Pet pad with edge pockets to capture fluids

Abstract

The absorbent floor pad comprises a fluid-impermeable layer and an absorbent layer, the absorbent layer being an upper layer to the fluid-impermeable layer and being adhered to the fluid-impermeable layer, the absorbent layer including at least one folded edge region along an edge boundary region of the absorbent floor pad, at least a portion of the at least one folded edge region being folded over a base region of the absorbent layer at an acute fold angle to provide an overlap region of the absorbent layer that forms at least one edge pocket with the base region to capture liquid exudates.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 362,071, filed March 29, 2022, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002]

[0002] The present disclosure relates to pet floor pads, and more particularly to pads that include edge regions that define edge pockets for capturing and absorbing waste, particularly urine. [Background technology]

[0003]

[0003] Pet owners often train their pets not to defecate / urinate in undesirable locations within their homes. For example, dog owners often train their dogs to defecate / urinate outside their homes. However, in some situations, dogs and other pets may not be able to go outside when they need to relieve themselves. To address such situations, pet owners may train their pets to defecate / urinate in the same location within the home. For example, pet owners may train their dogs and other animals to urinate / urinate on absorbent pet pads (sometimes called floor pads or training pads) that are placed in desirable locations within the home. Such pads are configured to protect underlying support surfaces from feces and urine and are often configured to allow owners to easily clean up and dispose of the pads once soiled.

[0004]

[0004] While pet training pads are widely available and can be effective, such pads are typically configured to lie substantially flat on an underlying support surface, such as a floor. When a pet uses such a pad, waste (particularly urine) may be absorbed by the pad and soak into selected layers of the pad to contain such waste for proper disposal by the pet owner. There is a need to improve the pad's ability to absorb urine, particularly its ability to contain or prevent urine from flowing beyond the outer edges of the pad onto unprotected surfaces before the pad can absorb the urine. Summary of the Invention

[0005]

[0005] An absorbent pad comprises a fluid-impermeable layer and an absorbent layer adhered to the fluid-impermeable layer, the absorbent layer having one or more absorbent material composition layers and including an edge region, at least a portion of which is folded back onto the absorbent layer to provide a folded edge region that overlaps the absorbent layer and provides an edge pocket for capturing liquid exudates.

[0006]

[0006] The absorbent floor pad comprises a fluid-impermeable layer and an absorbent layer, the absorbent layer being an upper layer to the fluid-impermeable layer and being adhered to the fluid-impermeable layer, the absorbent layer including at least one folded edge region along an edge boundary region of the absorbent floor pad, at least a portion of the at least one folded edge region being folded at an acute fold angle onto a base region of the absorbent layer to provide an overlap region of the absorbent layer which forms at least one edge pocket with the base region to capture liquid exudates.

[0007]

[0007] In at least one embodiment, the absorbent floor pad has an upper surface and at least one folded edge region has an inlet opening for fluid to enter at least one edge pocket, the inlet opening being located in an imaginary plane extending perpendicular to the upper surface.

[0008] In at least one embodiment, the inlet opening has a vertical height from the top surface in the range of 0.01 inches to 0.25 inches.

[0009] In at least one embodiment, the at least one edge pocket narrows from the entrance opening toward the fold line.

[0010] In at least one embodiment, the at least one edge pocket narrows continuously from the entrance opening toward the fold line.

[0011] In at least one embodiment, the overlap region has an overlap width in the range of 0.25 inches to 5 inches, and more specifically in the range of 0.25 inches to 3 inches.

[0012] In at least one embodiment, the acute fold angle is in the range of 1 to 30 degrees, more specifically in the range of 1 to 15 degrees.

[0013]

[0013] In at least one embodiment, the absorbent layer includes a plurality of corresponding folded edge regions along a plurality of edge boundary regions of the absorbent floor pad, at least a portion of each of the plurality of folded edge regions being folded over a base region of the absorbent layer at a corresponding acute fold angle to provide a corresponding overlap region of the absorbent layer that forms a corresponding edge pocket with the base region to capture liquid exudates.

[0014] In at least one embodiment, the absorbent layer includes a plurality of corresponding edge pockets disposed along opposite edge bounding regions from the plurality of edge bounding regions.

[0015] In at least one embodiment, the absorbent layer includes a plurality of corresponding edge pockets that completely surround the absorbent layer.

[0016] In at least one embodiment, the absorbent pad has edge border regions that form a continuous frame around the absorbent layer.

[0017] In at least one embodiment, the continuous frame around the absorbent layer is formed by a fluid impervious layer without the absorbent layer.

