WO1997028773A1

WO1997028773A1 - Body adhesive pad having positioning means

Info

Publication number: WO1997028773A1
Application number: PCT/US1997/001659
Authority: WO
Inventors: Karen Sue Schlangen; Christine Dawn Manzo; Billie Darlene Matelski
Original assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
Priority date: 1996-02-07
Filing date: 1997-02-04
Publication date: 1997-08-14
Also published as: AU1853997A; IL125339A0; CZ245698A3; AR005669A1; AU709473B2; BR9710944A; CA2242601A1; MX9805697A; EP0879040A1; KR19990082350A; CN1210457A; JP2002515776A

Abstract

An absorbent article is provided having an adhesive positioned on the body facing surface for securing the absorbent article to the wearer and an attachment means for properly positioning the absorbent article in the crotch of the wearer's undergarment for placement adjacent to the wearer. The attachment means is generally positioned on the garment facing surface of the absorbent article and can include adhesives and/or attachment panels.

Description

BODY ADHESIVE PAD HAVING POSITIONING MEANS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the field of disposable absorbent articles adapted to be secured to a portion of a wearer's body and utilized for the absorption and containment of body fluids, such as, menstrual fluid, urine and other body exudates.

Disposable absorbent articles for the absoφtion and containment of urine, menses and other body exudates are generally known in the art. Such disposable articles have found particular utility in the fields of infant, child, feminine and adult incontinence hygiene. In the area of feminine care, such disposable absorbent articles have been commercialized in two basic types; tampons and sanitary napkins. For the purposes described herein, sanitary napkins include thin absorbent devices such as panty liners and an interiabial devices. Sanitary napkins may have an absorbency ranging from just a few grams to the much larger maxi and overnight pads which are designed for absorbing a much greater quantity of body fluids. Typically, the construction of sanitary napkins is comprised of a liquid-permeable cover, a liquid-impermeable garment-facing baffle and an absorbent positioned between the cover and the baffle. The sanitary napkin may also include an adhesive or other means disposed on the garment-facing surface of the baffle to secure the sanitary napkin in the crotch region of the wearer's undergarment. While such prior products have performed well, remaining in place and providing the user with ease of placement and removal, these products have suffered from certain drawbacks. For example, the inner crotch surface of the undergarment to which the products are adhered is constantly being distorted, twisted and stretched due to the movements of the wearer. As a result, frequently, the garment adhesive detaches with the undesirable result of the sanitary napkin moving out of position. In an extreme case, detachment of the adhesive may also result in the adhesive folding over on itself and then becoming unavailable for reattachment.

Sanitary napkins may also include in their construction flaps which, in use, are generally folded around the crotch portion of the undergarment and affixed to the outer crotch portion. Although such flaps have been partially successful in protecting certain regions of the wearer's undergarment, such sanitary napkins are still subject to the forces which cause the sanitary napkin to be distorted, twisted or stretched.

A sanitary napkin disclosed in the U.S. patent application having U.S. Serial No. 08/167,597 filed on December 14, 1993, the entire disclosure of which is incoφorated herein by reference, uses an adhesive affixed to the bodyfacing surface to secure the sanitary napkin to the wearer's body. This provides a sanitary napkin having intimate contact with the wearer without subjecting the sanitary napkin to the twisting and bunching forces normally exerted on a sanitary napkin secured to the undergarment. However, the proper placement of such a sanitary napkin for maximum absorbent efficiency and comfort may test even the most perspicacious person. It has known in the disposable absorbent article art that placement of the sanitary napkin relative to the point of discharge will greatly effect the efficacy of the sanitary napkin in intercepting and absorbing body fluids contacting the bodyfacing surface.

