GB2523366A

GB2523366A - Disposable nappies/diapers

Info

Publication number: GB2523366A
Application number: GB1403139.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Geoffrey Lawrence Binns
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-02-21
Filing date: 2014-02-21
Publication date: 2015-08-26
Anticipated expiration: 2034-02-21
Also published as: GB2523366B; GB201403139D0

Abstract

A disposable nappy is disclosed comprising a re-usable, waterproof containment 5 adapted to contain an absorbent pad 12 and to be fittable around a baby or very young child. The absorbent pad 12 is formed of highly absorbable cellulose fluff pulp and A highly absorbent, hydrophilic, polymer material. The absorbent pad 12 is removably locatable in the waterproof containment 5 and the whole is fittable around / dressable on to the lower part of the baby's / young child's abdomen so that the containment forms an essentially waterproof enclosure around the legs and waist of the baby / young child so that, when the baby I young child urinates, the urine is absorbed and distributed in the pad by capillary action but the pad essentially retains its is integrity within the containment and when the baby / young child defecates, the excreta is retained in, or adjacent to, an appropriate part of the absorbent pad and further characterised in that, when the nappy is to be changed, the waterproof containment 5 is removable / undressabie from the baby / young child, the absorbent pad 12 is removed from the containment 5 and the whole pad 12 and its waste contents disposed of either by flushing down a toilet where the pad completely disintegrates or by placing in a suitable disposal bag and thereafter in a disposal bin and that the waterproof containment 5 is retained for further use. The waterproof containment is reusable, with a new absorbent pad, whenever the baby's, or young child's, nappy needs changing.

Description

DISPOSABLE NAPPIES I DIAPERS

This specification relates to fully disposable nappies or diapers and the methods of using and disposing of them having minimal environmental impact.

S

The traditional Terry-towelling nappy is a square of towelling, which is folded around the baby and secured with a safety pin. A pair of plastic pants, with elasticated legs and waist, is then filled to enclose the nappy so that, as the baby urinates and defecates, the waste is contained therein. When the soiled nappy is changed, solid waste is flushed down a toilet and the nappy is usually soaked in disinfectant, prior to washing, drying and re-use. Terry nappies are often used double for the overnight period. Terry nappies are completely environmentally friendly but do involve a great deal of washing and drying. They are reusable again and again until worn out. At the end of their lives, Terry nappies are usually used as cleaning rags and, being made of cotton, decompose naturally, e.g. in landfill sites.

Because of the work and inconvenience involved with Terry nappies, including having to carry soiled nappies back home, when they are changed outdoors, disposable nappies were developed. These consist of ready shaped plastic covered pads with quick fastening means, e.g. Velcro or, effectively, as a disposable pair of underpants. The absorbent part is held between inner and outer plastic layers and consists of a pad of highly absorbent powder and highly absorbent, cellulose fluff pulp. Pores in the inner layer allow urine to be absorbed by the powder and pulp and provide a key for excreta to adhere so that, when removed, it tends to remain stuck to the plastic. After use the soiled nappy may be disposed of with the rest of the domestic or municipal waste and incinerated or landfilled.

Disposable nappies greatly reduce the work with babies but their disposable nature causes environmental problems. Incineration creates carbon dioxide, both from the cellulose, which merely returns the carbon from the original trees back to the environment, and from the plastic and powder, which is additional to the total of greenhouse gases already in the atmosphere, as the plastic and powder are both derived from petroleum. Landfill in many ways is more objectionable. Where there is free flow of air and liquid through the soil, biological degradation will proceed normally turning organic material into soil in a few weeks or months, e.g. as on a compost heap. Where stagnént conditions occur, e.g. in stagnant water or wet soil, the organic acids produced by decomposition reduce the pH to levels where further degradation reactions are inhibited so that materials are preserved, e.g. like bog oak and bodies in peat bogs. Coprolites are prehistoric excreta, preserved in middens, often for thousands, or millions, cf years, and can tell archaeologists a great deal what had been eaten.