[0018]

[0018] In at least one embodiment, a fluid-impermeable layer is positioned under at least one folded edge region of the absorbent layer, and the fluid-impermeable layer positioned under at least one folded edge region of the absorbent layer has at least one air flow path.

[0019] In at least one embodiment, the at least one air flow path includes a plurality of air flow paths.

[0020] In at least one embodiment, the multiple air flow paths are substantially parallel to one another.

[0021] In at least one embodiment, at least one air flow passage has a V-shaped cross-sectional profile. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022]

[0022] The above and other features of the present disclosure, as well as the manner in which they are achieved, will become more apparent and better understood by reference to the following description of the embodiments described in this specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0023] [Figure 1]

[0023] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a pet waste / training absorbent floor pad according to the present disclosure. [Figure 2]

[0024] 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the pet pad of FIG. 1 taken along section line 2-2. [Figure 3]

[0025] 2 is a close-up cross-sectional side view of the folded edge region of the pet pad of FIG. 1. [Figure 4]

[0026] FIG. 1 is a plan view of another pet waste / training absorbent floor pad according to the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024]

[0027] It will be understood that this disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention herein is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it will be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting, as will be understood by those skilled in the art.

[0025]

[0028] Attention is now directed to FIG. 1 , which illustrates a pet waste / training absorbent pad 10 according to the present disclosure. The absorbent pad 10 comprises a planar lower impermeable layer / portion 12 (which may also be referred to as a lower impermeable surface / face) and an upper absorbent layer / portion 14 (which may also be referred to as an upper absorbent surface / face) that is directly or indirectly adhered to the lower impermeable layer / portion 12. The lower impermeable layer / portion 12 is fluid-impermeable, particularly to liquids (e.g., urine) that impinge thereon. Therefore, when an animal (e.g., a dog) urinates while positioned on the absorbent pad 10, the urine will not pass through the lower impermeable layer / portion 12 of the absorbent pad 10 and onto a flat, horizontal support surface, such as a floor, on which the absorbent pad 10 is placed. The lower impermeable layer / portion 12 may be made of a polymer film, such as a polyolefin film (e.g., polyethylene).

[0026]

[0029] The upper absorbent layer / portion 14 is configured to be absorbent so that at least a portion of the liquid incident thereon is absorbed. The upper absorbent layer / portion 14 itself may be composed of one or more absorbent material composition layers that absorb liquid (e.g., urine). Preferably, the upper absorbent layer / portion 14 may comprise, for example, a superabsorbent polymer, pulp, or tissue.

[0027]

[0030] The superabsorbent polymer may preferably have, for example, a retention capacity in the range of 30 g / g to 45 g / g, an absorption capacity in the range of 55 g / g to 65 g / g (measured in 0.9% NaCl solution), an absorption rate (e.g., the time it takes to absorb 50, 100, or 150 milliliters of liquid, such as 0.9% NaCl solution) in the range of 15 to 40 seconds, a moisture content in the range of 4% to 9%, a residual acrylic acid monomer content in the range of 15 parts per million (ppm) to 25 ppm, and a bulk density in the range of 0.6 g / ml to 0.85 g / ml. As another example, the superabsorbent polymer may have a retention capacity of 41 g / g, an absorption capacity of 60 g / g (measured in 0.9% NaCl solution), an absorption rate in 29 seconds, a moisture content of 7.4%, a residual acrylic acid monomer content of 22 ppm, and a bulk density of 0.74 g / ml.

[0028]

[0031] As yet another example, a superabsorbent polymer may have a retention capacity of 40 g / g, an absorption capacity of 60 g / g (measured in 0.9% NaCl solution), an absorption rate of 30 seconds, a moisture content of 7.2%, a residual acrylic acid monomer content of 18 ppm, and a bulk density of 0.74 g / ml. The particle size of the superabsorbent polymer may be less than 850 microns (μm). For example, 80% to 90% of the particles may have a particle size in the range of 180 μm to 500 μm.

[0029]

[0032] Thus, it should be understood that the absorbent pad 10 has an upper (fluid permeable / absorbent) surface 50 that will face the animal during use, and a lower (fluid impermeable / barrier) surface 52 opposite the upper surface 50 that will face the underlying surface during use. As shown, the edge border region 36 of the lower impermeable layer / portion 12 forms a continuous loop (picture frame) that completely surrounds the upper absorbent layer / portion 14.

[0030]

[0033] As best shown in Figures 2-3, along at least two sides of the absorbent pad 10, the upper absorbent layer / portion 14 is folded over onto the base region 28 along fold lines 30 at acute fold angles 32 to provide folded edge regions 16 of the upper absorbent layer / portion 14 that double in thickness and form empty cavity-shaped edge pockets 20 that continuously narrow toward the fold lines 30 for more effectively capturing liquid exudates.

