MXPA98010084A - Method for the selection of a product system for femen hygiene - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for the selection and use of a system of feminine hygiene products is described. The method includes a step of gathering the information, a step of selecting the system, and a step of supplying information. At the information collection stage, the information is collected from a consumer with regard to his body type and the characteristics of the menstrual cycle. In the system selection stage, the information collected is used to select a feminine hygiene product system from at least two available systems. Each of the available systems is composed of at least two different feminine hygiene products. Additionally, each of said system is adapted to correspond to a predetermined scale of body types and characteristics of the menstrual cycle. In the information provision stage, the information that identifies the selected product system is then provided to the consumer, allowing him to use the feminine hygiene product system.

Description

METHOD FOR THE SELECTION OF A PRODUCT SYSTEM FOR FEMALE HYGIENE FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a method for the selection and use of a system of feminine hygiene products. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a method in which information is collected from a consumer with respect to certain of its physical characteristics, and with respect to certain aspects of its menstrual cycle. The information collected is used to select a particular system of feminine hygiene products from a group of two or more systems available. The selected product system is then revealed to the consumer to be used by the consumer in achieving a reduction in staining as compared to the use of a single type of product for feminine hygiene.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The feminine hygiene products such as sanitary napkins, pantiliners and incontinence pads and devices that are typically used in the crotch region of an undergarment. Interlabial devices are feminine hygiene products that are typically designed to be used within the interlabial space of a user. Other feminine hygiene devices such as tampons are designed to be used inside the vagina. All of these devices are designed to absorb or otherwise contain liquid or other discharges from the human body, and to prevent staining of the body and clothing. Sanitary napkins are a type of absorbent article used by women within a pair of panties, which is usually placed between the legs of the wearer, adjacent to the perineal area of the body. Products for feminine hygiene that have many different basic designs are known in the art. However, there are some key features of these products that affect the performance of such products. For example, feminine hygiene products, such as sanitary napkins, vary in their absorbent capacities, their length, the area of the undergarment they protect, their thickness, and their inclusion or non-inclusion of certain features such as wings or fins. Currently, feminine hygiene products such as sanitary napkins are typically sold in packages containing quantities of 10 to 15 products of a single type of product. As a result, many consumers buy and use a single type of product for all their menstrual protection needs. This is the case even when the characteristics (eg, length, area and appearance) of a female toilet product necessary to provide the containment of body fluids without leakage can be very different between day and night use. Similarly, the characteristics of a female toilet product needed to contain bodily fluids without leakage will vary for different consumer groups based on factors such as body size and characteristics of the menstrual cycle. Additional complications to the present situation with respect to feminine hygiene products is the fact that the number of different types of products available often causes confusion to consumers to determine which product would best meet their protection needs. In a recent survey of at least one typical store, 103 different types of feminine hygiene products were displayed for sale to consumers. In another recent survey, approximately 70 percent of consumers reported purchases of the wrong type of sanitary napkin and / or pantiliner at least once within a period of six months before the survey. It has been found in developing the present invention that the consumer's use of a feminine hygiene product system provides its superior protection and comfort as compared to the use of a single product type for all menstrual protective purposes. Nevertheless, the total number of options available makes the selection of a difficult system difficult. Based on the number of different types of products currently available for sale, it is estimated that there are more than 10,000 possible combinations of systems, which contain only two different types of feminine hygiene products. When systems that include more than two different products are considered, the number increases geometrically. Ideally, an appropriate system of feminine hygiene products is chosen from two or more available systems, where each of the systems is designed for a particular group of consumers. Membership in a particular group is based on factors such as body size and characteristics of the menstrual cycle. It has also been found that during the development of the method of the present invention that many of the women (especially those who certainly do not have a heavy flow intensity) are not adept at accurately describing their flow intensity as compared to other consumers. The currently available feminine hygiene products describe the differences between the various products available only in terms of a consumer assessment of their own flow intensity or general protection needs. It has been found that the selection of the best product of feminine hygiene product systems can be obtained by the method of the present invention, which relies at least in part on the indicators of the protection needs of others that simply flow perceived. Ideally, at least some of these indicators are objective pieces of information, which should be easily known by the majority of consumers. In this way, consumers can be more reliably provided with the right systems of feminine hygiene products without having to guess as to which products would best suit their needs. An ideal method for the selection and use of a feminine hygiene product system also eliminates the need for consumers to select only systems on subjective bases (and often inaccurate indicators) such as self-perception of flow intensity alone. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method for the selection and use of a feminine hygiene product system. It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for the selection of a system of products for feminine hygiene from two or more available systems, the selection being based on information collected from the consumer with respect to at least the characteristics of your body size and preferably certain characteristics related to your menstrual cycle. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a method for the selection and use of the feminine hygiene product system, whose system is adapted for a particular group of consumers, and which when used will achieve a reduction in the incidence of the stained as compared to using a single type of feminine hygiene product. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a reliable method for the selection and use of an appropriate system of feminine hygiene products, in which the information collected from the consumers includes at least some pieces of objective information that is expected they are known by a majority of consumers. These and other objects of the present invention become more readily apparent when considered with reference to the following description, and when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a method for the selection and use of a system of feminine hygiene products. