Absorbent pad
AssigneeRocky Mountain Medical Corporation
InventorsRichard J. Rosenbaum, Darin D. Pratt
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An absorbent pad is provided which includes an absorbent layer which serves as a reservoir for liquid and has a liquid impervious barrier over one surface thereof. The liquid is applied to the opposite surface of the barrier and is conducted by means of wicking material to the sides of the barrier and into the absorbent layer. This arrangement enhances drying of the upper surface of the barrier and wicking material shortly after application of the liquid. A hydrophobic porus of open weave material can be provided over the wicking material to protect it and to provide a surface through which the liquid can reach the wicking material and the barrier sheet. The barrier sheet can have multiple channels formed in the liquid receiving surface thereof to disperse the liquid toward the edges thereof.
Claims17
An absorbent pad having a liquid receiving surface for receiving intermittent applications of liquid and returns to a substantially dry condition shortly after each application of liquid, said pad comprising:
- a first pervious liquid receiving sheet made of fiberous material through which the liquid can pass, said first sheet having an outer liquid receiving surface and an inner surface;
- a second substantially imperforate sheet which is coextensive with said first sheet and impervious to liquid;
- said second sheet having an outer surface contiguous to said inner surface of said first sheet, an inner surface and side edges;
- a sheet of wicking material which extends over substantially said entire outer surface of said second sheet and around at least some of said side edges thereof, said wicking material being in coextensive contact with said inner surface of said first sheet to transfer liquid applied to said first sheet around the side edges of said second sheet;
- and
- a reservoir which is coextensive with said inner surface of second sheet to retain liquid conducted to it by said wicking material to return said first sheet to substantially dry condition shortly after each intermittent application of liquid.
An absorbent pad having a surface which becomes substantially dry after wetting, said pad comprising:
- a liquid receiving membrane;
- a liquid reservoir for storing liquid applied to said membrane;
- liquid impervious means separating said membrane from said reservoir;
- and
- wick means for conducting the liquid from said membrane to said reservoir, said liquid impervious means substantially preventing liquid in said reservoir from returning to said membrane.
A method of maintaining a liquid receiving membrane in substantially dry condition between intermittent applications of liquid thereto, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing a reservoir for collecting liquid from the membrane;
- rapidly conducting liquid from the membrane to the reservoir upon application of liquid thereto.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.