[0031]

[0034] 1, the terminal edge 18 of each edge pocket 20, which is also the terminal edge 18 of each folded edge region 16, extends along the entire length of two sides of the upper absorbent layer / portion 14 of the four-sided absorbent pad 10. It should be understood that while the edge pockets 20 similarly extend along the entire length of two sides of the upper absorbent layer / portion 14, an edge pocket 20 having a terminal edge 18 does not necessarily extend along the entire length of one or more sides of the upper absorbent layer / portion 14.

[0032]

[0035] As shown in FIGS. 2-3 , each edge pocket 20 has an inlet / opening 22 that provides an inlet / opening for the edge pocket 20 to allow inflow (of urine). As shown, the inlets / openings 22 are vertical (located in an imaginary plane (54) perpendicular to the top and bottom surfaces of the absorbent pad 10) and face each other. As shown, the inlets / openings 22 are partially defined by the terminal edges 18 of the folded edge region 16. The inlets / openings 22 may preferably have a vertical open (cross-sectional) dimension, which may be understood as vertical height, ranging from 0.01 inches to 0.25 inches. As can be readily appreciated, the edge pockets 20 will provide at least two interior, opposing absorbent surfaces / surfaces for absorbing fluids (urine) that are strategically positioned against fluids that tend to travel toward the edges of the pad 10 and onto an unprotected floor.

[0033]

[0036] 3 shows a close-up view of a cross section of an edge pocket 20. Preferably, the edge pocket 20 is defined by a folded edge region 16 that forms an overlap region 24 having a folded / overlap linear dimension (which may be understood as a fold / overlap width 34) from the crease 30 to the terminal edge 18 of the edge pocket 20 in a range of 0.25 inches to 5.0 inches, more specifically 0.25 inches to 3.0 inches, and even more specifically 0.25 inches to 1 inch. Relatedly, the acute fold angle 32 may be in a range of 1 degree to 30 degrees, more specifically 1 degree to 20 degrees, and even more specifically 1 degree to 15 degrees, such as in a range of 2 degrees to 12 degrees.

[0034]

[0037] It should be understood that the edge pockets 20 herein may be present along one or more side edges, e.g., two edges, three edges, or all four side edges, of the absorbent pad 10 when the absorbent pad 10 is polygonal, more specifically quadrilateral, e.g., generally square or rectangular in shape. As shown in the variation of Figure 4, the edge pockets 20 are positioned to completely surround the periphery of the upper absorbent layer / portion 14. When the absorbent pad 10 is rounded or has other geometric shapes, the edge pockets 20 may extend to surround all or part of such pad, again serving to strategically capture fluids (urine).

[0035]

[0038] Returning to Figure 1, it should be noted that the absorbent pad 10 herein may have one or more other features, preferably designed to improve the pad's ability to reduce or prevent urine from progressing beyond the edge of the absorbent pad layer / portion 14. For example, the absorbent pad 10 herein may include one or more edge regions as defined in U.S. Patent Publication 2020 / 0281155, entitled "Absorbent Pad," which is assigned to the assignee of the present disclosure and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0036]

[0039] That is, the absorbent pad 10 herein may also include a liquid-permeable layer, a liquid-impermeable layer, and a liquid-absorbent layer disposed between the liquid-permeable layer and the liquid-impermeable layer, the liquid-absorbent layer including a first absorbent region and a second absorbent region, the second absorbent region extending around the first absorbent region, and the second absorbent region configured to absorb more liquid per unit area than the first absorbent region. Thus, when liquid is applied to the absorbent pad 10 in a dry state, the liquid is absorbed by the absorbent pad 10, and the absorbent pad 10 operates such that the height of the first absorbent region increases, the height of the second absorbent region increases, and the height of the second absorbent region becomes greater than the height of the first absorbent region, the first absorbent region includes a first amount of superabsorbent polymer, and the second absorbent region includes a second amount of superabsorbent polymer, the amount of second superabsorbent polymer being greater than the amount of first superabsorbent polymer. In FIG. 1, the second absorbent region feature, which increases in height to form a raised region as described above, is identified by the reference numeral 40 .

