Sanitary product

Abstract

This invention relates to a sanitary product for use by women for the absorption of menstrual fluid and such like. The product comprises a plug and a pad joined by a sheath (4). The plug is substantially cylindrical so that is fits comfortably in a vaginal cavity. The pad remains outside the vaginal cavity, but has an absorbent layer on an inward side proximal to the plug and a liquid impermeable layer on an outward side. The sheath comprises a tube of absorbent material for drawing excess menstrual fluid from the plug to the pad and has a layer of liquid impermeable material on its inside surface. It extends from an outward end of the plug, proximal to the pad, both to and through the pad. In use, a wearer can insert a finger into the sheath from the outward side of the pad assist with insertion of the plug into the vaginal cavity. When the product is in place and the wearer's finger has been removed, the sheath has sufficiently small diameter to avoid exerting any significant pressure on the vaginal orifice. A string is provided that extends inside the sheath from the outward end of the plug to aid removal of the product.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a sanitary product according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the sanitary product of FIG. 1 with an externally worn pad shown in an unfolded configuration;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the sanitary product of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the sanitary product of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, a sanitary product 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a plug 2 and pad 3 joined by a sheath 4.

The plug 2 is substantially cylindrical so that it fits comfortably in a vaginal cavity. The end of the plug 2 that, in use, is inserted into the vaginal cavity first is referred to as the innermost end 5 of the plug 2. The end of the plug 2 that, in use, is inserted into the vaginal cavity last is referred to as the outermost end 6 of the plug 2. Both the innermost end 5 and outermost end 6 of the plug 2 are domed to ease insertion and removal of the plug 2 from the vaginal cavity. In another example, the outermost end 6 is flat.

The plug 2 is typically around 3.5 cm in length and around 1.5 cm in diameter. In other embodiments, these dimensions might vary within reasonable limits; say 4 cm or less in length and 2 cm or less in diameter. However, for women with light menstrual flow, an intact hymen or no sexual experience, the plug 2 is generally shorter and of smaller diameter.

In this embodiment, the plug 2 is made from compressed cotton. For example, a sheet of compressed cotton may be cut and rolled into an appropriate shape. Other suitable materials and constructions may be used as desired.

Typically, the pad 3 is substantially a flat egg-shape. In other words, the perimeter of the pad 3 is an ellipse having one end (broad end 7) broader or wider than the other end (narrow end 8). The side of the pad 3 in contact with the vagina in use is referred to as the inward side 9 (shown as the front of the sanitary product 1 in FIG. 3) and the side of the pad 3 in contact with clothing in use is referred to as the outward side 10 (shown as the rear of the product 1 in FIG. 4).

The pad 3 has an absorbent layer on the inward side 9 and a liquid impermeable layer on the outward side 10. In this embodiment, the absorbent layer is made from compressed cotton and the liquid impermeable layer is made from a polymeric material. Other suitable materials may be used as desired.

The pad 3 is typically 6.5 cm long and 5 cm wide at its largest dimensions. In other embodiments, these dimensions may vary within reasonable limits; say 6 cm to 7 cm in length and 4.5 cm to 5.5 cm in width. The absorbent layer is typically 0.5 cm thick and, as the liquid impermeable layer has negligible thickness, the pad 3 is also typically 0.5 cm thick overall. Again, in other embodiments, the thickness of the pad 3 might be between say 0.3 cm to 0.7 cm.

The sheath 4 is tubular and extends from the outward end 6 of the plug 2 to the pad 3. More specifically, the sheath 4 comprises a tube of absorbent material with a layer of liquid impermeable material on its inside surface. In other words, there is a tube of liquid impermeable material inside the tube of absorbent material. The tube of absorbent material extends to the inward surface 9 of the pad 3. Indeed, the absorbent material of the sheath 4 can be integral with the absorbent layer of the pad 3. The tube of liquid impermeable material extends through the pad 3 to the outward surface 10 of the pad 3. Indeed, the tube of liquid impermeable material can be integral with the liquid impermeable backing of the pad 3.

The tube of liquid impermeable material and hence the sheath 4 is open on the outward surface 10 of the pad 3. An opening 11 formed by the sheath 6 on the outward surface 10 of the pad 3 can be seen in FIG. 4. In this embodiment, the tube of liquid impermeable material is closed where it joins the plug 2. This prevents liquid absorbed by the plug 2 passing into the inside of the sheath 4.

The sheath 4 extends for around 2.5 cm from the outward end of the plug 2 to the inward surface of the pad 3, although in other embodiments this length may vary from say 2 cm to 3 cm. This length is enough to accommodate the tip of say an index finger to allow manipulation of the plug 2.

The diameter of the sheath 4 is smaller than that of the plug 2. More specifically, the external diameter of the sheath 4 at its smallest dimension might be 0.4 cm, although this might vary from say 0.2 cm to 0.8 cm in other embodiments. The small diameter is required to improve the comfort of the product 1 in the region of the vaginal orifice. However, this small diameter is clearly too small to allow a finger to be accommodated inside the sheath 4. The sheath 4 is therefore expandable in a radial direction. This is accomplished by the sheath 4 being elastic in the radial direction. In one embodiment, an elastic tube (not shown) is provided between the absorbent tube and the liquid impermeable tube of the sheath 4. In other embodiments, either or both of the absorbent and liquid impermeable tubes of the sheath 4 are themselves elastic.

