Water-soluble laundry bag for incontinence underwear

Abstract

Water-soluble laundry bag for storing soiled laundry with an inside facing the contents of the laundry bag and an opposite outside, wherein the laundry bag consists of a water-soluble polymer film which dissolves from the outside in a washing machine cycle, and whose inside has a higher water stability compared to the outside.

Description

Technical area

[0001] The present invention relates to a water-soluble laundry bag for storing dirty laundry, in particular, but not exclusively, wet dirty laundry such as incontinence underwear. Background of the invention

[0002] Worldwide, 200 million people are affected by incontinence, the body's inability to control the act of defecation (urination), and the number of older people in society is expected to continue to rise. In 2022, sales of incontinence products in Europe alone exceeded €3 billion.

[0003] A distinction can be made between mild, moderate, and severe incontinence. Severe incontinence is characterized by sudden, uncontrolled bladder emptying with urine volumes exceeding 200 mL / 4h. For severe incontinence, highly absorbent aids such as disposable pants or diapers are recommended. Diapers, in particular, offer good leakage protection for those affected.

[0004] Diapers are embarrassing for many affected individuals. They are unsightly and reveal the affected individual at first glance. Furthermore, due to increased environmental awareness, there is a desire to use reusable alternatives to disposable items. There are situations in which you want to dispose of used incontinence underwear while out and about, be it after exercise or while traveling. When it comes to reusable underwear, the question arises as to how and where it can be stored safely and hygienically. This question applies not only to incontinence underwear, but also to worn underwear and socks in general.

[0005] One aim of the present invention is therefore to provide a method for safely and hygienically storing worn underwear and socks, especially wet underwear and socks such as incontinence underwear. This object is achieved by the present invention. Description of the invention

[0006] The starting point of this invention is laundry bags for storing dirty laundry, which can be filled with dirty laundry and placed directly into the washing machine. During the wash cycle, the laundry bags dissolve, releasing the laundry items contained within. During their research, the inventors discovered that this known type of water-soluble laundry bag is unsuitable, or only partially suitable, for damp dirty laundry, especially incontinence underwear. This is because the moisture contained in the dirty laundry causes the laundry bags to dissolve from the inside out, posing the risk of the contents being accidentally released.

[0007] To overcome this problem, a water-soluble laundry bag for storing dirty laundry is proposed, comprising an inner side oriented toward the contents of the laundry bag and an opposite outer side. The laundry bag consists of a water-soluble polymer film that dissolves, preferably completely, from the outer side during a washing machine cycle to release the laundry from the laundry bag. The inner side has a higher water stability than the outer side. This means that the laundry bag dissolves from the outside during washing to release the dirty laundry from the laundry bag. Conversely, the higher water stability of the inner side prevents moisture contained in the dirty laundry from causing the laundry bag to dissolve from the inside.

[0008] In principle, the laundry bag according to the invention is suitable for all types of dirty laundry and is therefore not restricted to specific types. However, particular advantages can be achieved with the present invention for damp dirty laundry. While damp underwear is not or only partially compatible with the known water-soluble laundry bags, the laundry bag according to the invention is sufficiently stable against laundry moisture inside the laundry bag so that the moisture in the underwear does not dissolve the laundry bag from the inside out. However, the dissolvability from the outside is retained. In this way, the present invention eliminates or reduces the risk of the contents of the laundry bag being accidentally released. The damp dirty laundry preferred within the scope of the invention is, in particular, (worn) sports underwear, sports socks, incontinence underwear, or period underwear.

[0009] As those skilled in the art are aware, the dissolution behavior, particularly the dissolution rate, depends on temperature. Furthermore, the dissolution behavior, particularly the dissolution rate, depends on the chemistry of the polymer film. This makes it possible to design the laundry bag so that dissolution begins at a certain minimum temperature, e.g., from 30°C, from 40°C, from 50°C, or from 60°C, or only at 70°C, from 80°C, or even only at 90°C. The term "complete" in the context of the dissolution of the laundry bag means that no residue remains in the laundry after the washing machine cycle.

[0010] In one embodiment, the water-soluble laundry bag is filled with wet dirty laundry. The wet dirty laundry is preferably selected from sports underwear, sports socks, incontinence underwear, and period underwear.

