CN1666727A

CN1666727A - Method of making an interlabial absorbent device

Info

Publication number: CN1666727A
Application number: CN 200510066922
Authority: CN
Inventors: 大马千江
Original assignee: Procter and Gamble Ltd
Current assignee: Procter and Gamble Ltd
Priority date: 2001-01-24
Filing date: 2001-01-24
Publication date: 2005-09-14

Abstract

The invention discloses a method for producing inter-lip absorption plant, which has a touching surface, a surface toward clothes and opposite touching surface, inner area, perimeter area that round the inner area, convex part on the touching surface of inner area, concave part in inner area and on the surface toward clothes, and the convex part is face the concave part. In addition, said method comprises following steps: provide two absorption components while each one has first surface and composite second surface and the first surface of two components are face to face; suture the first part of two absorptions with predefined suture thread to form convex part and concave part.

Description

Make the method for absorb device between lip

The application is: on January 24 calendar year 2001, application number is: 01821798.2, and application is artificial: P﹠G, name is called: the dividing an application of the invention of absorb device between lip.

Technical field

The present invention relates to make the method for absorb device between lip, this absorption plant places between women's labia, is used for menstruation, incontinence protection or both.

Background technology

As everyone knows, there are variety of way and absorbing material to be designed for absorb body fluids, as menstruation, urine and stool etc.Relevant women's protector, the existing two kinds of fundamental types in this field are used to block and absorb the menstruation of stream from vagina.These two kinds of fundamental types are respectively sanitary towel and tampon (catamenial tampon), and the former designs in the genital area external, and the latter uses in then placing in the vaginal canal.

Existing people proposes to adopt mixing arrangement, manages the construction features of sanitary towel and tampon are integrated in one.Nineteen thirty-seven JIUYUE United States Patent (USP) in the JIUYUE, 2,092,346 and 1975 of authorizing Arone on the 7th authorized in 16th in the United States Patent (USP) 3,905,372 of Denkinger and disclose such mixing arrangement.Other insert less mixing arrangement and are called sanitary towel between labia or lip, and it has such feature, promptly has at least a part to be trapped in the user vestibule, and has at least a part to be trapped in beyond the user vestibule.This class device is disclosed in nineteen fifty-three December 2,662,527 and 1986 years Decembers of United States Patent (USP) of authorizing Jacks on the 15th and authorized in 23rd in people's such as Lassen the United States Patent (USP) 4,631,062.

The inconvenience little owing to size and the minimizing spillage risk causes, liner may provide even bigger degree of freedom between lip.To melt tampon (catamenial tampon) and sanitary towel's optkmal characteristics in the absorb device between lip of one in order producing, to eliminate some shortcoming relevant at least again simultaneously, carried out a large amount of trials before this with these type products.The embodiment of this class device nineteen fifty-nine the December United States Patent (USP) of authorizing Delaney on the 15th authorized the United States Patent (USP) 3 of Harmon on January 7th, 2,917,049,1969,420, authorized on June 17th, 235 and 1986 in people's such as Johnson the United States Patent (USP) 4,595,392 and record and narrate to some extent.

Yet owing to still have some shortcomings, these devices are not obtained big business success.For example, the device of being recorded and narrated in people's such as Johnson patent does not possess the characteristics of inserting Energy and comfort, because be difficult to be inserted into intravital appropriate location.This is because user be cannot see and also do not wanted to touch the position that will insert this device in its body.If it is inappropriate that device inserts, may cause liquid to flow out from the side around its edge.Health or trousers because the liquid outflow can be made dirty make a lot of user feel to be difficult to accept.

For these reasons, thus need that device reduces the probability of making health and trousers dirty in use between a kind of improved lip.When should being easy to insertion and use, such device feels comfortable.Also has need for equipment between a kind of like this lip of production at present.

Summary of the invention

One aspect of the present invention is a method of making absorb device between lip, device has body and touches the surface between this lip, to touch the surface relative to garment surface with body, interior zone, neighboring area around interior zone, in interior zone, be positioned at body and touch lip-deep convex portions, in interior zone, be positioned at the concave part on garment surface, and convex portions and concave part are into face-to-face relationship, this method may further comprise the steps: two absorbent assemblies are provided, each assembly all has opposite first and second surface, and the first surface of these two absorbent assemblies forms aspectant relation; Along the engage slot zygonema part of two absorbent assemblies is sewed up, made these two absorbent assemblies form convex portions and concave part.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a kind of absorb device between lip.This absorb device between lip has that body touches the surface, to touch the surface relative towards garment surface, interior zone be surrounded on the neighboring area of interior zone with body.Body touches the surface can see through liquid.But absorb device between lip comprises one to be placed towards garment surface and body and touches absorbent assembly between the surface.Absorbent assembly have towards body surface with towards body surface relative towards garment surface.The body of absorb device between lip touches on the interior zone on surface convex portions, interior zone concave part arranged on garment surface.Convex portions and concave part form aspectant relation.

Noted earlierly satisfy the requirement of installing between improved lip, improved device can improve the comfort level of using, and the probability of making health and trousers dirty can reduce use the time.Noted earlier also can satisfy produce the requirement of installing between such lip.

To having read those skilled in the art of disclosure invention, these and other characteristic of the present invention, aspect and advantage will become apparent.

