Patent Application
20200054495
The present disclosure relates generally to absorbent garments for adult incontinence, and more specifically, to undergarment hygiene products that are disposable and/or renewable and methods for using such undergarment hygiene products.
Undergarment hygiene products such as adult incontinence products and the like typically are bulky, uncomfortable, and are not concealable under underwear or clothing styles that are pleasing to the wearer. In addition, absorbent garments are generally disposable contributing to waste and harmful for the environment.
Accordingly, there is a need for an undergarment hygiene device, method and/or system that has the capability to be secured to a wearer's clothing in concealing manner, as well as to be renewed or disposed according to the preference of the wearer. The present disclosure discusses a method and device that satisfies such needs.
An article in accordance with this disclosure includes an absorbent article for use as an undergarment hygiene product, the absorbent article comprising: a first portion having an elliptical shape and a first width; a connecting portion extending from the first portion and having a second width; a second portion extending from the connecting portion and having a third width, the third width greater than the second width; and, a fastening system arranged on an outer surface of the absorbent article for fixing the absorbent article to an inner surface of an article of clothing.
The article may also or alternatively include wherein the fastening system includes adhesives.
The article may also or alternatively include wherein the fastening system includes buttons.
The article may also or alternatively include wherein the absorbent article is disposable.
The article may also or alternatively include wherein the absorbent article is renewable.
The article may also or alternatively include wherein the absorbent article is made of cotton.
The article may also or alternatively include wherein the connecting portion includes a first length l1, the first length ranging from 1.5″ to 2.5″.
The article may also or alternatively include wherein the absorbent article includes a second length lT, the second length ranging from 7″ to 10″.
The article may also or alternatively include wherein the absorbent article includes a width wT, the width ranging from 3″ to 8″.
The article may also or alternatively include wherein the first portion is circular and includes a diameter, the diameter ranging from 3″ to 5″.
The article may also or alternatively include wherein the article of clothing is underpants.
Another article in accordance with this disclosure includes an absorbent article for use as an undergarment hygiene product, the absorbent article comprising: a longitudinal axis, a first portion having an elliptical shape and a first width symmetrical about the longitudinal axis; a connecting portion extending from the first portion and having a second width; a second portion extending from the connecting portion and having a third width, the third width greater than the second width; a fastening system arranged on an outer surface of the absorbent article for fixing the absorbent article to an inner surface of an article of clothing: and, wherein the second portion includes a middle section including the longitudinal axis and having an edge perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the middle section between first and second wing sections, the first and second wing sections symmetrical about the longitudinal axis.
The article may also or alternatively include wherein the edge is flat or curved.
The article may also or alternatively include wherein the wing sections include the fastening system.
The article may also or alternatively include wherein the wing sections are tapered.
The article may also or alternatively include wherein the second portion includes a modified classic brief shape.
The article may also or alternatively include wherein the second portion includes a modified high-cut brief shape.
The article may also or alternatively include wherein the second portion includes a modified hipster brief shape.
The article may also or alternatively include wherein the second portion includes a modified bikini brief shape.
The article may also or alternatively include wherein the second portion includes a modified boyshorts brief shape.
The article may also or alternatively include wherein the second portion includes a modified tanga brief shape.
The phrases “at least one”, “one or more”, and “and/or” are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. For example, each of the expressions “at least one of A, B and C”, “at least one of A, B, or C”, “one or more of A, B, and C”, “one or more of A, B, or C” and “A, B, and/or C” means A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B and C together. When each one of A, B, and C in the above expressions refers to an element, such as X, Y, and Z, or class of elements, such as X1-Xn, Y1-Ym, and Z1-Zo, the phrase is intended to refer to a single element selected from X, Y, and Z, a combination of elements selected from the same class (e.g., X1 and X2) as well as a combination of elements selected from two or more classes (e.g., Y1 and Zo).
The term “a” or “an” entity refers to one or more of that entity. As such, the terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more” and “at least one” may be used interchangeably herein. It is also to be noted that the terms “comprising”, “including”, and “having” may be used interchangeably.
It should be understood that every maximum numerical limitation given throughout this disclosure is deemed to include each and every lower numerical limitation as an alternative, as if such lower numerical limitations were expressly written herein. Every minimum numerical limitation given throughout this disclosure is deemed to include each and every higher numerical limitation as an alternative, as if such higher numerical limitations were expressly written herein. Every numerical range given throughout this disclosure is deemed to include each and every narrower numerical range that falls within such broader numerical range, as if such narrower numerical ranges were all expressly written herein.
