ENHANCED APPEARANCE CHANGING SANITARY PAD

Abstract

An Enhanced Sanitary Pad has various optional devices associated therewith in order to ameliorate painful conditions and also signal the amount of liquids absorbed therein. In this regard, an image is imprinted on one or more layers of a absorbent material within a sanitary pad. The image is affected by liquids such as menstrual flow to produce observable changes that signal a user to change the pad. The observable changes in the image include but are not limited to fading, color changing, glowing and or shining. Optionally, cooling crystals are embedded within an absorbent layer attached to a plastic backing material. Another option has a cooling strip associated with the pad at either end thereof, on the longitudinal sides of the pad or in appropriate locations thereabouts. Another teaching has an independent pleated protrusion having a peel strip attached thereto.

Claims

1. A sanitary pad comprising: a first plastic layer having an absorbent material attached thereto and a chemically alterable image imprinted on the absorbent material.

2. The sanitary pad of claim 1, wherein the chemically alterable image is a from a group comprising: a partially fading image, a completely fading image.

3. The sanitary pad of claim 1, wherein the chemically alterable image is a color changing image.

4. The sanitary pad of claim 1, wherein the chemically alterable image is a shining image.

5. The sanitary pad of claim 1, wherein the chemically alterable image is a glowing image.

6. The sanitary pad of claim 1, further comprising: a raised protrusion associated with the absorbent material.

7. The sanitary pad of claim 6, further comprising: a folded surface about an external perimeter of the raised protrusion.

8. The sanitary pad of claim 6, wherein the raised protrusion further comprises: a removable raised protrusion.

9. The sanitary pad of claim 6, further comprising: a sponge associated with the raised protrusion.

10. A hygiene warning system comprising: a first plastic sheet having an absorbent layer attached thereto and a moisture activated image associated with an absorbent layer.

11. The hygiene warning system of claim 10, further comprising: an undergarment attachment integrally associated with the plastic sheet.

12. The sanitary pad of claim 10, further comprising: a raised protrusion associated with the absorbent material.

13. The sanitary pad of claim 12, further comprising: a folded surface about an external perimeter of the raised protrusion.

14. The sanitary pad of claim 12, wherein the raised protrusion further comprises: a removable raised protrusion.

15. The sanitary pad of claim 12, further comprising: a sponge associated with the raised protrusion.

16. An absorbent structure comprising: a central core having a pleated perimeter about the central core.

17. The absorbent structure of claim 12, further comprising: a base attached at an end of the central core.

18. The absorbent structure of claim 13, further comprising: a peel strip attached to the base of the central core.

19. The absorbent structure of claim 13, wherein the central core further comprises: a cylindrical central core.

20. The absorbent structure of claim 13, wherein the pleated perimeter is foldable to the point that the pleated perimeter is flattened.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0070] The preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings provided to illustrate and not to limit the invention, in which:

[0071] FIG. 1A presents an Enhanced Sanitary Pad having an image imprinted thereon within the absorbent material in an embodiment disclosed herein.

[0072] FIG. 1B presents an Enhanced Sanitary Pad having a faded image that was imprinted as in FIG. 1A in an embodiment disclosed herein.

[0073] FIG. 2A presents an Enhanced Sanitary Pad having an image imprinted thereon within the absorbent material in an embodiment disclosed herein.

[0074] FIG. 2B presents an Enhanced Sanitary Pad having a faded image that was imprinted as in FIG. 2A in an embodiment disclosed herein.

[0075] FIG. 3A presents an Enhanced Sanitary Pad having an integral pleated protrusion (also, an accordion style detachable option) at a center portion thereof in an embodiment disclosed herein.

[0076] FIG. 3B presents an independent pleated Enhanced Sanitary Protrusion as taught in an embodiment disclosed herein.

[0077] FIG. 3C presents an independent pleated Enhanced Sanitary Protrusion having a central sponge as taught in an embodiment disclosed herein.

[0078] Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0079] The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word exemplary or illustrative means serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any implementation described herein as exemplary or illustrative is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. For purposes of description herein, the terms upper, lower, left, rear, right, front, vertical, horizontal, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in each figure.

[0080] Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

[0081] The pads taught herein are formable in various shapes so as to improve the fit and liquid absorption. Tape and or wings are also additional options that are combinable with any of the embodiments taught herein. These pads have increased absorbability, leak prevention, enhanced comfort and obscurity. Additionally, the pads have a cooling option to alert a user when the pad is almost full.

