, a width and a thickness, wherein the primary sheet includes a body-facing surface and a interior-facing surface. In some embodiments, the primary sheet may include four edges, each having a selvedge. The absorbent article may also include a secondary sheet having a length, a width, and a thickness, wherein the secondary sheet has a body-facing surface and interior-facing surface. In some embodiments, the secondary sheet may include four edges, each having a selvedge. The absorbent article may also include an absorbent sheet (having a length and a width) disposed between the primary sheet interior-facing surface and the secondary sheet interior-facing surface. In some embodiments, the absorbent sheet may include four edges. The length of the absorbent sheet may be greater than the length of the primary and secondary sheet, such that the absorbent sheet having a plurality of macrofolds can be folded in a counter direction to the primary sheet length and the secondary sheet length. To form a pillow package, the selvedge edges of the primary sheet and the secondary sheet may couple together around and encasing the absorbent sheet to form the pillow package. In some embodiments, the pillow package may be spherical in shape for insertion behind the female user clitoris above the urethra to curve the urethra upwards and close the urethra, such that when the labium minora and the labium majora close around the clitoris behind the user's undergarments, the pressure holds the pillow package stable behind the clitoris.
In some embodiments, a pledget for bladder control of a urethra of a female user having labium minora and labium majora is provided. The pledget may include a primary pad having a length, a width and a thickness, wherein the primary pad includes a body-facing surface and a interior-facing surface. In some embodiments, the primary pad may include four edges, each having a selvedge. The pledget may also include a secondary pad having a length, a width, and a thickness, wherein the secondary pad has a body-facing surface and interior-facing surface. In some embodiments, the secondary pad may include four edges, each having a selvedge. The pledget may also include an absorbent pad (having a length and a width) disposed between the primary pad interior-facing surface and the secondary pad interior-facing surface. In some embodiments, the absorbent pad may include four edges. The length of the absorbent pad may be greater than the length of the primary and secondary pad, such that the absorbent pad having a plurality of macrofolds can be folded in a counter direction to the primary pad length and the secondary pad length. To form a pillow package, the selvedge edges of the primary pad and the secondary pad may couple together around and encasing the absorbent pad to form the pillow package. In some embodiments, the pillow package may be compressed into a self-sustaining spherical shape for insertion behind the female user clitoris above the urethra to curve the urethra upwards and close the urethra, such that when the labium minora and the labium majora close around the clitoris, the pressure holds the pillow package stable behind the clitoris.
In some embodiments, method for manufacturing pledget pillow package for bladder control is provided. In an action, the method may include an embossing step of passing a continuous tissue ply paper between an embossing roll and a backing roll making a pair with the embossing roll. The method of manufacturing the pledget pillow package may include a cutting step of cutting the embossed continuous tissue ply paper. The method may further include a folding step of generating macrofolds of an absorbent sheet. The method may further include an attaching step of applying the folded absorbent sheet to a first cut portion of the embossed continuous tissue ply paper. Moreover, the method may include an encasing step of joining a second cut portion of the embossed continuous tissue ply paper to the first cut portion of the embossed continuous tissue ply paper to form the pillow package. In some embodiments, the method may include a coupling step of joining a withdrawal string to one of the cut portion of the embossed continuous tissue ply paper for ease of user removal.
Other aspects and advantages of the embodiments will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the described embodiments.
The described embodiments and the advantages thereof may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. These drawings in no way limit any changes in form and detail that may be made to the described embodiments by one so skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the described embodiments.
The following embodiments describe an absorbent article for bladder leakage cessation and method for manufacturing the pledget pillow package. It can be appreciated by one skilled in the art, that the embodiments may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well known process operations have not been described in detail in order not to unnecessarily obscure the embodiments.
In some embodiments, an absorbent article for bladder leakage cessation is provided. The absorbent article may include a primary sheet having a length, a width and a thickness, wherein the primary sheet includes a body-facing surface and a interior-facing surface. In some embodiments, the primary sheet may include four edges, each having a selvedge. The absorbent article may also include a secondary sheet having a length, a width, and a thickness, wherein the secondary sheet has a body-facing surface and interior-facing surface. In some embodiments, the secondary sheet may include four edges, each having a selvedge. The absorbent article may also include an absorbent sheet (having a length and a width) disposed between the primary sheet interior-facing surface and the secondary sheet interior-facing surface. In some embodiments, the absorbent sheet may include four edges. The length of the absorbent sheet may be greater than the length of the primary and secondary sheet, such that the absorbent sheet having a plurality of macrofolds can be folded in a counter direction to the primary sheet length and the secondary sheet length. To form a pillow package, the selvedge edges of the primary sheet and the secondary sheet may couple together around and encasing the absorbent sheet to form the pillow package. In some embodiments, the pillow package may be spherical in shape for insertion behind the female user clitoris above the urethra to curve the urethra upwards and close the urethra, such that when the labium minora and the labium majora close around the clitoris behind the user's undergarments, the pressure holds the pillow package stable behind the clitoris.