The absorbent pad and all its contents, enclosed in the plastic coverings, are effectively in a separate package, isolated from the landfill environment and practically become a stagnant' volume. Thus, little, or no, degradation occurs and disposable nappies can remain in an un-decomposed condition for decades or centuries. Dangerous bacteria, s such as E-coli and C-difficile, are often found in partly decomposed disposable nappies as reservoirs of potential infection.

In view of the extra work and environmental disadvantages of these two basic principles, various adaptations have been developed. One of the first was the enviro-nappy liner; this is a biodegradable lining placed inside the Terry nappy and would effectively separate solids from the towelling. Thus, the liner and its contents can be disposed of down a toilet and the soiling of the nappy was limited to urine. While this reduced the scrubbing of the nappy before washing, it did not eliminate washing and drying. In fact, where the liner was only wet, some carers would wash and re-use them too. These liners are made of corn starch and will degrade in weeks in landfill.

Terry-type nappies and nappy liners are also made of bamboo, which is softer and more absorbent than cotton, but still require washing and drying. Bamboo tends to shrink and is often reinforced with 10% polyester (non-biodegradable). Pure bamboo liners are disposable down a toilet. There are also services for washing terry-type nappies -these relieve the carer of the work but have an additional cost.

The nature of the filling of disposable nappies may be cellulose and powder, as mentioned above, or maize, or corn starch or any other biodegradable material and the biodegradable nature is often used to advertise its environmental credentials. However, as explained above, the biodegradability is irrelevant if the plastic covering effectively turns the contents into a stagnant' volume in the landfill site so that no biodegradation actually occurs! Thus, whether incinerated or Iandfilled, disposable nappies have environmental disadvantages and, despite their convenience and labour-saving advantages, many people feel that the negatives outweigh the positives. The various developments of the two basic principles described are merely cosmetic' improvements, which do not alter the fundamental objections to either. There is, thus, an urgent need for a fully disposable nappy that does not have any environmental drawbacks.

According to the invention, there is provided a disposable nappy comprising:-i) a re-usable, waterproof containment adapted to contain an absorbent pad and to be fittable around a baby or very young child; and ii) an absorbent pad; S characterised in that the absorbent pad is locatable in the waterproof containment and the whole is fittable around I dressable on to the lower part of the baby's I young child's abdomen so that the containment forms an essentially waterproof enclosure around the legs and waist of the baby / young child so that, when the baby / young child urinates, the urine is absorbed and distributed in the pad by capillary action but the pad essentially retains its integrity within the containment and when the baby I young child defecates, the excreta is retained in, or adjacent to, an appropriate part of the absorbent pad and further characterised in that, when the nappy is to roe changed, the waterproof containment is removable I undressable from the baby / young child, the absorbent pad is removed from the containment and the whole pad and its waste contents disposed of either by flushing down a toilet where the pad completely disintegrates or by placing in a suitable dIsposal bag and thereafter in a disposal bin and that the waterproof containment is retained for further use.

According to a first variation of the disposable nappy of the invention, the waterproof containment is of a plastic material.

According to a second variation of the disposable nappy of the invention, the plastic material is soft and flexible and of a grade which is unlikely to irritate a baby's skin.

According to a third variation of the disposable nappy of the invention, the waterproof containment is provided with elasticated means.

According to a fourth variation of the disposable nappy of the invention, the waterproof containment is provided with means to secure it around the baby I young child.

According to a fifth variation of the disposable nappy of the invention, the securing means includes quick-release means.

According to a sixth variation of the disposable nappy of the invention, the securing means includes means for tying adjacent parts together.

According to a seventh variation of the disposable nappy of the invention, the waterproof containment is provided with means in which to locate the absorbent pad.

According to an eighth variation of the disposable nappy of the invention, the waterproof containment is in the form of a pair of underpants.

S

According to a ninth variation of the disposable nappy of the invention, the containment underpants include either / both elasticated holes for the legs and for the waist.

According to a tenth variation of the disposable nappy of the invention, the absorbent pad includes cellulose fluff pulp.

According to an eleventh variation of the disposable nappy of the invention, the absorbent pad includes absorbent, hydrophilic, polymer material.