Description of drawings

Though this description with claim particularly point out and explicit state claim scope of the present invention, it is believed that according to following preferred embodiment and describe and in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, will be better understood the present invention, same label is used to specify same solid element in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is the perspective view of a preferred embodiment of absorb device between lip of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is the simplified plan view that the body of absorb device between lip touches the surface among Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is the viewgraph of cross-section of absorb device between lip among Fig. 2, and this view obtains along Fig. 2 section line 3-3;

Fig. 4 is the viewgraph of cross-section of another preferred embodiment of absorb device between lip of the present invention;

Fig. 5 is the perspective view that absorb device between lip is on position among Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is when absorb device between lip is placed on the user interlabial space among Fig. 1, the transversal sagittal plane view of women's user;

Fig. 7 is the simplified plan view of absorb device between lip manufacture process, and it is another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 8 is the viewgraph of cross-section of absorbent assembly among Fig. 7, and this view obtains along Fig. 7 section line 8-8;

Fig. 9 is the simplified plan view of absorb device between lip among Fig. 7; With

Figure 10 is the simplified plan view of absorb device between lip, and it also is another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The specific embodiment

Here the list of references of being quoted comes reference as a whole.Any quoting is not to recognize that its decision as the effectiveness of the prior art of the invention of this claim protection.

In this article, " comprising ", " comprising " and " containing " is meant that other do not influence the addible element and the step of final result.These terms also comprise " by ... form " and " basically by ... composition ".

In the present invention, " layer " might not be limited to element the simple layer of material, and can refer in fact can comprise the pressure layer of material requested type or the assembly of thin layer or stratum reticulare.

In the present invention, " linking to each other " or " connection " comprise following structure, by an element being directly fixed on another element this element and another element directly are connected; And by element is fixed in intermediate module, and intermediate module is fixed on another element, thus indirectly this element is fixed on another element.

In the present invention, " absorb device between lip " is meant the structure that comprises an absorbent assembly or parts at least, is to aim in the interlabial space that places women's user when using and be provided with.If the size of absorb device between lip is suitable for some user, whole absorb device between lip then of the present invention part over half can be positioned within this interlabial space.Preferably, whole absorb device between lip all can be positioned within this interlabial space basically; More preferably, whole absorb device between lip all can be positioned in the interlabial space of women's user during use.

In the present invention, " interlabial space " is meant the space, genital area place in women's anatomy, and this space is between women's labium majus inner surface and extend to vestibule.In this interlabial space, comprise nympha, vestibule and main urogenital organ, comprise clitoris, urethral orifice and vaginal orifice.Authority medical science personage points out, vestibule be meant the border, side be the nympha inner surface and within it portion extend to the space of bottom between clitoris and the vaginal orifice.Therefore, people generally acknowledge that space as defined above can refer to the space between the labium majus inner surface, comprises the space between the nympha inner surface, promptly well-known vestibule.This interlabial space of describing indication does not extend to vaginal orifice basically to vagina inside.

Among the present invention, " lip " typically refers to labium majus and nympha.Labia front and back respectively before comissure and posterior commissure place be the boundary.Those skilled in the art thinks that women's labium majus and nympholabial relative size and shape exist than big difference, but in this described, this difference did not need to specify.Be recognized that the requirement that device between lip is positioned over aforesaid user interlabial space place is must be placed between the labium majus inner surface, and need not to consider the exact position of boundary between special user labium majus and the nympha.The more detailed description at this position in relevant women's anatomy please notes referring to the 1025th to 1027 page of Running publishing house 1901 editions (1974) " Gray's anatomy " (Gray ' s Anatomy).

Fig. 1 is the perspective view of absorb device between lip 20, and this device is a preferred embodiment of the present invention.Referring to Fig. 1, device 20 occlusion bodies touch surface 22 and to touch the surface relative to garment surface 24 with body between lip.Body touches the surface can see through liquid.Device 20 comprises an absorbent assembly 30 between lip, and the body that this absorbent assembly is arranged on device 20 between lip touches surface 22 and between garment surface 24.Absorbent assembly 30 comprise towards body surface 32 with towards body surface 32 relative towards garment surface 34.Device 20 comprises interior zone IR and around the neighboring area PR of interior zone IR between lip.Device 20 bodies at interior zone IR touch the surface between lip has convex portions 26 on 22, at interior zone IR concave part 28 is arranged on garment surface 24.Convex portions 26 and concave part 28 form aspectant relation, (and Fig. 3 and Fig. 4) as shown in Figure 1.The profile of device 20 is limited by the circumferential shapes at device 20 outer most edge E places between lip.

Fig. 2 is device 20 a simplified plan view between lip among Fig. 1, and this figure shows that the body of device 20 between lip touches surface 22.Device 20 comprises interior zone IR and around the neighboring area PR of interior zone IR between this lip.Convex portions 26 forms in interior zone IR.Device 20 has longitudinal midline L between the lip shown in Fig. 2, and this center line extends along " x " direction of principal axis.In the present invention, " vertically " is meant line, axle or the direction on device 20 planes between lip, and these lines, axle or direction are alignd with vertical (as almost parallel), and 20 o'clock these verticals of device can cut the user of standing and be divided into left half body and right half body between the use lip.Among the present invention, " laterally ", " side direction " or " y direction " are interchangeable, and are meant usually perpendicular to line, axle or direction longitudinally.Side direction is shown as " y " direction in Fig. 2.Device 20 also has transversal centerline T between the lip shown in Fig. 2.

Device 20 must have suitable profile and size between lip, thereby allows the interlabial space comfortable placement of the major part of device 20 at user at least, and can cover the vaginal orifice of user, preferably, also can cover the urethra of user.The profile and the size of device 20 between lip be should suitably select,, menstruation, urine and other outflows more preferably can be blocked and block fully from exudate in the body of user vaginal orifice and urethra so that install 20 to the small part blocking-up.

The profile of device 20 can be made into multiple shape between lip.The non-limiting example of profile shown in Fig. 2 can comprise oval, ellipse, trapezoidal, rectangle, the combination in any of triangle, rhombus or above shape.

