Sanitary Napkin and Method of Use

Abstract

A sanitary napkin and method of use. The sanitary napkin includes a length of material having a first end and a second end. A marking is disposed on a first end of the length of material. The length of material includes a plurality of perforations dividing the length of material into individual panels. The length of material is configured to maintain a folded configuration via folding of the individual panels along the perforations. A method of using the sanitary napkin includes folding the first end over the second, tearing the length of material along one of the perforations, folding an endmost panel over an adjacent panel, folding the first end over the second end, applying the panel having the marking thereon to the anus region in order to remove fecal matter therefrom, and folding the panel having the marking thereon downward toward the endmost panel.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to sanitary napkins. More specifically, the present invention provides a sanitary napkin for cleaning bowel movements and a method of using the same.

Individuals typically clean up after a bowel movement utilizing ordinary toilet paper in a wiping motion. Ordinary toilet paper lacks a marking for identifying the proper wiping location. Additionally, ordinary toilet paper and wiping methods are inadequate. Wiping can smear fecal matter around the anus region, which can emit foul odors and stain clothing. Additionally, wiping increases the risk that an individual will get fecal matter on their hands, which is unsanitary and unpleasant. Therefore, there exists a need for a sanitary napkin and method of use that efficiently removes fecal matter from the anus region without transferring the fecal matter to other portions of the body.

Devices have been disclosed in the prior art that relate to sanitary cleaners and methods of using the same. These include devices that have been patented and published in patent application publications. These prior art devices and methods generally relate to methods for cleaning soiled areas and cleaning fabrics having markings thereon, such as U.S. Pat. No. 6,865,762, U.S. Pat. No. 4,238,541, U.S. Pat. No. 6,918,513, U.S. Pat. No. 5,753,331, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,492,746.

These prior art devices and methods have several known drawbacks. The prior art devices fail to provide a length of material having a marking on a particular panel thereof. The prior art further fails to provide a method of use of a foldable sanitary napkin for cleaning up after a bowel movement.

In light of the devices disclosed in the prior art, it is submitted that the present invention substantially diverges in design elements from the prior art and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement of existing sanitary napkins and methods of use. In this regard the present invention substantially fulfills these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of sanitary napkins and methods of use thereof now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a sanitary napkin and method of using the same wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when cleaning up after a bowel movement. The sanitary napkin generally consists of a length of material having a first end and a second end, a plurality of panels disposed on the length of material, a plurality of perforations extending transversely across the length of material, wherein each perforation defines an edge of one of the plurality of panels, and wherein at least one of the plurality of panels includes a marking on an upper side thereof.

The present invention further provides a method for using the above described sanitary napkin, the method including the steps of tearing the length of material along one of the perforations, folding an endmost panel over an adjacent panel, folding the first end over the second end, applying the panel having the marking thereon to the anus region in order to remove fecal matter therefrom, and folding the panel having the marking downward thereon toward the endmost panel. The user may then reapply the new panel to the anus region and repeat until no fecal matter remains on the sanitary napkin.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a sanitary napkin according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a sanitary napkin according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 a perspective view of a sanitary napkin according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a sanitary napkin according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a sanitary napkin according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the sanitary napkin and method of using the same. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for cleaning up after a bowel movement. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of a sanitary napkin according to the present invention. The sanitary napkin 11 generally comprises a length of material 12 having a first end 13 and a second end 14. A plurality of panels 15 are disposed along the length of material 12. The panels 15 are divided by perforations 16 that extend transversely across the length of material 12. The perforations 16 allow for easy tearing and separating of the panels 15. In one embodiment, the length of material 12 comprises a first layer adhered to a second layer in order to increase absorbent properties.

In a first step of using the sanitary napkin, the length of material 12 is torn from a package storing the sanitary napkins. In one embodiment of the method, the user tears a length of material 12 consisting of ten panels 15. The sanitary napkin 11 is configured to maintain a folded configuration and may be stored in a dispenser or disposable packaging.

Referring now to FIG. 2, another perspective view of a sanitary napkin according to the present invention is shown. The sanitary napkin further comprises at least one marking 17 disposed on one of the panels 15. The marking 17 is positioned in a center portion of the panel 15 in the illustrated embodiment. In alternate embodiments, the marking 17 may be disposed on each panel 15, on alternating panels 15, or on one of every ten panels 15. In some embodiments, the marking 17 comprises a raised portion composed of an absorbent material which helps absorb fecal matter and other waste during use of the sanitary napkin 11.

In a second step of using the sanitary napkin 11, the second end 14, which is then endmost panel 15, is folded over to the first end 13. The marking 17 is then in a position in front of the hand holding the sanitary napkin 11.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown another perspective view of a sanitary napkin according to the present invention. In a third step of using the sanitary napkin 11, the end having the marking 17 thereon is folded upward toward the opposing end of the sanitary napkin 11, essentially folding the napkin in half a second time. This prevents excess material from dropping down into the toilet during use. If necessary, the user may fold the sanitary napkin 11 in half a third time to further reduce its length.

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown another perspective view of a sanitary napkin according to the present invention. In a fourth step of using the sanitary napkin 11, the user applies the marking 17 to the anal opening with a slight press with the middle finger and a lifting action to remove fecal matter 18 therefrom. In a fifth step of using the sanitary napkin 11, the user releases the rear held portion, increasing the length of the sanitary napkin 11 to what it once was. This provides additional clean areas to utilize. In the illustrated embodiment, the marking 17 is shown as a rectangular absorbent pad disposed in the center portion of a panel 15.

Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown another perspective view of a sanitary napkin according to the present invention. In this step, the marker 17 is folded downward revealing a new panel 15 which may or may not have another marker 17 disposed thereon. The new panel 15 is then reapplied to the anal opening, and this step repeated until no fecal matter remains on the sanitary napkin 11. Utilizing the embodiment with ten panels, the method allows users to complete ten blotting actions in order to effectively remove fecal matter from the anal region.

It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1) A sanitary napkin, comprising: a length of material having a first end and a second end;a plurality of panels disposed on the length of material;a plurality of perforations extending transversely across the length of material, wherein each perforation defines an edge of one of the plurality of panels;wherein at least one of the plurality of panels comprises a marking on an upper side thereof.

2) The sanitary napkin of claim 1, wherein the length of material comprises at least one ply of material adhered to a second ply of material.

3) The sanitary napkin of claim 1, further comprising a raised portion disposed on at least one of the panels, wherein the marking is disposed on the raised portion.

4) The sanitary napkin of claim 3, wherein the raised portion is composed of an absorbent material.

5) The sanitary napkin of claim 1, wherein the sanitary napkin is further configured to maintain a folded configuration.

6) The sanitary napkin of claim 1, wherein the marking is disposed on a center point of the at least one panel.

7) A method for removing fecal matter using a sanitary napkin, the sanitary napkin comprising a length of material having a first end and a second end, a plurality of panels disposed on the length of material, a plurality of perforations extending transversely across the length of material, wherein each perforation defines an edge of one of the plurality of panels, wherein at least one of the plurality of panels comprises a marking on an upper side thereof, the method comprising the steps of: tearing the length of material along one of the perforations;folding an endmost panel over an adjacent panel;folding the first end over the second end;applying the panel having the marking thereon to the anus region in order to remove fecal matter therefrom; andfolding the panel having the marking thereon downward toward the endmost panel.