KR100285104B1 - Tubular knitted underwear for use with absorbent products - Google Patents

Abstract

An underwear 20 is disclosed for use with an absorbent article. The underwear includes a shell portion 30, a crotch portion 40, and an elasticized leg opening defined by the shell portion 30 and the crotch portion 40. The shell portion is breathable and is preferably liquid resistant. The crotch portion 40 which is elastically extendable in at least one of the longitudinal and transverse directions comprises an absorbent bodyside layer and a liquid resistance barrier layer, which is preferably breathable. The elasticized leg opening 34 cooperates with the elastically extendable crotch portion to provide a biasing force of the absorbent article against the wearer's body. Also disclosed is a system for controlling body fluids with underwear and absorbent articles.

Description

Tubular knitted underwear for use with absorbent products

As is known, disposable menstrual instruments are commercially available in a wide variety of forms for special purposes such as absorbing and retaining menstrual fluid and other vaginal discharges. Unfortunately, these menstrual instruments may leak menstrual fluid along their periphery due to poor wearing conditions and improper positioning. Such leakage often results in soiling the wearer's underwear, clothing, and bed.

To further protect this leakage, it is known to use washable and reusable garments, such as menstrual short pants or panties, in combination with disposable menstrual pads. US Pat. No. 3,489,149, issued to Larsen on January 13, 1970, discloses washable menstrual panties with a small pocket in the crotch region to support a disposable menstrual pad. Removing menstrual pads can be unpleasant and unsanitary because menstrual fluid must flow through the material forming pockets and reach the menstrual pads. While new pads can be inserted into pockets, clothing is typically soiled and has to be changed. In addition, the pocket cannot accommodate menstrual instruments of various sizes currently on the market. Moreover, the moisture resistant material layer described herein does not provide breathability or breathability in the crotch region, and as a result, there is a possibility to inconvenience the wearer when such panties are worn.

In addition, the prior art has attempted to address the leakage from the menstrual device by providing an absorbent material in the area surrounding the device and means for positioning the menstrual device. For example, US Pat. No. 4,560,381 to Southwell, dated Dec. 24, 1985, discloses a mesh outer panty shell with a thick inner layer of absorbent material in the lower crotch region of the panty. The inner layer of absorbent material includes depressions for receiving and positioning menstrual pads. An alternative embodiment includes a barrier film between the absorbent material and the panty shell. However, if a barrier film is present, the crotch portion will not be breathable (as a result of inconvenience), and if there is no barrier film there is a possibility of leakage.

U.S. Patent No. 4,813,950, issued March 21, 1989 to Branch, discloses an external lining such as spandex, spot tricot, and pore that provides "skin tight or near skin tight" wear. A washable menstrual panty is disclosed which has an inner lining of a plastic membrane to prevent passage of menstrual fluid and to allow gas to pass therethrough. Similarly, current Japanese menstrual shorts work similarly to girders that hold menstrual devices in the wearer's vulva or to panties that are worn very well. Positioning the menstrual underwear with respect to such underwear is accomplished by pinching menstrual shorts, thereby causing inconvenience to the wearer. Moreover, any leakage of menstrual fluid along the periphery of the menstrual instrument can easily pass through to the outer garment, since there is no means to absorb this leakage and the wearer's movement can create a gap in the leg elastics. to be.

Menstrual short pants with elastic pieces secured to the front and rear of the crotch region in elongated state are disclosed in US Pat. No. 3,608,551 to Seizo on September 28, 1971. The elastic piece keeps the sanitary napkin uplifted and in contact with the wearer's body regardless of her physical movement. The elastic piece is joined to the leg opening by an open net and the crotch region is located below the net. While such devices can improve physical contact, there is a very high risk of discomfort for the wearer because a narrow elastic piece that provides everything to lift presses the sanitary napkin so that the elastic piece is in the axis of the vulva penis or buttock groove. There may be a tendency to wear. Moreover, the apparatus of US Pat. No. 3,608,551 does not form a means to accommodate all liquids that may leak around the periphery of the sanitary napkin.

Disposable menstrual panties are also known. For example, International Patent Application Publication No. WO 96/06451 published on March 9, 1995 under the name of "Kimberly-Clark Corporation" discloses an absorbent / barrier mixture located in the crotch region of the panties. Disposable menstrual panties are provided that provide complementary leakage protection. The menstrual panties disclosed in this publication are provided with circumferentially oriented elastics to allow the panties to fit a variety of body shapes and skeletons. However, because these panties surround only the wearer's waist and hip areas, these elastomers do not provide a "z-direction" (i.e. upward) biasing force that helps keep the wearer's vulva area in contact with the menstrual device. As a result, there is a risk of leakage around the menstrual apparatus and there is a risk of soiling the outer garment or bed.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved menstrual underwear for use in menstrual devices to provide a biasing force to ensure close contact between the menstrual device and the wearer vulva region over the wearer's entire range of motion. Another object of the present invention is to provide a menstrual underwear with a dual protection system, wherein the crotch portion of the underwear is liquid absorbent but blocks liquid from passing therethrough, and the shell portion of the underwear is soiled by body fluids such as menstrual fluid. Prevents losing Another object of the present invention is to provide a menstrual underwear that is breathable through the body and crotch portions.

These and other various objects of the present invention may be better understood with reference to the following description and the accompanying drawings.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention relates to underwear that can be worn in combination with an absorbent article. Although the present invention describes underwear that women can wear with menstrual devices during the conventional menstrual period, the present invention is not limited to this use alone. In particular, the present invention is also suitable for use with absorbent articles designed to control other body fluids (ie adult incontinence devices, diaper inserts, etc.). In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a breathable liquid resistant shell portion having an elasticized waist opening, an absorbent, preferably breathable elastically extendable crotch portion acting as a barrier to block leakage, and a pair of A legless tubular knitted underwear comprising elasticized leg openings.

The shell portion is liquid resistant because it is treated to be substantially hydrophobic. As a result, body fluids, such as menstrual fluid, make the shell portion less wet than when the shell portion was untreated. This hydrophobicity reduces the risk of contamination. Moreover, pressure is required to force this body fluid through the structure of the shell portion which reduces the risk of leakage which soils the outer garment or bed. Preferably, the fiber comprising the shell portion is treated with a hydrophobic surface functional material such as fluorocarbon to provide the required hydrophobicity.

The crotch portion has two layers, a liquid resistance barrier layer and an absorbent bodyside layer. Liquid resistance is formed by treating with a hydrophobic surface active material or by providing a liquid resistant film laminate. The absorbency can be formed by knitting the absorbent material into the crotch portion of the garment and thereby attaching the absorbent component onto the garment side layer treated to be liquid resistant or by integral means of treating the garment side surface to be liquid resistant. Can be. It is also preferred that the crotch portion is elastically extendable, and more preferably the crotch portion is elastically extendable in the longitudinal and transverse directions. This elastic extensibility provides the biasing force in the "z direction" to help the absorbent article to remain in contact with the wearer's body. For example, when used in conjunction with the menstrual device, this biasing force allows the wearer's vulvar region and the menstrual device to remain in contact over the wearer's entire range of motion.