Convex portions 26 (and concave part 28) also can have multiple shape.The non-limiting example of the shape of embodiment comprises oval, ellipse, trapezoidal, rectangle, the combination in any of triangle, rhombus or above shape among Fig. 2.

The size of device 20 is very important to its comfortableness and effect between lip.Between lip device 20 longitudinal length L1 longitudinally the longitudinal midline L of (or " x " direction) measure.Preferably, the longitudinal length L1 of device 20 is about 50 millimeters to about 150 millimeters between lip.More preferably, longitudinal length L1 is about 70 millimeters to about 100 millimeters.The transverse width W1 of device 20 measures along the transversal centerline T of horizontal (or " y " direction) between lip.Preferably, the transverse width W1 of device 20 is about 10 millimeters to about 80 millimeters between lip.More preferably, transverse width W1 is about 40 millimeters to about 60 millimeters.Footpath thick (or thickness) C of device 20 measures (as shown in Figure 1) along the edge E of device 20 between lip between lip.Preferably, the thick C in footpath of device 20 is about 0.5 millimeter to about 10 millimeters between lip.More preferably, the thick C in footpath is about 1 millimeter to about 3 millimeters.The given thick measured value in footpath of the present invention is to be that 0.25 pound/square inch (1.7 kPas) and diameter foot are that the AMES gauge of 0.96 inch (2.44 centimetres) is measured with load.Those skilled in the art thinks, if the diameter foot of 0.96 inch (2.44 centimetres) is not suitable for a certain special sample size, then the size of diameter foot can be different, and the load on the standard meter also should change thereupon, with 0.25 pound/square inch of the pressure (1.7 kPas) (standard meter) of keeping qualification.

Preferably, the longitudinal length L2 of convex portions 26 is about 10 millimeters to about 80 millimeters.More preferably, longitudinal length L2 is about 30 millimeters to about 55 millimeters.Preferably, the transverse width W2 of convex portions 26 is about 1 millimeter to about 25 millimeters.More preferably, transverse width W2 is about 5 millimeters to about 8 millimeters.

Preferably, the longitudinal length L2 of convex portions 26 is about 1: 1.1 to about 1: 10 with the ratio of the longitudinal length L1 of device 20.More preferably, this ratio is about 1: 1.3 to about 1: 3.3.

In a preferred embodiment, the longitudinal length L1 of device 20 is about 80 millimeters, and transverse width W1 is about 50 millimeters, and the longitudinal length L2 of convex portions 26 is about 45 millimeters, and transverse width W2 is about 6 millimeters.

Fig. 3 is the viewgraph of cross-section of device 20 between lip shown in Figure 2, and this view obtains along Fig. 2 section line 3-3.Referring to Fig. 3, among the device 20 interior zone IR, the body of convex portions 26 touches on the surface 22 top 46, and concave part 28 is being arranged on garment surface 24 between lip.The height of convex portions 26 be the body of neighboring area PR touch surface 22 to the top vertical dimension of 46 peaks, this distance is to measure under the condition that device is not applied external pressure.Preferably, the height H of convex portions 26 is about 5 millimeters to about 50 millimeters.More preferably, height H is about 10 millimeters to about 25 millimeters.

In the embodiment depicted in fig. 3, the absorbent assembly 30 of neighboring area PR is parallel (only show in Fig. 2, and do not show in Fig. 3) with longitudinal midline L with the determined horizontal plane of transversal centerline T basically.An embodiment of horizontal plane represents with line segment HP in Fig. 3.

Preferably, the absorbent assembly 30 of neighboring area PR forms certain angle with horizontal H P.Particularly, as shown in Figure 4, the absorbent assembly 30 of neighboring area PR preferably forms an angle A G with horizontal H P, and this angle is in about ± 45 degree, and more preferably, this angle is about 0 degree to+10 degree approximately.

Device 20 preferably adopts the specific dimensions parameter that as above provides between lip, and combines with the function of convex portions 26 and concave part 28, can make product comfortable effectively.

Fig. 5 is the perspective view of device 20 configuration when inserting use between lip shown in Figure 1.The finger tip of user inserts the concave part 28 of device 20 between lip of the present invention, and convex portions 26 (or body touches surface 22) is towards the labia surface.User can make health become crouching pose gesture during insertion, to help the labia unfolded surface.Like this, user just can insert region and its finger of can not making dirty by mediate contact device 20.This helps user will install 20 correct appropriate locations of inserting interlabial space, the comfortableness of user when using to improve.The correct device 20 that inserts also can prevent to occur in the user health effectively and install body fluid effluent between 20, can avoid effectively making dirty like this health or trousers.Preferably, install at least a portion of 20 convex portions 26, more preferably, the major part of the convex portions 26 of device 20 all can be inserted in the nympha under the guiding of user finger.

Fig. 6 is the transversal sagittal plane view of of women's user, how to place at the interlabial space of a user W with device 20 between explanation lip of the present invention.Urogenital organ shown in Fig. 6 comprises bladder B, vagina V, urethra U, clitoris C, large intestine I, anus A, vaginal orifice VI and virgin's zona H.This figure does not demonstrate nympha and labium majus, installs relation between 20 with expression clearly when between these anatomical features of device 20 suitably inserts when using user W and lip.Behind the 20 insertion interlabial spaces of device between lip, preferably, the body of convex portions 26 touches surface 22 and just adheres on the skin of interlabial space, more preferably, adheres on the nympholabial inner surface.If user W stands, the labia wall just is easy to concave part 28 bags of device 20 between lip are held together.

