GB2357295A - Tablet for aiding disposal - Google Patents

Tablet for aiding disposal Download PDF

Info

Publication number
GB2357295A
GB2357295A GB0024953A GB0024953A GB2357295A GB 2357295 A GB2357295 A GB 2357295A GB 0024953 A GB0024953 A GB 0024953A GB 0024953 A GB0024953 A GB 0024953A GB 2357295 A GB2357295 A GB 2357295A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
tablet
substance
water
article
alkali
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB0024953A
Other versions
GB0024953D0 (en
Inventor
Jeremy Colin Russell
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Smiths Group PLC
Original Assignee
Smiths Group PLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Smiths Group PLC filed Critical Smiths Group PLC
Publication of GB0024953D0 publication Critical patent/GB0024953D0/en
Publication of GB2357295A publication Critical patent/GB2357295A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
    • C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
    • C11D3/00—Other compounding ingredients of detergent compositions covered in group C11D1/00
    • C11D3/0005—Other compounding ingredients characterised by their effect
    • C11D3/0052—Gas evolving or heat producing compositions
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
    • C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
    • C11D17/00—Detergent materials or soaps characterised by their shape or physical properties
    • C11D17/0047—Detergents in the form of bars or tablets
    • C11D17/0065—Solid detergents containing builders
    • C11D17/0073—Tablets
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
    • C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
    • C11D3/00—Other compounding ingredients of detergent compositions covered in group C11D1/00
    • C11D3/0005—Other compounding ingredients characterised by their effect
    • C11D3/001—Softening compositions

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Oil, Petroleum & Natural Gas (AREA)
  • Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Orthopedics, Nursing, And Contraception (AREA)
  • Bidet-Like Cleaning Device And Other Flush Toilet Accessories (AREA)
  • Accommodation For Nursing Or Treatment Tables (AREA)
  • Processing Of Solid Wastes (AREA)

Abstract

The dissolution of an ostomy bag (20) or other article intended to be disposed of in the flush of a water closet (14) is aided by addition of a tablet 1. The tablet has an inner portion 10 which may comprise a strong alkali or acid and an outer covering 11 which is non-irritant and may comprise a water softener and a surfactant. The covering 11 completely encloses the acid or alkali in order that it can be handled safely.

