WO2007107960A1

WO2007107960A1 - Incontinence pouch

Info

Publication number: WO2007107960A1
Application number: PCT/IB2007/050991
Authority: WO
Inventors: Giuseppe Marabeti
Original assignee: Giuseppe Marabeti
Priority date: 2006-03-22
Filing date: 2007-03-21
Publication date: 2007-09-27
Also published as: ITPA20060009A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to an incontinece pouch for male users. The pouch (1) may be provided in a disposable or re-usable version, and is secured about the scrotum and the penis of the user by way of a string (20) arranged on top of the pouch. The pouch comprises means (30) hindering free movement of the string so that the pouch can be secured to the genitals without risk of falling off while still being comfortable. The invention also relates to a process of making the pouch.

Description

Incontinence Pouch

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an incontinence pouch for a male user and to a process of making the pouch.

Prior Art and the Problem Underlying the Invention

Continence problems have various causes and may affect people of any age class. Younger individuals may suffer from continence problems due to an accident, while the normal aging process often leads to urine incontinence with the elderly. In order to enable people suffering from urine incontinence to lead a normal life and to participate in social activities, various devices are on the marketplace, ranging from diapers to all sorts of bags and pouches, optionally equipped with a catheter. The most convenient solution for healthy, male users suffering from incontinence, are non-prosthetic, disposable pouches, which are designed to be applied over the penis or over the penis and the scrotum together. On the top of such pouches, at there upper border, there usually is a fixing mechanism, which permits tightening the pouch around the base of the penis or penis and scrotum. When in use, urine is collected in the pouch, which has at least one layer of impermeable sheath, and wetting of clothes or the skin is prevented.

The pouches of the prior art have, however, a number of inconveniences, which mainly relate to the way the pouch is attached. Basically, there are two solutions currently available: pouches, which have an elastic band, which, due to its elasticity, exerts a certain pressure on the tissues of the penis or scrotum it surrounds, thus fixing the pouch for use. The disadvantage of this solution is that it does not take any variation of the diameter of the penis and scrotum into consideration. Variation includes, in particular variation between different users and variation due to varying blood circulation through the tissues of the penis and scrotum. In the course of such variations, the pressure exerted by the elastic band varies in function of its elasticity properties. It can readily be seen that this kind of fixing mechanism is not reliable and there is a risk of loosening and detachment of the pouch when in use. Furthermore, it is uncomfortable.

On the other hand, rigid fixing means have been suggested, for example Velcro™ attachments or simply cords, which are designed to be knotted for fixing the pouch. While this solution may tightly attach the pouch, it does not take the variation of diameter due to blood circulation into account. When the diameter of the penis and scrotum increase due to increased blood circulation, the cord exerts increasing pressure on the tissue, which may be perceived as uncomfortable by the user.

In view of the problems of the prior art, an objective of the present invention is to provide a comfortable, disposable pouch for males suffering from continence problems. The pouch should be easy to wear and not disturb the user during normal, day-to-day activities. It is an objective to provide a pouch which can be fixed around the penis and scrotum of a male user, and which can be conveniently removed whenever desired.

It is a particular objective of the present invention to provide a one-size, disposable incontinence pouch with an improved fixing mechanism. The improved fixing mechanism should allow sufficiently tight fixing independent of anatomical variations between users. Furthermore, the fixing mechanism of the pouch advantageously reacts to increased blood circulation by slightly loosening just as much as necessary for remaining comfortably in place, preferably without the pressure exerted on the tissues being perceivably increased.

It is a further objective to provide a disposable incontinence pouch which can easily and efficiently be manufactured. Summary of Invention

The present invention provides a pouch for male users having continence problems as defined in claim 1 , and as further set out in the dependent claims.

The present invention further provides a process of making a pouch as defined in claim 14.

