WO2021203158A1

WO2021203158A1 - An incontinence garment

Info

Publication number: WO2021203158A1
Application number: PCT/AU2021/000031
Authority: WO
Inventors: Melissa Sue LAMB; Angela CUTLER
Original assignee: BN IP Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2020-04-10
Filing date: 2021-04-07
Publication date: 2021-10-14
Also published as: AU2021252427A1

Abstract

An incontinence garment (20) including a fluid impermeable outer shell (42), a soft, fluid permeable, fabric inner shell (44) and a pocket formed between the outer shell (42) and inner shell (44) at openings (40) wherein the pocket extends from one opening to the other opening. The garment also features a two ply absorbent insert attached to one of the openings on the garment. Wherein in use, the absorbent insert is tucked into the pocket formed between the outer shell and inner shell and during laundering, the absorbent insert is withdrawn from the pocket for thorough cleaning and drying. The absorbent insert is preferably shaped to occupy the space in the pocket in the wings (28) of the garment (20).

Description

AN INCONTINENCE GARMENT

TECHNICAL FIELD

The field of this invention is in the area of garments. In particular it is in the area of garments worn by people suffering from incontinence and other similar conditions in which the wearer has little control over urination and defecation.

BACKGROUND ART

Incontinence garments are known in the art. They are used by babies and infants who, at their stage of development, cannot use a toilet or potty. These are often called nappies or diapers. Incontinence garments are also used by older children and adults who may for many different reasons may need a garment to be worn to capture and retain urine or faeces. In some cases older children or adults may need to wear an incontinence garment as a result of a medical condition or as a result of surgery such as a stoma like a vesicostomy or any sort of urinary or bowel diversion.

Incontinence garments are of two main types, single use and re-usable. The single use garments, including those used for older children and adults are very much “nappy like”. That is, they are formed from layers of substances and impermeable membranes that provide good absorption and retention, but which look like a nappy that a 6 month old baby would wear. The mental health of older children and adults who wear such disposable incontinence garments is detrimentally affected by the stigma attached to wearing nappies.

Re-usable incontinence garments have been promoted in recent times. They are attractive because they are more sustainable and have less impact on the environment. Fig. 1 to Fig. 2 depict two types of re-usable incontinence garments designed for children. In the prior art reusable incontinence garments the absorbent particles and gels from disposable nappies are replaced with an absorbent padding which is stitched into the garment in the centrally placed

Substitute Sheet (Rule 26) RO/AU absorbency zone 12 as depicted in respect of the incontinence garment 10 of Fig 1. However there are problems with such incontinence garments. Firstly, the absorbency is limited if it is desired that the garment be able to be quickly dried in the sun or in a dryer. If it is increased so that a greater volume of liquid can be retained, the longer it will take to dry when laundered. A second problem involves the type of material chosen to line the garment 10. The material used is cotton which stays wet and feels cold on the skin of a wearer once urine has been absorbed into it.

Fig 2 depicts an alternative re-usable nappy for infants 14. In this design the absorbency is provided by an absorbent insert 16. The insert 16 is placed within a pocket formed between an outer waterproof layer and an inner lining accessed via one end 18. The insert 16 is rectangular shaped and is inserted into the pocket at one end 18 through which an opening is provided into the pocket. However, there are problems associated with re-usable nappies such as those shown in Fig. 2. The main problem is the narrowness of the absorbency area 16. The insert 16 is of a similar shape of the absorbency zone 12 of Fig 1. By having a narrow absorbency zone 12 or insert 16, re-usable nappies have been inadequate for older children and adults especially older children and adults who have had surgery which has altered the place and manner in which urine and faeces exit the body. For instance, in vesicostomy and related surgeries, a new exit for urine is provided. Often this is placed much higher than would be the case if the urine exited the penis or vagina of the wearer. Another problem with the prior art garments is that the non-fixed inserts 16 tend to absorb urine then become bunched up and/or move around the pocket creating leak issues and discomfort to the user. Indeed, the comfort of prior art garments left a lot to be desired including cold guard snaps and uncomfortable seams and gathers which can be particularly problematic with users with sensory issues.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate in some way, one or more problems associated with the prior art. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a single piece, re-usable incontinence garment that is suitable for older children and adults with incontinence. DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

There is provided an incontinence garment in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention an incontinence garment comprising: a fluid impermeable outer shell; a soft, fluid permeable, fabric inner shell; a pocket formed between the outer shell and inner shell together, via an opening wherein the pocket extends throughout the garment; an absorbent insert, the absorbent insert being permanently attached to the garment adjacent the opening; wherein in use, the absorbent insert is tucked into the pocket formed between the outer shell and inner shell and during laundering, the absorbent insert is withdrawn from the pocket for cleaning and drying.

