# US 8,454,570 B2 · System comprising thong-shaped holder and absorbent article > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,454,570 B2 - Document ID: US8454570B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/977,749 - Filed: 2010-12-23 - Published: 2011-04-21 - Granted: 2013-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2005-05-23 - Assignees: Rusl, LLC - Applicants: Jerry Edward Carstens - Inventors: Jerry Edward Carstens - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8454570B2 ## CPC - A61F 13/66: Garments, holders or supports not integral with absorbent pads - A61F 13/47254: {with a tanga shape} - A61F 13/4752: {the means being an upstanding barrier} - 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 system comprising a thong-shaped holder for holding an absorbent article in close bodily contact in the pudendal region of the wearer. The holder comprises a front region, a crotch region having a specified Crotch Holding Force, and a rear region. The crotch region of the holder typically is elastically extensible in both the longitudinal and lateral directions. The holder provides an upward holding force against the absorbent article in the crotch region to hold the article in close bodily contact. A method for holding such an article in close bodily contact by wearing the holder is also disclosed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system comprising: a) a thong-shaped holder for holding an absorbent article in close bodily contact in the pudendal region, said holder having a longitudinal centerline defining a longitudinal direction and a lateral centerline defining a lateral direction, said holder comprising: 1) a front region; 2) a crotch region attached to the front region, said crotch region comprising elastic nonwoven material suitable for use in an undergarment, said crotch region having high stretch in both the lateral and longitudinal directions as measured by having a Crotch Holding Force (CHF-4.0) of greater than about 0.1 kgf and a Crotch Holding Force (CHF-2.0) of less than about 1.0 kgf; and 3) a rear region attached to the front and crotch regions and cooperating with the front region to provide an adjustable waistband; and b) an absorbent article capable of being held in close bodily contact in the pudendal region by said thong-shaped holder. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A system according to claim 1 wherein the absorbent article comprises a primary absorbent core that has a width less than or equal to the width of the crotch region of the holder. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A system according to claim 2 wherein the primary absorbent core has a thong shape. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A system according to claim 1 wherein the absorbent article comprises wings. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A system according to claim 1 wherein the absorbent article comprises wings having a length at least about 75% of the length of the absorbent article. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A system according to claim 1 wherein the crotch region of the holder has a Crotch Holding Force (CHF-2.0) of less than about 0.6 kgf. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A system according to claim 1 wherein the crotch region of the holder has a Crotch Holding Force (CHF-4.0) of less than about 1.0 kgf. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A system according to claim 1 wherein the crotch region of the holder has a Crotch Holding Force (CHF-5.5) of less than about 1.0 kgf. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A system according to claim 1 wherein the crotch region of the holder has a width measured 10.0 cm above the lateral centerline of from about 6.0 to about 15.0 cm, and a width at the lateral centerline of from about 1.5 to about 10.0 cm. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A system according to claim 1 wherein the holder further comprises side elastics. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A system according to claim 1 wherein the holder comprises at least one extension or panel extending beyond the front, crotch, or rear region. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) A system according to claim 1 wherein the absorbent article comprises an absorbent core that comprises absorbent foam material. ### Claim 13 A system comprising: a) a thong-shaped holder for holding an absorbent article in close bodily contact in the pudendal region, said holder having a longitudinal centerline defining a longitudinal direction and a lateral centerline defining a lateral direction, said holder comprising: 1) a front region; 2) a crotch region attached to the front region, said crotch region comprising elastic nonwoven material suitable for use in an undergarment, said crotch region having high stretch in both the lateral and longitudinal directions as measured by having a Crotch Holding Force (CHF-4.0) of greater than about 0.1 kgf and a Crotch Holding Force (CHF-2.0) of less than about 1.0 kgf; 3) a rear region attached to the front and crotch regions and cooperating with the front region to provide an adjustable waistband; and 4) side elastics in the crotch region; and b) an absorbent article capable of being held in close bodily contact in the pudendal region by said thong-shaped holder, said absorbent article comprising a primary absorbent core that has a thong shape and a width that is less than or equal to the width of the crotch region of the holder, and comprising wings having a length at least about 75% of the length of the absorbent article. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) A system according to claim 13 wherein the crotch region of the holder has a Crotch Holding Force (CHF-2.0) of less than about 0.6 kgf. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) A system according to claim 13 wherein the crotch region of the holder has a Crotch Holding Force (CHF-4.0) of less than about 1.0 kgf. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) A system according to claim 13 wherein the side elastics in the crotch region of the holder have an Elastic Holding Force (EHF-4.5) of less than about 0.8 kgf. ### Claim 17 A system comprising: a) a thong-shaped holder for holding an absorbent article in close bodily contact in the pudendal region, said holder having a longitudinal centerline defining a longitudinal direction and a lateral centerline defining a lateral direction, said holder comprising: 1) a front region; 2) a crotch region attached to the front region, said crotch region comprising elastic nonwoven material suitable for use in an undergarment, said crotch region having high stretch in both the lateral and longitudinal directions as measured by having a Crotch Holding Force (CHF-4.0) of greater than about 0.1 kgf and a Crotch Holding Force (CHF-2.0) of less than about 1.0 kgf; 3) a rear region attached to the front and crotch regions and cooperating with the front region to provide an adjustable waistband; and 4) side elastics in the crotch region, said side elastics having an Elastic Holding Force (EHF-4.5) of less than about 1.0 kgf; and b) an absorbent article capable of being held in close bodily contact in the pudendal region by said thong-shaped holder. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) A system according to claim 17 wherein the crotch region of the holder has a Crotch Holding Force (CHF-2.0) of less than about 0.6 kgf. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) A system according to claim 17 wherein the crotch region of the holder has a Crotch Holding Force (CHF-4.0) of less than about 1.0 kgf. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) A system according to claim 19 wherein the side elastics in the crotch region of the holder have an Elastic Holding Force (EHF-4.5) of less than about 0.8 kgf.