Flushable diaper and method
First Claim
1. A flushable diaper for wearing on the lower torso of an infant or adult, the diaper comprising the combination of a sealed envelope having an inner wall and an outer wall forming a double wall construction, which cooperate to define an interior cavity, the outer wall facing in an outward direction away from the torso when the diaper is being worn and with the inner wall facing in an inward direction toward the torso, the outer wall being comprised of an inner layer and an outer layer, the outer layer being carried on a side of the inner layer which faces in the outward direction, the inner layer being comprised of a material which is sufficiently hydrophilic to absorb water in an effective amount to cause disintegration of the outer wall, the inner wall being comprised of an inner layer and an outer layer, the outer layer being carried on a side of the inner layer which faces in the inward direction, the inner layer being comprised of a material which is sufficiently hydrophilic to absorb water in an effective amount to cause disintegration of the inner wall, an absorbent member carried by the inner wall, the absorbent member having an inner body, the inner body being comprised of a material which is sufficiently hydrophilic to absorb urine and other fluids from the torso while maintaining structural integrity of the inner body and to also absorb water in an effective amount to cause the inner body to disintegrate, and a container within the interior cavity for containing a charge of water, the container having a structural strength which is sufficient to normally contain the charge of water when the diaper is being worn, and the structural strength further being sufficient to enable a predetermined amount of force applied against the container to cause the container to rupture and enable the charge of water to egress from the container and discharge into the interior cavity whereby the inner layer of the outer wall together with inner layer of the inner wall and the inner body of the absorbent member absorb respective portions of the charge of water which are sufficient to cause disintegration of the diaper.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A flushable diaper for use on the body of an infant or adult. An envelope has inner and outer walls which are secured together at their outer periphery to form an inner cavity. The outer wall is comprised of a hydrophobic outer layer together with a hydrophilic inner layer. The inner wall is comprised of a hydrophobic outer layer together with a hydrophilic inner layer. The inner and outer walls are separated by an interior cavity which contains one or more containers. The container is comprised of either a single layer or a laminated wall which forms a chamber that encloses a charge of water. The laminated wall is comprised a hydrophobic inner laminate and a hydrophilic outer laminate. When manually ruptured, the containers release water into the double walled envelope, which causes disintegration of the hydrophilic inner layers of the double walls, along with the hydrophobic outer layers. An absorbent member is carried on the inner wall of the envelope, and the absorbent member comprises a fluid pervious cover which encloses an inner body that is comprised of a material which is sufficiently hydrophilic to absorb urine and other fluids from the body while maintaining structural integrity of the inner body and to also absorb water in an effective amount to cause the inner body to disintegrate into small pieces.
77 Citations
26 Claims
- 1. A flushable diaper for wearing on the lower torso of an infant or adult, the diaper comprising the combination of a sealed envelope having an inner wall and an outer wall forming a double wall construction, which cooperate to define an interior cavity, the outer wall facing in an outward direction away from the torso when the diaper is being worn and with the inner wall facing in an inward direction toward the torso, the outer wall being comprised of an inner layer and an outer layer, the outer layer being carried on a side of the inner layer which faces in the outward direction, the inner layer being comprised of a material which is sufficiently hydrophilic to absorb water in an effective amount to cause disintegration of the outer wall, the inner wall being comprised of an inner layer and an outer layer, the outer layer being carried on a side of the inner layer which faces in the inward direction, the inner layer being comprised of a material which is sufficiently hydrophilic to absorb water in an effective amount to cause disintegration of the inner wall, an absorbent member carried by the inner wall, the absorbent member having an inner body, the inner body being comprised of a material which is sufficiently hydrophilic to absorb urine and other fluids from the torso while maintaining structural integrity of the inner body and to also absorb water in an effective amount to cause the inner body to disintegrate, and a container within the interior cavity for containing a charge of water, the container having a structural strength which is sufficient to normally contain the charge of water when the diaper is being worn, and the structural strength further being sufficient to enable a predetermined amount of force applied against the container to cause the container to rupture and enable the charge of water to egress from the container and discharge into the interior cavity whereby the inner layer of the outer wall together with inner layer of the inner wall and the inner body of the absorbent member absorb respective portions of the charge of water which are sufficient to cause disintegration of the diaper.
- 25. A method of using a flushable diaper providing a flushable diaper for use on the lower torso of an infant or adult, the method comprising the steps of providing an envelope having an inner and an outer wall with the outer wall being comprised of a hydrophobic outer layer and a hydrophilic inner layer, and the inner wall being comprised of a hydrophobic outer layer and a hydrophilic inner layer, providing an absorbent member on the side of the inner wall which faces the lower torso when the diaper is being worn, the absorbent member comprising a fluid pervious cover and a hydrophilic inner body, passing excretory fluids from the lower torso through the cover and into the inner body, absorbing the excretory fluids into the inner body while maintaining the structural integrity of the inner body, infusing water into the inner body in an amount sufficient to form a colloidal suspension with the material of the inner body for breaking down the structural integrity of the inner body, providing a water-filled container within an interior cavity between the inner and outer walls with the container being comprised of a laminated wall having a hydrophobic inner laminate and a hydrophilic outer laminate, applying a force to rupture the container, releasing water from within the container and causing the water to be absorbed by the hydrophilic inner layers and the absorbent member.
Specification