MXPA00000038A - Faecal collector with optimum containment properties - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a faecal management device for babies, children or adults to be attached to the perianal area of the wearer, said device providing improved anatomical fit and having optimum containment properties, i.e. being so configured as to avoid detachment of the bag when the bag contains faecal material, in a wide range of wearing conditions, including situations in which the wearer is not bedridden, but active. Claimed and described is a faecal management device (10) comprising a bag (11), said bag (11) having an aperture (21) and a flange (12) surrounding said aperture for adhesive attachment to perianal area of wearer, said bag (11) comprising at least two distinct portions:a wearer facing portion (16) containing said aperture and said flange, and a garment facing portion (17);said wearer facing portion (16) and said garment facing portion (17) being secured to one another at the periphery (18) of said bag (11), said garment facing portion (16) having a length (L), and a width (I), characterised in that said garment facing portion is configured such that said length to said width ratio is in the range of 1:0.7 to 0.7:1.

Description

COLLECTOR OF FECAL FECALES WITH OPTIMAL CONTAINMENT PROPERTIES FIELD OF THE I NVENTION The present invention relates to a stool management device for infants, children or adults that is fixed to the perianal area of the user, said device having optimal containment properties, that is, being configured so as to avoid the detachment of the bag. when the bag contains fecal material, in a wide range of conditions of use, including situations in which the user is not bedridden, but active.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Fecal management devices are known articles of manufacture that are designed to be worn primarily by those suffering from incontinence and in particular by bedridden patients. These stool management devices are attached to the perianal region of the user and are intended to entrap and immediately contain fecal material and other bodily discharges. These devices, as they are well known today, consist of a relatively long and narrow tube at one end of which the opening and the fixing device are placed, which can be adhesive.