In addition, both shell and crotch portions are preferably breathable for wearer comfort.

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to underwear, and more particularly, to underwear that can be used in combination with an absorbent product, and more particularly to underwear that a user can wear with a catamenial device during a woman's menstrual period.

1 is a front view of a preferred embodiment of the menstrual underwear of the present invention,

Figure 2 is a rear view of the menstrual underwear shown in Figure 1,

3 is a plan view in which the menstrual underwear shown in FIG. 1 is opened at the side seam and the elastic elements are pulled and flattened;

4 shows the loop structure of the preferred tubular knitted fabric of menstrual underwear of the present invention in a composite structure and in an enlarged size,

5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3 of the menstrual underwear of the present invention;

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view similar to Figure 5 as a modified embodiment of the menstrual underwear of the present invention.

The term “catamenial device” as used refers to an absorbent product that can be worn by a woman adjacent to the vulva region for absorbing and retaining body fluids, such as menstrual liquids and other vaginal discharges. In addition, the term “disposable” used refers to a structure that is not washed, otherwise restored or reused after use (ie discarded after one use and preferably recycled, mixed or otherwise disposed in an environmentally friendly manner). The term "pudendal" as used refers to the externally visible female genitalia, limited to the labia majora, labia minora, clitoris and vaginal vestibular. In addition, the term "perineum" refers to the external area of the female body between the anus and the perineum, and the term "gluteal groove" refers to the gap between the buttocks (gluteus maxima) extending upward from the perineum. Say. The terms "fluid", "liquid" and the like are used interchangeably and refer to materials that are liquid when they are at a temperature of about 100 ° F. However, the present invention can be used with menstrual devices such as sanitary napkins, panty liners and the like (including interlabial devices) as well as other disposable products such as incontinence devices, diaper inserts and the like.

General description of the underwear

As mentioned above, although the present invention is suitable for use with a wide range of absorbent articles, the present invention describes a menstrual undergarment 20 that can be used in combination with the menstrual device 80. 1 and 2 show a front view and a rear view of the menstrual underwear 20 of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the menstrual undergarment 20 of the present invention includes a shell portion 30 and a crotch portion 40. The menstrual undergarment 20 includes an anterior region 52, a leg opening 34, a posterior region 54, and a waist opening 33, wherein the waist opening 33 maintains the menstrual underwear 20 to the wearer. An elastic waistband 32 is provided. The shell portion 30 and the crotch portion 40 cooperate to form the leg opening 34, the leg opening 34 comfortably wearing and sealing the leg opening 34 to prevent leakage of menstrual fluid and other body fluids. A leg elastic body 35 is also included. The side seams 38A, 38B join the front region 52 and the rear region 54. Menstrual underwear 20 may be any style, such as "bikini", "short string bikini", "French cut", "American style" and the like.

3 shows the menstrual underwear of the present invention in a fully unfolded state, wherein each of the side seams 38A, 38B is opened and the elastic component is pulled out. 3 can also be considered a top view of the blank for menstrual undergarment 20. As can be seen from FIG. 3, the menstrual undergarment 20 has a longitudinal center line L and a transverse center line T. As shown in FIG.

Menstrual underwear 20 may comprise a woven, nonwoven or knitted fabric. Preferably, menstrual underwear 20 comprises a knit fabric. Particularly preferred knitting means include first knitting the non-restrictive tubular blank, which is approximately half of the final width of the menstrual undergarment 20. The tubular knit blank may be woven into an hourglass shape to provide a leg opening 34 in the final menstrual undergarment 20, or in a variant may cut off a portion of the open tube to provide this leg opening 34. have. Such preferred knitting means are disclosed in more detail in US Pat. No. 3,985,004, issued October 12, 1976 to Johnson et al., The contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Figure 4 illustrates the loop structure of the preferred tubular knit fabric of the menstrual undergarment 20 of the present invention in a composite structure and in an enlarged size. The knit pattern of course 60 shown in FIG. 4 corresponds to the knit pattern used for the shell portion 30. The horizontal nose 64 corresponds to the knit pattern used for the central region 45 of the crotch portion 40, and the horizontal nose 62 corresponds to a conventional pattern used for the remaining portion of the crotch portion 40. do. Floats labeled F, F ₁ , F ₂ help to provide the crotch portion 40 with an attractive ribbed contour. In addition, these ribs help to direct the flow of all body liquids that may be disposed longitudinally on the crotch portion 40.

The blank for menstrual underwear 20 is knitted first in a tubular form. The tubular blank is then divided in the fabric direction and opened to form a flat blank for menstrual undergarment 20 having a shape similar to the top view of the menstrual undergarment 20 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the blank for menstrual undergarment has a front end edge 31F, a rear end edge 31R, a front side edge 36A, 36B, and a rear side edge 37A, 37B. The elastic waistband 32 provides an elastic member, such as LYCRA material, adjacent each end of the panty blank, folds each end of the blank in a C-shape about itself to form end edges 31F, 31R, and elastic It may be formed by seaming the distal end to the shell portion 30 to form a wasteband 32. Preferably, the elastic waistband 32 comprises a turned welt. Leg elastics 35 (described below) are coupled to portions of the side edges 36, 37 that surround (ie form their perimeter) leg opening 34. The blank for menstrual undergarment 20 is then folded about the transverse centerline T, with the opposite portions of the side edges 36, 37 lying between the leg opening 34 and the end edge 31 being menstrual. Are joined to form side seams 38A, 38B that complete the assembly of the undergarment 20 (ie, the side lying between the end and end edge 31F of the leg elastics 35 lying in the front region 52). A portion of the edge 36A is coupled to a portion of the side edge 37A lying between the end of the leg elastics lying in the rear region 54 and the end edge 31R to form a seam 38A. Side edge 36B is joined to side edge 37B in a similar manner to form seam 38B].

In a variant, the portion of the tubular knit blank may be cut away to form the leg opening 34. For example, the tubular blanks are flattened so that their inner faces are in contact with each other and a pair of longitudinally oriented side edges are formed. The leg opening precursor can then be formed by cutting the corresponding portion with semicircle, semi-ellipse or other desired shape from laterally opposite side edges at regular intervals along the flat blank. The underwear blank is then formed by transversally cutting the flat tubular blank in a predetermined repeating pattern, wherein the first transverse cut transverses the material that has not been removed when the leg opening precursor is shaped to form the crotch partial precursor. And a second transverse cut is formed across the entire width of the flat tubular blank forming the waste opening 33. The two ends formed by the first transverse cutout are joined by a single transverse seam, with the bodyside layer 46 on the inner surface of the panty blank in accordance with the particular structure selected for the crotch portion 40 (described below). And barrier layer 48 may be disposed on the outer surface of the panty blank and bonded to the outer surface to complete crotch portion 40. Next, the menstrual undergarment 20 arranges the leg elastics 35 around the periphery of each leg opening 34, couples the leg elastics 35 to the leg openings 34, and surrounds the waist opening 33. By arranging the elastic waste band 32 around the center is completed by coupling the elastic waste band 32 to the waste opening 33.

