Fastening and carrying device for a disposable absorbent incontinence pad

[0001] The invention relates to a fastening and support device for a disposable incontinence absorbent pad with a lap strap detachably fastened on itself and thus forming a through hip opening towards the hip circumference on which the incontinence pad is detachably attached so that it can be worn in the user's crotch area and after use again detached from the lap belt and removed, the lap belt covering the anterior abdominal region, the posterior back area and the left and right side area, the lap belt having, starting from the back area and the abdominal area, one longitudinally extending towards the user's crotch region of the flap section having on the side facing the body preferably mechanically operating elements fasteners, detachably cooperating adhesively with preferably mechanically complementary fasteners on the side facing away from the incontinence insert.

[0002] US 2006/0247599 A1 shows such a fastening and support device for a disposable incontinence pad as long as its outer surrounding layer like a piece of clothing is associated with a lap belt according to the invention. However, the sense and purpose of this outer enclosing layer like a piece of clothing is to completely cover the disposable absorbent pad and achieve a very low coefficient of friction between the outer side of the absorbent pad and the inner side of the surrounding layer. This coefficient of friction should be at least 15% lower than the coefficient of friction between the outside of the enclosing layer and the adjacent material, such as a sheet. In this way, a small amount of displacement forces are transferred to the absorbent pad. Of course, this only works if, by extensively shaping the outer layer like a piece of clothing, the absorbent pad is so shielded and protected from the surroundings that it cannot come into contact with adjacent material, such as a sheet.

[0003] Another attachment and support device is known e.g. from WO 2004/069122 A1. In this known fastening and support device, the lap belt is fastened on itself in the abdominal region. In the side areas on the left and right, between the abdominal area and the back area, the lap belt pulls down and forms a cap such as a flap, to which a relatively wide, extensive and diaper unit can be attached, to the body of the absorbing side of the diaper unit, fastening elements are provided on both sides, front and back.

[0004] Also EP 0 700 278 B1 shows a so-called belt diaper with a relatively narrow hip belt fastened on it, on which the diaper-like absorption unit can be attached on the side facing away from the body.

[0005] The object of the invention is to create a fastening and support device of the type mentioned at the outset, which can also be used in conjunction with the relatively small incontinence inserts, where in the applied state the user forms a panties-like configuration and should be easy to use.

[0006] This object is achieved by a fastening and carrying device with the features of claim 1.

[0007] Through the flap section, extending towards the user's crotch area, the lap belt also forms the basic configuration of the panties, which must be completed only by the crotch area to complete the shape of the panties. In the fastening and support device according to the invention, this crotch area forms an incontinence absorbent pad, the respective rear and front flap sections interacting detachably with the body away from the flap and the side of the incontinence pad using fastening elements that are preferably mechanical or adhesive.

[0008] To improve the fit it is advantageous if the respective flap section tapers towards the crotch area.

[0009] It is also advantageous if the fastening elements of the flap section are provided at the crotch end of the flap section. In addition, one or more consecutive fastening elements may be provided on the back and / or front section with the flap, placed between the end facing the crotch and the waist belt and for additional attachment of the incontinence insert.

[0010] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the preferably mechanically acting fastening elements of the flap section, in particular at the crotch-end end of the flap section, are provided on a strip-shaped material section transverse to the longitudinal direction attached to the flap section. In this way, the flap section can be attached detachably over its entire surface extent in the transverse direction as intended symmetrically relative to the user on the outside of the incontinence insert. Thus, the flap section can be properly unfolded and secured essentially without folds and as mentioned in the direction of the legs and crotch area or the central longitudinal axis of the user.

[0011] The outer side of the incontinence insert should be made in such a way that it is compatible with the fastening elements of the flap section, that is, in the case of a mechanical fastening element in the form of hooks, the outer side of the incontinence insert is preferably formed by a loop forming component, preferably nonwoven, especially the nonwoven layer of the nonwoven laminate foil, while in the case of an adhesive fastener element, the outer side of the incontinence insert was preferably formed by a film layer to which adhesive fastener elements could adhere.