Because of their shape and dimensions, these devices can twist around the user's thighs and result in folds and wrinkles in the devices themselves. These characteristics naturally affect the storage capacity of the device and can result in the unintentional detachment of the user's device, producing undesirable and painful consequences for both the user and the caregiver. On the other hand, these devices hinder the free movement of the user. These bags are disclosed in, for example, the following documents: U.S. Patent No. 3, 577,989, which details a disposable retention-disposal bag for those suffering from incontinence that includes a containment member having an upper portion of opening, and a flange secured to the container member around the upper opening portion. The containment member includes two opposite lateral members, preferably substantially identical, and of a generally rectangular configuration, joined together along the common edges. U.S. Patent No. 4,784,656, which describes a receptacle for collecting fecal material from those suffering from incontinence. The fecal collector comprises a package, conduit means or a cylinder and a receptacle; the receptacle and the conduit means are each formed from two sheets of thermoplastic film which are thermally sealed along their side edges, respectively. GB 2 152 387, which teaches a faecal collector for those suffering from incontinence comprising a collection bag and a ring. The faecal collector comprises a pair of thermoplastic sheet material panels joined at their margins to define an elongated bag having an opening at one end. In a preferred embodiment, the collection bag is formed from a single sheet of thermoplastic film as an odor barrier folded along the vertical midline to provide a pair of continuous panels. Swedish patent SE 8 1 04 934, which discloses an oblong bag made of a thin, flexible and fluid-tight material. The collection bag comprises an entry portion and a lower portion at an angle of 120 ° with respect to the longitudinal direction of the entry portion. The bag is thus designed to allow you to take an advantageous position along the thighs of the person who uses it. Other types of fecal handling bags are known in a more flat form from European patent EP 245 064. These flatter types of bags are also disclosed in United States patent number 4., 946,720, particularly suitable however for collecting fecal matter discharged through the artificial anus. European patent 245 064 discloses bags having a front wall and a rear wall, the front wall containing the opening and the attachment means for the body. The general shape of said front and rear wall is rectangular, that is, the bag has two long opposite sides and two opposite short sides, the width of the bags being relatively short compared to the length of the bag. In addition, the opening in the front wall is placed near one of the short sides of the front wall. These bags, although improved on the tube-type bags described hereinbefore, are not yet exhibiting the optimum containment properties, especially over a wide range of conditions of use. A problem naturally associated with these devices is their secure attachment to the human body while allowing fecal material to be contained safely within the bag. The approach that is widely used in the field is to provide the device with a flange, which surrounds an opening and provide adhesive on the flange, which will provide sufficient adhesion to the perianal area. As is known in the art, secure adhesive attachment of the stool management device is not easily achieved. The area of the flange is limited, since on the one hand the opening needs to be of a sufficient size and on the other hand the flange must not be too large for good anatomical fit. In addition, the adhesive should not be chosen too aggressively in order to avoid pain during the removal of the device. Still, the device must be of sufficient strength to allow a variety of conditions of use. These conditions of use will depend on the nature of the user; When the user is active, such as a baby or a child, or as an incontinent adult who is not bedridden, the conditions of use for the bag will become much more strenuous and the risk of deprecation of the stock market will increase substantially , due to the movement of the user and the pressure coming from the body of the user, if the containment properties are not optimal, that is, there is a probability that the fecal material, once excreted and contained in the bag, is no longer under pressure , in particular on the inner periphery of the flange, which may result in the unintentional detachment of the bag. Sitting on the bag, for example, will result in a considerably reduced volume in some areas of the bag. In addition, such pressure exerted by the trapped fecal material that occurs under various conditions of use can lead to rupture of the bag, which is an undesirable and painful consequence, even if only minor leaks of the bag are induced by a rupture. Seals, where different pieces of material used for the bag are attached, for example, sealing with heat, are typically less resistant to rupture under pressure than other areas of the bag. The weakest areas along these seals are typically folds that occur in the corners of a bag, for example, when they are made of essentially rectangular pieces of material as described in the prior art. Bags for stool handling devices are typically made in mass production under economic limits. Therefore, a bag having a shape that avoids the need for particularly high quality stamps is of high economic benefit to the producer and also provides at least psychological security for the user. It has now been found that the above disadvantages will be substantially alleviated if the bags are configured in a specific manner, thus allowing the use of active incontinent baby, child and adult bags in addition to incontinent adults bedridden. It has also now been found that the above disadvantages will be substantially alleviated if the bags are configured in a specific manner thus allowing the use of active incontinent baby, child and adult bags in addition to incontinent adults bedridden. It has also been found that the position of the opening in said specially configured pouches should preferably also be selected. In another aspect of the present invention, the stool handling device with its specially shaped shape and dimensions can be advantageously used in combination with a reusable undergarment, or, preferably, with a disposable diaper.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a stool handling device (10) comprising a bag (1 1), said bag (1 1) has an opening (21) and a flange (12) surrounding the opening for adhesive fixing to the perianal area of the user. The invention resides principally in providing said bag (11) in an optimal form and with optimum containment properties in such a way that the detachment of the bag is avoided, when the bag contains fecal material, under a wide range of conditions of use, including situations in which the user is not bedridden without being active. Said bag (1 1) comprises at least two distinct portions: a portion that gives the user (16) containing said opening and said flange and a portion that gives the garment (1 7); said portion to the user (16) and said portion that gives the garment (1 7) being secured to one another at the periphery of the bag (1 1). The bag (1 1) is characterized in that said garment-facing portion (1 7) has a length (L), and is configured such that the length-to-width ratio is within the range of 1: 0.7. to 0.7: 1.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is believed that the invention will be better understood from the foregoing description in combination with the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the stool management device. Figure 2 is a perspective view of a diaper and a stool management device, which can be used in combination in accordance with the present invention. Figure 3 is a partially cut away perspective view of a diaper that is worn in combination with a stool handling device in accordance with the present invention. Figure 4 is a view of the portion that gives the garment of a preferred fecal handling device, in which the width length ratio is 1: 0.92. Figure 5 is a sectional view of the material before the construction of the bag, which forms the portion that gives the user of the bag a preferred fecal handling device according to Figure 4. Figure 6 is a side view on a bag for a preferred stool management device according to Figures 4 and 5, which illustrates a substantially truncated cone shaped bag. Figure 7 is a top view on the side giving the user and the opening of a bag of a preferred fecal handling device according to figures 4, 5 and 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a stool management device (10) as shown in Figure 1. The device (10) comprises a bag (11), which is of particular interest for the present invention.