Shell part

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the shell portion 30 is a portion of the menstrual undergarment 20 suitable for surrounding the wearer's waist and hips. The shell portion 30 includes a waist opening 33 that allows for wearing menstrual underwear 20. The waist opening includes an elastic waistband 32 that allows the menstrual underwear 20 to be worn in a wide range of sizes. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the shell portion also cooperates with the crotch portion 40 to form a leg opening 34 (described in more detail below).

In the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1-3, the shell portion 30 is elastically extendable. This elastic extensibility allows the menstrual underwear 20 of the present invention to be worn in a wide range of body shapes and sizes, making the wearer's body more comfortable. The elastically extendable shell portion 30 further cooperates with the crotch portion 40 to provide a "z direction" biasing force to the crotch portion 40 over the wearer's entire range of motion. This biasing force allows the menstrual device 80 worn with the menstrual undergarment 20 to be kept in intimate contact with the body, in particular in close contact with the wearer's vulva region. In particular, this biasing force directs menstrual device 80 against the distal edge of the wearer's labia. Preferably, shell portion 30 is configured to provide an elongation module between about 130 grams / inch (51 grams / cm) and about 160 grams / inch (63 grams / cm). More preferably, the stretch module is between about 140 grams / inch (55 grams / cm) and about 150 grams / inch (59 grams / cm). Suitable methods for measuring the stretch module are described in later test methods.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the shell portion 30 is also liquid resistant. That is, the shell portion 30 inhibits the passage of the aqueous liquid through it, and preferably causes the aqueous liquid to flow thereon. In particular, the shell portion 30 is liquid resistant because the shell portion 30 is hydrophobic capable of resisting the flow of liquid thereon. If the surface has a critical surface tension of less than about 35 dynes / cm as described, the surface is "hydrophobic" and the surface becomes "hydrophobic" by treating the surface with a material having a critical surface tension of less than about 35 dynes / cm. And a “hydrophilic” surface is one in which water forms a contact angle of less than about 89 °. By having a hydrophobic surface, the shell portion 30 can be disposed thereon (described below) from the crotch portion 40 to absorb and retain all leakage around the periphery of the menstrual instrument 80. 30) inhibit the transport of all body fluids to

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the shell portion 30 is breathable, making it more comfortable for the menstrual undergarment 20 to wear. As described, the material is "breathable" if the air permeability of the material is greater than about 25 ft ³ / min / m 2 (0.7 m ³ / min / m 2) as measured as described in the test method described below. Preferably, the air permeability of the shell portion 30 is greater than about 220 ft ³ / min / m 2 (6.5 m ³ / min / m 2). More preferably, the air permeability of the shell portion 30 is greater than about 300 ft ³ / min / m 2 (8.5 m ³ / min / m 2).

Shell portion 30 may include any woven or nonwoven fabric having suitable feel, appearance, and surface properties. Preferably, shell portion 30 comprises a woven or knitted fabric. Suitable fibers or yarns for making into the shell portion 30 include polyolefin fibers such as polyethylene or polypropylene fibers; Nylon fibers and elastomeric fibers such as LYCRA; Natural fibers such as cotton. Particularly preferred for the shell portion 30 of the menstrual undergarment 20 is stretchable nylon available from DuPont, Wilmington, Delaware, USA. These yarns are more flexible than cotton yarns, which are often used for women's underwear. Preferably such fibers are knitted using means known in the art. More preferably, the yarn is a full plaid knit as indicated by reference numeral 60 in FIG. 4 to form the shell portion 40.

In order to provide liquid resistance to the shell portion 30 for the particularly preferred embodiment described above, the shell portion 30 can be treated using materials known in the art to provide such liquid resistance. Such materials include fatty acid or fatty alcohol derivatives, silicones, polyurethanes and fluorocarbons. Fluorocarbon materials are particularly preferred because of the low surface energy of the fluorocarbon surface. For example, all fluorocarbon surfaces have a critical surface tension of about 20 dynes / cm or less. Suitable fluorocarbon materials are available as ZONYL® from DuPont Specialty Chemicals, Wilmington, Delaware, and 3M, Specialty Chemical Division, 3M, St. Paul, Minn. Specialty Chemicals Division. Particularly preferred are DuPont ZONYL® 6991 and 3M FC-280.

Treating the shell portion 30 with liquid resistance, as described above, allows the shell portion 30 to inhibit the transport of the liquid through it, since such treatment lowers the surface energy of the shell portion 30, such liquid Transfer is prevented. For example, the lower surface of the material, New York, see 462 of "Adamson, AW, Physical Chemistry of Surfaces 3 ^rd Edition, John Wiley &Sons". As described, the fabric becomes water resistant (ie, liquid resistant) by providing a surface with a water contact angle greater than 90 °. Materials that provide a surface with a water contact angle greater than 90 ° include fluorocarbon materials, silicon materials, and lead coatings.

The following steps are suitable for treating the shell portion 30 with liquid resistance. 1) knitting the blanks as described above, 2) washing the blanks to remove the fiber finish, etc., and 3) finishing the blanks washed with fluorocarbon material as the last step of the cleaning cycle as directed by the material supplier. A step of treating, ④ drying the blank, ⑤ dividing the blank, and ⑥ inverting the divided blank into a finished panty as described above. This method treats the whole panty blank with a fluorocarbon material. Processing the entire blank to be liquid resistant means that an absorbent material should be provided to the crotch portion 40 to ensure that the crotch portion 40 has sufficient absorbency (described in more detail below). In a variant, the fluorocarbon material may be selectively applied only to the shell portion 30 using a means such as padding, spraying, or other means similar to the prior art to form a melt (or emulsion or suspension) of the fluorocarbon material in the shell portion 30. ) And only to dry the fluorocarbon material.

Crotch

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the crotch portion 40 is disposed between the wearer's legs, preferably up to at least near the wearer's area in the anterior region 52 when the menstrual undergarment 20 is worn. Up to and at least near the end of the wearer's buttock groove (i.e., the groove formed by the intersection of the wearer's gluteus maxi muscle) in the posterior region 54, preferably up to the end, the menstrual extending towards the elastic waistband 32 A part of the underwear 20 is referred to. Crotch portion 40 provides a support for menstrual appliance 80 when menstrual undergarment 20 is worn. The term "vertex" as used refers to the location on the crotch portion 40 at the furthest distance from the intersection of the longitudinal center line L and the transverse center line L.