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a method in which the information is collected from a consumer with regard to the characteristics of the size of her body and the menstrual cycle. The information collected is used to select a system of feminine hygiene products from at least two available systems. Each of these available systems is composed of at least two different products for feminine hygiene. Additionally, each of said available systems is adapted to correspond to a previously determined scale of body sizes and menstrual cycle characteristics. The information that identifies the selected product system is then provided to the consumer to allow her to use the feminine hygiene product system. In a preferred embodiment, there are four available systems of feminine hygiene products comprising sanitary napkins. The first of these systems is adapted for use by women with light protection needs. The second of the four systems available in this preferred modality is adapted for use by women with light to moderate protection needs. The third of the four systems in this preferred embodiment is adapted for use by women with moderate to heavy protection needs. The fourth of the four systems available in this preferred embodiment is adapted for use by women with heavy to very heavy protection needs. The protection needs are a function of the characteristics of the body size and the menstrual cycle. In preferred modalities, the collection of information from a consumer and the selection of a feminine hygiene product system can be done using a computer, an interactive display, a telephone system, published questionnaires, or through literature distributed to health care providers. In another preferred embodiment, the condition of the information for the consumer with respect to the products forming the feminine hygiene product system can be achieved through the use of indicating means in the package. Each feminine hygiene product system that contains at least two different types of feminine hygiene products can be packaged in a common package, which is made available to the consumer. In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the use of a feminine hygiene product system provides a reduction in the incidence of staining when compared to the use of a single type of product for feminine hygiene.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Although the description concludes with the claims pointing out in a particular way and claiming differently to the matter that is considered as formant of the present invention, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from the following description taken in combination with the accompanying drawings , in which: The figure is a typical sanitary towel of the prior art showing the location of the lateral edges and the extreme edges of the sanitary napkin.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a method for the selection and use of a system of feminine hygiene products. The method of the present invention comprises three steps: collecting information from a consumer with regard to their characteristics of body size and menstrual cycle, selecting an appropriate system of feminine hygiene products from a group of two or more available systems of products, and provide the information to the consumer identifying the products that make up the selected system, allowing the use of the feminine hygiene product system. As used herein, the term "feminine hygiene products" refers to disposable absorbent articles used by women for catamenial protection. These products include sanitary napkins, tampons, interlabial products, incontinence devices and pantiliners. The term "Disposable" is used herein to describe absorbent articles that are not intended to be washed or otherwise restored or reused as an absorbent article, (these are intended to be discarded after a single use and, preferably, to be disposed of in an environmentally compatible way). As used herein, the term "absorbent article" refers to devices that absorb and contain body exudates, and, more specifically, refers to devices that are placed in, against, or near, the body of the user to absorb and contain the various exudates discharged from the body. The term "System" as used herein, refers to a group of at least two feminine hygiene products. Each of the products within this group is selected to better serve the needs of consumer protection, falling within a scale of body sizes and menstrual flow characteristics previously determined. For example, a feminine hygiene product system could be adapted for use by small women with moderate protection needs. A system for female consumers of such a category could include sanitary napkins to be worn during times of regular need within a menstrual cycle and sanitary napkins of a different type to be used during times of increased need within the menstrual cycle (eg, nighttime). It has been found during the development of the present invention that certain pieces of key information regarding the size of the body and the characteristics of a particular woman's menstrual flow can be used to assist in the selection of a hygiene product system. female, which is particularly adapted to their needs. The use of this adapted system will preferably achieve a reduction in the incidence of staining as compared to the use of a single type of product for feminine hygiene. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there are four predetermined ranges of body size and menstrual flow characteristics as well as four or more available systems of feminine hygiene products. Each range of body sizes and menstrual flow characteristics has at least one corresponding system of feminine hygiene products, which is specifically adapted for use by female consumers within that scale. An individual consumer is placed on the appropriate scale based on the information collected from the consumer. Table 1 is a table showing four possible topics of information that can be collected from the consumers, to carry out the method of the present invention.

FLOW INTENSITY DURATION AND VOLUME OF THE PERIOD SIZE OF THE BODY PATTERN OF STAIN Please add your answers from each colored column System 1 System 2 System 3 System 4 Points 4 to 6 7 to 10 11 to 13 14 to 16 As shown in Table 1, the information topics collected from a consumer preferably refer to the size of their body, their intensity of flow, their duration and volume of the period, and the pattern of staining experienced. The topics shown in table 1 are separated into four different levels or categories. The consumer is encouraged in any appropriate way (for example, by answering questionnaires printed on a table or interactive monitor) to provide sufficient information to be placed in one of the four levels or categories for each of the topics shown in Table 1 (ie, body size, intensity of flow, duration and volume of the period, and staining pattern). For example, in order to determine the appropriate category for a particular consumer with respect to body size, a consumer can be inspected in selecting her body size from the following list: small body, small body, middle body, body large, where the answer corresponds to the body size categories 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. Several other questions can be used, either individually or in combination to place a particular consumer in one of the four body size categories. Consumers in the body size category 1, will generally describe their body size and / or their pant size as very small. In the United States, this corresponds to a size of underpants of about 5. The size of the hips of female consumers in this category will generally be less than about 32 inches (81 centimeters). Consumers in the body size category 2 will generally describe their body and / or pant size as small. This corresponds in the United States to a size of panties of approximately 5 to 7. The hip size of the consumers in this category will generally vary from approximately 32 to 41 inches (81 to 104 centimeters). Consumers in category 3 of body size will generally describe their body and / or pant size as a means. This corresponds to a size of approximately 8 to 10 pants in the United States. The size of the hips of female consumers in this category of body size will vary from approximately 