Description

2357295 DISPOSAL MEANS This invention relates to disposal means.
It can be an advantage to be able to dispose of articles by flusIfing in a wc, particularly where the articles are soiled, such as ostomy bags, sanitary items, diapers or the like. The articles can be made of water-disintegratable material but this makes them vulnerable to damage during use if they come into contact with water. It has been proposed instead to make such articles from a material that is resistant to water but will break up on contact with an alkali. Thus, the article would remain intact during use and could be exposed to water without damage. When it is necessary to dispose of the article, an alkali is added to water in the wc pan so that the article will be broken up sufficiently to be flushed away freely. The alkali could be in the form of a liquid, powder or tablet. Examples of alkali- disposable ostomy bags are described in GB2195919, GB2201372, GB2257056 and G132324761.
Although such an arrangement for disposal can function satisfactorily, there is a problem in ensuring that the user avoids contact with the alkali, since this could cause skin irritation. Where the user needs to carry the alkali with him, this can be a particular problem.
Although the alkali can be in a dry form protected in a sachet or the like before use, there is still a risk of contact with the alkali when it is removed from the wrapping. There can also be a problem using alkali in hard water areas because the presence of calcium and magnesium salts in the water renders the alkali less effective when attacking the article.
It is an object of the present invention to provide alternative disposal means.
2 According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided article disposal means in the form of a tablet, the tablet including an inner portion of a first water-soluble substance capable of promoting disposal of an article when the article and tablet are immersed in water, and an outer portion surrounding the inner portion of a second water soluble substance different from the first substance, the second substance including a water softening agent and being substantially non-irritating to the skin such that the tablet can be handled sSfely by holding the outer portion prior to immersion.
The first substance preferably includes an alkali and the second substance is preferably a mixture of a surfactant and a water-softening agent. The water-softening agent may be selected from a group c omprising: ion-exchange resins, polycarboxylates, zeolites, sodium carboxylates, potassium carboxylates, phosphates, phosphites, phosphonates, sulphonates and sulphates. The tablet may include an effervescent agent.
According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a tablet for use in disposing of an alkali-disposable ostomy bag, the tablet including an inner portion of a water-soluble alkali, and an outer portion surrounding the inner portion of a second water soluble substance different from the first substance, the second substance including a water softening agent and being substantially non-irritating to the skin such that the tablet can be handled safely by holding the outer portion prior to immersion.
According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided an arrangement of an alkali-disposable article and a tablet the tablet including an inner portion of a first 3 substance including a water-soluble alkali, and an outer portion surrounding the inner portion of a second water-soluble substance different from the first substance, the second substance being substantially non-irritating to the skin such that the tablet can be handled safely by holding the outer portion prior to immersion.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of disposing of an article, including the steps of.. providing a tablet, the tablet including an inner portion of;a first water-soluble substance capable of promoting disposal of the article when the article and tablet are immersed in water, and an outer portion surrounding the inner portion of a second water-soluble substance different from the first substance, the second substance being substantially non-irritating to the skin such that the tablet can be handled safely by holding the outer portion prior to immersion; placing the tablet in a wc pan such that the outer portion dissolves and allows the first sub'stance to dissolve; placing the article in the wc pan so that it is broken down by the first substance; and flushing the wc.
The article may be an ostomy bag. The first substance preferably includes an alkali.
A tablet for use in disposing of alkali-disposable ostorny bags will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the tablet; and Figure 2 illustrates the tablet in use.
4 With reference first to Figure 1 there is shown a tablet 1 of rectangular shape, although it could be formed of any shape. The tablet 1 comprises two portions: and inner portion 10 and an outer layer or portion 11. The inner portion 10 is of a water-soluble alkali, which may be either organic or inorganic in nature- The outer portion 11 is of a substance that will not cause skin irritation and it completely surrounds the inner portion 10 so that the tablet can be handled safely, even by people with sensitive skin. More particularly, the outer portion 11 comprises a mixture of a surfactant and a water-softening agent. The surfactant may be adionic surfactant containing sodium dioctyl sulphosuccinate (eg Aerosol OT75 - Aerosol is a Registered Trade Mark of Cyanamid). The water-softening agent may be, for example, selected from one or more of the following: ion-exchange resins; polycarboxylates; zeolites; sodium or potassium carboxylates; phosphates; phosphites; phosphonates; sulphonates and sulphates. With some water-softening agents, a surfactant may not be needed. The water-softening agent may be mixed with another substance as a part of an organic or inorganic matrix or polymer. Prior to use, the tablet is protected in an outer foil or sachet 12.
With reference now also to Figure 2, the tablet 1 is shown used with an alkali- disposable ostomy bag 20, such as described in GB2195919, GB2201372, GB2257056 or GB232476 1. The construction of the bag 20 is not important to an understanding of the present invention, the bag being made of a conventional material that is resistant to water at neutral pH but that is broken up on contact with an alkali sufficiently to enable the bag and contents to be flushed away freely. In use, the tablet 1 is first removed from its wrapping 12 and is dropped in the pan 13 of a wc 14. Because the user only contacts the outer portion 11 of the tablet 1 he can handle the tablet safely. The outer portion 11 of the tablet 1 containing the water-softening agent dissolves first in the water in the pan 13. When the underlying inner alkali 10 is exposed, this also starts to dissolve. The water will already have been largely softened by the outer layer 11 before the alkali 10 is dissolved, thereby increasing the effectiveness of the solution for degrading the bag 20. The speed at which the tablet 1 dissolves may be further increased by adding an effervescent agent to either the inner, outer or both portions of the tablet. When the tablet 1 has dissolved, the user drops the bag 20 into the water in the pan 13, in which the pH has now been raised to about 10. The bag 20 is broken de;yn by the alkali and, after a few minutes, can be flushed away without risk of blockage.
The arrangement of the tablet and article of the present invention, therefore, makes the disposal of alkali-disposable articles easier for the user since the user does not have to take special precautions to avoid contacting the alkali.The incorporation of a water-softening agent in the outer portion allows the solution to reach its optimum state quickly and, therefore, reduces the total time taken for disposal. This is an important advantage for users in that it reduces embarrassment.
The tablet could take various different forms and include various different substances.
The inner portion need not be of an alkali but could be of any other substance capable of promoting disposal of an article, for example, it could be an acid and used to dispose of acid disposable articles. The tablet could be used to dispose of various articles, such as sanitary wear, diapers or the like and is not confined to use with stoma bags.
6