The crotch portion 40 further includes an alternating transverse nose knitted central region 45 having two yarns, indicated at 64 in FIG. 4. Preferably, the remainder of the crotch portion 40 is knitted as shown by reference numeral 62 in FIG. 4, the knit pattern used for the shell portion 30, and the central region 45 of the crotch portion 40. Provide a transition between knit patterns used for Preferably, at least a portion of the yarn used to knit the crotch portion 40 comprises cotton yarn. More preferably, these transverse noses with yarns woven with adverbs as shown by F, F ₁ , F ₂ in FIG. 4 include cotton yarns.

As shown more clearly in FIG. 3, the crotch portion is generally elliptical in shape but other geometric shapes such as rectangular are also suitable. In particular, this elliptical shape is symmetric about the longitudinal center line L and asymmetric about the transverse center line T. This elliptical shape extends sufficiently large in the longitudinal direction beyond the menstrual device 80 disposed thereon, so that any leakage that has passed through the end of the menstrual device 80 can be absorbed by the crotch portion 40. In particular, the asymmetrical shape shown in FIG. 3 is preferred in order to make the absorbent material (i.e., bodyside layers 46 and 146, described below) useful for absorbing any leakage that may occur along the wearer's hip groove. These absorbent features are described in more detail later. Preferably, the ratio of the distance between the transverse centerline T and the front apex 43F to the distance between the transverse centerline T and the front end edge 31F is at least about 0.4: 1. More preferably, the ratio is at least 0.5: 1. Similarly, the ratio of the distance between the transverse centerline T and the rear apex 43R to the distance between the transverse centerline T and the rear end edge 31R is at least about 0.6: 1. More preferably, the ratio is 0.67: 1. In addition, the overall longitudinal length of the crotch portion 40 is about 50% of the longitudinal distance between the front end edge 31F and the rear end edge 31R when the menstrual undergarment 20 is in the unfolded shape shown in FIG. 3. Larger is preferred.

The crotch portion 40 is soft and flexible, with no cause for discomfort for the wearer. Preferably, the crotch portion 40 is elastically extendable as a vector component in at least the transverse direction. More preferably, the crotch portion 40 is elastically extendable as a vector component in both longitudinal and transverse directions. This elastic extensibility helps to ensure that the menstrual device 80 is placed on the crotch portion 40 with a uniform upward biasing force against the distal edge of the labia, thereby sealing the crotch portion and surrounding the periphery of the menstrual device 80. Reduces the likelihood of leakage. Preferably, the elongation module in both the longitudinal and transverse directions is the same or smaller than the module of the wearer's skin, so that the crotch portion is easily comfortable over the wearer's entire range of motion, helping the menstrual garment 20 to be worn comfortably. That is, the elongation module of the crotch portion 40 is small enough to stretch the crotch portion 40 in response to the wearer's movement rather than to exercise the skin. More preferably, the elongation module in at least one of the longitudinal and transverse directions is less than or equal to about 300 grams / inch (118 grams / cm), and more preferably the elongation module in the crotch portion in both longitudinal and transverse directions Less than or equal to about 180 grams / inch (71 grams / cm). The method of measuring the elongation module of a substance is described in the test method described below.

An additional advantage of the soft flexible crotch portion 40 of the present invention found by the Applicant is that the crotch portion 40 is less noisy than menstrual garments having inelastic crotch portions typical of the art. This reduced noise gives the wearer additional options when she wears this menstrual underwear 20. The elastically extendable crotch portion of the present invention is less noisy because it is less stiff than the inelastic crotch portion and is closer to garment type. As is known in the art, this stiffness and noise generation are very closely related to the material. That is, stiffer materials are noisier than less stiff materials when they are bent (ie by physical movement). For example, the crotch portion 40 of the present invention was subjected to peak banding stiffness according to the “circular band procedure” disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,950,264, issued herein to August 21, 1990, incorporated herein by reference. When evaluated, peak banding stiffness is lower than the measurement limits of the device. By comparison, the crotch portion of commercially available menstrual underwear (KOTEX® manufactured by "Kimberly-Clark Corporation", near Wisconsin, USA), which was not elastically extensible, was approximately 24 grams. It was found to have a peak banding stiffness of. This difference in stiffness means that the menstrual underwear of the present invention is less noisy and therefore calmer.

Preferably, the crotch portion 40 includes a liquid resistant garment side surface 42 and a hydrophilic body side surface 44. This structure of the crotch portion 40 allows the menstrual underwear 20 to absorb all body fluids that may leak around the periphery of all menstrual instruments 80 disposed thereon, while the absorbed liquid thereby Suppression of leakage minimizes the possibility of soiling the wearer's clothing or bed.

5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3. FIG. 5 illustrates one preferred embodiment of the crotch portion 40 to provide a preferred combination of bidirectional elastic elongation to both the liquid resistant garment side surface 42 and the hydrophilic body side surface 44. The embodiment shown in FIG. 5 includes an absorbent bodyside layer 46 and a liquid resistance barrier layer 48. At least a portion of the bodyside layer 46 includes a bodyside surface 44 and at least a portion of the barrier layer 48 includes a garment surface 42. Bodyside layer 46 provides a soft, comfortable feel to the part of the wearer's body that contacts it. In addition, the bodyside layer 46 is absorbent such that all body fluids that can leak around the periphery of the menstrual device 80 that can be disposed thereon are retained in the menstrual garment 20. The barrier layer 48 prevents any absorbed liquid from passing through the crotch portion 40 in contact with the garment surface 42, thereby helping to prevent soiling of the garment, bed, and the like. At least one of the bodyside layer 46 and the barrier layer 48 is elastically extendable in the transverse direction, preferably elastically extendable in both the longitudinal and transverse directions, so as to provide the necessary elastic elongation. Provide crotch portion 40. Preferably, both bodyside layer 46 and barrier layer 48 are elastically extendable. If only one of the bodyside layer 46 and the barrier layer 48 is elastically extensible, the yield value of the other element should be low enough so that it is not prevented from reacting to the crotch portion 40 over the entire body range of motion. .

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, bodyside layer 46 comprises a knitted, cotton-containing material. Preferably, the body side layer 46 is knitted simultaneously with knitting the shell portion 30 of the menstrual undergarment 20 as described above. Particularly preferably, the crotch portion 40 is knitted to provide a bodyside layer 46 with longitudinally oriented pleats or ribs, whereby these ribs are subject to leakage around the periphery of the menstrual device 80. Thereby promoting the longitudinally oriented flow of all liquids that may be located in the bodyside layer 46. This longitudinally oriented flow functions to more fully utilize the absorbent performance of the bodyside layer 46 to prevent local areas from prematurely wetting. Such a structure is described in more detail in the aforementioned US Pat. No. 3,985,004.

