FR3081103A1 - HYGIENIC BAG WITH ABSORBENT BUFFER - Google Patents

Abstract

Hygienic bag for the recovery of waste produced by a patient, said hygienic bag comprising: - a sealed envelope (12) provided with an opening (20); at least one closing link (141; 142) of said opening slidably mounted in a hem (241; 242) of the envelope so that extraction of said closure link from said hem reduces said opening (20); and an absorbent pad (15). According to the invention, the absorbent pad (15) is fixed on an inner face (281; 282) of said envelope.

Description

HYGIENIC BAG WITH ABSORBENT PAD

Technical area

The invention relates to a hygienic bag for recovering liquid waste produced by a patient in hospitals. The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing such a hygienic bag and to a method of placing in service position such a hygienic bag. The invention finally relates to an assembly comprising such hygienic bags and a packaging of said hygienic bags.

State of the art

In hospitals, it may be necessary to recover the waste produced by certain patients (urine, excrement) because these patients cannot go to the toilet or for analysis. For this purpose, the patient makes his needs in a hygienic bag previously arranged on a support, conventionally a basin, a bucket or a WC. Such a hygienic bag is for example described in EP 09148304.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, a single-use hygienic bag 10 conventionally comprises an envelope 12, first and second closure links 141 and 142, and an absorbent pad 15.

The envelope 12, generally of rectangular shape when the bag is flat, conventionally comprises first and second sheets 161 and 162, respectively, of the same dimensions, superimposed and fixed to one another, in a sealed manner, along a right side edge 18d, a left side edge 18g and a bottom edge 18f connecting the lower ends of the right and left side edges. The first and second sheets generally result from the folding of a sheet along the bottom edge 18f, the sealing of the right and left lateral edges being conventionally obtained by welding.

The opening 20 of the hygienic bag is defined by an opening edge 18o consisting of the first and second free edges 221 and 222 of the first and second sheets, respectively. Along the first and second free edges, the first and second sheets define first and second hems 241 and 242, respectively, interrupted by first and second windows 261 and 262, respectively. The first and second closure links are slidably mounted in the first and second hems, respectively. They are accessible through the first and second windows, respectively. Their right and left ends are fixed on the right edges 18d and left 18g of the envelope, respectively, so that their extraction by the first and second windows, respectively, or "tightening", causes a contraction of the first and second free edges 221 and 222, and therefore the throttling of the opening 20.

The first and second sheets 161 and I62 define first and second interior faces 281 and 282, respectively, which, in the configuration of use (FIG. 1), extend one opposite the other and which, in the inverted configuration of the envelope, are on the contrary exposed to the outside (Figure 4). In the service position, at least a portion of the interior faces may come into contact with the waste produced by the patient.

The first and second outer faces 291 and 292 are called the faces of the first and second sheets 161 and I62 opposite the first and second inner faces 281 and 282, respectively.

In the configuration of use, the absorbent pad 15, conventionally constituted by a mixture of cotton wool and a powder made of a superabsorbent polymer (in English "superabsorbent polymer", or SAP) is housed in the envelope, without there to be fixed. The volume of the absorbent pad is adapted to absorb the liquid waste introduced into the envelope by the patient.

Generally, the support S (see Figure 2) has a flange on which the patient can rest, for example sit. The rim may have the shape of a ring or part of a ring, generally oval, delimiting a hole. For example, when the support is a toilet, the rim is formed by the toilet seat. The support can also include a bottom wall defining a cavity surrounded by the rim, for example when the support is a basin.

In order for the patient to be able to use the hygienic bag 10, an operator must first position it on the support in a service position (FIG. 2). In this position, the bottom of the bag extends into the hole defined by the support or against the bottom wall of the support. The operator then positions the absorbent pad substantially flat, in the bottom of the bag. The upper part of the envelope, which extends from the opening edge 18o, is then folded around the edge of the support, so as to protect the support.

Finally, the operator pulls on the closure links so as to tighten the opening of the bag against the edge of the support, and thus prevent any separation of the bag and the support. This last operation is necessary to avoid contamination of the support, and thus guarantee hygienic conditions adapted to the hospital environment. In particular, the bags with grip straps, or "with handles", offered to individuals to cover baby seats, do not provide this protection. In addition, in the service position, the shoulder straps would drag and risk becoming soiled. Suspenders are therefore to be avoided when the hygienic bag is intended for the hospital environment.