Claims (13)

1. Article disposal means in the form of a tablet, the tablet including an inner portion of a first water-soluble substance capable of promoting disposal of an article when the article and tablet are immersed in water, and an outer portion surrounding the inner portion of a second water-soluble substance different from the first substance, wherein the second substance includes a water-softening agent and is substantially non irritating to the skin such that the tablet can be handled safely by holding the outer portion prior to immersion.
2. Article disposal means according to Claim 1, wherein the first substance includes an alkali.
3. Article disposal means according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the second substance is a mixture of a surfactant and a water-softening agent.
4. Article disposal means according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the water-softening agent is selected from a group comprising: ion-exchange resins, polyearboxylates, zeolites, sodium carboxylates, potassium carboxylates, phosphates, phosphites, phosphonates, sulphonates and sulphates.
5. Article disposal means according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tablet includes an effervescent agent.
7
6. A tablet for use in disposing of an alkali-disposable ostomy bag, wherein the tablet includes an inner portion of a water-soluble alkali, and an outer portion surrounding the inner portion of a second water-soluble substance different from the first substance, wherein the second substance includes a water-softening agent and is substantially non-irritating to the skin such that the tablet can be handled safely by holding the outer portion prior to immersion.
7. Ar arrangement of an alkali-disposable article and a tablet, wherein the tablet includes an inner portion of a first substance including a water-soluble alkali, and an outer portion surrounding the inner portion of a second water-soluble substance different fl-om the first substance, wherein the second substance is substantially non irritating to the skin such that the tablet can be handled safely by holding the outer portion prior to immersion.
8. A method of disposing of an article, including the steps of. providing a tablet, the tablet including an inner portion of a first water-soluble substance capable of promoting disposal of the article when the article and tablet are immersed in water, and an outer portion surrounding the inner portion of a second water- soluble substance different from the first substance, the second substance being substantially non-irritating to the skin such that the tablet can be handled safely by holding the outer portion prior to immersion; placing the tablet in a wc pan such that the outer portion dissolves and allows the first substance to dissolve; placing the article in the wc pan so that it is broken down by the first substance; and flushing the wc.
8
9. A method according to Claim 8, wherein the article is an ostomy bag.
10. A method according to Claim 8 or 9, wherein the first substance includes an alkali.
11. A tablet substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
12. Affiethod of disposing of an ostomy bag substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
13. Any novel and inventive feature or combination of features as hereinbefore described.
GB0024953A 1999-11-02 2000-10-11 Tablet for aiding disposal Withdrawn GB2357295A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB9925829.5A GB9925829D0 (en) 1999-11-02 1999-11-02 Disposal means

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB0024953D0 GB0024953D0 (en) 2000-11-29
GB2357295A true GB2357295A (en) 2001-06-20

Family

ID=10863751

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GBGB9925829.5A Ceased GB9925829D0 (en) 1999-11-02 1999-11-02 Disposal means
GB0024953A Withdrawn GB2357295A (en) 1999-11-02 2000-10-11 Tablet for aiding disposal

Family Applications Before (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GBGB9925829.5A Ceased GB9925829D0 (en) 1999-11-02 1999-11-02 Disposal means

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1099751A3 (en)
JP (1) JP2001191064A (en)
GB (2) GB9925829D0 (en)