41 to 47 inches (from 104 to 119 centimeters). Consumers in body size category 4 will generally describe their body and / or pant size as large. This corresponds to a size of panties in the United States of approximately 11 to 15. The size of the hip of the consumers in this category is approximately 48 inches (122 centimeters) or greater. Another indicator of body size is the size of the garments in general (as opposed to simply the size of the panties). Certain consumers may be more familiar with the size of their clothes in general or their size for particular types of garments that may be with their pant size. Additionally, certain consumers may be more comfortable with being induced by information about the size of the clothing instead of the information on the size of the panties. Therefore, in some embodiments of the method of the present invention, it may be preferable to collect information from consumers regarding the size of the clothing, either, instead of or in addition to the size of the panty. Information about the size of the clothing includes the size of the dress, the looseness or size of the pants, or the size of any garment that will generally cover the lower half of the person's body. For example, as shown in table 1, consumers In category 1 of body size you could describe your garment size as "Very small to small". Consumers in category 2 of body size could describe their garment size as "Small to medium". Consumers in category 3 of body size could describe their garment size as "Medium to large". Consumers in category 4 of body size could describe their garment size as "Large to extra large". Other commonly used indicators of body size such as the Body Mass Index can also be adapted to the method of the present invention, to be used when gathering the information of the body size of a consumer. A discussion of the Body Mass Index is included in the Scientific American publication of August 1996. A person skilled in the art will readily appreciate that numerous combinations of any of the questions or individual groups of questions may be asked in order to gather sufficient information. to place a consumer in one of these categories with respect to body size. The precise manner and wording chosen to collect this information from consumers may vary depending on local customs, on the level of consumer comfort in a particular area you may have when describing your body size or menstrual flow characteristics, and nuances of meaning associated with terms that can be used in different parts of the world to gather the desired information. In addition to collecting information regarding the size or body size of a consumer, the preferred embodiment shown in Table 1 also shows information that can be used to place a consumer in one of four categories with respect to flow intensity. . Indicators of the appropriate category in flow intensity for a given consumer including age, type of conception control used, number of pregnancies, and the consumer's self-perception of their flow intensity. Consumers in category 1 of the flow intensity generally have a perceived light flow. Additionally, this may be below approximately 25 years of age, may use pills to control conception, and / or may never have been pregnant. Consumers in category 2 of the flow intensity will generally have a "From light to moderate" flow perceived (or simply "Moderate"). These consumers may vary in age from approximately 25 to approximately 30 years, may not use control for conception and / or may have been pregnant 1 to 3 times. Consumers with category 3 flow intensity will typically have a "Moderate to heavy" flow perceived (or simply "Heavy"). These consumers can vary in age from approximately 31 to approximately 40 years, can use an IUD as a birth control, and / or may have been pregnant 3 to 4 times. Consumers with category 4 flow intensity will typically have a "Heavy to very heavy" flow perceived (or simply "Very heavy"). This category of consumers may be larger than approximately 40 years of age, may use an IUD as birth control, and may have been pregnant 5 or more times. These broad classifications of age, type of birth control used, and pregnancy number are not intended to be absolute indicators of the category appropriate to the intensity of flow. Instead, this information represents a variety of conditions that impact the flow intensity for many consumers. This information is useful in helping many consumers to position themselves in the appropriate category of flow intensity if they are uncertain as the benchmark of their perceived flow intensity. Table 1 also shows information that can be used to place a consumer in 1 of 4 categories with respect to the duration and volume of the period. The indicators of the appropriate category of duration and volume of the period for a given consumer include the number of total days within a cycle that the consumer typically menstruates, the number of "Heavy" days or nights that a consumer experiences within a typical cycle, and the self-perception of the consumer due to its duration and volume of the period. Consumers within category 1 of the duration and volume of the period, usually menstruate for less than 3 days in a cycle, and they can not experience any heavy days or nights. These consumers will typically perceive their duration and period volume as "Light". The total amount of menstruation discharged by female consumers in this category is less than approximately 40 grams per period. Consumers within category 2 of the duration and volume of the period will usually menstruate for approximately 3 to 4 days in a cycle, and may experience less than approximately 2 days or heavy nights. These consumers will typically perceive their duration and volume of the period as "Moderate". The total amount of menstruation discharged by female consumers in this category is between approximately 30 and approximately 60 grams per period. Consumers in category 3 of the duration and volume of the period will usually menstruate for approximately 4 to 5 days, and may experience approximately 2 to 4 days or heavy nights. These consumers will typically perceive their duration and volume of the period as "Heavy". The total amount of menstruation discharged by female consumers within this category is approximately 50 to approximately 80 grams per period. Consumers in category 4 of the duration and volume of the period will usually menstruate for more than about 5 days, and may experience 4 or more heavy days or nights. These consumers will typically perceive their duration and volume of the period as "Very heavy". The total amount of menstruation discharged by female consumers within this category is greater than approximately 70 grams per period. Another indicator of the category of duration and volume of the period is the number of times in a typical cycle in which a consumer replaces a feminine hygienic product used with a new one. Related to this indicator is the loading of a product before it is replaced with a new product. The typical load for a female toilet product before replacement tends to vary by regional practices and customs. Therefore, the use of the number of new products used in a cycle as an indicator of the duration and volume of the period should take into account typical regional practices and customs. Also as shown in table 1 this information can be used to place a consumer within 1 of 4 categories with respect to the experienced pattern of spotting. Using the sanitary napkins currently available, many consumers may experience side spotting or variable spotting. The figure shows a typical sanitary napkin of the prior art 24 and the locations on the upper part of the sanitary napkin 24 where side spotting or end spotting could occur. The term "Side staining" refers to the staining of the lateral edges 20 of a sanitary napkin 24 when the sanitary napkin is used by a consumer. The term "End staining" refers to staining of the end edges 22 of a sanitary napkin 24 when the sanitary napkin is used by a consumer. Consumers in stain pattern 1"Rarely" will experience side or end spotting when using sanitary napkins currently sold (ie, these consumers will experience