Preferably the garment is formed in the form of pull up pants.

Alternatively, the garment is comprised of a front part, a back part and intermediate crotch part wherein the front part and back parts can be releasably attached via fasteners.

Preferably the absorbent insert is hourglass shaped to conform to the shape of the pocket and to ensure there is absorbency beyond the crotch part including some or all of the front and back parts.

More preferably the insert is comprised of at least two ply of absorbent material. Still more preferably there are two openings in the garment at the top of the front part and the top of the back part, each of which has attached to an area proximate the openings at least one absorbent insert.

Even more preferably, there are two pairs of inserts, each of which is attached to the garment at each of the openings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference is now made to the figures in which the following is depicted: Fig. 1 is an inside top view of a prior art re-usable incontinence garment that has been laid flat and open;

Fig. 2 is an inside top view of a prior art re-usable nappy with detached absorbent insert laid upon the inner surface of the nappy;

Fig. 3 is an outside top view of a first embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 4 is a side perspective view of the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 3 in a closed configuration;

Fig. 5 is a top view of the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 3; Fig. 6 is a side view of the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 3 that is in a partially opened state showing the fasteners;

Fig. 7 is a side view of the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 3; Fig, 8 is a bottom view of the embodiment of the invention shown in

Fig. 3;

Fig. 9 is a rear view of the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 3; Fig. 10 is an outside bottom view of the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 3 wherein the garment is open and the insert has been removed from the garment shell;

Fig. 11 is an inside top view of the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 3 wherein the garment is open and the insert has been removed from the garment shell;

Fig. 12 is a depiction of the insert of the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 13 is a depiction of the insert of prior art incontinence garment of

Fig 2. Fig. 14 is an inside top view of the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 15 is an inside top view of the prior art garment of Fig. 2;

Fig. 16 is a depiction of the two ply construction of the insert of Fig. 12;

Fig. 17 is a depiction of the area of connection between the garment shell and insert of the embodiment of the garment shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 18 is an outside view of a legband of the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 19 is an inside view of a legband of the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 20 depicts one of the open ends of the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig.3;

Fig. 21 is an outside bottom view of a second embodiment of the invention where the insert has a rectangular distal end of the insert instead of the hourglass shape of the first embodiment;

Fig. 22 is a further outside bottom view showing the insert of the second embodiment of the invention shown in Fig 21 with the insert separated to show the two ply construction;

Fig. 23 is a side perspective view of a third embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 24 is an inside top view of the embodiment depicted in Fig 23 where the insert is extracted from its pocket and shown in its two ply construction;

Fig. 25 is an outside bottom view of the garment of Fig. 23;

Fig. 26 is an outside bottom view of the garment of Fig. 23;

Fig. 27 is an inside top view of the garment of Fig. 23;

Fig 28 is a close up side view of the leg band shown in Figs 18 and 19; Fig 29 is an uncovered side view of the leg band elastic from Fig 28; Fig. 30 is a partial cutaway showing the leg band of Fig 28; and Fig. 31 is a top view of a fourth embodiment of the invention. MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The problem with prior art re-usable incontinence garments have been noted in the background to the invention above. As described the principal problem with prior art garment 10 is that the absorbent zone 12 is often insufficient to absorb all the urine and/or faeces of the wearer. As the material is stitched into place, there is no ability to be separately laundered or separated into parts which would make the task of laundering and drying the garment quicker and easier.

The garment 14 of Fig 2 is an improvement in the sense that it has a removable absorbent insert 16. The insert is inserted into a pocket formed in the garment which is accessed at opening 18. The differences between the garment 14 of Fig 2 and the garments of the present invention are best illustrated in the comparison between Figs 12 and 13 and Figs 14 and 15 which show a garment 20 of the first embodiment of the invention versus the prior art respectively. As can be clearly seen, the back part 24 and front part 22 are much larger in vertical extent than the equivalent portions in the prior art garment 14, relative to the crotch portion 26 which are roughly the same. In the first embodiment of the invention garment 20, the front and back portions 22 and 24 are of the same length as the crotch portion 26. Further, when regard is had to Figs 12 and 14 you can see that the insert 16 is not as long as the vertical extent of the garment 14 such that in use, areas near the rim or top of the front and/or back sections of the garment 14 do not have absorbent insert underlying the inner material. Further, it can be seen that due the rectangular shape of insert 16, the wings 28 do not absorb any bodily fluids. The lack of absorbent insert in the wings 28 and lack of absorbent insert along the full vertical extent of the nappy 14 renders it ill-suited to older children and adults who need additional absorbency, including in areas higher than the garment 14. In contrast to the rectangular shaped insert 16 of garment 14 the absorbent insert 30 of garment 20 employs an hourglass shape with wings 36 so as to provide improved absorbency in the front and back parts of the garment 20. These are best shown in Fig 12 in comparison with prior art insert 16 of Fig. 13. As can be seen, the insert 30 has a much greater amount of absorbent material that will be situated on the front and back of the garment 20 than insert 16 and garment 14.