Preferably, device 20 applies a slight side outward pressure by nympha, labium majus or both inner surfacies to user between lip, to I haven't seen you for ages it is partly remained on the use location.The body fluid of discharging is absorbed by the absorbent assembly 30 of convex portions 26.And device 20 also can be fixed on body by the sticking suction that surperficial 22 materials are touched to body in the labia surface of natural moistening and touch the surface between lip.The body of device 20 touches surface 22 can select to use the binding agent with biocompatibility, and this binding agent helps device 20 is attached to the labia inner surface of user.Should select the bonding strength of this binding agent, make it help device maintenance original position between lip, and, also can make user when interlabial space takes out this device, not have sense of discomfort guaranteeing the reliable while of viscosity.

Preferably, the neighboring area PR of device 20 should cover the labia of user at least, and more preferably, its neighboring area can prevent to occur in the leakage of body fluid of device 20 and user skin gap.Like this, body fluid just can be absorbed by the absorbent assembly 30 at neighboring area PR place, also can be absorbed by the absorbent assembly in the convex portions 26.

Preferably, device 20 has abundant absorbability between lip, can absorb and stop the body fluid of getting rid of in the user body (or bodily exudate).But, the absorbability of product depends on the volume of device 20 entities between lip at least in part.To concentration by weight is 0.9% normal saline solution, and absorb device between lip preferably has the absorbability at least about 1 gram, and if use the absorption gelinite or the foam of meeting hygral expansion, can have the absorbabilities of about at most 30 grams.Typically, its absorbency ranges to normal saline restrains between about 20 grams about 2.Preferably, the absorbability of 20 pairs of normal saline of device is greater than about 10 grams.Those skilled in the art thinks, the absorbability of bodily exudate such as menstruation etc. typically is weaker than above-mentioned absorbability to normal saline.A kind of method of measuring absorbability will be described in the method for testing chapters and sections of back.Since interlabial space can be expanded, if thereby liquid storing, just this space can store more high capacity according to the gel form that body pressure is adjusted.And if device 20 is not in the interlabial space of user fully between lip, some absorbed exudates can be stored in outside the interlabial space of user.

Each discrete component applicable to the multiple embodiments of device 20 between lip shown in Figure 1 is below described in more detail.

In one embodiment, device 20 is made by the single or same material that constitutes absorbent assembly 30 between lip.Preferred material comprises absorbing foams, absorb sponge and contain the non-woven material (if desired, also comprise absorb gel rubber material) of wood pulp.In a preferred production process, should be single or after same material heats on vacuum drum, exert pressure with the heated material of mold pressing pole pair, to form concave part 28.Cut out the neighboring area of device 20 with the mold pressing cutter.

In addition, in preferred embodiments, device 20 comprises multiple element material between lip, and these materials are combined together to form absorber element 30.For example, again referring to Fig. 1, absorbent assembly 30 comprises an absorbent cores 40, this absorbent cores have one towards body surface 42 with one with towards body surface 42 relative towards garment surface 44, preferably, device 20 also comprises a top layer 36 that can see through liquid between lip, and the body that this top layer is arranged on absorbent cores 40 touches on the surface.The body that top layer 36 has device 20 between lip touches surface 22.More preferably, device 20 also comprises a bottom 38 that can not see through liquid between lip, this bottom be arranged on absorbent cores 40 on garment surface 24.Bottom 38 have between lip device 20 towards garment surface 24.

Top layer 36 comprises an element that can see through liquid.Top layer 36 should submissive, soft feel, and to the skin nonirritant of user.And top layer 36 can see through liquid, allows body fluid (as menstruation and/or urine) to infiltrate its thickness (or the footpath is thick) rapidly.The top layer 36 that is suitable for can be made by polymeric material, porous foam, reticulated polymer foam, netted thermoplastic film and thermoplastic ramie cotton fabrics etc. such as multiple material such as textile material and non-woven material, pore-forming thermoplastic film, apertured plastic films, hydroforming thermoplastic films.The textile material and the non-woven material that are suitable for can be made up of natural fiber (as wood fibre or cotton fiber), staple fibre (as polymer fibers such as polyester, artificial silk, polypropylene or polyethylene fibres) or the mixture of natural fiber and staple fibre.Be applicable to that top layer of the present invention 36 is non-woven material, this material by basis weight be about 15 grams/square metre to about 30 grams/square metre rayon fiber process.

Preferably, biodegradable material especially is suitable for and makes top layer 36.In the present invention, " biodegradable material " is meant according to Sturm method of testing (this method is appointed as method 301B by the Organization of Economy and Cooperation Development (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development)) and carries out the material of 28 days test artifact degradation rates (percentage ratio of carbon dioxide conversion in theory) more than or equal to about 70%.Preferably, the biological degradation rate of material is greater than about 80%, and more preferably, the biological degradation rate of material is more than or equal to about 90%.

Top layer 36 also can comprise a pore-forming thin film.The pore-forming thin film allows bodily exudate to see through, and, if pore-forming is suitable, can reduce the probability of liquid return, in order to avoid the skin of the user of getting wet once more.Like this, it is dry and comfortable that the surface of pore-forming thin film and Body contact will keep, thereby reduced the chance of the health of making dirty, and make user feel more comfortable.The pore-forming thin film that is suitable for is described in following patent: Decembers in 1975 were authorized the United States Patent (USP) 3,929,135 of Thompson on the 30th; Authorize people's such as Mullane United States Patent (USP) 4,324,246 April 13 nineteen eighty-two; Authorize people's such as Radel United States Patent (USP) 4,342,314 August 3 nineteen eighty-two; Authorized people's such as Ahr United States Patent (USP) 4,463,045 on July 31st, 1984; And on April 9th, 1991 authorize the United States Patent (USP) 5,006,394 of Baird.

