Drainable ostomy pouch closure system

Abstract

A drainable ostomy pouch includes a neck portion terminating in a discharge opening. The neck portion includes a closure system having a first closure member and a second closure member extending parallel to a transverse axis of the neck portion, and a third closure member extending parallel to the transverse axis arranged adjacent to and on the same side as the second closure member. The first and third closure members are arranged on opposite sides of the neck portion and at least partially overlap when the neck portion is unfolded, and the first, second and third closure members are stacked on top of one another when the neck portion is folded. The closure system includes at least one bend line provided only on one side of the neck portion and at least one of the first, second and third closure members includes the at least one bend line.

Description

DRAINABLE OSTOMY POUCH CUOSURE SYSTEMBACKGROUND

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to ostomy appliances, and more particularly to drainable ostomy pouches having closure systems.

[0002] Ostomy pouches for collecting body waste are used by patients who have had surgery such as a colostomy, ileostomy, or urostomy. Ostomy pouches typically include flat, opposing side walls secured together along their edges to define a collection cavity. One of the side walls is provided with an opening to receive a stoma, and means to secure the pouch to the user, such as an adhesive barrier, so that body waste discharged through the stoma is received within the cavity.

[0003] The ostomy pouch may be a closed-end pouch for a single use, in which case the entire pouch is discarded after it has been substantially filled with stomal discharge. Alternatively, the ostomy pouch can be a drainable pouch with a discharge opening at its lower end, which may be closed during collection of body waste material but may be opened for draining body waste material from the pouch after a period of use. Such drainable pouches are disclosed, for example, in Nolan, U.S. Patent No. 3,523,534, and Jensen et al., U.S. Patent No. 4,411,659, which are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference.

[0004] The discharge opening of drainable pouches is typically defined at the end of a narrowed neck portion, which is provided with closure means for maintaining the discharge opening in a sealed condition until waste material is to be drained from the pouch.

[0005] For quality of life of the users, drainable pouches should be easy to drain without risking soiling of clothes or the surroundings. They also should be easy to close securely after being drained and amenable to being cleaned after drainage and before closing again, such that the risk of unpleasant odor is substantially reduced. Most importantly, the closure means should provide a secure seal when closed to minimize the risk of leakage.

[0006] Many different solutions concerning the closing, cleaning and drainage operations have been proposed and implemented. For example, Villefrance et al., U.S. Patent No. 7,879,015, Friske et al., U.S. Patent No. 8,672,907 and Friske et al., U.S. Patent No. 9,011,395, which are commonlyassigned with the present application and incorporated herein in their entirety by reference, disclose drainable pouches having integral closure systems.SUMMARY

[0007] According to one aspect, a drainable ostomy pouch may include a bodyside wall and an outer wall joined in a joined portion along their peripheral edges to define a cavity therebetween for collecting stomal discharge, and a downwardly extending neck portion terminating in a discharge opening for draining stomal discharge collected in the cavity. The neck portion may include a closure system including a first closure member, a second closure member, and a third closure member. The first closure member and the second closure member may extend parallel to a transverse axis of the neck portion. The third closure member may extend parallel to the transverse axis and may be arranged adjacent to and on the same side as the second closure member. The first closure member and the third closure member may be arranged on opposite sides of the neck portion and may partially overlap when the neck is unfolded. The closure system may be configured such that the first closure member, the second closure member, and the third closure members are stacked on top of one another when the neck portion is folded. The closure system may include at least one bend line configured to facilitate opening of the discharge opening, the at least one bend line may be provided only on one side of the neck portion, and at least one of the first, second, and third closure members includes the at least one bend line.

[0008] In some embodiments, the first closure member may include the at least one bend line.

[0009] In some embodiments, the third closure member may include the at least one bend line.

[0010] In some embodiments, the second and the third closure members may include the at least one bend line.

[0011] In some embodiments, the at least one bend line is defined by a plurality of slits, creases, or lines of weakness.

[0012] In some embodiments, the at least one bend line may be defined by a plurality of slits extending at an oblique angle to the transverse axis.

[0013] In some cases, the at least one bend line may be defined by a plurality of slits disposed interior of the joined portion.

[0014] In some embodiments, the at least one bend line may be defined by a plurality of thru-cut slits.

[0015] In some embodiments, the drainable ostomy pouch may include a seam line that defines the joined portion.

[0016] In some embodiments, the first closure member may be disposed entirely interior of the joined portion. In some cases, the at least one bend line may include two bend lines extending at an oblique angle to the transverse axis on the first closure member and the two bend lines may be arranged interior of the joined portion.

