WO2004021948A1

WO2004021948A1 - Hygienically disposable sanitary towel

Info

Publication number: WO2004021948A1
Application number: PCT/GB2002/004084
Authority: WO
Inventors: Corrine Bloom
Original assignee: Melnick, Geoffrey, Lionel; Livheh, Raphael
Priority date: 2002-09-06
Filing date: 2002-09-06
Publication date: 2004-03-18
Also published as: AU2002321633A8; AU2002321633A1

Abstract

A sanitary napkin having a soiling surface and a backing surface and shaped with an elongated lengthwise direction and a widthwise direction, and having at least one extension at an elongated end of said napkin, said extension having a first surface co-extensive with said soiling surface and a second surface co-extensive with a backing surface, said first surface of said extension being adhesively attachable to said backing surface when said napkin is in a rolled state to fix said sanitary napkin in said rolled state.

Description

Title ofthe Invention

Hygienically Disposable Sanitary Towel

Field ofthe Invention

The present invention relates to sanitary towels and more particularly

but not exclusively to the problem of rendering sanitary towels hygienically

disposable.

Background ofthe Invention

Sanitary towels or sanitary napkins are widely used by women of all

ages for protection against bodily secretions. The sanitary towels are disposed

of after use when soiled on one surface. Often the towel is disposed of in the

toilet as disposal in a waste bin is regarded by uses as undesirable for various

reasons. However, disposal using the toilet can lead to blockages.

A sanitary napkin that can be folded and closed for disposal is

disclosed in EP 0 299 532. The sanitary napkin comprises a substantially

rectangular absorbent region having a soiling surface, and laterally located

wings for fixing the napkin in position. The napkin is capable of being rolled

or folded and self-sealed for disposal and includes one or more flaps extending transversely from one end of the backing layer. The flap or flaps are wrapped

around the edges of the rolled or folded napkin and sealed by adhesive means

on the other end of the backing layer. Preferred adhesive means serve a dual

purpose of providing for attachment to the undergarment and providing for

sealing ofthe napkin prior to disposal.

A disadvantage with the above napkin is that rolling and closing of the

napkin is difficult without touching the soiled surface. Furthermore the closure

is not very secure.

The present invention deals with the problem of hygienic disposal of

sanitary napkins in a way that attempts to obviate the above problems.

Summary ofthe Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is thus

provided a sanitary napkin having a soiling surface and a backing surface and

shaped with an elongated lengthwise direction and a widthwise direction, and

having at least one extension at an elongated end of said napkin, said extension

having a first surface co-extensive with said soiling surface and a second

surface co-extensive with a backing surface, said first surface of said extension

being adhesively attachable to said backing surface when said napkin is in a

rolled state to fix said sanitary napkin in said rolled state.

Preferably, said extension is adhesively attachable via an adhesive

coating on said first surface.

Preferably, said adhesive coating is covered by a removable covering. Preferably, said extension is adhesively attachable via an adhesive

coating on a corresponding portion of said backing.

Preferably, said second side of said extension is coated with an

adhesive coating for fixing said napkin to a user's clothing whilst said napkin is

in use.

Preferably, the napkin further comprises a second extension at a second

elongated end of said napkin.

Preferably, said second extension has a first side contiguous with said

soiling surface and a second side contiguous with said backing, and wherein

said second side of said second extension is coated with an adhesive coating for

fixing said napkin to a user's clothing whilst said napkin is in use.

According to a second aspect ofthe present invention there is provided

a method of disposing of a sanitary napkin, the sanitary napkin having an

elongated shape, the method comprising:

rolling the sanitary napkin in an elongated direction thereof to form a

rolled napkin such that a soiled surface of said napkin is orientated inwardly of

said rolled napkin, and

closing said roll by attaching a free one of elongated ends of said roll

to an adjacent outer surface part of said roll.

Preferably, said closing is achieved using a closure extension attached

to said free elongated end. Preferably, said closing is achieved by adhering.

In the present disclosure, the terms sanitary towel and sanitary napkin

are used synonymously.

Brief Description ofthe Drawings

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same

may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, purely by way of

example, to the accompanying drawings.

With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that

the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative

discussion of the preferred embodiments of the present invention only, and are

presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and

readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the

invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the

invention in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of

the invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those

skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in

practice. In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a sanitary

napkin according to the present invention,

Fig. 2 is a view from above ofthe embodiment of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a sanitary napkin according to a

second embodiment ofthe present invention,

Fig. 4 is a side view of a sanitary napkin rolled for disposal, and

Fig. 5 is a view from above of a sanitary napkin according to a third

embodiment ofthe present invention.

Description ofthe Preferred Embodiments

The present embodiments provide a sanitary towel or sanitary napkin

having an extension at one elongated end of the napkin which extension

comprises an adhesive closure. The adhesive closure allows the napkin to be

rolled and closed after use such that the soiled side of the napkin is enclosed.

The placing of the closure at the elongated end of the napkin allows for a

compact rolled shape and also allows rolling of the napkin to be carried out

conveniently without touching the soiled side. Furthermore, a closure at the

elongated end is believed to exert more leverage than a closure placed at the

side of the napkin, thereby more securely retaining the napkin in the rolled

state.