Description of the Faecal Feces Management Device in its Set Typical stool management devices comprise a bag (11) having an opening (21) and a flange (12) surrounding the opening (21) for attachment preferably adhesive to the perianal area of a user as is visible in Figure 1 Any fecal handling device (10) known in the art can be provided in accordance with the present invention. The bag (11) as used herein is a flexible receptacle for containing excreted fecal matter. The bag (11) can be provided in any shape or size depending on the intended use, ie, if the device is intended to be used for patients bedridden or for active patients suffering from incontinence or requiring of an artificial intestine or for infants. For active users, whether they are infants or adults, the stool management device must be anatomically shaped preferably, such that the device follows the contours of the body and can be discreetly worn by the user under normal garments. The bag (11) is designed to securely contain any trapped material, this will typically be impervious to liquid, it can still be breathable. The bag (11) is designed with sufficient strength to withstand rupture when in use, also when pressure is exerted on the bag (11) under typical conditions of use, such as when sitting. According to the present invention, the bag (1 1) can comprise one or multiple layers, preferably two or three layers. The layer on the inside of the bag, which typically, at least partially, will come into contact with the fecal material is called the inner layer (1 5). The outermost layer of the bag, which typically, at least partially, may be in contact with the user's skin and the user's garments, is called the outer layer. The layers of the bag material can be provided from any material, preferably in such a way that the bag is impermeable to the liquid. The layers may, in particular, comprise any material such as nonwovens or films. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a sheet can be formed of a non-woven layer and a film. The laminate can be formed by means known to man skilled in the art.

Any nonwoven layer may comprise felt fabrics, glued spun fabrics, fluid entangled fabrics, air laid fabrics, wet laid fabrics, dry laid fabrics, melt blown fabrics, cut fiber woven fabrics, knitted yarn fabrics, knitted fabrics knitted, fabrics with openings, combinations of the foregoing or the like. Suitable film film materials for any of said layers preferably comprise a thermoplastic material. The thermoplastic material can be chosen from among all types of thermal fusion adhesives, polyolefins especially polyethylene, polypropylene, amorphous polyolefins, and the like; materials containing components capable of melting or polymeric fibers comprising binders, including natural fibers such as cellulose, wood pulp, cotton, jute, hemp; synthetic fibers such as glass fiber, rayon, polyester, polyolefin, acrylic, polyamide, aramid, polytetrafluoroethylene metal, polyimide, binder such as high melting / low melting two component polymer, polyester copolymer, polyvinyl chloride, copolymer acetate / polyvinyl chloride, polyamide copolymer, materials comprising mixtures wherein some of the constituent materials are not meltable; air and vapor permeable materials including micro porous films such as those supplied by EXXON Chemical Co., I I, USA under the designation EXXAI RE or those supplied by Mitsui Toatsu Co, Japan, under the designation ESPOIR NO; and breathable monolithic materials, such as Hytrel® available from DuPont and Pebax ® available from ELF Atochem, France.

