EP2787946A1

EP2787946A1 - Peg-shaped or cylindrical hygiene element

Info

Publication number: EP2787946A1
Application number: EP12813257.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Andreas Schmidt
Original assignee: McAIRLAID S VLIESSTOFFE GmbH and Co KG; McAirlaid's Vliesstoffe GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: McAirlaid's Vliesstoffe GmbH
Priority date: 2011-12-07
Filing date: 2012-12-05
Publication date: 2014-10-15
Also published as: DE202011052225U1; WO2013083122A1; US20140358105A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a peg-shaped or cylindrical hygiene element for insertion into a bodily cavity or opening, said element comprising a fibrous layer (2) that consists of cellulose fibres which are interconnected in some sections by means of pressing, with the cellulose fibres in these pressed regions (4) being compacted. The fibrous layer (2) is in the form of a fibre web that is laid so as to form channels (11) extending in the longitudinal direction of said hygiene element.

Description

The present invention relates to a trunnion or cylindrical sanitary body for insertion into a body cavity or mouth, and to the use of this sanitary body as a tamponade for receiving body fluids.

Tamponade is used in medicine for filling natural or artificial cavities or openings. It usually serves to blood or other body fluids, eg. B. as drainage, absorb and bind. Tamponade is often referred to in the hygiene sector as a tampon. It is usually a cotton or gauze pad, which can also be designed depending on the purpose of use cylinder or pin-shaped. Tamponades are usually made of cellulosic materials, such as cotton or viscose fibers. Although the known from the prior art tamponades have a good absorption capacity for the body fluids that they also adhere to the surface of the body cavity or -Outnung on which they lie or, or even stick together. When removing the tamponade, it can therefore be at worst damage to this skin surface, or at least inconvenience to the patient.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a sanitary body suitable for receiving and holding body fluids from a body cavity or mouth without exhibiting the drawbacks of the prior art absorbent body for such purposes.

The present invention accordingly provides a cylindrical or pin-shaped hygiene body for insertion into a body cavity or opening, which comprises a fiber layer of pulp fibers, which are partially connected to each other by compression with compression of the pulp fibers in the compressed areas, wherein the fiber layer in the form of a Fiber web is present, which is laid with the formation of extending in the longitudinal direction of the sanitary body channels. The nature and construction of the hygiene body according to the invention enable rapid absorption of the body fluid without adhering to the surface of the body cavity or mouth or even sticking to it. The hygiene body according to the invention is cylindrical or conical. The cross section may be round, angular, oval or elliptical, with a round, oval or elliptical cross section being preferred.

In one possible embodiment, the lateral surface and possibly also one or both of the end faces of the hygiene body according to the invention is at least partially provided with a liquid-permeable casing. The sheath may be a nonwoven material, a net, a woven fabric, a foil, a structured foil or a polymer film. The casing should be designed such that sticking of the hygiene body to the body surface is largely avoided, but the casing has a certain porosity and permeability to the body fluid.

The hygiene body according to the invention essentially comprises a fiber layer of pulp fibers, which is in the form of a fibrous web. The pulp fibers are an essential ingredient, they represent a natural material, cellulose or pulp, which is present in the form of irregularly arranged fibers substantially. Cellulose fibers are preferably used in the form of nonwovens, in particular as airlaid nonwovens. Nonwovens or nonwovens are among the textile composites, they are flexible, porous fabrics, which are produced by entanglement and / or cohesive and / or adhesive bonding of fibers. The nonwovens are loose materials made of fibers whose cohesion is generally given by the inherent adhesion of the fibers. The nonwovens may be solidified as needed, with mechanical bonding without binder being preferred for use in the present invention.

In a possible embodiment of the present invention, the fiber layer of compacted pulp fibers on at least one flat side on another layer. It is also possible for the material to have further layers on both sides, wherein these further layers may be made of the same or different materials. The materials for these further layers may be, for example, tissue, textile, non-woven and / or film-like materials. Preferably, the material for the further layer or the further layers likewise consists of cellulose or a readily biodegradable plastic material. The further layers increase the strength of the fiber layer and thus facilitate the industrial processability in high-speed machines. The fiber layer of pulp fibers according to the invention are connected to one another in regions by pressing with compression of the pulp fibers in the compressed areas. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is proposed that the pulp fibers and the optional further layer (s) are pressed in the pressed areas under heat. In one possible embodiment, the fiber layer and the further layer are likewise connected to one another by means of pressing only by area by means of heat. The production of such interconnected pulp fibers and fiber layers or webs is described by way of example in the German patent applications DE 198 24 825, DE 198 03 837, DE 197 50 890 and in the European patent EP 1 032 342.