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2382342A (en) * 2001-11-27 2003-05-28 Reckitt Benckiser Nv Water-softening tablet
JP2010274156A (en) * 2009-05-26 2010-12-09 Panasonic Electric Works Co Ltd Additive for water treatment and water treatment apparatus
JP7367811B1 (en) 2022-07-25 2023-10-24 栗田工業株式会社 How to dispose of used sanitary products

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4620999A (en) * 1983-11-15 1986-11-04 Imperial Chemical Industries Plc Disposable bags
US5316688A (en) * 1991-05-14 1994-05-31 Ecolab Inc. Water soluble or dispersible film covered alkaline composition

Family Cites Families (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4219436A (en) * 1977-06-01 1980-08-26 The Procter & Gamble Company High density, high alkalinity dishwashing detergent tablet
GB2041966A (en) * 1977-11-29 1980-09-17 Procter & Gamble Detergent tablet having a hydrated salt coating and process for preparing the tablet
BE56T1 (en) * 1977-11-29 1980-04-18 Procter & Gamble YDRATE AND METHOD FOR PREPARING THE DETERGENT TABLET COMPRISING AN H-SALT COATING
GB9006953D0 (en) * 1990-03-28 1990-05-23 Disposables & Diaper Developme Disposable materials
GB9112912D0 (en) * 1991-06-14 1991-08-07 Smiths Industries Plc Medico-surgical and sanitary articles and materials
EP0846756B1 (en) * 1996-12-06 2007-04-18 The Procter & Gamble Company Coated detergent tablet and the process for producing the same
EP0846754A1 (en) * 1996-12-06 1998-06-10 The Procter & Gamble Company Coated detergent tablet
WO1998048684A1 (en) * 1997-04-30 1998-11-05 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Flushable cellulosic products and processes and systems for flushing such products

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4620999A (en) * 1983-11-15 1986-11-04 Imperial Chemical Industries Plc Disposable bags
US5316688A (en) * 1991-05-14 1994-05-31 Ecolab Inc. Water soluble or dispersible film covered alkaline composition

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0024953D0 (en) 2000-11-29
JP2001191064A (en) 2001-07-17
GB9925829D0 (en) 1999-12-29
EP1099751A2 (en) 2001-05-16
EP1099751A3 (en) 2001-08-01

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US6727219B2 (en) Single dosage oxidizing treatment
CN1260435C (en) Splash-prevention paper
JPS6363456A (en) Bag and sanitary article disposable to flash toilet and sheet material therefor and disposal thereof
CA1183435A (en) Activation of hypochlorite bleaching of dyes
GB2275873B (en) An article which is disposable in water
AU678416B2 (en) Lavatory cleansing blocks
GB2357295A (en) Tablet for aiding disposal
WO1990003156A1 (en) Disposable sanitary articles
BR0109848A (en) Fluoride Dental Foam Composition
JP2005187511A (en) Liquid composition and method for cleaning
AR020205A1 (en) STERILIZING EFERVESCENT FORMULATION.
DK0833596T3 (en) Water-dispersible disposable container
EP0196151A2 (en) Disinfection of contact lenses
JP2567330B2 (en) Adhesive tape that slowly releases active chlorine
JP3143047U (en) Emergency manure disposal bag
US20160289941A1 (en) Cleaning apparatus and method of using and applying self-adhesive material for cleaning a surface
JP3881708B2 (en) Cleaning agent and cleaning method
US5817611A (en) Lavatory cleansing blocks
JP2699281B2 (en) Immersion type urinary stone inhibitor and method for preventing adhesion of urine stone
JPH0372124A (en) Water splash preventive agent for use in water closet
JP4949566B2 (en) How to prevent scale sticking in toilets with removable traps
JP4925308B2 (en) Tablet detergent
WO1998052410A3 (en) A microbiocidal formulation
JPH03193199A (en) Private treatment of human waste
JPH10109098A (en) Scale preventive agent

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
732E Amendments to the register in respect of changes of name or changes affecting rights (sect. 32/1977)
WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)