In a preferred embodiment, the body of top layer 36 touches surface 22 and has water absorption, touching surface 22 than no absorptive body, more help liquid infiltrate top layer 36 promptly, is not to flow into absorbent cores 40 and be absorbed but flow out the probability of top layer 36 to reduce the menstruation class I liquid I.Available as authorize Osborn, the United States Patent (USP) 4,950 of III, the surfactant described in 254 touches surface 22 with the body of top layer 36 and is treated to and has water absorption.In a preferred embodiment, mixed surfactant in the polymeric material of pore-forming film top layer.

The inner surface of top layer 36 keeps reliably contacting with following absorbed layer.This contact can make liquid more promptly penetrate top layer 36.Top layer 36 can be adhered on the following absorbed layer contacts both.But, be not to be necessary fully the surface of top layer 36 is adhered on the surface of following absorbed layer.By lower floor's fiber is tangled mutually with top layer, by using a plurality of discrete single fusion joints top layer 36 is merged mutually with following absorbed layer, or, the absorber element of a top layer 36 and a lower floor is kept in touch by any method known in the art.

Top layer 36 needn't comprise layer or the material that is independent of or is different from absorbent cores 40.Top layer 36 and absorbent cores 40 can be made up of an overall structure, and in this structure, the body of absorbent cores 40 touches the surface and uses as the top layer 36 that can see through liquid.In a such embodiment, the body that can see through liquid touch surface 22 for absorptive maybe can be treated to absorptive so that the easy impermeable surface 22 of liquid and enter absorbent cores 40 inside.And, top layer 36 and absorbent cores 40 with pore size, capillary tube or hydrophilic gradient can be provided, this helps absorption and the solid stream of absorbent cores 40 inside to liquid.

Absorbent cores 40 is arranged between top layer 36 and the bottom 38.Absorbent cores 40 provides the method that absorbs as exudates such as menstruation and other body fluid.Preferably, absorbent cores 40 is usually compressible, submissive, and to the skin nonirritant of user.

Absorbent cores 40 can comprise any suitable material that can absorb and/or consolidate liquid stay (as menstruation and/or urine).Preferably, absorbent cores 40 has the overall shape identical with whole absorb device between lip 20.Absorbent cores 40 (and whole absorb device between lip 20) can be made into multiple shape.The non-limiting example of the vertical view shape of absorbent cores 40 comprises oval, ellipse, trapezoidal, rectangle, the combination in any of triangle, rhombus or above shape among Fig. 1.As shown in Figure 1, the preferable shape of absorbent cores 22 and whole absorb device between lip 20 is generally oval or ellipse.

Absorbent cores 40 can be made by multiple liquid absorption material, and these materials generally are used for absorbing products, as Powdered wood pulp, i.e. and the common felt of indication.Other absorbing material examples that are suitable for comprise cotton fiber or Cotton Gossypii lintel, wrinkle cellulose wadding; The fusibleness polymer that comprises coforming; Chemicosolidifying, modification, cross-linked cellulosic; Staple fibre is as stricture of vagina shape polyester fiber; The mud coal lichen; Tulle comprises tulle volume and tulle pressure layer; Absorbing foams; Absorb sponge; Super-absorbent polymer (fibre morphology and particulate form); Absorbent gelling material; Or any equivalent material of these materials or combination of materials body, or mixture.Preferred absorbing material comprises folding tulle fabric, cotton-wool, weaving material, nonwoven web fabric, the artificial silk that comprises pin hole artificial silk and foam thin layer.Absorbent cores 40 can be made up of the single kind material.In addition, absorbent cores 40 also can be formed by various combinations of materials.Especially the material that is preferably used for absorbent cores 40 is artificial silk flosssilk wadding wadding or artificial silk/Cotton Gossypii mixture.

The exudate that bottom 38 can prevent to be absorbed and to have stayed admittedly absorbent cores 40 get wet may and lip between device 20 contacted medicated clothing and/or body parts, as the thigh of trousers, nightwear, underwear, pubes, user etc.Bottom 38 should have flexibility, and can not permeate body (as menstruation and/or urine).

Bottom 38 impermeable liquid (as menstruation and/or urine), and preferably have flexibility.In the present invention, " flexibility " is meant submissive and is easy to comply with the material of general shape of human body and profile.Inserting between lip device at 20 o'clock, or during with the optional withdrawing device of finger, bottom 38 also can be pointed user provide protection.

Bottom 38 can comprise textile material or non-woven material, polymer thin film such as polyethylene or polypropylene thermoplastic thin film, and composite is as having the non-woven material of membrane coat, or organic material such as collagen film etc.Can to be about 0.012 millimeter (0.5/1000th inches) by thickness make to the polyethylene film of about 0.051 millimeter (2.0/1000ths inches) bottom.Exemplary polyethylene film is made called after P18-0401 by the Clopay company of Cincinnati, Ohio.Bottom can allow steam can prevent still that from installing effusion (can breathe) 20 exudate from penetrating bottom.

Preferably, bottom 38 is can disperse and/or water-soluble.It is found that polyvinyl alcohol (comprising polyvinyl alcohol copolymer) is applicable to the material as water solublity bottom 38.Polyvinyl alcohol can be covered with one deck tulle, wax or other hydrophobic coatings to reduce its water-soluble ratio.This makes bottom 38 can keep its integrity during use, and is keeping its water-soluble ability when handling to installing 20.In addition, the non-woven material that is made of artificial silk can be used for water miscible bottom 38.

