Surgery – Means and methods for collecting body fluids or waste material – Absorbent pad for external or internal application and...
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-17
2002-04-09
Weiss, John G. (Department: 3761)
Surgery
Means and methods for collecting body fluids or waste material
Absorbent pad for external or internal application and...
C604S367000, C424S065000, C424S490000, C424S717000, C424S493000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06369290
ABSTRACT:
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an odor control composition for use in a disposable absorbent article to reduce malodor of a body fluid such as human waste, and more particularly, the invention relates to a disposable absorbent article containing an odor control powder which is substantially unscented in an initial dry condition and which releases a fragrance when wetted. The term “substantially unscented” means that the powder is either unscented, or that any scent released by the quantity of dry powder used in a single disposable article is detectable by the ordinary observer only by close inspection, i.e. by deliberately sniffing at close range, i.e. at a distance less than about 15 cm.
Disposable absorbent articles, such as infant diapers, feminine care products, and adult incontinence products, are utilized to absorb body fluids and waste materials of infants, children and adults. Such products may be provided, for example, as briefs, undergarments, pads, guards, slip-ons and inserts, and may, or may not, contain odor control and/or masking agents. Typically, a disposable absorbent article which does not have an odor control/masking agent is classified as “unscented” or “hypoallergenic”.
Sodium bicarbonate, which is also known as baking soda, has been utilized as a material to control odors in various consumer products. However, its deodorizing efficacy in an absorbent article containing urine and/or fecal waste is believed to be very limited. An example of an absorbent article containing a deodorizing mixture utilizing sodium bicarbonate as a basic odor absorbing material is provided by U.S. Pat. No. 5,037,412 to Tanzer et al. The Tanzer patent states at column 5, lines 30-39, that sodium bicarbonate forms 25 to 75% by weight, and preferably, 40 to 65% by weight, of the deodorizing mixture. Another odor control material that is used in absorbent articles is a synthetic zeolite which has micro-pores capable of trapping vapors. Fluids, for instance, urine, tend to obstruct the micro-pores of the synthetic zeolite and cause the pores to become ineffective in trapping vapors. Thus, a synthetic zeolite is typically only successful when utilized with respect to a malodor that is not associated with a fluid. Examples of the use of a synthetic zeolite as an odor-controlling composition is provided by U.S. Pat. No. 5,407,442 to Karapasha and U.S. Statutory Invention Registration No. H1579 to Furio.
Fragrance oils have been used as odor masking agents in disposable absorbent articles which are typically identified as “deodorant”, or “scented”, articles and which have been successful at masking odors associated with human waste. However, since fragrance oils contain organic solvents, they tend to cause skin irritation and rashes on wearers having sensitive skin. In addition, fragrance oils are relatively expensive and dissipate over time, so that a disposable absorbent article having a fragrance oil has a relatively short shelf life insofar as its deodorizing function is concerned. The use of a large amount of fragrance oil is required to achieve a long shelf life because the fragrance dissipates over time. Another problem with the use of fragrance oils is that different consumers prefer different fragrances, and it is difficult to identify a specific scent which is generally satisfactory to a broad range of consumers.
Fragrance oils have been microencapsulated in moisture activated particles to eliminate fragrance dissipation and to extend shelf life. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 5,733,272 to Brunner et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,429,628 to Trinh et al. disclose the use of fragrance oils, or perfume, in diapers and other disposable absorbent articles. The perfume is encapsulated and moisture-activated so that, when the material is wetted, the perfume is released to mask the odor with a pleasant burst of fragrance. The content of perfume in each microcapsule is in the range of 5% to 15% by weight.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,103,500 to Nager et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 3,691,271 to Charle et al. also disclose disposable absorbent articles having time release microcapsules. The Nager patent discloses a garment shield which releases a fragrance when wetted with perspiration, and Example 1 disclosed in the Charle patent discloses a deodorant powder which releases a perfume when wetted.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,591,146, 5,769,833 and 5,769,832, to Hasse, disclose disposable absorbent articles having microcapsules which release a perfume upon the removal of a release liner.
While the aforementioned odor control and/or masking agents used in disposable absorbent articles may be satisfactory for their intended purposes, there is a need for an improved odor control composition for a disposable absorbent article which is capable of controlling malodor associated with human waste and which is economical to produce. The odor control composition should enable the disposable absorbent article to be substantially unscented in an initial dry state, provide a burst of fragrance when wetted, and have a relatively long shelf life. In addition, the odor control composition should not be irritating to the skin of the wearer and should be capable of neutralizing the pH levels of the moisture-activated perfume and the human waste.
Therefore, the principal object of this invention is to provide a novel odor control composition for a disposable absorbent article which is capable of masking malodor associated with human waste and which requires the use of a relatively small amount of fragrance oil so that the disposable absorbent article is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and so that the odor control composition does not irritate sensitive skin or cause rashes. The absorbent article should be initially unscented and provide a pleasing unisex fragrance when activated. Although only a small amount of fragrance oil is used, the disposable absorbent article and its associated deodorant function should have a long shelf life.
The invention addresses the foregoing objects by providing an odor control composition comprising a powder which is unscented in an initial dry condition and which, when wetted, releases a fragrance. Each powder particle includes a fragrance oil microencapsulated within a starch and contains sodium bicarbonate. Preferably, the odor control composition is utilized in a disposable absorbent article, and each powder particle has about 0.5 to 4% by weight of fragrance oil, about 5 to 45% by weight of sodium bicarbonate, and about 50 to 90% by weight of a starch. In addition, each particle includes about 1 to 4% of a flow agent. The total amount of odor control composition to be utilized in a disposable absorbent article depends on the type, size and purpose of the product. For instance, smaller products such as sanitary napkins will utilize a smaller amount of odor control composition than an adult brief. In the case of an adult brief, for example, the amount of odor control composition should be in the range of about 0.1 to 30 grams, preferably about 1.0 gram.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The odor control composition of the invention can be utilized in any disposable absorbent article, but is particularly suited for use in adult briefs/diapers. Adult briefs, which are similar to infant diapers, include an absorbent core covered on an inner side with a fluid-pervious cover sheet, or acquisition layer, and covered on an opposite outer side with a fluid-impervious, or hydrophobic, backing. Preferably, the odor control composition of the invention is provided in powder form and is applied on the absorbent core adjacent the fluid pervious sheet or adjacent the fluid impervious or hydrophobic backing. Alternatively, the powder can be dispersed within the absorbent core, can be located within a multi-ply material utilized in the disposable absorbent article, or can be applied to the disposable absorbent article in other ways known in the art.
The odor control powder includes the use of a fragrance oil to mask a malodor, such as caused by human waste. The fragrance oil is microencapsulated in a starch s
Glaug Frank S.
Waksmundzki Andrew
Howson & Howson
Tyco Healthcare Retail Services AG
Webb Jamisue
Weiss John G.
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