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it

is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the

details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the

following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is applicable

to other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed

herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

Reference is now made to Fig. 1, which is a schematic diagram

showing a side view of a sanitary napkin. The napkin 10 has a soiling surface

12 and a backing surface 14. As seen from Fig. 2, which is a simplified view

from above ofthe napkin 10, the napkin is shaped with an elongated lengthwise

direction 16 and a widthwise direction 18. The napkin has at least one

extension 20 at an elongated end 22 of the napkin. As shown in Fig. 1, the

extension 20 has a first surface 24 co-extensive with the soiling surface 12 and

a second surface 26 co-extensive with the backing surface 14.

Preferably, the extension 20 comprises a closure for attaching to the

backing surface of the napkin when the napkin is in a rolled state, thereby to

maintain the napkin in the rolled state. The closure may comprise a layer 28 of

adhesive placed on the first surface 24. The adhesive is preferably covered

with a layer of backing material 30 to protect the adhesive prior to use, and

preferably the backing layer is easily removable to expose the adhesive to carry

out closure. Thus the first surface 24 of the extension 20 is adhesively

attachable to the backing surface 14 when the napkin is in a rolled state,

thereby to fix the sanitary napkin in the rolled state.

As shown in Fig. 2, the extension 20 may be relatively long with

respect to the elongated direction of the sanitary napkin, thereby better to grip

the roll when closed. However, in alternative embodiments, the extension may

be elongated widthwise as well. Reference is now made to Fig. 3, which is a side view of a second

preferred embodiment ofthe present invention. The embodiment is the same as

that of Fig. 1, except that the adhesive layer 28 is placed on the backing layer

14. In this alternative embodiment, the extension 20 is adhesively attachable

via the adhesive coating on the backing surface 14.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the sanitary napkin the second surface 26 of

the extension 20 is preferably coated with a mild adhesive coating 32 for fixing

the napkin to a user's clothing whilst the napkin is in use. Thus the extension

serves in the same way as a standard wing on a sanitary napkin.

Again, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, a second extension 34 may be

provided at a second elongated end of the napkin. The second extension is

preferably provided with a mild adhesive coating for attachment to a user's

clothing when in use.

Reference is now made to Fig. 4, which is a simplified diagram of a

sanitary napkin according to any of the previous embodiments. Parts that

appear in earlier figures are given the same reference numerals and are not

discussed in detail again except as needed for an understanding of the present

embodiment. In the embodiment of Fig. 4, the napkin 10 is shown in a rolled

state with the extension 20 being used to provide a closure.

Reference is now made to Fig. 5, which is a simplified view from

above of another embodiment of a sanitary napkin according to the present

invention. Parts that are the same as those in previous figures are given the same reference numerals and are not described again except as necessary for an

understanding of the present embodiment. The napkin of Fig. 5 may be either

one of the embodiments of Figs. 1 and 3 and further comprises side wings 40

and 42.

There is thus provided, according to embodiments of the present

invention a sanitary napkin that is lengthwise rollable for hygienic closure and

disposal.

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for

clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided

in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the

invention which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single

embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable

subcombination.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present

invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described

hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present invention is defined by the

appended claims and includes both combinations and subcombinations of the

various features described hereinabove as well as variations and modifications

thereof which would occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the

foregoing description.

Claims

1. A sanitary napkin having a soiling surface and a backing surface

and shaped with an elongated lengthwise direction and a widthwise direction,

and having at least one extension at an elongated end of said napkin, said

extension having a first surface co-extensive with said soiling surface and a

second surface co-extensive with a backing surface, said first surface of said

extension being adhesively attachable to said backing surface when said napkin

is in a rolled state to fix said sanitary napkin in said rolled state.

2. A sanitary napkin according to claim 1, wherein said extension is

adhesively attachable via an adhesive coating on said first surface.

3. A sanitary napkin according to claim 2, wherein said adhesive

coating is covered by a removable covering.

4. A sanitary napkin according to claim 1, wherein said extension is

adhesively attachable via an adhesive coating on a corresponding portion of

said backing.

5. A sanitary napkin according to claim 1 wherein said second side

of said extension is coated with an adhesive coating for fixing said napkin to a

user's clothing whilst said napkin is in use.

6. A sanitary napkin according to claim 5, further having a second

extension at a second elongated end of said napkin.

7. A sanitary napkin according to claim 6 wherein said second

extension has a first side contiguous with said soiling surface and a second side

contiguous with said backing, and wherein said second side of said second

extension is coated with an adhesive coating for fixing said napkin to a user's

clothing whilst said napkin is in use.

8. A method of disposing of a sanitary napkin, the sanitary napkin

having an elongated shape, the method comprising:

rolling the sanitary napkin in an elongated direction thereof to form a

said rolled napkin, and

closing said roll by attaching a free one of elongated ends of said roll

to an adjacent outer surface part of said roll.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said closing is achieved using a

closure extension attached to said free elongated end.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein said closing is achieved by

adhering.

11. A sanitary napkin substantially as hereinbefore described with

reference to the accompanying drawings.

12. A method of hygienically disposing of a sanitary napkin,

substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying

drawings.