US3726277A - Feminine hygienic pad - Google Patents

Abstract

A feminine hygienic pad having a configuration for locating the same in the area of the female urethral meatus for absorbing urine and the like, as an incident to stress incontinence, together with dimensional parameters which may be of an order to locate the pad in the area of the vaginal orifice for absorbing vaginal secretions or discharges; or, to extend such pad so as to receive and absorb discharges from both the meatus and the vaginal orifice.

Description

2,629,381 2/1953 2,652,056 9/1953 2,662,527 12/1953 Jacks 128/290 R limited tates aterrt 191 3" l irsclrrnan [54] FEMHNKNE HYGIENIC PAD [76] Inventor: Shale Hirschrnan, 110-11 Queens Boulevard, Forest Hills, N.Y. 11375 [22] Filed: Aug. 31, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 68,301

[52] US. Cl ..l28/285, 128/295 [51] Int. Cl. ..A6lf 13/20 [58] Field of Search ..l28/285, 290, 295

[56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 2,328,795 9/1943 Pinks 128/290 R [451 Apr. re, 1973 2,682,875 7/1954 Brown 128/290 R 2,917,049 12/1959 Delaney ..l28/285 3,097,648 7/1963 Dupuis 128/290 R Primary Examiner-Charles F. Rosenbaum Attorney-Philip G. Hilbert 7 1 ABSTRACT A feminine hygienic pad having a configuration for locating the same in the area of the female urethral meatus for absorbing urine and the like, as an incident to stress incontinence, together with dimensional parameters which may be of an order to locate the pad in the area of the vaginal orifice for absorbing vaginal secretions or discharges; or, to extend such pad so as to receive and absorb discharges from both the meatus and the vaginal orifice.

5 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures FEMININE HYGIENIC PAD BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Stress incontinence, involving the loss of urine upon sneezing, laughing, jumping, running and other activities, is a common phenomenonin women. Although the urinary exudation may be in small amounts, it may be hygienically and emotionally distressing. This disorder becomes more common with an increasing number of pregnancies.

Thus, the loss of even small amounts of urine from the urethral meatus may give rise to a pungent and abhorrent odor, accompanied by a feeling of wetness. In addition to a condition of tissue laxity surrounding the urethra and with a relatively short urethra in some women, many diseases may lead to stress incontinence. Urethritis, cystitis, venereal diseases, pelvic inflammatory conditions, diabetes mellitus, neurological disorders affecting the bladder, and rectal or vaginal surgery, in many instances may give rise to a condition of stress incontinence.

Aside from stress incontinence, other exudations may be encountered. These may include vaginal secretions, secretions derived from Skenes and Bartholins glands, from the sweat glands of the vulva, and the like. Such secretions and exudations may mix to produce disagreeable odors and may be accompanied by a feeling of wetness. This phenomenon becomes more pronounced in the case of a woman having a vaginal discharge due to infection, venereal disease, post-surgery, post-pregnancy, and for some time following menstruation.

Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide an improved absorbent pad construction, particularly adapted to be located in opposed relation to the urethral meatus of women, to receive and absorb urine discharges due to stress incontinence, as well as other exudations, secretions, discharges and the like emanat' ing from the adjacent physiological areas.

A further object of this invention is to provide an absorbent pad of the character described, which is adapted to be inserted between the labia majora so as to be readily retained in place without the need for auxiliary retaining means; the pad being adapted to receive and absorb limited amounts of urine, exudates, secretions and discharges.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved absorbent pad which lends itself to a ready association with the female perineal pelvic area; does not disturb the normal anatomy of the indicated area; is non-irritating; is hypoallergenic; is readily inserted and easily removed; and is emotionally acceptable by women.

It is understood that the pads of the instant invention are not catamenial devices, since they are not intended to receive a bloody menstrual discharge. Also, such pads are not adapted to receive severe and copious discharges of urine due to general incontinence, as distinguished from stress incontinence; or substantial vaginal discharges.

Other objects of this invention will in part be obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of the feminine urethral and adjacent areas, showing a pad of the instant invention being inserted in place;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1, showing another form of the pad adapted to cover mainly the vaginal orifice;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1, showing a pad adapted to cover both the urethral meatus and the vaginal orifice;

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the pad in place;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As shown in FIG. I, the urethra is indicated at 11, extending from thebladder 12. The uterus is indicated at 13 and the labia majora are shown at 14. Thepad 10, of the instant invention, is shown in place, received between the labia majora l4 and thus covering the urethral meatus which is the external orifice ofurethra 11 and from which urine is ejected.

Thepad 10 is formed of soft, flexible, non-shredding highly absorbent, but non-swelling material, such as thin cellulose sheeting in roll form. Thepad 10 exhibits a cross section made up of ananterior portion 15 which merges with aposterior portion 16; the former being of reduced dimensions as compared to that of the latter. Thus, theportions 15, 16 are of arcuate, part circular section; theportion 15 having a smaller radial dimension then that ofportion 16.

