Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02365577 2001-12-18
ABSORBENT ARTICLE HAVING DETACHABLE COMPONENTS
The invention was the subject of a Provisional Patent Application #60/062,757
filed October 23, 1997.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention pertains to an absorbent article, such as a diaper,
feminine
care pad, incontinence garment, training pants and the like. More
particularly, the present
1o invention relates to an absorbent article with an improved design, which
allows portions of
the article to become detached in various predetermined locations.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
15 The main function of absorbent articles such as diapers, adult incontinence
garments, feminine care pads and training pants is to absorb and contain body
exudates.
Such articles are thus placed against or in proximity to the body of the
wearer to absorb
and contain the various exudates discharged from the body. Contemporary
disposable
absorbent articles are permanently unitary and are intended to be discarded
after a single
2o use. Articles such as disposable diapers are generally comprised of a
liquid permeable
topsheet, a liquid impermeable backsheet, an absorbent core, elasticized leg
flaps, and tape
tabs.
The most common mode of failure for such products is the negative
environmental
repercussions, which predominantly result after disposing of the used article.
Presently,
25 used absorbent articles are rolled and secured with the article's adhesive
fastening means,
CA 02365577 2001-12-18
2
thus permanently enclosing the article and its contents within the confines of
the liquid
impermeable backsheet. The article is then discarded, solid-waste and all, and
is finally
delivered to a landfill where it may remain for centuries until it degrades.
These two
factors are the primary contributors to the environmental stigma associated
with absorbent
articles, in particular disposable diapers. Contemporary disposable diapers do
not provide
a sanitary means for the disposal of fecal material, such as by flushing the
material down
the toilet where it can be treated by the sewage system. Manufacturers of
these articles
have not provided a suitable solution to this environmental problem, but have
merely
printed instructions on the packaging asking the consumer to shake the diaper
over the
toilet to remove the solid waste material before discarding. The other
environmental
hazard associated with disposable diapers, is the impact they have had on
landfills.
Although some contemporary disposable diapers are made with biodegradable
material,
the greatest problem stems from the liquid impermeable material of the
backsheet which is
non-biodegradable and, consequently, inhibits the breakdown of the diaper when
thrown
away. The problem is primarily due to the above-mentioned process of wrapping
the used
diaper with the backsheet, prior to discarding. This process completely and
permanently
traps the biodegradable material and the waste within the non-biodegradable
material prior
to sending the used article to the landfill. The problem is amplified since
each child wears
about 6000 disposable diapers before being toilet-trained, which amounts to
approximately
16 billion diapers being discarded annually in the U.S. These figures explain
why this
single product, used by a steadily increasing group of the population,
accounts for
approximately 2% of landfill capacity.
An alternative, such as the disposable diaper with flushable components as the
one
disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,476,457 and U.S. Patent No. 5,405,342 issued to
Roessler et
al. on December 19, 1995 and April 11, 1995 respectively, includes a diaper
with a
CA 02365577 2001-12-18
flushable insert pad. The entire insert pad is dropped into the toilet, where
it must remain
for at least two minutes prior to flushing. This method suffers from the
disadvantages of
imposing this waiting period on the consumer before flushing, potentially
causing the
toilet to clog due to the compact structure of the insert pad and from
flushing the insert pad
s as a whole into the toilet, and shifting of the insert pad, due to the
absence of a mechanism
to secure the insert pad to the absorbent article. The only mechanism used to
maintain the
insert pad in position within the diaper is the cover that is placed over the
insert pad;
however, the cover does not keep the insert pad from moving inside the diaper.
Therefore,
once the insert pad has been wetted, the insert pad is free to move inside the
diaper, which
1o may clump to the center of the diaper. The clumping of the absorbent
material to the
center of the diaper may compromise the absorbent capacity of the article by
the non-
uniform dispersement of the absorbent material and may also result in
discomfort to the
wearer from the clumping of the absorbent material in the center of the
diaper. As
mentioned above, the other disadvantage of the design is the problem that
results from the
15 construction of the insert pad being designed to be flushed as a whole in
that the flushable
design is limited to smaller size diapers, due to the fact that larger diapers
with larger
insert pads would clog the toilet when flush.. However, the above
disadvantages have
not been confirmed, since the articles of the prior-art are not available on
the market.
As a result of the environmental drawbacks associated with disposable diapers,
2o reusable absorbent articles have become a popular alternative for
consumers. New
customized designs, resembling disposable diapers, have been incorporated into
the design
of reusable retainers such as the one disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,409,476
issued to
Fredrica Coates on April 25, 1995. These reusable retainers are us~l in
conjunction with
cloth diapers, but are also used with disposable abso~ent insert pads. This
alternative
25 suffers from a number of disadvantages. For instance, reusable absorbent
articles leak
CA 02365577 2001-12-18
more, do not keep the wearers as dry as disposable diapers, are more time
consuming to
use and wash, require much more maintenance, are less sanitary, are less
reliable, and
damage the ecology by creating waste water.
Conventional absorbent articles, such as those described above, have not been
completely satisfactory in providing a suitable solution to the ecological
problem.
Therefore, a simple, effective and reliable process for disposing of these
articles is needed
which also promotes the preservation of the environment. Nevertheless, the
only
absorbent articles available suffer from a number of disadvantages.
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an absorbent
article
to having an improved design, which temporarily joins various significant
components of
the article in an unconventional manner.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved design
for
absorbent articles which allows for the separation of these significant
components of the
article in order to discard them separately in a more sanitary and
environmentally friendly
15 manner.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide an absorbent article
having a
biodegradable detachable liner which can be flushed down the sewage system
separately,
and thus removing most of the solid waste material contained on the absorbent
article,
prior to discarding it.
2o It is further an object of the present invention to provide an improve
design for an
absorbent article having a pulling means to grip the detachable liner to tear
it away from
the topsheet of the article.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an absorbent article
having an
absorbent pouch, which encloses all the absorbent contents of the article
located between
25 the topsheet and backsheet.
CA 02365577 2001-12-18
It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved design
for an
absorbent article, which allows for the detachment of the absorbent pouch
binding in order
to expose and release its absorbent contents.
It is an additional object of the present invention to provide an absorbent
article
having a means of releasably attaching the absorbent pouch to the article,
which means
can also be utilized to detach the pouch prior to discarding.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide an improved design
for an
absorbent article which allows for the extraction of the absorbent pouch
through the
opening created after removing the detachable liner, and which consequently
allows for
1o the pouch to be discarded separately from the article.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an absorbent article
having a
means of gripping the absorbent pouch to remove it from the article, and also
having a
means which allows for the handling and securing of the pouch with minimal
finger
contact with the human wastes, prior to discarding.
15 Furthermore, it is also an object of the present invention to provide an
absorbent
article having an absorbent pouch which can be used alone, independent of
other
components of the article. It is an object of the present invention to provide
a process of
making the absorbent article.