A string 12 is provided to aid removal of the product. In this embodiment, the string extends inside the sheath 4 from the outward end of the plug 2 and out through the opening 11. It is approximately 6 cm long.

In use, the sanitary product 1 is removed from its packaging and the pad 3 is gently folded along its major axis, i.e. a straight line extending between the broad end 7 and the narrow end 8 of the pad 3. One of the wearer's fingers is then inserted in the sheath 4 through the opening 11 to the outward end 6 of the plug 2. The elasticity of the sheath 4 allows it to expand radially and accommodate the finger.

The wearer orients the sanitary product 1 such the plug 2 extends longitudinally toward the vagina, the broad end 7 of the pad 3 is positioned approximately at the rear of the vagina, i.e. toward the anus, and the narrow end 8 of the pad 3 is positioned approximately at the front of the vagina, i.e. toward the pubic bone. The plug 2 can then be inserted through the vaginal orifice and into the vaginal cavity. The plug 2 is pushed into the vaginal cavity until the inward surface 9 of the pad 3 comes to rest against the surface of the vagina or, more specifically, the vulva, between the labia majora. The finger is then withdrawn from the sheath 4, leaving the sanitary product 1 in place.

During use, menstrual liquid is absorbed by the plug 2. Excess liquid is also drawn along the absorbent layer of the sheath 4 and absorbed by the pad 3. The product 1 has enough absorptive capacity to handle all but extremely excessive flows of menstrual fluid. However, the dimensions of the plug 2 mean that women have very little awareness of having the product 1 in place. The small diameter of the sheath 4 avoids any significant pressure being exerted on the vaginal orifice, which again improves comfort. Finally, the dimensions and shape of the pad 3 mean that it resides between the labia majora and is comfortable and unobtrusive.

When it is desired to remove the product 1, the wearer can grasp the string 12 and pull it to remove the plug 2 from the vagina. As the plug 2 is withdrawn, the outward surface 10 of the pad 3 can be grasped to fold the pad 3 around the plug 2 and sheath 4. Contact with menstrual liquid can therefore be avoided.

The described embodiments of the invention are only examples of how the invention may be implemented. Modifications, variations and changes to the described embodiments will occur to those having appropriate skills and knowledge. These modifications, variations and changes may be made without departure from the spirit and scope of the invention defined in the claims and its equivalents.

Claims

1. A sanitary product for insertion into a human vagina, the product comprising an internally worn absorbent plug and an externally worn absorbent pad joined to one another by a sheath that opens through the pad such that a wearer's finger can be received in the sheath to assist insertion.

2. The sanitary product of claim 1, wherein the sheath is liquid impermeable in a direction from the outside of the sheath to the inside of the sheath.

3. The sanitary product of claim 1, wherein the sheath comprises tube of liquid impermeable material.

4. The sanitary product of claim 1, wherein the pad comprises an absorbent layer and a liquid impermeable backing sheet.

5. The sanitary product of claim 3, wherein the pad comprises an absorbent layer and a liquid impermeable backing sheet and the backing sheet is integral with the liquid impermeable material of the sheath.

6. The sanitary product of claim 1, any wherein the sheath passes liquid along its length from the plug to the pad.

7. The sanitary product of claim 1, wherein the sheath comprises a tube of absorbent material.

8. The sanitary product of claim 1, wherein the sheath comprises a tube of liquid impermeable material inside a tube of absorbent material.

9. The sanitary product of claim 1, wherein the sheath is flexible.

10. The sanitary product of claim 1, wherein the sheath has a smaller diameter than that of the plug.

11. The sanitary product of claim 1, wherein the sheath is resiliently expandable in a radial direction to receive a finger during insertion of the product into the vagina.

12. The sanitary product of claim 1, wherein the sheath extends for substantially 2.5 cm between an end of the plug and a surface of the pad closest to the plug.

13. The sanitary product of claim 1, further comprising a cord attached to the plug to assist removal of the plug from the vagina.

14. The sanitary product of claim 13, wherein the cord extends along the inside of the sheath.

15. The sanitary product of claim 1, wherein the plug is substantially 4 cm in length or less and 2 cm in diameter or less.

16. A sanitary product comprising an absorbent plug for insertion into a vagina, an externally worn absorbent pad and a neck joining the plug and the pad, wherein the plug is substantially 4 cm in length or less and/or 2 cm in diameter or smaller.

17. The sanitary product of claim 16, wherein the neck extends for substantially 2.5 cm between an end of the plug and a surface of the pad closest to the plug.

18. The sanitary product of claim 16, wherein the neck comprises a sheath that opens through the pad such that a wearer's finger can be received in the sheath to assist insertion.

19. The sanitary product of claim 1, wherein the plug is substantially 3.5 cm in length and 1.5 cm in diameter or less.

20. The sanitary product of claim 1, wherein the plug is substantially 3.5 cm in length and 1.5 cm in diameter.

21. The sanitary product of claim 1, wherein the pad has the shape of a flat ellipse with one end wider than the other.

22. The sanitary product of claim 1, wherein the pad is substantially 6.5 cm long and 5.5 cm wide.

23. The sanitary product of claim 1, wherein the pad is substantially 0.5 cm thick.

24. A combined tampon and sanitary towel having a sheath that is attached to one end of the tampon and that opens through the towel.

25. A method of manufacturing a sanitary product, the method comprising joining an internally worn absorbent plug to an externally worn absorbent pad by a sheath to produce the sanitary product of claim 1.

26. (canceled)