Accordingly, there is a need for a sanitary napkin that fits close to the body, but which may be initially placed in a wearer's undergarment in a conventional manner so that the sanitary napkin when worn can be properly positioned for intercepting and absorbing body fluids.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly, the present invention relates to an absorbent article adapted to be secured to the wearer's body. The absorbent article includes a liquid-permeable cover having a first major surface that is adapted to be positioned adjacent to the wearer's body, a liquid- impermeable baffle having a second major surface that is disposed distally from the first major surface and an absorbent with longitudinal sides positioned between the cover and the baffle. A body adhesive is affixed to the first major surface for securing the sanitary napkin in intimate contact with the wearer during use. The absorbent article includes an attachment device for securing the absorbent article to the inner crotch portion of a wearer's undergarment to facilitate proper positioning of the absorbent article prior to use. In one embodiment, the attachment device includes a pressure sensitive adhesive secured to the second major surface for adhering the absorbent article to the inner crotch portion of the undergarment. In another embodiment of the invention, the attachment device includes at least one and preferably a pair of panels extending transversely relative to the longitudinal sides of the absorbent. The attachment panels are configured so that a free portion folds over the leg edges and preferably, around the crotch portion of the wearer's undergarment prior to use. The free portion is provided with a securement device for securement when each of the panels are positioned around an edge of the crotch portion of the undergarment.

It is a general object of the invention to provide an absorbent article having a body adhesive for intimately contacting a wearer's body during use. More specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide an absorbent article having a body adhesive and an attachment device for proper placement of the absorbent article during use.

These and other objects of the invention will be more readily apparent when considered and referenced to the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a top or bodyside view of an absorbent article depicted as a sanitary napkin, showing the first major surface.

Fig. 2 is a bottom or garment-side view of the sanitary napkin illustrating the second major surface having one embodiment of the attachment device secured thereto. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of Fig. 1 taken along line 3—3.

Fig. 4 is a top view of an alternate embodiment of the invention. Fig. 5 is a bottom view of a sanitary napkin showing an alternate embodiment of the attachment device.

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of Fig. 4 taken along line 6-6. Fig. 7 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 8 is a bottom view of a sanitary napkin illustrating an alternate embodiment of the attachment device.

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of Fig. 8 taken along line 9-9. Fig. 10 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of the invention. Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view of Fig. 10 taken along line 10-10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention relates generally to disposable absorbent articles which are secured to a wearer's body by a pressure-sensitive body adhesive. For convenience of description only, the invention will be described as a catamenial device, i.e. a sanitary napkin but is not limited thereto. It is to be understood that the invention may be adapted for use in other absorbent articles such as diapers, incontinent devices and the like. For ease of understanding, when referring to the figures, the same numeral designates a similar part in the different views and embodiments.

Referring to Figs. 1-3, an embodiment of a sanitary napkin 10 is shown. The construction of the sanitary napkin 10 is generally conventional and will only be described briefly. The sanitary napkin 10 is provided with a cover 12 having a first major surface 14 which is generally disposed toward and adapted to be positioned adjacent to the wearer's body and a baffle 16 positioned distally from the cover 12 and having a second major surface 18 which is adapted to be positioned adjacent to the undergarment of the wearer. The cover 12 and the baffle 16 which extends beyond the absorbent longitudinal sides 22 and 23 to enclose the absorbent 20. The sanitary napkin 10 includes a body adhesive 24 secured to the first major surface 14 for adhering the sanitary napkin 10 to the wearer's body during use. Overlying the body adhesive 24 can be a peel strip, not shown, to prevent the body adhesive 24 from becoming contaminated and/or prematurely adhering to an unintended surface. Suitable materials for use as a peel strip are well known in the art and are commercially available. To aid in keeping the sanitary napkin 10 in the inner crotch portion of the wearer's undergarment prior to use an attachment device 26 is affixed to the second major surface 18.

As illustrated, the sanitary napkin 10 has a race track shape but it is not intended to be limited thereto. It can also be hourglass, oval or any other configuration that will allow the first major surface 14 to come into intimate contact with the wearer. As used herein, the term "sanitary napkin" refers to an article which is worn by females adjacent to the pudendal region and which is intended to absorb and contain various exudates which are discharged from a body such as, blood, menses and urine. The sanitary napkin is intended to be discarded when soiled and not laundered or reused. Interiabial devices which reside partially within and partially external of the female wearer's vestibule are also within the scope of this invention.

