HK1067030B - Interlabial pad - Google Patents

Abstract

A copy of PCT specification will be submitted

Description

Interlabial pad

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an interlabial pad for female wearers which can be held in intimate contact for use between the labia.

Background

Conventionally, sanitary napkins and tampons are commonly used as feminine hygiene products. Much work has been done to prevent leakage of menstrual blood from the sanitary napkin through gaps formed by poor attachment near the vaginal orifice. In addition, with regard to tampons, a great deal of work has been done to alleviate the foreign body sensation and discomfort in using the sanitary products and the trouble of using them in the vagina due to the characteristics of these products.

Under such circumstances, in recent years, interlabial pad sanitary devices have attracted attention as sanitary devices positioned between sanitary napkins and tampons. The interlabial pad is used by holding a portion thereof between the labia and contacting the inner surfaces of the labia because it is more attached to the body than a sanitary napkin to prevent leakage of menstrual blood and prevents menstrual blood from widely contacting the body due to diffusion, so that it is sanitary and clean. In addition, the interlabial pad is characterized by excellent feeling in use, comfort due to its smaller volume than a sanitary napkin, and less psychological resistance than a tampon inserted into the vagina.

Unlike sanitary napkins (which are fixed to underwear) and tampons (which are fixed by insertion into the vagina), interlabial pads are generally used by being fixed by insertion between the labia, which can move left and right during physical movement. Thus, there is a need for an interlabial pad that can move in a side-to-side compliant manner to follow the body movements of the wearer. In other words, as in the case where the left and right feet alternately extend forward during walking, the movement of the labia corresponds to the movement of the body and is asymmetric with respect to the body center plane extending in the front-rear direction of the body, and the interlabial pad is required to follow such movement of the labia. Menstrual leakage is a particular problem if the interlabial pad is unable to follow the body and falls out of the wearer's interlabial space.

As an example of this technique, ｃA thin and comfortable interlabial absorbent structure (JP-A-2001-507597) is now available. The absorbent interlabial structure includes a pair of absorbent body panels that are sufficiently flexible to at least partially adhere to the walls of the interlabial space of the wearer. The cushions are connected by an isthmus that is positioned deepest within the interlabial space of the user when the absorbent interlabial device is in use. However, unlike conventional sanitary napkins, the interlabial pad is not secured to the undergarment, nor is it secured by insertion as is the case with tampons.

The interlabial absorbent structure is inserted into the interlabial space and the pad can slide or move without being held securely as a sanitary napkin or tampon would. Therefore, the interlabial absorbent structure (corresponding to the interlabial pad, which is connected by the isthmus) may slip between the labia and the interlabial region with the movement of the wearer's torso, and the wearer may feel uncomfortable.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention is directed to solving the above problems. The object of the present invention is to reduce as much as possible the discomfort felt by a wearer of an interlabial pad when the body moves to apply a certain force to the interlabial pad and the labia when the interlabial pad is placed and supported in close contact between the labia.

The inventors of the present invention have found that it is possible that slippage between the interlabial pad and the interlabial wall, or even without any slippage, merely that some force is felt between the interlabial pad and the interlabial wall, causing discomfort to the wearer. Such forces are easily generated by the body movements of the user.

The deepest interlabial space, i.e., the vestibule floor, is likely to change with changes in the wearer's (wearer's) movements, etc. For example, when the user sits on a chair and applies a body pressure downward in the vertical direction (from the vestibule floor to the labial distal ends), the vestibule floor faces bend downward and deform. When the legs of the user alternately move back and forth in walking or other movements, the inner sides of the thighs apply external pressure to the legs, and the bottom surface of the vestibule repeatedly bends and deforms left and right.

Based on the above-mentioned interlabial absorbent structure, it was found that: the isthmus (which corresponds to the top of the folded pad, which is stiff due to the adjacent edges connecting the two side pads) is placed toward the floor of the vestibule. Thus, the isthmus may have difficulty changing its shape to follow the aforementioned changes in the shape of the vestibular floor, which may cause the user to experience rigidity of the isthmus, that is, discomfort with the movement of the user's body.

In view of the above, the present inventors have recognized that if the portion of the interlabial pad disposed toward the vestibule floor could readily follow the movements of the vestibule floor, the pad would not cause discomfort to the wearer. In addition, leakage of menstrual blood is prevented by avoiding the formation of a gap between the fundus portion and the interlabial pad. That is, the following facts were found: in order to cope with the downward deformation of the vestibule floor due to, for example, the action of a wearer sitting on a chair, it is necessary to reduce the longitudinal rigidity of the interlabial pad in the interlabial use state. In order to cope with the bending of the vestibule floor in the left-right direction caused by the pressure from the legs during walking or other exercises, it is also necessary to reduce the transverse rigidity of the interlabial pad when it is used between the labia.

However, while the absorbent body (which is primarily responsible for maintaining the shape of the interlabial pad) is compliant, its ability to conform is limited due to the relative thickness of the absorbent body.

The present invention has been developed based on the above findings. An interlabial pad which can easily change its shape to follow the change in the shape of the vestibule floor, thereby reducing the feeling of foreign body and further preventing leakage of menstrual blood. That is, an interlabial pad having a shape capable of being held between the labia naturally, which comprises an absorbent material for absorbing body fluid and a covering material for covering the absorbent material, is characterized in that the absorbent material has at least one bending member.

More specifically, the present invention provides the following:

(1) an interlabial pad having a size, weight and flexibility such that it can be held between the labia by being partially or entirely naturally held therebetween, and having directions of being arranged substantially parallel to the labia ("parallel direction") and substantially perpendicular to the labia ("perpendicular direction"), further comprising an absorbent body for absorbing body fluid and a cover material for covering the absorbent body, the cover material defining the principal shape of the interlabial pad, wherein: the absorbent body comprises one or more linear curved members having a predetermined length and a predetermined width, the linear curved members including a linear shape and a curved shape, and the curved members are placed at predetermined positions of the interlabial pad and are formed of portions having a lower bending strength than portions other than the predetermined positions.

There is no need to limit the shape of the peripheral edge of the interlabial pad, so long as the shape readily conforms to the labial region of a female wearer. Examples of preferred shapes include oval, gourd-shaped, and teardrop-shaped. By "partially or fully" it is meant that the interlabial pad is held between the labia and becomes partially or fully invisible. "natural grip" means that the absorbent pad is easily gripped by the wearer himself or herself, and "hold" means that the absorbent pad does not fall out of the gap into which it is inserted. "flexibility" refers to the adaptability of shape to elastically deform the absorbent pad itself when external forces, such as external stress and pressure, are applied to the absorbent pad, and may include a partial plastic change in shape. Local deformation by the bending member to be described below is not required here as long as it has flexibility as a whole.

"parallel direction" refers to a direction substantially parallel to the labia between which the interlabial pad is used. This direction is defined by the direction in which the interlabial pad is used by the wearer in order to coincide with a direction substantially parallel to the front-to-back direction of the wearer. That is, even if the pad has a longitudinally extending shape, the longitudinal axis is not necessarily parallel to the parallel direction, and the front-back direction when the interlabial pad is used by the wearer is the parallel direction. The "vertical direction" refers to a direction perpendicular to the above-mentioned parallel direction and included in a horizontal plane when the user stands upright using the absorbent pad. Thus, it is generally referred to as the longitudinal or transverse direction of the flat interlabial pad surface. The bending member refers to a portion including a region having a lower bending strength than a surrounding region. Furthermore, the bending member may also have a linear shape, since the bending is usually performed along a line.