staining less than about 8 percent of pad changes). These consumers typically will not experience staining of undergarments per period. Consumers in category 2 of the "Occasionally" spotting pattern will experience side or end spotting when using sanitary napkins currently sold (ie, these consumers will experience spots in about 8 to about 10 percent of pad changes). These consumers may experience approximately 1 to 2 spots of the period. Consumers in category 3 of the staining pattern "Often" will experience side or end staining when using sanitary napkins currently sold (ie, these consumers will experience spots in approximately 10 to approximately 15 percent of the pad changes). These consumers may experience approximately 2 to 4 spots per period. Consumers in category 4 of the staining pattern "Almost always" will experience side staining and / or staining when using sanitary towels currently sold (ie, these consumers will experience stains in more than approximately 15 percent of the changes of pad). These consumers may experience approximately 4 or more spots per period. As in the case with body size, one skilled in the art will appreciate that numerous combinations of any of the issues or individual groups of questions can be asked to place a consumer in one of these categories with respect to flow intensity, duration and volume of the period, and staining pattern. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in Table 1, the information is collected with respect to the 4 topics shown (ie, body size, flow intensity, duration and volume of the period, and staining pattern). It has been found that during the development of the present invention that the most important of these is the body size. Therefore, in more preferred embodiments of the method of the present invention, information regarding the consumer's body size must always be compiled from the consumer. It has also been found during the development of the present invention that the information pertaining to the flow intensity and the duration and volume of the period are closely related. With one result, a majority of consumers are expecting to fall into the same category for both the intensity of flow categories and the duration and volume of the period. Although this is the case, as noted above, the consumer's self-perception of their flow is often not an accurate indicator of their "True" flow intensity (ie, the appropriate category as compared to other consumers). Therefore, in more preferred embodiments of the method of the present invention, the category appropriate to the intensity of flow for a particular consumer can be inquired by asking that consumer to describe his perceived flow intensity from a list consisting of "Light", "Moderate", "Heavy" and "Very heavy". An alternative list could be: "Lightweight", "Light to moderate", "Moderate to heavy", "Heavy to very heavy". In these more preferred embodiments, if the information regarding the perceived flow intensity is produced from the consumer in the manner described above, then the questions or hints used to collect the information from the consumer with respect to the duration and volume of the period, they must be more objective (as opposed to the self-perception of the consumer). For example, if flow intensity information is collected by asking a consumer who chooses which term from any of the lists they give their best before describing their flow intensity, then the information on the length and volume of the period can be compiled asking a consumer how long she menstruates in a typical cycle and / or how many days or heavy nights she experiences in a typical cycle. Using questions that relate facts that are objective and that are expected to be known by a given consumer, helps ensure that the consumer will be placed within the appropriate category for each of the topics shown in table 1. This approach also reduces the reliability of subjective assertions by consumers (such as the self-perception of the flow without additional verification) which are often inaccurate. It has been found that a majority of consumers will tend to fall into the same category (ie, 1, 2, 3, or 4) or close to the same category for each of the 4 topics shown in figure 1. However, in the preferred modality shown in table 1, the information related to all 4 topics it is compiled from the consumer in order to appropriately place those minor numbers of consumers who fall into significantly different categories for some of the topics shown. Additionally, it is use of all of the topics shown in Table 1 to help ensure that small differences in the placement of the category between similar consumers, which may result from poor perceptions or variable meanings assigned to the terms used to collect the information will be diminished in importance. Consequently, consumers with similar protection needs will eventually have similar systems of feminine hygiene products selected for them. In variations of the preferred embodiment shown in Table 1, information can be collected regarding less than all of the 4 topics shown, while still carrying out the method of the present invention. For example, information about the consumer can be collected with respect to only her body size. Similarly, information can be collected regarding body size and flow intensity only. Other acceptable combinations include, but are not limited to, body size information and duration and volume of the period; information on body size and spotting; and information on body size, flow intensity, and duration and volume of the period. Because the intensity of flow and the duration and volume of the period are closely related, these categories can be combined in a variation of the preferred modality shown in table 1. Once the information of a consumer is collected with respect to the body type of the characteristics of the menstrual cycle, a system of feminine hygiene products is selected from at least 2 of these available systems. Each of these available systems contains at least 2 products for feminine hygiene of different types. Similarly, each system is adapted to correspond to a previously determined particular scale of body types and • • • Q. Q. O? 3 0J 3 o o c o. 0J 3 OJ or «-» • CR Ñ 'Q. (1) D 0J DJ Q. F (D-s or 3 a¡ OJ w F O 7fr? C F or DJ DJ Q. at f FLOW INTENSITY 3 r¡ DJ o o o. or a. f o 0) W 3 3 m F F- f o. 3 X3 or (? S C o. O DURATION AND VOLUME 7 fS CL c DJ_ F OF THE PERIOD Q. c DJ m DJ - •? N o DJ F ÍZ C? ni F n 3 3 OJ f? (O 0J r SIZE OF BODY 5 '? < F F f? F 3 o O co O- 3 o '3 0) 3 OJ DT DJ 3 m or JQ Q. c F 3 DJ PATTERN f * fv O STAIN (O O- 3 3 cf «- ** w FF TABLE 1 3 O ? 0) or 73 (? Oo DJ Si Q. 3 CZ DJ of DJ F f 3 w "O 0) C? - 3 * 3 After having compiled the information shown in Table 1, a given consumer will have been placed in 1 of 4 categories for each of the following topics: Body size, flow intensity, duration and volume of the period, and spotting pattern. Although many tagging methods could be contemplated, a preferred method is shown in table 2. As shown in table 2, category 1 for each topic is assigned a value of one point, category 2 for each topic is assigned to it. assign a value of 2 points, category 3 for each topic is assigned a value of 3 points, and category 4 is assigned a value of 4 points. The points of each topic are summed to produce a total score that varies from 4 to 16. This total score is used to select 1 of 4 systems, which are available in the preferred embodiment of the method of the present invention. In the preferred modality shown in table 2, the total points from 4 to 6 correspond to system 1, the total points from 7 to 10 correspond to system 2, the total points from 11 to 13 correspond to system 3, and the total points from 14 to 16 correspond to the system 4. The points can be added by the consumer with or without the help of a table similar to that of table 2. Alternatively, the points can be added by a computer or other device. calculation, or through the help of a modified slide rule type device (for example, a disk or wheel in a warehouse display). Alternative preferred modalities are shown to select 1 of 4 available systems of feminine hygiene products in Table 3 and Table 4.

