Sanitary napkin with intergluteal strip

Abstract

A sanitary napkin has a strip that extends rearwardly to reside in the intergluteal crevice. The pad fits snugly against the body without penetrating. Because the strip provides improved body contact, similar protection is achieved with a smaller pad, thus providing a discretion benefit to the wearer.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A feminine hygiene pad comprising: 
 (a) a main pad body having an absorbent core system positioned between a pad cover material and a barrier layer, a rear end which in use is located in proximity to a wearer's buttocks and an opposed front end, a first face adapted to contact with the wearer's body and an opposing second face adapted to face toward an undergarment of the wearer, a main pad body thickness being defined as the dimension of the main pad body from the first face to the second face, said main pad body adapted to be worn in close proximity to the vagina of the wearer;    (b) said absorbent core system being adapted to not significantly extend beyond the anterior portion of the perineum of the wearer in use;    (c) said pad further comprising a substantially planar tail, said tail being relatively small in thickness compared to the thickness of the main pad body, and said tail extending rearwardly from said rear end of the main pad body, terminating at a distal end; and,    (d) wherein said pad being configured such that said tail is adapted to be received between the buttocks of the wearer to thereby facilitate retaining said main pad body adjacent to the wearer's vagina.    
     
     
         2 . A pad as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said main pad body is adapted to be worn outside of the vagina of the wearer.  
     
     
         3 . A pad as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said main pad body, when worn, at least partially resides between the labia of the wearer.  
     
     
         4 . A pad as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said tail is substantially free of rugosities.  
     
     
         5 . A pad as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said main pad body is between 8 and 13.1 cm in length.  
     
     
         6 . A pad as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said tail is less than 1 cm in thickness.  
     
     
         7 . A pad as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said tail is between 0.5 cm and 2.5 cm in width.  
     
     
         8 . A pad as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said tail is between 10 and 30 cm in length.  
     
     
         9 . A pad as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said opposing second face comprises an area of adhesive to aid in retaining said main pad body adjacent to the wearer's vagina.  
     
     
         10 . A pad as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said pad further comprises a front flap, extending forwardly from the front end of the main pad body and terminating at a distal end, said flap adapted to aid in retaining said main pad body adjacent to the wearer's vagina.  
     
     
         11 . A pad as recited in  claim 10 , wherein said front flap is stretchable.  
     
     
         12 . A pad as recited in  claim 10 , wherein said distal end of said front flap contains an area of adhesive adapted for attaching said distal end to said undergarment of the wearer.  
     
     
         13 . A pad as recited in  claim 10 , wherein said front flap contains an area of body adhesive adapted for attaching said distal end to the wearer's body.  
     
     
         14 . A pad as recited in  claim 13 , comprising an additional front flap extending forwardly from the main pad body and containing an area of body adhesive adapted for attaching to the wearer's body, wherein said front flap and said additional front flap are attached to the main pad body in a “Y-shaped” configuration.  
     
     
         15 . A pad as recited in  claim 13 , wherein said opposing second face comprises an area of adhesive for use in positioning the main pad body in the wearer's underwear.  
     
     
         16 . A pad as recited in  claim 10 , wherein both said front flap and said tail are connected to the main pad body in a position between the absorbent core system and the barrier layer.  
     
     
         17 . A pad as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the front flap, the tail or both the front flap and tail are formed by extending the barrier layer.  
     
     
         18 . A pad as recited in  claim 10 , wherein both said front flap and said tail are formed from one continuous piece of material that has been attached to said second face of the main pad body.  
     
     
         19 . A pad as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said main pad body is substantially planar.  
     
     
         20 . A pad as recited in  claim 19 , wherein said main pad body has a central region that is substantially planar which tapers towards its edges.  
     
     
         21 . A pad as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said tail is flexible.  
     
     
         22 . A pad as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said tail is stretchable.  
     
     
         23 . A pad as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said tail comprises an absorbent material.  
     
     
         24 . A pad as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said tail is nonabsorbent.  
     
     
         25 . A pad as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said tail is adjustable in length.  
     
     
         26 . A pad as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said tail comprises an area of adhesive at its distal end, said adhesive adapted to secure said tail to the wearer's undergarment.  
     
     
         27 . A pad as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said tail comprises an area of adhesive at its distal end, said adhesive adapted to secure said tail to the wearer's body.  
     
     
         28 . A pad as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said tail comprises a region of body adhesive along its length.