Finally, it is an object of the present invention to provide an absorbent
article
2o which allows the user the convenient option of disposing the detachable
components at a
landfill site or in a toilet, thereby accommodating the preference of the
individual and the
capability of the community.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become readily
apparent
to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, wherein
the preferred
CA 02365577 2001-12-18
6
embodiment of the invention is shown and described, simply by way of
illustration of the
best mode contemplated of carrying out the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided an
improvement for a disposable absorbent article, such as a diaper, adult
incontinence
garment, feminine care pad, and training pants, having various detachable
components.
These components are temporarily joined but have a means of detaching these
components from the article after use and disposing of them separately. The
present
invention is an improvement that can be implemented and utilized to supplement
contemporary disposable absorbent articles. Present commercially available
is disposable diapers comprise a liquid permeable topsheet, an absorbent core,
a liquid
impermeable backsheet, tape tabs, leg elastic members and waist elastic
members.
The improvement of the present invention comprises elements described below,
which
make up the preferred embodiment. A liquid permeable topsheet and a liquid
impermeable backsheet are bound together in facing relation, thus creating a
hollow
containment pocket, which encases an inner liquid permeable absorbent pouch.
The
absorbent pouch has a releasable binding along the entire periphery of the
absorbent
pouch to encase the absorbent contents of the absorbent article located within
the
hollow containment pocket. The releasable binding is used to open the
absorbent
pouch to release the absorbent contents encased within the pouch. An
alteration is
applied to the topshcet by adding a detaching means to its surface, thus
providing a
CA 02365577 2001-12-18
7
means for removing a substantial portion of the topsheet, which is referred to
as a
detachable liner. The detaching means allows the topsheet of the article to be
opened
by removing the detachable liner and creating an opening in the article.
However, the
releasable binding on the absorbent pouch allows for the outer layer of the
pouch to be
opened up to release the contents of the absorbent pouch, prior to disposal.
The
detachable liner can be extracted from the surface of the topsheet by taking
hold of
pulling tabs, located on the top and bottom peaks of the detachable liner, and
continuing to pull along the periphery of the detaching means until the entire
detachable liner has been completely removed from the topsheet. Once the
detachable
l0 liner has been extracted from the absorbent article, it can be flushed down
the toilet,
along with any accompanying body exudates contained on tire liner. An opening
is
thus created on the outer surface of the topsheet, after the detachable liner
has been
completely removed, to release the absorbent pouch from the interior of the
absorbent
article. A gripping tab is used to pull the absorbent pouch and extract it
through the
15 opening to release the pouch from the confines of the absorbent article.
The absorbent
pouch is releasably secured to the backsh~t of the absorbent article by a
securement
strip and a fastening means to prevent the pouch from shifting out of
position. As used
in this Application, the term fastening means refers to an element attached to
the
absorbent pouch, which connects the pouch to the framework of the article
itself.
20 Although the detachable liner is positioned over the pouch and when removed
provides an opening to release the pouch, the liner does not keep the pouch
from
moving even after the detachable liner has been removed. Therefore, the
detachable
liner is not used to keep the pouch stationary with respect to the article.
Furthermore,
once the detachable liner has been removed and an opening is created, the
absorbent
25 pouch still remains in place and attached to the article by means of the
fastening means
CA 02365577 2001-12-18
until the user pulls the pouch out through the opening. The absorbent pouch is
secured
to the backsheet until it is extracted out of the opening to be discarded
separately after
use. Prior to being discarded, the absorbent pouch is rolled into its final
position and
permanently secured by fastening the gripping tab to the fastening means.
After the
absorbent pouch has been prepared for disposal, it can be discarded separately
from
the remnants of the absorbent article. The absorbent pouch, which contains the
majority of the article's absorbent material, has a higher potential for
biodegrading
now because it is no longer attached to the backsheet, which inhibits
decomposition of
the article after being thrown away. A preferred alternative for the disposal
of the
absorbent pouch is to flush the absorbent contents down a toilet. This is
performed by
taking hold of peeling tabs located on the top edge of absorbent pouch and
pulling
until the releasable binding breaks and separates the outer protective layers
of the
absorbent pouch to expose the flushable absorbent contents of the absorbent
pouch and
allow them to fall by gravity into the toilet. Depending on the size of the
article and
15 the flushing capacity of the toilet, the user may also flush the contents
of the absorbent
pouch in segments to reduce the risk of clogging the toilet. The releasable
binding of
the absorbent pouch allows for the pouch to be opened and for the disposal of
the
absorbent contents to be regulated by the user, and therefore, larger size
articles, such
as adult incontinence articles, disposable training pants and large disposable
diapers,
2o can be flushed in segments without clogging the toilet. The absorbent
pouch, as a
whole, is not intended to be flushed, rather it is designed to become detached
and only
the absorbent contents of the pouch are flushable. Therefore, the applications
of the
detachable design of the absorbent article are more diverse, and therefore,
adapted tv
be used with larger size articles, such as adult incontinence articles,
disposable training
25 pants and large disposable diapers, and with a wider spectrum of disposable
hygienic
CA 02365577 2001-12-18
articles. . In an alternative embodiment of the absorbent pouch, the pouch is
used alone,
independent of the hollow containment pocket and the detachable liner, and is
fastened
to reusable undergarments, diaper covers, training pants, or other similar
reusable
garments.
The detachable structure of the absorbent article provides various
alternatives to
individually discard each component. The improved design is potentially
advantageous to
the preservation of the ecology by providing a variety of unconventional and
more suitable
methods of discarding disposable absorbent articles. Variations in the
operation and
utilization of the invention are applicable, and the above mentioned
embodiments are only
examples and not limitations. As will be realized, the invention is capable of
other and
different embodiments, and its several details are capable of modifications in
various
obvious respects, all without departing from the scope of the invention.
Accordingly, the
drawings and descriptions are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and
not as restrictive.
~5 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be more fully understood and further advantages will become
apparent when reference is made to the following detailed description of the
invention and
the following drawings in which:
FIG. 1 representatively shows a top plan view of the absorbent article in a
stretched
condition having hidden lines and portions folded back to clearly show the
interior
construction.
FIG. 2 representatively shows a cross-sectional view of the absorbent article
taken
along line 2-2 of FIG. 1 of the present invention. Full details of the pouch
and securement
strip, etc. are shown in Fig. 7.
CA 02365577 2001-12-18
1~
FIG. 3 representatively shows a top plan view of a typical prior art absorbent
article in a stretched condition with improvements of the present invention
added.
FIG. 4 representatively shows an exploded view of the absorbent article
illustrating
improvements of the present invention.
FIG. 5 representatively shows a perspective view of the absorbent article
having
moving parts to illustrate the improvements of the present invention.
FIG. 5A representatively shows a perspective view of a portion of the
absorbent
pouch having moving parts to illustrate the improvements of the present
invention.