The preceding is a simplified summary of the disclosure to provide an understanding of some aspects of the disclosure. This summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the disclosure and its various aspects, embodiments, and configurations. It is intended neither to identify key or critical elements of the disclosure nor to delineate the scope of the disclosure but to present selected concepts of the disclosure in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description presented below. As will be appreciated, other aspects, embodiments, and configurations of the disclosure are possible utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below
The accompanying drawings are incorporated into and form a part of the specification to illustrate several examples of the present disclosure. These drawings, together with the description, explain the principles of the disclosure. The drawings simply illustrate preferred and alternative examples of how the disclosure may be made and used and are not to be construed as limiting the disclosure to only the illustrated and described examples. Further features and advantages will become apparent from the following, more detailed, description of the various aspects, embodiments, and configurations of the disclosure, as illustrated by the drawings referenced below.
It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale. In certain instances, details that are not necessary for an understanding of the disclosure or that render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that the disclosure is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein.
Before any embodiments of the disclosure are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.
Embodiments according to this disclosure provide an absorbent article that can be worn discretely under the users own preferred fashionable attire. Specifically, embodiments according to this disclosure provide an absorbent article that can be worn discretely as well as being renewable or disposable.
In exemplary embodiments, absorbent article 100 includes a first portion 110 having an elliptical shape and a first width w1. Absorbent article 100 includes a connecting portion 120, having a second width w2, extending from the first portion 110. Second portion 130 extends from the connecting portion 120 and has a third width w3, wherein the third width w3 is greater than the second width w2. Additionally or alternatively, the first width w1 may be greater than the second width w2. The third width w3 and/or the first width w1 being greater than the second width w2 increases comfort as the absorbent article extends from the anterior to the posterior of a person's undergarments. In addition, the increased first width w1 and/or the increased third width w3 reduces the likelihood moisture from incontinence will seep and/or circumvent the absorbent article 100. Furthermore, the increased first width w1 and/or the increased third width w3 may reduce the likelihood the absorbent article shifts while being worn and affixed to an article of clothing.
As shown in
In some embodiments according to this disclosure, the absorbent article 100 is disposable, intended for one-time use, and may be made from suitable plastics such as water-absorbing polymers. A fastening system 160 using adhesives 170 strategically placed in the article is suitable for disposable absorbent articles 100 according to the present disclosure. In other embodiments according to this disclosure, the absorbent article 100 is renewable; in other words, absorbent article 100 may be cleaned, washed, or otherwise made hygienic in order to reuse for more than one use. Absorbent article 100 includes a fastening system 160 having buttons, snaps, or other fastening means are suitable for renewable absorbent articles 100 according to the present disclosure.
As shown in
As shown in
Absorbent article 100 includes second (or total) length lT. Second length lT ranges from about 6.0″ to about 8.5″. The second length lT may be about 6.0″, about 6.5″, about 7.0″, about 7.5″, about 8.0″, about 8.5″, in some embodiments, the second length lT is from about 6.0″ to about 8.5″, from about 6.5″ to about 8.0″, or from about 7.0″ to about 8.0″. Absorbent article 100 includes a total width wT, the width ranging from about 3″ to about 8″. The width wT may be about 3.0″, about 3.5″, about 4.0″, about 4.5″, about 5.0″, about 5.5″, about 6.0″, about 6.5″, about 7.0″, about 7.5″, about 8.0″, in some embodiments, the width wT is from about 3.0″ to about 8.0″, from about 3.5″ to about 7.5″, or from about 4.0″ to about 7.0″. In some embodiments, and as shown in
As may be appreciated to those of skill in the art, absorbent article may be of various shapes and sizes to suit the requirements of the user. In at least some embodiments, the first portion 110 is generally elliptical in shape. First portion 110 is typically to be worn to the anterior of the user. In some embodiments according to this disclosure, the first portion 110 provides functionality in providing protection as needed in the event of urinary incontinence.
Absorbent article 100 includes a second portion 130 extending from the connecting portion 120 and having a third width w3, wherein the third width w3 is greater than the second width w2. Second portion 130 is typically to be worn to the posterior of the user. In some embodiments according to this disclosure, the second portion 130 provides functionality in providing protection as needed in the event of anal incontinence. In some embodiments according to this disclosure, the absorbent article 100 may include wherein the second portion 130 is circular and includes a diameter, the diameter ranging from about 3.5″ to about 7.5″. Alternatively, second portion is of an irregular shape symmetrical about the A axis. Second portion 130 includes a width w3, the width w3 ranging from about 3″ to about 8″. The width w3 may be about 3.0″, about 3.5″, about 4.0″, about 4.5″, about 5.0″, about 5.5″, about 6.0″, about 6.5″, about 7.0″, about 7.5″, about 8.0″, in some embodiments, the width w3 is from about 3.0″ to about 8.0″, from about 3.5″ to about 7.5″, or from about 4.0″ to about 7.0″.
