GB2519504A

GB2519504A - A device for early menstruation

Info

Publication number: GB2519504A
Application number: GB1314850.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nailah Nadeem Dar
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-08-20
Filing date: 2013-08-20
Publication date: 2015-04-29
Also published as: GB201314850D0

Abstract

An undergarment device suitable to be worn during menstruation comprising a pair of knickers where at least part of the interior of the knickers is permeable, and at least part of the exterior of the knickers is impermeable, and a absorbent inner for absorbing menses that is attached and/or incorporated into the knickers. When the absorbent inner is incorporated into the knickers, the absorbent inner may comprises of numerous absorbent layers to accommodate light, medium and heavy menses flows, and maybe disposable after a single use. Preferably the knickers have releasable side fastening to allow easy removal and donning of the knickers, and the absorbent layers are thickened towards the vagina to aid effective absorption of the menses, and have elasticated inner thigh gathering which the inner absorbing padding overlaps. The exterior of the knickers may be scented. Alternatively the absorbent inner is detachably attached to the knickers. The device may be sold in packs wish different degrees of absorbency, that also contain sachets of perfume, and a bag for disposal of the knickers/absorbent pad.

Description

A DEVICE FOR EARLY MENSTRUATION

Field of the Invention

The pictured embodiment of the invention provides an undergarment device; particularly suitable for early menstruation; more particularly but not exclusively for pubescent girls.

Brief Description of the Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the device suitable for earliest menstruation; Figure 2 shows an isometric view of a second embodiment of the device suitable for less early menstruation and/or higher flow; Figure 3 shows an isometric view of a third embodiment suitable for later menstruation and/or heavier flow; Figure 4 shows an isometric view of an unfastened second embodiment; Figure 5 shows a view from above of the first embodiment; Figure 6 shows an isometric view of a pad for the first embodiment; and Figure 7 shows a sketch of a disposal bag.

Detailed Description of the Embodiments

With reference to the figures the first embodiment is envisaged to be an early stage menstruation aid.

The embodiment is formed as a whole and is envisaged to be disposable. Ideally the embodiment comprises an absorbent inner for example silica gel or liquid absorbent crystalline or powder or resin inner and paper or non-woven fabric outer, with preferably variant interior and exterior faces it only in colouring but likely wherein at least part of the interior is permeable and at least part of exterior is impermeable.

Said outer is ideally scented lightly and said inner absorbent material comprising padding.

The padding overlaps elastic inner thigh gathering of the outer wherein said gathering provides peripheral protection against leaks from the device's gusset region.

The first embodiment comprises a multi-layer structure wherein layers are sequentially arranged to thicken towards the vagina; so aiding in effective menstruation absorption as well as ensuring comfort is maximised by minimising heat or perspiration build up within the device.

The leg holes of this embodiment are tightly elasticated so as to ensure a good fit and.

minimal leakage, as well as comfort for a user.

The first embodiment is expected to be disposable or single-use and consequently has no removable parts or pads.

The first embodiment further includes side fastening; wherein in some variations there is provided a single side fasteners and in others two. Said fastener(s) is/are reusable in order that the user is enabled to use a lavatory.

In the pictured embodiment the fasteners comprise at least one removable adhesive tab as known in the art wherein the device is divided as shown in Figure 4 with tabs on one end of sides interacting with the other end, again to the sides of the device in use. Ideally the tabs are situated towards the front of the sides in use so as to facilitate opening, reduce strain and provide comfortable positioning.

Further variations of this first embodiment may include variations of fastening, for example hook and loop such as VELCRO (RTM) or eyes and hooks similar to a brassiere in order that the user can associate the device with growing up.

In some embodiments the device andfor waterproof may comprise stain resistant and/or waterproof outer at least in part such as exterior in use and br at or adjacent the vagina. In the first embodiment in particular this may be combined with colouring or texturing or design features; for example characters or letters, or patterns such as tartan.

A lightly elasticated waist band also helps with comfortable wear wherein in some further embodiments other main body sections of the device may be elasticated also; for example peripheral to the vagina area or gusset. The waist band accommodates 2-3 inch expansion due to swollen abdomens.

The second embodiment in some variations is simply amended under heavier flow conditions to become the third embodiment.

Both embodiments are envisaged to be for later stages or ages of menstruation; wherein the user is more accustomed to their flow and its import and is better trained for dealing with it.

These embodiments may be single or multiple use, dependent on presence of additional pad. In single use embodiments such as those without a displaceable pad as Figure 2, the device comprises a device suitable for later, but light flow menstruation, and includes a gusset having a single layer of absorbent inner as described above. The inner is ideally permanently attached to the outer, which outer may comprise comfortable and/or elasticated fabric or material non-woven or woven.

In some embodiments the pad may comprise an adhered capsule onto said outer having an exterior that is impermeable and an interior that is permeable. Said capsule may be positioned at manufacture, retail or use, and may comprise a self adhesive exterior or auto-adhesive exterior, having a cover thereover. Ideally the exterior and/or interior to the device's gusset indicates where the capsule is or is required to be adhered. The device is continuous with two leg holes and a waist hole, so as to be familiar to growing girls.