FIG. 5B representatively shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of
a
to portion of the absorbent pouch having moving parts to illustrate the
functionality of the
present invention.
FIG. 6 representatively shows a top plan view of the absorbent pouch
embodiment
having portions cut away to reveal the underlying structure.
FIG. 7 representatively shows a cross-sectional view of the absorbent pouch
taken
15 along line 7 7 of FIG. 6 of the present invention.
FIG. 8 representatively shows a perspective view of the absorbent article
having
moving parts to illustrate the functionality of the present invention.
FIG. 9 representatively shows a perspective view of the detachable liner and
solid
body waste prior to discarding.
2o FIG. 10 representatively shows a perspective view of the absorbent article
having
moving parts to illustrate the functionality of the present invention.
FIG. 11 representatively shows a perspective view of the final rolling
operation of
the absorbent pouch prior to discarding.
FIG. 12 representatively shows a perspective view of the securement operation
of
25 the rolled absorbent pouch prior to discarding.
CA 02365577 2001-12-18
11
FIG. 13 representatively shows a perspective view of the remainder of the
absorbent article of the invention prior to discarding.
FIG. 14 representatively shows a perspective view of the absorbent article
having
moving parts to illustrate the functionality of the present invention.
FIG. 15 representatively shows a perspective view of the detachable liner and
solid
body waste prior to discarding.
FIG. 16 representatively shows a perspective view of the absorbent article
having
moving parts to illustrate the functionality of the present invention.
FIG. 17 representatively shows a perspective view of the absorbent article
having
to moving parts to illustrate the functionality of the disposal of the present
invention.
FIG. 18 representatively shows a perspective view of an alternative
application of
the absorbent article having moving parts to illustrate the improvements of
the present
invention.
FIG. 19 representatively shows a perspective view of an alternative
application of
the absorbent article having moving parts to illustrate the improvements of
the present
invention.
REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS
2o 10 disposable diaper article 12 liquid permeable topsheet
14 liquid impermeable backsheet 16 leg elastic members
18 waist elastic members 20 I-shape plan form
22 diaper fastening members 24 pulling tab for detachable liner
26 detachable liner 28 detaching means for liner
30 absorbent pouch 32 opening
CA 02365577 2001-12-18
12
34 gripping tab for absorbent pouch 36 securement strip for absorbent
pouch
38 fastening means for absorbent pouch 40 liquid permeable top layer
42 top tissue layer 44 absorbent body
46 bottom tissue layer 48 liquid permeable bottom layer
50 absorbent pouch rectangular shape 52 top and bottom binding
54 lengthwise binding 56 tab adhesive
58 release liner 60 burner cuffs
62 solid waste 64 peeling tabs for absorbent pouch
66 hollow containment pocket 68 waste receptacle
70 toilet 72 reusable diaper cover
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is a disposable absorbent article, such as a diaper, which, in
one of
its preferred embodiments, has a hollow pocket releasably containing an
absorbent pouch
which can release its contents for flushing, and which has a detachable liner
in contact
with the wearer. The invention also includes the process of making the
absorbent article.
2o DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The following detailed description will be made in the context of a disposable
diaper article. It is readily apparent, however, that the absorbent structure
of the
present invention would also be suitable for other absorbent articles, such as
feminine
care pads, incontinence garments, training pants, reusable diapers, and the
like.
CA 02365577 2001-12-18
13
The present invention is an improvement, which can be implemented into the
design of contemporary disposable absorbent articles, such as those disclosed
in U.S. Pat.
No. 3,860,003 issued to Kenneth Barclay Buell on January I4, 1975 and in U.S.
Pat. No.
4,515,595 issued to D.J. Kievet and T.F. Osterhage on May 7, 1985. In order to
describe
and incorporate the improvements of the present invention, thoroughly, it will
be
necessary to refer to prior art elements of contemporary disposable absorbent
articles such
as those illustrated in FIG. 1. A conventional absorbent article, such as
disposable diaper
10, comprises a substantially liquid permeable absorbent core sandwiched
between a
liquid permeable topsheet layer 12 and a liquid impermeable backsheet 14.
Diaper 10 has
1o a generally I-shape plan form 20 with fastening members 22 for fastening
the diaper 10 on
the wearer. The illustrated embodiment fiuther includes leg elastic members 16
configured to gather and shirr the leg band portions of diaper 10 to form
seals or gaskets
about the legs of the wearer. In addition, diaper 10 includes waist elastic
members 18 to
gather and shirr the waistband portions of the diaper 10 to form seals or
gaskets about the
15 waist of the wearer. These above-mentioned elements of prior art are not
features of the
present invention, but are only referenced for clarity of the present
invention. Although
tape tabs 22 are not elements of the present invention, they will be included
in several of
the drawings to depict the orientation of the absorbent article. Furthermore,
the elements
of the present invention are improvements that can be added and combined with
the design
20 of contemporary absorbent articles in order to supplement and enhance the
prior art.
Topsheet 12 is compliant, soft feeling, and non-irritating to the wearer's
skin.
Further, the topsheet 12 is liquid pervious permitting liquids to readily
penetrate through
its thickness. Typically, topsheet 12 is composed of a liquid permeable
substantially
25 hydrophobic fibmus material that is well known in the art, such as a
spunbonded web
CA 02365577 2001-12-18
14
composed of synthetic polymer filaments, to isolate the wearer's skin from
liquids in the
absorbent core. A suitable topsheet 12 may be manufactured fiom a wide range
of
materials, such as natural fibers, synthetic fibers, or a combination of
natural and synthetic
fibers. Alternatively, topsheet 12 may comprise a meltblown web or a bonded-
carded-web
composed of synthetic polymer filaments, such as polyethylene, polypropylene,
and
polyesters, or a web of natural polymer filaments, such as cotton or rayon.
Flushable
material is used to manufacture topsheet 12. Furthermore, topsheet
biodegradable material
which is susceptible to breakdown over a relatively short period of time, when
exposed to
natural elements such as air, heat and moisture, can be used to accelerate the
degrading
1o process once discarded. Topsheet 12 is substantially noncoterminous with
the backsheet
14 so that liquids will not wick through the topsheet 12, thereby reducing the
leakage of
liquids out of the diaper 10. The topsheet 12 is positioned adjacent the body
surface of an
absorbent core and overlays a major portion of the absorbent core so that
liquid exudates
are discharged onto the topsheet 12 and penetrate through the topsheet 12
where they are
15 absorbed by the absorbent core. The topsheet 12 extends outwardly toward
the edges of
the absorbent core so that a major portion of the absorbent core is contained
between the
backsheet 14 and the topsheet 12. In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1,
the
topsheet 12 has length and width dimensions generally larger than those of the
absorbent
core.