[0017] In some embodiments, at least a portion of the first closure member may overlap the joined portion. In some cases, the at least one bend line may include a first slit, a second slit, a third slit, and a fourth slit formed on the first closure member, the first slit and the second slit may be disposed intermediate the third slit and the fourth slit, and the first, second, third, and fourth slits may be arranged interior of the joined portion. In some cases, the third slit and the fourth slit may extend in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the neck portion.

[0018] In some embodiments, the drainable ostomy pouch may include a first fastener strip disposed on the bodyside wall, a second fastener strip coupled to the outer wall, and the first fastener strip and the second fastener strip may be configured to interlock with one another and thereby entrap the first closure member, the second closure member, and the third closure member between the outer wall and the second fastener strip. In some cases, a support member may be joined to the outer wall and the second fastener strip may be secured to the support member. In some cases, a fourth closure member may be disposed on the outer wall, the support member may overlay the outer wall, and the fourth closure member may be disposed intermediate the outer wall and the support member. In some cases, interlocking the first fastener strip and the second fastener strip may entrap the first closure member, the second closure member, the third closure member, and the fourth closure member between the outer wall and the support member.

[0019] Other aspects and advantages will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description and the attached drawings wherein like numerals designate like structures throughout the specification.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating a bodyside of a drainable ostomy pouch according to an embodiment;

[0021] FIG 2. is a schematic view of a non-bodyside (distal side) of the drainable ostomy pouch of FIG. 1;

[0022] FIG. 3 is cross-sectional view of the drainable ostomy pouch of FIG. 1 taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

[0023] FIG. 3 A is a view similar to FIG. 3 after the neck portion has been folded once;

[0024] FIG. 3B is a view similar to FIG. 3 after the neck portion has been folded twice;

[0025] FIG. 3C is a view similar to FIG. 3 after the neck portion has been folded three times and secured with a fastening system.

[0026] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a closure member of the drainable ostomy pouch of FIG.1;

[0027] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the drainable ostomy pouch of FIG. 1 taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 1;

[0028] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a body-side of another embodiment of the drainable ostomy pouch of FIG. 1 ;

[0029] FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a closure member of the drainable ostomy pouch of FIG.6;

[0030] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the drainable ostomy pouch of FIG. 6 taken along the line 8-8 of FIG. 6; and

[0031] FIG. 9 is an exploded view to illustrate construction of the drainable ostomy pouch of FIG. 1 or FIG. 6.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] While the present disclosure is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described presently preferred embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification and is not intended to limit the disclosure to the specific embodiments illustrated. The words “a” or “an” are to be taken to include both the singular and the plural. Conversely, any reference to plural items shall, where appropriate, include the singular.

[0033] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an embodiment of a drainable ostomy pouch 10 may include an outer wall 12 and a body side wall 14, each having a peripheral edge 16. The walls 12, 14 may be overlapped and joined together along their respective peripheral edges 16 to define a cavity 17 (FIG. 3) therebetween for collecting stomal discharge. When joined in this manner, the peripheral edges 16 of the walls 12, 14 may form a peripheral edge 18 of the drainable ostomy pouch 10. In some embodiments, the walls 12, 14 may be joined together to form a joined portion or peripheral seal 20 that extends between a seam line 22 interior of the peripheral edge 18 to the peripheral edge 18 (or proximate thereto). Thus, the seam line 22 may define an interior boundary of the joined portion 20. The drainable ostomy pouch 10 also may have a downwardly extending neck portion 24 that terminates in a discharge opening 26 for draining the contents collected in the cavity 17 after a period of use. In some embodiments, the neck portion 24 may extend away from the cavity 17 along a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis 28 of the drainable ostomy pouch 10. The discharge opening 26 may extend parallel to a transverse axis of 30 of the drainable ostomy pouch 10, wherein the longitudinal axis 28 and the transverse axis 30 are perpendicular.

[0034] In some embodiments, the joined portion 20 may extend proximate the entire peripheral edge 18 of the drainable ostomy pouch 10 except along the discharge opening 26. The discharge opening 26 of the drainable ostomy pouch 10 may be closed during use by folding or rolling the neck portion 24 upwardly (i.e., parallel to the longitudinal axis 28 and toward the cavity 17) and securing it in the upwardly folded position as described in greater detail below.

[0035] The walls 12, 14 are formed of a suitable flexible sheet material, such as a polymeric film, which can be a monolayer or multilayer film. Each of the walls 12, 14 can be formed of onecontinuous flexible film to define the entire drainable ostomy pouch 10 including the neck portion 24. Alternatively, the walls of the neck portion 24 may be formed of separate flexible films joined the walls of the body of the drainable ostomy pouch 10. That is, the walls of the neck portion 24 may be formed of a different polymeric film than the walls of the drainable ostomy pouch 10. For example, the polymeric film used to form the walls of the neck portion 24 may be thicker than the polymeric film used to form the bodyside and outer walls 12, 14 of the drainable ostomy pouch 10.