After use, the closing links are loosened, the hygienic bag is removed from the support, then the closing links are tightened again in order to close the bag hermetically, thereby isolating its contents from the outside. The bag can then be discarded.

Current hygienic bags are relatively long to place in the service position on the support. They are also expensive to manufacture. Finally, the supports can have different shapes and sizes and the hygienic bags are not perfectly suited to all these supports.

There is an ongoing need to resolve these problems.

An object of the invention is to respond, at least partially, to this need, while retaining the advantages of current hygienic bags, and in particular the preservation of the hygiene which they provide thanks to the protection of the support.

Summary of the invention

The invention provides a hygienic bag intended for the recovery of waste produced by a patient, said hygienic bag comprising:

a sealed envelope with an opening;

at least one closure link of said opening, slidably mounted in a hem of the envelope so that an extraction of said closure link from said hem reduces said opening; and an absorbent pad.

A hygienic bag according to the invention is remarkable in that the absorbent pad is fixed on an inner face of the envelope.

As will be seen in more detail in the following description, the position of the pad on said inner face can thus be predetermined so that, in the operating position, the absorbent pad ensures maximum absorption of the liquid waste poured into it. envelope. The volume of the absorbent pad can advantageously be reduced.

Attaching the absorbent pad even eliminates any manipulation of the absorbent pad by the operator. This saves time and reduces the risk of error.

Finally, the production of the bag can be fully automated, which reduces its cost.

A hygienic bag according to the invention may also include one or more of the following optional characteristics:

the absorbent pad is fixed to said inner face by means of a reversible and preferably reusable adhesive;

the envelope comprises first and second identical sheets, superimposed on one another and fixed to one another along right and left lateral edges and a bottom edge, the absorbent pad being fixed on only one of said first and second sheets; the envelope has no bellows;

the envelope is devoid of gripping straps;

the width of the tampon, measured along a bottom edge of the envelope, is less than 0.8 times, 0.6 times, 0.5 times or 0.4 times the width of said envelope, measured along said bottom edge;

said closure link is a ribbon having a width greater than 2 mm, 5 mm, 10 mm, or 15 mm.

The invention relates to a strip of hygienic bags according to the invention, each hygienic bag being in the inverted configuration and fixed by at least one side edge to an adjacent hygienic bag.

The invention also relates to an assembly comprising:

a plurality of hygienic bags according to the invention, preferably in the form of a strip wound on itself, and a package in which said hygienic bags are housed, each of said hygienic bags being in an inverted position in which its absorbent pad extends outside the envelope of said hygienic bag.

Preferably, said hygienic bags are connected to each other by the lateral edges of the envelopes of said hygienic bags, so as to form a band, said hygienic bags being separated from each other by lines of weakness extending along said side edges.

The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a hygienic bag according to the invention, method in which an absorbent pad is fixed to the outside of the envelope, while the envelope is in an inverted configuration, this is that is to say on a face defining the interior volume of the envelope in the configuration of use.

As will be seen in more detail in the following description, such a process can advantageously be easily automated.

The invention also relates to a method of placing a hygienic bag according to the invention in service position on a support, method in which, optionally after having detached it from a strip of hygienic bags according to the invention, it is returned said hygienic bag, initially in the inverted configuration, so that the absorbent pad is inside said hygienic bag, then fixes said hygienic bag on said support by pulling on said closure link so as to tighten the opening edge delimiting the opening of said hygienic bag. In the service position, the hygienic bag is therefore in the configuration of use.

Optionally, before or after turning the bag, detach the absorbent pad, reposition it and, optionally, fix it in a new location.

Finally, the invention relates to a method of placing a hygienic bag according to the invention in service position on a support, method in which, optionally after having detached it from a strip of hygienic bags according to the invention, the following is introduced the support in said hygienic bag in the inverted configuration, so that the absorbent pad is outside of said hygienic bag, then fixes said hygienic bag on said support by pulling on said closure link so as to tighten the edge of opening delimiting the opening of said hygienic bag, and thus enclosing the support inside the hygienic bag. In the service position, the hygienic bag is therefore in the inverted configuration.

Definitions

The adjectives "upper", "lower", "right" and "left" refer to the position of Figure 1, in which the arrow V, pointing upwards, is oriented vertically.

