GB2268069A

GB2268069A - Disposable nappy

Info

Publication number: GB2268069A
Application number: GB9311285A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Cindy Michelle Beli Waterfield
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1992-06-03
Filing date: 1993-06-01
Publication date: 1994-01-05
Anticipated expiration: 2013-06-01
Also published as: GB2268069B; GB9311285D0; WO1993024084A1; AU4339993A

Abstract

A disposable nappy (1) incorporates a fire retardant waterproof cover (2) and a fire retardant water permeable lining (3) whereby the entire nappy is rendered fire retardant in ordinary use. Optionally, the absorbent core (4) of the nappy may be fire retardant or may comprise a body of non-fire retardant absorbent material (4) sandwiched between fire retardant layers (5,6) or wrapped in fire retardant material.

Description

DISPOSABLE NAPPY This invention relates to a disposable nappy, and more particularly to a disposable nappy which is fire retardant.

The term "disposable nappy" as used herein means a disposable one-piece garment comprising an absorbent core and a water-proof outer cover. Such garments are most commonly used for infants, but may be manufactured of a size to render them suitable for use by incontinent adults.

In recent years improvements in the design and construction of disposable nappies have led to a widespread acceptance of disposable nappies for both infants and incontinent adults. Although considerable emphasis has been given to the improvement of the design of disposable nappies from the point of view of their effectiveness in containing urine and faeces, and their comfort for the wearer, little or no consideration has been given to the fire safety hazard which disposable nappies present.

A typical known disposable nappy comprises a polyethylene outer cover, an absorbent core of tissue paper, cellulose wadding, or fluffed wood pulp wrapped in tissue paper, and a non-woven fabric liner. These individual elements from which the disposable nappy is made are all flammable and the resultant garment is itself flammable both in storage and when in use.

According to the present invention there is provided a disposable nappy comprising a waterproof cover, an absorbent core, and a water permeable lining, wherein at least the waterproof cover and the permeable lining are fire retardant.

The term "fire retardant" as used herein means self-extinguishing when ignited in free air at temperatures likely to be encountered in use of disposable nappies.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention the absorbent core comprises absorbent material contained within a tissue cover, the tissue cover being fire retardant. If desired, the absorbent material itself may be rendered fire retardant, but in general this is not required since the provision of a fire retardant cover and fire retardant lining, optionally combined with a fire retardant tissue containing the absorbent material, is sufficient to avoid any likely fire risk.

The invention will be better understood from the following description of two embodiments thereof, given by way of example only, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figures 1 and 2 show respectively exploded views of the construction of first and second embodiments of the invention.

Referring firstly to Figure 1, there is shown schematically a disposable nappy 1 comprising a waterproof cover 2, a water permeable lining 3 and an absorbent core 4. The actual shape and construction of the nappy is not critical to the present invention since the concept of the present invention may readily apply to all types of disposable nappy construction.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 1 the absorbent core 4 is of fluffed wood pulp, cellulose wadding, or absorbent tissue material and is sandwiched between core covers 5 and 6.

In accordance with the invention at least the waterproof cover 2 and lining 3 are fire retardant. For this purpose, the materials used may be inherently fire retardant or may be treated with suitable fire retardant chemicals to render them fire retardant. In one possible embodiment of the invention the cover 2 is formed from a thermobonded polypropylene sheet of 18-30 micrometres thick and the lining 3 is a woven cover stock of polypropylene and/or polyethylene fibres having a weight of 18-22 grms per square metre. One or both materials may be rendered fire retardant by incorporating within them chlorinated or brominated aluminium trihydrate or suitable nitrogen/phosphorus containing compounds. The required amount of fire retardant will depend on the nature of the fire retardant used and on the materials used for the waterproof cover and water permeable lining.In general, the amount of fire retardant will be chosen as the minimum level capable of producing the required self-extinguishing characteristics for these materials.

Preferably, the layers 5 and 6 sandwiching the absorbent core 4 are also fire retardant. In this case, it has been found that satisfactory fire retardant properties for the overall nappy can be obtained without treating the core 4 to render it specifically fire retardant. However, if desired the core itself may be rendered fire retardant by incorporating suitable fire retardant chemicals therein, for example the chemicals referred to above.

Referring now to Figure 2, an alternative embodiment of the invention is illustrated. In this embodiment the nappy 1A comprises a waterproof cover 2A and a water permeable lining 3A substantially as described above with reference to the embodiment of Figure 1.

However, in the Figure 2 embodiment the absorbent core 4A (which may be of any suitable absorbent material) is itself rendered fire retardant by incorporation of suitable fire retardant chemicals. The fire retardant core 4A is optionally separated from the lining 3A by a tissue 6A which is optionally itself fire retardant.

Claims

1. A disposable nappy comprising a waterproof cover, an absorbent core, and a water permeable lining, wherein at least the waterproof cover and the permeable lining are fire retardant.

2. A disposable nappy according to claim 1 wherein the absorbent core is separated from the permeable lining by at least one layer of material which is fire retardant.

3. A disposable nappy according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the absorbent core is separated from the waterproof cover by at least one layer of material which is fire retardant.

4. A disposable nappy according to any preceding claim wherein the absorbent core is wrapped in water permeable material which is fire retardant.

5. A disposable nappy according to any preceding claim wherein the core is fire retardant.

6. A disposable nappy according to any preceding claim wherein at least one of the materials from which the nappy is constructed is rendered fire retardant by incorporation of chlorinated or brominated aluminium trihydrate.

7. A disposable nappy according to any preceding claim wherein at least one of the materials from which the nappy is constructed is rendered fire retardant by incorporation of nitrogen/phosphorous containing compounds.

8. A disposable nappy according to claims 6 or 7 wherein the fire retardant chemical is present in an amount between 5% and 40% of the total weight of the respective fire resistant material.