EP-4734784-A1 - SANITARY AND INCONTINENCE UNDERPANTS

EP4734784A1EP 4734784 A1EP4734784 A1EP 4734784A1EP-4734784-A1

Abstract

The present invention relates primarily to underpants having a multilayer structure in the gusset area, the multilayer structure comprising an outer textile layer in the shape of underpants, an absorbent core secured to the underpants and optionally, an inner layer.

Inventors

SIEBERT, UDO
SIEBERT, Inge

Assignees

Seamprint GmbH & Co. KG

Dates

Publication Date: 20260506
Application Date: 20240627

Claims (15)

1 . Underpants having a multilayer structure in the gusset area, the multilayer structure comprising: an outer textile layer in the shape of underpants; an absorbent core secured to the underpants; and an inner layer.
2. Underpants of claim 1 , wherein the underpants include a slot-shaped clamping portion sized and shaped to receive and/or sandwich the absorbent core, wherein the clamping portion is preferably formed between the inner layer and the outer layer.
3. Underpants of claim 1 or 2, wherein the inner layer is shaped and sized to retain the absorbent core along its perimeter, or a part thereof.
4. Underpants of any of the previous claims, wherein the underpants include an opening for introducing the absorbent core.
5. Underpants of any of the previous claims, wherein, in the region of the clamping portion, the outer surface of the inner layer is spaced apart from the inner surface of the outer layer, wherein the spacing is preferably formed by a thickness of one or more intermediate layers sized and shaped to circumferentially extend around the perimeter of the absorbent core.
6. Underpants of any of the previous claims, wherein the absorbent core includes a central body portion and a stiffened edge portion around the body portion, wherein the stiffened edge portion is preferably shaped and sized to fit between the clamping portion.
7. Underpants of any of the previous claims, wherein the area occupied, or to be occupied, by the absorbent core is circular, oval or angular, and/or wherein the absorbent core has a circular, oval or angular surface area.
8. Underpants of any of the previous claims, wherein the absorbent core, the inner layer and/or the outer layer comprises one or more fasteners for permanently or removably fastening the absorbent core to the inner layer and/or to the outer layer, wherein the one or more fasteners are preferably selected from the group consisting of suture, Velcro, adhesive, button, and zipper fasteners.
9. Underpants of any of the previous claims, wherein the underpants comprises an indicator for indicating a position of the absorbent core.
10. Underpants of any of the previous claims, wherein the outer layer includes a sealing portion in the gusset area, providing a barrier for body fluid.
11. Underpants of claim 10, wherein (i) the sealing portion extends beyond the gusset area, preferably across substantially the whole area of the underpants; and/or (ii) the sealing portion is between the outer textile layer and a further textile layer, preferably the further textile layer extends beyond the gusset area, more preferably the further textile layer extends across substantially the whole area of the underpants.
12. Underpants of claim 10 or 11 , wherein the sealing portion comprises an elastomer layer secured to the outer layer.
13. Underpants of any of the previous claims, wherein the absorbent core: comprises one or more tabs for grasping the absorbent core, is permanently or removably secured to the underpants, and/or is disposable or reusable.
14. Underpants of any of the previous claims, wherein a circumferential edge portion of the inner layer is indented relative to leg cut out portions of the outer layer.
15. Underpants of any of the previous claims, wherein the absorbent core: has a surface area of less than 50 cm 2 , preferably less than 40 cm 2 , more preferably less than 30 cm 2 , yet more preferably less than 20 cm 2 , most preferably less than 15 cm 2 , and/or has a surface area of at least 5 cm 2 , preferably at least 10 cm 2 , more preferably at least 15 cm 2 , and/or has a length, or diameter, of less than 8 cm, preferably less than 6 cm, more preferably less than 5 cm, most preferably less than 4 cm, and/or has a width of less than 6.0 cm, preferably less than 5.5 cm, more preferably less than 5.0 cm, yet more preferably less than 4.5 cm, yet more preferably less than 4.0 cm, most preferably less than 3.5 cm, and/or has a thickness of less than 5.0 mm, preferably less than 4.5 mm, more preferably less than 4.0 mm, yet more preferably less than 3.5 mm, yet more preferably less than 3.0 mm, most preferably less than 2.5 mm, and/or has a thickness of at least 0.6 mm, preferably at least 0.8 mm, more preferably at least 1 .0 mm, yet more preferably at least 1 .2 mm, yet more preferably at least 1 .4 mm, most preferably at least 1 .6 mm.