Unless otherwise indicated, "understand", "comprise" and "present" must be interpreted in a broad and non-limiting manner.

The adjectives "inside" and "outside" refer to the configuration of use of the hygienic bag in the embodiment of FIG. 1.

A distinction is made between the "configuration of use", in which the tampon is inside the envelope, and the "inverted configuration", in which the envelope is turned over, like a glove finger when removing a glove. by hand, the inside faces of the envelope being exposed to the outside.

In the "inverted" configuration, the "inside" and "outside" sides are therefore exposed towards the outside and inside of the hygienic bag, respectively.

Brief description of the figures

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent on reading the detailed description which follows and on examining the drawing in which:

- Figure 1 shows a preferred embodiment of a hygienic bag according to the invention, in the configuration of use;

- Figure 2 shows, in section, a hygienic bag in the service position;

- Figure 3 illustrates the main steps of manufacturing a strip of sanitary bags according to the invention, in a preferred embodiment; and

- Figure 4 shows the hygienic bag of Figure 1 in the inverted configuration;

- Figures 5a and 5b show another use for a hygienic bag according to the invention; and

- Figure 6 is a photograph of the hygienic bag of Figure 5a.

detailed description

Hygienic bag

FIG. 1 represents an example of a hygienic bag 10 according to the invention. The general structure of this hygienic bag has been described in the preamble to this description. The following description therefore details more specifically the innovative aspects of a hygienic bag according to the invention.

The casing 12, preferably formed by assembling two polyethylene sheets, preferably has, in the flat position, a generally rectangular shape. The height h 12, measured in the vertical direction, is preferably greater than 25 cm or 30 cm and preferably less than 80 cm, 70 cm, 60 cm or 50 cm. Its width I12, measured along the bottom edge 18f, is preferably greater than 30 cm or 40 cm or 50 cm and / or less than 80 cm or 70 cm. Preferably, the ratio I12Æ112 is greater than 1.1, 1.2, or 1.5. In one embodiment, in particular in the embodiment of FIGS. 5a, 5b and 6, the ratio I112 / I12 can be greater than 1.1, 1.2, or 1.5.

The width 115 of the absorbent pad 15 is preferably greater than 20 cm and / or less than 30 cm. Preferably, the I12 / I15 ratio is greater than 1.1, preferably greater than 1.5, more preferably still greater than 2.0 or 2.5.

Advantageously, the absorbent pad 15 can be disposed eccentrically relative to the center of the bottom edge 18f, which allows it to be well suited to the support whose rim is generally not symmetrical in revolution. For the same reason, the absorbent pad 15 may not extend symmetrically with respect to the bottom edge 18f.

Preferably, in the flat position, as shown in Figure 1 or in Figure 4, each sheet has no folds, except to define the hem in which is housed the respective closure link. In particular, the envelope is preferably devoid of bellows. The manufacturing cost is reduced.

Preferably, in the configuration of use, the absorbent pad 15 partially extends against the interior face of the first sheet 161 and partially against the interior face of the second sheet I62.

The absorbent pad 15 is fixed on at least one of the inner faces of the envelope, preferably on the only second inner face 282.

The fixing is preferably ensured by means of an adhesive, preferably by means of one, two, three, four or even more than four pads of adhesive and / or by one or more beads of adhesive.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the adhesive is reversible, that is to say chosen so as to allow detachment of the absorbent pad 15 and / or of the second sheet without deterioration of the absorbent pad 15 and / or of the second sheet, respectively.

Even more preferably, after such a detachment, the glue is reusable, that is to say retains sufficient adhesiveness so that the absorbent pad can be glued to the envelope. Advantageously, the operator can thus modify the position of the absorbent pad in the envelope, and thus adapt to supports of different shapes or dimensions. In particular, the operator can stick the stamp to another location on the second sheet, or stick it on the first sheet.

Reversible and reusable glues are well known, and in particular used to glue samples of cosmetic products in magazines. The adhesive can in particular be chosen from synthetic rubber adhesives, such as Technomelt® adhesives PS8751 or PS8440 manufactured by the company HENKEL. Preferably, the glue is deposited hot.

Preferably, in a flat position and in the inverted configuration, the absorbent pad is astride the bottom edge 18f (FIG. 4). The bottom edge 18f preferably extends in a median plane of the absorbent pad 15, that is to say passing halfway up the absorbent pad 15.