The incontinence pouch of the present invention is applied around the genitals of a user without limiting free movement. The pouch absorbs all kind of lost liquids due to small and medium incontinence or due to a post-surgical period, for example. The pouch resolves the problems and objectives detailed above. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that owing to the improved fixing mechanism comprising a closure acting on free ends of a tightening string, the pouch is more comfortable to wear than currently available pouches of the same product category.

While the pouch of the present invention is particularly convenient when provided in the form of a disposable pouch, it can also be provided in a washable, re-usable version.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The pouch of the present invention is now illustrated by way of example with reference to the appended drawing figures.

Figure 1 shows an example of disposable incontinence pouch of the present invention.

Figure 2 shows the incontinence pouch of Figure 1 when in use, placed around a user's penis and scrotum. Figures 3 to 11 illustrate the process of making the incontinence pouch of the present invention.

Figures 12 and 13 illustrate an other embodiment of the process of making the incontinence pouch of the present invention.

Figure 14 shows geometric shapes of outer tissues useful in the process of making the pouch of the present invention.

Figure 15 shows geometric shapes of outer tissues useful in the process of making the pouch of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

Figure 1 shows the pouch (1 ) of the present invention, characterised by a semi- conical shape. The opening (9) of the pouch is indicated over its whole width by the accolade. Its is large enough to permit insertion of the genitals, namely the penis and the scrotum, of a user into the pouch. The string (20) is guided in a seam in the tissue of the outer material (2), so as to surround the opening (9) at its entire circumference. Of the string (20), only the ends which exit the tissue (2) of the pouch through a hole at a position on the top left in Figure 1 are visible. A closure (30) interacts with both free ends of the string (20). More particularly, it restrains independent movement of said string (20) to a certain extent. As can be seen in Figure 1 , at the position of the opening (9) on the top of the pouch, the tissue (2) is slightly crinkled, indicating that the closure (30) is tightened around the string (20) with the opening (9) being slightly constricted.

The outer tissue (2) is made of impermeable fabric, so as to collect urine which is released due to incontinence. Inside the pouch, water or moisture absorbing material (10) is preferably present, which is not visible in the outside view of

Figure 1. Such material, which includes cotton and wadding, may be disposed in any suitable way inside the pouch. Preferably, said water absorbing material (10) is attached in some way to the inner surface of the pouch (1 ), for example to the inner surface of the outer tissue (2). In a very simple embodiment, a small sanitary napkin or a disposable diaper (not visible on Figure 1 ) is placed inside the pouch, for example by gluing to the inner surface of the outer tissue (2). This embodiment is particularly inexpensive, because its fabrication can be realised to some extent by sanitary products already available on the market. In an alternative, preferred embodiment, as described further below with reference to Figures 4 and 5, water absorbing material (10) lines substantially the entire inside of the pouch, for example at least 70% of the inner surface of the pouch. The moisture absorbing material (10) is preferably arranged in between an outer layer (2) and an inner tissue (15).

The pouch (1 ) of the present invention may be equipped with a system for bad odours. For example, suitable odour trapping substances may be added to the inside of the pouch as is deemed useful. For example, the pouch may comprise perfumes, antibiotics, fungicides and the like, in quantities sufficient to prevent growth of pathogenic or malodorous microorganisms.

The pouch of the present invention is preferably substantially flat in the non-used state. Figure 1 thus shows one of the two flat faces of the pouch. The flat configuration of the pouch has the advantage that it only takes a minimum of space when carried in luggage and it can easily be carried in a pocket, too. Furthermore, from a manufacturing point of view, small packs including an increased number of compressed, flat pouches can be produced and commercialised.

By way of example, the pouch of the present invention is about 10 to 25 cm, preferably 13 to 18 cm high; 10 to 22 cm, preferably 13 to 19 cm large; and 0,3 to 1 ,5 cm, preferably 0,5 to 1 cm thick.

The top, bottom and lateral sides of the pouch (1 ) are determined by the user (31 ) carrying the pouch, as is illustrated in Figure 2. Accordingly, the opening (9) represents the top of the pouch (1 ). Left and right sides of the pouch are interchangeable, as the only difference between these sides are the exit of the string (20) and the position of the closure (30). The user can choose according to his preferences on which side to situate the string (20), so that in any event, the two flat sides of the pouch (1 ) represent each the front and the back sides of the pouch when in use.