[0036] The drainable ostomy pouch 10 may be provided with a closure system that includes first, second, third, and fourth closure members 32, 34, 36, and 38, respectively, disposed along outer surfaces of the neck portion 24. Each of the first, second, third and fourth closure members 32, 34, 36, 38 may extend parallel to the transverse axis 30 of the drainable ostomy pouch 10 and may be generally rectangular in its shape. Further, the drainable ostomy pouch 10 is provided with a two-part fastening system comprising first and second fastener strips 40, 42. The second fastener strip 42 may be connected to a support member 44 that in turn may be connected to the outer wall 12 along an edge 45 and the support member 44 may overlap the outer wall 12.

[0037] In some embodiments, only the first closure member 32 may be disposed on the body side wall 14 and on the neck portion 24 of the drainable ostomy pouch 10 and the remaining closure members 34, 36, 38 may be disposed on the outer wall 12. Further, the second and third closure members 34, 36 may be disposed on the neck portion 24 and adjacent or proximate to one another in a direction (“longitudinal direction”) that is parallel to the longitudinal axis 28. The fourth closure member 38 may be disposed spaced apart along the longitudinal direction from the second and third closure members 34, 36 and, in some cases, may be disposed on a portion of the outer wall 12 that is at least partially overlapped by the support member 44.

[0038] The closure system may be provided with at least one bend line 58, 60, 58’, 60’, 68, 70 (FIGS. 4 and 7) on one side of the ostomy pouch 10 to facilitate opening of the discharge opening 26. In an embodiment, at least one of the closure members attached to the bodyside wall, for example, the first closure member 32, may be provided with bend lines 58, 60 configured to facilitate opening of the discharge opening 26. In such an embodiment, the closure members attached to the outer wall 12 may not be provided with any bend lines for facilitating opening of the discharge opening 26. In another embodiment, at least one of the closure members attached tothe outer wall 12, for example, the second and third closure members 34, 36 or the third closure member 36, may be provided with bend lines configured to facilitate opening of the discharge opening 26. In such an embodiment, the closure members attached to the bodyside wall 14 (i.e. the first closure member 32) may not include any bend lines for facilitating opening of the discharge opening 26. It was surprisingly discovered that providing bend lines configured to facilitate opening of the discharge opening 26 on one side of the ostomy pouch 10 only can facilitate opening of the discharge opening 26 better than providing the bend lines on both sides of the ostomy pouch 10.

[0039] The first, second, third, and fourth closure members 32, 34, 36, 38 may be formed by thermal forming, extruding, or molding using a suitable polymer material such as, for example, MYLAR® brand polyester (PET) available from DuPont. In some embodiments, one or more of the closure members 32, 34, 36, 38 may have a thickness of approximately 0.25 millimeters. In some embodiments, a three-layer tape may be used to attach the one or more closure members 32, 34, 36, 38 to the drainable ostomy pouch 10. In some embodiments, such three-layer tape may include first and second layers of adhesive with a layer of a film therebetween and have a combined thickness of approximately 0.13 millimeters. In alternate embodiments, one or more of the closure members 32, 34, 36, 38 may be attached to the drainable ostomy pouch 10 using a layer of adhesive or another attachment material apparent to one who has ordinary skill in the art.

[0040] The drainable ostomy pouch 10 may also include a fastening system that comprises first and second fastener strips 40, 42. The fastener strips 40, 42 may have fastener elements that are adapted for releasable interlocking engagement with one another. The first and second fastener strips 40, 42 may be connected to the outer wall 12 and the support member 44, respectively, by an adhesive, a heat seal, and the like. The second fastener strip 42 may be disposed on a face of the support member 44 that faces the outer wall 12 and at least a portion of the second fastener strip 42 is disposed intermediate the support member 44 and the outer wall 12. The first and second fastener strips 40, 42 may be located at different distances from the discharge opening 26 or alternately at an identical distance from the discharge opening 26.

[0041] The support member 44 may comprise a polymeric film or other flexible material and may be attached to the outer wall 12 by an adhesive, a heat seal, or another attachment mechanism apparent to one who has ordinary skill in the art.