The interlabial pad (or absorbent body) can have any shape, including sheet, cylindrical, spherical, cubic, and the like. With regard to these differently shaped interlabial pads, the directions (parallel and perpendicular) are also defined based on the orientation of the wearer. The curved member may have a linear shape when projected onto a plane (which may refer to a horizontal plane of a user) mainly determined by a parallel direction and a vertical direction.

(2) The interlabial pad in accordance with (1), wherein said bending means is composed of a bending means unit in which said portion having a smaller bending strength extends for a prescribed length, said bending means unit being a "vertical bending means unit" extending substantially parallel to said vertical direction.

The bending member unit may include a plurality of portions having relatively low bending strength (or bending resistance), and may have a prescribed length. However, the bending strength of the bending member unit is not necessarily the same over the entire length, and may be different from one portion to another. The prescribed length may be determined on a case-by-case basis, but is generally within the length or width of the absorbent body containing the bending member unit.

(3) The interlabial pad according to (2), wherein said vertical bending means unit is arranged across a center line of said interlabial pad, which is located in a parallel direction to said interlabial pad.

The "center line of the interlabial pad in the parallel direction" refers to a line extending in a direction substantially parallel to the "parallel direction" which is substantially parallel to the front-rear direction of the wearer when the interlabial pad is used, and along which the interlabial pad is divided into two equal parts. When the interlabial pad is symmetrical with respect to the front-rear direction of the wearer, the center line coincides with the axis of symmetry. If the interlabial pad is asymmetric, the centerline can be a line that divides the main portion (particularly the absorbent body) into two portions that are approximately symmetric. Thus, "across the center line" may refer to a state extending mainly in the left-right direction and crossing a portion ("center portion") close to the center line which divides the absorbent pad into approximately equal portions in the longitudinal direction with reference to the front-rear direction of the user. However, unless otherwise specified, straddling does not necessarily mean parallel or approximately parallel to the left-right direction.

In such a configuration, the bending member extends in the vertical direction at least across the center line in the parallel direction on the center line in the parallel direction of the interlabial pad toward the vestibule floor, so that the absorbent body can be easily changed in shape, and the rigidity in the parallel direction and the vertical direction is also reduced. This enables the absorbent pad to more effectively follow the change in the shape of the vestibule floor, reducing the foreign body sensation due to the body movement of the user, and in addition, enables the absorbent pad to more closely contact the vestibule floor, preventing leakage of menstrual blood.

(4) The interlabial pad according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein: the bending member is composed of a bending member unit in which the smaller bending strength portion extends by a prescribed length; said absorbent body of said interlabial pad comprises a plurality of said bending member units extending a prescribed length, said units being disposed substantially parallel to one another such that said plurality of bending member units exhibit a staggered pattern when said absorbent body is flattened.

The above-mentioned curved member unit may refer to a plurality of straight lines, a curved line close to a straight line, or a combination of curved lines. That is, each of the plurality of bending member units does not necessarily have the same shape. However, in order to arrange each of the plurality of bending member units substantially in parallel, it is necessary that the shape of each bending member unit is generally directed in a direction in which the main portion of each bending member unit is directed. The reason why the absorbent body is used "when it is stretched" is that the absorbent body can be used more objectively in shape when it is stretched in a certain plane because it can be folded or bent due to its elasticity. In this case, "showing a staggered form" may be regarded as that the bent part units are not in a line but are staggered.

(5) The interlabial pad according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein: the bending member is composed of a bending member unit in which the smaller bending strength portion extends by a prescribed length; the plurality of bending member units are arranged in line symmetry with respect to a center line of the interlabial pad in the parallel direction.

"line symmetry" means that a plurality of bending member units are arranged in left-right symmetry about the center line of the interlabial pad.

(6) The interlabial pad according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein: the bending member is composed of a bending member unit in which the smaller bending strength portion extends by a prescribed length; the bending member unit is a "parallel bending member unit" extending substantially parallel to the parallel direction.

"parallel-bent component unit" refers to a bent component unit that includes a weak point of bending strength and extends substantially parallel to a parallel direction.

(7) The interlabial pad according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein said parallel bending means unit is arranged in the vicinity of a center line of said interlabial pad, which is located in said parallel direction of said interlabial pad.

The "vicinity of the center line" of the interlabial pad in the direction parallel to the interlabial pad means the center portion of the interlabial pad.

(8) The interlabial pad according to any one of (1) to (7), wherein said bending means is composed of a bending means unit, wherein said portion of smaller bending strength extends for a prescribed length, said bending means unit being provided up to the periphery of said absorbent body.

"absorbent body periphery" refers to the portion near the absorbent body edge. This means, for example, that when the bending member unit is composed of slits, the slits should reach the edges of the absorbent body. Thus, the arrangement of the bending member units in the proper position and direction will bring the bending member units to the periphery, taking into account the length of the bending member units.

(9) The interlabial pad according to any one of (1) to (8), wherein: said bending member is composed of bending member units wherein said smaller bending strength portion extends for a prescribed length and a first bending member unit extends for a prescribed length substantially parallel to said vertical direction and across a center line of said interlabial pad, which is located in said parallel direction; a second bending member unit extending substantially parallel to said parallel direction for a predetermined length and positioned adjacent to a centerline of said interlabial pad; the first bending member unit and the second bending member unit cross each other in the vicinity of the center line of the interlabial pad.

For example, it is conceivable that the first bending member unit and the second bending member unit cross each other in a cross shape near the center line (central portion) of the interlabial pad.

(10) The interlabial pad according to any one of (1) to (9), wherein: the bending member is composed of a bending member unit in which the smaller bending strength portion extends by a prescribed length; the bending member unit extends in the vertical direction, between a center portion located in the vicinity of the center line of the interlabial pad and the peripheral edge of the interlabial pad, and substantially parallel to the parallel direction by a predetermined length.

"center portion" means the vicinity of the centerline of the interlabial pad, which extends substantially parallel to the parallel direction. The "interlabial pad periphery" refers to the distal end (or edge) of the interlabial pad. In this case, the "interlabial pad peripheral edge" particularly means a right or left side edge of the interlabial pad in the vertical direction corresponding to the left-right direction of the wearer. Thus, "between the central portion and the peripheral edge" refers to a location on the interlabial pad that is between the central portion and the left (or right) side edge of the interlabial pad and is substantially parallel to the central portion.

(11) The interlabial pad according to any one of (1) to (10), wherein said bending means is composed of a bending means unit in which said portion of lower bending strength extends for a prescribed length, and the bending means is located in the vicinity of the center line of said interlabial pad and extends in a V-shape from said vertical direction at a prescribed angle toward the periphery of said absorbent body.

The bending member unit is positioned almost at the center of the interlabial pad, and can be assumed to be V-shaped. The V-shape may follow the shape of the interlabial pad edge, or may be reversed.

(12) The interlabial pad in accordance with any one of (1) to (11), wherein said bending means is composed of a bending means unit, wherein said portion of lower bending strength extends for a prescribed length, and said bending means unit extends for a prescribed length at a prescribed angle to said parallel direction.

The above is a description of a so-called oblique bending member unit.

(13) The interlabial pad in accordance with any of (1) to (12), wherein said bending means is composed of slits, low-density portions, or a combination thereof.

"slit" refers to a linearly extending space formed by removing all or part of the filler material in the absorbent body containing the curved member unit. Since the absorbent is wrapped by the covering material, the absorbent on both sides of the slit does not become loose. It is contemplated that the absorbent body may be bent along the fold formed by the cover material and the residual filler material. Such slits may be formed by filling a previously divided filling material, or by cutting the filling material with a cutter or other tool. "Low density portion" refers to the point of the absorbent body where the filler material is less dense. Such a portion is generally easily bent, and the point is compressed when bent, so that the thickness of the absorbent body is actually reduced. By "composite of slits and low-density portions" it is meant that they can be used in combination along the longitudinal direction of the linearly extending curved member. Further, they may be used in combination in the same part. For example, the slit may be formed at the low density portion by a cutter.