[0012] According to another idea of ​​the invention, it is advantageous when the fastening elements of the flap section, especially at the crotch end, are wrapped before use on the body side of the flap section and in this configuration adhere easily detachably to the body side of the section with flap. In this way, the fastening elements, especially the mechanically fastening elements, provided during the application of the lap belt, especially for people requiring care, are deactivated as long as they are not needed to attach the incontinence insert. At the same time, they do not impede the application of the lap belt without getting caught on the lap belt or other components such as a sheet, patient pad or the like. In practice, it may be advantageous when the front and / or rear section with the flap is folded on itself and / or on the lap belt and the fold is opened only after applying the lap belt and the incontinence pad to fix the pad.

[0013] For practical operation, it is also advantageous to open and close the lap belt in only one area and to provide fastening elements of the belt in this area on the free end sections of the lap belt. The lap belt is therefore stretched and has two end sections, closed on each other by means of belt buckle elements, to attach the lap belt around the user's body circumference.

[0014] In a further embodiment of this idea of ​​the invention, it is advantageous if in another side area in which the belt cannot therefore be opened and closed, secondary fastening elements are provided, by means of which the circumferential length of the lap belt can be adjusted, and at least the front section with flap can be adjusted symmetrically to the user's crotch. Preferably, the secondary fastener elements are made such that in the applied state of the fastening and support device they do not optically and / or tactically differ from the belt fastener elements. However, it can also be advantageous when the secondary fastener elements can be distinguished optically and / or tactically from the belt fastener elements to pay attention to the different function of the fastener elements. This can be done, for example, by varying colors, shapes, textures or otherwise. Belt fastening elements and secondary fastening elements are provided on both sides of the abdominal region and / or in the lateral areas of the lap belt. When applying the hip belt, the caregiver guides the open, extended hip belt under the body of the lying patient to the height of the hips or back. The belt is then closed on itself by means of the belt fastening elements to form a closed hip opening. In this condition, the belt is applied, but not yet placed in an optimally fitted shape by activating the secondary fastener elements. In this state, for example, the segment with the flap on the abdominal side is moved in the relevant direction by pulling towards the circumference of the hip followed by closing the belt fastening elements. This can be done by setting the optimal length of the hip circumference and the appropriate tension towards the hip circumference, by properly setting the secondary fastener elements. With the help of these secondary fastening elements - as already stated - the two open free ends are not fastened, but the circumferential length of the waist belt is adjusted, if necessary.

[0015] The secondary fastener elements may be implemented in various ways. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is proposed that one component of the secondary fastening elements is provided on a section of material connected to the lap belt and the other component on the outside of the lap belt itself. In this case, the lap belt as such does not change, but receives an additional element in the form of a section of material holding the secondary fastening elements, which can be applied to the material of the lap belt in essentially any way, for example by sewing, sticking, welding, ultrasonic welding or similar common joining methods.

[0016] It is also advantageous when the belt fastening elements and / or the secondary fastener elements extend substantially over the entire extent of the lap belt in the longitudinal direction, so over the entire width of the lap belt. In this way, when adjusting the secondary fastener elements, you can pull the belt evenly across the entire width of the belt.

[0017] It may also be thought that the fastener elements of the belt and / or secondary fastener elements are narrowing or narrowing towards their free end to minimize the friction of the corners of these fastener elements to the user's skin.

[0018] To shorten the circumferential length of the belt using secondary fastener elements, it is preferably used to fold the Z-shaped belt by closing the secondary fastener elements, which is maintained by the resulting pressure of the lap belt on the user's body surface and / or by friction of adjacent Z-shaped folding sections.

[0019] In order to achieve a good fit and great wearing comfort, it is preferred that the lap belt includes at least one elastic section, preferably one elastic section in each of the lateral areas, so that the lap belt can stretch flexibly towards the hip circumference.

[0020] In addition, it is preferred that the lap belt in the abdominal and / or back area is substantially inextensible.

[0021] In an alternative embodiment, however, it may also be advantageous if there are one or more flexible sections, preferably wedge-shaped, trapezoidal or quadrangular, in the abdominal and / or back area.

