Abstract A small-size sanitary napkin capable of absorbing menstrual exudate in amounts approaching full-size napkins. The small pad is a multilayered sanitary napkin in which the absorbent element is comprised of a stratified web made up of multiple plies of creped cellulose tissue folded longitudinally in zig-zag sequence so that the ridges and valleys of the creped tissue extend in the longitudinal direction. The lowermost of the layers defines the full width of the element and each successive layer disposed above the lowermost layer is narrower than the layer immediately underneath, each successive layer having less surface area than its underlying neighbor. Menstrual exudate which strikes the top layer is selectively absorbed by that layer and longitudinally spread within that layer to a point of near saturation before the exudate is transported to the outer areas of the next layer. Improved utilization of the available absorbent capacity is obtained.
In a small size sanitary napkin comprising an elongate multilayered absorbent element enclosed in a fluid-pervious wrapper and having a fluid-impervious film disposed between the bottom of the element and the enclosing wrapper, the improvement wherein said multilayered element is comprised of a unitary stratified web, said stratified web being arranged in a multiplicity of layers, said layers being formed by longitudinally extending folds in said stratified web with said folds alternating from one side to the other in zig-zag sequence, the width of the lowermost of said layers defining the full width of said element with each succeeding layer disposed above Said lowermost layer being narrower and having successively less surface area than the adjacent layer directly therebeneath, said stratified web comprising multiple plies of creped absorbent cellulose tissue in which the ridges and valleys of the crepe in the tissue plies run in the longitudinal direction of said element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
151 words
In a small size sanitary napkin comprising an elongate multilayered absorbent element enclosed in a fluid-pervious wrapper and having a fluid-impervious film disposed between the bottom of the element and the enclosing wrapper, the improvement wherein said multilayered element is comprised of a unitary stratified web, said stratified web being arranged in a multiplicity of layers, said layers being formed by longitudinally extending folds in said stratified web with said folds alternating from one side to the other in zig-zag sequence, the width of the lowermost of said layers defining the full width of said element with each succeeding layer disposed above Said lowermost layer being narrower and having successively less surface area than the adjacent layer directly therebeneath, said stratified web comprising multiple plies of creped absorbent cellulose tissue in which the ridges and valleys of the crepe in the tissue plies run in the longitudinal direction of said element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The sanitary napkin of claim 1 wherein said fluid-pervious wrapper is a non-woven web of hydrophibic fibers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The sanitary napkin of claim 1 wherein said fluid-pervious wrapper is comprised of a bonded non-woven web of hydrophobic continuous heterogeneously arranged synthetic filaments.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The sanitary napkin of claim 1 wherein the longitudinal edges of said fluid-impervious film extend around the edges of said element to cover marginal edge portions of the bottom layer of said element.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The sanitary napkin of claim 1 wherein pressure-sensitive attachment means are disposed on the bottom surface of said napkin.