Absorbent article 100 further includes a fastening system 160 arranged on an outer surface 140 of the absorbent article 100 for fixing the absorbent article 100 to an inner surface (not shown) of an article of clothing. The second portion 130 includes a middle section 180 including the longitudinal axis A and having an edge 185 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A. The second portion 130 further includes that middle section 180 is disposed between first and second wing sections, 190 and 195, the first and second wing sections, 190 and 195, being symmetrical about the longitudinal axis A. In some embodiments according to the present disclosure, the wing sections, 190 and 195, are tapered at the sides as shown in
As shown in
The absorbent articles (200, 300, 400, 500, and 600) according to the present disclosure include at least one material layer. In some embodiments, the absorbent articles (200, 300, 400, 500, and 600) include multiple material layers. A perspective view of an absorbent article 700 according to the present disclosure having multiple material layers is shown in
Absorbent article 700 is washable and renewable for reuse. In some embodiments, absorbent article 700 is washed and reused for a time period of about 90 days. In some embodiments, absorbent article 700 is washed and reused for a time period of about 90 days and from about 90 uses to about 180 uses. The life of the article is limited due to possible degradation from repeated usages and washes of the wetness protection layer 740 and/or the optional odor protection layer 750.
Wetness protection layer 740 of absorbent article 700 has a thickness. In some embodiments, the wetness protection layer thickness may be about 0.26 mm, about 0.35 mm, about 0.45 mm, about 0.55 mm, about 0.64 mm, about 0.74 mm, about 0.83 mm, about 0.93 mm, or about 1.02 mm, in some embodiments, the thickness is from about 0.26 mm to about 1.02 mm. Wetness protection layer 740 has a diameter. In some embodiments, the wetness protection layer diameter may be about 2.0″, about 2.5″, about 3.0″, about 3.5″m, or about 4.0″, in some embodiments, the diameter is from about 2.0″ to about 4.0″.
Optional odor protection layer 750 of absorbent article 700 has a thickness. In some embodiments, the odor protection layer thickness may be about 0.10 mm, about 0.25 mm, about 0.50 mm, about 0.75 mm, about 1.00 mm, about 1.25 mm, about 1.50 mm, or about 1.54 mm, in some embodiments, the thickness is from about 0.10 mm to about 1.54 mm. Odor protection layer 750 has a diameter. In some embodiments, the odor protection layer diameter may be about 1.0″, about 1.5″, about 2.0″, about 2.5″, about 3.0″, about 3.5″m, or about 4.0″, in some embodiments, the diameter is from about 1.0″ to about 4.0″.
In other embodiments, absorbent articles (200, 300, 400, 500, and 600) according to the present disclosure are disposable. Absorbent articles 800 is disposable and includes multiple material layers as illustrated in a cross-sectional view shown in
The absorbency levels of any of the absorbent articles (200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, and 800) may be tailored for very light, light, moderate, and heavy protection levels by adjusting the number of layers and the thickness of the layers accordingly. The thicknesses of the layers levels of any of the absorbent articles (200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, and 800) may be tailored to provide the desired absorbency level.
In other embodiments, absorbent articles (200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, and 800) according to the present disclosure are made using organic materials wherein the outer layer (e.g., outer layer 710 of absorbent article 700 and/or outer layer 810 of absorbent article 800) is made from cotton fiber. The foregoing discussion has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. The foregoing is not intended to limit the disclosure to the form or forms disclosed herein. In the foregoing Summary for example, various features of the disclosure are grouped together in one or more aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. The features of the aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations of the disclosure may be combined in alternate aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations other than those discussed above. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claims require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed aspect, embodiment, and/or configuration. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate preferred embodiment of the disclosure.
Moreover, though the description has included description of one or more aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations and certain variations and modifications, other variations, combinations, and modifications are within the scope of the disclosure, e.g., as may be within the skill and knowledge of those in the art, after understanding the present disclosure. It is intended to obtain rights which include alternative aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations to the extent permitted, including alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps to those claimed, whether or not such alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps are disclosed herein, and without intending to publicly dedicate any patentable subject matter.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62718790 | Aug 2018 | US |