It can be seen, in Figure 2, that the pouch is conceived so as to accommodate the entire penis and scrotum of a user (31 ). The string (2) in the pouch (1 ) is disposed so as to surround the penis and the scrotum of a user at the base of the penis and scrotum, at a position where the diameter of the scrotum is smallest. The string is then tightened by pulling it at its free ends with one hand, while blocking the closure (30) with the other hand. The user pulls the free ends of the string until the pouch (1 ) is comfortably attached around the penis and the scrotum, so that the pouch is retained at its position. The string (20) and closure (30) thus provide an attachment system preventing sliding and dropping of the pouch (1 ), even if the weight of the pouch (1 ) during use is increased in the course of accumulation of urine in it. The panties or shorts worn by the user (not shown in Figure 2) aid in stabilising the pouch and keeping it in place when the urine load increases.

Any suitable closing mechanism may be used for the purpose of the present invention. In a very simple and cost efficient embodiment, the closure (30) is a ring of compressible, elastic polymer material. Both free ends of the string (20) are guided through the hole of the ring, with the string thickness and hole diameter being selected so that a predetermined, desired pressure is exerted on the string. This pressure determines the resistance provided by the closure (3) towards loosening of the string. In other words, due to the use of a ring made of compressible, elastic material, the string (20) may be tightened for attachment of the pouch (1 ) around the base of a user's (31 ) genitals without need of manipulating a particular opening mechanism. The materials of the string and closure-ring may be selected such that when the diameter of the penis or scrotum change due to altered blood circulation or muscular movement of the scrotum, the closure (30) is automatically pushed towards the free ends of the string (20), with the opening (9) of the pouch (1 ) expanding concomitantly. Of course, the attaching pressure of the string exerted on the base of the penis and scrotum of the user is not increased, as would be the case with prior art pouches. The user (31 ) would not feel any discomfort due to a feeling of constriction.

While an elastic ring has been shown as suitable closure (30) for collecting and locking the movement of the string (20) in a pressure-sensitive way, other mechanisms may easily be envisaged by the skilled person with the same effect. One could, for example, consider a clamp of thin metal pins, similar to a paper clip, for the same purpose. The elasticity of the thin metal would then provide the necessary elasticity of the closure (30).

Instead using a closure for providing resistance to loosening of the strings (20), another possibility is to provide a "fixing mechanism" within the seam (duct 19) of the pouch in which the string or strings (20, 20') are guided. Accordingly, the duct (19) may, on the (in-)side that comes in contact with the string or strings (20, 20') comprise material excerting an auto-breaking function such as wax, glue, liquid rubber, additional cross-welding, a further, specific tissue lining, or similar materials, which, during the closure of the pouch by pulling the free ends of the strings allow to adjust the fixing of the pouch as desired by the user and at the same time to regulate the opening of same giving a controlled resistance.

For example, it is envisaged to use a viscous, non-drying glue in at least a section of the duct (19). For example, commercially available silicone-based glues may be used for this purpose. The glue increases friction of the string guided in the duct and thus provides resistance to unintentional loosening of the strings, while still allowing for some play. According to another embodiment, the diameter of the duct (19) is selected so that it imposes some friction on the string and limits to some extent the ability of the string (20) to freely slide within the duct (19).

Accordingly, the present invention comprises means that exert a friction on the string so as to hinder opening of the pouch, while not completely preventing it. The means exerting a friction to the string, that is, a resistance to inadvertent opening of the pouch are such that slight opening of the pouch still occurs, sufficient for the pouch to be comfortably worn.