As shown in FIG. 5, barrier layer 48 comprises a stack of barrier film 47 and fabric outer layer 49. The barrier layer 48 comprising only the barrier film 47 provides sufficient barrier properties to the crotch portion 40, while providing a satisfactory garment-type and contoured menstrual underwear by adding a fabric outer layer 49. do. Barrier layer 48 is extensible, preferably elastically extendable at least in the transverse direction, and more preferably elastically extendable in the longitudinal and transverse directions.

Barrier film 47 is substantially liquid (e.g., menstrual) impermeable, and is preferably made of a thin plastic film, although other flexible liquid impermeable materials may also be used. The term "flexible" as used refers to a material that is flexible and easily conforms to the general shape and contour of the human body. The barrier film 47 prevents the emissions absorbed by the bodyside layer 46 from being wetted by products such as pants, pajamas and beds that contact the menstrual undergarment 20. Thus, barrier film 47 may comprise a woven or nonwoven material, a polymeric film such as a thermoplastic film of polyethylene or polypropylene, or a composite material such as a coated nonwoven material. Preferably, barrier film 47 is a polyethylene film having a thickness of about 0.012 mm (0.5 mil) to about 0.051 mm (2.0 mil). Exemplary polyethylene membranes are manufactured by Clopay Corporation, Cincinnati, Ohio, and marketed under the trade name P181401, and by Ethyle Corporation, Visqueen Division, Terehut, Indiana. Manufactured and sold under the trade name XP-39385. Particularly preferred are pore polyethylene membranes available from Clofey Corporation and having a cord of 950-92804. Such pore polyethylene membranes have the added benefit of helping to make the crotch portion 40 breathable (described in more detail below).

The fabric outer layer 49 is aesthetically pleasing and provides a garment-like feel and appearance to the crotch portion 40 of the menstrual undergarment 20. Fabric outer layer 49 may include any woven or nonwoven fabric with a suitable feel and appearance. Preferably, the fabric outer layer 49 comprises a nonwoven fabric. There are many fabrication techniques that can be used to fabricate the fabric outer layer 49. For example, the fabric outer layer 49 may be a nonwoven web of spunbonded, carded, wet layered, meltblown, hydroentangled fibers and combinations thereof. Suitable materials for the fabric outer layer 49 include natural materials such as polyethylene, polypropylene, rayon, nylon, cotton, and other similar materials. Preferred fabric outer layer 49 comprises a spunbonded polyethylene nonwoven material, available from Corovin GmbH, Fanny, Germany and having a basis weight of about 30 grams per square meter.

Barrier film 47 and fabric outer layer 49 may be laminated using means known to those skilled in the art to form barrier layer 48. For example, the polymer for forming the barrier film can be injection molded onto the fabric outer layer 49, which is provided in molten form and forms a stack of barrier layers 48. In addition, the barrier film 47 and the fabric outer layer 49 may be joined using adhesive means such as a constant continuous adhesive layer, a patterned adhesive layer or an array of individual line, spiral or viscous adhesives. Suitable adhesives are manufactured by Findley Adhesives Inc. of Waorto, Wisconsin, USA. Especially preferred may be an adhesive sold under the trade name 2120 by the Findley Advanced Inc. Preferably the attachment means comprises an open pattern mesh of adhesive filaments such as disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,573,986 to Minnetola et al. On March 4, 1986, more preferably Sprague 2 on October 7, 1975. Disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,911,173 to S.E., U.S. Patent No. 4,785,996 to Zieker et al. On November 22, 1978, and U.S. Patent No. 4,842,666 to Warrennitz, dated June 27, 1989. It may comprise several lines of adhesive filaments twisted in a spiral pattern by the device and method. Said patent is incorporated herein by reference.

Used to laminate barrier film 47 and fabric outer layer 49 to ensure breathability (described below) that is not damaged by the means used to laminate barrier film 47 and fabric outer layer 49. The adhesive is applied in a pattern that balances fly bond strength and breathability. Particularly preferred is the application of the lamination adhesive in a grid pattern that minimizes open areas for breathability. Applicants have found that an adhesive pattern covering between about 10% and about 40% of the area of the crotch portion 40 provides a satisfactory equilibrium of laminate strength and breathability. Preferably, the adhesive should cover between about 10% and about 30% of the area of the crotch portion 40. In a variant, the attachment means may comprise heat adhesion, pressure adhesion, ultrasonic adhesion, dynamic mechanical adhesion or any other suitable attachment means or combinations of these attachment means known in the art.

As noted above, the crotch portion 40 is preferably elastically extendable at least laterally with an elongation module less than or equal to the module of the wearer's skin. Elastic extensibility may be provided to crotch portion 40 by bodyside layer 46, barrier layer 48, or a combination of bodyside layer 46 and barrier layer 48. Preferably, elastic extensibility is provided to the crotch portion 40 by either the bodyside layer 46 or the barrier layer 48. In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 5, elastic extensibility is provided by the bodyside layer 46, in particular by the LYCRA component of the bodyside layer 46. As shown in FIG. 4, the encapsulation of the knitted pattern used for the crotch portion 40 (garocoles 62, 64) and the LYCRA yarn therein is a crotch portion 40 with two-way elastic extension. Combined to provide. That is, the LYCRA yarns are elastically extensible and the knit pattern allows the LYCRA yarns to follow the path with both longitudinal and transverse components.

As mentioned above, the preferred structure for the crotch portion 40 shown in FIG. 5 is to make the bodyside layer 46 elastically extensible. This means that the extension module of the barrier layer 48 should be smaller than the extension module of the body side layer 46. One way of ensuring that the elongation module of barrier layer 48 is smaller than the elongation module of body-side layer 46 in the transverse direction is to provide a barrier layer 48 with longitudinally oriented pleats or ridges. The bodyside layer 46 and the barrier layer 48 are combined to provide a "loose" crease that causes the elongation module of the bodyside layer 46 to be higher in the transverse direction. Such folds incrementally stretch the laminate of bodyside layer 46 and barrier layer 48 according to the method disclosed in US Pat. No. 5,167,897, issued December 1, 1992 to Weber et al. The contents of this patent are incorporated herein by reference.