[0082] The unique sanitary pad as taught herein has designs, patterns, or imagery that are optionally writing, drawings, clip art, pictures, press art print, or any type of pattern or printable form. The images are treated with non toxic material and or non toxic chemical substances that fade (partially or completely) or change color when soiled and or wet as an indicator that the pad is almost or full to capacity. Thus, a user easily knows that it is time to change the pad for a fresh one and the user thereby avoids having a personal embarrassment of an overflowing situation. Alternatively, the images also glow or shine thereby changing the image or even disappear completely.

[0083] Because of the simple to understand modality of fading, color changing this novel sanitary pad taught herein is a useful tool for young girls experiencing their first period or the mentally challenged. Other useful features for these demographic groups include that the pad does not have any devices designed to enter the vaginal canal. The pads optionally include wings for an extra absorbent perimeter. Another alternative has the pads attached using double sided tape to the undergarment or using dual velcro strips having hook and look conjugates one attached to the pad and one for attachment to the undergarment. The one attached to the undergarment would necessarily having an adhesive or tape side under the velcro strip side. The adhesive or tape side would have a plastic tear strip so as to reveal the tape or adhesive for attachment to the undergarment.

[0084] The sanitary pad optionally has various layers including a cotton fleece layer, a cotton wadding layer, cellulose/SAF/SAP layer and a cotton weave layer as desired. These layers are alternately plied a multiplicity of times and in varying degrees of thickness. All of this is optionally covered with another thin cotton weave or gauze layer with designs, patterns, images, writing, clip art, press art or any other images with color agents that are joined together on the inner or outer flat surface of the pad. Some may also be arranged around the edge of the pad. These pattern layers are thin and may change colors or fade when soiled almost to capacity. The imagery optionally glow or shine as appropriate.

[0085] FIG. 1A presents an Enhanced Sanitary Pad having an image imprinted thereon within the absorbent material in an embodiment disclosed herein. A pad 1 has a liquid impermeable backing layer 2 of material; this backing layer 2 is preferably made from biodegradable material such as plastic and similar materials. The backing layer 2 is shown with the absorbent layer 3 attached thereto. The absorbent center 3 is made from one or more absorbent cellulose, cotton, or similar materials. This central layer captures the menstrual or other fluids that triggers the color changing, fading, glowing or shining characteristics of the material attached thereto.

[0086] The topmost layer has an image 3A such as a words, pictures, patterns, and or animals for engaging the user thereby. In this case, a dolphin is shown in the center though the particular imagery is presentable throughout any part of the absorbent layer. Additionally, the image 3A is relocatable under the topmost layer in a suitable other layer.

[0087] FIG. 1B presents an Enhanced Sanitary Pad having a faded image that was imprinted as in FIG. 1A. One or various coloring or fading chemical agents are applied to the material making up the imagery. Thus, when liquids such as menstrual fluids touch the image it fades or changes color thereby indicating to the user that it is time to change the pad.

[0088] A strip 4 of cooling material is optionally applied to a portion of the longitudinal periphery of the pad in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B using heat treatment or adhesives. The strip 4 can also optionally have a peel strip attached to the top portion of the strip 4 using weak glues for covering the cooling material when packaged for shipment. The bottom of the cooling strip is attached to the top surface of the absorbent layer for activation via liquid association thereto. Similarly, as an option the pad has cooling crystals embedded throughout the absorbent pad for signaling the user to change her pad.

[0089] FIG. 2A presents an Enhanced Sanitary Pad having an image imprinted thereon within the absorbent material in an embodiment disclosed herein. A pad 1 has a liquid impermeable backing layer 2 of material; this backing layer 2 is preferably made from biodegradable material such as plastic and similar materials. The backing layer 2 is shown with the absorbent layer 3 attached thereto. The absorbent center 3 is made from one or more absorbent cellulose, cotton, or similar materials. This central layer captures the menstrual or other fluids that triggers the color changing, fading, glowing or shining characteristics of the material attached thereto.

[0090] The topmost layer has an image 3A such as a words, pictures, patterns, and or animals for engaging the user thereby. In this case, a pineapple is shown in the center though the particular imagery is presentable throughout any part of the absorbent layer. Additionally, the image 3A is relocatable under the topmost layer in a suitable other layer.

