Method of disposal of articles by flushing

• US 4,930,942 A
• Filed: 10/11/1988
• Issued: 06/05/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/1986
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: E R Squibb & Sons Incorporated
• Original Assignee: E R Squibb & Sons Incorporated
• Inventors: Keyes, Denis E., Aronoff, Marvin S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Peters, Jr., Joseph F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BIDWELL, ANNE
• Application Number:
  US07/256,355
• Time in Patent Office: 602 Days
• Field of Search: 406/46-49
• US Class Current: 406/49
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/15211 soluble or disintegratable in liquid
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/47 Sanitary towels, incontinence pads or napkins A61F13/49 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2005/4402 disposable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/15048 for protection against contamination, or protection in using body disinfecting wipes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/445 Colostomy, ileostomy or urethrostomy devices A61F5/441, A61F5/442, A61F5/443 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/1362 Textile, fabric, cloth, or pile containing [e.g., web, net, woven, knitted, mesh, nonwoven, matted, etc.]

Abstract

Flexible, soft objects such as ostomy pouches, wound dressings, bandages, diapers, etc. can be flushed down a conventional toilet by wrapping or enclosing the article within a material that rapidly becomes slimy or exudes a slimy material on contact with the water in a toilet bowl or by adding such materials directly to the bowl.

Claims

1. The method of disposing of a soft, flexible article which comprises wrapping or enclosing said article within a material that becomes slimy or exudes a slimy material when in contact with the water in a toilet bowl, placing said wrapped or enclosed article into a toilet bowl, and flushing whereby said article passes from said bowl through the trap into the waste line.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said article is placed within a bag or sleeve formed from cold water soluble polyvinyl alcohol.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said article is placed within a bag or sleeve formed from highly absorbent tissue paper.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said article is placed within a bag or sleeve formed from tissue paper impregnated with a surfactant and/or softening agent.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said article is placed within a bag or sleeve formed from warm water soluble polyvinyl alcohol.

6. The method of disposing of a soft, flexible article by flushing in a toilet bowl comprising adding a surfactant and/or softening agent to the water in the toilet bowl or to the cistern feeding the toilet bowl prior to flushing.