[0011] In another embodiment, the laundry bag dissolves from the outside due to the action of water, heat, and / or enzymes. Water-soluble polymer films are known to those skilled in the art. Furthermore, the person skilled in the art is aware that the dissolution behavior depends on temperature. Furthermore, enzymes capable of breaking down polymers are known to those skilled in the art. These include, for example, cellulases and pectinases.

[0012] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the polymer film comprises at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of polyelectrolytes, amphoteric polymers, non-ionic homopolymers, and hydrophobic-associating polymers. Polyelectrolytes are polymers that possess charged groups. They are subdivided into polycations (positively charged), polyanions (negatively charged), or amphoteric polymers (zwitterions, positively and negatively charged). Polyelectrolytes include proteins, but also numerous synthetically produced additives for thickening cosmetics. These include, for example, polyacrylate (cabomer), polyquaternium 6, and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). The group of water-soluble non-ionic homopolymers includes, for example, polyethylene oxides, poly-N-vinylpyrrolidones, polyvinyl alcohols, and polyacrylamides.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the polymer film comprises at least one polymer selected from polyacrylamide (PAM), optionally as a copolymer with anionic or cationic monomers; polyacrylic acid homopolymer and its sodium salt (P-AA); acrylic acid / maleic acid copolymer and their sodium salts (P-AA / MA); polyethylene glycol (PEG); polyvinyl alcohol (PVA); polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), and polyquaternium (PQ), and mixtures thereof. Particularly preferred water-soluble polymers are: polyacrylamide (PAM), optionally as a copolymer with anionic or cationic monomers; polyacrylic acid homopolymer and its sodium salt (P-AA); acrylic acid / maleic acid copolymer and their sodium salts (P-AA / MA), polyethylene glycol (PEG), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), and polyquaternium (PQ).

[0014] In the textile sector, PVA is primarily used for sizing warp material. Here, it strengthens the fabric construction to prevent fiber damage from mechanical stress during the weaving process. The sizing material (PVA) is then usually washed out. However, PVA can also be used within the scope of the invention, possibly after external plasticization, to produce water-soluble films. Depending on the PVA type, plasticizer content and quantity, and extrusion conditions, films ranging from readily soluble to sparingly soluble can be produced.

[0015] The polymers can be used individually or in combinations of two or more polymers. By using different polymers or different polymer properties, such as molecular weight or degree of crosslinking, for the inner and outer surfaces, the inner side can be made more water-resistant than the outer side.

[0016] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the polymer film consists of two or more polymer layers, wherein the inner layer exhibits poorer water solubility than the outer layer. The term "poorer water solubility" means lower water solubility and / or lower dissolution rate.

[0017] To achieve this, the inner layer can differ from the outer layer in polymer type, molecular weight, degree of crystallinity, extent of chain branching, degree of crosslinking, plasticizer content, and / or extrusion conditions. In addition to crosslinking, there are other structural factors that can influence the solubility of the polymer by hindering the dissolution process, such as an increased degree of crystallinity and the absence of chain branching. In particular, the inner layer and the outer layer can each represent a partially crosslinked polymer layer, and the degree of crosslinking of the inner polymer layer can be higher than that of the outer polymer layer. For example, the inner polymer layer and / or the outer polymer layer can comprise polyvinyl alcohol, and the degree of crosslinking of the outer polymer layer can be lower than the degree of crosslinking of the inner polymer layer.

[0018] Furthermore, the dissolution behavior can be influenced by swelling, impregnation, and / or modification. Therefore, within the scope of the present invention, it is also possible for the inside and / or outside to be treated by swelling, impregnation, and / or modification. By swelling on the outside of the laundry bag, the polymer chains can be partially unwound, allowing water to penetrate the polymer matrix more easily and accelerating the dissolution process. The laundry bag can also be impregnated on the inside. Suitable impregnations within the scope of the invention include paraffin emulsions, wax emulsions, fluorocarbons, and silicone emulsions. PVA can also form a thin release agent layer on the inside of the laundry bag, which has a separating and protective effect. Furthermore, the inside can be made hydrophobic by coupling, e.g., covalent coupling, of appropriate groups.In this way, an inner surface can be obtained that is more hydrophobic than the outer surface. By using one or more of the above-mentioned measures, the inner surface can be made more water-resistant than the outer surface.

