Reusable shell for absorbent article
The following disclosure presents a wearable reusable shell, configured to hold an absorbent article, for use particularly in economically disadvantaged communities and/or communities with a water shortage. The wearable reusable shell comprises a base having a pair of wings extending from a center portion, an inner layer positioned along the center portion of the base, and an outer layer positioned along the center portion of the base and on top of the inner layer. Extending over the outer layer is at least one band configured to hold an disposable absorbent article in place. The present disclosure also presents a hybrid sanitary napkin (and a kit therefor) and methods of making and using a wearable reusable shell.
1 . A wearable reusable shell for a removable absorbent article for consisting of:
a square or diamond-shaped base having four corners;
an inner layer positioned diagonally along a center portion of the base to a first pair of opposite corners of the base;
an outer layer positioned on top of the inner layer, wherein portions of the base not covered by the inner and outer layers form a pair of wings, each wing comprising a second pair of opposite corners of the base;
at least one band extending over a center portion of a width of the outer layer, wherein the at least one band is configured to hold the removable absorbent article in place; and comprises a rubberized material on an inner surface of said at least one band; and
a mechanical fastener positioned at the corner of each of the pair of wings, wherein the mechanical fastener is configured to secure the wearable reusable shell to an undergarment placed against a user's groin into which wearable reusable shell the removable absorbent article is secured.
2 . The wearable reusable shell of claim 1 , wherein the inner layer comprises a biodegradable material.
3 . The wearable reusable shell of claim 1 , wherein the outer layer comprises a soft, absorbent material, configured to be worn against the groin portion of a user.
4 . The wearable reusable shell of claim 1 , wherein the base comprises one or more fabric layers, wherein at least one of the one or more fabric layers comprises a printed pattern.
5 . The wearable reusable shell of claim 1 , wherein the rubberized material is a silicone strip.
6 . The wearable reusable shell of claim 1 , wherein the at least one band is elastic.
7 . The wearable reusable shell of claim 1 , wherein the mechanical fastener comprises at least one of a hook-and-loop fastener, male and female connector, zipper, lip and tape fastener, rivet and eyelet, cufflink, button, snap, clasp, eyelet and lace, and safety pin.
8 . The wearable reusable shell of claim 1 , wherein the mechanical fastener is a snap.
9 . A method of making the wearable reusable shell of claim 1 comprising:
providing a first square or diamond-shaped base layer comprising four corners, wherein the first base layer comprises a top surface and a bottom surface;
placing an inner layer diagonally along a center portion of the top surface of the first base layer to two opposite corners of the base layer, wherein the inner layer comprises a biodegradable material;
placing an outer layer on top of the inner layer, wherein the outer layer comprises a soft, absorbent material configured to be worn against the groin portion of a user, and wherein portions of the base not covered by the inner and outer layers form a pair of wings, each wing comprising one of a second pair of opposite corners of the base;
placing at least one band across a center portion of a width of the outer layer, wherein the at least one band comprises an inner surface comprising a rubberized material; and
securing together the first base layer, the inner layer, the outer layer, and the at least one band along the center portion of the first base layer.
10 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising securing a second base layer to the bottom surface of the first base layer.
11 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising securing a mechanical fastener to an edge portion of each of the pair of wings.
12 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the mechanical fastener comprises at least one of a hook-and-loop fastener, male and female connector, zipper, lip and tape fastener, rivet and eyelet, cufflink, button, snap, clasp, eyelet and lace, and safety pin.