As the insert 16 is not stitched to the garment 14 it can become disassociated with the garment 14 during laundering. In contrast absorbent insert 30 is fastened to the garment, preferably permanently. The absorbent insert 30 is preferably comprised of two ply of absorbent, launderable material 32 and 34. The insert 30 shown in Fig. 16 is constructed by folding a piece of absorbent material at crease 38 and fastening to the garment at the crease via overlocking or similar stitching. Alternatively they may be formed of two pieces of different absorbent material stitched at crease 38. By permanently attaching the inserts 30 to the garment they can be untucked and laundered in one action and hung on the line with one peg. This prevents the loss of the inserts during the laundering and drying process.

Fig. 20 depicts the garment opening 40 which leads to the absorbent insert pocket formed between the fluid impermeable outer shell 42 and the soft material inner shell 44. Openings may be at one end, but preferably both ends of the garment such that the distal end of the absorbent insert 30 is able to be manipulated into place using the second opening.

In a fourth embodiment of the invention shown in Fig 31 , garment 60 can have absorbent inserts 30 and 62 attached to respective openings 40. These may be single ply or double ply or more. The pocket extends to the periphery of the garment 20 where the inner shell 44 and outer shell 42 are joined together, fully utilising all available area for absorbency. Insert or inserts 62 need not have the hourglass shape as they are for additional absorbency and they do not add to the bulkiness of the garment when worn as they do not extend into the wings 36.

A second embodiment garment 45 is depicted in Fig 21. Insert 46 differs from insert 30 in its shape. The top part of the insert 46 proximate the attachment site has wings 48 as in the case of insert 30 but then has a continuous rectangular section 50 which is tucked into the body opening and through to either the front or back part (depending on what side the insert 46 is attached to the garment 45. When it not required to have lots of absorbency in the region of the back part 24, the insert 46 can be connected at the front part 26 of the garment 45 and the rectangular portion 50 tucked through to the pocket into the region of back part 24. In Fig 22 it can be seen that insert 50 can be made of two ply of material 52 and 54.

In embodiments in which the garment 20 is not designed as a single unitary pull up brief, fasteners 52 are utilised to fasten the front part 26 with back part 24 as shown in Fig. 3 and Fig 18. Garment 20 when fastened, does not show any presence of fasteners 52 from outside the garment as shown in Figs. 6 and 7. In a further embodiment of the invention, shown in Figs 23 to 26, garment 55 has an alternate arrangements of fasteners 52 wherein the fasteners 56 do not penetrate to the inside of the garment 55. This is best depicted in Fig. 23 and 24 where the fasteners 56 are shown in dotted line to indicate that they are beneath the layer of inner shell 44. This embodiment is important for users with disorders that affect the users senses and where in some cases the feel of the snap clips on the users skin can cause discomfort. The outer shell 42 is made from polyester fabric with a waterproof, polyurethane laminate (PUL) bonding to the underside providing a fluid impermeable membrane. Other waterproof fabrics can also be used on the outer layer of the garment. The inner shell 44 is made from a microfleece polyester material. Other suitable materials include suede or athletic wicking jersey material. Polar fleece is not recommended for those garments intended for use by users with sensory issues that may not like the feel of wet fleece. The inserts can be made from 400gsm bamboo fibre fabric. Any heavier, for example, over 500gsm, and the garment becomes difficult to launder and dry. Other materials that may be suitable for the inserts of the present invention include wadding and proprietary absorbent fabrics such as those ones sold under the ZORB trade mark by Wazoodle Fabrics of 1360 Adams Road, Bensalem, Pennsylvania - 19020 USA.