[0042] In some embodiments, the first and second fastener strips 40, 42, may comprise a material such as Aplix 966 sold by Aplix S.A. of Le Cellier, France. In other embodiments, the first and second fastener strips 40, 42 may comprise a polypropylene material of the type sold under the trademark DUOTEC by G. Binder GmbH & Co. Holzgerlingen, Germany, which is stated in product literature to work on the principle of interlocking mushroom elements. By using such materials for the first and second fastener strips 40, 42, the discharge opening 26 may be maintained in a closed position between the outer wall 12 and the support member 44 absent a disengagement force sufficient to overcome the retention force. In some embodiments, the interlocking elements of the fastener strips 40, 42 may be designed so both strips can be identical, and thus, there may not be a need to use physically distinguishable male / female components, or to use any fabric-like material that may have a strong tendency to absorb body waste materials and odors and then be difficult to clean. Among the attributes of the materials used for the fastener strips 40, 42 may be an ability to provide a strong and solid connection when pressed firmly together, to provide a user with tactile or other sensory indication of when the fastener strips 40, 42 are secured to one another, and an ability to be repeatedly fastened and unfastened. In some embodiments, the fastener material may be selected to produce an audible sound that indicate when the fastener strips 40, 42 are fastened or unfastened. In other embodiments, the opening and closing action of the fastener strips 40, 42 may be formed of a material that produces only very limited noise. However, it should be apparent that the fastener strips 40, 42 may comprise other materials such as, for example, hook and loop fasteners as marketed under the Velcro trademark or pressure sensitive adhesive coatings.

[0043] Referring to FIGS. 1-3 and FIGS. 3A-3C, the drainable ostomy pouch 10 may be movable between an unfolded or open configuration (FIG. 3) in which discharge collected in the cavity 17 may be released from the discharge opening 26 and a folded or closed configuration (FIG. 3C) in which discharge from the stoma may be collected in the cavity 17. Specifically, to move the drainable ostomy pouch 10 from the open configuration to the closed configuration, the neck portion 24 may be repeatedly folded or rolled onto itself in a direction R (FIG. 3) as shown in FIGS. 3A-3C until the first, second, and third closure members 32, 34, 36, respectively, are intermediate the fourth closure member 38 (and thus the outer wall 12 ) and the first fastener strip 40. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 3C, the support member 44 may be positioned so that the second fastener strip 42 is disposed atop and interlocked with the first fastener strip 40.

[0044] The closure members 32, 34, 36, 38 may provide structure and rigidity to the neck portion 24 so the neck portion 24 may remain extended when the drainable ostomy pouch 10 is in the open configuration and not fold over on itself. Further, these closure members 32, 34, 36, 38 may facilitate a tight closure of the neck portion 24 when the neck portion 24 is folded because portions of the walls 12, 14 proximate such closure members 32, 34, 36, 38 may be stretched thereagainst as the neck portion 24 is folded.

[0045] In one embodiment, the first closure member 32 may extend in a direction (“transverse direction”) that is parallel to the transverse axis 30 and between portions of the seam line 22 proximate opposite sides 46, 48 of the neck portion 24. (i.e., the interior portion of the neck in which the outer wall 12 and the bodyside 14 are not joined together). Thus, in such embodiments, the first closure member 32 does not extend into the joined portion 20 of the drainable ostomy pouch 10 proximate the opposite sides 46, 48.

[0046] The second and third closure members 34 and 36 may also extend in the transverse direction. Further, when the neck portion 24 is in the open configuration as shown in FIGS. 1-3, the first closure member 32 and at least a portion of the third closure member 36 may overlap on opposite sides (i.e., bodysides and non-bodysides) of the neck portion 24. Further, in some embodiments, the second and third closure members 34, 36 may extend in the transverse direction so that opposite edges thereof are disposed in the joined portion 20 proximate the opposite sides 46, 48 of the neck portion 24.

[0047] In one embodiment, a bottom edge 50 of the first closure member 32 may be separated from the discharge opening 26 in the longitudinal direction by a distance of between approximately 1.0 millimeter and approximately 3.5 millimeters. In some cases, such distance may be approximately 2.0 millimeters. In some embodiments, opposite side edges 52, 54 of the first closure member 32 may be separated in the transverse direction from portions of the seam line 22 proximate to such edges by approximately between 2.1 and 4.1 millimeters and in some cases approximately 3.1 millimeters.

