Surgery – Means and methods for collecting body fluids or waste material – Absorbent pad for external or internal application and...
Reexamination Certificate
1996-06-25
2001-02-06
Prebilic, Paul B. (Department: 3738)
Surgery
Means and methods for collecting body fluids or waste material
Absorbent pad for external or internal application and...
C604S368000, C604S014000, C604S015000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06183455
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to absorbent pads and methods and apparatus for the manufacture thereof. More particularly, it relates to feminine hygienic interlabia pads and methods and apparatus for manufacture thereof.
Feminine hygienic pads consisting of various layers of absorbent materials are used primarily to absorb uncontrolled discharges during menstruation. These pads have taken the form of thick elongated feminine napkins which are primarily used during the early stages of the menstrual cycle and narrow absorbent tubes, known as tampons, which are inserted into the vagina and which are used primarily during the latter stages of the menstrual cycle.
A third type of feminine hygienic pad known as the interlabia pad has been developed by Athena Medical Corporation, assignee of the subject invention. Various forms of interlabia pads as well as method of producing the same are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,983,873, 4,095,542 and 4,142,476, all assigned or licensed to Athena Medical. The Athena Medical interlabia pads are designed to be placed longitudinally between the vaginal lips or labia and are particularly useful during light discharges of menstrual fluids, mid-cycle spotting or discharges, slight loss of urine caused by physical stress, or leakages following intercourse.
Athena Medical Corporation has also developed an improved method and apparatus for manufacturing feminine hygienic interlabia pads which is described and claimed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,995,150, which patent is hereby incorporated herein by reference. However, in the preferred embodiment as set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 4,995,150, it is taught that the outer covering be made of a heat-sealable material such as polypropylene. In addition, an ultrasonic welder is used to heat seal the edges of the outer covering. The resulting product having a polypropylene outer covering is not 100% biodegradable. As used herein, biodegradable means capable of being decomposed by natural biological processes.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore one object of this invention to provide a fully biodegradable feminine hygienic interlabia pad.
It is another object to provide an improved method and apparatus for manufacturing interlabia absorbent pads.
It is still another object to provide a method and apparatus for manufacturing interlabia pads having dimensions and characteristics which will readily fit into the interlabia space.
It is still another object to provide a method and apparatus for manufacturing interlabia absorbent pads with a limited number of manufacturing steps and which may be made using a minimal amount of labor.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one form of this invention, there is provided a biodegradable interlabia absorbent pad including an inner absorbent sliver and an outer covering. The outer covering is formed by the joining of its elongated edges by a process other than heat sealing. The pads are able to absorb an amount of water per unit dry weight greater than 8 grams water per gram dry weight.
In accordance with another form of this invention, there is provided a biodegradable interlabia absorbent pad including an inner absorbent sliver. The sliver is made of rayon or cotton. An outer covering is provided and is also made of rayon or cotton. The outer covering is formed by the joining of its elongated edges by a process other than heat sealing.
In accordance with another form of this invention, there is provided an apparatus for producing biodegradable absorbent pads. The apparatus includes a first container having a supply of biodegradable absorbent material in elongated rope form and a second container having a supply of biodegradable outer cover material in elongated web form. A die is provided for joining the rope of absorbent material and the web as an outer cover over the absorbent material. The die includes a tube having first and second open ends. The first open end receives the rope of absorbent material and further receives the web after the web is formed into a cylindrical shape by the die. The web forms the outer cover. A mechanism is provided for non-heat sealing, preferably by sewing, the elongated edges of the web. The second open end of the tube expels an elongated strand which includes the absorbent material contained within the sealed web. Preferably the strand is sewn along its longitudinal axis forming a pair of adjacent panels, one of which is much wider and thicker than the other. The strand may then be cut into desired lengths corresponding to the dimensions of the interlabia region.
In accordance with another form of this invention, there is provided a method for producing biodegradable absorbent pads including the following steps: (1) moving an elongated rope of biodegradable absorbent material in one direction through a hollow tube; (2) moving a flat elongated biodegradable web along the outside of the tube in the opposite direction from the rope of absorbent material; (3) forming the web into a substantially hollow cylindrical shape; (4) non-heat sealing the adjacent edges of the web together; (5) moving the formed web through the tube between the inner walls of the tube and the absorbent material in the same direction as the absorbent material; and (6) covering the absorbent material with the cylindrical shaped web. Preferably the sealed longitudinal edges of the web are located on the inside of the formed hollow cylinder. The absorbent material and sealed web are then passed out of the tube and the resulting elongated strand may then be cut to appropriate dimensions. Preferably a secondary stitching is performed on the strand to form separate panels prior to cutting.
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Buck Robert L.
Gerstenberger Roland W.
A-Fem Medical Corporation
Klarquist Sparkman Campbell & Leigh & Whinston, LLP
Prebilic Paul B.
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