2o Backsheet 14 is impervious to liquids and is preferably manufactured fi~om
a thin
plastic film, although other flexible liquid impervious materials may also be
used. As
used herein, the term flexible refers to materials which are compliant and
which will
readily conform to the general shape and contours of the human body. The
backsheet 14
prevents the exudates absorbed and contained in the absorbent core from
wetting articles
25 which contact the diaper 10, such as bed sheets and undergarments.
Backsheet 14 can be
CA 02365577 2001-12-18
composed of a polyolefin film, such as polyethylene or polypropylene. Further,
backsheet
14 may be composed of a vapor permeable material such as a breathable,
microporous
polyethylene film. In another embodiment, backsheet 14 can also be composed of
a liquid
impermeable, but vapor permeable, nonwoven fibrous material, which has been
suitably
treated to impart a desired degree of liquid impermeability. For example,
backsheet 14
may be composed of a nonwoven spunbonded layer, which has been completely or
partially coated with a polymer film to provide liquid impermeability in
particular areas.
The size of the backsheet 14 is dictated by the size of absorbent core and the
exact diaper
design selected. In a preferred embodiment, both topsheet 12 and backsheet 14
have an I-
1o shape plan form 20 extending beyond the absorbent core, but backsheet 14 is
slightly
larger in proportion and surpasses the periphery of topsheet 12. Topsheet 12
and
backsheet 14 are bound along the edges of the I-shape plan 20 form so as to
form a
leakage-resistant seal along the entire perimeter of diaper 10.
Various components of diaper 10 are assembled employing conventional
15 techniques such as those well known in the art. Components may be attached
by
employing thermal bonding or attached with adhesives, such as hot melt
pressure-
sensitive adhesives.
The following descriptions will be in reference to the novel elements of the
present
invention. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, an alteration is applied to
topsheet 12 by
2o adding a detaching means 28 and pulling tabs 24 to the surface of topsheet
12, thus,
improving the fimction of diaper 10 by allowing a detachable liner 26 to be
extracted from
the surface of topsheet 12. The previously-mentioned absorbent core will now
be referred
to as an inner liquid-permeable absorbent pouch 30. In the embodiment
illustrated in FIG.
2, topsheet 12 and backsheet 14 are bound together in a facing relation, thus
creating a
hollow containment pocket 66 which encases the absorbent pouch 30 as shown in
Fig. 2.
CA 02365577 2001-12-18
16
As shown on Fig. 7, absorbent pouch 30 is releasably bound to enclose the
absorbent
contents 42, 44, 46, in facing relation to its top and bottom surfaces, which
comprise a
liquid permeable top layer 40, a top tissue layer 42, an absorbent body 44, a
bottom tissue
layer 46, and a liquid permeable bottom layer 48. As shown in FIGS. l and 2,
topsheet 12
and backsheet 14 extend out past the edges of absorbent pouch 30.
The embodiment shown in FIG. 3 depicts another configuration of a contemporary
prior art absorbent article used in conjunction with the improvements of the
present
invention. FIG. 3 includes all the elements previously described in FIG. 1,
with the
addition of barrier cuffs 60 as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,938,755 issued to
John H.
Foreman on July 3, 1990. Although the barrier cuffs are not elements of the
present
invention, they are referenced to identify significant boundaries in which
detachable liner
26 and absorbent pouch 30 should be confined within as illustrated in FIGS. 1
and 3. In
order for detachable liner 26 and absorbent pouch 30 to function properly,
they should not
exceed the boundary designated by the position of the leg elastic members 16
and the
waist elastic members 18 as depicted in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the
detachable liner
26 must not surpass the perimeter designated on the surface of tapsheet 12
where the
barner cuffs 60 are positioned and come in contact with topsheet 12.
Therefore, the
dimensions of detachable liner 26 and absorbent pouch 30. are dictated by the
locations
and peripheries of leg elastic members 16, waist elastic members 18, and
barrier cuffs 60.
FIG. 4 illustrates the detachable liner 26 and those elements used in its
construction and utilization. In the preferred embodiment, pulling tabs 24 and
detaching
means 28 are alterations incorporated onto the surface of topsheet 12, and
thus construct
the detachable liner 26. Detaching means 28 encompasses the entire periphery
of the
detachable liner 26 and pulling tab 24. Preferably, pulling tabs 24 and
detaching means 28
are an integral portion of topsheet 12 and are utilized to provide a means of
tearing the
CA 02365577 2001-12-18
17
detachable liner 26 off from topsheet 12. The extraction of detachable liner
26,
consequently, creates an opening 32 on the surface of the topsheet 12 which is
utilized to
release the absorbent pouch 30 from the confines of the diaper 10. As
displayed in FIG. 4,
the size, shape and configuration of detaching means 28 establishes the
periphery of both
detachable liner 26 and opening 32.
In the preferred embodiment, detaching means 28 can be manufactured by making
a series of perforations along the surface of topsheet 12 throughout the
entire periphery of
detachable liner 26. Other detaching means can be used to produce similar
results. In the
illustrated embodiment, detachable liner 26 is shown to have an elliptically-
shaped outline
1o and includes pulling tabs 24 on the top and bottom peaks of the liner. Many
variations in
size, shape, and location can be incorporated for the design of detaching
means 28. For
example, detaching means 28 can be rectangular and incorporate the entire area
of
topsheet 12 between barrier cuffs 60 and elastic waist members 18.
Pulling tabs 24 are added to detaching means 28 and detachable liner 26 in
order to
15 provide a means of gripping and pulling on detaching means 28 to facilitate
in extracting
detachable liner 26. Pulling tabs 24 are preferably finger-sized and have a
rounded shape
sufficient to provide a means of gripping detachable liner 26 to tear it away
from topsheet
12 with the optimum level of ease and convenience to the user. In the
preferred
embodiment, pulling tabs 24 are shown as integral extensions of detachable
liner 26. The
20 options for the location of pulling tabs 24 on the detachable liner 26
include: the central
upper peak, the central lower peak, both upper and lower peaks, or they may be
omitted
altogether. In the preferred embodiment, pulling tabs 24 incorporate the upper
and lower
peak portions of detachable liner 26 and, therefore, are composed of the same
material
used for the topsheet 12. It is readily apparent that pulling tabs 24 do not
necessarily have
25 to embody the same surface as detachable liner 26 and can be made of a
different material
CA 02365577 2001-12-18
Ig
from the detachable liner 26 and topsheet 12. In the illush~ated embodiment,
the shape of
pulling tabs 24 is convex; although, it is readily apparent that other shapes,
such as
parabolic, triangular, or rectangular may also be used. Variations of
sufficient size, shape
and configuration of pulling tabs 24 can be employed for optimum efficiency.