[0091] FIG. 2B presents an Enhanced Sanitary Pad having a faded image that was imprinted as in FIG. 1A. Various coloring or fading chemical agents are applied to the material making up the imagery. Thus, when liquids such as menstrual fluids touch the image it fades or changes color thereby indicating to the user that it is time to change the pad.

[0092] A strip 4 of cooling material is optionally applied to a portion of the longitudinal periphery of the pad in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B using heat treatment or adhesives. The strip 4 can also optionally have a peel strip attached to the top portion of the strip 4 using weak glues for covering the cooling material when packaged for shipment. The bottom of the cooling strip is attached to the top surface of the absorbent layer for activation via liquid association thereto. Similarly, as an option the pad has cooling crystals embedded throughout the absorbent pad for signaling the user to change her pad.

[0093] FIG. 3A presents an Enhanced Sanitary Pad having an integral pleated protrusion at a center portion thereof in an embodiment disclosed herein. An enhanced sanitary pad is shown having an integral cylindrical pleated protrusion 5 made from textile materials attached at a center portion of the pad and has a circular bottom, a circular top and pleated folds 5A arranged in a circular fashion. The protrusion 5 has a circular bottom, a circular top and pleated folds 5A. The circular bottom integrates with the lower portion of the pleated folds 5A whilst the circular top integrates with the top portion of the pleated folds 5A.

[0094] This integral pleated protrusion 5 is connected to the top layer of the enhanced sanitary pad through glues, heat treatment, adhesives, sewing or woven shaped directly from this same material forming this top layer at manufacture. The integral pleated protrusion 5 has various folds 5A roundabout the perimeter and up and down the protrusion 5 that are similar to the collapsible portion of a bellows. The material within the central portion of the cylindrical pleated protrusion 5 is less dense then the material forming the outer folds 5A so as to permit the protrusion 5 to have a vertically variable size. Alternatively, the material within the central portion of the cylindrical pleated protrusion 5 is vacant space and all flexibility that the protrusion has is dependent upon outer folds 5A. It should be further understood that the protrusion 5 is optionally removable using the adhesive strip 6 as described below in FIG. 3B, FIG. 3C so that the protrusion 5 is alternatively useable with or without the pad or solely by itself for direct attachment to an undergarment.

[0095] FIG. 3B presents an independent pleated Enhanced Sanitary Protrusion as taught in an embodiment disclosed herein. This view shows an Enhanced Sanitary Protrusion 5 that is both independent from a pad and has an adhesive strip 6 attached thereto. This adhesive strip 6 is attached on a top side thereof with strong adhesive to a circular bottom of the protrusion 5 and covers a portion or the entire circular bottom thereof. A plastic peel strip 7 at least as large as peel strip 6 attaches to week glue found on the bottom side of adhesive strip 6 so as to permit a user to peel 7 off and attach the bottom of the protrusion 5 to an undergarment.

[0096] The Enhanced Sanitary Protrusion 5 has pleated folds 5A along the sides of an integral cylindrical pleated protrusion 5 made from textile materials and has a circular bottom, a circular top and pleated folds 5A. The circular bottom integrates with the lower portion of the pleated folds 5A whilst the circular top integrates with the top portion of the pleated folds 5A. The integral pleated protrusion 5 has various folds 5A roundabout the perimeter and up and down the protrusion 5 that are similar to the collapsible portion of a bellows. The material within the central portion of the cylindrical pleated protrusion 5 is less dense then the material forming the outer folds 5A so as to permit the protrusion 5 to have a vertically variable size. Alternatively, the material within the central portion of the cylindrical pleated protrusion 5 is vacant space and all flexibility that the protrusion has is dependent upon folds 5A.

[0097] FIG. 3C presents an independent pleated Enhanced Sanitary Protrusion having a central sponge as taught in an embodiment disclosed herein. This embodiment is essentially identical to the one found in FIG. 3B with one exception. In a portion of the body of the folds 5A there is found a circular sponge 6 sewn, glued or otherwise attached to the insides of the folds 5A such that it is disposed within the center of the cylinder of the protrusion 5. This sponge 8 provides enhanced absorption as needed.

[0098] Thus, the accordion style protrusion can go up and down; it can be flattened so that the pleats of the protrusion become indistinguishable from their surroundings as they come together therewith. This happens as needed through appropriate adjustment by the user. The protrusion is made of appropriate absorbent materials or other man made materials as indicated in the disclosure.

[0099] The above-described embodiments are merely exemplary illustrations of implementations set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations, combinations, modifications or equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all the embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.