In a variant, if two-way elastic extensibility is desired, barrier layer 48 may comprise a structual elastic-like film (SELF) web. SELF webs are extensible materials that exhibit elastic properties in the stretching direction without the use of additional elastic materials. SELF webs comprise a deformable mesh with at least two adjacent, separate and dissimilar regions. One such area is configured to exhibit a resistance to axial elongation applied in a direction parallel to a given axis before a substantial portion of the other area develops to a significant resistance to applied elongation. At least one of the regions has a surface-path length greater than the surface-path length of another region when measured in a state substantially parallel to a given axis while the material is in an unstretched state. Areas exhibiting longer surface-path lengths include one or more deformations that extend beyond the plane of another area. SELF webs represent at least two significantly different stages of controlled resistance to elongation along at least one predetermined axis when the applied extension is applied in a direction parallel to the predetermined axis. The SELF web exhibits a first resistivity at the applied elongation until the web is sufficiently stretched so that a substantial portion of the region with a longer surface-path length enters the plane of the applied elongation, and the SELF web is more resistant to stretching. 2 shows resistance. The total resistance to stretching is greater than the first resistance to stretching provided by the first region. therefore,

The slope of the stress / strain curve that describes the relationship between the first resistivity and the elongation (ie, the elongation module) by controlling the area of the area with shorter surface-path length is smaller than the module of the body side layer 46 ,

By controlling the pattern of the region with the shorter surface-path length so that the first resistive force has a vector component (eg chevron or other diagonally oriented pattern) in both longitudinal and transverse directions,

Barrier layer 48 may be provided with an elongation module smaller than bodyside layer 46 in both longitudinal and transverse directions. In a variant, a pattern may be used that provides low module elongation in the longitudinal or transverse direction. SELF webs suitable for the present invention are disclosed in more detail in US Pat. No. 5,518,081, issued to Chapel et al. On May 21, 1996, and assigned to the applicant, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Bodyside layer 46 and barrier layer 48 are coupled at least around the perimeter to form crotch portion 40. Preferably, in order to allow the crotch portion 40 to be worn on the maximum body, the body side layer 46 and the barrier layer 48 are combined in the following manner. That is, ① body-side layer 46 may be stretched between about 25% in the longitudinal direction and about 125% and about 150% in the transverse direction, and is available from 3M (3M), St. Paul, Minn. An adhesive material such as No. 1524 is applied to the bodyside layer 46 in a pattern similar to that used to laminate the barrier film 47 and the fabric outer layer 49. (2) The barrier layer 48 is attached onto the adhesive body-side layer 46 and adhered to the barrier layer 48 by applying pressure (eg, by a nip between a pair of rolls, etc.). In a variant, the attachment means may comprise heat adhesion, pressure adhesion, ultrasonic adhesion, dynamic mechanical adhesion or any other suitable attachment means or combinations of these attachment means known in the art.

FIG. 6 illustrates in cross section another preferred embodiment of a crotch portion 40 similar to FIG. 5. In addition, the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 provides a crotch portion 40 with a preferred combination of two-way elastic elongation, such as a liquid resistant garment side surface 42 and a hydrophilic body side surface 44. The crotch portion 40 shown in FIG. 6 includes a bodyside layer 146 and a barrier layer 148, with the absorbent bodyside layer 146 on the barrier layer 148 treated to provide the required liquid resistance. Is placed. At least a portion of the bodyside layer 146 includes a bodyside surface 44 and at least a portion of the barrier layer 148 includes a garment side surface 42. The embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 6 has the advantage of a simple method of treating panty blanks with fluorocarbon material to provide liquid resistance to the shell portion 30 and the crotch portion 40 described above.

The bodyside layer 146 of the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 6 is soft, absorbent and breathable. Bodyside layer 146 may include any woven or nonwoven fabric having a suitable feel and appearance. Suitable fibers or yarns for making the bodyside layer 146 include polyolefin fibers such as polyethylene or polypropylene fibers treated to be hydrophilic; Nylon fibers, acetate fibers, acrylic fibers and rayon fibers [because these fibers are medium wettable, that is, because these fibers have a critical surface tension between about 40 dynes / cm and about 50 dynes / cm, these fibers have a bodyside layer To be optimally available as a component of (146), it may need to be treated with a surfactant]; Natural fibers such as cotton. In addition, if such elastic extensibility is necessary for the bodyside layer 146, the bodyside layer 146 may include fibers or yarns with elastic extensibility, such as LYCRA®. More preferably, bodyside layer 146 comprises a knit fabric having a knit pattern substantially the same as shown at 64 and 66 in FIG. 4, at least a portion of the fabric comprising cotton yarns.

As discussed above, the panty blank may be treated to provide a crotch portion 40 that is liquid resistant. That is, by treating the panty blank to be liquid resistant, the barrier layer 148 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 is processed to be liquid resistant. The material suitable for treating the barrier layer 148 to provide liquid resistance is substantially the same as that suitable for treating the shell portion 30 to provide liquid resistance. In other words, suitable materials include fatty acid or fatty alcohol derivatives, silicones, polyurethanes and fluorocarbons. Particularly preferred are fluorocarbon materials such as those described by DuPont and 3M (3M). Treatment of the entire panty blank to provide liquid resistance to both shell portion 30 and crotch portion 40 (ie barrier layer 148) is described above. In a variation, the fluorocarbon material may be selectively applied to the barrier layer 148 only by means such as padding or spraying a melt (or emulsion or suspension) of the fluorocarbon material onto the barrier layer 148. Can be dried.

Bodyside layer 146 and barrier layer 148 are bonded around at least the periphery of crotch portion 40 using means known in the art. For example, the bodyside layer 146 may be sewn to the barrier layer around the perimeter 41 of the crotch portion 40, or the bodyside layer 146 and the barrier layer 148 may be bonded with an adhesive. Preferably, bodyside layer 146 and barrier layer 148 are sewn around perimeter 41 to form crotch portion 40 of this preferred variant embodiment.

Moreover, the elastically extendable crotch portion 40 with the liquid resistance garment side surface 42 and the hydrophilic body side surface 44 provides the desired properties such as leakage suppression and wearer comfort while simultaneously One particularly preferred embodiment of is to provide breathability to the crotch portion 40 to comfort the wearer. That is, the air permeability of the crotch portion 40 is greater than about 25 ft ³ / min / m 2 (0.7 m ³ / min / m 2). In particular, the air permeability is greater than about 35 ft ³ / min / m 2 (1 m ³ / min / m 2). The material can be provided with both liquid resistance and air permeability by treating the already liquid resistant material to be air permeable, or by treating the already air permeable material to be liquid resistant. For example, a liquid resistant membrane may be large enough to provide the necessary air permeability but have holes small enough to inhibit liquid passage through it (eg pore polyethylene made by Clopay described above). Membrane], or air permeable material, to make the surface hydrophobic, thereby allowing liquid penetration to be suppressed without occluding all pores that can provide air permeability (e.g., treatment with fluorochemicals described above). By doing).