In a preferred embodiment a film, which is composed of any layer, is preferably permeable to gases such as air and vapors such as water vapor to avoid the problem of entrapment and condensation of moisture vapor released by the body of the user and in this way, of the heat, viscous and discomfort conditions after a short period of use. The outer layer of the bag is preferably provided with a non-woven layer. These material layers present an uneven to the wearer's skin and thereby reduces significantly the problem of occlusion and deeply improves skin health surface. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bag comprises two layers. Preferably, the outer layer comprises said non-woven layer and the inner layer comprises a film. In yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bag (1 1) comprises three layers, preferably one film and two non-woven layers. In an even more preferred embodiment, the film is interposed between the two non-woven layers. This sequence of layers results in a closed fibrous structure, which has a particular pleasant sensation upon contact with the wearer's skin. In still another preferred embodiment, the inner layer comprises a film and the other two layers comprise nonwoven materials. The non-woven layer or the layers of the non-woven layers comprised by the bag (11) may be hydrophobic or hydrophilic. If the bag (11) does not comprise a film layer, preferably at least one nonwoven layer is hydrophobic. As a result, fluid penetration is resisted through the user portion (16) and the garment portion (17) of the stool management device (10). If the bag comprises a hydrophobic nonwoven film or layer, the additional nonwoven layers may be hydrophilic. Typically, the non-woven layer is treated with an active surface material, such as a fluorochemical or other hydrophobic finishes, to provide the requisite the hydrophobic capacity. The non-woven layer, however, can also be treated with coatings of liquid impervious materials, such as thermal fusion adhesives or with silicone coatings or other hydrophobic compounds such as vegetable and mineral waxes and waxes, or can be physically treated using nanoparticle techniques or plasma layer techniques, for example. The non-woven layer can also be treated with agents to improve the softness perceptible to the touch of the portion that it gives to the user (16) and the portion that gives the garment (17). The agents include but are not limited to vegetable, animal or synthetic oils, silicone oils and the like. The presence of these agents is known to impart a silky or similar feel to the flannel to the non-woven layer without making it oily or oily to the user's feel. Additionally, surfactant materials, including anionic, non-anionic, cationic and non-cationic surfactants, can be added to further enhance smoothness and surface smoothness. In addition, the non-woven layer may be impregnated with a lotion to provide the desirable therapeutic or protective lotion coating benefits. The lotion coating in the portion that gives the user (16) and in the portion that gives the garment (17) is able to transfer to the user's skin by normal contact and by the movement of the user and / or by the heat of the body. Generally, mineral oil in the form of a lotion is recognized as being effective in imparting a comforting, protective coating to the wearer's skin. It is also possible to impregnate the nonwoven layer with a solid oil phase of cream formulation or to incorporate in the nonwoven layer an array of capsules capable of breaking by pressure, with heat or with water, containing for example, baby oil. In one embodiment of the present invention, the bag may contain absorbent material. The absorbent material can comprise any absorbent material that is capable of absorbing and retaining liquids. The absorbent material may comprise a wide variety of liquid absorbent materials commonly used in disposable diapers and other absorbent articles, such as crushed wood pulp, which is generally referred to as an air filter. Examples of other suitable absorbent materials include creped cellulose wadding, meltblown polymers, including coform; chemically hardened, modified or cross-linked cellulosic fibers; tissue, including tissue wraps and tissue laminates; absorbent foams; absorbent sponges; superabsorbent polymers; gelling absorbent materials; or any other known absorbent material or combinations of materials. The absorbent material can be placed in the bag (11) in any appropriate way. For example, the absorbent material can be freely arranged in the bag or can be secured in the inner layer (1 5) of the bag (11). Any known technique for securing the absorbent material to the nonwoven substrates or to the film can be used to secure the absorbent material in the inner layer (15) of the bag. The absorbent material can also be arranged to have the desired shape or configuration (eg, rectangular, oval, circular, etc.). As shown in Figure 1, the bag (11) is provided with an opening (21) through which the fecal matter is received from the body before being stored inside the pocket of the bag. The opening (21) is surrounded by a flange (12) and can be provided in any shape or size, such as circular, oblong, heart-shaped and can be symmetrical or asymmetric, preferably the opening has an oblong configuration in, and either, the longitudinal direction or in the transverse direction or in both directions, for example, the contours of the opening are in the form of two ellipses with the respective principal axes being substantially perpendicular. The flange (12) is attached to the bag (11) according to any means known to the man skilled in the art, which can provide a permanent or removable bond. Preferably, however, the flange is attached to the bag by adhesives. Typically, the bag will be attached to the flange, towards the outer periphery of the flange so as not to cause any obstruction to the entrance of the fecal material. The tab can be provided in any size depending on the group of users for whom the device is directed. Similarly, the flange can be provided in any shape and preferably has a symmetrical shape preferably comprising a plurality of lobes (1 3) / (14).