[0048] FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the first closure member 32. The first closure member 32 may include a top edge 56 disposed opposite the bottom edge 50. The first closure member 32 may include the bend lines 58, 60 and configured to facilitate opening of the discharge opening 26 when pressure is applied at the opposite sides 46, 48 of the neck portion 24. The first and secondbend lines 58, 60 may be defined by, for example, slits, creases, lines of weakness, and the like, which may be formed in an interior 62 of the first closure member 32. In some embodiments, the bend lines 58, 60 may be formed from slits (also referred to herein as “slits 58, 60”) which may be thru-cuts that cut through the entire thickness of the first closure member 32. Alternately, the slits 58, 60 may partially cut through the thickness of the first closure member 32. The slit 58 may be disposed intermediate the edge 52 and the slit 60. The slits 58, 60 may be generally linear, nonparallel, and form oblique angles relative to the transverse and longitudinal directions. In some cases, the slits 58, 60 form an angle 0 relative to the longitudinal direction that is between approximately 8 degrees and approximately 12 degrees, and preferably approximately 10 degrees. In particular, each slit 58, 60 slants inward from the side edges 52, 54 so that a top-most portion 64 of each slit 58, 60 proximate the top edge 56 is closer to the side edges 52, 54, respectively, than a bottom-most portion 66 of the slit 58, 60 proximate the bottom edge 50.

[0049] In some embodiments, the side edges 52, 54 may be separated in the transverse direction by a distance Dio (i.e., a width of the first closure member 32) that may be between approximately 53.65 millimeters and approximately 54.15 millimeters, preferably approximately 53.90 millimeters. The top edge 56 and the bottom edge 50 may be separated by a distance Du (i.e., a height of the first closure member 32’) that may be between approximately 15.75 millimeters and approximately 16.25 millimeters, preferably approximately 16 millimeters. Each slit 58, 60 may have a length D12 that may be between approximately 10.88 millimeters and approximately 16.33 millimeters, preferably approximately 13.61 millimeters. The bottom-most portions 66 of the first and second slits 58,60 may be separated from one another in the transverse direction by a distance D13 that may be between approximately 13.18 millimeters and approximately 19.78 millimeters, preferably approximately 16.48 millimeters. The top-most portion 64 and the bottom-most portion 66 may be separated from the top edge 56 and bottom edge 50, respectively, in the longitudinal directly by a distance D14 that may between approximately 1.04 millimeters and approximately 1.56 millimeters, preferably approximately 1.30 millimeters.

[0050] As discussed above, the first closure member 32 may be disposed on the bodyside wall 14 and the third closure member 36 may disposed on the outer wall 12 so that such closure members 32, 36 are opposite one another on the neck portion 24 of the drainable ostomy pouch 10 and at least partially overlap. As shown in FIG. 5, when a user applies pressure at the oppositesides 46, 48 of the neck portion 24 proximate the opposite side edges 52, 54 of the first closure member 32 to urge such side edges 52, 54 toward each other, separation of the edges 52, 54 from the seam line 22 and the slits 58, 60 in the first closure member 32 may cause the first closure member 32, and thus the bodyside wall 14 in the neck portion 24 attached to the first closure member 32, to bow outward away from the outer wall 12 and form a funnel shape. Such bowing of the body side wall 14 may be facilitated by allowing the entire first closure member 32 secured to such wall to flex because the edges 52, 54 are in the interior portion of the neck portion 24 in which the outer wall 12 and the body side 14 are not joined together. The third closure member 36 may provide structure to the outer wall 12 and may prevent such wall from bowing with the bodyside wall 14. Bowing of the bodyside wall 14 may cause the bodyside wall 14 to separate from the outer wall 12 to form a gap or opening 71 between the outer wall 12 and the body side wall 14 that may provide a path for contents collected in the drainable ostomy pouch 10 to be passed for discharge through the discharge opening 26. The gap 71 remains present as long as the user continues to apply pressure the opposite side edges 52, 54. Such additional widening of the discharge opening 26 allows the contents of the ostomy pouch 10 to be discharged with greater ease.

[0051] FIG. 6 shown an embodiment of a drainable ostomy pouch 10’ that is substantially identical to the drainable ostomy pouch 10 shown in FIG. 1-5 except the first closure member 32’ of the drainable ostomy pouch 10’ may be configured to extend into the pouch peripheral seal 20. Like the first closure member 32 of the previously described embodiment, the first closure member 32’ of the embodiment of FIG. 6 may be disposed in the neck portion 24 of the bodyside wall 14 of the drainable ostomy pouch 10. However, in this embodiment, the first closure member 32’ may extend in the transverse direction beyond the portions of the seam line 22 proximate the opposite sides 46, 48 of the neck portion 24. Thus, opposite side edges 52’, 54’ of the first closure member 32’ may be disposed in the joined portion or peripheral seal 20 of the drainable ostomy pouch 10’ in such embodiments.