It needs to be noted that with the present invention, the elasticity is preferably associated with the closure (30), or to the way the string is arranged in the duct (19) and only to a limited extent by the elasticity of the material of the surrounding string (20). This is different from prior art pouches which suggest an elastic band instead, the circumference of which cannot be adjusted by the user, but which, due to its elasticity, provides some margin for attachment of the pouch. It is believed, however, that the solution of the present invention is much more comfortable for a user than such prior art pouches. Furthermore, the pouches of the present invention are very easy and inexpensive to manufacture, as is shown further below.

The present invention not only provides a comfortable, disposable incontinence pouch, but also one that is easy and cost-efficient to manufacture.

A suitable process of making the pouches of the present invention in a very efficient manner is now described with reference to Figures 3 - 11. Conveniently, the process starts with the cutting an outer, impermeable tissue (2) having a geometric shape as shown in Figure 3. The shape comprises a top straight line (5), two lateral lines (3, 3') and bottom lines (4, 4', 6, 6'), which connect the lateral lines (3, 3'). The shape shown in Figure 3 is symmetric, having one axis of symmetry (a, a'). In Figure 3, the axis a-a' separates two substantially identical areas, a first area (7) and a second area (8), which will correspond to the flat sides of the pouch obtained at the end. Figure 14 illustrates some variation that is possible for the geometrical shape of the outer tissue (2) at the beginning of the process. Of course, this shape determines the shape of the pouch (1 ) obtained at the end.

A next, optional step is shown in Figure 4. Here, a moisture absorbing material (10) is placed onto the outer tissue (2). The moisture absorbing material used here has the structure of a thickened wadding tissue, which has somewhat smaller dimensions, but a similar shape like the outer tissue (2). The moisture absorbing material (10) may simply be attached to the outer tissue (2) by gluing, so as to provide a lining of the pouch, once completed. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 5, a moisture permeable inner tissue (15) may be placed on top of the moisture absorbing material (10), forming an overall three-layered structure. The inner tissue (15) is moisture permeable, that is, it may be made of cotton or of a net-like tissue, providing sufficient mesh width for liquid accumulating in the pouch to get through to the moisture absorbing material (10). As is shown in Figure 5, the inner tissue (15) may have the same shape and dimension as the outer tissue (2).

The result of superimposing the inner tissue (15) on the absorbing material (15) and the outer tissue (2) is shown in Figure 6, which further shows a folding axis b-b'. An upper area (17) is defined as the area above axis b-b', which is arranged so as to extend at a distance c from the upper border of the outer tissue 2. Axis b-b' extends substantially in parallel to this upper border, corresponding to the upper straight line (5) shown in Figure 3.

In the following figures the different layers, namely the outer tissue (2), the inner tissue (15) and the moisture absorbing material (10) are shown as a single layer of outer tissue (2) only. This simplifies the figures and also accounts also for the fact that the addition of the moisture absorbing material (10) as a layer and of a inner tissue (2) is only optional. The result of folding the outer tissue (2), (and if present, also of the inner tissue (15) and the moisture absorbing material (10)) downwards upon axis b-b' is shown in Figure 7, where a bent arrow (14) indicates the folding. The entire area (17) shown in Figure 6 was folded down and appears now as fold (18). The end of this fold, corresponding to the top straight line (5) (Figure 3) is attached, for example by gluing, welding or sowing, to the tissue lying below, thus creating a duct (19). As can also be seen in Figure 7, a string (20) is provided in this duct (19). The string may be inserted to through the existing duct (19), or, if preferred, be added before the step of folding upon axis (b-b¹), so that the string (20) automatically comes to lay in the inner lumen of said duct (19). The length of the string (20) is such that the string's (20) free ends extend for a predetermined distance from the openings of the duct (19).

In a further step, illustrated in Figure 8, the tissue is folded again, this time upon the axis of symmetry (a-a¹), finally bringing the first area (7) to lie behind the second area (8) of the outer tissue (2), as shown in Figure 9. In this situation, with areas (7) and (8) being superimposed, the duct (19) is bent in its middle so that the two ends of the duct, where the string (20) exits, come to lie next to each other. The first and the second area (7, 8) are then attached to each other at their common borders, with the exception to the opening on the top. This attachment, which may again be made by gluing, welding (for example "hot tack") or sewing, is illustrated by the dotted line (11 ) in Figure 10.