The element (being top layer 36, bottom 38 and/or absorbent cores 40) of device 20 can make up in any suitable manner between lip described above.In the preferred embodiment shown in Fig. 1, all elements combination of main part become " sandwich " configuration (promptly being laminated into laminar structure in 38 minutes by top layer 36, absorbent cores 40 and bottom), by size all these element arrangements are formed the edge E of device 20 between lip.In a further preferred embodiment, by size top layer 36 and bottom 38 are arranged, and the edge of top layer 36 and bottom 38 is extended outwardly into outside absorbent cores 40 edge of (not showing in the drawings).Preferably, top layer 36 has at least part edge can adopt known technology to be connected with bottom 38, promptly preferably, the stitching thread of top layer 36 along a preferred impermeable liquid is fixed on the bottom 38.Such stitching thread can be formed by any method that is used for this purpose that generally adopt this area, as bonding, crimping or heat-sealing etc.

Device 20 element can link together in the following manner between lip: bonding, stitching, heat bonding and/or pressure binding, dynamic mechanically is bonding, ultrasound wave is bonding, fiber mixing or entanglement or utilize other to form the member of device 20 between lips, molten and to another element as the fiber by will containing an element, an element is molded on another element, or by any other method known in the art.Device 20 element available water soluble adhesive connects between lip so that install 20 in the water of moderate agitation (as in toilet) easilier be dispersed into a plurality of fragments.

Device 20 element material preferably can disperse and/or water-soluble between lip.Among the present invention, " dispersible " is meant that the material of absorb device between lip or its element can be dispersed at least two fragments in the water of moderate agitation.Its device or element material can split into fragment in conventional toilet and/or home pipeline system, and finally effectively handle by sewage disposal system.In the present invention, " water-soluble " is meant that the material of absorb device between lip or its element is partially soluble in water at least and is liquid form basically, or in its water-soluble liquid medium, it with the naked eye can not be discerned.

In a preferred embodiment, absorb device between lip 20 is the accessible product of toilet.In the present invention, " toilet is accessible " is meant that absorb device between lip comprises following characteristics: flushable property, dispersibility, precipitability and biodegradability.In the present invention, " flushable " and " flushable property " is meant that a kind of product can be by between the typical domestic sanitary that can buy and the pipe drainage system handles, and can not cause and direct relevant obstruction or the similar problem of product physical arrangement.But, it is believed that, may have very big difference between all kinds toilet of using at present.Therefore, for reaching accessory claim, in the method for testing chapters and sections of this specification, set forth the method for testing of the flushable property of definite catamenial products such as absorb device between lip.

" precipitability " is meant absorb device between lip, and as the tropism of absorb device between lip 20, it is deposited in the bottom of anaerobic tank or other sewage disposal systems the most at last, and can not swim on the surface of anaerobic tank or sewage disposal system when handling.

Preferably, device 20 is the toilet treatment product between lip of the present invention, and described in the water dispersion part of detecting in the following method of testing chapters and sections, within two hours, this product will be dispersed at least two fragments in being exposed to the room temperature water of moderate agitation.According to the aqueous dispersion method of testing, more preferably, absorb device between lip 20 was dispersed into a plurality of fragments in 60 minutes, perhaps even more preferably in 30 minutes and most preferably be dispersed into a plurality of fragments in 15 minutes.Preferably, this product is dispersed into less than about 39cm ²The fragment of (6 square inches), more preferably, fragment is less than 13cm ²(2 square inches), most preferably, fragment is less than 10cm ²(1.5 square inches).

In an especially preferred embodiment of the present invention, when in the water that immerses moderate agitation, each assembly of absorb device between lip 20 will be dispersed into a plurality of fragments.Selectively, device each assembly of 20 can be disconnected from each other between lip, and its each assembly self is not split into a plurality of fragments (can separated from one another and its integrity of each self-sustaining as top layer 36, bottom 38 and core 44).

Preferably, device 20 comprises biodegradable material between lip.Though biodegradable material is the preferred material of device 20 between lip, there is no need all material and all adopts biodegradable material.For example, device 20 can comprise superabsorbent particles, and those granules can not biodegrade, but this does not influence whole device 20 and still can be effectively handled as the toilet treatment product and in sewage disposal system.

Device 20 can be used as the use of " separately " product between lip of the present invention.In addition, can use as the part of feminine hygiene articles " system " by device 20, so in use between when very long (as whole night), can reduce the probability of make dirty health and medicated clothing and can obtain better barrier propterty.Install 20 between absorb device between lip such as lip, can form a kind of like this system when using simultaneously with sanitary towel, this system can effectively reduce the probability of making health and medicated clothing dirty.

(or panty liners, the system that is used in combination if desired) is than using sanitary towel separately or using between lip device more effective separately for device and sanitary towel between lip.The absorb device between lip that is used for this system is passable, and preferably has all preferred qualities of device 20 between above-mentioned lip really.Any suitable conventional sanitary towel all can be used for such system.If underwear is through the common position of wearing, sanitary towel will remain on the close position of the genital area of user health." ALWAYS " ultra-thin especially big protective wing type sanitary napkin is suitable for using in said system, and this sanitary towel is by (the Procter﹠amp of P﹠G that is positioned at the Cincinnati, Ohio; Gamble) company's basis is with the next item down or multinomial United States Patent (USP) production and packing, and its patent No. is: 4,342,314; 4,463,045; 4,556,146; B1 4,589, and 876; 4,687,478; 4,950,264; 5,009,653; 5,267,992; 5,413,568; 5,460,623; 5,462,166; 5,489,283; 5,569,231 and Re.32,649.Also can use other sanitary towels, as not have flap or do not belong to the sanitary towel of " ultra-thin " type.