[0052] Referring also to FIG. 7, the first closure member 32’ may be configured to facilitate opening of the discharge opening 26 and may include a bottom edge 50’, opposite side edges 52’, 54’, and top edge 56’ opposite the bottom edge 50’. In addition, inner bend lines 58’ 60’ (also referred to herein as “first and second slits 58’, 60’”), may be defined by, for example, slits,creases, lines of weakness, and the like, formed in an interior portion 62 of the first closure member 32’. The first slit 58’ is disposed intermediate the side edge 52’ and the second slit 60’. The first and second slits 58’, 60’ may be configured similar to the first and second slits 58, 60 of the first closure member 32 described above and may be generally linear, non-parallel, and form oblique angles relative to the to the transverse and longitudinal directions. In some embodiments, the first and second slits 58’, 60’ form an angle 0 that may be between approximately 8 degrees and approximately 12 degrees, and preferably approximately 10 degrees, relative to the longitudinal direction.

[0053] The first closure member 32’ may also include outer bend lines 68, 70 (also referred to herein as “third and fourth slits 68, 70”) defined by, for example, slits, creases, lines of weakness, and the like, formed in the first closure member 32’ and that extend substantially in the longitudinal direction. In some embodiments, the outer bend lines 68, 70 may be defined by third and fourth slits 68, 70, which may be thru-cuts and, in other embodiments, such slits may be partial cuts through the thickness of the first closure member 32’. The third slit 68 may be disposed intermediate the first slit 58’ and the side edge 52’ and the fourth slit 70 may be disposed intermediate the second slit 60’ and side edge 54’. Further, the third and fourth slits 68, 70 may be positioned on the first closure member 32’ so that such slits are interior of portions of the seam line 22 proximate the sides 48, 46, respectively, of the neck portion 24. In some embodiments, each of the third and fourth slits 68, 70 may have a top-most portion 72 proximate the top edge 56’ and a bottom-most portion 74 proximate the bottom edge 50’.

[0054] In some embodiments, the side edges 52’, 54’ may be separated in the transverse direction by a distance Di (i.e., a width of the first closure member 32’) that may be between approximately 69.55 millimeters and approximately 70.05 millimeters, and in some cases may be approximately 69.80 millimeters. The top edge 56’ and the bottom edge 50’ may be separated by a distance D2 (i.e., a height of the first closure member 32’) that may be between approximately 15.75 millimeters and 16.25 millimeters, and in some cases may be 16 millimeters. The top-most portion 64’ and the bottom-most portion 66’ of each of the first and second slits 58’, 60’ may be separated in the longitudinal direction by a distance D3 that may be between approximately 6.30 millimeters and approximately 9.44 millimeters, preferably approximately 7.87 millimeters. Such portions 64’, 66’ may be separated in the transverse direction by a distance D4 that may be betweenapproximately 1.15 millimeters and approximately 1.73 millimeters, preferably approximately 1.44 millimeters. The bottom-most portion 66’ of the first and second slits 58’ and 60’ may be separated from one another in the transverse direction by a distance Ds that may be between approximately 13.97 millimeters and approximately 20.95 millimeters, preferably approximately 17.46 millimeters.

[0055] In some embodiments, the top-most portion 72 and the bottom-most portion 74 of each of the third and fourth slits 68, 70 may be separated in the longitudinal direction by a distance Dr, that may be between approximately 10.4 millimeters and approximately 15.6 millimeters, preferably approximately 13.00 millimeters. The third and fourth slits 68 and 70 may be separated from one another in the transverse direction by a distance D? that may be between approximately 44.03 millimeters and approximately 66.05 millimeters, preferably approximately 55.04 millimeters.

[0056] In some embodiments, the top-most portion 64’ and the bottom-most portion 66’ of each of the first and second slits 58’, 60’ may be separated in the longitudinal direction from the top edge 56’ and the bottom edge 50’, respectively, by a distance Ds that may be between approximately 3.25 millimeters and approximately 4.87 millimeters, preferably approximately 4.06 millimeters. The top-most portion 72 and bottom-most portion 74 of each of the third and fourth slits 68, 70 may be separated in the longitudinal direction from the top edge 56’ and the bottom edge 50’ respectively by a distance D9 that may be between approximately 1.21 millimeters and approximately 1.81 millimeters, preferably approximately 1.51 millimeters.