FIG. 5 displays the absorbent pouch 30 in two positions along backsheet 14. In
one position, a portion of the absorbent pouch 30 is shown superposed in
facing relation
with backsheet 14. In the other position, a portion of the absorbent pouch 30
is displayed
folded away from the backsheet 14, and thus revealing the surface of the
absorbent pouch
30 that is in contact relation to backsheet 14. Absorbent pouch 30 is
positioned along the
1o lateral and lengthwise center lines of backsheet 14. Securement strip 36
and fastening
means 38 releasably join the absorbent pouch 30 to backsheet 14. Fastening
means 38
secures absorbent pouch 30 into position and prevents it from shifting or
moving out of
place with respect to the body 10 of the absorbent article. Securement strip
36 is shown
positioned along the lengthwise center line of absorbent pouch 30. Gripping
tab 34 is
15 shown as an integral extension of securement strip 36, which surpasses the
length of
absorbent pouch 30 beyond the top edge. In the preferred embodiment, gripping
tab 34 is
located on the top edge of absorbent pouch 30, which is on the same end of
backsheet 14
where fastening members 22 are found. It is readily apparent that the gripping
tab 34 can
also be oriented on the opposite end of absorbent pouch 30 or on both ends of
absorbent
2o pouch 30. .
Securement strip 36 is utilized for multiple functions. First, used in
conjunction
with fastening means 38, securement strip 36 is used to releasably join
absorbent pouch 30
with backsheet 14 to secure absorbent pouch 30 into position and prevent it
from shifting
or moving out of place in diaper 10. In addition, securement strip 36 is used
to handle the
25 absorbent pouch 30 after use, to prevent direct contact by fingers with the
wet surface
CA 02365577 2001-12-18
19
while preparing the absorbent pouch 30 for disposal. Furthermore, s~urement
strip 36 is
used to permanently secure the absorbent pouch 30 into its final mlled
position prior to
discarding, by fastening gripping tab 34 to the fastening means 38. Securement
strip 36 is
composed of a liquid impermeable material that is well known in the art, such
as the same
material used for backsheet 14. Securement strip 36 is sandwiched between
bottom layer
48 and backsheet 14. In the preferred embodiment, the length of securement
strip 36
extends beyond the length of absorbent pouch 30. The width of securement strip
36 can
be varied depending on the size of the absorbent pouch 30. In the embodiment
of FIG. 5,
the width of securement strip 36 is not coterminous with the width of
absorbent pouch 30,
l0 rather, it is substantially narrower. In the preferred embodiment, the
width of the
securement strip 36 is finger-sized, or as displayed in FIG. 5, approximately
1/4 the width
of the absorbent pouch 30 and is positioned along the lengthwise center line
of bottom
layer 48 of absorbent pouch 30. Securement strip 36 is permanently bound to
bottom
layer 48 by employing similar techniques to those stated previously for
assembling
15 components of diaper 10.
In the preferred embodiment, fastening means 38 can be a coating of adhesive
on
the surface of securement strip 36 which is in facing relation to backsheet
14, and
releasably joins absorbent pouch 30 to backsheet 14. Fastening means 38
extends along
most of the length and width of the securement strip 36 surface which is in
contact relation
2o with backsheet 14. Fastening means 38 can be comprised of any adhesive or
glue which is
used in the art with a pressure sensitive adhesive being preferred. The
adhesive strength is
such that it is strong enough to attach absorbent pouch 30 and backsheet 14,
yet releasable
enough to allow the user to separate the absorbent pouch 30 from backsheet 14
after use.
It is also preferable for the adhesive to be liquid impervious to ensure that
the absorbent
25 pouch 30 is not detached from backsheet 14 prematurely, after the wearer
wets diaper 10.
CA 02365577 2001-12-18
Nonlimiting examples of suitable adhesives are Century A-305-IVTM manufactured
by
Century Adhesives Corporation and Instant Lok 34-2823TM manufactured by
National
Starch Company.
Gripping tab 34 is shown as an integral extension of securement strip 36.
Therefore, in the preferred embodiment, gripping tab 34 and securement strip
36 are made
using the same material. Gripping tab 34 extends past the length of absorbent
pouch 30.
The length of the gripping tab 34 is of sufficient size to allow the user to
grip and pull
absorbent pouch 30 out through opening 32 with the optimal level of ease and
convenience to the user. Gripping tab 34 is also utilized to permanently
secure absorbent
l0 pouch 30 into its final rolled position before discarding, by fastening to
securement strip
36. In the preferred embodiment, the width of gripping tab 34 is the same as
the width of
securement strip 36 and the shape of gripping tab 34 is square; although, it
is readily
apparent that gripping tab 34 can be constructed utilizing other sizes, shapes
and materials.
FIG. 5A shows a portion of absorbent pouch 30 and securement strip 36 where
15 gripping tab 34 is located. Gripping tab 34 is shown having a tab adhesive
56 and a
release liner 58. The tab adhesive 56 is a coating of pressure sensitive
adhesive applied to
the surface of gripping tab 34. Tab adhesive 56 can be comprised of the same
adhesive
used for fastening means 38 or of any other pressure sensitive adhesive that
is used in the
art for such purposes. It is also preferable for tab adhesive 56 to be liquid
impervious. Tab
2o adhesive 56 and release liner 58 are located on the surface of gripping tab
34 that is in
facing relation with absorbent pouch 30. For added fastening reinforcement,
tab adhesive
56 is used to permanently secure gripping tab 34 to securement strip 36 in
order to lock
absorbent pouch 30 into its final rolled position before discarding. Absorbent
pouch 30
can also be secured into its final position by joining gripping tab 34 with
fastening means
38, without using tab adhesive 56. Therefore, tab adhesive 56 and release
liner 58 can be
CA 02365577 2001-12-18
21
omitted, but it is preferable to include tab adhesive 56 to ensure that
absorbent pouch 30
remains in its rolled position after discarding. Release liner 58 completely
covers tab
adhesive 56 to prevent the adhesive from sticking to extraneous surfaces,
drying, or
getting wet inside the diaper 10, prior to the user peeling it from the
surface of tab
adhesive 56. Any commercially available release liner commonly used in the art
can be
utilized herein, although it is preferable that release liner 58 is made of
liquid impermeable
material.
FIG. 5B shows a preferred embodiment of gripping tab 34. FIG. 5B includes all
the elements previously described for FIG. 5A, with the exception of the type
of release
liner 58 used. In this embodiment, release liner 58 is shown as an integral
extension of
securement strip 36 and gripping tab 34. Therefore, in the preferred
embodiment, release
liner 58, gripping tab 34 and securement strip 36 are all manufactured using
the same
material. Release liner 58 extends passed the length of gripping tab 34. The
length and
width dimensions of release liner 58 are the same as those used for gripping
tab 34;
although, it is readily apparent that release liner 58 can be constructed
utilizing other
shapes and dimensions.