In a last step, the pouch shown in Figure 10 is turned inside out through the opening (9), and the closure (30) is arranged to clamp string (20) close to the exits of the duct (19) to obtain the pouch (1 ) of the present invention, shown in Figure 11.

Another embodiment of the process of making the pouch of the present invention is illustrated in Figures 12 and 13, in which reference numbers have the same meanings as in Figures 3-12. This process differs mainly in the geometric shape of impermeable outer tissue (2), which differs from the one shown in Figures 3- 11 in that the axis of symmetry (a-a¹) is situated differently. As a result, there are two separate ducts created, indicated on top and on the bottom of the device shown in Figure 12, so that two separate strings (20, 20') are used, each one guided in one of the ducts. As a further modification of the process depicted with reference to Figures 3-11 , the moisture absorbing material (10), which is also placed on the outer tissue (2), has a geometric shape which is different from the one of the outer tissue (2) and much simpler. Namely, it has the shape of a rectangle. The moisture absorbing material (10) may be simply glued onto the impermeable outer tissue (2). A moisture permeable, inner tissue (15) is also not used in this embodiment.

Figure 13 illustrates the second embodiment of the process of the present invention just before the step of inversion of the pouch, analogous to the situation shown in Figure 10. Due to the rectangular shape of the moisture absorbing material (10), it is recocnizable in this figure. Positions 3OA and 3OB indicate points of attachments of the two separate strings (20, 20'), which can be accomplished on one position (e.g. 30A) by the aid of a simple knot, and at the other position (e.g. 3OB, respectively) by a closure (30) as mentioned above. Alternatively, the strings (20, 20') may be attached to each other at both ends by way of a knot. Resistance to unmeant opening of the pouch when in use may be provided by a non-drying glue inside at least one section of at least one of the ducts (19, 19') or friction exerted on the string in the outer tissue (2) forming the ducts (19, 19'), for example.

Figure 15, in analogy to Figure 14, shows alternative geometrical forms that are suitable as starting shapes of the impermeable outer tissue (2) in the second embodiment of the process of the present invention. Of course, the skilled person may easily envisage other shapes, optionally having different axis of symmetry (a-a¹) for use in the process of the present invention.

As Figures 3-13 illustrate, the disposable incontinence pouch of the present invention can efficiently be manufactured, and a flattened pouch is obtained, which can easily be packed by a manufacturer or transported in the pocket or the hand luggage of a user, before being worn by a user.

Claims

1. An incontinence pouch (1 ) for a male user, the pouch comprising: at least an outer, impermeable tissue (2); - an upper end forming an opening (9), through which the scrotum and penis of the user are inserted in the pouch (1 ); at least one string (20), which is secured about the upper end of the pouch, wherein ends of the string extend freely away from the pouch; means exerting a friction on the string so as to hinder opening of the pouch when applied by the user.

2. The ioncontinence pouch of claim 1 , wherein the means exerting a friction are a closure (30) acting on the free ends of the string.

3. The incontinence pouch of claim 1 or 2, wherein the string (20) is secured to the pouch so as to encompass the scrotum and penis of the user when inserted into the pouch, wherein the string encompasses the scrotum and penis at the top of the latter, where the diameter of the scrotum is at is minimum value.

4. The incontinence pouch of any one of claims 1 -to 3, which is flat when being in its non-used state, with a flat first side and a flat second side, wherein two areas, a first area (7) and a second area (8) of impermeable tissue are placed on each other, and attached to each other along part of borders of said areas, said first and second area thus forming said flat first and second side of the pouch, respectively.

5. The incontinence pouch of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a seam extends along part of the borders of said areas of impermeable tissue, attaching said layers together over almost the entire circumference of the layers, with at least the exception of the area forming the opening (9), where the two areas are not attached to each other.