Looking at the materials in greater detail, the cover 12 is designed to contact the body of the wearer and therefore should be liquid-permeable and easily penetrated by body fluids, non-irritating to the wearer's skin and preferably does not absorb an appreciable amount of fluid. The cover 12 can be constructed of a woven or nonwoven, natural or synthetic material. Suitable materials include bonded carded webs of polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene, nylon, or other heat-bondable fibers. Other polyolefins, such as copolymers of polypropylene and polyethylene, linear low-density polyethylene, finely- perforated film webs and net material, also work well. Particularly preferred are composite materials of a polymer and a nonwoven fabric material. Still another cover material is a spunbond web of polypropylene. The web can contain about 1% to about 6% titanium dioxide pigment to give it a clean, white appearance. A uniform spunbond material is desirable because it has sufficient strength in the longitudinal direction, even after being perforated, to resist being torn or pulled apart during use. The most preferred polypropylene webs have a weight of between about 18 and 40 grams per square meter. An optimum weight is between about 30 and 40 grams per square meter.

To aid in the penetration of the liquid through the web, the cover 12 can also be treated with a surfactant to improve its hydrophilic characteristics. The surfactant can include topically applied materials like polysiloxanes. The baffle 16 acts as a barrier between the absorbed body fluids contained in the absorbent 20 and the person wearing the sanitary napkin 10. Accordingly, the baffle 16 is nonabsorbent and preferably liquid-impervious. The baffle 16 should be soft and compliant since a portion of the baffle 16 may reside adjacent the thigh region of the wearer. As used herein, the term "compliant" refers to materials which will readily conform to the general external shape and contours of the human anatomy. In a preferred embodiment, the baffle 16 may permit the passage of air or vapor out of the sanitary napkin 10 while blocking the passage of liquids from the absorbent 20. A good baffle material is a microembossed, polymeric film, such as polyethylene or polypropylene. Bicomponent films can also be used as well as woven and nonwoven fabrics which have been treated to render them liquid-impermeable. The baffle 16 may also be made from a polyethylene film having a thickness in the range of from about 0.012 mm to about 1.0 mm.

The absorbent 20 is positioned between the cover 12 and the baffle 16. Referring to Fig. 3, the cover 12 and the baffle 16 can have a length and a width dimension greater than the length and width of the absorbent 20, extending beyond the absorbent sides 22 and 23 encasing the absorbent 20 and defining longitudinal side edges 28 and 29 of the sanitary napkin 10. The cover 12 and the baffle 16 may be sealed together using any suitable means that will not leave a hard, uncomfortable residue that may be annoying to the wearer. As used herein, the term "sealed" encompasses configurations whereby the cover 12 is directly joined to the baffle 16 and configurations whereby the cover 12 is indirectly joined to the baffle 16 by affixing the cover 12 to an intermediate member, which are in turn affixed to the baffle 16. Methods for attaching the cover 12 and baffle 16 are well known to those skilled in the art and include the use of hot melt adhesives, pressure- sensitive adhesives, double-sided tape, sonic bonding and heat sealing.

The materials used in the absorbent 20 are designed to absorb body exudates, including menstrual fluids, blood and urine. Suitable materials include wood pulp fluff, rayon, cotton and meltblown polymer, such as polyester, polypropylene or coform cellulose sponge, hydrophilic synthetic sponge, such as polyurethane, and combinations thereof. A preferred material is wood fluff, for it is low in cost, relatively easy to form and has good absorbency. Coform is an air-formed combination of meltblown polymers, such as polypropylene, and absorbent staple fibers, such as cellulose. The capacity of the absorbent 20 may be varied depending upon the intended usage of the final product.

The sanitary napkin 10 may also include other layers, such as a wicking layer, one or more tissue layers and may contain superabsorbent in combination with one or more other absorbent materials described above, none of which are shown in the Figures. Such layers and materials are commercially available from several sources and are well known to those skilled in the construction of disposable absorbent articles, such as sanitary napkins, diapers or incontinent devices.

The body adhesive 24 is positioned on the first major surface 14 to contact the wearer and support the sanitary napkin 10 during use. The adhesive 24 can overlie from about 5 percent to about 95 percent of the first major surface 14. Preferably, the adhesive 24 overlies from about 5 percent to about 75 percent of the first major surface 14. Preferably, the adhesive 24 overiies from about 5 percent to about 75 percent of the first major surface 14, more preferably, from about 5 percent to about 35 percent and most preferred, from about 5 percent to about 20 percent of the first major surface 14. Suitable adhesive materials are disclosed in the commonly assigned patent application having U.S. Serial Number 08/331 ,072 filed on October 28, 1994, the entire disclosure of which is incoφorated herein by reference and made a part hereof.