It has been found that the use of only partially compressed pulp fibers as absorbent material a very good absorption capacity and retention effect in relation to the body fluids to be absorbed can be achieved. It is assumed that this advantageous effect is achieved on the flat sides of the fiber layer in the surface structure which is particularly advantageous due to the compression. The compressed areas give the fiber layer a certain strength, while the non-compressed areas in which the fibers form only a loose composite, ensure a good absorption capacity and retention effect.

In a further possible embodiment, the surface structure of the fibrous layer can be varied by folding, laying and / or curling the sheet-like fibrous layer in such a way that it obtains a curled or wavy appearance. In the direction of folding / laying / curling, the expansion of the planar structure is shortened. This curling or wrinkling can be regular or irregular. This type of structural change can also be described as creping or crimping.

According to the invention, the fibrous layer is laid to form channels extending in the longitudinal direction of the sanitary body. These longitudinally extending channels can be obtained, for example, when the fibrous layer, ie, the fibrous web, is wound and / or interleaved. In such an embodiment, for use in receiving body fluids, liquid may enter the filter material from one side of one or both faces of the sanitary body and be received by the longitudinally extending channels and absorbed by the fibrous layer. It is also possible that the liquid is also in Direction is taken across the channels (absorption capacity of the fiber layer as such).

Based on the geometry of folding or laying the fiber layer, the size (diameter) of the formed channels can be adjusted. Adjusting the size of these channels is the easier the thinner the layer of fiber material. On the other hand, the thickness of the pulp fibers, which are only partially compressed, must not be too low, otherwise the strength of the fiber web is insufficient to be processed into a pin-shaped hygiene body. The layer thickness of the fibrous web is preferably from 0.3 to 1, 8 mm.

The fiber layer or fiber web used according to the invention usually has a basis weight of between 15 g / m ² and 600 g / m ² , preferably between 20 g / m ² and 200 g / m ² . The diameter of the hygiene body is preferably between 2 and 200 mm, sizes of 3 to 15 mm are preferably used.

The absorption capacity of the hygiene body according to the invention can be increased by additives. These additives may be, for example, absorbents or fragrances, flavors, flavorings, pharmaceutical agents or other auxiliaries, such as superabsorbent polymers, activated carbons, zeolites, silicates, Si0 ₂ , disinfecting or hemostatic substances, superficial anesthetic or Analgesics, menthol, clove oil, cocoa, vanilla or any mixtures of the foregoing. These substances can be applied to the shell or incorporated into the body. It is also possible to soak the body with solutions of slurries of these substances.

The optional absorbents are characterized by a high surface area and / or high absorption capacity against body fluids and their ingredients. The superabsorbent polymers have a particularly high absorption performance. They may be selected, for example, from polymers based on carboxymethylcellulose derivatives or polymers based on (meth) acrylic acid and / or (meth) acrylates, and cyclodextrins. As further additives, auxiliaries and fillers, such as titanium dioxide, chalk or kaolin, or vegetable substances such as spices and perfumes may be.

Pharmaceutical active ingredients are contained in particular when the hygiene body is used in the context of a medical treatment. Preferably used active ingredients are disinfecting or hemostatic substances and / or superficial anesthetics and analgesics.

In particular for the use of the hygiene body in the oral cavity fragrances, flavors and aromas as well as other auxiliaries which improve the taste of the hygiene body can be contained. These include menthol, clove oil, cocoa, vanilla and similar substances. Some of these substances also have antiseptic and antimicrobial effects, so that a certain disinfecting effect can be achieved, especially when used in the oral cavity.

The addition of the additives and additives can be achieved by sprinkling or spraying on the fiber layer, for. B. on the fibers, before or after the pressing, or by direct injection into the peg-shaped hygiene body. For use as a pin-shaped hygiene body, the fiber material which is generally present as a flat structure can be brought into a preferably cylindrical shape in a manner known per se.