Preferably, the volume of the absorbent pad and its position are determined so that the latter can absorb more than 400 ml, preferably more than 450 ml, or even more than 500 ml of liquid in the service position.

The closure links 141 and 142 are preferably ribbons having a width greater than 2 mm and / or preferably less than 40 mm. They are preferably slidably mounted in hems having a cross section substantially identical to that of the ribbons they receive. The sliding of the closure links is advantageously improved.

The closure links 141 and 142 are preferably folded in half, along their lengths. They can also be monolayers.

The windows 261 and 262 are configured to facilitate the gripping of the closure links 14i and 142, respectively, by the fingers of an operator. Preferably, they have a width I26 greater than 10 mm and / or less than 50 mm.

The hygienic bag is preferably packaged in the inverted configuration. Preferably, it is packaged in a package, preferably in a blister, a box, for example a cardboard box, or an airtight packaging bag. Of course, to have the hygienic bag in the service configuration, the operator must therefore return the envelope in order to configure the bag according to the configuration of use.

More preferably, the hygienic bags according to the invention are packaged in the form of a strip, preferably wound on itself, the roll thus obtained is preferably packaged in a package, preferably a blister, a box, by example in cardboard, or an airtight packaging bag. Preferably, the strip comprises more than 10, preferably more than 20 and / or less than 200, preferably less than 100 hygienic bags according to the invention.

Preferably always, the hygienic bags are folded back on themselves, preferably twice, before being rolled up.

In a strip of hygienic bags, each hygienic bag is attached by its right and left lateral edges to an adjacent right bag and to an adjacent left bag, with the exception of the hygienic bags at the end of the strip, which are not attached than one adjacent hygienic bag. Preferably, a sanitary bag is attached to an adjacent sanitary bag through a weakening line configured to allow separation of the two sanitary bags it connects. The weakening line may consist of a thin line and / or a line along which the strip is regularly pierced.

Manufacturing

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a process which can be implemented for manufacturing a hygienic bag according to the invention.

Firstly (FIG. 3a), cutouts 30 are provided, at regular intervals, on the two longitudinal edges of a sheet of strip B of plastic, preferably of polyethylene. Two ribbons 321 and 32 ₂ are then deposited along the edges of the strip and these edges are folded so as to cover the ribbons while letting them appear in the cutouts 30. The longitudinal edges of the sheet B are then welded in order to constitute hems around the ribbons 321 and 32 ₂ and windows from the cutouts 30.

Then, the sheet is folded in half along a longitudinal center fold line X, so as to expose the windows inwards (inverted configuration). The lower edge 36 of the sheet thus linked along the fold line makes it possible to define the bottom edges 18f of the hygienic bags. The sheet can also be delivered already folded.

Finally, the folded sheet is regularly welded, along transverse weld lines 34. The transverse weld lines 34 make it possible to constitute the lateral edges of the hygienic bags, but also to fix the tapes 321 and 32 ₂ at their ends. The weld lines 34 are then weakened, for example by regular drilling, in order to constitute weak lines suitable for detaching the hygienic bags.

The absorbent pads 15 are stuck astride the lower edge 36 of the folded sheet. Finally, preferably, the strip of hygienic bags thus obtained is folded back on itself, preferably along fold lines parallel to the lower edge 36.

Alternatively, the folded sheet is preferably first folded back on itself, then the absorbent pads 15 are glued astride the lower edge 36. The manufacturing process is simplified.

More preferably, the strip of hygienic bags 10 is finally wound on itself, then packaged, preferably in an airtight packaging bag.

Advantageously, the process which has just been described allows a particularly economical continuous manufacture, as well as a practical presentation of the bags, in the form of a roll.

If necessary, the operator pulls on the last hygienic bag from the roll, which leads to the detachment of the hygienic bag along the last weakening line.

The hygienic bag is then in the inverted configuration. The operator reconfigures it in the configuration of use, so that the absorbent pad 15 is inside the bag. H can then position the bag on the support, as described in the preamble to this description. The bag being glued to the inside of the envelope, it immediately adopts a predetermined position, without any specific intervention from the operator. However, if the operator wishes, he can take off the pad and reposition it, the glue used is preferably reversible and preferably reusable.

A hygienic bag according to the invention can therefore be used with different supports, and is therefore very versatile.