Elasticized leg openings

As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the menstrual undergarment 20 of the present invention also includes a pair of elasticized leg openings 34. As mentioned above, the shell portion 30 and the crotch portion cooperate to form the periphery of each leg opening 34. The periphery has a leg elastic body 35 for elasticizing the opening 34. Leg elastics 35 form a seal that prevents leakage of body fluid about the periphery of each leg opening, and provides shell portion (" z-direction ") biasing force to crotch portion 40 over the entire range of motion. 30) and the crotch portion 40. That is, the shell portion 30, the crotch portion 40, and the leg elastics 35 are menstrual instruments 80 that can be disposed on the crotch portion 40 with a constant upward force against the distal edge of the wearer's major labia. Cooperate to provide. As shown more clearly in FIGS. 1 and 2, the large cutout features of the leg openings 34 are leg elastics 35 in the more vertical direction possible when more circular shapes can be used for the leg openings 34. Is designed to orient the retraction force. In addition, as shown most clearly in FIG. 3, the large cutout shape for the leg opening 34 indicates that the shell portion 30 is almost transverse centerline T between the leg elastic body 35 and the crotch portion 40. To extend. The portion of the shell portion 30 disposed between the leg elastics 35 and the crotch portion 40 may respond to the wearer's movement because the shell portion 30 has a lower extension module than the crotch portion 40. have. As a result, the shell portion 30 is more comfortable because the force required to extend the crotch portion 40 is smaller. In addition, the shell portion 30 may be stretched in response to the wearer's movement rather than the crotch portion 40, thereby reducing the movement of all menstrual instruments 80 that may be attached to the crotch portion 40.

The leg elastics 35 should provide a minimum retraction force to help seal the periphery of the leg opening 34 against leakage of body liquids. Applicant has found that at least about 20 grams of retraction force is required to minimize the risk of opening around the periphery of the leg opening 34. Preferably, the retraction force should be at least about 40 grams. More preferably, the retraction force should be at least about 80 grams. In addition, minimizing the stretch module over the expected range of elastic extension during the wear cycle minimizes the risk of inconvenience to the wearer. That is, if the leg elastics are designed to provide about 80 grams of retraction force during typical use extensions, this force should not be substantially increased for larger extensions that may occur due to different wearer leg circumferences or due to wearer movement. do. Applicants have found that the elongation module for leg elastics between about 540 grams / inch (213 grams / cm) and about 590 grams / inch (232 grams / cm) achieves a good equilibrium between minimal leakage suppression and minimal wearer discomfort. found. Preferably, the stretch module of the leg elastics is between about 550 grams / inch (216 grams / cm) and about 580 grams / inch (228 grams / cm). The method of measuring the elastic shrinkage and elongation module is described in the test method below.

The leg elastics 35 may be coupled to the shell portion 30 and the crotch portion 40 about the periphery of the leg opening 34 using means known in the art. For example, the leg elastics 35 may be coupled to the shell portion 30 and the crotch portion 40 by adhesive means or mechanical means such as sewing. In the preferred knit menstrual undergarments 20 of the present invention, the leg elastics 35 are preferably sewn and coupled to the shell portion 30 and the crotch portion 40.

Optional features

The crotch portion 40 can optionally include a display portion to help the wearer optimally position the menstrual device 80 within the crotch portion 40. For example, such indicators may include markings on the leg elastics that allow the user to properly position all flaps that may be provided on the menstrual instrument 80 for use therewith. In a variant, this marking is marked by a longitudinal centerline L, which allows the user to reliably position the menstrual device 80 whenever a new device is placed on the body-side surface 40 of the crotch portion 40. ) Can be provided along.

In addition, the present invention provides a suppression system for controlling the body fluid by the menstrual undergarment 20 and the menstrual apparatus 80 described above acting as a unit for controlling menstrual fluid flow. Using the control of menstrual fluid as an example, the menstrual instrument 80 is extensible, preferably a low module (compared to the module of the wearer's skin) that further enhances the body's matching characteristics of the menstrual undergarment 20 described above. To be elastically extendable. This elastic elongated menstrual device is a U.S. Patent Application No. 07 / 915,133 filed on July 23, 1992 in Osborne et al. 08 / 503,895 (patented, but the patent number is unknown) and its corresponding International Patent Application Publication No. WO 93/01785 on February 4, 1993, and in the name of Osborne on July 23, 1992 US Patent Application No. 07 / 915,284, filed and assigned to Applicant, and its corresponding International Patent Application Publication No. WO 93/01786, filed February 4, 1993, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. Other means may be provided, such as providing complementary attachment means to the menstrual underwear 20 and the menstrual device 80 by cooperating with the menstrual underwear 20 and the menstrual device to better control menstrual fluid flow.

It is apparent to those skilled in the art that other body fluids, such as urine, can be controlled using similar systems.

The menstrual undergarment 20 of the present invention removes all release liners that may be provided to the menstrual device 80, and uses body pressure with sufficient pressure to ensure that all releasable adhesives that may be provided are attached thereto. It is used by placing the menstrual device 80 in the menstrual undergarment 20 on the surface 44. In addition, if the menstrual instrument 80 has a flap, the user positions the menstrual instrument 80 such that the flap hangs on the edge of the elasticized leg opening 34, so that all the flap attachment means that can be provided. It comes into contact with the crotch portion 40 on the garment side surface 42. The wearer then pulls menstrual underwear 20 in a conventional manner.

Test Methods

Air permeability

purpose

This method seeks to measure the flow of air through a material at a defined pressure drop across the material.

Device

An air permeability tester available from Albany International Corporation, Albany, NY.

Sample manufacture

1. Cut a sample into a square approximately 4 inches by 4 inches (10 cm by 10 cm).

Way

Operate the air permeability tester according to the manufacturer's instructions. The following briefly summarizes the operating procedure described.

1) Mount the sample by stretching the sample sufficiently taut on the outer orifice plate to remove any distortion that may impede or deform the air flow. If the sample is thus determined, the sample is mounted with the less open side towards the mounting plate.

2) Determine a suitable internal orifice to provide a suitable air flow for the sample to be tested. Record the number of orifice plates used to evaluate the sample.

3) Adjust the fan motor speed to provide a 0.5 inch hydraulic drop (1.27 cm of water) over the inner orifice.

4) Record the pressure drop across the sample.

Calculation and record

Using a table provided by the manufacturer, the number of orifice plates and the pressure drop across the sample determine the air flow through the sample. Record the mean and standard deviation for each sample evaluated.

Elongation Module and Elastic Shrinkage

purpose

This method is intended to determine the amount of force compared to the force exerted on the wearer's body by an elastically extensible material that can be used in the underwear over an extension range comparable to the wear cycle of the underwear.

Way

The method described in the Association of Nonwoven Fabric Industry (INDA) Standard Test 110.1-92 is appropriate. The following setting conditions are used.

Gauge Length: 2 inches (5.08 cm)

Crosshead Speed: 10 inches / minute (25.4 cm / minute)

Tensile Testers and Load Cells: Model 5564, available from Instron Corporation, Canton, Mass., Suitable for the expected range of forces.

Sample Width: Measure the sample width for samples smaller than 1 inch (2.54 cm) and 1 inch (2.54 cm) and adjust the measured force by the ratio of 1 inch (2.54 cm) to the measured width.