The sanitary napkin 10 includes an attachment device 26 for securing the sanitary napkin 10 to the inner crotch region of a wearer's undergarment for proper placement of the sanitary napkin 10 against the wearer's body. The attachment device 26 can include a pressure-sensitive garment adhesive 30 positioned on the second major surface 18 of the sanitary napkin 10. The configuration of the adhesive 30 is not critical and may be selected from stripes, bands, patches or the like. The garment adhesive 30 may include a protective strip 32 to prevent the adhesive 30 from drying out and to prevent it from adhering to extraneous surfaces prior to use. The protectant strip can be constructed from a silicone coated Kraft paper, film or the like.

Referring to Figs. 4-6 another embodiment of a sanitary napkin 100 is shown. The sanitary napkin 100 is similar to that described above for Figs. 1-3 except the attachment device 26 includes an attachment panel 102, and preferably, a pair of attachment panels 102 and 104 secured to the sanitary napkin 100. The attachment panels 102 and 104 secure the sanitary napkin 100 to the inner crotch portion of the wearer's undergarment for proper placement, supplanting the use of a garment adhesive 30 (seen in Figs. 1-3). Although not preferred, the panels 102 and 104 can be used in combination with the pressure-sensitive garment adhesive 30. The attachment panels 102 and 104 extend transversely relative to the longitudinal sides 22 and 23 of the absorbent 20 and are intended to be folded around the crotch portion of the wearer's undergarment and can protect the leg edges from soiling during use. The attachment panels 102 and 104 are identical except for an anchoring device, described in greater detail below, on each panel and therefore, only one will be described.

The attachment panel 102 consists generally of separate sheet of material having a fixed portion 106 and an unaffixed, free portion 108. The fixed portion 106 is secured to the second major surface 18 at a location that generally coincides with or is inward from the longitudinal side edge 28 of the sanitary napkin 100. The attachment panel 102 can be secured to the second major surface 18 in any manner which results in a sufficiently strong and flexible juncture between the two materials. Accordingly, the choice of materials may dictate the choice of method for affixing the panel 102 to the second major surface 18. Suitable methods utilized can include adhesives, heat bonding, ultrasonics and the like. The free portion 108 of the panel 102 extends from the fixed portion 106 and is directed generally inward relative to the longitudinal side edge 28 of the sanitary napkin 100. The free portion 108 of at least one and preferably both attachment panels 102 and 104 are provided with a securement device 110 for securement when the attachment panels 102 and 104 are folded over the respective leg edge of the undergarment crotch portion. Preferably, the attachment panels 102 and 104 are configured to encircle the crotch portion of the wearer's undergarments during use. In this preferred configuration, the attachment device 110 is positioned on the free portion 108 so that at least a portion of the attachment panel 102 and 104 may be secured together under the outer crotch portion of the undergarment. The attachment device 110 can be a pressure-sensitive adhesive, cohesives or mechanical fasteners, such as, hook-and-loop materials, snaps, buttons and the like.

Referring to Figs. 7-9 another embodiment of a sanitary napkin 200 is shown. The sanitary napkin 200 is similar to that described above for Figs. 4-6. The attachment panels 102 and 104 are secured to the second major surface 18 at a location that generally coincides with or is inward from the longitudinal side edge 28 and 29. For Figs. 4-9, when referring to a point or location of securement of the fixed portion 106 of the panels 102 and 104 being generally coincident to or inward from the longitudinal side edge 28 or 29 of the sanitary napkin 100 and 200, it is meant the point of affixation closest to the longitudinal edge 28 or 29. The embodiment illustrated in Figs. 7-9 differs from the embodiments of Figs. 1-6 in that the free portion 108 of the attachment panels 102 and 104 extends outward relative to the longitudinal edge 28 or 29. Similarly, the free portion 108 of at least one and preferably both attachment panels 102 and 104 are provided with an attachment device 110 for securement of each attachment panel 102 and 104 when they are folded over the respective leg edge of the undergarment crotch portion. Preferably, the attachment panels 102 and 104 are configured to encircle the crotch portion of the wearer's undergarments during use. In this preferred configuration, the securement device 110 is positioned on the free portion 108 so that at least a portion of the attachment panel 102 and 104 may be secured together under the outer crotch portion of the undergarment. The securement device 110 can be a pressure-sensitive adhesive, cohesives or mechanical fasteners, such as, hook-and-loop materials, snaps, buttons and the like.