In one possible embodiment, the fiber layer present in the form of a fiber web is surrounded by a cladding layer or sheath. This jacket layer or sheath may serve to hold the peg-shaped hygiene body in the form. Preferably, the cladding layer is selected from a material such that sticking of the sanitary body to the surface of the body cavity or mouth is largely avoided, and the sanitary body, even if the body fluid has been taken up to a large extent, without problems from the body cavity or mouth can be removed again. The jacket layer preferably has openings through which the body fluid can enter the hygiene body. In this way, the absorption performance can be further optimized. The invention is illustrated in more detail in the attached figures with reference to an embodiment. Show it

1 shows a perspective view of the fiber web used for the production of the hygiene body with two layers,

FIG. 2 shows a perspective section through the fibrous web in a crimped state, FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the finished hygiene body with partial omission of the jacket layer,

4 shows a section through the hygiene body along the line A - A in Figure 3.

In Figure 1, the fibrous web used in the hygiene body according to the invention is shown in perspective on an enlarged scale. The thickness is exaggerated. In the embodiment illustrated here, the fibrous web 1 comprises two layers, a fibrous layer 2 and a comparatively thinner, further layer 3.

The lower, thicker layer is a fibrous layer 2 of cellulose fibers, optionally with additives. This layer 2 is preferably made of cellulosic material in an airlaid process. Such cellulosic material is available inexpensively as a bulk material. In the production in a continuous airlaid process, the fibrous web is produced from a layer of air-flow-packed bedding of pulp fibers made of pulp (fluff pulp) and optionally interspersed absorber materials and other additives and auxiliaries. For the production of a standardized commodity one can make use of the renewable raw materials available on the market. The method of pulp filling in the air stream as a starting material for the fiber layer 2 allows a dry processing of the pulp fibers and thus in the subsequent connection with the other layer a good compression of the pulp fibers in individual, d. H. outside of such embossing areas 4, the fibers lie loosely together, which improves the absorption capacity and the flexibility of the layer 2 in these areas.

The further layer 3 is substantially thinner than the fiber layer 2 in the embodiment shown here. The layer 3 may be formed, for example, by a web of textile, nonwoven or film-like material.

The bonding of the two layers 2, 3 takes place, for example, in an embossing process. The pressing is not uniform over a large area, but pressing takes place mainly in embossing areas 4, wherein cup-like depressions 5 are formed in the fiber layer 2. The depressions 5 in the embossing areas 4 can be round or be polygonal. In the embodiment shown here, they have the shape of truncated pyramids or truncated cones.

The further layer 3 is only very thin, therefore, the embossing pattern formed during pressing is also on the Au ßenseite the layer 3 recognizable.

The embossing takes place by means of two rollers, which are provided on their lateral surface with the recesses 5 forming projections and virtually represent embossing rollers. In this way, a compression of the pulp fibers is achieved in the discrete embossing areas 4. For putting in place in these areas at least partially a compound of the further layer 3 with the compacted embossed areas 4th

Outside of the embossing areas 4, the fibers lie loosely together, which improves the absorption capacity and ensures the flexibility of the material. In the manufacture of the sanitary body according to this embodiment, neither adhesives nor other binders such. B. latex required. Rather, the connection is purely thermomechanical. By targeted arrangement such as number and size of embossing areas, the absorption capacity of the material can be adjusted. The weight per unit area of the fiber layer 2 can be between 15 g / m ² and 600 g / m ² . The basis weight is preferably between 20 g / m ² and 200 g / m ² . The basis weight of the further web 3 is generally somewhat less than the basis weight of the fiber layer 2 and is preferably between 15 and 30 g / m ² . FIG. 2 shows a section through the material web 1 in a crimped state. The individual layers are not shown here. In the embodiment shown here, the material is irregularly wrinkled. An absorption material for producing a hygiene body is obtained, which has a surface structure with elevations and depressions in addition to the embossing areas 4. These elevations and depressions increase the surface area.