[0022] For dimensioning the lap belt, it is preferred that the lap belt preferably has in each place a longitudinal extent at least 5 cm, especially at least 6 cm, especially at least 7 cm, especially at least 8 cm, especially at least 9 cm. cm and further especially at least 10 cm. This refers to the dimension of the lap belt in the longitudinal direction, so to the width of the belt transversely to its circumferential extent, beyond the front or rear section with the flap. The extension in the longitudinal direction is preferably at most 20 cm. Particularly preferably, the extension in the abdominal region is less than in the back region, and the upper edge of the lap belt is preferably slightly contoured to create an abdominal cut, improving product fit.

[0023] For dimensioning the flap section, it is preferred that the flap section has a longitudinal extension of the perineal peripheral edge of the lap belt at least 5 cm, especially at least 6 cm, especially at least 7 cm, especially at least 8 cm , especially at least 9 cm, especially at least 10 cm, especially at most 20 cm, especially 10-18 cm, especially 10-15 cm, the front and rear flap sections having the same or a different extent.

[0024] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the respective flap section is made in one piece with the abdominal area and / or the back area of ​​the lap belt. However, flap sections connected separately, of the same material as the lap belt or of a different material than the lap belt are also possible.

[0025] The abdominal area and / or back area of ​​the lap belt is preferably made of a nonwoven or complex nonwoven, in particular of a substantially non-stretchable nonwoven or complex nonwoven.

[0026] In addition, it is particularly advantageous when the elastically extensible side area of ​​the lap belt is inseparably connected to a substantially non-stretchable abdominal area and a substantially non-stretchable back area. Preferably, each side region includes a stretch elastically stretchable.

[0027] It is further preferred that the front and / or rear section with the flap is colored, the sections preferably having different colors to be used as a visual aid for application.

[0028] Furthermore, it is advantageous when a marking is provided on the front and / or rear flap section to assist in positioning the incontinence insert so that when the incontinence insert and the fastening and support device are correctly applied, marking on the front and / or rear the flap section was in accordance with the marking visible on the outer layer of the incontinence insert, for example in the form of a moisture indicator.

[0029] Further features, details and advantages of the invention result from the attached patent claims and the drawings and the following description of a preferred embodiment of the fastening and support device of the invention for the disposable incontinence absorbent pad.

[0030] The figures show:

figures 1 and 2, an embodiment of the fastening and support device according to the invention in an applied state together with the absorbent disposable incontinence pad, and figure 3 a schematic top view of the fastening and support device in an open and unfolded condition on a flat surface.

[0031] Figures 1 and 2 are perspective views of a fixing and support device, jointly designated by reference number 2, for the incontinence absorption insert, designated by reference number 4, in the condition applied to the user. The fastening and support device 2 comprises a detachably fastened hip belt 6, extending along the direction of the hip circumference 8 and having two free end sections 10, 12 (see Fig. 3), closed on each other to create a closed shape of the hips.

[0032] The fastening and carrying device 2 or its lap belt 6 includes the anterior abdominal region 14, the posterior posterior region 16 and the left side region 18 and right side region 20.

For fastening the lap belt 6, fastening elements 22, 12 are provided at its free end sections 10, 12, made in a preferred and exemplified case from mechanically fastening elements in the form of a hook / loop fastening system. In the figures, the reference numeral 24 depicts a hooked component of the fastener, which detachably adheres to the loop-forming component 25 in the form of the outer surface of the abdominal region 14. The outer side of the abdominal region 14 contains, for example, non-woven fabric forming the loop component of the fastener system.