In some embodiments, the primary and the secondary sheet may include a first tissue ply coupled to a second tissue ply. The first tissue ply may include a first machine direction length (MD Length), wherein the first tissue ply serves as the interior-facing surface of the primary sheet. The second tissue ply, having a second MD Length, may include a plurality of macrofolds. In some embodiments, each of the plurality of macrofolds may comprise a different shape. Some of the plurality of macrofolds may possess differing macrofold segment lengths. In some embodiments, the second tissue ply may be embossed. The coupling of the first tissue ply and the second tissue ply may occur at each valley of each macrofold of the second tissue, wherein the second tissue ply serves as the body-facing surface of the primary sheet. In some embodiments, the first and the second tissue ply may have a basis weight from about 10 to about 60 gsm and a sheet bulk greater than about 5 cc/g.
The article may be a pledget for bladder control of a urethra of a female user having labium minora and labium majora. The difference between the absorbent article and the pledget being the material composition of each, wherein the absorbent article is made of tissue ply and the pledget being made of thin absorbent pads. Particularly, in some embodiments, a pledget for bladder control of a urethra of a female user may include a primary pad having a length, a width and a thickness, wherein the primary pad includes a body-facing surface and a interior-facing surface. In some embodiments, the primary pad may include four edges, each having a selvedge. The pledget may also include a secondary pad having a length, a width, and a thickness, wherein the secondary pad has a body-facing surface and interior-facing surface. In some embodiments, the secondary pad may include four edges, each having a selvedge. The pledget may also include an absorbent pad (having a length and a width) disposed between the primary pad interior-facing surface and the secondary pad interior-facing surface. In some embodiments, the absorbent sheet may include four edges. The length of the absorbent pad may be greater than the length of the primary and secondary pad, such that the absorbent pad having a plurality of macrofolds can be folded in a counter direction to the primary pad length and the secondary pad length. To form a pillow package, the selvedge edges of the primary pad and the secondary pad may couple together around and encasing the absorbent pad to form the pillow package. In some embodiments, the pillow package may be compressed into a self-sustaining spherical shape for insertion behind the female user clitoris above the urethra to curve the urethra upwards and close the urethra, such that when the labium minora and the labium majora close around the clitoris, the pressure holds the pillow package stable behind the clitoris. In some embodiments, a withdrawal string may be coupled to one of the selvedge edges of the primary pad and the secondary pad for ease of user removal.
Advantageously, the innovative design of the absorbent article for bladder leakage cessation and/or the pledget for bladder control of a urethra of a female user curtails most, if not all bladder leakage. The novel design and novel application alters the shape and opening of the urethra, such that the urethra is tilted upwards and closed. This upwards, closed position completely stops most if not all bladder leakage. The pressure from the closure of the labium minora and the labium majora around the clitoris and the absorbent article disclosed herein, keeps the absorbent article in place even during activities that exert pressure on the abdomen, such as laughing, coughing, exercising, and the like. Moreover, since urinary incontinence is often the primary reason why individuals move to institutions, many more people will be able to live on their own unassisted without the major costs of health care facilities. Since the annual costs of caring for both ambulatory and institutionalized persons with incontinence, including indirect costs (e.g. the treatment of injuries resulting from falls and complications such as skin breakdown), is estimated to be several billion dollars, this innovative concept can save billions of dollars. Additionally, the mental health of multiplied millions of people can be enhanced by the absorbent article for bladder leakage cessation and/or the pledget for bladder control as described herein, whereby users may no longer experience the embarrassment and shame often associated with urinary incontinence.
In the following description, numerous details are set forth. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form, rather than in detail, in order to avoid obscuring the present invention.
Reference in the description to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The phrase “in one embodiment” located in various places in this description does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Like reference numbers signify like elements throughout the description of the figures.
Referring to
In operation, when the innovative absorbent article 100 is placed slightly in front of the urethra and tucked behind the clitoris (as detailed in
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In operation, when the innovative absorbent article 100 is placed slightly in front of the urethra and tucked behind the clitoris (as detailed in
Referring to
As to the tissue ply, a known raw material pulp can be used for the (continuous) crepe paper according to some embodiments. For example, wood pulp, recycled pulp, and the like may be utilized. In particular, the preferred raw material pulp is a combination of NBKP (Nadelholz Bleached Kraft Pulp) and LBKP (Laubhoulz Bleached Kraft Pulp). Although, recycled pulp may be added, a mixture of only NBKP and LBKP of virgin pulp is more preferable in terms of the favorable hand feel and the like. In this case, the mixture ratio is NBKP:LBKP=10:90 to 50:50, in particular desirably NBKP:LBKP=40:60.