TABLE 3 In the preferred embodiment shown in Table 3, the information is collected from a consumer with respect to her body size and any of its duration and volume of period or flow intensity information as described above. This information is used to place the consumer in 1 of 4 categories with respect to the body size and the duration and volume of the period or flow intensity as described above and was shown in table 1. The table in table 3 shows as the combination of the body size category and any of the period or flow category for a particular consumer can be used to arrive at a selection of 1 of 4 available systems of feminine hygiene products.

TABLE 4 Table 4 is similar to table 3, but shows a table showing fewer defined limits between each of the 4 available systems of feminine hygiene products. In alternate embodiments of the method of the present invention, a table similar to that shown in table 4 could appear in a warehouse display. The use of this table may require a consumer to choose between 1 of 2 possible systems if she is located in a combination of body size categories and flow period that puts her close to the limits of 2 feminine hygiene product systems . In a preferred embodiment of the method of the present invention, there are 4 available systems of feminine hygiene products. Each of the 4 systems in this preferred embodiment is composed of at least 2 different types of sanitary napkins. Each system preferably contains at least one sanitary napkin product to be used during the times of regular needs in a given menstrual cycle. Additionally, each system preferably contains at least one sanitary napkin product for use in times of heavy needs (such as at night, or on days of heavy flow) in a given menstrual cycle. As described above, each 1 of the 4 systems available in this preferred embodiment is adapted for use by consumers within a particular scale of body size and characteristics of the menstrual cycle. System 1 is adapted for use by women with light protection needs. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, system 1 includes a sanitary napkin product with a length between about 110 and about 244 millimeters, more preferably between about 219 and about 230 millimeters, and an area between about 55 and about 242 square centimeters, more preferably between approximately 162 and approximately 242 square centimeters for moments of regular need. Also, in this preferred embodiment, system 1 also includes a sanitary napkin product with a length between about 219 and about 249 millimeters, and an area between about 126 and about 265 square centimeters, more preferably between about 162 and about 265 square centimeters, for moments of heavy need. Methods for measuring the area and length of a sanitary napkin are described in the test methods section below. System 2 in this preferred embodiment is adapted for use by women with light to moderate protection needs. Preferably, the system 2 includes a sanitary napkin with a length between about 219 and about 249 millimeters, and an area between about 126 and about 224 square centimeters, more preferably between about 162 and about 224 square centimeters, for times of regular need . In this preferred embodiment, the system 2 also includes a sanitary napkin product with a length between about 226 and about 261 millimeters, more preferably between about 238 and about 261 millimeters, and an area between about 146 and about 320 square centimeters , more preferably between about 220 and about 320 square centimeters, for times of heavy need. The system 2 may also contain at least one sanitary napkin product with elastic wrapping components of the panty. The term "Elastic wrapping components of the pantyhose" includes, but is not necessarily limited to: "Wings" such as those described in US Pat. Nos. B1 4,589,876 and 4,687,478.; lateral wraparound elements that automatically wrap the side edges of the wearer's panties when the wearer pulls up the panties, such as those described in U.S. Patent No. 5,558,663; fins with zones of extension capacity such as those described in U.S. Patent No. 5,354,400; or tabs. System 3 of this preferred embodiment is adapted for use by women with moderate to heavy protection needs. Preferably, the system 3 includes a sanitary napkin with a length between about 232 and about 261 millimeters, more preferably between about 238 and about 261 millimeters, and an area between about 146 and about 320 square centimeters, more preferably between about 255 and approximately 320 square centimeters, for moments of regular need. In this preferred embodiment, the system 3 also includes a sanitary napkin product with a length between about 248 and about 304 millimeters, more preferably between about 255 and about 304 millimeters, and an area between about 177 and about 348 square centimeters . Preferably, the system 3 contains at least one sanitary napkin product that includes elastic wrapping components of the panty. The system 4 in this preferred embodiment is adapted for use by women with heavy to very heavy protection needs. Preferably, the system 4 includes a sanitary napkin with a length between about 248 and about 304 millimeters, more preferably between about 255 and about 304 millimeters, and an area between about 170 and about 348 square centimeters, more preferably between about 302 and approximately 348 square centimeters, for moments of regular need. In this preferred embodiment, system 4 also includes a sanitary napkin product with a length of about 296 millimeters or greater, more preferably between about 300 and about 380 millimeters, and an area of about 224 square centimeters or greater, more preferably between approximately 314 and approximately 500 square centimeters. Preferably, the system 4 contains at least one sanitary