According to a twelfth variation of the disposable nappy of the invention, cellulose fluff pulp and polymer material are mixed together as part of the absorbent pad manufacturing process.

According to a thirteenth variation of the disposable nappy of the invention, the cellulose fluff pulp and polymer fibre mixture is air laid onto a sheet of tissue and covered with a second sheet of tissue and the whole compressed to a predetermined thickness to form a sheet of absorbent pad material.

According to a fourteenth variation of the disposable nappy of the invention, the sheet of absorbent pad material is cut up into a predetermined size(s) of absorbent pads.

In a preferred application of the invention a reusable, plastic, shaped containment is provided into which an absorbent pad is locatable. The absorbent pad is composed of a mixture of cellulose fluff pulp and super-absorbent, hydrophilic polymer fibres. the containment and pad are fittable, to a baby or young child and securable around their waist. The containment and pad form a complete nappy. Elastication in the waistband and leg cuts out provides for greater comfort and ensures that the contents do not escape.

When the nappy is to be changed, the containment is undone, the soiled pad removed and preferable disposed down a toilet, where the hydrophilic pad completely disintegrates and flushes away completely. The absorbent pad is of a size, thickness and absorbency such that is can absorb the liquid from one, or two, urinations, while essentially retaining its integrity and dimensions. Thus, it can be simply removed from the containment for disposal. The containment is designed to be reusable indefinitely, or until the plastic gets torn, and may be washed of sponged clean, as required.

If the nappy is changed away from a toilet, the soiled pad is removed and placed in a biodegradable bag and disposed of with normal waste. The nappy of the invention is environmentally friendly as soiled pads disintegrate entirely when flushed down a toilet or decompose naturally and completely in a biodegradable bag in landfill.

For a clearer understanding of the invention and to describe how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings in which;-Figure 1 is a diagrammatic section of the absorbent pad during manufacture; Figure 2 is a diagrammatic section of the absorbent pad after compression; Figure 3 is a plan view of the waterproof containment without the absorbent pad; Figure 4 is a plan view of the waterproof containment with the absorbent pad; Figure 5 is a plan view of the waterproof containment, with the absorbent pad, folded and secured as it would be in use and I or a side elevation of a pair of underpants, according to the invention, both alternatives shown with the absorbent pad in position; and Figure 6 is a plan view of the absorbent pad of the invention.

In the following description, the same reference numeral is used for identical components in different Figures or for different components fulfilling identical functions.

Like the fibres in paper, cellulose fibres are held together by hydrogen bonds. In the dry, this bonding is quite strong. When the fibres are damp, the bonding is weaker but still possesses significant strength. However, in the presence of excess water, the bonds disintegrate entirely. The reason is that the hydrogen bonds are electrostatic in nature in which Ht ions are electrically attracted to oppositely charged Oft ions. When dry, the Ht ions in one cellulose molecule bond with Oft ions in other adjacent cellulose molecules; this cross-bonding gives three dimensional strength. Compressing cellulose fluff pulp brings adjacent fibres closer together, i.e. within range of the electrostatic attraction, so that more W-0H hydrogen bonds are formed, increasing the strength of the material and stopping it from springing back, once the compression is removed. When damp, there are a limited number of W-OFI (1120) water molecules present and some cellulose-cellulose hydrogen bonds are replaced by cellulose-water bonds, i.e. there are still large numbers of cellulose-cellulose bonds present to give wet strength'.

However, in the presence of excess water, effectively all the cellulose-cellulose hydrogen bonds are replaced so that the fibre mass breaks up into individual fibres. Thus, when dry, the pad is strong and easily handleable. When damp, e.g. after one or two urinations, the pad still retains its integrity and remains readily handleable. But, with excess water, e.g. S when placed in a toilet, all cellulose-cellulose bonds are broken so that the pad becomes a soggy mass of pulp (like saturated toilet paper) and the individual fibres are dispersed and carried away in the turbulent flow of the flush.