A paper raw material such as raw material pulp becomes a crepe paper through, for example, a known paper manufacturing process, via a wire part, a press part, a dryer part, a size press, a calender part, and the like. In the paper manufacturing, appropriate chemicals e.g., a dispersing agent, a pH adjuster such as caustic soda, an antifoaming agent, an antiseptic agent, and a slime control agent may be added.
As for paper quality of the crepe paper, the basis weight is preferably 12.0 to 30.0 g/m2 in one-ply. When the basis weight is less than 12.0 g/m2, the thickness to the touch feeling is lost and paper breakage exists after the embossing the tissue ply. In contrast, when the basis weight is more than 30.0 g/m2, the quality of the paper is degraded, due to surface roughness or decreased water disintegration property of the tissue ply.
In some embodiments, paper thickness (per one tissue ply) of the continuous crepe paper may be 100 to 330 μm in two sheets according to measurement by a dial thickness gauge (Peacock thickness gage). When the paper thickness is smaller than 100 μm, the thickness to the touch feeling is lost and the paper is likely to stretch, which makes it difficult to locate emboss positions accurately. Conversely, when the paper thickness is larger than 330 μm, the paper can be rough, which is undesirable.
Tensile strength measured can be measured according to the state of the products. That is, one-ply products are measured in the state of the one-ply, while two-ply products are measured in the state of the two-ply. For example, in a case of the two-ply products, it is preferable that the tensile strength (in the length direction) is 320 to 500 cN/25 mm while the tensile strength (in the width direction) is 140 to 250 cN/25 mm. The tensile strengths of the continuous crepe paper, which do not reach the tensile strength in the length direction or width direction, can be ineffective, due to paper breakage during the embossing phase of manufacturing the paper.
When manufacturing the embossed tissue ply, continuous crepe paper can be pressed by embossing convex portions, which are formed on the peripheral surface of a convex embossing roll (not shown) of a tissue ply manufacturing machine (not shown), whereby the tissue ply is passed between rolls having the desired embossing pattern.
Referring to
In operation, when the innovative absorbent article 100 is placed slightly in front of the urethra and tucked behind the clitoris (as detailed in
Referring to
Ordinarily, the urinary sphincter muscle 520, which is located at the upper end of the urethra 550, adjacent to the bladder 500, seals off the passing of urine from the bladder 500 to the urethra 550, when it has a generally round or circular cross-sectional configuration. Support of the proximal urethra 550 elevates muscle 520 above the pelvic floor and subjects it to increases in intra-abdominal pressure, thus allowing compression and maintenance of continence. However, when this passageway becomes distorted into an elliptical or oval cross-sectional configuration, the sphincter muscle 520 cannot close properly, therefore, the tendency for involuntary urine loss increases. SI can be caused by damage to the proximal urethra 550 through trauma, radiation, sacral spinal cord lesions, prior surgeries, estrogen deficiency, or a congenital weakness. Additionally, neuromuscular damage from pregnancy, childbirth, and pelvic surgery is a common cause of SI.
In operation, when the innovative absorbent article 100 is placed slightly in front of the urethra 550 and tucked behind the clitoris 530 (as detailed in
Referring to
In the above description, numerous details are set forth. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form, rather than in detail, in order to avoid obscuring the present invention.
It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading and understanding the above description. Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments, it will be recognized that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described, but can be practiced with modification and alteration within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative sense rather than a restrictive sense. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
It should be understood that although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various steps or calculations, these steps or calculations should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one step or calculation from another. For example, a first calculation could be termed a second calculation, and, similarly, a second step could be termed a first step, without departing from the scope of this disclosure. As used herein, the term “and/or” and the “I” symbol includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and/or “including,” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. Therefore, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting.
Although the method operations were described in a specific order, it should be understood that other operations may be performed in between described operations, described operations may be adjusted so that they occur at slightly different times or the described operations may be distributed in a system which allows the occurrence of the processing operations at various intervals associated with the processing.
The foregoing description, for the purpose of explanation, has been described with reference to specific embodiments. However, the illustrative discussions above are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the embodiments and its practical applications, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the embodiments and various modifications as may be suited to the particular use contemplated. Accordingly, the present embodiments are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein, but may be modified within the scope and equivalents of the appended claims.