(14) The interlabial pad according to any one of (1) to (13), wherein: the opposite-body surface of said interlabial pad comprises a microchip disposed from one side portion to the other side portion across both side portions of a central axis (substantially parallel to said parallel direction of said interlabial pad); a finger well is formed between the microchip and the opposite surface of the body.

"body-opposing side" refers to the outer surface of the opposing or bottom side panel that contacts the body surface. "central axis" means an axis extending in a parallel direction as defined above and which extends so as to divide at least a major portion of the interlabial pad into two substantially equal portions.

Thus, "side portions" refer to the outer edges (or portions) of the interlabial pad away from the centerline (since the centerline divides at least the major portion of the interlabial pad into two nearly equal portions, which correspond to the direction in which the two portions of the interlabial pad extend from the centerline).

The micro-sheet is oriented across the sides from one side to the other to join the micro-sheet to the edges of the interlabial pad. "finger hole" refers to a circular or annular void formed by a microchip and the reverse side of the body.

(15) The interlabial pad according to any one of (1) to (14), wherein said interlabial pad is an absorbent pad for urinary incontinence.

The interlabial pad according to the present invention can be used as an incontinence pad. The vaginal opening for discharging menstrual blood and the urethral opening for discharging urine are positioned between the labia, and the interlabial pad of the present invention used between the labia can also absorb urine.

As described above, since the absorbent pad of the present invention can absorb urine around labia, particularly around the urethral orifice, it is used as an absorbent pad for urinary incontinence, particularly mild urinary incontinence.

(16) The interlabial pad according to any of (1) to (14), wherein said interlabial pad is an absorbent pad that absorbs vaginal discharge.

The interlabial pad according to the invention may be used as an absorbent pad for vaginal discharges. That is, the interlabial pad is used while being held between the labia, and can absorb secretions (for absorbing vaginal discharge) discharged from the vaginal opening in addition to menstrual blood.

As mentioned above, the absorbent pad is also effective for non-menstrual users because it can absorb vaginal discharges to reduce discomfort.

(17) A method for regulating the shape compliance of an interlabial pad, said pad having a size, weight and compliance adapted to be held interlabially by naturally holding some or all of the pad between the labia, said pad having a direction of alignment substantially parallel ("parallel direction") and substantially perpendicular ("perpendicular direction") to said labia, further comprising: an absorbent body for absorbing liquid and a cover material for wrapping said absorbent body, said cover material defining a main shape of said interlabial pad; and one or more bending elements positioned at designated locations on said interlabial pad, and having a lesser bending strength than portions other than said designated locations, wherein the method comprises the steps of: the shape compliance of the interlabial pad is adjusted by a bending member application method using the bending member.

This method will facilitate the adjustment of the shape compliance of the interlabial pad.

(18) The method for adjusting shape flexibility according to (17), wherein the curved member application method includes a step of changing a shape, a number, a disposition position, and an arrangement of the curved members.

The shape of the curved member may include size, orientation, and the like. The "installation site" refers to a position where the bending member is installed. "arrangement" means how the curved members are positioned and may also be expressed in terms of distribution.

Brief Description of Drawings

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the absorbent interlabial pad of the present embodiment as viewed from the body-side surface.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along line X1-X2 of fig. 1.

Fig. 3(a) and 3(B) show an interlabial pad in accordance with this embodiment. Fig. 3(a) is a front view of an interlabial pad folded in half for use. Fig. 3(B) is a side view of the interlabial pad from the left side.

Fig. 4(a) and 4(B) illustrate an interlabial pad in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 4(a) shows a cylindrical interlabial pad. Fig. 4(B) shows the interlabial pad positioned interlabially.

Fig. 5(a) and 5(B) show an interlabial pad in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5(a) shows a flat-type interlabial pad. Fig. 5(B) shows the interlabial pad folded in half for use.

Figure 6 shows an embossed curved part that may be used in embodiments of the invention.

Figure 7 shows a curved part formed by a cutting process that may be used with embodiments of the present invention.

Fig. 8 shows the distribution (staggered arrangement) of the bending element units forming the bending elements included in the absorbent body of the interlabial pad in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 9 shows the distribution of the bending means units (forming the bending means included in the absorbent body of the interlabial pad in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention) (with the bending means in the central portion).

Fig. 10 shows the distribution of the bending element units (forming the bending elements incorporated in the absorbent body of the interlabial pad in accordance with the present embodiment) (the bending elements running across the edges).

Fig. 11 shows the distribution of the bending means units (forming the bending means included in the absorbent body of the interlabial pad in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention) (the bending means crossing at the center).

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of an interlabial pad in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, with the microchip attached to the opposite side of the body.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the absorbent body (laid flat) in the interlabial pad of the embodiment shown in fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view of an interlabial absorbent pad in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, with the microchip attached to the opposite side of the body.

Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view of an interlabial absorbent pad in accordance with an embodiment of the invention in use, with the microchip attached to the opposite side of the body.

Fig. 16 is a perspective view of an interlabial absorbent pad in accordance with an embodiment of the invention bent to the right.

Fig. 17 is a perspective view of an interlabial absorbent pad in accordance with an embodiment of the invention bent to the right and left sides.

Fig. 18 is a perspective view of an interlabial absorbent pad in accordance with an embodiment of the invention with the rear portion bent downwardly.

Best mode for carrying out the invention

Various embodiments of the interlabial pad of the present invention will now be described with reference to the attached figures.

[ basic interlabial pad ]

Fig. 1 shows a schematic plan view of an interlabial pad 10. The interlabial pad of this embodiment has a primarily longitudinally elongated shape, i.e., an oval shape with a major axis extending from front 14 to back 16 in the longitudinal axis (Y-axis) and a minor axis extending from right 18 to left 20 in the transverse axis (X-axis). However, there is no need to limit the shape of the product as long as the shape can be adapted to the labial area, allowing left and right phase shift in use, such as an oval shape, a gourd shape, and a tear drop shape.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line X1-X2 in FIG. 1. The interlabial pad 10 comprises a liquid permeable side sheet 26 which contacts the wearer's body surface 22 (i.e., the inner labial wall); a liquid-permeable or impermeable bottom side panel 30 facing the opposite bodyside side 24 (i.e., the wearer's garment side); and an absorbent 28. The interlabial pad 10 is a sheet-type pad in which the front and back side sheets are joined and adhered together outside the absorbent body edge.

The top sheet 26 and the bottom sheet 30 may be joined only by heat sealing or heat seal bonding hot melt type adhesive. The interlabial pad 10 is not limited to the sheet-type structure described above, and may be a closed-type structure in which a water-impermeable material is placed under the absorbent body, and a water-permeable sheet completely encloses them.

The interlabial pad 10 shown in fig. 1 and 2 can be folded in half on the Y-axis along the line from the front 14 to the back 16 as shown in fig. 3, with the central portion 32 convex toward the exterior. At this time, the front side sheet 26 located on the body-side surface 22 faces upward (or outward). On the other hand, the bodyside surface 24 faces downward, and the bottom sheet 30 is positioned on the inner surface of the folded absorbent pad. In this configuration, the topsheet 26 contacts the labial surface, and the absorbent pad has right and left sides contacting the right and left sides of the labia, respectively. Therefore, when the right and left sides of the labia move in accordance with the body movement of the wearer, the shape of the interlabial pad is changed by the force from the right and left labia. That is, the flexibility of the interlabial pad 10 plays an important role in reducing discomfort to the wearer.