The tab comprises a portion that gives the garment (22) and a portion that gives the user (23). In a preferred embodiment, these are two large, substantially planar surfaces, however, the flange (12) may further comprise projections, a front projection (28) and / or a posterior projection (29), designed to fit the perianal area or of the user's coccyx. The tab (12) should be made of soft, flexible and moldable materials to allow easy placement of the tab in the perianal area. Typical materials include non-woven materials, fabrics, open-cell thermoplastic foams, closed-cell thermoplastic foams, open cell foam composites and nonwoven stretch fabrics, and films. A closed cell polyethylene foam has been found effective, but more preferably an open cell polyurethane foam is used. Preferably, said foams have a thickness in the general range of 0.1 to 5 millimeters and a density of 5 to 250 g / m3, more preferably 50 g / m3. Other thermoplastic foam materials, or other suitable plastic sheet materials having the described properties of said foams (eg softness, flexibility, stretchability, and contractibility) could also be used. Preferably, the material of the garment-facing surface (22) of the flange (12) may extend in a defined opening area to form a skirt or fin of a material that prevents unintentional adhesion of the edges of the surface of the tab (12) that define the opening (21) to each other during use. In accordance with the present invention, the stool management device (10) further comprises joining means for securing the device to the user. Said means include straps and more preferably comprises a body compatible pressure sensitive adhesive (20) applied to the user portion (23) of the flange (12). The adhesive (20) is preferably covered with release means (not shown) to protect the adhesive (20) such as paper with silicone. The adhesive (20) can cover the entire portion that gives the user (23) of the flange (1 2) or more preferably have at least one, preferably two to six portions without adhesive. These portions may be free of adhesive or may contain inactive or coated adhesives. As is evident from Figure 1, the adhesive is not a preferred embodiment applied to the entire portion that gives the user (23) of the flange (12), to provide the lobes (1 3) / (14) on either side of the flange (12), which are not adhesive and can thus serve to facilitate the placement and separation of the device, while avoiding contact with the adhesive. These lobes (13) / (14) are, however, preferably also covered by the detachment means. Before the application of the stool management device (10) to the user's skin, the release means are removed if present. In accordance with the present invention, any medically-approved, water-resistant pressure-sensitive adhesive may be used to attach the device to the user's perianal area, such as hydrocolloid adhesives and hydrogel adhesives. The adhesives particularly effective in providing the desired adhesive properties to secure the flange to the wearer's skin in the sensitive perianal area, while permitting a relatively painless application and separation, are formed of crosslinking polymers with a plasticizer to form a three-dimensional matrix. The adhesive (20) can be applied to the portion that gives the user (23) of the flange (12) by any means known in the art such as a slot coating, application or spiral or bead printing. Typically, the adhesive (20) is applied at a basis weight of 20g / m2 to 2500g / m2, more preferably 500g / m2 to 2000g / m2, most preferably 700g / m2 to 1500g / m2 depending on the end use contemplated. For example, for fecal management devices (10) that are used by infants, the amount of adhesive (20) may be less than for stool management devices designed for active adults who suffer from incontinence.

Detailed description of a diaper to be used in combination with the stool management device The stool management device (10) of the present invention has been found particularly useful and beneficial when used in conjunction with a garment, or diaper (50), preferably a disposable diaper - referred to in Figure 2. The device Fecal management device (10) is preferably first placed in the perianal area of the user before the disposable diaper (50) is applied. In particular, the diaper (50) is placed on the stool management device (10) and fastened in a conventional manner around the wearer's body. It has been found that, in addition, to provide an excellent separation between urine and fecal matter, the system of the fecal handling device 10 and the currently combined diaper 50 reduces skin irritation, which can occur sometimes, especially since the typical user group includes very old users, the very young and the sick. Indeed, the presence of the stool management device (10) allows the formation of a separation layer between the user's skin and the diaper (50), that is, a part of the absorbent core (58) of the diaper (10). ). The diaper (50) may be of the conventional type (a modality of which is described below, but by no means as a limiting example) or it may be adapted to effectively and comfortably contain the stool handling device (10). ) according to the teachings of the present invention. As used herein, the term "disposable diaper" refers to articles that absorb and contain expulsions from the body; and more specifically, it relates to articles that are placed against or close to the user's body to absorb and contain the various expulsions discharged from the body and that are intended to be discarded after a single use (i.e., they are not intended to be washed). or otherwise restored or reused) and, preferably, to be recycled, composted or otherwise disposed in an environmentally compatible manner. The term "diaper", as used herein, refers to a garment generally worn by infants or by those suffering from incontinence and which is placed between the legs and secured around the wearer's waist. Figure 3 is a partially cutaway perspective view of the diaper (50) embodying the present invention before being placed on the wearer on the stool management device (10). As seen in Figure 3, a preferred diaper (50) comprises a body portion (52) and a restrainable mechanical fastening device (54). A preferred body portion (51) comprises a liquid permeable top sheet (56), and absorbent core (58), a liquid impermeable backsheet (60), elastically contractible leg cuffs (62); each leg fold (62) preferably comprises a side flap (64) and one or more elastic members (66). For purposes of simplification, only one elastic member (66) is shown on the side flap (64). While the top sheet (56), the absorbent core (58), the backsheet (60), the side flaps (64), and the elastic members (66) can be assembled in a variety of well-known configurations. A preferred disposable diaper configuration is shown and generally described in U.S. Patent No. 3,860,003, an even more preferred disposable diaper configuration is shown and generally described in international publication WO 93/16669. In this preferred diaper configuration, the back sheet (60) is joined to the top sheet (56); the absorbent core (58) is placed between the upper sheet (56) and the back sheet (60); the side flaps (64) extend outward from and along each side edge of the absorbent core (58); and the elastic member (66) is operatively associated with each side flap (64). Figure 3 shows the portion of the body (52) wherein the top sheet (56) and the back sheet (60) are coextensive and have length and width dimensions generally greater than those of the absorbent core (58). The upper sheet (56) is superimposed on the back sheet (60) thus forming the periphery (68) of the body portion (52).