In the third pictured embodiments a separate pad is inserted and consequently this is envisaged to be appropriate for heavier flow and additionally more mature users, wherein the device is multiple use and the pads are replaceable. In some variations layers of absorbent inner or material may be included at the gusset without colouring or shading or any sign on the device exterior face.

In some variations the device excluding the padding is disposable and formed of non-woven material, for example permeable interior face and impermeable exterior face wherein there is provided a thin inner layer adhered or bonded there between and wherein the device is washable as a whole, with at least elasticated cuffs at the legs and waist.

In all embodiments the inner or inner layers may be bonded to the device interior face for discretion.

The cotton disposal bag incorporates an internal bioplastic film and has an adhesive strip to allow sealing.

Different styles of the device are available; for example bikini, full brief, hipster or boy short.

The tabs typically use lateral hook tape as found on diapers. In some embodiments elasticated sides or a perforation in the material at the sides for tear-away' easy disposal.

In some embodimentsthe devices are made from biodegradable material including such as unbleached organic cotton for softness at least the outer and/or interior face.

Inner layers may be adhesively bonded or sewn into the outer or a subsequent or precedent inner layer so as to provide a different number of plys for different flows.

Ideally packs of the first embodiment at least are sold at retail in different plys or a variety of plys and accordingly a method of providing different ply panties is claimed herein, more particularly wherein said plys are coloured differently and not exclusively wherein a retail package includes variant flow level panties to cater for a week, such as 3 heavy, 2 medium and 1 light.

The ply is for menstrual flows of 6g or less and a Iply integrated panty is approx. 12cm in length centred on the gusset or crotch.

The 2ply panty has a Iply inner of approx. 18cm and 2pIy of approx. 12cm and accommodates flow of 6-12g.

The 3ply panty accommodates 12g-18g and has layers or plys of 24, 18 and 12cm respectively.

All of said ply panties may be envisaged as per the first embodiment above preferably.

The panties are available in small, medium or large and contain carbon fibres in some embodiments for neutralising odours and/or perfume such as musk in heavy, medium or light dose as appropriate to flow. At retail or use various scents or perfumes may be available per package or device, at use wherein for example sachets of perfume may be included in the package.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised 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 areintended 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

Claims 1. An undergarment device for wear during menstruation, the device comprising an inner and an outer, the device further comprising interior and exterior faces, at least part of the interior face being permeable and at least part of the exterior face being impermeable, the inner being absorbent.
2. An undergarment device according to claim 1, wherein the device comprises two leg holes and a waist hole.
3. An undergarment device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the absorbent inner includes absorbent padding and wherein the device comprises two leg holes, each leg hole having elastic inner thigh gathering, the absorbent padding of the inner overlapping the elastic inner thigh gathering.
4. An undergarment device according to any preceding claim, wherein the inner is bonded to the device.

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5. An undergarment device according to any preceding claim, wherein the device comprises a multi-layer structure. r
6. An undergarment device according to claim 5, wherein the layers are sequentially arranged to thicken towards the vagina when in use.
7. An undergarment device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the layers are coloured differently from one another.
S. An undergarment device according to any preceding claim, wherein the inner comprises a layer or layers and the inner layer or layers are adhesively bonded or sewn into the outer or a subsequent or precedent inner layer.
9. An undergarment device according to any preceding claim, wherein the device has no removable parts or pads.
10. An undergarment device according to any preceding claim, wherein the inner is configured to be permanently attached to the outer.
11. An undergarment device according to any preceding claim, wherein the device includes side fastening.
12. An undergarment device according to claim 11, wherein said side fastening is reusable.
13. An undergarment device according to claim or 11 or 12, wherein said side fastening comprises a single side fastener or two side fasteners.
14. An undergarment device according to any preceding claim, wherein the absorbent inner comprises silica gel, liquid absorbent crystalline or powder, or resin.
15. An undergarment device according to any preceding claim, wherein the outer comprises paper or fabric, wherein said fabric may be woven or non-woven.
16. An undergarment device according to any preceding claim, wherein the device is made from biodegradable material.
17. An undergarment device according to any preceding claim, wherein the number of layers for the inner is selected depending on the menstrual flow level that the device is to cater for.
18. An undergarment device according to any preceding claim, wherein the device contains perfume.
19. An undergarment device according to claim 18, wherein the dose of perfume is selected depending on the menstrual flow level that the device is to cater for.
20. An undergarment device according to any preceding claim, the undergarment device being provided together with a bag for receiving the undergarment device so that it can be disposed of. a
21. A pack comprising a plurality of undergarment devices according to any preceding claim, the pack comprising different undergarment devices for variant menstrual flow levels.
22. A pack according to claim 21, wherein the pack comprises undergarment devices having a variety of plys.
23. A pack according to claim 21 or 22, wherein the pack further comprises sachets of perfume.
24. An undergarment device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any suitable combination of the accompanying drawings. r