It has been found that pad Ml, readily lends itself to insertion between the labia majora M; and further, the pad is easily retained therebetween without the need for auxiliary retaining means. Thus, a light pressure on theposterior portion 16 will cause the smalleranterior portion 15 to force the labia majora to open slightly and allowpad 10 to take its proper position, overlying the meatus of urethra ll. The radii of therespective portions 115, 16 are relatively small, allowing the vulva to be completely enclosing in respect topad 10.

As shown in FIG. 7, an alternative embodiment of the invention takes the form of pad WA. Here the mergedportions 15A, 16A are of part elliptical cross section; theportion 16A having major and minor axes somewhat larger then those ofportion 15A.Pad 10A also lends itself to easy insertion and removal.

Thepad 10B, shown in FIG. 8, is of elliptical cross section. Here the major axis of the cross section extends between theanterior portion 15B and posterior portion 163; thus indicating the mode of insertion.

While thepad 10 may be of uniform cross section throughout its length, as indicated in FIG. Q; thepad 10 provided with a trailing string T7 to allow for easy removal thereof; may also have a tapered form, as shown in FIG. Ill. Here theforward end portion 18 includes a part spherical head surface 19, which tapers rearwardly to theend portion 20. Thestring 17 extends fromend 20, preferably; although it may also extend from the forward end surface 19.

It is understood that pads A and 105, may also be of either uniform cross section along the length thereof; or tapered from end to end, as indicated in FIG. 10. Thus, with the tapered forms of the pads, the tapered end portion thereof fits near the anterior portion of the vulva near the clitoris, while the larger body portion thereof fits in the larger mid-and posterior portions of the vulva, to thereby more closely conform to the anatomical areas involved.

Thepads 10, 10A and NB may be dimensioned in respect to their length, to be particularly adapted to cover the urethral meatus primarily, as shown in FIG. 1; to cover thevaginal orifice 21, as shown in FIG. 2; or to cover the meatus of theurethra 11 andvaginal orifice 21, as shown in FIG. 3.

Thepads 10, 10A, or 10B may be impregnated with selected scents, medications, or combinations thereof to thereby mask the odor of the absorbed urine or other discharges, thereby providing a soothing and pleasant odor to the general physiological areas concerned.

Further,pad 10 may be modified to carry and dispense lubricants alone or in admixture with deodorants, medications and the like. To this end, as shown in FIG. 11,pad 10 may be formed with a Vshaped groove 22 extending along the top ofpad portion 15.Such groove 22 is prefilled withlubricant 23 or other carrier for admixed medications, deodorants and the like. It will be apparent that in insertingsuch pad 10 in place, the normal transverse constriction of the pad portion will act to dispensematerial 23 which has a suitable viscosity and is thus applied to the physiological areas concerned.

It has been found that the curvilinear surface portions and the non-uniform cross sections of the several pads shown herein, is highly effective in locating the same between the labia majora and retaining the same in place. Further, there is no tendency to force the labia majora apart or to exert undue pressure against their medial wall portions.

It is understood that thepads 10, 10A, 108 may be molded or otherwise formed from the cellulosic base material, to the desired cross sectional and longitudinal configurations, by apparatus and procedures known in the art.

I claim:

1. An elongated absorbent pad for receiving small amounts of urine discharged due to stress incontinence and other vaginal and urethral discharges, said pad being devoid of corners and fiat surfaces intermediate its ends and having two superposed portions, each being curvilinear in cross section with the upper portion having a radius smaller than the radius of the lower portion, said pad being adapted to be located between the labia majora and labia minora, the smaller radius portion facilitating insertion between the labia and retention in the interlabia space.

2. A pad as defined in claim 1 wherein each of the superposed portions is of part elliptical cross section, the major axis of the upper portion being less than that of the lower portion.

3. A pad as in claim 1, wherein said pad cross section is uniform along the length thereof.

4. A pad as 1n claim 1, wherein said pad is formed with a groove in a surface portion of the upper portion thereof, said groove extending along the length of said pad, and a viscous material disposed in said groove for dispensing therefrom upon transverse constriction of said pad during the insertion thereof between the labia majora.

S. A pad as in claim 4, wherein said groove has a transverse dimension which decreases from the outer surface of said pad inwardly thereof.

Claims (5)

1. An elongated absorbent pad for receiving small amounts of urine discharged due to stress incontinence and other vaginal and urethral discharges, said pad being devoid of corners and flat surfaces intermediate its ends and having two superposed portions, each being curvilinear in cross section with the upper portion having a radius smaller than the radius of the lower portion, said pad being adapted to be located between the labia majora and labia minora, the smaller radius portion facilitating insertion between the labia and retention in the interlabia space.

2. A pad as defined in claim 1 wherein each of the superposed portions is of part elliptical cross section, the major axis of the upper portion being less than that of the lower portion.

3. A pad as in claim 1, wherein said pad cross section is uniform along the length thereof.

4. A pad as in claim 1, wherein said pad is formed with a groove in a surface portion of the upper portion thereof, said groove extending along the length of said pad, and a viscous material disposed in said groove for dispensing therefrom upon transverse constriction of said pad during the insertion thereof between the labia majora.

5. A pad as in claim 4, wherein said groove has a transverse dimension which decreases from the outer surface of said pad inwardly thereof.

Images