As is now clear, the invention provides a sanitary bag that is easy and quick to put in the service position, but also economical to manufacture. This hygienic bag, however, retains the advantages of hygienic bags according to the prior art, in particular in that it still allows to coat the edge of the support on which it is used, and thus to protect it from any contamination.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described and shown, provided for illustrative purposes only.

In particular, the bag is not necessarily rectangular in shape.

Furthermore, in one embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 5a, 5b and 6, the hygienic bag can be used in the inverted configuration. To this end, as shown in FIGS. 5a and 6, the operator introduces the support into the hygienic bag in the inverted configuration, so that the absorbent pad 15 is outside of said hygienic bag, then fixes said hygienic bag on the support S by pulling on the closure links 14i and 14 ₂ so as to tighten the opening edge delimiting the opening of said hygienic bag. It then reaches the service position illustrated in Figure 5b.

In this embodiment, the buffer is preferably not straddling the bottom edge 18f. Preferably, it extends entirely over one of the first and second internal faces 281 and 28 ₂ (which, in this embodiment are outside the hygienic bag in the service position), preferably substantially at mid-length. right side edges 18d and left side 18g, preferably substantially centrally.

After use by the patient, the closure links are loosened, then the hygienic bag is inverted, at the same time as the support is removed therefrom, so as to assume the configuration of use in which the absorbent pad and the waste are to be inside the bag. The closure links are then tightened to isolate the waste.

Claims (12)

1. Hygienic bag intended for the recovery of waste produced by a patient, said hygienic bag comprising: a sealed envelope (12) provided with an opening (20); - At least one closure link (141; 14 ₂ ) of said opening, slidably mounted in a hem (241; 24 ₂ ) of the envelope so that an extraction of said closure link from said hem reduces said opening (20 ); and - an absorbent pad (15); characterized in that the absorbent pad (15) is fixed on an inner face (28i; 28 ₂ ) of said envelope. 2. Hygienic bag according to the immediately preceding claim, wherein the absorbent pad (15) is fixed on said inner face (28i; 28 ₂ ) by means of a reversible adhesive. 3. Hygienic bag according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the envelope (12) comprises first and second sheets (16i; 16 ₂ ) identical, superimposed on each other and fixed to one 'other along right (18d) and left (18g) side edges and a bottom edge (18f), the absorbent pad (15) being fixed on only one of said first and second sheets. 4. Hygienic bag according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the envelope (12) is devoid of bellows. 5. Hygienic bag according to any one of the preceding claims, in which Γ envelope (12) is devoid of gripping straps. 6. hygienic bag according to any one of the three immediately preceding claims, in which the width of the tampon (li ₅ ) measured along a bottom edge (18f) of the envelope (12) is less than 0.6 times the width (1 ₁₂ ) of said envelope, measured along said bottom edge (18f). 7. A hygienic bag according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said closure link (14i; 14 ₂ ) is a tape having a width greater than 2 mm. 8. An assembly comprising a plurality of hygienic bags (10) according to any one of the preceding claims and a package in which said hygienic bags are housed, each of said hygienic bags being in an inverted position in which the absorbent pad (15) s' extends outside the envelope (12) of said hygienic bag. 9. The assembly of claim immediately preceding, wherein said hygienic bags (10) are connected to each other by the side edges (18d; 18g) of the envelopes (12) of said hygienic bags, so as to form a band, said sanitary bags being separated from each other by lines of weakness extending along said side edges. 10. Method for manufacturing a hygienic bag according to any one of claims 1 to 7, in which the absorbent pad (15) is fixed to the outside of the envelope (12) while 1 envelope is in a configuration returned. 11. A method of placing a hygienic bag in the service position according to any one of claims 1 to 7 on a support (S), method in which said hygienic bag (10) is turned over so that the absorbent pad (15 ) either inside said hygienic bag, then fixes said hygienic bag on said support by pulling on said closure link (14i; 14 ₂ ) so as to tighten the opening edge (18o) delimiting the opening (20 ) of said hygienic bag. 12. Method for placing a hygienic bag in the service position according to any one of claims 1 to 7 on a support (S), method in which the support is introduced into said hygienic bag (10) in the inverted configuration, so that the absorbent pad (15) is outside of said hygienic bag, then fixes said hygienic bag on said support by pulling on said closure link (14i; 14 ₂ ) so as to tighten the opening edge ( 18o) delimiting the opening (20) of said hygienic bag.