Referring to Figs. 10 and 11, another embodiment of the invention is illustrated. The sanitary napkin 300 has a cover 302 with a first major surface 304, a baffle 306 with a second major surface 308 and an absorbent 310 located between the cover 302 and the baffle 306. The cover 302, baffle 306, first and second major surfaces 304 and 308 are similar to that described above for Figs. 1-9. The sanitary napkin 300 includes a body adhesive 312 secured to the first major surface 304 for adhering the sanitary napkin 300 to the wearer's body during use similar to that described above for Figs. 1-9. The cover 302 and baffle 306 extend beyond the longitudinal sides 314 and 315 of the absorbent 310 to define laterally extending panels 316 and 318. In effect, the cover 302 forms one surface of the panels 316 and 318 while the baffle 306 forms the other surface. In general, the panels 316 and 318 do not require a cover 302 to enable them to function properly, but the use of a cover 302 is preferred. The panels 316 and 318 permit the sanitary napkin 300 to be positioned in the crotch area of a wearer's undergarment for proper positioning of the sanitary napkin 300 against the wearer's body during use. The panels 316 and 318 are integrally formed by the extension of the cover and the baffle beyond the longitudinal sides 314 and 315 of the absorbent. The panels 316 and 318 have a fixed portion 320 and 321 positioned adjacent to the longitudinal sides 314 and 315 and a free portion 322 and 323 extending from the fixed portions 320 and 321. In forming the panels 316 and 318, the cover 302 and baffle 306 can be secured together by any means commonly used in the art for this puφose, such as adhesive, ultrasonic bonding, heat bonding, crimping, or the like.

The free portion 322 and 323 of panels 316 and 318 are sufficiently flexible to allow each panel 316 and 318 to be positioned around a leg edge of the crotch portion of a wearer's undergarment without appreciably altering the natural path of the leg edge. The precise shape of each panel 316 and 318, as well as the overall shape of the sanitary napkin 300, is not critical to the invention to the extent that it does not interfere with the body adhesive 312 in securing the sanitary napkin 300 to the wearer. Accordingly, depending upon the intended usage of the sanitary napkin 300, the shape of the sanitary napkin 300 and the panels 316 and 318 can be readily selected by those skilled in the art without undue experimentation. The panels 316 and 318 can be asymmetrically positioned along the longitudinal axis of the sanitary napkin, but preferably, the panels 316 and 318 are symmetrically disposed so that the panels 316 and 318 are mirror images of each other.

The attachment panels 316 and 318 include a securement device 324 to assist in maintaining at least one panel 316 and preferably both panels 316 and 318 in position after the panels are wrapped around the crotch portion of the undergarment. The attachment device 324 can include an adhesive, coadhesives and mechanical fasteners such as hook-and-loop materials, snaps, buttons and equivalents thereof. The attachment device 324 is preferably positioned on the panels 316 and 318 in a manner that will permit at least one of the panels 316 or 318 to be secured to least a portion of the opposing panel.

While the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments and illustrated with regard to a range of optional features, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various substitutions, omissions, changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention herein. Accordingly, it is intended that the foregoing description be deemed merely exemplary of the preferred scope of the present invention, and not be deemed a limitation thereof.

Claims

We claim:

1. An absorbent article comprising: a. a cover having a first major surface disposed adjacent to a wearer's body; b. a liquid-impermeable baffle having a second major surface disposed distally from said first major surface; c. an absorbent positioned between said cover and said baffle and having longitudinal sides; d. an adhesive secured to said first major surface; and e. attachment means positioned adjacent to said second major surface for securement of said absorbent article to an inner crotch portion of a wearer's undergarment.

2. The absorbent article of claim 1 wherein said attachment means is a garment adhesive.

3. The absorbent article of claim 1 wherein said attachment means includes an attachment panel which extends transversely relative to said longitudinal sides.

4. The absorbent article of claim 3 wherein said attachment means is a pair of attachment panels, each attachment panel includes a fixed portion and a free portion, said free portion being intended to be folded around a crotch portion of a wearer's undergarment in use, said free portion including securement means for securement when each of said attachment panels are positioned around an edge of the crotch portion.