6. The incontinence pouch of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the outer, impermeable tissue is folded at a border region at the upper end of the tissue, and a seam is provided between an outer, upper border region and a region which is at a distance away from said border, thus providing a fold, and wherein said at least one string is guided within said fold of the outer, impermeable tissue at the upper end of the pouch.

7. The incontinence pouch of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a removable and disposable diaper is placed inside the pouch.

8. The incontinence pouch of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein an inner tissue (15) is present, which is permeable to moisture, which has substantially the same shape and/or dimensions as the outer tissue (2), and which lines the pouch (1 ) inside.

9. The incontinence pouch of claim 8, wherein a layer of absorbing material (10) is situated between the inner (15) and the outer (5) tissue.

10. The incontinence pouch of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the closure (30) surrounds two free ends of the at least one string (20) or free ends of two separate strings (20, 20') and performs a pressure on the string or the strings so that a distance of the part of the string or strings which is secured about the upper end of the pouch (1 ) is constant unless a sufficiently high traction is exerted on said closure (30) by the string or strings.

11. The incontinence pouch of any of the preceding claims, wherein, when fixed around the scrotum and penis of a user (31 ), the string (20) or strings (20, 20') can be tightened so as to exert a specific, desired support on the tissue and/or skin of the user, independent of the circumference of the scrotum and penis at the position where the circumference of the scrotum and penis are minimal.

12. The incontinence pouch of claim 11 , in which the closure (30) is adjusted so that when the string (20) or strings (20, 20') is / are tightened, by way of closure (30), around the scrotum and penis of the user, and if the pressure exerted by the string or strings on the tissue and/or skin of the user exceeds a predetermined value, the distance of the string (20) or strings (20, 20') encompassing the scrotum and penis of the user automatically increases and said pressure is automatically reduced.

13. The incontinence pouch of any of the preceding claims, wherein the closure (30) is a ring made of elastic polymer material, which compresses the free ends of the string (20) or strings (20, 20') and thus prevents loosening of the opening (9) when the penis and scrotum of the user are accomodated in the pouch (1 ).

14. A process for making a flat incontinence pouch, the method comprising the steps of: providing an impermeable, outer tissue (2) having a geometric shape with contour lines comprising a top straight line (5) corresponding to the upper end of the outer tissue, and at least two lateral lines (3, 3'), wherein the shape has at least one axis of symmetry (a, a'); optionally, placing a moisture absorbing material (10) on the outer tissue (2); optionally, placing a moisture permeable, inner tissue (15) on top of the moisture absorbing material; - folding at least one upper section (17) of the outer, impermeable tissue (2) upon an axis (b, b') extending at a distance (c) in parallel to the top straight line (5) of the outer tissue; attaching the at least one folded upper section of the outer tissue to a tissue on which it is folded so that at least one duct (19) is formed; - providing at least one string (20) in the at least one duct (19); folding the outer tissue (2) upon the axis of symmetry (a, a'), so that an outer surface of a first area (7) forming a first side of the pouch (1 ) faces the outer surface of a second area (8) forming the second side of the pouch (1 ), with the optional inner tissue (15) and the optional moisture absorbing material (10) surrounding the impermeable, outer layer (2); attaching first rear and second areas (7, 8), to each other along a border (21 ) obtained by superimposed straight lateral contour lines (3, 3'): inversing the pouch, so that the outer, impermeable tissue is outside.

15. The process of claim 14, wherein the geometric shape of the impermeable, outer tissue (2) further has bottom lines (4, 4'), which connect the bottom ends of the lateral lines (3, 3').

16. The process of claim 14, wherein wherein the inner tissue (15) has substantially the same geometric shape as the outer tissue (2) and wherein the inner tissue is superimposed on the outer tissue.

17. The process of claim 14, wherein the geometric shape of the outer tissue (2) and/or of the optional inner tissue corresponds to any of the shapes I -VIII shown in Figure 14 or to any of shapes IX - Xl shown in Figure 15.