[0019] In order to securely close the dirty laundry and prevent the laundry bag from leaking, it is preferred that the laundry bag has a closure means. In principle, the present invention is not restricted to a specific closure means. The closure means can be selected from zippers, slide fasteners, press fasteners, closure cords, or pressure-sensitive adhesive fasteners. However, it is preferred that the closure means dissolves completely in the washing machine cycle, so that it is completely removed together with the polymer film of the laundry bag during the washing cycle. This can be achieved by choosing the appropriate material. In this context, reference is made to the description of the polymer film, which applies accordingly to a polymer material, i.e., plastic material, in the form of the closure means. Due to its high adhesive strength, PVA is also suitable as an adhesive in a pressure-sensitive adhesive closure.It is further preferred that the closure means is resealable, i.e. that it can be opened and closed repeatedly.

[0020] The capacity of the laundry bag according to the invention can vary. However, to facilitate storage in handbags or sports bags, preferred laundry bags have a rather small capacity of, for example, 0.5 to 10 liters, preferably 1 to 5 liters.

[0021] The specific shape and dimensions can also vary in principle. However, a rectangular shape is preferred when empty, possibly with rounded corners, with dimensions of 10 to 50 cm x 10 to 50 cm (length x width), preferably with dimensions of 15 to 40 cm x 15 to 40 cm (length x width), more preferably with dimensions of 15 to 30 cm x 15 to 30 cm (length x width), most preferably with dimensions of 20 to 30 cm x 15 to 25 cm (length x width).

Claims

[1] Water-soluble laundry bag for storing dirty laundry with an inside oriented towards the contents of the laundry bag and an opposite outside, wherein the laundry bag consists of a water-soluble polymer film which dissolves from the outside in a washing machine cycle and whose inside has a higher water stability than the outside. [2] Water-soluble laundry bag according to claim 1 filled with wet dirty laundry, wherein the wet dirty laundry is preferably selected from sports underwear, sports socks, incontinence underwear and period underwear. [3] Water-soluble laundry bag according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the laundry bag dissolves from the outside as a result of the action of water, heat and / or enzymes. [4] A water-soluble laundry bag according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the polymer film comprises at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of polyelectrolytes, amphoterics, non-ionic homopolymers, and hydrophobic-associating polymers. [5] Water-soluble laundry bag according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the polymer film comprises at least one polymer selected from polyacrylamide (PAM), optionally as a copolymer with anionic or cationic monomers; polyacrylic acid homopolymer and its sodium salt (P-AA); acrylic acid / maleic acid copolymer and their sodium salts (P-AA / MA); polyethylene glycol (PEG); polyvinyl alcohol (PVA); polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and polyquaternium (PQ) and mixtures thereof. [6] Water-soluble laundry bag according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the polymer film consists of two or more polymer layers, and wherein the inner layer has a poorer water solubility behavior than the outer layer. [7] A water-soluble laundry bag according to claim 6, wherein the inner layer differs from the outer layer in polymer type, molecular weight, degree of crystallinity, extent of chain branching, degree of crosslinking, plasticizer content and / or extrusion conditions. [8] Water-soluble laundry bag according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the inside and / or the outside is treated by swelling, impregnation and / or modification. [9] Water-soluble laundry bag according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the laundry bag has a closure means, wherein preferably the closure means is water-soluble. [10] Water-soluble laundry bag according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the laundry bag has a capacity of 0.5 to 10 liters, preferably of 1 to 5 liters; and / or wherein the laundry bag has a rectangular shape, optionally with rounded corners; and / or wherein the laundry bag has dimensions of 10 to 50 cm x 10 to 50 cm (length x width), preferably with dimensions of 15 to 40 cm x 15 to 40 cm (length x width), more preferably with dimensions of 15 to 30 cm x 15 to 30 cm (length x width), most preferably with dimensions of 20 to 30 cm x 15 to 25 cm (length x width).