# US 2018/0021185 A1 · Packaged body adhering absorbent article > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2018/0021185 A1 - Document ID: US20180021185A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/722,285 - Filed: 2017-10-02 - Published: 2018-01-25 - Earliest claimed: 2007-08-03 - Assignees: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. - Applicants: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. - Inventors: Melissa Jean Dennis; Thomas Andrew Lutzow; Gerhard A. Foelsche; Luke Delehanty Hagan; Margaux Boyaval; Adrienne Rae Loyd - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180021185A1 ## CPC - A61F 13/4704: {having preferential bending zones, e.g. fold lines or grooves} - A61F 13/4702: {having a reinforcing member} - A61F 13/47227: {for interlabial use} - A61F 13/551: Packaging before or after use {(general packaging of absorbent pads B65D85/00)} - A61F 13/5513: {packaging of feminine sanitary napkins} - A61F 13/55135: {before use} - A61F 13/5514: {each item packaged single} - A61F 13/5519: {packages containing more than one kind of item, e.g. tampon and napkin, or diaper and an exchangeable insert} - A61F 13/58: Adhesive tab fastener elements ({A61F13/5611, A61F13/5616}, A61F13/66 take precedence) - A61F 13/82: with means for attaching to the body - A61F 13/47: Sanitary towels, incontinence pads or napkins (A61F13/49 takes precedence) - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) ## Abstract A packaged feminine care absorbent article has an absorbent article with an absorbent structure and a shell. The absorbent structure is configured for disposition adjacent a female wearer's vaginal region. The shell is configured for supporting the absorbent structure at the vaginal region. The shell has a body-facing surface and a garment-facing surface. The body-facing surface has an adhesive thereon for adhering the shell directly to the wearer. The absorbent structure is attached directly to the garment-facing surface. The absorbent article is configurable between a packaged configuration and a use configuration. The absorbent structure is folded longitudinally about at least one transverse fold line and transversely about at least one longitudinal fold line in the packaged configuration. A portion of the shell overlies a portion of the absorbent structure in the packaged configuration. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A packaged feminine care absorbent article comprising: an absorbent article comprising an absorbent structure and a shell, the absorbent structure being configured for disposition adjacent a female wearer's vaginal region to absorb bodily fluids discharged by the wearer, the shell being configured for supporting the absorbent structure at said vaginal region, the shell having a liquid-impermeable layer, a body-facing surface, and a garment-facing surface, the body-facing surface having an adhesive thereon for adhering the shell directly to the wearer, the absorbent structure being attached directly to the garment-facing surface of the shell, said absorbent article being configurable between a before use packaged configuration and a use configuration, the absorbent structure being folded longitudinally about at least one transverse fold line and transversely about at least one longitudinal fold line in the packaged configuration, a portion of the shell overlying a portion of the absorbent structure in the packaged configuration. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The packaged feminine care absorbent article as set forth in claim 1 further comprising an adhesive tab for holding the absorbent article in its packaged configuration. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The packaged feminine care absorbent article set forth in claim 1 wherein the adhesive on the body-facing surface covers at least two portions of the body-facing surface, the adhesive covering one portion coming into contact with the adhesive covering another portion of the body-facing surface when the absorbent article is in the packaged configuration. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The packaged feminine care absorbent article as set forth in claim 1 wherein the absorbent structure is folded generally in half longitudinally in the packaged configuration. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The packaged feminine care absorbent article as set forth in claim 4 wherein the absorbent structure is also folded generally in half transversely in the packaged configuration. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The packaged feminine care absorbent article as set forth in claim 1 wherein the absorbent article is unfolded and the absorbent structure has a generally concave portion in the use configuration. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The packaged feminine care absorbent article as set forth in claim 6 wherein the absorbent structure further comprises a generally convex portion in the use configuration. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The packaged feminine care absorbent article as set forth in claim 7 wherein the absorbent article includes an anterior region, a posterior region, and a central region located between the anterior and posterior regions, the generally concave portion of the absorbent structure being located in the anterior region of the absorbent article and the generally convex portion being located in the posterior portion of the absorbent article. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The packaged feminine care absorbent article as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a wrapper for enclosing the absorbent article in the packaged configuration. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The packaged feminine care absorbent article as set forth in claim 9 further comprising a releasable peel sheet for covering the adhesive on the body-facing surface of the shell. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The packaged feminine care absorbent article set forth in claim 10 wherein the wrapper and the releasable peel sheet are formed as a single-piece.