Disposable absorbent article containing an essential oil

Abstract

The invention relates to disposable absorbent articles containing an additive to control odors associated with bodily fluids. The invention is particularly useful in articles used to manage urine and menstrual fluids. The single additive provides both a pleasant aroma and antimicrobial activity.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A disposable absorbent article containing an effective amount of essential oil to provide an aroma and inhibit microbial growth.  
     
     
         2 . The disposable absorbent article of  claim 1  wherein the essential oil is rosemary oil.  
     
     
         3 . The disposable absorbent article of  claim 1  wherein the amount of essential oil is from about 0.1 to about 8.0 weight percent.  
     
     
         4 . The disposable absorbent article of  claim 1  wherein essential oil is added to the disposable absorbent article during its manufacture.  
     
     
         5 . The disposable absorbent article of  claim 1  wherein the article is defined to be sanitary napkins, tampons, or wipes.  
     
     
         6 . The disposable absorbent article of  claim 1  wherein any one of the elements used in making the article is combined with essential oil prior to manufacturing the disposable absorbent article.  
     
     
         7 . The disposable absorbent article of  claim 6  wherein the essential oil is contained within adhesives used to adhere a plurality of elements making up the article.  
     
     
         8 . The disposable absorbent article of  claim 6  wherein the essential oil is contained within adhesives used to attach the article to undergarments.  
     
     
         9 . The disposable absorbent article of  claim 6  wherein the essential oil is contained within adhesives used to adhere the article directly to a user's body.  
     
     
         10 . A disposable absorbent article contained with wrapping material, wherein the wrapping material contains and effective amount of essential oil to provide an aroma and inhibit microbial growth.  
     
     
         11 . The disposable absorbent article of  claim 10  wherein the amount of essential oil is from about 0.1 to about 8.0 weight percent.  
     
     
         12 . A method of making a disposable absorbent article comprising the following steps: 
 a) providing an absorbent material,    b) providing a liquid permeable material,    c) providing a liquid impermeable material,    d) encasing the absorbent material with the liquid permeable material and liquid impermeable material; and    e) contacting at least one of the absorbent material, the liquid permeable material, the liquid impermeable material, or a combination thereof with an effective amount of essential oil to provide an aroma and inhibit microbial growth.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the process of contacting any one of said materials with essential oil is selected from the group consisting of dip, slot, spray, roll, and swirl.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the amount of essential oil is from about 0.1 to about 8.0 weight percent.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising the step of adhering the absorbent material to the liquid permeable material, or the absorbent material to the liquid impermeable layer with adhesives.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said essential oil is found in the adhesives, in an amount effective to provide an aroma and inhibit microbial growth.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the absorbent material contains superabsorbents.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein said essential oil is found in the superabsorbents, in an amount effective to provide an aroma and inhibit microbial growth.