[0057] A ratio between the first closure member portions left unweakened or uncut between the outer bend lines 68, 70 and the top and bottom edges 56’, 50’ (“uncut portions”) and the uncut portions between the inner bend lines 58’, 60’ and the top and bottom edges 56’ 50’ may be configured to facilitate opening of the discharge opening 26. The first closure member 32’ may be configured to include smaller uncut portions between the outer bend lines 68, 70 and the top and bottom edges 56’ 50’ when compared to the uncut portions between the inner bend lines 58’ 60’ and the top and bottom edges 56’ 50’, such that a bend resistance at the inner bend lines 58’, 60’ is greater than that at the outer bend lines 68, 70 when pressure is applied at the opposite sides 46, 48 of the neck portion 24. Thus, when pressure is applied at the opposite sides 46, 48, the first closure member 32’ may begin bowing at the outer bend lines 68, 70 before bowing at the innerbend lines 58’, 60’ because there is less material between the outer bend lines 68, 70 and the top and bottom edges 56’, 50’ that may resist bending or folding than between the inner bend lines 58’, 60’ and such edges 56’, 60’. Such difference in material may facilitate even and symmetrical outward bowing of the first closure member 32’ (and the bodyside wall 14) away from the outer wall 12 and thus may prevent one side of the closure member 32’ bowing outward away from the outer wall 12 and another side of the closure member 32’ bowing inward toward the outer wall 12. In an embodiment, a ratio between D9 and Ds (D< / Dx) may be between about 0.2 to about 0.5, preferably about 0. 25 to about 0.47, more preferably about 0.27 to about 0.4. In an embodiment, the ratio of D9 to Ds may be about 0.37. In another embodiment, the ratio of D9 to Ds may be about 0.47.

[0058] In some embodiments, the symmetrical outward bowing of the first closure member 32’ described above may be facilitated by having the depths with which the inner bend lines 58’, 60’ are cut into the first closure member 32 be shallower than the depths with which the outer bend lines 68, 70 are cut. Such difference in depths may result in portions of the first closure member 32’ proximate the inner bend lines 58’, 60’ having greater bend resistance than portions proximate the outer bend lines 68, 70. Other configurations that provide such difference in bend resistance apparent to one who has ordinary skill in the art may be used in other embodiments.

[0059] The bend lines or slits 58’, 60’, 68 and 70 in first closure member 32’ may be configured to facilitate creating the gap or opening 71 between outer wall 12 and the bodyside wall 14 as discussed above in connection with the first closure member 32 and such gap 71 may create a path for removal of the contents of the drainable ostomy pouch 10’ through the discharge opening 26. Further, because the first closure member 32’ may extend into the joined portion or peripheral seal 20 of the drainable ostomy pouch 10’, the first closure member 32’ may provide additional rigidity and support to the body side wall 14 in the joined portion 20 and thus the neck portion 24 of the drainable ostomy pouch 10’. However, even in those embodiments in which portions of the first closure member 32’ may extend and overlap the joined portion 20, all of the bend lines or slits 58’, 60’, 68, 70 may be disposed interior of (i.e., between) the portions of seam line 22 proximate the opposite sides 46 of the neck portion 24, and thus none of these bend lines or slits 58’, 60’, 68, 70 may be disposed in the joined portion 20.

[0060] In some embodiments, the first closure member 32’ may prevent unwanted fluid seepage, for example, between the edges 52, 54 thereof and the seam line 22 if the neck portion is not folded correctly because such first closure member 32’ extends into joined portion 22 of the drainable ostomy pouch 10.

[0061] FIG. 9 is an exploded view that illustrates how an embodiment of the ostomy pouch 10 or 10’ disclosed above may be constructed. Referring to FIG. 9, the outer wall 12 and the bodyside wall 14 may be sealed together to form the ostomy pouch 10, 10’. The ostomy pouch 10, 10’ may include an outer non-woven panel 90 attached to the outer wall 12 and a body-side non-woven panel 96 attached to the bodyside wall 14. The outer wall 12 may include an opening 100 and the bodyside non-woven panel 96 and the bodyside wall 14 may include openings 102a, 102b. A fdter 104 may be aligned with the opening 100 in the outer wall 12 and may be secured to the outer wall 12.

[0062] The outer wall 12 and the body side wall 14 may be joined to one another along a peripheral seal 20 to form the pouch 10, 10’. A connector flange 108 may be aligned with the openings 100a, 100b and secured to the bodyside wall 14 and the bodyside non-woven panel 96. The connector flange 108 may enable attachment of the pouch 10, 10’ to a barrier appliance (not shown), which in turn may be attached to a body of the ostomate to allow entry of stomal discharge from the ostomate into the pouch 10, 10’ formed in this manner. Further, gases in the pouch may be fdtered by the fdter 104 and evacuated through the opening 100.

[0063] The first fastener strip 40 and either the first closure member 32 or the first closure member 32' may be secured to the neck portion 24b on the bodyside wall 14. The second closure member 34 and the third closure member 36 may be attached to the neck portion 24a on the outer wall 12. The fourth closure member 38 and the support member or flap 44 having the second fastener strip 42 may also be attached to the outer wall 12.