The body portion (52) has an inner surface (74) and an outer surface (76). When the backsheet (60) is used, it typically forms the outer surface (76) of the body portion (52). The internal surface (74) is that surface of the diaper (50) opposite the outer surface (76) and in the embodiment shown is typically formed by the upper sheet (56). In general, the internal surface (74) of the diaper (50) is that surface coextensive with the external surface (76) and which is for the larger part in contact with the user when the diaper (50) is used. The absorbent core (58) of the body portion (52) can be any absorbent means that is generally compressible, capable of forming, no. irritant to the user's skin, and capable of absorbing and retaining liquids such as urine and other certain bodily discharges. The absorbent core (58) can be manufactured in a variety of sizes and shapes (eg, rectangular, hourglass, "T" -shaped, asymmetric, etc.) and a wide variety of commonly used absorbent liquid materials in disposable diapers and other absorbent articles such as crushed wood pulp which is generally referred to as an air filter. Examples of other suitable absorbent materials include creped cellulose wadding, meltblown polymers including coform, crosslinked cellulose fibers, tissue including tissue wraps, absorbent foams, absorbent sponges, superabsorbent polymers, gelling absorbent materials, or any equivalent materials or combinations of materials. The configuration and construction of the absorbent core 58 can also be varied (e.g., the absorbent core 58 can have zones of varying gauge, hydrophilic gradients, superabsorbent gradients, or acquisition zones with lower average density and lower average basis weight, or may comprise one or more layers or structures). In addition, the size and absorbent capacity of the absorbent core (58) can be varied to encompass users ranging from infants to adults. The backsheet (60) is impervious to liquids (eg, urine) and is preferably manufactured from a thin plastic film, preferably a thermoplastic film, although other flexible liquid impervious materials may also be used. The term "flexible", as used herein, refers to materials that are docile and that will easily take on the shape and general outline of the human body. The backsheet (60) prevents the exudates absorbed and contained in the absorbent core (58) from staining items that are in contact with the diaper (50), such as undergarments and bedding. The backsheet (60) can thus comprise polymeric films such as polyethylene or polypropylene thermoplastic films, or composite materials such as a film-coated nonwoven material. Exemplary films are manufactured by Tredegar I ndustries, Inc. of Terre Haute, Ind., USA, or BP Chemical PlasTec, Rotbuchenstrasse 1, D-8000 Munich, Germany. The backsheet (60) is preferably textured to provide a more fabric-like appearance. In addition, the backsheet (60) can also allow the vapors to escape from the absorbent core (58) while still preventing the exudates from passing through the backsheet (60), for example, being supplied with micro-openings. The size of the backsheet (60) is dictated by the size of the absorbent core (58) and the exact design of the selected diaper. The upper sheet (56) of the diaper is docile, soft to the touch and non-irritating to the wearer's skin. In addition, the topsheet (56) is permeable to liquids, allowing liquids (eg, urine) to easily penetrate through its thickness. An appropriate top sheet (56) can be manufactured from a wide range of materials, such as porous foams, cross-linked foams, films with openings; or woven or nonwoven webs of natural fibers (e.g., wood or cotton fibers) or from a combination of natural or synthetic fibers. Preferably, it is made of a material that isolates the wearer's skin from liquids retained in the absorbent core (58). There are a number of manufacturing techniques that can be used to manufacture the top sheet (56). For example, the topsheet (56) may be a non-woven web of fibers. An exemplary top sheet (56) is carded and thermally bonded by means well known to those skilled in the art of fabrics. A suitable top sheet (56) is manufactured by, for example, Veratec Inc., a division of International Paper Company, of Walpole, Mass., USA. A particularly preferred top sheet (56) for incontinence garments comprises a formed thermoplastic film.