An embodiment of a longitudinally extending, cylindrical interlabial pad 40 having an oval cross-section is shown in fig. 4 (a). The bending means extending in the vertical direction of the interlabial pad 40 are referred to as bending means 44, 46 and 48, and are shown as lines extending in the vertical direction at the center 42 of the interlabial pad 40 in the drawing. These bending members are formed in the absorbent body 50, and the absorbent body 50 is wrapped with the covering material 41. When the interlabial pad 40 is bowed such that the central portion 42 rises upward in the drawing, the curved members 44, 46, and 48 open. That is, since the amount of the absorbent body in this portion is smaller than that in the other portions, it is considered that the folding resistance of 44, 46 and 48 (the portions each extending vertically downward from the user's sight) is low. Further, the reduction in thickness reduces the compressive and tensile stresses generated inside the absorbent body by bending.

Fig. 4(B) shows the interlabial pad in use. The interlabial pad 40 (which is formed of an absorbent body 50 wrapped with a cover material 41) is placed between the right and left labia 60. The bending direction (longitudinal bending rigidity P) shown by the U-shaped arrow in the figure is opposite to the above-described direction of bending the central portion upward in the figure. Also, since the bending members 44, 46, and 48 are easily bent, the bending deformation is concentrated on the bending members. As a result, less force is required to achieve the same amount of deflection of the entire interlabial pad as would be achieved without the presence of the bending members 44, 46 and 48. Also, with respect to the bending direction (lateral bending rigidity Q) shown by the S-shaped arrow in fig. 4(B), the same amount of bending deformation displacement can be obtained with a smaller force. Therefore, the bending member allows the absorbent body to be easily changed in shape while reducing the bending rigidity on the perpendicular surface perpendicular to the parallel direction and the bending rigidity on the plane determined by the parallel direction and the perpendicular direction. Of course, the bending member has an effect of reducing the bending rigidity of the interlabial pad in each direction and surface other than the above.

An interlabial pad 10 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention is shown in fig. 5 (a). Portions of the topsheet 26 are cut away to show the wrapped absorbent 28 and the curved components 34, 36 and 38 formed in the absorbent. In this embodiment, the cover material which covers the absorbent body 28 is formed by joining the front side sheet 26 and the back side sheet 30 at each edge. The absorbent member 28 of the sheet-like interlabial pad 10 has the same sheet shape. In the absorbent body 28, the bending means 34, 36, 38 and 39 are arranged parallel to each other from the vicinity of the front 14 toward the rear 16 such that the bending means spans the center line (or central portion) of the interlabial pad connecting the front 14 and rear 16 of the interlabial pad 10. The interlabial pad 10 is used interlabially as shown in fig. 5 (B).

In fig. 5(B), the interlabial pad 10 is shown folded in half such that the sides of the bottom sheet 30 contact each other and the front sheet contacts the right and left labia 60. This state is similar to the state of the cylindrical interlabial pad used interlabially as shown in fig. 4 (B). In fig. 5(B), a U-shaped arrow and an S-shaped arrow show the direction of each bend. Similar to the above, the bending members 34, 36, 38 and 39 reduce the folding resistance, making the absorbent pad easily bendable in every direction.

As shown in fig. 5(B), the interlabial pad is folded along a center line in a parallel direction, and the cover materials (bottom side sheets 30) facing the clothing are used to face each other. The parallel and perpendicular directions are determined with respect to the placement or use of the interlabial pad, however, for such interlabial pads, the directions may be determined with respect to the absorbent pad lying flat as shown in fig. 5 (a). In this case, the longitudinal direction (on the line from the front 14 to the rear 16) approximately parallel to the parallel direction can be used as the parallel direction, and the lateral direction from the right 18 to the left 20 of the interlabial pad can be used as the vertical direction. The shape of the interlabial pad folded in two makes it easy for the left and right body surfaces (which are in contact with the left and right labia, respectively, and symmetrical about the longitudinal center line) of the interlabial pad to follow the change in the movement of the left and right labia due to the body movement of the wearer, and therefore, it is possible to make it difficult for a gap to occur between the vestibule floor or the inner labial wall and the body surface of the interlabial pad. The shape of the laterally extending bending members 34, 36, 38 and 39 extends in the up-down direction in the drawing in the interlabial pad for interlabial use, but they extend laterally when the interlabial pad is laid flat as shown in fig. 5 (a).

The interlabial absorbent pad having a bending member extending transversely across at least the longitudinal centerline of the absorbent body can have a bending stiffness value of 1.5mN or less, more preferably 1.0mN or less, in the longitudinal direction. The above bending rigidity value was measured by a Gurley meter. The measurement sample was taken near the center portion of the interlabial pad. The specimen for measuring the longitudinal bending rigidity was 38mm long by 25mm wide, and the specimen for measuring the transverse bending rigidity was 38mm wide by 25mm long.

"laterally extending" means extending or moving toward the right and/or left side of the interlabial pad, but is not required to be parallel or nearly parallel in the lateral direction. Likewise, "longitudinally extending" means extending or moving toward the front 14 and/or back 16 of the interlabial pad, but is not required to be parallel or nearly parallel in the longitudinal direction. The bending member may be disposed not only on the covering material of the absorbent member but also on the absorbent member.

In general, it is preferable that the bending part has a length of 3 to 30mm at one portion, and a width (thickness) of less than or equal to 5 mm. The preferred distance (pitch) between parallel adjacent curved members is 3 to 20 mm.

Figure 6 shows one embodiment of a flexure. The absorbent body 28 wrapped by the front and back side sheets 26 and 30 is compressed at the bending means 70. This compression may be by embossing. For example, in the pressing process or embossing, the absorbent pads are introduced between rolls having a concave-convex pattern or a flat pattern to provide absorbent pads having different densities. Other methods may be used in which the compression portion is made by compression where the male portion and the flat portion are engaged with each other, so that the rigidity is different between the compression portion and the other portion.

Fig. 7 shows the curved part resulting from the cutting. The absorbent body 28 wrapped by the front and back side sheets 26 and 30 is cut at the bending part 72. This is more preferable because the folding resistance of the bending member is remarkably low when the absorbent body is cut completely like this. It is also possible to cut but not cut the absorbent body so that the fold resistance can be adjusted. In addition to the above-described methods, other methods may be used to manufacture the curved member. Any portion having a relatively low resistance to folding may be a curved member.

Fig. 8 shows an embodiment in which the bending element units, i.e., the bending elements, are staggered in the absorbent body 28. The absorbent interlabial pad 10 is manufactured by wrapping the absorbent body 28 with a cover material (including the top and bottom side panels). The transversely extending bending member unit 80 is arranged in the central portion (the vicinity of the center line of the absorbent body, along the parallel direction corresponding to the front 14 to the rear 16 of the front-rear of the interlabial pad 10). The transversely extending bending member units 82 are arranged approximately parallel to the portion between the absorbent body right side edge 18 (corresponding to the right side of the interlabial pad 10) and the center line. The bending member unit 84, which is symmetrical with the bending member unit 82 along the center line, extends laterally and is arranged approximately in parallel between the left side edge 20 of the absorbent body (corresponding to the left side of the interlabial pad 10) and the center line. The bending member units 82 and 84 arranged between the edge and the center line of the absorbent body are not aligned with the bending member units 80 located laterally at the center portion but are staggered. Such an arrangement has a narrower unit pitch of the bending member in the longitudinal and transverse directions than an arrangement in which the bending members are disposed in parallel in the longitudinal direction, and therefore it is considered that the bending rigidity of the entire interlabial pad will be uniformly reduced. And the bending rigidity of the entire interlabial pad can be appropriately adjusted by changing the length of the bending member unit.