For absorb device between lip and sanitary towel are used as a system of feminine hygiene health product, user needs absorb device between lip inserted the interlabial space of oneself, and sanitary towel is placed on pull-on pant crotch portion.These two order of steps are interchangeable.Some women likes earlier sanitary towel being placed on panty crotch, so just can in time catch and absorb may be before the insertion absorb device between lip with regard to effusive menstruation drop.Other women can select to insert between lip earlier to install between absorbing lip.After inserting absorb device between lip and sanitary towel being placed on panty crotch, upwards move underwear to the common position of wearing.Like this, sanitary towel will remain on the close position of user health genital area and use simultaneously with absorb device between lip.

To change the absorb device between lip that is used for said system when preferably, user is urinated at every turn.And the sanitary towel that together uses can use the longer time (the replacing time that promptly surpasses absorb device between lip), goes up and is absorbed because a large amount of body fluid will be deposited on to install between lip, rather than flow in the sanitary towel.

Sanitary towel in the said system and absorb device between lip can be used as feminine hygiene " external member box " and are packaged in the ordinary packing.Such external member box can promote the use of system of the present invention.Preferably, should comprise operation instructions in the packing of external member box, instruct and how absorb device between lip and sanitary towel to be used as the feminine hygiene articles system according to said method.

Another feminine hygiene articles system that is suitable for comprises between lip of the present invention the device 20 and the tampon with absorbability of use simultaneously.Tampon in this feminine hygiene articles system can be to use tampon any suitable conventional menstrual period, comprises that any is the tampon that trade mark is sold and produced by the P﹠G that is positioned at the Cincinnati, Ohio with " TAMPAX ".Used tampon both can be the applicator insert type, also can be the finger insert type, can use any suitable applicator known in the art.Earlier tampon is inserted in the vaginal canal of user.After inserting tampon, absorb device between lip is inserted the interlabial space of user.Like this, device just can use a period of time simultaneously with tampon between lip.During each urine, user can take out and change absorb device between lip, or before urine with its taking-up, be inserted into again again after the urine.

Equally, also can be used as feminine hygiene " external member box " by device 20 systems that form between tampon with absorbability and lip is packaged in the ordinary packing.This external member box can promote the use of another system of the present invention.

System and the external member box of uniting use also can comprise and use absorb device between lip, tampon and sanitary towel simultaneously.Also the external member box that these three types of feminine hygiene articles are housed can be packaged in the common packing, and comprise the suitable explanation of using this system.

Except that said system, device 20 can use simultaneously with the incontinence pad that pull-on pant or menstrual period or incontinence are used between lip.Device 20 can be formed women's urinary system incontinence external member box with pull-on pant, incontinence pad or sanitary towel's assembly packaging between above-mentioned lip.Preferably, such one group of incontinence external member box should comprise suitable packing data, instructs user how to use this feminine hygiene articles, so that mild incontinence is protected.Device 20 can be used in the conventional underpants between lip, or uses simultaneously with menstrual shorts.

Many other embodiments of absorb device between lip of the present invention also are possible.For example, these products also can use simultaneously with emollient and/or use in therapeutic treatment.For example, be applicable between lip that the emollient on the device 20 is made up of about 50% vaseline, about 39% emulsifying agent and about 15% emulsifying emollient-10.It is found that the emollient coating of about 0.03 gram/liner is proper.

If desired, device 20 can be packed separately between lip.This independent packing can be made up of many suitable material known in the art, comprises thin film and toilet processing material.For example, packaging material can be made by the readily removable sealing film in edge.At the United States Patent (USP) 4,556,146 of authorizing Swanson with authorize in people's such as Minton the United States Patent (USP) 5,462,166 readily removable seal-packed proper method is described.

Fig. 7 is a simplified plan view of absorb device between lip production process, is a preferred embodiment of the present invention.Referring to Fig. 7, provide an overall absorption assembly 50 (step 61) along machine direction MD with first and second relative surfaces 51 and 52.This overall absorption assembly 50 has a predetermined fold line 54.This fold line 54 is parallel with machine direction MD.This fold line 54 is preferably determined by the bisector in overall absorption assembly 50 zones shown in Figure 7.

In step 62, overall absorption assembly 50 is folding along fold line 54, and so that two

absorbent assembly

50a and 50b to be provided, these two absorbent assemblies all have opposite first and second surface.Fig. 8 is a viewgraph of cross-section of the absorbent assembly 50 that folds among Fig. 7, and 8-8 obtains along Fig. 7 section line.As shown in Figure 8, the surperficial 52a relative with surperficial 52b (promptly forming aspectant relation) of two

absorbent assembly

50a and 50b.

In an alternative embodiment, two isolating

absorbent assembly

50a and 50b can be provided, it all has opposite first and second surface, to replace step 61 and step 62.

In step 63, the part of two

absorbent assembly

50a and 50b is sewed up along engage slot zygonema 56, so that two

absorbent assembly

50a and 50b form the convex portions and the concave part of finished product absorb device between lip.Any sewing method of two

absorbent assembly

50a and 50b certain material that is applicable to known in the art all can be used for generating stitching thread 56.Preferred sewing method comprises ultrasonic sealing, heat-sealing, bonding and stitching.

In step 64,

absorbent assembly

50a and 50b are intermittently cut off with predetermined interval and space along the direction CD that interweaves.This predetermined space is determined the longitudinal length L1 of finished product absorb device between lip.And in step 63, the redundance 57 of

absorbent assembly

50a and 50b is cut.The result produces the single absorb device between lip 58 towards garment surface 24 with exposure.The finished product absorb device between lip of making by this way 58 is preferably deposited, and carries out packing of product delivery then.

Alternatively (if desired) can carry out the packing of product then with depositing after each finished product absorb device between lip 58 upset (or putting upside down), and this can make the body of device 58 between lip touch surface 22 exposures, to form convex portions 26 and concave part 28 (step 65).