The absorbent pad is in the form of a sandwich (Figs. I and 2). The main body 2 is a superabsorbent polymer fibre, which is derived by multiple processing of petroleum to yield Super Absorbent Fibre® (SAF®), which is a highly efficient, hydrophilic, fibre fluff; lg of this fluff will absorb up to 200g of water. The top I B and bottom IA sheets are cellulose tissue, made from natural wood. The wood is dried and processed to give a highly fluffy form of wood pulp; in this form, I g of pulp will absorb up to log of water.

The absorbent pad is made, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, by air layering SAF® fluff 2 onto a layer of paper tissue IA. Air layering gives an even thickness of the very light mixture. A second layer of tissue lB is placed on top of the air layered mixture and the 1sandwich' is compressed 3 to a thin Layer 4, e.g. 3-5mm thickness. Under compression, hydrogen bonding holds adjacent fluff and fibres tightly together as a sheet, which is cut to give the desired size and shape 12 (Fig. 6). An open-edge design is preferred as the edges do not have to be sealed. In one preferred design, tissue sheets IA, lB each have a weight of 36 g/m2 and the total sheet weight is 250 g/m2 so that the SAF® weight is 178 g/m2 (250-72).

The combination of fluff pulp tissue IA & B and SAF® polymer fibre 2 gives usable strength and adequate absorbency. Though some petroleum-based fibre is used in the pad, this is processed to give a hydrophilic material, which is hydrogen bondable to other fibres and to the wood fluff pulp and so completely disintegrates into separate, individual fibres in the presence of excess water and becomes a soggy mass, e.g. when placed in a toilet, and the individual fibres are dispersed in the turbulence of the flush. All the fibres are fully biodegradable, i.e. absorbent pad 12 meets every good environmental criteria.

On many occasions, nappies are changed away from the home and away from a toilet.

Under these circumstances, the soiled absorbent pad is removed, placed in a biodegradable bag and disposed of in a normal waste bin. If this is subsequently disposed of to landfill, the bag will biodegrade in a mailer of days or weeks allowing the pad and its contents to decompose, again in no more than a matter of weeks. Thus, either method of disposal meets every good environmental ctiteria.

Refening to Figs. 3-5, containment 5 is formed of a flexible plastic sheet member 6. The plastic used is a soft, waterproof material, which will not irritate or cut into a baby's soft skin. The top and bottom portions 7 are effectively parallel-sided strips, forming waistbands and may be provided with elasticated means (not shown). The edges 8 between waistbands 7 are shaped (cut out), as shown, and may also have elasticated edges 8A. Containment 5 is sized such that, when folded in half approximately about midline 13, it forms a containment 5A (Fig. 5) to fit round the nether regions of a baby (not shown). In this configuration (Fig. 5), parallel-sided strips 7 form a complete waistband 7 and elasticated 8A cuts out 8 fit snugly around the baby's legs (not shown).

Fig. 4 shows how absorbent pad 12 is fitted under locating loops 11. Once pad 12 is in place, containment 5 may be fitted to the baby or young child (not shown) and secured in position. Quick fastening / release means 9, such as Velcro° or tyable tapes 10, are provided, according to carer's preferences. Fitting the nappy of the invention involves folding the lower half of containment 5 between the baby's legs (not shown), so that line 13 effectively forms the lowest part of the curve (of containment 5) between the legs, and securing the two parts of Velcro® fastening 9A (or tying tapes I GA) together.

Fig. 5 shows the shape 5A of the nappy of the invention as it would be in use (without the baby), with the location 11 of absorbent pad 12 shown dashed.

For toddlers, as opposed to babies, containment 5A can also be produced as a pair of pull-up underpants. Here, Fig. 5, without securings 9A or bA, could also represent such underpants 5A, held up by elasticated waistband 7. Locations 11 would be provided In underpants SA so that absorbent pads 12 could be fitted and replaced, as required.

Fig. 6 shows a preferred shape of absorbent pad. Different sizes of containment 5 and of pads 12 would be produced for fitting to all sizes of babies, i.e. from newborn up to toddlers old enough to be fully potty trained. Different grades of absorbent pad 12 could be provided or locations 11 be made large enough for double thickness pads as carers often $ use two pads together for the overnight period.