With reference to the embodiment of the invention, representatively shown in
FIGS. 6 and 7, absorbent pouch 30 is constructed of a liquid permeable top
layer 40, a top
tissue layer 42, an absorbent body 44, a bottom tissue layer 46, and a liquid
permeable
bottom layer 48. Top and bottom tissue layers 42 and 46 are coterminous and
superposed
in facing relation with top and bottom layers 40 and 48. The absorbent body 44
is
sandwiched between the top and bottom tissue layers 42 and 46. Top and bottom
layers
40 and 48 completely encase top tissue layer 42 absorbent body 44 and bottom
tissue layer
46 to form the absorbent pouch 30. It is readily apparent that top and bottom
layers 40 and
48 can also be manufactured as a single integral surface that wraps around to
encase the
CA 02365577 2001-12-18
22
entire absorbent contents of absorbent pouch 30. In such an embodiment,
lengthwise
binding 54 joins top and bottom layers 40 and 48 along the lengthwise edge of
bottom
layer 48. In the preferred embodiment, the shape of the absorbent pouch 30 is
a
rectangular plan form 50; although, it is readily apparent that other shapes,
such as I-
shape, or T-shape could also be utilized.
FIG. 6 shows top and bottom bindings 52 and lengthwise binding 54 joining top
layer 40 and bottom layer 48. Therefore, the entire periphery of absorbent
pouch 30 is
bound by top and bottom bindings 52, and by two lengthwise bindings 54.
Bindings 52
and lengthwise bindings 54 releasably enclose the absorbent contents of
absorbent pouch
30, which comprises top layer 40, top tissue layer 42, absorbent body 44,
bottom tissue
layer 46, and bottom layer 48. In the illustrated embodiment, peeling tabs 64
are shown
along the entire top edge of absorbent pouch 30. It is readily apparent that
peeling tabs 64
may be located along both top and bottom edges, or omitted altogether. The
securement
strip 36, partially shown, is centered along the entire length of the
absorbent pouch 30 on
the outer surface of bottom layer 48. The gripping tab 34 is shown surpassing
the length of
the absorbent pouch 30 along the lengthwise centerline.
FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of FIG. 6 taken along line 7-7 of absorbent
pouch
30. Top and bottom layers 40 and 48 are shown as separate surfaces where the
top layer
40 is represented by the face positioned in contact relation to topsheet 12,
and bottom
layer 48 is represented by the face positioned in contact relation to
backsheet 14. Two
lengthwise bindings 54 releasably join the superposed top and bottom layers 40
and 48
along the lengthwise edges of absorbent pouch 30. In this embodiment, the
securement
strip 36 is located on the outer surface of bottom layer 48 and is contact
relation to
backsheet 14. Fastening means 38 is shown on the outer surface of securement
strip 36.
CA 02365577 2001-12-18
23
Such layers of absorbent pouch 30 can be joined together employing similar
techniques to those stated previously for assembling components of diaper 10.
Alternatively, the components can be attached with adhesives, such as hot melt
pressure-
sensitive adhesives, or by spraying droplets or filaments of adhesive along
the inner layers
of absorbent pouch 30. Top and bottom and lengthwise bindings 52 and 54 can be
formed
by any using peelable bond known in the art, such as ultrasonic bonds,
adhesive bonds, or
other suitable releasable bonds. The purpose of top and bottom and lengthwise
bindings 52
and 54 on absorbent pouch 30 is to releasably unite the various elements of
the absorbent
pouch 30 into a whole.
1o Absorbent pouch 30 may be manufactured in a wide variety of sizes with
variations in dimensions and configurations. In the preferred embodiment the
shape of
absorbent pouch 30 is rectangular 50 with a convex peeling tab 64 extending
out past the
top edge. It is readily apparent that absorbent pouch 30 may be manufactured
in a wide
variety of sizes and shapes; for example, hourglass, I-shape, or T-shape, and
can be
15 utilized with various dimensions and configurations. The length and width
dimensions of
absorbent pouch 30 are dictated by the size of the diaper 10. The total
absorbent capacity
and size of the absorbent pouch 30 can be varied to accommodate wearers
ranging from
infants through adults. Furthermore, the total absorbent capacity of the
absorbent pouch
30 should be compatible with the design exudate loading in the intended use of
the diaper
20 10.
Peeling tabs 64 are used to help the user peel apart top and bottom and
lengthwise
bindings 52 and 54 in order to expose the absorbent contents of absorbent
pouch 30.
Peeling tabs 64 are finger-sized and have a rounded shape that extends along
the entire top
edge of absorbent pouch 30. It is readily apparent that peeling tabs 64 may be
25 manufactured in a wide variety of sizes with variations in dimensions and
configurations.
CA 02365577 2001-12-18
24
Peeling tabs 64 are an integral extension of top and bottom layers 40 and 48.
Therefore, in
the preferred embodiment, peeling tabs 64, top layer 40 and bottom layer 48
are all
manufactured using the same material.
The top and bottom layers 40 and 48 are fabricated out of any liquid permeable
material suitable for absorbing, containing and restraining contents of
absorbent pouch 30.
The same materials utilized for topsheet 12 may also be used for top and
bottom layers 40
and 48. It is preferable that the top and bottom layers 40 and 48 are
constructed of
substantially hydrophobic material in order to lock wetness within the
absorbent pouch 30.
Preferably, flushable material is used to manufacture top and bottom layers 40
and 48.
1o Furthermore, biodegradable flushable material which is susceptible to
breakdown over a
relatively short period of time, when exposed to natural elements such as air,
heat and
moisture, can be used to accelerate the degrading process once discarded. The
size, shape
and dimensions of top and bottom layers 40 and 48 are dictated by those of the
absorbent
pouch 30.
15 The top and bottom tissue layers 42 and 46 improve the tensile strength of
the
absorbent body 44 and reduce the tendency for it to split, lump or ball when
wetted. Top
and bottom tissue layers 42 and 46 also help to improve lateral wicking of the
absorbed
exudates, thereby providing a more even distribution of absorbed human
exudates
throughout the absorbent body 44 of absorbent pouch 30. The tissue layers
comprise an
2o absorbent cellulosic material, such as a high wet-strength tissue. While
tissue layers are
preferably rectangular 50 and coterminous with top and bottom layers 40 and
48, they may
have different dimensions, shape, configuration, or they may be omitted
entirely.
The absorbent body 44 may be composed of any means, which is generally
compressible, comfortable, non-irritating to the wearer's skin, and capable of
absorbing
25 and retaining liquids and certain body exudates. In the preferred
embodiment, the shape
CA 02365577 2001-12-18
of absorbent body 44 is rectangular 50 and the dimensions of lengkh and width
are slightly
smaller than those of absorbent pouch 30. The total absorbent capacity and
size of the
absorbent body 44 is dictated by the absorbency requirements of diaper 10 and
can be
varied to accommodate wearers ranging from infants through adults.
