ITMI20111466A1 - COVER FOR HIGH ABSORPTION CAPACITY OF LIQUIDS, PARTICULARLY FOR OPERATING ROOMS. - Google Patents

Description

"TOWEL WITH HIGH LIQUID ABSORPTION CAPACITY, PARTICULARLY FOR OPERATING ROOMS"

The present invention relates to a sheet with a high capacity for absorbing liquids, particularly for operating theaters.

In the hospital sector, particularly in operating theaters, the need is felt to have materials in the form of sheets or carpets to be placed on the surfaces on which liquids can be spread in order to facilitate their containment and their elimination during cleaning operations. to preserve hygienic and safety conditions.

To meet this need, carpets are currently available on the market to be placed on floors and composed of several layers with at least one layer capable of absorbing large quantities of liquids.

A first type of these mats is composed of a very absorbent internal layer covered on one side by a layer of non-woven fabric permeable to liquids, intended to be turned upwards, and on the opposite side by an anti-slip layer to be placed in direct contact with the floor .

This type of carpet has the drawback of not offering adequate guarantees against the return of liquids to the outside through the non-woven fabric layer. Furthermore, the adhesion of the lower layer to the floor is not very effective.

A second type of carpet is composed of a highly absorbent inner layer contained in a liquid-permeable non-woven fabric bag.

This second type of carpet, compared to an excellent capacity to absorb liquids, has the drawback of having a poor adherence to the floor and therefore of being annoying and dangerous for the operators.

A third type of carpet is composed of an absorbent internal layer covered on one side by a perforated film to allow the passage of liquids, intended to be turned upwards, and on the opposite side by a layer of non-woven fabric electrostatically charged in such a way as to increase its adhesion to the floor.

This third type of carpet denotes the drawback of having an electrostatic charge which is unwelcome in operating theaters or in hospital environments, where very sensitive electronic equipment is used whose reliability, often of vital importance, can be altered by the presence of these. electrostatic charges.

The aim of the present invention is to solve the aforementioned problems, realizing a sheet which has a high capacity to absorb liquids and which, due to its characteristics, is particularly suitable for use in operating theaters.

Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a sheet which, in its preferred use as a carpet on operating room floors, can adhere firmly to the surface to which it is applied, that is to the floor in such a way as not to generate dangers of tripping or getting in the way for operators.

Another object of the invention is to provide a sheet which offers adequate guarantees against the release of liquids after their absorption.

A further object of the invention is to provide a sheet that does not generate electrostatic disturbances in the environment in which it is placed.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a sheet which can be produced with techniques and systems already used for the production of multilayer materials.

Not least object of the invention is to propose a sheet which can be produced at competitive costs.

This task, as well as these and other purposes which will appear better below, are achieved by a sheet with a high capacity to absorb liquids, particularly for operating theaters, comprising overlapping and mutually coupled layers, characterized in that said layers include:

- a first layer of impermeable material crossed by holes and defining one of the two external faces of the sheet destined to face upwards;

- a second layer of absorbent material;

- a third layer of waterproof material having an adhesive layer on its face facing away from said second layer;

said holes, passing through said first layer, having a conformation able to favor the passage of liquids towards said second layer and to preclude the passage of liquids in the opposite direction.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become clearer from the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the fabric according to the invention, illustrated, by way of non-limiting example, in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a partially sectioned view of the fabric according to the invention to highlight the layers that make it up;

Figure 2 is a schematic view of the cloth according to the invention, sectioned according to a plane perpendicular to its lying plane and enlarged.

With reference to the aforementioned figures, the sheet according to the invention, globally indicated with the reference number 1, is composed of several superimposed and mutually coupled layers.

Such layers comprise a first layer 2, a second layer 3 or intermediate layer or inner layer and a third layer 4.

The first layer 2, which defines one of the two faces of greater extension of the sheet 1 facing outwards and destined to be turned upwards, is made of waterproof material and is crossed by a plurality of holes 5.

This first layer 2 is preferably made of polyethylene, but can also be made of polyolefin resin or polyester.

The holes 5, which pass through the first layer 2, have a conformation capable of favoring the passage of liquids towards the second layer 3 and instead of precluding the passage of liquids in the opposite direction, i.e. towards the outside of the sheet 1.

These holes 5 preferably have a funnel or cone shape which narrows from the outer side of the first layer 2 towards the inner side of the first layer 2, that is, in the direction of its side facing the second layer 3.

Purely by way of indication, the first layer 2 can consist of the product known commercially with the initials 45101 (or similar) of the company RKW SE, AlkorstraBe 6, D-83512 Wasserburg, or other technically equivalent product.

The second layer 3 is made of absorbent material or better of a material called "superabsorbent" capable of absorbing and retaining a high quantity of liquids.

This second layer 3 is conveniently constituted by a needle-punched non-woven fabric and is preferably composed of a mixture of fibers with at least two fiber components. The first of these two components is preferably made up of viscose fibers, but can also be made up of polyester fibers or polypropylene fibers.

The second component of the second layer 3 consists of superabsorbent polyacrylate fibers which have the property of absorbing a large amount of liquids, transforming into a gel and slightly increasing in volume.