napkin product that includes elastic wrapping components of the panty. From Procter & The Gamble Company of Cincinnati, Ohio, manufactures commercially available sanitary napkin products that are suitable for the inclusion of each of the systems of the preferred embodiment described above for both regular protection needs and heavy protection needs. The following products are suitable for inclusion in system 1 for regular protection needs: ALWAYS® ultra-thin, lightweight, maxi, winged sanitary towel, which is manufactured and packaged under one or more of the United States patents US Nos. 4,342,314, 4,463,045, 4,556,146, B1 4,589,876, 4,687,478, 4,950,264, 5,009,653, 5,267,992, and Re. 32,649; thin, maxi ALWAYS® sanitary towel, which is manufactured and packaged under one or more of US Pat. Nos. 4,342,314, 4,463,045, 4,556,146, 4,573,986, 5,413,568 and 5,462,166. Also, the following products are suitable for inclusion within the system 1 for heavy protection needs: thin, maxi, winged ALWAYS® sanitary napkin which is manufactured and packaged under one or more of US Pat. Nos. 4,342,314, 4,463,045, 4,556,146, 4,573,986, B1 4,589,876, 4,687,478, 5,267,992, 5,413,568, 5,462,166 and 5,489,283; Ultra-thin ALWAYS® sanitary towel that is manufactured and packaged under one or more of the United States patents 4,342,314, 4,463,045, 4,556,146, 4,950,264, 5,009,653, 5,413,568, 5,460,623, 5,462,166, 5,569,231, and Re. 32,649; and ALWAYS® Regular Maxi sanitary napkin which is manufactured and packaged under one or more of US Patents 4,342,314, 4,463,045, 4,556,146, 4,573,986, 5,413,568 and 5,462,166. The products suitable for inclusion in System 2 for regular protection needs include the ALWAYS® ultra-thin sanitary towel Maxi and sanitary towel ALWAYS® Regular Maxi. The following products are suitable for inclusion in system 2 for heavy protection needs: ultra-thin ALWAYS® sanitary towel with winged Maxi which is manufactured and packaged under one or more of the US patents 4,342,314, 4,463,045, 4,556,146 , B1 4,589,876, 4,687,478, 4,950,264, 5,009,653, 5,267,992, 5,413,568, 5460,623, 5,462, 166, 5,489,283, 5,569,231, and Re. 32,649; and ALWAYS® Regular Maxi Wing Towel which is manufactured and packaged under one or more of US Patents 4,342,314, 4,463,045, 4,556,146, 4,573,986, B1 4,589,876, 4,687,478, 5,267,992, 5,413,568, 5462,166 and 5,489,283.

The products suitable for inclusion in the system 3 for regular protection needs include the ALWAYS® ultra-thin sanitary pad with wings and the ALWAYS® Regular Maxi pad with wings. The products suitable for use in system 3 for heavy protection needs include the ALWAYS® ultra-thin long sanitary towel with wings and the super-long ALWAYS® sanitary towel with wings, both of which are manufactured and packaged under a or more of U.S. Patents 4,342,314, 4,463,045, 4,556,146, B1 4,589,876, 4,687,478, 4,950,264, 5,009,653, 5,267,992, 5,413,568, 5,460,623, 5,462,166, 5,489,283, 5,569,231, and Re. 32,649. The products suitable for inclusion in System 4 for regular protection needs include the ALWAYS® Ultra Thin Long Maxi Wing Towel with Wings and the Long ALWAYS® Wing Towel Maxi with Wings. Products suitable for use in system 4 for heavy protection needs include ultra-thin ALWAYS® sanitary napkin, nighttime, winged Maxi and ALWAYS® night Maxi with wings. In a variation of the preferred embodiment described above, the available systems of feminine hygiene products may include an interlabial product or a tampon in addition to a sanitary napkin product. Suitable interlabial products for use in the feminine hygiene products systems of the present invention are described in U.S. Patent Nos. 3,983,873 and 4,175,561 and in U.S. Patent Application No. 08 / 778,520, filed on January 3, 1997 in the name of Osborn, III. When a tampon or interlabial product is included in a feminine hygiene product system, the step of collecting information from a consumer with regard to her body type and the characteristics of the menstrual flow can continue to be developed in the manner described above. The step of selecting a feminine hygiene product system is also developed as described above, except that the appropriate system number must be decreased by one. For example, a large woman with heavy protection needs could have scored 15 points in total in the chart in Table 2 based on her body size and menstrual flow characteristics. An alternative to system 4 comprising only sanitary napkins described above, would be a system comprising one of the sanitary napkins for regular needs described above for use in system 3, used in combination with a tampon or an interlabial product. Similarly, a consumer who would otherwise be placed in system 3, could use one of the sanitary napkins for regular needs described above for system 2, in combination with either a buffer or an interlabial product. It should be noted that consumers who would use a system comprising a sanitary pad used in combination with a tampon or an interlabial product will not necessarily prefer to use this combination every time during its cycle (eg, at night). Therefore, the systems selected for these consumers may include sanitary napkins for use alone as well as sanitary napkins to be used in combination with tampons or liplab products. For example, a consumer who could have scored 15 points in table 2 could be provided with a system comprising the sanitary napkins described above as suitable for use in system 4. Alternatively, she could be provided with a sanitary napkin described as suitable for use in system 4 for heavy protection needs to be used at night. For use during the day, this system could include a tampon or interlabial product used in combination with a sanitary napkin described as suitable for use in either system 2 or 3 for moments of regular need.