[0034] In addition, the lap belt 6, opened only at the end sections 10, 12, so only in one place, has secondary fastener elements 26 with which the circumferential length of the lap belt 6 can be adjusted. The secondary fastener elements 26 are so arranged from the side of the abdominal region 14 or on the left side region 18, so that in the applied state the fastening and carrying device (see Fig. 1) gave the same impression in terms of performance and arrangement as the fastening elements of the belt 22, although their function is different. Because the secondary fastener elements 26 are not connected to each other open and separated end sections of the lap belt 6, but the secondary fastener elements 26 only serve to adapt the circumferential length of the lap belt 6 to the operating situation. Furthermore, the secondary fastener elements 26 comprise a stretch of material 28 on the outside of the lap belt 6 on which or in which they are made. This length of material 28 preferably extends over the entire longitudinal extent of the belt (along the central longitudinal axis 30), i.e. the entire width of the belt, for uniform introduction of tensile forces into the lap belt. In turn, the secondary fastener elements 26 are advantageously mechanical fastener elements, in particular hook and loop materials. In the exemplary and preferred case, the secondary fastener elements 26 are designed such that a hook-forming component of the fastening system is provided on the length of material 28, cooperating with the loops forming the outer side of the abdominal region 14, as previously described for the fastening elements of the belt.

[0035] As another important component, the lap belt 6 comprises, starting from the abdominal area 14 and from the area 16 on the back, one front and rear section with a flap 32, 34, symmetrical to the central longitudinal axis 30 . The sections with the flap 32, 34 are in one exemplary preferred case made in one piece with the lap belt 6; they extend from the crotch or lower edge longitudinal edge 36 of the lap belt along the central longitudinal axis 30 in the direction 38 to the crotch area. They may have arched contours on the sides. In the lower end-facing end section with flap 32, 34 include on the side facing the body the mechanically operating fastener elements 40, 42. These mechanically fastening elements 40, 42 interact releasably with the complementary mechanically fastening elements on the side of the incontinence insert 4 facing away from the body, to fix the incontinence insert 4 detachably, but in a way that prevents loss on the fastening and support device 2. Preferably, the fastener elements 40, 42 are a component that forms the hooks of a mechanically fastening system, interacting with the loop-forming component on the body-facing side of the incontinence insert 4. In this case, the loop-forming component can preferably be formed by a nonwoven coating, preferably a layer non-woven fabric laminate non-woven foil incontinence inserts 4.

[0036] The lap belt 6 is preferably made of nonwoven or complex nonwoven materials. In the exemplified but preferred case, the abdominal region 14 and back region 16 are made of a substantially non-stretchable non-woven or complex nonwoven whose outer side serves as a loop-forming component of belt fastener elements 22 or secondary fastener elements 26. In contrast, both side areas 18, 20 are made elastically extensively, having an elastically extensible stretch of material 44, permanently connected to the non-stretchable material of the abdominal region 14 and the area 16 for the back.

[0037] The application of the fastening and support device 2 together with the absorption incontinence pad 4 is carried out as follows: first, the lap belt 6 is carried out in bedrides that require care of patients by the caregiver under the patient's body at hip height. The lap belt 6 is adjusted in such a way that the back area 16 lies below the seat and the abdominal area 14 more or less in the middle. The free end sections 10, 12 of the lap belt 6 are then positioned above each other and closed on each other by means of fastening elements 22 of the belt. By the next positioning and fastening of the material section in 28 and the secondary fastener elements 26, the length and tension of the lap belt 6 in the circumferential direction 8 are optimized, so that the abdominal area 14 is evenly extended to the left and right, and the abdominal area 14, as well as the area 16 are preferably arranged symmetrically on the back with respect to the patient and possibly without folds. A pleasant wearing sensation should also be included. Then the front and rear sections with flap 32, 34 are detachably connected with the incontinence pad 4, positioned earlier or only now in the patient's perineum, using mechanically fastening elements 40, 42. It is also necessary to ensure that the front and rear section with flap 32, 34 are attached using an even and adapted tensile or retaining force on the incontinence insert 4, so that the incontinence insert 4 remains in its intended position in the area patient's perineum.

[0038] Regarding the order of the steps for applying the hygiene article or the incontinence system described earlier, the caregiver is relatively free. For example, in certain care situations, it may be beneficial to position the incontinence pad first in the patient's perineum and only then to fasten the hip belt 6. It may also be expedient to use the secondary fastener elements 26 only after connecting the sections with the flap 32, 34 with the incontinence insert 4 to give optimal tension in the circumferential direction of the hips 8.