Description

Eisenfuhr Speiser i Munich, 27 June 2024 Our Ref.: MM 5422-02WO RF/TWS/krf Applicant: Seamprint GmbH & Co. KG Serial Number: Priority application based on PCT/EP2023/067537 Seamprint GmbH & Co. KG Schulstr. 8a, 82541 Munsing Germany SANITARY AND INCONTINENCE UNDERPANTS Technical field of the invention The present invention primarily relates to underpants having a multilayer structure in the 5 gusset area, the multilayer structure comprising an outer layer; optionally, an inner layer; and an absorbent core. Background of the Invention Articles capable of absorbing fluid including blood are regularly needed by menstruating women. Feminine hygiene products are personal care products used during menstruation,0 vaginal discharge, and other bodily functions related to the vulva and vagina. Products that are used during menstruation may also be called menstrual hygiene products or sanitary articles. A pantyliner is an absorbent piece of material used for feminine hygiene. It is worn in the gusset of a woman's panties for absorbance of daily vaginal discharge, light menstrual flow,5 tampon and menstrual cup backup, spotting, post-intercourse discharge, and urinary incontinence. Pantyliners are related to menstrual pads in their basic construction, but are usually thinner and often narrower than pads. As a result, they absorb less liquid than pads, making them ideal for light discharge and everyday cleanliness. They are generally unsuitable for the menstruation medium to heavy flow, which requires them to be changed more often. Most sanitary articles including pantyliners are disposable and create an immense amount of waste. Further, it may happen that there is no trash can in the toilet room. This can lead to uncomfortable situations when looking for a possibility to discard used sanitary articles. Thus, an object of the present invention is to mitigate the above problems. In particular, it is an object to provide sanitary articles that allow to decrease waste and/or ease disposal. Moreover, it is an aim that the sanitary articles are comfortable and maintain discreteness. A further object is to keep complexity, and hence production costs, of the article at a minimum. These, and other objects, which will become apparent from the following, are accomplished by means of the present invention and its embodiments as described herein. Summary of the Invention In a first aspect, the present invention concerns underpants having a multilayer structure in the gusset area. The multilayer structure comprises an outer layer and an absorbent core. The underpants are preferably female underpants. The absorbent core is secured to the underpants. The absorbent core may be permanently or removably secured to the underpants. For instance, the absorbent core can be sutured and/or glued to the underpants, in particular to the outer layer. In another example, the absorbent core is removably secured to the outer layer by means of Velcro, button, or zipper fastener. The underpants of the invention provide an alternative to common pantyliners. They provide the opportunity to decrease waste in that the absorbent core is arranged in and integrated into the gusset area of the underpants. Thereby, it becomes possible to make the absorbent core small and/or utilize a reusable absorbent core. However, as described herein, a reusable absorbent core is not essential to the invention. The absorbent core can be reusable (i.e. at least washable) and permanently secured to the underpants. This way, waste can be additionally reduced. The outer layer is preferably an outermost layer of the underpants made of a textile and providing the typical shape of underpants. The textile provides a common appearance. The textile can be made of natural fibers, of synthetically or chemically produced threads, and can also include mixed forms. The multilayer structure preferably further comprises an inner layer. The inner layer is nearest to the skin of the wearer, and takes up and rapidly transports the body fluid into the interior of the multilayer structure. Its surface structure is preferably perforated but can also be textured or smooth. The inner layer is preferably formed from a textile. The term “textile” as used herein denotes a woven, knitted or stitch-bonded, or any otherwise prepared fabric. The textile can be made from natural fibers, from synthetically or chemically produced threads and also includes mixed forms. Although being preferred, an inner layer is not essential to the invention. In particular, the function of taking up and transporting body fluid into the interior of the multilayer structure may also be assumed by the absorbent core itself. To this end, the absorbent core may itself have a multilayer structure including a layer corresponding to the inner layer as described herein. Another possibility is that a layer corresponding to an inner layer as described herein is not permanently attached to the underpants or to the absorbent core, bu