FIG. 3 shows a hygiene body according to the invention, which is formed from the crimped material web 1 shown in FIG. 2 and a sheath 9, which was partially omitted in FIG. The material web 1 is in the embodiment shown here in zigzag form, that is mutually placed or folded, wherein in the longitudinal direction of the peg-shaped hygiene body extending channels 1 1 arise. The mutual laying can be even or irregular. The male Liquid can pass through the channels 1 1 and through the liquid-permeable casing 9 also through the fiber layer of the material 1 and be absorbed. In the embodiment shown here, only the lateral surface is provided with a shell, the end faces are uncovered, ie open.

In the embodiment shown here, the pin-shaped hygiene body is surrounded by a shell 9. As described above, the sheath 9 should be designed such that sticking of the hygiene body to the body surface is largely avoided. However, it should have a certain porosity and permeability to the body fluid.

The surface 10 of the material 1 forms the inner surface of the channels 11. Through the recesses 5 and by the optional crimping of the material 1, an uneven surface structure of the channels 1 1 forms, which has a positive effect on the absorption effect of the hygiene body according to the invention.

Figure 4 shows a section through the hygiene body according to the invention along the line A - A. The material 1 is zigzag-shaped, d. H. placed mutually, so that form channels 1 1 in the longitudinal direction of the sanitary body. The mutually placed material 1 can be arranged symmetrically or asymmetrically within the hygiene body 8.

In the embodiment illustrated here, the mutually-laid layers of fiber material 1 form individual circular segments 15 of a cylinder. The arrangement of the layers of the material 1 may also be irregular. In another embodiment, not shown here, the material web 1 can also be wound in the longitudinal direction.

The preparation of the hygiene body according to the invention can in a conventional manner from the material. 1 Preferably, the production takes place via a so-called rod production. For this purpose, first elongate, rod-shaped body made of the sheet material 1 are produced. This precursor is provided with the sheath 9. Web-shaped wrapping materials can be wound. The shell materials can also be used in the form of a tube and pulled over the rod-shaped precursor. Polymer films can be sprayed on in the form of solutions or prepolymer and then dried or cured. The hygiene body according to the invention can be designed in any size, so as to be inserted or introduced into a body cavity and / or opening so as to act as a tamponade.

LIST OF REFERENCES

1 web material

2 fiber layer

3 more shift

4 stamping area

5 wells

6 surveys

7 further wells

8 hygiene bodies

9 case

10 Surface of the web material 1

1 1 channels

12 face

15 segment

Claims

claims

1 . Spigot or cylindrical hygiene body for insertion into a body cavity or opening, which comprises a fibrous layer (2) of pulp fibers, which are partially interconnected by compression with compression of the pulp fibers in the compressed areas (4), wherein the fiber layer (2) in Form of a fibrous web is present, which is placed under formation of extending in the longitudinal direction of the sanitary body channels (1 1).

2. hygiene body according to claim 1, characterized in that the lateral surface is at least partially provided with a liquid-permeable shell (9).

3. Hygiene body according to claim 2, characterized in that the sheath (9) is a fleece, a net, fabric, film or polymer film.

4. hygiene body according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the pulp fibers in the compressed areas (4) are pressed under heat.

5. Hygiene body according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that in the manufacture of the fiber web neither adhesives nor other binders are used.

6. Hygiene body according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the fiber layer (2) on one flat side has a further layer (3).

7. Hygiene body according to claim 6, characterized in that the fiber layer on both flat sides further layers (3), wherein the further layers may be made of the same or different materials.

8. Hygiene body according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the further layer (3) is independently selected from tissue, textile, fleece-like or foil-like material.

9. Hygiene body according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the fiber layer has a basis weight between 15 g / m ² and 600 g / m ² , preferably between 20 g / m ² and 200 g / m ² .

10. Hygiene body according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it contains one or more additives selected from absorbents and / or other excipients.

1 1. Hygiene body according to claim 10, characterized in that the additives are selected from absorbents, perfumes, flavorings, flavorings and / or pharmaceutical agents.

12. Hygiene body according to claim 1 1, characterized in that the additives are selected from superabsorbent polymers, activated carbons, zeolites, silicates, Si0 ₂ , disinfecting or hemostatic substances, superficial anesthetic, menthol, clove oil, cocoa, vanilla and any mixtures of the foregoing ,