Fig. 9 shows another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, only the absorbent body 28 is shown for easier understanding of the arrangement and distribution of the bending elements (including the bending element units). Four bending member units 86, which are substantially parallel in the longitudinal direction, are arranged in the vicinity of the center line extending from the front 14 to the rear 16. Three bending member units 80 substantially parallel in the lateral direction are arranged to cross the center line. These bending member units 86 and 80 do not cross each other. Further, as in the case of fig. 8, the bending member units 82 and 84 which are substantially parallel in the lateral direction are arranged at a portion between the central portion and the edge of the absorbent body. That is, fig. 9 and 8 differ mainly in the presence of the bending member unit 86 which is longitudinally substantially parallel. Both fig. 8 and 9 have a symmetrical arrangement with respect to the centre line. Therefore, the rigidity of the right and left sides is almost the same, which reduces the foreign substance sensation.

Further, the interlabial pad can be easily positioned with the central portion facing the vestibule floor by aligning the bending member units 86 at least longitudinally along the centerline. This makes it less likely that menstrual blood leakage will occur because the symmetrical interlabial pad will remain in intimate contact with the inner labial walls. Also, when the shape of the vestibular floor is changed due to such an action that the user sits down on the chair, not only the lateral bending member such as the bending member unit 80 reduces the bending rigidity, but also the downward compressive force can be easily converted from the longitudinal bending member to the lateral compressive force, further reducing the feeling of foreign body of the user. If the longitudinal curved member (curved member unit 86) is manufactured by cutting, since the absorbent bodies on the left and right sides from the curved member are deformed apart from each other in the left-right direction, it is also easier to change the shape for downward compression.

The interlabial pad in the interlabial state preferably has a downward compression rigidity value of 50cN/cm or less²More preferably, less than or equal to 30cN/cm². The compressive rigidity value was measured by compressing a constant-rate-of-extension-type digital force gauge downward by 3mm at a rate of 100 mm/min in the central adjacent portion of the interlabial pad in the state of use.

Fig. 10 shows another embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, again, only the absorbent body 28 is shown for easier understanding of the shape and arrangement of the bending elements (including the bending element units). In the vicinity of the center line extending from the front 14 to the rear 16, three bending member units 86 are provided (substantially parallel in the longitudinal direction and not reaching the edge of the absorbent body 28), and two bending member units 87 are provided on both the front and rear sides (reaching the edge of the absorbent body 28), respectively. Further, two bending member units 88 (reaching the edge of the absorbent body 28) are arranged on both sides of the front bending member unit 87, slightly apart from, and substantially parallel to, the bending member unit 87. Four flexure units 80 (substantially parallel in the transverse direction) are aligned across the centerline. These bending member units 86 and 80 do not cross each other. As in the case of fig. 8 and 9, the bending member units 82 and 84 are arranged (substantially parallel in the transverse direction) between the central portion of the absorbent body and the edges of the absorbent body. In addition, four bending member units 83 and four bending member units 85 (which are substantially parallel in the lateral direction and reach the edges of the absorbent body 28) are arranged near the right and left side edges, respectively.

Because the interlabial pad is used in a difficult to see location, the wearer is required to use it by feeling the correct placement. The edge of the interlabial pad may contact the inner labial wall or vulva. Therefore, it is preferable to reduce the rigidity of the absorbent pad so as not to cause discomfort or a foreign body sensation to the user. The bending member (including the bending member unit) is arranged to reach the edge of the absorbent body, and the rigidity of the edge can be effectively reduced. If the curved members are manufactured by cutting, the absorbent body is separated from the plurality of curved members open in the edgewise direction, which reduces the user's discomfort and the feeling of foreign matter.

The front end of the interlabial pad is prone to contact the clitoris, while the back of the interlabial pad is prone to contact the vaginal opening or anus. It is preferable that at least the bending means (including the bending means unit) of the absorbent body reach the edge in the front and rear portions of the interlabial pad which are apt to contact these sensitive portions.

Fig. 11 shows another embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, only the absorbent body 28 is also shown for easier understanding of the shape and arrangement of the bending elements (including the bending element units). In the vicinity of the center line extending from the front 14 to the rear 16, four bending member units 86 are arranged (the longitudinal directions are substantially parallel and do not reach the edge of the absorbent body 28). Further, in the vicinity of the front 14, the bending member units 88 (reaching the edges of the absorbent body 28) are arranged substantially longitudinally in parallel at a prescribed distance from the center line. Four flexure units 81 (substantially parallel in the transverse direction) are aligned across the centerline. These bending member units 86 and 81 cross each other.

With such a structure, even when the floor surface changes shape downward due to the action of the user sitting on the chair, the downward compressive force can be easily converted from the intersection of the longitudinal and lateral bending members to a multidirectional compressive force, which will reduce the feeling of foreign matter by the user. If the bending member is cut, the bending member is deformed so as to be separated from the bending member toward the lower side of the absorbent body, and thus is more easily deformed against downward compression. The intersection point formed by the curved members is not limited to being formed by two curved members, and may be formed by more than two curved members.

Figure 12 shows another embodiment of the present invention. This is a three-dimensional perspective view of the absorbent interlabial pad with the microchip 100 on the body-facing side of the backsheet 30. A portion of the front side panel 26 is cut so that the shape and arrangement of the curved part (including the curved part unit) in the absorbent body 28 wrapped with the covering material can be more easily understood. In the vicinity of the center line, the bending member units 86 are arranged substantially parallel in the longitudinal direction, and do not reach the edge of the absorbent body 28. Further, the bending member units 90 (bending members extending longitudinally at the connection) are arranged substantially parallel longitudinally at a prescribed distance from the center line near the front 14. The bending member unit 80 (substantially parallel in the lateral direction) and the bending member 92 (longer than the bending member 80, extending at a predetermined angle to the lateral direction, and becoming the lateral direction in the vicinity of the finger insertion hole) are provided to intersect with the center line. These bending member units 80 and 92 intersect the bending member unit 86 at the central portion, respectively. The absorbent body 28 may be divided laterally from the left side in the figure (from the right side of the user) and designated as an extension 93, a long convex portion 94 and an extension 96.

When the microchip 100 is attached in this manner, the interlabial pad can be easily used by inserting a finger into the elongated hole 102. More specifically, when the absorbent interlabial pad is placed in position, the rigidity of the fingers pushes the labia open by touching the pad near the longitudinal centerline of the side of the pad facing the garment, and the pad can be safely placed on the floor of the vestibule. Therefore, leakage of menstrual blood or the like can be prevented by avoiding formation of a gap between the front base or the inner labial wall and the interlabial pad toward the body. Further, in order to place a finger in the vicinity of the longitudinal centerline of the garment-facing side of the interlabial pad, a finger insertion hole capable of accommodating a finger in the longitudinal direction of the bottom sheet is formed by providing micro-sheets joined in such a manner that there are one or more joined portions on both sides in the longitudinal direction and one or more non-joined portions in the transverse direction.

The interlabial pad having the microchip with finger insertion holes on the garment-facing side thereof makes it possible to place the interlabial pad in a safe position because the sensitive fingertip can feel the position of the depressed vaginal opening by touching the bottom side sheet with the palm side of the fingertip to insert the finger. This will further prevent leakage of menstrual blood.

After the user inserts her finger into the finger insertion hole 102 and the finger is wrapped by the interlabial pad and accommodated in the elongated hole 102, for example, when the interlabial pad is guided from the front side (ventral side) to the interlabial space, the palm may contact the front side (the side opposite to the finger insertion direction) of the interlabial pad. Even in this case, since the bending member (bending member unit) 92 extending in the transverse direction is formed at least in the absorbent body, the front side of the interlabial pad can be easily changed in shape so that the relative position of the finger and the interlabial pad does not change. After the interlabial pad is placed between the labia, some users' fingers are pulled out while bending when pulling out the fingers from the elongated holes 102, which causes the palm of the hand to contact the front side (the side opposite to the direction in which the fingers are inserted) of the interlabial pad. Even in this case, since the bending member (bending member unit) 92 extending in the lateral direction is provided at least in the absorbent body, the shape of the front side of the interlabial pad can be easily changed, and therefore the placement position of the interlabial pad is not changed during the process of pulling out the fingers.