[0064] Although the ostomy pouches 10, 10’ described in the foregoing are described as comprising a two-piece ostomy pouch in which a connector flange 108 that may secured to the bodyside wall 14 and a barrier appliance may be joined to the connector flange 108, it should be apparent to one who has ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments disclosed herein may be readily adapted for use with a one-piece ostomy pouch in which an ostomy barrier (not shown)may be aligned with the openings 100a, 100b and secured to the bodyside wall 14 directly without the use of any connector flange.

[0065] While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be apparent to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made and are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, although the present disclosure has been described herein in the context of a particular implementation in a particular environment for a particular purpose, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that its usefulness is not limited thereto and that the present disclosure may be beneficially implemented in any number of environments for any number of purposes. Accordingly, the claims set forth below should be construed in view of the full breadth and spirit of the present disclosure as described herein.

Claims

WE CLAIM:

1. A drainable ostomy pouch, comprising:a bodyside wall and an outer wall joined in a joined portion along their peripheral edges to define a cavity therebetween for collecting stomal discharge; anda downwardly extending neck portion terminating in a discharge opening for draining stomal discharge collected in the cavity, the neck portion including a closure system comprising:a first closure member extending parallel to a transverse axis of the neck portion; a second closure member extending parallel to the transverse axis; anda third closure member extending parallel to the transverse axis arranged adjacent to and on the same side as the second closure member, wherein the first closure member and the third closure member are arranged on opposite sides of the neck portion and least partially overlap when the neck portion is unfolded, wherein the closure system is configured such that the first closure member, the second closure member, and the third closure members are stacked on top of one another when the neck portion is folded; wherein the closure system includes at least one bend line configured to facilitate opening of the discharge opening, wherein the at least one bend line is provided only on one side of the neck portion, wherein at least one of the first, second and third closure members includes the at least one bend line.

2. The drainable ostomy pouch of claim 1, wherein the first closure member includes the at least one bend line.

3. The drainable ostomy pouch of claim 1, wherein the third closure member includes the at least one bend line.

4. The drainable ostomy pouch of claim 1, wherein the second and third closure members include the at least one bend line.

5. The drainable ostomy pouch of any one of claims 1-4, wherein the at least one bend line is defined by a plurality of slits, creases, or lines of weakness.

6. The drainable ostomy pouch of any one of claims 1-4, wherein the at least one bend line is defined by a plurality of slits extending at an oblique angle to the transverse axis.

7. The drainable ostomy pouch of any one of claims 1-6, wherein the at least one bend line is defined by a plurality of slits that are disposed interior of the joined portion.

8. The drainable ostomy pouch of claim 1, wherein the at least one bend line is defined by a plurality of thru-cut slits.

9. The drainable ostomy pouch of claim 1, further including a seam line that defines the joined portion.

10. The drainable ostomy pouch of claim 1, wherein the first closure member is entirely disposed interior of the joined portion.

11. The drainable ostomy pouch of claim 10, wherein the at least one bend line includes two bend lines extending at an oblique angle to the transverse axis on the first closure member, wherein the two bend lines are arranged interior of the joined portion.

12. The drainable ostomy pouch of claim 9, wherein at least a portion of the first closure member overlaps the joined portion.

13. The drainable ostomy pouch of claim 12, wherein the at least one bend line includes a first slit, a second slit, a third slit, and a fourth slit formed on the first closure member, wherein the first slit and the second slit are disposed intermediate the third slit and the fourth slit, wherein the first, second, third, and fourth slits are arranged interior of the joined portion.

14. The drainable ostomy pouch of claim 13, wherein the third slit and the fourth slit extend in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the neck portion.

15. The drainable ostomy pouch of any one of claims 1-14, further including a first fastener strip disposed on the bodyside wall and a second fastener strip coupled to the outer wall, wherein the first fastener strip and the second fastener strip are configured to interlock with one another and thereby entrap the first closure member, the second closure member, and the third closure member between the outer wall and the second fastener strip.

16. The drainable ostomy pouch of claim 15, further including a support member joined to the outer wall and the second fastener strip is secured to the support member.

17. The drainable ostomy pouch of claim 16, further including a fourth closure member disposed on the outer wall, wherein the support member overlays the outer wall and the fourth closure member is disposed intermediate the outer wall and the support member.

18. The drainable ostomy pouch of claim 17, wherein the interlocking the first fastener strip and the second fastener strip entraps the first closure member, the second closure member, the third closure member, and the fourth closure member between the outer wall and the support member.

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