[0037]

[0040] The absorbent pad 10 may also optionally include one or more elongated air flow (circulation) channels 26, shown as having a V-shaped cross section, at the bottom of the lower impermeable layer 12. Such channels 26 may preferably be located directly below where the folded edge region 16 folds over the base region 28 of the absorbent layer / portion 14, overlapping therewith to provide the edge pockets 20. As shown in FIG. 2, the channels 26 may be located within the impermeable layer / portion 12 and run substantially parallel (e.g., within 5 degrees of parallel) along the entire length of the absorbent pad 10, providing elongated air flow channels. Such edge pocket air channels 26 are therefore intended to provide voids that allow air flow / ventilation. Such edge pocket air channels 26 are therefore intended to reduce or eliminate condensation that may collect at the bottom of the absorbent pad 10, between the bottom of the absorbent pad 10 and a support surface, particularly condensation below the edge pockets 20. As shown, the flow channels 26 are formed only in the impermeable layer / portion 12.

[0038]

[0041] While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, it should be understood that various changes, adaptations, and modifications can be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not with reference to the above description, but with reference to the appended claims along with their full scope of equivalents. It should further be understood that the appended claims do not include the broadest scope of the invention that the applicant is entitled to claim, or the only manner in which the invention may be claimed, or that every described feature is essential. [Explanation of symbols]

[0039] 10 pads 12 Impermeable layer / part 14 Absorbent layer / part 16 Folded Edge Area 18 Pocket Edge 20 pockets 22 Entrance / Opening 24 overlapping area 26 Flow path 28 Base Area 30 folds 32 Folding angle 34 fold / overlap width 36 Edge Boundary / Boundary Region 40 Protruding area 50 Top 52 Bottom side 54 Virtual Plane

Claims

1. An absorbent floor pad comprising a fluid impermeable layer and an absorbent layer, the absorbent layer is an upper layer for the fluid-impermeable layer and is adhered to the fluid-impermeable layer; the absorbent layer includes at least one folded edge region along an edge boundary region of the absorbent floor pad; at least a portion of said at least one folded edge region is folded over said base region of said absorbent layer at an acute fold angle to form at least one edge pocket with said base region to provide an overlap region of said absorbent layer for capturing liquid exudates; The overlapping area of ​​the absorbent layer forms part of the fluid permeable upper surface of the absorbent floor pad.

2. The at least one folded edge region has an inlet opening for fluid to enter the at least one edge pocket; 2. The absorbent floor pad of claim 1, wherein said inlet opening lies in an imaginary plane extending perpendicular to said upper surface.

3. 3. The absorbent floor pad of claim 2, wherein said inlet opening has a vertical height from said upper surface ranging from 0.01 inches to 0.25 inches.

4. 3. The absorbent floor pad of claim 2, wherein said at least one edge pocket narrows from said entrance opening towards said fold.

5. 3. The absorbent floor pad of claim 2, wherein said at least one edge pocket narrows continuously from said entrance opening toward said fold line.

6. 10. The absorbent floor pad of claim 1, wherein said overlap area has an overlap width ranging from 0.25 inches to 5 inches.

7. 10. The absorbent floor pad of claim 1, wherein said overlap area has an overlap width ranging from 0.25 inches to 3 inches.

8. 2. The absorbent floor pad of claim 1, wherein said acute fold angle is in the range of 1 to 30 degrees.

9. 2. The absorbent floor pad of claim 1, wherein said acute fold angle is in the range of 1 to 15 degrees.

10. the absorbent layer including a plurality of folded edge regions corresponding to a plurality of edge boundary regions of the absorbent floor pad; The absorbent floor pad of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of each of the plurality of folded edge regions is folded over the base region of the absorbent layer at a corresponding acute fold angle to provide a corresponding overlapping region of the absorbent layer that forms a corresponding edge pocket with the base region to capture liquid exudates.

11. 11. The absorbent floor pad of claim 10, wherein said absorbent layer includes a plurality of corresponding edge pockets disposed along edge border regions opposite said plurality of edge border regions.

12. 11. The absorbent floor pad of claim 10, wherein said absorbent layer includes a plurality of corresponding edge pockets that completely surround said absorbent layer.

13. 10. The absorbent floor pad of claim 1, wherein said absorbent floor pad has edge border regions that form a continuous frame around said absorbent layer.

14. 14. The absorbent floor pad of claim 13, wherein said continuous frame around said absorbent layer is formed by said fluid impervious layer without said absorbent layer.

15. the fluid impervious layer is disposed under the at least one folded edge region of the absorbent layer; 10. The absorbent floor pad of claim 1, wherein said fluid impervious layer disposed beneath said at least one folded edge region of said absorbent layer comprises at least one air channel.

16. 16. The absorbent floor pad of claim 15, wherein said at least one air channel comprises a plurality of air channels.

17. 17. The absorbent floor pad of claim 16, wherein said plurality of air channels are substantially parallel to one another.

18. 16. The absorbent floor pad of claim 15, wherein said at least one air channel has a V-shaped cross-sectional profile.

Images