Detailed description of the Stock Exchange To allow a more detailed and clear description of the shape of the bag of the present invention, in the following paragraphs a number of terms will first be defined, as they are used herein. Particularly with respect to the flange (12) the longitudinal axis will be understood as follows: The direction that is substantially defined by the anal groove in the intended position of use will define the longitudinal direction. The longitudinal axis is an axis in the longitudinal direction, which crosses the center of the opening (21). The indication that is most preferred of the intended position of use is the presence of one or two projections (28) and / or (29) designed to adjust the user's perianal or coccyx area, a less preferred indication of the intended position of the user. use is a fold on said flange (12) before the intended use to be placed parallel to the anal groove when the product is placed. The longitudinal axis is typically also an axis of symmetry of the bag (11). The transverse axis is an axis perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, which crosses the center of said opening (21). The bag is not typically symmetrical to the transverse axis. Center is used to describe a point of an object or a part of an object, which coincides with the center of the mass, if said object or part were of uniform density. In this way for the opening (21), the center will be determined when the area within the contour of the opening (21) is considered to be filled with a material of uniform thickness and density, when it is without bending the flange (12). ). A section of material is to be understood with respect to the bag (11) as a piece of material cut from the material used for the bag (11), which can be placed on a uniform surface and does not comprise any stamp or edges. A section of the material may comprise separate layers as described above. The portion that gives the garment (17) is the part of the bag (11), which is generally oriented away from the user, when the stool management device (10) is worn, and towards a garment of dress, if you wear a garment. The portion facing towards the garment (1 7) does not include the opening (21). The size and shape of the portion that gives the garment (17), in particular its length and width, are defined by the peripheral edge of the bag (1 8). The sections of the material comprised by the edge (1 8) or seal are not part of the portion that gives the garment (1 17). The term "length" as used for the length of the portion that gives the garment (17) refers to the length measured in the garment portion of the bag (11) along the axis. longitudinal. The broad term as used for the width of the portion that gives the garment (17) refers to the length measured on the portion that gives the garment of the bag (11) along the axis cross. According to the present invention, depending on the shape of the bag (11) required, the bag (11) can be provided from a number of separate pieces of material, which can be identical or different and which they are sealed in their respective peripheries.

The bags described herein have a portion that gives the wearer (16) a garment-facing portion (17), both of which comprise separate pieces of material. The portion that gives the user (16) and the portion that gives the garment (17) are sealed on the periphery of the bag (1 1), thereby creating a peripheral edge of the bag (1 8). The portion that gives the user (1 6) and the portion that gives the garment (17) can each independently comprise more than one section of material. Figure 1 illustrates a modality, where the portion that gives the user (16) comprises two sections (19). Preferably, the portion that gives the garment (17) comprises only one section of material; very preferably also the portion that gives the user (16) comprises only a section of the material, such as the one visible from figures 4 and 5. The portion that gives the user (16), the portion that gives the garment (17) and the pieces of material comprised by these portions are secured to one another by means known to the man skilled in the art, such as adhesive, thermal bonding or pressure bonding in order to provide the desired configuration of the bag. The edge (18), to which the user's portion (16) and the garment portion (17) are sealed together, can be provided inside the bag (11) instead of outside the bag (11), thus being coextensive with the inner surface (15) of the bag (11) instead of with the outer surface (30) of the bag (11). As can be seen from Figure 4, the portion that gives the garment (17) has a length (L) and a width (I) as defined above. In accordance with the present invention, it has been found that a bag having a ratio between length (L) and width (I) between 1: 07 and 0.7: 1, more preferably between 1: 0.9 and 0.9: 1 provides improved containment properties and improved comfort and fit. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the portion that gives the garment (1 7) is circular in shape, the ratio being 1: 1 in this way. In an even more preferred embodiment of the present invention, the portion that gives the garment (17) is of the shape illustrated in Figure 4 wherein the ratio between the length (L) and the width (I) is 1: 0.92. As can be seen from figures 4, 5 and 6, the portion that gives the user (16) preferably has a surface area greater than the surface area of the portion that gives the garment (17); preferably the surface area of the portion that gives the wearer (16) is 5% to 25% greater than the surface area of the portion that gives the garment (1 7). When a stool management device (10) is provided with a bag according to the present invention, the bag will be disposed adjacent to the user's seat. Therefore, the bag (11), more particularly the portion that gives the user (16) of the bag (11), will widely cover the buttocks and will not hang between the user's thighs. Consequently, the stool management device 10 can be worn inconspicuously beneath the undergarments and can be conveniently combined with a diaper. The bag (11) is also preferably designed to provide sufficient volume for the fecal material under a variety of conditions of use, also when carried for free movement, ie not for bedridden users. These conditions of use include the user's sitting. Sitting on the bag (11) will result in a considerably reduced volume in some areas of the bag. In this way, to allow seating, the bag (11) is preferably of appropriate size and shape to provide sufficient volume in the areas that are not subject to much pressure by a seated user. The optimal shape and size will depend on the particular user and the design of the stool management device (10) as a whole. It has been found that sitting on a stool management device (10) will reduce the volume of the bag (11) available for fecal matter, particularly in certain areas. These areas are those immediately adjacent to the user's anus, but to a lesser degree in the areas of the pouch adjacent to the genitals, the coccyx and the external parts of the buttocks. In this way, it is important to provide sufficient volume in the latter areas. Preferably, however, the bag (11) is not designed to cover or completely cover the genitalia of the user. This typically improves the usability of the device (10). further, when the genitals are covered, the stool management device (10) can hamper the operation of a diaper, which can be worn in combination in order to absorb the urine. Consequently, the distance () measured in the longitudinal direction from the center of the opening (21) to the front end of the bag (11) is preferably shorter than the distance (12) measured in the longitudinal direction from the center from the opening (21) to the rear end of the bag (11), see figure 7. In this way, preferably the bag (11) is asymmetric to the transverse axis. More preferably, however, said distance (12) measured to the rear end of the bag (11) is not more than 50% greater than said distance () measured to the front end. Preferably, the opening is positioned in such a way that the bag (11) is symmetrical to the longitudinal axis. In choosing the size of the bag shape of the devices of the present invention, it is also important to consider the exact circumstances of use. For example for devices intended to be used in combination with a diaper, the nature of the diaper itself must be taken into account to ensure the proper functioning of the device and the diaper. For example, the disposable diaper as described herein typically has elastically contractible leg cuffs. It is therefore necessary to ensure that the bag is not formed in such a way that the bag will be inserted between the legs and the leg doubles of the user, since these avoid the attempted sealing of the diaper by the leg cuffs. Therefore, a variety of shapes of the bag is within the scope of the present invention. Particularly, the preferred forms are flat circular type bags, cone shaped bags, truncated cone shaped bags and truncated pyramidal or truncated pyramidal bags. In a highly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bag (11) has a substantially truncated cone shape. In addition, the bag (11) is preferably formed to allow at least the insertion and partial retention of the bag between the user's buttocks and thus ensure good contact between the flange and the user's skin. For example, the stool handling bag may be provided with a neck or duct portion.