As shown in fig. 12, the long convex portion 94 is placed between the labia and held in close contact with the inner walls of the labia, and the extended portions 96 (formed extending laterally from both sides of the long convex portion 94) are brought into close contact with the vulva in such a manner as to cover even it. This will increase the contact area and further prevent leakage of menstrual blood. At the junction (or boundary) of the long convex portion 94 and the extended portion 96, a longitudinally extending bending member unit is provided at least in the absorbent body. This makes it easy for the extension portion 96 to be held at a substantially right angle with respect to the up-down direction in use, and for a large amount of menstrual blood excreted downward, since the absorption surface can be held at a substantially right angle, and it is in a substantially horizontal state in use, absorption by the extension portion 96 becomes easy.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the absorbent interlabial pad of the embodiment shown in fig. 12. The absorbent 28 is shown removed from the cover material and laid flat. The extension 93, the long convex portion 94, and the extension 96 are respectively shown as double-headed arrows. The bending member unit 90 extending longitudinally at the above-mentioned junction is located at the boundary of the extending portion 93 and the long convex portion 94. Further, in the present drawing, the bent member unit 92 extending laterally in the vicinity of the above-described finger insertion hole is shown in a "V" shape (pointing in the finger insertion direction X). Although the two sections of the bending member unit 92 are connected at the central portion, the bending member unit may be divided into two sections at the central portion. In this case, the bending part unit has a prescribed angle including an angle at a right angle with respect to the longitudinal or lateral direction.

Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view of an interlabial pad in accordance with the invention having a microchip 100. The absorbent body 28 is wrapped by the topsheet 26 and the backsheet 30. Fig. 15 shows the interlabial pad 10 with the microchip 100 of fig. 14 in use between the labia 60. The topsheet 26 is placed between the labia and the absorbent body 28 is enclosed by the topsheet 26 and the backsheet 30. The microchip 100 is pushed out of the elongated hole 102 and drops downward. Details of the materials used for these components will be described later.

Fig. 16 to 18 show how the interlabial pad changes shape when the prescribed bending member units are properly arranged. Fig. 16 is a schematic view of an interlabial pad curving to the right. The interlabial pad 10 has a bending member unit 110 near the centerline (or in the long convex portion) extending from the front 14 to the back 16. Therefore, it is believed that the interlabial pad 10 can be easily folded in half and easily contacted against the floor of the vestibule, which enhances the tightness. In addition, the bending member unit 112 extends laterally between the left edge 20 and the central portion of the interlabial pad 10. Similarly, the interlabial pad 10 also has a bending member unit on the right side 18. These bending member units make the absorbent pad easily bent.

Fig. 17 shows the interlabial pad curving in an "S" curve to the right and left. The front 14 is bent to the far side of the paper surface to make the bending member unit 112 the outside, and the rear 16 is bent to the near side of the paper surface to make the bending member unit 114 the inside. The absorbent labial pad 10 also has a bending unit 110 near the centerline. It is believed that proper alignment of the bending member elements will facilitate such complex bending.

Fig. 18 shows a state in which the interlabial pad 10 is slightly open and the portion near the back 16 is bent downward. In this case, the bending unit 110 makes it easy to fold the absorbent pad at the center, and the bending unit 116 and 118 makes it easy to fold the absorbent pad downward. The bending member units are arranged at a slight angle with respect to the longitudinal direction and slightly curved transversely.

A detailed description of the materials used for each component of the interlabial pad in accordance with the present invention is provided below.

As shown in fig. 14, the interlabial pad is comprised of a front side sheet 26, an absorbent body 28, a back side sheet 30, and a microchip 100. The topsheet 26 is made of a permeable sheet, the absorbent member 28 is made of a material capable of absorbing body fluids, and the backsheet 30 is made of a water-impermeable sheet. The microflakes 100 are made of the same material as the permeable or impermeable sheets. In the case of absorbent interlabial pads, an adhesive may be applied to a portion of the microchip to enhance body fit during use. The details of these components and materials are as follows:

[ constituent Material of absorbent pad for interlabial System ]

< permeable sheet >

The body facing topsheet 26 of the interlabial pad is water permeable. For the water permeable sheet a material is used which is hydrophilic and non-irritating to the skin. Examples of such materials include any nonwoven fabric per se or formed composites thereof, such as those made by melt blowing, spunbonding, point bonding, air laying, needle punching, wet hydroentangling, foamed film processes.

Examples of the fiber sheet include a sheet-like fabric, which is a fabric obtained by sheeting any single fiber or mixed fiber made of rayon, acetate, cotton, pulp, or synthetic resin, or fibers combining these fibers to form a sheath-core structure.

In view of liquid migration from the inside labial surfaces, chemical stimulation of surfactants and adhesion to the inside labial walls, it is preferable to laminate artificial fibers having a fineness of 1.1 to 4.4dtex and a fiber length of 7 to 51mm at 40 to 80% of the total weight per unit area on the body-facing side, and laminate a mixture of artificial fibers (a fineness of 1.1 to 4.4dtex, a fiber length of 7 to 51mm, and 14 to 42% of the total weight per unit area) and PET (a fineness of 1.1 to 4.4dtex, a fiber length of 7 to 51mm, and 6 to 18% of the total weight per unit area) on the garment-facing side. After laminating them, the total weight per unit area of the two layers becomes 20 to 60g/m²The fiber is intertwined by water flow interweaving treatment and then dried,a spunlace nonwoven having a thickness of 0.13 to 0.50 mm was prepared. Preferably a spunlace nonwoven prepared as described above. In this case, by mixing PET on the clothing side, the thickness can be easily maintained even if the permeable sheet becomes wet. Thus, adhesion to the inner labial wall can be maintained.

< absorbent article >

As the absorbent body contained in the interlabial pad, any material such as pulp, chemical pulp, rayon, acetate, natural cotton, superabsorbent polymer, fibrous superabsorbent polymer, and synthetic fiber, either singly or in combination, can be used. The mixture of the desired components is made into a sheet by a known technique, for example, by embossing press-bonding and by needle-piercing winding, and can be appropriately adjusted as needed by controlling the thickness, overlapping, folding, and the like.

The sheet-shaped material may be used after being processed into a tablet or a powder, and is not limited by its method of use.

For the absorbent body, although any material capable of absorbing and retaining liquid (body fluid) can be used, it is preferably thick, less deformable, less chemically irritating, and more preferably highly flexible to conform to the labia. Specifically, the fiber length is selected from 50 to 150g/m of 1 to 10mm²The pulp of (2) is laminated on the garment side, and 150 to 250g/m obtained by mixing 60 to 90% of artificial fiber (fineness of 1.1 to 4.4dtex, fiber length of 20 to 51mm) and 40 to 10% of natural cotton in this ratio²Is laminated on the body-facing side and then made into a sheet having a thickness of 2 to 10mm, preferably 3 to 5mm, by spot embossing. Therefore, the liquid can be easily transferred from the body-facing side to the garment side, resulting in an improvement in the absorption and retention capacity. If further laid on the body-facing side of the pulp layer, artificial fibers having a fineness of 1.1 to 4.4dtex and a fiber length of 25 to 51mm are provided so as to have a weight per unit area of 15 to 40g/m²The mesh spunlace nonwoven fabric of (a), the liquid transported from the body-facing side can diffuse through the mesh spunlace fabric to almost all areas of the pulp layer. Therefore, more liquid can be effectively absorbed.