The general instructions for constructing the garment are as follows:

1. Cut one piece of PUL for the outer shell 42;

2. Cut one piece of microfibre for the inner shell 44;

3. Fold elastic casings down, sew 2.5 straight stitch;

4. Cut 4 bamboo fibre inserts;

5. Overlook two inserts together;

6. Overlook the two overlooked inserts together at one end;

7. Sew 4 layers bamboo to microfleece body underneath elastic casings;

8. Thread elastic through front elastic casing, tack at one end, pull through, tack at other end (on PUL and microfleece layer);

9. Repeat for back elastic;

10. Overlock right sides together;

11. Perform 3 point zigzag stich leg elastic, stretching as sewing;

12. Top stitch; and

13. Add snap clips.

In the method described above, all efforts are taken to prevent bumps, ridges, folds and clips from pressing inwardly on the user. Often the users have sensory issues which make ordinary garments feel uncomfortable. One aspect of the invention described above, is depicted in Figs. 28 to 30 which show the leg elastics from Figs 18 and 19. In Fig 28 a side view of the leg band is shown where it can be seen that there are great undulations formed in the outer shell 42 and that there are far less undulations in the inner shell 44. This is due to the way in which the garment is stitched together as shown in Fig 29 where it can be seen that elastic 66 is applied to one side of an overlooked assembly 64 of outer shell 42 and inner shell 44. The overlooked assembly 64 is sewn to the stretched elastic 66 using a zig zag in which each zig or zag has three straight stitches 68 as shown in Fig 30. This stitching minimises the amplitude of any undulations appearing on the inner shell 42 about the leg bands. This minimises the discomfort felt by some users who dislike the feeling of heavily undulated elastic bands directly on the users skin.

In a fifth embodiment of the invention (not shown), the rolled encased elastic band around the waist of the user is replaced with dual exposed elastic bands. In this embodiment one exposed elastic band is attached to the inner shell 44 and the other exposed elastic band attached to the outer shell 42 with the opening 40 leading to the pocket between outer shell and inner shell formed there between. Such a construction can be employed with both the brief or underpants embodiment which are pulled on by the user like regular underwear, or it can be employed by utilising snaps or other fasteners in a nappy like construction as shown in the figures. By utilising an exposed elastic band the degree of expansion in the waistband can be maximised over the rolled covered elastic band which is limited by the fabric that encases the elastic. The ability to provide a large degree of expandability in the waist is particularly suited for use by stoma patients and others who may need to use pull up versions of the garment which do not interfere with the stoma or any other medical devices attached or worn by the user under the garment. Using wide elastic bands also provide an increased sealing capability for the garment at the same time as providing no undulations or seams which can be problematic for users with sensory conditions. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The field of this invention lies in clothing and garments and in particular, incontinence garments for children and adults who have medical and/or sensory conditions.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An incontinence garment comprising:

- a fluid impermeable outer shell;

- a soft, fluid permeable, fabric inner shell;

- a pocket formed between the outer shell and inner shell via an opening wherein the pocket extends throughout the garment;

- the absorbent insert having a proximate end which is permanently attached to the garment adjacent the opening and a distal free end for tucking through the opening into the pocket; wherein in use, the absorbent insert is tucked into the pocket formed between the outer shell and inner shell and during laundering, the absorbent insert is withdrawn from the pocket for cleaning and drying.

2. The incontinence garment of claim 1 wherein there are a first opening and second opening at such that the free distal end of the absorbent insert can be inserted in the first opening and manipulated into place using the second opening.

3. The incontinence garment of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the insert has at least absorbent wings at its proximate, connected end.

4. The incontinence garment of claims 3 wherein the insert has absorbent wings at both its proximate and distal ends.

5. The incontinence garment of claim 2 wherein there are absorbent inserts attached to the garment at the proximate ends of the inserts, at both openings.

6. The incontinence garment of claims 1 to 6 wherein the absorbent insert is comprised of at least two ply absorbent material.

7. The incontinence garment of claims 1 to 6 wherein the garment is sealed around the waist of the user using at least one exposed elastic band connected to either the inner shell or outer shell.

8. The incontinence garment of claims 7 wherein the garment is sealed around the waist of the user using two exposed elastic bands connected to each of the inner shell or outer shell and where the opening to the pocket is formed therebetween.

9. The incontinence garment of any of claims 1 to 8 in which the garment is constructed as pull up underwear.

10. The incontinence garment of any of claims 1 to 8 in which the garment has a front part, a back part and an intermediate crotch part wherein there are additionally fasteners which connect the front and back parts allowing the garment to be worn by a user.

11. The incontinence garment of claim 10 wherein the fasteners are not visible when being worn from the outside.

12. The incontinence garment of claims 10 wherein the fasteners do not penetrate the soft inner shell such that they are not visible on the inside when worn.