It is an important feature of the invention that containments 5, SA are reusable, again and again. Containrnents 5, 5A may be washed or sponged clean and dried, as and when required. If a containment 5, 5A is smeared with excrement, it may be wiped off using a clean part of pad 12, the affected part of containment 5, 5A sponged clean and immediately reused, as required. Alternatively, a second containment 5, 5A may be used and the affected containment washed for re-use at a later date.

The nappy of the invention has huge advantages in the caring for babies and young is children. It removes the tedium of having to wash Terry nappies (or pay to get them washed), provides all the benefits and convenience of disposable nappies, without their environmental disadvantages. The preferred absorbent pad disposal method is via a toilet to mains sewage or a septic tank but disposal in a biodegradable bag is perfectly acceptable. (Biodegradable bags are regularly used for disposal of dog excrement.) Because the replacement pads 12 are small, they are easily carried in a normal handbag, pocket or shopping bag and can be changed in a matter of a few minutes. If changing is undertaken away from a toilet or disposal bin, the damp, or soiled, pad is placed in a biodegradable bag and carried in a bag or pocket and put in the next disposal bin that the carer passes, in the same way that responsible dog owners do. Thus, diligent carers can tend their charges properly and promptly and dispose of the waste in a fully and environmentally responsible way.

Claims

Claims:- 1. A disposable nappy comprising:-I) a re-usable, waterproof containment adapted to contain an absorbent pad and to be fittable around a baby or very young child; and ii) an absorbent pad; characterised in that the absorbent pad is locatable in the waterproof containment and the whole is fittable around I dressable on to the lower part of the baby's / young child's abdomen so that the containment forms an essentially waterproof enclosure around the legs and waist of the baby I young child so that, when the baby I young child urinates, the urine is absorbed and distributed in the pad by capillary action but the pad essentially retains its integrity within the containment and when the baby / young child defecates, the excreta is retained in, or adjacent to, an appropriate part of the absorbent pad and further characterised in that, when the nappy is to be changed, the waterproof containment is removable / undressable from the baby I young child, the absorbent pad is removed from the containment and the whole pad and its waste contents disposed of either by flushing down a toilet where the pad completely disintegrates or by placing in a suitable disposal bag and thereafter in a disposal bin and that the waterproof containment is retained for further use.
2. A disposable nappy, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the waterproof containment is of a plastic material.
3. A disposable nappy, as claimed in claim 2, wherein the plastic material is soft and flexible and of a grade which is unlikely to irritate a baby's skin.
4. A disposable nappy, as claimed in claims 2 or 3, wherein the waterproof containment is provided with elasticated means.
5. A disposable nappy, as claimed in claim 4, wherein the waterproof containment is provided with means to secure it around the baby I young child.
6. A disposable nappy, as claimed in claim 5, wherein the securing means includes quick-release means.
7. A disposable nappy, as claimed in claim 5, wherein the securing means includes means for tying adjacent parts together.
8. A disposable nappy, as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the waterproof containment is provided with means in which to locate the absorbent pad.
9. A disposable nappy, as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the waterproof containment is in the form of a pair of underpants.
10. A disposable nappy, as claimed in claim 10, wherein the containment underpants include either! both elasticated holes for the legs and for the waist.
11. A disposable nappy, as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the absorbent pad includes cellulose fluff pulp.
12. A disposable nappy, as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the absorbent pad includes absorbent, hydrophilic, polymer material.
13. A disposable nappy, as claimed in claims 11 and 12, wherein cellulose fluff pulp and polymer material are mixed together as part of the absorbent pad manufacturing process.
14. A disposable nappy, as claimed in claim 14, wherein the cellulose fluff pulp and polymer fibre mixture is air laid onto a sheet of tissue and covered with a second sheet of tissue and the whole compressed to a predetermined thickness to form a sheet of absorbent pad material.
15. A disposable nappy, as claimed in claim 15, wherein the sheet of absorbent pad material is cut up into a predetermined size(s) of absorbent pads.
16. A disposable nappy as described in and by the above statement with reference to the accompanying drawings.