In further variations of the preferred embodiment described above, systems 1 and 2 can be combined into a single protection system. Because only a small fraction of consumers in certain parts of the world (including North America) are expected to fall into category 1 for most of the topics shown in figure 1, only very few consumers would have the system 1 selects when the method of the present invention is developed as shown in Tables 1 and 2. Therefore, it is acceptable to combine systems 1 and 2 and use the products described above as acceptable for use in system 2 for all consumers who would otherwise be selected for system 1 or system 2. In particularly preferred embodiments of the method of the present invention, the steps of collecting the information of a consumer with respect to the size of her body and characteristics of the menstrual cycle, and The selection of the feminine hygiene product system is carried out in a substantially continuous interactive process. For example, information can be collected from a consumer and a selected system through the use of an interactive storage display. This display could be equipped with an interactive computer, which would induce the user to answer the questions, keep track of the users, and select an appropriate system based on those responses as described above. In alternate modalities, the information of a consumer can be collected through the use of an interactive web site, worldwide, or through the use of an interactive telephone menu system. Tables, tables and other figures can be used to collect the information of a consumer and drive the consumer through a system selection process as described above. These tables or figures can be located in a store display or an advertisement in the store. Similarly, tables or figures may be published in publications such as newspapers or magazines or may be mailed to potential consumers. It is also possible for information regarding the use of feminine hygiene product systems according to the method of the present invention to be distributed to women's health care service providers. In such scenarios, the interaction described in the present application may take place between a consumer and their OB / GYN or other health care provider. After having compiled a consumer's information regarding their body size and menstrual cycle characteristics, and having selected a feminine hygiene product system, the method of the present invention needs to provide information back to the consumer identifying the products that make up the selected system, thus allowing the consumer to use the selected system. This provisioning of information can be provided through the use of indicating means in the packaging. For example, in preferred modalities where there are 4 available systems of feminine hygiene products, each of the 4 systems could have a number, color, unique symbol, or some combination of these, associated with it. The products that form each of the 4 systems could then be packaged in packages marked with the corresponding number, color or unique symbol. In a preferred embodiment of the method of the present invention, the feminine hygiene products forming each of the available systems are packaged together in a common package. This allows the consumer to buy a total system in a package without having to assemble the required products by itself. In other preferred embodiments of the method of the present invention the feminine hygiene products forming the various systems available, they can be packed individually or in packages of approximately 2 to 9 products per package. These individually packaged products can be stored in an exhibition stand, which allows consumers to select a variety of products to assemble a system once it identifies the information of those products that make up the selected system, which is received by the consumer . In other modalities, the information provided to the consumer could simply be a list of commercial names of available feminine hygiene products that form the selected system.

TEST METHODS Measurement of the length of the sanitary napkin The length measurement is performed on samples that have been conditioned by leaving them in an environment at 50 percent relative humidity and at 73 degrees farenheig during a period of 2 hours before the test. . The measurement must be made under similar conditions. The length of the measurement by the total splitting of the sample to measure it in such a way that it lies flat. The length of the product is measured from the side of the top sheet. When measuring, the ruler should be placed along the longitudinal center line of the pad to measure the longest dimension, starting from the fullest part of the curvature at the ends of the sample. Align the ruler by placing the 0 point on the front outer edge of the fold at one end of the specimen. While the ruler is allowed to follow the contour of the pad surface, measure the length to the point closest to half a millimeter to the outer edge of the fold at the opposite end of the sample starting at point 0 of the ruler. Follow the outline of the nucleus gently and do not press on the nucleus.

Test of the measurement of the area of the sanitary napkin. Abstract This method is used to finish the two-dimensional area of the samples including the catamenial pads and finished pantiliners. The sample that is measured is placed flat (or joined) on a high contrast surface. For example, a white sample should be placed on a black background. A video camera with an input to an image analyzer computer is placed on the product. You can also use a platen scrutiner to capture the image. The software is calibrated for distance using a standard rule. An appropriate gray scale threshold is selected by the analyst to optimally detect the contour of the product. The area is calculated by the computer and is determined by counting them from a digitized image. Apparatus Starret C334 150 mm or equivalent Scanner HP Scanjet 3P or equivalent or Camcorder and Hi-8 or Y / C format camera with zoom lens Transfer data capture board DT2255-60Hz, or equivalent video Computer and software of Macintosh lici better analysis of images Image 1.44 or later version Fourth conditioning The temperature and humidity must be controlled to remain within the following limits: Temperature: 73 ± 3 ° F (23 ° C ± 2 ° C) Humidity: 50 ± 2% relative humidity Procedure 1. Place the flat sample on a high contrast surface. The sample must be completely unfolded (ie, the wings must be unfolded and placed flat on the surface). If the sample portions do not lie flat (for example, if the sample has been previously bent or if the sample is a curved pad) then the sample should be attached to the high contrast surface in such a way that it lies flat. 2. Place the sample on the high-contrast surface under the camera or the scrutineer. Use amplification that provides the appropriate resolution of the object to be measured. The sample must cover at least 10 percent of the viewing area of the screen to ensure adequate resolution. A scale at 200 dots per inch provides the proper resolution for the pad samples. If a video camera is used as the input device, the focal plane of the camera should be parallel to the sample (the camera should not be at an angle to the sample). 3. Capture an image of a rule or scale of high quality that is at least half as long as the object is measured. The calibration scale should be placed in the same plane as the objects to be measured. Calibrate the image analysis program for the scale. After setting the scale in the image analysis software, scrutinize an object of known area to verify the exact calibration. 4. Place the sample under the camera or on the scanner in the place of the calibration scale. Make sure that the sample is essentially flat. Tridobladed pads will have to be flattened using a weight or joining them to the flat surface. Similarly, the wings or fins will have to be unfolded or flattened or joined. Optimize the contrast between the sample and the background. A white sample should be placed on a black background, and the light should be adjusted to show a large difference in intensity without saturating either the white pad or the black background. Choose carefully the light that will reduce the interference from shadows and glare. Capture a high resolution image of the sample. 5. Measure the object by visually establishing the threshold of the gray level that best matches the area of the actual sample. If there is not enough contrast, amplify the image as much as possible and draw the outermost perimeter of the image of the sample image on the computer monitor with the mouse. Use the image analysis software to count the pixels and convert the count into an area in units of square centimeters or square millimeters. 6. Report the result to the nearest 0.1 square centimeter.