Sample size: at least 3 samples per material to be tested

conclusion

Force ₂₅ : Force at 25% elongation (grams / inch or grams / cm)

Force ₅₀ : Force at 50% elongation (grams / inch or grams / cm)

Elastic shrinkage: force ₂₅

Elongation Module: (force ₂₅ -force ₅₀ ) /0.25

Record mean and standard deviation for elastic shrinkage (leg elastics only) and stretching modules.

All of the above-mentioned patents, patent applications (and all corresponding published foreign patent applications as well as all corresponding published foreign patent applications) and publications mentioned through this description are hereby incorporated by reference. However, not all documents cited refer to or disclose the present invention.

While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various other modifications and changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, all such modifications and variations that fall within the scope of the present invention are covered by the appended claims.

Claims (23)

A tubular knit undergarment for use with an absorbent article having a longitudinal centerline defining the longitudinal direction and a transverse centerline defining the transverse direction, A breathable, liquid resistant shell portion having an elasticized waist opening, A crotch portion having a longitudinal length and comprising an absorbent bodyside layer and a liquid resistance barrier layer, the crotch portion being elastically extendable in at least one of the longitudinal and transverse directions; A pair of leg openings defined by the shell portion and the crotch portion, each leg opening having a perimeter, the perimeter of each leg opening being elastic to provide a seal that inhibits liquid flow past the perimeter. To include, the leg opening Tubular knitted underwear. The method of claim 1, The elasticized leg opening cooperates with the elastic elongation of the crotch portion to provide a force to bias the absorbent article against the wearer's body. Tubular knitted underwear. The method of claim 1, The crotch portion is breathable Tubular knitted underwear. The method of claim 1, The underwear has no leg Tubular knitted underwear. The method of claim 1, The undergarment further comprises a front region and a rear region, each of the front region and the rear region having first and second transversely opposed longitudinal side edges, the at least one of the first side edges of the front region. A portion is coupled to the first side edge of the rear region and at least a portion of the second side edge of the front region is coupled to the second side edge of the rear region by a pair of laterally opposed seams; there is Tubular knitted underwear. The method of claim 5, The undergarment has longitudinal length edges and transverse end edges in the respective front and rear regions when the seam is opened and the underwear is fully deployed in plan view, wherein the longitudinal length of the crotch portion is defined by the undergarment. Greater than 50% of the longitudinal length of Tubular knitted underwear. The method of claim 6, The crotch portion has a vertex in the front region and a vertex in the rear region, wherein a distance between the vertex and the rear end edge in the rear region along the longitudinal centerline is equal to the vertex in the front region along the longitudinal centerline. Less than the distance between the vertex and the front end edge Tubular knitted underwear. The method of claim 3, wherein At least a portion of the bodyside layer comprises an absorbent cotton material, the barrier layer comprising an extensible stack of nonwoven webs and breathable membrane webs. Tubular knitted underwear. The method of claim 1, At least a portion of the bodyside layer comprises an absorbent cotton material, wherein the barrier layer is treated with the material to increase the liquid contact angle disposed thereon. Tubular knitted underwear. The method of claim 9, The cotton material is integrally knitted into the crotch portion Tubular knitted underwear. The method of claim 1, The crotch portion includes an indicator for aiding in proper placement of the menstrual device. Tubular knitted underwear. The method of claim 1, The crotch portion is elastically extendable in the both longitudinal and transverse directions. Tubular knitted underwear. The method of claim 12, At least a portion of the bodyside layer comprises an absorbent cotton material, the barrier layer comprising an extensible laminate of nonwoven webs and breathable membrane webs. Tubular knitted underwear. The method of claim 12, At least a portion of the bodyside layer comprises an absorbent cotton material, wherein the barrier layer is treated with the material to increase the liquid contact angle disposed thereon. Tubular knitted underwear. The method of claim 1, The undergarment includes a front region and a back region, and the crotch portion includes a transversely oriented seam that joins the front region and the back region. Tubular knitted underwear. The method of claim 15, The crotch portion has a vertex in the front region and a vertex in the rear region, and a distance between the vertex in the rear region and the wasteband in the rear region along the longitudinal centerline is the front region along the longitudinal centerline. Less than the distance between the vertex in and the wasteband in the front region Tubular knitted underwear. With a longitudinal centerline defining the longitudinal direction and a transverse centerline defining the transverse direction, the front region and the rear region, in a legless tubular knit undergarment for use with absorbent articles. , A breathable liquid resistant shell portion having an elasticized waist opening, the portion of the shell portion disposed in the front region having first and second transversely opposite longitudinal side edges, wherein the shell portion includes: The portion disposed in the rear region has a longitudinal side edge disposed in the first and second transverse directions, wherein at least a portion of the first side edge of the front region is formed by a first seam in the first of the rear region. A shell portion coupled to a side edge, wherein at least a portion of the second side edge of the front region is coupled to the second side edge of the rear region by a second seam; A breathable liquid resistant crotch portion which includes an absorbent body side layer and a liquid resistance barrier layer and is elastically extendable in the transverse direction; A pair of leg openings defined by the shell portion and the crotch portion, each leg opening having a perimeter, the perimeter of each leg opening being elastic to provide a seal that inhibits liquid flow past the perimeter. And the elasticized leg opening includes the leg opening, in cooperation with the elastic elongation of the crotch portion, providing a force to bias the absorbent article against the wearer's body. Tubular knit underwear without the leg part. The method of claim 17, At least a portion of the bodyside layer comprises an absorbent cotton material, the barrier layer comprising an extensible laminate of nonwoven webs and breathable membrane webs. Tubular knit underwear without the leg part. The method of claim 17, At least a portion of the bodyside layer comprises an absorbent cotton material, wherein the barrier layer is treated with the material to increase the liquid contact angle disposed thereon. Tubular knit underwear without the leg part. The method of claim 18, The cotton material is integrally knitted into the crotch portion Tubular knit underwear without the leg part. The method of claim 18, The treatment material is selected from the group comprising fluorocarbon materials, silicone materials and lead coatings. Tubular knit underwear without the leg part. A system for suppressing body fluids, A tubular knitted underwear having a longitudinal centerline defining a longitudinal direction and a transverse centerline defining a transverse direction, the absorptive body having (1) a breathable liquid resistant shell portion with an elasticized waist opening, and (2) a body side surface. A breathable crotch portion, comprising a side layer and a liquid resistance barrier layer, having a longitudinal length and a transverse width, the breathable crotch portion being elastically extendable in at least one of said longitudinal and transverse directions, said shell portion and said crotch portion A pair of leg openings defined by: each leg opening having a periphery, wherein the periphery of each leg opening is resilient to provide a seal that inhibits liquid flow past the periphery; Said tubular knitted underwear; An absorbent article disposed on the bodyside surface; Body fluid suppression system. The method of claim 22, The elasticized leg opening cooperates with the elastic elongation of the crotch portion to provide a force to bias the absorbent article against the wearer's body. Body fluid suppression system.