GB2288540A - A diaper - Google Patents

Abstract

A disposable diaper comprises a fluid permeable inner layer 2, a fluid tight outer layer 1 and an absorbent pad 3 disposed between the two outer layers. A shaped fluid impermeable barrier 5 is provided along each side of the absorbent pad which forms a conduit 8 through which fluid expressed outwards from the absorbent pad is channelled away to be absorbed into regions of the diaper remote from the initial wetting of the absorbent pad. <IMAGE>

Description

DESCRIPTIONA DIAPERThe present invention relates to disposable diapers which can be used for babies and infants, or for incontinent adults.

Disposable diapers essentially comprise a fluid permeable outer layer, usually of non-woven material, a fluid tight outer layer, usually a very thin plastics film, and an absorbent pad disposed between the two outer layers which forms the core of the diaper.

As will be well understood disposable diapers are used to absorb fluid discharged from the body and to retain that fluid. In order to improve the fluid containment capabilities of disposable diapers it is known to provide a containment flap along each side of the absorbent pad and on the fluid permeable outer layer of the diaper. Each containment flap ensures an effective closure or seal around the thigh and thus retains fluid in the region of the absorbent pad. In order to ensure an effective seal by each containment flap around the thigh it is known to add elastic to each containment flap. Examples of prior patents which disclose disposable diapers comprising containment flaps include US-A-4846825 (Enloe) relating to pervious flaps, US-A-4842596 (Kiclpikowski) relating to breathable flaps, US-A-4834742 (Wilson) relating to elasticated flaps.

Although containment flaps do indeed function effectively to retain fluids in the area of the absorbent pad, they can also result in excessive concentration of fluid in this area. This can result in sores and skin lesions. It also means that the useful life of a disposable diaper is somewhat limited.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a disposable diaper which has improved fluid absorbency over conventional disposable diapers.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a disposable diaper in which fluid is directed away from the initial area of fluid insult into areas of the diaper which are currently under utilised.

According to the present invention there is provided a disposable diaper comprising a fluid permeable outer layer, a fluid tight outer layer and an absorbent pad disposed between the two outer layers, wherein a shaped fluid impermeable barrier is provided on each side of the absorbent pad which forms a conduit through which fluid expressed outwards from the adjacent edges of absorbent pad is channelled away to be absorbed in regions of the diaper remote from the initial wetting of the absorbent pad.

It is, of course, known to provide disposable diapers with wicking means which serve to wick fluid away from the original areas of fluid insult. However, these are not comparable to the disposable diaper of the present invention which, by virtue of the specially designed baffles provided on each side of the absorbent pad, actually provides an open conduit to channel away fluid.

Conveniently, the fluid is channelled to additional absorbent material provided in the waist band and/or ears of the disposable diapers. This greatly increases the capacity of the disposable diaper to absorb fluid, thus extending its useful life.

Moreover, by ensuring a more even distribution of fluid within the disposable diaper, it also greatly reduces the risk of sores and skin lesions whch are, of course, caused by prolonged exposure to unabsorbed fluids.

Preferably, each of the baffles is comprised of a narrow strip of fluid impermeable material which is positioned along the leg side of the diaper and on the side thereof which faces the user in use. The width of the fluid impermeable strip is such that it overlaps the edge of the absorbent pad. Between the fluid impermeable strip and the fluid tight outer layer of the diaper an enclosed fluid transport conduit is formed. As fluid is wicked through the absorbent pad from the initial area of fluid insult it passes to the edges of the absorbent pad. Here it is expressed into the enclosed fluid transport conduit through which it is channelled to other areas of the disposable diaper.

As this has the effect of creating a fluid saturation gradient within the absorbent pad from the centre out to the edges, more fluid will inevitably be wicked out to the edges of the absorbent pad and away through the conduit, thus making it possible to optimise the distribution of fluid throughout the disposable diaper.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the disposable diaper comprises containment flaps or cuffs which are formed by extensions of the said fluid impermeable strips. As with conventional containment flaps these may be elasticated to ensure a fluid tight seal with the thigh.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, which shows a schematic crosssectional view through the middle of a disposable diaper embodying the present invention.

Referring to the drawing the disposable diaper comprises a fluid impermeable outer layer or sheet 1, a fluid permeable outer layer or sheet 2, which in use faces the user, and an absorbent pad 3 which is sandwiched between the two layers 1, 2 and serves to absorb liquid discharged from the body. As with a conventional disposable diaper the sides of the diaper are provided with leg elastication 4 to shape the disposable diaper to the user's thighs. Although not shown the disposable diaper comprises a waist portion and a back portion which are joined together in conventional fashion with pressure adhesive tapes to encircle the user's body and retain the diaper in position.

Down each side of the disposable diaper there is provided a fluid impermeable membrane 5 which overlaps with the edge of the absorbent pad 3 and has a free floating edge which serves to provide a fluid containment cuff 6 on each side of the disposable diaper. The cuffs 6 are elasticated 7 to provide a fluid tight seal with the thigh.

It will be seen that at the edges of the absorbent pad 3, the membrane 5 and the impermeable outer layer 1 define between them a space 8 which runs along the side of the absorbent pad 3. This space 8 forms an enclosed fluid transport conduit and although not shown it extends the full length of the disposable diaper into the waist portion and back portion thereof. Within these portions there is provided fluid absorbent material.

In use, when the disposable diaper becomes wet, fluid is wicked through the absorbent pad 3 out to the edges thereof. The distribution of fluid out to the edges of the absorbent pad 3 is further assisted by the containment flaps 6. As the sides of the absorbent pad 3 are covered by the fluid impermeable membranes 5 the fluid cannot escape back through the fluid permeable layer 2, but is instead expressed from the edges of the absorbent pad 3 into the spaces 8. Within the spaces 8 the fluid is channelled away to the absorbent material in the waist portion and back portion of the disposable diaper.

Because the disposable diaper of the present invention works to ensure that fluid is distributed throughout the disposable diaper it helps to reduce skin contact with these fluids, thus lessening the risk of sores and skin lesions. It also increases the effective fluid absorbing capacity of the disposable diaper thus increasing its useful working lifetime.

This will help to reduce the environmental impact of disposable diapers.

Claims (7)

1. A disposable diaper comprising a fluid permeable inner layer, a fluid tight outer layer and an absorbent pad disposed between the two outer layers, wherein a shaped fluid impermeable baffle is provided along each side of the absorbent pad which forms a conduit through which fluid expressed outwards from the absorbent pad is channelled away to be absorbed in regions of the diaper remote from the initial wetting of the absorbent pad.

2. A disposable diaper according to Claim 1, wherein the fluid is channelled to additional absorbent material provided in the waist band and/or ears of the disposable diapers.

3. A disposable diaper according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the baffles is comprised of a narrow strip of fluid impermeable material which is positioned along the leg side of the diaper and on the side thereof which faces the user in use.

4. A disposable diaper according to Claim 3, wherein the width of the fluid impermeable strip is such that it overlaps the edge of the absorbent pad.

5. A disposable diaper according to Claim 4, wherein the disposable diaper comprises containment flaps or cuffs which are formed by extensions of the said fluid impermeable strips.

6. A disposable diaper according to Claim 5, wherein the containment flaps are elasticated to ensure a fluid tight seal with the thigh.

7. A disposable diaper substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.