Claims (9)

REIVI NDICATIONS

1 . A stool management device (10) comprising a bag (11), the bag (11) having an opening (21) and a flange (12) surrounding the opening (21) for adhesive attachment to the bag (11). perianal area of the user, said bag (1 1) comprising at least two different portions: a portion that gives the user (16), the portion that gives the user (16) containing said opening (21) and said flange (12), and a portion that gives the garment (17), the portion that is given to the user (16) and the portion that gives the garment (1 7) secured to each other on the periphery of the bag (1). 1), said portion that gives the garment (16) having a length (L) and a width (I), said device (10) characterized in that said portion that gives the garment (17) is configured of such that the ratio of length (L) to width (I) is within the range of 1: 0.7 to 0.7: 1

2. The stool management device (10) of conformity ad with claim 1, further characterized in that the ratio is within the range of 1: 0.9 to 0.9: 1.

3. The stool management device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the aperture (21). ) is placed in a central or almost central position in the portion that it gives to the user (16).

4. The stool management device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each of the user-giving portion (16) and the portion that gives the garment (17) has a surface area, said surface area of the portion that gives the user (1 6) is greater than the surface area of the portion that gives the garment (17). The stool management device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the bag (11) has a flat circular shape, a cone shape, a truncated cone shape, a pyramidal shape or a truncated pyramidal shape, preferably a truncated cone shape. The stool management device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein either the portion that gives the user (16) or the portion that gives the garment (17) each independently comprise not more than one section of material and preferably both, of the portion that gives the wearer (16) or the portion that gives the garment (17), comprises no more than one section of material. The stool management device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each of the portion that gives the wearer (16) and the portion that gives the garment (17) comprises independently a layer of nonwoven material, or a plastic film, or a combination thereof. 8. The use of a stool management device (10) according to any of the preceding claims by a user, such that the portion that gives the user (16) is disposed adjacent to the user's buttocks. 9. The use of a stool management device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, in combination with a disposable diaper (50). 1. The use of a stool management device (10) according to claim 9, by which the stool management device (10) is first placed in the perianal area of the user then the disposable diaper (50) on the stool management device (10) and fastened in a conventional manner around the wearer's body.