5. The absorbent article of claim 4 wherein said cover and baffle extend beyond said absorbent to define a longitudinal side edge of said absorbent article and wherein each attachment panel is formed from a separate material piece with said fixed portion secured to said second major surface.

6. The absorbent article of claim 5 wherein said fixed portion of each attachment panel has an edge which generally coincides with the corresponding longitudinal side edge of said absorbent article.

7. The absorbent article of claim 5 wherein said fixed portion of each panel is positioned inward from a corresponding longitudinal side of said absorbent.

8. The absorbent article of claim 6 or 7 wherein prior to use said free portion of each panel extends inward relative to the longitudinal side edge.

9. The absorbent article of claim 6 or 7 wherein prior to use said free portion of each panel extends outward relative to the longitudinal side edge.

10. The absorbent article of claim 4 wherein said attachment panels extend laterally from said longitudinal side of said absorbent and are sufficiently flexible so as to allow the panel to fold around the crotch portion of the wearer's undergarment without altering the natural path of an edge of the crotch portion.

11. The absorbent article of claim 6, 7 or 10 wherein said securement means is positioned on said free portion so that a portion of each attachment panel may be secured together under the crotch of the wearer's undergarment.

12. The attachment panels of claim 11 wherein said securement means is selected from the group consisting of adhesives and mechanical fasteners.

13. A sanitary napkin comprising: a. a cover having a first major surface disposed adjacent to a wearer's body; b. a liquid-impermeable baffle having a second major surface disposed distally from said first major surface; c. an absorbent positioned between said cover and said baffle and having longitudinal sides, said cover and baffle extending beyond the longitudinal sides to define longitudinal side edges of the sanitary napkin; d. a pressure sensitive adhesive secured to said first major surface; and e. a garment adhesive secured to said second major surface.

14. A sanitary napkin comprising: a. a cover having a first major surface disposed adjacent to a wearer's body; b. a liquid-impermeable baffle having a second major surface disposed distally from said first major surface; c. an absorbent positioned between said cover and said baffle and having longitudinal sides, said cover and baffle extending beyond the longitudinal sides to define longitudinal side edges of the sanitary napkin; d. a pressure sensitive adhesive secured to said first major surface; and e. a pair of attachment panels extending transversely relative to said longitudinal sides, each attachment panel being formed from a separate material piece and having a fixed portion and a free portion, said fixed portion being secured to said second major surface and said free portion being intended to be folded around a crotch portion of a wearer's undergarment in use, said free portion of at least one attachment panel including securement means for securement when each of said attachment panels are positioned around an edge of the crotch portion.

15. The absorbent article of claim 14 wherein said fixed portion of each attachment panel has an edge which generally coincides with the corresponding longitudinally side edge of said absorbent article and said free portion of each attachment panel extends inward relative to the longitudinal side edge.

16. The absorbent article of claim 14 wherein said fixed portion of each attachment panel is positioned inward from a corresponding longitudinal side of said absorbent and said free portion of each panel extends outward relative to the longitudinal side edge.

17. The absorbent article of claim 14 wherein said securement means is positioned on said free portion so that a portion of each attachment panel may be secured together under the crotch of the wearer's undergarment, said securement means is selected from the group consisting of adhesives, hook-and-loop fasteners, snaps and buttons.

18. A sanitary napkin comprising: a. a cover having a first major surface disposed adjacent to a wearer's body; b. a liquid-impermeable baffle having a second major surface disposed distally from said first major surface; c. an absorbent positioned between said cover and said baffle and having longitudinal sides; d. an adhesive secured to said first major surface; and e. a pair of attachment panels extending laterally from said longitudinal side and are sufficiently flexible so as to allow the panel to fold around the crotch portion of the wearer's undergarment without altering the natural path of an edge of the crotch portion, said attachment panels having a fixed portion and a free portion, said free portion including securement means for securement when each of said attachment panels are positioned around an edge of the crotch portion.

19. The sanitary napkin of claim 18 wherein said securement means is selected from the group consisting of an adhesive an mechanical fasteners.

20. The sanitary napkin of claim 19 wherein said mechanical fastener is selected from the group consisting of hook-and-loop fasteners, snaps and buttons.