The needling treatment of the second layer 3, which binds the fibers of the first component with the fibers of the second component, ensures that the superabsorbent polyacrylate fibers do not release or disperse gels or other substances even after the absorption of large quantities of liquids.

Purely as an indication, the material known commercially under the name OASIS SAF® Type 122/52/10 from Technical Absorbents - PO Box 24 - Great Coates - Grimsby -DN31 2SS - United Kingdom - can be used as superabsorbent polyacrylate fiber. another technically equivalent product.

The second layer 3 preferably has a weight per unit area substantially comprised between 80 and 200 g / m <2> depending on the degree of absorption desired for the sheet 1.

The first component is present in the second layer 3 in a percentage by weight substantially comprised between 30% and 70%, referred to the total weight of the mixture of fibers constituting the second layer 3.

Correspondingly, the second component is present in the second layer 3 in a percentage by weight substantially comprised between 30% and 70%, referred to the total weight of the mixture of fibers constituting the second layer 3.

Preferably, the first component and the second component are present in the second layer 3 in the same percentage, i.e. both in a percentage equal to 50% by weight, referred to the total weight of the mixture of fibers constituting the second layer 3.

The third layer 4 is made of waterproof material, preferably polyethylene. This third layer 4 has, on its face facing outwards, i.e. on the opposite side with respect to the second layer 3, a layer of adhesive 6.

Optionally, this adhesive layer 6 can be coated with a protective film 7 which can be removed at the time of use.

The layers 2, 3, 4 that make up the sheet 1 according to the invention are hot coupled by interposing, between the layers, an adhesive of a known type, for example an EVA (Ethyl Vinyl Acetate) adhesive, preferably in an amount substantially between 6 and 12 g / m <2> of sheet with a known technique, for example by hot calendering.

From practical tests carried out, a sheet 1 according to the invention in which the second layer 3 is made of a needle-punched non-woven fabric composed of 50% viscose fibers and 50% of superabsorbent polyacrylate fibers can absorb 26 grams of liquids for each gram of the second layer 3.

The sheet 1 according to the invention appears as a compact and thin carpet which can be laid down and made to adhere stably to various surfaces, in particular to floors, by exploiting the adhesive layer 6.

The adhesion ensured by the adhesive layer 6 safely prevents the sheet 1, once laid, from detaching even if it is applied to uneven surfaces. In this way, there is no risk that the sheet 1 in question could cause stumbling or inconvenience to the operators.

The sheet 1 in question is capable of absorbing large quantities of liquids without releasing them subsequently and without lateral dispersion. In practice, the liquids pass through the holes 5 of the first layer 2 and diffuse into the second layer 3. Due to the fact that the superabsorbent fibers are intimately mixed with the fibers of the other component of the second layer 3 and then needled, there is no risk that it may release or disperse gels or other substances even after the absorption of large quantities of liquids.

The sheet 1 according to the invention can be sterilized with ETO (ethylene oxide) or gamma rays.

In practice it has been found that the sheet according to the invention fully achieves the aim and achieves the intended purposes. In particular, the cloth according to the invention is capable of absorbing large quantities of liquids, adheres stably to the surface to which it is applied, offers adequate guarantees against the release of absorbed liquids and has no contraindications as regards its use near equipment. electronic.

Although the cloth according to the invention has been conceived to be used as a carpet on operating room floors, it can be applied to other surfaces and have other uses.

The sheet thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the inventive concept; moreover, all the details can be replaced with other technically equivalent elements.

In practice, the materials used, unless otherwise specified above, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to the requirements and the state of the art.

Claims (10)

1. Drape (1) with a high capacity to absorb liquids, particularly for operating theaters, comprising overlapping and mutually coupled layers (2, 3, 4), characterized in that said layers (2, 3, 4) comprise: - a first layer (2) of impermeable material crossed by holes (5) and defining one of the two external faces of the sheet (1) destined to face upwards; - a second layer (3) of absorbent material; - a third layer (4) made of waterproof material having an adhesive layer (6) on its face facing away from said second layer (3); said holes (5), crossing said first layer (2), having a conformation able to favor the passage of liquids towards said second layer (3) and to preclude the passage of liquids in the opposite direction. 2. Cloth (1), according to claim 1, characterized in that said holes (5) have a cone or funnel shape tapering from the external side of said first layer (2) towards the side of said first layer (2) facing towards said second layer (3). 3. Cloth (1), according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said second layer (3) consists of a needle-punched non-woven fabric. 4. Cloth (1), according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said second layer (3) is composed of a mixture of fibers of a first component and a second component, said second component being constituted by fibers of polyacrylate. 5. Cloth (1), according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first component of said second layer (3) consists of at least one material selected from viscose fibers, polyester fibers and polypropylene fibers. 6. Sheet (1), according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first component is present in said second layer (3) in a percentage by weight substantially comprised between 30% and 70% referred to the total weight of the fiber blend. Cloth (1), according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said second component is present in said second layer (3) in a percentage by weight substantially comprised between 30% and 70% referred to the total weight of the fiber blend. Fabric (1), according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said second layer (3) is composed of 50% of said first component and 50% of said second component. Sheet (1), according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first layer (2) is made of a material selected from polyethylene, polyolefin resin and polyester. 10. Sheet (1), according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said adhesive layer (6) is covered with a removable protective film (7).