Finalize the test The disclosure of all patents, patent applications (and any of the patents that were issued on them, as well as any of the corresponding published foreign patent applications), and the publications mentioned throughout this description are incorporated by the present by reference here. However, it is not expressly admitted that any of the documents incorporated by reference herein teach or disclose the present invention. Although particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (10)

1. CLAIMS 1. A method for providing a system of using products for feminine hygiene to a consumer, the method comprising the steps of: collecting information of said consumer with respect to her body size and preferably also to her characteristics of the menstrual cycle. selecting a feminine hygiene product system from at least 2 available systems, wherein each of said systems is composed of at least two different feminine hygiene products, and wherein each of said available systems is adapted to correspond to a previously determined scale of body sizes and also preferably menstrual cycle characteristics; provide information to said consumer regarding the products that make up the selected system thus allowing the consumer to use said system of feminine hygiene products. The method according to claim 1, wherein the number of systems available is between 3 and 6, inclusive, and is preferably 3 or, more preferably, 4. The method according to claim 2, in wherein one of the available systems comprises a first product for feminine hygiene and a second product for feminine hygiene, wherein the first product for feminine hygiene is a sanitary napkin having a length between 110 and 244 millimeters, preferably between 219 and 230 millimeters, and having an area between 55 and 242 square centimeters, preferably between 162 and 224 square centimeters, and wherein said second product for feminine hygiene is selected from the group consisting of a tampon; an interlabial product; and a sanitary napkin having a length of between 219 and 249 millimeters, and having an area of between 126 and 265 square centimeters, more preferably between 162 and 265 square centimeters. The method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein one of said available systems comprises a first product for feminine hygiene and a second product for feminine hygiene, wherein the first product for feminine hygiene is a sanitary napkin which has a length between 219 and 249 millimeters, and an area between 126 and 224 square centimeters, more preferably between 162 and 224 square centimeters, and wherein said second product for feminine hygiene is selected from the group consisting of a buffer, an interlabial product; and a sanitary napkin having a length of between 226 and 261 millimeters, more preferably between 238 and 261 millimeters, and having an area of between 146 and 320 square centimeters, more preferably between 220 and 320 square centimeters. The method according to any of claims 2, 3, or 4, wherein one of said available systems comprises a first product for feminine hygiene and a second product for feminine hygiene, wherein the first product for hygiene female is a sanitary napkin having a length of between 232 and 261 millimeters, more preferably between 238 and 261 millimeters, and having an area of between 146 and 320 square centimeters, more preferably between 255 and 320 square centimeters and wherein the The second product for feminine hygiene is selected from the group consisting of a tampon; an interlabial product; and a sanitary napkin having a length of between 248 and 304 millimeters, more preferably between 255 and 304 millimeters, having an area between 177 and 348 square centimeters, more preferably between 302 and 348 square centimeters. 6. The method according to any of claims 2 to 5, wherein one of said available systems comprises a first product for feminine hygiene and a second product for feminine hygiene, wherein the first for feminine hygiene is a sanitary napkin that It has a length of between 248 and 304 millimeters, more preferably between 255 and 304 millimeters, and having an area of between 170 and 348 square centimeters, more preferably between 302 and 348 square centimeters, and wherein the second product for feminine hygiene is selected from the group consisting of a tampon, an interlabial product, and a sanitary napkin having a length greater than or equal to 296 millimeters, more preferably between 300 and 380 millimeters, and having an area greater than or equal to 224 square centimeters, more preferably between 314 and 500 square centimeters. The method according to claim 5 or 6, wherein at least said available systems comprise at least one sanitary napkin having an elastic wrapping component of the panty. 8. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the step of collecting the information of a consumer and selecting a system of feminine hygiene products is carried out using the apparatus selected from the group consisting of: computer, an interactive store display, a telephone system, and a printed table and accompanying instructions to use. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the step of providing the information to the consumer with respect to the products that form the system of feminine hygiene products, is achieved through the use of indicator means in the packaging, and preferably wherein the feminine hygiene products comprising each of the individual systems are packaged in a common package. 10. A method for providing a system for using feminine hygiene products for a consumer, the method comprising the steps of: collecting the information from said consumer with respect to the characteristics of the menstrual cycle, said information including more than perceived fluid of the consumer without more, and where at least some of said collected information includes the expected objective data that are easily known by the majority of consumers who use the method; selecting a feminine hygiene product system from at least two available systems, wherein each of said available systems is composed of at least two different products for feminine hygiene, and wherein each of said available systems is adapted to correspond to consumers who fall within a predetermined scale of menstrual cycle characteristics; and providing information to the consumer regarding the products forming said selected system, thus allowing the consumer to use the feminine hygiene product system.