Moisture management incontinence device

• US 7,090,666 B2
• Filed: 11/08/2004
• Issued: 08/15/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mark Miskie
• Original Assignee: Mark Miskie
• Inventors: Miskie, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Stephens, Jacqueline F.
• Application Number:
  US10/983,477
• Publication Number:
  US 20050273068A1
• Time in Patent Office: 645 Days
• Field of Search: 604/379, 604/380, 604/385.01, 604/385.101, 604/385.14, 604/385.15, 604/385.19, 604/385.03, 604/385.11, 604/385.13, 604/393, 604/395, 604/399, 604/402
• US Class Current: 604/385.14
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/47 Sanitary towels, incontinence pads or napkins A61F13/49 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/505 with separable parts, e.g. combination of disposable and reusable parts, A61F13/20, A61F13/49003 take precedence; supporting or fastening means A61F13/56; belts or the like A61F13/64

Abstract

A moisture management incontinence pad is adapted for placement within an undergarment worn by a user. The fabric composite includes a plurality of overlying absorbent layers having respective first and second opposing end edges and first and second opposing side edges. The adsorbent layers are substantially unattached to one another along at least one of respective first and second side edges and first and second end edges to promote circulation between the layers during laundering. A liquid impermeable jacket resides adjacent an outside major surface of the fabric composite, and covers the opposing end edges and opposing side edges of the absorbent layers. The jacket is adapted for trapping moisture within the composite, and forms a moisture barrier between the composite and the undergarment. The jacket defines an open moisture entry zone which communicates with a portion of the inside major surface of the fabric composite, whereby moisture is received through the entry zone and into the fabric composite for transport away from the body of the user.

Claims

1. A launderable and reusable moisture management incontinence pad adapted for placement within an undergarment worn by a user, said incontinence pad comprising:

(a) a multi-layer fabric composite having an inside major surface for residing nearest the body of the user and an outside major surface for residing nearest the undergarment, said fabric composite comprising a plurality of overlying absorbent layers having respective first and second opposing end edges and first and second opposing longitudinal side edges;

(b) said absorbent layers of said fabric composite being substantially unattached to one another along respective first and second longitudinal side edges to promote circulation between said layers during laundering;

(c) a liquid impermeable jacket affixed to at least one of the absorbent layers and residing adjacent the outside major surface of said fabric composite and covering the opposing end edges and opposing side edges of said absorbent layers, said jacket adapted for trapping moisture within said composite, and forming a moisture barrier between said composite and the undergarment, and wherein said fabric composite is substantially unattached to said jacket along respective first and second longitudinal side edges of said absorbent layers and along at least one of said end edges of said fabric composite, such that prior to laundering, said fabric composite is extendable outwardly from said jacket for improved cleaning and drying of said absorbent layers; and

(d) said jacket defining an open moisture entry zone communicating with a portion of the inside major surface of said fabric composite, whereby moisture is received through said entry zone and into said fabric composite for transport away from the body of the user.

2. A moisture management incontinence pad according to claim 1, wherein said liquid impermeable jacket wraps around said fabric composite and covers greater than 20 percent of its inside major surface.

3. A moisture management incontinence pad according to claim 1, wherein said moisture entry zone comprises less than 80 percent of the inside major surface of said fabric composite.

4. A moisture management incontinence pad according to claim 1, wherein said absorbent layers are attached together at respective first and second end edges.

5. A moisture management incontinence pad according to claim 1, wherein said jacket comprises opposing elastic side edges.

6. A moisture management incontinence pad according to claim 1, wherein said fabric composite comprises a fixed end secured to said jacket and a free end opposite said fixed end.

7. A moisture management incontinence pad according to claim 6, wherein said jacket comprises a lateral pocket for receiving the free end of said fabric composite.

8. A moisture management incontinence pad according to claim 7, and comprising means for releasably attaching the free end of said fabric composite inside the pocket of said jacket, such that said fabric composite is removable from the pocket and extend able outwardly from said jacket for laundering.

9. A moisture management incontinence pad according to claim 8, wherein said means for releasably attaching the free end of said fabric composite comprises mating hook and loop fasteners.

10. A moisture management incontinence pad according to claim 1, wherein the inside major surface of said fabric composite comprises hydrophobic fibers.

11. A moisture management incontinence pad according to claim 1, wherein said fabric composite comprises at least 3 overlying absorbent layers.

12. A moisture management incontinence pad according to claim 1, wherein said fabric composite comprises an hourglass design.

13. A moisture management incontinence pad according to claim 12, wherein said fabric composite comprises a reduced thickness at a tapered portion of said hourglass design.

14. A moisture management incontinence pad according to claim 1, wherein said fabric composite comprises opposing free ends unattached to said jacket.

15. A moisture management incontinence pad according to claim 14, wherein said jacket comprises lateral end pockets adapted for removably receiving respective free ends of said fabric composite, such that said fabric composite is removable from said end pockets and extend able away from said jacket for laundering.

16. A launderable and reusable moisture management incontinence pad adapted for placement within an undergarment worn by a user, said incontinence pad comprising:

(a) a multi-layer fabric composite having an inside major surface for residing nearest the body of the user and an outside major surface for residing nearest the undergarment, said fabric composite comprising a plurality of overlying absorbent layers having respective first and second opposing end edges and first and second opposing longitudinal side edges, and said absorbent layers comprising fibers selected from the group consisting of cotton, hydrophilic nylon, rayon, and wool;

(b) said absorbent layers being substantially unattached to one another along a portion of respective first and second longitudinal side edges to promote circulation between said layers during laundering;

(c) a liquid impermeable jacket affixed to at least one of the absorbent layers and residing adjacent the outside major surface of said fabric composite and covering the opposing end edges and opposing side edges of said absorbent layers, said jacket adapted for trapping moisture within said composite, and forming a moisture barrier between said composite and the undergarment, and wherein said fabric composite is substantially unattached to said jacket along respective first and second longitudinal side edges of said absorbent layers and along at least one of said end edges of said fabric composite, such that prior to laundering, said fabric composite is extendable outwardly from said jacket for improved cleaning and drying of said absorbent layers; and

(d) said jacket defining an open moisture entry zone communicating with a portion of the inside major surface of said fabric composite, whereby moisture is received through said entry zone and into said fabric composite for transport away from the body of the user.

17. A moisture management incontinence pad according to claim 16, wherein said fabric composite comprises opposing free ends unattached to said jacket.

18. A moisture management incontinence pad according to claim 17, wherein said jacket comprises lateral end pockets adapted for removably receiving respective free ends of said fabric composite, such that said fabric composite is removable from said end pockets and extendable away from said jacket for laundering.

19. A moisture management incontinence pad according to claim 16, wherein said fabric composite comprises an hourglass design.