< impermeable layer >

The bottom sheet 30 of the interlabial pad is a water impermeable sheet. As the material of the water-impermeable layer, a material which can prevent leakage of menstrual blood contained in the absorbent body from the interlabial pad can be used. The use of moisture permeable materials reduces the feeling of stuffiness, which reduces discomfort in use.

Examples of such materials include sheet-like films made of synthetic resins, breathable films containing inorganic fillers and obtained by stretching treatment, composite laminates of paper, nonwoven fabric and films, breathable waterproof sheets (obtained by disposing holes having a pore diameter of 0.1 to 0.6mm on the side of the absorbent article, capillaries covering 10 to 30% of the total area), and the like.

Further, in order not to lower the feeling in use, a preferable example is a weight per unit area of use of 15 to 30g/m in view of flexibility²A film of (b) consisting essentially of a density of from 0.900 to 0.925g/m²Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) resin. More preferably, protrusions may be formed on the film by embossing, thereby reducing the contact rate and frictional resistance. This reduces the likelihood of the interlabial pad becoming detached from the labia due to high friction between the surfaces of the impervious sheet, or between the impervious sheet and the interlabial pad and the pad with which it is used, or the undergarment, etc.

< microchip >

For the microflakes, the same materials as the above-described water-permeable and water-impermeable sheets may be used, preferably materials that are at least laterally extensible or elastic.

By using these materials in the microchip, the microchip will stretch at least laterally according to the size of the user's finger, even if the user's finger is larger than the finger receptacle provided. Thus, the interlabial pad can be effectively used by the user regardless of the size of the user's fingers.

Examples of materials which are elastic in themselves are styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymers (SBS), styrene-isoprene-styrene blocksCopolymer (SIS), synthetic rubber such as urethane rubber, density of 0.88 to 0.900g/cm³Films, open-cell foam films and webs made from the amorphous olefin resins of (1). Woven fabrics and spun fabrics woven into synthetic rubber may also be used. Furthermore, a spunbonded nonwoven fabric, a meltblown nonwoven fabric, and a foamed sheet mainly made of synthetic rubber may also be used.

In view of soft feeling in use, a preferable example is SEBS made of SEBS, adjusted to a thickness of 15 to 40 μ and having an aperture portion area of 0.28 to 1.77mm covering 40 to 70% of the total area²Porous foam membranes of air cells.

Examples of the nonwoven fabric include a material composed mainly of a heat-shrinkable compound synthetic fiber (e.g., PE/PP, PE/PET, PP/PP) having a core portion with a high melting point and a sheath portion with a low melting point; including spunlace nonwoven fabrics in which fibers are entangled by water flow pressure, shrinkable nonwoven fabrics in which fibers are subjected to a heat air treatment to accelerate shrinkage, and extensible spunbond nonwoven fabrics in which continuous filaments are formed into a sheet by hot air and then forcibly tentered in the longitudinal direction.

More specifically, the shrinkable nonwoven fabric is a suitable material having suitable softness and rich drape, which is mainly composed of a heat-shrinkable compound synthetic fiber having a high-melting core portion with a fineness of 1.1 to 4.4dtex and a length of 7 to 51mm and a low-melting sheath portion such as PE/PP, PE/PET, PP/PP, and adjusted to a weight per unit area of 10 to 60g/m³. Laminates made from the above materials may also be used.

When a non-extensible material to which extensibility is imparted is used, examples of such a material include a single substance or a composite of nonwoven fabrics composed mainly of synthetic fibers of a heat-shrinkable compound having a core portion with a high melting point and a sheath portion with a low melting point (e.g., PE/PP, PE/PET, PP/PP), including bulky air-laid nonwoven fabrics processed with hot air, spunlaced nonwoven fabrics (made by interlacing fibers by water flow pressure), spunbonded nonwoven fabric sheets made by layering continuous fibers, needle-punched nonwoven fabrics whose fibers are interlaced with needles, and SMS nonwoven fabrics (made by layering spunbond nonwoven fabrics and meltblown nonwoven fabrics multiple times), and open-cell foam films and films composed mainly of PE resin.

The material may also be made malleable by crimping, placing the material between male and female dies, and embossing by heat, temperature and pressure. More specifically, examples thereof include an air-laid nonwoven fabric composed mainly of composite synthetic fibers adjusted to a fineness of 1.1 to 4.4dtex and a weight per unit area of 10 to 60g/m²The method of corrugation is applied to make it transversely extensible. Preferably, the male and female dies are arranged to achieve a ductility of at least 10%, more preferably 20 to 50%, and even more preferably the treated material is extended 30% under a load of 0.01 to 0.05N/mm (test conditions: speed: 100 mm/min using tensilon tensile tester, chuck spacing: 100 mm). The material may also be made extensible by cutting lines or punching.

< adhesive agent >

As the adhesive for joining (bonding) the respective materials, a general hot melt adhesive can be used. Examples of such adhesives include pressure sensitive hot melt adhesives and heat sensitive hot melt adhesives. Tackifiers such as terpene resins and rosin resins, plasticizers such as waxes, and major ingredients such as synthetic rubbers including SIS, SBS, styrene-ethylene butadiene-styrene block polymer (SEBS), and styrene-ethylene propylene-styrene block polymer (SEPS) are melt blended to make pressure-sensitive hot melt adhesives. Examples of the heat-sensitive hot melt adhesive include adhesives (mainly composed of olefin resins such as polyalphaolefin) having a base resin. Among these various adhesives, a heat-sensitive hot-melt adhesive is preferably used in view of stability in application. Examples of heat-sensitive hot melt adhesives having high stability in application include adhesives prepared by melt blending 45 to 55 weight percent of polyalphaolefin, 10 to 15 weight percent of plasticizer, and 35 to 45 weight percent of tackifier. In the heat-sensitive hot-melt adhesive, an antioxidant and an anti-fluorescent agent may be added in an amount of 0.1 to 1.0 weight percent.

Biodegradable, Water dispersible and Water soluble interlabial pad Structure

The interlabial absorbent pad of the present invention may be, and preferably is, comprised of biodegradable and/or water dispersible and/or water soluble materials. The interlabial pad is flushable in a toilet, which allows for easy and clean disposal of the used pad and reduces waste in the toilet facility.

The term "biodegradability" in the present specification means that it is decomposable into a gas such as carbon dioxide or methane, water and a biological substance by a natural process in the presence of bacteria represented by actinomycetes and other microorganisms under anaerobic and aerobic conditions, and also means that the biodegradability (rate of biodegradability and degree of biodegradability, etc.) of the substance is the same as that of a naturally occurring material such as fallen leaves, etc. or a synthetic polymer which is considered to have the same biodegradability under the same environment. "Water-dispersability" is synonymous with water-degradability, i.e., a property that a limited amount of water (menses) has no effect on it when used, but under large amounts of water or water currents, the fibers readily disperse into pieces that at least do not clog the plumbing lines of typical toilets. "Water-soluble" refers to the property of a limited amount of water (menses) having no effect on it when used, but being soluble in a large volume of water or water flow.

< Water permeable sheet >

As for the material of the water-permeable sheet, in addition to the spunlace nonwoven fabric, a wet spunlace nonwoven fabric having a fiber length selected from the range of 1 to 15mm may be used. In addition to the above materials, resins biodegradable by hydrolysis, such as polylactic acid, butylene succinate, and the like, can also be used. For example, a polylactic acid-made material adjusted to a weight per unit area of 20 to 60g/m can be used²Or adjusting the weight per unit area to 15 to 30g/m²And a spun-bonded nonwoven fabric having a fineness of 1.1 to 3.3 dtex. For each nonwoven material, an open-cell treatment may optionally be carried out.