Furthermore, the
total absorbent capacity of the absorbent body 44 should be compatible with
the design
exudate loading in the intended use of the diaper 10. The absorbent body 44
may be
manufactured from a wide variety of materials commonly used in disposable
diapers and
other absorbent articles, such as comminuted wood pulp which is generally
referred to as
airlaid. Nonlimiting examples of suitable absorbent materials such as those
known in the
1o art may include creped cellulose wadding, super absorbent polymers,
absorbent gelling
materials, or any equivalent materials or combination of materials. It is
preferable that
absorbent body 44 is made of biodegradable and flushable material.
OPERATION OF THE INVENTION
The following description shows the operation of the invention. As will be
realized, the invention is capable of some operational variations, and its
several details are
capable of modifications in various obvious respects, all without departing
from the
invention. Accordingly, the following operational descriptions are to be
regarded as
illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive. Variations in the operation
and utilization of
the invention are applicable, and the following are only examples and not
limitations.
Once diaper 10 has been used, the novel elements of the present invention are
shown by separating various components of diaper 10, which can be discarded
individually. The embodiment of FIG. 8 illustrates the operation of removing
the
detachable liner 26 of the present invention. The detachable liner 26 is
removed by
CA 02365577 2001-12-18
26
utilizing pulling tab 24 and detaching means 28 to tear detachable liner 26
off the surface
of topsheet 12. This process is initiated by taking hold of pulling tabs 24,
located on the
top and bottom peaks of the detachable liner 26, and pulling away from diaper
10 towards
the center of diaper 10. This pulling action continues along the entire
periphery of
detaching means 28 until the detachable liner 26 has been completely extracted
from the
surface of topsheet 12. Consequently, an opening 32 is created on the surface
of topsheet
12, after detachable liner 26 has been completely removed.
FIG. 9 shows the detachable liner 26, containing solid waste 62 on its
surface, after
it has been used and separated from diaper 10. After the detachable liner 26
is removed
1o from the absorbent article, the liner can be flushed down the toilet 70
along with any
accompanying body exudates, and can be treated by the sewage system.
The embodiment shown on FIG. 10 illustrates the utilization of opening 32,
created
on the surface of topsheet 12, to release the absorbent pouch 30 from the
confines of the
diaper 10. The absorbent pouch 30 is releasably secured to the backsheet 14 by
a
15 securement strip 36 and a fastening means 38 until it is extracted out of
opening 32.
Absorbent pouch 30 is removed from the interior of diaper 10, by taxing hold
of gripping
tab 34 and pulling until the entire absorbent pouch 30 has been completely
extracted from
diaper 10 through opening 32.
FIG. 11 shows a method of preparing absorbent pouch 30 for disposal, after it
has
2o been released from the interior of diaper 10. To prevent direct contact by
the user's
fingers with the absorbent pouch 30, gripping tab 34 and securement strip 36
can be
utilized by the user to handle and roll the absorbent pouch 30 into its final
position.
Absorbent pouch 30 is rolled starting from the end opposite the gripping tab
34 with the
securement strip 36 facing outward. The rolling of absorbent pouch 30
continues until the
CA 02365577 2001-12-18
27
end containing gripping tab 34 is reached. Once the absorbent pouch 30 is in
position,
release liner 58 is removed from gripping tab 34 to expose tab adhesive 56.
FIG. 12 shows how the absorbent pouch 30 is rolled and permanently secured
into
its final position by joining tab adhesive 56 with fastening means 38, prior
to being
discarded. After the absorbent pouch 30 has been prepared for discarding, it
can be
disposed of separately from the remnants of the diaper 10. The absorbent pouch
30 now
has a higher potential for degrading because it is no longer attached to the
backsheet 14
that inhibits decomposition of the article after being thrown away.
FIG. 13 shows the remnants of diaper 10 after both the detachable liner 26 and
1o absorbent pouch 30 have been removed. All that remains is a hollow
containment pocket
66 consisting of a topsheet 12 and a backsheet 14 which are permanently bound
together
in facing relation. Topsheet 12 also includes the opening 32 that was created
previously.
The preferred method of discarding the remaining containment pocket 66 (not
shown) of
diaper 10 is to roll it with the backsheet 14 facing outward, and then
securing it with
15 fastening members 22 into its final position. Once diaper 10 has been
secured in this final
position, it can be disposed of in a waste receptacle 68.
FIG. 14 illustrates a preferred design for the detaching means 28, detachable
liner
26, and pulling tabs 24. In this embodiment detaching means 28 encompasses a
much
larger portion of topsheet 12 than previously illustrated. The shape of
detachable liner 26
2o is generally rectangular. Pulling tabs 24 are convex and extend along the
entire top and
bottom edges of detachable liner 26. In this embodiment, detachable liner 26
and pulling
tabs 24 are integral and are manufactured from the same material. The
operation is the
same as stated in FIG. 8 above.
FIG. 15 shows the detachable liner 26, containing solid waste 62 on its
surface,
25 after it has been used and separated from diaper 10. After the detachable
liner 26 is
CA 02365577 2001-12-18
28
detached from the absorbent article, it can be flushed down the toilet 70
along with any
accompanying body exudates, and can be treated by the sewage system.
FIG. 16 illustrates the preferred method of discarding the absorbent contents
of
diaper 10. After the detachable liner 26 has been remove to create opening 32,
the
absorbent pouch 30 is exposed. Top layer 40 is separated from absorbent pouch
30 by
gripping on peeling tab 64 and pulling away from the article until top layer
40 is detached,
thus, exposing the absorbent contents of absorbent pouch 30. The present
invention
allows for top layer 40 to be partially or entirely separated from absorbent
pouch 30, to
accommodate the preference of the user.
1o FIG. 17 shows the contents of the absorbent pouch 30 being flushed down the
toilet 70. The user holds the diaper 10 with one hand and holds the top layer
40 out with
the other hand to open absorbent pouch 30 in order to let the absorbent
contents drop into
the toilet 70. The entire contents can be dropped to be disposed of in a
single flush, or in
segments and subsequently flushed after each dropping. This conveniently
allows the user
15 the option to flush the absorbent contents based on the flushing capacity
of the toilet 70,
and also allows for flushing in segments the contents of larger diapers or
adult
incontinence briefs without the risk of clogging the toilet 70. In the present
invention
absorbent pouch 30, as a whole, is not intended to be flushed. Rather,
absorbent pouch 30
is designed to be separated and only those components designed to be flushed
are disposed
2o into the toilet 70 and the other components are disposed of as described in
FIG. 13 with
the remainder of diaper 10. Bottom layer 48 is not flushed, and instead
remains attached
to diaper 10 via securement strip 36 and fastening implement 38. Top layer 40
is designed
to be entirely detached from absorbent pouch 30 and flushed, or to be
partially removed to
remain on the article along with the bottom layer 48, and with the remnants of
diaper 10.