Fig. 9 is the simplified plan view of the absorb device between lip 58 that step 64 produced among Fig. 7.As shown in Figure 9, the stitching thread 56 in this embodiment has two flat part 56a and a convex portions 56b, and convex portions 56b is between two flat part 56a.Two flat part 56a are parallel with machine direction MD.

Figure 10 is a simplified plan view of absorb device between lip 58 ', is another preferred embodiment of the present invention.The absorb device between lip 58 shown in the step 64 is consistent among this figure and Fig. 7.Similar with embodiment shown in Figure 9, the stitching thread 56 of this embodiment has two flat part 56a ' and the convex portions 56b between these two flat part 56a '.But, in this embodiment, two flat part 56a ' of stitching thread 56 form certain angle (angle AG) with machine direction MD, as shown in figure 10.As angled in Fig. 7 production process by the stitching thread 56 that makes absorb device between lip 58, obtain having the finished product absorb device between lip 58 of neighboring area PR, its neighboring area PR and horizontal H P at angle, as shown in Figure 4.

Method of testing

1. absorbability test

Absorbability can be determined in accordance with the following methods.Under rated condition, sample is tested, before the test, with this sample be placed on that relative humidity is 50%, temperature is following two hours of the indoor environment of 23 ℃ (73).Test should be carried out under same condition.

The specimen of weighing, the value of weighing is that unit rounds off with 0.1 gram.Then this sample is dipped in the beaker that aseptic 0.9% normal saline solution (can obtain from the Baxter Travenol company that is arranged in Illinois Deerfield) is housed,, makes it not have crooked or kink or folding the complete submergence of sample.Sample was soaked 10 minutes.Sample is taken out from normal saline and lies in a horizontal plane on the wire screen, and this mesh screen has the square sieve aperture of 0.25 inch * 0.25 inch (0.64 centimetre of 0.64 cm x), places 5 minutes so that normal saline is discharged from sample.Two sides with sample all covers absorbability suction paper then, and as filter paper #631, this filter paper can be from being positioned at Pennsylvania Mount Holly Springs, and the filtration science in Eaton-Dikeman district (Filtration Science) company obtains.On sample, place 1 pound of (7kPa) weight loading per square inch, to squeeze out excess liquid.Replaced an absorbability in per 30 seconds and inhale paper, transfer in during these 30 seconds amount of liquid that absorbability inhales paper less than 0.5 gram till.Then, the weighing sample, the value of weighing is that unit rounds off with 0.1 gram, and deducts the dry weight of sample.The difference of subtracting each other is unit, the i.e. absorbability of sample with the gram.

2. water dispersion test

Test instrunment

Shaking machine primary track (Junior Orbit) shaking machine can obtain from laboratory circuit instrument (the Lab Line Instruments) company that is positioned at Melrose park, Illinois State.

Graduation of thermometer is the thermometer of 30 to 120 (1 to 49 ℃) of 1 degree

The timer digital stopwatch

16 ounces of glass jar with cover of wide mouthed bottle with cover.

Chamber temperatures that satisfies condition and humidity should be controlled and remain in the following scope:

Temperature: 73 ± 3 (23 ℃ ± 2 ℃)

Humidity: relative humidity 50 ± 2%

Test setting

1. glass jar is filled 300 milliliters 3 ± 3 tap water.

2. according to manufacturer's explanation, it is 250 rev/mins with primary track shaking machine speed setting.

Testing procedure

1. get a sample (as an absorb device between lip 20), 3 inches to 4 inches (7.6 centimetres to 10.2 centimetres) are located gently sample to be put on the water surface downwards above the distance wide mouthed bottle water surface.

2. cover wide mouthed bottle with lid.

3. wide mouthed bottle is put in the primary track shaking machine, made wide mouthed bottle towards its side.

4. with the switch activated primary track shaking machine of ON/OFF, start timer when opening shaking machine.

5. the record sample separation is at least two times that fragment is required.Separate the division of some single fibers that do not comprise other intact sample.This time is the total time of shaking sample.

6. get other 3 sample repeating steps 1 to 5 again.

Calculate and report

Calculate and report meansigma methods and the standard deviation of 4 sample aqueous dispersion times.

Should fully understand that embodiment described in the present invention and embodiment only are used for the purpose of explanation, under the prerequisite that does not depart from sphere of action of the present invention, those skilled in the art can propose various corrections and change.

Claims

1. A method of making an interlabial absorbent device having a body contacting surface, a garment facing surface opposite the body contacting surface, an inner region, a peripheral region surrounding the inner region, a convex surface in the inner region on the body contacting surface part, a concave portion located on the garment-facing surface in the interior region, and the convex portion is divided into a face-to-face relationship with the concave portion, the method comprising the steps of:

providing two absorbent assemblies, each assembly having opposing first and second surfaces, the first surfaces of the two absorbent assemblies being in face-to-face relationship;

A portion of the two absorbent assemblies is sewn along a predetermined seam line such that the two absorbent assemblies form a convex portion and a concave portion.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein one of the first surface and the second surface of the two absorbent assemblies is liquid permeable.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first surfaces of the two absorbent assemblies are pervious to liquid, the method further comprising the step of inverting the two absorbent assemblies to expose the first surfaces of the two absorbent assemblies. a surface.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the two absorbent assemblies are formed from one integral absorbent assembly having opposing first and second surfaces and a predetermined fold line; the step of providing the two absorbent assemblies comprises: providing the integral absorbent assembly . Folding the unitary absorbent assembly along predetermined fold lines.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the absorbent assembly comprises a liquid permeable topsheet material and an absorbent core material, the two materials being arranged in a layer.