For other materials, acetate fibers, synthetic fiber bundles or continuous fiber bundles of a laminate can be used alone by adjusting the weight per unit areaAt 50 to 300g/m²Within the range of unweaving between fibers.

< absorbent article >

The material of the absorbent body may be a nonwoven fabric sheet produced by a needle punching method. In view of the biodegradability of the superabsorbent polymer, it is preferable to use carboxymethyl cellulose fiber.

< Water-impermeable sheet >

As the material of the water impermeable sheet, a laminated paper sheet formed of a PVA film, a sheet film waterproofed with silicone or the like on one side, both sides or some portion of the PVA film, a PVA film mixed with silicone, a starch film, a film made of a resin biodegradable by a hydrolysis process such as polylactic acid and butylene succinate, and a paper sheet can be used. These materials may be dyed by mixing 0.1 to 5% of an inorganic pigment as required.

When considering prevention of leakage under excessively humid conditions and avoidance of excessive burden on septic tanks, a preferable material is laminated paper made of a laminated film made by laminating a film paper towel made of polylactic acid on a paper towel, having a thickness of 10 to 20 μ and a weight per unit area of 15 to 20g/m²The bonding area is 5 to 40% of the lamination area.

< microchip >

As for the material of the microchip, a film made of a biodegradable resin such as polylactic acid, butylene succinate, or the like, a spunbond nonwoven fabric, and a meltblown nonwoven fabric; films and nonwovens made of water-soluble materials such as PVA and CMC; water-dispersible paper towels and spunlace nonwoven fabrics consisting essentially of cellulose fibers, regenerated cellulose fibers, and the like, among other materials.

It is preferable to use a sheet of spunbonded nonwoven fabric or meltblown nonwoven fabric which is mainly composed of a biodegradable material, adjusted to a fineness of 0.1 to 3.3dtex and a weight per unit area of 15 to 40g/m²And performing mechanical corrugation processing.

Industrial applicability

As described above, the interlabial pad of the present invention is shaped to allow the pad to be held between the labia naturally, and comprises an absorbent body for absorbing body fluid and a covering material for covering the absorbent body. Since the interlabial pad is characterized by having the bending means at least in the inside of the absorbent body, the interlabial pad can easily change its shape from the bending means (or at the bending means), and thus the interlabial pad can be used with reduced rigidity in the longitudinal and transverse directions. Thus, the interlabial pad more effectively follows the changes in shape of the vestibule floor, reducing the sensation of foreign body sensation caused by wearer motion. In addition, since the adhesion to the vestibular floor surface can be enhanced, it is possible to prevent leakage of menstrual blood.

Claims (18)

1. An absorbent interlabial pad having a size, weight, and flexibility such that it can be retained between the labia by being partially or fully naturally held therebetween, having a direction of alignment substantially parallel ("parallel direction") and substantially perpendicular ("perpendicular direction") to said labia, further comprising

An absorbent body for absorbing body fluid, and

a cover material for enclosing said absorbent body, said cover material defining a primary shape of said interlabial pad, wherein:

the absorbent body comprises one or more linear curved members having a predetermined length and a predetermined width, the linear shape including a linear shape and a curved shape, and the curved members are placed at predetermined positions of the interlabial pad and are formed of portions having a lower bending strength than portions other than the predetermined positions.

2. The interlabial pad as in claim 1, wherein said bending means is comprised of a bending means unit in which said portion having a smaller bending strength extends for a prescribed length, said bending means unit being a "vertical bending means unit" extending substantially parallel to said vertical direction.

3. The interlabial pad as in claim 2, wherein said vertical bending means unit is arranged across a center line of said interlabial pad, said center line being located in a parallel direction to said interlabial pad.

4. The interlabial pad as in any one of claims 1 through 3, wherein: the bending member is composed of a bending member unit in which the smaller bending strength portion extends by a prescribed length; said absorbent body of said interlabial pad comprises a plurality of said bending member units extending a prescribed length, said units being disposed substantially parallel to one another such that said plurality of bending member units exhibit a staggered pattern when said absorbent body is flattened.

5. The interlabial pad as in any one of claims 1 through 3, wherein: the bending member is composed of a bending member unit in which the smaller bending strength portion extends by a prescribed length; the plurality of bending member units are arranged in line symmetry with respect to a center line of the interlabial pad in the parallel direction.

6. The interlabial pad as in any one of claims 1 through 3, wherein: the bending member is composed of a bending member unit in which the smaller bending strength portion extends by a prescribed length; the bending member unit is a "parallel bending member unit" extending substantially parallel to the parallel direction.

7. The interlabial pad as in claim 6, wherein said parallel bending means unit is arranged in the vicinity of a center line of said interlabial pad, which center line is located in said parallel direction of said interlabial pad.

8. The interlabial pad as in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said bending means is comprised of a bending means unit in which said portion of lesser bending strength extends for a prescribed length, said bending means unit being disposed up to the periphery of said absorbent body.

9. The interlabial pad as in any one of claims 1 through 3, wherein: said bending member is composed of bending member units wherein said smaller bending strength portion extends for a prescribed length and a first bending member unit extends for a prescribed length substantially parallel to said vertical direction and across a center line of said interlabial pad, which is located in said parallel direction; a second bending member unit extending substantially parallel to said parallel direction for a predetermined length and positioned adjacent to a centerline of said interlabial pad; the first bending member unit and the second bending member unit cross each other in the vicinity of the center line of the interlabial pad.

10. The interlabial pad as in any one of claims 1 through 3, wherein: the bending member is composed of a bending member unit in which the smaller bending strength portion extends by a prescribed length; the bending member unit extends in the vertical direction, between a center portion located in the vicinity of the center line of the interlabial pad and the peripheral edge of the interlabial pad, and substantially parallel to the parallel direction by a predetermined length.

11. The interlabial pad as in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said bending means is comprised of a bending means unit in which said portion of lesser bending strength extends for a prescribed length, and the bending means is located in the vicinity of the center line of said interlabial pad and extends in a V-shape from said vertical direction at a prescribed angle toward the periphery of said absorbent body.

12. The interlabial pad as in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said bending means is comprised of a bending means unit, wherein said portion of lesser bending strength extends for a prescribed length, and said bending means unit extends for a prescribed length at a prescribed angle to said parallel direction.

13. The interlabial pad as in any one of claims 1-3, wherein said curved member is comprised of slits, low density portions, or a combination thereof.

14. The interlabial pad as in any one of claims 1 through 3, wherein: the opposite-body surface of said interlabial pad comprises a microchip disposed from one side portion to the other side portion across both side portions of a central axis substantially parallel to said parallel direction of said interlabial pad; a finger well is formed between the microchip and the opposite surface of the body.

15. The interlabial pad as in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said interlabial pad is an absorbent pad for urinary incontinence.

16. The interlabial pad as in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said interlabial pad is an absorbent pad that absorbs vaginal discharges.

17. A method for regulating the shape compliance of an interlabial pad, said pad having a size, weight and compliance adapted to be held interlabially by natural insertion of some or all of the pad between the labia, said pad having a direction of alignment substantially parallel ("parallel direction") and substantially perpendicular ("perpendicular direction") to said labia, further comprising:

an absorbent body for absorbing liquid and a cover material for wrapping said absorbent body, said cover material defining a main shape of said interlabial pad; and one or more bending elements positioned at designated locations on said interlabial pad, and having a lesser bending strength than portions other than said designated locations, wherein the method comprises the steps of:

the shape compliance of the interlabial pad is adjusted by a bending member application method using the bending member.

18. A method of adjusting shape compliance as claimed in claim 17, wherein said flexure applying means includes the step of varying the shape, number, placement and arrangement of said flexure members.