CA 02365577 2001-12-18
29
FIG. 18 shows an alternative application of the absorbent pouch 30. In this
embodiment, the absorbent pouch 30 is used alone, independent of the hollow
containment
pocket 66 and the detachable liner 26, and is fastened to a reusable diaper
cover 72,
although, it is readily apparent that training pants, or other reusable
undergarments may
also be used. Diaper cover 72 is not part of the present invention. This
embodiment
illustrates the versatility of the present invention, by the utilization of
the absorbent pouch
30 by itself for the absorption of body waste. The disposal of the absorbent
pouch 30 is
performed the same way as described above. In this illustration, the absorbent
pouch 30 is
removed from the diaper cover 72, and can be rolled as described in FIGS. 11
and 12.
to FIG. 19 shows the other method for disposing of the absorbent pouch 30 when
used alone, as described in FIG. 17, above. In this illustration, the outer
layers are
detached using peeling tabs 64, then the absorbent contents are released into
toilet 70 (not
shown). In this embodiment, bottom layer 48 and securement strip 36, do not
remain on
the reusable article, but are instead disposed of in a waste receptacle (not
shown).
CONCLUSIONS AND RAMIFICATIONS
The reader will see that the detachable structure of the absorbent article of
the
invention provides more suitable alternatives to discard various components of
disposable
2o absorbent articles individually. The improved design is potentially
advantageous to the
preservation of the ecology by providing solutions to the environmental
problems that
have been associated with contemporary absorbent articles. The present
invention
provides a detachable liner 26 that may be removed from the article and
flushed down the
sewage system along with most of the solid waste material contained on the
absorbent
article. Pulling tabs 24 are provided to grip onto and pull the detachable
liner 26 to extract
CA 02365577 2001-12-18
it off the topsheet 12 of the article. The absorbent pouch 30 releasably
encloses the
absorbent contents of the article located between the topsheet 12 and
backsheet 14 of the
hollow containment pocket 66. The securement strip 36 and fastening means 38
are used
to releasably join the absorbent pouch 30 within the basic framework of the
hollow
containment pocket 66 to secure the absorbent pouch 30 into position and
prevent it from
shifting or moving out of place in the article. The opening 32, created on the
surface of
topsheet 12 after removing the detachable liner 26, provides an exiting means
to release
the contents of diaper 10 and allows for the pouch to be discarded separately
from the
article. The gripping tab 34 is used to pull the absorbent pouch 30 out of the
absorbent
1o article through the opening 32 and is also used to permanently secure the
absorbent pouch
30 into its final rolled position prior to discarding, by fastening gripping
tab 34 to the
fastening means 38 on the securement strip 36. Securement Strip 36 and
fastening means
38 are also used to handle the absorbent pouch 30 after use to prevent the
user from
touching the wet surface of the pouch 30, while preparing it for disposal into
its final
15 rolled position. The absorbent pouch 30, which contains the majority of the
diaper's
absorbent material, has a higher potential for biodegrading now because it is
no longer
attached to the backsheet 14, which inhibits decomposition of the article
after being
thrown away. The invention offers the user an alternative disposal option by
allowing for
the detachment of the absorbent pouch 30 binding by pulling the peeling tabs
64 apart in
20 order to open the pouch 30 and allow the absorbent contents to fall by
gravity into the
toilet 70 to be flushed. The absorbent pouch 30 is not intended to be flushed
as a whole.
Therefore, depending on the size of the diaper 10 and the flushing capacity of
the toilet 70,
the user may flush the contents of the absorbent pouch 30 in segments to
reduce the risk of
clogging the toilet 70. An alternative application of the absorbent pouch 30
reveals the
25 versatility of the present invention, by the autonomous utilization of the
absorbent pouch
CA 02365577 2001-12-18
31
30 for the absorption of body waste. The absorbent pouch 30 may be used alone,
independent of the hollow containment pocket 66 and the detachable liner 26,
and may be
fastened to reusable undergarments, diaper covers, training pants, or other
similar reusable
garments. Therefore, the absorbent pouch 30 is not restricted for use with
disposable
absorbent articles, but may also be used in conjunction with reusable
absorbent articles or
reusable undergarments. The autonomous use of the absorbent pouch 30 is
applicable for
use with feminine care pads as well. Therefore, the diversity of the article
of the present
invention allows for utilization with a broad spectrum of disposable hygienic
products
with various disposal applications that are beneficial to the environment.
1o While the above description contains many specificities, these should not
be
construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as an
exemplification of
the preferred embodiments thereof. Many other variations are possible and have
been
delineated in the above description. For example, the shape and size of the
detaching
means 28 may vary to provide the greatest ease and convenience for the removal
of the
15 detachable liner 26, and to accommodate the largest surface area of the
detachable liner 26
for containing body waste, such as rectangular, elliptical, or rectangular
with rounded
edges. Pulling Tabs 24 may vary in size and shape, such as convex, parabolic,
triangular,
or rectangular. The variations for the location of pulling tabs 24 on the
detachable liner 26
include: the central upper peak, the central lower peak, both upper and lower
peaks, or
2o they may be omitted altogether. The detachable liner 26 and pulling tabs 24
may be
manufactured as an integral extension of the topsheet 12, or from completely
different
material. The size and shape of the absorbent pouch 30 may also vary to
accommodate the
total absorbent capacity of the pouch 30 and should be compatible with the
design exud~te
loading in the intended use of the absorbent article; for example,
rectangular, hourglass,
25 I-shape, or T-shape, and can be utilized with various dimensions and
configurations.
CA 02365577 2001-12-18
32
Although the topsheet 12, detachable liner 26, and outer layer of the
absorbent pouch 30
may be manufactured from the same liquid permeable, flushable, and
biodegradable
material, they may also be manufactured from different materials that still
meet the above
criteria. The size and shape of the peeling tabs 64 may vary, such as rounded,
parabolic,
or rectangular, and may be located on the top edge, bottom edge, or both top
and bottom
edges of absorbent pouch 30. Peeling Tabs 64 may be manufactured as integral
extensions
of the outer layers of the absorbent pouch 30, same material but not integral
extensions, or
from a different material altogether. Crripping tab 34 may be an integral
extension of
securement strip 36 or manufactured from a different material, and may be
located on the
to absorbent pouch 30 extending from the top edge, bottom edge, or both top
and bottom
edges. The tab adhesive 56 may be manufactured from the same adhesive used for
fastening means 38, a different adhesive, or may be omitted along with release
liner 58.
The release liner 58 may be manufactured as an integral extension of gripping
tab 34 and
securement strip 36, or from different material. Although it is preferable for
the widths of
1s securement strip 36, gripping tab 34, and release liner 58 to be the same,
they may vary to
provide the greatest convenience to the user and ease for their functional
purposes.
It is obvious from the foregoing that the present invention encompasses the
process
of making a disposable absorbent article, where the process includes
releasably attaching
the absorbent pouch to the basic framework of the article, and covering the
pouch with a
20 liquid permeable detachable liner positioned to be in contact with the
wearer and the
pouch, and detachable from the framework.
Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the
embodiments illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal
equivalents.
